§ Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he is aware that the natives of Eritrea are not granted licences to import cotton sheeting material which is the chief clothing of the people; that this business is entirely in the hands of Arab traders whose high charges were partly responsible for the recent riots; and what action is being taken to remove this cause of friction.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesNo, Sir. Import licences are granted to Eritreans on the same terms as to other traders. Prior to November, 1949, imports of cotton sheeting were controlled by quota. At the last allocation in September, 1949, there was no application from any Eritrean trader. Since November, 1949, import licences have been granted wherever the application is supported by a firm contract with a supplier; 193 applications for licences have been received but no Eritrean has applied. Licences have been granted to Indian traders 107, to Arab traders 15 and to others 16. Of a total of 570 import
— Metropolitan Police District County of London City of London 1948 1949 1948 1949 1948 1949 Proceedings for Drunkenness 14,668 14,408 12,912 12,762 108 76 Charges Proved 14,288 —* 12,597 —* 103 —* Convictions 13,213 14,021 11,672 12,431 93 75 * As a result of the replacement of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, by certain provisions of the Criminal Justice Act, 1948, there is no longer any distinction between charges proved and convictions. The figures given for 1949 against "convictions" include all cases which would formerly have been described as "charges proved."