asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he proposes to take to implement the recommendations of the Working Party on Car Parking in Inner London, particularly with reference to the provision of underground car parks.

I hope to announce my decision on the recommendations in this report fairly soon.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why driving licences are not issued to those coming from Northern Ireland to Great Britain for permanent residence on the same conditions as for those coming from Eire.

In general, persons coming from Northern Ireland naturally receive at least as favourable treatment as those from Eire. I should be glad to look into any specific points which my hon. Friend has in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the results of the recent conference of Transport Ministers held in Brussels.

A Protocol was signed by the representatives of the United Kingdom and 14 other countries establishing a European Conference of Ministers of Transport. This Protocol, which in the case of the U.K. and certain other countries is subject to ratification, will shortly be laid before Parliament as a White Paper.The Conference is to consist of a Council of Ministers and a Committee of Deputies and its purposes will be to take measures to achieve the maximum use and the most rational development of European inland transport and to coordinate and promote the activities of international organisations concerned with European inland transport.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware that the reputation of London Airport as the largest airport in the world is diminished by the inadequate road communications between it and the centre of London; and whether, in these circumstances, he will give priority to the conclusion of the Cromwell Road extension and other works necessary to provide first-class modern road communications to this airport.

I recognise the need for improving road communications between London Airport and central London. The Cromwell Road extension scheme would cost about£4½ million to complete and I cannot at present forecast when funds will be available to enable it to proceed.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he can yet give a firm date when he will end the passenger service charge at State-owned aerodromes.

I regret I have nothing to add at present to my answer on 29th July to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Macclesfield (Air Commodore Harvey).

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he was aware, when the 30-mile speed limit through the village of Huntington, Staffordshire, was removed, that there was a secondary school on one side of the highway and a primary school on the other side; if he has considered a copy of the appeal sent by Littleton Miners' Lodge, Cannock Chase area, to the Road Traffic Commissioner, Birmingham; and if he will make a statement thereon.

Yes. I have considered this appeal, but I regret that I cannot alter my previous decision.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what has been the expenditure for improvements and maintenance on the section of the Carlisle-Beattock-GIasgow road, lying within the county of Dumfries, during the last four calendar years; and what is the estimated expenditure in the current year.

Following is the answer:

				£
1949	…	…	…	26,095
1950	…	…	…	39,670
1951	…	…	…	46,267
1952	…	…	…	61,889
1953	…	…	…	64,722

Information as to the expenditure on major improvements is not readily available for each individual calendar year, but the total for the last four years is estimated at£30,658 and the figure for 1953 at£10,500.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if, in view of the serious accidents which have occurred since 1945 on trunk road A82, between Glencoe and Kinlochleven, in Argyllshire, including one recently involving loss of life, he will authorise the widening of this road to enable heavy vehicles to meet and pass each other without risk of the roadside giving way and precipitating the outside vehicle down the lochside.

I regret that I shall not be able to authorise a comprehensive widening of this length of road next year, but I hope to carry out further small improvements at the places that are most in need of attention.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what decision he has reached with regard to the representations made to him concerning the Whiteinch-Linthouse Tunnel, Glasgow.

I recognise the desirability of constructing this tunnel as soon as possible, but I cannot at present say when I shall have sufficient funds to make a grant towards the work.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what stage of development has been reached in plans for the proposed London—Norwich road, running through the borough of Leyton.

The line for this road through Leyton has been included in the development plan and is being further considered in the light of objections which have been lodged.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made in reviewing the arrangements for searching for and assisting vessels in distress around the British Isles.

I would refer to the answer which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member on 27th July. I can say nothing more at present than that the arrangements are being considered by my Department with the other Departments concerned. As the hon. Member knows, the question is a complex one.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he has considered the complaint of the South Wales Sea Fisheries District Committee that the ship "Clydewater," owned by the Cia Atlantica Pacifica, S.A., Panama, appeared to discharge oil into the sea near the Smalls Lighthouse on 30th October; and what action he proposes to take.

I have considered this complaint, but as the discharge complained of took place outside territorial waters proceedings cannot be taken under the Oil in Navigable Waters Act, 1922.As the hon. Member is aware, following the issue of the recent Report of the Committee on the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, which stressed the urgent need to seek the co-operation of other countries in preventing pollution of the seas, I have decided to invite the principal maritime Powers to attend a special conference as early as possible next year.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the recent international conference on oil pollution of the sea and beaches.

The hon. Member presumably has in mind the recent international conference convened by the Co-ordinating Advisory Committee on Oil Pollution. This was not an official inter-Governmental conference, but I gladly accepted an invitation to open it and I then announced my intention of calling a conference of Governments on the matter. At the conclusion of the conference a declaration of aims was adopted welcoming this and urging interim action by the other countries concerned to control the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if our diplomatic office in Israel is still in Tel Aviv; and when it is proposed to move it to Jerusalem, in view of the move of the Israeli Foreign Office.

The answer to the first part of the Question is: Yes.As regards the second part of the Question, Her Majesty's Government do not recognise Israel sovereignty over the section of Jerusalem under Israeli control. Together with the United States and French Governments, they made clear at the time their view that the move of the Israel Foreign Ministry was not calculated to reduce tension between the Arab States and Israel, and might prejudice future consideration of the status of Jerusalem by the United Nations. There is, therefore, no intention at present of transferring Her Majesty's Embassy to Jerusalem.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the ill-treatment of United Nations' prisoners by the North Koreans and Chinese.

A report on atrocities committed by the Communists in Korea is to form the subject of an early debate in the General Assembly of the United Nations. I am arranging to make copies available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are to be taken to assist the emigration of the refugees now resident in Zone A of Trieste.

The emigration of refugees from Zone A of Trieste is and always has been a constant preoccupation of Allied Military Government. I am happy to assure the hon. Gentleman that arrangements with receiving countries are making good progress and promise an early reduction in numbers

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that 41 nations have now signed the United Nations Genocide Convention, he will give instructions for the convention to be signed on behalf of Her Majesty's Government; and if he is aware that this convention came into force on 14th October, 1950, with ratification by 20 nations, and the continued absence of the signature of Her Majesty's Government may cause misunderstanding of the motives of this country.

I regret that I am still not yet in a position to make a statement about accession to this Convention which, as the hon. Member is aware, would require legislation by Her Majesty's Government.On the second part of the Question, however, I am satisfied that our position has been adequately explained in the United Nations and that other countries are well aware of the intense repugnance which we in this country feel towards the crime of genocide.On a point of fact, perhaps I might add that the Convention came into force on 12th January, 1951.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further reports he has received in respect of repeated attacks on British missionaries in Colombia.

No complaints have been received from British missionaries since 15th July. With regard to the incident on that date I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my replies to the hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason) on 29th October and 9th November, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what contribution is to be made by the United Kingdom in the coming year to the United Nations' programme of technical assistance to under-developed areas.

Subject to parliamentary approval, Her Majesty's Government propose to contribute£600,000 in the coming year to the United Nations Expanded Technical Assistance Programme. If the total pledged by all countries (including the United Kingdom) exceeds $25 million, Her Majesty's Government are ready to increase this contribution by a further£50,000.

asked the Minister of Food if he will now reduce the price of cheese, butter, bacon, meat and all other foods coming within the control of his Department.

As I informed the hon. Member for Acton (Mr. Sparks) on 26th October, 1953, the policy of Her Majesty's Government is to eliminate

PURCHASES OF FAT CATTLE, CALVES, SHEEP AND PIGS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING THE THREE YEARS ENDED 31ST AUGUST, 1951, 1952 AND 1953
—					Year ended 31st August, 1951		Year ended 31st August, 1952		Year ended 31st August, 1953
					No. '000	Value£'000	No. '000	Value£'000	No. '000	Value£'000
Cattle	…	…	…	…	2,276	105,663	2,354	121,977	2,070	122,196
Calves	…	…	…	…	1,396	2,686	1,273	3,117	1,122	2,614
Sheep	…	…	…	…	6,902	38,265	6,707	44,131	7,912	53,410
Pigs	…	…	…	…	3,936	81,107	5,915	128,904	7,212	157,428

asked the Minister of Food if he will remove the restrictions on the sale of sucking pigs in time for the Christmas trade.

This restriction, which is the normal restriction applying also to cattle and sheep, prohibits the sale of pigs for slaughter for human consumption other than to the Ministry of Food. In practice, sucking pigs are seldom offered to the Ministry because it is more profitable to producers to feed them on and I do not think it desirable to sacrifice future meat supplies by encouraging sales of sucking pigs for slaughter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the estimated number of children of school age in controls and rationing as soon as practicable. We believe that by efficient private trading and effective competition, the best interests of the consumer will be served in respect of quantity, quality and price.

asked the Minister of Food the number of fat cattle and calves, sheep and pigs, which his Department have purchased from home producers during the last three years ending 31st August; and what has been the sum paid for these during each year for each class of stock.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 28th October, 1953, Vol. 518, c. 370] supplied the following information:Zanzibar and Pemba: what proportion attended Government or grant-aided schools; what amount was spent on education in the two islands in 1952: and what are the intentions of the Protectorate Government regarding the provision of increased educational facilities for the children of Zanzibar and Pemba.

I am asking the British Resident for the most recent figures and will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a wages advisory board exists in Zanzibar; and whether the Government of that country has taken any action to increase the wages of unskilled labourers, in view of the increase in the cost of living.

A Labour Advisory Board exists, one of whose functions is to advise Government on wage questions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Salaries Commission in East Africa, under the chairmanship of Sir David Lidbury, is likely to report.

I understand that the Commission hopes to present its report not later than the end of February next.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that Southern Rhodesian employers have been illegally recruiting labour from the Gwembe district of North Rhodesia; why native authorities are allowed to aid this action, in view of the Forced Labour Convention of 1930; and what action he is taking in this matter.

The Governor has reported that there is no evidence that any illegal recruiting has been taking place in the Gwembe district. If the hon. Member will give me more precise information, I will ask for a further report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action has been taken by the Gold Coast Government on the report of the committee of inquiry into the African diamond-mining industry.

The Gold Coast Government is examining the recommendations for stricter control of the African diamond digging industry made in the Report of the Mines Labour Inquiry Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can announce the names of the committee who will hear representations from persons detained under the emergency Regulations in British Guiana.

The Chairman of the committee is the Chief Justice, Mr. E. P. S. Bell, Q.C., and the members are Mr. Carlos Gomes and Mr. H. A. M. Beckles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many people are at present detained under the Emergency Regulations in British Guiana.

Five persons are at present held on detention Orders issued under the emergency Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who were the persons on whose statements, given under promise not to be called as witnesses in proceedings against the Guianese ex-Ministers, those ex-Ministers were detained without a charge; whether the statements were in writing; and how long he proposes to continue the suspension of habeas corpus in British Guiana.

Witnesses against the one ex-Minister and the other persons detained made their statements on the understanding that their identity would not be revealed and I am not, therefore, at liberty to say who they were. Some of the statements were in writing. The Governor will detain persons under the emergency Orders for as long as it is necessary to do so in the interests of public order in British Guiana but habeas corpus has not been suspended.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will appoint a commission of aid to visit British Guiana to investigate and report on the social and economic conditions in the Colony.

No. I consider that what is needed at the moment in British Guiana on the social and economic side is to get on with the job rather than to institute further inquiries. Lack of information is not the trouble. The latest inquiry was undertaken by a mission from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which reported exhaustively on the economy of the Territory. The mission's report, which will be published as soon as possible, has been neglected by the late Ministers in British Guiana, and the Governor has announced that it will now be one of his first tasks to see that the recommendations are followed up. There has in addition been a report on industrial development by a mission of United Kingdom industrialists (c. 294).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action has been taken by the Government of the Federation of Malaya on the report of the Rice Production Committee; and what action that Government is taking on the recommendation that rents should be limited to one-third of the gross value of the crop and that all tea money should be forbidden.

Effect is already being given to some of the recommendations in this report and it has been decided to carry out any others not involving new financial provisions. Most of those which do involve new financial commitments require further study as do the problems of rent restriction and the prohibition of "tea money."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provision is made for the dependants of men detained in Kenya under emergency Regulations without prospect of trial.

No special provision is made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on plans for establishing African locations in Kenya; whether these locations will form part of the city of Nairobi; and what representation they will have on the city council.

In Nairobi and other towns African residents live in locations or estates, administered by the statutory local authority, usually through an African affairs committee. In the locations there are African advisory councils which include representatives of tribal associations, geographical wards and special interests. These advisory councils put forward the names of Africans for nomination by Government to the statutory bodies. In Nairobi there are three African city councillors. Measures are being introduced to enable Africans to own houses, thus becoming ratepayers and eligible for direct participation in elections to the city council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in how many cases five, six, seven, eight or more Africans in Kenya have been hanged for the commission of a single act of murder, since 1st January, 1953.

Six, but in each incident, although the accused were charged with a single murder, there was more than one victim.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are his future proposals for the financing of the Colonial Development Corporation.

I do not contemplate any changes in the present procedure for sanctioning advances to the Corporation from the Exchequer under the Overseas Resources Development Act, 1948.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how he explains the drop in the export of timber from British Colonial Territories, and in particular from Nigeria, Kenya and North Borneo, in 1952, as compared with 1951; and how he assesses the prospects for 1953.

The main cause was the fall both in demand and in prices for timber, particularly in the United Kingdom, after 1951. Exports from North Borneo were also affected by Australian import restrictions. There has been a revival of demand in 1953 and exports should be higher than in 1952.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in considering future legislation for the continuance of the Colonial Development Fund and the Welfare Fund, he will make provision for closer financial and organisational relationship between the two.

As financial assistance from the United Kingdom towards both development and welfare schemes in the Colonies is already provided under the same legislation and is administered in the same way. the question does not seem to arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what decision has been reached in the consideration given to the building of trawlers and fish factory ships for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; on what date the first contract was offered by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and how long the matter has now been under his consideration.

The first contract for the construction of trawlers and fish factory ships in the United Kingdom was offered by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics early in September last and the matter has been under consideration since then.I hope that a decision will be reached shortly, and I shall inform the House as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the average length of service before promotion of instructor lieutenants, ex-schoolmaster, and instructor lieutenants, short service, respectively.

There are two grades of instructor officers; the first is selected from candidates with 1st or 2nd class honours degrees, whose members are distinguished by (†) after their rank and called "dagger" officers; the second consists of those with 3rd class honours or pass degrees or adequate qualifications in teaching, who are known as "non-dagger" officers.The average seniority and length of service before promotion to lieutenant commander is as follows:

Origin	Average seniority as instructor lieutenant, on promotion to lieutenant commander	Average length of service on promotion to lieutenant commander
	(years)	(years)
Ex-schoolmasters (mainly "non-dagger" officers)	11	21
Other "non-dagger" officers	8	9
'Dagger" officers	8	6

Instructor lieutenants, other than the ex-schoolmasters, who are promoted to lieutenant commander are almost exclusively short service instructor officers who have entered the Branch since the reorganisation in July, 1946, and have subsequently been given permanent commissions. Short service officers as such do not normally serve long enough to be promoted to lieutenant commander

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many instructor lieutenants, short service, have been promoted over the heads of instructor lieutenants, ex-schoolmaster, of greater seniority but fitted for promotion.

Seventy; fifty-two of these instructor lieutenants were "dagger" officers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many coal miners were employed in Lanarkshire mines in October, 1946, October, 1949, and October, 1953, respectively, or any other comparable date.

21,700 in September, 1946; 17,600 in September, 1949; and 17,400 at the end of September, 1953.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now prepared to introduce a cost-of-living index based on the needs of persons in receipt of retirement pensions.

No. I would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to similar Questions he addressed to me on 9th July last and on 19th November, 1951, copies of which I am sending to him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture his proposals for continuing the subsidy on gassing powders for pests after the end of 1953.

This question is under consideration and a decision will be made known as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now announce the terms of reference of the proposed inquiry about the disposal of Crichel Down, in Dorset; and the name of the person who is to hold it.

I have been fortunate enough to secure the services of Sir Andrew Clark, Bt., Q.C., to undertake this public duty. His terms of reference are:

To inquire into and report upon the procedure adopted—

(a) in reaching the decision that land at Crichel Down should be sold to the Commissioners of Crown Lands;

(b) in the selection of a tenant by them; and the circumstances in which those decisions were made, but excluding from the inquiry all questions of governmental policy and, in particular, any question of whether preferential treatment should have been given to any applicant on the ground of previous ownership or occupation of the land.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sums are owed to the Government of the United Kingdom by foreign and Commonwealth Governments respectively.

The sums owed to the Government of the United Kingdom by foreign and Commonwealth Governments, other than those arising from the 1914–18 war, are recorded on pages 61, 62 and 72 to 76 of the Finance Accounts of the United Kingdom for the financial year ended 31st March, 1953, and amounted at that date to£496 million and£11 million respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the grant to the British Academy has been increased to£40,915 for 1953–54 from£39,950 for 1952–53.

The increase will meet the cost of urgent structural repairs to the British School at Rome.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the grant to universities, colleges, etc., in Great Britain has been increased to£27 million for 1953–54 from£25,354,500 for 1952–53.

The grant is in accordance with the quinquennial settlement for the universities for 1952–57 which I announced on 21st February, 1952. It is intended to enable the universities to maintain their existing activities, with some measure of development, particularly in science and technology.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will publish in HANSARD the average wage rate for staff employed by his Department in the House of Commons at 1946; and the percentage rise in this average rate since 1946 to the latest convenient date.

The average salary of Treasury staff who carry out their duties exclusively in the House of Commons was£348 a year in 1946. In the year ended 31st October, 1953, the average had increased by 35 per cent. This figure is calculated without reference to allowances paid in 1946 or 1953.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of chicks imported during 1952 and to date in 1953. from Denmark.

I regret that this information is not available. Imports of chicks are not separately recorded in the trade statistics.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what progress has been made in reducing the prevalence of malaria in the Bechuanaland Protectorate.

Mosquito control measures have been effective in parts of the Bechuanaland Protectorate. I have asked the High Commissioner for a detailed report, and will communicate with my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what consideration has been given to the request made to him by 13 leading fuel experts that financial assistance be given to the Smoke Abatement Society to expand and intensify its campaign to purify the air of large cities.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power and I have considered this carefully, but are not persuaded that an Exchequer grant to the Society would be appropriate at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health what research has been conducted into the efficacy of fog masks; and if he will arrange for the production of a cheap and efficient supply.

There has been much relevant research, both here and abroad. But the major problem in this field is to ascertain whether there is any truly effective respirator which could safely be worn by people—particularly old people—who suffer from weaknesses of the lungs or heart. Research on this is being actively pursued, but as yet with no conclusive result.The last part of the Question, therefore, does not arise, in the sense which the hon. Member presumably had in mind.

asked the Minister of Works if he has further considered the proposal to erect combined offices for the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance and the National Assistance Board at Maryhill, Glasgow; if he will now give his consent; and when building may be expected to start.

A contract for this building has been let. Work should begin within a fortnight.