asked the Minister of Works (1) if he can yet announce the necessary alteration in Regulations to allow an amateur photographer to use a camera mounted on a tripod in the Royal Parks without the inconvenience of obtaining a permit from his Department;

(2) what progress has been made in the review of Regulations governing the Royal Parks; and if he will state what changes are contemplated.

I hope shortly to lay before Parliament revised Regulations for St. James's Park and Green Park. Regulations in respect of other parks will follow as quickly as possible. I intend to simplify the Regulations and to remove unnecessary restrictions, including the requirement that an amateur photographer must have a permit to use a camera with tripod.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is a matter of great joy to me to have the unusual experience of congratulating him on the action he has taken?

asked the Minister of Works if he has considered a case of theft from Fort Halstead, particulars of which have been sent to him, when a man was convicted of the theft of radio equipment; and, in view of the secret nature of the work carried out there, what steps he is taking to screen personnel and to prevent the occurrence of such incidents in future.

Yes, Sir. The stores involved in this case were not secret. Nevertheless, since this theft additional measures have been introduced at Fort Halstead for the safeguarding of stores.

Is the Minister aware that I live quite near to Fort Halstead and that there is much local comment on the lack of adequate security measures, although I have no proof? Will he have further inquiries made and tighten them up?

Yes, Sir. It is very important that the security measures at this establishment should be adequate.

asked the Minister of Works if he has taken note of the experiments made in United States cities to reduce the nuisance of starlings roosting on public buildings, and, in particular, of the recent successful gramophone records experiment; and if he will obtain particulars with a view to trying this out in London and elsewhere.

I am aware of these experiments and am considering whether I can take similar steps.

Can the Minister say whether the tune played is "Bye-Bye Blackbird"?

asked the Minister of Works the total sum from all sources spent in the last three years on commissioning work from living artists.

In the three years ending 31st March, 1954, I have spent £933 on commissioning paintings and drawings and £17,860 on sculpture.

asked the Minister of Works what repairs to the Albert Memorial he has approved; and what the cost will be.

I have approved work needed to preserve the fabric from further deterioration and to remove the risk of accidents and for the repair of the war damage visible from the ground. This includes the restoration of the orb and cross. The cost is provisionally estimated at £7,000.

Is not all this a monumental waste of money? Is the Minister aware that he could have the whole site quickly cleared for nothing if London school children were given a day's holiday for the purpose?

No, Sir, I do not think so. I conceive it to be our duty to look after the memorials of those who have served the country well.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of disabled persons the Cornwall Education Committee must employ; what is the number they actually employ; and whether he will give similar figures for the Cornwall school meals service, separately.

For the purpose of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act the Cornwall County Council is the employer required to employ a 3 per cent. quota of disabled persons and it is meeting its statutory obligation. The Council is not required to furnish details separately of disabled staff employed in its various services.

Is the Minister aware that a short time ago I wrote to him about the case of an ex-prisoner of war of the Japanese, a man handicapped and unemployed, who had applied for a part-time post in the school meals service for which he was quite capable, and that a married woman was appointed to that post? In view of the fact that there are so many thousands of handicapped unemployed, does not the Minister think that local authorities and Government Departments ought to deal sympathetically with applications from them, rather than choose the most efficient person for the job?

I think that they do so wherever they can. The general principle was examined in 1947 by the National Advisory Council on the Employment of the Disabled, who then decided that it was impossible to make the sort of emendation for which the hon. Gentleman is asking.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of disabled men and women, respectively, who have been registered in Cardiff as unemployed for more than six months; and what steps he is taking to deal with this problem.

At 7th December, 1953, there were, in Cardiff, 191 registered disabled men and five registered disabled women, capable of ordinary employment who had been unemployed for more than six months. My local officers are doing all they can to help these people find suitable work.

While appreciating that the local officers are as helpful as they can be, may I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether I am right in assuming that these figures indicate an increase in the number?

To be fair, I should say that they indicate practically no change. There is actually a decrease of two or three, but I hardly think that that is material.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he is taking to provide employment for woodworkers in Sunderland.

The employment exchanges are making every effort to place in jobs in other areas those of the 69 unemployed woodworkers who are prepared to move. There are signs that a number of others will be reabsorbed locally without much delay.

While fully appreciating what the hon. Gentleman's Department is doing, may I ask him to keep this matter under review, because there is some concern about prospects in the trade?

Yes, I will. I think that some of this was due to the recent spell of cold weather.

Does not my hon. Friend agree that the position may be rather worse than is shown by the figures, because a number of men do not register as unemployed immediately as normally they hope to take up employment shortly in another job?

I think that some of these also fall into the category of building workers temporarily out of work due to the cold weather, but we hope that the position will recover itself.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will institute an inquiry on future employment trends in the North-East Coast shipyards.

No, Sir. Evidence of future employment trends is already regularly examined by my Department and the Admiralty, and an advisory committee, including representatives of employers and workers in the industry, keeps the situation on the North-East Coast and elsewhere under review.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the regional inter-departmental working party did a very good job of work in 1949–50, but that their calculations were thrown out by the Korean war? Would not he agree that it is time to reopen the matter?

The answer is that this is a very able committee, as I think the hon. Gentleman will agree. It last met on 4th February this year, so it is keeping the situation under review. If it gives us any advice, we shall consider it most carefully.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the best action he can take in this sphere is to make powerful recommendations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, firstly, in relation to depreciation and, secondly, in relation to the general tax position of the whole shipping industry?

I will bear in mind what my hon. Friend has said.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider taking steps to make it an offence to evade National Service by applying to take a course abroad and then continuing to stay out of the country until the applicant is 26 years old.

The proposal would involve amending legislation and, on present information, my right hon. and learned Friend is not satisfied that this would be justified.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind, however, that these people have to make application to his Department? Are there not ways, by means of a regulation, by which an offence could be created which could continue after the age of 26 years?

I will undertake to look at that, but I do not think that my hon. Friend, or anyone else, would want to stop a boy going abroad if it were necessary for his education.

Does my hon. Friend realise that something must be done about these "artful dodgers," because it is quite intolerable that those chaps who have to undergo hardship through National Service should see other people getting away with it in this way?

Have there been many cases of this kind?

As my right hon. and learned Friend said in the House the other day, he is satisfied that there is no considerable evasion on the lines suggested. He said that after looking into the position.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is no objection to these people going abroad for legitimate reasons, but the point is that when they have got abroad they continue to stay away in order to dodge National Service? When they make their application cannot they be made to give an undertaking that they will come back?

I will certainly look at that point.

Can any arrangements be made to call up these gentlemen when they return to this country? Cannot some special regulation be made to deal with the matter?

That is a suggestion which I should like to consider.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Question seems to indicate that those who stay in this country are called up fairly, whereas of course 30 per cent. of those in this country are never called to the Services?

If the hon. Gentleman means, though I hope that he does not, that the call-up is working unfairly, I must say that that is quite a false impression to be bandied about. National Service does work fairly and equally among all the people involved.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of those eligible for National Service who were deferred during the years 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952 and the first half of 1953; how many of those deferred were called up during those years; and how many of those called up after being deferred were rejected on medical grounds.

As the answer to the first two parts of the Question includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. AS regards the last part of the Question, medical examination records do not differentiate between men who have been deferred and others.

Might I ask the Parliamentary Secretary why, to bridge the gap, he gave me the figure of 75,000 in the Adjournment debate last week? If the figure of 75,000 was to be taken from those who were examined and deferred, it would show that 25 per cent. were unfit after deferment. The position needs to be looked at and a closer investigation made.

As I told the hon. Gentleman in the Adjournment debate, he has got his figures wrong. He will have received a letter from me in which I offered to give him the full facilities of my Department to explain where he was wrong and so that he could examine all the facts. We really cannot do that in question and answer.

Might I ask the hon. Gentleman why he supplied me with the figure of 75,000 medically unfit when now he admits that the figure is not correct, because he said that he does not know?

I do not admit that it is not correct. I said to the hon. Gentleman during the debate that the figure of 75,000 was the nearest and fairest estimate that my Department could provide.

Following are the figures:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to arrest the decline in the number of dental students entering Scottish dental schools.

I am afraid that the position cannot be influenced directly by any action open to my right hon. Friend. The Dentists Bill, which will be reintroduced as soon as Parliamentary time permits, embodies a plan for expanding dental services for the priority classes. By giving the dental profession full self-government and thus raising its status, I hope the Bill will also stimulate recruitment to the profession.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the trend of entries to the Scottish dental schools is really alarming; that it has dropped from, I think, 155 in 1946, to an estimated figure of 70 last year? Would his right hon. Friend consider having consultations with the Scottish dental schools and the Scottish universities with a view to doing something, by co-ordinated planning, to increase the entry.

The situation is not good, as the hon. Gentleman has indicated. My right hon. Friend will look into the matter.

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend do his utmost to accelerate the re-organisation of the dental hospital in Glasgow, the extension of which is most necessary if further students are to to be attracted to the school.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in Glasgow a committee set up to govern the admission of dentists after they have gone through their course sometimes keeps them from serving in their profession for almost 1½ years before they can start in practice themselves?

I will bear in mind what the hon. Gentleman says.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of school dentists in Scotland at the latest available date, for October, 1951, and for June, 1948.

In December, 1953,there were 161 dental officers in the school dental service, the highest number ever reached. In October, 1951, the number was 100, and in June, 1948, it was 131.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of dental courses given under the National Health Service in Scotland to expectant and nursing mothers and those under 21 years of age since the charge for dental treatment, from which these priority classes are exempt, was introduced in June, 1952, to the latest available date; and how this figure compares with that for the comparable period before the charge was imposed.

The total number of courses of dental treatment provided under the general dental service to members of these priority classes in the period June, 1952, to January, 1954,was 855,300. The number in the period June, 1950, to January, 1952, is not known precisely but is estimated at 340,000.

Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend agree that these figures show a very satisfactory move in the right direction and that they indicate that the dental charges are in effect having the result which was intended of making personnel and facilities available to give treatment to the priority classes which need it most?

Very satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members of the Glenrothes Corporation staff have resigned in the last six months; and what were the reasons advanced for such resignations.

Since 31st August, 1953, five members of the Corporation's staff have resigned or intimated their intention to resign. While the Corporation do not require their staff to furnish reasons, my right hon. Friend understands that all the persons concerned are taking up appointments elsewhere.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman state whether the figure includes manual workers, such as gardeners? Is he aware that there has been some alarm among the Corporation's staff since additional publicity was given to the population target of 18,000? Can he state when the Corporation was officially informed that 18,000 was the maximum to be aimed at within the next 20 to 25 years?

I cannot give the hon. Gentleman the information which he asks for in the latter part of his supplementary question but, if he will put a Question on the Order Paper, I will see that the information is made available. As to the first part of his supplementary question, the five resignations are those of a quantity surveyor, an architect, a deputy legal adviser and two clerks of works.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the case of the golden eagle which plunged into Loch Ness and was drowned, with a steel-toothed trap, from Which it had been unable to free itself, dangling from one of its legs; and if he will ban the use of steel-toothed traps at the earliest possible moment.

I have seen Press reports of the incident. Pending the enactment of the Pests Bill, now under consideration in another place, my right hon. Friend has no power to impose a ban on the general use of the gin trap.

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that this trap must have been laid in the open and must, therefore, have infringed the law, because no great bird like this could possibly have got into a burrow? Will he take steps at the earliest possible moment to ensure that these great and unusual birds are safeguarded just as other animals are?

Under the Wild Birds Protection Act it is an offence to lay a trap in the open to catch birds.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what action he has taken on the interim report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Slaughterhouses (Scotland); and whether he has issued guidance to local authorities on the subject;

(2) what legislative action he proposes to take to implement the recommendations of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Slaughterhouses (Scotland) so as to ensure that the new powers for local authorities will be in operation before the decontrol of meat.

A Bill has been introduced in another place to give effect to the recommendations in the Committee's Interim Report. My right hon. Friend is in touch with the Scottish local authorities on the matter.

Has my right hon. and gallant Friend circularised local authorities, meat traders and farmers in accordance with paragraph 29 of the Interim Report so that there shall be close consultation with a view to the provision of adequate slaughtering facilities in the export areas?

A circular has been issued to the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland for a statement on the siting of slaughterhouses in Scotland.

The Scottish Committee on Slaughterhouses are still considering the long-term problem. Recently they submitted an Interim Report on the arrangements necessary to ensure a satisfactory slaughtering service when meat is decontrolled this summer; and a Bill has been introduced in another place giving effect to their recommendations.

Since the solution of the long-term problem of slaughtering is of great importance in connection with the marketing of meat, can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say when the Government hope to be able to give some indication how far they will go in arranging for beasts to be slaughtered locally?

The hon. Gentleman had better await the Report of the Committee. As he says, it is an important matter, and we ought to give the Committee adequate time to consider what improvements are necessary.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend satisfied that sufficient slaughterhouse facilities will be available in Scotland in July of this year?

We believe that that will be the case.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us how much longer Kilmarnock will have to wait for a replacement of its present completely unsatisfactory slaughterhouse?

If the hon. Gentleman will put a Question on the Order Paper, I will endeavour to give him an answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now decided to accept the recommendation of the Clyde Valley Planning Advisory Committee that a new town be established at Cumbernauld.

My right hon. Friend still awaits the Committee's report on the administrative machinery which they wish to recommend for this and other developments they have under consideration.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman state which Committee it is? Is it the Clyde Valley Planning Advisory Committee or the Glasgow Corporation Committee?

It is the Clyde Valley Planning Advisory Committee, which is referred to in the Question.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman ask the Committee to take into consideration the fact that the Minister of Transport has now authorised the improvement of the Glasgow—Stirling Road and that it would be an economy for the proposed new town and the new road to dovetail as part of one great project?

I will keep that in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the reasons for the delay in completing and auditing the accounts of the Teachers' Superannuation Fund for each of the years 1951, 1952 and 1953; and if he will take steps to expedite this matter.

Before the account for any given year can be compiled, the particulars of contributions paid, given in the returns made by the teachers' employers after the end of the year, must be checked. For the years 1951, 1952 and 1953, an exceptional number of inquiries had to be made about the particulars relating to teachers whose contributions were affected by Regulations made in 1948 in consequence of the bringing into operation of the National Insurance Scheme. The accounts for 1951 and 1952 will be ready for audit in the next three weeks, and the account for 1953 should be ready by July.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in a written reply to me on 11th March the Secretary of State admitted that the accounts for 1950 had not yet been audited? Will he agree that, for proper consideration to be given to the Bill now before Parliament, it is most essential that the audited statements and figures for the years in question ought to be provided? Is it not also reasonable to expect that at least the figures up to 1953 should be available? Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman take the Bill back until the figures are available?

My information is that the proposal to increase the teachers' superannuation contributions is not dependent upon the details to be furnished in respect of the teachers' superannuation accounts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applica- tions have been received by the Education Department subsequent to the introduction of the amended Training of Teachers Regulations, No. 1121, in July, 1953; and how many have been admitted for training.

One hundred and fifteen women were interviewed by the National Committee for the Training of Teachers as being in their view eligible for consideration under the amendment and 85 were accepted. Seventeen of those accepted later obtained the qualifications which were necessary for admission prior to the amendment.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not agree that experience of the Regulations does not justify the Government's statement when they were introduced and that the results show that the debasing of the Regulations is leading to a lowering of the standards of the whole teaching profession?

I do not accept that.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence why chaplains have been excluded from the recent pay increases of Service officers; and whether some action will be taken soon to raise the pay and status of this small but important branch of the Service.

As stated on page 4 of the recent White Paper on Service Emoluments (Cmd. 9088), consideration is being given to the pay of chaplains. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

I thank my hon. Friend for that encouraging answer. May I take it that he agrees that in the Armed Forces of a Christian nation chaplains should be given proper status?

Yes, Sir.

Will the hon. Gentleman take into account the fact that there is a great strain on chaplains these days in that they have to try to explain how atomic and germ warfare can be reconciled with the principles of Christianity? Will he arrange for a refresher course for these gentlemen to be addressed by the Archbishop of Canterbury so that these matters may be cleared up?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if he is aware that the latest details of aeroplane and other developments are given on the wireless and in the Press; and what steps he takes to ensure that the national interest is not prejudiced by publication of such details.

Arrangements exist for consultation with the Press and the British Broadcasting Corporation to ensure that the national interest is not prejudiced by premature publication of information of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers.

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer, but does he think it wise to broadcast all the latest developments in our defence armaments? Will he consult the Service chiefs and take some action on their recommendations?

The Service chiefs, naturally, have this matter very much in mind. I can assure my hon. Friend that there has not been any breach of security recently.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if he will appoint a committee to examine the conditions of men serving in the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, and make such proposals to Parliament as will add to the general well-being of all concerned.

No, Sir.

While I thank the Minister for the meticulous care he has taken and for the wealth of detail which he has given the House, might I ask whether he is aware that men in the technical and educational branches of the Forces are kept waiting for additional money after passing tests, that there is great difficulty about leave, especially in the case of men serving overseas, that profit is being made out of new recruits in respect of soap and polish, and that many of our men are sleeping in two-tier bunks? Is it not time that the conditions of the Forces were overhauled to ascertain whether we can give the men the decent conditions that they deserve?

The hon. Gentleman's complaints are detailed and various. I should be very pleased to look into them, but I do not feel that it would be appropriate for me to attempt to deal with them now.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence the purpose of the conference which he addressed at Leamington on 17th March, 1954.

To consider co-operation between industry and the Services so that the National Service scheme can be worked to the best advantage.

Does the Minister think that the National Service scheme is helped by such remarks as he is reported in "The Times" to have used at this conference, to the effect that recruits are not ineducable but are uneducated? Did he consider consulting the Minister of Education before he passed such a remark?

The hon. Gentleman knows very well that an interesting paper was published by the War Office giving the exact figures of educational standards. What I was saying was that, in fact, they had succeeded in raising 90 per cent. of illiterate Regular recruits to reasonable standards.

Did the Minister insist that the Press should be excluded from the conference?

The hon. Gentleman has put down a Question to the War Office, and I do not want to shorten his pleasure of anticipation.

In view of the importance of this question to the teaching profession, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Government requested that the Press should not be invited to attend the conference on industry and National Service organised by the British Association for Commercial and Industrial Education.

It was agreed by both the association which sponsored this conference and the Service Departments whose representatives were to attend that the discussions would be more frank and profitable if the sessions were held in private. From what I have heard of the proceedings, which were most valuable, I think that this was the right decision.

Is it not a fact that it was not by mutual agreement but at the request of the War Office that this conference was held in secret, and that fact was reported in "The Times" last week? What has the Secretary of State got to hide that he would not allow a conference of this character, discussing the impact of National Service on industry, to be held in the open so that the public might know what is going on?

I am not aware that one side or the other took the initiative in suggesting that the Press should not attend. Many conferences are held without the Press attending. This conference is a part of a much wider examination. There is nothing to hide, and, in due course, the Press will be made fully aware of its outcome, as indeed they have been already, by a Press handout on the subject.

If the proceedings of this secret conference were of national importance, and, obviously, they must be, since National Service is a matter of concern to all citizens in the country, can we take it that the Government will have a full report placed in the Library of the House?

I prefer to call it a private conference rather than a secret one. Of course, when a final conclusion is come to—and this is only one step in a series of conferences—obviously the public and Parliament will be made fully aware of it.

In view of the less than frank reply of the Minister, I beg to give notice that, at the earliest opportunity, I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reconsider his earlier decision in the case of 22768090 Lance Corporal W. B. Cosslett, of 3, Spring Street, Cadoxton, Barry, in the light of subsequent correspondence with the hon. Member for Barry; and whether he will now grant a compassionate posting or compassionate leave in this case.

My right hon. Friend has carefully reconsidered this case but can find no grounds for reversing his earlier decision.

Did the Minister take into account the details of a similar case of an R.A.F. man who was given these facilities, and will he review the question of postings in the Army to bring it more into line with the other Services?

The case of the R.A.F. man to which my hon. Friend refers was not on all fours, but we did take it into consideration. As regards the possibility of compassionate posting, as I have often said, it really is an unworkable proposition for the Army at the present time; it was given up in 1947, and we cannot reintroduce it just now.

Why is it any longer necessary to have such a lot of figures preceding the names of people in the Forces? Is it not possible to reduce the number?

I do not believe that they are any longer now than they were in the right hon. Gentleman's day.

Has it not always been a boast on the part of the Government that they are capable of improving the position?

Is this part of the psychological warfare to indicate that we have 22 million men under arms?

I hope it may have that effect in the right quarter.

Would the hon. Gentleman tell the House why the Army is so loath to agree to cases where compassionate home posting ought to be granted? Is he aware that I sent him a case from my own constituency which was simply appalling? Surely, he could get upside with the other Services in looking after these cases?

The other Services have not exactly the same problem as the Army. If the case is an appalling one—and I use the hon. Member's own description—I will certainly look into it. It would, however, be a question not of posting but of compassionate leave or discharge.

asked the Secretary of State for War the income received by Services bands playing at functions other than for the Army Benevolent Fund and other charitable objects; and how much of these fees went to the Army bandsmen and how much to a regimental pool.

I regret that receipts are not recorded centrally. For orchestral and dance band engagements, 20 per cent. of the profits goes to the band fund and 80 per cent. to members of the band. For military band engagements the shares are generally rather less, since from 5 to 10 per cent. of the total annual profits are credited to public funds.

Is the Minister aware that it is alleged that the Army undercut their fees for playing at these events, and can he tell us what he is doing about this particular matter?

I know that has been said, but such cases as we have looked into have not been able to substantiate that allegation. The Army Council Instruction lays down quite clearly that there is to be no undercutting, because it says that the proposed fee should be at a rate not below the commercial scale appropriate to, and accepted in, the locality by civilian bands of equal strength.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House what proportion of the 80 per cent. goes to the bandmaster and how much to the bandsmen?

Yes, Sir. Twenty per cent. goes to the bandmaster, and, of the remainder, a senior N.C.O. gets four shares, a first—class player—and most of them are first—class—gets three shares, a second-class player gets two and a half shares and other players get two shares.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many pupils have been accepted for Welbeck College to date; how many of these are from Scottish schools; and what further steps he proposes in order to attract a suitable proportion of Scottish boys to become candidates for commissions in the Technical Corps.

Of the 123 boys so far accepted, five have come from Scottish schools. My right hon. Friend hopes to get more Scottish boys and further publicity for Welbeck College will be given in Scotland. It is also hoped that headmasters of Scottish schools will soon have an opportunity to visit the college.

Does the hon. Gentleman feel that the publicity will have helped? Is not the difficulty at Welbeck simply that the two nations have two different school systems, and that the War Office has quite rightly set up a school which fits into the system of the larger nation? Is it not now necessary to take some additional steps in order to attract Scottish boys?

It is true that there were some teething troubles owing to the difference between the English and Scottish educational formulae, if I may put it that way. My countrymen are sometimes accused of having a native caution, and it may be that they are looking at this scheme very carefully before they go into it. We think that the numbers will increase, and, although they are still small, they are, in fact, increasing already.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that veterans of the South African war are in financial difficulties and are receiving very little from the South African War Fund; and whether he will take steps to help these old veterans by other means than that of National Assistance.

I am not aware of any financial difficulties peculiar to veterans of the South African war.

Is the Minister aware that these veterans are receiving from the South African Veterans' Fund 5s. and 7s. 6d. per week? Is he also aware that the cost of living has risen since then a great deal, and will he consider the matter in reference to the present cost of living, and also consult the Charity Commissioners?

I have, of course, noticed the rise in the cost of living since the South African war. But the question of the administration of this Fund is not for the War Office but for the Charity Commissioners. We have no responsibility, but I have no doubt that if the hon. Gentleman were to approach my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. J. Morrison), who represents the Charity Commissioners, he would be able to get more information.

Will the Minister give the assurance to the House that he will not give any priority to these people over the Crimean veterans?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the approximate aggregate value of the products of Wales which are at present imported annually into the United States of America; and what steps he will take to increase this trade.

Exports of the products of Wales are not separately recorded either in the United Kingdom export statistics or in the United States import statistics. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 11th March.

Will the Minister bring to the attention of exporters the advantages of the South Wales ports, which have an unparalleled record of good labour relations?

I agree with what my hon. Friend has said. I should like also to pay a tribute to the keenness of South Wales industry to make a contribution to the export trade. I attended an export conference recently in South Wales which was called together for that particular purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of factories in use on the Fforestfach Trading Estate; how many are vacant; and the potential capacity of the estate when fully developed.

There are 14 factories on this Estate, one of which is at present untenanted. Over 100 acres are available for building; there is thus ample room for further factory space for any suitable industrial applicants who may come forward.

Will the Minister satisfy himself that equal opportunities are available to each of the trading estates in Wales to secure new business, rather than to concentrate it on one particular estate?

I am not sure that I know what the hon. Gentleman has in mind, but we will sympathetically consider any suitable applicant that comes forward.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the dispute between the Association of Cinematograph and Allied Technicians and the Film Laboratory Association together with its associated member Technicolour Limited; and whether he will give an undertaking not to depart from his policy of refusing permits for excessive numbers of prints of films to be imported from other countries and not grant facilities for British newsreels processed abroad to be imported.

I am aware of this dispute. News films may be imported freely under open general licence. As regards foreign films other than newsreels, normally not more than three prints are admitted. My right hon. Friend does not propose to modify these existing facilities.

Being aware of the dispute the hon. Gentleman would no doubt agree that it would be very wrong for the Board of Trade to take any action to interfere with the normal machinery of settlement, would it not?

I agree with what the right hon. Gentleman has said. No change is proposed at the present in the administration of our existing policy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Economic Survey will be published; and what are the reasons for the delay in publication.

The Economic Survey should be ready to be laid before the House next Tuesday afternoon, 30th March. In no year since 1949 has it been published much earlier than this, because the full balance of payments and national income estimates for the previous year cannot be compiled before the latter part of March.

Is there any truth in the suggestion that publication has been delayed because of the uncertainty of the American position, especially in relation to the fall in American stockpiling, which has upset our calculations?

None at all. We always know where we are going, whatever happens. Last year the Survey was published on the same date, 30th March; the year before nearly a month later, on 22nd April; the year before later, on 3rd April; the year before at about the same date, 28th March; and the year before on 15th March. The only year in which the Survey was published in February was in the middle of the now notorious fuel crisis of 1947.

Will the Chancellor give the House an assurance that the estimates in this Economic Survey will be more accurate than those we had in the Surveys issued by the party opposite?

In order to make sure of answering my hon. Friend's question, I may say that there will be fewer estimates than before.

Is the Chancellor optimistic or pessimistic about the place he is going to?

In view of the statement of the Chancellor that there will be fewer estimates in this Survey than ever before, may I ask whether that is conclusive evidence that he knows where he is going?

Under the previous Administration forecasts were uniformly inaccurate and were never attained.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what grants the Crofters Supply Agency Limited has received directly or indirectly from his Department to make good its losses from its trading in lobsters.

Interest—free repayable advances totalling £23,000 have been made since June, 1948, from the Development Fund to the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society on behalf of the Crofters Supply Agency, to meet capital expenditure and to provide working capital in connection with a scheme of lobster storage and marketing. In addition, grants from the Development Fund totalling £8,776 18s. 6d. have been made to the Society to meet deficiencies arising from losses sustained in the operation of the scheme during the three years ended the 31st May, 1951. A further application in respect of the two following years is now being considered.

In view of the consistent failure of this enterprise, would it not be a good idea to stop wasting money in subsidising unsuccessful lobster traders?

Everything that falls from my hon. Friend is considered, but I do not know that I would be right to take so drastic an action on the evidence at present before me.

Is the Chancellor aware that this service is most valuable and is widely appreciated in the Highlands?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that recruitment of students for technological courses in universities and technical colleges is flagging; and by what means he proposes to stimulate it, bearing in mind the continuing need to increase the numbers of students taking such courses.

In the universities, the number of full—time students taking technological courses (other than architecture) in October last was the same as in October, 1952. The additional assistance which I propose to give for the development of further facilities will, I hope, help to stimulate recruitment. In the technical colleges, there has been no significant change. The Ministers concerned are fully aware of the importance of the hon. Member's Question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at a recent conference the head of one of the most important technical colleges used this phrase: "Recruitment of students for technological courses is flagging," and will the right hon. Gentleman see that more effort is put behind this programme than in the past year?

I certainly think it is right to put every effort behind the programme and to pay attention to any observations made by the head of any such college.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the position indicated in the Question does not apply to Manchester?

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider recommending the appointment of an additional Minister of State for the Colonies.

It is not proposed at present to make any additional Ministerial appointments.

Is the Prime Minister not aware of the feeling on both sides of the House that colonial affairs are becoming so vast that they need more than two Ministers in this Chamber? Is he also aware that the Secretary of State for the Colonies has become so peripatetic lately that this, combined with the unfortunate absence of his colleague the Minister of State, has meant that for weeks on end we have had no Minister from that Department at the Box to answer Questions, which is unfortunate both for this House and for the Empire? Will the Prime Minister not think again on this matter, which after all is a nonparty matter?

We should be chary of creating new Ministerial appointments.

asked the Prime Minister what machinery exists for consultation between President Eisenhower and himself as to the use of atomic bombs in the event of war involving both countries.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will seek an assurance from Mr. Eisenhower, as President and Commnader-in-Chief of the United States of America, that in the event of an outbreak of war in Europe the United States of America will not use atomic weapons without prior consultation with the United Kingdom.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the arrangements for consultation between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government regarding the use of United States retaliatory air power in the event of a hostile attack on an ally of the United States in circumstances which might involve this country in war.

So far as concerns the bases used by the Americans in this country, I would remind hon. Members of the communiqué agreed with the United States Government and issued on 9th January, 1952, when my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I visited Washington: that was the one arrived at by the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition—

On the general question of consultation with President Eisenhower and the United States Government, smooth and friendly arrangements exist for dealing with these matters as with any others of major importance. There is a constant interchange of ideas between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government, both direct and through the channels of N.A.T.O. I have had intimate correspondence and conversations on these and many other questions with President Eisenhower in the past, and our relationship continues.

I cannot of course foretell the circumstances in which the use of the United States retaliatory air power might be suggested, and, as Mr. Dulles has said, each case would have to be considered in the light of the facts. Speaking generally, I do not consider that any change in our procedure is called for at the moment, nor can I think of one that would be helpful.

Let me assure the House that there is nothing in the whole world of affairs that dominates our thoughts more than the group of stupendous problems and perils comprised in the sphere of atomic and hydrogen developments.

Has the Prime Minister's attention been drawn to the statement by Mr. Lester Pearson, who said in his view consultations should now take place between the various Governments concerned in N.A.T.O. on the problem, and that it should not be left until a unilateral decision might possibly have to be taken when an emergency had arisen? Would he say whether the Government are in accord with Mr. Lester Pearson's views?

The statement which I have made was concerted after considerable discussion and thought with my colleagues. We had before us the statements made by Mr. Dulles and by Mr. Lester Pearson. All was taken into consideration, and I should not wish at the moment to add to what I have said.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that, in so far as there is any anxiety on this subject, it would appear to apply less to Europe, where there is close and constant diplomatic contact between Europe and the United States, than to some other parts of the world where, for example, there might be a Communist insurrection of insignificant proportions resulting in an atomic riposte by the United States which would be quite unwarrantable?

I carefully considered all that aspect and I do not think there would be any great advantage in trying during Question time to go in detail into all the contingencies. I do not think it would be a good thing to have this matter strenuously debated. I do not think so. If I did, I should not hesitate to suggest that the House should devote itself to it. It is remarkable the restraint with which the Press have treated all these matters. I only hope and trust that the nation, and thinking people in it, will not in any way underrate the overwhelming consequence of the developments which are taking place. They fill my mind out of all comparison with anything else.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the increasing difficulty experienced by the House in subjecting the Service Estimates to adequate examination, if he will move to appoint a Select Committee responsible for the detailed consideration of these Estimates.

I can see no useful function for such a committee beyond that already entrusted to the Select Committee on Estimates which is appointed at the beginning of each Session.

Would not the Prime Minister agree that almost all the arguments which have been advanced by his Government for a standing Select Committee to consider the affairs of the publicly-owned industries apply with even greater force to the Service Estimates? In view of the difficulties of getting not only time but information under the present arrangements, would he not agree that there is a case for a particular Select Committee to discuss the Estimates before they appear before the general Select Committee on Estimates?

I think our custom for the examination of Service Estimates has grown up very regularly and steadily over a long period of years, covering, in fact, the vital history of the House of Commons. When right hon. Gentlemen opposite were in power for six or seven years they did not see fit to alter the procedure in any fundamental way. The fact that arguments have been used about nationalised industries and their coming under review stands somewhat in a different place because, after all, they are much more recent developments.