Written Answers Written Answers To Questions Thursday, 6th July, 1961 Education School Dentists, Essex 27. Mr. Parker asked the Minister of Education what is the number of full-time dental officers employed in the schools service of the Essex County Council; what number is required adequately to carry out the work; and what steps are being taken to increase their number. Mr. K. Thompson Essex has the equivalent of 31·5 school dental officers; 97 would be needed to provide a comprehensive service. The authority is doing all it can to attract dentists into the service. Teachers Mr. Paget asked the Minister of Education how many teachers are being trained annually under the supplementary course for experienced teachers for special schools; and whether this number reaches requirements. Mr. K. Thompson 160 teachers attended supplementary courses and 65 attended special courses of advanced study for experienced teachers in the year 1960–61. Only teachers of deaf, partially deaf, and blind children are required to obtain a specialist qualification as a condition of permanent appointment. The supply of teachers of the blind from the supplementary course and other sources is sufficient for requirements, but the supply of teachers for deaf and partially deaf children is--------------------------- |Schools or extensions|…|…| --------------------------- |School places |…|…| --------------------------- Of the proposals not approved for these programmes 19 have been re-submitted for the 1963–65 building programmes. Youth Service Mr. Boyden asked the Minister of Education if his attention has been drawn to the recent resolution of the not and my right hon. Friend has accepted a recommendation of the National Advisory Council on the Training and Supply of Teachers that a second supplementary course should be set up for such teachers. Discussions on this course are now proceeding. My right hon. Friend is at present reviewing the training and supply of teachers of children with other handicaps. Denominational School, Oldham Mr. Hale asked the Minister of Education whether he will receive a deputation to be introduced by the hon. Member for Oldham, West, to make further representations as to the need for a primary denominational school at Roman Road, Lineside, Oldham. Mr. K. Thompson My right hon. Friend has written to the hon. Member on this matter. School Building Programme, Oldham Mr. Hale asked the Minister of Education how many schools and school places were included in the building programme for the current period by the Lancashire County Council; how many were approved; and how many are included in the programme now being considered. Mr. K. Thompson The answer to the first part of the Question is contained in the following table:Association of Education Committees that the building programme for the Youth Service is inadequate and should be substantially increased; and what action he proposes to take. Mr. K. Thompson I have seen reports of this resolution in the educational press. I cannot say what answer my right hon. Friend will give until it has been formally submitted to him and he has had an opportunity to discuss it with representatives of the Association. Malta Rediffusion System 37. Mr. Awbery asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Government-sponsored rediffusion system in Malta is being used to appeal for signatures to a petition to exile the late Prime Minister of the island; and if he will take steps to stop this system being used for this purpose. Mr. H. Fraser The rediffusion system in Malta is privately owned, is not Government sponsored and is not being used in the way described. School Children (Interrogation) 38. Mr. Awbery asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that children are being interrogated in some of the primary schools in Malta concerning the political beliefs of their parents, and in some cases are being urged to oppose their parents' views; and if he will take steps to stop this practice. Mr. H. Fraser No. I have no evidence to substantiate such allegations. Public Meetings Mr. Brockway asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he is taking to prevent the obstruction of public meetings and of the practice of democratic processes now taking place in Malta. Mr. Iain Macleod I do not consider that any special action is called for. Constitution 52. Sir P. Agnew asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with reference to the proposal in the Report of the Malta Constitutional Commission that the Commissioner of Police should be directly responsible to the Governor, if he is aware that the suggestion that, during temporary absences of the Governor from Malta, the chief justice should act for him is in conflict with the principle of the separation of the control of the police from the control of the judiciary; and whether he will provide for the appointment of some other functionary to act for the Governor when temporarily absent. Mr. Iain Macleod I am aware of this problem and I am giving it the careful consideration which it requires. St Helena Teachers 39. Mr. C. Hughes asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give the numbers of qualified and unqualified teachers, respectively, including head teachers, on the staffs of schools in St. Helena. Mr. Iain Macleod Of 67 teachers 37 have undergone local training, one has overseas qualifications, and 29 are pupil teachers. Mr. C. Hughes asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give details of the annual salaries paid to unqualified St. Helenian teachers, qualified St. Helenian teachers and qualified expatriate teachers, respectively, in Government service in St. Helena. Mr. Iain Macleod Salary scales for pupil teachers who are regarded as unqualified in St. Helena are as follows: Men—£84×4 to £88×6 to £94×10 to £104 p.a.Women—£80×4 to £84×6 to £90×10 to £100 p.a.The salary scales for the remaining grades of teachers are as follows: Assistant Teachers Men—£120×10 to £s 160 p.a.Women—£116×4 to £120×10 to £150 p.a. First Assistant Teachers Men—£170×10 to £210 p.a.Women—£155×5 to £160x 10 to £190 p.a. Senior Teachers Men—£220×10 to £250 p.a.Women—£200×10 to £230 p.a. Head Teachers Men—£260×10 to £330 p.a.Women—£240×10 to £310 p.a. Senior Head Teachers £350×10 to £390 p.a. Headmaster Secondary School £600 p.a.No expatriates are employed as teachers. Northern Rhodesia Students (United States Scholarships) 46. Mr. Swingler asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the results of his inquiries into offers of United States scholarships to Northern Rhodesian students; on what conditions these offers are based; and if he will take steps to ensure that they are taken up. Mr. Iain Macleod Under the African Scholarship Programme of American Universities scholarships have been awarded recently to ten Northern Rhodesians, including eight Africans. These awards covered all costs except those of passages to and from the United States, which are being met from local sources. Public Meetings 47. Mr. Swingler asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that further acts of interference with the freedom of assembly, involving the United National Independence Party, have occurred in the Eastern Province of Northern Rhodesia since 6th June; and if he will make further investigations with a view to ensuring that no restriction is placed on the lawful activities of any party. Mr. Iain Macleod I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the refusal to allow the United National Independence Party to hold a meeting on 18th June. Permission had already been given to the African National Congress to hold a meeting on that day and the authorities had good reason to fear that the holding of both meetings on the same day would lead to a breach of the peace. As regards the second part of the Question, I have assured the House on several occasions recently that no restriction will be placed on the lawful activities of any political party in Northern Rhodesia. Mr Kaunda Mr. Stonehouse asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what disqualifications debar Mr. Kenneth Kaunda from standing as a candidate in the Northern Rhodesian elections; and if he will introduce regulations to remove such disqualifications. Mr. Iain Macleod Mr Kaunda is at present debarred under Section 35 (1) (c) of the Legislative Council Ordinance, which disqualifies for five years persons who have served terms of imprisonment in excess of six months. The question of the qualifications and disqualifications appropriate under the new constitution is a matter which will require further consideration in consultation with the Governor. Mr. Stonehouse asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what assurances he gave to Mr. Kenneth Kaunda about the Northern Rhodesia Constitution before Mr. Kaunda returned to Northern Rhodesia from London on 23rd June. Mr. Iain Macleod Such meetings are private and confidential and I have naturally no statement to make. Kenya Land 48. Sir A. Hurd asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he proposes to take following his recent talks with Kenya Government Ministers and representatives of the Kanu opposition to secure an agreement to honour titles to land held from the Crown by Europeans and Africans after Kenya obtains internal self-government and to facilitate in fair terms the transfer to Africans of land now farmed by Europeans who may wish to leave Kenya now or in the future. 49. Mr. Thorpe asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals he now has for maintaining stability of land values in Kenya. Mr. Iain Macleod As I indicated in my statement of 20th December last, the continued protection of property rights will inevitably play an essential part in any future discussions on further constitutional advance in Kenya.The land settlement schemes, which involve the purchase of land and which I hope can be accelerated, will help. But at the heart of the problem are anxieties about the security of title and conditions generally. If political leaders succeed in allaying these anxieties, farming and other economic activity vitally affecting everybody in Kenya will undoubtedly benefit from the resultant revival of confidence. I am, therefore, encouraged to find that leaders of the Kenya Government and of the Opposition are conscious of this problem and have expressed their readiness to include it in the discussions now contemplated. Mr Jomo Kenyatta Mr. Stonehouse asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Governor of Kenya will now meet Mr. Jomo Kenyatta. Mr. Iain Macleod This is a matter for the Governor, and not one on which I feel it right to tender advice. Leeward And Windward Islands Economic Mission 51. Mr. F. M. Bennett asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now state whether a final decision has been made concerning Canada's participation in the Economic Mission which he proposes to send to the Leeward and Windward Islands. Mr. H. Fraser I am pleased to report that the Canadian Government have asked to be associated with the joint United Kingdom and United States Economic Mission to the Leeward and Windward Islands which my right hon. Friend announced to the House in his statement on 19th June. Her Majesty's Government warmly welcome this evidence of continuing Canadian interest in the West Indies. Constitutional Conference Mr. G. M. Thomson asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the results of the Leeward and Windward Islands constitutional conference. Mr. Iain Macleod The Leeward and Windward Islands Constitutional Conference, held in the Colonial Office from 19th June-22nd June, agreed upon the changes that would be necessary to the Constitutions of the individual territories on the Federation of the West Indies achieving independence on 31st May, 1962, in accordance with the scheme set out in Cmnd. 1417. Its detailed conclusions will be published in a White Paper as soon as arrangements can be made for simultaneous publication in the West Indies. The Conference accepted that the changes which it recommended should be made at Independence. Southern Cameroons Discussions 53. Mr. N. Pannell asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what decisions have been reached following the recent visit of Colonial Office representatives to the Southern Cameroons; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Iain Macleod The discussions in Buea from 15th to 17th June between representatives of the Governments of the Cameroun Republic, the Southern Cameroons and the United Kingdom were held in pursuance of the United Nations Resolution of 21st April to consider the arrangements to come into effect when the United Kingdom's trusteeship ends on 1st October. No final decisions were reached, but a number of the many questions which will arise were usefully examined and a further meeting is expected to take place shortly. Army Exercise, Portugal (19Th Brigade) 42. Mr. Paget asked the Prime Minister what instructions he gave to the Secretary of State for War and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs with regard to the cancellation of the move of the 19th Brigade to Portugal. The Prime Minister I gave no special instructions. In view of the commitments of our forces and aircraft elsewhere, it was found that the exercise would have to be postponed. Agriculture, Fisheries And Food River Hull (Flooding) 54. Commander Pursey asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, whether he will consider referring the problem of flood prevention on the River Hull to the Hydraulics Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, for the investigation of the wharf heights required to prevent flooding, the level of the river bed for the best discharge of inland water, the prevention of silting and other allied problems for the improvement of the river. Mr. Vane The question of what technical advice to seek, beyond that which its own technical staff can provide, is, of course, for the river board's discretion. 55. Commander Pursey asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the cause of the flooding on the west side of the River Hull, between Scott Street Bridge and North Bridge, at the last equinoctial high water spring tide, the number of wharves in this section of the river which have been surveyed and reported to the Hull and East Yorkshire River Board for flood alleviation works, and the number of notices which are to be served on owners in this section requiring them to raise their wharves above flood level. Mr. Vane I am informed by the river board that it has received no complaints of flooding on the west side of the River Hull between Scott Street Bridge and North Bridge on the evening tide on the 20th March last. The survey of this length of the River has not been completed and hence no notices have been served on wharf owners. Home Department Probation Officers 60. Mr. Randall asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the Annual Report for 1960 of the Durham County Combined Area Probation Committee and the current case-loads of the probation officers; and what steps he proposes to achieve the desired number of case-loads per officer. Mr. R. A. Butler I have seen this Report. I understand that the Durham Probation Committee, who have the responsibility for appointing sufficient probation officers, keep the staffing position under regular review and have increased the staff by four in the last six months. Executed Persons (Burial) 61. Mr. C. Pannell asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that Her Majesty's Judges have now altered the form of the death sentence to eliminate reference to the disposal of the body, why it continues to be the policy of Her Majesty's Government to require burial within the precincts of the prison. Mr. R. A. Butler The law remains as stated in Section 6 of the Capital Punishment Amendment Act, 1868, namely that the body of every offender executed shall be buried within the walls of the prison within which judgment of death is executed. West Indian Immigrants 62. Commander Kerans asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many West Indian immigrants have reached this country by air since 1st January, 1961. Mr. R. A. Butler About 15,000. Mini-Cabs 63. Mr. Leavey asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases where violence has been offered or used by a taxi driver against a mini-cab driver have come to the attention of the Metropolitan Police; and what prosecutions have been instituted. Mr. R. A. Butler Up to 28th June three cases had been reported to the Metropolitan Police of alleged violence by a taxi driver against a mini-cab driver and four cases of alleged threats of violence. It is not the practice of the Metropolitan Police themselves to prosecute in cases of common assault, but police enquiries have been made or are in hand to attempt to trace the persons concerned. 68. Mr. Lipton asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been instituted for breaches of the law by mini-cabs in the Metropolitan Police area. Mr. R. A. Butler The Metropolitan Police are initiating fifteen prosecutions for plying for hire without a hackney carriage licence. Other similar cases are under consideration. Consideration is also being given to the institution of proceedings in nine cases for the use of a vehicle either wholly or mainly for the purpose of advertisement within three miles of Charing Cross contrary to the London (Waiting and Loading) (Restriction) Regulations, 1958. Police (Press Information) 66. Mr. Parker asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state, for the past five years, the number of complaints which have been made to his Department or to the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis in respect of those departments of the police for which he is wholly or partially responsible, alleging that police officers had acted in an irregular manner by disclosing information to the Press; how many inquiries were instituted; and on how many occasions disciplinary action has been taken. Mr. R. A. Butler Exact information is not available, but the Commissioner of Police has been able to identify fifteen such complaints from members of the public in this period against Metropolitan police officers, including some referred to him by my Department. All these complants were investigated, but in none of them was it found that there was prima facie evidence to justify disciplinary proceedings. Disciplinary punishments were imposed in two cases of irregular communication of information to the Press which came to light otherwise than as the result of complaint from a member of the public. Crimes Of Violence (Mental Patients) 69. Mr. Lipton asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what evidence he has that the release of mental patients under the provisions of the Mental Health Act, 1959, has led to an increase in crimes of violence. Mr. R. A. Butler The Mental Health Act, 1959, makes ample provision for compulsory detention in hospital of the kind of mentally disordered person who might be liable to commit offences if at large, and I have no reason to think that its enactment has led to any increase in crimes of violence. St Clement Danes Wedding (Car Parking Restrictions) 67. Mr. N. Dodds asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what date, at what time, and in what form, police instructions were made known to the public that between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on 20th June for a wedding at 4.30 p.m., vehicles were not permitted to wait in certain streets in the vicinity of St. Clement Danes in the Strand; at what time the first car was removed by the police; how many cars were removed before 10 a.m.; where they were removed to; and what is the charge to each owner of a car so moved. Mr. R. A. Butler At 2 a.m. on 20th June, 48 police "no parking" signs were placed in position in the streets where waiting was prohibited. The first car was removed at 9.45 a.m. and three more cars were removed before 10 a.m. All four were removed to the police car pound in Southwark. The charge payable in respect of each removal is £2. Crime, Birmingham 70. Sir C. Osborne asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the recent official announcement that crime has increased in Birmingham by 24 per cent. over the last year, and the fact that coloured immigration is more concentrated in Birmingham than anywhere else, if he will have an investigation made to see if there is any connection between these two facts; and if he will make a statement. Mr. R. A. Butler No. It is the view of the Chief Constable of Birmingham that in general the coloured population of the city are no less law-abiding than the other inhabitants. I have been in touch with the hon. Members representing the city on this and other aspects. Corporal Punishment 72. Sir C. Osborne asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the fact that 2,477 prison cells hold 3 prisoners each, and this overcrowding is the result of increased crime, he will now introduce legislation to permit flogging for crimes of violence to be coupled with shorter sentences as a deterrent, and so reduce the prison population; and if he will make a statement. Mr. R. A. Butler No. In the debates on the Criminal Justice Bill I stated the objections to judicial corporal punishment and the House decided against its re-introduction. Crown Court, Manchester Mr. W. Griffiths asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will state the estimated annual cost of maintenance, including wages and salaries of staff, of the recently opened Crown Court in Manchester; and whether he will state the estimated amount which each local authority in the Salford Hundred will have to pay annually;(2) whether he will state the estimated capital cost for the new Crown Court buildings recently opened in Manchester; what proportion of this cost will be borne by war damage payments, the local authorities in the Salford Hundred, and Exchequer contribution, respectively. Mr. R. A. Butler I understand from estimates made by the Manchester City Council that the capital cost of the Crown Court is likely to be of the order of £1,275,000, excluding £81,000 land and lay-out costs, and that the estimated war damage payments amount to £672,500. The annual cost of wages and maintenance is thought likely to be of the order of £32,000. There is no Exchequer contribution in respect of the provision of buildings for use by courts of assize or quarter sessions.Section 9 of the Criminal Justice Administration Act, 1956, provides that the Lancashire County Council and the county boroughs in the Salford Division shall make certain contributions to the cost of the court in proportion to population. Horserace Betting Levy And Totalisator Boards Sir H. Oakshott asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to announce the names of the members of the Betting Levy Board and of the Totalisator Board, to be set up under the Betting Levy Act, 1961. Mr. R. A. Butler I am glad to say that the following have accepted my invitation to serve as members of these Boards: Members of the Horserace Betting Levy Board Field Marshal Lord Harding of Petherton (Chairman).Sir Denys Hicks.Mr. T. D. G. Munro. Members of the Horserace Totalisator Board Sir Alexander Sim (Chairman).Sir Dingwall Bateson.Lord Derwent.Mr. George Wigg, M.P. Undefended Divorce Cases 73. Mr. N. Dodds asked the Attorney-General if he will consider the temporary transfer of judges to the Divorce Division, or the appointment of additional commissioners, in order to dispose of all undefended divorce petitions now set down for hearing before the end of the present sitting. The Attorney-General No. Any increase in the number of judges and commissioners hearing undefended divorce cases could only be achieved at the expense of defended cases and this would not be justified. There is no unreasonable delay in the hearing of cases, though some slight increase in the time which elapses between setting-down and trial must be accepted as a result of the Matrimonial Proceedings (Children) Act, 1958. Mr. N. Dodds asked the Attorney-General if he will state the number of undefended divorce petitions now set down for hearing; and how many he anticipates will not be disposed of before the end of the present sittings. The Attorney-General On the 30th June there were approximately 2,650 undefended divorce cases awaiting hearing in London. About half of them will be disposed of by the end of the present sittings. Byrne And Chapple V Foulkes And Haxell (Judgment) 74. Mr. Marsh asked the Attorney-General whether he will place a copy of Mr. Justice Winn's judgment in the case of Byrne and Chapple v. Foulkes and Haxell in the Library of the House. The Attorney-General No. The Crown was not a party to this action and no shorthand note of the proceedings was taken on behalf of any Government Department. A transcript of the official shorthand note can be obtained on payment from The Association of Official Shorthand Writers, Ltd., 2, New Square, Lincoln's Inn, London, W.C.2, but I do not think it is for me to make the purchase on behalf of the Library. United Nations (International Peace Corps) 75. Mrs. Butler asked the Lord Privy Seal what information Her Majesty's Government have with regard to the proposals for the establishment of an international peace corps through United Nations co-operation, to be made by the United States of America at the July meeting of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations; and if he will now instruct the United Kingdom representative to support the proposals in so far as they seek to establish a truly international peace corps. Mr. Heath Our understanding is that the United States are proposing, not the establishment of an international peace corps, but the use by the United Nations and related Agencies of volunteers from the United States Peace Corps and from similar sources in other countries. The question of United Kingdom support for an international peace corps does not therefore arise. Commonwealth Relations Students, United Kingdom (Accommodation) Mr. G. M. Thomson asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what consultations his Department has had with the institutions of higher education in this country regarding the availability of lodgings for overseas students from Commonwealth countries. Mr. Braine The British Council act as the agents of the Commonwealth Relations Office in matters affecting the welfare of students from Commonwealth countries overseas, including their accommodation needs. Close liaison is maintained by the British Council with those officials of universities and institutions of higher education throughout the United Kingdom, who are concerned with this important matter. Nigeria Educational Co-Operation (Costs) Mr. G. M. Thomson asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what arrangements have been made with the Government of Nigeria to continue the educational co-operation and the financial assistance provided in the past through the machinery of the Inter-University Council for Higher Education Overseas. Mr. Braine The costs of the Inter-University Council for Higher Education Overseas in respect of its services to University College, Ibadan and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the cost of professorial visits there by members of London University which are arranged by the Inter-University Council, were previously financed out of Colonial Development and Welfare Funds. In response to a request from the Federal Government of Nigeria, the British Government have agreed to meet these costs under technical assistance arrangements from the date of independence. Scotland Hospital Building Programme Mr. Gourlay asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the total sum allocated, in respect of the hospital building programme, to the South East Regional Hospital Board for each of the financial years 1961–62 to 1964–65, and the amount allocated by the regional board for each of those years in respect of rebuilding for the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and the Western General Hospital and extensions for the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, and the Randolph Wemyss Hospital. Mr. Maclay The allocations for 1961–62 and the provisional allocations for 1962–63 are as follows: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |South-Eastern Region | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Edinburgh Royal Infirmary— ||| ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Re-building | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Additional accommodation required in connection with this re-building| ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Western General Hospital—Out-Patient Department | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, Phase II | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Randolph Wemyss Hospital, Buckhaven | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Allocations have not been made for subsequent years, but it is expected that the two Fife projects will be substantially complete before any major expenditure is incurred on the Royal Infirmary or the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. Ministry Of Defence Training Exercises, Portugal Mr. Brockway asked the Minister of Defence when it is planned that British forces shall depart for Portugal on training exercises. Mr. Watkinson No date has been fixed. Post Office Large Parcels Sir B. Janner asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that manufacturers of percussion musical instruments in Leicester and elsewhere, who have a substantial export trade, are being asked to send drum outfits and other large consignments by post and that the regulations at present do not permit of large parcels being sent in this manner; and whether he will take steps to amend the position. Miss Pike My right hon Friend is looking into this matter and will write to the hon. Member.