asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the decision on 12th May, 1958, of the Maritime Session of the International Labour Conference at Geneva on seafarers' wages, hours of work on board ship, and manning.

A revised Convention concerning wages, hours of work on board ship and manning and a Recommendation on the same subject were adopted by the Conference at its final session on the 14th May. The text of these instruments will be included in a report by the Government delegates to the Conference, which will be laid before the House in due course.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the recent decision of the Maritime Session of the International Labour Conference at Geneva on the Seamen's Charter, with particular relation to the application of that charter to seamen working in ships flying flags of convenience.

I assume the hon. and learned Member is referring to the adoption by the Conference of two Recommendations, one concerning social conditions and safety of seafarers in relation to registration of ships, the other concerning the engagement of seafarers for service in vessels registered in a foreign country. The text of these Recommendations will be included in a report by the Government delegates to the Conference, which will be laid before the House in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why married Service personnel, for whom no married quarters are available, are being given notice to remove their caravans from Royal Air Force stations.

No general instruction of this kind has been issued. Where no other arrangements can be made, and the local authorities raise no objection, officers and airmen may be allowed to site caravans on Air Ministry land. Permission can naturally be given only where there is adequate sanitation, and where we are satisfied that the caravans will not be a nuisance to other families on the station.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what was the cost of purchasing four "Castle" class frigates from the Admiralty for use as ocean weather ships; and what is the estimated cost of their conversion.

So far one vessel has been transferred under normal departmental arrangements. It would be contrary to established Government practice to disclose the payments to contractors for its conversion.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Bristol Bloodhound surface-to-air guided weapon is now on order for the Royal Air Force for operational deployment in the United Kingdom air defence system.

Yes. As foreshadowed in paragraph 33 of the Memorandum accompanying the Air Estimates, trials of the Bloodhound weapons system will start shortly at North Coates. The weapon will subsequently be deployed operationally in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what appeals he has received against the decision of the Traffic Commissioners in respect of the siting of the school 'bus stop at Mannings Heath, and the rerouting of the 'bus service as suggested by the Mannings Heath Community Council; and when he expects to give a decision.

There has been no appeal to my right hon. Friend under Section 81 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, so that the second part of the Question does not arise. As my hon. Friend is aware, the Traffic Commissioners are prepared to consider any representations which the local authority may make to them about this matter, but I am informed that they have so far received none.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why he has made no general appeal to motorists in the London area to give lifts.

We are all grateful to those many motorists who so generously give lifts. The need is well known, and I do not think that there would be any point in my making another appeal beyond the wide general appeal which I made as soon as the strike began.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what agreement has now been reached between the Western Governments and the Soviet Government with regard to their proposal for the appointment of a group of experts to study the technical problems involved in establishing a system of international control to verify the suspension of nuclear tests.

I would refer the right hon. and learned Member to what my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal told the House yesterday afternoon and to what my right hon. and learned Friend told the House yesterday evening.The following is President Eisenhower's reply to Mr. Khrushchev's Note of 30th May:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the discussions in the United Nations with regard to the proposal for the stationing of United Nations observers on the Aden-Yemen borders.

There have been no discussions in the United Nations on the stationing of observers. My right hon. and learned Friend believes that in existing circumstances the best solution to the border problem would be joint Anglo-Yemeni commissions to investigate and settle disputes and to carry out the provisions of the 1951 Exchange of Notes regarding frontier demarcation, but he does not rule out any reasonable proposal which would help to maintain peace on the border. He does not think it would help towards a solution if we called for United Nations action now.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how the United Kingdom delegate to the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations in March, 1958, voted on the proposal to appoint a special committee to study during the coming year the methods by which action could be taken under Charter instructions to deal with complaints of violations of human rights; which members voted with the United Kingdom; and which members voted against.

The proposal to which the hon. Member refers was that a committee should be appointed to study the procedure for handling communications concerning human rights. The United Kingdom representative voted against the proposal, together with the representatives of France, India, Iran, Poland, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. There were nine votes in favour of the proposal (Argentine, Belgium, China, Israel, Italy, the Lebanon, Mexico, the Philippines and the United States of America). The representative of Ceylon abstained and the representative of Iraq was absent.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of their rejection of the Rapacki Plan, what new proposals Her Majesty's Government are to make for the purpose of securing a reduction of both nuclear and conventional armaments in Central and Eastern Europe.

I recognise the natural interest which the right hon. and learned Member has in this question. But we are in the first stages of a confidential diplomatic negotiation with the Soviet Government. I am sure that he will understand that it would not be helpful to the success of the negotiation if we announced in public in what fields we would have new proposals to make and exactly what these proposals were.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will publish statistics showing the percentage level of unemployment in Cardiff since 1945, and its relation to the national average.

The following table gives the information desired, so far as it is available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make an interim statement on the redeployment of labour rendered redundant at the Royal Ordnance factory, Llanishen, and Llandaff North Engineering Works respectively.

Since April 103 workers have left the Royal Ordnance factory. Of these, 21 are registered as unemployed. Ninety-six workers have left the Llandaff North Engineering Works, of whom six are registered as unemployed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will publish in HANSARD a table of figures giving for the year 1951 the monthly average number of male and female persons wholly unemployed, including casuals, and

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state to the most recent date for which figures are available the number of males and females unemployed, showing the figures for the corresponding date in 1957 for purposes of comparison.

At 12th May, 1958, the numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of employment exchanges in Great Britain were 309,416 males and 138,140 females compared with 214,978 males and 98,494 females at 13th May, 1957.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the most recent published figures show that on 17th March, 1958, there was an increase of approximately 33⅓ per cent. in the number of unemployed in the North Western Region over the corresponding date for 1957; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this increasingly grave problem.

The rise in the unemployment figures in recent months in

The following table gives the numbers of persons registered as unemployed in Great Britain at the undermentioned dates:the North Western Region has been mainly due to increased short-time working in the cotton industry. My local offices are doing all they can to help those needing it to obtain other employment.

asked the Secretary of State for War what report he has received concerning the sudden death of Lance Corporal Derek Redman on Christmas Island on 7th May; why diabetic fever was officially notified as the cause, since he was passed as fit on 5th May; why he was buried at sea within 10 hours; how far he had been connected with the group of scientists concerned with the nuclear test explosions on the island a few days previously; and whether this was at his own request.

My right hon. Friend has received reports from the task force and from the medical authorities of the Royal Air Force who care for soldiers on Christmas Island.

asked the Postmaster-General when an alternative British Broadcasting Corporation and/or Independent Television programmes will be available for viewers in East Devon.

No decision has yet been reached on the applications made by the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority for alternate programmes. As regards an I.T.A. service in East Devon, the I.T.A. development plan proposes a service for Devon, but it is not envisaged that it could be available before 1960.

asked the Minister of Supply what were the reasons for the decision that there was no place in the defence programme for the Swallow.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend in the course of the debate on the aircraft industry on 22nd May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will arrange for an increase in the quantity of New Zealand meat imported into the United Kingdom to compensate for the loss to New Zealand which will be incurred by the recent decision on butter.

I am glad to say that we have already guaranteed unrestricted entry for New Zealand meat until 1967. New Zealand can therefore send us all they have available. As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade made clear on 20th May, we consider that our action on butter will be of substantial assistance to New Zealand.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make a statement about progress on the Admiralty's nuclear submarine machinery programme.

As my noble Friend is announcing in another place, an approach has been made to the American Government for approval to purchase nuclear submarine propulsion machinery from an American firm for installation in "Dreadnought." If agreed, this will enable her to be in service earlier than would otherwise be the case. The American reaction to our proposal will depend upon amendments to the Atomic Energy Act which are currently under consideration by the United States Congress.

asked the Attorney-General what are the qualifications, duties, salary, and emoluments of the Admiralty Marshal.

The qualifications required for this appointment comprise a thorough knowledge of Admiralty practice and the ability to discharge the duties of Chief Clerk to the Admiralty Registry. The duties include the arrest, detention and release or sale of ships, subject to the orders of the Court, and the general management of the Registry's business. The salary scale is £1,325£1,580; there are no other emoluments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what amount of moneys from colonial development and welfare funds have been spent upon extra-mural work in East Africa by Makerere University College in the years 1956 and 1957, respectively; and what are the plans to expand this work, particularly with regard to establishing extra-mural studies in Tanganyika.

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 13th May, 1958; Vol. 588, c. 13], provided the following further information:The Governments of Uganda and Kenya have discussed with the Makerere College authorities proposals for the extension of extra-mural work in their respective territories, but because of financial stringency at the present time no detailed plans have been made. For the same reason the Tanganyika Government are unable to ask the College to extend its extra-mural activities to the territory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many men and how many women are now detained in Kenya under the emergency regulations; and how many of each sex are detained under Government detention orders.

8,256 men and 158 women were detained under emergency regulations at 31st May. Of these, 1,294 men and 40 women were detained under Governor's detention orders, and the remainder under delegated detention orders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the recently published allegations by five prisoners at Lokitaung, in Kenya.

A preliminary report on certain incidents at Lokitaung came to the Governor's notice on 16th May, when he ordered an immediate inquiry by a senior officer. As a result of this inquiry, the Chief Secretary today made this statement to the Kenya Legislative Council.

The following statement was made today (Wednesday, 11th June, 1958) by the Chief Secretary, Mr. W. F. Courts, at a meeting of the Kenya Legislative Council in Nairobi:

Because certain allegations regarding conditions in a prison in the Northern Province, which accommodates a few Mau Mau convicts, have been given fairly widespread publicity, the Government feel that this House is entitled to a prompt statement on the situation.

2. A considerable time before these allegations were made public, the Government was aware of them and it had instituted—and indeed cornpleted—an investigation before the rumours were given wide publicity.

3. The allegations related to lack of adequate water supplies, visits from relatives, censorship of mail, rations and medical facilities.

4. As a result of the investigation which has been completed, the Government is satisfied that the allegations are unfounded.

5. As regards water supplies our investigation has shown that the District Officer responsible for the area in which the prison is situated had decided to close temporarily, to everyone, the usual water supply point for the purpose of cleaning and repair. This action was possible because rain had started and water was available for all local people in other ways and at other places, for example in rainwater tanks and from other available wells. The District Officer considered that the alternative well, from which convicts and other members of the local community were instructed to draw water on April 25, was fit for human use since it had recently been emptied and cleaned out. The usual water supply point was closed to all persons at the time in question, and there is no truth in suggestions that have been made that, although this source was closed to convicts, it continued to be available to the few European residents in the area. As from May 1, that is six days after it had been closed, the water supply point which was regularly used was reopened to everyone, including the convicts, and since then there have been no further complaints regarding the water supply.

6. Until this year there were no complaints about the water supply. This year there was a danger of Shortage, owing to drought, but it was possible to maintain an adequate supply for everyone including the convicts. Water rationing had to be imposed on everyone in Lokitaung for short periods earlier this year on account of drought conditions. The system of rationing was by putting a limit on the time allowed for the drawing of water, and the convicts were able to draw approximately ten gallons per head per day in the period allotted them. This is about the same amount as they used, without any complaint, before rationing was imposed. There was no question of their being unable to have baths over a long period.

7. In making these allegations the convicts concerned described themselves as "political prisoners". That is quite incorrect. All of them are serving sentences following convictions in Court for criminal offences. They include some of the most dangerous leaders of the Mau Mau organisation and one who had been sentenced for consorting with persons in unlawful possession of firearms.

8. Regarding the allegations that these convicts were unable to have visits from relatives, there is no record of any such application having been received.

9. Suggestions which have been made that the prison was not visited regularly are quite untrue. The Provincial Commissioner, Northern Province, and the District Commissioner of Turkana are the Visiting Justices to the prison, and they inspect it regularly, as do senior officers of the Prisons Department.

10. As regards the allegations that censorship resulted in serious mail delays, these convicts had been told to inform their correspondents that letters should be addressed to them care of the Prison Headquarters in Nairobi, where these letters are censored, in order to reduce delays. The convicts, however, persisted in giving their address as the prison. It is unfortunate that this failure to comply with instructions for their benefit may have resulted in their mail being delayed, but the remedy is in their own hands, namely a request by the convicts to their correspondents that their mail should be addressed to them in the proper way.

11. All convicts at present serving sentences in the prison concerned were asked by the investigating officer if they had any complaints to make on the score of ill-treatment. Only one complained orally that he had been struck some time ago by an askari (prison warder), but he told the investigating officer that he did not wish anything about this to be included in his written statement.

12. I wish to assure the House that the Government is satisfied that the allegations of brutality against these convicts are quite unfounded, and that medical examinations at regular intervals have revealed no signs of ill-treatment.

13. There is also the question of the ration scale. As Members know, these are fixed on the advice of the Medical Department There are occasional local variations in the scales, required by local supply conditions, but these variations are made only with the advice and approval of the Medical Officer. This practice has been the case in the prison concerned, where all convicts receive a balanced ration, including meat, and a vitamin supplement in the form of oil, tablets and yeast food which they are allowed to augment by vegetables cultivated in the allotments within the prison.

14. I will now turn to the allegation regarding medical facilities. A Medical Officer who is responsible for health in the prison, and lives within a hundred yards of it, visits it regularly once a week. He reports that it is untrue that the convicts are prone to disease. He reports further that they seldom have been ill and that they are all now in good health.

15. There were further allegations about the convicts' eyes. One convict was transferred to Kitale Hospital in 1955 for removal of an infected eye. Another has asked for spectacles, which will be provided if they are medically certified to be necessary.

16. Members will be well aware that these allegations have been made by convicts who include the principal leaders of Mau Mau—men who were responsible for the collapse of law and order in Kikuyu country which resulted in the need for the Emergency to be declared These were men who inspired superstition and fear among the masses of the Kikuyu, and recent experience with the Kiama Kia Muingi in the Colony has shown that the teaching of these Mau Mau leaders has not been entirely eradicated.

17. It is clear from the allegations which have been made that these men succeeded in illegally smuggling a letter out of the prison. It is equally clear that had they been held nearer Kikuyu country they might have tried to smuggle out more letters—letters which might well have caused further outbreaks of violence. We know from our experience during the month just before the declaration of the Emergency how expert these men are at the use of "double meanings". In order to obtain the greatest possible security it has been necessary to keep them in a very remote spot. In consequence, it has not been possible to appoint Official Visitors to the prison in addition to Visiting Justices, since visits could not be undertaken regularly in such a remote area, but the prison has been visited regularly by the Visiting Justices and by senior officers.