asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what proposals he has received from the National Assistance Board for an increase in the permitted rates of relief.

None.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what proportion of immigrants from Jamaica receive public assistance immediately on arrival in this country; and the annual expenditure involved.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the amount of National Assistance drawn by the dependants of the strikers, official and unofficial, taking part in the present dock strikes and the London omnibus strike.

So far as can be ascertained, up to last Friday night about £35,000 had been paid in National Assistance grants to families of persons involved in the various dock strikes. Some £400 has been paid in respect of the London bus strike.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance why, in the classification into categories under Command Paper No. 8783, he has found it necessary for nearly 11,000 out of 28,000 of his staff, who fall into the intermediate group, to require to seek permission individually to engage in any of the political activities for which members of the group are eligible, whereas in one Government Department only 12 out of the 21,435 are so required and in another only 1,834 out of 34,000 are so required.

Because of the large proportion of the staff in question whose duties bring them into contact with the public. This follows the recommendations of a joint committee appointed by the National Whitley Committee to consider the matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what increase has been made in the medical staffs of the pneumoconiosis panels during 1954; and the monthly average of cases examined, both nationally and as regards the Stoke-on-Trent panel.

During 1954, six more doctors have joined the panels to serve as full-time members, and extra part-time help has been obtained. For the first half of the year the monthly average of claimants examined was 2,160 nationally, and by the Stoke-on-Trent panel 324.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many sufferers from pneumoconiosis who believe they may benefit from the recent scheme for the partially incapacitated, are now being examined by the medical panels; and whether he can give an approximate estimate of the length of time involved before all these claims are assessed.

The hon. Member's Question is a little premature as the scheme only starts to operate next week.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many certificates of suspension have been issued by pneumoconiosis medical boards in each of the years 1948 to 1953 in respect of persons working in all scheduled occupations in general, and above or underground in coalmines in particular, where the condition causing physical inadequacy is specified as chronic bronchitis or asthma causing marked incapacity.

I regret that there are no separate figures of suspensions because of chronic bronchitis or asthma; but the pneumoconiosis medical boards have no power to suspend anyone from the coalmining industry on these grounds and their powers to do so from other industries are strictly limited.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the percentage of male and female retirement pensioners who are in receipt of increments and the percentage who receive the maximum number of 10 increments in respect of the latest available awards.

Of all those taking their retirement pensions in the first quarter of this year, 51 per cent. of the men and 28 per cent. of the women qualified for at least one increment. The corresponding figures for those qualifying for 10 increments were 14 per cent. and 7 per cent.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will inquire into the case of a constituent whose name has already been sent to him, who on account of his having to accept premature superannuation from the Civil Service, partly through a 1914–18 war disability, after serving a period of 40 years, is now living with his wife on a Civil Service pension which is less than the grant normally made to persons who are entirely dependent on National Assistance; and as National Assistance has now been refused, if he will take steps to have this man's pension supplemented by other means.

My inquiries into the circumstances of this case are not yet complete but I will write to my hon. Friend in the course of the next few days.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what it would cost to give old-age pensioners a Christmas bonus of £1 each.

About £4¾million.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in negotiations for the abolition of visas for travel between this country and Finland.

Her Majesty's Ambassador at Helsinki has recently been authorised to enter into negotiations for the conclusion of an agreement with the Finnish Government for the mutual abolition of visas for visits of not more than three months' duration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for which countries in Western Europe travel visas are still required.

British subjects holding United Kingdom passports can now visit without visas all countries in Western Europe except Spain and Portugal. Negotiations for a visa abolition agreement with Portugal are in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will increase the contribution of Her Majesty's Government to the United Nations Expanded Technical Assistance Programme to £1 million per annum and pledge this over the next three years in order to facilitate long-term planning in this work.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now say if he will respond favourably to the appeal of the United Nations Technical Assistance Fund for a guarantee of £3 million covering the years 1955–57 to help under-developed countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has received from the United Nations Organisation and other organisations in this country, about the British contribution to the expanded programme of technical assistance for the underdeveloped countries; and what action Her Majesty's Government now propose to take in regard to their contribution to this appeal.

Representations about the United Kingdom contribution to the Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance have been received from a number of non-Governmental organisations in this country, most of which are members of the United Nations Association's Standing Conference on Economic and Social Work. No representations have been received from the United Nations Technical Assistance authorities.As to the size of the United Kingdom contribution for 1955 and the suggestion that a pledge should be given to cover three years, I have nothing to add to the reply given on 25th October to the hon. Members for Tradeston (Mr. Rankin) and Fife, West (Mr. Hamilton).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will propose an amendment to Article 100 of Chapter IV of the United Nations Charter by which members of the secretariat are required to swear an oath to discharge their functions and regulate their conduct with the interests of the United Nations only in view, and not to seek or accept instructions from any Government or authority external to the United Nations authority, in view of the fact that the oath contains a repudiation of their duties as British subjects when taken by British members of the secretariat.

No. Neither Article 100 nor the oath taken by the members of the United Nations Secretariat require British staff members to repudiate their duties as British subjects.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further action he is taking to secure consideration by the United Nations of the widespread effect of nuclear weapon experiments by any country, including the probable genetic consequences of radio-activity through nuclear weapon experimentation.

The United Kingdom has sponsored a Resolution, now adopted by the General Assembly's First Committee, calling for further private talks between the five Powers that were represented in the London discussions on disarmament during the summer. I am sure that all members of the Disarmament Sub-Committee are fully conscious of the grave problems created by nuclear weapons and we shall continue to work for a satisfactory agreement for the international control of these weapons.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the talks in Paris a few weeks ago on the future relations between the United Kingdom and the European Coal and Steel Community.

It was originally intended that M. Monnet, the President of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community, would come to London in July for talks with Her Majesty's Government; but M. Monnet fell ill in June and these talks had to be postponed. In the meantime, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government (formerly the Minister of Supply) has had preliminary and informal discussions in Paris with the President of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community to pave the way for the London talks.These preliminary and informal discussions resulted in the preparation of a draft agreement which is at present being considered by Her Majesty's Government on the one hand and by the High Authority and the Council of Ministers of the Community on the other, I understand that the next meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Community, at which this draft will be discussed, will take place on 22nd November. I hope that, when this draft agreement has been further considered by both sides, the President of the High Authority will come to London for the postponed talks and that these talks will result in the signature of an agreement between Her Majesty's Government and the European Coal and Steel Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what annual sum is paid by Western Germany representing occupation costs of the British Forces in Germany.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Note on Financial Arrangements in the White Paper on the Paris Agreements which has now been laid before the House. The figure for occupation costs for British Forces in Germany paid by the Federal Government is of the order of £150 million a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he will make to the latest Soviet Note on the subject of renewed Four-Power talks on Germany and Austria.

Her Majesty's Government are consulting about a reply with the Governments of France and the United States, to whom similar notes have been addressed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider adding to the staff of Her Majesty's Embassy in Moscow a trade representative with technical experience of the engineering industry.

As the hon. Member is aware, there is no private trade of any significance in the Soviet Union and there is accordingly much less scope than in other countries for the employment of a commercial officer on the staff of Her Majesty's Embassy. Moreover, many representatives of engineering firms are able to visit Moscow and make direct contact with the Soviet Organisations concerned. Her Majesty's Government are, however, watching the position, and if developments show that the appointment of a commercial officer would be useful they are prepared to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements were discussed with the Egyptian Government for the protection of the Suez military base against an attack with thermo-nuclear weapons.

In the course of my discussions with Egyptian Ministers, all matters affecting the security of the base were considered

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the hostile tone of the broadcasts which have been made recently on Athens Radio's Cyprus service; and what protests Her Majesty's Ambassador in Athens has been instructed to make.

Yes. Her Majesty's Ambassador at Athens has been instructed to make further protests to the Greek Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give greater consideration to the local establishment of the secondary staff in diplomatic posts abroad who have given long years of service in one place.

A scheme was introduced in 1951 for the establishment on a local basis of locally-engaged staff of British nationality employed in Her Majesty's Missions and consular posts. Offers of establishment have been made to 59 eligible candidates and further offers will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent his Department still follows the Ponsonby rule in relation to the ratification of all treaties, other than those requiring legislation, namely, that in the absence of an expression of disapproval within the period of 21 days from the date on which the treaty was laid before the House, Parliamentary sanction will be presumed.

The customary practice of my right hon. Friend's Department in regard to treaties requiring ratification is to follow the Ponsonby rule.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the estimated additional charge to public funds in the financial years 1954–55 and 1955–56 arising out of British participation in the council established under Article V of the South-East Asia Collective Defence Treaty and out of actions taken under Articles II and III of the Treaty.

No estimate can be made until the council contemplated under Article V has been set up.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a statement on the coal situation for the winter; how far there is likely to be a shortage; and what steps he has in mind to meet it.

I cannot at present add anything to the statement which I made in the course of the debate on 25th October.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what research has been made by his Department to ascertain the maximum amount of by-products that can be obtained from a ton of coal, giving the name of each by-product; and what would be their value in the British market.

The increased efficiency of the various coal treatment processes is a main objective of the research and development programmes of the industries and others concerned. The main by-products are crude tar, ammoniacal liquor, spent oxide and crude benzole but no reliable estimate of their total value can be made.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what stocks of house coal are held in the Eastern Region as compared with the stocks held at the corresponding date last year.

74,113 tons of merchants' stocks on 16th October compared with 100,500 tons last year.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what progress is being made in Great Britain in the search for natural gas.

The results of deep drilling in Scotland and in Sussex, and of extensive geophysical surveys in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, are now being examined, and further drilling is being considered in the light of the information thus obtained.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a statement on the progress made in his discussions with the Minister of Housing and Local Government and the National Coal Board on the problems arising from mining subsidence and the needs of the local authorities affected.

Not yet.

asked the Minister of Food the estimated subsidy per pint of milk, exclusive of welfare and school milk; the average consumption per person per day; and the total subsidy for the year.

The subsidy on milk, excluding the cost of the two welfare schemes and the attested herds scheme, is estimated at about £40 million this year. This is equivalent to ¾d. a pint on all milk. The average weekly consumption of all milk, including welfare and school milk, is about five pints per head.

asked the Minister of Food how much full-price liquid milk was consumed by the public in the first six months of 1954; how this compares with a similar period of 1951; and what this means in terms of the average weekly consumption per person.

647 million gallons in the first half of 1954, and 666 million for the corresponding period in 1951. The average weekly consumption of full-priced milk was about four pints per week.

asked the Minister of Food the estimated subsidy on a 14 oz. loaf of bread; how much is consumed per person per day; and the total annual cost of the subsidy.

The cost of subsidising National bread in 1954–55 was estimated at £47·4 million, equivalent to about 1⅓d. per 14 oz. loaf. Due mainly to decreases in the price of flour since this Estimate was published, the subsidy on the 14 oz. loaf at present is estimated at about 1d. The consumption of National bread is about 6½ oz. per person per day.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that over 12,000 bakeries have had to close down since the war and that a large proportion of those left are now unable to deliver bread daily because of the working of the flour subsidy granted to large-plant bakeries as compared with the smaller firms which are compelled to grant credit and have proportionately heavier delivery costs; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

The number of bakers claiming subsidy last year was 14,600 as compared with 18,254 in 1945 and 14,915 in 1951. A case for an increase in the net profit margin has been submitted by the trade and is now being considered.

asked the Minister of Food the price of the National loaf before June, 1952, and the price now; and the cost of the subsidy.

The prescribed maximum retail prices for National bread before June, 1952, were 1s. 3d. for the 3½ lb. loaf, 7½d. for the 1¾ lb. loaf and 4¼d. for the 14 oz. loaf. There has been no change since then. The cost of the subsidy for 1954–55 was estimated at £47·4 million in the revised Estimate published on 31st March last. Owing to the subsequent fall in the price of flour the subsidy is now running well below this rate.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will make a statement on the course of his negotiations with the national organisations in the bakery trade on the subject of the profit margin on the production and distribution of national bread.

These organisations have submitted a joint claim for an increase in the profit margin on subsidised bread and this is at present under examination.

asked the Minister of Food what requests have been made by him to the Danish suppliers to hold back substantial quantities of contract bacon since July; the reason for these requests; and the present position.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend on 28th October, 1954.

asked the Minister of Food the price of beef as averaged before derationing; if he is aware that it has risen again in price this month; and if he will introduce a controlled ceiling price.

So far as can be estimated the weighted average price of all the beef cuts in the retail price schedule immediately before decontrol was about 2s. 6½d. for home killed and 2s. 2d. a lb. for imported. I have no evidence of any general increase in retail beef prices in October. It would be quite impracticable to impose price controls without reintroducing control over supplies and rationing.

asked the Minister of Food if he will now make a statement regarding his policy on production and distribution of eggs.

I am not yet in a position to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Faversham (Mr. P. Wells) and my hon. Friends the Members for Wokingham (Mr. Remnant) and Ton-bridge (Mr. G. Williams) on 28th October by my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will make a statement on the effect of the dock strikes on food supplies.

There has been no shortage in the shops of any of the main foods on account of the strikes. But it is probable that some foods—meat and butter in particular—will be adversely affected early in the New Year due to the dislocation in shipping and the delay in turn-round of vessels.

asked the Minister of Food what estimate was made of the exportable surplus in each of the five years concerned when the agreement with the Republic of Ireland was made on 1st May, 1951, under which this country undertook to buy for the next five years 90 per cent. of the exportable surplus of Irish pigmeat; and, in view of the fact that the pig population in Eire is increasing very rapidly and that an excessive quantity of fresh pork may, eventually, have to be imported, what steps he proposes to take to minimise the effects of this commitment.

Supplies of pork and bacon from Eire since 1951 have fluctuated widely. It is estimated that in the period May, 1954, to April, 1955, some 30,000 tons of pigmeat will be shipped. This is less than 3 per cent. of the U.K. requirements. The agreement further provides for changes in the proportions shipped as pork, bacon and live pigs and offers ample scope for the adjustment of supplies to meet actual U.K. requirements from time to time.

asked the Minister of Food how many paid appointments to posts outside the Civil Service he is responsible for making; the nature of each appointment; and what salary is payable in each case.

Three, apart from those referred to in the reply given on 28th October to a similar Question by my hon. Friend, the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The three are the chairman and two directors of the British Sugar Corporation who are paid by the corporation. The chairman's salary is £3,500 per annum and each of the two directors receive £500 per annum.

asked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been drawn to Table 154 of the September issue of the Monthly Digest of Statistics; whether he is aware that between July, 1952, and July, 1954, the price index of tea and sugar rose by 28 points, that of fruit and vegetables by 22 points, and that of butter, margarine and cooking fat by 41 points; and what immediate steps he intends to take to prevent further steep rises in the prices of these essentials.

Yes, but I am also aware that the Food Index rose in the period by less than 10 points. Between July last and September it has fallen by 3 points. I have no action in mind.

asked the Minister of Health why money was spent equipping an operating theatre in St. Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth, in view of the fact that there was insufficient money to provide the necessary staff to man it.

I understand that the new twin operating theatres, which were opened in June last, are in use and that the original theatre which was temporarily closed is likely to be re-opened in the near future.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the continued shortage of suitable hospital accommodation for mental defective children in County Durham; and what further action he is taking to provide increased facilities within the county or to accommodate these children elsewhere.

Yes. The regional hospital board has provided since 1948 246 additional beds in Durham of which 120 have been specially provided for children. A further 143 beds are under construction, some of which will enable other beds to be used for children in the county.

asked the Minister of Health how many people suffering from tuberculosis in the County of Merioneth are awaiting admission to sanatoria; and the average waiting period for each individual.

Two. One was placed on the waiting list a month ago and the other—after a period of treatment at home under close supervision by the chest physician—a few days ago. It is hoped to admit both to hospital within the next few weeks.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects that the Whitley Council will complete their consideration of the claim of technologists in the Health Service for extra pay in connection with the night-emergency scheme, in view of the fact that that they have already spent 11 months on it; and whether he will ask them to reach a decision soon.

I understand that this claim is to be discussed again on 25th November, but I cannot foretell whether agreement will then be reached.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will encourage the provision of facilities for some of the local health authority's services wherever group practices are established; and especially where applications have been made to the Group Practice Loans Fund.

It is for the doctors forming a group practice to decide what facilities they will provide, but my right hon. Friend is sure that they appreciate the advantages of the closest possible contact with the local health authorities' services.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent the allocation of motor cars for the severely disabled ex-Service men has been exhausted; and what provision is to be made for those who qualify but have not been supplied.

The allocation of motor cars has proved sufficient to meet all applications from seriously disabled ex-Service men found eligible to receive these vehicles and there is no indication that additional provision need be made at the present time.

asked the Attorney-General (1) what consultation there has been with Dominion Governments on the First Report of the Private International Law Committee and on the recommendations made therein; and the result of such consultation;(2) Whether he will make a statement as to the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the recommendations in the First Report of the Private International Law Committee; and whether it is proposed to introduce the legislation recommended.

Consultations with other Commonwealth Governments are still proceeding and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Attorney-General (1) the estimated cost of bringing into operation the legal advice provisions of the Legal Aid and Advice Act, 1949; and how soon it is proposed that this shall be done;(2) what is now expected to be the annual cost to the Exchequer of extending the Legal Aid and Advice Act, 1949, to magistrates' courts and county courts; and how soon it is anticipated that this step will be taken.

It is difficult to form firm estimates of the cost of these services but, on such information as is at present available, it is estimated that the annual cost of bringing into operation those provisions of Part I of the Legal Aid and Advice Act, 1949, which relate to legal advice, legal aid in the magistrates' courts and legal aid in the county courts, is respectively £470,000; £100,000, and £250,000. I assume that, as my hon. and gallant Friend's second Question is addressed to me, it is not intended to refer to legal aid in the magistrates' courts under Part II of the Act.With regard to the latter parts of my hon. and gallant Friend's Questions, I have nothing to add to the replies given to the hon. and learned Member for West Ham, South (Mr. Elwyn Jones) and other hon. Members on 25th October.

asked the Attorney General whether he is aware that intricate documents, other than formal notices, have been sent by landlords to large numbers of tenants inviting agreement to increases of rent purporting to be chargeable for repairs; that, as many of these tenants are unable to pay for legal advice on the difficult questions and calculations raised by these demands, they are forced to agree to the requests; that the necessity of granting such tenants and others legal assistance under the Legal Aid and Advice Act is urgent; and whether he will speedily extend the services under the Act to provide for such needs.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to him and to the hon. and learned Member for West Ham, South (Mr. Elwyn Jones) on 25th October. I have nothing to add to those answers.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that some local committees set up under the Legal Aid and Advice Act, 1949, are refusing applications for legal aid in cases which could be instituted in the High Court on the grounds that the proceedings, if any, would be more appropriate to the county court; and whether he will make regulations requiring the local committees to grant legal aid in respect of cases of this nature to enable the proceedings to be taken in the High Court pending legal aid being available to litigants in county courts.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes," and to the second, "No."

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations why he decided to warn the Indian Government against intervention by force in Goa.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Leek (Mr. Harold Davies) on 25th October, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Education what instructions he has given, or proposes to give, to the British delegation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation on the question of the United States demand that eight members of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation staff who are United States citizens, should be dismissed, although their loyalty to the United Nations organisation is not questioned.

It would not be desirable for my right hon. Friend to disclose beforehand the instructions given to the delegation to an international conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what way it is proposed to modify the categories of crimes for which persons may be sentenced to death in Kenya.

The Kenya Government have under constant review the possibility of reducing the number of offences for which the death penalty is at present prescribed but do not consider that any relaxation would be advisable at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what ways the terms of surrender to Mau Mau adherents offered during the General China negotiations in April have been modified.

Those terms applied only to the particular arrangements made as a result of "General China's" capture. The Kenya Government are ready to consider any approach for a mass surrender from gang leaders who are able to influence large numbers of terrorists into surrendering. Meanwhile the original offer of August, 1953, (of which details are available in the Library) is still in force for any terrorists who decide to surrender on their own.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what answer he has given to the letter sent to him upon 1st October by Racial Unity regarding the appointment of a committee of inquiry into the position of coloured people in Great Britain.

I am informing the President of Racial Unity that their proposal for a committee of inquiry into the position of coloured people in the United Kingdom, and the other matters referred to in their letter, are being carefully studied in my Department, and that a further letter will be sent to them after consultation with the other Ministries that are concerned with the affairs of these citizens while they are living and working in this country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will ask the Phillips Committee to speed up their report, in order that some help may be given to old-age and other pensioners before the end of the year.

I am sure that the committee is aware of the general desire for an early report and that it will lose no time over its task.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the items headed, "Administration," on social service expenditure given in tables A-E of the Monthly Digest of Statistics for May, 1954, include the cost of pensions currently being paid to civil servants, local government officials, teachers, doctors and other superannuated persons; and whether separate figures can be given for such expenditure.

These pensions are all excluded. Details of those which are a charge on the Exchequer appear in the Appropriation Accounts. For local government officials and other similar categories whose pensions are not so charged, complete figures are not published and are not readily available.

asked the Minister of Works the estimated quantity of electrical energy to be supplied from nuclear power stations at the close of the next 10 year planning period.

The provision of electrical energy from nuclear power is still only at the experimental stage. It would, therefore, be premature to attempt to make any such estimates.

asked the Minister of Works what action has been taken to safeguard the future supplies of sand and gravel for the building industry.

The reports of the Advisory Committee on Sand and Gravel appointed in June, 1946, are brought to the attention of local planning authorities by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government. With due regard for other interests the committee have recommended certain areas in each locality for sand and gravel working. The committee believed that the areas recommended would provide reserves for the next 50 years.

asked the Minister of Works the estimated available sand and gravel deposits that can be worked; and how long he estimates they will provide for the needs of the building industry.

No estimate can be made of the total reserves of sand and gravel available but the reports of the Advisory Committee on Sand and Gravel show that in certain areas, notably the Metropolitan area, reserves that can be worked without damage to other interests are likely to be exhausted in less than 50 years. Provision can be made in development plans, which are subject to five-yearly revision, for the progressive allocation of land for the working. of sand and gravel.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider taking steps to amend the copyright law so as to afford authors the right of action for breach of copyright when the basic plot of an original play is used without permission or payment as the script for a film production.

I have no reason to believe that the remedies at present available to a playwright to prevent the pirating of his works by film-producers are inadequate.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what night weather records he has caused to be kept at Gatwick since the development of the aerodrome was first reconsidered in 1951.

No night meteorological observations have been taken at Gatwick since 1951. The conclusions to be drawn with respect to night weather from the statistics available at 0900 hours are set out at length in paragraphs 8 and 9 of Command 9296. to which I would refer the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the percentage availability of Cliffe and Gatwick, respectively, compared with London and their respective frequencies of visibility below 550 yards.

When London Airport's visibility is below 440 yards Gatwick's is better on 55 per cent. of occasions.No meteorological observations have ever been taken for Cliffe. Statistics are however available for Shoeburyness and very limited statistics for the Isle of Grain. These indicate that frequencies of visibility less than 550 yards in the winter months at the Isle of Grain and Shoeburyness are very similar. It is estimated that the frequency of fog at Cliffe is greater than at either the Isle of Grain or Shoeburyness, since Cliffe is nearer to London with consequent increase in smoke pollution. There is also a cement works half a mile south of the possible airport site.When London Airport's visibility is less than 550 yards that at Shoeburyness is better on 55 per cent. of occasions and it is estimated that at Cliffe the percentage would be no greater than this.Statistics for frequencies of visibility below 550 yards at all three places are not available, but taking 440 yards as the criterion there are the following observations covering 11 months in 1948–49, December to March, 1952–53, and October to March, 1953–54.

asked the Minister of Defence what proposals were made in his recent talks with the South African Minister of Defence on the creation of an anti-Communist defence organisation in Africa; and the attitude of the United Kingdom Government to such proposals.

During the recent talks, the South African Minister of Defence suggested that the need for a defence organisation in Africa should be considered. This the United Kingdom Government undertook to do.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the amount of the subsidy paid out of public funds in respect of industrial hostels for which he is responsible;(2) what operating loss is incurred in respect of the operation of mining and agricultural hostels, for which he is responsible, on the one hand, and of all other industrial hostels for which he is responsible, on the other, respectively.

I am not responsible for any mining or agricultural hostels. As regards industrial hostels I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham (Mr. Carr) on 21st October.

asked the Minister of Labour how many people were, at the latest convenient date, accommodated in industrial hostels for which he is responsible.

On 29th September, 1954, there were 14,422 residents in industrial hostels for which I am responsible.

asked the Minister of Labour when the report of the Chief Inspector of Factories for 1953 is to be published.

Subject to any unforeseen difficulties I hope the report will be published in December.