asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that there are only about 10 Africans from Northern Rhodesia receiving higher education in the United Kingdom; and whether he is taking sufficient steps in expanding secondary education in this Protectorate so that there may be men and women candidates for the new multi racial university of Central Africa.

Yes, but there are twenty-one students at South African universities and four at Makerere. The Northern Rhodesian Government are vigorously adapting their educational policy so as to ensure that as many local Africans as possible gain admission to the new University College at the time of opening and in subsequent years. They are giving special priority to the education of girls.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to make a further statement on the revised plans for the resettlement of Africans in connection with the Kariba dam project.

Not yet.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what decision has been taken about the future of the Trinidad Government Railways following the visit of an officer of the British Transport Commission under the sponsorship of his Department.

None yet. The officer concerned has submitted his report to the Government of Trinidad who are now considering it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total amount raised by Colonial Governments by means of State lotteries for the latest available financial year.

The latest available figures of revenue accruing to Colonial Governments from State lotteries are: Malta—£297,676 in the year ended 31st March, 1954; Gibraltar—£100,563 in the year ended 31st December, 1954.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the Colonial Governments which promote State lotteries or issue loans with a lottery content.

Government lotteries exist in Malta and Gibraltar, and are planned by the Governments of St. Lucia and the Western Region of Nigeria. In the Federation of Malaya there is a Social and Welfare Services Lotteries Board established by Ordinance and appointed by the High Commissioner in Council, which promotes public lotteries for social and welfare purposes which may or may not be Governmental. Premium bond issues have been made in Cyprus, the Federation of Malaya, Fiji, Gold Coast and Jamaica.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which Colonial Territories malaria has not only been brought under control but totally eliminated.

Malaria has been eradicated from Singapore and Cyprus. It has practically been eradicated from British Guiana and Mauritius, in both of which Colonies very few cases have been re ported recently and the disease has ceased to be a health problem. Malaria is not, of course, endemic in all Colonial Territories.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there are now a surgeon and an anaesthetist on the staff of the Connaught Hospital, Freetown.

A surgeon is now serving at the hospital. Adequate arrangements exist for the giving of anaesthesia, but the appointment of a full-time specialist anaesthetist is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the penalties prescribed in Sierra Leone for illicit diamond buying.

Under the Alluvial Diamond Mining Ordinance, 1956, any person found guilty of illicit diamond buying in Sierra Leone is liable to imprisonment up to five years, with or without hard labour, or to a fine not exceeding £5,000, or to both such imprisonment and fine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consideration the Government of Sierra Leone is giving to the establishment of a police training college.

Sierra Leone already has a training school for recruits into the lower ranks. Proposals for providing additional training facilities for higher ranks are at present under consideration with the Governments of all the West African Territories.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the police in Sierra Leone are equipped with wireless sets.

The Sierra Leone police have their own system of wireless communication between main centres. In Freetown they operate a VHF service to control police cars and a launch.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what constitutional changes are proposed in Kenya.

Her Majesty's Government are pledged not to initiate changes in the Kenya constitution before the election of 1960. I understand, however, that representatives of all races in the Legislative Council are considering proposals for changes in the composition of Legislative Council. These proposals have not so far been submitted to the Governor and Her Majesty's Government for consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Africans who have been executed in Kenya since the declaration of the Emergency, and since the charges liable to the death penalty were revised; and what were the offences for which those executed were found guilty.

Up to 31st March, 1,015 had been executed. Of these, 106 were executed after revision of the list of capital offences on the 20th July, 1955, and this figure includes 27 since the

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will publish a White Paper on the proposals for the new Constitution for Mauritius.

My right hon. Friend's exchange of despatches with the Governor was published in the Colony as a Sessional Paper on 13th March. Since then copies of this publication have been available in the Library of the House and my right hon. Friend does not think that a White Paper is called for.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many public bodies were granted personal interviews by him when he visited Hong Kong; and, of these, how many demanded an elected element in the Legislative Council.

My right hon. Friend received deputations from seven public bodies. Of these, two asked for an elected element.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the claim advanced by the Yemen to the Island of Kamaran.

The Government of the Yemen protested against the granting of an oil exploratory concession in Kamaran on the ground that they consider that the island forms part of the Yemen. They have been informed that Her Majesty's Government are unable to accept that the King of the Yemen has any claim to Kamaran Island, and that accordingly Her Majesty's Government see no reason why the concession should be cancelled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the recommendations of the recent round table conference held at Achimota in the Gold Coast to discuss regional devolution; and to what extent Ashanti was represented at that conference.

The conference accepted the pattern of Sir Frederick Bourne's recommendations and, in addition, recommended measures to give Chiefs an acknowledged position in the conduct of regional affairs. As I said on 22nd February in reply to a Question by the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) the National Liberation Movement and its associates refused to attend the conference. I am arranging for copies of the Report of the conference to be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals he has had from Mr. Kwame Nkrumah, Prime Minister of the Gold Coast, for independence of the Colony as a member-State of the Commonwealth; and if he will make a statement.

The Gold Coast Government published last week a White Paper entitled "Constitutional Proposals for Gold Coast Independence". Copies will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as they are available. I have no statement to make at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many fish farms have been established in Nigeria; and whether any of them are yet producing.

There is, I understand, only one fish farm and that is producing. There are, however, numerous fish ponds and stock reservoirs, many of which are also producing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what assistance from Colonial Development Welfare Funds is being granted to the Northern Region of Nigeria for the improvement of roads and communications.

I am awaiting the Governor's detailed application for a substantial grant for work on those roads which are the responsibility of the Northern Regional Government. Main trunk roads throughout Nigeria and other communications are primarily matters for the Federal Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Virgin Islands have reconsidered their decision not to enter a Caribbean Federation.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a further statement respecting the con dition of emergency in Malaya; and whether agreement has now been reached respecting the stationing of Common wealth troops.

The leaders of the Communist terrorists refused the amnesty offer explained to them personally by the Chief Ministers of Malaya and Singapore in talks at Baling last December, though they said they would lay down their arms if a Malayan Minister had control over internal security. Such control passed to the Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya as a result of the constitutional talks in January, but the terrorists have not fulfilled their pledge.The amnesty offer was withdrawn on the 8th February, but the Government of the Federation gave a promise on 16th March of fair treatment and of the prospect of rehabilitation to terrorists who surrendered. This offer does not extend to those guilty of atrocity or murder.Operations against the terrorists con tinue. During the last six months approximately a further 4,000 square miles with a population of 167,000, have been added to the white areas in which the principal Emergency restrictions are lifted.Agreement was reached in January about the stationing of the Common wealth Strategic Reserve in Malaya. Representatives of Her Majesty's Government and of the Government of the Federation are now working out in Kuala Lumpur a treaty of defence and mutual assistance to come into effect when the Federation attains independence within the Commonwealth. This treaty will, among other matters, make provision for the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what major changes have been made in the Government of St. Helena by the St. Helena Order-in-Council of 1956.

The main constitutional changes will be the addition of three unofficial members to the Executive Council, which previously contained only officials, and the enlargement of the Advisory Council from a maximum of six to a maximum of ten members.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about the progress of the constitutional changes in Zanzibar.

The Decree providing for the constitutional changes announced by the British Resident in October, 1955, has now passed the Legislative Council. But, as agreed with the Arab leaders, it will not be brought into operation until the franchise proposals contained in Mr. Coutts' report have been debated in the present Legislative Council. As my right hon. Friend said in the House on 21st March, he would prefer not to make a statement at the present time on these proposals since they are still under consideration by His Highness the Sultan's Government.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will give an estimate of the quantity of uranium 235 and plutonium which could be made available for use in nuclear reactors constructed by British firms at home or abroad over the next few years.

Supplies of uranium 235 and plutonium are limited and have to be shared between defence and civil needs, but the Atomic Energy Authority inform me that they expect to be able to meet the reasonable needs of industry as they occur.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on the progress so far achieved by the Atomic Energy Authority in harnessing the hydrogen reaction as a primary source of energy.

As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Warbey) on 11th April, the possibility of harnessing the hydrogen reaction as a primary source of energy is part of the Atomic Energy Authority's research programme. The investigation is, however, still at an early stage.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what organised suggestion scheme is in operation in his Department; how many suggestions are received from employees through that organisation annually; how many are adopted; what awards are made for such suggestions; and what he estimates to be the savings made by the adoption of employees' suggestions.

The Admiralty has operated an organised suggestions scheme for nearly half a century. Indus trial staff are encouraged individually and through joint production committees to make suggestions for improving efficiency. Local awards committees may make awards up to £25 and higher amounts may be authorised for suggestions of special merit. In addition, all members of the naval service are encouraged to make suggestions for improving equipment, and these may also result in awards. Suggestions by non-industrial staff for improving office equipment or organisation are considered by Whitley committees, and staff records are noted when worthwhile suggestions are adopted.In the last two financial years for which statistics are available, some 800 suggestions and inventions have been considered, of which over one half have been adopted. It is not possible to assess the resultant savings.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what proposals he has to improve the present position and future prospects of officers working in the Department of the Director of Naval Ordnance.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware of the great disparity in rates of pay which now exists between officers of corresponding ranks in the Naval Ordnance Inspection Department and on the General List, respectively, consequent upon the changes announced in Command Paper No. 9692; and what action he intends to take to improve the financial position of the officers in the inspection pool.

As I stated in the Navy Estimates debate on 8th March, the Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Barclay Nihill will cover the future position of these officers when it makes recommendations to the Board of Admiralty. In the meantime, however, we are considering separately whether their salaries should be increased.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what British naval forces are now engaged in the prevention of the slave trade in the Red Sea and elsewhere.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my noble Friend the First Lord gave to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) on 23rd November, 1955.

asked the Postmaster-General what organised suggestion scheme is in operation in his Department; how many suggestions are received from employees through that organisation annually; how many are adopted; what awards are made for such suggestions; and what he estimates to be the savings made by the adoption of employees' suggestions.

The Post Office Awards Suggestion Scheme received 4161 suggestions last year. Of these 444 were adopted. Awards were made for all the adopted suggestions and 674 encouragement awards were also given for other suggestions. The total sum awarded last year was £3,988. Most of the awards are for amounts between £1 and £10: the highest single award made so far is £250. It is not possible to assess the total savings made, though they are considerable.In addition the Post Office, in agreement with the Departmental Whitley Council Staff Side, has, since 1949, operated a scheme of Joint Consultation on Productivity, under which Joint Production Committees at local offices and a Joint Production Council at Head quarters consider ideas submitted by the staff for increasing productivity.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give the percentage increase since October, 1951, in the cost of the services and facilites provided by his Department to the public, including the recent proposals for further increased charges.

32 per cent.

asked the Postmaster-General how many post offices in postal district Liverpool 7 do not close for an hour about midday; and how many in that district, because they are situated in shops, do so close.

One post office remains open at midday and eight post offices, which are situated in shops, close for an hour.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what organised suggestion scheme is in operation in his Department; how many suggestions are received from employees through that organisation annually; how many are adopted; what awards are made for such suggestions; and what he estimates to be the savings made by the adoption of employees' suggestions.

We have had an organised suggestions scheme since 1949. Since then 547 suggestions have been received by the Staff Suggestions Committee and 88 adopted. Cash awards are made. It is not possible to estimate the savings which have resulted.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a further statement about the loss of the six Hunter aircraft on 8th February.

The facts revealed by the court of inquiry are as follows:The aircraft concerned were Hunters Mk. 1 of the Day Fighter Leader Squadron, Central Fighter Establishment, West Raynham. The accidents occurred when they were returning from an air exercise on 8th February, 1956.At 0830 hours weather conditions were considered to be unfit for the exercise but the meteorological forecast indicated that an improvement was likely. A special weather reconnaissance flight was made by a pilot from West Raynham in a Hunter aircraft at 0930 hours. This flight confirmed that the weather had improved sufficiently for the sortie to be undertaken. It was therefore decided that the exercise should take place.The first aircraft took off at 1050 hours. The Ground Control Approach bad weather landing aid at West Raynham was unserviceable but those at Marham and Waterbeach were serviceable; these two stations were the diversion airfields given to the flight leader.Bad weather procedure was in force from the commencement of the exercise and pilots had been briefed before the flight to return overhead West Raynham at 20,000 ft. by 1115 hours. This timing took into account the endurance of the aircraft. Sufficient time was allowed for controlled descents to be completed by 1130 at the diversion airfields.By 1100 hours the weather at West Raynham had deteriorated, and it was therefore decided by West Raynham that, at the end of the exercise, the aircraft should be diverted to Marham, where visual landings were then practicable. The aircraft returned overhead 20,000 ft. West Raynham in accordance with their flight instructions just after 1110 hours. When they started to descend from this altitude under the control of West Raynham the weather was, in fact, still suitable for visual circuits and landings at Marham.Visibility deteriorated very suddenly during the few critical minutes when the descent and handover of ground control from West Raynham to Marham were in progress. This rapid change in the weather made Ground Control Approach landings imperative, but insufficient time was available to make the necessary change in procedure. The pilots were already approaching Marham prepared for, and committed to, visual landings, and were consequently so closely spaced that it was impossible to effect individual identification and to establish effective Ground Control Approach control. At this stage there was no time or fuel left to bring the aircraft under Ground Control Approach control in order to carry out the landings.At the time of the accidents the weather conditions at Marham were cloud base 600 feet with visibility 800 to 1,000 yards in slight rain and drizzle with fog, and deteriorating. As far as it is possible to tell, the sudden deterioration was due to the presence of an extensive sheet of stratus cloud which spread into Norfolk unexpectedly from the sea during the late morning.The evidence taken at the Court of Inquiry indicates that the accidents were primarily caused by the sudden and un expected deterioration in the weather. The question then arises whether, notwithstanding the deterioration that had taken place at West Raynham, the decision taken to divert the aircraft to Marham, spaced for visual landings, was correct. This diversion was ordered on the assumption that visual landings would be possible.The Court of Inquiry came to the conclusion that this assumption constituted an error of judgment on the part of the Control staff at West Raynham who failed to appreciate that, because of the relative positions of the two airfields, it was probable that any deterioration in the weather at West Raynham would affect Marham shortly afterwards, thus necessitating Ground Control Approach landings there.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the number of convictions for offences committed in regard to the licensing of goods vehicles under Part I of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933; and the number of enforcement officers employed in his Department for the latest available period of 12 months.

During the 12 months ended 30th September, 1955, 8,992 convictions were obtained by licensing authorities for goods vehicles or by the police in co-operation with licensing authorities. During the same period 73 officers were on average employed on this enforcement work.

asked the Minister of Defence what action has been taken to implement the recommendation of the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy that the Services' requirements of first and second class honours graduates for certain posts in the Active Forces should be reviewed to see whether the qualifications demanded are justified.

The requirements of the Services for men with these qualifications are kept under review. With the increasing complexity of weapons and techniques, I fear that it is unlikely that they will diminish.

asked the Minister of Defence to give details of the amount of annual leave granted to members of the three Services stationed in the United Kingdom.

In the Royal Navy the basic annual leave allowance for both Regular and National Service personnel shore-based in the United Kingdom is 30 days, plus 12 long week-ends.In the Army and Royal Air Force Regular officers and warrant officers are eligible for 42 days' leave a year, as are also sergeants in the Army and those engaged on flying duties or training and certain other personnel in the Royal Air Force; other Regular personnel are eligible for 30 days' leave a year. National Service officers and men in the Army and Royal Air Force are allowed 14 days' leave in their first year and 21 days in their second year of service, except that in the Royal Air Force those engaged on flying training or duties are allowed 42 days and National Service officers not eligible for 42 days' leave are allowed an extra day's leave for each two months' commissioned service.In addition to this leave, members of the Army and Royal Air Force may be granted a number of 48-hour passes at week-ends. Cadets, apprentices and boy entrants attending schools are granted annual and special leave according to the training school, college or university vacations.Members of the three Services may also have time off for public holidays if they can be spared and, if their annual leave involves a long journey home, travelling time of up to 48 hours may be added to it.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will publish the result of the inquiries of the Medical Research Council into the connection between drinking of alcohol and road accidents.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Openshaw (Mr. W. R. Williams) on 23rd April.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many of the total of old-age pensioners now draw National Assistance; and what are the average weekly payments.

I assume my hon. Friend has in mind both retirement and non contributory old-age pensioners. As at 27th March, 1956, some 898,610 retirement pensioners were receiving supplementation from the National Assistance Board at an estimated average rate of 14s. 7d. a week. Some 155,542 noncontributory old-age pensioners were receiving supplementation at an estimated average rate of 24s. 5d. a week.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the widespread interest, he will publish in HANSARD the figures of the areas and numbers of children to be vaccinated with the new vaccine against poliomyelitis at the earliest possible moment.

The number of children who can be vaccinated during May and June will depend on the amount of vaccine which becomes available. Children will be selected according to months of birth from the number registered in each area, and I am placing details of the registrations for all areas in the Library of the House and am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive a report from the Hydraulics Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research on the cause of the persistent silting of the entrance to Eyemouth Harbour; and whether he will publish this report.

I am informed that this investigation should be finished towards the end of 1957, and the question of publishing the findings will be considered then.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will consider the resolution concerning the Education Main Grant, passed by the Cardiff City Council on 9th April, with a view to taking remedial action.

This resolution will be considered in connection with the comprehensive review of local government finance which the Government are undertaking.

asked the Minister of Education how many full-time students enrolled at universities and other institutes of higher education in England and Wales in the session 1954–55; and how many of these students were in receipt of a local authority grant.

The numbers are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the policy stated by his predecessors on 11th June, 1947, and 22nd July, 1948, in regard to the practice of the Special Commissioners in not issuing directions under Section 245 of the Income Tax Act, 1952, to companies which pursue a policy of dividend limitation, applies to companies formed since June, 1947.

Companies formed after 31st May, 1947 (and companies formed before but whose first accounting period ended after that date), are not within the statements to which my hon. Friend refers, because they had no period ending before June, 1947, the dividends for which are available for the purpose of the comparison with subsequent dividends which is implicit in those statements.In practice, however, the spirit of the statements is observed in dealing with such companies. While the fact that they paid no dividend before 1947 does not give them a right to claim a nil standard dividend for this purpose, the opening years of the business are considered on their merits (having regard

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give consideration to relating the Income Tax assessment of farmers, including market gardeners, horticulturists, and smallholders, to a three-year period, instead of one year as at present.

I have taken note of my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why certain members of the teaching staff at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, Zaria, are denied the Income Tax relief on emoluments remitted to the United Kingdom which is enjoyed by Government servants.

The Double Taxation Convention between Nigeria and this country provides for the exemption from United Kingdom tax, subject to certain conditions, of remuneration paid by the Government of Nigeria. Salaries paid to the teaching staff of the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology are not regarded as Government remuneration for this purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the application for an increase in the protective import duty on certain types of blown coloured sheet glass reported in his Department's journal for 14th August, 1954.

Her Majesty's Government have now concluded that a case has not been made out for the increase of the import duty on this glass.