asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why many National Service men are told that if they do not enter into a three-years' engagement they will be obliged to do their National Service with the Army or the Navy.

There is a limited number of vacancies for National Service men in the Royal Air Force and keen competition for them. Men for whom National Service vacancies cannot be found are, if they are suitable, offered Regular engagements, which they often prefer to doing National Service in one of the other Services.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if, to reduce the incessant noise of aircraft inflicted on the citizens by day and by night, he will ask all the commands concerned to use their best endeavours to prevent any unavoidable flying and circling over the city of York.

I am looking into the matter and will write to my hon. and learned Friend as soon as I can.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he has investigated the complaints of Royal Air Force personnel at Sharjah, Persian Gulf, M.E.A.F. 24, with reference to the carrying out of full-scale training in a temperature of 110° Fahrenheit in the shade, continual corned beef for lunch over a period of three months, unsatisfactory billets and cookhouses, and beds held up by petrol tins, of which details in a letter have been forwarded to him; and whether he will make a statement on his investigation.

I have called for a report from the Middle East and I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as this is received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Europeans and Asians, respectively, both in the civilian and auxiliary police categories, who have been murdered since the in Malaya in each year since 1946.

The numbers of Europeans and Asians, respectively, both in the civilian and auxiliary police categories, who have been murdered since the outbreak of terrorism in the Federation of Malaya, are as follows:

—	Civilians		Auxiliary Police
	Asians	Europeans	Asians	Europeans
June, 1948-Dec., 1949	619	29	15	9
Jan.-Dec., 1950	606	26	27	1
Jan.-Dec., 1951	518	23	71	4
Jan.-Dec., 1952	327	15	20	2
Jan.-Dec., 1953	83	None	None	3
Jan. 1954-May 1954	43	1	None	1

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Service men are serving sentences in prisons in Singapore; what is the length of sentence; and in how many cases flogging has been administered as part of the sentence.

The Governor is being asked for this information which will be sent to the hon. Member as soon as his reply is received.

asked the Minister of Food how much home-grown coarse grain of the 1953 crop his Department was called upon to purchase under the arrangements announced in the White Paper on the Decontrol of Cereals and Feedingstuffs; and whether he anticipates that the sale of this grain will be completed before the 1954 harvest becomes available.

1,340,000 tons. The unsold balance is only 35,000 tons and will I expect be disposed of before any significant supply of new crop grain becomes available. My Department has been greatly assisted in the sale of this large quantity of grain in an orderly fashion and with the minimum of disturbance of normal trading by the advice and co-operation which has been given by the accredited representatives of the trades and industries concerned.

asked the Minister of Food how much home-grown wheat of the 1953 crop his Department was called upon to purchase under the arrangements announced in the White Paper on the Decontrol of Cereals and Feedingstuffs; the extent to which the flour-milling industry assisted in the disposal of these purchases; and whether he anticipates that it will be possible to sell the remainder before the 1954 harvest becomes available.

1,825,000 tons. Of this total the flour milling industry has purchased, or agreed to purchase, 1,600,000 tons. Some grain has also been purchased for animal feed. The stock remaining to be disposed of by the Government silo company, Recommissioned Mills Ltd., now amounts to about 85,000 tons. I expect that the company will be able to dispose of this balance before any significant supply of new crop wheat becomes available.My Department has been greatly assisted in the disposal of this large quantity of wheat by the advice and co-operation which has been given by the accredited representatives of the trades and industries concerned. I am particularly appreciative of the extent to which the flour milling industry has purchased home-grown wheat in the first year of decontrol and look forward with every confidence to the ability and willingness of the industry to play its full part in the movement of the 1954 crop.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of civil servants employed by Central government in the years 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, 1945, 1950 and 1953.

Civil Service manpower figures for the earlier years exist only to a limited extent and are not strictly comparable with current statistics. Subject to this, the best figures I can give are:

1900	…	…	145,000
1910	…	…	210,000
1st April, 1920	…	…	380,963
1st April, 1930	…	…	283,957
1st April, 1940	…	…	454,745
1st April, 1945	…	…	704,646
1st April, 1950	…	…	684,799
1st April, 1953	…	…	666,092

These figures include both temporary and established non-industrial, but not industrial staff. The figures for 1900 and 1910 are estimates only.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the present holding by the British Government in the Suez Canal Company; what is the return on this holding; and who are the directors representing British interests.

Her Majesty's Government hold 353,504 shares in the Suez Canal Company. The net return on this holding after deduction of Egyptian tax totalled £2,852,796 in the year ending 31st March, 1954.The present British Government directors of the Suez Canal Company are Sir Alexander Cadogan, Mr. E. W. Meiklereid and Sir Francis Wylie. The British commercial directors are Major Bibby, Sir William Currie, Sir Hubert Heath Eves, Lord Hankey, Sir Thomas Harrison Hughes and Lord Rotherwick.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many ex-Service men are not eligible for an increased pension until they are 60 years of age under the pensions increases schemes on the ground that they left the Service before September, 1950; how much it would cost to put these men on the same level as those who left after that date; and whether he can now consider more generous treatment being given to them.

I have been asked to reply. About 80,000 pensioners of all three Services, who retired before 1st September, 1950, are under 60 and do not receive pensions increases. It is not possible to say how many of these would become eligible under the other conditions of the pensions increase schemes if the age limit were removed. The cost of giving these pensioners, who were pensioned under the retired pay and pensions codes in force when they retired, the benefit of the current code would be over £2 million.As regards the last part of the Question, I cannot agree that the Service pensioners concerned have received less generous treatment than is accorded to State pensioners in general. The policy of the Government remains as stated in paragraph 44 of Command 9092.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the further rise in export tax on tea by the Government of Ceylon will have a largely nugatory effect on the double taxation agreement of that country with the United Kingdom; and what consequential action Her Majesty's Government propose to take in the matter.

This matter does not appear to have any connection with the double taxation agreement between the United Kingdom and Ceylon: the second part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will add a qualified electrical engineer to the membership of the Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Edwin Herbert recently appointed by him to inquire into and report upon the organisation of the electricity supply industry.

I have this matter under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in the negotiations for compensation to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company now proceeding in Teheran.

The negotiations for compensation to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company continue and must be settled before there can be final agreement in the parallel negotiations between the Consortium and the Persian Government on the future operation of the Persian oil industry.The Anglo-Iranian Oil Company will have a 40 per cent. interest in the Consortium and will be paid by the other oil companies for the 60 per cent. interest which they are acquiring.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the agreement which has been reached with Egypt over the Suez Canal base, he proposes to complete at an early date the outstanding questions relating to the amount of compensation due to British nationals following the incidents which took place in Egypt in 1951.

The Egyptian Government have repeatedly been asked to consider the claims of British officials dismissed from the Egyptian service in 1951. Although this question is not directly connected with the present negotiations, I am hopeful that in the improved atmosphere of Anglo-Egyptian relations there will soon be progress on this outstanding issue.

asked the Minister of Health how many hospital beds are now available for maternity cases from the city of York; and if the regional board have fulfilled their hope of raising the total for the area to 97 in June, 1954.

I am informed that the programme has unfortunately been delayed by about two months, but the number of maternity beds available for the city and surrounding area has already been increased from 50 to 64.

asked the Minister of Health if he will increase the 50 per cent. grant of administrative costs to enable local authorities to meet the additional expenditure incurred by them in the distribution and storage of welfare foods, through the closing of local food offices.

No. Local health authorities are giving effect to these arrangements by virtue of their powers under Section 22 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, and are receiving the usual rate of grant payable in respect of services provided under that Act.

asked the Minister of Health whether midwives can now be authorised to administer trilene as an analgesic in childbirth.

The Medical Research Council have now, after prolonged investigations and trials, recommended that midwives acting on their own responsibility after adequate instruction be permitted to administer trilene with inhalers conforming to an approved specification. I am informed that the Central Midwives Board have accepted this recommendation and I am now in consultation with the board as to the measures necessary to give effect to it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give the complete list of all licensing districts in which an extension of permitted hours to 10.30 p.m. has been granted on weekdays, either for the whole year or lesser period, indicating where such extensions were newly granted at the last annual licensing meeting.

I am sending my hon. Friend the information for which he asks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to take action under Section 2 (c) of the Civil Defence Act, 1948, in respect of the Civil Defence functions of the Tottenham Borough Council.

I understand that the Tottenham Borough Council have decided to relinquish all responsibility for Civil Defence; but most of their Civil Defence functions are derived by delegation from the Middlesex County Council who will resume direct responsibility when the borough council's decision becomes effective. My colleagues and I have not yet heard from the borough council and, for the present, we do not think it necessary to take any action.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will now make a statement about the distribution of the £170,000 received from Siam for the Siam-Burma railway built by prisoners of war, and the money available from Japanese assets in Britain.

Yes. In October, 1952, the Minister of Pensions announced that there would be an initial distribution out of the proceeds of the Japanese assets in the United Kingdom under Article 14 of the Peace Treaty. This would amount to £15 apiece payable to prisoners of wa and civilian internees of the Japanese wh were British subjects, normally resident in the United Kingdom before captivity and also at the time of the distribution. Over 51,000 payments have been made and the recipients included widows, or orphans, or parents of those who had died.It was stated at the time that the realisation of the remaining assets, on which a further distribution depended, would be a lengthy process. I am glad to say that the collection of these assets is now well advanced and we expect to be able to make a second and final distribution before the end of this year. We propose to extend the Scheme to cover certain small classes of persons who were excluded by the strict qualifications imposed in connection with the first distribution. These were mainly members of our United Kingdom Forces who had emigrated, or who were living overseas.It is, therefore, proposed to include all Service personnel who became prisoners of the Japanese while serving in British units based in the United Kingdom, or as members of the Royal Navy; members of the Merchant Navy who were captured while serving in British ships registered in the United Kingdom will also qualify. As regards civilian internees, we shall include all British Nationals normally resident in the United Kingdom before internment, who returned to the United Kingdom on being released but have since emigrated.In making the first distribution only one share was payable for each family unit. It is now proposed to make separate payments to husband and wife in cases where both were interned. Those who received the first distribution will receive the second automatically, and no application on their part will be necessary.Those who have not so far received any payment but come within the wider qualifications I have mentioned will also receive the £15 paid at the first distribution. They should apply for application forms as quickly as possible to the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance, Thames House South, Mill-bank, London, S.W.1.As far as can be judged at present the sum available for distribution under Article 14 will provide for a further payment of about £20 a head, in addition to the £15 already paid.In addition to the money available under Article 14 of the Treaty, there is a sum available from the proceeds of the sale of the Burma-Siam Railway. By international agreement, the Government of Siam paid £1,250,000 for the part of the railway in their territory and all but £355,000 was divided between the Governments of Malaya, Burma and the Netherlands East Indies in compensation for materials taken from them by the Japanese to equip the Burma-Siam Railway. The £355,000 remaining has been apportioned between Allied Governments whose service men were forcibly employed on the railway and the United Kingdom's share is about £170,000. This amount covered members of the Colonial Forces and we are in consultation with the Colonial Governments concerned regarding the sums to be allocated to them.In so far as the United Kingdom is concerned, it has been decided, after consultation with the National Federation of Far Eastern Prisoners of War Clubs and Associations, to distribute this money along with that available under Article 14 among all service personnel who were prisoners of war of the Japanese or, where they have died, their widows, orphans or parents.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware that telephone services are held up for Fife area by the Forth Railway Bridge bottleneck; and what action he proposes to take.

There is a temporary shortage of telephone circuits over the Forth Railway Bridge, but this has not been such as to hold up the provision of telephones in Fife or to have a noticeable effect on the operation of the trunk services. A new cable is expected to be brought into service in about two months' time.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many telephones have been provided in Cardiff in 1954 to the latest convenient date and in each of the years 1945 to 1953.

One thousand one hundred and eighteen telephones were connected in the first six months of this year. The figures for the past four financial years are:

Year ended 31st March					Telephones
1951	…	…	…	…	496
1952	…	…	…	…	414
1953	…	…	…	…	2,330
1954	…	…	…	…	1,567

I regret that the figures for earlier years are not available.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will now say how high the new Abbey telephone exchange will be.

The new building will have five storeys above the ground floor.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many people were waiting for telephone service in the Balham, Battersea and Macaulay exchange areas at the latest convenient date; and how many were waiting three years ago.

The figures are:

—		At 30th June, 1954	Three years ago
Balham	…	372	1,321
Battersea	…	761	1,956
Macaulay	…	336	755

Over 3,000 new lines were connected in these areas during the past 12 months.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make a statement on the results of his official discussions with the United States defence authorities about guided missiles.

The development of guided missiles raises a wide variety of complex technical and scientific problems of a novel kind in aerodynamics, electronics, chemistry and engineering. Both the United States and Britain have over a number of years been devoting a large and increasing effort to work in this field.There has for some time past been a substantial exchange of information between the two countries about projects under development. However, in view of the urgency of introducing these new weapons and of the fact that the available scientific resources in both countries are not unlimited, it was felt that, in addition to exchanging information, it was desirable to consider the feasibility of more positive collaboration.During the Whitsuntide Recess, I went to Washington to discuss these ideas with the United States Secretary of Defence, Mr. Charles Wilson, and other members of the Administration, and I was glad to find that they fully shared our view about the desirability of closer technical co-operation. We had a number of meetings, lasting four days, as a result of which we agreed in general terms the principles and procedure upon which our collaboration should be based. In addition, we drew up a first list of the more important projects, both existing and contemplated, to which particular attention should be paid.These arrangements, which have since been formally confirmed by the two Governments, will I am sure, be of mutual benefit. In particular, they should enable both countries to make the most productive use of their available scientific and technical resources in this field and should help to speed up the development and introduction of guided missiles, which are urgently needed for the common defence.

asked the Minister of Supply the position reached in his discussions with the Cable Makers Association and Covered Conductors Association regarding the Report of the Monopolies Commission on Insulated Electric Wires and Cables.

In my statement of 20th May, about the Monopolies Commission's Report on Insulated Electric Wires and Cables, I announced that, subject to two small modifications, the Government had asked the Cable Makers Association and the Covered Conductors Association to give assurances that not later than 31st December next they would bring their arrangements into conformity with the Commission's conclusions.The Associations have decided to give the assurances asked for. This relieves me of the necessity of making an Order under Section 10 of the Monopolies Act. At the same time, the Associations protest that their pricing and distribution practices have in no way operated against the public interest and that, in consequence, the Commission's criticisms are unjustified.In announcing this decision, it is fitting for me to draw attention to the fact that the Commission's Report is by no means confined to criticisms of the Associations' practices. It points out that the Associations have played a predominant part in the development of the British cable industry, which is the greatest cable exporting industry in the world. The Report pays tribute to the world wide reputation for high quality which the Cable Makers Association has built up.The Report also notes the fine work of member firms in research, in the establishment of standards of quality and in the interchange of technical information. It commends the liberal policy of the Associations on patents and their cooperation with the British Standards Institution in fixing quality clauses in its specifications. The Government fully endorse these commendations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the recent proposal of the British Trade Commissioner in Winnipeg that Canadian farmers should try to secure a 10-year wheat agreement with Britain was made with his approval.

The United Kingdom Trade Commissioner in Winnipeg has informed me that he was misreported and that he made no such proposal.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what projects for road improvement and construction have been authorised for the West Riding of Yorkshire for the current financial year.

TRUNK ROADS
—				Estimated Cost
				£
A. 1—Roundabout at Bramham Cross Roads	…	…	…	25,000
A. 646—Improvement at No. 550, Halifax Road, Todmorden	…	…	…	150
A. 646—Improvement at Burnley Road, Todmorden	…	…	…	5,100
A. 646—Widening at Vale Mill, Cornholme	…	…	…	1,580
A. 58—Improvement at Whitehall Road, Hunsworth	…	…	…	250

CLASSIFIED ROADS
—	Estimated Cost	Grant
West Riding County Council:
Class I—	£	£
Improvement at Station Hotel, Guiseley (A. 65)	645	484
Improvement in Broad Street, Rawmarsh (A. 633)	700	525
Footpath in High Street, Rawmarsh (A. 633)	253	190
Improvement in Crowtrees Lane, Brighouse (A. 643)	96	72
Class II—
Widening South of Sherwood Brow, Settle (B. 6479)	1,751	1,050
Widening South of Sherwood House, Settle (B. 6479)	1,948	1,169
Improvement at Corner of Ferrensby Cross Roads, Nidderdale (B. 6166)	232	139
Improvement at Little Ribston, Wetherby (B. 6164)	2,724	1,634
Improvement near Kiveton Park Cinema, Kiveton (B. 6059)	1,150	690
Improvement at junction with New Street, Darfield (B. 6096)	343	205
Footpath near Darton School, Darton (B. 6131)	876	526
Footpath First Avenue to Fitzwilliam Hotel, Hemsworth (B. 6273)	735	442
Widening near Church Street Junction, Hoyland Nether (B. 6097)	986	592
Class III—
Improvement at junction with Charles Street, Bingley	804	402
Improvement in High Street, Markington	810	405
Improvement at Doctor Lane, Harthill	369	185
Improvement at junction with Barleycroft Lane, Dinnington	281	140
Improvement in Village Street, Kellington	804	402
Improvement in Water Lane, Stainforth	104	52
Widening at Thorpe Salvin	733	367
Improvement in Cooper Lane near Bradford C.B. Boundary (Queensbury and Shelf U.D.)	2,251	1,125
Improvement at junction with Station Road, Morley	1,500	750
Sheffield County Borough Council:
Class II—
Provision of traffic roundabout—Greenhill Road (B. 6054) and Bocking Lane	4,815	2,889
Class III—
Improvement of two sections of Derbyshire Lane	3,640	1,820
Barnsley County Borough Council:
Class I—
Footpath in Peel Square (A. 628 and A. 635)	4,940	3,705

The following road improvement schemes for the West Riding of Yorkshire have so far been formally authorised; a number of other schemes, including the reconstruction of Doncaster Mill Bridge announced in the Minister's statement of 8th December last, will be authorised during the remainder of the financial year.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that on 15th July there was a breakdown in the electricity supply in West Ham, which caused the cessation of the flashing beacons; that, under the new regulations operating from 1st July, if the beacons cease to flash and there are not two other beacons lit on a central refuge the crossings are deemed not to be crossings and provide no protection for pedestrians; what steps he is taking to meet such eventualities; whether he has considered the letter from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, on this subject; and whether he will make a statement.

I am aware that on 15th July there was a failure of electricity supply at West Ham, one consequence of which was that the flashing beacons at zebra crossings were temporarily extinguished. Occurrences of this kind are fortunately rare, and no special steps seem necessary to deal with them.The object of the provision in the new Pedestrian Crossing Regulations concerning flashing beacons is to give a definite indication to motorists of the legal position, namely that, when they see two or more flashing beacons, they are approaching a zebra, on which pedestrians have the right of way. When, owing to failure of current or for some other reason, the beacons are not flashing, a motorist is deprived of the warning to which he is accustomed that he is approaching a zebra crossing. It is important therefore that pedestrians should not assume that the motorist has seen the zebra crossing, particularly in fog or at night. Motorists are always under a duty of care and this duty is in no way diminished by the regulations.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many road accidents have occurred during the last five years at Gun Hill on the Colchester-Ipswich Road; and what action he intends to take to provide for a greater measure of road safety in this dangerous area.

There have been 23 personal injury accidents on Gun Hill since 1st January, 1949. Two persons were killed and 30 injured. My Department and the county council are considering how conditions here can be improved. When we have seen what can be done I will inform my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what further inquiries have been made into the growing incidents of frosted windscreens; and what approaches have been made to manufacturers.

So far as I am aware, the number of incidents involving shattered windscreens is not on the increase. The British Standards Institution last May amended their specification of "Safety Glass for Land Transport," to which manufacturers of toughened glass in this country work, partly to provide for better visibility if the glass is fractured. Glass made to this specification breaks into appreciably larger particles than under the specification previously ruling, and the visibility is correspondingly improved. My Department is in continual touch with manufacturers on this subject.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what information he has so far obtained from the Road Research Laboratory as to the economic advantages and safety considerations which arise in connection with the proposal to raise the maximum speed limits for heavy goods vehicles to 30 miles per hour; and whether he will arrange for a report to be made at the earliest opportunity.

The information which I have from the Road Research Laboratory indicates that many heavy goods vehicles already travel at 30 miles per hour, and the Departmental Committee on Road Safety, on which the Laboratory is represented, has stated that it would not object to the adoption of this as the legal speed limit. Further research by the Road Research Laboratory would not be likely to elicit any new considerations.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will arrange for officials of his Department, together with members of the staff of the Road Research Laboratory, to investigate the advantages which arise from the facility afforded to heavy goods vehicles in France, Germany, Holland and Italy to travel at over 30 miles per hour.

Ample information is already available about the advantages and disadvantages of higher speed limits for heavy goods vehicles, and I do not think the proposed investigation is needed.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many undeveloped sites over 30 miles from London were considered in reaching his decision to develop Gatwick.

Eighteen, in addition to a further 18 less than 30 miles from London.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent, in reaching his decision to develop Gatwick Airport, a pattern of air traffic control was worked out for Cliffe, Kent; and why this alternative site was rejected.

The site was rejected for the following reasons which made it superfluous to work out a pattern of air traffic control:

(a) The air space near the Thames Estuary is restricted by two airways, by danger areas and approach sectors for two R.A.F. aerodromes. This makes it impossible to find enough room for a control zone for Cliffe or for a holding area reasonably near Cliffe where aircraft could wait their turn to land during bad weather.

(b) Aircraft flying to and from the Channel Islands, which would form an important part of the traffic using the aerodrome, would have to cross the two airways between London Airport and France.

(c) Cliffe would cost more than Gatwick to build, its weather is worse than Gatwick's, and its access to London is so bad as to rule this site out altogether.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement regarding the future use of Northolt Aerodrome, with particular reference to the provision of alternative aerodrome facilities for the Newcastle—London air service, in the event of Northolt no longer being available.

Regarding the future use of Northolt, I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Gosport and Fareham (Dr. Bennett) on 12th May, 1954. Hunting Clan Air Transport Limited, who operate the Newcastle—London air service, have been offered facilities at London Airport after 31st October, 1954, when Northolt closes to civil flying.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will forthwith refer to the judgment of an independent accountant of repute the disputed question of how much would in fact be saved by a transference of the Renfrew Maintenance Base to London.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made in the negotiations between the British European Airways Corporation and the trade union side of the National Joint Council for Civil Air Transport on the future of the maintenance base at Renfrew.

I am informed that British European Airways have proposed to the trade unions that they jointly appoint an independent assessor and accept his findings on the probable savings. This offer is still being considered by the trade union side of the National Joint Council for Civil Air Transport. If the offer is rejected, British European Airways propose independently to seek the confirmation of an assessor. In the circumstances, the decision on the future of the Renfrew Maintenance Base must await the outcome of this development. As it is in the interests of all parties concerned that this matter should be resolved as speedily as possible, it may be necessary for an announcement on the future of the base to be made during the Summer Recess.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if, in order to encourage the construction and flying of ultra-light aircraft, he will simplify the airworthiness certification arrangements for such aircraft.

Yes, Proposals have been made to my right hon. Friend by the Popular Flying Association with this object in view. After consultation with the Air Registration Board, he has decided to grant permits to fly to ultra-light aircraft up to 1,200 lb., subject to necessary operational safeguards, without having to undergo the full procedure of airworthiness certification. The scheme, of which details are being announced, should reduce the cost of these aircraft and encourage amateur construction.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he has now come to any decision about the installation of F.I.D.O. at London Airport.

Although no major engineering difficulties are expected in the construction of a high pressure F.I.D.O., the comparative lack of success achieved so far, in the United States of America, with the only existing full scale installation of this kind, has suggested that before installing a full-sized high pressure F.I.D.O., we should conduct further experiments with a short length of burner lines in order to arrive at the best possible layout and accurate information on running and maintenance costs. This should be done at an aerodrome where experiments, extensions and, if necessary, redesign of the layout could be made without interference to major civil operations. To this end, it is better that the first installation should not be at a civil aerodrome.Only when accurate figures of the cost of clearing various degrees of fog have been ascertained, will civil operators be able to assess realistically the extent to which a F.I.D.O. at London Airport would be of economic value to them. The Royal Air Force has anyway an operational requirement for F.I.D.O. within Bomber Command. It has therefore been decided that these experiments shall be carried out at a service aerodrome to be selected by the Royal Air Force. My right hon. Friend does not propose to take any further action at London Airport until the R.A.F. installation has been constructed and the results of its tests are available. Discussions with the operators on charges have accordingly been postponed.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will give effect to Resolution 7 adopted by the International Conference on Pollution of the Sea by Oil which calls for the creation of national committees to keep the problem of oil pollution under review.

Yes, Sir. I have appointed a committee with the following terms of reference:

"To keep the problem of pollution of the sea by oil under review, and to make recommendations."

The composition of the committee is as follows:Chairman: Mr. P. Faulkner, C.B.—Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.Sir Colin S. Anderson; Mr. W. J. Everard, C.B.E.; Mr. R. Gillespie, C.B.E.; Mr. A. S. C. Hulton; Mr. D. F. Martin-Jenkins; The Right Hon. the Viscount Runciman of Doxford, O.B.E., A.F.C.; Captain H. K. Salvesen; Mr. W. F. Wackrill, O.B.E.—General Council of British Shipping.Mr. E. Le Q. Herbert, B.Sc., F.R.I.C., M.I.Chem.E., F.Inst.P.; Mr. G. Noble, O.B.E.—Oil Companies.Mr. B. Eliot Common, C.B.E.; Mr. T. A. McLoughlin—Dock and Harbour Authorities Association.Sir Robert Letch—British Transport CommissionMr. J. Patton, O.B.E.—Shipbuilding Conference.Mr. W. B. Johnstone, O.B.E.—Dry Dock Owners and Repairers Central Council.Mr. D. S. Tennant, C.B.E.—Officers' (Merchant Navy) Federation.Captain (E) R. W. Marshall, R.N.; Mr. W. R. Darracott—Admiralty.Mr. F. Morgan—Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

asked the Secretary of State for War why men of the 117 Field Engineers Regiment, Territorial Army, have been warned that severe disciplinary action will be taken against anyone conversing in any way with Press reporters; and what charges have been preferred on these grounds.

As the hon. Member is aware, officers and other ranks are not allowed to communicate with the Press without special authority and, in view of the publicity given to certain activities of the unit, the Commanding Officer issued a warning. No charges have been preferred as a result of the instruction.

asked the Secretary of State for War what disciplinary action he proposes to take, in view of the expression of opinion on a military subject without special authority by Major V. F. Erskine-Crum, Scots Guards, to the editor of the "Sunday Express" in contravention of paragraph 547 (a) Queen's Regulations.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any further statement to make as to his consultations with the Board of Trade and the Army Kinema Corporation with regard to the closing of cinemas at Larkhill, Bulford and Tidworth over five months ago; and what further representation he has received from the local cinemas for the Civilians Committee.

The Corporation continues to examine the possibility of relaxing the restriction on the admission of civilians to these cinemas but, as the right hon. Member knows, this is a difficult and complicated matter. The War Office has had no representations from this committee since 22nd March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken to encourage nuclear physics research in the universities.

I have been asked to reply.The D.S.I.R. makes grants to universities towards the cost of research in nuclear physics, and in the period April, 1946, to July, 1954, awards amounting to £1,621,700 were made for the construction of high-energy particle-accelerating machines. Grants of £747,200 have so far been made for running expenses in the period August, 1952, to July, 1957.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what research is at present being conducted by the British Shipbuilding Research Association at Palmers Hill. Sunderland.

An important section of the work of the British Shipbuilding Research Association relates to the full-scale performance of ships and their machinery in service, on measured mile trials and on the test bed. Very accurate measurements of performance are required and the Association has had to develop new apparatus for the purpose and also to improve the accuracy of existing apparatus. This work is being undertaken at Palmers Hill, Sunderland. The results are published initially in reports circulated confidentially to members.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, how many persons in the categories of administrative, technical and industrial workers were employed on 1st July, 1954, in the headquarters of the Directorate of Scientific and Industrial Research, in other Directorate of Scientific Industrial Research establishments, and

—				Staff on 1st July in each of the years indicated
				1949	1950	1951	1952	1953	1954
1. D.S.I.R. Headquarters:
Administrative	…	…	…	160	171	217	190	185	185
Scientific	…	…	…	47	57	61	61	66	77
2. D.S.I.R. Research Establishments:
Administrative	…	…	…	417	517	506	505	502	503
Scientific	…	…	…	1,870	2,178	2,241	2,242	2,242	2,343
Industrial	…	…	…	776	890	919	943	951	966
Total	…	…	…	3,670	3,813	3,944	3,941	3,946	4,074
3. Agricultural Research Council Headquarters:
Administrative	…	…	…	56	58	59	67	67	65
Technical	…	…	…	1	2	2	3	3	4
4. Agricultural Research Council Institutes and Research Units:*
Administrative	…	…	…	30	32	45	52	49	64
Technical	…	…	…	114	141	179	214	238	261
Industrial	…	…	…	142	159	176	222	252	278
Total	…	…	…	343	392	461	558	609	672
5. Medical Research Council:†
Administrative	…	…	…			230	249	271	281
Scientific	…	…	…			427	444	450	490
Technical	…	…	…			509	511	499	551
Maintenance	…	…	…			212	217	220	236
Total	…	…	…	1,073	1,337	1,378	1,421	1,440	1,558
6. Nature Conservancy:
Administrative	…	…	…	6	19	34	40	49	70
Scientific	…	…	…	0	9	16	19	24	38
Total	…	…	…	6	28	50	59	73	108
*These figures do not include the staff of the research institutes financed from the Votes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland.
† The figures for the Medical Research Council are for 1st June in each year up to 1953 and for 1st April, 1954. The detailed figures for 1949 and 1950 are not available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what research work is being carried out in this country at the present time with regard to the sterilisation of food by high-intensity gamma radiation; and what practical results have now been obtained.

The following tables give the information asked for.

As far as I am aware, no research work is at present being carried out in this country on the use of gamma radiation for sterilising food, but during the last five years the Food Investigation Organisation of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, in collaboration with industrial and other bodies, has been investigating the use of similar types of radiation, namely X-rays and high velocity electron beams. A report is being prepared for publication and a close watch is being kept on all new developments. There are technical difficulties in the use of such radiations in industry. There is, moreover, uncertainty as to whether irradiated food can safely be eaten. There is in addition the question of the prevention of unpleasant flavours. No practical application of these methods of sterilisation can yet be expected.

asked the Minister of Works whether canteen facilities are being provided in the new offices being built in the Gallowgate, Aberdeen.

No. The provision of a canteen was considered and it was not thought that there would be sufficient demand.

asked the Minister of Works why the caretakers of Monk Bretton Priory have never been supplied with explanatory pamphlets dealing with the Priory's history; and, in view of his Department having been guardians of the Priory since 1932, if he will have one prepared as soon as possible.

A guide book is in preparation and will be provided as soon as possible.