asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to recent accidents resulting from explosions caused by young people conducting experiments with chemicals which are freely on sale; and whether he will make a statement on the steps he has in mind to diminish the number of such accidents.

These accidents result from experiments with chemicals which are not themselves explosive and of which, as they are in common use, the sale cannot be controlled. In the Guy Fawkes season, my Department issue Press and broadcast warnings of the dangers of home-made fireworks and explosives; and the last Report of Her Majesty's Inspector of Explosives calls attention to them. I hope that this Question and Answer will help to impress parents with the need to see that they are heeded.

Whilst thanking the Minister for that Answer, may I ask her whether it has been considered that it might be a wise step to ask the trade journals that circulate amongst purveyors of some of these proprietary chemicals if they could draw attention to these dangers? The Minister is aware that this has been done by the Pharmaceutical Society in relation to chemists. I gather that the Minister is also aware that most of the purchases are not made from pharmacists, and, therefore, if some attention could be drawn to the sale of items in other types of shop, it would be helpful.

I am sure that we have the same purpose in mind as the hon. Gentleman. One of the difficulties is that if we give too much publicity to such items we may encourage the very people to acquire them that we do not want to encourage. I assure the hon. Gentleman that we have this matter under constant review, and we are as anxious as he is to prevent some of the unfortunate accidents of this sort that have occurred.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in the organisation of preventive measures, besides those arranged by the Royal Air Force, to safeguard life in areas adjacent to the crashing of an aeroplane carrying nuclear bombs, in view of the admitted danger of the scattering of radio-active dust.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statements that I made on 4th and 27th February, to which I have at present nothing to add.

In view of the fact that explosions are ruled out but it is now admitted that radioactive elements fatal to life may be distributed over a considerable area, is it not desirable to supplement any R.A.F. teams, because the planes in this country would fly over largely populated areas, whereas in America they would fly over deserts?

Yes, Sir. That is why I said that we are keeping the standard instructions under review. If we obtain sufficiently exact information to enlarge upon the instructions we have given, then I will be glad to issue further instructions. But, at the moment, I have nothing more to add.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is proposed to issue special equipment to the fire service to enable it to cope with the hazard which will arise in such an emergency?

I cannot give a further answer on that subject today. The Prime Minister dealt with this matter on 10th December and gave an account of what equipment is at present available. I cannot go further at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Anglo-Egyptian refugees are still without work or private means; and what plans the Government have for these people.

About 2,000 refugees, of whom some 900 are in hostels, are still being assisted by the Anglo-Egyptian Resettlement Board. The total without employment includes children, housewives and others who look after families at home, and persons too old or infirm to work. Some of these have limited private means. The number registered for work is about 250. Every effort is made to help those able to work to find employment. In addition grants or loans for various purposes are made to adults to assist them to resettle here: and it is hoped that homes will be established for aged people who would be unable to look after themselves.

I appreciate all my hon. Friend and her Department have done to help these unfortunate people, but can she say how many of the hard core of refugees are of Maltese nationality? Further, can she say whether she has real hopes of being able to resettle all these people, or, if not, whether she has any idea of establishing permanent hostels when the temporary ones are closed?

I cannot tell my hon. Friend without notice exactly how many of the residue not resettled are Maltese. If he cares to put down a Question, I shall be delighted to give him an Answer. It is true to say that the Board is now getting down to the more difficult cases, and amongst those, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, are the Maltese who find our language difficult or who, in some cases, do not speak English at all or are in the process of learning it. The Board intends to publish a further report, when it has made more progress with resettlement and it has been established how many of the total number can be resettled in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions he has issued to the Metropolitan Police when called to premises where a landlord proposes to evict a tenant.

None, Sir. The Metropolitan Police intervene in eviction cases only so far as may be necessary to prevent a breach of the peace, except in rare cases under the Small Tenements Recovery Act, 1838, when they may be authorised by the court to enter the premises.

In order to preserve the good relations which normally prevail between Londoners and the London police, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that, next October, the police will not be used under the Rent Act, 1957, to help landlords to evict tenants unless, at the least, there is a court order for possession obtained by the landlord beforehand? We do not want the police mixed up with these things any more than absolutely necessary.

It is normal for the police, if officers find that there is a dispute about the existence or terms of an order made by a rent tribunal, to refer the parties to the rent tribunal. In regard to the general matter to which the hon. Gentleman referred, I think that he can rely upon the discretion of the London police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, since magistrates' courts are reluctant to impose maximum fines, if he will introduce legislation to treble all maximum fines because of the depreciation of money, and so encourage more realistic monetary punishments to be inflicted.

It would not be appropriate to treble all existing fines without reference to the nature of the offence and the date when the fine was last fixed. I am, however, reviewing existing small statutory fines, and careful consideration is given to the level of fines in new legislation.

I thank my right hon. Friend for looking into the matter, but will he bear in mind the undesirability of sending men to prison for short sentences and the greater desirability of imposing a fine as punishment? In view of the depreciation of money, ought not the amount to be increased according to the fall in the currency?

The difficulty of absolutely satisfying my hon. Friend is that one has to pay some attention to the nature of the offence and the date of the legislation which covers the fine. Of course, we shall review all these matters. I can, however, give no general undertaking.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in conducting the inquiries which he has set in motion concerning corporal punishment and crimes of violence, he will take note of the recent increase of robberies of wages.

The inquiry into crimes of violence to which I referred in replying to a supplementary question by my hon. Friend on 6th February is being carried out by the Department of Criminal Science at Cambridge University. I have no doubt that, in analysing the statistics, the Department will give due attention to robberies of wages.

Can my right hon. Friend say when he expects to receive that report?

I could not give a date, but I am hoping for it before too long.

When considering this report, will my right hon. Friend take into account also that these crimes would not occur if the payment of wages by cheque were allowed?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take power to deport all British subjects not born in the United Kingdom who are proved guilty of crimes of violence.

Such information as is available to my right hon. Friend does not indicate a need for action on the lines suggested.

Will my hon. Friend reconsider this matter and see that those who abuse the hospitality given them by this country are deported from the country?

The criminal statitsics are not compiled in such a way as to enable particulars of the country of origin of offenders to be extracted, but a special inquiry was made a few months ago of certain large police forces in whose areas there was a considerable colonial population, and the replies did not suggest that, in general, colonial or coloured people engage in crime to any greater extent than do natives of the United Kingdom.

Does the hon. Lady appreciate that her Answer is most welcome, and that the suggestion contained in the Question of the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) will be abhorrent to the majority of people in this country, it being the view of the most civilised people that it should be the seriousness of the crime which determines the punishment and not the place of origin of the criminal?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers at Her Majesty's Prison, Parkhurst, are employed in inspecting the cells of men on the escape list prior to the transfer of such men to different cells.

When a prisoner on the escape list is transferred from his cell, two officers search it.

If, when inspected, the cells prove to be secure, why are the men transferred? Is it not then a case of transferring someone who is a bad security risk into the cell of another who is an equally bad risk? If that be so, is it not just as wasteful as digging holes and filling them up again, and could not some better means be found?

I should not so describe the administration of the Prison Commissioners. I should take a more lenient and generous view of their activities.

But will the Home Secretary look into the first point I raised about the unnecessary nature of the practice if the cells are secure?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, at the latest convenient date, what was the number of prisoners and the number of prison staff at Her Majesty's Prison, Parkhurst, and Her Majesty's Prison, Wandsworth, respectively.

On 25th February, 1958, there were 510 prisoners at Parkhurst prison and the staff numbered 286. The figures for Wandsworth were 1,374 and 301, respectively.

Is the Home Secretary aware that that is more than one officer to two prisoners in Parkhurst and nearly one officer to eight prisoners in Wandsworth? Does it not seem that, if the numbers are only adequate in Parkhurst, Wandsworth is grossly understaffed? In order to relieve overcrowding and remedy this particular situation, will he consider transferring detainees at an earlier period in stage one from local prisons to Parkhurst and to other P.D. prisons?

There is a considerable difference between the régime in force at Wandsworth, which is a local prison, and that at Parkhurst, which is a central prison, because prisoners spend much more time out of their cells at Parkhurst, and, hence, more staff is necessary for supervision and so forth. I will pay attention to the latter part of what the hon. Gentleman says.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average number of prisoners serving sentences of preventive detention during the years 1949 and 1957, respectively; and what in each of those years was the total cost involved.

In 1949 there was a daily average of 130 prisoners serving a sentence of preventive detention. The provisional average for 1957 is 1,311. I regret that separate figures for the cost of detaining preventive detention prisoners are not available. In 1949 the average cost for prisoners of all classes was £181 18s. 7d. The provisional average cost for 1957 is £341 19s. 11d.

Is the Home Secretary aware of the view that the great increase in the number of detainees is a handicap in fully implementing the hopes of rehabilitation implicit in preventive detention? Will he have regard also to the gross disparity of sentences inflicted in different courts—for example, ten years for stealing a chicken worth 16s. 2d.—and endeavour to find a way whereby there can be greater uniformity of sentence and the spirit and the letter of the Act can be carried out?

It is not for me to comment on the sentences. I can only comment on the result, which is that the long-term sentences are bringing about, partly, the result to which the hon. Gentleman refers. As regards preventive detention as a whole, we are making some special research into the effects of it, and I would rather await the result of that research before giving final answers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will instruct Her Majesty's Prison Commissioners to take steps to ensure that goods produced and services provided by prison labour should be offered at fair prices and should not unfairly undercut goods produced and services provided by disabled workers' trading organisations.

The Prison Commissioners have begun a review of this question in consultation with the Ministry of Labour.

I am very grateful to the Minister for his reply, but is he aware that there is very profound dissatisfaction, especially among blind people's organisations, about the present situation? This is especially true in Birmingham, where the shoe-repairing department of a blind men's organisation has lost a considerable order, which might conceivably have prevented the closing down of the department. Will he, therefore, energetically pursue the investigation?

It is because we were in some anxiety about points such as those to which the hon. Gentleman refers that we authorised this review of the question, and I shall hope to give the results in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider introducing legislation to extend to the Secretary of State for the Home Department such power over chief constables as would seem necessary in order to enable Members of Parliament to raise Questions in the House of Commons concerning the conduct of police officers in provincial forces.

No, Sir. An essential feature of our police service is that it is organised and controlled on a local basis.

Does not the Secretary of State agree that to debar some Members of this House from the right of Questions which is enjoyed by other Members is a serious thing? Would he not look at this matter further, having regard to the matters concerning chief constables which have recently been before our notice?

It is an anomaly that in the case of the Metropolitan Police hon. Members have a greater power of questioning than in the case of a provincial police force, but there are many curious developments in our Constitution upon which our liberties largely depend, and I do not think it would be a good thing to have absolute uniformity in this matter.

Is the Home Secretary aware that most of us are very happy to be denied the privilege of asking him questions about the police system as long as this avoids over-centralisation of the police forces of the country?

Yes, Sir, and I am just as relieved not to be asked the Questions.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that there is no anomaly at all? In the case of the Metropolitan Police, he is responsible for them and runs them and, therefore, is responsible to this House, although London pays the same amount towards the cost of the force as the provinces do for theirs; but, in the case of the provinces, he does not run them, though he has a considerable influence. Therefore, there is no anomaly. [An HON. MEMBER: "That is the anomaly."] Then may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the logic of this argument would not be that the entire police forces of this country should become a national affair—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—a practice which would be foreign to British temperament and tradition?

I agree with the latter part of the right hon. Gentleman's remarks. I think it would be wrong to have the police forces centralised. What is troubling my hon. Friend and other Members of this House is that they have not exactly the same right of questioning for each particular force, and that, I think, is not so important as the major principle to which the right hon. Gentleman referred.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been brought by the police in the Metropolitan area since the passing of the Rent Act in connection with overcharging by landlords for furniture and fittings.

None, Sir.

May I ask the Home Secretary why not? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that overcharging for furniture and fittings is one of the most cruel methods of exploitation of desperate people who are looking for somewhere to live? As his right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government made this illegal in the Rent Act, 1957, is it not the duty of the Home Secretary to ensure that the police enforce the law instead of bringing it further into disrepute?

Power to prosecute for offences under the Rent Act, 1957, is expressly conferred on local authorities. The police are not precluded from prosecuting, but it would be contrary to the usual practice for them to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total amount of moneys forfeited in election deposits at the last General Election; and, on this basis, what amount would accrue to the Treasury if the General Election deposit of £150, first established in 1918, were increased to its present-day value of £325.

Fifteen thousand pounds. If the deposit had been £325, the total would have been £32,500.

Is the Home Secretary aware that on several occasions I have asked him to bring the figure up to its present-day value and he has refused? Is the reason because he is afraid that, as the elections are now going, it will cost the Tory Central Office a lot of money when they lose the by-election and General Election deposits?

No, Sir. Hitherto, it has been people in other parties who have had to pay these sums, and it is out of the quality of mercy that I am not raising the deposit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what facilities exist in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation for the pooling of information regarding the civil defence measures of the member countries; and to what extent he has studied the evacuation plans and civil defence plans of the United States of America with a view to adopting them in this country.

The N.A.T.O. organisation includes a civil defence committee served by a full-time international staff, through which a full and regular exchange of civil defence information between member countries takes place. Through this organisation and through personal contacts and visits between those responsible for civil defence in the United States of America and the United Kingdom, information is available on the United States' plans; and account is taken, in the formulation of United Kingdom policy, of such plans in so far as they are applicable to the conditions in this country.

Can the Home Secretary tell us whether the Government still adhere to their plan of evacuating 12 million people, and whether he thinks any of them can be safely sent into East Anglia? Will he consult the United States of America about taking a number of these people?

The answer to the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's observations is, "No, Sir." The evacuation plans of the Government form a separate Question which, no doubt, he will wish to put upon the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the light of the question of special public interest in the case of John Armstrong who was sentenced to death at Winchester Assizes in December, 1956, whose sentence was subsequently commuted to life imprisonment and who is now a prisoner in Wormwood Scrubs prison, he will place a full transcript of the trial In the Library of the House of Commons.

I have already arranged for a transcript of this trial to be placed in the Library.

Whilst thanking my right hon. Friend for this reply, may I ask him whether, in considering this case, he will consider the fact that the medical evidence in it is of an equivocal nature as between the two defendants at the trial, one of whom was acquitted at the time and has now confessed? Is he also aware that many people, myself included, have difficulty in comprehending how this charge was made one of murder in its original form? Is he further aware that, whilst appreciating the reasons for delaying consideration, I should be pleased to elaborate these remarks at an interview at his convenience?

Certainly it would be better if my hon. Friend would talk to me about this case. I cannot comment on the matter of the original charge, which was a question for the examining justices and not for me. In regard to any other matter dealing with the prosecution, it would be better if the hon. Member had a word with me.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what is the general practice of the Home Office now about the supply of transcripts of cases of this kind, or of criminal cases generally, to persons with a legitimate interest in the matter?

I should not like to give an answer on that without thought, but I will either frame an answer to a Question on the Paper put by the hon. Gentleman or I will write to him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the light of fresh evidence sent to him by the hon. Member for Carlisle, he will cause a review of the case of John Armstrong to be made.

My hon. Friend sent me a letter from Armstrong three days ago. I shall consider this letter and the statement which Mrs. Armstrong made to the police on 22nd March and communicate with my hon. Friend when I have done so.

May I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the principal lessons learnt by the Essex Auxiliary Fire Service and others who took part in Exercise Fire-raiser at Chigwell.

The exercise involved the use of five pumps and associated equipment, which were manned by thirty-three auxiliary firemen and fourteen auxiliary firewomen from the Essex and East Ham Fire Brigades. Its purpose was to provide further training for auxiliary personnel in the use of equipment.

Whilst thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, would he not agree it is most gratifying that, despite considerable propaganda against Civil Defence, so many people should voluntarily take part in these activities and exercises with so much enthusiasm, patriotism and public spirit?

I fully endorse the remarks of my hon. Friend. It is gratifying to find that these exercises are ably carried out and well attended by people who take part in them in their leisure time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the instructions as to the interception of mail and telephone conversations which have been issued following upon the Privy Councillors' Report.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister informed the House on 31st October last, the Government have accepted the report of the Committee of Privy Councillors, and the necessary steps have been taken to give effect to the recommendations on procedure summarised in paragraphs 159–163 of the report.

May I ask the Home Secretary if any further consideration has been given to reservations made by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Smethwick (Mr. Gordon Walker), which I think have great support in this House, and whether he would tell us if it has been possible to incorporate any reservations about the use of this power in the case of crime in the instructions he has given?

No, Sir. In general, we are following the recommendations of what I may call the majority of Privy Councillors. It does not mean that we would not pay attention to the considered views of the right hon. Member for Smethwick (Mr. Gordon Walker) in our interpretation of the manner in which we carry out the powers, but the general rules we are following conform to the majority recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that registered letters containing important documents sent by members of the public to the Home Office Nationality Department are not acknowledged; that this practice causes anxiety and annoyance to the senders; and if he will arrange that in future such correspondence shall at least receive formal acknowledgment.

My right hon. Friend is causing the practice in this matter to be reviewed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will sympathetically consider the need for introducing legislation to provide proper compensation by the State for those who, in the execution of their duty, fall victims to criminal attack.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to the state of the law regarding the remedies and rights to compensation of the victims of unlawful attacks upon their persons or property; and whether he will make a statement of the Government's proposals for improving the present situation.

I would refer the hon. Members to the Answer which I gave on 27th February to a Question by the hon. Member for Morpeth (Mr. Owen).

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that this is the third time this Question has come before the House, that he has added nothing to nothing and that the result is still nothing? Does this mean that this is the policy of the Government and that they intend to do nothing, or will the right hon. Gentleman, having expressed his sympathy on many occasions, go a step further and—[An HON. MEMBER: "Do nothing."]—give the House a definite indication as to the intentions of the Government?

The Government's intentions are strictly honourable. This is a somewhat complicated question upon which I could dilate at some length. For example, if there were to be a principle of retribution enforced by way of repayment by prisoners for damage done, the prison earnings scheme, which I have at present under review, would have to be considerably recast. Similarly, in general there would be a need to define an offender, which would be a difficult matter. There are some major schemes, notably some embraced by Miss Margery Fry, which we have also considered. They are all schemes which are good from the idealist point of view but they are hard to carry out. We are doing our best to study them but to say that this problem was easy to solve would be an overstatement.

As the right hon. Gentleman has had the earnings system under review for more than a year, will he say what progress is being made.

Yes, Sir, in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what is the average size of classes in the primary schools in the Bechuanaland Protectorate.

The average number of pupils in classes in primary schools in the Bechuanaland Protectorate is thirty-six.

is there any hope of any improvement in the very near future?

We are making some improvement and the expenditure on education in the Protectorate has increased substantially during the last four years. We hope in that way to be able to improve the facilities available for primary teaching in Bechuanaland.

Is there not a very considerable backlog in education progress to make good in the Protectorate? Are the Government aware of the vital need, in view of the conditions in South Africa generally, to do something substantial in the Protectorate?

We are doing something substantial to improve facilities and, as I have said, the amount of money made available during the last four years has increased considerably and we propose to continue with that development.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what proportion of teachers leaving the Lobatsi Training College in the last two years has stayed to teach in the Bechuanaland Protectorate.

In 1956, nineteen teachers passed out of the Teacher Training Centre, Lobatsi. Of these, sixteen are teaching in the Protectorate. In 1957, thirteen teachers passed. Of these, eight are teaching in the Protectorate and five, all of them women, are at present taking an additional year's course of training at the Homecraft Centre at Mochudi in the Protectorate.

Is the hon. Member satisfied that differences in pay as between the Protectorate and, for instance, Southern Rhodesia are not responsible for a considerable leakage?

Out of the teachers who have passed out of this training centre in the last two years, only one is teaching out of the Protectorate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether Her Majesty's Government will draw up a plan for the better use of the resources of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, indicating priorities, so that efforts may be concentrated upon the most desirable and attainable objectives.

The general lines of the development plan for the Bechuanaland Protectorate for the period 1955–1960 were set out in the White Paper (Cmd. 9580) of October, 1955. This plan was prepared after discussion with committees of Government officers and of leading European and African non-officials.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that plan is very satisfactory, but can he say whether something is being done, because it is now a rather old plan?

This is a plan which runs until 1960, and the progress which we have made up to the present, with the assistance given from the United Kingdom Exchequer, is up to date and within the resources which are available in the Protectorate itself.

In giving priority to cattle raising and matters connected with it, what is being done to see that the stability provided by the Lobatsi Abattoir is not being turned into a restriction of expansion of the cattle raising industry?

We realise the importance of the Lobatsi Abattoir to the cattle raising industry in the Protectorate, and I can assure my hon. Friend that we are carefully considering the various views put to us by the recent mission from the Bechuanaland Protectorate to this country.

Is the Under-Secretary of State satisfied that he is getting sufficient European technical officers, or is his plan lagging because of the lack of qualified people to push ahead with this development?

There is no evidence that the plan is lagging. In fact, it is going ahead as fast as is possible within the resources which are available in the Protectorate itself.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what protection is afforded to bushmen in Bechuanaland who are kidnapped by residents in the Union of South Africa and South-West Africa as labourers and who cannot return to Bechuanaland because of the pass laws.

I have no information that bushmen in Bechuanaland Protectorate are being kidnapped by residents of the Union of South Africa or of South-West Africa. Everything practicable is done to prevent illegal entry into the Protectorate, and the recruitment of bushmen by illegal methods for work outside the Protectorate. Offences, when detected are punished.

Is the hon. Member aware that I have sent him evidence of this matter from a very reputable farmer? Will he investigate that evidence so that we can return to the matter later?

I have investigated the evidence which was sent to me by the hon. Member and which I have received from a number of other sources, but it is my information that there was some misunderstanding contained in the letter to which the hon. Member refers. We have said quite clearly that the recruitment of bushmen by illegal methods is something against which we would take the strongest action. We have recently established a new police post at Mamono, on the frontier between South-West Africa and the Protectorate, which we believe will assist in this object.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what is his policy regarding the Africanisation of the administration in the Bechuanaland Protectorate; and what progress is being made in this matter.

It is the policy to employ more Africans in the administration of the Bechuanaland Protectorate as suitably qualified and trained Africans become available. The junior service of the Protectorate is almost entirely composed of Africans; a start has been made with the appointment of Africans to the senior service.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Bechuana leaders feel that more can be done in this matter and that he could be more sympathetic? Does he not agree that this development of Africanisation is basic to the health and future political stability of this society?

I agree that it is most important to continue the process of including an increasing number of qualified Africans in the Government Services in the Protectorate. That is our aim, although I emphasise that it is important, from the African's point of view as well as in the interests of the Protectorate, that these Africans should be fully qualified for the jobs to which they are appointed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will state how many students there are at the Veterinary School in the Bechuanaland Protectorate; how many there are upon the staff; and what are their qualifications.

There are fourteen students at the Veterinary School in the Bechuanaland Protectorate. The total capacity of the School is twenty students. The staff of the School consists of one senior veterinary officer, who is a B.Sc. (Veterinary).

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the Bechuana are basically cattle people and that he must push on with this matter? Does he not agree that the Bechuana themselves feel that not sufficient is being done, particularly in appointing Africans to the staff?

We fully accept that the present state of staffing is insufficient to provide for outside demonstration and individual coaching of cattle breeders in the Bechuanaland Protectorate. We therefore intend to create a new post of veterinary instructor, and it is hoped to recruit for this post, if it is created, a highly qualified African with a degree and experience in animal husbandry.

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that veterinary surgeons in Bechuanaland are not being used to prevent the export of cattle instead of looking after the cattle themselves?

Yes, I am fully satisfied about that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations when the African Advisory Council was instituted in Bechuanaland Protectorate; what is the present composition of the Joint Council; and what plans he has for this developing into a legislative council for the Protectorate.

The African Advisory Council of the Bechuanaland Protectorate was instituted in 1920. The Joint Advisory Council is composed of the Resident Commissioner who presides, eight Members of the European Advisory Council appointed by that Council, and eight Members of the African Advisory Council appointed by that Council. Officials attend the meetings as appropriate in relation to the agenda. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) on 20th March.

What is to be the political future of this Protectorate? Would not the Minister agree that the more that African leaders—particularly Bamangwato leaders—are pulled in to govern their own affairs and settle their own business the healthier it will be, and the longer we keep them in what appears to be a political kindergarten the worse it will be for that society?

The hon. Member will be aware, as a result of a previous Answer I gave upon this subject, that we are in the process of extending the advisory council system to the tribal level. With his experience of this matter I am sure he will agree that it is best to start building upon a firm basis at a local level rather than try to start from any other level.

Is the Minister not aware from his own talks and discussions with the Bechuana leaders that they do not share his view and that, at the same time as the local levels are being developed, they would like to have this central administration built up, with their own people talking about their own affairs and making their own decisions as to what should be done in their own Territory?

I have had an opportunity of hearing the views of the leaders who were over here recently with regard to this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will take steps to bring to an end all discrimination against Africans in the hotels of Basutoland.

Basutoland law does not impose any discrimination against Africans in hotels except in relation to the sale and consumption of liquor. The attitude of Her Majesty's Government to discrimination which may arise as a result of social convention is well known.

In a British Protectorate, which is a British Territory, is there any justification whatever for a discrimination between people of one colour and people of another colour? Ought we not to give an example in this matter to the Union of South Africa?

The hon. Member is aware that the discrimination which relates to liquor is a result of an international agreement of very long standing, although it is true that in practice it has been amended in many respects over a period of time. The view has always been widely held that relationships between races within the Protectorate must be a matter of increasing understanding between individuals on the spot rather than any attempt to resort to legislation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will publish a book giving details of the prospects for British manufacturers to invest in the Commonwealth of Australia.

Responsibility for the issue of a publication of this sort would properly belong to the Australian authorities rather than to the Government of the United Kingdom. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware of the energetic efforts being made by both Commonwealth and State Governments in this field. Factual information about business conditions in Australia is, however, always available at the Board of Trade for British manufacturers who seek it.

Does my hon. Friend not think it is completely wrong that the American Department of Commerce can issue a book about investing in Australia—and a very good book, too—while his Department is not prepared to do so? Will not he consider this matter again? Although we welcome dollar investment in Australia, we want as much sterling investment as possible to go there from this country.

I fully agree with my hon. Friend that we want United Kingdom investment in Australia. It is for this reason that we shall particularly welcome the representatives of the Queensland Promotion Delegation, which will shortly visit this country with the object of giving the point of view of their State with regard to future investment there. We have had similar opportunities of welcoming delegations from other States in the past. This appears to us to be the best way of ensuring that full knowledge of the facilities available exists in this country.

Does my hon. Friend agree that the Agents-General of the individual States in Australia have adequate literature in their London offices which is always available should anyone so require it?

My hon. and gallant Friend is quite right. It would be difficult for us to judge between the rival merits of the investment facilities available in different parts of the Commonwealth. I would point out that, since the war, two-thirds of the investment in Australia has been made by the United Kingdom.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what further progress has been made in the discussions regarding the financing of the Volta River project in Ghana.

The United Kingdom Government have not been concerned in any recent discussions on this project. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a statement issued by the Ghana Government about discussions they have recently had in Accra with representatives of Aluminium Ltd. of Canada.

I am obliged to the hon. Member for that reply. Will he continue to make offers with regard to this matter and give it every assistance? This project is of vital importance to the future of Ghana.

We have always made clear our continuing interest in this problem.

The British Aluminium Company was very much interested in this matter, and the Ghana Government sent representatives to visit its works in Falkirk, near my own constituency. Has that interest completely collapsed?

I would not like to go further at this moment than the statement which has already been made upon the matter, but recent negotiations have taken place direct between the Ghana Government and the Aluminium Company of Canada.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what representations he has received from the Prime Minister of India regarding a racial discrimination in Northern Rhodesia involving Indians enjoying diplomatic status.

The United Kingdom Government have received from the Government of India an aide-memoire on the subject of a recent incident in Southern Rhodesia, which is what the hon. Member presumably has in mind. As the House knows, it is not customary to give particulars of communications between the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth Governments. The hon. Member, however, will no doubt have noted that the Government of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland have publicly expressed to the Indian Government their deep regret for this incident.

Is the Minister aware that the Federation is attempting to deal with this question by passing a special Immunities Act, and that that Act will impose upon diplomats the indignity of having to carry special chits? Is that Act not also a clear official recognition of the colour bar which exists in the Federation? Further, is it a fact that before the Act can be implemented there must be consultations about certain orders with his noble Friend the Secretary of State? What does he intend to do about it?

With regard to the hon. Member's first point, I am not prepared to comment upon the merits of legislation passed within the powers of the Federal Government, but I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the fact that a very frank and forthright expression of regret was made by the Federal Government in connection with this incident. Perhaps the hon. Member would put down a Question upon his second point.

Will not the Minister associate the British Government and this Parliament with the expression of disapproval of this action? I appreciate what he has said about legislation, but can he tell us whether any such legislation as that mentioned by my hon. Friend is contemplated? If so, will he convey to the Federation the fact that he would regard that as a breach of the spirit, if not the letter, of its Constitution?

This is a matter between the Federal Government and the Government of India. I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman would agree that the matter should be properly considered as one between those two Governments. As for the right hon. Member's second point, I have already told his hon. Friend that if he puts down a Question I shall do my best to answer it.

asked the Minister of Education why he will not set up a special committee to study the development and experience of comprehensive schools and make recommendations.

Because the experience so far available of comprehensive schools is very limited and my right hon. Friend is in any case doubtful whether the establishment of a special committee would be the best procedure to adopt.

Is not the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there are now between forty and fifty of these pioneering schools, and that there is tremendous interest in them and also widespread controversy about them? Would it not be of value to set up a committee to investigate the facts relating to the progress and development of these schools, and to make an objective report which would give guidance to local education authorities who are interested in trying to develop comprehensive education?

It is important to remember that, of the forty-four comprehensive schools which exist, only eleven have been in existence for as long as five years. In any case, a variety of interesting experiments in secondary education are now being tried, and my right hon. Friend thinks that it would be premature to single out one form for study by a special committee.

Is the hon. Member aware that, to judge from its annual reports, his Ministry has so far paid very little attention to this very important educational development? If my hon. Friend's suggestion does not appeal to him, will he consider other ways in which his Ministry can inform itself and the public more fully on the matter?

Certainly we in the Ministry are very interested in all experiments concerned with trying out selective and non-selective streams of children within the same chool. I can assure the hon. Member of that.

asked the Minister of Education whether he has received a communication from the hon. Member for Carlisle in regard to the making of a grant towards the construction of a third classroom to St. Margaret Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, Currock, Carlisle and whether, in view of the fact that this classroom was included in the development plan of the local education authority, he will reconsider his decision in regard to the making of this grant.

Yes, Sir. I have replied that my right hon. Friend can find no grounds for altering his decision.

Is my hon. Friend aware that, despite his explanation, feelings of dissatisfaction still exist amongst the managers of this school? They feel that they have been discriminated against as compared with other schools in Carlisle. Will he receive further representations if they are made?

The letter from my right hon. Friend explains the position in greater detail, but if my hon. Friend would like to see me I should naturally be pleased to hear his views.

asked the Minister of Education if he will amend the rule in paragraph 5 of Circular No. 336 to enable Government scientific and technical officers who undertake up to four hours teaching a week in technical colleges but are unable to make up the time lost to retain the fees paid to them by the local education authority.

No, Sir. Where an officer undertakes teaching work in official time and does not make up the time lost, my right hon. Friend thinks it right and proper that his salary should be adjusted as described in this paragraph.

Does not the hon. Gentleman know that this is a small but potentially very valuable source of higher technological teachers? Is he not aware that the technical colleges are finding great difficulties in getting staff, and does he not feel that this rather niggling regulation would deter some of these officers from offering their services? Should we not treat them as well as we treat ourselves in the matter of extra fees in ordinary working hours?

It is a long standing principle that a public servant should not be paid twice for work done in official time, and we should think hard before departing from that principle.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the hydrogen bombers cruising over our heads at the moment carry enough plutonium to poison the population of the British Isles 20 times over, he will issue instructions that no bombs containing plutonium are to be carried on patrol or training flights.

No, Sir. If the hon. Member will look at my Answer last Tuesday to the hon. Member for Gorton (Mr. Zilliacus), she will realise the inaccuracy of the information on which her Question is founded.

Is the Prime Minister aware that I got my information from a recent lecture given by Dr. Mendelssohn, Reader in Physics at the University of Oxford, who went on to say that he was astonished that this information was not more widely known, as it was freely available in any scientific library, and deeply regretted that politicians were not more scientifically-minded? In view of that, will not the right hon. Gentleman take some more serious scientific advice?

No, Sir. What I said before is true, and I repeat it. My responsibility is to be able to assure the House that the chances of danger in any particular form are negligible. This I have done before, and I now repeat.

asked the Prime Minister what is the factor in training of bomber crews which makes it necessary for bombers to carry the loading apparatus for the hydrogen bomb, seeing that the bomb is never armed in flight.

As I explained last week, it is undesirable for aircraft engaged in operational training or dispersal exercises to be separated from their armament.

Is it not a fact that, on 18th March, the Prime Minister assured us that the bombers are never loaded or armed for the purpose in flight? Therefore, it clearly cannot be necessary for training purposes. Has not the time come to allay public anxiety on this matter, in view of the fact that it has been announced on the one o'clock news today that a special meeting of the Supreme Soviet is being called this afternoon to announce the unilateral suspension of tests by them?

I am afraid I am not responsible for the Praesidium of the Supreme Soviet Council.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that no standing or routine patrol by hydrogen-bomb bombers will be instituted without first notifying Parliament.

No, Sir. I have already stated that there is no standing or routine patrol.

But is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has not answered my Question? If there is no standing routine patrol, what is to prevent him giving an assurance to the House that such a patrol will not be resumed without Parliament first being notified, which is what I asked him?

There is no standing or routine patrol, and no intention to start one. I could not give an assurance that in no circumstances, however terrible or dangerous, that might arise, I should not take some step that was thought right. That, of course, would be to take away from the full purpose of the deterrent, which is to deter.

asked the Prime Minister whether, after considering the advantages of holding an informal private no-agenda meeting of the heads of Government of Great Britain, the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to prepare the way for the later Summit Conference, he will now make a statement of his proposals.

While I appreciate the proposal which my hon. Friend has in mind, I think the chances of a summit meeting achieving at least a limited measure of success are greater if the Western countries continue to urge the plan which they have been advocating.

That is all very well, but this is not my proposal; it was, in fact, the proposal of my right hon. Friend the Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill). Is my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister not aware that many millions of people are growing increasingly worried about the extraordinary propaganda battle that has developed over the Summit Conference, that they have little faith either in the ability of Mr. Dulles to answer the propaganda effectively, or of our own Foreign Office to deal with this matter. [Interruption.] This is far too serious, I should have thought, for me to need propaganda help from the Opposition.

All these considerations are important, and all these sources of points of view are respectable, but I am bound to say that I still think that a summit meeting to prepare for another summit meeting is not necessarily the best way of doing the preparatory work.

Is the Prime Minister aware that some of us are disturbed and surprised by the statement made by the American Secretary of State that if we were to engage in a Summit Conference now it would involve recognising the permanent division of Germany, recognising East Germany, and making a number of other points which seem to us to be contrary to the facts as known to us on this side of the House? Can the right hon. Gentleman throw some light on this statement of Mr. Dulles?

No, not without notice, as I am afraid that I have not read it; nor am I, indeed, responsible for it. What I am trying to do, as I have told the House, is to work with the Western Powers in very close co-operation—and this involves a great number of countries—in order, we hope, to get a solution of this problem. As I said the other day, I am not at all pessimistic about our being able to put forward a very good plan, which I hope the Soviet Government will accept.

As it is the present plan of the Government for the Foreign Ministers, first of all, to meet for the purpose of probing the possibilities of items on the agenda having some chance of agreement, are not these statements by Mr. Dulles, who would be a party to the conference, evidence that, at least on that side, there is very little enthusiasm for this Summit Conference?

No, Sir. I think the position is very clear. What we are trying to do is to get general agreement between the Powers concerned as to what should be the next best step we should take, with a view to getting a solution of the preparatory work. As I said, I am not at all without hope that we shall achieve that purpose.

Will not my right hon. Friend agree that there is considerable danger that the Summit Conference will be snowed under with paper missiles? Will he not also agree that the essential and urgent need for this Government and for the Prime Minister himself is to make a personal effort to break through this barrier of words that is passing backwards and forwards?

I must rest upon what I am able to do, but I am not conscious of having failed in any personal efforts.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that at last we seem to have in foreign affairs a bipartisan policy?

In view of the lack of information which I have been able to be given on this question, I beg to give notice that I shall try to raise the matter again in any appropriate way I can.

asked the Prime Minister what information he has concerning the number and size of atomic or hydrogen bomb tests carried out by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the last two years.

My hon. Friend will understand that the public interest precludes me from revealing the information which we possess in any detail. I can, however, say that in the last few years the Russians have carried out over fifty tests.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the information he does have shows that there is any decrease either in the scope or the number of these tests recently?

No, Sir; rather the opposite.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that, in view of the large number of tests undertaken by the Soviet Union, many of us do not feel in the least surprised that they now advocate the unilateral suspension of tests?

I think that, if that should happen, the right hon. Gentleman has drawn a very fair deduction from the event.

Is it not also clear that, if we had accepted the proposal to suspend the tests all round several months ago, a lot of these tests would never have taken place?

I recall that last year the right hon. Gentleman was in favour of our having and manufacturing the bomb, but not testing it. I am bound to say that the policy which he is now supporting of keeping the bomb would not have been very effective if I had followed his advice.