asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of recent matters in which the police have been involved, he is satisfied that the present Inspectorate of Constabulary is efficient and effective in its working; and if he will consider the formation of a stronger and more independent body calculated to probe more deeply into the conduct of the police.

The duties of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary are prescribed by the County and Borough Police Act, 1856. These duties are carried out by the Inspectors to my satisfaction; and I am not aware of any grounds for introducing legislation to extend their functions and to encroach on the responsibilities of local police authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will raise the amount of the fine of 1s. when dogs are claimed by their owners from the Metropolitan Police.

As the charge is sufficient to meet the expenses incurred, I should not be justified in raising it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what would be the proportion of the Parliamentary representation for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively, based on the number of electors in each of these countries.

If 625 seats were divided in proportion to the number of electors on the current register, England would have 516, Scotland 61, Wales 32 and Northern Ireland 16.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that unemployment in Scotland in the first six months of 1953 is higher than in any comparable period in the last six years; and what additional steps he has in mind to alleviate the hardship caused by this problem.

Yes. This is broadly true for women, but male unemployment has been lower than in three of the past five years. I am glad to say that in May and June the total was lower than last year and also than in 1950. The hon. Member will have learned from the debate which took place on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week that the Government recognise the unemployment position in Scotland and are doing all they can to assist Scottish industry to improve its employment prospects.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, in the recent returns for unemployment, the percentage in Wales was the greatest of any region and about double the average proportion for England; and what steps are being taken to secure at least the same proportion for the Principality.

Yes. Unemployment in Wales has, I am glad to say, been falling in recent months, but not at quite so fast a rate as in the rest of the country. Most of this unemployment occurs in South Wales and Monmouthshire. It was because of the lack of employment prospects that this district was scheduled as a Development Area. There has been great improvement since the war, and the Government's continued efforts to encourage and assist the growth of employment in Wales have been shown by the special steps taken to deal with the results of the modernisation of the tinplate industry. The hon. Member may like to know that I have arranged to visit South Wales during the Recess.

asked the Minister of Education the number of school dentists in King's Lynn and West Norfolk; and what percentage this is of the number of schools and school children for which her Department is responsible in this area.

Two dental officers work a total of nine sessions a week in King's Lynn and the adjacent parts of West Norfolk. There are 81 maintained and assisted schools, with some 11,000 pupils, in the King's Lynn parliamentary division.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will now permit the extensive war damage done to Morley College to be repaired.

I regret that I cannot within the limits of the resources now available to my Department, authorise the repair and reconstruction of these premises.

asked the Minister of Education how many schools in England and Wales were completed in 1950, 1951 and 1952, respectively; and how many it is hoped to complete in 1953.

New schools completed during the years ending 1st February, 1951, 1952 and 1953 numbered 265, 360 and 519, respectively. I cannot forecast the number which will be completed during the 12 months up to 1st February next, but I expect that the number of school places brought into use during this period will be considerably greater than the number for the year ended 1st February, 1953.

asked the Minister of Education to what extent she is now able to give an accurate estimate of school-building requirements in the next three years; and what is her estimate.

The need for additional school places depends on many factors besides the increase in the number of children, and I do not, therefore, consider it practicable to give an accurate estimate of requirements for three years ahead. Building works in progress and included in programmes which have been, or are about to be, announced to local education authorities, are likely to provide rather more than 600,000 new places over the three years 1954 to 1956.

asked the Minister of Education whether she has now replied in detail to the Select Committee on Estimates on the subject of their recommendations about the schoolbuilding programme; and in what terms.

Yes, but it is for the Committee to deal with the publication of the reply.

asked the Minister of Education how far education authorities are now experiencing difficulty in securing an adequate supply of building materials for the schoolbuilding programme; and what action she is taking to prevent a slowing-down in the building programme because of shortages of materials.

A number of authorities are finding difficulty in getting bricks delivered in the quantities and at the times required. My Department has been able to give immediate assistance in some cases, but the best ways to prevent such difficulties arising are by an increase in brick production, which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works confidently expects, and by the greater use of non-traditional methods of construction.

asked the Minister of Education in how many cases building of secondary schools was begun in 1952–53; and in how many building is planned to begin in 1953–54.

During the 12 months ended 31st March, 1953, work on 148 new secondary schools was started. Work on another 39 started in April and May, and the programme of work to be started by 31st March, 1954, includes a further 201 new secondary schools.

asked the Minister of Education the cost of the experimental school built under the supervision of her Department at Wokingham.

I am not yet able to add to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Wokingham (Mr. Remnant) on 13th November last.

asked the Minister of Education whether she can now say what is the fall in the demand for school meals since charges were made in Leicester and throughout the country; and if she will make a statement thereon.

The only figures I can give relate to June, 1953, as compared with June, 1952. On a day in June, 1953, 12,604 children in maintained and assisted schools in Leicester were having dinners. On a day in June, 1952, the figure was 12,321. Over the country as a whole the figures were 2,509,786 and 2,757,608.

asked the Minister of Education whether the five new schools in the course of construction in Sunderland will be completed in time for the new term beginning on 7th September.

The five major primary and secondary school projects under construction in Sunderland comprise seven schools. Of these I expect four to be completed by the beginning of the autumn term, and I understand the authority hope to have a fifth in use by then.

asked the Minister of Education how many classes there are in primary schools in Sunderland consisting of 40 or more pupils per class; and what is the proportion of the total classes in primary schools in Sunderland.

Provisional figures show that last January 215 out of 627, that is, just over one-third, of the primary school classes in Sunderland had more than 40 pupils on roll.

asked the Minister of Education the number of children attending schools under the Hampshire County Council Local Education Authority in September, 1945, September, 1950, September, 1952 and September, 1953, respectively.

I have not the figures for September of the years quoted, but in the January following the numbers of children on the registers of schools (other than nursery and special schools) maintained or assisted by the Hampshire Authority were as follows:

asked the Minister of Education the income scale and the way in which contributions of parents are assessed towards the cost of students at teacher training colleges and of State scholarships, respectively.

I am sending to the hon. Member full particulars of both income scales and of the method of assessment.

asked the Minister of Education how far there is a distinction between the contributions of students at teacher training colleges who have already completed their National Service and those who have not; and if she will consider reducing the amount of the parental contribution in the case of older students.

My advice to training college authorities is to draw no distinctions based merely on National Service or on age. Where a student claims that he should no longer be regarded as dependent on his parents, they have discretion to consider the matter in the light of all the relevant factors.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will invite the Central Advisory Council for Education (Wales) to consider and report upon the influence of television programmes on the teaching of Welsh in schools.

No. The Central Advisory Council for Education (Wales) have already given some thought to this matter as is shown in paragraph 339 of their recently published report on "The Place of Welsh and English in the Schools of Wales," but I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by asking them to undertake a special inquiry at this time.

asked the Minister of Education how many children in the Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley areas are awaiting vacancies in special schools; and how far action is being taken to provide additional accommodation.

I understand from the Lancashire local educational authority that there are at present in the Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley areas 39 handicapped pupils, of whom 30 are educationally sub-normal, known to the authority as requiring special school places. A day special school for 120 educationally sub-normal children in these areas is included in the Ministry's building programme for 1954–55.

asked the Minister of Education by how many the school population increased in 1952 over 1951.

In January, 1951, there were 5,800,000 children on the registers of maintained and assisted primary and secondary schools (including nursery and special schools). During 1951 and 1952 these numbers increased by 235,000 and 239,000 respectively.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations why stray or matimela cattle in Tonota Village in Bechuanaland are being claimed for Ookame, the local headman, by Mr. Robinson the Assistant District Commissioner.

Subordinate Native Authorities are responsible for the collection of stray cattle which they hold pending recovery by their owners. They have no right of ownership to such cattle, but act as official custodians. Ookame, Subordinate Native Authority at Tonota, reported the possibility that some stray cattle at Tonota may have been misappropriated. Mr. Robinson has very properly authorised Ookame to investigate this.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he is aware that Assistant District Commissioner Robinson has informed the Bamangwato Tribe that if they refuse to recognise the Subordinate Native Authority appointed by him they will have to be banished from their reserve; that banishment without trial is contrary to the custom and practice of the tribe; and if he will take steps to prevent this threat from being implemented.

On 23rd June a deputation of Bakhurutshe, members of a small allied tribe who recently moved into the Bamangwato Reserve, informed Mr. Robinson that they could not accept Rasebolai as Native Authority or Ookame as Subordinate Native Authority. Mr. Robinson explained that the alternatives to accepting and obeying the lawfully appointed Native Authorities were to incur the penalties for disobedience or to go and live elsewhere. There is no question of their banishment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations why the African Pansira, residing with the Headman Apele at Sebinas, Bechuanaland Protectorate, was ordered to remove himself and his family to Serowe.

Pansira, a Serowe resident, was posted by a former Native Authority to assist the Subordinate Native Authority at Sebinas. His services are no longer needed there and he has, accordingly, been told that he will have to return to his home in Serowe.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the purchasing power of the £ on the latest available date as compared with 1st November, 1951.

Taking the figure for November, 1951, as 20s., and using the Ministry of Labour's Interim Index of Retail Prices, the corresponding figure for May, 1953, is 18s. 5d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the Treasury were represented in the negotiations on the financial arrangements made with the companies who were permitted to film the Coronation ceremony.

The Treasury did not take part in the negotiations with the film companies, but concurred in the decision that it would be inappropriate to attempt to secure for the Exchequer a share of the profits likely to be derived by those who received facilities for filming the Coronation ceremonies. The cost of all work done in the Abbey to enable the films to be taken was recovered from the companies whose attention has been drawn to the suggestion about the Abbey Restoration Fund made last week by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Vauxhall (Mr. G. R. Strauss).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the numbers of the Civil Service pensioners, with and without dependants, respectively, whose pensions on 30th September, 1952, were less than £78 and £60 per annum, respectively.

I regret that this information is not available and could not be produced without the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of time and effort.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the fact that the time-limit within which repairs deferred from the Excess Profits Tax period can be done and still qualify for relief from Excess Profits Tax will expire on 31st March, 1954, and that some such repairs have still not been carried out, whether he is prepared to recommend an extension of the time-limit.

I have carefully considered the point to which my hon. Friend refers. This time-limit would originally have expired at the end of 1949, and has already been extended twice. By the end of next March taxpayers liable to E.P.T. will have had more than seven years from the end of 1946, when E.P.T. ceased to be charged, to carry out any repairs which were deferred during the E.P.T. period. It is most important to settle all E.P.T. liabilities as soon as possible, and any extension of the deferred repairs time-limit would involve further delay in clearing up the tax. In these circumstances, I regret that I cannot entertain the suggestion that the time-limit for carrying out such repairs should be extended beyond 31st March next.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what proportion of farms in Yorkshire are supplied with electricity; and how many applications from farmers for a supply are at present outstanding.

I am informed by the area electricity boards concerned that over 40 per cent. of farms of 5 acres and over in Yorkshire were connected to the public electricity mains on 31st March, 1953. There are about 2,590 outstanding applications from farmers in the county.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will ascertain from the British Electricity Authority to what extent the increased capital expenditure approved for rural electrification will be applied to Wales, and, in particular, to the area of the South Wales Electricity Board.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Billericay (Mr. Braine) on 9th July.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give greater encouragement to the practice of dis-horning cattle.

My Department has been advocating the dis-horning of cattle for many years. Officers of the National Agricultural Advisory Service take every opportunity of encouraging farmers to dis-horn cattle in commercial herds, particularly where the cattle are likely to be kept in yards. A leaflet has been issued on the methods of dis-horning and the livestock officers are always ready to give advice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will now introduce a scheme with the object of ensuring a more extensive use of swine fever crystal violet vaccine.

I am glad to say that the discussions to which my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary referred in his reply to my hon. and gallant Friend on 21st May have resulted in a substantial measure of agreement. I hope to be able to introduce a scheme soon.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what circumstances made it imperative for his Department to destroy 12 acres of wheat close to harvest at Welford; when this requirement was known and when the farmer was informed; and on what basis the compensation at the rate of £18 an acre was calculated.

The land on which this wheat was sown is needed for the construction of the first part of an urgent defence project and any delay would have seriously set back all the work. It was known early this year that this land would be needed. The agreement of all concerned, including the farmer, was obtained in March. The land is being acquired under the Defence Acts and the purchase price is now under negotiation with the owner.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many flying instructors who were declared redundant when the civil flying schools were closed down are known to have been found jobs through the Air Ministry: and how many are known to be still unemployed or employed at wages much below those they received previously.

Of 74 flying instructors offered appointments in the Royal Air Force 30 have accepted commissions and one has so far been attested for N.C.O. aircrew service. In addition, of those who sought the assistance of the Air Ministry, or of whom the Air Ministry have knowledge, 29 have received provisional offers of employment in civil aviation if they obtain the necessary qualifications. The Ministry of Labour are considering their claims for financial help during their training courses. Another three have been found employment directly through the Air Ministry. I could not say how many are still unemployed, or how the wages of those in employment compare with wages they previously received

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the steps which have been taken in the Lancashire cotton industry to encourage the mass production of low-cost standardised clothes for the West African and other colonial markets.

At my request special consideration has been given by the cotton textile industry to the need for a co-ordinated effort to ensure that adequate and continuing supplies of suitable standard types of United Kingdom woven cloth are available to colonial markets at competitive prices. I am informed that through the cooperation of spinners, manufacturers, and merchants, and in the light of recommendations made by the Lancashire textile export team which visited West Africa at the end of last year, satisfactory arrangements, including the reservation of spinning and weaving capacity, were negotiated early this year in respect of supplies for Nigeria, and that the possible extension of these arrangements to other colonial markets is under consideration by the cotton textile trade interests concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the imports of tobacco pipes into the United Kingdom by countries of origin in 1938 and each of the years 1946 to 1952, inclusive.

Since the answer includes a very large number of figures, I am sending it to my hon. Friend.