asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will now make a statement on the loss of the six Hunter aircraft which crashed in Norfolk on Wednesday, 8th February, 1956.

The court of inquiry has reported and has shown that the accident was not due to aircraft failure. As a result of its recommendations and of the observations of senior officers upon them, certain summaries of evidence are to be taken.

I will make a further statement as soon as possible.

While I am glad to know that there was nothing wrong with the aircraft, in view of the fact that, apart from the tragic loss of life, this accident entailed the loss of £750,000 or thereabouts in aircraft, will the Minister say whether he is now satisfied that the air conditions were such that the aircraft ought to have been sent up? Secondly, will the Minister assure the House that the diversion stations had been preselected and were properly ready to deal with the situation?

The right hon. Gentleman's questions are both extremely relevant but, as the case is sub judice, I would rather not comment on them at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what consideration is given to commercial rights for home and export sales of radio, radar and electric equipment when the Royal Air Force sells such equipment in new condition to other countries; and what steps are taken to avoid competing with the manufacturers of such equipment.

With one or two exceptions where special considerations apply, new equipment which is available from commercial sources is not sold by the Royal Air Force to other countries except at the direct request of Governments with whom we have formal supply agreements. Proprietary equipment is supplied only with the manufacturers' consent.

In the case of such deals as do take place, is my right hon. Friend satisfied that he gets the best price that could have been obtained by the commercial companies?

That is again a very relevant point. I am advised that sometimes the price is higher and sometimes less.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps are taken by the Royal Air Force to ensure that radio, radar and electronic equipment sold in new condition to other countries functions to the satisfaction of the purchasing Government; and what facilities are provided in the way of after-sales service of this equipment to protect the reputation of this country's products in the export field.

All equipment is inspected by the Aeronautical Inspection Service before dispatch, the purchasing Government being represented if they so wish. The Royal Air Force has no responsibility for maintaining the equipment after it has been sold. Technical advice is supplied if required.

Does my right hon. Friend think it is a good thing for British equipment to be sold to foreign Powers when there is no real after-sales service given? Could he do something to ensure, perhaps through the companies themselves, that after-sales service is given? Otherwise it ruins the name of British equipment.

I understand that very few complaints have been received on this score. I quite agree that that is a good point, and I understand that in many cases the manufacturers do give after-sales service.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what special event is to be celebrated at the Royal Air Force Camp, Sandwich, Kent, on Thursday, 22nd March; what preparations have been made for the occasion; how many weekend leave passes have been cancelled recently to enable preparations to be completed; and in what way were the Royal Air Force men and women concerned employed instead of being on leave.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester is visiting the R.A.F. Station, Sandwich, tomorrow. Appropriate preparations have been made. About sixty passes were cancelled last weekend to enable them to be completed.

Will the Minister say how these men were employed at the weekend instead of going on leave? Is he aware that for the very first time kerbstones and manhole covers were painted, and that indoor dustbins were also painted to match the colour of the furniture? Does he not think that it is thoroughly dishonest to paint a picture which is so different from the normal conditions? Is this not the sort of thing that makes intelligent men decide against continuing to serve with the Regulars and being at the mercy of such stupid mentalities?

Most of the leave passes that were stopped were for women, not for men. This is a fighter control station where a large number of W.R.A.F. personnel are employed. The Duchess of Gloucester is Commandant of the Women's Royal Air Force. From my own Service life, I am bound to say that I have always thought that one of the objects of having an inspection was to enable one to see how well one could turn out the station or the barracks. I am sure that if the hon. Gentleman were to receive a Royal visit he would certainly give things a wipe over.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he was ever called upon to paint dustbins?

I have not heard that dustbins were painted. A certain amount of painting has been done, but I understand that the contract for that was let long before the visit was arranged.

asked the Secretary of State for Air in how many cases, other than that of the Comet II aircraft, is the price paid for Service aircraft negotiated by the Minister of Supply.

In all cases.

Is the Minister therefore saying that he accepts aircraft without reference to the price? Does he not have any control at all over the amount he has to pay for these machines?

As the hon. Member knows, the system is that the Air Ministry states its operational requirements, and from that stage on the matter is taken over by the Ministry of Supply. Of course the price is relevant, because obviously the number of aircraft we can have depends very largely on the price. We take the closest interest in the price, but we do not negotiate it.

If the price is not known, how is the further set-up worked out? Further, is the Minister satisfied that these are on a firm price basis, or are they all cost plus?

The right hon. Gentleman should address those questions to the Ministry of Supply, because that is the Ministry which negotiates these prices.

Are we therefore to understand that over that item which is the largest single item in the Air Estimates the Secretary of State has no control at all?

As the hon. Member knows, the Secretary of State has no direct dealings with the firm. That is done by the Ministry of Supply.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many years service he expects to get from the unmodified Comet II aircraft purchased for Transport Command.

All the Comet II aircraft coming into the Royal Air Force are expected to give four or more years' service.

Are we to understand that the Secretary of State accepted into the Service an aircraft the price of which was not his concern at all but the life of which was limited to 2,000 hours utilisation and which was not able to do certain operations at all because of restrictions laid upon it as to airworthiness? Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that this is the best way to get value for the taxpayers' money?

The aircraft to which the hon. Member refers, with that number of hours life, is useful for the purposes for which we are using it. [Laughter.] Indeed, it is. We are, of course, concerned about price, but what I am saying is that we do not ourselves negotiate prices.

Is not the long and short of it that the Government have decided to give a subsidy to de Havillands and that this is the way they are doing it—by buying up otherwise scrap aircraft?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many tenders have been received in respect of the construction of the Dartford-Purfleet Tunnel; and if he will make a statement giving a date when work will commence on the main tunnelling.

Seven tenders have been received. I cannot say precisely when the main tunnelling will start, because the contractor will have to do a considerable amount of preliminary work, which may take several months.

Does the Minister appreciate that the fact that this project is to start and that it has not been clamped down on because of the financial difficulties will be received with great satisfaction on both sides of the Thames?

Can the Minister tell us what the range of prices is? Are these all identical tenders?

No, they certainly are not.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has now been made with the construction of Linlithgow Bridge.

I have advertised for tenders.

Is the Minister aware that the statement made by the Joint Parliamentary Secretary last time I raised this question that the Stirling County Council was to blame for the delay has caused great offence there? Would he make quite clear his more recent conclusion that the county council had nothing whatsoever to do with that delay?

I do not think anyone is to blame. The important fact is that I have advertised for tenders, and if they are satisfactory the work will start.

The point is that the Joint Parliamentary Secretary definitely said then that the delay was due to the Stirling County Council, and that has caused great offence. Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the least he can do is to withdraw that suggestion courteously, as he has done in the letter?

I am perfectly willing to do that, but as I have not all the facts at the moment I will first carefully look into them.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many people were killed or seriously injured on zebra crossings in 1955 compared with 1954.

Eighty-three and 837 respectively, compared with 80 and 785 in 1954.

Does the hon. Gentleman still plead, by way of an excuse, that the number of cars has increased more than the number of appalling accidents on zebra crossings? Is not that excuse quite misleading if he does not know how many cars there are on the roads at the time when these unfortunate accidents take place?

The fact that between 1954 and 1955 the number of cars on the roads increased by 600,000 is obviously very largely an explanation of why there has been this increase in the number of accidents.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the earliest date on which the 30-mile-perhour speed limit signs will be erected at Salsburgh.

I propose to advertise in the Glasgow Herald of 23rd March my intention to apply the 30 m.p.h. limit to the built-up section of this road through Salsburgh. Ten days must be allowed for objections; if there are none, the erection of the signs should follow rapidly.

Is the Minister aware of the strong feeling among parents in Salsburgh? They just cannot understand why a decision given by the Minister on 9th February should take all this time to implement. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the feeling has been greatly increased by the death of another 7-year-old child only ten days ago on this road, which is indeed a death trap for children and old people?

Yes, I do indeed understand and I sympathise very much, as I know we all do, with the parents of children who have been killed. The difficulty was that there was a certain conflict of view as to the length to which the speed limit should apply. That held the matter up, but, as I say, I shall now hurry it up as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when it will be possible to construct a fly-over at the junction of Hendon Way and the North Circular Road.

I am at present unable to say when this scheme can be put in hand.

Does my hon. Friend realise that this is a very congested junction, particularly in the early morning and in the evening? Would he also agree that the spot is one of the easiest for building a fly-over in that the Great North Road goes down to the junction and up away from it again? Will my hon. Friend put this suggestion on an early priority list when financial circustances permit?

This fly-over will involve a diversion for which an order under Section 1 (2) of the Trunk Roads Acts will be necessary. The details of the Order are being prepared, and I think they will be available within the next two months. As the cost of the scheme is £400,000, I am not able to indicate any time within the immediate future when it will be possible to begin the work.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a number of fly-over bridges such as that envisaged in the Question could be of great advantage on the Great West Road and other places? Can that proposal be looked at?

It is for that reason that it is obviously necessary for us to establish a satisfactory priority.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what applications he has under consideration from the British Overseas Airways Corporation in respect of authority to purchase and operate British aircraft for the South American service.

None, Sir. British Overseas Airways Corporation's existing aircraft orders include provision for this service.

Will my right hon. Friend encourage B.O.A.C. to re-open this service to South America with Britannias at the earliest possible date, in view of its great importance to our good name and our business in South America, and can he say when he hopes it will be?

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. I know his knowledge of that part of the world, and it is absolutely right that we should start this service as soon as we can, but as it depends to some extent on delivery dates of Britannias, I cannot give a definite starting date.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what rent is being paid by the present tenants for the use of the maintenance base at Renfrew; and how much of its equipment, which was formerly in use, is now unemployed.

The rents paid by individual tenants at the Ministry's aerodromes are confidential, and it would not be proper for me to disclose them. I am not aware that any of the equipment referred to is not now in use.

But this is nationalised property—paid for by the public. Why should we not know the rent which is now being paid by Scottish Aviation in view of the fact that it is doing immensely well out of the contract it is carrying out in that establishment? Can the Minister not have another thought on that?

I do not think I need to have any more thought. I know the hon. Member realises that it is contrary to established custom to disclose rentals, but it may be for his convenience and for the convenience of the House if I say that the rent paid by the new tenants for part of the base is considerably higher than the rent paid by B.E.A.

The Minister cannot bring me into the plot—I hope—but can he say if he is satisfied that the rent now being paid is an economic rent? Is he aware that the price being paid by the Canadian Government to Scottish Aviation for the Sabre jet contract is nine dollars per man hour?

Yes, Sir. I am satisfied that the rent is an economic one. It is very considerably higher than the rent paid by B.E.A. having regard to the increase in the economic value of the property.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will give details of the agreement reached with the United States air lines on operations in the Caribbean area.

United States air lines have enjoyed valuable rights in British Caribbean territories since 1946 under the Bermuda Agreement (Cmd. 6747). In recent discussions between delegations of the United States and United Kingdom Governments it was agreed to extend these facilities in return for reciprocal rights for United Kingdom air lines in United States territory. With permission, I will circulate details of these exchanges in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent the Regulations which he proposes to introduce with regard to the limitation of flight time for aircrews differentiate between night and day operations; and whether they relate to navigators, flight engineers and radio operators, as well as pilots.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the Regulations I am shortly to lay before Parliament.

One of the difficulties about the Regulations is that we cannot amend them; we shall have either to accept or reject them. Can the Minister assure the House that when limitations are made they will discriminate between night and day operations and between short-and long-haul operations, because any one figure which is imposed upon these different types of flight will surely be irrelevant in one case or the other.

I may be wrong but I understand that we could further amend the Regulations, in which case it might be necessary to withdraw them and issue a new set. These represent a considerable step forward, and I want to try to consult all expert advice in order to get this difficult matter right.

Will the Regulations, when made, apply equally to all members of aircrews?

Yes, I think that is so.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation for what air services he has licensed the airport of Yeadon.

My right hon. Friend has approved ten internal and nine international air services which use Yeadon.

Does that mean that there is now an air connection between Yorkshire and London?

There are so many air connections that I think it might be better for me to write to the hon. Gentleman and give him a full account of them.

I am asking about only one—London to Yorkshire.

There is a firm which intends to open a Leeds-London service about 30th April.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is yet able to announce his decision on railwaymen's pensions.

I expect to make a statement on this subject very soon.

But may I press my right hon. Friend to make his statement very soon—really soon—because many of the railwaymen have pensions dating to before 1939 and are really having a very hard time in view of the increased cost of living?

I quite agree with my hon. Friend, and I shall try to keep to his requirements of "really soon."

Can the Minister say whether he will make this statement before Easter? Can he give an assurance that he will endeavour to do so, because this has been dragging on for months and months?

I hope to make it next week.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what changes have been made in his regulations during the last year in the speed limit rules affecting Land Rovers, jeeps and such pick-up vehicles as the Vanguard used by farmers for commercial purposes.

By the Motor Vehicles (Variation of Speed Limit) Regulations, 1955, approved by affirmative Resolutions of both Houses, "dual-purpose vehicles," as defined in the Regulations, are now at all times and under all circumstances treated for speed limit purposes as private cars.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will introduce legislation to increase the speed limit in the London area, as advised by the special committee which has considered the matter.

Legislation is not required to implement the recommendations of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee on the operation of the 30 m.p.h. speed limit in built-up areas, as no general increase is proposed. The imposition of a special speed limit of 40 m.p.h. on specific lengths of road, which has been recommended by the Committee, could be carried out under existing powers.

As most accidents occur for the simple reason that cars do not stop in time, will it not be murderous madness to increase the speed limit in certain parts of the London area, which is already a slaughterhouse for pedestrians?

I think that the hon. and gallant Member misunderstands the purpose of this Report. The idea merely is that there should be, so to speak, a tapering off process around London so that speeds can be allowed to go up by ten miles an hour for a period as one leaves the congested area, before one passes out of the restricted area altogether.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the matter very carefully before he increases any speed limits on restricted roads? Will he remember that the Committee which recommended this change was not really representative of the people most vitally—perhaps I ought to say, most mortally—concerned, those who have to cross the roads?

I am grateful to the Committee for doing a very good job. It was quite fully representative. I have not yet made up my mind what action I shall take about its Report.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when the Report of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee on speed limits in the London traffic area will be available.

I understand that the Report is likely to be published about 12th April.

In the meantime, would the Minister place a map in the Library so that hon. Members may study it? Will he speed up his decision as much as possible, because we have had a large number of reports from the London and Home Counties Advisory Committee, and many months and in fact years have passed before they have been implemented?

I apologise for the delay in printing, but that is due to the printing strike. I will see if I can place the Report in the Library.

How will it taper off the traffic, if that is the idea, to have a speed limit in one place of 30 m.p.h. and in another place of 40 m.p.h.? Will it not taper off pedestrians in the process?

The hon. and gallant Member had perhaps better read the Report.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether in view of the continued high rate of fatal accidents involving motor cyclists, he will now make obligatory the wearing of suitable crash helmets by motor cyclists.

While I agree that suitable crash helmets afford useful protection, we prefer to rely on education and propaganda to persuade motor cyclists to wear them.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a situation in which there are 18,000 accidents a year, killing 1,300 people, at a cost of, perhaps, £4 million to £5 million in hospital expenses, cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely? Will he not look at it again to see whether, for the protection of other people as well of these young men, the wearing of crash helmets should not be made compulsory?

There are very great difficulties in enforcing any regulation of that kind. At the present time there is a most satisfactory increase in the proportion of motor cyclists who are wearing these helmets. Four years ago practically no civilian motor cyclists were wearing crash helmets, but now about one-third are doing so.

If the Joint Parliamentary Secretary is loath to enforce the wearing of these helmets, will he encourage their use by requesting his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to remove the Purchase Tax from them?

I do not think that the small amount of Purchase Tax has any real effect upon the number of helmets worn.

In connection with this increased rate of motor cycle accidents, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he has yet received the report of the Departmental Committee to which he referred this question? If he has, will he make the report public?

I have not yet received the report on this particular question.

Does not the Minister think that the best way to get more crash helmets worn would be to encourage insurance companies to put up the premiums of those who do not wear the helmets?

It would be extremely difficult for the insurance companies to do that. I have already indicated that the police would find it difficult to enforce any regulation of that kind.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what consideration he is giving, in consultation with the Minister of Works, to an extension of the roundabout system at Victoria Gate and Alexandra Gate in order to relieve traffic congestion at these points; and when he proposes to take action.

Roundabout working has been put into operation inside the park at Victoria Gate and the widening of the Gate is under consideration. At Alexandra Gate a scheme for roundabout working inside the park is being considered. More extensive roundabout schemes at these two gates would be expensive and would require legislation.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the congestion at both these gates is really intolerable every morning and evening? Surely the expense of putting a roundabout at both places would be comparatively little, which would not spoil the amenities of the park? Will my hon. Friend see whether he can expedite the matter?

I will certainly see what I can do about it. I will see if I can do what my hon. and gallant Friend suggests, but there are difficulties. The Ministry is anxious to preserve the amenities of the park, and, in addition, anything of a substantial nature would require legislation.

Will the hon. Gentleman agree that while the roundabout at Victoria Gate rather helps the flow of traffic when traffic is not very heavy, when traffic is heavy—in the rush hours—it is rather worse than before?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action he is taking to increase the number of driving test examiners in the Tees-side area in view of the long waiting period for applicants for tests.

The number will be increased from eight to eleven as soon as the additional staff we are recruiting become available.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when he expects that to be? Does he think that until he agrees to pay considerably higher salaries than at present he will get the increased number of examiners needed?

We hope that it will be after the next examination held by the Civil Service Commissioners.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action he proposes to take to deal with slow-moving very large loads which now hold up many vehicles and waste thousands of hours.

Such loads are already subject to a considerable degree of control. Proposals for further measures intended to reduce the congestion and delay caused to other traffic were circulated on 26th November for the consideration of representative organisations, and I am now examining the position in the light of the replies I have received.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether those proposals include a much greater use of travelling late at night or in the early hours of the morning? Could not those vehicles be suitably lit up so that there would be no danger if they were used in that way?

My hon. and gallant Friend has put his finger on the danger. If we shift these bulky loads at night, particularly on narrow roads, we should need to have special lighting arrangements for them, but I will look into the suggestion.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Home Secretary in connection with the use of police patrol cars for escorting these very heavy loads, as I understand that no charge is being made for the service of these patrol cars?

I will certainly look into that point.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what further consideration he has given to the problem of traffic congestion in inner London; and what action he proposes to take.

Yes, Sir. I am satisfied that the crux of this problem is the indiscriminately parked car, and that more positive action must be taken to regulate parking in inner London and, in particular, to give the motorist a much clearer indication of where he may or may not legitimately leave his car. I have therefore invited Mr. Alex Samuels, the Chairman of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee, who will be assisted in this matter by a small group of experts, to undertake a new survey of the streets of inner London with a view of determining where parking can or cannot be permitted and, where it can, for what periods of the day. I have expressed to Mr. Samuels the hope that he will be able to present a report to me within about six months.

I am circulating with the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of those who have accepted my invitation to take part in this inquiry, together with the terms of reference.

Is the Minister aware that at the bottom of St. James's Street, opposite a "No Parking" Metropolitan Police notice, cars are often parked by tens and twenties?

I agree. I think every hon. Member has examples of this sort of thing forcibly brought to his attention every day. I therefore think it necessary to look again at the whole problem.

Is not stricter enforcement the key to this problem, and is not one of the main difficulties shortage of police? Should not any new methods of enforcement therefore be carefully considered?

That is a pertinent point, but I am also advised that at the moment there is a lot of confusion as to what motorists can do and what they cannot do. I should like to make that much more plain.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he is aware of the resentment caused by sending boy soldiers and young National Service men to Cyprus and other Service stations abroad; and if he will now issue instructions to Service Departments to discontinue this practice.

National Service men are an integral part of the Forces and cannot be excluded from service in any part of the world where they are needed to meet our commitments. As has been stated in the House on many occasions, no National Service man is sent overseas until he has received adequate training.

The question of sending boy soldiers overseas is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. He and my hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State have stated the Government's policy on many occasions in answer to Questions, and I have nothing to add to their replies.

The Under-Secretary of State for War stated yesterday that of these boys who were sent to Cyprus, five were under the age of 16. In view of the feeling which exists, especially among parents, who have requested that these boys should be removed from this danger area, believing it to be detrimental to their future to be in an area of violence, will not the right hon. and learned Gentleman seriously reconsider the matter?

I said that that part of the matter was one for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, but when I saw the answer to which the hon. Member referred I inquired whether there had been a mistake, and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State said that he intended to say "five aged 16," not "five under 16."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement as to the progress achieved in teaching handicrafts and improved agricultural techniques to the Maya in British Honduras.

Weaving and basket-making are taught in the schools at Otoxha. The people have been instructed in various forms of agriculture and horticulture to replace the old system of shifting cultivation. At Otoxha, 30 acres of ground have been cleaned and burnt, a variety of grasses has been sown and grassland is being fenced for the grazing of cattle. School gardens have been established at Otoxha and Crique Sarco, where the introduction of new seeds and the method of growing them are explained. A beginning has been made on a pig and poultry scheme at Crique Sarco.

Is there a Maya welfare officer actually serving, as was promised by my right hon. Friend's Socialist predecessor?

Well, Sir, we have a Kekchi liaison officer, who is doing most valuable work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he is satisfied that production costs for British Guiana rice will enable it to keep within the range of world prices; and the policy of the British Guiana Government with regard to production costs;

(2) whether he is aware of the need for better quality rice production in British Guiana to which attention has been drawn by the manager of the British Guiana Rice Marketing Board; and what measures are being taken to ensure this.

I cannot foretell the future range of world prices, but I have every reason to hope that British Guiana costs of production of rice can be kept in line with those elsewhere. The British Guiana Government is however fully aware of the need for careful attention to efficiency and quality of production. Efforts are being concentrated on promoting increased use of fertilisers and better yielding varieties, on investigations into the problems of mechanisation and on the improvement of milling facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now make a statement upon the new comprehensive proposals of the Government of Mauritius to house the 10,000 children who were refused entry to the primary schools at the beginning of the present term.

A comprehensive plan has been prepared providing for construction of 528 new class rooms and accelerated training of approximately 550 new teachers within the next two years. By these means it is hoped that there will be no children awaiting admission by January, 1958, when approximately 100,000 places, compared with 72,000 at present, should be available.

Is not the position of the pupils quite a scandal? Since 1946, the number has gone up from about 42,000 to 72,000, an increase of 70 per cent. while the budget has gone up from a little under 2 million rupees to more than 12 million rupees, or 600 per cent. Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that there are officials enjoying sinecures with whom we might dispense, in order that we might have more schools built and more youngsters in those schools?

I think the hon. Gentleman knows that there are other difficulties in the matter, such as the willingness of parents to send their children to school, the absence of any powers to see that the children leave school when they reach standard six and the fact that the growth of population in Mauritius is 47·5 per thousand, compared with 15·9 per thousand in the United Kingdom and even only 25·8 in India. I do not think it is unreasonable to say that, as 75 per cent. of the children in Mauritius are in the primary schools, the Mauritius Government have done a good job; but they are not satisfied with it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the principal findings of the Keith Lucas Commission upon the Port Louis, Mauritius, Municipal Elections; and what further action he is taking in this matter.

The Commission found the conduct of local government elections in Mauritius to be unsatisfactory, particularly with regard to the registration of electors, and it has recommended certain changes in the existing law and practice on these matters. I understand that the Report is being debated in the Colony's Legislative Council during this month and that appropriate legislation will be introduced shortly afterwards. Copies of this Report have been placed in the Library of the House.

Does the Minister not think that the behaviour of the independent mayor, Mr. Mohamed, was perfectly scandalous in allowing minors and aliens to vote in key wards to his own advantage? Will he not suspend the town council of Port Louis, at least until the end of the year, when elections take place?

I hope the hon. Member will realise that any further action which is required on the findings of the Commission is the concern of the Mauritius Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that treaties entered into with Egypt for the control of the levels of Lakes Victoria and Albert are still in the best interests of the peoples of Kenya, Tanganyika and Uganda; and if he will make a statement.

The waters of Lakes Victoria and Albert form part of the Nile system, and as such come within the scope of the Nile Waters Agreement of 1929. The East Africa Royal Commission saw no reason why it should not be possible, in accordance with the principles of that Agreement, to negotiate on behalf of the three territories an equitable share of the waters of the Nile; I agree with this view. Recently the Governments of Egypt and the Sudan have been informed that Her Majesty's Government formally reserve their rights to negotiate on behalf of the three territories with the Egyptian and Sudanese Governments for an agreed share of the waters of the Nile.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this statement of British policy will be most welcome in East Africa?

I thank my hon. Friend. We certainly have no intention of abdicating our rights in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement regarding the Coutts Report which has advised elections upon the common roll for the Zanzibar Protectorate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what decision has been reached on the recommendations of Mr. W. F. Coutts regarding constitutional changes in Zanzibar; and, in particular, regarding the allocation of the six nominated members to represent racial groups in the Legislative Council.

I would prefer not to make a statement at the present time, as the Report has only recently been published and is still being considered by His Highness the Sultan's Government. But I am very happy to be able to tell the House that, following the publication of the Report, the Arab leaders in Zanzibar have agreed to resume co-operation with the Government. Copies of the Report have been placed in the Library.

While welcoming the action of the Arab leaders, does the Minister not think that Mr. Coutts has given a good lead in advocating the common roll electors' lists? Perhaps, when the Minister thinks a little longer about it, he will consider extending this lead into Kenya, where there is also a plural society.

I am always ready to listen and to learn, and I think that Mr. Coutts is a remarkable man.

When the right hon. Gentleman says that copies of the Report are in the Library, has he any idea of the number of copies? Now and again it is almost like a secret service to try to get some of these documents.

I am sorry if that should be so. If at any time the right hon. Gentleman lets me know, I will always see that many more copies are available. If there are not sufficient available now, I will certainly add to them.

While welcoming the acceptance of the principle of the common roll generally in Zanzibar, may I ask whether, before a decision is reached, the right hon. Gentleman will examine the proposal to maintain racial group representation among the nominated members and whether he will take steps to eliminate this also?

I do not think I should add to what I have said, at least until the Zanzibar Government and Legislative Council have expressed their own views.

Why cannot we get the Report on the green form, just like the other Reports?

I will certainly consider that if there is sufficient desire.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will discuss the export of atomic energy plants and equipment with the Atomic Energy Authority and representatives of the British atomic energy industry in view of the need to compete with United States sales activity in the Commonwealth and other overseas markets.

As I told the hon. Member for Meriden (Mr. Moss) on 29th February, discussions have been going on for some time between the Atomic Energy Authority and representatives of the heavy electrical plant manufacturers to explore the possibilities of export trade in nuclear power reactors. I understand from my noble Friend the Lord President that the discussions, which have shown a substantial identity of view, are continuing and their scope is being widened.

In view of the very real danger that we are falling behind the United States in this matter, can the Lord Privy Seal say whether we can expect more vigorous publicity from either the Government or the Atomic Energy Authority, and greater sales activity, particularly in Commonwealth countries, in these matters?

There is a reference to this point in the hon. Gentleman's next Question. I am satisfied that we are not doing quite so badly as the hon. Gentleman suggests. In fact, we are making a considerable surge forward. I will, if I may, answer the specific points about publicity in reply to the hon. Gentleman's next Question.

Why is the Atomic Energy Authority, which has built up a very well equipped and highly efficient production division, to be debarred from engaging in the export market?

I have referred to this matter before to the hon. Gentleman. We feel that the arrangements already in hand are the best.

asked the Lord Privy Seal, in view of recent United States offer of material and technical assistance to other countries, and of the increasing competition developing in this field, what further action the Government is taking to tell the world of Britain's atomic energy achievements and to develop the export of the products of the British atomic energy industry.

Considerable publicity is being given to the United Kingdom's achievements and potentialities in this field, and technical assistance is being afforded to other countries. The United Kingdom has already established a substantial trade in the export of isotopes and new types of instruments for use in industry and research. The commercial development of nuclear power is, however, still in its infancy and there is unlikely to be a substantial demand for, or export of, power reactors for some years. My noble Friend and the Atomic Energy Authority are already giving consideration to long-term plans in this field, with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Can the Lord Privy Seal say whether our position is affected by the fact that we cannot make available the raw materials for this production, whereas the United States are in a position to do so? Could we not have some collaboration on that side of the matter?

I will discuss the question of collaboration with my noble Friend and with the Prime Minister. This is an important matter. I understand that there are adequate supplies of natural uranium but the supplies of enriched uranium are limited, and will have to be shared between defence and civil needs.

In support of what my hon. Friend has said, may I ask whether the Lord Privy Seal can assure us that representations will be made to the United States Government to let us have a ton or two of enriched uranium, or uranium 235, or whatever they call it, because they have plenty of it? It will make an enormous difference to our costs of production if we can get some now.

That was why I distinguished between natural uranium and enriched uranium. While I cannot give a definite answer to the right hon. Gentleman, I will bear the point in mind and will discuss it.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that, whatever the United States may propose to do, the suggestions of the O.E.E.C. Working Party for the atomic energy industry offer an admirable outlet for the industry of this country?

Yes, Sir, but that raises the question of the recent discussions in Paris of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject of Euratom, and I would rather not enlarge upon those at the present time.

If the position is—and the Lord Privy Seal is now admitting it to be so—that the United States' sales point is their ability to make available suitable fuel for the reactors, ought not that to be a reason why we should look at the division of our product as between civil and military needs to see whether we cannot release rather more for civil purposes?

I did raise, as the hon. Member will have observed, the difficulty of allocation between the two needs, civil and defence. We have these constantly under review. I will pay particular attention to what the hon. Gentleman has said.

Is it not the case that under the arrangements made by the United States, a nation cannot be supplied with uranium if it is engaged in making atomic weapons? Have the Government approached the United States Government to see whether this restriction can be removed?

I would desire notice of that important question so that I could give a considered answer.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will now publish, in a White Paper or otherwise, full details of the terms of the agreements made between the Atomic Energy Authority and Associated Electrical Industries, excepting only details the disclosure of which would prejudice the future commercial dealings of the authority or the company, or would be contrary to the interests of national security.

I have already given the hon. Member, in my reply on 22nd February, details of the terms on which the Authority will supply Associated Electrical Industries, Ltd., with nuclear fuel. Since full information about the type of reactor which the company intend to construct has already been published, notably at the Geneva Conference last August, the question of charging for information does not arise. Payment for the use of patented inventions will depend on the extent to which patents owned by the Authority are in fact used.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his reply is very disappointing in view of the fact that on an earlier occasion he promised to give us all the information he had? Why should we have to turn to the Press to get such information as that it is a Merlin or swimming pool type of reactor of a capacity of 1,000–5,000 kw. and that it will remain in the private ownership of the company concerned? Why should not all these details be given in full to the House?

The position is that on the date I have mentioned, in col. 380–382 of Vol. 549 of the OFFICIAL REPORT, I gave the hon. Member details of the arrangements for the loan of nuclear fuel between the Atomic Energy Authority and the company in question. Today I have given an answer about charging, which was the extra point raised by the hon. Member. On his third point concerning the swimming pool reactors, I understand that information on this matter has been widely published. Therefore, I did not feel that on either of the three aspects there was very much I could add apart from bringing them together in the synthesis which I have attempted to do now.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make an order under Section 10 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1946, to provide that the acquisition, production, or use by private industry of nuclear fuels or of plant for the production or use of atomic energy shall be permitted only under official licence.

My noble Friend the Lord President does not at present intend to make an order under Section 10 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1946. He is satisfied that any necessary control can be secured either through the Atomic Energy Authority's monopoly of fissile material or through the exercise of powers under Section 5 of the Radioactive Substances Act, 1948.

Was it not the clear intention of the Atomic Energy Act that as soon as atomic energy development began to spread beyond the sphere of public activity, a licensing system should be introduced? As provision exists in the Act to make an order to this effect, why do not the Government now do it, in view of the fact that a number of agreements have already been entered into with private firms?