asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any statement as to the intention of his Department to introduce new regulations governing motor insurance; and whether it possesses any statistics to show the number of motorists who have been left without insurance owing to the failure of the companies with which they were identified.

I would refer to the answer which was given on 30th April to the hon. Member for East Birkenhead (Mr. White). I understand that the total number of motor vehicle policies which have become invalid during the past four years in consequence of the winding-up of the five insurance companies concerned is about 188,000.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can confirm the following estimated child population, under 15, in England and Wales: 1936, 8,815,800; 1946, 6,548,100; 1956, 4,989,900; 1966, 4,200,900; and 1976, 3,362,200.

Such estimates as those referred to must be regarded as the statistical expression of a particular choice of assumptions or predictions as to the future course of events. The course of the birth rate in this country over so long a future period is entirely problematical; and predictions with regard to it can be neither confirmed nor disproved. I am advised however, that no less credible assumptions may be entertained accord- ing to which the figures quoted would appear to be substantially understated.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of public assistance, including rate-aided patients in mental hospitals, with the aggregate amount of relief.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered a communication from Dr. Percy Turner, chief medical officer of the Salvation Army, on methylated spirit drinking; and whether, in view of the facts therein described, he proposes to carry out the suggestions made for dealing with the problem?

I have been asked to reply. I have seen a copy of the "British Journal of Inebriety" containing an article by Dr. Turner, in which he suggests that changes in the denaturing of methylated spirits might be considered. The matter is one which engages constant attention, but on the evidence at present available I am not satisfied that any alteration is expedient.

The following statement gives the desired information for England and Wales and Lancashire. With regard to Scotland, I would refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what British schools abroad are subsidised by the British Government: and to what extent in each case?

The only British school abroad at present subsidised by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom is the English School at Cairo. This school is in receipt of a grant-in-aid of 00A3;2,000 a year for 12 years, of which this is the tenth. Provision has been made in the Diplomatic and Consular Estimates for the current financial year for an instalment of 00A3;5,000 of a grant not exceeding 00A3;10,000 towards the foundation of a British girls' school at Alexandria.