asked the Minister of Defence on what basis the grant of £75 a year to Service parents who, by virtue of service duties, have to board their children at school, was assessed.

This was the figure which the Government decided to be appropriate in all the circumstances for the purpose in view.

asked the Minister of Defence what information he has about nuclear weapon explosions carried out by the Russian Government during the past few weeks; and whether he will make a statement on the recent British developments in this field of defence.

I have nothing to add to the statements on recent Russian explosions released by my Department and the United States Atomic Energy Commission. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle) on 22nd June last, and to the statements issued by the Ministry of Supply on 12th September, which I am including in the OFFICIAL REPORT.TEXT OF MINISTRY OF SUPPLY PRESS RELEASE ISSUED ON 12TH SEPTEMBER, 1955It has already been announced that an atomic weapons proving ground is being constructed at Maralinga in the central Australian desert, north of Watson on the Trans-continental railway. This proving ground will not be ready for use until late in 1956 but the progress in our atomic weapons programme is such that we wish to conduct a series of tests, our third, in April next year.To enable us to do this the Australian Government, for whose co-operation in all matters connected with these tests we are extremely grateful, have agreed to the use for this third series of the Monte Bello islands, which were the site of our first atomic test.The fall-out on the islands and the near-by sea will be less than that caused by the explosion of 1952. There will be no danger to people or stock on the mainland and detonation will only take place when the meteorological conditions are fully satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation.

Her Majesty's Government fully agree with the aims of the Convention of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation. These are to encourage the highest possible standards of maritime safety, to discourage discriminatory and restrictive practices in international shipping, and to provide a world-wide forum for discussion and exchange of information between Governments. Twenty-one ratifications are necessary to bring the Convention into force. Eighteen Governments, including the United Kingdom, have so far ratified and several others are understood to have the matter under active consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the recent murder of a British sailor by a Spanish prison guard.

Mr. Goodman, a seaman employed on the m/v "Sarmiento," was arrested at Santander on 1st June on charges of drunkenness and resisting the police. On 7th June when in prison on remand Mr. Goodman climbed up to look out of his cell window. As this was against prison regulations, the sentry ordered him to get down. When he did not do so, the sentry fired what he himself says was intended as a warning shot, and killed him. The Spanish military authorities are conducting a judicial inquiry into this incident. Her Majesty's Ambassador has requested more than once that the inquiry should be completed as soon as possible, and has meanwhile reserved Her Majesty's Government's right to claim compensation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will endeavour to obtain for British subjects the same facilities for entry into Japan which are at present enjoyed by United States citizens.

I understand that United States citizens can obtain gratis non-immigrant visas valid for any number of entries into Japan during a period of one year. In September, 1952, the Japanese Government were unwilling to accept our suggestion that ordinary visas should be valid for any number of journeys during a period of one year at the fee normally charged for a single journey visa. We have now asked them to reconsider the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present position in connection with his representations to the United States Government as to the life imprisonment of Mrs. Brillhart, a British citizen of Rochdale, Lancashire, who was sentenced in 1954 by a United States court-martial in Eritrea; and whether, in view of the recent decision by Federal Judge Edward Tamm who has ordered the release on bail of another wife sentenced by a United States court-martial for murder on the grounds that the United States code of military law cannot be applied to civilians accompanying armed forces overseas, he will request that similar treatment should now be considered in the case of Mrs. Brillhart.

No representations have been made to the United States Government in this case since the question of further action through judicial channels is still under consideration. The decision of Federal Judge Tamm followed one by the United States Supreme Court of 7th November, 1955, in the case of a civilian who was tried by court-martial for a crime committed whilst he was in the United States Air Force. I am informed that in the light of the above decisions negotiations are proceeding to brief an American lawyer to apply for the release of Mrs. Brillhart on a writ of habeas corpus.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what has resulted from his recent approaches to the States of Israel and Jordan about the condition of the British Military Cemetery at Mount Scopus, outside Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement.

I am glad to say that a start has been made towards restoring and repairing the cemetery. An Israeli team began the work of removing the mines from it on 17th November and is making steady progress. The next step will be to secure the agreement of both Israel and Jordan to the conditions governing access to the cemetery for the Imperial War Graves Commission and its representatives. General Burns has made proposals to both sides.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made towards securing a meeting between representatives of the Israeli and Egyptian Governments.

No progress has been made towards resuming the meetings which were held under General Burns' chairmanship during the summer to discuss measures to improve security along the Gaza demarcation line, and which broke down on 25th August. General Burns has been discussing with each side in turn the carrying out of the Security Council Resolution of 8th September on the Gaza demarcation line, as well as the Secretary-General's proposals of 3rd November on the El Auja demilitarised zone.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the fact that Her Majesty's Government was supplying arms to Egypt while denying them to Israel and that this was a breach of the provisions of the Tripartite Agreement affecting the Middle East, what steps Her Majesty's Government is taking to remedy this state of affairs and to implement the agreement.

It is not correct that Her Majesty's Government are supplying arms to Egypt while denying them to Israel.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the special interest of the Turkish people in Cyprus, he will consider the advisability of inviting the Turkish Government to station a part of their military contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces in Cyprus.

The special interest of Turkey in Cyprus is well recognised. I do not see any need to change present arrangements for the defence and security of the island.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has considered the recent report of the United States Atomic Energy Commission, a copy of which has been sent to him; and, in view of its disclosures on the amount of radio-activity released and the percentage dose absorbed by humans following atom and hydrogen bomb tests, if he will now press for the cessation of all atom and hydrogen bomb experiments.

I have seen the Report to which the hon. Member refers. I do not consider that the information contained in it justifies any modification of Her Majesty's Government's policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the latest discussions in the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation in Paris regarding the fisheries dispute between the United Kingdom and Iceland.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a further statement on the present position in regard to the fishery dispute between this country and Iceland.

There is to be a further meeting of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation Group in Paris tomorrow. Press reports that an agreement has been reached are incorrect.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what has been the cost up to date of the inquiries into the disappearance of Mr. Burgess and Mr. Maclean.

I regret that it would not be possible to estimate the cost of these investigations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further reports he has received on the arrest or trial of Christian missionaries, including British subjects, in the Southern Sudan; and whether he will make a statement.

I have received reports relating to four missionaries. One of them, a Catholic Verona Father, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment and ultimate banishment from the Sudan on a charge of lending the mission station's truck to mutineers who subsequently murdered a number of northerners. John Plumptre, a Church Missionary Society missionary, has been tried and acquitted. He was charged with conspiring to overthrow the Government. Two other Church Missionary Society missionaries have been withdrawn from their station to Juba. One of them, John Parry, has been accused of obstructing the troops while searching the mission. The other, Blake Harrop has been accused of infringing travel restrictions imposed by the Governor of Equatoria Province.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what information he has received regarding the effect of seditious radio propaganda directed from Egypt against British rule in African territories.

I am not aware that there is a serious effect at present, but the situation is being watched.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why there are no Africans serving on the municipal and township councils in Northern Rhodesia; and what action he is taking to provide opportunities for African participation in local government in the Colony.

A qualification for such service is the ownership or occupancy of rateable property within the municipality or township, and very few Africans qualify since property in their housing areas is not assessed for rates. The Northern Rhodesia Government have under constant consideration means of giving Africans opportunities and training to enable them to take a greater part in local government in urban areas. Meanwhile, 33 Africans are serving as full-time members of African township boards.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Northern and Southern Rhodesia African Railwaymen's Union is registered as a trade union by the Northern Rhodesia Government.

This recently amalgamated union is not yet registered as a trade union, but correspondence is now taking place between the union and the Registrar of Trade Unions about legalisation under the Northern Rhodesia law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of Africans in Northern Rhodesia regarding the facilities for secondary education and technical education (other than technological education within the executive authority of the Federation); and what steps he is taking to expand the Munali secondary school.

I am consulting the Governor of Northern Rhodesia and shall circulate a further reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals for settling the Cyprus problem were put forward by Archbishop Makarios; and what reply has been given on behalf of Her Majesty's Government.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Blenkinsop) on the 23rd November, to which I have nothing to add at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the average annual amount advanced by the Loans Commissioners towards education in Cyprus during the four-year period 1949 to 1953, and the sums authorised for the years 1953–54 and 1954–55, respectively.

The average annual amount advanced by the Loan Commissioners towards education in Cyprus during the four-year period 1949–52 was £71,661. Amounts authorised since 1952 are as follows:

		£
1953	…	152,720
1954	…	138,140
1955 (to date)	…	191,230

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been, or are being, taken to restore law and order in Cyprus; and what action is being taken to curb the seditious activities of Archbishop Makarios.

In reply to the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 28th November to the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Donnelly). On the second part of the Question, I hope that my hon. Friend will be content to rest assured that the authorities in Cyprus will give proper attention to seditious activity from any quarter, and will consider carefully what course should be followed in each individual case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what changes have been made recently in the British Information Services in Cyprus; and whether he is satisfied with the results.

The United Kingdom Government maintains no Information Services in Cyprus, but the Governor is considering action to strengthen the Information Services of the Cyprus Government and has recently appointed an officer on secondment from the Foreign Service to co-ordinate and direct these services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the further deterioration of the situation in Cyprus, he will consider offering ultimate self-determination to the Cypriots on condition that the island is retained as a defence base under the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and there should be a guarantee of Turkish minority rights.

I can assure the hon. Member that all facets of the problem in Cyprus have been fully considered; but beyond that I would ask him to wait for Her Majesty's Government's further statement which I promised in my reply to the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Donnelly) on Monday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the Governor's proposals in relation to official representation on the Council Negri of Sarawak.

The proposals for a new constitution, moved by an unofficial member and unanimously approved by Council, provide for fourteen ex officio members, for four members who may be officials or unofficials to be nominated by the Governor to represent interests not represented or inadequately represented, and for twenty-four unofficial members elected by divisional and other councils.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if decisions have now been reached regarding a new Constitution for Mauritius.

I have nothing to add at present to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 26th October.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has appointed a suitable expert in local government to investigate the law and practice governing local elections in Mauritius.

At the request of the Government of Mauritius Mr. B. Keith-Lucas, Senior Lecturer in Local Government at Oxford University and Fellow of Nuffield College, has been appointed Chairman of a Commission which will inquire into these matters. He is due to arrive in the Colony about now.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the lack of secondary education in Sierra Leone; and what action he is taking to improve this condition.

The need for more secondary schools and for the improvement of existing ones was recognised by the Education Commission which visited Sierra Leone last year. The Sierra Leone Government propose to build within the next four years one new technical secondary school and four new junior secondary schools, and to rebuild or extend nine of the thirteen existing secondary schools partly with the object of extending sixth form work in them. This should double the present number of 240 students taking the West African School Certificate each year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to indicate the steps which the Government is taking to implement the Penal Sanctions (Indigenous Workers) Convention of 1939; the extent to which penal sanctions for breach of contract have been abolished since November, 1953; the territories in which they are still applied; and the penalties which are imposed.

Her Majesty's Government obtain reports annually from the Governments which still retain penal sanctions, and are satisfied that they have gone as far and as fast in abolishing them as local conditions permit.Since November, 1953, legislation has been passed in a number of territories repealing provisions which were in practice already in abeyance. In Kenya and Tanganyika, Bills are before the Legislatures which would bring the law into conformity with the Convention. Penal sanctions are still applied in British Honduras, Northern Rhodesia and Swaziland, and also in Southern Rhodesia. The penalties which may be imposed are fine or imprisonment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what investigation is to be made into the affairs of the Cocoa Marketing Board and the Cocoa Purchasing Company in the Gold Coast.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the composition of the committee appointed by the Gold Coast Government to inquire into the activities of the Gold Coast Cocoa Purchasing Company.

The Committee to inquire into the activities of the Cocoa Purchasing Company has not yet been appointed. The Gold Coast Government hope to secure the services of an experienced member of the legal profession with commercial experience, and a chartered accountant. The terms of reference have not been drawn up but they will provide for the investigation of all the allegations of irregularities in the affairs of the Cocoa Purchasing Company. It is not proposed to investigate the affairs of the Cocoa Marketing Board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much of the £7,000,000 contribution of Her Majesty's Government to aid under-developed countries and agreed to at the annual meeting of the countries in the Colombo Plan, is to be allocated to Singapore and Malaya, respectively; and in what way this aid is to be given.

No part of the contribution of £7 million which Her Majesty's Government are to make to the Colombo Plan Technical Co-operation Scheme will be spent on technical assistance for Singapore or the Federation of Malaya. Such assistance is given by the United Kingdom to these Territories in other ways.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to state the results of the talks which have been proceeding between the representatives of the Chief Minister of Malaya and the insurgents which took place in North Malaya recently.

The purpose of these talks was to make arrangements for a meeting between the Chief Ministers of the Federation and Singapore and the leader of the Communist terrorists. The Communist representative asked for assurances that the Communist delegates at this meeting would be supplied with food and that their personal safety would be respected: these assurances were given. No date for the meeting has yet been settled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to implement the recommendation of the rubber inquiry carried out last year in Malaya to replace low yielding rubber trees by high yielding ones; and what acreage there are now of both.

The policy of the Federation Government is set out in a White Paper, of which copies have been placed in the Library of the House. The legislation necessary to give effect to this policy was enacted by the Federal Legislative Council in June. Areas of low-yielding and high-yielding trees are estimated to be 2,550,000 acres and 1 million acres respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the shortage of doctors in Malaya, what further efforts are being made to recruit doctors from the United Kingdom.

There are only seven current vacancies which I have been asked to fill in the Medical Department of the Federation of Malaya. They are for three Radiologists and four Health Officers. There is a shortage of doctors in these specialities in this country as well as overseas. The posts are being persistently advertised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what restrictions now exist on the right of public assembly in British Guiana; and on what date full freedom to hold public meetings will be restored.

Under Section 19 of the Emergency Order, public meetings and processions are prohibited except with the permission of the Commissioner of Police, which is freely granted for gatherings of a non-political character. The Governor has informed me that he is at present considering whether further relaxation should now be made, and that he hopes to announce his decision shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to state the average daily wage of cutters in the sugar cane industry in the West Indies; and how this compares with wages paid for similar work in Queensland, Australia.

No average figure can be given for the West Indies as a whole since methods and conditions of work vary considerably and payment is usually at piece rates. Average daily earnings, taking territories separately, range from about 11s. 6d. to 16s. 8d.The circumstances of the industry in Queensland are so different from those in the West Indies that no straight forward comparison can be made, though I understand that in Queensland both individual output and earnings are higher than in the West Indies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to urge the authorities in British North Borneo to reconsider the Singapore Government's offer to send squatter and unemployed families to Borneo to help meet the labour shortage subject to the necessary screening to prevent the entry of undesirable persons.

This has so far been the subject only of informal exchanges and no specific proposals have yet been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that on 15th November a Buganda chief was beaten to the point of unconsciousness in front of the Assistant Resident, who was powerless to protect him; and what steps are being taken to protect Baganda, who were loyal to the protectorate government, from the violence and insults being inflicted on them since the Kabaka' s return.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement regarding intimidation in Buganda.

I am aware of this disgraceful attack on a Buganda chief. Five arrests have so far been made and others are expected. Statements condemning such incidents were at once made by the Kabaka and by the Buganda and Protectorate Governments jointly. The latter statement made it clear that no further lawlessness would be tolerated. I am glad to be able to say that there have been no more incidents involving violence. Two mobile police patrols are being maintained in areas where incidents might occur and extra police are being stationed in those areas.I am sure that the House will agree that all possible steps must be taken to prevent any further victimisation or intimidation. I have taken action to ensure that responsible people in Buganda are aware of the concern of Her Majesty's Government which I feel sure is shared by all parties in this House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to make a statement with regard to the decision of the Buganda Government to exile a number of leading Baganda personalities, and to remove or transfer a number of Saza chiefs.

I have not heard of any suggestion that leading personalities in Buganda should be exiled nor do I know of any decision by the Buganda Government to remove or transfer Saza Chiefs. The Saza Chief of Bulemezi, who is over 60, has resigned.There have been reports of other Chiefs being under political pressure to resign. I sincerely hope that these reports were not correct or that, if they were, the responsible people in Buganda will realise in time what harm any such action would do to Buganda's reputation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the numbers employed in the Colonial Office have risen by some 6 per cent. in the last eight years, while their responsibilities have decreased.

Nearly 90 per cent. of the increase of staff since 1947 is due to the Office having taken over responsibility for the Directorates of Geodetic and Topographical Surveys and of Geological Surveys. There has been no diminution in the territorial responsibilities of my Department since 1948. On the other hand, the rapid social, economic and political development of the oversea territories and the closer contact now maintained with their Governments have increased the volume and complexity of the work to an extent far outweighing any reduction due to the fact that much of the routine business which used to be done here is now looked after by the oversea Governments themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is yet able to make a statement on further progress towards British Caribbean Federation.

I have issued an invitation to the West Indian Governments concerned to attend a conference on British Caribbean Federation under my chairmanship to begin in London on 7th February next. The purpose of this conference will be to reach final decisions on the major outstanding issues and to agree on the procedure for settling any remaining matters prior to the establishment of a Federation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to prevent the smuggling of groundnuts from the Gambia Colony to French Senegal.

The Gambia Government are fully aware of the importance of ensuring that Gambian groundnuts are only exported through legitimate channels, and take all possible steps to minimise the opportunities for smuggling presented by a land frontier nearly 500 miles long. Police and administrative officers are under instructions to use their influence with local communities and the powers conferred upon them by law to prevent illegal trading, and receive considerable assistance in their task from officers of the Oilseeds Marketing Board. As a further step appropriate to the opening of the groundnut season, the Governor is himself proposing to tour the whole territory in the near future in order to remind the Native Authorities of their responsibilities in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the size of the populations of Europeans, Asians and coloured persons in Nyasaland, respectively.

According to the latest estimates, which must be regarded as approximate only, the total population is 2,483,800 including 5,200 Europeans and 8,600 other non-Africans of whom about three-quarters are Asians.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what advice the Governor has given to the Nyasaland Protectorate Council in view of the recommendations of the Nyasaland National Congress that it should withdraw its representatives from the Federal Parliament.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what cuts have been made in the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund for education in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland; what income has been diverted to the Federal Treasury which otherwise could have been used for African education; and what plans for the expansion of African education have been curtailed.

There is no separate Colonial Development and Welfare Fund for education in these Territories. Their allocations for all development and welfare purposes remain as announced in Cmd. 9462. No income has been diverted to the Federal Treasury which otherwise would have been used for African education, plans for which are being drawn up by the Governments concerned in relation to the funds likely to be available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British expatriate officers are now employed in each of the Colonial Territories; how many of these hold administrative appointments and how many are specialists; and what was the total number of unfilled posts in each category at the latest convenient date.

To give an exact figure in respect of each territory would involve much research and reference to the several Government. In round numbers the total establish British expatriate staffs in the territories for which I am responsible are:

Administrative	…	2,050
Others	…	12,450

The number of notified vacancies on the Colonial Office books which were outstanding on 31st October were:

Administrative	…	210
Others	…	1,287

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that a magistrate in the Seychelles sentenced a labourer on 7th July to one month's imprisonment in default of repayment of an advance of wages of 24 rupees, that is to say, 36s.; and, as this decision is a contravention of the Penal Sanctions (Indigenous Workers) Convention of 1939, whether he will remit the sentence.

Yes. This order was made by a magistrate on 27th July under a misapprehension of his powers and since the commitment warrant was irregular it has not and will not be acted upon. The sentence has thus in effect already been remitted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will make a statement about the future use of the Royal Marine Barracks, Chatham.

As my right hon. Friend the First Lord informed the right hon. Member in August, he has been considering the possibility of using this property as a combined Dockyard Training College and Apprentices' Training Centre. Preliminary investigation indicates that conversion of the existing buildings would not be a worthwhile proposition, but no definite conclusion has yet been reached.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give an assurance that priority will be given to refitting ships of Her Majesty's Navy in Her Majesty's Dockyards.

Yes.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how the cost of refitting Her Majesty's ships in Her Majesty's Dockyards compares with that in private yards on the Clyde.

No exact comparison can be made between the relative costs of refitting work in the Royal Dockyards and private shipyards on the Clyde—or elsewhere in the country. To such extent as comparison is possible—and it is to be emphasised that no two refitting jobs are alike and conditions vary between dockyard and dockyard, and between the private yards themselves—the costs in the Royal yards are rather lower, as indeed they should be because the primary task of these yards is the repair of warships whereas the private yards are concerned more with merchant ships.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will make a statement of Naval policy on the disposal of aircraft carriers and other fleet units in view of the concern felt in the Royal Navy.

It has always been naval policy that when ships have reached a condition when further expenditure on modernisation and maintenance would not be justified, they should be disposed of, in order to allow resources to be devoted to newer ships. This policy is being followed particularly in the Reserve Fleet where, as stated in the Explanatory Statement on the Navy Estimates 1955–56, the emphasis is now being put on achieving a higher standard of readiness. As a result, this year some ships, including two aircraft carriers, have been disposed of and others will shortly follow. These ships are mainly of wartime construction and have all seen heavy service.

asked the Postmaster-General what stamp machines have been installed on and near the Weoley Castle Estate, Birmingham; and whether he will provide one on the adjoining Bangham Pit Estate.

There are stamp-selling machines at Weoley Avenue and Weoley Hill post offices. The installation of a machine on the Bangham Pit estate will be considered as soon as the shops now being built have been completed.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the need for telephone kiosks, letter boxes, and other postal facilities in the new housing estate of Northwood, Kirkby, near Liverpool; and what steps his Department are taking to provide them.

Yes; it is proposed to provide two telephone kiosks on the estate. Two letter boxes will be put up before Christmas. The question of providing counter facilities is being examined, and I will write to the right hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, to interest more small and youthful savers, he will reintroduce those money boxes known as home safes, whose production ceased in 1942.

No. The National Savings Stamps scheme is now covering more effectively and economically the field previously served by home safes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the height of the proposed new radar mast in the Dartmoor National Park; and the extent of the ancillary buildings.

The mast would be 360 feet high. There would be one single-storeyed building, 90 feet long, and a small standby power house.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement in respect of the investigation into the allegations of improper use of materials and aircraftmen from the Royal Air Force, Lichfield.

I have now considered a comprehensive report on the matters referred to by the hon. Member. I am writing to the hon. Member to give him full details.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress is being made in the scheme for the electrification of railways in southwest Scotland.

A proposal to electrify certain suburban railways in and around Glasgow, as suggested by the Inglis Committee, has been approved in principle by the British Transport Commission subject to the conclusion of a satisfactory agreement with the Glasgow Corporation for the co-ordination of transport facilities in the area. I am informed that negotiations with the Corporation are proceeding.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to arrange for a review of the pensions now paid to retired railway workers, in view of the rising cost of living and the inadequacy of the pensions now paid.

I am in touch with the Chairman of the British Transport Commission on this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to give an assurance that, although Her Majesty's Government are not under present conditions prepared to facilitate the raising in the United Kingdom of the capital for the construction of a tunnel under the English Channel, he is prepared to consider approaches from the French authorities with a view to giving his necessary agreement to the raising of the money and the undertaking of the work by them.

I do not think it is either necessary or desirable for me to add to the many previous statements that have been made on this topic.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if, in view of the fact that Her Majesty's Government are reviewing the categories of pensions covered by the Pensions Increases Acts, he will conduct a similar review of the pensions paid by the board of nationalised industries under his control in respect of employees who were drawing pensions at the time of take-over, with a view to amending his Regulations.

I am in touch with the Chairmen of the Boards on this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the doubts which exist as to whether it is obligatory under the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations, 1950, for a person holding a provisional licence to drive a hand-operated pedestrian-controlled electric vehicle to be accompanied by another licence holder walking with him when taking such a vehicle on the highway; and whether he will amend the regulations with a view to making it clear that no such obligation is imposed thereby.

I am unaware of any general doubts on this question. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will send me more precise details of the type of vehicle he has in mind, and I will then gladly look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to make it obligatory to endorse a motor vehicle registration book when the vehicle is subject either to a hire-purchase agreement, which is still in force, or is subject to the payment of Purchase Tax or Customs Duty if it is retained in the United Kingdom after a certain date.

I have considered the hon. Member's suggestion about the endorsement of registration books, but have concluded that it would be no real check on fraud because endorsed registration books could be declared lost or destroyed and so have to be replaced by clean ones. To prevent this, local councils would have to keep a record of all licences with their endorsements, and I do not think there are sufficient grounds for the substantial amount of work involved.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware that parking on both sides of Montague Street, Holborn, causes obstruction; and whether he will enforce one-side-only parking in this street.

Road works at the junction of Southampton Row and Theobalds Road have caused a temporary increase in the traffic using Montague Street, but I do not think that road conditions here would justify permanent restrictions on waiting.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, in view of his promise to reconsider the application from Birmingham interests for improved road facilities for the city on the grounds of trade expansion, if he will give an assurance that any additional grants which may be made available will be followed immediately by similar action in respect of the provision for the Tyne Tunnel.

No, but I am well aware of the need for improved facilities for crossing the Tyne and will keep that need in mind when determining the future road programme.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how long passengers on the K.L.M. aeroplane, on 1st November, 1955, which was diverted by fog from London to Bovingdon Airport, were kept airborne waiting to land; how long they had to wait in the waiting room before going through immigration formalities, and how long they waited in a small corridor before seeing the official; and what steps he is taking, in consultation with the Secretary of State for the Home Department, to ensure that passengers from aeroplanes diverted by fog are cleared through the fomalities without undue delay.

On K. L. M.' s instructions this aircraft was diverted from London to Bovingdon at 1202 hours and landed there at 1306 hours. Passengers waited in the waiting room for about 45 minutes. The last of the 33 passengers cleared was in the corridor 25 minutes.There is a standing arrangement whereby airline operators inform the immigration authorities of decisions to divert. If necessary, additional staff is then sent to the aerodrome concerned. My right hon. and gallant Friend the Home Secretary and I are satisfied that this is the best arrangement to ensure that passengers in diverted aircraft are cleared without undue delay.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many firms have been invited to tender for the catering contract in the new Eastern Apex building at London Airport; and whether applications will be considered for catering firms not so invited.

Invitations to tender have been sent to fifty-eight firms. The tenders are returnable on 20th December. The list includes all caterers thought likely to be interested and capable of undertaking the job satisfactorily, but there is nothing to prevent any who may have been overlooked from applying to my Department for the tender documents. The premises include a high-class grillroom and cocktail bar and a number of separate dining-rooms for airline captains, crews and the general public.

asked the Secretary of State for War the acreage of Cleave Camp, north Cornwall; how much has been added within the last three years; and what use will be made of it in future.

A total of 496 acres, none of which have been added during the last three years. A decision on its future use will be taken shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War what changes he can now announce in the travel warrant conditions in the case of relatives and friends travelling to the military funeral of a Service man.

None yet, but my right hon. Friend hopes shortly to be able to introduce the change recently suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War when Kensington Village at Fayid was built; and at what cost.

It was built in 1946–47 and added to later. The work was largely done by prisoners-of-war and no reliable estimate of cost can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many people can be accommodated in Kensington Village, Fayid; and for how long it is proposed to use it.

The village will be retained for the period of the agreement with Egypt to house the contractors' employees and will accommodate sixty-nine single persons and 206 families.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the difficulties facing the wives and families of the officers and other ranks of the 1st Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment, as a result of this unit's sudden move to Cyprus; and whether he will give an indication as to when arrangements can be made for the latter to join their husbands overseas.

Yes. The emergency in Cyprus has caused unavoidable difficulties as a result of the separation of families at short notice. The problem is a complex one, but we are considering as a matter of urgency what can be done to improve matters.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private Francis McCabe, of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, has only 32 weeks reckonable service, although he has been in the Army for nearly two-and-a-half years; and since he is unlikely to make an efficient soldier but may be liable to remain in the Army for eight years, if he will now consider discharging him to resume his work in the coal mines.

Private McCabe will be discharged when he completes his present sentence.

asked the Secretary of State for War the main types of work undertaken by Germans and displaced persons employed by the British military authorities in Western Germany.

Skilled and unskilled work in depots, workshops and offices; employment in transport, technical and guard units which form part of the logistic support of our fighting formations; and the general domestic duties which are necessary in barracks.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation which countries have ratified or acceded to the Load Line Convention; when and to which countries the convention has been applied by Order in Council under Section 65 of the Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Act, 1932; which countries have made declarations of denunciation of the Convention; and the dates of such declarations.

The following table shows the countries which have,

Country			Date of Deposit of Ratification or Accession	Date of Order in Council
United Kingdom	…	…	1st October, 1932	15th December, 1932
Argentine	…	…	19th October, 1935	31st January, 1936
Australia, Commonwealth of	…	…	17th February, 1936	28th May, 1936
Belgium	…	…	29th May, 1935	3rd October, 1935
Brazil	…	…	31st December, 1937	6th May, 1938
Bulgaria	…	…	4th September, 1933	21st December, 1933
Canada	…	…	1st October, 1932	15th December, 1932
Chile	…	…	24th May, 1933	9th October, 1933
China	…	…	19th August, 1935	20th December, 1935
Costa Rica	…	…	1st July, 1953	28th October, 1953
Cuba	…	…	9th December, 1932	7th February, 1933
Czechoslovak Republic	…	…	18th June, 1955	28th October, 1955
Danzig	…	…	4th August, 1933	10th November, 1933
Denmark	…	…	13th August, 1931	15th December, 1932
Dominican Republic	…	…	28th October, 1947	24th February, 1948
Ecuador	…	…	28th February, 1950	21st July, 1950
Egypt	…	…	24th July, 1936	3rd November, 1936
Estonia	…	…	17th March, 1934	29th June, 1934
Finland	…	…	1st October, 1932	15th December, 1932
France	…	…	1st October, 1932	15th December, 1932
Germany	…	…	6th September, 1933	21st December, 1933
Greece	…	…	4th December, 1934	29th March, 1935
Honduras	…	…	10th June, 1948	8th October, 1948
Hungary	…	…	16th January, 1933	25th May, 1933
Iceland	…	…	26th November, 1932	7th February, 1933
India	…	…	1st October, 1934	21st February, 1935
Irish Republic	…	…	8th February, 1934	14th May, 1934
Israel	…	…	15th July, 1949	25th November, 1949
Italy	…	…	1st October, 1932	15th December, 1932
Japan	…	…	11th June, 1935	3rd October, 1935
Korea	…	…	11th June, 1954	4th November, 1954
Latvia	…	…	29th January, 1932	15th December, 1932
Liberia	…	…	25th March, 1949	28th July, 1949
Mexico	…	…	6th June, 1934	5th October, 1934
Netherlands	…	…	9th April, 1932	15th December, 1932
New Zealand	…	…	1st October, 1932	15th December, 1932
Nicaragua	…	…	19th February, 1954	24th June, 1954
Norway	…	…	1st October, 1932	15th December, 1932
Panama	…	…	13th July. 1936	27th October, 1936
Peru	…	…	30th March, 1933	25th May, 1933
Philippine Republic	…	…	30th September, 1949	24th May, 1950
Poland	…	…	6th September, 1933	21st December, 1933
Portugal	…	…	1st October, 1932	15th December, 1932
Roumania	…	…	1st January, 1933	25th May, 1933
South Africa, Union of	…	…	24th February, 1947	3rd July, 1947
Spain	…	…	1st October, 1932	15th December, 1932
Sweden	…	…	1st October, 1932	15th December, 1932
Switzerland	…	…	19th May, 1954	4th November, 1954
Thailand	…	…	11th July, 1933	10th November, 1933
Turkey	…	…	20th May, 1955	28th October, 1955
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics	…	…	1st October, 1932	15th December, 1932
United States of America	…	…	10th June, 1931	15th December, 1932
Uruguay	…	…	8th February, 1939	25th May, 1939
Venezuela	…	…	30th December, 1954	30th June, 1955
Yugoslavia	…	…	26th February, 1934	29th June, 1934

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the failure of the United Kingdom to be elected to a place on the Council of the World Food and Agriculture Organisation.

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 28th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Cornwall, North (Sir H. Roper).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the highest known rent charged by any local authority for a four-apartment house and also the lowest rent.

No information is available about the rents of individual houses. At 15th November, 1954, the highest and lowest average standard rents per annum for four-apartment local authority houses were £43 6s. 8d. and £12, respectively, for pre-war houses, and £57 and £19 7s. 7d. for post-war houses. Details are published in Command Paper "Rents of Houses

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which local authorities in Scotland administer schemes of rent rebates on differential rents; and whether there are any general principles common to such schemes.

So far as I am aware no local authority in Scotland operates a scheme of differential rents, but at 15th November, 1954, rent rebates schemes, based on the principle of relieving genuine need, were being operated by the following local authorities:

Counties
Argyll.	Perth.
Kinross.	Renfrew.
Lanark.	Stirling.
Large Burghs
Coatbridge.	Motherwell and Wishaw.
Falkirk.
Greenock.	Paisley.
Kilmarnock.	Perth.
Kirkcaldy.	Rutherglen.
	Stirling.
Small Burghs
Bathgate.	Johnstone.
Callander.	Kilsyth.
Castle Douglas.	Lanark.
Cumnock.	Linlithgow.
Dalbeattie.	Lockerbie.
Dalkeith.	Maybole.
Duns.	Nairn.
Elgin.	Peebles.
Ellon.	Queensferry.
Eyemouth.	St. Andrews.
Huntly.

NOTE.—Details of the number of houses in respect of which rent rebates are given and the average amount in each case are contained in "Rents of Houses Owned by Local Authorities in Scotland" (Cmd. 9539).