asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the current annual output of students, in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, respectively, who have completed their secondary education.

The figures for African students are 1,159 and 1,127 respectively. European secondary education is Federal.

Could my right hon. Friend give the figure of African children receiving secondary education as a percentage of the total number of secondary education age? I believe that it is about 1 per cent. What plans has he to increase the numbers in the near future?

The percentage is certainly small. I could not calculate it offhand. I will, with permission, write to my hon. Friend about that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much money is made available annually by Her Majesty's Government for secondary education in Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia, respectively.

Over the last five years Her Majesty's Government have made grants for secondary educational projects totalling £204,625, for Nyasaland and £153,316 for Northern Rhodesia. The yearly figures I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does my right hon. Friend think that that is enough money, especially in the context of the gradual transference of power to an African majority in these Territories? Would not he agree that a crash programme of secondary education in these two Colonies is most urgently needed, and that any additional money which may be available for education generally should perhaps be spent on secondary education?

I think that I agree with all of that. Certainly the people of the Territories give high priority to this matter. Her Majesty's Government do not devote fixed annual sums to these purposes. We make grants from Colonial Development and Welfare Funds, and it is for the Territories themselves to decide their priorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what recommendations for the restoration of democratic government in Malta have been made by the Blood Commission.

I have now received the Commission's Report, which will be published when I have considered its recommendations. I am doing this urgently.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication as to when that consideration is likely to be concluded? Is he aware that Malta has now been without democratic government for more than twenty months, and that it is urgent that the dictatorship of one man and unrepresentative advisers should be ended?

I use the same word—I said that I am doing this urgently. That will be literally as soon as possible. I cannot put a precise date on it, but it will be very early in the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about the security of land titles in Kenya.

I expect to make a statement next week.

When my right hon. Friend comes to give that statement, will he bear in mind that this problem is unique to Kenya in that some African politicians are claiming that, as the land belongs to the Africans, compensation will be paid only on buildings and other improvements? Does not he agree that, if confidence is to be restored, the farmers in Kenya must be given clear assurances on this matter?

I do not think that this is entirely unique to Kenya but it is more difficult there than anywhere else, I know.

Does my right hon. Friend recognise that anxiety about this problem has greatly deepened in Kenya recently because of utterances by certain African leaders, and that it is necessary to re-establish confidence in land titles which were originally granted by the Crown?

Yes, I fully recognise that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons still remain detained without trial in Kenya; and what is the longest period over which any of them have been so detained.

Fifty-two detainees remained on 14th December. Four of these have been detained for eight years.

Is it not rather disgraceful that so many persons should still be detained, and that some should have been detained for as long as eight years? Is not this foreign to our way of life and contrary to the great traditions of British justice? In view of the fact that some of these persons may be innocent, will the right hon. Gentleman make arrangements to see that they get a fair trial very soon, or release them forthwith?

With respect, it does not follow that these detainees are held, and have been held, without trial, because a year ago when the emergency came to an end a number of people serving sentences for very grave crimes indeed, including murder, were transferred to the category of detainee. It is, therefore, not right to say that all these fifty-two detainees are detained without trial. As far as the figures go, whereas early this year the figure was 750, it is now down to 50, and progress, particularly in recent months, has been very swift.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how many persons are restricted, as distinct from being detained?

One hundred and twelve.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why some men who have been tried and acquitted, like Mr. Achieng Oneko, are still under restriction? Surely this is a further point which my hon. Friend did not raise in his Question. Will the right hon. Gentleman give a clear reply to that?

No—for precisely the reason given. It is not in the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Order in Council amending the Kenya Constitution contains no reference to the racial composition of the Council of Ministers set out in Cmnd. No. 960; and what bearing this has upon the future appointment of a Chief Minister.

I welcome the opportunity of making it clear that the language of the Order in Council follows normal practice in providing for the total number of Ministers and the number of those Ministers who shall be officials, and has no bearing whatsoever on the question of appointing a Chief Minister. Such an appointment would require amendment of the Order in Council. And I reaffirm that the intention remains that, in accordance with the agreement reached at the Lancaster House Kenya Conference, the new Council of Ministers shall, in addition to four officials, comprise four Africans, three Europeans and one Asian.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it will be possible to make further political advance in Kenya—including the appointment of a Chief Minister—only if the African politicians play their part in restoring the confidence of all races in the future of Kenya, which confidence has recently been undermined by some of their electioneering statements?

That is a different point. I was concerned to make it clear that exactly normal practice has been followed in the case of this Order in Council, which amends the 1958 Order in Council, which did not specify racial discrimination in portfolios. I agree that one essential element in political advance is that there should be confidence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many trade schools there are in Northern Rhodesia; how many Africans are at present attending them; and what facilities they offer for the study of the sciences and higher technology.

Twenty and 828 respectively. Their aim is to produce trained workmen for industry; science and higher technology are not taught at them but such facilities exist in other educational institutions.

Nevertheless, is it not a fact that at the moment there are no African apprentices on the Copperbelt, and that, therefore, the plans announced by Rhodesian Railways and the copper companies, for example, for the advancement of Africans will remain merely paper plans unless there is an immense extension of technical education facilities for Africans?

Although that is extremely important, the hon. Member's point diverges somewhat from the Question. This matter has recently been examined by a Committee under Sir David Lindsay Keir, whom most hon. Members will know. I have had the report only a day or two, and I will study it as soon as I can.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now expand secondary educational facilities for Africans in Northern Rhodesia.

The Northern Rhodesia Government recognise this need and have provided in their current Development Plan for the doubling of existing facilities for Africans at all levels of secondary education. The United Kingdom helps by making sums voted under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act available in accordance with territorial development plans, by trying to find teachers from overseas, and with advice.

While to many people the announcement of doubling might appear to be an ambitious plan, since the number getting secondary education hitherto has been only a fraction of 1 per cent., will the Secretary of State pay regard to the fact that an immense enlargement is still necessary if we are to begin to talk about equal opportunities for these people?

I recognise the importance of this, but, as I said earlier, from this country we do not allocate specific sums. But I know that in Northern Rhodesia—and I have seen their development plans for the next few years—this has very high and, I think, probably the highest individual priority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply has been given by the Government of Northern Rhodesia to the fifth petition from the Bemba Ilinga Council, representing a large proportion of the Bemba people, for the restoration of the powers of Paramount Chief Chitimukulu, which were suspended last year; whether he is aware that fifteen out of seventeen of the Bemba chiefs have supported this petition; and if he will make a statement.

It has not been possible to give a definite reply to the Bemba Ilinga Council, as discussions on the future powers of the chief are taking place in Bembaland between the Administration and the Bemba chiefs and councillors. Opinion amongst Bemba chiefs and councillors is by no means unanimous. I am not aware that fifteen chiefs have supported the petition.

Is the Secretary of State aware that, if he were able to take some action on this matter quickly and to restore the powers of the Paramount Chief, that would go a long way towards creating that atmosphere of good will which would assist him in the Conference on the Territorial Constitution.

As the hon. Member knows, there has been a good deal of discontent among the Bemba tribe on this matter and opinions vary on both sides. I have asked the Acting-Governor—the Governor himself is in this country, of course—for a reply on this matter and I will let the hon. Member know as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the date of the transfer of the Northern Rhodesian Land Bank to the Central African Federal Government.

No date has been fixed for the transfer of the Northern Rhodesia Land Bank to the Federal Government.

First, has the decision actually been made? Secondly, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it ludicrous, when the Conference is sitting to decide whether there should be Federation at all, that it should be decided that something should be handed over to the Federal Government?

The answer to the first part of the supplementary question is that negotiations were begun about two months ago, but have not been completed. On the second part, it is necessary in order to provide more capital—anyway, it would be extremely helpful in order to provide more capital—that this should be done at the present time. It has been made quite clear that this decision will follow that taken at the Federal Review on European agriculture because the bank deals almost entirely with that financial problem. If by any chance that responsibility, as some of the Monckton Commissioners thought it should, goes to Northern Rhodesia, a similar decision on the bank will follow.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what demands have been received from those who pay salary tax in Hong Kong that salary taxes should be raised; and what reply has been made.

None, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Society of Friends in Hong Kong made representations in this sense to the Colonial Government? Has he not been informed about those representations in answer to my Question? Is it not worth while taking some notice when reputable citizens who pay Income Tax take the unusual course of saying that there is a need in that Territory for even higher tax?

The hon. Member should not get so cross with me before he studies the matter. I know perfectly well that the Society of Friends has made representations, but, being a society, the Society of Friends is not liable to salary tax.

The Secretary of State is evading the issue. The Society of Friends made these representations as individuals, saying that they as Income Tax payers felt that there was this need. Is he not to do something about this? Is he aware that the last time Income Tax was raised in Hong Kong was in 1950–51?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that, far from evading the issue, I am answering the Question which he put on the Order Paper; if he wants me to answer a different Question, I will do that, too. Of course, notice has been taken of the representations which have been made by the Society of Friends, which has been informed that the Hong Kong Government's intentions about taxation can obviously be disclosed only to the Legislative Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consideration Her Majesty's Government have given to the creation of a federation of Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda and Zanzibar, and with what result; whether the granting of independence to each of these territories is being timed to assist in the establishment of a closer association between them; and whether federation with Rhodesia and Nyasaland has also been considered.

As regards the first two parts of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 15th November. As regards the third part of the Question, I do not think the time has come when it would be helpful to explore this wider horizon.

Does not the Colonial Secretary agree that when democratic institutions have been established and the confidence of the African people has been obtained, they are prepared themselves to take the initiative towards a wider federation? Does not Mr. Nyerere's initiative prove just that point? In the event of the present Federal Review Conference failing to continue with full representation, will the right hon. Gentleman consider calling a wider conference which will bring in Tanganyika and Kenya as well?

The last part of that supplementary question is hypothetical. The Conference has been called to consider the Federation that exists.

I am extremely interested in the matter which the hon. Member mentions in the first part of his supplementary question and I am also extremely "cagey" about it. The House will know that it would not be wise for a pronouncement to be made from this Box that this East African federation must or should come about. I am deeply interested in it, but I very much hope that this would be a grass roots movement, coming to us from the people of the country.

As there has been so much loose talk about imposed federation, would it not be wiser to think along the lines of an economic association of the seven Territories, similar to the Common Market in Europe?

That is a wider question which does not arise at the moment. As my hon. Friend knows, there are already close economic links among the four Territories of East Africa.

While appreciating the right hon. Gentleman's difficulty at the moment, does he know that many of us hope that the discussions about Central African Federation will take the more constructive and bigger line of federation which will include both East and Central Africa?

I think that the hon. Member will understand if I say that I note what he has said.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the views of Mr. Julius Nyerere and others engender the view that federation cannot take place until all constituent Territories have reached more or less the same stage of political development? Will he repudiate that idea on the analogy of the United States and other federations and accept the imaginative ideas of Mr. Julius Nyerere and proceed as soon as may be with the formation of federation in an incipient fashion?

I do not think that it is necessary for the component parts of a federation to be at the same stage of development. A better example than that of my noble Friend is perhaps given by Nigeria where the three regions were at different stages and moved to different stages of their independence. I do not think that that need in any way be a prerequisite of the studying of the plans.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken in the British Cameroons to ensure that the voters understand the implications of the forthcoming plebiscite vote there.

Full statements of the implications of joining either Nigeria or the Cameroon Republic will be put before the voters in the Northern and Southern Cameroons during the next few weeks.

Will that include a decision about what will happen over Commonwealth preference, which is so important, at least to the Southern Cameroons? Does my right hon. Friend agree that our Commonwealth friends in Nigeria will regard that aspect of the problem as very important?

I agree about its importance, but I cannot guarantee that the details about the effect and implications of joining either will include that particular point, but I will see whether it is possible to give publicity to it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether information will be given to the citizens of the Cameroons as to what exactly will take place following their decision, whether there will be a period during which the Southern Cameroons Government will be in a position to negotiate future arrangements with whichever Territory they decide to join?

We are about to start the second campaign of enlightenment so that people will understand precisely the significance of the choice. The hon. Gentleman will have seen the formula which I worked out with the leaders of the Southern Cameroons some time ago about the Southern Cameroons joining the Cameroon Republic, a formula which seems now to have some general acceptance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to maintain the apes on the Rock of Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement.

The apes are maintaining themselves without difficulty by their own efforts.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I originally put this Question down to the Prime Minister? In view of the good news, may I ask him for an assurance that this remaining symbol of the efficacy of Her Majesty's Administration will not at any time be reinforced either by a Member of the House of Lords or by the Prime Minister's relations?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what facilities are available in his Department for information and consultation with Members of Parliament visiting dependant Territories.

Any Member visiting a Colonial Territory can obtain from my Department a wide range of documentary material. For many years, Sir William McLean, a former Member of this House, has acted in a voluntary capacity as Parliamentary Liaison Officer in the Information Department, and will be well known to many Members. In addition we are always ready to discuss Members' visits with them, both before they go and on their return.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of us are very grateful to Sir William McLean for the information he gives and sends to us on the subject of the dependant Territories? But as regards consultation, does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, when there is a state of tension in a dependent Territory, it is desirable that hon. Members should refrain from controversial comments at any rate until they return to this country?

With respect, I do not think that that is a matter for me. I do not myself sponsor visits or have anything to do with them except for letting the governors and others know of the visits of hon. Members of this House. I think that my duty in this is confined is giving as much information as possible to hon. Members, which I like to do, and if they like to come to see me before they go I will help them in any way that I can. I am also glad to see them on their return to get impressions of their visits.

Is it not the case that the Government provide a subsidy to at least one institution here to facilitate visits by hon. Members to Commonwealth and Colonial Territories? Instead of private organisations financing visits on behalf of Commonwealth Governments, would it not be preferable if Her Majesty's Government were to set aside a larger allocation so that hon. Members could visit these Territories and properly acquaint themselves on issues on which votes in this Parliament will be decisive?

That is a very different question. I welcome as many visits as possible from hon. Members to the different Territories. To whatever extent these visits were helped by Her Majesty's Government, I have no doubt that private people in different capacities would also wish to arrange for visits, and I see no reason why they should not.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the agreement reached with the Government of the United States of America regarding the future of the United States base at Chaguaramas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a further statement in regard to the negotiations with the United States of America on the West Indies bases.

General agreement has been reached in an atmosphere of great cordiality on all matters relating to United States Bases in Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Antigua and Jamaica during the recent talks between representatives of the Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, the West Indies and the units concerned. I have placed in the Library of the House copies of the communiqués issued at the close of the talks.

I recognise the very considerable concessions which have been made by the Government of the United States of America, but can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there has been any decision regarding the demand of the West Indian Territories for Chaguaramas as the capital of the Federation?

The hon. Gentleman will realise that this is a matter that concerns mainly the Government of Trinidad and the Federal Government of the West Indies. If they are entirely satisfied, as they are, with the arrangements, details of which I have circulated, that is good enough far me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what salary is paid to the Senior Medical Officer for St. Helena.

Up to £2,500 a year depending on qualifications and experience.

Are there not difficulties in getting an experienced surgeon for this remote island? Has not the salary something to do with it? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider giving a higher starting salary to doctors who go there?

I think that the salary has something to do with it. It was less than half this figure about two or three years ago. I believe that it is as a result of the offer of this amount that we have attracted a suitable candidate. I hope that he will go to the Colony early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give details of the arrangements now in force for a surgeon to visit St. Helena; and what provisions exist for dealing with an emergency case needing immediate surgical treatment.

Arrangements are being made by the Governor for a surgeon to visit St. Helena as soon as practicable. While recognising that the present situation cannot be accepted for an indefinite period, I am satisfied that the Medical Officer in St. Helena has sufficient experience of surgery to enable him to deal with such emergencies as might arise.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long it takes an experienced surgeon to get to St. Helena?

I suppose it depends on how he travels. Offhand I do not know the answer, but I will find out.

Is it not the case that he takes four or five days to get there?

That might well be so. The surgeon that I have in mind is in practice at Cape Town.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether British expatriate officers who continue in the civil service of Tanganyika after that country obtains self-government will qualify for pension.

Yes, if they are serving on permanent and pensionable terms. It is my sincere hope that the great majority of such officers will continue to serve in Tanganyika after it becomes self-governing.

Just to make the position quite clear, may I take it that if these officers remain in the service of the new Government they will get the pensions they have earned, plus the salary for the job they are doing?

Yes. I think that there is no doubt about that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what employment was offered by the Nyasaland Government to Mr. James Sholto Douglas, a specialist in hydroponics; and why this offer was withdrawn.

I am consulting the Governor of Nyasaland on this question and I will write to the hon. Member when I have his reply.

Is the right hon. Gentleman really satisfied with that reply? Is not he aware that this gentleman—a distinguished scientist—has been declared a prohibited immigrant by the Federal authorities? What action is the Colonial Secretary now taking—I am not asking what inquiries he is making—to ensure that this man, who has a contribution to make to the economy of Nyasaland, is allowed to perform his service to the people of Nyasaland and is not kept out of the country by the arbitrary action of the Federal authorities?

I have seen newspaper cuttings about this case and have asked for information about it. That seems to me to be entirely the right thing to do. As the hon. Member knows, the question of the prohibition of immigrants is a matter for the Federal Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the last part of his reply is coming increasingly under challenge, and that some of the Federal authorities are declaring that their responsibility in this matter is limited to taking executive action on the basis of the information and advice supplied by agents of Her Majesty's Government? Will he therefore assume some responsibility instead of shuffling it off on to the shoulders of the Federal authorities?

The way in which the Question has been framed shows clearly the responsibility that I have for answering in this matter. I am asked a Question about the employment offered by the Nyasaland Government, not about the prohibition of immigrants—if, indeed, this man has been prohibited. On the question of the employment offered, I have given the answer, which is that I am finding out from the Governor and will show the hon. Member when I have the information.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will appoint a committee independent of his Department to inquire into the reliability of the information given him by the Dorset Agricultural Executive Committee as to the fulfilment by the landlord of Vimy Farm, Corscombe, Dorset, of his obligations to supply fixed equipment adequate for the economical management of the farm.

No, Sir. As stated in the reply given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Dorset, West (Mr. Wingfield Digby) on 5th May, the complaints made by the tenant of this farm have been gone into exhaustively in the past. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that no useful purpose would be served by inquiring into them again.

Is the hon. Member aware, first, that the allegation made by the tenant is that the county executive committee, under the influence of the landlord, has refused to recommend that the landlord should be obliged to provide the necessary fixed equipment; secondly, that anyone visiting the farm can see for himself that that equipment has not been provided, and, thirdly, that there has never been an inquiry impartial in the sense that it was unconnected with the parties against whom the allegations were made?

I do not think that the hon. and learned Member is quite right in his last point, which is the most important one. After this grievance was reviewed on numerous occasions it was considered in 1959 by the Agricultural Land Tribunal, which is certainly entirely independent of the Agriculture Departments, and the Tribunal rejected the tenant's claim.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will recommend the payment of the small farmer subsidy and other relevant subsidies and grants to farmers who voluntarily amalgamate their holdings for the purposes of these subsidies or grants.

The assistance provided under the Small Farmer Scheme and other improvement schemes is already given to farmers who amalgamate their holdings, provided that the amalgamation results in the holding being run as a single farm business which satisfies the conditions of the different schemes.

Is my right hon. Friend saying that if two farms, on amalgamation, total more than 100 acres they will qualify?

No, Sir. The amalgamated unit must fall within the bounds laid down.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that more amalgamation and voluntary co-operation among small units, say, of 80 acres each, would be in the interests of the farming community? Will not he consider this question again?

That goes far wider than the Small Farmer Scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as representing the Minister for Science, what steps he will take to promote the improvement of the design of farm buildings; and what co-operation there has been between his Department and the Council of Industrial Design.

The Agricultural Research Council set up the Farm Buildings Unit to assist architects and others in designing farm buildings so that they are best fitted for their purpose. There is close co-operation between the unit and the Council of Industrial Design and the unit is, I know, well aware of the views which have been expressed on behalf of the Council of Industrial Design.

I thank the Minister for that reply, but does not he agree that many farm buildings are both less efficient and less well sited than they would be if proper advantage were taken of farm design techniques? Will he do all he can to ensure that we have the highest standards in future?

I am all for having the highest possible standards. My officers have instructions to do all they can, in their advisory work, to encourage better siting and design. It is very much a matter of educating opinion, and in this respect we work closely both with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the Council of Industrial Design.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to restrict the making of extravagant claims of weight-reducing and energy-giving properties by the advertisers of certain brands of bread and bread substitutes, in view of the criticism and recommendations published by the Food Standards Committee in its Report on Bread and Flour.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take on the recommendations of the Food Standards Committee with regard to the ingredients of bread, advertising descriptions, and claims of bread manufacturers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether in view of the recent recommendations of the Food Standards Committee on speciality breads for which claims are made that they are protein enriched, or starch reduced, or described as slimming bread, he will make regulations forbidding the advertising of claims of this nature.

The interests concerned have been given until 17th February, 1961, to make representations about the Report on Bread and Flour. I shall give full consideration to any representations received before deciding whether to implement the Committee's recommendations.

The Minister will be aware of what one can only describe as lying propaganda by the manufacturers of these products. This was brought to the attention of the House a long time ago. When the right hon. Gentleman refers to "the interests concerned" does he mean the manufacturers, advertising agents and other advertising bodies? Can he give an assurance that, if their representations do not satisfy him that the Committee has made a mistake, he will take drastic action?

Representations are open to a very wide range of interests. The House will understand that I must leave myself free to consider them before I make a statement.

The right hon. Gentleman has the evidence.

Will the Minister make it clear that members of the general public are also permitted to make representations to him before 17th February on the contents and recommendations of this Report?

The recommendations are coming primarily from organised bodies.

Does not the Minister consider that misrepresentation of fact of this kind is grossly unfair to the public? Does he think it is enough merely that representations should be made? Why should he not help actively in the matter?

I will. I have received the Report and it has been published. I have given until 17th February for representations to be made, and I will then make up my mind on the matter and make a statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the interest displayed in the exhibition of dried foods in the Upper Waiting Hall, if he will arrange for a limited number of hon. Members to sample a meal composed entirely of this food; and if he will give details of the menu.

No, Sir. The second part of the Question therefore does not arise.

The Parliamentary Secretary has been co-operative in the past. Will he say why this cannot be done in a limited way? Is it because he fears for the health of Members of Parliament, and that criticism will be made, or has he and his Department the utmost confidence in the products from the factory at Aberdeen?

It is not a question of lack of confidence. We carry out a number of food tests, and while we try to do many helpful things for different people, our title of Ministry of Food must not be taken to mean that we run a restaurant service.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has now received the Report of the Fleck Committee on the fishing industry.

Yes, Sir; and I am arranging for publication as soon as possible.

I thank the right hon. Member for that reply. Will he make arrangements for it to be widely known in the industry and, after it has had sufficient time for consideration, will he arrange for a debate on this subject without having to be prodded about it for the next few years?

I hope to be able to publish this Report some time next month—probably towards the end of the month. The industry will then be deeply interested. As to a debate in this House, as the hon. Member knows, that is for the usual channels to decide.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will introduce legislation to establish a marketing board for cereals.

Permissive legislation is already in being. Under the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1958, the initiative for seeking to establish such a board rests with the producers.

If the producers—that is to say, the farmers—and the consumers and the Treasury are all agreed about the advantages of this and if they come forward with a scheme, will the Minister set up a board, even if the millers do not like it?

It is not a question of what somebody likes or does not like. There are well, known, processes and machinery for setting up a board, and that machinery must be operated. If such formal proposals were made, I should give them earnest consideration.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we shall be very nearly self-supporting in barley next year? Will he do his best to advertise that fact so that no merchant buys foreign barley this year for delivery next year?

In view of the weather we had this autumn it is clear that, with the small amount of winter wheat able to be drilled, there will be a greater barley production, if there is a normal season next year, than there has been this year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the outcome of his talks with the National Farmers' Union on a long-term policy for agriculture.

I hope that a White Paper reporting the outcome of these talks will be published next Monday.

Is the Minister aware that National Farmers' Union branches in the country have information on this which is denied to Members of this House? Surely it is quite wrong that members of the National Farmers' Union should have information which is denied to Members of Parliament?

It is not a question of information being denied. These were talks between the Government and the union and those talks would not have been realistic had they been between one member of the union and the Government. The dissemination of information has been to a minimum extent and I think it praiseworthy how little has leaked out.

Is the Minister able to say that in the White Paper he will also cover talks with the N.F.U. over our policy towards the Common Market?

That was one of the topics which was discussed with the union, and what was discussed will be the subject of the White Paper.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what study has been made by his Dapartment of the problems which would be raised by Great Britain's entry into a European Common Market in agriculture; what steps have been taken to find ways and means of overcoming the obstables; and if he will publish a White Paper on the subject.

The agricultural and other problems requiring a solution if closer European unity is to be achieved have been under careful study, and I cannot add to the statement of Her Majesty's Government's position which was made by my right hon. Friend, the Lord Privy Seal, on 4th November. The answer to the third part of the Question is "No, Sir".

May we expect that at a reasonably early date the Government will issue a White Paper on the subject?

I cannot say about the future, but at the moment we have no intention of so doing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the long-term advantages of machinery syndicates, when he will reach a decision on how the Farm Improvement Scheme can be extended to cover buildings required by such syndicates.

It would not be possible within the existing Statute to extend the Farm Improvement Scheme in this way.

Is the Minister aware that a favourable decision could do much to increase farmers' incomes, and that, furthermore, in the long run it might even save the taxpayers some money? Will he therefore try to reach a decision as soon as possible?

I am aware of the problem underlying my hon. Friend's Question, but in the Question he referred to the Farm Improvement Scheme and I answered that it is not possible within the existing Statute to extend that.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the white fish subsidy is not paid to fishermen who retail their own fish rather than sell it wholesale.

The purpose of the white fish subsidy is to give assistance to the fisherman, who normally sells fish at wholesale prices. If a fisherman is able to obtain retail prices for his catch he is in a different financial position and has not the same need of assistance.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the results of the investigation into the disease which has led to the destruction of a herd of nearly 2,000 pigs at the farm of Mr. Coggins, Bangor-on-Dee.

Swine fever was confirmed in this herd on 8th December. When I have full details of the outbreak, I will write to the hon. Member.

Is the Minister aware that this herd has been a registered herd for four years, taking the vaccines supplied by his Department and, in spite of vaccination, 600 pigs died and the rest had to be slaughtered? Will he assure us that a very full investigation indeed will be made in these circumstances?

This herd is a very well-known one, but I think there would be little purpose in trying to comment before I am in possession of all the information.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to ensure that payments of compensation to farmers whose herds are slaughtered because of foot-and-mouth disease are made in such a way that they do not become subject to tax.

No, Sir. It is difficult to see how a different system of making these payments could affect tax liability. Livestock are properly to be considered, in most instances, as revenue assets, both when they are bought and when they are disposed of, but the charging of tax on compensation receipts is matched by treating the cost of replacing the herd as an allowable expense. As regards permanent stock, such as a dairy herd, for which this may not be the full answer, I would refer my hon. Friend to Section 23 of the Finance Act, 1953. This is summarised on page 13 of "Farmers' Bookkeeping and Income Tax", published by my Department in conjunction with the Inland Revenue Department.

Could my right hon. Friend consider the situation which arises if a herd is slaughtered and compensation paid in one financial year and replacement of stock takes place the following year? It is quite ridiculous, and fantastic results follow, and the compensation is taxed? Surely that is not what compensation is given for? Will he not use his influence to keep the rapacious hawks of the Inland Revenue authorities away from this compensation?

If a herd is slaughtered, that has an effect on the valuation of the property at the end of the financial year and that affects the tax situation. This is a complicated issue in which the Inland Revenue is primarily interested, but much of it is set out in this booklet which I recommend my hon. Friend to read.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of strontium 90 is contained in wheat and other foodstuffs imported into the United Kingdom.

The latest figures available for the strontium 90 content of imported wheat and other foodstuffs are those given in Report No. 3 by the Agricultural Research Council Radiobiological Laboratory on Strontium 90 in Human Diet in the United Kingdom, 1959. A copy of this Report, which was published on the 30th September this year, is in the Library of the House. It would be misleading to quote these figures without the explanatory text.

Will the Minister tell us the comparative figures for food produced in this country?

As I said in my original reply, without looking at the Report and seeing the whole range of figures quoted and the conclusions thereon, it would be merely misleading to try to compare figures selected at random.

Could the hon. Gentleman tell us if it is a fact that the figures produced by the Ministry of Agriculture show that there is five times the amount of strontium 90 in wheat imported from the Soviet Union as there is in wheat from this country?

That is correct. As the hon. Member has quoted it I can say it is correct, but I think it misleading to accept that as necessarily adding a great deal to the strontium 90 in our diet. Hon. Members should look at the conclusions in this Report, by which they will see that on average the content of strontium 90 in our diet is something like one-twentieth or less of the permitted amount.

Is not that a reason for stopping the import of wheat and barley from Russia?

That is another question, but the wheat imported from Russia is an extremely small fraction of the wheat consumed in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the nature of the evidence he has received about the unsuitability of Certified Oregon Blue Tag perennial ryegrass seed for use in the United Kingdom.

The reports I have received on the performance of this seed came from official trial centres in the United Kingdom. They provide conflicting evidence on the suitability of the seed for use over here.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a lot of this certified seed came into this country in 1954, and that there were admittedly conflicting reports about it, but that there were reports in its favour from, among other places, the N.I.A.B. at Cambridge and the seed-testing station in Scotland? As the evidence is conflicting, would not my hon. Friend do as well to follow the example of his right hon. Friend with Charollais and introduce some of this seed to try it?

Certain of this seed was imported in 1954, which was a season of great shortage. As I have said, the evidence about this seed is conflicting. It is true that reports from Scotland were the least unfavourable. It is suggested that before any general import, further trials should take place, which seems to be a wise course.