asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he will now state the further proposals agreed with the Kenya Government for financial assistance in dealing with the problem of mixed farming areas, in addition to the present land settlement programme under which farms in selected areas are purchased from Europeans to provide smallholdings for Africans.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he will make a statement on the review of the Million Acre Scheme in Kenya.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he will now make a statement about the future of the Million Acre Resettlement Scheme in Kenya and the amount of additional financial support Great Britain will be contributing.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies whether he will now make a further statement about assistance in dealing with mixed farming areas in Kenya, in addition to the farms being dealt with under the present land settlement programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies whether he is aware that there is much land outside the Million Acre Resettlement Scheme in Kenya suitable for resettlement; and whether he will introduce proposals for an extension of the scheme.

Consideration of this difficult question is proceeding. I am having further discussions about it with Kenya Ministers in London this week.

May we take it that Ministers in Kenya are agreed with Her Majesty's Ministers here that the problem of the European mixed farms is an urgent one and should be solved as soon as possible? Does my right hon. Friend hope to make a statement before the House rises for the Summer Recess?

I hope that we may be able to reach some conclusion before the Recess, in which case I will see that the House is informed.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the decision on the Ol Kalu salient has been pending for a long time and that there are at least 100 additional compassionate cases which should be assisted to leave Kenya? Will he give consideration to this matter as well as to phase 2 of the Million Acre Scheme?

Yes, Sir.

Will my right hon. Friend accept, in his efforts to reach a satisfactory conclusion in what is really a very difficult and also a very urgent problem, that he will command very wide support? Does my right hon. Friend realise that what most of us have in mind is the provision of some scheme in the interests of Kenya which will induce people to stay in the country and not leave it?

I recognise the urgency of this matter, and I agree with my hon. Friend's last remark.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that a month ago he told us that he was considering these proposals, and that the delay is doing incalculable harm both to the economy of Kenya and to the position of European mixed farmers who are uncertain about their future? Will he get an early decision on this matter?

Yes, Sir, I certainly will.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he will state the latest position reached in negotiation with Governments of the Commonwealth over the proposed revision of the Fugitive Offenders Act, 1881.

We have put precise proposals to other Commonwealth Governments and are now waiting for their comments.

Is my hon. Friend aware that it is rather disappointing that no revision of this Act can now take place during this Parliament, even though negotiations have been going on for more than a year? Would my hon. Friend agree that there could be an embarrassing situation over a political fugitive at any time because the Act is so out of date? Will he ensure that when the new Conservative administration is formed in October absolute priority is given to legislation on this subject?

I am sure my hon. Friend will agree that this is not a simple question. We have circulated detailed proposals. The subject is highly complex and cannot be rushed but will, no doubt, be dealt with early in the next Parliament.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there have been disgracefully long delays about this? Is he also aware that the new Labour Administration which will be formed after the election will show an example of expedition in getting the Act revised?

I am sure the hon. Gentleman realises that other Governments have to be consulted. We are now awaiting their comments.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what consideration he has given to introducing compulsory education for children between the ages of 5 and 15 years in the territories for which he is responsible; and if he will make a statement.

The education policy in each territory is decided by the Government concerned in the light of local circumstances and of the resources available.

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that the resources available are determined to some extent by the assistance which may be forthcoming from Her Majesty's Government? Will he realise that if we are to overcome the challenge of tribal traditions in achieving the democratic concept of the Commonwealth, the finest way to accomplish this is by way of education? Is it not time that he gave us something more practical instead of indulging in platitudes?

We have given something much more practical—we have given money. We have given £13 million for primary and secondary education in the last five years, and £13·9 million for technical and higher education. This is always a matter of priorities. There are other social services and also the claims of economic development which is needed to increase revenue.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies whether he will take the necessary action to change the name of his Department to that of Commonwealth Relations and British Protectorates Overseas.

No, Sir.

If the Secretary of State will not agree to the suggestion contained in the Question, will he find some other way of getting rid of the word "Colonies" from his administration? [HON. MEMBERS: "Silly."] It is not silly, because our friends from overseas do not like being called colonials, in view of what has happened in the past. Could not the right hon. Gentleman find another way of describing his Department?

As the House knows, the Commonwealth Relations Office and the Colonial Office are due to be merged as soon as possible after 1st July next year. In the interval, we shall be giving thought to what is the most appropriate name for the combined Department, but I must say straight away that I am not attracted by the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he will place in the Library the text of the communications from the Radfan tribal leaders to the British High Commissioner in Aden in the course of 1963.

No such communications were received.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is claimed by the Radfan members that they were prepared to join the Federation provided they were not part of the State of Dahla? In these circumstances, can he publish some communication or other information so that the House can judge whether it was necessary to involve British troops in the fighting at Radfan?

I cannot invent communications, even to please the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what action is to be taken by Her Majesty's Government on the proposal of the United Nations Special Committee on Colonialism that a three-member committee of good offices should visit British Guiana to assist in restoring harmony and peaceful conditions.

We have taken note of it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman content to allow the present critical situation in British Guiana to continue, with emergencies, with arrests, and with killings? What is his constructive proposal for a settlement of this problem? As he has refused a Commonwealth mission of good will, why refuse a United Nations mission of good will?

I agree that a little more good will in British Guiana would be a nice thing, but I do not think that further missions are likely to create it. As regards the proposal for a Commonwealth mission, in which I know some hon. Members have some interest, as the communiqué showed, this was discussed at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers Meeting, but there were widely differing views about the wisdom of such action.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he is aware that there is a lack of confidence in the political and racial impartiality of the police and security forces in British Guiana; and what steps he is taking to increase public confidence.

I know that the Police have been accused of partiality, but these accusations are quite unjustified. On the contrary, the British Guiana Police have done and are doing a fine job in very difficult circumstances. In recruitment to the Police Force and to the new Special Service Unit care is being taken to ensure that recruits are not drawn predominantly from any one racial group.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his whole Department is being exposed to charges of the gravest arrogance and deliberate unwillingness to see what is happening in British Guiana when he gives an Answer like that? Is he aware that many persons have been imprisoned without any charges being made against them, and that at the same time there are people who are not in prison but who are known by the public in British Guiana to have committed many of the outrages? Will he look at the way in which recruitment is carried out so that it is of such a kind that there can be greater confidence by that section in British Guiana which does not have any at the moment?

The racial imbalance is due to the fact that in the past there have been insufficient Indian recruits because they do not particularly like the disciplined way of life and are often not of the right physique. Over the last two years recruitment has been on a strict basis of parity between the two main races. If the hon. Lady talks about increasing public confidence in British Guiana, I think that that might be helped if hon. Members refrained from making quite unjustifiable assertions of this kind in the House of Commons.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the police and the security forces in British Guiana are behaving excellently and have an admirable record? Will he back them to the limit of his ability and do his best to counteract the misrepresentations from hon. Members opposite?

My hon. Friend is right, and we shall certainly back them to the full.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he will arrange that the 13 African and 20 non-African members of the P.P.P. of British Guiana, who are among 34 individuals at present imprisoned there, shall be either charged and tried, or released at once.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies why the Deputy Premier of British Guiana, Mr. Brindley Benn, and other elected representatives who have been arrested were not brought before the courts immediately and indicted under the Criminal Law so that they might be given an opportunity to defend themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies how many persons are now detained in British Guiana; for how long they have been detained; when they will be charged; and when they are likely to be tried.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies how many persons are now detained without trial in British Guiana.

Thirty-six persons are detained under emergency regulations. The period of their detention varies between four and five weeks. Three are being charged with sedition. No charges have yet been brought against the remainder.

Why is this so? How can it be justified that a British Governor, with emergency powers, can retain in prison people who are well known to have tried their best to serve the interests of their country—whatever may be the opinion of the Minister—without making charges against them? Is not this the most gross form of old-fashioned colonialism? How can the right hon. Gentleman expect to have a possible solution in British Guiana unless he shows some understanding of what is expected in standards of behaviour and standards of conduct from the British Government themselves?

I do not think the hon. Lady quite understands what emergency regulations are for.

What are they for?

For the public safety. It would be unusual to bring to trial people detained under emergency regulations. In cases where it is possible to make a charge and to produce witnesses who are not afraid to give evidence, those people would, of course, be arrested and charged under the normal criminal code. The reason why they are not so charged is because those circumstances do not exist.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the detention of the Deputy Premier and four Elected Members of the Legislative Assembly has destroyed the majority of the Government of British Guiana? Is it not vital that these men and women should be charged so that they can defend themselves, otherwise the whole democratic system will be in ruins if the majority is destroyed by arbitrary arrests of this description?

I think that I have explained the situation. I understand the hon. Gentleman's feelings on these matters. He is correct in saying that the majority of the Government in the Legislature has been upset by this situation, but I would point out that the right to detain without trial was included in the emergency powers assumed by Dr. Jagan's Government—the hon. Gentleman is referring to Dr. Jagan's majority—in the emergency both in 1962 and in 1963.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that so long as policies of this kind are pursued our protests about what happens under dictatorships become hypocritical? Is it not time that Her Majesty's Government began to learn a little from history? Will not they have a look at what happened in Ireland, Nyasaland, Kenya and Cyprus and realise that sooner or later they will have to go back on those policies, as they had to do in the case of every territory that I have mentioned?

The hon. Member would do well to look at his history a little. There is no resemblance whatever between the struggles against colonial Powers in certain other territories and what is going on in British Guiana, where two sections of the population are killing each other, night by night. I consider that the Governor, with the full support of the British Government, should do everything in his power to protect innocent people from being murdered.

Is it not a fact that these charges of colonialism are entirely inaccurate in this context, and also that every emerging Commonwealth country on becoming independent has immediately reintroduced arrangements for emergency arrest and detention without trial—in every case more severe than the arrangements of the outgoing British administration?

I recognise that exceptional measures are necessary in Southern Rhodesia, but does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that we should be seen to administer justice fairly? In the circumstances, will not he speedily submit the cases of those detained to a tribunal for investigation?

There is a tribunal, and it is operating.

I should like to tell my right hon. Friend that there is great concern on both sides of the House about a situation in which people are imprisoned without trial, but can my right hon. Friend clear up one doubt in my mind? Do the figures to which his attention has been drawn refer to British Guiana—or to Ghana?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many cases have been before the tribunal?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what arrangements have been made to assist families in British Guiana who are suffering hardship as the result of relatives being detained without trial.

The salaries of detainees paid from Government funds are continuing. The Social Assistance Department are investigating whether the families of other detainees are in need.

Is the Minister aware that, whatever may be the logic of the argument for detention without trial, the suffering of this must not be visited upon the relatives of the people who are detained and that we are glad to see that steps have been taken to alleviate any suffering? Will the Minister, however, make every effort to ensure that the investigation is speeded up and that the suffering is alleviated as soon as possible?

Yes. Recommendations to the Governor from the Assistance Department are expected very soon and the Governor has power to charge expenditure connected with the regulations against the resources of British Guiana.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies whether he will make a further statement on the situation in British Guiana.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he will make a statement on the present situation in British Guiana.

Since my statement a month ago there have been a series of further acts of inter-racial violence. The Governor has made new regulations and some additional troops have been sent to reinforce the garrison.

Is the Secretary of State aware that there seems to be overwhelming evidence of massive American intervention in British Guiana? Will he investigate the activities of the American Central Intelligence Agency, whose agents seem to be able to move in and out of British Guiana without any difficulty? Does he agree that since the emergency has been imposed 150 people have been killed, and that there never was such a situation in British Guiana until democracy was completely eliminated from this area?

Is the hon. Member really suggesting that American agents are killing people in British Guiana?

Yes, I do.

That is a monstrous suggestion.

The Government are creating another Cuba.

What is the Secretary of State's constructive proposal to deal with the situation in British Guiana? He cannot possibly be content with it as it is. Is he not now prepared to consider a United Nations mission of good will? If he is not prepared to accept either a Commonwealth or a United Nations mission of good will, what is the right hon. Gentleman's proposal to deal with the situation in British Guiana, which is the result of his own administration and is resulting in the killing of human beings?

The hon. Member asked exactly the same supplementary question on Question No. 6 and I answered it then. [HON. MEMBERS: "The Minister did not answer it."]

Does not the Minister realise that there could be nothing more provocative than his reiterating that he does not propose to lift his finger to try to influence the desperate situation in British Guiana? Even if he rejects the proposals from Dr. Eric Williams and others, has he no single proposal of his own to try to deal with the situation? Is that what he is telling the House of Commons at the end of his whole period of dealing with the problem?

I explained fully my policy and my views about how we should deal with the situation when we had a half day's debate on the subject. Nobody from the benches opposite suggested—[HON. MEMBERS: "What are your suggestions?"]—any alternative policy—

Yes, we did.

—which stood any chance of solving this problem.

If the suggestion is that we suggested anything other than that law and order should prevail, the Secretary of State is quite right. We did, however, suggest ways in which he could tackle the problem. One suggestion was to send out a Commonwealth team, which at that time, I think, could have done some good.

We go on having this suggestion about a Commonwealth team. We have had a team from Ghana and efforts have been made by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, the Prime Minister of Jamaica and the Premier of Barbados. They have all tried their hand at this, and the Commonwealth Prime Ministers collectively discussed it but were unable to produce any suggestions about how we could handle the matter which would stand a better chance of securing good results. I am sure that what we must do is try to maintain law and order and proceed to the elections, the preparations for which are going ahead. There has been registration on a considerable scale and I hope that we shall be able to preserve law and order sufficiently to hold the elections in the autumn as planned.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he is aware that household equipment is being removed from homes searched by troops during the present emergency in British Guiana; and what steps he will take to relieve the hardship thus caused.

I assume that the Question refers to iron piping used for blowing domestic fires. Iron piping has been used to make firearms and pipe grenades and any of this piping found during searches is therefore confiscated. This should not cause hardship as bamboo and other hollow stems are readily available and can be used instead.

Is the Minister aware that we are glad that investigations have been made into this matter and to receive his assurance that alternative methods have been produced by the authorities to alleviate this suffering?

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he will make a statement on the recent orders issued by the Governor of British Guiana about penalties to be imposed on those convicted of possessing illegal arms and ammunition.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what instructions he has given to the Governor of British Guiana regarding the reintroduction of flogging as a punishment in the Colony.

The emergency regulations made on 23rd May on the advice of Guianese Ministers provided a variety of penalties for looting and kindred offences. On 7th July the Governor added the illegal possession of arms, ammunition and explosives to the list of offences covered by the earlier regulations. No change was made in the nature of the penalties prescribed.

Whoever may have supported proposals of this kind in the past, will the Secretary of State tell us whether he was asked to approve these methods of barbarism? Does he think that it can assist in establishing democracy in British Guiana for the British Govern- ment and Governor to be a party to the imposition of flogging and life imprisonment, punishments which are more reminiscent of the slave trade than anything to do with democracy?

First, as to the question of the Governor being associated with this, I should like to point out that these penalties are included in the normal criminal code of British Guiana. My second point is that the application of these penalties to offences under the Emergency Regulations was introduced by the locally-elected Ministers of British Guiana and that the Governor was merely introducing that in accordance with constitutional practice. It was his duty to make whatever regulations the elected Ministers ask for What he has done is to add—I should have thought, reasonably—to the list of offences which carry these penalties, and which previously included looting, the illegal possession of arms, ammunition and explosives.

Does the Minister really think that the use of flogging can in any way help to resolve the conflict? Does it not play into the hands of these who are trying to blame Britain and who are suggesting that Britain is adopting reactionary measures? Surely, the introduction of flogging is about the worst thing to do.

The kind of murder and violence that is going on there is very reactionary. I believe that whatever measures are necessary to save life, to prevent murder and to bring to an end this reign of fear and terror are justified. As I have said, these penalties are already included in the criminal code of the country and have been proposed by the elected representatives of the people in British Guiana.

Is not Her Majesty's Government's name involved in this, too? The Secretary of State takes upon himself many responsibilities for British Guiana, and I should have thought that in this case he could have called for the end of flogging. Is he aware that at the independence celebrations in Malawi, when Britain's stock was very high, this news was received and shocked every African there present?

I hope that the right hon. Gentleman did his best to explain the true facts.

I did. I was ashamed.

I hardly think that at a time when racial murders are taking place night after night it is the right moment to reduce penalties for violence.

We ought to get this matter into proper perspective. Would my right hon. Friend care to give the House, by one method or another, a list oil the independent countries which have reintroduced flogging since independence, including flogging for simple offences such as larceny?

Is it the Secretary of State's desire, as it has been the desire of some previous Secretaries of State, to abolish flogging throughout British territories? Why does he try to shelter behind somebody else's decision? Would he tell us whether he is in favour of flogging as a penalty in British Guiana and, if he is, does he recognise that he convicts himself of barbarism out of his own mouth?

I have made my position perfectly clear, and I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies when Ferry Point Bridge in Bermuda was completed.

Construction has not begun because the U.S. Government have not been able to get Congress to vote the money for it.

Is the Minister aware that this was a complete comprehensive obligation which was undertaken without any strings by the American Government during the war? Is he further aware that I have been asking this question for six or seven years and I have always been told that I have no reason to doubt the good faith of the American Government because they will carry out this project? May I be told when my good faith in the intentions of the American Government should lapse, as I am now approaching my 21st birthday in this respect?

It is true that the American Government undertook to build this bridge, and it is disappointing that nothing has been done. Discussions are continuing between the United States and the Bermudan Government, and we should be careful not to make them more difficult. The reason why Congress objects to voting money is that it takes the view that this project would have no military advantage to the United States.

In view of that answer, I must ask my hon. Friend a further question. Is he aware that no question of military facilities comes into it? If this bridge were built as a quid pro quo it would provide the poorest section of the community living in St. George's and St. David's with direct access to the mainland without their having to go through the American sovereign base, with all the difficulties that that entails?

My hon. Friend is wrong. This project was agreed during the war; it was in the context of military advantage, which is now not thought to exist in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies, in view of the fact that the rapid industrialisation of Malta dockyard is essential to the economic future of the island, if he is satisfied that the money originally advanced for new equipment, modern workshops, tools and large cranes for commercial shipbuilding is now sufficient to establish the industry on a competitive basis; and if he will make a statement.

The sums allocated for the physical conversion of the dockyard and for plant and equipment will be sufficient to equip the dockyard for ship repairing, in accordance with the present plan which is designed to produce a viable commercial enterprise. It has not yet been decided whether any development expenditure beyond the present plan will be desirable.

Is the Minister aware that the amount of money now being contributed to Malta is very unsatisfactory and is insufficient to develop the island economically? Is he further aware that the most important machine in the island—a 150-ton crane—has been sent from Malta to Gibraltar? This is not helping the industrial situation in Malta; it is retarding it. Will he take steps to see that the crane is returned to Malta so that it can be used for the development of ship-repairing? The ships passing by Malta are becoming much larger and a crane will be more necessary in the future than it has been in the past.

The general grant available is in accordance with the present plans, which the hon. Member knows about. As for the crane, I shall check up and let the hon. Member know as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies whether he will make a further statement about the constitutional future of Malta.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what conclusions have been reached in the discussions with the Prime Minister of Malta regarding the future of that territory.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he will now make a statement on his recent talks with the Prime Minister of Malta, and on the present views of Her Majesty's Government on the constitutional and economic future of Malta.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he will now make a statement on the constitutional and economic future of Malta.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he will now make a statement about his talks with the Prime Minister of Malta.

With permission, Mr. Speaker, I will answer Question No. 13, together with Questions Nos. 19, 24, 26 and 34 at the end of Questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he will make renewed representations to the Irish Republican authorities concerning the practice of the Irish Republican judiciary of suspending sentences of imprisonment on Irish Republican citizens provided they leave the Irish Republic and go and live in England.

I am aware that there was recently a report in the Press that a sentence had been suspended by a court in the Irish Republic on condition that the individual concerned—whose nationality was not stated—left the Republic and came to this country. The report is being investigated and in the light of these investigations I shall' certainly consider whether there are grounds for a further approach to the Irish Republican Government.

Would not my hon. Friend agree that this practice, which was prevalent two or three years ago, is certainly creeping in again? If any other action which is contemplated is not satisfactory, will he, perhaps, consider retaliatory action in the form of suggesting to our own judiciary that it should consider suspending sentences of imprisonment on English criminals provided that they go to live in Ireland?

My hon. and gallant Friend says that the practice is creeping in again. I have not heard of other recent cases. If my hon. and gallant Friend knows of examples, perhaps he would care to let me know of them and I would certainly have these cases—and the one which we are now looking into—investigated. In the light of the investigations, we would then, and not before, decide what to do.

Are British criminals adopting this practice without the formality of a sentence?

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what representations have been received from sources other than the Spanish Government suggesting that Gibraltar should be transferred from British to Spanish control.

No representations of this kind have been received by Her Majesty's Government.

If no representations have been received from sources other than the Spanish Government, what representations have Her Majesty's Government received, directly or indirectly, from representatives of the Franco Government?

That is an entirely different question.

Would the hon. Gentleman answer it?

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is in contact from time to time with the Spanish Government to try to promote good working relations over Gibraltar. It would be unfortunate to do anything to interfere with that atmosphere and spirit of negotiation.

Now that it has been admitted that the Foreign Secretary has been in touch with the Spanish Government all along the line, are we to understand that during his discussions with the Spanish Government some representations were made to him by the Spanish Government about the transfer of Gibraltar to Spain? Could we be told whether that was linked with the question of the provision of British frigates for Spain?

The first part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. It would be a pity to upset these informal interchanges between my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Spanish Government by this bigoted attitude about frigates. It is always better to trade and to talk than to carp and to criticise.