asked the President of the Board of Trade to consider increasing the Empire content of materials for umbrellas from 25 per cent. to 50 per cent. when they are to attract preference under the present import arrangements.

No. I understand that the imports of umbrellas which qualify for Imperial Preference, in fact, contain practically no non-Commonwealth materials.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to state the approximate loss in trade arising from recent strikes; to what extent overseas orders have been definitely lost; to what extent congestion of unladen or undischarged freights is now being reduced; and how far the docks have now returned to normal activity.

The provisional figure for exports in June amounts to only £157 million compared with an average of £247 million for April and May. While, of course, it is not possible to say that the whole of this difference of £90 million was due to the dock and rail strikes, and while we may hope that a large part of this loss will be made up in coming months, I should be deluding the House if I did not make it clear that the dislocation of our export trade resulting from such stoppages, and the difficulties caused in export markets, are matters of serious concern. I understand that the ports affected by the dock strike have made good progress in overcoming the immediate dislocation and delay to shipping, although it may be some time before the effects of the strike cease to be felt. Questions requiring more detailed information on this point should, however, be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to publish the evidence taken by the Monopolies Commission for their Report on Collective Discrimination.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the conflict of opinion within the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission, disclosed by the difference between the majority and minority reports on collective discrimination, he will publish the evidence on which the reports are based, so as to enable hon. Members to form their own conclusions.

No. The evidence which in the nature of things contains confidential information about the individual trading position of firms was given on a voluntary basis on the assumption that it would not be published.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as radio wholesalers carry on restrictive practices affecting the supply and distribution of radio valves, and tubes, etc., he will add to the terms of reference of the Commission now investigating radio valves and tubes a requirement to investigate the restrictive practices of this trade.

The reference already before the Commission covers all aspects of the supply of electronic valves and cathode ray tubes. I am sure the Commission will be pleased to consider any views or information relating to the matters which the hon. Member mentions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cleaning contractors are employed in the work of cleaning offices and corridors in Government Departments; and how many women are employed on such work by these contractors.

Seventeen firms, employing in all about 1,000 women.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now take steps to ensure that the nationalised industries make an issue of stock in order to repay their bank overdrafts and so enable the banks to discharge their responsibilities to private enterprise.

I said on 5th July that these stock issues will take place at the appropriate time, and the hon. Member will have noticed that an offer of 100 million of stock by the Gas Council is advertised today. The repayment of overdrafts by nationalised industries does not mean, however, that bank credit will be more freely available to other borrowers.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) how many local authorities have replied to his Circular No. 24/55 about houses for ex-Service men; and how many local authorities have not yet replied;

(2) how many local authorities have given a reply to Circular 24/55 undertaking to comply with the request in it.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Ian Harvey) on 6th July.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government for how many houses building authority was sought by local authorities in 1955; for how many it was granted; and for how many it was refused.

In many cases authorisations are made before the receipt of any application. In others, the building programme is settled through informal discussion between the regional representatives of my Ministry and the local authorities concerned. Any figures which I might quote would therefore be incomplete or misleading.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if, in view of the fact that there are now over 16,000 people on the housing list of Portsmouth, whereas there were only 13,000 in 1950, he will give every facility for housebuilding in this city.

I have recently authorised a further instalment of houses to be built for Portsmouth. I will issue further authorisations later in the year if this should appear justified by the progress made and the resources available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to give an assurance that he will delay approving a starting date for major slum-clearance schemes in Portsmouth until more adequate facilities are available for housing those who are now living in overcrowded conditions in fit houses.

I could not support my hon. Friend's suggestion that I should seek to hold back the city council from tackling its slum clearance problem.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to give an assurance that he will sanction all applications for building in the bomb-damaged cities that still have large numbers on the waiting lists for houses.

No. I can however assure my hon. Friend that I will not overlook the special problems of these cities.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, in view of the number of evicted families who are compelled to find accommodation in rest houses and the like, if he will ascertain the approximate numbers of persons who have been evicted during 1954 and the aggregate number of persons who are now in rest houses or similar places.

The Housing Management Sub-Committee of the Central Housing Advisory Committee has just completed a report which deals fully with the question of eviction. I will send the hon. Member a copy as soon as it is published.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, in view of the present lack of information in respect of the number of families urgently needing accommodation who for various technical reasons are not on any municipal housing list, whether he will seek such information from a representative number of local authorities or from other sources.

No. Local authorities are not in a position to give the names of persons who are not on their lists.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the increases in rents that are being granted by tribunals under the 1954 Housing Act in cases where reasonable rents have been decided; and if he will introduce amending legislation to set a lower limit to the possible increase than that imposed by the 1954 Act.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to cases dealt with by tribunals under Section 1 of the Landlord and Tenant (Rent Control) Act, 1949, as amended by Section 36 of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954. Increases of rent have been allowed in about 14 per cent. of the cases dealt with up to 31st March. The Act does not impose any limit.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to take powers to initiate a scheme for building houses to let at £1 per annum to assist local authorities to overcome their housing problems.

No.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to give an indication of the date when the administrative functions of the new town of Peterlee will be transferred from the Peterlee Corporation to the Easington Rural Council.

I am not clear what functions the right hon. Gentleman has in mind.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to make a statement regarding the introduction of legislation to abate the smoke nuisance.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to make a detailed announcement on action which he proposes taking on the Beaver Report on Air Pollution.

The preparation of the Government's proposals for legislation in this matter is now well advanced.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government for how many streets loan sanction was given in the Borough of Poole for 1953, 1954 and for 1955 up to date.

One in 1953, two in 1954 and four so far this year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to make available for hon. Members copies of the proposals for local government reform agreed upon by the various local government organisations and submitted to him.

Yes. In due course.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the difficulties men over 50 years of age in the executive class have in gaining employment in trade and industry; and

NOTIFICATIONS OF DYSENTERY IN EACH QUARTER BETWEEN 1ST JANUARY, 1950, AND 31ST MARCH, 1955 — Scotland Glasgow Edinburgh Dundee Aberdeen 1950–1st quarter … … 925 382 117 161 11 2nd quarter … … 1,516 793 154 204 22 3rd quarter … … 1,265 620 167 67 16 4th quarter … … 1,889 778 223 130 19 1951–1st quarter … … 2,570 526 572 257 150 2nd quarter … … 1,660 483 312 94 59 3rd quarter … … 933 342 206 90 15 4th quarter … … 841 360 107 51 14 1952–1st quarter … … 815 399 63 67 1 2nd quarter … … 844 573 59 92 4 3rd quarter … … 972 703 74 48 4 4th quarter … … 1,190 696 66 85 12 1953–1st quarter … … 1,416 513 171 231 43 2nd quarter … … 1,371 624 229 128 31 3rd quarter … … 1,170 602 147 80 12 4th quarter … … 2,117 1,086 276 113 30 1954–1st quarter … … 3,032 1,598 408 257 56 2nd quarter … … 3,811 2,399 353 137 38 3rd quarter … … 2,079 1,323 189 54 16 4th quarter … … 2,451 1,323 275 249 35 1955–1st quarter … … 3,786 1,255 401 586 177

what further steps he will take to improve their chances of employment.

I fully realise the impjortance of these problems, and the National Advisory Committee on the Employment of Older Men and Women gave them special consideration in their First Report. There are special difficulties about the engagement of older people for managerial and executive employment, but the Committee recommended that in this field, as elsewhere, the general criterion should be capacity and not age. Our task is to convince employers of this, and we will continue to take every opportunity of doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of dysentery were notified to the Health Department in each quarter from January, 1950, to March, 1955; and what were the comparable figures for Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen, respectively.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has now received a report from the Herring Industry Board on the working of the present share system in the herring fishing industry, the question of prices, and the financial structure of the industry as a whole, with particular reference to the burden of debt; what specific recommendations it contains; and what action he proposes to take.

The Herring Industry Board is considering the points raised by my hon. Friend and I have no statement to make at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has sent to the teachers in Leith Academy Secondary School in answer to their petition regarding the proposed salary scales of male technical teachers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the widespread discontent amongst male technical teachers at his proposal to reduce the maximum salary by £50 per annum for all new entrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has made to the representations of the staff of Niddrie Marischal School concerning the Draft Teachers' Salaries (Scotland) Amendment No. 2, Regulations, 1955.

I have received a considerable number of representations, including representations from teachers in Leith Academy and Niddrie Marischal School, on the changes in the scales for teachers of non-academic subjects proposed in the draft Regulations published on 23rd June. I will, in accordance with with normal practice, consider all these representations and discuss them with the National Joint Council before making Regulations and laying them before Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the children living at Bridge of Weir Orphan Home who were inoculated with vole vaccine showed any skin effects in the third year after the inoculation.

Four out of the smaller group of children inoculated in October, 1952, showed late skin reactions, strictly limited to the site of inoculation, in the third year after inoculation. This was in addition to the 20 children out of the group inoculated in October, 1951, mentioned in the reply to the hon. Member's Question on 15th February last.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number and value of the schemes in Scotland, approved each year since 1948, for grant in aid under Section 3 of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945; and what was the amount of the Government contribution.

Following is the information: THE NUMBER AND VALUE OF SCHEMES IN SCOTLAND, APPROVED EACH YEAR SINCE 1948, FOR GRANT AID UNDER SECTION 3 OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF INDUSTRY ACT, 1945, AND THE AMOUNT OF THE GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION. Year Number of Schemes Approved Cost Government Contribution £ £ 1948 … … 18 1,059,877 562,756 1949 … … 18 1,743,185 587,089 1950 … … 18 2,881,448 1,019,412 1951 … … 23 7,245,636 3,599,010 1952 … … 1 10,816 2,750

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that an officer acting on behalf of the Ross and Cromarty County Council has informed persons resident within the county who will be shortly obliged to leave their present house that housing accommodation is not available within the county and that it is not the duty of the county council to provide such accommodation; and if he will exercise his powers under Section 60 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1950, to require the county council to submit proposals in order that accommodation may be provided for such persons.

The council are making good progress with the provision of houses in their district and no action under Section 60 of the Act of 1950 is called for. The letting of houses is a matter within their own discretion, but if the hon. Member will give me particulars of the case he has in mind, I shall make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many inhabited houses in Ross and Cromarty have been scheduled as condemned houses.

I regret that this information is not available. I expect to receive particulars of the numbers of unfit houses in the local authority's statement of their proposals under the Housing (Repairs and Rents) (Scotland) Act, 1954, for dealing with such houses. The Act requires local authorities to submit these statements by the 31st August, 1955.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet satisfied that local health authorities in Scotland have made adequate arrangements for the care and attention of adult persons, especially the elderly, suffering from cerebral palsy; and if he will make a statement.

I cannot yet add anything to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on 6th April last. It will be some considerable time before I have the information necessary to enable me to give full consideration to the Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, by what authority the Department of Industrial and Scientific Research is imposing limitations on private and local authority housebuilding in the Congleton area.

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has no authority to impose restrictions on building. These matters are regulated under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, and are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government and the local county council as planning authority. I understand from my right hon. Friend that he hopes to arrange a meeting with the Cheshire County Council and the Congleton Borough Council at his Ministry to discuss the problem of development at Congleton in relation to the Jodrell Bank Experimental Station.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what information has been, or is being, acquired about the effects of the radioactive fall-out consequent on a nuclear explosion.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the report which, as already announced, is being prepared by the Medical Research Council.

asked the Minister of Works when he intends to complete No. 4 lift in the Palace of Westminster so that it also serves the basement.

This lift was cut off from the basement over two years ago in order to improve the service to other floors. The alteration has had this effect, and my right hon. Friend thinks it would be unwise to make any change.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what steps he took to study facilities, methods and fees of other schools of motoring before placing a contract with the British School of Motoring for the training of 1,000 drivers;

(2) if, in future, he will issue public tenders in regard to the engagement of the services of schools of motoring for the training of Army drivers.

The contract referred to is for six months only, is an experiment and, following common practice for pilot schemes, we did not go out to tender. If we decide that Army drivers shall in future be trained by a civilian organisation, other suitable firms will be invited to tender.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the furniture and household equipment, scheduled for issue to married quarters in United Kingdom garrison areas, is frequently deficient by up to 50 per cent. because of the lack of adequate supplies.

Quarters are normally fully or almost fully equipped, and deficiencies on change of occupant are made good as quickly as possible. I will, however, look into a particular case if my hon. Friend will send me details.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he proposes to publish the Report of the Committee which has been examining the organisation of the Territorial Army and Air Force Associations.

The Report is being published today as Command Paper 9523 and is available in the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers at the Army radio station, Zonkor, Malta, are engaged on fatigues shifting coal; and for how many hours each week they are occupied on this duty and on other duties, respectively.

Four non-tradesmen normally spend about half an hour between them moving coal each week. These men spend 45 hours a week on general duties and one hour on drill. Exceptionally a special coal fatigue is necessary and the hon. Member may have in mind one which took place last month. Eight men were then employed for an average of 1½ hours each.

asked the Secretary of State for War what medical grade 23129688 Sapper J. E. Lock was in when called up to the Army three months ago; what it is now; and, in view of his defective eyes and feet as well as a deformed finger of the right hand, what consideration has been given to his discharge.

Sapper Lock's medical grading when he was called up was Grade II ( a ) (vision and feet). After he completed his initial training he was reassessed as fit for service in any part of the world but not primarily in a fighting rôle in a forward area. This re-grading was due to his finger disability which makes him unable to perform rifle drill or heavy lifting. He is capable of performing suitable military duties and the question of discharge on medical grounds does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange to allow National Service men to retain at least one of the uniforms in their possession at the time of their demobilisation.

No, Sir. I consider it undesirable that a large number of military uniforms should be released each year for civilian use. The National Service man is, however, already allowed to keep some clothing without charge when his part-time service ends.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will publish a table showing the average number of hours during the normal period of the 10 weeks' training of an 18-years-old National Service man which are spent on combatant training and non-combatant training, respectively, indicating separately the hours spent on lectures, first-aid, education, sport, recreation, meal-times and any other activities; and whether he is satisfied that the time spent on combatant training and the use of rifles for fighting purposes is adequate for such a man to be posted to overseas service.

Yes. The following programme is that for Infantry recruits. This training has fitted National Service men to play a distinguished part in operations in Korea, Malaya and Kenya, and I am satisfied that it is sound. Combatant Training Hourly Periods Drill 64 Weapon training including fieldcraft 238 Gas training 5 Physical training and games 54 Total 361 Other Training Education 14 Hygiene 7 Padre's hours (voluntary) 9 Passing-out and other parades, tests, selection, interviews, squad competitions, pay, medical inspections, etc 100 Total 130 Grand Total 491

Explanatory Notes:

( a )Basic training lasts for 6 weeks and is followed by training special to the arm in which the recruit is serving. For the Infantry, this period is 4 weeks, making 10 weeks in all, and the above programme is that for the Infantry recruit. There are considerable variations for the recruits to other arms.

( b )Drill, physical training and games are essentially combatant training, even when weapons are not handled, and are therefore included under that heading.

( c ) The above table includes no allowance for meals. Normally an hour is allowed for the mid-day meal and one hour for tea. Breakfast and supper usually fall outside working hours.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements now exist in relation to the subjection of British troops serving in Germany to German laws and the powers of German courts.

These arrangements are set out in detail on pages 16 to 24 of Command Paper 9368 "Documents relating to the Termination of the Occupation Regime in the Federal Republic of Germany."

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will publish details of the programme of building and reconstruction undertaken for military establishments for 1953–54 and 1954–55, respectively, and that planned for 1955–56.

Estimated annual expenditure is summarised under main headings in Army Estimates, and Appendix II to the Appropriation Account for 1953–54 gives the amounts actually spent in that year. I regret that it would not be in the public interest to publish the full programme in detail. Nevertheless, should my hon. Friend wish for details about a few specific services, I will try to provide them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements have been made with the Federal Government of Germany for British Forces in Germany to enjoy the facilities of cheap petrol, special travel concessions on German railways, and duty-free facilities from the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, all of which privileges were available to them while serving as occupation troops.

Members of the Forces at present enjoy the same facilities as they had before 5th May. Cheap petrol and duty-free facilities for N.A.A.F.I. will continue at least until the conclusion of the further agreement provided for in Article 8 of the Convention on Relations between the Three Powers and the Federal Republic. Negotiations are expected to start in the autumn. Negotiation of a new railway tariff for the Forces in Germany has just begun.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the price at which Dutch strawberry pulp is being allowed to be imported this year; and how this figure compares with that of 1954.

There is no control of the price of strawberry pulp, which is a matter for negotiation by the traders concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has now received a report from the Humane Traps Advisory Committee.

Yes. The Committee made their first report on 15th June. Copies are available in the Vote Office. Since their first meeting in July, 1954, the Committee have examined prototypes or designs of 102 traps, of which 17 have been selected for field trials. One or two traps show promise of replacing the gin, but much further work remains to be done, and the Committee are unable to recommend any advance in the date, i.e. 31st July, 1958, appointed by Section 8 of the Pests Act, 1954, for banning the gin. The Secretary of State for Scotland and I have accepted this recommendation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will open negotiations with the Government of France for co-operation regarding atomic information for mutual defence purposes similar to those which took place with the Government of the United States of America.

The N.A.T.O. Agreement for Co-operation regarding Atomic Information provides for the exchange of atomic information for mutual defence purposes with France, as well as with our other partners in N.A.T.O. There is no need therefore for the negotiations suggested.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Air by what authority Air Ministry Orders No. 312/55 and No. 313/55 were used to prevent men of the Royal Air Force from taking part in the recent General Election.

Air Ministry Order No. 312/55 described the arrangements made for qualified Service voters to record their votes. Air Ministry Order No. 313/55, which dealt with canvassing, speaking at political meetings, and the like, was based on Queen's Regulations and was in conformity with the longstanding policy of preserving political impartiality in the Services.

asked the Minister of Education how many all-Welsh schools are now open in Wales; and how many children attend them.

In practically all primary schools in Welsh-speaking areas instruction is given through the medium of the Welsh language. As far as I know, there are now 27 all-Welsh primary schools, departments or classes in linguistically mixed areas, with 3,147 pupils on the registers.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many widows in Wales are drawing pensions at the rate of 10s. per week and how many of these are in receipt of National Assistance.

About 10,000 widows in Wales are receiving a widow's basic pension or a contributory old-age pension of 10s. a week. The number of such widows receiving National Assistance in Wales is not known, but for Great Britain as a whole the proportion is about 15 per cent.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will arrange for better sign-posting of roads in and through the new town of East Kilbride.

The signposting of these roads is the responsibility of the Lanarkshire County Council. There is bound to be difficulty over these signs until the road system for the new town has been completed and opened to traffic in, I am informed, about eighteen months' time. I understand, however, that signs are being erected and adjusted as development takes place.