asked the Minister of Education the average length of time now being taken to complete a school in England and Wales; and what was the corresponding figure in 1949.

The average construction period for schools started in 1952–53 is about two-thirds of what it was for schools providing the same number of places started in 1949.

How do the costs of the schools built at these dates compare?

That is a slightly different question. At constant prices the cost is about two-thirds of what it was in 1949.

Can the hon. Gentleman give the corresponding figures for 1950–51?

I could, but not without notice I am afraid.

asked the Minister of Education how many schools and school places are at present under construction in England and Wales; and how many of these are in Manchester.

On 31st March, 1955, there were 959 schools and 395,000 places under construction in England and Wales. Comparable figures for Manchester on 1st February, 1955 (the latest date available) were 8 schools and 4,025 places.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how those figures compare with the figures his right hon. Friend gave in the House a day or two ago, which showed that the actual number of new school places in use in 1954 was 99,729 and in 1955 29,445? How do those compare with the figures which he is now giving?

There is, of course, a great difference between schools approved, schools under construction and schools completed, and there is in fact little variation between the figures given. Whichever figures are given, they show an increase in building over earlier years.

asked the Minister of Education how many new school places have been provided in Great Britain during the periods 1945 to 1951 and 1952 to the present time, respectively; and how many will be provided by the schools now under construction or authorised to be constructed.

Between the end of the war and 31st January, 1952, 679,985 school places were provided by new building in England and Wales. The corresponding figure for the period 1st February, 1952 to 31st January, 1955, is 668,415. On 1st February last there were a further 316,830 school places under construction, while 351,300 were due to be started between that date and 31st March, 1956.

Would the Minister inform us how many of the school places which have been completed since February, 1952, were started before this Government came into office?

As a school takes between two and three years to build, the majority of the schools were started prior to 1951, but the hon. Member will realise that there is an equally large number under construction at the present time.

Are not the figures just given a very striking example of the propensity of the party opposite to start something which they cannot finish?

asked the Minister of Education how the numbers of schools completed and of school places provided in Manchester since 1st November, 1951, compare with the figures for the period between 1st August, 1945, and 31st October, 1951.

For schools completed, the answer is 10 for the first period and 26 for the second: for school places 11,010 and 10,620.

Do not these figures provide a striking and yet typical example of the great improvement in the state of this country since 1951?

May I ask whether these questions are designed to supplement "All the Answers," issued by the Conservative Central Office?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the first Government referred to in connection with this Question found no schools under construction when they took office, but that the present Government inherited schools under construction from the Labour Government?

Of course I am aware of that, but the figures nevertheless are very striking.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will now make a grant towards the building of a village hall at Stoborough, Dorset.

My right hon. Friend hopes to make an offer of grant as soon as the village hall committee sends him certain additional information for which he has asked.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations when he proposes to set up a legislative council in the Bechuanaland Protectorate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if, in view of the indefinite adjournment of the Basutoland National Council because of its opposition to the recommendations of the Moore Commission and of the proposals made by Tshekedi Khama in Bechuanaland, he will establish legislative councils in the three High Commission Protectorates.

In the view of the Government, and in this we are in accord with the views expressed by the former Labour Government, the present need in all three High Commission Territories is for the development of local government institutions. Until further experience has been gained at the district and village level, it is premature to consider what advance at the centre will be practicable. There are advisory councils in all three Territories, which are consulted on all matters of importance affecting them.

Have not the Government considered the views of Tshekedi Khama on this matter, and would they not agree that his views are very much to be taken into consideration on any matters concerning Bechuanaland? Are the Bechuana peoples really to be added to the long and dreary list of peoples whose natural aspirations have been frustrated by the Tory Party?

As I say, the views which this Government take on the matter are in accord with those of our predecessors, and we take into account the views of all the responsible authorities in the Territory.

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that the tempo of progress has increased greatly among African peoples during the last three years, and that what may have been satisfactory three years ago is absolutely inadequate today?

Yes, and the building up of the basis of democratic government, which is local self-government, education and ecenomic development, has developed in the last three and a half years of Conservative Government more than under the previous Labour Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if, in view of the termination of the original period of five years for the exclusion of Seretse Khama from Bechuanaland and the continued desire of the Bamangwato tribe that he shall return, he will now reconsider the decision that the banishment be made permanent.

I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member's Question on 16th December, 1954.

How long is this scandal to continue? Does the hon. Gentleman not realise that the exclusion of Seretse Khama from Bechuanaland only on the ground that he married a white woman is an outrage to the moral conscience of this country?

The hon. Gentleman should direct that criticism to his right hon. and hon. Friends who undertook this policy.

But are not the present Government in a position to put the matter right and to allow Seretse Khama to return to his tribe?

We have supported this decision and we have stated that this decision is final.

Shame.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of bankruptcies in 1951 and each subsequent year to the nearest convenient date.

1,816, 2,043, 2,222 and 2,176.

Do not those very high figures of bankruptcies indicate that a large number of small people were misled by the propaganda of the right hon. Gentleman's party at the last Election?

Between 1948 and 1951 there was an increase of 60 per cent. in bankruptcies, but I am bound to say that much worse things than that could be said against the record of the previous Administration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the percentage increase in new factory building in Scotland and England, respectively, during 1954;

(2) what percentage of new factory building, begun in the United Kingdom during each of the years 1952 to 1954, was located in Scotland.

As the Answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Could the President of the Board of Trade say whether the Scottish percentage of new factory buildings is rising or falling under the present Government? Can he say whether Conservative freedom means jobs in Scotland or jobs in London, where unemployment is so much lower?

More and more factories are being built in Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to protect home growers of wheat from the importation of French wheat supported by an export bounty at any period when home grown grain still awaits marketing.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 3rd May to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd).

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that it is not so much the fact of these imports that raises difficulties as the occasionally very inconvenient timing?

Yes. I am aware of the point.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now give a decision about the withdrawal of the option under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, which allows imported goods, which are required to be marked, to bear the words "Foreign" or "Empire," instead of the name of the country of origin.

I am considering the views of Commonwealth and Colonial Governments on this matter.

How long will it take to decide this question? I appreciate all the difficulties involved, but it has been under consideration for some considerable time.

Yes. I have not received all the views of the Commonwealth yet, but as soon as I do I shall give them consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total average sums per head of relief granted in the Budgets during the years 1952 to 1955 to taxpayers whose incomes exceed £5,000 a year, to taxpayers with incomes between £2,000 and £5,000, to taxpayers whose incomes are between £250 and £500 and to taxpayers whose incomes are below £250.

£465, £165, £14 10s. and £5 10s. respectively, many of those in the last two classes being relieved of the whole of the tax they were previously paying.

Will the Financial Secretary not agree that these figures have a complexion very different from that of the percentage presentation he made during the debates on the Finance Bill? Do not these figures give a much more realistic picture of the kind of tax reliefs the present Government have been giving?

They do, of course, give an entirely unrealistic picture except in conjunction with the amounts of tax which are still being paid. The wealthiest of these classes is still paying an average of £5,388 in tax, the second £978, the third £14 10s., and the fourth only £1 7s. 6d.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how much increase of their net spending power there is in the pockets of each of these classes of individuals? Is he aware that in answering a previous Question he showed that the very wealthy have had a much bigger increase in their spending power than those with lower incomes?

These tax reductions for the wealthiest amount to 8 per cent. of their previous tax. If the hon. Member is asking the question that I think he is, I would observe that that question has already been answered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the total of profits in the year ending 31st March, 1955, exceeded that in the corresponding previous year.

No official estimates of profits are available except for calendar years. As stated in the Economic Survey 1955, paragraph 55, gross trading profits of companies together with the trading surpluses of public corporations were 7½ per cent. or £202 million higher in 1954 than in 1953.

Is this steady increase of profits what the Conservative Party Manifesto meant when it said.

"The future beckons with a golden finger"?

I think this steady increase in profits is a very good thing. So did the right hon. Gentleman's right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, South (Mr. Gaitskell) when he introduced his Budget in 1951.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total staff employed by the Medical Research Council; and under what awards then-wages, salaries and conditions of service are fixed.

The total staff employed by the Medical Research Council on 1st April, 1955, was 1,645. Rates of pay and general conditions are determined by the Council, in consultation with the Treasury. For scientific staff they are based on comparable scales and conditions for university staffs; for administrative and clerical staff on civil service scales and conditions; for technical staff on the rates and conditions in the Health Services; and for other staff either on those in the Health Services or on those obtaining under local or trade union conditions.

Would the Financial Secretary agree that it would be much better if the trade unions and the employers' organisations represented upon the Medical Research Council were to agree conditions of service and salaries? I think that that would be much more satisfactory and would lead to greater contentment.

I have answered the Question the right hon. Gentleman put to me. If he would like to pursue it further, perhaps he will succeed in getting himself re-elected to Parliament.

Is there a Whitley Council for any of those employed by the Medical Research Council? If not, why not?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cartridges have been issued for wood pigeon shoots; and what are the conditions for obtaining them.

Since 1st September, 1953, when the half-price cartridge scheme was introduced, nearly 11 million cartridges have been issued for wood pigeon shoots. The cartridges are provided only to people taking part in organised shoots or to individual experts shooting over decoys.

Have any counties particular conditions attached to the issue of cartridges? Is my hon. Friend satisfied that there is no abuse of this very useful scheme for keeping down the number of pigeons?

I understand that Dorset has a scheme by which it requires pigeons' feet to be handed in as evidence of the pigeons shot. Other counties do not, I think, employ such methods, but they do keep close oversight to see that the scheme is not abused.

How many pigeons have been killed by the firing of those 11 million cartridges?

It is obviously impossible to give precise figures, but I can give an estimate. Since 1st September, 1953, it is estimated that the total kills were just over 4 million, 2¾ million by organised shoots and 1¼ million by specialist shots. The returns, however, up to 31st March, 1955, are not yet complete.

In view of the fact that in Dorset pigeon's feet are asked for as evidence, can my hon. Friend say how many piegons have been destroyed in Dorset?

My hon. Friend had better put that question on the Order Paper.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will instruct his pest officers in Devon and Somerset to take immediate action to prevent further damage to crops in the Exe Valley area and heavy financial loss to farmers as a result of raids by deer.

My Department will see what can be done when the deer are no longer in calf.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Devon and Somerset Staghounds, upon whom reliance has been put for holding the deer herd in check, has no money to carry out that purpose until the autumn and, in the meantime, extensive damage is being done to crops, as pest officers admit? As there are alternative methods of dealing with this matter, will the hon. Gentleman press the Minister to give pest officers greater freedom to deal with the difficulty in that area?

I think the hon. Member knows from correspondence he had with his right hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) seven years ago that this is not a simple matter.

Normally, in the interests of humanity, deer are not destroyed or dealt with when they are calving. The alternative method is by the use of shotguns, when there is real danger of cruelty. Therefore, it is thought best to leave this matter until the autumn, when further efforts will be made.

asked the Minister of Labour how many stoppages of work through industrial disputes in the United Kingdom during the last three and a half years came to an end after, firstly, a hearing by an arbitration tribunal appointed by him, secondly, a report of a court of inquiry appointed by him and, thirdly, the use of existing negotiating machinery without recourse to the first two methods.

Arbitration proceedings aim to provide a peaceful means for the settlement of differences rather than to bring stoppages of work to an end. From the beginning of 1952 till the end of April, 1955, 1,019 awards were issued by arbitration bodies appointed by my right hon. and learned Friend. In the same period 10 reports of courts of inquiry and six reports of committees of investigation were made in connection with actual or threatened disputes, and helped to promote a settlement. Statistics of stoppages terminated through voluntary negotiating machinery are not available, but a very large number are averted or brought to an end by negotiations between the parties with or without the assistance of conciliation officers of my Department.

Would my hon. Friend make clear at what stage his right hon. and learned Friend is constitutionally entitled to intervene in industrial disputes? Would he say whether there have been many occasions when the unions and the Trades Union Congress have asked for intervention before that stage has been reached? If so, would he care to pay a tribute to the unions and the T.U.C. for their co-operation in that respect?

In answer to the first part of the supplementary question, perhaps fortunately the Ministry of Labour does not have a lot of written rules about industrial negotiations. If we had, our task might be even more difficult than it is. I should like to take the opportunity of saying—what I am sure my right hon. and learned Friend would wish me to say—that in those disputes in which another union is involved we are grateful to the T.U.C. when it can help. It is in a special position to help in that kind of dispute.

Is not this an indication that the present industrial machinery for settling disputes is not quite adequate to the situation? Will the hon. Gentleman consult the T.U.C. and invite it to revise the machinery and make proposals to him so that we can prevent disputes in future?

It might be a very good idea.

Are the hon. Gentleman and his right hon. and learned Friend satisfied that there is not rather too much delay in regard to arbitration tribunals in bringing these disputes and claims before them? It seems to me that if we could expedite the working of the tribunals recourse to other forms of arbitration would not be quite so necessary.

That is a very practical suggestion, which we have looked at. We will expedite the matter, where possible, but it is not always possible.

asked the Minister of Labour why the legislation promised in Command Paper No. 8286 of July, 1951, a necessary preliminary to the ratification of the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 96, has not been introduced by Her Majesty's Government.

In 1951 the previous Government undertook to introduce legislation to provide for the supervision of private employment agencies. More urgent matters have had to take precedence, but the question has not been lost sight of and consultations which have been taking place between Departments are on the point of conclusion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking on the recommendation of the Police Council in favour of a 44-hour week.

My right hon. and gallant Friend is considering this recommendation, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. It involves a number of detailed amendments to the Police Regulations which would have to be laid before the statutory police councils. He hopes to be in a position to make a statement in the near future.

Will the Joint Under-Secretary of State bear in mind that the police have been waiting very patiently and for a long time for some such concession? Will he expedite as much as possible the steps required to give effect to this very reasonable request?

I am, of course, aware of the interest taken by the police in this matter, but I would prefer in present circumstances not to add anything to what I have said.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this is a compromise on the original request of the Police Federation?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can now make a statement on the control of the immigration of British subjects into the United Kingdom.

I regret that I am unable to add to previous answers on this subject.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that as long ago as 16th December the Home Secretary said he was considering the matter, that rumours of restrictions or bans have only served to increase the rate of emigration from the West Indies to this country, and that 1,500 people came this week? In those circumstances, will he come to an early decision on what is constituting a very serious problem, not only for the immigrants, but for local authorities in this country?

My right hon. and gallant Friend is, of course, aware that this is an important and urgent question, but he has no powers to deal with it. It would be necessary to amend the law, and I do not think the hon. and gallant Member would suggest that that is a matter which might be undertaken very lightly or quickly.

Is there any other part of the British Commonwealth to which all British subjects can emigrate on the same terms as they can to this country?

I should like to have notice of that question.

Whilst not accepting the necessity for control in this case, may I ask the hon. Gentleman why he and the Colonial Secretary have not set up a committee to inquire into the living conditions which are displacing these immigrants, as there is only the sketchiest information in either of the Departments?

I think that goes beyond the limits of this Question. Of course the question of an inquiry of that sort has received consideration.

Is it not desirable that some machinery should be set up for ascertaining the numbers of these people, so that at least we can find the size of the problem?

That is part of the question which was asked by the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson).

Would it not be much better if the hon. Gentleman consulted the Colonial Secretary to ensure that conditions in the Colonies were such that vast numbers of immigrants would not want to come to England for employment?

That is not really a fair statement of the position. As the right hon. Member knows, conditions have somewhat improved in the Colonies mainly concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will amend his regulations so as to make the carrying of dinghies obligatory on all British aircraft flying between Bangkok and Tokio,

Normal British regulations, which are stricter than International Civil Aviation Organisation Standards, do not require the carrying of dinghies on this route; but I am informed by the British Overseas Airways Corporation that their aircraft will for the time being carry dinghies on a voluntary basis.

Thank you very much.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he expects to receive the first of the annual forecasts promised by the British Transport Commission in connection with the Railways Modernisation Scheme.

The British Transport Commission informs me that it hopes to publish the first statement of forecasts this afternoon.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many Londoners, including many of my constituents, are extremely anxious to see a start made on the electrification of the main lines? Can he give any indication whether a start is to be made in the near future?

So far as forecasts for the first year are concerned, perhaps the hon. Member will wait until later this afternoon.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is now in a position to make a statement about plans for garages under certain London squares.

Not yet, Sir.

Can my right hon. Friend say when any decision is likely to be reached? I realise that this problem will demand consultations with many local authorities, but it is an urgent one. Can my right hon. Friend hold out some hope?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that this is a problem which is very much concerned with a good many other aspects of the parking problem, and I would rather not name a date.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a good deal of controversy about this matter, and would he undertake to hold up any positive action in his Department until, as we hope, there may be a debate about it early on in the new Parliament?

I agree with my noble Friend that there is not general agreement on this subject, and it certainly is not likely that a statement will be made in the near future.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the number of transport units sold to date and the number of vehicles they comprised; and the number of companies disposed of and the number of vehicles owned by them.

Up to 30th April, 14,685 vehicles had been sold; 14,283 in 4,956 units and 402 in three companies.

Do not these figures show that it is only possible to sell the vehicles in very small lots of one, two or three vehicles? Does not the latest result of the last list show that out of 6,000 vehicles offered for sale in that list only 400 have been sold? Do not these figures show the complete failure of this attempt to sell off these vehicles? Will not the Minister bring this fiasco to an end?

In view of the fact that, of the 22,500 vehicles offered two-thirds have been sold, I do not think the hon. Gentleman is entitled to draw any such deduction as that in his supplementary question.

Do not the latest results show that only 11 per cent. of the vehicles offered have been sold, and does not the right hon. Gentleman admit that that is a failure?

The hon. Gentleman cannot even jump to that conclusion, because there are a number of vehicles, even in that list, on which no decision has yet been made. The hon. Gentleman will be quite wrong, even though he might find it tactically agreeable, to confine his attention to one particular list, but the figures which I gave give the whole picture.

In view of the facts to which my hon. Friend has called attention, will not the Minister come to the conclusion that it is no good dragging along like this? Ought we not to call a halt—call it a day, if he likes—and get the matter settled up, so that everybody will know where they are, instead of this drift? Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed that the General Council of the Trades Union Congress—[Laughter.] I do not know why anybody is laughing. It is a very responsible body, to which the Government ought to be grateful for its help in industrial disputes. It has a great interest in the matter, and has a very responsible frame of mind about it. The General Council has appealed to the Government to allow this process to stop and let us have a settlement, so that the Transport Commission may know where it is and get on with its job.

As far as the latter part of the right hon. Gentleman's Question is concerned, I have had a letter from the Trades Union Congress in the last day or two, to which I shall reply fully. I cannot accept the implications in the right hon. Gentleman's Question that this matter is dragging along, in view of the fact that, since I answered Questions last week, 434 further vehicles have been sold.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that this policy of inflicting losses on the British Transport Commission is making it more and more difficult for the Commission to meet reasonable wage claims?

That question indicates a complete failure to understand the whole of the financial provisions, including the levy, of the Transport Act, 1953.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that British Road Services last year made a substantial profit, of which they will be deprived as a result of this policy?

I realise that, as British Road Services are successfully disposed of, naturally the profits from the undertaking will be less, but the right hon. Gentleman must be aware of the fact that the Transport Commission are compensated for that by the well thought out provisions in respect of the levy.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what revision of the estimated loss arising from the disposal of vehicles he has made in accordance with Section 14 of the Transport Act, 1953.

None, Sir.

Why not? Since the Minister made his last estimate in September of a loss of £20 million, further vehicles have been offered for sale but only a proportion have been sold. Is it not a fact that his estimate of the loss of £20 million was based on the assumption that all the 32,500 vehicles would be sold, and, in view of his failure to sell some of them, will he not make a new estimate?

I have already told the hon. Gentleman that two-thirds of the vehicles offered for sale have been sold, and the reason why I am not altering that estimate is because it seems to me to be about right.

Does the right hon. Gentleman still think then that he will dispose of the 32,500 vehicles, in spite of the fact—and despite what he said about the list—that only 11 per cent. of the vehicles have been sold—only 400 out of the 6,000 offered?

A supplementary question confined to one list is not really any more effective the second time of repetition.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many of the 170 proposed additional driving and traffic examiners have been recruited to date; and how many it is proposed to assign to enforcement of Part I of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933.

Sixty-four examiners have been recruited so far. None of these will be employed in the first place on enforcement duties in connection with the Road Traffic Acts, but the recruitment programme is designed to bring the total staff employed on such duties on the average throughout the year to 114.

Why does the Minister consider it necessary to increase the number of officials who will be engaged, partially at least, on enforcement work? Does he not admit that infringement of the law has increased recently with the sale of these vehicles and the cut-throat competition that is taking place?

I am increasing the enforcement staff because, as the hon. Gentleman himself has pointed out to me on more than one occasion, it is at the moment below the pre-war level. I certainly do not accept the implication of a somewhat controversial character which he sought to inject into the question of enforcement of the law.

Has the Minister examined the evidence which I and other hon. Members have sent him regarding infringements of the law, relating to the increase in breaches of statutory requirements regarding hours of work and rest periods?'

Nothing that the hon. Gentleman has sent me on this subject could be dignified by the description of evidence.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now make a statement on the initial effect of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act on the checking of decay of older houses.

My right hon. Friend is glad to say that there has recently been a great increase of interest in this question. In the seven months after the Act came into force, about 15,000 improvement grants were approved, as compared with about 12,000 in the previous five years. About 1,100 local authorities are now operating the scheme.

Does not the Minister appreciate that what he has said concerns a very small number of houses throughout the country? Is he not aware that various property owners' organisations have stated that the Act is failing? Does he not agree with that?

I pointed out to the hon. Gentleman that we have in fact during the last seven months been doing 10 times better than we did in the preceding five years.

Would the hon. Gentleman tell us whether it is not a fact that fewer men are engaged on repairs today than was the case six months or even 12 months ago? Will he say whether the effect of this Act has not been to transfer the already insufficient repair capacity from repairs that really needed doing to repairs which were simply done in order to qualify for an increase of rent?

No, Sir; I cannot at all accept the implications of the hon. and learned Gentleman's Question.

Will the hon. Gentleman confirm my facts? Are there fewer people employed?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many claims he has received for the repayment of development charge; how many such claims are classified as not established; and what are the total sums involved.

Up to 29th April, 1955, the Central Land Board had received 78,829 applications for payments under Part I of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1954. Of the total applications received, 13,489 were from claim-holders who had paid a development charge. A detailed analysis of the applications is being made, but is not yet complete.

Thank you.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give the figures in respect of water supply and sewerage schemes authorised for the county of Norfolk from 1951 to the present time; and how much of the total expenditure will rank for grant aid.

£2,493,000 for water supply and £1,564,000 for sewerage, of which £1,819,000 (water supply) and £869,000 (sewerage) rank for grant. These figures include work in the county boroughs of Norwich and Great Yarmouth.

Is the Minister aware that these figures are most gratifying, particularly since they happen to come at this particular moment?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a further statement about the introduction of the Order to transfer the remaining functions of the Ministry of Food.

An Order to transfer to the Minister of Health the responsibility for food cleanliness and hygiene, except as regards slaughterhouses, meat and milk, and for the Food Hygiene Advisory Council is being prepared. I think it would be for the convenience of the House if it were introduced as early as possible in the new Parliament.

Can the Prime Minister explain why a Ministry which we thought had been abolished for the sake of economy will spend £50 million more this year than last year?

I have only been asked about this Order, and the reason why we have not laid the Order is one which I thought was agreeable to the House. I thought it would be wrong to lay it except when the House had a full opportunity to debate it. That is why I thought it would be better not to lay it now but to wait until the new Parliament before doing so.

In considering these remaining functions of the Ministry of Food, will the Prime Minister reconsider the position of the welfare food services, in view of the evidence that we have been given this week that the consumption of these very essential welfare foods is running down under the new arrangements initiated by the Government?

It is a problem, but it is a different one from the one mentioned in the Question.

Is there a Ministry of Food now, or is there not?

The position will not be altered by this Order. We remain as we are until the Order comes into effect. As I have said, the Order is not going to be laid—and I think rightly so—until the new Parliament. If we had laid it now, although it could be prayed against within 40 days, it would have come into effect. I take full responsibility for this. I thought the right decision was not to lay it.

In view of the statement that the Order will be laid in the new Parliament, do I take it that the Prime Minister consulted the Leader of the Opposition, whose function it will be to do this?

I was forecasting either intelligently or agreeably.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will investigate, as a matter of urgency, the difficulties of a married couple, aged 81 and 82 years, of whose name and address he has been informed, in view of the fact that their retirement pension has been increased by 11s. and their National Assistance grant reduced by 14s., so that they are 3s. a week worse off than they recently were; and if he will make a statement.

The National Assistance Board informs me that an adjustment in respect of 11s. of the old couple's National Assistance grant was made on 25th April to take account of an increase of that amount in their retirement pensions. Over and above the scale rate and rent allowance, the Board has been making them a discretionary addition of 15s. a week to meet special circumstances, including 3s. which the couple were told at the end of January would be added temporarily for a particular purpose. That 3s. is no longer needed and will cease being paid from 9th May. The total income of the couple, including the scale rate increase of 4s. last February, will then be £4 12s. a week.

Does that answer mean that there has been a net decrease, as they are firmly of the opinion that there has been—and after all, they should know?

No, the net result is that before my right hon. Friend's proposals the couple were receiving an income of £4 8s. a week. Now, in May, 1955, they are receiving an income of £4 12s. a week, which is a permanent addition of 4s. a week. In addition to that, from the end of January to 9th May, for special purposes, the couple received an additional 3s. a week. Those special circumstances now having changed, the additional 3s. has been taken away.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance in how many cases the war service disability pension has been cut as the result of increased old age pensions for disabled men of the 1914–18 war.

None, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that there has been a cut of 2s. a week in the war disablement pension of a constituent of mine, Mr. A. Hyde, 2, Cottage Grove, S.W.9, a blind disabled ex-Service man of the 1914–18 war? Does the Minister not recall that I have written to him and spoken to him about this matter, and is it not a fact that it reaches a new low depth of calculating meanness when war disablement pensions are cut, irrespective of what other alterations are made in other pensions? Is it not a monstrous state of affairs that a disabled ex-Service man's war disablement pension should be cut by this paltry amount?

War disablement pensions are not affected by increases in other pensions. I do not think the hon. and gallant Gentleman realises that the case he sent to me was a very complicated matrimonial case in which a wife's allowance had been cut, but that had absolutely nothing to do with the increase in retirement pensions. However, I am looking very carefully into this difficult case and will write to the hon. and gallant Gentleman about it. I can assure him that it has nothing to do with the point that he mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the hardship likely to be caused by the decision not to develop the port of Larnaca, Cyprus; and if he will reconsider this decision.

As my right hon. Friend informed my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Haltem-price (Major Wall) on 27th April, the Cyprus Government are having a detailed engineering survey made before final decisions are taken about the scale of port development. But, as regards the siting of such development, the Cyprus Government have sought the best available technical advice, and the advice so far received has been that, for various reasons, port development at Larnaca would be unjustifiably costly.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether the memorandum containing a number of detailed arguments on this point, which I forwarded two days ago, is being studied?

Certainly, the hon. Member's memorandum will be considered in the Colonial Office, but the Cyprus Government have gone into this matter very carefully. Not only is it a fact that Famagusta next door has already out-distanced Larnaca as a port—

Next door?

and it will be very difficult for Larnaca to recover the ground, but there is also a very complicated technical objection, which is that the sea-bed slopes very gently at Larnaca and it would be extremely expensive to construct a deep water port there.

When the right hon. Gentleman says that Larnaca is next door to Famagusta, could he say how many miles it is?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has considered a copy of the policy statement of the Kenya Indian Congress, a copy of which has been sent to him, which envisages self-government within the Commonwealth, a common electoral roll, no discrimination on grounds of race or religion and use of undeveloped land in the White Highlands by competent farmers of all races; and what reply he has sent.

My right hon. Friend has not yet received a copy of this Statement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make some inquiry into the postal communications between Nairobi and London if this document has not been received, and when he does receive it will he pay very serious attention to this recommendation, in view of the fact that the Indian population in Kenya is the second largest of the races there?

I have no reason to believe that the document has been sent—

Oh, yes.

but if my right hon. Friend receives the document, and if he is asked to comment, he will do so.

Is it not a fact that there is very little undeveloped land in the White Highlands of Kenya?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now state what progress has been made towards concluding an Austrian State Treaty.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made at the Conference of the four Ambassadors in Vienna with regard to the conclusion of the Austrian State Treaty.

The Conference of the four Ambassadors which began in Vienna on 2nd May, with the participation of the Austrian Foreign Minister, Dr. Figl, is at present discussing the draft text of the Austrian State Treaty article by article. Certain modifications of the text of an editorial nature are necessary because of the great lapse of time since the present draft was prepared. Other points require discussion in the light of the exchanges of views which took place between the Soviet and the Austrian Governments in their talks in Moscow last month. I hope it will be possible to make good progress.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say that, so far as Her Majesty's Government are concerned, there is no obstacle to an early conclusion of this Treaty?

We want to make as rapid progress as possible. We have waited a long time.

Can the Minister give any indication when it is likely that the Treaty will be signed?

From the most recent reports, it would appear that very rapid progress is being made, and I am hopeful that the meeting will be within the near future.

When the Minister says that he hopes to make progress, will he bear in mind that this is an entirely new departure in the relations between the Soviet Union, Austria and ourselves? The proposals which have been made have been publicised, and I hope that we shall admit that they are a great advance on anything which has been done previously and which we have been prepared to sign. As there will be no sittings of this House within the next several weeks, will the right hon. Gentleman not make some statement which will give encouragement to the Austrian people who are a little disquieted about the attitude of Her Majesty's Government?

The news is very good, but some adaptation is necessary in the complicated articles—40 or 50 in number—of the Treaty. Then there are the additional questions which have got to be defined. It is one thing to agree in principle and another to get the right formula. I think good progress is being made and that all the indications are very satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that all those who wish to leave North Vietnam under the Geneva Agreement before 19th May will be able to do so; and whether he will make a statement.

I fear I have nothing to add to the reply given yesterday to my hon. and gallant Friend, the Member for Lewes (Major Beamish) and my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford and Stone (Mr. H. Fraser). We are watching the situation with some concern. We have now received the Report of the Commission, which we are studying closely. The Report will be published as soon as practicable, but the date for this must be agreed with the Soviet Government in the first instance.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that according to some reports there are still 400,000 people who live in North Vietnam and who want to move to South Vietnam before 19th May? Can he say what will happen if they are unable to do so by the time the boundaries change?

Yes, Sir. We are, of course, anxious to do everything we can. I am told that about one million people have moved. If there is any method of extending the time limit we shall be the first to try to achieve it.

Could the right hon. Gentleman, before the House dissolves, assure the House that we shall not be involved under the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation in any of these internal problems in this part of French Indo-China?

Our sole interest is to carry out loyally the terms of the Geneva Agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, following the visit to Saigon of the High Commissioner for South-East Asia, he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government in relation to the situation in Vietnam, in the light of the Geneva Agreement.

Mr. MacDonald went to Saigon on a visit arranged some time ago. The policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the situation in Vietnam continues to be based on the Final Declaration of the Geneva Conference. They consider that the solution of the present difficulties is primarily a matter for the Vietnamese people themselves, and hope to see a restoration of conditions in which law and order can be maintained, effective government introduced and the Geneva Settlements upheld.

In view of the possible reactions of the situation upon the implementation of the Geneva Agreement, and in view of the fact that the Prime Minister and Mr. Molotov were joint chairmen of the Conference, is the right hon. Gentleman keeping in touch with Mr. Molotov on these developments?

If it becomes apparent that there are problems within the scope of the joint chairmen, no doubt that will be done. But the problem at the present time seems to be an internal problem which we hope the people will be able to settle satisfactorily themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when it is expected that the London Conference on Disarmament will be resumed.

As the hon. Member may be aware, the United Nations Disarmament Sub-Committee resumed its meetings on 3rd May.

Is it intended that this Conference shall continue to hold meetings after the Dissolution? Will the Minister make known publicly from time to time what progress is being made at the disarmament talks?

Of course our representative is only one of a number, and although perhaps his convenience might be studied and it might be possible to have a short adjournment, our duty is to go on with the Conference as long as it has any hopes of doing useful work. We must not weary of well-doing just because we have a little private problem of our own.

asked the Minister of Works if he will now remove the railings around Primrose Hill.

It is proposed this summer to restore the view finder and to carry out certain work on the summit. If no further damage is done I shall consider again whether the railings should be removed.

asked the Minister of Health why there has been a delay in the issue of circulars announcing the agreements reached by the Whitley Council on behalf of the auxiliary nursing grades and the general salary increases for all nursing staffs, thus preventing hospital authorities from implementing these agreements.

The agreement on nursing auxiliaries was issued to hospital authorities on 3rd May and that on nursing salaries generally is now being printed and will be issued on 13th May. These documents give detailed effect to the broad agreement reached by the Whitley Council and some time necessarily elapsed before their terms were finally settled between the parties.