asked the Minister of Health (1) how many deaf persons without speech and language are inmates of mental hospitals and institutions; whether he will give figures placing them in age groups, within a 10-year range; and the average intake and discharge of such patients per year since the end of the war in 1945;

(2) in regard to deaf inmates of mental hospitals and institutions, the age-range of these inmates and the ages, in ranges of 10 years, when they were admitted.

I will, with permission, circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the incidence of mental deficiency among these people is higher than that among other people? Secondly, is he satisfied that ail the considerations in regard to the certification of deaf-mutes are borne in mind by certifying officers?

I am not certain that I have the information to enable me to answer that supplementary question. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will study the answer and put a Question down.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my question?

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the recent outbreak of trichinosis in Liverpool; and what action he has taken to make it fully known that this infection is caused by eating raw pork sausage meat.

The Medical Officer of Health of Liverpool reported a localised outbreak of trichinosis there last November, and at the time warned the public through the local and national Press not to eat uncooked pork or pork sausage meat. Only three small outbreaks in England and Wales, of which this was one, have been reported in the past seven years. No further action on my part was called for.

Is not the Minister aware that this disease is very difficult to diagnose? Does he not agree that if people are made fully aware of how the complaint is contracted it will make them very careful about the things they eat and they will take precautions? In spite of the fact that there have been only one or two localised outbreaks in this country, does he not think that it is a danger and that some special steps should be taken by him to make the situation fully known to the public?

I do not dissent from that. The danger is in eating raw sausage meat as if it were meat paste. Although there have been only three cases, I am prepared to consider whether any further information should be circulated. I am sure that the Question and answer will help in that respect.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider suggesting to the Minister of Food that a notice should be placed on sausages to the effect that they should only be eaten cooked?

That is a matter for my right hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Health how many Children and how many adults have died following, and as a result of, treatment by chloramphenicol in 1952 and 1953.

I regret that the information is not available.

Is the Minister aware that there have been deaths, particularly of children, reference to which is seen in the medical Press from time to time? Would he agree that it is fair to say that this powerful and most useful drug should only be used for children if other drugs are not available or will not do the work?

I should not like to comment upon the second part of the supplementary question, for it is not really a matter upon which a layman should pronounce. Certainly considerable dangers are involved in the use of the drug, and there have been a number of deaths. These deaths are not recorded because it is not a notifiable cause of death, but it is known that there have been a number. Most of them, I think, have been due to an overdose being given.

asked the Minister of Health whether, under his regulations, cortisone and ACTH can be prescribed by doctors to their private patients.

There are no regulations governing the prescription of these or any other drugs for the use of private patients. In the public interest I have limited the distribution of cortisone and ACTH to selected hospitals from which they may be obtained for the treatment of private patients suffering from certain serious conditions.

Does not the Minister agree that it is undesirable that patients should feel that they can get these drugs as private patients but may not be able to get them, at any rate from general practitioners, under the National Health Service? Will he urge upon doctors generally that these drugs should not be prescribed except in hospitals?

We are at the moment limiting the distribution of cortisone—the supply position is rapidly becoming a great deal easier—to about 100 selected hospitals. It is hoped to extend the distribution very considerably. However, the use of the drug must, clearly, be entirely at the discretion of the doctors. One obviously cannot deny cortisone to a patient, if it is thought desirable that he should have it, merely because he happens to be in a private room and not in a ward.

Before a general distribution of cortisone is made, will the Medical Research Council be consulted as to how, by whom and in what quantities it shall be prescribed?

Certainly. As cortisone becomes increasingly available, this sort of problem will arise. We shall move in step with the Medical Research Council.

Can my right hon. Friend explain what ACTH stands for?

It is a short name for a very complicated drug.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that if a doctor at a hospital thinks that a National Health Service patient would benefit from the drug, he will be able to prescribe it?

I am not certain that I can give precisely that assurance yet, but we are rapidly approaching the position when supplies will be fully adequate to fulfil all such purposes.

asked the Minister of Health what statistical services are made available by his Department to the various organisations concerned with cancer research in this country; and what steps it is proposed to take in the near future to expand such statistical services in view of the bearing that statistics have on this particular issue.

Detailed statistics about cancer are published, with commentaries, in the Registrar-General's Annual Statistical Reviews and otherwise. They relate to all deaths from cancer and to cases of cancer reported by a number of hospitals under the cancer registration scheme. Additional data are made available by the General Register Office from time to time to meet specific needs of individuals or organisations connected with cancer research. I have recently issued a circular asking hospitals to make still greater efforts to achieve the registration of all cases of cancer.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that dental experts of the Royal Air Force are experimenting with the ultrasonic dentists' drill, operating at 25,000 vibrations a second, which can deal with cavities in teeth in one minute with no pain to the patient: and whether he will bring this method to the attention of dentists under the National Health Service.

My right hon. Friend is aware of this instrument. As it is still in an early experimental stage, it would be premature to encourage its use in the general dental service, but my right hon. Friend will watch developments with interest.

Would the hon. Lady ask her right hon. Friend to expedite the research into this drill, because it seems to be an extremely satisfactory instrument, and as there is no danger attached to its use, it should be used generally?

We are certainly watching the experiments closely, but one point about it is that it is only usable vertically.

Has the hon. Lady risked it?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the inconvenience and suffering occasionally caused by the requirement of the production of the patient's National Health Service number to those seeking urgent dental treatment, he will allow some relaxation in such cases.

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any serious inconvenience resulting from this requirement.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that people are not accustomed to carrying their National Health Service number about with them, that they cannot be presumed to be expecting to have toothache during the day and that I have had several complaints from my own constituency? If it is possible to allow relaxation in an emergency situation, does the hon. Lady think that her right hon. Friend could permit it?

May I make the position clear? The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that, with 200,000 cases coming in to the Dental Estimates Board a week, obviously there must be some system of numbering. Certainly the system works more smoothly when the dentists are able to obtain the number. However, a patient need not be denied treatment in an emergency because he cannot produce his number, nor does the board withhold authorisation of payment because the number has not been provided. However, I do not want that to be misread by anyone so as to lead them to believe that the numbers are not helpful and necessary for the smooth and quick working of the system.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made in experimental tests of the Striede artificial leg.

The experimental tests of six Striede kneejoints are still in progress and no final decision has yet been reached.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that very great hopes are entertained about what is believed to be a considerable improvement in artificial limbs? As these experiments have now been going on for some considerable time, can he give any indication of when a final decision is likely to be reached?

I hope it will not be too long. We started to follow this development up as soon as we heard about it, and the experiments have been going on for just over a year. It takes a considerable time to reach the end of those experiments, but I hope there will be no undue delay.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now give priority to the need for a large modern orthopædic centre at the North Staffordshire Infirmary, and health centres in the city of Stoke-on-Trent; what plans have been prepared; and when it is expected that the services will be available for the increasing needs of the people.

I understand that plans are being prepared for the replacement of the present orthopædic outpatient department at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary, and I will consider the question of priorities in the light of the regional hospital board's recommendations. I have agreed the need for one health centre and revised plans are being prepared by the local health authority, but it is not possible to say when the centre will be completed.

Is the Minister aware that the accommodation is disgraceful, and that miners, who suffer more than any other section of the community, have been attending under these conditions for years? In view of the fact that plans are now being prepared, will he give instructions that they should be given super-priority?

I am aware of the need, but I certainly would not instruct the regional hospital board to put one scheme in front of the many others which there are. I will, however, study the question of priorities when it puts the list of recommendations to me.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the good work being carried out at the City General Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent; and when the hospital is to be extended, modernised, and provided with more equipment and staff.

Yes, Sir. Extensive improvements have been carried out since the appointed day and I understand that for the present no further improvement is envisaged. The equipment is adequate, and every possible effort is being made to recruit nursing staff up to requirements.

asked the Minister of Health what action has been taken to carry out the promises made by his Department about the North Stafford shire Infirmary; when the hospital is to be extended to meet the growing needs of the area it serves; when the amount of food served to staff and patients is to be improved and increased; when the payment of the staff is to be brought up to national agreed rates; and how far the needs of this hospital were considered when pages 8, 9 and 10 of Command Paper No. 8933 were prepared.

Various plans for improvement at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary are being considered by the hospital management committee and the regional hospital board with whom, in the first instance, the responsibility for taking measures to meet local needs rests, but it is not possible to predict when these plans will be carried out. I am unaware of any complaints about the amount of food served or about the rates of payment to the staff, but if the hon. Member has any particular instances in mind, I will look into them. The answer to the last part of the Question is that all relevant needs were then considered.

Will the Minister take particular note of this concrete example which I will give him of the need for special attention to be given to the problem? I have in my hand a letter from the North Staffordshire miners, who are complaining of the long period of waiting time when they have to see specialists for special purposes. Is it not most unfair that miners, who are rendering great service to the community, should be placed in this position?

I am always prepared to look at any cases. If the hon. Gentleman likes to send me the details of that case I will look at it.

asked the Minister of Health how many beds are available in North Staffordshire for the treatment of orthopædic cases; and how many of these were unoccupied in the North Stafford shire Royal Infirmary and in the Orthopædic Hospital in Biddulph at the latest available date.

Three hundred and nineteen. On 13th May, 1954, one bed was unoccupied at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary and 29 at the Biddulph Orthopædic Hospital.

Does not the Minister agree that it might be possible to make better use of the beds available in the Orthopædic Hospital at Biddulph in order to ease the pressure upon the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary, bearing in mind that the public are appreciative of the skill of the consultant and nursing staff there but that the amenities are really deplorable?

I take note of what the hon. Member says in the latter part of his supplementary question. With regard to the first part, I would say that there is a remarkable discrepancy between the waiting lists of the two hospitals. There is a very substantial waiting list for the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary but I am told that there is no waiting list at all for the Biddulph Orthopædic Hospital. In view of that, we certainly might see whether something can be done on the lines suggested by the hon. Gentleman in his supplementary question.

asked the Minister of Health what appointment systems exist at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary for all branches of out-patient work; and if he will give an assurance that any assistance which may be needed to improve amenities for patients and staff will be afforded by his Department.

In all departments except the eye department patients are given appointments by the registration officer. I am prepared to consider any proposals which are submitted to me for the improvement of amenities.

If the Minister receives a request from the hospital management committee in the usual way for assistance for the purpose of establishing an appointments system in the ophthalmic department, will he give what help he can, for patients have to wait a long time, and that is obviously unnecessary?

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made during recent months in increasing the number of hospital beds in Wales and in bringing the proportion of beds to number of population nearer the proportion in England.

Schemes completed have added 465 beds which are now being brought into use and building work on other schemes designed to add 266 further beds within the next 12 months has been substantially advanced. Planning for later developments has also proceeded.

While I thank the Minister for that reply may I ask him whether he can say what effect progress is having upon the respective proportions?

I am afraid that the mathematical calculation is beyond me at short notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how far Wales is lagging behind England in the provision of hospital beds?

It depends upon one's calculation. If one includes mental and mental deficiency cases, the figures are 11.6 beds per 1,000 population in England and 104 in Wales. If one excludes such categories, the figures are 6.7 and 6.3 respectively.

asked the Minister of Health what action he is taking to deal with the shortage of trained hospital nurses, particularly in the non-teaching and smaller provincial hospitals.

Recruitment measures are being concentrated on local campaigns which should enable these hospitals to secure their share of the general increase in the number of trained nurses.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that the General Nursing Council is not setting too high a level of general education for students entering the profession, which, although it may be satisfactory for London, brings about problems in some provincial areas?

That is another question, but I should be loth to suggest that provincial areas should have a lower standard than London.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Hospital Management Committee of Crumpsall Hospital, Manchester, to close a further 48 beds on account of a shortage of nursing staff, making a total of 108 beds closed for this reason; and what action he is taking to remedy this state of affairs.

I am aware that it has been necessary to close further beds at Crumpsall Hospital because of shortage of nursing staff. I am informed that the hospital management committee, in co-operation with the Ministry of Labour and National Service, is making every effort to recruit additional staff and that a local campaign is being considered.

Will my right hon. Friend consider allowing hospitals to advertise in the ordinary Press as well as in the "Nursing Times" and the "Nursing Mirror" for trained staff and State-enrolled assistants for full-time work?

I am prepared to consider any suggestion which might improve recruitment. I am told that recruitment is slightly better at Crumpsall this year.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state his reasons for enforcing the block advertising procedure for vacancies for nursing staff in the National Health Service.

The main object of the procedure is to avoid the waste of advertising space and of money entailed by the insertion of separate advertisements by hospital management committees.

Is the hon. Lady satisfied that this rather mechanical system is, in practice, producing results?

I should have thought that the concentration of all the advertisements relating to any hospital management committee would be far more easily spotted by potential applicants than if they were dotted about in any part of the newspapers. The new scheme was recommended by the Ministry in 1952, and was enforced in 1954 at the request of the regional hospital boards.

TO ask the Minister of Health what hospitalisation arrangements are being made for the new town of Bracknell.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, on this Question. Would you require, as a matter of order, that when hon. Members make up their own words, they should tell the House what they mean—for instance, by this word "hospitalisation?"

If hon. Members would study this Question with the aid of a dictionary, they would get some idea of what it is about.

Bracknell is at present served by hospitals in Windsor. A new hospital will probably have to be built ultimately in the town, but it is not possible to say when a start can be made.

May I take it from the answer of my right hon. Friend that the understanding amongst the new town tenants that the proposal to build a new hospital at Lily Hill has been abandoned is not correct?

There are no fewer than five new towns in this area. It may be that in due course each will need a new hospital. Although, one will some day be built at Bracknell, I cannot commit myself to the site nor when it will be possible to make a start.

asked the Minister of Health what reduction there has been in the number of hospital pharmacists during the past two years; and whether any hospital out-patient pharmacy departments have had to be closed for lack of staff.

I regret that figures for 1953 are not available but there was a small increase in 1952 compared with 1951. So far as my information goes, one hospital out-patient pharmacy department has had to be closed for lack of staff.

Would the Minister keep an eye on this position, since I understand that there has been some difficulty in recruiting staff for hospitals; and would he see whether anything more can be done to encourage further recruitment?

Yes, certainly. I was rather surprised to see from these figures that there has been a small increase every year since 1949. I know there are such difficulties, and it is one problem that I am watching.

asked the Minister of Health the salary paid by the Leeds Regional Hospital Board to the catering manager at the Queen's Hotel, Harrogate; how many applications were received; when the appointment was made; at what salary the job was advertised; and whether the present holder was one of the original applicants.

There is a joint appointment of manager and manageress for the whole of the establishment at the Queen's Hotel, their salaries being respectively £625 and £470 a year. The appointment was originally advised with a joint salary of £1,050, and applications from 28 couples were received. It was, however, re-advertised at the rates I have mentioned when the board decided that the manageress should also act as warden of the preliminary training school. An additional 15 applications were then received, including that of the present holders of the appointment, who were appointed in January, 1954.

asked the Minister of Health how much of the 16,698 square yards of gardens at the Leeds Regional Board Headquarters at the Queen's Hotel, Harrogate, is subject to planning approval; and how much was paid in wages to the three gardeners in 1953.

I am informed that the local planning authority has agreed to the present use of the premises on condition that the board maintains the external appearance of the hotel and garden substantially in the condition in which they were in November, 1950; and that £1,132 was paid to the gardener and his two labourer assistants in 1953.

Why is it that only a small portion of this garden, which is seen by the public, has £1,300 spent on it every year, when a large part of the garden at the back, which is never seen, is kept up in the same way, and no planning authority has been given for the back part of the garden to be kept up? After all, this House votes money for the care and treatment of patients and not for the upkeep of hospital board gardens?

As I understand the position, it was a condition of the agreement with the local authorities that the gardens should be kept up to a very good standard. I do not think any particular part of them was referred to.

Can the Minister say what the total cost to his Department must be, by now, of all the Questions by his hon. Friend about the premises of the regional board.

asked the Minister of Health what weighting in the allocation of capital expenditure is given to regional hospital boards operating in areas which suffered serious unemployment in the depression in the 193O's.

The allocation is made mainly on a population basis with an additional weighting to meet particular local needs, including a disproportionate shortage of beds, from whatever cause arising.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the more prosperous areas in the 30's were able to improve their hospital services, whereas the Special Areas were not in that favourable position? Is my right hon. Friend further aware that the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board considers that it has not got a fair allocation with which to catch up on the period of distress and unemployment during the depression, and will he bear that in mind when he receives a deputation from that board?

I should have thought the figures go a long way to disprove that assertion, because the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board received £393,000 on a population basis and £69,000 on account of lack of beds, and of the further central £2 million allocation, Newcastle was allocated more than twice the amount that would have been given on a purely population basis.

Could the Minister state what are the possibilities of having a new county hospital built in Durham, as there has been such a restriction upon capital expenditure of the North Regional Hospital Board?

I think the hon. Gentleman ought to put down a Question on an individual case.

asked the Minister of Education what precise information is available as to the number of handicapped and backward children in the United Kingdom; and whether she is satisfied with the special school facilities at present available for them.

In December, 1953, local education authorities in England and Wales were providing special educational treatment for 53,118 pupils accommodated in special schools (other than hospital schools), boarding homes or independent schools, and were seeking special school places for a further 19,861. They were also educating 2,077 handicapped pupils at home, some of whom were awaiting special school places, and about 8,000 in hospital. The number of special school places is being increased as rapidly as resources permit. Nearly 15,000 additional special school places have been brought into use since the war, and the provision of a further 9,000 is either in progress or will shortly be put in hand.

Is my right hon. Lady Friend—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] I hope, Mr. Speaker, that my unsolicited tribute will be taken in the way in which it was given. Is the right hon. Lady aware that local authorities have expressed the opinion that shortage of residential school places for emotionally maladjusted schoolchildren of average intelligence over the age of 11 is a very large factor in juvenile delinquency, and is she now prepared to announce a definite priority in the investment programme for building facilities for educating these children and also for educationally subnormal children?

It is difficult to go into all the points raised in answer to a question, but in the programme for special schools I am now giving a priority to the educationally subnormal.

Mr. Edward Evans.

On a point of order. I beg to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

I called the hon. Member for Lowestoft (Mr. Edward Evans).

What type of special schools have the longest waiting list?

I am afraid that I could not give that information without notice. If the hon. Member will put a Question on the Order Paper, I will obtain the information for him.

asked the Minister of Education how many special schools for the mentally-retarded are now open; what is their accommodation; and what reports she has in respect of the number of mentally-retarded children for whom there are at present no vacancies.

There are 92 boarding special schools for educationally subnormal children providing about 6,600 places, and, 140 day special schools providing some 15,000 places. Returns from local education authorities show that in December, 1953, there were 12.794 educationally subnormal children awaiting vacancies in special schools.

What steps are being taken to try to meet this very great need, seeing that the retention of these mentally-retarded children at home causes a great deal of distress to the parents, as well as doing some injury to the children themselves?

If the hon. Gentleman will look at my answer to an earlier Question, I think he will see how we are pressing on with the building programme particularly to deal with these children.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the great danger that some of these children may be classified as mentally-retarded when really all that is the matter with them is that they are deaf?

Yes, Sir. As I think the hon. Gentleman knows, we have been taking particular care over the matter of deaf children.

asked the Minister of Education how many children are attending independent schools which, following inspection, have failed to satisfy her standards for recognition as efficient.

Recognition as efficient was refused in 1953 to nine of the schools that had applied for it. They were attended by 912 pupils.

What steps is the right hon. Lady taking, or advising the local authorities to take, to safeguard the interests of children who are attending schools that have been declared inefficient by H.M. Inspectors?

This does not necessarily mean that the schools are inefficient. The certificate of recognition of efficiency demands a very high standard, and if the schools wish to have a special inspection it is for them to apply for it. Very often refusal of the certificate may have to do with particular features of the building and those concerned can make improvements and then apply again.

asked the Minister of Education how many schools on the original black list are still in use.

Of the 2,827 schools on the original black list 2,250 have since been withdrawn from the list either on closure or because conditions have been substantially improved. This leaves on the list and still in use 577 schools, of which 66 were originally condemned as unsuitable for continued recognition and incapable of improvement.

When does the right hon. Lady propose to sanction an additional building programme in order that these schools may be replaced by modern schools?

As soon as possible.

Are any of the schools mentioned in that very long list in Wales, and are some of the schools which were condemned by her Department as long ago as 1927, and which I found in 1937 had not been dealt with, still in that list?

If the right hon. and learned Gentleman puts down a Question on the Order Paper relating particularly to Wales, I will try to obtain the information.

Is it not a fact that the inquiry into black-listed schools took place almost 30 years ago, and that the Select Committee on Estimates said last year that there were many more than these 577? Will the right hon. Lady look again into the question of the actual number of schools that ought to be declared unfit for educational purposes?

Unfortunately, we are well aware of the great number of schools that ought to be condemned and pulled down. There is no dispute between either side of the House on that point. I do not think that having another inquiry would help us. We want to get on as quickly as we can with building programmes, so that when it is possible we can have these schools replaced.

asked the Minister of Education if she will take steps to increase facilities and opportunities for transfers between secondary modern and grammar schools, and all other practicable steps to assist pupils whose performances during their early years at secondary modern schools indicate that they are suited for a grammar school education.

I am anxious that there should be ample opportunity for pupils to transfer from one kind of secondary school to another where it would clearly be in their interests to do so. I think that local education authorities are well aware of their responsibilities in this matter.

Whilst thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether she would also ensure that children at secondary modern schools shall have increased facilities to enable them to sit for the General Certificate of Education?

Local authorities are beginning to examine whether they can supply different or extra courses in modern schools more appropriate for the children concerned.

asked the Minister of Education the number of classes in Cardiff, in primary and secondary schools, respectively, with over 50 children on the register; and the comparable figures for 1952 and 1951, respectively.

Complete returns for January, 1954, are not yet available, but provisional figures show that in Cardiff there are three junior classes and no senior classes with more than 50 pupils on the roll. In 1952 and 1951 there were 12 and 13 junior classes respectively with more than 50 pupils; there was no senior class of this size in either year.

asked the Minister of Education what is the number of classes in primary schools in Ely, Grange-town, Canton, Roath Park and Llanishen, respectively, which have more than 40 and more than 50 children on the register.

I regret that it is not practicable for me to give figures about classes in particular districts of an authority's area.

asked the Minister of Education how many children in Cardiff reached a standard of more than 50 per cent, in the secondary grammar schools entrance examination in Cardiff, and how many were admitted to secondary grammar schools in 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1953, respectively.

This information is not available in my Department.

Is the Minister aware that if the information was available it would indicate the need for comprehensive schools in Cardiff?

That is quite hypothetical.

asked the Minister of Education the cost of maintaining a child at the London County Council residential school at Wolverstone, Surrey.

This school is not in Surrey but in Suffolk. I am informed that for 1952–53, the latest for which detailed figures are available, the annual cost per head, after deducting parental contributions and other income, is estimated to have been about £370. This includes some £35 for loan charges and about £56 for tuition.

Since the maintenance cost in this school is higher than at Eton, Borstal or Haileybury, will my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of closing it down and transferring the children to one or other of those three eminent educational institutions?

The future of the school has been under consideration for some time, and I recently invited the London County Council to discuss the problem with me.

May I ask the right hon. Lady whether the school has, at present, a full complement of pupils, and whether the cost of running it would not be favourably affected if certain alterations which it was hoped to carry out on the premises were carried out? Would the right hon. Lady not also agree that very little help is to be expected from people who have only just found out in which county the school is situated?

It does not very much matter whether the school is in Surrey or Suffolk. The point is that it is administered by the London County Council, and the London County Council fully realises that the present position cannot continue. Even if the roll was increased to 245 the cost per head would be expected to be £300. London County Council attributes the high cost to the nature of the buildings, which are largely huts scattered over 53 acres, and various other factors, but I think the best thing is for me to discuss the problem fully with the London County Council first and see what arrangements we can make.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is an important educational development which ought to be encouraged?

I agree that we should encourage the idea of boarding school education. Many people want it, but we have to look into the question of how it can be provided more economically than at present it seems possible to provide it at this school.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that the colour and pattern of the uniform for pupils at grammar schools is not standardised; and whether she will assist the parents of those children who are forced to move from one school to another by recommending uniformity throughout the country.

While I have asked for strict economy over school uniforms to avoid unnecessary expense to public funds and to parents, I do not think that it would be either sensible or acceptable to try to standardise school uniform throughout the country.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that when parents change the locality in which they live or work they are often under the necessity of having to buy a new uniform for a boy or girl to conform with the uniform in the new school? Is she aware that there are cases where parents, within a year or 18 months, have to buy two, three or even four uniforms?

I know the difficulties, but I think that my hon. and gallant Friend would agree that the point of having a school uniform is to have a different uniform for different schools. In many cases assistance is given from public funds. I do not think that we want expensive uniforms, but we do want some distinguishing mark for pupils of different schools.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that most staffs of secondary grammar schools try to ensure that the required uniforms are not too expensive? Is she also aware that where there is a transfer to another school reasonable time is given for the provision of a new uniform, and that she might as well try to have the same school colours for Eton and Winchester as try to change the uniforms of the grammar schols?

I agree, but I also sympathise with parents who have to move from place to place on account of their work and find that their children, on going into a new school, naturally want to wear the uniform of that school.

asked the Minister of Education if she will take steps to ensure that there is a choice of grammar school education in Poynton, where children at the present time have to attend the Macclesfield school, in view of the inadequate transport facilities to Macclesfield.

No. I understand that there are trains between Poynton and Higher Poynton and Macclesfield which are quite convenient for the journeys both to and from the Macclesfield grammar schools.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if she studies the time-table she will see that a child who misses one train will arrive several hours late? It should be possible to arrange for a bus. This is an urgent requirement.

I know that trains from Poynton and Higher Poynton leave at 8.12 and 8.22, but I have not taken into account how the child would fare if she missed the train. As to the point about a bus, I think the first thing would be to see locally what arrangement can be made.

asked the Minister of Education if she will see that further provision is made for primary education at Poynton, where the classes are overcrowded, in particular with regard to the fact that there is a steady increase of population in this area, whose educational needs will have to be catered for.

The provision of school accommodation is a matter in the first instance for the local education authority. I am making inquiries and will write to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as I have further information.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we have been corresponding for several months, and the letters have been read by local authorities, which are not satisfied? They would like something done in the matter.

As I have said, it is for the local authorities to discuss the particular problems with me, and I will certainly see what can be done.

asked the Minister of Education the future arrangements for the provision of day technical schools in or near Poynton.

The education authority's long-term development plan proposes the provision of technical courses, both in the new secondary modern school that is to be provided, when circumstances allow, in Poynton, and in the secondary grammar schools serving the area. I have suggested to the authority that this aspect of their plan requires further consideration.

Will my right hon. Friend stress that if British industry is to compete with foreign industry we must have good technical education? There is not a single day technical school in Cheshire. Will my right hon. Friend treat the matter as one of utmost urgency?

A domestic science course for girls and a combined technical and rural study course for boys are available at the Poynton Secondary Modern School. At the Macclesfield Grammar School for Girls there are commercial and domestic science courses and a pre-nursing course is to be instituted next autumn. At the King's School in Macclesfield there is a technical course in light engineering for boys.

asked the Minister of Education how many of her officials are employed in administering her requirements for illumination in class rooms laid down in the Standards for School Premises Regulations, 1954; and what instruments are used for testing the standards of illumination.

It is the duty of local education authorities to see that the requirements of the Standards for School Premises Regulations, 1954, are complied with, and no officers of my Department are solely employed in administering these Regulations. If exact measurements of the illumination in a particular school are required, my Department arranges for them to be made by the building research station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these Regulations lay down that in all teaching accommodation and kitchens the lowest level of maintained illumination and the minimum daylight factor shall be 10 lumens per square foot and 2 per cent, respectively; that she defines a "lumen" as:

"the luminous flux emitted in unit solid angle by a uniform source of artificial light giving a luminous intensity of one candala";

and that "Daylight factor" is in equally abstruse terms? Would it not be better, instead of using verbiage which can be understood—if at all—only by a senior wrangler—and I assure you, Mr. Speaker, that a dictionary is no help here —to say in simple English that lighting shall be such as seems reasonable for the purpose in the opinion of the head teacher and, if necessarly, to H.M. Inspectors?

The hon. Member should not be so hard on verbiage.

I have read the document, portions of which my hon. Friend has now read. I am assured that architects and those engaged in building schools know what those terms mean, and in the majority of cases I am sure that the Regulations are fully complied with.

asked the Minister of Education (1) if she is aware of the inadequacy of the training facilities in the south-west region for those desiring to enter the catering industry, and that the Hotels Association are running a course which is inadequate to meet the situation, as are the facilities at present provided by the South Devon Technical College; and whether she will take steps to provide a catering school which will meet the needs in this area;

(2) if, in view of the fact that the catering industry is one of our best dollar earning industries and is also one of the largest in the south-west region, she will remove the embargo on the building of a catering unit at the South Devon Technical College for the purpose of training the necessary recruits for this industry.

I am well aware that the facilities for catering education at Torquay are unsatisfactory. Officers of my Department will shortly be exploring with representatives of the local education authority the possibility of meeting the more pressing needs by carrying out a relatively small amount of new building, but I cannot approve the substantial building project which has been put forward by the authority.

Is the Minister aware that this is the largest industry in the south-west region, but that no provision for training is made? Some time ago the Minister provided money for the building of a unit at the college but then withdrew the amount. Will she now reconsider that decision, in view of the urgency of the matter?

The difficulty is that, while we are doing a great deal more building of technical colleges than before, we have had to confine building to the more urgent projects for engineering, mining, textiles and building. With the suggestion of some enlargement at Torquay, I hope that at any rate we might help instruction in catering to go on in the meantime.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware of the shortage of school dental services for the schools in and around Leek; and whether she will arrange for a better dental service for the children in these schools.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir," but it is, of course, the responsibility of local education authorities to provide school dental services for their areas. I understand that the education authority concerned is doing everything possible to recruit further dentists.

Whilst thanking the right hon. Lady for that answer, may I ask if her Department is co-operating with the Ministry of Health to try to provide further dental services in the area?

We are trying to see throughout how we can recruit more dentists for the school dental service. The hon. Member will be glad to know that in 1953 there was an increase of the equivalent of 95 full-time officers. Before that the number was, for some years, going down. We shall go on doing all we can to recruit dentists.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware that the children at the Warslow School which is in rural area near Leek have neither arrangements for hot meals nor school milk; and whether she will make arrangements for the provision of milk and meals at this remote country school.

Yes, Sir, but I cannot undertake that it will be possible in the near future to overcome the difficulties which have hitherto prevented this provision from being made.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that this school is in a remote rural area? Out of fairness to the children of rural England, will she see that they have the same meal and milk facilities as those in the cities? Will she exercise a little ingenuity to find a little extra finance for this school and this area for the supply of milk?

There are particular difficulties. The local education authority is exploring the possibility of obtaining meals from a Derbyshire school. The local education authority and the Ministry of Food have tried for a long time to arrange for a supply of safe liquid milk, but as yet they have been unsuccessful.

Will the right hon. Lady apply her ingenuity to this problem?

I will certainly do my very best. I realise the difficulties, but I am sure that the local education authority, the Ministry of Food and the Ministry of Education will all try to see how they can be solved.

asked the Minister of Education if she will approach local education authorities with a request that they should include a study of the Highway Code in the school curriculum.

I am satisfied that local education authorities take their responsibilities in regard to road safety instruction very seriously. As in other curriculum matters, the exact arrangements must be left to the discretion of authorities and teachers, but I feel sure that the schools already make appropriate use of the Highway Code.

Yes, but is the Minister aware that there are some schools which do not educate and train children in the study of the Highway Code? Is she aware that there are a number of boys and girls aged 11 and 12, and teenagers, who ride pedal cycles on the roads and who give completely wrong signals, which is a danger both to themselves and to other traffic; and that, if she could advise education authorities to consider giving lectures and instruction, it would be helpful to the children?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that local authorities are doing everything possible—

Some are not.

—and I am sure that they will notice the hon. Member's Question and the answer. I understand that special editions of the Code for infants and juniors, issued by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, are widely used in schools.

As the Highway Code is shortly to be issued in a revised form, could not the Minister recommend that local authorities give at least one session to instruction?

It is not for the Minister to advise local education authorities, or the teachers who are in charge on the curriculum, but I am sure that the fact that this Question has been asked and answered in the House, will be noted.

asked the Prime Minister if he can now state when, and how, this country lost the right to veto the use of the atomic bomb by the United States of America.

I do not wish to add today to what I have already said on this subject.

Is it not in the public interest that they should be told the whole truth of this matter? Is there any way of proving to the people of this country that the right to veto the use of the atomic bomb by the United States was sold by the Leader of the Opposition?

On a point of order. I could not hear that Question. May I ask, Mr. Speaker, whether the hon. and gallant Gentleman would repeat it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make the necessary arrangements to transfer responsibility for the school medical service to the Minister of Health.

No, Sir. I am not advised that this would be desirable at the present moment.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the British Dental Association has recommended this course of action, as also have other authorities who are knowledgeable about dental treatment; and will he reconsider the point, as it would seem to be of real importance to have all dental treatment under the Ministry of Health rather than to have divided responsibility.

I think my answer covered exactly that part of the hon. Lady's supplementary question.

What about the first part?

asked the Prime Minister in what circumstances cession of Gibraltar to Spain in return for her assistance in the late war was promised.

asked the Prime Minister if he will publish the exact terms of the promises he made to return Gibraltar to Spain.

No promises to cede Gibraltar to Spain were made during the late war.

While thanking the Prime Minister for that answer, may I ask if his attention has been drawn to a recent article which appeared in "Arriba," a Spanish paper, and which is attributed to General Franco himself, in which it was stated that Gibraltar was promised to be returned to Spain—

What does my hon. Friend mean—"returned"?

—if Spain remained neutral during the war? Will he take steps to give instructions to our ambassador in Madrid to make representations to the Spanish Government against these inaccurate statements and the distortion of history.

I have seen the article and heard of the source to which it was attributed, but the facts are as stated in my answer.

asked the Prime Minister if he will publish in HANSARD the full text of the note dated 26th June, 1940, sent by him to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs with regard to the status of Gibraltar.

Yes, Sir.

Will not the Prime Minister agree that the tone of this minute completely refutes the allegation made, by those who speak for the Spanish Government, that there has been a breach of faith on the part of Her Majesty's Government.

Yes, Sir, I do agree with that.

asked the Prime Minister if he will recommend a Royal Commission before which evidence can be taken on oath with sittings held in public to inquire into the costs of the nationalised boards, and to report on ways in which economies can be made.

No, Sir. A Royal Commission with evidence on oath is certainly not the right kind of body for the examination of the nationalised industries. Following the debate of 8th February last about ways of increasing the opportunities of Parliament to scrutinise and discuss the affairs of the nationalised industries, the Government are considering what the next step shall be.