asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how Commonwealth Day was celebrated in the Colonies, Protectorates, Protected States, Trusteeship Territories, and other dependencies; and whether he will make a statement.

Commonwealth Day has been widely celebrated in Colonial Territories, particularly among school children and young people. The message of the President of the Commonwealth Day Movement was read out at youth rallies, and similar events, and sports days and other functions were arranged.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many immigrants from the Colonies have arrived in this country during the last six months; and what steps have been taken to encourage them to live in areas best fitted to provide them with homes and employment.

The estimated total of arrivals from all Colonial Territories in the six months ending 30th April was some 11,500; for the same period the estimated total of departures was some 7,500. The net intake was thus some 4,000. These figures include students and temporary visitors.

The local offices of the Ministry of Labour endeavour to place immigrants in the most suitable areas. In particular, information about employment prospects is given to the Migrant Services Division of the Commission for the West Indies. This provides intending immigrants from the Caribbean territories with guidance about relevant aspects of conditions in the United Kingdom.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many of this small number are women and families who are joining men who have come to this country?

I cannot say offhand, but I will certainly look into that point and let the hon. Member know.

I hope that my hon. Friend will be able to follow up the question of the hon. Gentleman. Do these researches confirm that the latest figures for West Indian immigrants to this country reveal a higher percentage of women and children in relation to men than in previous years, and, if so, would my hon. Friend agree that this is a welcome trend in achieving a more balanced migrant population and, consequently, in lessening the friction arising from the association of coloured men and white girls?

I will certainly look into the point. It is also the case that the estimate I have given is about one-third of the estimate of the previous six months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will appoint, either on his own authority or in conjunction with the West Indian Government, more welfare workers to the North Kensington area.

My right hon. Friend has no authority to appoint welfare workers in North Kensington. The appointment of such workers by authorities in the United Kingdom is a matter for local authorities.

But the Commissioner in the United Kingdom for The West Indies, British Guiana and British Honduras, has expanded the Migrant Services Division of his Office to promote the welfare of immigrants both in North Kensington and in other areas where there are concentrations of West Indian immigrants.

The Commissioner has recently appointed four regional community development officers, two based on London, and the other two on Birmingham and Sheffield to assist the integration of West Indian immigrants into the local communities. My right hon. Friend and I are, of course, in close touch with the Commissioner.

Is four the total of the increase during the last six months or so?

My impression is that it is an increase of four.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many affidavits have been forwarded to him from European ex-prison officers or ex-prisoners with detailed descriptions of allegations of ill-treatment of Africans in Kenya prisons and detention camps.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will inform the House of the results of the investigation into the affidavit by Mr. V. C. Shuter, a Kenya prison officer, and make copies of the report available to hon. Members.

Four affidavits have been sent to me. Investigations into the allegations contained in three of them are not yet complete, but I have now received copies of the report into Mr. Shuter's allegations, which shows them to be almost entirely without foundation. Since the report is too long to summarise here, I am placing copies in the Library, and will also send a copy to my hon. Friend and any other hon. Member who so wishes.

Is it not the fact that investigations into Mr. Shuter's allegation revealed serious ill-treatment of detainees at Manyani and, in view of this, will the Colonial Secretary arrange for the fullest possible public inquiry into the allegations made by Major Bird and Captain Law?

The investigations published in the report now laid before the House show how thorough were the inquiries and how almost entirely unfounded were the charges on which hon. Members opposite based their case in the debate on 24th February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent it is still the intention of the Kenya Government, as announced by the Governor in his speech to the Kenya Legislative Council on 4th November, 1958, to enact permanent legislation under which persons will continue to be imprisoned or restricted without trial after the present state of emergency has been declared at an end; whether it is still his intention to establish a settlement at Hola for this purpose; and whether he is now able to give any particulars of the proposed legislation.

Detention and restriction without trial will continue for so long as they are strictly required by the exigencies of the situation in Kenya. The legal provisions for this purpose are still under consideration. Those who have to be held will be kept at Hola, because in this area it is possible to allow them the maximum personal liberty without danger to security.

Is it not a fact that in his speech on 4th November His Excellency the Governor foreshadowed permanent legislation for detention without trial? Is not this a new and extremely sinister departure from what has hitherto happened in any Colony for which we are responsible?

There is nothing sinister in this, it is related solely to the preservation of law and order in Kenya. I would be very ready to place in the Library the statement that His Excellency the Governor actually made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if ex-Senior Chief Mbiyu Koinange will now be released from restrictions in Kenya to enable him to join his sons in Great Britain.

I have discussed this with the Governor, who would be ready to agree that in this exceptional case ex-Senior Chief Koinange, who is a very old man, might be permitted to join his sons in this country if he wished and if the medical authorities considered that at his advanced age he could safely do so.

May I thank the Colonial Secretary for that concession? May I hope that this will bring to an end the vindictive treatment that this old man has received.

I could not allow the charge of vindictive treatment to pass unnoticed. I have nothing to add to the Answer which I have given.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the amount of money spent on European, Asian, and African education in Kenya in the financial years 1956–57, 1957–58, and 1958–59, and the estimated amount to be spent in 1959–60.

I am obtaining this information and will circulate a further reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does not the Undersecretary of State think that one of the best ways of improving race relations is better education? In view of the shortage of teachers, especially for Africans, will my hon. Friend see whether closed circuit television can be installed in schools as soon as possible?

I will look into my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much money has been spent on improvement schemes for agriculture in Kenya in the financial years 1956–57, 1958–59, and 1959–60.

Gross expenditure on agricultural development in Kenya in the financial year 1956–57 was just under £3 million. Estimated expenditure in the years 1958–59 and 1959–60 is £5¼ million and £3½ million.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him to press on with these schemes, in view of the fact that Kenya has no mineral resources and that this is the best form of development?

I very much agree with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will urge the Hong Kong Government to remove their ban on the employment of outside doctors in their medical department, in view of the difficulty of filling the large number of existing vacancies from among local Chinese doctors.

There is no ban on the employment of outside doctors in the Hong Kong medical department. The policy in filling all posts in the public service is to give priority to suitably qualified local candidates, and only if vacancies cannot be filled from this source is the Colonial Office asked to recruit.

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that the Chinese doctors are not exercising the preference claim which they have been given to employment in the public service because they find private practice so remunerative? Is he aware that as a result there is hesitancy about the employment of Commonwealth and other doctors and that consequently the medical department in Hong Kong is being deprived of the necessary number of doctors to carry on the service efficiently?

The latest information I have is that there are 50 vacancies for medical officers, 40 of which it is hoped to fill from the 45 graduates who recently passed their doctors' examination at Hong Kong University.

Are they Chinese?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now able to make a further statement about the future of the Southern Cameroons; and what alternatives Her Majesty's Government wish to be offered to the people of the Southern Cameroons when they decide on the future constitutional status of their country.

No, Sir. Her Majesty's Government continue to hope that the political leaders in the Southern Cameroons will reach agreement on the questions to be put in next year's plebiscite before the matter is dealt with by the United Nations General Assembly this autumn.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, to say the least, it is very important that all practical alternatives should be put before the people of the Southern Cameroons? If there be no agreement among the political parties locally, is it not the duty of the right hon. Gentleman to use his influence with Her Majesty's Government representative at the United Nations General Assembly in a certain direction, and would not the best direction be to say that all practical alternatives should be put to the people?

I think it is generally agreed that integration as a separate region with Nigeria would be one choice. The difference is whether the alternative should be joining the French Cameroons or a Trusteeship for a further period before the final decision. The hon. Gentleman knows well enough that the final decision does not rest with Her Majesty's Government alone and it is important that we should, if possible, get agreement in the Southern Cameroons which would strengthen our hand in attempting to secure the best possible result by friendly effort.

Would not my right lion. Friend agree that if the people of the Southern Cameroons are unable to make up their minds and wish to vote again in about five years' time, they should be given that opportunity?

That is probably so, but it is very important to get agree- ment in the Southern Cameroons if that be possible. The Government would be prepared for a period of continuing Trusteeship. There are also disadvantages in this course which are not lost on the leaders in the Southern Cameroons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what discussions have taken place with the Government of the Southern Cameroons about the provision by the United Kingdom of financial aid and of staff to assist in development.

No special discussions have been held, but the Southern Cameroons are receiving substantial help under the Colonial Development and Welfare Acts. The public service there is at present staffed by secondment from the Federal public service.

Having regard to the indication given by the right hon. Gentleman in the 1957 Constitutional Conference that we should be prepared to give continuing aid if they have opted to remain under our Trusteeship, would not he agree that at the same time it is important to consider the question of staff in the subsequent period?

Of course it is, and at the moment, through being able to draw on the Federal public service, the Southern Cameroons are in a far stronger position than if they were on their own.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the unemployment situation in Northern Rhodesia, giving the number of African and European unemployed, respectively; and what steps are being taken by the Government of Northern Rhodesia to remedy the situation.

There is no comprehensive system of unemployment registration in Northern Rhodesia. It is thus impossible to state accurately the number of unemployed. Unemployment amongst Europeans has caused concern; but is not now considered to be particularly serious. There has been an increase in the number of Africans seeking work in urban areas since early 1958. New work permits are not being issued to Africans from outside the Federation. Other measures include increased facilities at Government employment exchanges; and the maintenance of development and capital works programmes at as high a level as possible, particularly in rural areas in the Northern and Western Provinces.

Is the Minister satisfied that a sufficient effort is being made to obtain diversity of employment in Northern Rhodesia instead of allowing the area to be so completely dependent on the production of copper? Is he satisfied that the Rhodesian Government are making a sufficient effort in that direction?

I am sure that they are. The difficulty is to find a market, in Northern Rhodesia or outside, for the new goods produced in the Territory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how far permits are now necessary for the transfer of funds from Mauritius to Formosa; and why he authorised the transfer of funds amounting to 20,000 Formosan dollars in September, 1952.

Specific permits from the Mauritius Exchange Control are necessary for the transfer of funds from residents of the sterling area to nonresidents, including non-residents who are in Formosa, for the same types of transaction as require such permits in the United Kingdom. The answer to the second part of the Question is that no such authority was given.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this Question reflects a grave issue not only regarding Mauritius but in international relations? Is he aware that the report of the Seventh National Conference stated that Mr. Ah-Chuen, a nominated member of the Legislative Council, presented this sum for the military purposes of the National Government in Formosa? In view of the fact that we have recognised the People's Republic, does this mean that we can accept a contribution from a nominated member of the Legislative Council for military purposes against the Government which we have recognised?

I have heard such allegations but, so far as I know, they have not been supported. The hon. Member should be careful not to let himself be made a vehicle for Communist propaganda.

In view of the implications contained in the answer of the hon. Gentleman, which are completely unjustified, I give notice that I shall endeavour to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans are proposed for establishing a nuclear base at Chaguaramas in Trinidad.

I am not aware of any such plans.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is great disquiet in Trinidad about the effect of fallout from atomic experiments on the mainland of America and fears regarding the position at Chaguaramas? Can the right hon. Gentleman give a more definite denial than is suggested in his answer?

I have answered the Question on the Order Paper. I believe that the hon. Gentleman greatly exaggerates any anxiety. What has happened is that a tracking station has been built which can in no way be regarded as a nuclear base.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements for accommodation were made by his officers for counsel who appeared on behalf of the Nyasaland detainees before the Devlin Commission.

None. Sir, nor did counsel request such assistance.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that one of the counsel, a barrister from Ghana, was refused accommodation in all the hotels in a town in Southern Rhodesia, when he sought to visit prisons? Is it not the duty of the Government to give aid to counsel engaged on behalf of the Nyasaland detainees?

The hon. Member surely knows enough about the position not to put a question to us about Southern Rhodesia.

While bearing in mind that it is; not the kind of question to put to the Minister, the hon. Gentleman says that there is a partnership in Southern Rhodesia. Why does he not illustrate that by protesting strongly against this discrimination between European and African lawyers?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) how many of the persons now detained under the Nyasaland emergency regulations have appealed to the Advisory Committee; how many cases have been adjudicated by the Committee; in how many cases the Committee has recommended release; and how many of such recommendations have been accepted by the Governor;

(2) how many of the persons now detained under the Nyasaland emergency regulations have appealed to the Governor; and how many of such appeals have been allowed, and how many dismissed.

Fifty-six detainees have appealed to the Advisory Committee. The Committee has considered 53 of these cases and has recommended conditional release in 18 of them. The Governor has accepted the Committee's recommendations in 10 cases and six are under consideration. The Governor has had appeals from 152 detainees. Nine of these have been allowed, 44 are under consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to ensure that at the time when detention orders are served on any of the persons detained under Nyasaland regulations they shall be fully informed of their right of appeal to the Governor and to the Advisory Committee?

Yes. I have been particularly anxious that that should be so. All who are in Southern Rhodesian detention from Northern territories have been told in writing of their right of appeal, and all those in Nyasaland have been told orally through camp commandants. I am quite satisfied that everybody knows.

Does the right hon. Gentleman also realise that on the detention form served on detainees there is nothing to indicate what are their rights of appeal? Does he not think that the forms might be altered so that detainees could be fully informed of their rights when they are detained?

I am very ready to look at that suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the franchise in Zanzibar at present is only open to male Zanzibari subjects over 21 years of age born in the island; and whether he will consider extension of the franchise to residents of Zanzibar who have been on the island five years or more.

The franchise in Zanzibar is not confined to persons born in the Protectorate. Naturalised Zanzibar subjects are also eligible for the vote, and one of the conditions for naturalisation is that a person should have resided in Zanzibar for the 12 months immediately preceding the date of application and for four of the seven years immediately preceding this period of 11 months.

With regard to the second part of the Question, therefore, a person who had resided for five consecutive years in Zanzibar would be eligible to become a Zanzibar subject and to receive the vote, provided, of course, he qualified in other respects.

Was it not the case that Abeid Karume, who is likely to be the Chief Minister of Zanzibar when the island becomes independent, was objected to at the last election because his father had come from Nyasaland more than forty years ago?

Someone must also be qualified otherwise, as the hon. Gentleman well knows, to become a Zanzibar subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals the Protectorate Government of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland have in mind for more self-government in the African townships.

In Nyasaland there are no townships which can be described as "African townships," with the possible exception of Soche, which is a high density residential area adjoining the Blantyre-Limbe township. Soche is in its early development stage and is, in consequence, under Central Government control through a nominated local authority. The local authority includes two African members. In Northern Rhodesia, African townships are already self-governing. For African housing areas within local authority areas, area boards and African affairs committees, both with African members, are now being established.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that these so-called committees are merely advisory councils, usually with a European commissioner sitting as chairman, and that they have no power in a real sense? Would it not be better to give them power since, like Europeans, the Africans need some apprenticeship in local government so as to fit them to take part in national affairs?

This is a big step forward which I hope will be successful. I must point out to the hon. Gentleman that both committees and boards can have extra powers delegated to them by the authorities.

But they are not delegated to them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a further statement on the situation in Uganda.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a further statement on the present situation in Uganda.

Since my hon. Friend's answer on 2nd June, the Governor has reported that a riot took place at Katwe on Thursday, 4th June. I am circulating in the Official Report the text of the Uganda Government's statement on it. Apart from this, there have been no riots or other disturbances in Buganda, although incidents of assault, intimidation and felling of coffee trees by Uganda National Movement supporters have continued in the rural areas of Buganda.

Whilst I admit that the situation in Uganda is confused, will the Colonial Secretary bear in mind that the action taken by the authorities in Uganda has contributed to the unrest and that the high-handed action taken in arresting the moderate political leaders is almost as deplorable as the action taken some years ago when the Kabaka was deported? Will the right hon. Gentleman not see that there is a legitimate allowance made for political organisations in Buganda as well as outside, so that we can reach again an opportunity for peaceful political progress?

The action taken by the authorities has been at all times designed and limited towards bringing about a restoration of law and order, and I hope that anybody who is in Uganda or goes to Uganda, even if they go from outside, from the United Kingdom, will bear this need in mind.

In view of the very difficult situation in Uganda at present, will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it may be rather unrealistic to carry on discussions about the form of the Legislature while neglecting more constructive proposals and the more general discussion of the future of Uganda as a whole?

No, Sir. People in the rest of Uganda are very anxious that further progress should be made in Uganda as a whole. It is, however, of first importance to remember that Buganda, though a very important place, is not the whole of Uganda. The need in Buganda is the restoration of law and order and the resumption of Buganda partnership in the Legislative Council. These seem to be essential preliminaries to any progress.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the award of improved salaries to labour grade officers granted by the Malta Arbitration Tribunal in December last has not yet been implemented, that the dispute which led up to this arbitration continued for six years, that the delay is creating uncertainty about legitimate pension rights, and destroying faith in the industrial machinery; and if he will take steps to operate the award immediately.

This award was implemented in full on 5th June.

Is not a delay of six years in dealing with an industrial dispute sufficient to break the patience of a Job? Are we not by this delay doing more to destroy the negotiating machinery than by anything else we could do? It provokes men in a position such as this to strike and to destroy the industrial machinery.

I am one of the Jobs in this case. The dispute arose during the life of the old Maltese Government. It was not until the Governor took over the administration of Malta that the matter went to arbitration.

But the award was given in December of last year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what commercial work has been done in the ship-repairing yards in Malta since the takeover; what steps have been taken to introduce new industries into Malta; and what inquiries have been received from commercial firms requiring sites.

I have asked the Governor for this information and, when he replies, I shall circulate the answer in the Official Report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is yet in a position to state his plans designed to reduce crimes of violence.

The White Paper on Penal Practice in a Changing Society indicated my plans for combating crime generally, including violent crime.

In order to reduce the number of crimes of violence, what steps is the Home Secretary taking to classify them with a view to diagnosing the causes and treating the disease at its causes?

I think there is quite a reasonable answer to that question in that the Cambridge Department of Criminal Science, which we hope to develop into the Institute of Criminology, is already studying crimes of Violence in the Metropolis. A first instalment of the report is expected this summer. It will help us to study crime in this area. We hope to widen the study a little further, which, we hope, will bring us further information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will set up a departmental committee to inquire into the relationship between crimes of violence and the visual presentation of violence in television and films.

No, Sir. I do not think that examination of this question can usefully be separated from study of the causes of crime generally; and I believe that the causes of crime can more effectively be studied by research than by ad hoc inquiry by a committee.

Has the Home Secretary noticed the interesting coincidence that the relatively low level of crimes of violence in Scotland occurs in a community where the ratio of television sets to the general population is one in seven, whereas in England, where relatively there are more crimes of adolescent violence, the ratio is one in five? In view of the general bewilderment, as to the cause of crimes of violence, will the Home Secretary consider the possible relevance between the unbridled presentation of violence on television and the actual rise of crimes of violence in England?

I would not necessarily accept a description of the relative virtues of Scotland and England on the lines described by the hon. Member, but I realise that this is a very serious matter. I would not accept the absolute view of the ill effects of all television, although there may be some evil effects. This is part of the general research we are undertaking and, if the hon. Member can send me any information, I shall be very glad to receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many attacks with violence have taken place in the last twelve months involving wage snatching, banks, post offices and all other categories, respectively; what were the figures for each of the previous five years separately; if he is satisfied that the present punishments are adequate to act as a deterrent; what fresh action he proposes to take; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that the information for which my hon. Friend asks is not available. The Criminal Statistics are not classified according to the nature of the victim of offences of breaking and robbery. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the penalties provided by law for offences of this kind are adequate. They include maxima of life imprisonment for robbery with violence and fourteen years for robbery and for breaking offences where a felony has been committed. My right hon. Friend's proposals for dealing with crime generally were indicated in the White Paper on Penal Practice in a Changing Society, and he will continue to pursue the lines of action described there.

May I ask two questions? When he speaks of life penalties being imposed, can my hon. and learned Friend tell us how many people have actually served a life sentence? Is that not a misnomer? As my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary said in answer to a previous Question that the first report of the Cambridge Department of Criminal Science would be received this summer, will it not be received in time for action to be taken on it before the next General Election?

I should like to have notice of both those questions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the different obligations, under his regulations, on prisoners in open prisons, who give an undertaking, express or implied, not to attempt escape, and prisoners in other prisons who give no such undertaking, and also about the subsequent treatment and punishment in prison of each type of such prisoner who attempt to escape or who actually escape and are recaptured.

All prisoners are well aware that it is an offence under the Prison Rules to escape or attempt to escape from any prison, whether closed or open. No prisoners are required to give an undertaking not to try to escape. The punishment of prisoners who escape or try to escape is at the discretion of the appropriate disciplinary authority, subject to the general provisions of the Prison Rules as to maximum punishments. A prisoner who escapes from an open prison would normally be returned to a closed prison.

Is it not the case that prisoners are put into open prisons because there are greater prospects in their case of their returning to good citizenship than in the case of the others? They are put on their word not to escape, while others give no undertaking not to escape. Why are those who escape from open prisons treated differently from those who escape from closed prisons?

It is broadly true to say that men sent to open prisons are those considered as more promising from a reformative point of view; indeed, the success rate is higher in regard to the men discharged from open prisons than from closed prisons. No undertakings are obtained from prisoners who go to open prisons. In any event, they are committing an offence if they try to escape.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that members of local authorities charged with civil defence responsibilities are granted all facilities to view the conduct of exercises.

I am sure that local authorities responsible for civil defence exercises are very willing to afford such facilities when they can.

Is the hon. Lady aware—I am sure she is—that I recently drew the attention of the Secretary of State to a case where there appears to be an exclusion of a member of a local authority on grounds of political prejudice? Will the Department make it clear to local authorities that all members of local authorities who have responsibilities should at all times be given access to the exercises under their charge?

I cannot accept the expression of prejudice raised by the hon. Member. A lot depends on where the exercise is held and whether it is in a confined place. The council nominated observers to go and, quite obviously, we could not interfere with the local authority and whom it nominated for its own functions. If the constituent of the hon. Member still feels he has a complaint to make, it should properly be directed to the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the amount of juvenile delinquency during each of the last ten years, indicating the causes and his plans for dealing with it.

I will, with permission circulate statistics of juvenile delinquency in the OFFICIAL REPORT. AS for the causes of delinquency and measures for dealing with it, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the White Paper on "Penal Practice in a Changing Society" (Cmd. 645).

In answer to the first part of the Question, does the hon. and learned Gentleman agree that punishment after the crime is only part of the problem and a great part of the problem is the ascertaining of predisposing causes, such as broken homes, greed, lust and things of that sort? What steps are the Government taking to ascertain those predisposing causes?

The causes of crime are greatly variable and some are imponderable. Some of them also are beyond the scope of Government action, but, if the hon. and learned Member studies the White Paper, he will find a section of it devoted to research, of which a great deal is going on. It is all set out in one of the appendices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to review existing penalties for criminal offences.

The penalties under the Larceny Act are included in the review of the law of larceny which I have asked the Committee on the Revision of the Criminal Law to undertake and a review of small statutory fines is in progress. Other penalties are considered as occasion arises, and in considering the legislation to amend the criminal law which comes forward from time to time I have in mind the question whether there should be any alteration in penalties.

Would the Home Secretary say, particularly in view of the debate yesterday in another place, whether he is proposing to reconsider the penalties for motoring offences, which many people consider too light?

I have said that a review of small statutory fines is in progress, and we have in mind a general review of the penalties to which the hon. Member has referred.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will report on his negotiations with the Commonwealth Governments for the repatriation of all Commonwealth citizens, irrespective of race, colour or creed, who are found guilty in the United Kingdom of criminal activities; and when he proposes to take the necessary action.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on this subject on 26th February.

Can my right hon. Friend say what good reason there can be for not repatriating criminals irrespective of the colour of their skin? Since the overwhelming number of people in the country feel that these people should be repatriated, does not the Home Secretary think something should be done about it quickly?

I have already expressed one view in public that there would be a considerable value in having the power of deportation provided it applied to all Commonwealth citizens regardless of colour, but I do not accept that there is universal support for this. As it would be a major change in our national policy, I should expect to get general support before I proceeded further with it.

Although my right hon. Friend says there is not universal support, surely if there is majority support a popular Government could act?

I do not anticipate legislation in this Session of Parliament, but, as this Government will undoubtedly have a long future before it in another incarnation, it might be possible to do something then.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been instituted during each of the past five years under Sections 136 and 137 of the Licensing Act, 1953, for selling or providing drink to a drunken person on licensed premises; and in how many of such cases convictions took place.

As the Answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that at the trial of Ronald Marwood it was stated that on the evening of the murder of Police Constable Summers, Marwood had had twenty drinks served to him, ten in a public house and nine or ten in a registered club? Could we have some assurance that incidents of this kind shall be followed up and the powers available to the authorities under these Sections really exercised so as to prevent tragic events of this kind being caused by men who to some extent must be under the influence of intoxicating drink?

It is rather difficult to reply to that fully in answer to the Question on the Order Paper, but my hon. Friend will recollect that there was no evidence at the trial that Marwood was drunk when he left the public house. It is not an offence to serve drinks even to a drunken person inside a club, where he then went. Indeed, Marwood himself at the trial denied that he was drunk, and the evidence of the police was that twenty minutes after the murder he did not appear to be other than sober.

When did the right hon. Gentleman's Department last draw the attention of the police forces to their powers under these Sections?

I should need notice of that Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the disappointment among prison officers at his failure to implement important recommendations in the Wynn-Parry Report on pay and conditions; and if he will make a statement in view of the unrest in the Prison Service.

The recommendations of the Wynn-Parry Committee relating to scales of pay, which will cost about £475,000 in a full year, were accepted as they stood and given retrospective effect to 1st January, 1958. Since then the Prison Officers' Association have made a claim for a further 3½ per cent, increase in pay. The Prison Commission has been unable to accept the argument that this is justified by the recommendation of the Committee about future movements in pay, and the issue is going to arbitration.

The only important recommendation of the Committee upon which agreement has not been reached is one relating to the remuneration of officers who have passed the promotion examination for principal officer but have not yet been promoted; this question is arbitrable.

Prison officers are loyally carrying out their difficult duties in very trying circumstances. I should be reluctant to believe that failure to reach agreement on one recommendation of the Committee, and on the new pay claim—both issues being arbitrable—has led to general disappointment; nor should it be allowed to obscure the substantial improvement in pay and conditions which has resulted from the Committee's Report.

While thanking the Home Secretary for what he said and while I appreciate his remarks about the prison officers, may I ask whether he can state why he has been unable to receive a deputation of the Prison Officers' Association on these matters when he is usually very courteous in matters of this sort? Is he not aware of the resentment, which seems to be unnecessary, at his refusal to meet them in what they believe to be genuine complaints?

Yes, Sir. I am glad to answer that question. The initial negotiations which took place with the prison officers were conducted by the Prison Commission on the Wynn-Parry recommendations and, as my Answer indicated, on the whole they have been successful. Then there was a request for me to see the prison officers, but, as I understood the position, the issues concerned were arbitrable and one issue, namely the 3½ per cent. increase, was going to arbitration, and I thought that it was not right for me to receive them at that time when the matter was at that stage. As soon as I can possibly arrange it and these inhibitions do not exist, I should very much like to see them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the concern felt in many quarters as to the expense which falls on persons who prove themselves innocent of a criminal charge; and if he will move for the setting up of a Select Committee to examine the problem and to make recommendations.

I stated the present position in reply to Questions on 4th June. I am studying the reactions to this statement, as well as other representations on the subject. I do not feel that it will be appropriate or necessary to refer the matter to a Select Committee.

If my right hon. Friend should change his mind on a matter which is causing a great deal of concern, will he bear in mind that the same problem is arising in the civil field in regard to matters involving assisted litigants and that we are reaching a situation in which a large number of people who are innocent are punished in the form of a heavy liability for costs?

I will make a note of that representation, too.

Does the Home Secretary realise that there is a great stigma attaching to a person who is acquitted on a criminal charge but has to pay his own costs? Will he bear in mind that, although the courts have a discretion in this matter, they rarely exercise it, owing to the doctrine of Lord Hewart and Lord Goddard when Lord Chief Justice? Does he not consider that the time is overdue for the practice of the courts on this subject to be overhauled in the interests of acquitted persons?

The hon. Member has rightly referred to Lord Goddard's statement in 1952. This was the view as put forward by the Attorney-General in the Labour Government in 1948 at the time of the Criminal Justice Bill. It was also put forward in a Circular from the Home Office. I am reviewing the present position against the background of these statements on the representations which I am receiving.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now give discretion to local authorities to remove from small back yards air-raid shelters erected during the last war, particularly in cases where the retention of such shelters militates against the improvement of the living accommodation.

My right hon. Friend is always prepared to agree to the removal of shelters if there are compelling reasons, such as the need to facilitate approved building development, but he thinks it is desirable to look at each case on its merits.

Is my hon. Friend aware that Liverpool Corporation, under its by-laws, is ordering the demolition of additions to dwellings such as bathrooms on the ground of inadequate air space while air-raid shelters of equal or greater size may remain? Is he aware that Liverpool Corporation on occasion gives permission for the occupier of a house to demolish the air-raid shelter at his own expense? Does not that vitiate the policy of the Home Department on the retention of these shelters?

Generally speaking, it is our policy to retain as many last-war shelters as possible. They are removed at public expense only if they are structurally unsound, if it is necessary to remove them on medical grounds or if the space is needed for building development. There are circumstances in which local authorities allow people to take them down at their own expense.

Is the Joint Undersecretary of State aware that the Liverpool Corporation is very anxious to remove some of the air-raid shelters in the large tenement areas which are spoiling any possibility of providing the open space which is necessary in a large industrial area? Will the hon. Lady look at this question again in order to see whether it is possible to remove some of these very unsightly and unhygienic shelters in the confines of local government authority tenement buildings.

If the hon. Lady has any particular ones in mind in her area, I shall be very happy to look at them.

Is the hon. Lady aware that this question has been raised on a number of occasions and that many local authorities are of the opinion that these shelters, whilst not structurally unsound, are merely breeding grounds for vermin? Why does the hon. Lady and the Home Office generally persist in the feeling that local authorities do not know their own business and that the man in Whitehall knows best?

Civil Defence is first the responsibility of the Government and not merely of local authorities. The Government believe that, outside areas of complete devastation, shelters would provide very useful protection if there were an emergency, which we all hope there will not be.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the shortage of male probation officers in the Becontree division; and whether he will take steps forthwith to increase the salaries of ordinary probation officers and the differentials of supervisory officers to meet this national need.

My right hon. Friend is aware of this shortage and much regrets it. On the recommendation of the Joint Negotiating Committee for the Probation Service, the salaries of all probation officers were increased last March with effect from 1st October, 1958. and no further increase is contemplated at present.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that in the Becontree division a great many boys have been sent to approved schools, although the magistrates would much prefer to place them on probation, merely because there are not enough probation officers in the area? This is a very unsatisfactory position, as well as being very expensive.

I agree that the position is unsatisfactory, and I am glad to be able to tell the hon. Gentleman that 56 men will have completed their training as probation officers by the end of this year. The needs of the Becontree division, and the fact that great opportunities for service arise there, will be brought to their attention. One cannot predict whether they will prefer to go to Becontree rather than elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Klaus Fuchs will complete the sentence of imprisonment which he is now serving; and whether he will then be allowed to leave this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Dr. Klaus Fuchs, on release from his present sentence of 14 years' imprisonment, will be permitted to leave the United Kingdom.

Allowing for normal remission, Klaus Fuchs will complete his sentence at the end of June. He was, on his conviction, a naturalised British subject, but he was thereafter deprived of his British Nationality. It will not be for Her Majesty's Government to determine where he should live after his discharge from prison.

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that the knowledge of secret affairs which this man once possessed is unlikely at this stage to be of any further value to potential enemies?

Yes. I have looked into this matter. I remind my hon. and gallant Friend that Fuchs has been out of touch with nuclear work for the ten years he has been in prison. Any knowledge he may have had when he went to prison is out of date, in view of the vast developments which have taken place in that field during the last ten years.

Whilst fully appreciating that Fuchs' knowledge must be now quite out of date, bearing in mind the fact that at the time of his arrest Fuchs was Deputy Chief Scientific Officer at Harwell and at the time of his trial was described by Sir Hartley Shawcross as "this brilliant scientist", is my right hon. Friend absolutely satis- fied that his brain will be of no future use to the Russians?

I cannot extend my influence as far as that. I can only give the information which I have been able to collect, and I do not think that it is possible to take any other course than that which we are now taking.

What powers would the right hon. Gentleman have to stop this man, or anyone else who is not actually under trial or conviction, leaving the country? Are there any powers to do it?

If Fuchs wishes to leave the country he could, in theory, as an alien be refused leave to embark under the Aliens Order. I should like to add that, as a matter of policy, it seems wrong in principle to attempt to use that power to prevent a man whom we have deprived of British nationality leaving the United Kingdom if he so desires.

As this man has been deprived of British nationality, is it not within the power of Her Majesty's Government to return him to his country of origin or to deport him in some way or another, because some of us at any rate feel that this was such a wicked case of ungratefulness and disloyalty that the country would be well rid of him?

I have investigated the answer to that question also. In law, Fuchs could be deported but no other country can be required to accept a stateless deportee. Therefore, the power of deportation is not effectively available in this case.

Is Fuchs' correct legal status that of an alien? Should he wish to remain in this country, would he have to go through the ordinary apparatus which any alien who wishes to remain here has to discharge in order to stay?

Yes. As I said in my earlier answer, Fuchs is in theory an alien.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent changes have been made in Government policy on evacuation of the civil population in the event of war; and what approaches he has made to Commonwealth countries with a view to securing their co-operation in this matter.

I cannot yet add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mr. Baird) on 19th February. There have been no approaches of the nature referred to in the second part of the Question.

How does the Home Secretary reconcile the second part of his Answer at any rate with some remarks which the Prime Minister made in Washington—incidentally, I addressed this Question originally to the Prime Minister—in which he said, referring to the possibility of a nuclear war, that he could not

"… ask for the approval of the evacuation of millions, many of them children, to far places of the Commonwealth until I have exhausted every other possibility."

Is the idea of evacuating people to the Commonwealth now the policy of the Government? If so, is it not a matter which the House ought to be allowed to discuss before it is announced by the Prime Minister?

The Prime Minister made the observations to which the hon. Gentleman referred, but we have since that date made no approaches to Commonwealth countries with a view to securing their co-operation in this matter. That is exactly how the situation stands.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drivers were convicted in 1957 and 1958 for failing to report an accident in which they were involved.

In 1957 the number of persons found guilty in Magistrates' Courts in England and Wales on charges of failing to stop after or to report an accident was 7,090. I regret that the figure for 1958 is not yet available.

Has the hon. and learned Gentleman taken note of the fact that the figures of hit-and-run drivers have risen from 6,360 in 1950 to 7,090 in 1957? Is he aware that under the Road Traffic Act hit-and-run drivers cannot even have their licences endorsed and certainly cannot have them cancelled? Is it not time that the provisions of the Road Traffic Act were examined again to increase the punishment that is imposed for this very despicable kind of offence?

That will be a matter for consideration when legislation of that kind comes up in future, but that may be some time ahead.

Will my hon. and learned Friend take encouragement from the evidence that hon. Members opposite are inclined to support increased penalties for crimes?

Do these very heavy figures include people who may bump the car in front or behind when coming out of a car park? There are a great many such incidents which are completely trivial.

A great many accidents which take place are not serious accidents but nevertheless have to be reported.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, on 1st March last, officers of the Metropolitan Police, at the request of the licensee of the Angell Arms, Lough-borough Road, S.W.9, required British subjects of African race to leave the saloon bar of the public house although their conduct had given no cause for complaint.

My right hon. Friend is informed that the licensee summoned the police to his assistance because the conduct of the men in question had given cause for complaint.

Does not the hon. and learned Gentleman remember that the letter that he wrote to me in April on this matter contained no complaint whatever as to the conduct of these customers? The letter, indeed, put forward the surprising doctrine that the presence of these customers in the bar was considered to be, of itself, a cause of trouble, and that it was because other customers manifested hostility to these men that they were required to leave.

and it was only later, when I expressed my dissatisfaction with the view expressed in that letter, that this allegation of the unsatisfactory conduct of these customers was made at all?

Is he further aware that one of these customers, who is a constituent of mine, is a substantial and reliable citizen, and has been in this country for a number of years? Will the hon. and learned Gentleman, therefore, be willing to see both myself and my constituent about this matter?

I am sorry if my first letter did not make the position as clear as it should have done. I am quite willing to see the hon. Member for Fulham (Mr. M. Stewart), but I think that, in the first place, it would be advisable if I were to see him without his constituent. We can then consider the possibility of my seeing him with his constituent later on. I would point out that the real essence of the case is that the police have to take notice of complaints made by licensees, and to act accordingly to prevent a breach of the peace. They have not always the opportunity of inquiring at the time fully into the justice of the complaint.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. As this public house is situated in my constituency, may I ask the hon. and learned Gentleman whether he is aware—'—

Order. I ask the hon. Member to look at the clock. It is after time.

Further to that point of order. In view of the incomplete nature of the hon. and learned Gentlman's reply, I beg to give notice that I hope to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.