asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now state, following the end of hire-purchase restrictions and the credit squeeze, what general principles guide him in the application of particular Purchase Tax rates to particular products; what regard is had to stimulating export trade, or social requirements, or helping particular areas affected, particularly by unemployment tendencies; to what extent his adjudication in these matters now rests upon revenue considerations; and, having regard to the rapid change in national economic circumstances during the last 12 months, whether he will reconsider and restate his principles with regard to Purchase Tax policy.

My right hon. Friend sees no need to reconsider the general principle which his predecessor explained to my hon. Friend on 10th December, 1957; namely, that in all decisions on the rates and incidence of Purchase Tax the interests of trade' and the consumer have to be balanced with the necessity to raise a given revenue.

Yes, but there is an interregnum between now and 7th April, and having regard to the fact that these matters have not been reconsidered since 10th December, 1957, which is 18 months ago, would not my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer be well advised to give further consideration to a restatement of all principles governing application of Purchase Tax rates, in his Budget statement, or shortly thereafter?

The general principle was stated to my hon. Friend on 10th December, 1957, but that does not mean to say there has been no further consideration of it, and, of course, we are not allowed to forget the subject, thanks to the number of Questions my hon. Friend puts down.

So far, 198.

I am quite sure my hon. Friend would not expect me to give any indication of what might be in my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

Is not it high time that the interests of the consumer were placed first now, and is not it also time now that Purchase Tax, which still remains on household goods, should be withdrawn?

That supplementary question, I am sorry to say, can draw from me only the usual answer that I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the diminution of revenue in a full year if razors, razor blades, razor strops, shaving soaps, shaving creams, and pre- and post-shaving lotions, now subject to Purchase Tax at 60 per cent. or 30 per cent., were made tax free.

About £3½ million.

Has my hon. Friend in his researches, failed to observe that the Purchase Tax on razors and blades is still at the rate of 30 per cent. whereas Purchase Tax on cutlery is at the rate of only 15 per cent.? Why is it necessary to tax shaving twice as heavily as taxing the cutting of food? This is my 199th Purchase Tax Question, Mr. Speaker.

Yes. Shaving requisites are taxed at 30 per cent. because they fall into the appropriate group. Cutlery is taxed at 15 per cent. for the same reason that that also falls into the appropriate group. I do not think there is any danger of cutlery being used in place of razors for cutting the bristle's off my hon. Friend's face. As this is my hon. Friend's 199th Question, I should like to wish him a merry Easter and a rest from his labours.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that after his 199th Question the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) knows no more and is no wiser than when he started?

My 200th is Question No. 75 on the Order Paper today.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, in view of the protection against head injury afforded to motorists who wear anti-shock felt caps or hats, he will modify Customs and Excise Notice No. 78, so that such caps and hats are ranked with safety helmets and released from Purchase Tax;

(2) why anti-shock felt caps or hats are distinguished from safety helmets in Customs and Excise Notice No. 78.

These caps are clearly outside the present exemption, which is for helmets. I cannot comment at this time on the hon. Member's proposal that the law should be amended.

Is the Minister aware that it is not really a question of the tax itself, which is only 5 per cent., but the fact that motorists will be safe from injury to the head if these caps and hats are worn? The point, therefore, is that they should be treated on the same basis from that point of view as helmets. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act, 1956, defines helmets as any form of protective headdress? Will the hon. Gentleman please look into this matter, because this would be a great asset to road safety?

I am aware of the inspiration which lies behind the hon. Gentleman's Questions and the sincerity of the points which he puts. I do not think that the very small imposition of tax is likely to be a deterrent to buying these felt caps or hats, which are quite different from helmets as defined in the Purchase Tax Schedule.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what comparison he has made between the total annual sum estimated to be payable as rent in the United Kingdom and the combined total of the annual value of property, not owner-occupied, for the purpose of Schedule A tax and the amount of excess rents declared for tax purposes; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the requirements for disclosure of rents received in excess of annual value are brought to the notice of the general public.

Figures are not available which would enable such a comparison to be made. As regards the second part of my hon. Friend's Question, the Income Tax return forms and the accompanying notes make it clear that excess rents must be returned, and inspectors of taxes make suitable inquiries where necessary.

May I ask two supplementary questions on that? Is not it a fact that the collector of taxes has a fair certainty of collecting the owner-occupier into his net on notional income, whereas the person who is receiving cash income from excess rents so frequently escapes through the mesh, and is not it unfair to the owner-occupier? Secondly, is my hon. and learned Friend aware that, although I do not aspire to the heights of my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) in the impressive quantity of Questions, I trust that the pertinent quality of my Questions over the past few months will get its reward on Tuesday week?

In regard to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, I have no reason to think that any substantial amount of excess rents escapes taxation. In regard to the second part, I congratulate my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that in future payments of compensation for loss of office will be liable to taxation, bearing in mind that this has been recommended by the Royal Commission on the Taxation of Profits and Income.

The hon. Member will not expect me to anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

In the course of deliberations between now and Budget day, will the hon. and learned Gentleman ask the Chancellor to bear in mind that it is now becoming a growing scandal that directors of large firms receive tax-free sums varying between £30,000 and £80,000 for loss of office, which is often quite voluntary, and that these sums are often merely a disguised form of private income? Would it not be appropriate to stop this abuse at a time when large numbers of workers are being dismissed at a week's notice?

I will draw the hon. Member's remarks to the attention of my right hon. Friend.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that we have had that Answer from him and his predecessor for four years, ever since the Royal Commission unanimously recommended that it should be dealt with in its Report of June, 1955? Is he aware that there is a strong feeling on both sides of the House about the fact that the recent court decision assessing liability in a case against British Railways, arising out of a very serious accident, provided that there should be a deduction for estimated Income Tax requirements? Is not it grossly unfair that in that case Income Tax is in effect deducted and in this case the sum is tax-free and represents several years, or indeed decades, of tax-free income?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the case in the House of Lords to which the right hon. Gentleman refers. As to my Answer, I have been saying it only during the pre-Budget period and the right hon. Gentleman will not expect me to say more than that today.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what amount the receipts from entertainments tax for 1958 exceeded or fell below his estimate for that period.

Revenue estimates relate only to financial years and it is not the practice to revise Budget estimates during the course of the year.

May I ask whether the figures of attendances at cinemas indicate that the revenue will have fallen very sharply? Bearing that in mind, and while not wishing the hon. Gentleman to anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement, may I ask whether this is not a very powerful argument for abolishing Entertainments Duty on cinemas altogether?

No, Sir. Attendance figures by themselves would not be a reliable indicator, because the prices of admission are an important factor in estimating the yield of this tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the Walton Vale cinema, Liverpool, which closed on 31st January made a profit, during the year ended 1st November, 1958, of £194 and paid £1,801 in entertainments tax, whilst during the next three months it made a loss of £649 and paid £114 in tax, and that the Kensington cinema, Liverpool, which closed on 6th December, made a loss of £718 and paid £840 tax during the 50 weeks before that date; and what steps he will take to avoid similar closures and a resultant depression in the industry.

My right hon. Friend is aware that these cinemas have closed but I cannot anticipate his Budget.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these are only two examples of the many which could be given in relation to the losses of these cinemas? In view of the fact that the cinema industry is facing unfair competition and is in a very difficult position, will he consider abolishing Entertainments Duty altogether?

I regret that I cannot say more to the hon. Lady than what is contained in my main Answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of paying post-war credits to everyone holding less than £200 worth of these and being over 50 years of age.

A repayment that preserved the present differentiation between men and women and therefore included all women holders over the age of 45 would cost about £230 million.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that there is a growing body of opinion in the country that people over 50, particularly, ought to be paid at any rate a proportion of these post-war credits? Will he ask my right hon. Friend to bear that in mind when he is making his Budget for the coming year?

I will, of course, draw my right hon. Friend's attention to my hon. Friend's remarks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what progress has been made in discussions with other countries in the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation towards a compromise solution of the European Free Trade Area problem;

(2) whether, in view of the report just published by the European Economic Commission, it is Her Majesty's Government's intention to continue their endeavours to promote a Free Trade Area in association with the Common Market Community.

Although the European Economic Commission's report has been published, it has not, I understand, been approved by the Six Governments and is to be the subject of further study. As I explained in the debate on 12th February, Her Majesty's Government still consider a European Free Trade Area to be the only fully satisfactory solution to European trade problems and they remain in constant touch with other members of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation with the object of facilitating negotiations as and when cirumstances permit.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the Six, especially France, are no longer interested in the original Free Trade Area proposals which the right hon. Gentleman assiduously pursued in his negotiations last year? Would he, therefore, take the initiative in trying to come to some compromise arrangements with the Six as soon as possible? If not, things will go from bad to worse.

The negotiations were suspended in the latter part of last year because the prevous basis of negotiations, namely, unanimous determination to have a Free Trade Area, no longer existed and that position, as the right hon. Gentleman suggests, is still very much the case. For the time being, we are rightly concentrating on short-term arrangements or a modus vivendi in negotiations with France.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what has transpired in meetings held with those members of O.E.E.C. who are not members of the European Community, since it is understood that there was such a meeting in Scandinavia a few days ago?

There have been several meetings of a confidential character, and I cannot disclose what took place. Broadly speaking, we have been very concerned to try to keep in constant touch with other European countries outside the Six in order to co-ordinate our views for our mutual benefit.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for two years we gave him a free hand? Does he appreciate that little came out of it and that the statement which he has recalled from the debate of 12th February is now six weeks old and was pretty well out-of-date even then? Is the right hon. Gentleman exclusively following the idea of a Free Trade Area or is he discussing with other European countries alternative arrangements?

I made clear in the debate that we are considering all possible alternatives. We do not want to make suggestions at this time which are no good to us and will not produce a solution.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the plight of a large number of retired elderly people who are attempting to live on their life's savings; and if he will do everything in his power to ease their lot in forthcoming legislation.

Yes, Sir. The most effective way of helping these people is to stabilise the cost of living, and we have recently met with some success in this. As regards legislative action, I cannot, of course, anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

Whilst thanking my hon. and learned Friend for that reply, and agreeing that the cost of living has been stabilised over a long period, may I ask whether he appreciates that this will not affect these people in any way? There will have to be a drastic fall in the cost of living before they are assisted appreciably. Does not my hon. and learned Friend realise that no tax rebate will assist them, that some of them are too proud to take National Assistance, and some are on or just above Assistance level? Will he please see whether someone some day can do something to help these people who are in desperate straits?

I will certainly draw the attention of my right hon. Friend to what my hon. and gallant Friend has said, but I would point out that in each of the last two Budgets fiscal means have been found to help the class of persons to whom he refers.

Arising out of the original Answer, may I ask whether the hon. and learned Gentleman is aware that the Treasury bulletin yesterday drew attention to the fact that the relative stability in the cost-of-living index over the last 12 months has occurred at a time of very remarkable reduction in import prices? Has the hon. and learned Gentleman any confidence that, if import prices turn up again, the Government's measures are likely to continue the stability of the cost-of-living index?

I ask the right hon. Gentleman to be good enough to await my right hon. Friend's review of the economic situation generally, when he opens his Budget statement.

Would not by far the best way of helping these people be by an increase in the retirement pension, and have not proposals to that effect just been voted down by the party opposite?

I ask the right hon. Gentleman to put that question to my hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance.

Many of the people I have in mind do not receive pensions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, due to the aggregation of married couples income for tax and super-tax purposes, large numbers of highly-qualified women are deterred from following highly-skilled occupations for which they were trained; and if he will take action to remedy this situation for the benefit of the country.

My right hon. Friend has received representations of the nature outlined by my hon. and gallant Friend; but I cannot anticipate his Budget statement.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that there are large numbers of able women in this country who are assisting it with their ability and brains and who pay super-tax on the very first penny they earn? Would he look at the remarks I made in last year's Budget debate and realise that on the next occasion I shall raise the matter rather more strongly than I did last year?

I am grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend for that warning and I will gladly prepare myself by reading what he said last year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in preparing his Budget, he will bear in mind the needs of widows drawing 10s. a week pension whose pension has not been adjusted to meet the steadily rising cost of living.

My right hon. Friend will bear in mind the needs of all sections of the community, including those mentioned by the hon. Member.

Yes, but will the hon. and learned Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend, when he is preparing to give away millions of pounds in his electioneering Budget—some of it to people who are already wealthy—to give priority to these widows, who may not have many votes but who have an unanswerable case because they are, I believe, the only pensioners who have had no increase in their pension to meet recent successive increases in the cost of living?

I will draw the hon. Lady's observation to the attention of my right hon. Friend.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. P. Thorneycroft), two Budgets and indeed two Chancellors ago, gave exactly the same answer as he has now given to my hon. Friend about bearing in mind the interests of all sections of the community, but that the result of bearing them in mind was to concentrate his concessions exclusively on the Surtax payers?

This is really a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance, but I think I am right in saying that successive Governments have felt that the 10s. widow, as she is called, is in a special class.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his recent decision to allow authorised banks to enter into forward exchange contracts with sterling area residents other than those concerned with visible trade.

My right hon. Friend considers that there is no longer any justification for restricting the right of residents to contract forward for normal transactions if they wish.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this progressive dismantling of monetary controls may be comparatively innocuous while the £ is in a period of prosperity, but that it is likely to have a boomerang effect if the £ falls on hard times again?

No, Sir, I do not think it will be, likely to make much difference in this case, because the volume of such transactions is very small in relation to the total of visible trade forward transactions which are at present covered.

If that is the case, why have the Government kept this in force for six years?

First, because it was necessary to achieve stability and a strong £ abroad before we could proceed with the dismantling of this control, which we are now doing.

If these concessions are safe only when the £ is strong, does not that show, as my hon. Friend suggests, that they are likely to cause trouble when the £ is less strong?

I do not think one could save a deterioration in the value of the £ by reintroducing a control as small as this one.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his recent decision to allow the London Gold Market to undertake forward transactions in gold without obtaining approval from the Bank of England.

Yes, Sir. Since 20th March there has been no need for authorised dealers to obtain the prior approval of the Bank of England for forward transactions in gold. This was a small relaxation which we were glad to make in the interests of the efficiency of the market.

But is not it the case that approval has been refused in such cases comparatively recently, and therefore is not it likely that many cases of undesirable speculation will occur purely as a result of the blanket permission given by the Government?

No, Sir, my right hon Friend does not take that view.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what facilities are available in Uganda for the drying of milk and for the mixing of dried skim milk with groundnut flour to provide good protein supplement for children, as has recently been initiated in Nigeria under the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.

No facilities exist in Uganda for drying milk and mixing it with groundnut flour, but these facilities may be developed commercially when the results of the West African project have been studied.

Can the Minister say whether the Uganda Government have approached U.N.I.C.E.F. to supply processing plant for drying milk? If it could be achieved, this processed milk, mixed with groundnut flour, would be an extremely valuable protein supplement. Since there are large supplies of groundnuts in Uganda, this would seem to be a partial solution of the problem of malnutrition.

Yes, Sir. Seventy tons are being imported from U.N.I.C.E.F. this year and the amount will increase to 600 tons by 1960.

Is the Minister aware that there is a crying need for more milk powder to be imported into Uganda, and will he consult his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations with a view to using the milk service of New Zealand for this purpose? Seventy tons are far from sufficient for the needs of Uganda children.

I will look into the hon. Gentleman's suggestion. As I have said, 70 tons are being imported this year, rising to 600 tons in 1960.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Buganda Ministers have now modified, or withdrawn, their objection to the Constitutional Committee appointed by the Governor; and if the Lukiko has now presented names for that Committee.

No, Sir.

Do I understand from that Answer that in fact there has not been a withdrawal of the attitude of the Buganda people?

I am sorry to say that that is true.

What action is the Minister taking to try to encourage greater agreement on this point, and, in any case, if there is continued resistance on the part of the Buganda people, will the Constitutional Committee still continue?

To quote my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, one cannot impose an opportunity, one can only offer it. The Buganda Government was invited to nominate representatives whose names might be approved by the Governor for inclusion in the Committee. It declined to do so, but the Committee will be visiting Buganda to take evidence and, nothwithstanding the refusal of the Buganda Ministers to recognise the Committee, they will be given every opportunity, if they so wish, to make their views known to the Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a further statement regarding the proposal for a constitutional conference in Kenya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to Mr. Michael Blundell's statement on the desirability of a constitutional conference in Kenya; and if he will make a statement.

I read with interest the view of Mr. Blundell, speaking on behalf of his Specially Elected colleagues, that at a later date, after the right atmosphere had been created, all groups might meet together for discussions on the constitution.

This view is broadly in harmony with my own, which my hon. Friend outlined on 5th February in reply to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) and my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall).

Would the right hon. Gentleman now agree that, if constitutional talks are to have any prospect of success, they cannot be limited to the ambit of the present constitution?

It is rather difficult to deal with this matter by question and answer. There is to be a debate on Kenya today, when the question of the constitution will be traversed at some length.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what preparations he intends making to meet the All-Party Elected Members' Delegation from the Kenya Legislative Council coming to London to discuss the matter of holding a round table conference regarding future constitutional advance in Kenya.

The delegation will not represent all groups or parties, but it will include members of all races.

I have informed the leader of the African Elected Members Organisation that I am afraid that my other heavy commitments will not allow me to see them on the date they have suggested, but that I would be able to see them about the end of April.

I have, however, suggested that as Lord Perth expects to visit East Africa early in April the delegation might put their views to him for transmission to me.

I have added that if the delegation afterwards still wished to see me I would be very ready to welcome it at the end of April or thereabouts.

Is the Minister aware that the House will be happy that he appears to be happy about meeting the delegation? In the light of his helpful comments on Question No. 24, will the Minister, after meeting the delegation of all parties and creeds and colours, make a statement about the future constitutional advance in Kenya and about it becoming a democratic society at some time in the future?

I am always ready, as the hon. Gentleman knows, to see as many people as possible, but I must again point out that this is not a delegation representing all groups or parties, though it includes members of all races. As I have said, I shall be ready to see the delegation. In regard to the second part of the supplementary question, I am always ready also to take any appropriate opportunity of making any comments which will help forward the constitutional harmony of Kenya.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will give the House an assurance that the views of the delegation will be considered before Her Majesty's Government or the Kenya Government commit themselves in any way on constitutional changes?

That is rather a strange question coming from the hon. and learned Gentleman, as I am always being pressed to make statements about the future of Kenya. Whilst I am always ready to see people, I cannot undertake that because of future visits I shall refrain from making statements at appropriate moments, particularly when I know, as I often do, what are the views of prospective delegations. None the less, I will bear in mind what the hon. and learned Gentleman has said.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what conditions Dr. Kiano will have to fulfil to enable him to obtain a licence to use a printing press in Nairobi.

The conditions are contained in Section 5 (3) of the Printing Presses (Temporary Provisions) Ordinance, 1952, a copy of which I am placing in the Library.

What reason have the Government to suppose that Dr. Kiano would not fulfil those conditions, and on what ground has he been refused a licence for a printing press?

That is a matter for the Government of Kenya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the deaths on 3rd March of the 11 detainees from the Hola Irrigation Scheme Camp, Kenya.

I regret to say that 11 detainees, who were members of a working party from Hola detention camp on 3rd March, have died at Hola. A full investigation was undertaken by the C.I.D., autopsies have been carried out on the bodies, and an inquest was opened at Mombasa by a senior resident magistrate on 18th March to determine causes of deaths. As the inquest is still being held I cannot anticipate the magistrate's findings of fact. The Kenya Government and the Attorney-General of Kenya will consider whether any further action is necessary in the light of the magistrate's findings.

Is not it a fact that the Kenya police authorities have testified that the deaths of these 11 men were caused by violence? Is not it also a fact that local officials attempted to cover this up by saying that the men died from drinking poisoned water? Is not it also a fact that the camp commander, Mr. Sullivan, has revealed that there always has been a prison circular in existence from the Prison Department in Kenya authorising African warders to use physical violence to compel detainees to do forced labour? In view of this, is not it time to take the inquiries out of the hands of the Kenya Government, and to establish an independent judicial inquiry sent from this country to inquire into the whole detention camp situation in Kenya?

As I have said, this was a very distressing and grave case, the gravity of which neither I nor the Kenya Government would attempt to minimise. It is now the subject of an inquest, and it would be improper of me to attempt to anticipate the magistrate's findings, but I think that the Kenya Government have throughout taken prompt and proper action to deal with this matter. Any suggestion that they tried to cover it up is very untrue.

That being so, and while no one on either side of this House would begin to defend what has happened in this case, does not the Colonial Secretary realise that there is merit in my hon. Friend's suggestion, which has been made from this side of the House more than once, that the accumulation of these incidents points to the need for an independent commission of inquiry to find out what has been happening in these detention camps?

No, Sir. I do not think that is so. I am very ready to debate the matter in the House when I am able to give the information after the magistrate has reported.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proscribed and subversive documents were found in the Nairobi house of Mr. Tom Mboya, which was searched by the Kenya police on 6th March last.

None, Sir.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that six European police officers invaded Mr. Mboya's house at 4 o'clock in the morning on 6th March with a search warrant stating that information had been laid before a magistrate to the effect that such subversive documents were in his house? Does not the failure to find such documents show the unreliability of much of the information which has been brought before the Kenya Government and other colonial Governments, and is not this part of an attempt to create an atmosphere hostile to the development of African political organisations in Kenya and to justify the arrest of many members of Mr. Mboya's party? Will the Government—

Order. I wish the hon. Lady could put her supplementary question more shortly.

I entirely repudiate the suggestion that this was part of an attempt to stir up feeling against African political organisations. It was nothing of the kind. The hon. Lady must also realise that if police searches do not always succeed in obtaining the evidence for which they are looking, that is no reason for not conducting them.

What were the police looking for?

They were looking for documents which they had information had been deposited in Mr. Mboya's house.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the arrangements for further constitutional advance in Tanganyika and the interim Ministerial system.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to make a statement on his plans for further constitutional advance in Tanganyika.

On 17th March the Governor announced the terms of reference of a committee which will be set up under the chairmanship of Sir Richard Ramage to examine such matters as the number of elected members in the Legislative Council, the present voting system, qualifications for candidates and voters and the possibility of establishing a Territorial Council. He also announced the intention to invite five unofficials (three African, one Asian, one European) to take up Ministerial portfolios in the Government. These, with seven official Ministers, will comprise the Council of Ministers which will on 1st July take over the primary duties of the Executive Council.

The appointment of unofficial Ministers will mark yet another important step forward in Tanganyika's constitutional progress, since for the first time a substantial measure of responsibility for the formulation of policy will be placed on the shoulders of the representatives of the people of the territory.

I have placed copies of the Governor's speech in the Library. I am glad to say that the proposals have been accepted by the representative members of the Legislative Council.

Is the Colonial Secretary aware that we are very happy indeed at the successful outcome of the elections in Tanganyika, at the dignified and responsible way in which Mr. Julius Nyerere has conducted himself during the period, and at the support which he has had from the members of various communities? Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Committee is expected to report on further constitutional advance, which appears to be taking place in Tanganyika in a proper atmosphere of non-racial democracy?

I am afraid I cannot give the date when the Committee will finish its work, but I can say that what is happening in Tanganyika seems to be—I believe it is—an admirable illustration of what co-operation can achieve.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Governor of Tanganyika has directed that the inquiry into the state of industrial relations in the sisal industry shall not be held in public.

Both sides of the industry agreed with the Government that it would be better for the inquiry to be held in private.

When the right hon. Gentleman says "both sides of the industry", does he mean that the trade unions, which are represented by a very small minority on the Wage Fixing Council, have agreed to this procedure? Is he not aware that there have been statements from the trade unions, which have an important part to play in this inquiry, that they wish to have the opportunity to state their case in public so that the people of the area may judge what the causes of the dispute are?

My understanding is that the parties concerned have all agreed that the inquiry should be in private.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Europeans and Africans, respectively, killed during the recent disturbances in Nyasaland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Europeans and Africans, respectively, have now been killed in Nyasaland in this year's disturbances; and how many of them were women.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Europeans, Asians and Africans, respectively, have been killed in Nyasaland since the state of emergency was declared.

Since the reply I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 19th March the Governor has reported that a further two Africans have been killed, which brings the total of Africans killed since the emergency, I am sorry to say, to 52, including one woman. There have been no fatal European or Asian casualties.

Is not it rather extraordinary that the figures show that not a European has been killed in Nyasaland although the Colonial Secretary indicated in his statement to the House that there was a massacre plot to eliminate all Europeans in that country? Will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that the Commission of Inquiry which he is sending to Nyasaland will have an opportunity to investigate the circumstances in which the killings of Africans took place, and in particular the circumstances surrounding the killing of the woman?

The terms of reference, which I clearly announced to the House, refer to the disturbances and the events leading up to them. I have nothing to add to them, but I should have thought that hon. Members could read into them a clear indication of the scope of the inquiry.

While we are all ready to leave it to the Commission of Inquiry, does not the Colonial Secretary think it rather remarkable, in view of what has been said, that although there are scores, if not hundreds, of Europeans living in isolated communities throughout the length and breadth of Nyasaland, as far as we know very few of them, if any, have been attacked, although I think one or two have been stoned, and there have certainly been no attempts at massacre?

Nobody would wish to make the work of the inquiry more difficult, and I have no desire to do so, but I must point out that it is the Government's view and the Governor's view that action was taken in time to stop the tragedy that might well have ensued.

As there are only 8,000 Europeans in the population of nearly 3 million in Nyasaland, does the right hon. Gentleman really ask the House to believe that if a massacre had been planned that small number of Europeans among the large African population would not have suffered to a greater degree than they have during recent days?

I am sure the whole House will rejoice—it certainly should rejoice—that no Europeans or Asians have been killed, while we all deplore the loss of African life. I have nothing to add to what I said before, and that is that it was by nipping it in the bud that the trouble was averted.

Will people who have complaints to make against the security forces in connection with the shooting of the 52 Africans have the right to be heard by the Commission of Inquiry?

Something must, after all, be left to the Commission of Inquiry. I hope, as I have said, to make a statement today if I possibly can or, failing that, to issue a statement as soon as possible dealing with certain aspects of the Commission's work. Obviously, I cannot do the work of the Commission for it, and a great deal must be left to the Commission itself to settle. I cannot undertake to make a statement today, and I would not want to mislead the House. I am making every effort to make a statement, but it was said yesterday that if that is not possible the House as a whole would understand.

Will the Colonial Secretary accept the assurance that we know he will try to make a statement as he has promised to do so? None of us on this side of the House wants to make the work of the Commission more difficult, but the right hon. Gentleman will realise that there is to some extent a test of credibility in what the House and the country have so far been told about the massacre.

Certainly, Sir. I agree.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the complaints of police action against Africans connected with the Church of Scotland Mission, Blantyre, Nyasaland.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 10th March to the hon. Member for Lanarkshire, North (Miss Herbison) and other hon. Members, to whicth at the moment I have nothing to add. I hope the hon. Member will put the Question down again for early answer after the Easter Recess.

Why should there be this long delay? Is the Secretary of State aware that, since he made the statement, the well-respected missionary on the spot, the Reverend Andrew Doig, has made a detailed statement reported in the Scotsman on 14th March of what took place, saying that the boys were walking normally from their classrooms to their dormitories and that the police attacked the boys and not the boys the police? Is not it clear that the authorities are delaying the matter in order to cover up admitting a tragic blunder?

No, it is quite the reverse. I am exceedingly anxious that this statement should be fair to all concerned, and so I am having rechecks made. It might take a form rather surprising to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations he has received to date from Nyasaland or from this country in respect of incidents at the Blantyre Mission; and if he will state the result of his examination of the conflicting evidence in his possession.

I have received several letters which have included references to the incidents at the Blantyre Mission on 23rd February. No representations have reached me from Nyasaland.

As regards the second part of the Question, I hope the hon. Member will put the Question down again for early answer after the Easter Recess.

While, of course, appreciating the reply to the latter part of the Question, which is the same as that given in the reply to a previous Question, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has received any representations from ecclesiastical bodies in this country and Scotland?

I have had a very great number of communications on this matter of varying kinds and of different views.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to ensure freedom of newspapermen reporting the emergency in Nyasaland from threats of violence by the special police being employed in the Protectorate.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 12th March, 1959.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there have been allegations of violence against journalists and allegations of unnecessary restrictions on their movements? Is he aware that the whole world is watching what we are doing in Nyasaland and that it is tremendously important for our own good name that journalists reporting the incidents there should have the fullest possible freedom to see what is being done?

We are naturally anxious hat there should be good and objective reporting on what is going on. During the first 48 hours of the emergency, as the hon. Member will understand, the organisation and arrangements for looking after the Press had not been very highly developed. Having been a newspaperman myself in circumstances of that kind, I know how difficult it can sometimes be.

Is it now possible for newspapermen to travel throughout the length and breadth of Nyasaland and get to the Northern Provinces and up to Nkata Bay?

I should want notice of that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the recent statement of Sir Robert Armitage, the Governor of Nyasaland, that Africans must have an elected majority in the Legislative Council of the territory, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the relevant passage from a statement which the Governor made on 7th March in answer to a question from a reporter and which is not reflected with complete accuracy in the hon. Member's Question.

There is nothing in this statement which is out of harmony with my own line of thought but the hon. Member will understand that the recent disturbances have made it for the time being impossible to take the final steps in determining the exact nature of the next stage in Nyasaland constitutional advance.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this statement is on similar lines to that made by the Governor of Tanganyika? In view of the way Tanganyika is making its constitutional change, would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that Nyasaland, a similar Colony, could follow in a similar way and look forward to a constitution with an African elected majority?

I am certainly not saying that it is impossible—far from it. But I suggest that the hon. Member should read the Governor's statement, which he does not appear as yet to have fully read.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to ensure continuity of educational work in Nyasaland during the state of emergency.

The restoration of law and order is a necessary pre-requisite for the full resumption of normal education, but I am sure that the Governor is taking all practicable steps to ensure that it is being carried on to the greatest extent possible in present circumstances.

Is the Minister aware that three graduates, who were teachers in the Church of Scotland service in Blantyre, are amongst those arrested, and that many other teachers have been arrested, although they were known to be moderating influences in African nationalist politics? Will the Minister try to ensure that educational work, which is so important for the long-term future of Nyasaland, is restored to normal as quickly as possible?

According to my information, only one African woman teacher has been detained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Elections in Northern Rhodesia.

Out of a total of 30 seats, 22 fell to be filled by elections. Two candidates were returned unopposed. 18 seats were contested. There were no nominations for two seats; the by-elections will be held on 9th April.

The state of the parties is:

• United Federal Party—13 seats.
• Central African Party—3 seats.
• African National Congress—1 seat.
• Dominion Party—1 seat.
• Independents—2 seats.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reason why two seats were not contested was the ridiculous provision that candidates had to have two-thirds of the Chiefs supporting their candidature and that this was impossible to achieve at a time when rains made transport conditions impossible? Will he give an undertaking that he will not allow the Governor to give in to the pressure from Sir Roy Welensky's party with regard to the appointment of the Ministers and that the Governor will retain responsibility for that?

The Governor is sending me a full report about the elections, and it will include, in particular, a report on the provision for the Chiefs' veto. Four of the six candidates in four of the six constituencies succeeded in obtaining the required certificates, and three candidates have done so for each of the two by-elections. With regard to the second part of the supplementary question, the Governor's powers remain as I defined them when I told the House about the new constitution, and he will exercise them in the proper way.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who the two African Ministers will be? Failing their names, can he confirm whether they will be members of Sir Roy Welensky's party, the U.F.P.? If so, it will mean that they have been elected mainly by European votes and will be speaking in the Chamber not on behalf of the people who sent them there. Indeed, they will be opposed by the Africans.

The last supplementary question from the Opposition benches asked me to ensure that the Governor made up his own mind. I am now being asked to make it up for him. He will make up his own mind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how the two Ministers will be chosen? If they are nominated by the U.F.P., obviously the Governor will then accept the decision of the leader of the majority party.

The Governor has made no statement yet, and I am not going to anticipate his statement. He will follow precisely the constitutional arrangements arrived at and clearly laid down, which were described to the House at the time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the recommendation of the Griffin Commission on the deaths and injuries caused by firearms in the Gwembe district of Northern Rhodesia, contained in Section 25 (2) of its report, concerning the early payment of tribal compensation, has yet been carried out.

No, Sir. It is at present under discussion between the Territorial and Federal Governments.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that it is three years since we settled the question of individual compensation at £300,000, and that only £60,000 has been paid out so far? Why should there be such delay in settling the problem of tribal compensation, especially as the British Government are guaranteeing the loans paid to the Federal Power Board for carrying out the Kariba scheme?

The hon. Gentleman must appreciate that, while compensation for immediate loss and inconvenience can and is being paid out, tribal compensation looks to the future and is being applied to development schemes, and those naturally take some time to work out.

Is it possible to indicate to the Africans some date at which they might expect the matter to be settled?

It must await the conclusion of the discussions between the Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many applications for sites to build clubs and hotels on the northern shore of Lake Kariba have been received by the Lake Kariba Coordinating Committee.

Applications have been received for one club site and four hotel sites.

Will the hon. Gentleman keep in mind that this huge inland lake will be the scene of great commercial and social activity in Central Africa and that in many ways we are starting ab initio? Will he use all his influence to see, as far as he can, that the colour bar is abandoned?

We shall do everything we can, both there and throughout the area, to diminish colour bars, in so far as they still exist.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has considered the constitutional proposals submitted by the Zambia African National Congress of Northern Rhodesia; and if he will make a statement.

Before the Zambia African National Congress was declared an unlawful association t had received through the Governor from the then President a letter containing proposals for a new constitution.

There is no question at present of revising the existing constitution which came into force only on 24th January.

Whatever one's views of the policies or tactics of the Zambia Congress, does not the Congress have considerable support among Africans? Did not it do the proper thing in submitting the constitutional proposals for change through the right channel, unfortunately being met with repressive measures on account of allegations about which there are very grave doubts? Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the repressive measures taken against the Zambia Congress and at any rate give a reasonable and considered reply to the proposals put forward?

Certainly not. There is every evidence from Northern Rhodesia that the declaration of this organisation as an illegal organisation has been hailed with great delight and relief by the mass of Africans.

Is this evidence any stronger than that produced in the White Paper about the massacre plot?

The evidence is overwhelming. I ask the hon. Member to keep in touch with opinion in Northern Rhodesia.

May we have a White Paper on that?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement regarding future constitutional advance for the Bahamas.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the constitutional changes proposed in the statement made in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher) at the conclusion of my visit to the Bahamas last April. I made a further statement, published in the Bahamas last month, in amplification of certain points.

The Bill embodying these changes is now before the local Legislature. In the circumstances, I should prefer not to make any more detailed statement just at the moment.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that all the informed opinion which comes out of the islands would say that the present constitution is intolerable and that for the sake of future harmony it needs to be very much liberalised to get the consent and support of the mass of the people in the Bahamas?

Naturally, I follow very closely what is happening, and I am anxious and determined that the arrangements arrived at should reflect the spirit and the letter of what was agreed when I was in the Bahamas.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take note of the necessity for an independent commission to arrange the boundaries of any new constituencies so that they will not be subject to political pressure?

That is very important indeed. I quite agree.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many hospital beds and school places are available in British North Borneo, Sarawak and Brunei, respectively; and what is the expenditure per head for these services in each of these territories.

I have asked the Governors and High Commissioner for the information and will write to the hon. Member when I have it.

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply. Is anything being done to try to co-ordinate the educational and hospital services of these three territories?

That raises a rather different issue, but I will look into that, too.

asked the Prime Minister following his conversations with President Eisenhower, to what extent it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to support the stationing of a United Nations force of observers in East and West Berlin.

I have nothing to add to what I said to the right hon. and learned Gentleman yesterday.

In view of the persistent reports that the proposal associated with the United Nations for the solution of the Berlin problem is likely to be dropped, may we have an assurance from the Prime Minister that this proposal will be included in the discussions that are to take place in Washington next week?

No, Sir. I would rather not go into the details of what we are to discuss with our Allies.

asked the Prime Minister what agreements he reached with the President of the United States of America concerning economic assistance to the countries of Southern Asia.

We had some discussion about the importance of economic assistance to under-developed countries, but no specific agreements were considered.

Does not the Prime Minister agree that the rapid economic development of Southern Asia, and particularly India, is as important to the West as a solution to the grave problems of Central Europe, and can he assure the House that the Government will give every encouragement and support to the proposals now under consideration by the American Administration and Congress?

As the hon. Gentleman will realise, my time was limited, and the points discussed centred round certain urgent questions. He will also note that Her Majesty's Government have long shown the importance which they attach to the extension of economic assistance to Southern Asia, either in connection with the Colombo Plan or otherwise. The United States has also contributed on a great scale in Southern Asia for a considerable number of years. All these matters are very much in our minds.

Will not the Prime Minister consider my hon. Friend's suggestion, as this is a very urgent matter and of great importance to the West? Will he further consider that the aid given through United Nations machinery is more welcomed by these countries, and will not the Government do something to increase the resources placed at the disposal of the United Nations?

That is a particular method. I fully agree about the importance of this, but I think the right hon. Gentleman will also agree about the very great contribution made both by this country in relation to our resources and by the United States. Any question of the precise machinery for any new effort is another matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will propose that the Summit Conference should study the possibility of limiting and controlling the supply of arms to the Middle East.

Until the nature and scope of any possible Summit Conference is known it would be unwise to speculate about its agenda. Such matters would in any case have to be settled by discussion with our Allies and the Soviet Government.

Cannot the Prime Minister apply the insight which he so recently acquired into possible solutions of the European problem to the very similar problems of the Middle East? Would not he agree that the dangerous absurdity of current policy is well illustrated by the fact that at present one Arab State is threatening to use weapons supplied by Britain to fight for Communism against another Arab State which has been armed by Russia?

All these are very grave questions. I was answering a Question whether I would say what would be the agenda for the Summit Conference, and I am afraid that I am not in a position to do so.

Did the Prime Minister discuss the Middle East in his talks with Mr. Khrushchev?

No, Sir.

Will my right hon. Friend repudiate the attempt by the Opposition to widen the terms of reference of the forthcoming summit talks, which would make it less likely than ever that any satisfactory agreement will be reached?

I think it is a good thing to try to do one thing at a time.