asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the date on which the cruiser H.M.N.Z.S. "Royalist" joined the Mediterranean Fleet; and the date on which the New Zealand Government required that H.M.N.Z.S. "Royalist" should not be operationally committed in the Eastern Mediterranean.

H.M.N.Z.S. "Royalist" joined the Mediterranean Fleet on 9th July for her work up and sailed from Malta for New Zealand on 7th November when this had been completed. The second part of the Question does not arise since it was mutually agreed between the New Zealand Government and Her Majesty's Government that "Royalist" should not be operationally committed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will make a statement regarding the circumstances of the death of Brian Hodgkinson, a 16-year-old seaman, following his collapse on H.M.S. "Maidstone" at Weymouth on 15th October, 1956.

I have sent a full report on this case to the hon. Member.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for that report, may I ask whether he is aware that this boy had vomiting attacks at sea since last April, which were proved by the postmortem to be not normal sea sickness but due to intestinal obstruction, that the boy went on leave because of dread of these vomiting attacks and that he was placed in punishment cells and died three days later? In view of the circumstances, will the hon. Gentleman look into this case, seek to remedy any medical defects of administration and please give an ex gratia payment to the mother of the boy?

I cannot deal with all the points now, but I have dealt with them faithfully in my letter to the hon. Member. I would, however, say that the boy had constant medical attention, not only from Service doctors but from civilian doctors also, and none of them immediately diagnosed the cause of his death.

In view of that unsatisfactory reply, I ask leave to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the estimated value of the naval stores held at the Suez Canal base at the latest convenient date; whether he has any information about the situation that has developed since then at that base; and if he will make a statement.

The estimated value of naval stores held at the Suez Canal base on 31st October last was £13,000; in addition 23,500 tons of oil fuel valued at £164,500 was held at Port Said. The naval stores were held at Tel-el-Kebir, which is outside the area occupied by the Anglo-French forces. I have no further information about the situation which has developed there.

Has the Minister consulted the legal experts in his Department to ascertain whether, when armed conflict breaks out between two countries, the property of the armed forces of one of those countries located in the other country is able lawfully to be seized? Will he please make a statement to the House?

I will certainly look into that question.

Quite apart from a question of stores, were any British personnel associated with the safeguarding of these stores? If so, has the hon. Gentleman any news about them?

There were no naval staff there. There were civilian contractors under War Office arrangements.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what has happened to them?

No, I cannot. Perhaps the hon. Member would address that question to the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the disorganised conditions which prevail in some of the larger telegraph centres as a result of the closing down of certain night appointed offices and the increased work arising from the Suez crisis; and what steps he proposes to take to correct the situation.

I assume that the hon. Member has particularly in mind the pressure of work which occurred at Bristol after the closing of the night appointed offices at Plymouth, Exeter and Bournemouth. My inquiries are not yet completed and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as I can.

In thanking the Postmaster-General for that information, which is not as full as the information which has been given to me from other quarters, may I ask two questions? First, is he aware of the serious concern and interest which is felt in many quarters, especially among the staff in the telegraph service, about the very bleak future of the service? Secondly, will he examine every possible means, including, if necessary, a reduction in telegraph charges, with a view to bringing some stability into this vital telecommunications link which is so essential to the safety of the nation and its commercial and social life?

I am aware of the concern to which the hon. Member refers. I agree that a good deal has yet to be done to achieve stability. I have secured a market research report on the public needs through the Central Office of Information. I have just had a preliminary report. I am studying it, and I hope as a result of that examination to make some progress towards the stability to which the hon. Member referred.

In view of the large number of telegrams which the Government have received in support of their policy, will my right hon. Friend consider reducing the price of telegrams for the rest of the season?

asked the Postmaster-General whether parcels addressed to approved organisations for Hungarian relief in the United Kingdom or abroad will be accepted henceforward at post offices in the United Kingdom free of postal charges.

I told the organisations concerned with Hungarian relief in this country that I should be willing that relief parcels should be delivered free of postal charges. They replied that so much generosity is being shown by the British people that they do not consider it necessary at this juncture to ask for free postage.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many airmen at White Waltham, Berkshire, are employed as batmen; and their duties.

Fourteen. They are employed on various duties in the mess, and in carrying out prescribed duties in officers' single and married quarters.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these duties include babysitting? Does he not think that it is a bit silly to call up able-bodied young men, some of them from very important civilian occupations, to carry out baby-sitting operations?

The prescribed duties do not include baby-sitting operations.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will take steps to identify the science or engineering graduates, or holders of equivalent qualifications, who are enrolled in the Royal Air Force and are serving as fitters or in other capacities in which their specialised knowledge is not used; and whether he will either transfer them to duties which require the use of their specialised knowledge or else release them.

The qualifications of all men entering the Royal Air Force are taken fully into account when allocating them to trades and are permanently recorded on their documents. We do all we can to make the best use of these qualifications.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have already been informed in a Parliamentary Answer that his Department does not even know what officers and how many officers there are with these qualifications engaged in occupations which do not use the qualifications? How can he reconcile that with what he has just told me? Further, is he aware that I have been told that there are 300 airmen of engineering and science degree standard who are not being used in accordance with their qualifications? Does he not think that that is silly when industry, universities and the schools are all short of people with those qualifications?

On the first point, of course when a man enters the Service all his qualifications are most carefully noted and recorded. On the second point, 50 of the 300 airmen to whom the hon. Member has referred have instructing duties and most of the rest are acting as fitters. The majority of these men are men who have failed to get a commission, and we are making the best use of them that we can.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really say that it is making the best use of a man with a degree in engineering or science or the equivalent to use him as a fitter? Is that the best he can do for the nation?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, National Service is universal, and not everybody can be employed exactly where he would wish when in the Service. We are using these men in the best way we can.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that National Service is not universal? Miners, agricultural workers and Merchant Navy men are exempt.

I am, of course, aware of that.

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) whether he will make public the report of the inquiry into the Vulcan bomber accident at London Airport;

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will now make a statement on the Vulcan bomber accident at London Airport.

Inquiries into this accident are still going on. I shall make a full statement as soon as I can.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that great concern about this unfortunate accident is felt by the large residential population around London Airport? Although it may be contrary to previous decisions, I hope that he will publish the report of the inquiry to assure people that steps were taken to see that an accident like this will not occur again.

No one is more anxious that I should make a statement as soon as I can than I am, and I can promise the House that I shall make a statement as soon as I possibly can.

As well as the large local population to which my hon. Friend has referred, local authorities surrounding the airport are very alarmed about this accident and the possibilities which might have arisen if the crash had occurred outside the boundaries of the airfield. Those are very serious circumstances for those local authorities, and I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will have that in mind in preparing a statement and presenting it as soon as possible.

Yes, Sir.

In view of the very long delay, does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is considerable ground for public anxiety about the efficiency of the present method of inquiry into these crashes?

No, I do not think so at all. In this case the Royal Air Force court of inquiry was convened on the day of the accident, and it reported three week after, which is far quicker than would have been the case with any civil inquiry. There are certain points about which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport wishes to inquire further before I make a statement.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that here was a case of a military aircraft landing at a civil airport and that that is where the public interest arises? In view of the number of foreign airlines operating from London Airport, there is wide interest in this matter. Will my right hon. Friend therefore make an exception and satisfy the people who are really concerned about it?

I hope that when I make my statement my hon. and gallant Friend will consider it satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Air which Royal Air Force airfields in Cyprus and Malta will be made available to the United Nations Police Force.

We will do all we can to meet any request for assistance which the United Nations may make to us, but so far we have not received any such request.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what has been the number of air movements by military and civil aircraft, respectively, during the last two months at the Royal Air Force Station, Wahn.

In September and October there were 5,665 movements of military aircraft and 830 movements of civil aircraft.

Will the Secretary of State resist the West German Government's attempt to take over this N.A.T.O. airfield and use it as a civil airfield, especially since they have contributed very little in money and materials to Western defence? The very least they can do is to build a civil airport.

The hon. Gentleman is perfectly correct in saying that this is a military airfield, or rather a N.A.T.O. airfield, with Belgian as well as British units on it. The matter has been referred to N.A.T.O.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider the free issue of raincoats to all ranks of the Royal Air Force.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 18th July.

I hope that the Secretary of State has progressed since then. Does he regard it as just to compel young men into the Armed Forces and then to refuse them raincoats unless they pay £5 for them?

There is no question of compulsion about the purchasing of a raincoat. The men are issued with greatcoats and also with groundsheets, as has always been done. However, it was thought that they might like to have raincoats, but it is optional and they can buy them if they want. Most people have not bought them.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in order that the process of supplying aircraft may be speeded up, he will review his organisation for aircraft procurement especially in the stating of operational requirements.

On taking office I carried out a review of the system for stating operational requirements. In general I consider that the present organisation is sound, but the establishment of joint Air Ministry-Ministry of Supply project teams, which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and I have set up, should strengthen the machinery for coordinating the development of complete weapons systems.

Will it go any way towards meeting the almost unanimous protests of the Service, the designers and manufacturers, and the aeronautical journalists that the present system of procurement is very slow indeed and results in great loss to the public?

The hon. Gentleman's Question related to the stating of operational requirements by the Air Ministry. I have looked very carefully into that, and I think that on the whole we have been pretty good.

To what extent are the requirements of the Air Ministry being co-ordinated by the Minister of Defence with the procurements required by the other Service Departments?

The system is that all the detailed work, once the operational requirement has been stated, is done by the Ministry of Supply. The general policy is decided by the Minister of Defence. The general policy about the sort of proportion of fighters and bombers, etc., that there ought to be is his.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the estimated value of the Royal Air Force stores held at the Suez Canal base at the latest convenient date; whether he has any information about the situation that has developed since then at that base; and if he will make a statement.

Apart from a small amount of equipment and spares for aircraft staging at Abu Sueir and Fanara, the only Royal Air Force stores held in the Canal Zone were stocks of aviation fuel. At mid-September it is estimated that these stocks were worth £210,000. I have no definite information as to what has happened to the stores within the past fortnight.

Since one of the first reasons given by the Prime Minister for going into the Canal Zone was the value of British property there, is it not curious that the right hon. Gentleman has not been able to give us any information about those stores during the last two weeks?

I have given the information that I can give, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, we are not physically in possession of the area where these things are.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made with the electrification of the railways to Southend.

The British Transport Commission tells me that the electrification of the railway from Shenfield to Southend is now nearly complete and it is expected that through electric trains between Liverpool Street and Southend will start running on 31st December.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what quantity of oil was imported into Great Britain in 1955 in ships flying flags of convenience such as those of Panama, Liberia and Costa Rica.

It is estimated that the quantity of petroleum oils imported into Great Britain in 1955 in ships flying the flags of Panama, Liberia, Costa Rica and Honduras was about 7 million tons.

Is the Minister aware that by giving work of this character to people who fly flags of convenience we are encouraging them to avoid their obligations under the Charter of I.L.O.? Will he take steps to see either that these people carry out their obligations or that the work is done by those who do carry out their obligations?

There are two considerations. One is that this tonnage is quite a small proportion of the total imports. The second and more important, with which, I think, the hon. Gentleman will agree, is that it is not in our widest commercial interest, as a large shipowning country, to interfere with the rights of shipowners to charter where they like.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it would be to the greatest interest of this country to make use of every possible tanker at the present time?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what consultations have taken place with the British Transport Commission in connection with the necessity to conserve oil and petrol; and the result of such consultations.

I am in close touch with the Commission, which has taken steps to reduce consumption both by its road haulage companies and, so far as possible, by the London Transport Executive and its provincial and Scottish bus undertakings.

The Minister said he has been in "close touch". Will he inform the House whether he has had any recommendations from the British Transport Commission?

I have had something rather better than that. The Commission has shown concrete progress by taking 1,500 lorries off the roads.

Will there be any parallel reduction in the number of vehicles under the control of private carriers? If not, what is obviously likely to happen is that some of the loads, instead of being carried by British Road Services, will go to the private hauliers, so that there will be no reduction in the amount of petrol consumed.

This action by British Road Services is action taken on its own commercial judgment. I have been informed by all road interests that they will loyally try to carry out the request made to them, and I have no reason to doubt that they will.

Could not the Minister go further than that? If, as he says, there is to be a 10 per cent. reduction on the part of British Road Services, surely he ought to make an appeal or, if necessary, an order—at any rate, take some steps to ensure—that private road hauliers make a similar reduction? Surely that is in the national interest and is only fair?

I have told the hon. Member for Perry Barr (Mr. C. Howell) and the right hon. Gentleman that I have been in touch with all the road interests concerned and that they have all informed me that they intend to carry out and implement to the full this 10 per cent. cut. How they do it is a matter for their commercial judgment, and not mine.

In addition to consulting both the British Transport Commission and the private sector of the industry, will the Minister ensure the closest possible consultation with the trade unions concerned, in order to ensure that the interests of the men affected will at least be reasonably protected?

Yes, I quite agree; and it is certainly my wish that that, so far as I can control it, should be done.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what joint consultations he has initiated between private road haulage contractors and the British Transport Commission with a view to diverting traffic from the roads to the railways during the present oil shortage; and what was the result.

The reply which I gave on Monday to a Question by the hon. Member about traffic to and from the nationalised industries applies equally to all traffic.

As the Minister has had two or three days in which to confer since the last occasion on which he answered a Question on the matter in the House, may I ask him with what speed he is initiating the getting of something done? Or are we still to rely on the good will of other people?

I do not think that the hon. Member can have heard the answer which I have just given to the right hon. Member for Vauxhall (Mr. G. R. Strauss), in which I said that since he asked his Question the other day, I have had replies from all the interests concerned saying that they would implement the request made to them.

As it is the intention to divert traffic as far as possible from the roads to the railways, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the railways will not have their oil supplies cut, for if they do their services will necessarily deteriorate, particularly those of the diesel shunting engines, so that the railways will be prevented from doing the extra work?

That is a very good point. I have it in mind, and I am taking it up with the Minister of Fuel and Power.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had any word about the position in Liverpool? Will he look at the position there again with reference to the Liverpool Overhead Railway, which is closing down at the end of December. In those circumstances many more buses will have to be put on the road and will therefore be using more oil and petrol when it is necessary to save.

I will certainly look at that point.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will introduce legislation to make the use of crash helmets compulsory on all motor cyclists.

No, Sir. This matter was considered during the passage of the Road Traffic Act, 1956, and the eventual decision was against compulsion. But the Act gives me power to prescribe the types of helmet considered satisfactory and makes it an offence to sell or offer for sale any helmet not complying with the prescribed requirements. Draft regulations have been circulated to the parties interested for comment.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that a large number of fatal motor cycle accidents occur as a result of no crash helmet being worn? Is he not aware of the number of riders which he must have received from coroners' juries asking that he should make the wearing of crash helmets compulsory? Has not the time arrived when the right hon. Gentleman should preserve the lives of these people, who apparently do not worry about them themselves?

I am well aware of the point, and my hon. Friend knows that we have been corresponding on the matter. The House decided that it was better to make compulsory a proper standard of helmet and then rely upon the normal processes of publicity, etc., to ensure the use of them.

Has my right hon. Friend prescribed regulations with regard to standards?

Yes, Sir, and they are being circulated for comment. As soon as I have that, I will implement them.

Would it not be a good thing to abolish Purchase Tax on those helmets?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will now reverse his decision to remove the speed limit on the Ashbourne Road, Derby, from its junction with Kingsway to its junction with Prince Charles Avenue; whether he will now agree to impose a speed limit on the Derby—Macclesfield Road from Prince Charles Avenue to Radbourne Lane as requested by the Derby Borough Council; and whether he is aware of the strong feeling in the Derby Borough Council, the Derby Road Safety Committee, and among the Derby public on these questions.

I am afraid I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave the right hon. Gentleman on 31st October which said in general that a speed limit would not help in this case.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a very grave matter on which the Derby Council, the Derby Road Safety Committee, the Derby Chief Constable and police and the Watch Committee are unanimously against him, together with the inhabitants of the Mackworth Estate? Is he aware that, while he was considering the position, a cyclist was killed on this stretch of road and that three weeks ago a little girl of seven was knocked down and seriously injured and escaped only by a miracle? [Interruption.] Hon. Members opposite appear to be laughing, but this is not a laughing matter.

On a point of order. Would you inform me, Mr. Speaker, whether there is a set of rules for Members on the Front Bench different from the rules for Members on the back benches?

There is no difference of rule at all. In fact, I expect right hon. Gentlemen to set a good example in these matters, but as to the length of the supplementary question, it is quite true that this is a very important matter to the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mr. P. Noel-Baker).

In asking the Minister to answer, may I explain that this is the first Question that I have been able to ask for my constituents for eighteen months and that the feeling in the whole of Derby is very strong?

rose—

Answer.

Group Captain Wilcock.

May I have an answer from the Minister?

It may be convenient to have two questions and an answer on the same matter.

Is the Minister aware that this is a very serious matter to the inhabitants of Derby? Will he say whether his Department is regarded as being in a better position than the police and the Corporation of Derby and all the people of that area to know whether this is a dangerous stretch of road or not? If his Department is supposed to know best, will he consider a public inquiry in Derby into this matter?

I will certainly consider anything that will cut down road accidents. As the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mr. P. Noel-Baker) and the hon. and gallant Member know, we have had very long correspondence about this particularly difficult stretch of road, and both my authorities and the local authorities have had meetings and have carefully looked into the matter. All that I am saying at the moment is that I do not think that a speed limit is the right answer. I do not for a moment rule out that we may be able to find another solution. I am perfectly willing to have a meeting on the subject if the right hon. Member for Derby, South thinks that would help to find a solution.

As the right hon. Gentleman has mentioned the correspondence, may I ask whether he is aware that his last letter, dated 23rd October, was addressed and sent not to me but to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. F. Noel-Baker)? Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman had not read it before he sent it? Is he aware that the letter, written by the Parliamentary Secretary, defended this action on the ground that there have been only 31 accidents in three years on this stretch of road? Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman did not read the letter before he sent it?

This sounds to me to be a very excellent subject to raise on the Adjournment.

On a point of order. In view of the extremely unsatisfactory nature of what the Minister has said, I propose to ask him to receive a deputation from Derby Council, and I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the total amount realised to date by disposal of assets of the road haulage undertaking of the British Transport Commission; and the total loss incurred.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Seventh Report of the Road Haulage Disposal Board for the latest available figures of the total amount realised. Under the Transport (Disposal of Road Haulage Property) Act, 1956, I am no longer required to make estimates of the total loss incurred by the Commission but I have no reason to believe that any amendment is necessary to my last estimate which I gave in reply to a Question by the hon. Member on 1st February, 1956.

Since the total of the amounts realised from these unnecessary sales is £24½ million, and the Minister has previously estimated losses at only £13 million, does he still think, in view of the fact that the original cost was about three times more than the amount realised, that the loss will be so limited to £13 million? Does he not agree with the Transport Commission's Report that the Commission will have to write off a further loss to meet the deficit?

What I think is that this account is now closed, on lines approved and settled by the House.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will take steps under Section 41 of the Civil Aviation Act, 1949, to regulate the noise caused on aerodromes by the new jet aircraft which British Overseas Airways Corporation is purchasing from the United States of America.

In the leases which I have granted to it in the Maintenance Area at London Airport, the Corporation has accepted the obligation to take all reasonable measures to abate noise. I am confident that it will carry it out and that the need to use statutory powers for this purpose is not likely to arise.

Would the Minister say whether his Answer includes the possibility of fitting silencers to this new type of aircraft operating from London Airport? I understand that quite considerable progress has been made. Will he bear in mind that the residents there, some of whom were living there long before the aerodrome came into being, have suffered excruciatingly, and that something ought to be done to alleviate their very great fears for the future?

I quite agree with what the hon. Member has said. I think he will know that a lot of work is going on. The Conway engine, which will be fitted to these new aircraft, is rather quieter than some jets. Work is going on with mufflers on engines for work on the ground, and with special designs of a jet nozzle. Much is being done, but it is too early yet to say what success we shall have.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what consultations he has had with the Welsh Advisory Council for Civil Aviation on the recent Anglo-Eireann Agreement.

My predecessor discussed the revision of the Agreement with a deputation from the Council last year and its views were taken into account during the negotiations with the Irish Republican authorities.

What recent consultations has the right hon. Gentleman had with the Council? My information is there has not been any consultation at all. I should know, for I am a member of it.

What I said was—and I have no doubt that the hon. Member knows it to be true—that consultations took place with my predecessor. A memorandum was submitted, and I am advised that the agreement which has been come to covers most of the points raised in the memorandum.

asked the Minister of Defence what is now the total of additional military expenditure, not included in the original Estimates of the Service Departments for the current year, to the latest date for which figures are available.

About £13 million to 31st October, 1956.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is already a terribly high price to pay for the Government's folly in trying and failing to seize Suez? What steps is he taking to cut the cost to the minimum, in view of the fact that the arms budget for which he is responsible is already so over-inflated?

This cost has been incurred and cannot be cut.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will make a statement indicating how long it is intended to retain in the Armed Forces the reservists recalled during August this year.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made last night by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal.

Cannot the Minister of Defence be more specific? As these men have been recalled now for several months and have had the arduous and odious task of carrying out Government policy, would he not agree that they deserve a break? Cannot he be more specific and give an assurance that as soon as the troops are withdrawn from Suez, the reservists can be demobilised and sent back to their proper occupations?

My right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal said last night that no reservists would be retained for one day longer than was absolutely necessary for operational and other reasons.

With great respect, that is a pig-headed point of view. On what military grounds can the right hon. Gentleman really justify the retention of reservists in this country at present? Surely, he knows just as well as I do—[HON. MEMBERS: "Better."]—I know a damn sight better than hon. Members opposite—

The right hon. Gentleman is really letting his eloquence run away with him.

I apologise, Mr. Speaker, but I meant what I said. May I ask the Minister of Defence on what grounds he sustains this position? Surely he knows perfectly well that he can make such arrangements that these reservists could be recalled summarily, by short notice, by wireless and telegram. There would be no difficulty if he set about it and organised it.

I think that the right hon. Gentleman, in describing the answer as being pig-headed, is rushing to conclusions. All I said was that no reservists would be retained for a day longer than was necessary. If the right hon. Gentleman uses his head, which I will not describe with any adjective, he will realise that the answer means that a reservist in this country, not required for the present emergency, would be released.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will state the time and date on which the officer commanding British troops in Aquaba became aware that Israeli troops were undertaking a major operation against Egypt; and the time and date on which the information reached Headquarters, Middle East.

G.H.Q. Middle East first heard that Israeli troops were undertaking a major operation against Egypt in a signal from Tel Aviv, which reached them at 23.30—local time—on 29th October. The signal was repeated with emergency priority to the British force at Aquaba. It may be, however, that they first heard the news on the wireless the following morning.

Whilst thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that Answer, may I point out that he has not answered my Question? At Aquaba there is an armoured regiment, the 10th Hussars. At what time did they know that Israeli troops were crossing, because it was in that vicinity that they crossed?

They did not know anything about the major attack, but they reported by a signal that guns had passed through Elath at 05.30, and that on the nights of 27–28th and 28–29th October 'planes had landed at Elath and had taken off after dark. Their supposition was that Elath was being reinforced.

In other words the Government, in fact, received confirmation on the 27th? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his statement confirms the belief that there was collusion? [HON. MEMBERS: "Nonsense."] Oh, yes, it confirms that there was collusion, and that the Government knew well in advance the nature of the Israeli operation.

The hon. Gentleman is jumping to extraordinary conclusions. All that the force at Aquaba did was to report this movement, which looked as though Elath was being reinforced, but there was no indication, either locally or as a result of the signal, that any major operation was taking place.

May I ask the Minister, regardless of what the troops on the spot learned, whether he knew beforehand of the impending attack?

I am telling the right hon. Gentleman that we knew by this signal which came from Tel Aviv.

rose—

Order. We have spent a lot of time on this Question. Mr. Wigg. Question No. 34.

On a point of order. In view of the evasive nature of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, I shall take an early opportunity of raising this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will state the conditions under which the United States Government supplied material under the offshore purchases agreements; and if he will give an assurance that these conditions have been observed.

The conditions governing the supply of such material are set out in the Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement of 1950, published as Cmd. 7894.

The right hon. Gentleman realises the serious nature of this Question. Would he again state categorically whether any off-shore purchased equipment has been used, in contravention of that Agreement, in the Middle East operation?

I have told the hon. Gentleman before that it is impossible to divide this equipment into two categories, one entirely restricted to off-shore purchase, and the other not. It is hopelessly muddled up throughout the whole of our Forces and therefore it is impossible to do that.

Is not the answer that we should not make agreements which we know we cannot keep?

asked the Minister of Defence why he authorised the dropping of the leaflets over Cairo by Royal Air Force aeroplanes on the night of Saturday, 3rd November; and if he will circulate with the OFFICIAL REPORT the full text of these leaflets.

The leaflet to which the hon. Member refers was dropped on the authority of the Allied Commander-in-Chief. I will circulate the text in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why the leaflets dropped on Cairo told the Egyptian people that our only quarrel with them was over the ownership and operation of the Canal; why these were dropped within a few hours of the Prime Minister saying that the Canal was not in his mind; and will the right hon. Gentleman now tell the House the date on which that leaflet was printed, and confirm that it had been prepared for an intervention for a totally different cause?

I cannot answer that question without notice, but I can tell the hon. Gentleman that a general directive was given to the Allied Commander-in-Chief to make use of pamphlets and other means of psychological warfare to avoid casualties. Within those terms of reference he had to act on the spot, and it is impossible to have direct supervision from this country of every pamphlet produced.

While that may very well be so, does not the right hon. Gentleman remember that in psychological warfare in the last war the effect of our attacking Hitler by pamphlets was to rally the Germans behind him? The effect of these pamphlets, lambasting Nasser, has only been to rally the Egyptians behind him. Really the right hon. Gentleman ought to know better than to allow the propagandists in his Department to behave in this disreputable manner.

This type of warfare is a highly technical matter. I believe that the expert in the last war was the hon. Member for Coventry, East (Mr. Cross-man). All I can say is that it is extremely rash to try to assess the effects of psychological warfare on one pamphlet in one instance.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that only yesterday hon. Gentlemen opposite were complaining about the lack of preparation, and now that they find that preparations had been made, they are still complaining.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that there are adequate tribal police and other security forces in British Somaliland for the defence of tribesmen under Her Majesty's protection against Ethiopian pressure; and if he will make a statement.

In the Somali-land Protectorate there are the Somaliland Scouts, Protectorate Police Force and Tribal Police (Illaloes). I am satisfied that these forces are adequate for all normal purposes of internal security, although the possibility of providing reinforcements in the event of attack from any quarter outside the Protectorate has not been overlooked.

May I ask the Minister whether he has seen in The Times today the letter of the Ethiopian Ambassador? In view of that, would the right hon. Gentleman consider approaching the Ethiopian Government with a view to setting up a border commission, a fact-finding commission, perhaps under the United Nations, to investigate these facts which are in dispute by both sides?

Yes, Sir, of course I saw the letter this morning. As the hon. Gentleman knows, I had talks with the Foreign Minister from Ethiopia during the various Suez conferences in London.

Might I ask the Colonial Secretary two questions? First, will he afford adequate protection to these small tribes who are grazing their stock in the Haud and up to now have not had such protection? Secondly, as the Ethiopian Government have observed the 1954 Agreement in neither the spirit nor the letter, will he terminate it?

I am very anxious that the spirit of the Agreement should be observed on both sides in the way in which it has been observed on our side. The Governor is at present reviewing the question of the size of the Illalo force in those territories.

Will the right hon. Gentleman hold an inquiry into the position in that part of the country, because it is causing considerable trouble between the tribes?

There is little doubt about the facts, and there is no need for further inquiry. The need now is for full observance of the undertakings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who among the leaders of the main political parties in British Guiana have indicated their approval of the proposed new Constitution for their country.

None, Sir, but this certainly does not imply that many of them will not be quite ready to work it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that civilised opinion throughout the world is outraged by the refusal of the Russians to allow the Hungarians to choose their own Government? Will he say what distinction there is between his behaviour and that of the Russians when he is refusing to allow the people of British Guiana to have the kind of constitutional government that they want?

The hon. Lady ought to know perfectly well that when, reluctantly, we withdrew the constitution for British Guiana, that action was greeted with a sigh of relief by the mass of the people. In reply to the point of her supplementary question, I would say that it is often thought difficult by politicians, not only in British Guiana, but elsewhere, to endorse publicly something which falls short of what they have asked for. However, I believe that this Constitution will be worked, and that is what really matters.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has not been able to state the name of one leader of one main political party in British Guiana who is willing to accept the Constitution? Is it necessary that he should have to go through all the phases of revolution in British Guiana? Will he not short-circuit the process by applying certain democratic standards?

The hon. Lady had better wait and see what happens. I think she is in for a big surprise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is prepared to invite the leaders of the main political parties in British Guiana to attend a conference in London in order to see if wider common agreement can be reached in regard to the proposed new Constitution for British Guiana.

No, Sir. I have made it clear how far Her Majesty's Government are prepared to go at this stage. The next step is to hold the elections and to see how far those returned at the polls are prepared to try to make a success of the new democratic Constitution which will be introduced.

Is the Minister aware that even Dr. Jagan and Mr. Burnham, leaders of the Left, of whom, apparently, he is afraid, are willing to give—they have publicly said so—a guarantee that if their parties are elected at the next election in British Guiana they will not establish a one-party dictatorship, which is the excuse which the right hon. Gentleman gives for not permitting democracy in British Guiana? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider their propositions? Will he call the leaders to this country and try to obtain a Constitution which will work?

I have nothing to add to my Answer, save to say that I hope that the undertakings which they are giving in British Guiana will be observed in practice, and I have every intention of allowing opportunity for them to be so observed.

How can the right hon. Gentleman describe as democratic a Constitution which allows only 50 per cent. of the representation in the Legislature to be elected?

I think that the hon. Gentleman himself was surprised when I felt able to recommend this step forward in British Guiana. I think it is a sign of strength that, despite the unhappy experience of recent years, we are prepared to take this experimental step. How far it will be justified is now in the hands of the people of British Guiana.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will give an assurance that the members of Her Majesty's Forces and their dependants will receive the same pension and compensation rights in the armed conflict with Egypt as they would if Her Majesty's Government has declared a state of war with Egypt.

Yes, Sir. The provisions for the award of pensions and allowances under the pensions instruments which I administer are the same in all cases in which disablement or death arises in consequence of service in the Armed Forces. Questions of compensation for loss of personal effects by members of the forces are the responsibility of the Service Department concerned but I understand from my right hon. Friends that the position is similar

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what preparations have now been made to introduce petrol rationing; when it is likely that it will be introduced; and on what basis petrol is to be allocated.

Coupons have been printed and the provision of the necessary staff and accommodation is in train. Details of the rationing scheme will be announced if and when the occasion arises.

Has not information been received during the past twenty-four hours which shows that the situation in the Suez Canal is much graver than was anticipated? Is it not vital that every gallon of petrol should be saved at the earliest possible moment? Is it not now obvious what a terrible price we have to pay for the Prime Minister's folly?

What the hon. Gentleman has said is certainly not within my knowledge. Indeed, within the last thirty-six hours the Egyptian authorities themselves have declared that the Canal can be opened within a month or two months, and that puts quite a different complexion upon matters. I am satisfied, in the light of the information available, that the restrictions so far imposed will prevent an undue drain on stocks.

In view of statements in many national newspapers, including The Times, that petrol rationing is now inevitable, will the right hon. Gentleman confirm the very widespread opinion in the country that, following the Taunton precedent, the Government are holding over the announcement of petrol rationing until the Chester by-election is over?

The Taunton by-election is not within the Minister's responsibility.

While we are certain that the right hon. Gentleman will do his utmost to ensure a fair allocation of the ration, might I ask him to present the nation with a White Paper showing how he will allocate—this is much more important—fuel to the steel industry, the pottery industry and the glass industry, which have turned over to oil burning?

If the situation demands a more severe restriction than that now imposed, I will certainly bear in mind what the hon. Gentleman has said.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a statement on the situation in respect of the 10 per cent. cut in petrol supplies to garages; and whether he is satisfied that the small independent garages are receiving the same treatment as those belonging to the oil companies.

It is too early to assess the effect upon garages of these restrictions, but I am sure that dealers are making a genuine effort to distribute supplies on the basis I proposed. The oil companies have given me an undertaking that they will apply the cut fairly as between dealers supplied by one company only and dealers supplied by several companies, and I am satisfied that they are respecting this undertaking.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that last Sunday there were record numbers of motorists on the road? Also, is he aware that garage owners are saying that they will not be able to supply petrol at the end of the month because many motorists are taking from them all the petrol they can get and then returning to their homes and syphoning it out? Is he not aware of what is happening?

I must dispute the situation as described by the hon. Member. It is too early to assess the effect of the 10 per cent. cut; after all, it is only a week old. However, to my knowledge, the reactions so far are not as described by the hon. Gentleman.

Does the 10 per cent. cut apply to diesel fuel used for opencast mining? Is this not a time when we should have a larger output of opencast coal and not allow it to be decreased as a result of the present situation?

As I explained a week ago, the 10 per cent. cut is subject to extremely few exceptions. If the cut were to become more severe—after all, the situation is being reviewed from day to day—then the consideration adduced by my hon. Friend would most certainly be borne in mind.

Might we have a little more guidance about the factors which the Government will take into account in deciding whether petrol rationing is necessary or not? Is it that the Government do not know how long the Canal will be shut, that they do not know what stocks they have, or that they do not know how much they will get from the United States? What are we waiting for? I put Chester on one side. Is it the case that the Government know already that petrol rationing is necessary but have not the courage to tell the country yet?

If the hon. Gentleman will exercise patience, he will hear the better or the worse in due time.

When?