asked the President of the Board of Trade what further action has been taken to introduce more industrial capacity within the City of Stoke-on-Trent and in North Staffordshire; what are the prospects for the municipal industrial sites, in particular the Newstead and Stoke sites; and to what extent consultations have taken place over the need for industrial development with the City of Stoke-on-Trent.

The Board of Trade has brought the facilities available in North Staffordshire to the attention of a number of industrialists. Two firms are starting small projects there, though not on the Newstead or Stoke sites. The Stoke-on-Trent City Council has not asked for any consultations.

Will the President of the Board of Trade ask his regional officers to get in touch with the city council officers on this matter?

Yes, I will.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what recent action has been taken to increase the output of the pottery industry, electrical porcelain products and sanitary fittings; and what are the prospects for increased exports.

The pottery industry has increased its efficiency in recent years. I am confident manufacturers will maintain their keen interest in exports and that there are good prospects in many old and new markets.

As the President of the Board of Trade has had great experience recently in advising and assisting in the formation of consortiums with a view to capturing more available world trade, does he not think that the time has arrived to give consideration to this industry in that way?

That is an interesting suggestion which I shall bear in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a full statement on trade with China; what results have been obtained since the Parliamentary Secretary and others have visited China; what are the future trade prospects; and what consideration is being given to the need for a trade agreement like that negotiated in Moscow, and the facilities of the Export Credits Guarantee Department for exports to China.

Our exports to China in 1958 were £27 million against £12 million in 1957, while imports from China increased from £14 to £19 million. The level of business depends primarily on the trading policy of the Chinese Government. The facilities of the Export Credits Guarantee Department are available for exporters to China and I do not consider that there is need for a trade agreement.

As one who was kept in full employment for many years through large-scale trading with China, particularly in heavy electrical plant, as one who assisted in the training of many Chinese students, and knowing the enormous good will they have for Britain, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to take early steps with a view to capitalising that enormous good will so that there can be the maximum trade between the two countries?

I shall certainly do my best, but the Chinese Government have not shown any desire to have a trade agreement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now received the results of the classification and tabulation of the report of his inquiry into consumer habits; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend expects to receive the results of the inquiry very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what new industry is planned for Tamworth, Staffordshire.

Industrial development certificates have been granted for industrial buildings in Tamworth which are expected to provide over 1,100 jobs.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask if he will be prepared to discuss with me the question of industrial capacity for Tamworth, bearing in mind that other Departments are concerned, notably Agriculture? Would he be prepared to consider asking his regional officers to enter into a discussion with the local authority concerned?

We are always ready to enter into discussions of that kind, but I think the hon. Member will recognise that Tamworth is doing pretty well.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to improve British productivity in view of the fact that the average American worker's output is more than twice that of his British counterpart.

Industry itself is primarily responsible for improving our industrial productivity. The British Productivity Council is the national body concerned with productivity and its activities are supported by a grant-in-aid from the Board of Trade.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a very wide feeling, sincerely held, that the T.U.C. leaders should concern themselves very much more with this deplorable state of affairs and rather less with the intricacies of foreign affairs?

My experience, for what it is worth, is that the T.U.C. is concerned with productivity.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the amount of electricity at the elbow of the American worker is very many times more than is available to the British worker?

Yes, Sir.

Does my right hon. Friend accept the statement made in the Question that the productivity of the average American worker is more than twice that of his British counterpart? If so, is the comparison in terms of cost, or something else?

The comparison is not in terms of cost, but, of course, as my hon. and gallant Friend knows, it is the cost of producing an article which determines its market.

Have not many trade union leaders played a full and energetic part in all the work of the Productivity Council for years past?

That is so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the qualifications of the members of the Committee appointed to consider the whole question of consumer protection.

I chose a balanced committee of men and women possessing good sense and judgment.

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that there is real concern among interested opinion as to which members of the Committee possess detailed consumer knowledge? Can he tell the House? Secondly, is he aware that the invitations sent out to members of the Committee go into much more detail about the terms of reference than did the reply which was given to the House? Would he consider putting a copy of those invitations in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

I think that in the debate, which I understand we are to have on Monday, members of the Committee can be shown to possess a wide experience. I will consider putting the letter in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to make a statement upon the discussions which commenced in September last between the British Standards Institution and footwear manufacturers on standards for certain components of children's shoes; and when he expects these to be concluded.

The manufacturers asked the Consumer Advisory Council of the British Standards Institution to suggest what might usefully be covered by standards for children's footwear components, and the Council's views are now being considered. I have no powers to hurry them up.

If the right hon. Gentleman is sincere in wanting to hurry this, and he has said that he does, is he not aware that more than a year ago we were told that deadlock had been reached over children's footwear and that on 7th April this year we were told that these discussions had been commenced? Does he know that the B.S.I. has not fixed any date for further discussions, and will he do something about it?

It is taking a very long time, but I do not possess powers to force these people to meet if they do not want to do so.

Since I first raised this matter of children's footwear some five years ago, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is time by now for him to have taken these powers?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the progress made by the British Standards Institution on a national approvals scheme being made in conjunction with the electrical industry, discussions of which commenced in October, 1957.

I understand that discussions are continuing, but that to far nothing can be added to what I told the hon. Lady on 14th April.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend that the subjects of children's footwear and electrical standards might be referred to the Committee on consumers' protection which is now sitting?

There is no reason why they should not be.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will, by regulation or otherwise, ensure that the Council of Associated Stock Exchanges indicate on their official notepaper not only the names of associated stock exchanges but which of them have compensation funds;

As the information requested contains many facts and names, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, which I have not seen. Is he aware of two exceptionally bad cases in which my constituents suffered losses, that of Robinson of Halifax and Andrew of Southport, both of whom were found guilty of fraudulent conversion with no protection at all for the investing public? Ought he not now to take steps to safeguard the public from the depredations of these sharks, who have the custody of public money, when there is apparently no protection whatever for losses incurred in particular stock exchanges? Does he not regard the matter more seriously now in view of the Government's encouragement to small investors to go in for stocks and shares floated on stock exchanges?

The hon. Gentleman will see from the Answer that some stock exchanges have compensation funds. I have no doubt that the Answer will encourage others to take the same action.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he will take to maintain stability of value as well as price in computing costs of food and other items.

My right hon. Friend is carefully considering these matters in connection with new weights and measures legislation. Questions about the computation of the Index of Retail Prices are for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service, who, as the hon. Lady knows, does take variations of quantity into account.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that there are many things which he does not take into account, as I discovered in two hours at his headquarters? How soon shall we get action to protect us from the sale of tubes which are getting thinner and packets whose weight is getting less, and how soon shall we get real price stability, which means weight stability?

As the hon. Lady knows, we have set up a Committee to look into the whole subject of consumer protection and a new weights and measures Bill is now being drafted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he finds it difficult to attract North American industrialists to Scotland, in view of the fact that production costs there are much less than in the United States of America and Canada, that profitable European sales can be made at selling prices up to 40 per cent. below those prevailing in North America, and that skilled and unskilled labour is available.

Since the war, thirty-two North American firms currently employing at least 18,000 people have been established in Scotland. Ten of these have come in the last three years. The advantages which Scotland has to offer are becoming more widely known in the United States and Canada.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware of Scotland's great need for diversification of industry and of her very serious unemployment, which is almost double that of England? Is he aware that sometimes in constituencies like mine there are 20 men unemployed to one man unemployed in London?

Yes, Sir, and we are taking special steps to assist those who are publicising the advantages of Scotland among American manufacturers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all those North American firms which have come to Scotland have expressed themselves delighted with the quality of labour and workmanship which they get there? Can he take steps to make that known to other firms wanting to set up businesses in Europe?

We are doing that, and I think that the arrangements recently made in Stockholm will help us to get American firms to go to Scotland.

Will my right hon. Friend also remember that Invergordon is nearer by sea and air to many North American ports than to ports in the industrial South?

We will bring that to the notice of all those undertaking this propaganda in North America.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what assurances he will give to the citrus growers of the West Indies and British Honduras of the continuation of their existing level of imports, or of alternative markets, in the event of the removal of restrictions on citrus imports from the United States of America.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies and I realise the importance of this matter and we are trying to find a satisfactory solution to a very difficult problem.

I appreciate what my right hon. Friend has said, but would he not agree that, if it is a question of international obligations making it difficult for us to give these assurances, our obligations to the Commonwealth should come first and we should try to free ourselves from those obligations if they prevent that?

Yes, Sir. We are trying to reconcile those two things.

Is it not a fact that these negotiations have broken down because the Government refuse to give any assurance of long-term contracts?

I do not think so, but that is a question for my right hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply the Government have received to its latest representations to the United States Government about the United States tariff-quota on wool imports from the United Kingdom.

We have not yet received a reply.

Until the right hon. Gentleman does get some action, will he continue to represent to the American authorities that in the view of everyone here this restriction is peculiarly harmful to British trade?

Yes, Sir, we will.

In these representations will my right hon. Friend also press that these damaging limitations on our mutual trade are in fact resented by the American importers of cloth as much as by British exporters?

Yes, Sir. I know that the American importers are helping us in our representations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how the current imports of printers' ink from France and elsewhere compare with those of a month ago.

Imports of printers' ink from France were negligible in May and June. Supplies from other countries totalled 78 cwt. in May and 326 cwt. in June. No statistics for July are available.

Will my right hon. Friend agree that these are very large and significant imports of printers' ink? As the daily newspapers said when the printing dispute started that they had only three days' supply of ink, have any representations about these imports been made by Mr. Briginshaw?

So far as the Board of Trade is concerned, imports of printers' ink are on open general licence. That is as far as my responsibility extends.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied that there is sufficient hotel accommodation in London and the provinces to cater for Great Britain's growing tourist trade; and if he will make a statement.

No, Sir; we could do with more good class hotels and I am anxious to see them provided, as the tourist trade is a great earner of foreign exchange.

Whilst appreciating the difficulties of satisfying a fluctuating demand of this kind, can my right hon. Friend say whether he needs, or can be helped to have, further facilities for encouraging the erection of good class hotels for this trade? Has he anything in mind?

That is a different question, which I cannot answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to encourage new industrial development in the North-East Lancashire Development Area.

The Board of Trade is building a factory at Burnley for Michelin to employ about 500 and will start soon to build another factory for Burco Dean, also to employ 500. Milliards at Padiham are adding to the factory which we built for them, and some 300 further jobs should result from this.

With our help arrangements have been completed for three vacant mill premises, two of them at Nelson, to be taken over by firms from the South and these should give employment to about 1,400 persons.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate how well received this news will be in an area too long dependent upon one item of manufacture for its employment? May I urge him not to rest on the laurels that he has just gained?

Certainly. We have every intention of finding other firms to take over mill premises.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British protected persons of Nyasaland are now detained without trial in Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, respectively; and when it is proposed that they should be released.

My latest information is that, on 18th July, a total of 399 were still held in detention in Nyasaland. They will be released when the Governor is satisfied that they no longer constitute a threat to public order.

Will the Under-Secretary ask his right hon. Friend to release all men who have been cleared of disgraceful smears against them or bring charges against them in the courts, and, if it is not proposed to release these men, what further shabby excuses can be produced to keep them in detention?

No, Sir, though my right hon. Friend will have overheard the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now announce the new development plan for the Seychelles.

I understand that the Seychelles Government will be publishing the plan in the near future.

Will my hon. Friend give the House an assurance that the highest priorities in this plan will be accorded to the provision of improved housing, improved sanitation and improved education, and, if possible, that the development plan will include facilities for improved travel between both India and East Africa, on the one side, and the Seychelles on the other?

I should not like here and now to commit the Seychelles Government on the priorities, but I am quite sure that the points referred to by my hon. Friend will figure in the plan.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when negotiations regarding the proposed sovereign British bases in Cyprus will be completed; what will be the national status of Cypriots living within the British sovereign areas; how many Cypriots will be affected; and where the frontiers between British and Cypriot sovereign areas will be drawn.

The discussions of the London Joint Committee are confidential, and I am sure that the hon. Member would not expect me to give information on these matters until the parties consider that it is appropriate to do so. I am not in a position to say when the discussions will be completed.

Is it not important that the British Government's point of view should be known and understood?

The machinery was set up by agreement between all the signatories to the London Agreement, and that machinery is now being properly used.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Colonial officials from the United Kingdom will be retained in the administration in Cyprus after 31st July and 29th February next, respectively; how many are now employed in that administration; and what compensation or alternative employment will be offered to the remainder.

There are now 131 permanent officers, 282 (including 275 United Kingdom Police) on secondment and 219 on contract. By 31st July there will be 21 fewer. It is too soon to forecast with certainty the position after the transfer of power, but it seems likely that there will only be a few professional and technical officers remaining in the service of the Republican Government.

With regard to compensation, I would refer the hon. Member to the documents which have been placed in the Library.

The Overseas Service Resettlement Bureau will help in finding alternative employment, and those who wish for further employment in the overseas territories are being considered for appointments as and when vacancies arise.

Yes, but will the Secretary of State bear in mind that, particularly in the case of some of the senior permanent officers, they are facing a very difficult future indeed? Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will do everything he can to help them in the most sympathetic possible way?

Yes. They, with whom I am in constant and close touch, know that very well.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Kenya Government decided to make a cut in the number of students going to Makerere University College without consulting the African Education Advisory Committee, and gave no opportunity to the African District Councils to finance further places at the College; and whether he will make a statement on the reasons for the adoption of this policy.

In matters of this kind the Kenya Government seek the advice of the Advisory Council on High Education, which represents the interests of all races. This Council endorses the policy of the Kenya Government, which aims at supporting the maximum number of students at both Makerere College and the Royal Technical College.

The total new admissions to both Colleges of African students with full Government support is greater in the coming academic year than in any year in the past.

The decision that African District Councils should no longer administer or grant bursaries for higher education in East Africa was part of a revision of financial relationships between the Kenya Government and the District Councils designed to provide a firm basis on which Councils can plan for a steady programme of development within the limits of their income and expenditure. The decision was approved by the Legislative Council.

Regarding the reasons for reducing the number of entrants to Makerere College, I have nothing to add to my hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. G. Thomas) on 14th April.

Is not the Under-Secretary aware that Africans are willing to make almost any sacrifice for education? They believe that it is the key to their further advance. They believe that this whole matter was handled tactlessly by the Education Minister or Department, as the case may be. Is it not also a fact that the places at the Royal Technical College at Nairobi are more expensive than the other places at Makerere?

There is no ground for believing that there was any tactless handling of this. It is important to ensure that the facilities at the Royal Technical College are fully used, as well as those at Makerere. If they were not fully used, the per capita expense would rise very sharply.

Will my hon. Friend see if this cut can be restored at the earliest possible moment, because it will be a misfortune to education in Kenya if this cut is to be maintained? Will he give an undertaking that as soon as possible improved trade training and technical training will be given in Kenya to a larger number of people?

The emphasis we are putting on the Royal Technical College to some extent meets my hon. Friend's point. I also remind him of what I said in my original Answer, that the number of Africans going to both colleges in the coming year is greater than in any year in the past.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further action he has decided upon in connection with the Hola deaths, following the Report of the disciplinary tribunal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the disciplinary findings arising from the deaths of the 11 Africans at Hola Camp in Kenya.

Copies of the Command Paper containing the Governor's recommendations and my conclusions on the Report of the Disciplinary Inquiry will be available in the Vote Office later today.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recall getting somewhat indignant last week at suggestions that the publication of this Report, which he has now had for more than three weeks, has been unduly delayed? If he is really anxious not to evade his responsibility to the House, will he please answer Question No. 36 now and tell us what action has been taken?

No, Sir. I should have thought that even the hon. Member would have preferred to read the paper before asking questions about it.

Has the Colonial Secretary reconsidered his own position in relation to this matter, in view of the fact that he declined inquiries into these camps that might have prevented this tragedy; and that the coroner criticised both the Cowan Report and the misleading statements of the Kenya Government, for which the right hon. Gentleman is responsible?

If hon. Members opposite wish to debate this Report, no doubt they will have a chance to arrange it through the usual channels. As to any charges against myself, I have nothing to add to what I said on the matter yesterday.

But why is the Colonial Secretary so coy about this? Why is he not ready now to tell us what action he is taking? It is, of course, possible for us all to read the Report, but is he still not aware—and by his grimaces he apparently is not—that this is one of the most serious charges that have ever been made? Does he not think that he owes it to the House of Commons now, if he has reached conclusions, to say what action he is taking in connection with these disciplinary charges?

It is precisely because these are serious charges that I think that it would be most unwise to attempt to summarise the matter. The hon. Gentleman and other hon. Members can read the Report and challenge me on it as much as they like next week.

This is really an impossible situation. Is the Colonial Secretary taking any action against any other officers arising out of the disciplinary inquiry against Messrs. Coutts and Sullivan, senior officers of the Administration? That is a simple question.

All that will be shown in the paper, which will be available very shortly—today. It will contain the Report of the Disciplinary Inquiry, a Despatch from me to His Excellency the Governor, and two Despatches from him to me. It will be found that they cover the matter fully, and I think that the hon. Gentleman will be well advised to read them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is fully satisfied with the services of Mr. Campbell, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Prisons in Kenya; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Campbell has earned consistently good reports during his service with the Kenya Prisons Department. In so far as the hon. Member is referring to the notes Mr. Campbell prepared after returning from Hola on 4th March, I have no comment to make in advance of publication of the Command Paper, which will appear later today.

Will the Secretary of State look very seriously at the coroner's report? He must be aware that the coroner made quite strong comments on the evasions and falsehoods in Mr. Campbell's report of the 4th March, and as this report was confirmed by the Governor's meeting on the same day, does not this bring the whole Kenya administration into disrepute?

I have nothing to add to my Answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he will publish the Fairn Committee's report on the administration of detention camps in Kenya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the report of the commission appointed to make recommendations as to the future administration of detention and prison camps in Kenya will be published.

Copies will be made available to Parliament as soon as the report is published in Kenya. This will be about the middle of August. The Fairn Committee discussed some of their principal recommendations with the Governor before they had completed their report, and an indication of these is contained in the Command Paper, which will be available later today.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this report was in the hands of the Governor of Kenya on 7th July, and that what he said about the other reports is equally applicable to this one in that many Members of this House regard this as an important report on fundamental matters concerning these camps and feel that they should have a chance to question him and debate the matter before the House rises? Or is the right hon. Gentleman telling the House that he has been made so "punch drunk" by the other two reports that he cannot stand this one?

I can assure the hon. Lady that the last suggestion is not true. This report to the Governor of Kenya will be published along with the Governor's considered comments. It deals with long-term policy, and not even to satisfy the hon. Lady can I overlook the fact that it demands serious consideration.

Why cannot the right hon. Gentleman arrange for its printing and publication in Kenya, in view of the fact that the report was presented to the Governor on 7th July?

It will be printed in Kenya with the comments of the Governor of Kenya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what inquiry has been made into the recent disturbance at the boys' school at Machakos, Kenya; and with what result.

An inquiry has been held by the school's Board of Governors. They decided that because of the inexcusable indiscipline of the pupils, the school should be closed until the September term; that the school prefects and form IV pupils should be expelled at once, although individual expulsions among the latter would be conditionally reviewed on application; and that the principal should be asked to submit proposals for improving discipline.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the quality and numbers of the teaching staff are inadequate, and could something be done to deal with that situation?

The inquiry did not suggest that this would be justified, and it certainly did not suggest that it justified a strike on the part of the pupils.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken by the Government of Nyasaland to counteract unemployment in the building industry.

Provision has been made for the coming year for the expenditure of £120,000 on African housing, £100,000 on loans to local authorities, and for the construction of administrative buildings and schools. The Government are now calling for contracts for works under these heads, which should do much to counteract unemployment in the building industry.

Does the Under-Secretary consider this to be at all adequate, having regard to the fact that this is one of the industries in which artisans are being trained in the building industry, technical colleges and elsewhere? How unfortunate it would be if there were not adequate avenues of employment for them?

I would never claim that it is enough, because targets and horizons in this are very high, but it is a substantial step and will do a good deal to counteract the current unemployment.

Will the Minister keep a careful eye on this?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now make a statement upon the proposed changes in the Nyasaland Protectorate Constitution.

I would refer the hon. Member to my statement during the debate on Central Africa yesterday.

Although the information was extremely belated last night, nevertheless we on this side welcomed it. But can the right hon. Gentleman say why he said two things in particular last night? He said that there would have to be an increase in the number of official members. Why must he keep the officials more than the unofficials, which obviously means that the Africans will still continue in their somewhat minor position in the whole Legislative Council? Secondly, why did he say that he would not extend the life beyond May, 1960? Why did he fix that particular date?

On the first point, I said that during the interim period it was important to preserve the official majority, and I still believe that to be true. In regard to the prolongation of the life of the Legislative Council, I said that I hoped that it would not be necessary for the prolongation to extend beyond one year. Those are the actual words I used.

Can the Colonial Secretary say whether these nominations will be made by the Governor or by the African Provincial Councils?

By the Governor.

Why should that be so when the African Provincial Councils are now nominating the African members?

In the present circumstances in Nyasaland it is clearly inappropriate for normal procedure to prevail, but I have clearly said that the intention is that it should be an interim period only, and in order that Africans may be associated with it during the interim period we have devised this machinery.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the findings of the Devlin Commission on the disturbances in Nyasaland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is expected to publish the Devlin Report on Nyasaland.

The Report, together with a Despatch from the Governor, is being published this afternoon, and will be available in the Vote Office at 6 p.m. I would prefer to defer my comments until hon. Members have had an opportunity of reading both documents.

In view of the fact that these two Reports are to be published this afternoon and that the right hon. Gentleman declined to make any statement to the House itself before these Reports come out, would the right hon. Gentleman agree to say in this case whether the Devlin Commission has endorsed his charge of massacre and murder against Dr. Banda and his close associates, and, if it has not done so, will he again consider his position as Secretary of State for the Colonies?

I would advise the hon. Member to read both documents. One will take him about half an hour and the other one will take him between four and five hours. He will be better able to question me on both after he has read each of them.

In view of the fact that the Colonial Secretary has had the Hola Camp Report since 1st July and the Devlin Commission's Report only a few days, is he publishing both of them together on the principle of trying to get all the bad news together in one day?

Certainly not. As the hon. Gentleman ought to know, as I have already told him, if he had been listening, the Hola Report will be published along with three Despatches which passed between the Governor of Kenya and myself. These despatches naturally take some time to work out and exchange. They cover very important matters, and it is pure coincidence that these Reports are ready together. I was very anxious to fulfil my responsibilities to the House that both would be published before the House rose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals have been made by the Government of Northern Rhodesia to encourage secondary industries in the territory, in view of the warning given by Mr. John Roberts, a Member of the Executive Council, on 2nd June in Lusaka, that there was a danger of unemployment in the territory.

The Government have set up a Ministerial Committee under the chairmanship of the Minister of Labour and Mines and consisting besides of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Local Government and Social Welfare.

The duty of the Committee will be to bring the claims of the territory before industrialists, to achieve closer liaison with the Federal Government and to form a link between the Federal Government and local authorities.

Consideration is also being given to the extension of the activities of the Industrial Loans Board in the financial assistance provided to industries.

While I am very glad to receive that assurance that some attention is being given to this problem, the Under-Secretary will be aware that a good deal of the prosperity of Southern Rhodesia in secondary industries at present has been based on the copper revenues which have been derived from Northern Rhodesia. Is it not time that some of those revenues were diverted so that they may enjoy the same stability in Northern Rhodesia?

This seems to me at any rate to be a substantial argument in favour of the economics of federation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies under what powers Mr. Kanyama Chiume, Member of the Nyasaland Legislative Council, was prohibited from entering Northern Rhodesia by the Governor of Northern Rhodesia; and whether this action had his prior consent.

Under Section 7 of the Northern Rhodesian Inter-Territorial Movement of Persons (Control) Ordinance. This Ordinance does not provide that my prior consent is necessary for making such an order.

Why was this order delivered by the Federal Administration? Has the Colonial Secretary taken any steps to assure himself that this is not another case of the Governor acting on false information?

No, Sir. This is a matter which, as I have said, does not require my prior consent. The Territorial Government used the facilities of the Federal Government for the serving of this order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that Ordinance No. 1, 1959, issued at Hargeisa, Somaliland, on 5th March, gives power to any police officer not below the rank of assistant superintendent to enter any house or building where he has reason to believe that a meeting of an unlawful association is being held; and whether he will name the unlawful associations in respect of which this power has been used.

Yes, Sir. So far as I am aware, this power has never been exercised, but I am awaiting confirmation from the Governor about this, and will write to the hon. Member as soon as I am able.

Has the hon. Gentleman attempted to find out the state of Somali public opinion about a Measure like this, which is highly unpopular? He says that it has never been used, but in view of next year's close association of the British Somalis with the Italian Somalis, is it not rather pointless to pass legislation of this kind against unnamed associations—allegedly illegal associations? Is it not rather futile?

I have not heard of any strong reactions of public opinion, but that is not surprising, seeing that this power has never been exercised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further progress has been in preparation for constitutional changes in Somaliland in 1960.

There have been considerable developments recently, and as the matter is detailed I am circulating a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether that Answer covers any repercussions that may occur in Ethiopia, and whether it also covers the possibility of bringing about some kind of amalgamation as between the various Somali territories?

No, Sir. This is limited to the Somaliland Protectorate itself. I hope that there will be nothing in this to cause any distress outside.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what projects the £25,000 recently given to further sport in Tanganyika by a private industrial concern will be used by the Government; and to what extent the Legislative Council has been consulted in any decision reached.

An Appeals Committee set up by the Tanganyika Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Games Committee has received a very generous donation of £20,000 from De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd.

The donors have expressed the wish that the greater part of the gift should go towards the cost of establishing a sports stadium in Dar es Salaam and the remainder towards the establishment of a fund to pay the expenses of visiting coaches and teams. Both these items are among the declared purposes of the Appeals.

In these circumstances, the question of consulting the Legislative Council does not arise.

Whilst appreciating the generous nature of this gift, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman does not think that in regard to social expenditure of this size the Legislative Council should be consulted to see whether this kind of project fits in with the general social priorities of the country?

I understand that the Legislative Council approved of the aims of the Appeals Committee, and, indeed, the Speaker and Mr. Nyerere are both members of that Committee. Therefore, as the donation is towards the fulfilment of one of the aims of the Committee, I do not think it is really necessary to go back to the Legislative Council about it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in respect of the current Budget proposals for Tanganyika, what is the estimated amount of development expenditure during the coming financial year and the estimated expenditure on Government salaries; and how these sums compare with the expenditure during the previous financial year.

The Tanganyika Budget does not show development expenditure separately, and no estimate is available for the amount of recurrent expenditure falling within this classification.

Capital expenditure, of which most can be classed as development expenditure, for the financial year 1959–60, is estimated, in round figures, at £4 million, as compared with £6 million for 1958–59.

Expenditure on salaries for 1959–60 is estimated at £8·3 million against £8·1 million for 1958–59.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the Budget debate Mr. Julius Nyerere, the Leader of the Elected Members, deplored the fact that this expenditure had been cut by about £2 million at a time when official salaries were going up, and suggested that there should be a cut in both African and European official salaries? Will he consult the Elected Members of the Legislative Council to see whether more money cannot be obtained for urgent development by means of economies in less essential expenditure?

The cuts in capital expenditure reflect, mainly, a drop in primary commodity prices, and it is very difficult to overcome the implications of that. They also reflect, in some cases, the completion of certain large-scale projects. I do not think that it would be in the interests of the territory at this stage to reduce the quality of the technical assistance that they are receiving from their civil experts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what answer he has made to the proposals he has received from the Tanganyika African Union for constitutional changes involving elected majorities by the end of 1959 in both the Legislative and Executive Councils.

None, Sir. These proposals were submitted by the Tanganyika African National Union to the Post-Elections Committee and to the Tanganyika Government and are still being considered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these proposals are backed by all the Elected Members of all races? Will he bear in mind that the racial composition of Tanganyika is very similar to that of Nyasaland, and that Tanganyika is setting an example in building up a really multi-racial family and that it deserves every possible encouragement as quickly as possible from the Government?

I hope the hon. Gentleman will not forget that I have also been responsible for Tanganyikan affairs during the last five years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements exist for the seconding of teachers from the United Kingdom for service in primary and secondary schools in Tanganyika.

Teachers appointed to Tanganyika can preserve their superannuation rights in this country, and it is possible for secondment to be agreed in individual cases by arrangement between the teacher and the employing authority in this country. This is dependent upon the authority being able to guarantee that a post will be available for the teacher on his return.

Can the hon. Gentle- man say whether the existence of these arrangements is producing any large number of teachers going on secondment to Tanganyika? Will he also tell us whether this sort of thing is one of the topics which are now being discussed?

I am afraid that I should want notice of those questions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Government-aided schools have been built in Tanganyika in the last five years; in how many cases consultation took place with the local African populations about the sites; and what arrangements exist for undertaking such consultation as a normal procedure in the case of schools to be built in the future.

I am consulting the Governor and will write to the hon. Member.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that leaders of African opinion ascribe to wrong siting of the schools the number of vacant places which the hon. Gentleman has frequently mentioned in this House? Will he make sure, whatever the outcome of the discussions with the Governor, that adequate consideration of siting will now take place?

I will certainly look into that point.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, how many children of primary school age there are in Tanganyika; how many of them attend bush schools; and what aid, financial or other, such schools receive from the Government.

The latest estimate available indicates that there are about 850,000 African children of primary school age in Tanganyika. I am consulting the Governor on the other parts of the Question and will write to the hon. Member.

In view of the fact that this represents such a very large proportion of the children of school age in Tanganyika, does not the hon. Gentleman feel that very direct and, indeed, very sizeable aid to these schools is desirable?

There is already a good deal of aid going through the C.D. & W. channels.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what results have so far been secured as a result of his efforts to have Prestwick Pioneer aircraft considered for use, where suitable, in the Colonial Empire; and what further steps he will take to ensure the sale of these aircraft in those Colonies for which they are particularly adapted.

In January of this year my right hon. Friend drew attention of Colonial Administrations to the special characteristics of the Twin Pioneer Aircraft, but he has not as yet received information of the placing of any new orders in the Colonies. It rests with the Colonies themselves or the airlines based there to decide whether to place orders. My right hon. Friend will continue to keep them informed of developments in the design of Pioneer aircraft, with particular reference to features which affect their suitability for use in the Colonies.

Whilst appreciating to the full the willing help given in this matter by my right hon. Friend and those in his Department, may I ask them all to bear in mind that if substantial colonial orders could be given for this aircraft it might well save this gallant little company from extinction, and also avoid the dismissal and the hated redundancy of hundreds of skilled craftsmen?

Having had some experience of the Twin Pioneer in tropical countries when I was at the War Office, I feel a great deal of sympathy with what my hon. Friend has just said.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what basis decisions are taken in regard to extra financial aid to Commonwealth and Colonial Territories, as in the recent cases of Malaya and Cyprus; and to what extent his Department is consulted.

The decisions are taken in the light of all relevant circumstances, including especially financial need, after consultation with the Government of the territory concerned. There is full interdepartmental consultation My Department takes the initiative in regard to territories for which it is responsible.

Is it not a fact that, in the main, financial aid of this kind is based on defence rather than on other matters? For example, would not the right hon. Gentleman regard the present economic situation in the West Indies as being a case where extra financial aid should be provided, in addition to grants from C.D.C. and C.D. & W. funds in the usual way?

No. Certainly, in apportioning C.D. & W. money, we do not take defence considerations into account, and the very large sums of money that are given to territories that have not at present any defence importance is an indication of that. I am fully conscious of the value of extending C.D. & W. grants in the West Indies, and that is being taken care of by the enlarged allocation for the forthcoming period.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what processing plants have been set up for the processing of sea island cotton during the years 1950 to 1959, inclusive; and what encouragement is being given by the United Kingdom Government in the development of this industry.

I understand that no new ginneries have been completed in the sea island cotton growing Colonies in the period mentioned. One, however, is being completely re-equipped.

In reply to the second part of the Question, the Central Cotton Station in Antigua is operated by the' Empire Cotton Growing Corporation and financed under a C.D. & W. scheme.

Is not this one of those cases of an industry which is going through very depressing times and in which the Government should come in with emergency financial aid?

Marketing is the problem at the present time. As I say, one ginnery has been completely re-equipped and this may help, but it will certainly not be a solution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in the settlement of political differences between Buganda and the Government of Uganda.

The Governor is continuing to explore ways of bringing about the early resumption of constitutional talks with the Buganda Government, and I am glad to say that His Highness the Kabaka made certain helpful references to the present disturbed state in Buganda in a speech to the Lukiko yesterday. If it should have the effect of ending the boycott and the disorders in Buganda, it might well be possible for local discussions to resume quite soon.

Does that mean that the Kabaka himself has withdrawn the opposition which he has sustained hitherto?

I am not sure what the hon. Gentleman means by opposition. His Highness the Kabaka referred to the boycott, and it is to that part of his speech that I was referring.

Would it not be helpful if the Governor were from time to time to see delegations representative of the people from Buganda? Could the right hon. Gentleman say why it was that he refused to see a delegation of women recently and had them turned away from Government House by the police?

No Governor in my experience has been more accessible to people who want to see him than the present Governor of Uganda, but it must be left to him to decide whom he sees and when.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a further statement on the talks with the representatives of the West Indies citrus growers.

I have nothing at present to add to my reply on 16th July to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher).