asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what purposes the proposed new and reconstructed airfields in Sierra Leone will be used; and what will be the appropriate cost of their construction and reconstruction.

These airstrips are intended for internal security requirements and for emergency landings, and in due course may be used for internal air services. No overall estimate of costs is yet available, but it is expected that the costs of reconstruction at Magburaka and at Bo will be £820 and £4,500. respectively.

Would not the Colonial Secretary agree that it would be far better for the economic and social welfare of the Colony and Protectorate if more money were spent upon internal communications, roads and railways?

Internal security is of the first importance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what facilities exist in Sierra Leone for agricultural research and training; and what is the number of Africans receiving agricultural training.

There are four well-equipped research stations engaged in the study of rice, oil palm products, animal husbandry and horticulture, respectively, as well as two experimental farms. A four-year course in agriculture for 48 students is held at Njala Training College, and a further eight Sierra Leoneans are at present studying agriculture in the United Kingdom.

Would not the Under-Secretary of State agree that, in a Colony where 90 per cent. of the economic sustenance is derived from agriculture, there ought to be greater facilities available for agricultural research and training? Is he doing everything possible to encourage this?

Yes, Sir, a great deal is being done. Since the end of the war, substantial C.D.W.F. grants to assist research have been made in this area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of miles of railway tracks and surfaced roads in the Colony and Protectorate of Sierra Leone, respectively; and what plans have been made for increasing rail and road transport.

The Sierra Leone Railway has 339 miles of track, of which 46 miles is in the Colony. Over £3½ million are being spent on improvements. There are 90 miles of tarred road in the Colony and 42 miles in the Protectorate. Under the current development programme a further 190 miles of Protectorate road will be tarred and twelve major bridges are being built.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him and his right hon. Friend if they will go ahead with roads and railways in Sierra Leone as rapidly as possible? They will be aware of the problem there. Roads and railways are worse there than in any other Colony or Protectorate the Commonwealth.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been done to increase rice production in Sierra Leone.

There has been a very substantial increase in acreage and production of rice since the war. Considerable areas of grassland are now being cultivated mechanically and mangrove swamps have been enclosed and cleared. Research is being done on the properties of the soil and on rice varieties. Improved seed is now being distributed and the sale of fertilisers is being subsidised.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him to take note of the fact that there has been a serious falling off in rice production owing to the counter-attraction of illicit diamond mining? Will he bear that fact in mind when trying to revitalise this industry?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will appoint a commission to examine and report on the opportunities for training and promotion in the public services of members of the indigenous races in British Colonies, Protectorates and Trusteeship Territories.

No, Sir. It is already the policy and practice to fill recruitment vacancies in all Colonial Territories with local people whenever suitable and qualified candidates are available; and to increase the number of local qualified candidates by training programmes in the territories and in the United Kingdom.

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that those of us who receive a considerable number of letters from Colonial Territories are getting a large number from very varied Colonies regarding the absence of opportunity for advancement in the Civil Service? In view of the fact that we want to prepare these people to take over their Governments, is it not desirable that priority should be given to this?

More than 1,000 locally-domiciled officers were placed in training courses in the United Kingdom in 1956.

While I recognise that every encouragement is given and opportunity provided for full promotion within the territories concerned, would the Under-Secretary not agree that there would be an advantage in having something equivalent to the Civil Service Corn-mission that we have in this country?

The time has not come to have an equivalent arrangement, but a great deal, as the right hon. Gentleman will appreciate, is being done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what information he has about the production of synthetic cocoa butter; and what effect this is likely to have on the cocoa industry in the Colonies.

Other fats have been used in limited quantities as substitutes for cocoa butter for many years. It is not possible to forecast developments in this sphere, but I am told that there is no present evidence that they are likely to have a significant effect on the cocoa industry in the Colonies.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him whether any organisation under his control has conducted an analytical test of this synthetic butter in order to ascertain its quality and whether it would prove a threat to the natural cocoa industry?

No organisation of my Department has done so, but the commercial interests are constantly doing so.

In view of the fact that within the last few hours Soviet Russia has placed a large order in Ghana for cocoa, will the hon. Gentleman take steps to see that our trade relations are expanded so that this market may not be lost to this country?

I do not think that arises from the Question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he intends to take, and when, to facilitate the discussion between the Government and representative Cypriots, in either Cyprus or London, of Lord Radcliffe's draft of a self-governing constitution: and if he will include in such steps an invitation to Archbishop Makarios, an easing of emergency regulations, an offer to release detainees, and an offer of clemency to those now under arms in Cyprus against the British Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he has now taken to open negotiations on the Radcliffe Report with representative Cypriots; and when he expects discussions to begin.

With regard to discussions with Cypriots, including Archbishop Makarios, I have nothing to add to what my hon. Friend and I said in the debate on 19th February. With regard to the steps suggested in the Question by the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes), the Governor has since 19th December eased certain emergency regulations and has released two groups of detainees. He is ready to take further steps in this direction as soon as circumstances allow.

Whilst thanking the Minister for that constructive reply, may I ask, as he has had several recent successes in other Colonies to his credit, if he will not make a constructive effort on the lines suggested? Even if Archbishop Makarios is connected with violence, will the Minister not follow a precedent like that of Field Marshal Smuts, whose violence was forgotten, for the purpose of promoting confidence and peace?

I am grateful to the hon. and learned Member for the tribute he paid to me, but such success as I have achieved has been on the basis of recognising the importance of preserving law and order.

Has my right hon. Friend seen paragraphs in the American newspaper Time, which is notoriously hostile to this country, which repeat disgraceful accusations against the behaviour of the British in Cyprus? Will he see that our information services counter this sort of unscrupulous propaganda.

I do not think the Minister can be held responsible for what appears in an American magazine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total area of land in Cyprus owned by the Orthodox Church; and how much of it is undeveloped.

Approximately 66,000 acres. I regret that the information requested in the second part of the Question is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the United Nations Resolution urging negotiations for a settlement of the conflict in Cyprus and the favourable response given to it by Cypriot political and trade union organisations, and the declared intention of E.O.K.A. to cease acts of violence when negotiations with the Ethnarchy begin, he will invite Archbishop Makarios to London with the object of reaching agreement regarding the Radcliffe Constitution and the realisation of self-government and self-determination.

What I said about Archbishop Makarios in the debate on 19th February is not, in the Government's view, affected by the wording of the United Nations Resolution.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that a new opportunity of ending this tragedy in Cyprus has now arisen as a result of the United Nations Resolution and the response which has been made to it by political and trade union organisations in Cyprus? Is it not now clear that if negotiations began with Archbishop Makarios violence would immediately end in that island?

I know of no possible authority to justify the hon. Member having used the phrase

"…in view of the…declared intention of E.O.K.A. to cease acts of violence when negotiations with the Ethnarchy begin…

The hon. Gentleman has put that down in a Parliamentary Question, but I know of no possible justification for it.

May I ask the Secretary of State whether, at the present moment, following the United Nations discussion, he would indicate whether he proposes to take any fresh initiative in the near future?

We propose, as hitherto, to retain the initiative.

On a point of order. In view of the right hon. Gentleman's statement that I have put into a Question something for which I have no authority, may I say, Sir, that I shall forward to the right hon. Gentleman the authority on which I based the statement in my Question?

I shall be delighted to receive it.

Do we understand from the Secretary of State that the Government are going to do nothing in pursuance of the United Nations Resolution?

It would be quite wrong to assume that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the demands of the African National Congress of Northern Rhodesia for constitutional changes; and what reply the Government have made to them.

The African National Congress addressed a letter to me last November putting forward various proposals for constitutional changes which I had the opportunity of discussing with Mr. Nkumbula and others in the course of my recent visit to Northern Rhodesia. These proposals, together with the views of all other sections of the African and European communities, are now being considered by the Government of Northern Rhodesia who have begun the series of consultations with representatives of all groups in Northern Rhodesia to which I referred in my reply to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) on 6th February.

Would the Colonial Secretary himself give attention to the points of view expressed by these people? He is aware, of course, that the African National Congress was opposed to the imposition of Central African Federation. In view of that attitude, if he wants it to work, is it not essential that he should bring his counsel and judgment to bear on the very important questions put to him by the African people?

I certainly did so, and still continue to do so. I only hope the energies of these people will be concentrated on worth-while objectives and not on sterile controversy as to whether Federation was or was not a good thing.

In spite of the fact that the Minister saw Mr. Harry Nkumbula—which we all welcome—is it not the fact that the Governor and his officials do not officially recognise the Northern Rhodesian African National Congress? Is not this obscurantist and mediaeval, because this Congress is the only movement which almost universally stands for all political movements and is recognised as such by all Europeans except the Governor and his secretariat?

I saw Mr. Nkumbula with the full agreement of the Governor. The African National Congress does not represent all Africans in the Territory. It has an important point of view, and I was very glad to meet its leader.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which municipalities and townships of Northern Rhodesia the Urban African Housing Ordinance providing for demarcation of African housing areas is in operation.

The Urban African Housing Ordinance is in operation in the municipalities of Broken Hill, Chingola, Kitwe, Livingstone, Luanshya, Lusaka, Mufulira, and Ndola and in the townships of Bancroft, Choma, Fort Jameson, Kalomo, Mazabuka, Monze and Pemba.

The Colonial Secretary will be aware that all sides of the House have noted with pleasure the action he has taken against the colour bar—his personal action showing displeasure of the colour bar. As this is an extension of the policy of apartheid into the British Commonwealth, will not the right hon. Gentleman now express his displeasure at suggestions that we should segregate Africans from Europeans in the form now being suggested?

I am sorry to reply in what might seem ungenerous, but strictly accurate, terms. The purpose of the Ordinance is not to perpetuate the colour bar. The intention of the legislation is not to set aside special racial areas, but to impose on local authorities special obligations to the African population.

Is not that the attitude of the South African Prime Minister on apartheid?

The Minister cannot answer for the South African Parliament.

I would be grateful, Sir, if I could say that Africans are not restricted to living in African housing areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what scheme has been approved by the municipality of Mufulira, Northern Rhodesia, to provide 500 served sites for housing additional personnel of the Mufulira Copper Mines Limited; and if the housing sites provided will be available to Africans and Europeans.

The Mufulira Municipal Board has agreed to make available to the Mining Company 500 serviced sites in the Government township for the erection of houses for additional members of the European staff. As explained in my reply to the right hon. Member on 19th December, the Mining Company itself makes all necessary provision for housing its African employees.

If this municipality finds it necessary and desirable to provide houses for Europeans, would it not be a good thing if it found the time and money to provide houses for Africans, too, and would not that be likely to lead to better relations?

I went into this when I was in Northern Rhodesia. This is an imaginative attempt to link the destinies of the people of the mining areas with the life of the community as a whole, and it needs every encouragement in the interests of all races. There is nothing to stop an African from living in the township if he is prepared to abandon the obvious advantages, from his point of view, of living in houses provided by the mining company.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why there is only one African representative on the African Housing Board; and why there are no African representatives on the Factories Ordinance Board or Police Advisory Board in Northern Rhodesia.

Appointments to these boards are made according to qualifications, regardless of race.

Is it not true that there are many Africans with the necessary qualifications who lack only the experience which they could gain if they were asked to serve on these bodies? Is it not part of the Secretary of State's responsibility to see that Africans are given this experience so that they can make their contribution on these bodies on behalf of the African population?

I am sure that the Governor will do what he considers is most suitable in all these various circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number and names of Africans in Northern Rhodesia who are excluded from the Copperbelt under restriction orders; how many of these are members of the African Mineworkers' Union; how many other than miners are members of the African National Congress; what provision has been made for their wives and families; how many have been given the opportunity to present their cases to a High Court judge; and how many have been legally represented.

Sixty-one Africans are at present excluded from the Copper-belt. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL. REPORT a list of their names with details of membership of the African Mineworkers' Trade Union and the African National Congress. Those restricted have open to them the normal means of livelihood in the respective areas, and District Commissioners have been authorised to pay subsistence allowances in cases of proved hardship. All have been given the opportunity to present their cases to a High Court judge and the hearing of the cases is now in progress. No one has so far availed himself of his right to be legally represented.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this large number of 63 persons who have been deported from the Copperbelt a number of them are not even members of the Mine Workers' Union which was engaged in this strike? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that some of them are quite respected members of the African National Congress? Will he not take steps to end these conditions which were applied during an emergency which has now ceased?

Certainly not. The emergency arose because of the imaginative effort being made to lead to African advancement, and, in my capacity as a trustee in this matter, like the Government of Northern Rhodesia, I have no intention of allowing this progressive and liberal movement of African advancement to be jeopardised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans it is proposed to move from their homes in the Cwembe Valley in Northern Rhodesia during 1957–58 in connection with the Kariba Hydro-Electric Scheme; what will be the cost of the operation; and what provision is being made to pay compensation to, and ensure alternative accommodation for, the Africans thereby displaced.

I have asked the Governor for this detailed information and will write to the hon. Member as soon as I have it.

Whilst thanking the Secretary of State for that reply, may I ask if he is aware that there is still a great deal of anxiety and fear among these people about their being pushed around? Would he, therefore, when he receives the plan made for their resettlement and compensation, be willing to publish it in a report to the House?

Certainly. I went in detail into resettlement when I went there lately.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Africans who have been moved to make room for the Kariba scheme are living in better houses and under better conditions than before they were moved?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is fully satisfied that these alternative sites are suitable to the Africans, and, further, whether the transfers which are taking place and have taken place have received the full co-operation of the displaced Africans?

The alternative sites are, of course, of varying quality, and I am very conscious of the need to see that Africans are displaced to adequate alternative accommodation. I had talks with some of those mostly concerned when I was there, and I have made personal undertakings to them, as far as I constitutionally can, to watch what happens with the greatest care.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is satisfied that the conditions of the squatters' contract labour in Kenya are consistent with the International Labour Organisation Convention on slavery; and if he will make a statement.

rose—

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker. This Question should refer to the "United Nations" Convention on Slavery.

I understand that the hon. Member is referring to the Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, which Her Majesty's Government signed on 7th September, 1956. I am advised the form of contract as prescribed in Kenya by the Resident Labourers Ordinance would not contravene the Convention.

Could the Minister give the House an assurance that the conditions which at one time did prevail requiring children of sixteen to work for the farmer and also dealing with the pass laws are not a contravention of the provisions of this Convention?

I have taken everything into consideration in giving the Answer I have given to the hon. Member.

Will the Minister give serious attention to the whole problem of squatter labour and contract labour in the European Highlands with a view to introducing a system of free labour based on the native villages so that the workpeople can go out to work on the farms rather than the present system in which sometimes penal sanctions operate?

I should point out that the contracts are freely entered into by the employees, but certainly what the right lion. Member has suggested will be our long-term aim.

Is my hon. Friend aware that these resident labour contracts have always been eagerly sought after by Africans working on farms in Kenya and that Kikuyu now returning to farms are disappointed that it is difficult or impossible to get such contracts? Is he aware that to suggest that they have any affinity with slavery is the greatest travesty of the facts?

Yes. Sir, I think that would he very true.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why attendance by Africans at political meetings in Kenya is restricted to those with loyalty certificates; who issues those certificates; and how many have been issued, and how many refused to the latest convenient date.

Loyalty certificates, which are issued by District Commissioners, are only required for Kikuyu, Embu and Meru attending political meetings in the Central Province. Elsewhere, including Nairobi, there is no restriction on attendance. The restriction in the Central Province is necessary for security reasons. To date 56,950 certificates have been issued. The number refused is known only in Nairobi, where 75 certificates have been refused as against 820 granted.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman believe that the way to maintain peace in Kenya is to provide a political alternative to violence? Does he not think that, at any rate in the long run, the practice of using the loyalty certificate will make it increasingly difficult for this transformation to take place?

I wish the hon. Member would sometimes look at this policy from the angle of those whose loyalty deserves some recognition. I think we ought also to recognise what a remarkable return to normal conditions in certain fields has already been achieved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the functions of the African Industrial Estates Development Committee recently set up in Kenya; and whether the members of that committee will comprise both Africans and Europeans.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave on 6th March to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway).

Does my hon. Friend not think that the Kenya Government are to be congratulated on the steps they have taken in setting up this and similar Committees, which must lead to a raising of the standard of living of the Africans and which, to a certain extent, will break down the innuendoes very often made in this House about Europeans not wanting to raise the status of the Africans?

I certainly do. I have no doubt that my hon. Friend's remarks will have been noted in the spirit in which they have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans in Kenya have been arrested since the latest revision of the emergency powers; and for what offences.

From the 8th January to 7th March, 8,989 Africans were arrested for offences connected with the emergency—most of them for unlawful travel and breaking curfew. Since the second part of the Answer is long and detailed, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it not incredible, now that the emergency is over and Dedan Kenyatta has been disposed of, that Africans should be arrested at this rate, 8,000 in a few weeks, for emergency offences? Does not this show that most of these offences have nothing to do with security at all and that many of these cases are of Africans wanting to go into Nairobi to find work or to see their families? How can we prevent a recurrence of the emergency unless we show more humanity and abolish these offences altogether?

I recognise that the numbers are very large, but I think they also represent the degree of normality which is returning [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—perhaps hon. Members would listen—in that large numbers of Africans now believe that the emergency is virtually over. As a result of this, they tend to want to flock back again to Nairobi. It is most important that nothing should arise in Nairobi in the foreseeable future which is likely to lead to another "Operation Anvil". These restriction orders are neessary, but I recognise that, particularly in the Kiambu district, where there is overcrowding, steps must be taken to provide employment—there and elsewhere—which will tend to make people less anxious to enter Nairobi. These arrests do not mean, of course, that these people were necessarily convicted. The punishments vary from a return home to fines and things of that kind. I will circulate further information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it not a fact that persons who are arrested and detained for any cause whatever, even if afterwards they are released, are deprived of the right of either going to meetings or of voting? Will these people be added to the list?

I do not think it follows by any means that arrest under this Ordinance would lead to the withdrawal of a loyalty certificate, but I will let the right hon. Gentleman know the definite answer on that point.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that these laws governing restrictions on travel are being too harshly applied? Does he not further agree that it is essential for Africans to be able to travel to Nairobi to seek work

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in view of the frequent complaints of ill treatment of detainees at Mageta Island Detention Camp in Kenya, of which particulars have been sent to him, he will take steps to close this camp.

It is already intended to close Mageta Island Detention Camp within the next six months, but not for the reasons suggested by the hon. Member.

and not merely to go there when they have already got jobs? Will he not use his influence to see that these laws, if not repealed, are at least much less stringently applied?

I am extremely anxious, as I am sure is the whole House, that the improved conditions in Kenya should not be jeopardised by over-hasty relaxation of certain restrictions, but I know that the Governor and the Ministers in Kenya of the multi-racial Government are equally anxious to have a return to normal conditions as soon as possible.

On a point of order. I beg to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall try to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

While welcoming the first part of the Minister's answer, may I ask whether he is not greatly concerned by the contents of the letter which I sent him showing how Mageta Island Camp has been administered? Can he tell us what is to happen to these people, who have clearly suffered serious ill-treatment? What is to be their future? Where are they to be trained, rehabilitated and released?

The hon. Lady said that her letter was disturbing. Of course, the circumstances in Kenya have been very disturbing. I think that one of the troubles on Mageta Island has been that too many detainees believed they were there for ever. I have been extremely anxious, as have the Government of Kenya, to make it clear that in our view nobody is beyond possible rehabilitation. These people will go to Athi Camp. They will be sent there and put in the rehabilitation stream. If they respond, they will then be moved to the rehabilitation and works camps in their own districts with a view to eventual release. If they persist in their refusal they will go to Manyani.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what decision has been reached by the Highlands Board and the Land Control Board of Kenya regarding the proposal of St. Julian's (Church of England) Community to establish a multi-racial rest centre at Limuru.

Neither the Highlands Board nor the Land Control Board has yet tendered advice on this proposal to the Governor.

Would not the Secretary of State agree that the noisy opposition coming from a reactionary minority to this very modest project is really making things very difficult for the more moderate elements who genuinely want to see a multi-racial society in Kenya, and will he use his influence on the side of moderation?

I think that to discuss this may well prejudice it. I made it perfectly clear that I gave my support to a branch of the St. Julian's Community in Kenya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the report of the committee appointed in 1954 by the Kenya Government to study the problem of security in old age will be published.

The Kenya Government are considering this Report with that of the Rural Wages Committee which has recently become available. I am not in a position to say when the Report will he published.

Would the hon. Gentleman at least encourage the Government of Kenya to publish this Report and not to sit on it indefinitely, because it is very important that we should know what is involved in providing security in old age for Africans, which is becoming a very urgent problem indeed, particularly for those in urban employment?

I do not think the hon. Gentleman would really wish me to suggest that anything has been sat on. I am quite certain that his recent experience will bear that out. But I do assure him that there will be no lack of speed in trying to conic to a conclusion on this subject: but, as he knows, it does require very considerable study.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why members of the Community Development and Rehabilitation Department employed in detention camps in Kenya have not been made eligible to receive the African General Service Medal.

As stated in paragraph 1 of Cmd. 9378, the award is designed primarily for recognition of service in operations against the Mau Mau in specified areas in Kenya during the period of the emergency, with special regard to hardships and dangers which accompanied duty there. Although the staff of the Community Development and Rehabilitation Department were involved in additional duties, this was no less true of many other departments, none of whose members qualify for the medals.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether ordinary members of the prison staff are eligible for it? If so, are not members of the Community Development and Rehabilitation Department just as much in danger and, therefore, just as much entitled to this medal?

I understand the feelings of my hon. Friend, but in the view of the Government the members of the prison staff were subjected to the same sort of dangers as were the Armed Forces. That is why the distinction was made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Report of the Committee on Rural Wages in Kenya will be published.

The Report is expected to be published in Kenya in the near future.

Will the hon. Gentleman place a copy of the Report in the Library so that Members on both sides of the House may see that wages in the rural parts of Kenya are amongst the lowest in the world and vary from 2s. to 3s. a day?

I will certainly undertake to put a copy in the Library, but I would not like to anticipate what the Report says.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply has been given to the request of the Southern Province Provincial Council in Nyasaland that Nyasaland be withdrawn from the Federation and that there should be an African majority both on the Executive and Legislative Councils.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the statements made to me by certain members of the Southern Province African Provincial Council during my visit to Nyasaland in January. I replied that in Her Majesty's Government's view Federation—which was certainly not the same thing as amalgamation—was in the best interests of the people of Nyasaland and had come to stay. I added that the economic advancement brought by Federation would help and not hinder the political advancement of Nyasaland.

I referred to the statement on the new constitutional arrangements for Nyasaland which I gave in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Beresford Craddock) on 15th June, 1955, and drew attention to the words of the Chief Secretary to the Nyasaland Government, used in Legislative Council in July, 1956, when he advised Africans to gain experience in parliamentary government before pressing for more constitutional advances.

Yes. Sir, but the Africans concerned with this believe that they will have an opportunity in 1960 to express their views towards the continuance of Federation. In the light of this, is it not a good thing not to be negative to their points of view and for the right hon. Gentleman to try to treat them as sympathetically as he can?

I think that was the conclusion which most of them reached when I visited them last month.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that these requests for withdrawal from the Federation will continue and, I fear, become more persistent unless there is greater confidence in the prospect of increased African representation on the Executive and Legislative Councils?

I certainly think that is one important facet of the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Nyasaland Government have withdrawn recognition from the Nyasaland African Congress at representing African associations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Government of Nyasaland now refuse to recognise the Nyasaland African Congress.

The Nyasaland Government have withdrawn recognition of the Nyasaland African Congress in the terms in which such recognition was originally accorded in December, 1944, namely, recognition of Congress as representing the various African associations in Nyasaland. Congress will not, however, cease to be recognised for what it is that is, a political party.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why this step has been taken? Who is now recognised as representing the African association in the Colony, or is it proposed to recognise several associations as such and, if so, what is to be the machinery for negotiation?

Yes, Sir. I am quite satisfied that, having been there myself and having seen that when the last figures were taken the nominal membership of the Congress was approximately only one thousand, to claim that this body represented all Africans was absurd, and with my full approval this change has been made.

Despite his figures, will not the right hon. Gentleman confirm the fact that this is the one Colony in the Commonwealth where an African political congress has had the full support for ten years of the traditional chiefs and elders of the enlightened people? Is not that the fact? Secondly, is it not the fact that when he was there he had a stormy meeting with the African National Congress led by Mr. Wellington Chirwa?

Certainly not, and if the hon. Gentleman thought that a stormy meeting his experience of English elections must be very limited.

Forgetting the usual flippancy of the Minister, can he give me a factual answer, Mr. Speaker?

I thought there was an answer, but whether or not it was a satisfactory one I cannot undertake to say.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what suggestions for improving the administration of the Trust Territories under United Kingdom adminstraton have emanated from the Trusteeship Council of the United Nations; and which suggestions he has adopted.

The reports of the Council to the General Assembly each year contain some fifty recommendations relating to the Trust Territories of Cameroons and Tanganyika under United Kingdom administration; and action taken in the light of these recommendations is described in the Annual Reports on these territories submitted by Her Majesty's Government to the United Nations. Copies of these documents are available in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the minimum average wages for European and Asian unskilled and skilled workers in the mining industry in Tanganyika; and what provision is made for the training and advancement of Africans in the industry.

No minimum wage rates are laid down by law for the mining industry and no statistics are available showing rates for European or Asian workers. The high turn-over of African workers impedes lengthy training schemes, but one gold mine operates successfully a scheme for training experienced miners as charge-hands.

Are not the wages of the Africans very low compared with the wages paid to both Asians and Europeans? Does not this lead to much dissatisfaction? In any event, will the Minister see that Africans are given every opportunity of becoming skilled and trained workers?

Yes. Sir. Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the gas discovered at Akata in Eastern Nigeria will now be used for generating electricity to supply Aba and Port Harcourt; and to what extent the Government of Nigeria will participate in the exploitation and distribution of the gas.

These matters are being considered by the Federal Government, but no decisions have yet been made.

Would not the hon. Gentleman admit that this development would be highly advantageous for the future of this Colony but that it is equally important that in any developments which take place the people and the Government should be associated in the exploitation of these resources? Will he do all that is in his power to see that that takes place?

I do not think the stage has yet been reached for what the hon. Member has in mind, but I can assure him that all haste is being made in this important development.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if trade unions are now permitted to hold public meetings in Lagos, Nigeria, without licence.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals have been made by the Government of the Eastern Region of Nigeria for the nationalisation of the banking system and its co-ordination.

None, Sir. Banks and banking are, in any case, matters falling within the competence of the Federal and not of any Regional legislature.

Does that mean that the Minister has no interest in this matter, particularly in view of a recent inquiry which has been made into this very important question throughout Nigeria?

Of course, I have just as much responsibility for the Federal as for the Regional Government.

Is not the 'Minister aware that in the Eastern Region now there is an indigenous bank under the control of the Government Corporation, which is running smoothly, and at a profit, and with constantly increasing efficiency?

Well, Sir, as my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State told the House on 20th February, the possibility of all the capital of the African Continental Bank being acquired by the Eastern Regional Government is being examined, but there are many problems of law and policy which have yet to be settled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what concession has been made in the Southern Cameroons to the Estate and Agency Company Limited which is establishing a 4,000-acre tea estate at Ndu, north of Bamenda.

The Southern Cameroons Government propose to grant the Company a 99-year right of occupancy over about 3,900 acres. The terms of the grant are still under negotiation, but the Company has been given permission to enter the land, and planting began in January.

Is it not highly unfortunate that in a development of this kind the co-operative movement has been overlooked, because it is the type of development which will give benefits to the people and help to develop them towards independence? Can the right hon. Gentleman not look further into this matter when future concessions are given?

I will certainly undertake to look into this, but I certainly think that these arrangements are the best in the circumstances.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that what we want, and what the Cameroons want, is capital from outside to help the indigenous people?

I think that that is perfectly true.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the minimum average wages in the Aden Colony and Protectorate, the number and membership of trades unions, and the extent to which the indigenous members of the population are employed in administration and receive training for skilled work.

The estimated minimum average wages in Aden Colony are 350s. a month for clerical workers, 14s. a day for tradesmen, 7 shillings 50 cents. a day for semi-skilled workers and 5 shillings 20 cents. a day for unskilled workers. Wages in the Protectorate vary, but are in general appreciably lower.

There are 24 registered trade unions in Aden Colony claiming a total membership of about 12,000. There is no trade union organisation in the Protectorate.

Of the senior staff in Aden Government Service about 11 per cent. are local officers, though this proportion is progressively increasing, and is expected to increase further as a result of the work of the Adenisation Commission which it has recently been decided to appoint.

The large majority of permanent junior Government staff is indigenous and includes many skilled workers. Training in skilled work is available at the Aden Government Technical College.

Having regard to the urgency of events, is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that we are proceeding fast enough in the encouragement of the indigenous workers and so on to better standards, because the obvious alternative will be for our introduction there of some form of self-government at an early date?

I think so, Sir.

Would not my hon. Friend agree that these extremely low wages, down to 5s. a day, suggest that if the workers of the world were to unite the British workers would lose the golden chains of privilege?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that in addition to the appointment of policemen as J.P.s in Jamaica, ex-police officers are regularly appointed as J.P.s immediately on retirement from the police force; to what extent this is done with his approval; and if he will take steps to end such a system of appointments.

I know that some retired police officers have been appointed as J.P.s in Jamaica, but on grounds of personal suitability and not of their previous office. The appointments are entirely within the Governor's discretion and do not require my right hon. Friend's approval. My right hon. Friend can see no grounds for intervention.

Since law and order is a reserved subject under the Minister's control, will he cause amending legislation to be introduced in Jamaica forthwith?

No, Sir. I can see no reason for doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress he has made towards ending the system of commissioning policemen as justices of the peace in Jamaica.

I have nothing to add at present to my reply to the hon. Member's Question on 23rd January. I understand, however, that the Government of Jamaica hope to reach a decision shortly, and I will inform the hon. Member as soon as they have done so.

Does not the Minister think it highly improper that justices should adjudicate in cases presented by their colleagues or subordinates? Has he not some power in this matter?

It is always interesting to see those Members most anxious for self-government trying to get the Secretary of State to interfere in a field which is a matter entirely for the local inhabitants.

Will my right hon. Friend agree that the police force in Jamaica is a very fine body of men and commands the confidence of the whole island?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the producer price for groundnuts in Gambia this season as compared with last.

£31 a ton this season compared with £25 10s. last year.

Can my hon. Friend say whether the price paid to the producer has involved a loss to the Price Stabilisation Fund?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Paymaster-General, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he is aware that the United States submarine "Nautilus" has been for some time actuated by nuclear energy; and what steps he is taking to apply nuclear energy as a motive power in British ships, submarine and otherwise.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Test (Mr. J. Howard) on 23rd January on the application of nuclear power to ship propulsion generally. A prototype reactor and associated machinery for submarine propulsion have been ordered by the Admiralty from a group of industrial firms and work on this project is proceeding under the control of the Admiralty in collaboration with the Atomic Energy Authority.

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty announced on 5th March that a Committee is to be set up under the Civil Lord of the Admiralty to bring together all the interests concerned with the problem of the application of nuclear propulsion for marine use.