asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he now has information to show that downward charges in cost factors of the manufacture of concentrates and special feedingstuffs are reflected in prices to consumers.

Not all of the usual ingredients of compound feedingstuffs have fallen in price. I have no information that over the past year the trend of prices of compound feedingstuffs has differed from the trend of prices of their ingredients and other cost factors.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many urban authorities have adopted the practice of arranging with the drainage boards to pay a lump sum equivalent to the amount that would be collected from that part of the urban area which lies within the drainage district and recouping themselves out of the general rate.

I know of 21 cases in which urban authorities have entered into arrangements of this nature with drainage boards, but there may be other cases which have not been brought to the notice of my Department.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the estimated number of full-time rabbit trappers who have been thrown out of work by the spread of myxomatosis in the county of Caernarvon and the principality of Wales, respectively; and what proposals his Department has for assisting such trappers to find alternative work.

Trapping rabbits for sale has virtually ceased in Caernarvonshire and other parts of Wales. I have no reliable information of the number of persons who were engaged full-time on trapping, but I am informed that many of them are now doing other work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the strength of women constables in the West Riding of Yorkshire on the last date for which figures are available; and how many of this number have been recruited since the beginning of the year.

The strength of all ranks of the women police in the West Riding county police force on 31st October, 1954, was 71. This total included 64 constables, of whom 14 had been recruited since 1st January, 1954.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take on the recommendations contained in the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Adoption of Children, issued on 24th September.

The Report is being studied by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself. I am not yet in a position to make any statement about the introduction of legislation on the subject.

asked the Minister of Education the average cost per pupil in schools for educationally sub-normal children in day and residential schools, respectively.

For the year 1952–53, the latest period for which information is available, the average charge to public funds per pupil in residential schools for educationally sub-normal children was £275. Figures are not available for day schools of this type.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is now able to widen the scope of grants towards the provision of village halls.

I fully agree with my hon. Friend about the value of these halls, but I have to consider their claims along with others on the resources available.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that 11 boys and girls from Lydney Grammar School, whose headmaster was one of the magistrates, attended the hearing of a murder charge at Lydney magistrates' court on 4th October; and whether he will issue instructions to prevent any children or persons on a school register from attending magistrates' courts as spectators during school hours.

I am informed that, as part of a social studies course, ten sixth form pupils from Lydney Grammar School visited the local magistrates' court on 4th October. Such visits are quite common as part of a course of this kind, and local education authorities and schools, who are responsible for arranging them, are aware of the importance of ensuring that the pupils do not hear unsuitable cases. In my view, an error of judgment

asked the Minister of Education when he now proposes to withdraw Circular 245.

asked the Minister of Education whether in view of the improved financial position of the

asked the Minister of Education when it is his intention to begin the reorganisation of all-age schools in rural areas.

Some progress with the reorganisation of all-age schools is already being made. I am reviewing the educational building programmes, and I will make a statement if it should prove possible to increase the rate of building for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Education the numbers of schoolchildren receiving free dinners, dinners on payment and no dinners, respectively, and the number of schools providing and not providing dinners in October, 1954, or at the last available date with comparative figures for the same date in 1953, 1952 and 1951.

The latest date for which the information is available is June, 1954. The following are the figures:country, he is yet able to relax the ban contained in Circular 245, regarding the carrying out of building improvements in certain schools.

I am making a general review of educational policy, including Circular 245, parts of which are out of date.

asked the Minister of Education why the children of Middlesmoor School, near Patley Bridge, are not getting, and have not had for some time, school milk; and if he will arrange for the local education authority to pay the milk producers for school milk monthly, as do the Milk Marketing Board.

I have written to the hon. and gallant Member to answer the first part of his Question. As regards the second part, how authorities pay for milk is a matter for arrangement between themselves and their suppliers.

asked the Minister of Education the total value of new school buildings requested by local education authorities, for the next year's programme; and what was the total amount of such work authorised by his Department.

So far as requests by local authorities are concerned, the answer which my right hon. Friend the Member for Moss Side (Dame Florence Horsbrugh) gave on 3rd June to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. G. Thomas) applies to next year's building programme as it did to this. The amount now authorised for the 1955–56 building programme is about £48 million.

asked the Minister of Education how many grants are at present being made for training for various professional purposes; what is the total annual amount of such grants; how far there is an obligation for such students to continue in the profession for which such grant is made and in which qualification is obtained; how many fail to continue in such professions; and whether he is satisfied with the method and arrangements for making such grants.

At the beginning of the academic year 1953–54, the number of new awards made by local education authorities for courses at establishments of further education (other than universities and university colleges) was 6,389. I do not impose any obligation on State scholars or on holders of further education and training scheme awards to continue in the profession in which their qualifications have been obtained, nor, so far as I am aware, do local education authorities. I have no reason to think that the present arrangements are generally working unsatisfactorily; but there are certain aspects of them which I have under review.

asked the Minister of Education how many local education authorities have now replied to Administrative Memorandum No. 467; and if he is satisfied that local education authorities are making full and proper use of the area pool.

All authorities except one have replied. I am passing on to the Burnham Committee the information contained in the replies, and I would prefer to defer any statement until the Committee have had an opportunity of reviewing the position.

asked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the judgment given on 2nd November in the case of Watt versus Kesteven County Council, he proposes to issue fresh directions to local education authorities in regard to children who qualify for secondary grammar school education and whose parents wish them to go to Roman Catholic Schools.

No.

asked the Minister of Education what steps are being taken to enable students anxious to complete their technical courses to do so in view of the closing down of an evening class at the South Shields Technical College.

The evening class in question was closed because too few students enrolled to justify its continuance. I am asking the local education authority to consider how best they might meet the needs of the students concerned.

asked the Minister of Education the value in September, 1954, of a State scholarship of £150 in terms of purchasing power of 1951.

The value of a State scholarship cannot be accurately assessed in terms of the purchasing power of a particular sum of money. Increases in university fees are automatically met when they occur, and standard figures of maintenance are reviewed every three years on the basis of the actual expenses incurred by students at different Universities. The standard figures of maintenance were last reviewed in 1952, and my Department is about to make a further review with the object of fixing new rates for the period beginning October, 1955.

asked the Minister of Education the amount paid by his Department in 1953–54 to direct grant schools as capitation grants and as grants to make up the deficiency of fees received from residuary pupils, respectively.

£2,007,634 and £455,697. respectively, in the financial year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what consultations he is having with the Government of she Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland on the subject of immigration.

None.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether his attention has been drawn to the recruitment of persons in Eire to join the Irish Republican Army for the purpose of hostilities against Northern Ireland; and whether, in these circumstances, he will make a protest to the Eireann Government and ask that Government whether, in the interests of the good relations which should exist between the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic, they will take all necessary steps to prevent their country being openly used as a base for hostile operations against the United Kingdom.

Incidents such as the recent raid on the Barracks at Omagh cannot fail to have a deplorable effect in the United Kingdom. My noble Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations took the opportunity of a visit to London last week by the Irish Republican Minister for External Affairs to tell him of the serious view which Her Majesty's Government take of these incursions across the Border and of the prejudicial effect which they are bound to have on relations between our two countries.My noble Friend impressed upon him the grave harm which would be done if there were to be any repetition of such incidents. I might perhaps draw the attention of the hon. Member to the debate in the Dail, which followed the attack at Omagh, in the course of which the use of violence was most strongly reprobated by the Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic and no less strongly condemned by the Leader of the Opposition.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the present provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade operate harshly against trade and commerce in and by the West Indies; and if he will make a statement on the policy relating to the West Indies which he, representing Her Majesty's Government, intends to pursue at the Ninth Session of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade at Geneva.

Yes. My right hon. Friend referred to this matter in his statement to the Contracting Parties on Monday. The following is the relevant extract from the statement:

"I would like now to mention for a moment the problems of the Colonial Territories. These problems are partly provided for already by the Article XVIII provisions for under-developed territories. Under Article XVIII it is open to the United Kingdom or any other metropolitan territory to seek on behalf of a Colonial Territory approval for special measures which that territory wishes to take for the purposes of development. But this does not fully meet the difficulties. There may be cases where the industry to be developed depends not on the limited domestic market of that territory but on export to the metropolitan country. We would wish to seek arrangements within the framework of the G.A.T.T. to deal with these needs individually as they arise. I would emphasise that no benefit is sought for the metropolitan country concerned. The benefit is intended for the Colonial Territories alone, and hope that other Contracting Parties will aid us in finding a solution to the problem."

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken to start trade negotiations with Poland, Roumania and Bulgaria.

A trade arrangement with Poland was signed today. We have under consideration the question of trade talks with Roumania, and we are already engaged in preliminary discussions with Bulgaria.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now in a position to state how far the plan to expand technological education has been advanced; and if the Bradford Technical College is included.

I regret that there is at present nothing to add to the statement which my right hon. Friend made to the House on 13th July.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what provision exists for the training of Welsh members of the Civil Service to fit them for the highest posts in the Welsh offices of the various Ministries.

Welsh members of the Civil Service have the same opportunity as others to fit themselves for the highest posts, both in the Welsh offices and elsewhere. I do not think that they require or would desire special or distinctive training.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will investigate the organisation of the Civil Service in Wales with a view to ensuring that Welsh civil servants are given a proper opportunity of qualifying for the highest positions in the service in the Welsh offices of the various Government Departments.

I am sure that the present arrangements are already adequate to ensure that Welsh civil servants have full opportunity to qualify for the highest posts in the service, both in Wales and elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Health if he has yet received any response from hospitals following his suggestions to them about ways to treat more patients each year and thus cut the 500,000 waiting list.

My suggestions went to hospital authorities only on 29th October and, as they will need detailed study, I do not expect to hear anything yet.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the danger to the liberty of the subject in Kenya caused by the present operation there of emergency legislation and of the incitements to disaffection and disorder thereby caused to aggrieved British subjects; and if, therefore, he will set up an inquiry into the present, past and future scope and operation of such emergency legislation.

I am in close and constant touch with the Governor on this subject and copies of all emergency regulations which he makes under powers conferred on him by Part II of the Emergency Powers Order-in-Council, 1939, are placed in the Library of the House as and when received. As I said in the House on 26th October, we all regret the need for the measures which have proved necessary to deal with the emergency, but I am satisfied that they are necessary and I do not consider any inquiry is required.

asked the Minister of Health what instructions have been issued for the withdrawal of registers for births when the only change between the old register and the new is the substitution of father's occupation for father's rank or profession; and why the old registers could not have been used up before new ones were substituted, thus saving public money.

In order to avoid waste, the printing of the old forms had already been discontinued well before the event. Provision was also made for the new and the old form to be of equal validity for a further period of one year, within which it was estimated that the old stock would be substantially used up. As there were several changes—and not only one—involved, it was not practicable to alter the headings on the old forms.

asked the Minister of Health under what regulation or other authority local authorities in England and Wales are empowered to provide chiropody services or to make grants to voluntary organisations for doing so.

Local authorities could, with my approval, provide a chiropody service, or contribute to a voluntary organisation for this purpose, as part of their arrangements for the prevention of illness, care and after-care, under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, but in present financial circumstances I am unable to approve any extended direct provision of this service. They can at their discretion make arrangements for chiropody at homes provided under Part III of the National Assistance Act, 1948, for persons in need of care and attention not otherwise available to them, by virtue of the definition of accommodation in Section 21 (5) of the Act as including, so far as may be necessary, other services, amenities and requisites.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which local authorities in Scotland provide chiropody services; and whether Government grant is paid in respect of such services.

A chiropody service for elderly people, who are recommended for it by medical practitioners, is being provided by the county councils of Ayr, Berwick and Lanark, and the town councils of Aberdeen, Coatbridge, Kirkcaldy and Rutherglen. In addition, the county councils of Fife, Kirkcudbright, Midlothian, Perth and Kinross, Ross and Cromarty, and Wigtown, and the town council of Kilmarnock, make contributions to voluntary organisations which include among their objects the provision of chiropody services for elderly persons. The expenditure so incurred attracts 50 per cent. Exchequer grant under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act, 1947.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will now take action to give effect to the views of the Royal Commission on the Press, with regard to the avoidance of local monopoly over the channels of news and information created by the appointment of newspaper chains as programme contractors.

No. Section 3 of the Television Act, 1954, fully safeguards the accuracy and impartiality of news reports and programmes dealing with controversial matters, and prohibits the broadcasting by the Authority of its own views, or those of any of its contractors, on any political or industrial issue.

asked the Minister of Food what representations have been made about the recent increase in the export tax put on tea exported to this country by India, Pakistan and Ceylon; what is the present tax per lb.; and what it was in October, 1951.

None. The following is the answer to the second part of the Question:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made with the proposed arrangements to persuade the members of visiting forces who have returned to their own country to comply with affiliation orders; and whether he will make a statement.

The United States Service authorities, like our own, are unable to take disciplinary action for failure to comply with foreign affiliation orders. The discussions mentioned by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in the debate on 19th March have made it clear that there is at present no prospect of amendment to the United States Service statutes in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether in order to facilitate the work of the United Nations Technical Assistance Board Her Majesty's Government will instruct its representative at the United Nations to propose that nations contributing to the Technical Assistance Programme should give an undertaking to contribute a specified amount annually for a period of not less than three years;(2) whether in view of the need of the less developed countries for international technical aid, Her Majesty's Government will increase its grant to the United Nations Technical Assistance Programme for the coming year.

I have nothing to add to the reply given on 1st November to the hon. Members for Dundee, East (Mr. G. M. Thomson) and Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, since the visit of the Japanese Prime Minister, any assurance has been obtained that the Japanese Government will implement Article 16 of the Peace Treaty with Japan so that compensation may be granted to those who suffered undue hardship while prisoners of war of Japan.

During his visit to this country, Mr. Yoshida assured my right hon. Friend that the Japanese Government would take action to fulfil their obligations. Discussions on this question are proceeding in Tokyo.

asked the Minister of Defence what percentage of retired officers of the three Services whose retired pay does not exceed £550 per annum is receiving increases, subject to a means test, under the hardship clauses of the Pensions Increase Warrant or other similar instruments.

About 20 per cent.

asked the Minister of Defence what percentage of Regular pensioners of the three Services is receiving increases, subject to a means test, under the hardship clauses of the Pensions Increase Warrants or other similar instruments.

About 37 per cent.

asked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been drawn to the successes achieved by turbo-prop aircraft and turbo-prop vertical take-off United States aircraft of the type patented and submitted to his Department in 1943, and since; and what steps he is taking to develop turboprop vertical take-off aircraft in Britain, rather than concentrating his efforts solely upon the development of the "Flying Bedstead" type aircraft, which will take many years.

I am aware of the American experiments with propeller driven vertical take-off aircraft, and my Department has from time to time carefully considered proposals to conduct experiments in this country on similar lines. In the present state of our scientific knowledge, the method of vertical take-off, using jet engines, which we have chosen to support, offers the better chance of successfully meeting our needs. I am satisfied that duplicating the American experiments would not in this instance be a profitable use of the limited funds which are available for research and development.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if, in view of the need for training road users in safety methods, he will recommend the film, "Rode Safely," dealing with motorcycles, which was shown to hon. Members for Liverpool Divisions and his Departmental officials, to all Road Safety Committees.

This is a good film. I think it will be very useful for Road Safety Committees, although some editing to make it a little shorter would improve its usefulness for this purpose.