asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to have published a cheap pocket size book on Civil Defence designed to impress upon the public the effects of the new weapons and the extent to which they can be mitigated by knowledge, preparation and counter action as suggested to him by the Mabane Committee's report of 3rd March.

I have had to postpone a decision on this recommendation until we are further advanced with the general review of Civil Defence plans that has been made necessary by the further information about the development of the hydrogen bomb.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is yet in a position to make a statement about Dr. Joseph Cort.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is yet in a position to make a statement about Dr. Cort's residence in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is yet in a position to make a statement about Dr. Cort's application for a renewal of his work-and-residence permit after 30th June of this year.

Dr. Cort is a United States citizen, who, in June, 1951, was given permission to enter this country for a stay of 12 months to do research at Cambridge University. In May, 1952, he asked for permission to stay for another 12 months to complete his research and this was granted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it was decided, in 1945, not to object to the publication of trials ordered by Her Majesty's judges to be held in camera and under what statutory authority the decision that the judge's order should be overruled was given.

The end of the war created a new situation, in which it was no longer important to deny information to the enemy. I am sending to the right hon. Member a copy of a Notice to Editors issued at the time with the concurrence of the then Lord Chief Justice, given on behalf of his brother judges. No question of overruling a judge's order arose. The orders made by the judges expressly provided that there should be no disclosure save by or on behalf of the Crown.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why he has now permitted the disclosure of documents which the then Attorney General decided, in 1948, could not be disclosed except by order of the court;(2) under what authority he has permitted publication of parts of evidence in a case of which he has been informed, in view of the fact that the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Lord Chief Justice recently refused an application for publication of documents in that same case.

I have referred to the answers given in Parliament in 1948 by the then Attorney-General and find that he declined to take any initiative in regard to publication of documents relating to certain war-time trials and made it plain that he had no authority to order the production of documents subject to an Order of the High Court under Section 6 of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939.When application was recently made to me, in accordance with the terms of the 1945 decision, to publish passages from the evidence given in the course of some of those trials. I took the view that there was no longer any security objection to the publication of the matter in question.I am not aware that any views on this matter have been expressed by the Director of Public Prosecutions or the Lord Chief Justice. But, in any event, permission to publish could only be given by or on behalf of the Crown.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he proposes to take or recommend, in view of the terms of the Tenth Annual Report of the Catering Wages Commission.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis) on 15th June.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to ensure that deaf people are given adequate opportunities of obtaining employment through employment exchanges.

In collaboration with the local deaf agencies, employment exchanges make continuous efforts to secure suitable employment for unemployed deaf people. I am sending my hon. and learned Friend a copy of a leaflet (D.P.L.7) which is issued to facilitate such employment.

asked the Minister of Health how many chemists' shops are employed on making up National Health Service prescriptions; and how this number compares with those similarly employed in 1951.

Fifteen thousand six hundred and twenty-two, as against 14,822 in 1951.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made in providing the promised maternity home for Harwich.

I understand that the regional hospital board has plans for making this provision, but has not yet been able to fit the necessary building work into its capital programme.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the concern felt in South Wales about the number of tuberculosis patients awaiting hospital treatment; and what steps he is taking to reduce the number.

Yes. Every effort is being made to increase the number of hospital beds available for these patients and to recruit additional nursing staff. Facilities for thoracic surgery are being improved and two new surgical units are being established at Chepstow and Newport.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the reasons why the number of primary notifications of tuberculosis in Wales was much higher in 1953, proportionately to the population, than in England; and whether he will indicate the steps he is taking to improve the position.

asked the Minister of Health why the number of persons on clinic registers awaiting admission to sanatoria in Wales is higher than the average for the country as a whole; and what steps he is taking to improve the position.

There certainly tends to be a higher rate of notification in Wales than in England. I am not aware of any single specific reason to account for this—although it partly accounts for the numbers awaiting admission. In 1953, the number examined by mass radiography increased by 36,000 over 1952, and is about ¼ million yearly.I am constantly watching the position. Beds are already more, pro rata, than in England, and everything possible is being done to recruit more staff. Two new thoracic units are already being set up for surgical cases.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that hospital management committees are not prepared, in present circumstances, to grant permission for the inspection of their minutes for the purpose of securing information about contracts placed by them; and whether, in view of the fact that public moneys are involved, he will arrange for the necessary facilities to be given.

I think it is best that each committee should be free to decide what publicity should be given to its activities.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of his recent circular sent to all hospitals urging hospitals to eliminate waiting time and generally improve facilities of outpatients' departments, he will increase the capital allocation to Newcastle Regional Hospital Board to enable a new outpatients' department to be provided at the General Hospital, Chester-le-Street.

No, for the reasons I gave in answer to a Question by the hon. Member on 18th March.

asked the Minister of Health what representations he has received from the corporation of the county borough of Gateshead in regard to the salaries of the registrars of births, marriages and deaths.

The Registrar-General has had considerable correspondence with the council concerning its failure to adopt the scales which have been negotiated through the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Administrative, Professional, Technical and Clerical Services.

asked the Minister of Health by what means a patient is enabled to prove that he or she was accepted by a dentist for treatment under the National Health Service.

The dentist is required to give a signed statement to that effect.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of persons not permanently resident in Great Britain who obtained medical and surgical treatment in England and Wales under the National Health Service for the latest full year recorded; the estimated cost to the 'Exchequer; and which countries they normally reside in, with the numbers for each country.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Education what action she has decided to take to prevent the re-employment of teachers guilty of indecent assaults on schoolchildren.

I hope to make a statement very soon.

asked the Minister of Education if she has now received from the Birmingham education authority proposals for improvement of the conditions caused by the derelict air-raid shelters at Colmers Farm Schools, Birmingham 31: whether she has approved these proposals as satisfactory; and whether she will now give assurances on the matter to the 1,050 parents who petitioned her.

The local education authority proposes to carry out any necessary repairs, to remove the earth from the top of one set of shelters and to fence the remainder. These measures do not require my approval, but I have every reason to believe that they will effect the improvements that are needed. I have told a representative of the parents what the authority intends to do.

asked the Minister of Education the estimated value of the school building programme for 1954–55; and how this compares with the programmes for 1953–54. 1952–53 and 1951–52, respectively.

The estimated value of the school building programme for 1954–55 is approximately£45 million, which is about the same as the programmes for the previous two financial years. The original figure for the 1951–52 programme was about£42 million, but about£28 million worth of this work was transferred to later programmes or abandoned.

asked the Minister of Education the estimated value of the school building programme for Staffordshire for 1954–55; how this compares with the programme for 1953–54; and how many new schools it is proposed to start building in the current year.

The Staffordshire local education authority's building programme for 1954–55 contains major school projects estimated to cost some£1,160,000, compared with some£907,000 for 1953–54; it includes four new primary schools and four new secondary schools, as well as several projects for enlarging or converting existing schools.

asked the Minister of Education if her attention has been drawn to the published report of the Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate on the General Certificate of Education: and if she will make a statement on the present standard of this examination.

My attention has been drawn to this report. I look to the Secondary School Examinations Council to advise me on matters affecting school examinations, and I would prefer at this stage not to make a statement on any of the issues which the report raises.

asked the Minister of Education the meaning of the expression, "Secondary modern and modern streams in bilateral and multilateral." used under the heading of "Type of School or Department," on page 76 of the Report of her Department for 1953.

This expression refers to pupils in secondary modern schools and the pupils in bilateral or multilateral schools who are following courses broadly similar to those normally provided in secondary modern schools.

asked the Minister of Education to give details of£3,370,000 "Other Capital Expenditure from Revenue" and of£6,301,000 "All Other Expenditure" mentioned in "Table J. Finance," of her Report, "Education in 1953."

The figure of£3,370,000, capital expenditure from revenue (other than in the school meals service), is made up of£1,892,000 for apportioned charges in respect of the services of the architects' departments of authorities and£1,478,000 for building work and equipment for schools and colleges. The figure£6,301,000 "other" expenditure is made up of: advanced technology and research,£490,000; education of pupils not belonging to the area of any authority,£150,000; removal of air raid shelters and temporary defence works,£12,000; adjustments between local education authorities,£298,000 (excess of income over expenditure): other expenditure (mainly school transport),£5,947,000.

asked the Minister of Education to give details of the items included in the item "Further Education£19,507,000" in "Table J, Finance," of her Report, "Education in 1953."

This item is made up of£12,329,000 and£4,790,000 for salaries of teachers and other expenditure, respectively, in institutions maintained by local education authorities, and£2,388,000 for assistance provided by authorities to institutions not maintained by them.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will make a further statement regarding technical teachers' salaries.

I cannot usefully add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 20th May.

asked the Minister of Education (1) the purport of her inquiry to training colleges about the incidental expenses of students; and for what purpose she requires the information requested;(2) what consultations she has had with local education authorities and others about the grants awarded to students in training colleges.

I am examining, in consultation with representatives of the local education authorities, the grants now available to students in training colleges. It is for this purpose that the information referred to is being obtained.

asked the Minister of Education how far it is the current practice for education authorities responsible for the provision of school meals to permit inspection of their minutes so far as concerns the placing of contracts in connection with the provision of such meals.

Provision is made in Section 283 of the Local Government Act, 1933, for the inspection by local government electors of the minutes of proceedings of a local authority. I have no information as to the precise arrangements for enabling electors to exercise this right.

asked the Minister of Education when Circular No. 155/47 was cancelled; and whether any other circular has now been substituted.

Circular 155 was cancelled on 8th July, 1949. The restrictions it imposed on the provision of new nursery schools have been continued by the general statements of educational building policy contained in Circular 209 of October, 1949, and Circular 245 of February, 1952.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware that a private omnibus hired to take 46 schoolgirls from Penarth to Howell's School, Cardiff, every day, has been warned to stop; and what steps she is taking to ensure that other transport is provided.

I understand that the operators of this service have been advised that if they wish to continue it they must apply to the licensing authority for South Wales for a licence. If the service does not continue, I understand that the Glamorgan local education authority will revert to their practice of paying the reasonable travelling expenses by public transport of those Penarth girls who attend the Howell's Direct Grant Grammar School, Cardiff. as free place holders.

asked the Minister of Education how much money was spent in the last financial year in transport for children to and from schools.

I cannot yet give an exact figure for 1953–54, but I estimate that local education authorities spent about£5,300,000 on such transport in that year.

asked the Minister of Education why she has rejected the proposals of the West Sussex local education authority in their major building programme for 1955–56. to build a new one-form-entry primary school for junior and infant boys and girls at Steyning; why she has refused the inclusion of this project on the reserve list; and, in view of the fact that this new school was to have replaced the existing Steyning primary school, the overcrowded and insanitary conditions of which have been brought to her notice by the hon. Member for Arundel and Shoreham, if she will now, in the interests of the children and teachers, reconsider her decision.

The West Sussex local education authority failed to satisfy me that the replacement of the Steyning primary school was essential at the present time, having regard to the terms of Circular 245. I understand, however, that the authority is considering the possibility of making certain improvements in the conditions at this school.

asked the Minister of Education the minimum value of technical scholarship awards by local education authorities; which authorities give no awards; and what action she is taking to increase the number and value of these awards.

No minimum value is laid down for technical scholarship awards by local education authorities and all authorities give some awards for students taking technical courses. My reviews of authorities' arrangements give me the opportunity of suggesting improvements where this appears to be necessary.

asked the Minister of Education how many State technical scholarships have been awarded for 1953 and 1954: and how many of these were tenable at technical colleges and universities, respectively.

120 technical State scholarships were awarded in 1953 and the same number will be offered in 1954. These scholarships are tenable at universities or technical colleges at the choice of the scholar. Of the scholars awarded scholarships in 1953, 60 decided to postpone taking up their awards until a future year, one declined the award and 40 took up their awards at universities and 19 at technical colleges.

asked the Minister of Education how many students not permanently resident in Great Britain were assisted in graduate courses in universities and central institutions in England and Wales for the latest full year recorded: what was the cost to the Exchequer; which countries these students came from; and how many left this country after graduation.

Awards within the purview of my Department are made only to students ordinarily resident in England and Wales, though in certain cases this term may include students whose parents are temporarily resident overseas. For students from overseas assisted by the Colonial Office, I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and for those assisted by the British Council, to my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations.

asked the Minister of Education how many local education authorities do not admit infant children to schools until the term after they have reached their fifth birthday.

As I informed the hon. Member for Itchen (Mr. Morley) on 21st May, 1953, I know that some authorities have adopted this practice as one means of easing pressure on some of their schools, but I have no precise information as to the extent of its adoption.

asked the Minister of Education what portion of the£12 million increased vote for education in 1953–54 is accounted for by increases in teachers' salaries and pensions.

Increased expenditure on teachers' salaries and the net increase in the charge for teachers' pensions accounted for about half of the net increase of about£12 million in the Vote.

asked the Minister of Education the total value of the technical college building programme for the year 1954–55; and how the amount authorised corresponds to the original plans advanced by the local education authorities.

The estimated cost of the 1954–55 building programme for technical education is a little over£4¾ million. Owing to the different forms in which proposals are submitted, no comparable figure can be given for the amount requested by local education authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what principles were adopted by his Department with regard to the granting of import licences for importation into this country of Polish bilberries during the seasons 1952, 1953 and 1954, respectively.

The general principle which the Board of Trade adopts in distributing licences for the import of Polish bilberries is that each request for a licence should be measured against the applicant's past interest in the trade. Exceptionally, as was made clear to the applicant at the time, licences for a large share of the quota were given in 1952 to an applicant who had not previously imported bilberries from Poland in order to avoid the possible waste of a perishable commodity.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present restrictions on the importation of hardwoods and softwoods, respectively, from Canada and the United States of America.

For balance of payments reasons, licences to import hardwood from Canada and the United States of America are granted only where suitable alternatives for essential purposes are not available from non-dollar sources. There are no quantitative restrictions on imports of softwood.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many students not permanently resident in Great Britain were assisted in graduate courses in universities and central institutions in Scotland for the latest full year recorded; what was the cost to the Exchequer; which countries these students came from; and how many left this country after graduation.

Education authorities in Scotland are empowered to grant bursaries only to persons ordinarily resident in their areas. In addition my Education Department may grant bursaries direct to students with strong Scottish connections who cannot be regarded as ordinarily resident in any particular education authority area in Scotland because their parents are for the time being resident overseas. So far as I know, no students belonging to overseas countries are in receipt of bursaries from Scottish education authorities or from the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of persons not permanently resident in Great Britain who obtained medical and surgical treatment in Scotland under the National Health Service for the latest full year recorded; the estimated cost to the Exchequer; and which countries they normally reside in; and the numbers for each country.

No precise information is available, for National Health Service patients are not required to provide evidence of their permanent residence. Apart from the provision of drugs, treatment of non-residents by general practitioners involves no extra Exchequer cost because the aggregate remuneration of general practitioners does not depend on the total number of patients. Special inquiries at particular hospitals in 1950 suggested that not more than one-tenth of 1 per cent. of hospital expenditure related to persons from abroad. It can, I think, be assumed that the total cost to the Exchequer of treating nonresidents under the National Health Service does not exceed£50,000 a year in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received advocating a town development policy for Scotland.

Representations have been received from the Scottish National Housing and Town Planning Council and the Town and Country Planning Association that the Town Development Act, 1952, should be applied to Scotland. The matter is at present being considered by the Clyde Valley Regional Planning Advisory Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the East Kilbride Development Corporation inviting approval for fitting windows to the damp and ill-ventilated larders of Lawrence houses built by the corporation; and what steps he proposes to take.

None. But I understand that the corporation is considering the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new shops are to be opened in the current year in the Westwood, Markethill, Mains and Murray districts, respectively, of East Kilbride; and whether each neighbourhood unit is to have a chemist's shop and a hairdresser.

The development corporation hope that by the end of this year six more shops will have been completed in each of the Westwood and Markethill neighbourhoods. Thirteen and five more shops will be opened in the Murray and Mains neighbourhoods respectively next year. Shops suitable for chemists and hairdressers are being or will be built in each neighbourhood and these trades will have an opportunity of offering for tenancies.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland at what stage tenants of new houses in the new town of East Kilbride become liable for the cost of repairs and maintenance inside or outside the building.

The corporation is responsible for the maintenance of its houses inside and out apart from internal decoration. The tenants are, however, bound to make good all breakages and damage caused by them. These are the normal arrangements between landlord and tenant.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to publish a list of the local authorities in Scotland whose county development plans have been approved, and indicate those cases where the plan relates only to a part of the county.

Nine local authorities have had their development plans approved. The areas are—Dunbarton County (Vale of Leven Part Plan); Clydebank; Dunfermline; Glasgow; Greenock; Hamilton; Motherwell; Paisley; Perth.