asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what message of good will he has sent the Sierra Leone Government this day.

My right hon. Friend is at present in Freetown. I am obtaining the text of the message which he is conveying personally to the Government of Sierra Leone, and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

While thanking the Minister for that announcement, may I ask him whether his right hon. Friend is, in fact, negotiating any economic aid or assistance with the Government of Sierra Leone at the moment, and what the order of it might be?

That, Sir, is quite another question.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what recent discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and other Commonwealth Governments, and what information he has received in the course of these discussions of other consultations between Commonwealth Governments, in respect of migration within the Commonwealth.

As regards migration from the West Indies, I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 13th April. The only other recent discussions have been with the Governments of India and Pakistan. These were of a routine nature relating to the control of emigration from those countries. I am not aware of any recent consultations between other Commonwealth Governments on the subject of migration.

Does not the Minister realise that this is a rather unsatisfactory Answer in view of the very great need for some kind of co-ordinated and cooperative consultation among all members of the Commonwealth on this very vital matter? Can the hon. Gentleman say whether what has been done in this connection is what was promised some time ago?

As far as immigration into this country is concerned, which is what I think the hon. Gentleman may have in mind, the House will recall that my hon. and learned Friend the Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department made it quite clear on 17th February that the Government have no intention of imposing control on the entry of British subjects into this country without prior consultation with the Commonwealth Governments concerned. But with regard to the general question, as to whether there should be full Commonwealth talks on the question of the free movement of British subjects throughout the Commonwealth, all I can say is that this will be borne in mind.

Could my hon. Friend tell the House whether the Government are in favour, in principle, of what I might call cross-migration within the Commonwealth under which countries which need immigrants, such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, might, perhaps, take them from countries like the West Indies, India, and Pakistan which need to emigrate some of their surplus manpower?

I think that it would be quite improper for me to comment on a question of that kind, because a matter which concerns the recipient countries concerns them primarily and the initiative in a matter of this kind must come from them.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will take steps at the United Nations to secure the transfer of the mandate for South-West Africa from the Union of South Africa to the United Kingdom, in view of South Africa becoming a Republic.

No, Sir. The changes of status of the Union of South Africa after 31st May will in no way affect its rights and obligations under the mandate.

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that this is a very important matter which affects the standing of Britain in the eyes of the world, in view of what appears to be our primary responsibility? Will the hon. Gentleman at least consider, and ask his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to consider, consulting other members of the Commonwealth with a view to this mandate becoming a Commonwealth responsibility?

I would refer the hon. Member to the explanation of the constitutional position governing the South-West Africa mandate question given by my right hon. and noble Friend, Lord Alport, in the debate on 15th December. It was put so well on that occasion that I do not think there is any need for me to add to it today.

Whatever rights the South African Government may have possessed, have they not forfeited them by their failure to account for their trusteeship to the responsible authorities, including the United Nations, as they have been repeatedly requested to do, and in view of the fact that they have flouted the authority of the United Nations on many occasions, why does he say that he will take no steps to remove the mandate from their control?

The first pant of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is a matter for the United Nations in any event. The question is under consideration by the International Court, and it would be quite improper for me to comment further.

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that the Union Government would not have got this mandate unless it had been in the Commonwealth at that time?

That, of course, is another question. [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer it."] I am going to answer it. The mandate was granted to His Britannic Majesty as the King, the constitutional head, of the Union of South Africa, a sovereign independent country at the time.

But is not South Africa now a Republic?

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he intends to implement in full the recommendations of the Morse Report on the economic development of Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland.

I am not yet in a position to add anything to what was stated by my right hon. Friend in reply to a Question by the right hon. Gentleman on 23rd March, and to what I said in the debate on the Republic of South Africa Bill on Monday.

Why is there this continual delay? The Morse Commission's Report was published much more than a year ago, and we have already heard from the Government that they have had promises of a very substantial contribution towards this plan from international agencies. Why cannot the Government now say whether they accept the whole Report in principle, even if they are not able to tell us the pace at which they will proceed with the detailed implementation of it?

The right hon. Gentleman and the House can be assured that we shall make an announcement as soon as a decision has been reached. I cannot be expected to name a date now, but I can assure the House that we are taking full account of the recommendations in the Morse Report and are actively considering ways in which they can be implemented. I should add, in view of what the right hon. Gentleman has said, that Commonwealth Development and Welfare funds have been made available already to enable the Director of Overseas Services to undertake further aerial survey work in all three Territories and, although this is not strictly a matter on which the Morse Commission reported, the right hon. Gentleman may be aware that we have approved increases in teachers' salaries earlier this year.

In view of developments in South Africa generally, will the hon. Gentleman at least assure the House that his right hon. Friend regards the rapid economic development of the three High Commission Territories as the highest priority in the economic field for which he is responsible?

I can give that assurance.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will invite all independent members of the Commonwealth in Africa to join with the United Kingdom, through the Special Commonwealth African Aid Plan, in the rapid economic development of Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland.

I do not think that the development needs of the High Commission Territories are of a type that could be met in this way.

Are there not experts on administration and economic development generally in the independent countries in Africa whose services could be used most effectively? Would not this be a valuable way of introducing the kind of co-operation for which the special Commonwealth Aid for Africa Plan was designed? Would it not be to the mutual encouragement of the people of the three High Commission Territories and of the independent countries of Africa?

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, if we exclude South Africa from the category of nations which he mentioned, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone are themselves recipients of development aid from the United Kingdom, and we should not overlook any suitable sources of assistance. It is unlikely that the independent countries of West Africa, grappling with serious development problems of their own, will have resources to spare for the High Commission Territories, whose problems are different from theirs, and, where they are similar, the countries concerned have to give their own needs the first priority.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I am suggesting technical assistance, not capital assistance? Did we not have an assurance only the day before yesterday, when we debated the Department of Technical Co-operation Bill in the House, that technical assistance would be mutual wherever possible? Is this not an ideal opportunity, even if it is only the seconding of two or three Africans from the independent Territories to undertake this?

I think that the operative word is "ideal". If something like this could be done, no doubt it would be done, but there is an acute shortage in Africa of the kind of technical assistance which the right hon. Gentleman has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations on what grounds African postmasters in Basutoland have been excluded from the senior service since 1948 whilst fulfilling the same duties as white postmasters in the senior service.

This Question appears to be based on a misapprehension. The senior service in Basutoland ceased to exist in 1959.

Even if that is technically true, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether it is not the fact that up to 1948, African postmasters were of the same status as the European postmasters in Basutoland, but that in 1958, one African postmaster was reduced, and they have been reduced ever since? May I also ask the hon. Gentleman whether it is not desirable to end apartheid in our own Protectorates in South Africa?

I do not accept for one moment that apartheid exists. Since 1959, all postmasters have fallen within Division 2 of the new structure of the Civil Service introduced in that year, and the salaries paid to officials are the same, irrespective of race.

asked the Minister of Education if he will make a statement regarding his plans for the building of farm institutes and similar establishments in England and Wales.

Yes, Sir. I am anxious that everything possible shall be done to further the development of agricultural education and for the year 1961–62 I have authorised a building programme of about £¾ million for farm institutes and other similar establishments in England and Wales. This is substantially more than in any previous year. I will with permission circulate the details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

While thanking my right hon. Friend and congratulating him upon his statement, may I ask him whether he will ensure that, before the final sites are decided upon for the building of these institutes, all the experienced gained from the initial effort by the Isle of Ely Education Authority in setting up the horticultural institute at Wisbech will be taken into account, because it is very important that the land that lies around the institutes should be suitable, as well as the actual sites of the buildings?

I certainly will take that experience into account.

Is the Minister satisfied that he will attract the teachers who are required, as indicated by the Lampard-Vachell Report?

It is going to be difficult, but we have a variety of plans for doing so.

asked the Minister of Education how many education authorities forbid headmasters and teachers to use the cane; and how many authorities forbid teachers but allow headmasters to use the cane.

Individual authorities have discretion in this matter, and the information asked for is not available. I would hope that local education authorities in their turn leave to head teachers the choice of disciplinary methods.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that he would do much to help his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary if he requested education authorities throughout the country to allow corporal punishment, and not to forbid it as some of them do?

I think that this is a matter in which we should leave the local education authority a discretion, but, in fact, good discipline in the schools, which is very necessary, is largely a matter for the head teacher, and if the head teacher thinks that the use of the cane is one method, I hope that he will be supported.

asked the Minister of Education if he will state, approximately, the number of school classes in the County of Essex in which the pupils number over thirty; and by what date it is estimated that no classes over that number will exist in the county.

In January, 1960, there were 3,538 junior classes and 2,425 senior classes with over 30 pupils. The supply of teachers is going to improve during this decade, but I cannot forecast the date when classes of this size will be eliminated in any particular county.

Does not this look rather serious? Can the Minister say approximately how many classes have over forty pupils? Can he hold out no hope of a progressive reduction in the size of classes in the near future?

In the primary schools there are 1,518 with over forty. I do not know the figures for the secondary schools. Certainly, the number will be reduced, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, Essex is a county in which the school population is growing very rapidly and it is impossible for me to make a forecast of any value.

As the school population in Essex is increasing rapidly, will the right hon. Gentleman have a word with the new county council to see that it does not revert to the old practice of making children walk three miles to school and back in the interests of economy?

I will certainly talk to the new council on a variety of topics.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to staff additional nursery schools or classes on a part-time basis, where married women teachers are available for part-time teaching only.

While these teachers are urgently needed for teaching children of compulsory school age I regret they cannot be spared for staffing additional nursery schools or classes.

In view of the undoubted need, which I do not think the right hon. Gentleman disputes, where a local education authority can establish that married women teachers are available for part-time teaching in nursery schools but will not in any circumstances teach in primary schools, will he permit the establishment of additional nursery schools?

I should welcome such information from a local education authority, but I have never had anything like it.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that by allowing certain nursery schools to be opened in suitable areas he may release other married women who would be available to teach in primary or secondary schools? This is a matter of balancing the advantages. In many areas it would be far better to allow some nursery classes or schools to be opened to release other married women.

It is not my policy to attract married women into schools by providing them with the means for leaving their small children if they do not want to.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will introduce legislation to provide for the establishment of advanced business schools.

Following the Report of the Advisory Committee on Further Education for Commerce, considerable development of advanced business studies is being undertaken at the colleges of commerce and in certain technical colleges. I am discussing further plans with the colleges and industry. No legislation will be required for these purposes.

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his reply. Is it not a fact that we are falling behind our industrial competitors in the provision of education for business management and administration?

I think that we have a considerable leeway to make up. We are now trying our best to do it, but we require more support from industry itself.

asked the Minister of Education if he is satisfied that the increasing rate at which village schools are being closed is in the best interests both of the children and the rural community as a whole; and if he will make a statement.

Proposals to close village schools require my right hon. Friend's approval, and objections can be taken. The facts of each case are very carefully considered before a decision is made. Approval is not given to any proposal against the interests of the children. My right hon. Friend believes that local education authorities have the same considerations in mind.

I agree that the interests of the children come first, but is my hon. Friend aware that it would appear that many local education authorities plan the concentration of children by the map without paying special attention to the human element in the interests of the children themselves? Is he further aware that many teachers say that, because of this concentration of schools, children having to travel long distances are much more difficult to teach when they get to the other end?

Those are the considerations which my right hon. Friend has to balance very carefully when he is reaching a decision on these proposals. I assure the House that they are taken very carefully into account.

asked the Minister of Education what response he has had to his appeal to married women to return to the teaching profession; and if he will make a statement.

I have so far received reports from two out of three local education authorities which show that they have appointed 700 qualified married women between 1st February and 31st March. They are still considering applications from another 400 qualified married women who wish to return to teaching. This is an encouraging response particularly as many authorities have only just begun their own local publicity campaigns.

Are the bulk of these full-time or part-time?

Of these, 380 are full-time, and 320 part-time.

asked the Minister of Education what was the form of the investigation by his Department into the treatment of handicapped children at the Widdicombe House School, Stokenham; what did the investigation reveal; what action was taken to inform those concerned about the results; and what information he has on the effect on the school population, and particularly on the number of children now attending the school.

Her Majesty's inspector and two of the Ministry's medical officers inspected Widdicombe House School and reported serious doubts as to the suitability of the school for pupils requiring special educational treatment. After the report and the proprietor's comments on it had been considered, all local education authorities were told that the school was unsuitable for the education of handicapped pupils for whom they are responsible and were asked to remove such children.

I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for his interest and for the statement he has made. Will he bear in mind that I am still receiving reports from local people in the district which refer to scandalous goings-on among children and the staff? Will he bear in mind that, whether the child is handicapped or is sent by the local authority, if the details are correct it is most unsuitable for any child to be in a school of this sort?

I assure the House that my right hon. Friend's duty under Part III of the Act will be very seriously observed.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will state the membership of his Standing Advisory Committee on questions arising from the system of awards from public funds.

The Committee is to be appointed jointly by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself. I am glad to say that Sir Francis Hill has accepted our invitation to be Chairman. The names of the remaining members will be announced as soon as possible.

I appreciate the right hon. Gentleman's statement and I look forward to the announcement of the names of the other members of the Committee. Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to say when he is likely to introduce the Bill which has been promised?

I cannot say that at present.

As the Committee will be particularly concerned with matters relating to students, will the right hon. Gentleman bear their interests in mind when forming the Committee?

That is the purpose of the Committee, but I am doubtful about representation by students, if that is what the hon. Lady means.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will make a statement on the meeting of European Ministers of Education at Hamburg.

This was the first meeting at which all member countries of the Council of Europe were represented. There was a useful exchange of views on such subjects as the teaching of modern languages, the education of young people after they have left school, and the possibility of making greater use of television in adult education.

I fully appreciate the work which has been done. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there is a feeling that the work being done within the Council of Europe group is lagging far behind the work being done within the Six? In view of this, will he do his best to provide an initiative, a dynamic, for this very useful collaboration?

I will. The work done depends to a certain extent on finance, and it is not very easy to get finance for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) how many women medical officers are employed by the Hong Kong Government; how many of them are receiving equal pay; and what are the grounds on which some women medical officers receive equal pay and others do not;

Women medical officers with the requisite experience and serving on the pensionable establishment or on agreement, who can be regarded as making their careers in Government service, receive equal pay. At present, fifteen officers out of seventy-two employed by the Hong Kong Government so qualify.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that both he and his right hon. Friend have been misled by the Governor of Hong Kong on this matter; that in fact what the Governor is doing is refusing to implement the recommendations of the Salaries Commission, which said that married status should not be taken into account in assessing rates of pay; that these women medical officers are being treated differently, depending on whether they are single or married; that married women are not allowed by the Government of Hong Kong to have permanent employment in Government service, and that therefore it is only single women who have served a probationary period of four years who are getting equal pay, although the Salaries Commission insisted that they should all have—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."] I am sorry, but I put down two Questions—

However many Questions an hon. Member may put down, it is desirable that supplementary questions should not be long.

I was just coming to the end, but it is difficult when one is raising a complicated matter and when two separate issues are answered together. Are the right hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friend aware that they have been misled by the Governor of Hong Kong, who is not carrying out the recommendations of the Salaries Commission, and will they therefore look at this matter again to see that women medical officers get equal pay?

No, Sir. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] We cannot look at this matter again because it is evident, in the light of what the hon. Lady has said, that we have not been misled. The Governor is doing what he can to implement the Report and it is a perfectly well established custom in Hong Kong that people who are married cannot be regarded as career officers. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] There was a considerable increase in pay in 1959.

Surely the hon. Gentleman is aware that Hong Kong is notorious for its discrimination against professional women—[Laughter.]—perhaps I should say women in certain professions. Will not the hon. Gentleman see that at least the Government set a good example in the matter?

I thank the hon. Lady. The pay for those of professional status will be re-examined in the current year.

On a point of order. In view of the totally unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give information, up to the latest possible date, of the average monthly number of Europeans who are leaving Kenya permanently and the corresponding number of new and permanent European immigrants into Kenya.

The latest figures I have available are for 1960, when permanent European emigration totalled 1,802 and permanent European immigration 1,733. Monthly emigration only once exceeded 200 persons, and twice fell short of 100; immigration was between 100 and 200 in all save one month.

I am rather surprised by that reply, but it was a very pleasant reply. As 85 per cent. of the economy of Kenya is dependent on the efforts of the Europeans in Kenya and upon those efforts depend the maximum employment of people of all races and their standard of living, what has my right hon. Friend in mind not only to encourage those people to remain in Kenya and to continue to make their homes there, but to send to Kenya further people to assist in the great work which has to be done there?

I, too, am very glad to see that the figures are steadier than some reports may have led us to believe. I entirely agree about the enormous importance of European agriculture, which is the backbone of the whole economy of Kenya. I am sure that the progress which we have been making in the last day or so in forming a stable Government for Kenya is an essential part of the process of seeing that people of all races have a future there.

Will the Colonial Secretary give every encouragement to young men and women who are willing to go to Kenya and to serve side by side with Africans on terms of equality to do so? May I ask him not to listen to a great deal of the propaganda which is going on and which gives the impression that there is no future for that great country?

Kenya is a great country and I am certain that it has a great future. Whatever matters we may disagree on, everyone wants to see people of all races make a home there in future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Mr. Per Wästberg, a Swedish journalist, has been declared a prohibited immigrant in Kenya.

Mr. Per Wästberg has not been declared a prohibited immigrant in Kenya. He and his wife were informed on 10th April, on their return to Kenya from a visit to other territories, that no further extension of their visitors' passes could be made. These had been granted on 17th February, valid for one month, and subsequently extended for a further three weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Wästberg were, however, given passes to legalise their stay in Kenya until 13th April when they could conveniently depart on the next stage of their tour.

Does the Under-Secretary realise that his Answer means the same thing as my Question? Mr. and Mrs. Wästberg were asked to leave. Why was that stupid action taken against a distinguished Swedish journalist and author? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that sort of action can undo the good will established for Britain in Sweden by the work of the Colonial Secretary in Tanganyika, for instance? Will not the hon. Gentleman have another look at this matter?

No, Sir. This is a question for the Governor, and, as I have explained, these people were not declared to be prohibited immigrants.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that is an unsatisfactory answer? Is he aware that when these Swedish citizens arrived in Kenya in February, there was no question of any limit on their time of stay? Is he aware that the territories which he mentioned and which they visited were the Central African Federation Territories? Will he give the House an assurance that no pressure was brought to bear in this case by the Central African Federation Government which made the Governor change his mind?

I can give that assurance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the political situation in Kenya.

The Kenya African Democratic Union has recently agreed to take part in the formation of a Government, and discussions are now proceeding with a view to recommendations being made to Her Majesty The Queen for the appointment of Ministers. The Governor will announce a date for the formal opening of the Legislative Council as soon as possible.

While recognising the need for a stable Government in Kenya, does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the arrangements which have been made with K.A.D.U. are not likely to be stable and may be very temporary and that there is no likelihood of a stable Government in Kenya until Jomo Kenyatta is released?

I am bound to say that I do not accept the first or second part of that supplementary question. I believe that the Government which is being formed will prove to be strong and stable.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to reports coming through in the last hour or two which seem to indicate that a Government is almost on the verge of being formed, and can he give the House any details? Is the report true? If so, is it not a very welcome step forward?

Yes, I can confirm those reports. In the last hour or two, I have received from the Governor a list of six names for the more important portfolios—three African, two European and one Asian. Those appointments will be confirmed at once and I imagine that the Governor will be making an early announcement on them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of recent incidents in the Northern Province of Northern Rhodesia, he will review the administrative arrangements in the territory and ensure that the United National Independence Party is permitted to function freely during the forthcoming election period.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to the imprisonment, punishment, and ill-treatment of supporters of the United National Independence Party of Northern Rhodesia in the Northern Province; what action he has taken to investigate these matters; and if he will take steps to ensure freedom of speech and association in the territory.

I am confident that no restriction will be placed on the lawful activity of any political party. The Governor has found no evidence to support the statement that supporters of the United National Independence Party have been maltreated. Where members of U.N.I.P. have been imprisoned this has followed breaches of the law, all of which have been brought to trial before the courts in the normal manner.

Is the Colonial Secretary aware that his confidence is, unfortunately, misplaced and that the facts do not bear out his confidence? Is it not significant that the only complaints which are coming, some of which I have had an opportunity of investigating, pretty well at first hand, are coming from this province? If the right hon. Gentleman will not review the arrangements himself, will he ask the Governor to keep a careful oversight over the behaviour of some members of the administration in this part of the Territory?

I have drawn the Governor's attention, in correspondence with him, to a number of allegations. That does not mean that I accept them in any way, but it is my duty to draw his attention to them. I should have thought that the hon. Member's suggestions were repudiated by the fact that in the last six months alone, I am told, no fewer than 125 branches of U.N.T.P. have been formed in the Northern Province.

Will the Colonial Secretary say what form of inquiries into the allegations have been made? Did he see a few days ago a report of a speech made by Mr. Kenneth Kaunda, leader of the United Independence Party, giving chapter and verse about the treatment of some African citizens with whom he had stayed in the Northern Province? Have those allegations been examined and, if so, who has done the investigating?

They have not been examined, but they are being examined because, apart from making a speech at a Press conference in London, Mr. Kaunda came to see me and discussed some of these matters with me. I have drawn this to the attention of the authorities in Northern Rhodesia, as I have said.

Will my right hon. Friend do his utmost to see that all lawful parties in Northern Rhodesia are able to function free of the sort of intimidation which has sometimes disgraced sections of the United National Independence Party during an election period?

I am certain that it is essential that all parties, African and European and every other party, should function within the law and free from intimidation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will hold an inquiry into the disturbances in the Gambia in January last which resulted in two deaths and forty injured.

No, Sir. There were no deaths. Three people were admitted to hospital and have since been discharged.

I am usually right in these cases, especially when the Monckton Commission went to Africa—and the Devlin Commission.

Go on—ask the Question.

On a point of order. Will you restrain the hon. Baronet the Member for Knutsford (Sir W. Bromley-Davenport) from usurping your functions, Mr. Speaker?

I should like the House to get on with Questions.

Is the Colonial Secretary aware that I was told by the secretary of the General Workers' Union in Gambia in this House last week that the figures I have quoted represented the true situation? Can the right hon. Gentleman account for the apparent discrepancy?

Obviously, neither the hon. Gentleman nor I has first-hand information. I naturally rely for my information on these matters on the Governor and I am sure that his information is right. After all, he has access to the records of the hospital which treated some people for minor bruises and others who were detained. With respect to the hon. Member, I therefore assume that the balance of evidence is probably on my side.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to make a statement on the future arrangements for the Colonial Development Corporation.

As the Answer is rather long and detailed, I will, with permission, make a statement at the end of Questions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will require that imports from Hong Kong are marked as made in Hong Kong.

No, Sir. The Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887–1953 prescribe the conditions in which imported goods should bear an indication of origin; I do not think that any change in this respect is needed.

Is not the description "Empire Made" misleading in this case, and would not "Made in Hong Kong" be preferable in view of the appallingly low wages and other sweated conditions there with which our British workers have to compete?

The descriptions permitted are either "Foreign" or "Empire", and it would not be right to single out one territory for a special limitation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the outcome of the urgent examination given to the application for an anti-dumping duty on Roumanian and Polish eggs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken on the anti-dumping application by the National Farmers' Union and the British Egg Marketing Board in respect of eggs from Poland and Roumania.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has now taken in response to the producers' organisations' application for an anti-dumping duty on Roumanian and Polish eggs.

The Poles are traditional suppliers of eggs to the British market. This year their supplies were earlier and heavier than usual. I am satisfied that last month they sold at a price that involved a margin of dumping, and had their sales continued at that rate they could, in my opinion, have caused material damage within the meaning of the Act. I have talked to the Polish authorities. They tell me that shipments are on the decline. At the peak they were about 60,000 boxes in a week. They intend that their sales on the shell egg market next week will not be more than 18,000 boxes and not more than 11,000 boxes a week thereafter. Planned shipments in any quantity will not extend beyond late May or early June.

I thank my right hon. Friend for his Answer, so far as it goes. Will he recall that when we sought to unload some surplus eggs on Germany a year or two ago, we were very quickly called to order, and will he be all the more prompt in the Board of Trade about calling to order the Poles, Roumanians, or anybody else who seeks to dump eggs here to the detriment of the British producer and also the British taxpayer?

We received the application only on Wednesday of last week and I think that we have acted fairly promptly.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the view that he acted promptly is not shared by the farming communities and that there is a feeling that whereas the Board of Trade may act very quickly when it comes to dumping industrial products, it is not so quick in its action about agricultural products?

That is the opposite of the truth. We act particularly quickly in the case of perishable products, and this is a very good example.

Did my right hon. Friend say that he found there was evidence of dumping in the Polish case but because he thought it was not going to continue for very long he refused the application for a duty? Is not that an abuse of the whole system?

My point was that there was a margin of dumping, but I have also to be satisfied that there is substantial damage—"material injury" is the phrase—and as these cases concern only a very small proportion of the British market I am satisfied that there was no great damage within the meaning of the Act.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what percentage these imports represent of total home consumption?

At their largest they were 10 per cent. of the sales of the Egg Marketing Board and are now reduced to about 2 per cent.

My right hon. Friend said that the application was received only on Wednesday? Was not the state of dumping widely known in the country long before that? Is the Board of Trade in close contact with the Ministry of Agriculture to see that prompt action can be taken in these cases?

Yes, Sir. I said that the formal application was received last Wednesday but the first informal approach by the N.F.U. and Marketing Board took place only two days before that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications for industrial development certificates have been received from industrialists desiring to build factories in the Borough of Faversham during the period January, 1956 to January, 1961; and what decisions were taken.

One application was received to build a new factory, and ten applications to extend existing factories. All were approved.

While thanking the Minister for that Answer, may I ask if he will note that there is great difficulty in Faversham in finding jobs for school leavers at present and that a large number of workers have to commute long distances each day? Will he take these facts into consideration when considering further applications for I.D.C.s?

I think the record of applications to which the Answer refers shows that we are well aware of the problems in this district.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, on the occasion of his visit to the British Trade Fair in Moscow next month, he will extend an official invitation to Major Yuri Gagarin to visit Great Britain.

I understand that those responsible for organising the Soviet Industrial Fair in London are considering inviting Major Gagarin to visit it.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that an official invitation by him when he is in Moscow would not only reinforce the recognition this country has of the superb courage displayed by this man, but also give our top scientists and technologists an early opportunity of having discussions with him That is very important because, does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, some day, whether we like it or not, a Britisher will have to travel this road opened by Major Gagarin?

I understand that an invitation is being offered. I do not think we should butt in, but certainly everybody will be delighted if such an invitation is extended and accepted.

In view of the Home Secretary's recent refusal to allow certain people to come into this country, will the President of the Board of Trade give an assurance that the Home Secretary will not ban Major Gagarin as a prohibited immigrant?