Mr John Biggs-Davison: Even so, is it not very disturbing that there should be these repeated escapes of dangerous prisoners? Will my hon. Friend and his right hon. Friend consider suggesting to the Cyprus Government that if there are escapes of this kind, and repeated escapes, the prisoner should be transferred to safe custody in the United Kingdom?
Mr John Biggs-Davison: May I ask a question about Tuesday's business? Without wishing to press the Government for a premature statement on the Free Trade Area, and since the subject is connected with the Commonwealth and is an international economic problem, may I ask the Leader of the House whether it will be in order for back bench Members who are lucky enough to catch Mr. Speaker's eye to refer to the Free Trade...
Mr John Biggs-Davison: Whether or not we should compete with the giant powers in a nuclear arms race, I am sure of at least one thing—that Britain must have a nuclear bombing force able to deliver her independent nuclear weapon, and I believe that the fact that Britain now has her own nuclear deterrent has given us some degree of immunity from blackmail and from an undue dependence upon our American allies.
Mr John Biggs-Davison: I do not visualise an occasion on which these weapons will be used at all, but the fact that both sides possess them and that Great Britain also possesses them means that in all probability the powers will be deterred from all-out war because of the possibility of mutual annihilation. On one point I agree heartily with what was said by the hon. Member for Torrington (Mr. Bonham Carter). I...
Mr John Biggs-Davison: If the hon. and learned Member had allowed me to continue with my speech I should have come to that point. I want to suggest some of the difficulties in the way not only of the reunification of Germany, but also of the reunification of Europe—because I believe the two things must go together. The hon. and learned Gentleman saw, as I did, at Helmstedt, the watch towers of the People's...
Mr John Biggs-Davison: Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of us, on this side of the House at least, believe very much in this plan and also believe that it will meet increasing support in Cyprus if we stand resolutely by it? Can my right hon. Friend say whether the electoral registers are being compiled and other preparations are being made for the setting up of the representative institutions which many of...
Mr John Biggs-Davison: Will my right hon. and gallant Friend make it plain that the Cyprus question is a very special case and that it is not the Government's intention to submit other matters affecting the internal affairs of British territories to the United Nations?
Mr John Biggs-Davison: asked the Prime Minister whether he is satisfied that the existing consultative machinery of the Commonwealth is sufficient for keeping under review, with full consideration of the interests and alliances of Commonwealth nations, developments which might lead to the voluntary association of foreign States or territories with an expanding Commonwealth, having regard to the suddenness of the...
Mr John Biggs-Davison: Does not the surprise which Dr. Nkrumah's proposals caused suggest that the consultative machinery of the Commonwealth needs improvement? Will Her Majesty's Government take every possible initiative to this end?
Mr John Biggs-Davison: asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider discussing with General de Gaulle how best the United Kingdom and France can help achieve a harmonious evolution of Commonwealth and French Union territories, with the fullest understanding of and cooperation with African Powers.
Mr John Biggs-Davison: While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that since the proposals for a Ghana-Guinea union were made the Prime Minister of Senegal, M. Mamadou Dia, speaking at Bathurst in Gambia, spoke of a possible Senegambia?
Mr John Biggs-Davison: asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about the constitutional future of Malta.
Mr John Biggs-Davison: Would not my right hon. Friend agree that, despite recent events and present difficulties, it is the desire of the Maltese people and of the British people to remain together under the Crown?
Mr John Biggs-Davison: asked the Minister of Education what measures are contemplated to encourage the celebration of Commonwealth Day in all colleges and schools.
Mr John Biggs-Davison: Will encouragement be given to the local education and other authorities concerned in the proper keeping of this family day? Has any consideration been given to the possibility of its being made a school holiday or half-holiday?
Mr John Biggs-Davison: asked the Minister of Education to what extent there has been an increase and improvement in the teaching of Commonwealth history and Commonwealth knowledge.
Mr John Biggs-Davison: Is there not evidence of very great ignorance of the Commonwealth? Will every encouragement be given to the teaching of the Commonwealth an an integral part of the teaching of geography, history, economics and civics?
Mr John Biggs-Davison: asked the Prime Minister what consultation he has had with the heads of other Commonwealth Governments and Colonial Administrations about the recognition and celebration throughout the Commonwealth and Empire of the new Commonwealth Day.
Mr John Biggs-Davison: asked the President of the Board of Trade what requests he has received from the National Farmers' Union and other bodies for tariff protection for British horticulture; and if he will make a statement.
Mr John Biggs-Davison: Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that there is no prejudice in the Board of Trade against the use of the tariff as and when it seems desirable?