asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reasons the French Government have given for their opposition to Anglo-American proposals to modify the International Monetary Fund mechanism in order to supplement the short-term plan proposed at Basle to counter speculation and large-scale currency movements against the free world's currencies; why it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to await French agreement before taking action in this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Discussions are continuing among the Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund on proposals put forward by the Fund Staff. It would be premature for me to comment on them now.

						July, 1961
—			1938			Participating in the graduated National Insurance Scheme			Contracted out of the graduated National Insurance Scheme
			£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
Gross Earnings	…	…	3	9	0	14	10	9	14	10	9
Deductions:
Income Tax	…	…	Nil			1	8	8	1	8	8
Unemployment Insurance	…	…			9
Health Insurance	…	…			4½
Pension Contribution	…	…			5½
Industrial Injuries	…	…						7			7
National Health Service	…	…					2	8½		2	8½
National Insurance:
Flat rate	…	…					7	3½		8	10½
Graduated contribution	…	…					4	9
Total Deductions	…	…		1	7	2	4	0	2	0	10
Net Earnings	…	…	3	7	5	12	6	9	12	9	11
The consumer price index brought up to date by the retail price index has increased by 191 per cent, since 1938. On this basis a net income of £3 7s. 0d. a week in 1938 was equivalent to £9 15s. 0d. a week in May, 1961. The differences between this and the net incomes shown above are £2 11s. 9d. and £2 14s. 11d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has considered the recommendations in the 31st Annual Report of the Bank of International Settlement about the economic problems of the United Kingdom; and what action he proposes to take on the

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the compulsory contributions made by a married man with average earnings of £3 9s. a week in 1938; what are the compulsory contributions in July, 1961, of a married man, including Income Tax, National Health Service, National Insurance, and Industrial Injuries; what is his average net income if he receives £14 10s. 9d. per week; how this net income compares with a net income of £3 7s. in 1938 plus the value of the rise in the cost of living, and what is the difference in actual current money value.

The compulsory weekly contributions for an employed married man aged between 18 and 70 without dependants were as follows:criticism that there is insufficient British investment in education and in roads, compared with other choices in the public sector, to make an adequate contribution to longer-term growth.

With regard to the second part of the Question, it is true that the Report posed a question with regard to investment in education and roads. It also contains some exceedingly pertinent comments upon other matters. I believe that the Report merits very careful consideration, and I commend it to the attention of hon. Members. I understand that a copy is now available in the library of the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the difference in real money terms between the net average wage in 1938 and the net average wage in 1960 expressed in terms of the value of money in 1938.

For industries covered by the Ministry of Labour's periodic inquiries the net average earnings of a married manual worker without children in October, 1960, were 31 per cent. higher in real terms than in October, 1938.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will specify the persons and firms on the trade lists and specifications to whose attention, on his instructions, the claims of Scottish firms for tenders and employment were sent.

I assume that the hon. and learned Member is asking me to specify the persons and firms on the trades lists of those Departments to whose attention the needs of Scottish firms have recently been drawn. I regret that it is not possible to give this information in answer to a Parliamentary Question as the lists include many thousands of names. If the hon. and learned Member wishes to know whether a particular firm is on the trades lists of an individual Department, he may like to make enquiries of the Minister in charge of that Department.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the total amount of British investment in the European Economic Community each year during the period 1957–60; and if he will set out in tabular form the countries and industries in receipt of such investment.

Private investment by the United Kingdom in the European Economic Community is now estimated at £32 million in 1958 and £41 million in 1959. Estimates on a similar basis are not available for 1957 and those for 1960 are not yet ready. Certain supplementary information on the lines sought by my hon. Friend about direct investment in countries and industries was published in the Board of Trade Journal of 17th February last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recommendation he has received from the University Grants Committee about the future of St. David's College, Lampeter; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. The University Grants Committee have given a great deal of consideration to this question over a period of years. As they explained in their last Quinquennial Report (University Development, 1952–57), they would not think it right to recognise for grant an institution unconnected with a University unless that institution either was a potential University or could be brought into organic relationship with an existing University institution. They could not regard St. David's College as a potential University in its own right. They have, therefore, concentrated on encouraging the College to enter into organic relationship with a University institution and thus to enable them to assist it financially.I am happy to say that agreement has been reached between the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire and St. David's College, under which the former will give the latter assistance in the academic field and sponsor its applications to the U.G.C. for financial assistance. This arrangement, which has been approved by the U.G.C., is to operate for 10 years, after which the position is to be reviewed, though the Committee would feel free to review the position at an earlier date if the University College requested them to do so. It covers only that section of St. David's College which is concerned with work for the B.A. Degree. It does not cover that section which is devoted to theological training and work for the B.D. Degree. The College will continue to award its own degrees.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, following his opening the Piccadilly Circus advertisement about the need for greater exports, what action he is taking to stimulate the interest of workers in increasing their output for export; since it is the directors and not the workers who decide whether goods shall go into the home or the export markets, whether he will take urgent action to assist employers and trade unions in their efforts to increase the United Kingdom's export

UNITED KINGDOM EXPORTS (INCLUDING RE-EXPORTS)
To	1959	1960	Change 1960 over 1959		January-May, 1960	January-May, 1961	Change 1961 over 1960
	£m.	£m.	£m.	Per cent.	£m.	£m.	£m.	Per cent.
Common Market Countries (excluding Dependencies)	511·8	567·4	+55·6	+10·9	247·2	272·5	+25·3	+10·2
Rest of World	2,949·2	3,129·3	+180·1	+6·1	1,363·5	1,347·8	-15·7	-1·2

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to stop the continuing migration from the North East, he will take additional powers to allow industries to be built in the North East, adjoining areas scheduled under the Local Employment Act.

The Board of Trade's powers under the Local Employment Act may be exercised only in localities where high unemployment exists or is expected. All the areas in the North East which fulfil either of these conditions are already listed as development districts. I am watching the position in the North East very closely and will add any other districts which warrant listing. As the hon. Member knows, the existing powers may be, and are being, used in areas adjoining the development districts where their use is for the benefit of those districts.

My colleagues and I have lost no opportunity of explaining the need for increased exports of goods at competitive prices, and I think there is increasing awareness of it. As regards the second part of my hon. Friend's Question, the Board of Trade, the Government's overseas posts and Export Credits Guarantee Department provide a comprehensive range of services to exporters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the exports of the United Kingdom to the Common Market countries have increased in value and percentage in 1960 and 1961 as compared with exports to the rest of the world.

Following is the information:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now introduce legislation to protect the public from switch selling practices which involve misrepresentation about the stocks held by the firms concerned.

I propose to await the report of the Molony Committee, within whose terms of reference these matters lie, before reaching a decision on the need for legislation to prohibit certain kinds of commercial practices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make arrangements for a United Kingdom exhibition at the International Fair to be held at Elisabethville, capital of Katanga, during July.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what applications for licences to sell arms and ammunition to Portugal have recently been made by British firms; and whether it is the Government's intention to grant them.

It is not the practice to disclose details of applications received for the export of military equipment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations take place between his Department and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government in cases where both an industrial development certificate and planning permission are necessary.

There is consultation between the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government whenever both an industrial development certificate and planning permission are necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of graduate designers employed in the machine tool industry.

A recent survey by the Machine Tool Trades Association indicates that there are 125 or more graduate engineers in the industry engaged on design, research or development.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what grounds he refused the offer from the Wrexham Rural District Council, the Wrexham Borough Council and the Denbighshire County Council to purchase the Wrexham Industrial Estate in its entirety.

It is normal Government policy, when disposing of land leased to industry, to offer first refusal to the sitting tenants; and in the case of agricultural land acquired under compulsory powers, to offer the land back to the former owners. The normal policy is being followed in dealing with what remains of the land at Wrexham transferred to the Board of Trade after the war.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the land on the Wrexham Industrial Estate which he has decided to offer back to the former owners will include the 35 acres recently cleared at a cost of approximately £40,000 specifically for industrial development, as well as the land on which stand the buildings let to the Rubber Directorate for storage; and if the land will be valued as agricultural land or as land to be used for industrial development.

The Government have decided to offer back to the former owners all the land not leased to industry; this includes both the land cleared but not used for industrial development, and the land used for storing rubber, as well as other vacant land. The land will be offered back at a price which takes full account of its value in its present condition on the open market.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements were made by the recent European Free Trade Association Conference for negotiations with the European Economic Community to be conducted jointly by all the European Free Trade Association countries and not by individual countries.

None; it would not be appropriate to attempt to settle the method of negotiation before a decision to negotiate at all has been made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take regarding the continued dumping of eggs in this country, particularly from Poland.

As regards imports of Polish eggs, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Sir A. Hurd) on 29th June. No significant quantities of eggs are at present being imported from any other country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much coal was shipped abroad from Port Talbot Docks in the months of May and June, 1961, respectively; and if he will make a statement.

Figures for June are not yet available. Exports of coal from Port Talbot Docks recorded during the month of May, 1961, were 1,163 tons valued at £6,331.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new industries and extensions to existing industries are expected in the Blyth, Bedlington and Seaton Valley areas in the next six months.

Five extensions, to provide about 600 new jobs, are expected. Some of these firms should start recruiting in the next six months.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive information from the European Economic Community about the treatment of films under the Treaty of Rome so as to be able to make an estimate of the effect upon the film industry of Britain joining the Common Market.

The Common Market countries are discussing the application to films of the Treaty of Rome, but I cannot say how soon they will reach a decision on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what date the Advisory Committee on Facilities for Commonwealth Trainees in the United Kingdom held its first meeting; and on what dates it has met since then.

The first meeting of the Committee took place on 28th March, 1960. So far the volume and nature of the requests for facilities made by other Commonwealth Governments have not necessitated a further meeting.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the deadlock in the Geneva talks on the testing of nuclear weapons between the United States and Russia, the possibility of one or both of these nations independently deciding to resume tests, and the extent of world opinion against these tests, if he will approach both Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Khrushchev with a view to reaching joint agreement on a continuation of the present unofficial ban on such tests.

No. Although the present de facto suspension of nuclear tests was a step in the right direction, it does not afford an adequate basis for a permanent settlement of this problem. Throughout the whole period of the negotiations at Geneva we have never deviated from the view that the cessation of nuclear tests must be accomplished by a Treaty providing for effective control measures under international supervision.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the decision of the United Nations to inquire into the situation in Angola and in view of Her Majesty's Government's commitments to Portugal within the framework of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, he will take steps to ensure that courtesy visits to Portugal by Her Majesty's ships or armed forces are made only after consultation between all the Ministers concerned.

I feel sure that all concerned are aware of the need for such consultation.

asked the Minister of Works if he will have a survey made of the roads within the Royal Parks to see where the painting of lane markings on the carriageway would help to guide traffic.

No. I am advised by the Ministry of Transport and the police who make proposals concerning the need for road markings from time to time.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will now consider providing a system, on a national basis, of sign-posting the amenities available, such as hotels, garages and cafes, in towns and villages by-passed by main road improvements; and whether he will discuss with motoring organisations a code of signs which would represent these amenities.

It is not for me to provide a system of direction signs to facilities in by-passed towns and villages, and in view of my appellate jurisdiction under the Control of Advertisements Regulations I do not think I ought to initiate discussions on a code of signs.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when he will announce his decision following the inquiry into the Worcestershire County Council's green belt proposals.

These proposals attracted over 230 objections. It is bound to be some time yet before I can announce my decision on them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will state the arrangements for the local public inquiry into the proposal for a women's prison at Hill Hall, Theydon Mount, Essex.

I have arranged for a public local inquiry to take place on Thursday, 12th October, at 10 a.m. at the Civil Defence Headquarters, 157, High Street, Epping.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs for what reasons he has refused publication of the report dealing with a review of Sections 76 and 95 of the Local Govern- ment Act, 1933, concerning the financial interest of members of urban district councils.

This report by officials was prepared solely to help the local authority associations and myself in the consideration which we have been giving to these provisions. I would prefer to complete this review before deciding what it might be useful to publish. I have every intention of making a statement to Parliament in due course.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when he expects to convey his decision on the Stonebridge and Lower Place comprehensive redevelopment scheme to the Willesden Borough Council.

I regret the delay, but I hope shortly to be in a position to give my views on these proposals.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many cases are waiting to be heard by the East London Rent Tribunal; what is the average time which now elapses before an applicant's case is heard; and whether, in addition to hearing cases at Islington, this tribunal sits at Barking Town Hall and in the Barking Road office.

About 200 cases are waiting to be heard, and the average waiting time, from the day the application is made until the decision is given, is about seven weeks. Since 1st May the tribunal has heard all its Barking cases at Barking Town Hall.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why, in view of the Government's decision to close the Rent Tribunal's office at 307A, Barking Road, E.13, this office is still open; and what type of cases is heard at this office.

The Barking Tribunal and the Islington Tribunal were amalgamated on 1st May, but I do not propose to close the Barking Road office until a suitable and conveniently situated office can be found to serve the whole of the tribunal's area. The office is open to give information and receive references to the tribunal on any matter within their jurisdiction, but the new tribunal has not yet used it for hearings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his recent talks with the East African Governments.

The results of the discussions which I concluded last Tuesday with delegations from East Africa were recorded in an agreed communiqué, which I am circulating below.As I said at the time, I am delighted with these results. There has been full agreement among all concerned on the framework of a future East African Common Services Organisation, to replace the present High Commission, in a manner compatible with the sovereignty of Tanganyika on independence. In this way the great benefits to the East African area of the Common Services will not be lost. But, beyond that, the spirit which prevailed throughout the discussions made manifest the wishes of the Governments and peoples of East Africa not only that they should continue in such joint association but also that in due course the institutions of the Organisation could well become the basis of an even wider and more general form of association.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in the preparation of the Constitution for Malta as recommended by the Blood Commission.

The drafting of Constitutional Instruments is now in hand and I hope that the new Constitution will be ready in time for elections to be held before the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now concede the right of self-determination to the people of Malta, so that policy on this matter may be in line with Her Majesty's Government's policy in other parts of the world.

As I made clear in my statement to the House on 8th March, the new Constitution for Malta has as its immediate aim the return to elected Government. It has never been suggested that it represents the final stage of Malta's constitutional development.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his official discussions with delegations from Kenya, Uganda, and Mauritius on constitutional changes in those territories and other matters.

At a meeting which I held with Ministers of the Kenya Government and leading Kenya Opposition members on 28th June it was agreed that there was sufficient common ground between the main parties to make it possible for the Governor to initiate discussions under his chairmanship at an early date. Such discussions would include constitutional advance and matters relating to the land problem and property rights.I have held no discussions about the Uganda Constitution with the delegates who have been in London for talks on the future of the East Africa High Commission. As the hon. Member will know, a conference to discuss the Uganda Constitution is to be held in London in September.I began confidential talks with the Governor and political leaders from Mauritius on 28th June. During the past week I had separate discussions with the various groups and we are now considering together certain proposals which I have put to them for the near and the longer term future. I cannot say at this stage how long the talks will last nor what conclusions are likely to be reached.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now announce his decision on the recommendations of the Bathurst conference on constitutional changes in Gambia.

I propose to discuss the recommendations at talks with political leaders from the Gambia which I will hold in London in the week beginning 24th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which local authorities in Scotland employ road safety officers.

Road safety officers are employed by the county councils of Aberdeen, Caithness, Dunbarton, Fife and Lanark and by Glasgow Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is yet in a position to make a detailed statement of the incident on 21st June, 1961, between the Aberdeen trawler s.t. "Courlis" and H.M.S. "Duncan" in the North Sea, of which he has had notice by letter.

I understand that the trawler when first sighted by the Naval Fishery Protection vessel was inside the limits where trawling is prohibited and was therefore closed by the naval vessel. It was soon established that she had not been fishing and the matter ended there. No charge is being, made against the master of the trawler and he is being so informed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the position now arising in the courts in Scotland, if he will now make proposals to increase the amount available for agents of the poor in criminal proceedings.

I cannot yet add to the replies which I gave to Questions by the hon. Member on 13th June last.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has completed his review of the effects of drift net fishing on salmon stocks in Scottish rivers; and what steps he is now taking to bring this practice under control.

As indicated in the Reply given to my hon. Friend on 3rd July by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, I am examining the question of drift net fishing urgently together with my right hon. Friend, but it is not yet possible to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the cost to a self employed male person aged 25 of a retirement pension at the age of 65, provided the weekly contribution and full Income Tax relief remain as at present; and what would be the cost to a self employed person under similar circumstances paying no Income Tax.

The National Insurance contributions carry entitlement to other benefits in addition to retirement pension. The total contributions payable by a self-employed man from the age of 25 to the age of 65 would amount to £1,180 on the assumption that the current rate of contribution continued throughout the period. Contributions by a person now beginning payment at age 25 would not give entitlement to pension at the full rate. It is not possible to give the cost of the contributions after allowing for Income Tax relief as the amount of such relief must vary from case to case.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the cost to a male employee aged 25 of a retirement pension at the age of 65, provided the weekly contribution and full Income Tax relief remain as at present; and what would be the cost to a male employee under similar circumstances paying no Income Tax.

The cost in either case would depend on whether the person concerned was in the graduated scheme or was contracted out of it; and, if he were a member of the scheme, on the level of his earnings. In the former case, it would also vary with his Income Tax liability.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the cost to a non-employed female person aged 25 of a retirement pension at 60, provided the weekly contribution and full Income Tax relief remain as at present; and what would be the cost to a female non-employed person under similar circumstances paying no Income Tax.

The National Insurance contributions carry entitlement to other benefits in addition to retirement pension. The total contributions payable by a non-employed woman from the age of 25 to the age of 60 would amount to £600 on the assumption that the current rate of contribution continued throughout the period. Contributions by a person now beginning payment at age 25 would not give entitlement to pension at the full rate. It is not possible to give the cost of the contributions after allowing for Income Tax relief as the amount of such relief must vary from case to case.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consult with the trade unions with a view to taking steps to increase the powers of the Registrar of Friendly Societies with regard to the supervision of union elections.

My right hon. Friend is examining most carefully the judgment given in the High Court yesterday together with the other relevant factors. It is too soon to say what the result of this consideration will be.

asked the Minister of Education if he will publish the names of the 12 teachers' training colleges whose costs, in total, per student per year were the least, and of those which were greatest, together with such costs in

College	Cost per student excluding loan charges	Cost per student of loan charges	Total
Highest Cost	£	£	£
Cardiff Training College of Domestic Arts (H)	633	316	949
Seaford Training College of Housecraft, Sussex (H)	626	137	763
Garnett College, London (T)	617	37	654
F.L. Calder College of Domestic Science, Liverpool (H)	601	91	692
Manchester College of Housecraft (H)	587	48	635
City of Bath Training College of Domestic Science (H)	560	78	638
Battersea Training College of Domestic Science, London (H)	547	103	650
Gloucester Training College of Domestic Science (H)	544	108	652
Leicester Domestic Science Training College (H)	543	68	611
Totley Hall Training College of Housecraft, Sheffield (H)	541	147	688
Nonington College of Physical Education, Dover (P)	535	185	720
Avery Hill Training College, London (G)	526	35	561
Lowest Cost
*St. Mary's College, Bangor (G)	378	—	378
*Diocesan Training College, Derby (G)	378	—	378
*St. Mary's Training College, Newcastle upon Tyne (G)	376	—	376
*Digby Stuart College, Roehampton (G)	371	—	371
*The College of the Immaculate Conception, Southampton (G)	368	—	368
*The Training College, Chester (G)	367	—	367
*The Diocesan Training College, Lincoln (G)	366	—	366
*Rachel McMillan College, London (G)	359	—	359
Kingston upon Hull Training College (G)	346	28	374
*Homerton College, Cambridge (G)	342	—	342
*Hockerill Training College, Hertfordshire (G)	338	—	338
*Sedgeley Park Training College, Manchester (G)	316	—	316
Key:(G)General Colleges.
(H) Housecraft and Domestic Science Colleges.
(T) Technical Colleges.
(P) Physical Education Colleges.

NOTE: (1) Colleges marked with an asterisk are voluntary colleges. In these cases figures are based on the academic, and not the financial year 1959–60.(2) Loan charges do not appear for voluntary colleges because approved capital expenditure has been met by grants of up to 75 per cent, from my department.

asked the Minister of Education what was the net increase in 1960 in the number of graduate teachers in maintained primary and secondary schools.

The table below shows the number of graduate teachers in maintained primary and secondary schools on 31st March, 1959 and 31st March, 1960: —

The cost per student and loan charges in the financial year 1959–60 at certain general or specialist training colleges maintained by local education authorities or by voluntary bodies are as follows:

—		31st March, 1959	31st March, 1960	Increase
				No.	Percentage
Men	…	30,067	32,038	1,971	6·6
Women	…	19,277	19,984	707	3·7
Total	…	49,344	52,022	2,678	5·4
Information about the position on 31st March, 1961, will not be available until later in the year.

asked the Minister of Health how many firms manufacture moulds for the Hearing Aid Centre in Grays Inn Road, W.C.1; and what is the average time between the placing of the order and delivery.

One. The average time taken recently has been about 18 days but priority orders are usually dealt with in about 5 days.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of deaths of people injured by accidents in the home in 1960; and if he will set out in tabulated form a specification of the principal causes of death or injury, and the number of deaths from each principal cause.

The following are the deaths from accidents in the home, England and Wales, 1960:

—		Males	Females
Coal gas poisoning	…	391	526
Other poisoning	…	160	212
Falls	…	1,199	3,027
Burns and scalds	…	221	432
Choking and suffocation	…	285	226
Other accidents	…	222	129
All accidents	…	2,478	4,552

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons since the war, having served a prison sentence for rape, and having been released, have subsequently committed the same crime again.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons since the war, having served a prison sentence for violence against the person, and having been released, have subsequently committed a similar type of crime again.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will advise the Metropolitan Police Authority to permit police officers who wish to do so to wear sun glasses on duty.

The Commissioner of Police does not consider that it is necessary for police officers to wear sun glasses in London.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what grants were made available for new construction and major improvement of classified roads in each county and county borough in the Eastern Division of his Department for each of the financial years 1955–56 to 1960–61 inclusive; by what amount they were less than the amounts requested by each authority; and what amounts of unexpended grant money were returned to his Department from the Division;(2) if he will give, in respect of new construction and major improvement of classified roads in each county and county borough in the Eastern Division of his Department, for each of the financial years 1955–56 to 1960–61 inclusive, a list of schemes costing more than £10,000 authorised during that period.

I am sending this information to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Power what was the average cost at the pit head of anthracite in 1959; and what was the average retail price of anthracite in that year.

I have asked the chairman of the National Coal Board to write to the right hon. Member about the pithead cost of anthracite. Since 1958, when coal control was discontinued, figures of retail anthracite prices have not been collected. At the time of decontrol, the basic retail price of Welsh anthracite nuts ranged from £10 10s. in Swansea to f13 a ton in Newcastle.

asked the Minister of Power to what extent production of Welsh anthracite fell short of demand in the home and export market in 1959; and if he will give estimates of the production and demand during the current year.

The National Coal Board estimates that Welsh anthracite produc- tion in 1961 will be about 3½ million tons compared with 3·1 million tons in 1959. It is not possible to estimate the extent of the unsatisfied demand but the Board expects that in 1961, as in 1959, there will be a small surplus of anthracite duff; there may, on the other hand, be some difficulty in meeting the growing demand for the best qualities of domestic anthracite.