asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on progress towards the realisation of the Malaysian Federation.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what further steps he now proposes to take to facilitate the merger of the Federation of Malaya with Singapore and the British territories in Borneo.

Since my right hon. Friend's statement on 28th November, the Commission of Inquiry has been set up, under the chairmanship of Lord Cobbold.

Whilst I welcome this proposal for a Malaysian Federation, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he appreciates that Singapore is likely to be the critical area? In order to secure the support of its population, does the proposal include the right of Singapore to equal status as a State within the Federation? Does it include citizenship rights for all who are born in Singapore?

That is another and wider question. I would ask the hon. Gentleman to put it down on the Order Paper.

Will the hon. Gentleman state the terms of reference of the Commission. May we rely on him to see to it that the British Government appreciate the overriding importance and urgency of this matter and do everything in their power to facilitate a successful outcome?

Yes, Sir. The terms of reference are to ascertain the views of the peoples of North Borneo and Sarawak on the issues of greater Malaysian integration. I entirely agree with the thought behind the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. The object is to take the views of the people concerned and then, in the light of those views, to make recommendations.

Will my hon. Friend make sure that the rights and privileges of the indigenous populations of Sarawak and North Borneo are carefully preserved? Is he aware that these people are not nearly so well organised as the Chinese living in the principal towns of those countries.

Yes, Sir. That is one of the purposes of the Commission of Inquiry.

While appreciating the point behind the question of the hon. Member for Middleton and Prestwich (Sir J. Barlow), may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he does not agree that the rights and privileges of the aborigines of these areas will be far more seriously prejudiced if this project does not come to fruition than ever they will be by anything which happens if it does?

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he accepts the recommendation of paragraph 47 (b) of Command Paper No. 1586, 7th Report of the Overseas Migration Board, that Great Britain's ability to provide for increased numbers of skilled and professional men and women for service in Commonwealth countries should be strengthened; and what steps he has taken, since the publication of the Report, to represent these views to the Government bodies concerned.

Yes, Sir. It is very desirable that we should be able to meet requests from other Commonwealth Governments for skilled manpower to help in the implementation of their development programmes. As to the second part of the Question, the Oversea Migration Board's recommendation has been brought to the notice of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labour, the Department for Technical Co-operation and the Office of the Minister for Science; and, because of its special interest in the subject, the Robbins Committee on Higher Education.

I am grateful for that answer as far as it goes. Can the hon. Gentleman be a little more precise, however? On Tuesday, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, in answering a similar question, was very vague. Can the hon. Gentleman tell us when we can expect to see some tangible results in the Ministry of Education and the Treasury in relation to say, raising the school leaving age in England, offering sixth form scholarships, or increasing maintenance allowances, so that our own stocks of people for these purposes are increased?

As I understood it, my right hon. Friend said yesterday that every effort is being made to meet all requests from overseas Governments. I agree that every effort should be made. British "know-how" is more than a valuable export; it is a vital thread in the fabric of Commonwealth relations.

Will my hon. Friend consider the possibility of establishing one central Commonwealth employment bureau, whereby any Commonwealth country in need of skilled people could advertise its requirement in that bureau and thus notify the jobs concerned to all those in this country possessing the necessary skill?

As my hon. Friend will be aware, the Department of Technical Co-operation was set up to assist recruiting of that kind. I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Technical Co-operation will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

Will the hon. Gentleman make it his business to tell the Minister for Science that the views expressed in the Report of the Overseas Migration Board appear to be somewhat in conflict with those in the Report on Scientific Manpower? Will he ask his noble Friend for his comments?

I do not think that there is anything very surprising in that. There may be some occupations where the emigration of skilled and professional men from this country would cause difficulty and concern, but I think it is generally agreed that we should make every effort, where possible, to meet the requests of Commonwealth countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether, in accordance with the recommendations of the Oversea Migration Board, the Government intend to renew the Commonwealth Settlement Act when it expires this year.

Yes, Sir. It is proposed to introduce legislation during the present Session to renew the Commonwealth Settlement Acts for a further five years.

Is my hon. Friend aware that I am grateful for that Answer which will, I know, be acceptable to hon. Members on both sides of the House who are interested in this matter, and also to the main receiving countries in the Commonwealth?

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations why the Blackburn Young Men's Christian Association has not yet received the £10,000 grant awarded to it under the Government's Overseas Students Welfare Expansion Programme.

I understand that the hon. Lady has received full information about this case from my noble friend.

Is the hon. Member aware that I have received no satisfaction at all in this matter from his noble Friend? Is he aware that proposals were put forward by the Y.M.C.A. National Council as long ago as last October which would have enabled this grant to be paid, but that no grant has yet been made? Is he also aware that the Y.M.C.A. in Blackburn has had to incur bank facilities for an overdraft of up to £20,000 to launch this scheme and has promised to pay back £10,000 by the end of this month, and that it is running up very heavy bank charges and that the whole scheme is in grave difficulties owing to the Government's failure to proceed?

The terms of the original offer were that the grant was intended to finance the last £10,000 of the project and at the appropriate time it would be paid over to meet progress payments on the contract. I understand that the first of these payments became due in mid-January. There is a temporary difficulty arising out of the fact that where public money is disbursed proper accounting procedures must be followed. Precisely because of the very proper concern which the hon. Lady has shown, I would like to suggest that if she could find the time to come and see me I shall be pleased to discuss these matters with her.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations when the conference on the review of the Constitution of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland will be resumed; and what will be the basis of representation of Governments and political parties.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Bromwich (Mr. Dugdale) on 16th November.

Is it proposed to hold up the constitutional review until a general election in Northern Rhodesia is held on the basis of a new constitution? How long is that delay likely to be?

As the hon. Gentleman will recall, my right hon. Friend said in his statement that until elections have taken place the review might be held up, and that we must also consider what should be the interim steps. I do not think that I should say anything further now, having regard to the fact that my right hon. Friend is now in Salisbury reviewing the whole situation with the Federal Prime Minister.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that 14 months have passed since this conference was adjourned? Is this not a terrible indictment of the Government for their dithering over the situation in Northern Rhodesia in this past year?

Nothing of the kind. This is a very delicate and difficult problem. It is essential that we get the right answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will consult the Pakistan Government with a view to their ensuring the validity of vaccination certificates of their nationals who are emigrating to Great Britain.

Without accepting in any way the implications in the Question, I can assure my hon. Friend that we have been and are in close touch with the Pakistan authorities on the measures which we and they are taking to halt the spread of infection.

Is my hon. Friend aware that confidence has been shaken in the quality of the certificates produced by Pakistanis entering this country? With a view to restoring that confidence, can he perhaps give us rather more detail by publishing a report on the subject.

I am not at all sure about this question of confidence. I understand that for well over a month the Pakistan Government have been taking extremely strict precautions. I would like to add that, out of 7,600 Pakistanis who came here during December and January, we know of only five who developed smallpox—and all five had valid certificates of vaccination.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what request he has received from the Government of Cyprus for a modification of the Constitution.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on 7th February.

Does my hon. Friend agree that the rights of the Turkish minority to its share in the Civil Service and to its own municipal councils is laid down in the Constitution, which cannot be altered except with the consent of the guaranteeing powers? Is it not far better to tackle this question on the basis of good will rather than of making threats to have the Constitution changed?

I agree with the latter sentiment. Article 182 of the Constitution provides that certain basic articles cannot in any way be amended and that amendments to other articles require two-thirds majorities of each of the two communities—Greek and Turkish. The Constitution, of course, forms an essential part of the Cyprus settlement.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, in practice, a number of the provisions of the Constitution have proved themselves unworkable? Will he assure the House that the British Government, as one of the guaranteeing Powers, look sympathetically at changes which have become necessary in order to make democratic government work in Cyprus?

Cyprus is an independent member State of the Commonwealth. In any case, there has been no request from the Cyprus Government for a revision of the Constitution.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what consultations he has had with the Prime Minister of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland concerning constitutional proposals in Northern Rhodesia.

During the past year, in accordance with established practice, there have been consultations with the Federal Government prior to announcements of constitutional proposals by Her Majesty's Government.

While thanking the Parliamentary Secretary for giving us knowledge which was already in our possession—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why ask, then?"]—and which is totally irrelevant to the purpose and meaning of my Question, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that all hon. Members on this side of the House regard it as vitally important that Her Majesty's Government should not be deflected from proposals which would give the Africans majority rule in Northern Rhodesia by any representations made by Sir Roy Welensky, and that any further steps taken to appease Sir Roy Welensky in this way could lead only to a situation in Northern Rhodesia very like that obtaining in Algeria?

I am perfectly sure that the Federal Government would be the first to recognise that responsibility for a final decision on Northern Rhodesia rests with the British Government, but there is an obligation to consult which was laid down in the White Paper of January, 1953, and there is no point in consulting unless one seriously considers the views of the man with whom one is consulting.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that the Federal Government's views on this matter must have been influenced by the fact that Her Majesty's Government appeased the Government in the middle of last year and allowed themselves to be shaken in the view which they took in January, 1961? In view of that, can the Parliamentary Secretary assure the House that this time at least Her Majesty's Government will do what they know and believe to be right?

I do not for a moment accept the premise upon which the hon. Member bases his Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the state of public order in Northern Rhodesia; and what arrangements have been made to make available to Parliament and the public the Northern Rhodesia Government's Report on the disturbances in the Protectorate between July and October last.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 1st February.

Is it not the case that this Report came to the conclusion that "No other organisation or society",—I am quoting the exact words—than the United National Independence Party was responsible for these disturbances which involved cruel and brutal attacks on peace-loving individuals and grave damage to churches and clinics and other properties of benefit to the African population?

I have placed copies of this Report in the Library so that hon. Members who are interested can read them and draw deductions from them, For my own part, I think that it is an excellent and impartial Report.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that Her Majesty's Government are in a position physically to exercise their responsibility for law and order in Northern Rhodesia during the difficult weeks and months that may follow without relying on assistance from the Federal Government, the attitude of whose troops may not be entirely impartial in this matter?

I cannot accept the hon. Gentleman's implication about the Federal troops or about the possible developments in Northern Rhodesia. It is my hope that we shall get a solution to the Northern Rhodesian constitutional problem which will prevent these dangers arising.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether Her Majesty's Government are in a position, in case of need, to provide troops in order to carry out their responsibilities in this territory?

That is a hypothetical question, and to answer it would not help anyone.

On a point of order Mr. Speaker. Is it in accordance with the traditions of this House to cast reflections without justification on officers holding the Queen's Commission?

Is it not the case that Mr. Justice Devlin's Report made exactly the comment which I have myself repeated?

I do not think that any point of order arises either way.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans are at present members of the Lusaka Municipal Council; how many Africans are on the voters' rolls; and what plans he has for a respresentative system of election.

There is no direct African representation on the council at present. The voters roll does not specify race, but the number of Africans on it cannot be large. The Northern Rhodesia Government are committed in principle to broader electoral arrangements and to direct African participation in the council; and it is hoped that legislation for that purpose will be introduced at the next session of the Legislature.

I thank the Secretary of State for that Answer. Will he do everything he can to expedite this matter? Does he not agree that the political progress made at the national level in Northern Rhodesia ought to be matched by the advance of Africans at the local level?

I think that we can expect legislation on this subject in the next session of the Legislature, which, I understand, will be next month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Northern Division of the United National Independence Party of Northern Rhodesia has been refused the right to re-register its divisional headquarters.

The Registrar of Societies refused to register this divisional branch of U.N.I.P. as a society because on the application as submitted to him he considered it likely to be prejudicial to peace and good order. A second application is now under consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has told the House that the ban has been lifted on this organisation but repeated evidence keeps coining to me of administrative interference with the political decision that he has taken? This is not the first case of refusal to reregister which I have brought to the attention of his Department. Is it not clear that the people on the spot are not carrying out his policy in the spirit in which he intended?

No, Sir. The Registrar has a clear duty in this matter. He took a decision which was confirmed by the Chief Secretary, and the applicants can appeal to the Governor if they wish to do so. The chance to appeal is still open. In the meanwhile, they made a second application which is being considered in the normal way.

Is it not a fact that the impartial report to which my right hon. Friend referred puts the blame for these disturbances wholly on the political party concerned with this question and, therefore, is it not wise to have a certain amount of circumspection before considering reregistration of the society?

I think that we can safely leave these applications to the Registrar and to the appeal machinery to which I have referred. I do not want to interfere with the discussions of the people on the spot.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the proposed constitution for Northern Rhodesia.

No, Sir.

As the Secretary of State is primarily responsible to the House for his policy in Northern Rhodesia, and in view of the difference of opinion between him and some of his colleagues about the policy there, is it not time that the House was consulted about what the Government are discussing and proposing, and ought not the House to discuss it first rather than refer it to other people outside?

It is my intention to make an announcement as soon as possible. As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary made clear earlier, we are obliged to consult the Federal Government before reaching a final conclusion on these matters, and consultation must mean real consultation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what current action he is taking regarding the threats made by Mr. Kenneth Kaunda that if his United National Independence Party is dissatisfied with Her Majesty's Government's constitutional proposals for Northern Rhodesia, he will paralyse that territory's copper-mining industry by illegal strike action.

I am satisfied that the Governor will take whatever action is necessary to deal with any breach of the law and to maintain order.

Is not my right hon. Friend seriously perturbed at the possibility that these threats will result in outbreaks of violence such as occurred last year, and in framing the new constitutional proposals for Northern Rhodesia, will he see to it that the impression is not given that Her Majesty's Government will always give way to threats, intimidation and violence by a minority against the interests of the African majority?

I am disturbed by the potential dangers of the situation in Northern Rhodesia, and that is why I look forward to making an announcement as soon as possible. I am equally determined before making an announcement to consider every possible implication of it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that after the Government's proposals last January the Northern Rhodesian Branch of the United Federal Party made similar threats?

I do not think that much is to be gained in present circumstances by raking over the embers of old disputes?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is being taken in Northern Rhodesia on the recommendations of the Keir Report on Technical and Commercial Training, particularly to provide an expansion of technical education for Africans; and what resources his department will contribute towards improving educational facilities.

I am asking the Governor for a further report and will communicate with the hon. Member when I receive it. Responsibility for assistance towards technical education now rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Technical Co-operation who, I understand, has recently agreed in principle to the making of a colonial development and welfare grant towards the completion of the College for Further Education in Lusaka.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what steps he is taking to improve the quality and quantity of material for use by British information officers in the African countries of the Commonwealth.

Both the quality and quantity of the material we supply is kept under close and constant review in consultation with our overseas representatives.

While recognising the energy and devotion of our Common-wealth information officers in this respect, will the Under-Secretary press the Treasury to allow more money for this vitally important work? On the ques- tion of quality, does he not agree that it is not satisfactory that Commonwealth propaganda, information material, in West Africa should be omni-direction material also available to Canada and Australia, and will he consider setting up a special African department to deal with that side of the problem?

I agree entirely with what the hon. Member has said about the devotion and ability of our information officers in the field, and I take his point about the necessity for specially tailored material to meet the needs of these countries. But I am sure that the hon. Member would be the first to recognise that if information expenditure is to be kept within bounds, a large proportion of the material sent out should be suitable for use anywhere in the Commonwealth. On the other hand, we are moving increasingly in the direction he has suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what agreement has been reached with Messrs. Baileys (Malta) Ltd. about the conversion of Malta Dockyard to civilian use; when the major contracts were placed; and when the work is expected to be completed.

My predecessor informed my hon. Friend the Member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Woodnutt) on the 18th May last of the agreement reached between Her Majesty's Government and Messrs. Bailey (Malta) Ltd., on the financing of the revised and enlarged development plan for the Dockyard. I am glad to say that the main contract for the conversion of the Dockyard has now been placed and work should begin very soon. I hope that it will be completed in about two years.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the House and the Maltese people will be delighted that this overdue agreement has now been signed? Can he assure the House that the level of employment in the Dockyard will now be able to be maintained and that ship-repairing work will be continued during the period of conversion?

I would like notice of any question in which I am asked to give assurances about particular levels of employment or work.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree with the observation just made by his hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations that when public money is disbursed proper accounting methods must be followed? In view of the record of this particular firm, will that be done in future?

I accept my hon. Friend's principle and reject the hon. Member's supplementary question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if an inquiry has been held into the shooting incident in Malta involving members of the Socialist International who were making an official visit to the island a few weeks ago; and if he will make the result of that inquiry available to Members of this House.

Police investigation and an inquiry by a magistrate continue. The findings of the latter will be made available in due course.

Is the Minister aware that although this incident was not serious physically, it could have political repercussions? If members of an international delegation visit the country and are subject to incidents of this character, it could become serious and stop people travelling from one country to another. Will the Minister deal with this matter and try to find the cause of the trouble?

The matter is in the hands of the police, who are investigating the position, and I am sure that I should not comment at this stage.

Can it really take them three months to investigate a simple incident of this kind?

It depends on the complexity of the facts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the importance of the forthcoming general election in Malta, he will arrange for a group of independent observers from all parties in this House to visit the island during the period of the election to note the methods and procedure and to make a report to him as the Minister responsible for the conduct of elections.

No, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that the atmosphere in Malta has become explosive during the last few weeks? As the election is to take place on Monday week, will he do something now and not wait until the election is over and trouble has broken out? Will he send someone there to report to him if trouble arises in connection with the election?

I am concerned about the election position in Malta, but I discussed this with the Governor, who has taken great precautions, and I think all possible precautions, to ensure peaceful and impartial elections. For my part, I do not think that a visit from a group of independent observers would help. In fact, it might give rise to incidents which otherwise would not occur.

Is the Minister aware that members of the Roman Catholic hierarchy in Malta are threatening Maltese citizens with utter damnation if they vote for the Labour Party? [Laughter.] I can understand hon. Gentlemen in this House regarding that as a comic remark, but I assure them that in Malta this is a matter of the gravest personal concern to any member of the Roman Catholic Church. In the circumstances, is the Minister satisfied that there is freedom in these elections?

Yes, Sir, I am, and I have given great thought to this. It is extremely important, and I think that every possible precaution has been taken to ensure fair and impartial elections.

Is the Minister aware that it would be simple for him to send out several distinguished Catholic Members of the British Labour Party who could reassure the Maltese voters that they could vote Labour without incurring damnation?

It may be simple to do, but I doubt whether it would help with the elections.

Is the Minister aware that the Roman Catholic hierarchy has taken action because of attacks by the Malta Labour Party on the Catholic way of life and Catholic spiritual beliefs?

One deprecates the way in which the election is involving religious issues, and I think that the sooner the election is over and settled the better. I believe that the Governor has taken every possible precaution to ensure that it is fairly conducted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the constitutional conference on the future of British Guiana will be held; and what will be its terms of reference.

The conference will be held in May. It will discuss the date and the arrangements to be made for the achievement of independence by British Guiana.

I welcome that announcement. Is it the Government's intention to respond to the demand of the British Guiana Government that independence should be granted by the end of this year? In view of the situation in Jamaica and Trinidad, is it not very desirable that these three territories should be advancing together towards independence?

I do not think that I can make any comment on the date of independence of British Guiana because that is one of the things which we must discuss at the conference; and to suggest any date or point of view in advance of the discussions at the conference would be unwise and might prejudice the discussions.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the fears, both inside and outside British Guiana, that unless there are proper constitutional safeguards built into the new constitution that country might well become a base in South America for the propagation of Communism? Will he pay strict regard to those fears when the question of a new constitution for British Guiana comes up for discussion?

I think that there will be varying views in British Guiana itself about the nature of the independence constitution, and possibly even about the date for independence. Once again, as in answer to the previous supplementary question, while taking the point. I will ask my hon. and learned Friend not to expect me to anticipate the conference.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take a better view of the prospect for British Guiana than that taken by the hon. and learned Member for Billericay (Mr. Gardner)? Now that the West Indian Federation has unfortunately come to an end, will the Colonial Secretary at least attempt to rescue out of that the benefit that more flexible arrangements are possible over a wider Caribbean area, and will he encourage the Government of British Guiana to associate itself with the common services arrangements which he is planning for the Caribbean area?

I should be glad to see participation by British Guiana in economic and other arrangements in the Caribbean, but I doubt whether that could be put on the agenda for a constitutional conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Nyasaland Government will cooperate with the Federal Government's hydro-electric scheme at Nkula Falls; and what benefits the scheme is expected to bring in Nyasaland.

Discussions have been taking place between the Federal and Nyasaland Governments and final decisions on the project have yet to be reached. Apart from the increased power supply for development schemes that the hydro-electric station would provide, the barrage upstream would regulate the level of Lake Nyasa with benefit to navigation, tourism and lakeshore dwellers. It would also facilitate irrigation projects and assist riverside dwellers in the Shire Valley.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that Dr. Banda, the Minister of Local Government and Natural Resources, has said that he would rather the Nyasaland people starved to death than had the benefit of Federal funds for the purpose of constructing this dam?

I do not think that I am called upon to comment on statements of that character by individuals. I very much regret that there should be a dispute about this very valuable project. As I said, discussions are going on between the Federal Government and the Nyasaland Government and I hope that they will produce results.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the scientific expedition organised by the Royal Society which is visiting Tristan da Cunha; when he will send an expedition to find out the conditions on this island; and whether it will be possible for those who lived on it, and who may wish to go back, to return.

An expedition organised by the Royal Society to study the scientific causes underlying the eruption and its effects on the fauna and flora of Tristan was landed on Tristan on 29th and 30th January by the South African frigate "Transvaal". The expedition expect to return towards the end of March and I shall of course study their report. Meanwhile I have no plans for any other expedition. I doubt whether the island will ever be safe for permanent resettlement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is expected that work will commence on the reconstruction of Ferry Point Bridge, Bermuda.

Responsibility for providing funds for the construction of this bridge rests with the United States Government, but that Government have to date been unable to get Congress to vote the money. Her Majesty's Government continue to press that this long standing obligation should be fulfilled.

With no reflection on the Minister, this is not really good enough. It is over 15 years since the American Government entered into a solemn pledge to build a bridge to replace land highways that they had taken over as part of the Base Agreement. Since then, year after year, they have renewed that pledge but have always escaped the ultimate obligation by claiming that they could not get the consent of Congress. Is he aware that it is now five years since one of his predecessors, in answer to a similar Question, said that work was expected to begin in 1947, and when does he think that this promise will be kept? Is not this a bad example of a great Power failing a small country?

I think that it is very disappointing that progress has not been made on this. When the United States Government say that they cannot get approval from Congress towards certain expenditure, one cannot help feeling a certain sympathy with them.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many licences have been applied for by the elected representatives of the Kenya African National Union in the Kenya Legislative Council and their President, Mr. Kenyatta, to hold meetings in the Northern Province and the following districts of Kenya, namely: Baringo District, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nandi, West Suk, Kericho, Laikipia, Samburu, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana-Lamu, Katiado, Narok, Uasingisho, Trans-Nzoia, and Elgon Nyanza; and how many such licences have been refused, and on what grounds.

Nine licences have been applied for by the President and other elected representatives of K.A.N.U. to hold public meetings in the areas mentioned by my hon. Friend, of which one was refused on grounds of public order.

Taking into account the Minister's Answer, does he realise that this amounts to the fact that a party which purports to be a national one does not dare politically to enter into about two-thirds of the country as a whole? Does he realise that a parallel in this country would be if Members of the Opposition Front Bench dared not go to political meetings anywhere except in London and the Midlands?

asked the Minister of Education how many teachers' training colleges do not require mathematics at O level as an entry qualification.

A General Certificate of Education pass in mathematics is not normally required for entry to training, but four-fifths of the men and over half the women admitted to three-year courses possessed one in 1960.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that sufficient emphasis is placed on mathematics as a basis for modern education?

We are short of mathematics teachers, but I assure my hon. Friend that the training colleges are now doing some excellent work to increase the numbers.

asked the Minister of Education why permission has been refused for the use of vacant class rooms at the Roman Catholic Primary School, Our Lady of Victory, for the education of Roman Catholic children from Hammersmith.

This school has no accommodation of its own, and could only expand if the local education authority provided it with additional rooms under Section 109 of the Education Act, 1944. The local education authority has discussed the suggestion with representatives of the Roman Catholic diocese concerned, but in view of various objections both parties have agreed not to proceed with it.

Is not the Minister aware that the problem of Catholic education in Catholic schools in Hammersmith and West London is daily growing more acute, in part due to immigration, and that the provision of these class rooms would alleviate the problem to some extent? I understand that at one time permission was given for their use and later withdrawn. This is difficult to understand, as the Catholic authorities were prepared to pay the cost of providing transport for these children from Hammersmith to this school.

As the Roman Catholic authorities concerned have agreed with this, I think that we had better leave it there, but the hon. Gentleman is right that the problem of sites for Catholic schools in North Hammersmith is very difficult.

asked the Minister of Education what grants are at present available for experimental work on special projects under the Direct Grant Schools Regulations.

Regulation 4 (d) of the Direct Grant Schools Regulations, 1959, empowers me to pay grant in respect of special or experimental work involving extraordinary expenditure. The grants regularly paid under this Regulation are towards the cost of the employment of foreign assistants. I have also recently agreed to pay a small grant to one school taking part in a pilot scheme in the teaching of atomic physics at Ordinary level.

As there are 179 direct grant schools in special relationship with the Ministry and in a privileged position, does not he think that he might be a little more enterprising in this matter? Does not he recognise that there are a number of problems in education in respect of which he might take an initiative and ask some of these rather privileged schools to help to solve them?

I am taking steps to increase research, but I do not think that the direct grant schools are in any better position than any other schools to help us there.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the unsettling effect of the frequent change of school accommodation experienced by many of the younger children of Ashmore Park Estate, Wednesfield, Staffordshire; and, in view of the fact that this is an overspill area where the child population is growing rapidly, why provision has not been made for adequate up-to-date school accommodation.

I am aware of the needs of Ashmore Park, and have approved new primary schools to provide 1,120 additional places. The building of two of the new schools is still delayed by difficulties of site acquisition. Meanwhile, one new school on the estate has opened and the authority has provided temporary classrooms at existing schools. It also provides free transport for children who have to attend schools off the estate.

Is the Minister aware that his free transport has had to be used to take children as young as seven years of age to three different schools, and that he has not answered my Question? I have asked him why he has failed to provide accommodation. Is he aware that he has had ten years to do this? He knows that this is an overspill new housing estate, with a lot of young children. Is he not ashamed of the priorities of the last ten years, under which money and materials have been spent on issues very much less necessary, and when he is still telling me what he is going to do and not what he has done?

This is an unfortunate case, because the sites could not be acquired voluntarily and the compulsory purchase order is, unfortunately, now subject to an action in the High Court, and, therefore, sub judice. I hope that it will not be too long before the sites can be acquired.

Is the Minister aware that there is a great deal of concern about the inadequate building allocations of the Staffordshire County Council? In view of this concern, will he agree to receive a deputation to discuss the matter with him?

That is another question. I cannot see every local education authority on the subject of its building allocations. As the hon. Member knows, it is the practice not to do so.

asked the Minister of Education what are the comparative costs of a steel frame school building of up-to-date design and a reinforced concrete building.

It is difficult to generalise on this subject, but an analysis of the tenders accepted in 1961 for schools in the major building programme shows that the difference in the average cost per place between steel framed buildings and buildings in reinforced concrete was not significant.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but will he bring to the notice of the local education authorities that steel can now be bought off the shelf?

I know that in the area which my hon. Friend represents there is steel to be bought, and I have asked the local authority to look at the problem of the Constantine College.

Has the Minister taken any action on the Estimates Committee Report on school buildings?

No, Sir—not on the Report. It is rather a satisfactory Report.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent his Department was consulted before the transfer to Japan of four-ninths of the British whale quota, to take effect after the 1961–62 whaling season; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in respect of this new situation.

The need to transfer part of the United Kingdom quota for pelagic whaling arises from the agreement by a British firm to sell an expedition to a Japanese company at the end of the present season in the Antarctic. My right hon. Friend and his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland were consulted as regards both the sale and the proportion of quota to be transferred. The sale of this expedition will not change our policy, which remains to seek inter-international agreement on effective action to conserve whale stocks, with due regard to the interests of our own industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to preserve and develop the production of lavender in this country; and what help his Department gives when a lavender grower wishes to obtain planning permission for buildings in connection with such production.

The production of lavender in this country is protected by import duties on fresh and dried lavender. The Ministry's advisory officers are available to give technical advice to lavender growers. Planning applications are for the local planning authority, and, on appeal, for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, to consider on their merits. Where the planning authority proposes to reject an application for agricultural development or to approve it subject to conditions, it is required to consult the Ministry's Land Commissioners, whose instructions are, in accordance with Ministry of Housing Circular 43/58, that they should support such applications when the development is, in their judgment, necessary in the long term for the efficient farming of the land.

In view of the very encouraging statement made by the Minister, will he go a step further and say that he will take practical steps to implement the inference to be drawn from his statement, and see that a business which has been in existence in Hertforshire for 140 years shall not be put out of existence because no planning per- mission has been given for a building to be erected on the 5-acre farm of a well-known lavender developer?

I think I know the case which the hon. Member has in mind. I can assure him that it is still the subject of inquiry.

Does my tight hon. Friend agree that it might have been better, or more fruitful, if the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West (Sir B. Janner) had worn lavender in his buttonhole this afternoon?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners, in all, have now been accommodated in the special wing at Brixton Prison; how many of them have been returned to ordinary prisons; how many have been transferred to mental institutions; how many have been released on the completion of their sentences; and if he will publish in HANSARD a summary assessment of the results of this experiment.

Of the nine prisoners who have passed through the special wing at Brixton four have been transferred to mental hospitals under the Mental Health Act, 1959, two improved enough to be given a chance in a training prison where they are making reasonable progress, two have been transferred to ordinary prisons and the ninth has been sent to Wormwood Scrubs to receive treatment for an old physical injury.

On the whole, can the hon. and learned Gentleman say whether this experiment is regarded as successful?

On the whole, with certain reservations, yes, a success.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman going to continue this experiment, which, as he knows, has caused a certain amount of upheaval and dissatisfaction among prison warders?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would give notice of that rather different question.