asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on Gibraltar, following the visit there of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in the light of the attitude and actions of the Spanish Government, he will now state the policy of Her Majesty's Government in respect to Gibraltar.

During my visit to Gibraltar in February I saw for myself the difficulties which are being imposed on the people of Gibraltar through the arbitrary and unreasonable actions of the Spanish authorities and the admirable spirit in which they are being met. I was able to reaffirm to the Governor and his Ministers the determination of Her Majesty's Government to protect the welfare and the legitimate interest of the people of Gibraltar. That policy remains unaltered.

In the last few weeks there has been no improvement in the situation on the frontier and indeed the Spanish authorities have introduced some further restrictive measures.

My right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the Colonial Secretary have, therefore, thought it right to inform the House and the country more fully of the facts about our differences with Spain and of the position taken by Her Majesty's Government. They are arranging to present a joint White Paper which will be laid during the next few days.

I am grateful to the Under-Secretary for that deply. Will she make it quite clear to the Franco reégime that, while we are unable to do anything about the repressive measures taken in Spain itself, this nation will not tolerate any longer the restrictions imposed by Franco on the frontier; and that the people of Gibraltar will receive the fullest possible support and the quickest possible action from Her Majesty's Government?

In the hon. Gentleman will await the White Paper he will see that our position is made amply clear.

Is the hon. Lady aware that Gibraltar is now living, even more so than when she was there, under a state of economic blockade by Spain, with virtually 40 percent. of her economy being cut? Is she aware that the unanimous view of the people, certainly when I was there, was that while our words of support were welcome, they had been ineffective? Will Her Majesty's Government now do something to help them? In this connection, does the hon. Lady appreciate that they are particularly indignant about the passport issue, that the Spanish have rejected British passports from Gibraltar, and could not we consider warning the Spanish Government that if this goes on we may have to reject Spanish passports into Britain?

I am sure that the visit of the hon. Gentleman and of his right hon. Friends was welcome in Gibraltar. I am also sure that he will appreciate that questions concerning passports are not for the Colonial Office but for the Foreign Office. Some reference will be made to this matter in the White Paper, although it is not really the concern of my right hon. Friend.

Will my hon. Friend in the White Paper deal with the question of British tourists to Spain? Will she point out to the Spanish Government that if they continue with this line of action there are ways and means of taking action on our part?

I do not think that at this stage it would be very wise for me to anticipate the contents of the White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what study he has made of the possibility of bringing in and housing workers from outside Gibraltar to replace Spanish workmen who have been warned that their frontier permits will be withdrawn.

The Gibraltar Government have, of course, studied the problems which would arise if frontier permits were withdrawn from the Spanish work force. I have every hope that alternative arrangements could be made.

Is the hon. Lady aware that many of us still hope that these permits will not be withdrawn, because we do not wish to see hardship imposed on Spanish workpeople who have done a good job on the Rock for many years?

We entirely agree with the view expressed by the hon. Member. There has, up to now, been no widespread withdrawal of such permits and we hope that no such action will be taken.

In the event of this happening, will the hon. Lady give an assurance that funds will be made available to house these people as they should be housed; and that funds are available to house those people who have lost their permits to reside in Spain and have come to Gibraltar?

We are discussing these matters with the Government of Gibraltar, who are making their own plans.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures are taken to ensure the protection of political refugees escaping to British Protectorates from South Africa; and what steps he is taking to prevent their being apprehended by South African police patrols violating the border of Her Majesty's Protectorates.

Refugees are provided with the same degree of protection as the rest of the populations of the three territories. In the one known case in which a refugee was apprehended by South African Police, which occurred in 1961, the South African Government ordered his release and allowed his return after the facts were brought to their notice.

Is my hon. Friend aware that on this side concern has been expressed in the past not only about the particular case she mentions but about the fear of other interventions? Will she have another look at this matter?

Should there be any further such occurrence the strongest representations would, of course, be made, but we have no knowledge of any, apart from those to which I have referred.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the danger of the extermination of the bushmen of the Kalahari district of Bechuanaland, what arrangements are being made to safeguard their livelihood and improve their living conditions.

My information does not support the suggestion that the bush-men are in any danger of extermination.

The Bechuanaland Government has been conducting a survey of the bush-men problem over a number of years. The final report of the survey officer has new been submitted and is under consideration locally. Meanwhile, following an earlier interim report, an area in the central Kalahari has been set aside for the bushmen as a hunting reserve. Three boreholes have been provided by Government in this area for the use of the bushmen and the animals which provide their food, and a further five are at present being drilled with the generous assistance of Oxfam.

Will the hon. Lady look at this matter again, because my information is that there are continual encroachments on to the grazing lands of the bushmen, that some have been made by poachers to trap leopards, and that the witnesses have been shot? The bushmen's life has been disrupted and there is not sufficient medical attention in that area.

If the hon. Lady would be good enough to send me particulars of any instance which she has in mind, we will, of course, study them. On my recent visit to Bechuanaland I noticed that the Bechuanaland Democratic Party, which is now the Government there, made as one of its proposals during the election "fair treatment for the bushmen".

Since there is a lack of water over this area, has my hon. Friend considered any scheme for piping water from the Okovanga swamps?

As I made clear, the immediate proposals are for boreholes which seem to be satisfactory and more economical.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals he has for developing the health services in Colonial Territories in the next financial year.

The development of health services is a matter to be considered in the context of the development plans of the Colonial Governments concerned, having regard to other priorities and to available financial resources. The British Government assists by means of continued Colonial Development and Welfare grants and by making available a wide range of technical assistance and the Colonial Office and Ministry of Overseas Development maintain close consultation with the territorial Governments about their plans.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in some of these territories there is an inadequate supply of essential health services? Would he not agree that but for the excellent missionary work of church societies, even maternity services, a tuberculosis service and an infectious diseases service might be nonexistent in some territories? Can he say whether the aid he has in mind will assist these voluntary organisations in the excellent work they are doing for these people?

These organisations are, of course, doing admirable work in the territories where they are operating, and I appreciate that in many territories more could be done for the well-being of the population, but it is primarily for the Colonial Governments and Legislatures to decide the priority to be given to the further development of their health services, as distinct from other services and other requirements in their territory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will enumerate and identify the number of occasions in the last five years on which gas has been used as a weapon to maintain order in dependent territories.

Two forms of nontoxic tear smoke, known as CN and CS, have been used by police forces in territories which are still dependent on 124 occasions over the last five years. Ninety seven of them in British Guiana. They have been used, for example, to disarm persons running amok, to quell prison disturbances, to apprehend armed criminals and to disperse rioters. I am arranging for a list to be included in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

There are standing instructions in all colonial police forces that tear smoke is only to be employed in preference to the use of batons or firearms. I am drawing the attention of all Governors to this Question and Answer.

Questions about the use of tear smoke by British troops should be addressed to the Secretary of State for Defence.

Does not my right hon. Friend think it appalling that this information has been withheld from this House for so long? Can he give an undertaking that if and when the Government take a decision to use this substance again, a specific statement to that effect will be made to this House in order that we may question him on it?

I am not aware that there has been any attempt to withhold this information; I think it is simply that it has not been asked for in the past. But it is important to remember that the use of this tear smoke is not indiscriminate; that there is not known to be any case within the period in question where permanent harmful effects have been caused, and that the other agent of this kind, which has been much in the news recently—DM—is not supplied to colonial police forces.

Whilst most of us in the House would, I think, have disagreed with the slogan of a movement with which I believe the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) was associated—"Better Red than Dead" could we not all agree that it is better to cry than die?

Would the Minister agree that it is far better to use tear smoke, which will probably be far less harmful in the long term than batons used indiscriminately, which might cause severe physical damage? Will he therefore take that into account, and not allow members of the Government to be over-emotional on the subject?

I do not think that any of us could be very happy about the use of this tear smoke on any occasion, but I think, equally clearly, that it must be regarded as preferable to the use of other forms of violence. There are many situations, of course, in which it is difficult to effect arrest or avoid a riot without the use of tear smoke of the kind issued to colonial police, but, certainly, it is extremely important that its use should be kept to the minimum. That is why the Colonial Police Regulations contain a reference to its use, and that is why I shall circulate this Question and Answer to all Colonial Governments.

Can my right hon. Friend define the difference between this tear gas and the "other agent" to which he referred in his supplementary reply, which is described as non-lethal but is clearly much more than mere tear gas and is clearly, to some extent, toxic?

I would find it difficult at this notice to define the third agent, DM, but I can say that neither CN nor CS in itself produces permanent harmful effects. CN is a lachrymatory agent which also causes irritation of the respiratory passages, and may cause irritation of the skin. Its effects last approximately three minutes. CS causes more severe irritation, and the average period of incapacity is from five to fifteen minutes. I am afraid that I have not the information about the other agent, DM, about which my hon. Friend asked.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are his plans for implementing the conclusions of the Basutoland Constitutional Conference of 1964.

The Basutoland Order, 1965, was made on 29th January and embodies the new Constitution which was agreed in outline at the Conference last May. The Order will come into operation after the elections for the new National Assembly, which have been fixed for 29th April.

May I be assured that the Government are still basing their policy on the firm belief that the request already made for independence will be confirmed a year after the elections in accordance with the assurance which we gave?

If the request is received from the new Basutoland Government, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, it requires the agreement of both Houses of the new Legislature. Failing that, a referendum would have to be held. If the request is received in the proper form, the present Government will accede to it.

That was not quite the point. We gave an assurance at the conference that in the interval we would base our policy and action on the assumption that the request for independence would be confirmed a year after the elections.

I do not think there will be anything in our policy which would be contrary to that.

Are the Government making preparations?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has studied the Final Report of the Seamen's Recruitment Committee appointed by the Governor of Hong Kong on 14th March, 1963, in the light of certain resolutions passed at the first Asian Maritime Conference of the International Labour Organisation, held at Nuwara Eliya, Ceylon, in 1953; and how many of the recommendations of the Committee have been accepted and are in operation.

Yes, Sir. All the recommendations of the Committee have been accepted in principle subject to some variation in detail. Legislation is being drafted and it is hoped that the Seamen's Recruitment Office will be in full operation by October.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a year ago the Transport and General Workers' Union seconded a senior officer to work under the auspices of the International Federation of Trade Unions in Hong Kong in order to inquire into conditions there? Is she further aware that his report has revealed that conditions for seamen sailing out of Hong Kong in regard to wages and other matters connected with their work are a disgrace to civilisation? Will she realise that mere acceptance of the report is insufficient? Will she—[Hon. MEMBERS: "Speech."]—press the Hong Kong Government to act on this Report as quickly as possible, because of the fact that the conditions—

Order. The Minister had better answer as far as we have got.

As I have already informed my hon. Friend, the main recommendation was that a Seamen's Recruitment Office should be established in order to avoid the very unsatisfactory things to which he has referred. This is to be done by October, which I think is as quickly as possible.

While I welcome that reply—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order."]—I must nevertheless—

I do not know what the hon. Member is doing, but he is not using words for the purpose of giving notice or raising any point of order.

Further to that point of order—[HON. MEMBERS: "It is not."]— I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment in order that I may complete my supplementary question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the policy of the Hong Kong Government with regard to changing the marriage laws for women in order to conform with the United Nations convention concerning the consent to marriage, minimum age of marriage and registration of marriages.

The Marriage Ordinance, under which some 50 percent. of marriages are celebrated, already conforms with the United Nations Convention.

Proposals for legislation relating to Chinese marriages are being prepared, having regard to the provisions of the Convention.

I thank the hon. Lady for looking at this matter. I am sure that she is as interested as I am in getting this settled and I hope that she will have more success in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what discussions are taking place regarding the textile quota from Hong Kong; and if he will give an assurance that the Colony's position will be safeguarded by his Department against pressures brought to bear on Her Majesty's Government by other interested parties.

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is considering what proposals to make to the cotton textile exporting countries with regard to the level of exports after 1965 to the United Kingdom. The Colonial Office will naturally be closely concerned with the formulation of these proposals in so far as they affect Colonial Territories, including Hong Kong.

Will the hon. Lady give an assurance that she will press that control of the textile quota will remain in the hands of Hong Kong in the future after these talks and also that Hong Kong will not be penalised at these talks because of breaches made in the present quota by India and Pakistan?

Matters concerning those other territories are not for my right hon. Friend. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we will do everything we can to safeguard the position of Hong Kong, for which we are responsible.

Will the hon. Lady ensure that Lancashire's interests are not forgotten in all this?

I have no doubt whatever that my right hon. Friend will be fully aware of the interests of Lancashire.

Will my hon. Friend agree with me that, though there is a large measure of responsibility for the Commonwealth, perhaps the viable part of Hong Kong, too, nevertheless we in Lancashire hope that the decisions about these quotas will be held within the Government's hands and not necessarily in those of Hong Kong?

As my hon. Friend will appreciate, these negotiations will be conducted by the President of the Board of Trade. Our responsibility is simply to safeguard the position of Colonial Territories.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what discussions he has had with the French Government about constitutional advance for the New Hebrides.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the New Hebrides.

I am at present considering how best to make progress in co-operation with the French Government on constitutional and other matters. I have had no discussions so far with the French Government.

Would the Secretary of State agree that this would be an ideal opportunity for the Prime Minister to discuss this matter with President de Gaulle in the next few days? Does he not think that it is an extraordinary anomaly that this condominium should survive in its present form, and so little attempt should be made to get constitutional advance for it?

I cannot anticipate what my right hon. Friend will be discussing during his talks with President de Gaulle. There are many aspects of the present administrative set-up in the New Hebrides which are far from satisfactory. Quite recently, my senior adviser visited the South Pacific and went to the New Hebrides. I am awaiting his report.

As there are at least some people in the South Pacific who are under the impression that Her Majesty's Government have very little interest in the New Hebrides, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that that illusion is dispelled?

As I said, one of my senior advisers has recently visited the New Hebrides and I hope that that will have dispelled any impression of apathy which may have arisen over the years.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have in mind the great importance of establishing the closest co-operation with France on the whole sphere of work of the South Pacific Commission?

I hope to establish the closest co-operation with all nations over the work of that Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements he makes in his Department for dealing with correspondence from Members of Parliament and others.

There are standing arrangements under which a formal acknowledgment by printed postcard should be sent as soon as a letter is received. An interim reply should be sent within a few days if for any reason, for example, the need for reference to a Governor, there is likely to be a delay in sending a final reply.

Replies to letters from Members of Parliament are signed by myself or by the Under-Secretary of State as the case may be. Replies to other letters may be signed by myself or my Private Secretary or by an official.

Does not the Secretary of State think, nevertheless, that it must have been very unsatisfactory to have connected with this process over a number of months someone who is so grossly out of line with Government policy? Does he not think that it is about time that he made it clear in the House whether or not he agrees with the views of the Government on Vietnam or with those of his former Parliamentary Private Secretary?

Order. None of that arises out of that Answer.

On a point of order. In view of the fact that a Parliamentary Private Secretary has a great deal to do with the answering of correspondence by the Secretary of State, could this not be considered in order—

Unless I misheard the answer, there was no reference to the P.P.S. at all. If there had been, I should amend my Ruling. I did not hear it.

The Parliamentary Private Secretary had nothing to do with my correspondence, but he was an admirable Parliamentary Private Secretary—

Order. We cannot have speeches resulting from disorderly questions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Commission proposed to visit Commonwealth territories to investigate and discuss immigration issues will visit Mauritius.

It has not yet been decided which Commonwealth countries the mission will visit.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the terrifying nature of the over-population of Mauritius? According to Professor Titmuss, the population of 700,000 will double by 1982, which is only a little over 15 years ahead. Are there any schemes for birth control of any nature, particularly among the Hindu population, to curb this terrifying advance?

I do not think that the latter part of that supplementary question arises out of the original Question. The important thing to remember is that this is a very serious problem in Mauritius. I have discussed it with the Premier of Mauritius. The normal contacts between the Government of Mauritius and Her Majesty's Government are through the Colonial Office, and we are constantly in touch with this problem. I shall again be discussing it with the Premier next week when I visit Mauritius.

Does not this reinforce our case that it is time that we had a Commonwealth-wide conference on migration within the Commonwealth, and that other countries took their share?

The best thing for the time being is to await the report of the mission which the Government propose to send to Commonwealth countries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he is taking to improve the efficiency of the fishing industry of the Seychelles Islands.

Low-interest loans to fishermen are provided to cover the cost of larger boats with engines and other equipment and 50 percent. grants to assist them to experiment with new techniques. I understand that loans totalling £2,000 using money given by the Freedom from Hunger Campaign have already been made, and that a further £3,000 from this source is likely to be lent during the next two or three months. Grants totalling £750 have also recently been made. These grants are supplied from Colonial Development and Welfare funds.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but as he is himself visiting Mauritius in the coming weeks may I ask him to consider taking a northern detour to the Seychelles to see the condition of these fishermen, because they do need an enormous amount of capital?

My hon. Friend would make an admirable siren, but I am afraid that, in view of the Parliamentary situation, I must resist his blandishments.

Adverting to our repeated attempts to understand the division of responsibility between the right hon. Gentleman's Department and that of his right hon. Friend the Minister of Overseas Development, can the right hon. Gentleman explain how he comes to be responsible for this matter rather than his right hon. Friend?

This is money going to the Seychelles, not only from the Freedom from Hunger Campaign but under Colonial Development and Welfare funds, for which we have, of course, some continuing responsibility.

Whatever action my right hon. Friend may take with regard to the fishing in the Seychelles, will he make it clear that the fish caught in those waters cannot compare with the fish caught in the North Sea off north east Scotland—

The Minister may do it, but he cannot do it on this Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to negotiate a political solution to the conflict in South Arabia.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement, following his talks, on the situation in Aden and the South Arabian Federation.

I appreciate that this is a problem which calls for a political solution and in the course of an intensive and most useful review of the situation, I have discussed with the High Commissioner proposals designed to further political and constitutional progress in the area and to promote co-operation between the Governments of the territory and the political parties. I hope to be in a position to make a further statement before long.

When my right hon. Friend is making his statement will he tell us what all this adventure is about? Is it intended to protect British interests? What are the British interests? Or is it in the interests of law and order, or for what reason? Is he aware that we are spending a lot of money there, and losing forces, in my opinion, unnecessarily, and will he take the initiative and bring this affair to an end?

We have certain treaty obligations to the people of these areas, and I do not think that it would add to their confidence if it were to seem that we were resiling from those obligations.

In the meantime, will the right hon. Gentleman continue to give the Federal Government full support in the discharge of their constitutional responsibility for internal security in a very difficult situation?

We shall do everything we can to give to the duly constituted authorities in the South Arabian Federation the support required in what, as the right hon. Gentleman says, is a very difficult and trying situation indeed.

While we are awaiting the right hon. Gentleman's further statement, may I ask whether he is aware that we on this side would be very strongly opposed to any steps that appeared to placate our opponents, whether inside the territory or outside it, at the expense of our proven friends in the Federal Government?

I have already made it clear that I think that it would be quite wrong for us to appear to be resiling from the obligations under the treaties into which we have entered, and I think that it would be wiser if I were to leave it at that at this stage.

Does not my right hon. Friend understand that he must not succumb to the blandishments of members of the party opposite? It is not a question of placating opponents, but of taking a suitable initiative in order to bring the adventure to a speedy end.

I propose to resist all blandishments, from whatever quarter they come. I made it perfectly clear that I have already discussed certain initiatives with the High Commissioner, and I think that it would be injudicious for me to go further than that on this occasion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consideration he has given, with the Federal Government, to the closing of the main road from Aden to the Yemen.

I have considered the suggestion carefully and the Federal Government have also examined from time to time the desirability of closing the road, as was done for a few days at the end of 1963. There is, however, no evidence to support the suggestion that the Egyptian Army and Yemen Republic are largely supplied by this road. The balance of advantage has recently seemed to lie in mounting spot checks on traffic using the road rather than on closing it, to ensure that it does not become a means of entry into the Federation for dissidents, arms and explosives. Closure of the road for any length of time would have a damaging effect on the economy of Aden because of the loss of trade and because the labour force is dependent upon immigration from the Yemen.

I shall, however, continue to keep the matter under review and to consult the High Commissioner and the appropriate authorities when it seems necessary.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that no aviation fuel is going from Aden to the Yemen which could be used by the Egyptian authorities for bombing tribes and villages in the Yemen?

Yes. My information is that no aviation spirit is now supplied to the Yemen from Aden, although other fuels, including kerosene, are.

At any time since 16th October last have Her Majesty's Govern- ment sought to enter into discussions with the Egyptian Government to ascertain whether it is possible to bring this affair to a conclusion?

That question must be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, but my right hon. Friend the Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell) must be well aware that there have been discussions between the Foreign Secretary and the Ambassador of the United Arab Republic in London.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the further recent grenade and bazooka incidents in Aden and the surrender of Egyptian mercenaries and their arms in Dhala, he will make a further statement about the security situation in South Arabia.

Since my reply to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 23rd March, there have been 12 further attacks in Aden which have resulted in the death of an Arab and injuries to 10 other people. Thanks to vigorous action by the military forces, the situation elsewhere in South Arabia has shown some improvement of late, but the rebels are trained and equipped with modern weapons and there are no grounds for complacency. I have taken advantage of the High Commissioner's recent visit to London to review with him what is being done to meet this campaign of violence which, as the House knows, is directed and controlled from outside South Arabia.

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that the casualty toll, both dead and wounded and both British and Arab, is growing alarmingly high? I think that there have been 50 incidents now. It seems rather extraordinary that we cannot give adequate protection to the citizens of a British Colony which is also a British military base. What action does the right hon. Gentleman now propose to take against these Egyptian-financed, Egyptian-organised, and Egyptian-armed terrorist activities?

The damage done and the loss of life are indeed tragic, but the fact that they are not higher is a tribute to the action which British Forces, Federal Regular Forces and also the Arab police are taking in this situation. A number of steps are being taken at present. We are stepping up patrols by the security force, and the House will have noticed that a curfew was imposed for the two nights of 31st March and 1st April only. We have the situation constantly under review. I took the opportunity of the High Commissioner's visit last week to discuss it with him and I am satisfied that he and the other authorities there are doing everything possible in this very trying situation.

What steps are being taken by the Foreign Secretary to make suitable protests to the Egyptian Government and to make it quite clear that this is becoming much more serious than a purely local, internal situation?

If the right hon. Gentleman had been in the House earlier he would have heard that that is a question for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's statement that this terrorism is largely inspired from outside, will he make the text of his reply available to his right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence who seemed quite unaware the other day of the Egyptian origin of a great deal of this activity?

I do not think that my right hon. Friend gave that impression at all. What he was saying was that at that stage he had no evidence in his possession that the weapons had been supplied from outside, but from the evidence now before me there is no doubt that that was the case and that this group of dissidents, as in many other cases, had been organised outside, equipped outside, and infiltrated from outside.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many applications for licences to publish newspapers in Aden have been rejected during the past three months; how many have been granted; and how many licences are at present in force.

No applications for licences to publish newspapers in Aden have been rejected during the past three months; 28 applications have been granted in that period, including ones made on behalf of the Aden T.U.C. and the People's Socialist Party; and 40 licences are at present in force.

May I thank my right hon. Friend for that Answer? Can he say who possesses the authority to license newspapers in Aden? Will he undertake to supply a list of such other licensed publications as are in existence at the moment?

Yes, Sir. There is some division of responsibility between the Federal authorities and the Aden Government, but approval of applications for licences rests with the Chief Minister of Aden State. I will consult the High Commissioner and circulate a further reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT, giving details of those publications of which the names are available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what restriction applies to the holding of public meetings in Aden.

A meeting of five or more persons requires a permit from the Federal Minister of Internal Security, who has delegated his authority as regards Aden to the Aden Commissioner of Police. In practice permits are given as liberally as the security position per mits. In particular, permission is freely given for meetings of the executive bodies of trade unions. In the first 10 days of March permits for eight meetings of the general bodies of unions were sought and all were granted. Permits are not required for meetings for religious purposes, or for sport, recreation or social intercourse.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the widespread support for the initiative which he has taken in improving the situation in Aden and of the hope that a further easement of these conditions will be possible in the not-too-distant future?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what new schools are to be built in Dominica in the coming year; when a new primary school is to be provided north of Portsmouth; and what information has now been provided for the territorial government about British-made prefabricated schools that are hurricane-resistant.

The Dominica Government have included three new primary schools in their development programme among which is one at Savannapaille north of Portsmouth. It is for that Government to decide when to proceed with it. Our building advisers are considering what helpful advice can be given to the Dominican and other governments in the area about hurricane-resistant prefabricated buildings.

Will my right hon. Friend put every urgency into this matter? Is he aware that the position in relation to the condition of schools and the shortage of schools in Dominica is about the worst in the Caribbean? Would he insist that this is a matter for very urgent attention?

Many of these matters are urgent, but it is extremely difficult for Her Majesty's Government to insist on a matter which is within the terms of responsibility of a Colonial Government. Perhaps my hon. Friend is not aware that so far only one firm application has been received from Dominica for Colonial Development and Welfare money for schools.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what basis of representation he proposes for the Fiji Constitutional Conference due to be held on 26th July, 1965.

My right hon. Friend has invited the 18 unofficial members of the Legislative Council to come to London for the conference.

As the hon. Lady is to visit Fiji some time in the next few weeks, I understand, can she give any indication as to whether that visit is in any way connected with the proposed conference?

One of the objects of the visit is to give opportunities for those who will not be directly represented at the conference to make their views known to a Minister prior to the conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he proposes to convene a conference to consider the grant of independence to British Guiana.

No decision has yet been taken.

Will the Secretary of State confirm that he stands by the assurance I gave on behalf of the British Government that a conference would be convened after the elections to fix a date for independence, because that was a very honourable and firm undertaking?

Yes. The pledge given by Her Majesty's Government at that time remains the policy of the present Administration, but the question of fixing the date is a matter for discussion. I fully understand the anxiety which the right hon. Gentleman has—indeed, I share it—but a good deal of ground has to be prepared before a date for a conference could be announced.

Will my right hon. Friend ensure, before taking any final action before independence, that the leaders of both major political parties in British Guiana are consulted and that they agree to the terms of any independence declaration?

I would be acting improperly if I appeared to be prejudging the constitutional conference.

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

I am glad to say that the situation in British Guiana, both politically and economically, continues to justify the cautious optimism which I expressed after my recent visit.

The new Government have made an encouraging start in seeking to restore public confidence. On the subject of racial imbalance my exchange of views with Mr. Burnham is progressing I regret that members of the Opposition continue to boycott the House of Assembly; I very much hope that they will reconsider this attitude.

The internal security situation remains relatively quiet. There have been instances of sabotage and of arson on sugar estates but there has so far been no resurgence of the inter-racial violence with which the country has been troubled in recent years.

On the economic side, there has been a return of business confidence and the Government are tackling the preparation of a new long-term development programme. Meanwhile aid from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada and other sources will enable development expenditure to be increased this year.

Will my right hon. Friend accept the congratulations of many of us that he has been able to reduce the temperature and improve the conditions so notably in British Guiana in recent months? Will my right hon. Friend express—I am sure on behalf of all hon. Members—the hope to the Opposition in British Guiana that they will stop this stupid boycott of the National Assembly and will take their place in this democratic Assembly and begin to make the country work properly?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend. When I was there recently I went to a great deal of trouble to try to persuade members of the P.P.E. of the importance of taking a full part in the democratic processes of British Guiana, because I think that it is essential to build confidence in the stability of the country and attract the investment which British Guiana needs.

What progress has been made in setting up a special security force to augment the resources of the police?

I saw the unit of the special security force when I was there. I was most impressed with the efficiency of the force and also that from a racial point of view it is balanced equally between the two main races in British Guiana, which I think is essential for peaceful development in the territory.

What progress is being made towards the release of persons, political leaders in particular, detained without trial in British Guiana? Would not this help to assist the situation generally?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend, because over the last few months the number of detainees has been reduced from 41 to 14. It is not without significance that none of the 14 at present in detention has exercised the right to appeal to a tribunal against their being kept in detention. I do not like this form of conducting the affairs of a country any more than my hon. Friend does, but in the difficult situation in British Guiana it would be wrong to express any lack of confidence in the way in which the Government are using the powers which they possess in the person of the Governor.

Is it not a fact that 13 of the 14 detained for political reasons without trial are in opposition to the party of Mr. Burnham, the Prime Minister, and that Mr. Burnham himself has expressed the hope that they may shortly be released? Is not that in itself a fairly strong implication that the political situation would be improved and not impaired by the release of these men at present detained without trial and without charge?

I share the hope that has been expressed. I think that the figure is 14 out of 14, but equally it is true that 21 out of the 27 released were also members of the party in opposition to Mr. Burnham.