asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken during the last month to ensure that experimental explosions of atomic, hydrogen or thermo-nuclear bombs will not take place in seas adjacent to the British Isles or other centres of population or in places where the after effects of such experimental explosions are likely prejudicially to affect human beings.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave him on 19th April. The Sub-Committee of the United Nations Disarmament Commission is still meeting in London. Meanwhile it is not our intention to carry out tests which will have harmful effects on human beings. The United States Government for their part have declared that they will continue to take all possible precautionary measures. So far as I am aware, the Soviet Government have not yet given any indication of their intentions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will propose to the Governments of the United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, East and West Germany, and France a conference, on the lines of the recent conference held in Moscow to settle the Austrian problem, on the understanding that the proposed conference should attempt to find a settlement of the German problem with similar guarantees to that arrived at between the Governments of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Austria on the proposed Austrian peace treaty.

On 25th April I informed the House of our plans for consultation with the other interested Governments about talks with the Soviet Union. These consultations are only just beginning, and I have nothing to add to what I said then.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on how many occasions St. Helena has been visited by a senior official of his Department; and whether he will arrange for one to pay a visit in the near future.

There have been four such visits since 1939, of which the latest has just been completed. In this case the officer was able to stay in the Colony for a month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Legislature of the Eastern Region of Nigeria has met since its adjournment sine die; and the position about the Appropriation Bill.

Yes. The House met on 19th April but did not give a Second Reading to the Supplementary Appropriation Bill sent to it by the Governor. The Governor has, therefore, used his powers under Section 64 of the Nigeria (Constitution) Order in Council to declare that this Bill shall have effect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the reports of the fiscal, Civil Service and judicial Commissions, preparatory to the British Caribbean Federation may be expected; and what further steps will have to be taken thereafter before the Federation can be established.

In view of the extent and complexity of the issues which the three Commissions are required to consider, it is clear that they could not all be expected to present their reports before the autumn of this year.After those reports have been considered by the West Indian Governments concerned and by Her Majesty's Government, a revised federal plan will be drawn up in London taking into account the comments of Governments and also the results of last month's conference in Trinidad on the movement of persons, which is now before the West Indian Legislatures for their confirmation. This plan will be considered by a conference of representatives of West Indian Colonies who will, I hope, have power to act on behalf of their Governments, so that the plan can be finally settled by the Conference. I doubt if it would be practicable to hold the conference before the turn of this year.Provided the conference agrees and authorises the final plan, the drafting of the necessary constitutional instruments will have then to be completed, which will be a complex process, and a Bill introduced into Parliament. After the Act of Parliament has been passed it will be necessary to make preliminary arrangements for the establishment of pre-federal machinery, for the demarcation of constituencies (itself a lengthy task) and finally for the holding of elections.In view of the complexity of the remaining issues, I doubt if it would be possible for there to be a Caribbean federal Government actually in being before 1957. Her Majesty's Government will, however, carry out all the stages within their own control with the utmost expedition in accordance with the wish expressed at the Trinidad Conference. With the co-operation of West Indian Governments in carrying out all the stages with which they are concerned with similar expedition, I think we should all aim at trying to improve on that date and see if we can achieve the creation of a federal Government by the end of 1956.I take this opportunity to announce that in the place of Sir James Robertson, as stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Billericay (Mr. Braine) on 9th March last, Sir Hilary Blood, G.B.E., K.C.M.G., will now be Chairman of the pre-federation Civil Service Preparatory Commission.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when it was decided that where National Service men opted for the Royal Air Force preference in selection should be given to those who could be persuaded to enlist for more than the prescribed two years.

No such decision is in force. There is a limited number of vacancies for National Service men in the Royal Air Force and keen competition for them. Suitable men who cannot secure a vacancy as National Service men are offered Regular engagements, which they often prefer to accept as an alternative to doing National Service in one of the other Services.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the total number of road casualties in Great Britain for 1953–54, and the number killed and the number injured.

My statistics relate to calendar years. For 1954 the figures were 238,281, 5,010, and 233,271.

asked the Minister of Defence the total net amount of overestimating by the Service Departments in the last four financial years.

Approximately £200 million.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider instructing Ministers dealing with those nationalised industries which may cause a charge upon the taxpayer to answer any Questions on that industry; and if he will make a statement.

The rules in regard to Questions of this nature are well known, and I do not think that any further statement is called for.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total revenue received from indirect taxation in 1935, 1939, 1949 and 1954; and the percentage of total revenue received from indirect taxation in 1935, 1939, 1949 and 1954.

The information is as follows:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will set out in tabular form the amount of indirect taxation paid on each item, commodity, sport, etc., on which the main income is received from indirect taxation.

I would refer the hon. Member to Table XIII on pages 24–5 of the Fniacnial Statement (1955–56).

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to ensure that the allowances for special responsibility are made available for teachers in direct-grant schools in the same way as they are available for teachers in maintained schools.

Representatives of the direct-grant schools are coming to my Insurance pensions which came into force on that date.Details of the revised scale are as follows:Department to discuss this matter next month.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what plans or arrangements he will make for domestic retail sales of coal in order to reduce the cost of fuel needed for heating greenhouses used exclusively for horticultural production.

It would not be practicable to reduce maximum retail coal prices in favour of particular users.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if agreement has now been reached with the public utilities and the local authorities regarding the new substitute road between Fareham and Lee-on-the-Solent; whether work may now begin; and whether the Naval Air Station at Lee has now found a fresh site for its piggeries.

Agreement has been reached on the replacement of the gas main. The water and electricity authorities have been told that there will be no interference with their underground pipes and cables, and that they will have the right of access to them. I understand that the necessary draft Order will be promulgated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation on 29th April. Construction cannot, however, begin until after the final order is issued.A fresh site for the piggeries is now being considered, but I can assure my hon. Friend that this matter has in no way delayed the negotiations over the new road.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will, through his Department's officials, publicise among farm workers the danger of children riding on tractors.

My Department has already published a leaflet on the prevention of accidents with farm machinery which refers to this danger, and warns that children should never be carried on tractors. The leaflet is distributed to workers and to farmers. I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of vacancies which exist for hospital pharmacists in Scotland; the number of locums that are employed; and how many hospitals have had to discontinue dispensing for out-patients through lack of staff.

There were 15 vacancies for hospital pharmacists in Scotland in November, 1954, the latest date for which information is available. The number of locums employed is not known. No hospitals have had to discontinue dispensing for out-patients because of lack of staff.

asked the Secre-of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that the conditions of service for hospital pharmacists in Scotland are adequate to ensure the necessary recruitment for this service; and if he will make a statement.

New rates of pay for all grades of hospital pharmacists in Great Britain have recently been agreed by the Whitley Council. I am not aware that any question is at present outstanding about other conditions of service.