asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has taken place in the construction of Kilmardinny School, Bearsden; and when the school is likely to be completed.

:I understand that Dunbarton Education Authority is about to invite tenders for the construction of this school, that building work is expected to start in June and that the Education Authority expect that it will take about two and a half years to complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what limitations were placed on expenditure for the levelling of playing fields at the Kilmardinny schools.

Dunbarton EducationAuthority has been informed that my right hon. Friend is prepared to approve whatever expenditure may be necessary to ensure that no gradient at the playing fields at the new school at Kilmardinny is greater than 1 in 40 and to provide a uniform surface on the pitches.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when a decision will be reached regarding the proposed Toscaig-Kyle ferry service.

Discussions about a ferry service between Toscaig and Kyle of Lochalsh are taking place with Messrs. David MacBrayne, Ltd., and I hope that a decision will be possible shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the authorised establishment at the end of each month in 1954 of each of the police forces in Scotland; and the number by which the strength was short of establishment.

I have sent to my hon. Friend the information asked for, which cannot readily be compressed into the compass of a Parliamentary answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average ratio of children per teacher in primary and secondary schools, respectively, of each of the Scottish education authorities.

The pupil-teacher ratios in Scottish primary and secondary departments in 1954 were as shown in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications have been made for certificates of disrepair under the Housing (Rent and Repairs) (Scotland) Act, in Scotland, and in the county and burgh of Lanark, respectively.

The figures for the period up to 31st December, 1954, are 1,751, 285 and nil, respectively.

asked the Prime Minister if he will take the initiative in calling a three-power conference for the purpose of discussing Civil Defence.

:I am not quite certain what three Powers the hon. Member has in mind. But, in any case, I see no need for such a conference. Satisfactory arrangements already exist within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation for the discussion of civil defence with our Allies, and in particular there is regular contact between British and American experts in this field.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish the whole of the correspondence which passed between him and Mr. Molotov last year about his proposals for a two-Power meeting to discuss the easing of international tension.

I would refer the hon. Member to the White Paper which was issued yesterday.

asked the Prime Minister if he will initiate early discussions with the Governments of the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics specifically on the dangers arising from the effect on drifting clouds of nuclear explosion experiments with a view to joint research into this matter and publication of the conclusions reached.

I am advised that the effect of nuclear explosion experiments on drifting clouds would be identical with the effects of hydrogen bomb tests on the world's atmosphere. The question of the genetic effects arising from nuclear explosions will be fully debated later today, and no doubt other aspects will also receive attention. As regards discussions with foreign countries on the subject, I have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs gave yesterday to the hon. Lady the Member for Blackburn, East (Mrs. Castle).

asked the Minister of Works why no representative of the professional staff was included among the members of his Department who gave evidence before the Royal Commission on the Civil Service on 12th October, 1954.

The Royal Commission did not ask to hear any witness other than the Permanent Secretary, who gave oral evidence on behalf of the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Works why he refused to receive a deputation from the Institution of Professional Civil Servants to discuss their dissatisfaction with the evidence submitted by his Department to the Royal Commission on the Civil Service concerning the position of professional and technical staff.

The Ministry of Works branch of the Institution wished to see me in order to criticise the evidence given to the Royal Commission by my Permanent Secretary. I did not consider such a meeting would be of any value.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will place a commemorative plaque on the floor of Westminster Hall to commemorate the Lying-in-State of Her Majesty Queen Mary; and when the work can be carried out.

I am grateful to the hon. Member for making the suggestion, and I am consulting the authorities concerned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, on what date Government-sponsored research into the problems of corrosion commenced; and what progress has been made in a matter that is of economic importance.

:Investigations by the Admiralty into the causes of corrosion began sometime in the 17th century. They have continued ever since. Organised research by otherGovernment Departments is of comparatively recent origin. The Ministry of Supply is carrying on work started at Woolwich during the First World War: organised research sponsored by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research started in 1921; andthe Post Office have been engaged on it for at least twenty-five years. Much progress has been made towards a full understanding of the causes of corrosion and in devising methods of prevention. These methods are being applied both by Government Departments and by industry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what official research is being conducted in Britain upon the effects of radioactivity upon reproductive cells; and to what extent this research is being conducted upon mammals.

:A large programme of research on the effects upon the germ cell of exposure to radiation is being undertaken at the Medical Research Council's Radiobiological Research Unit at Harwell, and related studies are in progress at several other establishments of the Council. Most of the work is carried out with mice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what research has been conducted into the danger threshold beyond which the radioactive contamination of the atmosphere may damage mankind's genetic constitution.

The Medical Research Council's programme of research on radiobiology aims at extending our knowledge on all the hazards which radiation may hold for human beings. There is, however, no way at present in which direct evidence of genetic damage to human beings from radiation can be obtained.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, the estimated cost of the completion of the geological survey of the United Kingdom.

I cannot give an accurate estimate, but completion of the survey in the present detail would probably cost about £10 million at present prices.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministery of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what proposals he has made to the building industry concerning their making a greater contribution to the work of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Building Research Station.

In their Report for 1953–54, the Advisory Council for Scientific and Industrial Research expressed the view that the building industry ought to make a greater contribution to building research. My noble Friend has no doubt that the industry, which now makes substantial use of the Building Research Station, will take careful note of the views of the Advisory Council.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress is being made with the provision of a new Department of Scientific and Industrial Research fuel research station.

:A site for a new fuel research station has been selected at Stevenage. Specifications for the requirements for the first buildings on the new site have been drawn up and have been submitted to the Ministry of Works for the preparation of sketch plans and estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to bring cinemas owned by the Army Kinema Corporation within the scope of the regulations on British quotas.

No. The corporation is not a public exhibitor and in any case is taking more than the quota of British films.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on the barn fire in Austria in which a number of British soldiers of the Middlesex Regiment lost their lives or were injured.

This fire occurred at about 1 p.m. on 11th March in a large barn near Mattighofen about 40 miles from Salzburg in the American Zone of Austria where "C" Company of the Middlesex Regiment were sleeping at the end of a four-days United States Army exercise in which they had taken part. As a result, one officer and three other ranks died and eight other ranks were injured. I am sure that the House will wish to express deep sympathy with their relatives.Determined and courageous efforts were made by all concerned, including the Austrian civil authorities, to rescue the men trapped in the barn as quickly as possible. My right hon. Friend wishes to pay tribute to all those concerned in the rescue, and particularly to the American Army who flew the casualties by helicopter immediately to their hospitals at Salzburg and Linz and showed the greatest kindness to parents who visited their sons there.Inquiries into the accident cannot be completed until the injured men are fit to give evidence and hon. Members, will appreciate that I, therefore, cannot yet give a report on the circumstances which caused the fire.

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the instances of men discharged on grounds of physical defect during the past five years being subsequently called up for National Service, what action he is taking in conjunction with the other authorities responsible to prevent this.

None. Men between 18 and 26 years of age who are medically fit for National Service are required under the National Service Acts to do two years full-time and three and a half years part-time National Service. Those who undertake Regular engagements and are prematurely discharged on medical grounds because they fall below the standard required by the Arm in which they are serving may count time served after the age of 17½years towards their National Service liability. Although a man may be unfit for Regular service in the Arm of his choice, he may be fit to fulfil his National Service liability elsewhere in the Army, in which case he will be called upon to do so to satisfy the requirements of the National Service Acts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects the Monopolies Commission to report on sand and gravel, and standard metal windows and doors.

I understand that the Commission hope to complete this summer their inquiry into the supply of sand and gravel in certain parts of Scotland. The inquiry into the supply of metal windows and doors is less advanced, and I cannot say when it is likely to be completed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applicants entered the limited competition for promotion from clerical to executive officer held in August, 1954; what was the number of failures; and what were the principal grounds on which applicants were failed.

I am told by the Civil Service Commissioners that 1,473 candidates entered and 1,325 failed. Those who failed did not reach the standard required.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he allowed the expenditure of foreign currency for the repairs of the Union Castle Line s.s. "Braemar Castle" in Antwerp, when facilities were available in the Port of London.

Since 16th December, 1949, United Kingdom shipowners have been freely allowed to spend foreign currency in O.E.E.C. countries for all ship repairs. This freedom is considered to be in the best interests of the United Kingdom shipping industry.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to what extent Her Majesty's Stationery Office is responsible for the publication of the various books and documents produced by the national museums; and how far they are sold at a profit or at a loss to his department.

The Stationery Office is responsible for publishing books and documents for the Victoria and Albert, National Maritime, Science, London and Royal Scottish Museums. These publications are sold at prices which cover printing and publishing costs.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in his scheme of local government reorganisation, he will pay regard to the peculiar position of ancient cities which, although they have a population of less than100,000, have enjoyed self government for many centuries, are now county boroughs, and which have had separate representation in Parliament for 700 years.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now make astatement on the future of local government.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the reform of local government.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is now able to make a statement on the Government's promised intentions and proposals for the reform and reorganisation of local government authorities and their administrative powers.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is now in a position to make a statement on the question of local government reorganisation.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is now able to make a statement concerning the future of local government.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now make a statement on the reorganisation of local government.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Governmentwhether he is now in a position to make a statement on the results of his discussions with local authority associations on the reform of local government.

A year ago, in the Second Reading debate on the Luton Corporation Bill, my predecessor promised that before any further Bills for conferment of county borough status came forward, the Government would inform the House whether or not they were in a position to introduce legislation for the reorganisation of local government in England and Wales.Last November, I had a meeting with representatives of the local authority associations, at which they explained to me their widely divergent positions on the subject of local government reorganisation, as set out in their published memoranda. I told them that, in my opinion, it would not be fruitful to embark on any extensive reform, unless there existed some broad measure of agreement among the local authorities themselves. In the light of this, the representatives of the associations said they would be sorry to see this question indefinitely shelved; and that, if I would take the chair at further meetings, they would like to make a fresh attempt to find a basis for agreement within the framework of the existing structure. I consented to do so, on the understanding that the Government must, of course, reserve their position in regard to any conclusions they might reach.Although I can today make only an interim statement, I am glad to tell the House that, as a result of these talks, the representatives of the associations have now agreed upon common proposals covering a number of the main issues upon which they had previously been divided. These proposals, while not involving any change in the basic structure, contain important recommendations for theimprovement of local government organisation. The proposals also include a general recommendation that there should be some redistribution of functions between county councils and county district councils; but the associations are not as yet agreed on what changes should be proposed. In any case, since most of the services concerned are the responsibility of other Ministers, these questions will have to be discussed between the associations and my right hon. Friends.When these talks on functions have beenheld, the Government will examine the proposals as a whole and consider their attitude towards them. A further statement will then be made to the House. Meanwhile it would not be desirable for me to go into details. However, in view of the Luton, Ilford and Poole Corporation Bills which are before the House, it is, I think, right to indicate that the proposals include agreed recommendations for the adoption of revised principles and new procedure for promotions to county borough status. In these circumstances, although there is obviously no possibility of general legislation on this subject during the remainder of this Session, the three corporations will, no doubt, consider the desirability of withdrawing their Bills for the present.I should add that the representatives of the associations have also asked that there should be a review of local government finance. A review of this kind by the Government is, in any case, likely to be necessary before long; and we are examining what its scope should be.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government on what basis he intends to proceed under the Valuation for Rating Act, 1953, with the rating of shop and business premises; and on what basis he is proceeding for other hereditaments.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made on 6th December last in reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn, West (Mr. Assheton).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is now in a position to make a statement on assistance to local authorities affected by mining subsidence.

No.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is now prepared to extend the requisitioning of Montague Gardens, Holborn, or part of it, for as long as houses backing on to the Gardens continued to be requisitioned.

This matter is being considered.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will introduce legislation to require that furniture in furnished let-tings shall be equivalent in value to at least one year's rent for such lettings.

A letting is reckoned as furnished for the purposes of the Rent Restriction Acts if that part of the rent of the dwellings which is fairly attributable to the use of the furniture forms a substantial portion of the whole rent. I doubt whether there would be any advantage in replacing this definition, which leaves a discretion to the courts, with the more rigid formula suggested in the Question.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has considered the request, a copy of which has been sent for him, made by the National Federation of Property Owners for the repeal of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954, in view of its failure to secure necessary and urgent repairs to property; and whether he will introduce amending legislation to this effect.

I have noted what the Federation have said in their memorandum, but I think it is still too early to assess the effectiveness of this Act.

asked the Minister of Labour in which industrial processes involving dust, periodic medical examination of the operatives is required under his regulations.

Eleven Regulations have so far been made under the Factories Acts requiring the periodical medical examination of persons employed in processes which give rise to dust which is injurious to health. Periodical medical examination of persons employed in dusty processes in four industries which give rise to pneumoconiosis risks is required by Regulations made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to alleviate the increasing unemployment among men engaged in the shiprepairing industry in the London Docks.

The information at my disposal shows no recent upward trend in unemployment among these workers in the Port of London.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of cases of pneumoconiosis certified in Scottish mines for each of the years from 1945 till the latest date; and what steps are being taken for prevention.

:Methods of dust suppression in the mines are constantly being extended and improved by the National Coal Board with the full cooperation of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Mines. The number of cases of pneumoconiosis and silicosis certified in Scottish mines in each of the years 1945 to 1954 are as follows:

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will undertake to consult the hon. Member for Batley and Morley before reaching a decision on the future of Batley Fuel Office.

I have asked my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to discuss this matter with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any statement to make on the future of the Swiss sanatorium scheme for tuberculous patients from England and Wales.

We began to send patients to Davos in the autumn of 1951,when waiting lists for tuberculosis beds in England and Wales stood at over 7,000. The provisional figure for the end of 1954 is 2,500, and this of course includes a large number of patients who were on the point of being admitted at once. Several hospital regions now have virtually no waiting list. Some are closing tuberculosis beds or turning them over to other purposes.Well over 900 patients from England and Wales have been sent to Swizerland by the National Health Service, and this has been a mostvaluable contribution to our work against respiratory tuberculosis. But taking into account the diminished pressure today on tuberculosis beds at home and our recent difficulty in finding enough suitable patients who are willing to go to Switzerland for their treatment, I am satisfied that there is no necessity to extend the scheme beyond this autumn, when our contracts with the sanatoria expire. Suitable arrangements will be made for winding it up so as not to discharge patients from the sanatoria in Davos before they are fit. I wish to add my thanks, and those of the patients we have sent, to the Sanatorium Angle-terre and the Park Sanatorium for the welcome they have given and the efforts they have made on our patients' behalf.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many road accidents have occurred at the junction of Avenues with Hawthorn Road in Ashington, Northumberland, since 1945; and what proportion this is of the total road accidents of the town since 1945.

:Between 1st January, 1952, and 28th February, 1955, there were 10 accidents involving personal injury at junctions of Avenues with Hawthorn Road. This compares with a total of 176 personal injury road accidents in the townof Ashington during the same period. I am afraid that comparable figures for the years 1946 to 1951 are not available.