asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of any increase or decrease of disabled workers and of non-disabled persons, respectively, employed by Remploy Limited, at the latest convenient date, compared with 30th June, 1955.

Between 21st June and 11th October, 1955, the number of severely disabled persons fell by 168 and other workers by 24.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons employed by Remploy Limited, at 1st January, 30th June, and 31st October, 1955, respectively.

The numbers of persons employed by Remploy Limited on 4th January, 21st June and 11th October, the nearest dates for which information is available, were 8,705, 8,134 and 7,942 respectively.

Does the Minister appreciate that his reply is as disappointing to us as it must be to him? Will he use his utmost efforts to increase the numbers, and, in particular, have regard to the fact that of the new trainees, many are transferred to open industry, and there is, unfortunately, a wastage for other reasons? Will he therefore give an assurance that the arrangements will be on a scale which will ensure that the minimum number of trainees at Remploy will approximate to the figure which he has previously assured the House would be reached?

I think the assurance that I gave to the House was that I would prevent, if I could, the number of employees going below 6,000. As for the future, I have to answer a Question by the hon. Member for Newton (Mr. Lee) a little later.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of Remploy factories in October, 1951, and the present number; the total of disabled people employed on both dates; what figure of disabled persons he has in mind as the maximum to be employed by Remploy; and by what date he estimates that the necessary expansion will be accomplished.

In October, 1951, there were 89 Remploy factories, and on 11th October, 1955, 90. The total of severely disabled persons employed by the company in October, 1951, was 5,956 and on 11th October, 1955, 6,026. I am at present in discussion with the Board of Remploy Limited, on its plans for next year. I have no maximum figure to be employed by the company in mind; it would, in fact, be difficult to decide such a figure owing to the continuing rapid fall in the number of unemployed severely disabled—a fall of 44 per cent. since October, 1951. I hope, however, that the company may be able to make some increase in the number of severely disabled employees next year.

Whilst we understand that the development of Remploy went at rather too fast a pace at one time, would not the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that there is now an impression that not a great effort is being made to develop Remploy from its existing level? What sort of plans has the right hon. and learned Gentleman, and what sort of development speed are we to expect from Remploy to ensure that people who need the assistance which Remploy can give will not have to wait for admission to Remploy?

As to waiting, I would emphasise the fact that we are placing severely disabled persons, the Section II people, in ordinary employment at the rate of about 2,000 a year. The drop in the unemployed in Section II has gone down by 3,000 from—I think it was —6,900 in October, 1951, to 3,900 in October, 1955, so that the problem is diminishing. That does not mean that I do not want to do what I can for those who are properly placed for it, but it would be premature for me to say anything now. I have been talking during this month to the Board of Remploy and to the other Departments concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour what plans he has to extend the training facilities offered by Remploy in the London area.

As I told the House in reply to the hon. Member for Newton (Mr. Lee), I hope that it will be possible to expand the numbers to be employed in Remploy factories. This will include those in the London area.

Will the Minister bear in mind the very real danger, in a thickly-populated area, of partially-disabled people drifting from one kind of unskilled occupation to another? In a small town, the case of a disabled person impresses itself upon the officials as one needing special training. Will he provide some kind of statistical check to see that the London area, in particular, gets its fair share of vacancies in Remploy?

We do try to administer this service as fairly as we can, and I should like to pay this tribute to the disabled resettlement officers, who do their work with great sympathy for the individual case.

Would I be correct in suggesting that one advantage of Remploy which is not always appreciated is that it demonstrates that disabled men can be made into useful workers, which has made it easier for the disabled resettlement officers to get employers to take such men into their employment? That is shown by the recent success in getting men into ordinary employment who would otherwise have gone into Remploy.

I think that emphasises what I was saying, and points the value of this service.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of inspections, per factory inspector, in 1938 and in 1954.

Very rough average figures of inspection visits per inspector are—for 1938, 1,040 and for 1954, 730.

Does the Minister agree that these figures are somewhat disturbing? Can he tell the House what steps are now being taken to step up the numbers in the inspectorate, and can he explain the fall in the number of visits which he indicated between 1938 and last year?

In reply to the first part of the supplementary question, I may say that the figure of inspectors has gone up between these dates from 269 in 1938 to a figure varying between 355 and 364 in 1954. The reason there are fewer inspections per inspector is largely because of changes in the nature of the work. In 1938, the Factories Act, 1937, was only just coming into force, and it has been necessary to make more elaborate inspections as the work has developed. Secondly, there have been new, additional and complex technical Regulations under the Act which did not exist in 1938.

asked the Minister of Labour on what grounds officials of his Department grant or refuse to aliens permission to work in the United Kingdom.

Permits for the engagement of foreigners coming to this country from abroad are issued by me as required by Article 4 (1) (b) of the Aliens Order, 1953. The general conditions for issue are that the proposed employment is reasonable and necessary and that adequate efforts have been made by the employer to find suitable workers among British subjects or long-resident foreigners. The wages and other conditions proposed must be not less favourable than those commonly accorded to British workers. Subject to these, consideration is given to individual cases according to their particular circumstances.

While thanking the Minister for that Answer, may I ask him whether, in these days of full employment, he will instruct his officials to treat really sympathetically the cases of foreigners who want to come to work in this country, not taking anybody else's job but doing work that is useful to the community as a whole?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the trade-union rate for male attendants in the cinema industry is from £5 12s. 3d. to £5 15s. 6d. for a 48-hour week in most areas of the country, and from £2 15s. 6d. to £3 16s. 3d. for usherettes for a 44-hour week; and if he will agree to set up a commission on this industry under the Wages Councils Acts to inquire into the desirability of establishing a wages council.

I understand that these figures are broadly correct for areas outside London and the Home Counties. Rates in this industry are negotiated between the trade union and employers' association concerned, and I am informed that a claim for revised wages and conditions is now being discussed. I have received no request for the appointment of a commission of inquiry under the Wages Councils Acts.

Can the Minister stand aside when such disgraceful wages are being paid by highly profitable concerns, when three groups made £14 million in profit last year and when the exhibitors have made no response to the union's proposals, made eight months ago?

The matter, as I have said in my first Answer, is now under negotiation, as I understand, between the appropriate organisations. All I can say is that I have no power to act as the hon. Member suggests in the original Question. I cannot appoint a commission of inquiry unless I am satisfied that there is no organised machinery available.

Would not my right hon. and learned Friend agree that the real answer to this problem is that these attendants, who are doing unproductive work, should transfer to productive industry, in which the wages are more than double?

Oh.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement upon the prospects of maintaining full employment during the next 12 months, with particular reference to prospects in Wales.

There are at present no indications that employment generally in Great Britain or in Wales is likely to fall below a satisfactory level in the coming year.

Does my right hon. and learned Friend realise that in Wales, in particular, opinion on employment is very sensitive, and that even the closing of a single factory causes a disproportionate amount of discussion?

Will the Minister take into account the fact that, in the next few months, the locomotive engine shops at Barry and Caerphilly are likely to be deprived of work as a result of the decision of the Transport Commission to put out to tender to private firms the building of 141 new diesel units for use experimentally on the railways? That will probably lead in the next year to a degree of unemployment in the Caerphilly and Barry shops?

I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman for bringing that to my notice. I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Labour when he expects to publish the second Report of the Advisory Committee on the employment of older men and women.

The Report is being laid before Parliament today, and will be published on Tuesday, 6th December. Copies will be available in the Vote Office to hon. Members at 3.30 p.m. on that day.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the appearance of the second Report of this very valuable Committee will be most welcome, the more so as it points the way to using the skill and experience of older workers at a time when there are so many unfilled vacancies?

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the strike at Messrs. Bedford, Keighley, Yorkshire, which has been in progress for six weeks.

Four men employed by this firm were dismissed on 6th October, and on the following day the remaining 36 employees withdrew their labour in protest. I understand that the dispute arises from the question of trade union recognition, and the conciliation officer at Leeds has endeavoured repeatedly to arrange a joint meeting between the employer and the officials of the trade union concerned. The employer is, however, unwilling to attend such a meeting.

As the hon. Member is aware, the position was discussed with national officers of the union at the Ministry's headquarters last Tuesday.

Is any further pressure being put on this reactionary firm which refuses to recognise trade unions? Is the Minister aware that, as a result of the firm paying lower wages than are paid in Leicester, there is danger of this dispute spreading?

As to the dispute generally and as to what has been happening, I should point out that I have no power to insist upon the employment of trade union workers only. Such influence as we have to bring about a meeting we shall continue to use.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that during 1954 and the first six months of 1955, 3,276 new industrial building schemes were started in Great Britain, of which only 446 were in Development Areas; that the majority of these schemes are in those regions in which there are the largest number of vacancies on the books of the employment exchanges; and what action he proposes to take to prevent a serious unbalance of industry to working population in a given area.

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I co-operate closely in seeking to secure the proper distribution of industry throughout the country, and fully appreciate the needs of the Development Areas for new industry. New industrial building in the London and South-Eastern Region and other regions with many outstanding vacancies is largely the result of the expansion of existing industry which, for economic reasons, could not move elsewhere.

It is, moreover, misleading to have regard merely to numbers of projects. The Development Areas had one-seventh of the new factory buildings but they should, on the estimates of the firms concerned, provide about two-sevenths of the total additional employment. Unemployment in the Development Areas during the period in question has been falling steadily, and is now under 2 per cent.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that in those very regions where there are most unfilled vacancies—I refer to the London and South-Eastern Region, the Midland Region and so on—there are the most schemes for new industrial development; while in regions such as the Northern Region, Scotland, Wales, and part of Lancashire, which are the old Development Areas, there is not only the smallest number of unfilled vacancies but also the smallest amount of industrial building taking place? If that continues all the work of the Distribution of Industry Act will be vitiated.

I am aware of the difficulties, and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman, from his experience, is aware of them also. There are places where industry is expanding and where it can economically expand but they are not the same places as the Development Areas. The trouble is that the President of the Board of Trade cannot make industries develop in a particular place. He does his best to persuade them.

Would not the Minister say that getting rid of industrial building control has caused those industries which were previously in the Development Areas to close down their factories there and attempt to expand the parent factory? Our experience in our period of office was that many firms would have liked to do that. Since control has gone, there is this desire to expand in Birmingham, Coventry and so on, and to close down the former factories.

asked the Minister of Labour what decision has been reached in respect of the medical fitness of Mr. Alan F. Kilfoyle.

Following his appeal against his original grading, Mr. Kilfoyle has, on a consultant's report, been placed in medical grade IV. He will accordingly not be called up for service.

Is not the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that but for my intervention this young man would have been in the forces, graded as grade I? In view of the many blunders that I have uncovered, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman tell me how many more cases I must reveal in the House before the matter is taken seriously?

The answer to the hon. Gentleman is that this is a very good example of the working of the machinery of appeals which I introduced some years ago. What has happened is that this young man himself appealed. His original grade of I was largely on the report of his own doctor. When he appealed, a different view was taken by those who looked at him again, again having the advantage of more reports from the same partnership of doctors. The man was eventually sent to a consultant, and my chief medical officer had a look at the case in the end and thought that the second grading was right. It is a good thing that we introduced the appeals machinery.

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory Answer—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—which says that it was due to the Ministry of Labour, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment, and give more details.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, under his regulations, a British subject who has recently completed four years' service in a Commonwealth force is exempt from call-up in Britain.

Full-time approved service in the Armed Forces of a Commonwealth country is taken into account by the Service Department concerned when determining the period of full-time service that a man may be required to perform under the Acts. I have no power to exempt a man from liability under the National Service Acts.

Does that reply mean that the period for which a National Service man may be called up may be reduced from two years to a few months, or to nothing? Is that the position under the agreement with the Commonwealth forces?

That is the position which is dealt with, as the hon. Member will see, by the Service Department concerned, but I can tell him that the amount of service a man does in this country, after service in an approved Commonwealth force is, in general, reduced correspondingly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has yet decided to make any alteration in the law relating to capital punishment; and if he will now state Government policy on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Her Majesty's Government is unable to accept any of the major recommendations of the Royal Commission on Capital Punishment.

The Government have found no reason to depart from the provisional views which I expressed when the Royal Commission's Report was debated on 10th February last. I cannot detail the grounds for the Government's decision within the scope of the Answer to a Question, but the hon. Members will find them in the speech that I made on that occasion.

Have the Government therefore definitely made the decision that some human creatures are so much beyond redemption that nothing will do but to take their lives; and, secondly, that our prison system is so defective that imprisonment will not protect the community?

I think the best thing which the hon. and learned Gentleman can do is to await the discussion which the Prime Minister promised that we should have on this whole question.

Does not the Home Secretary consider that, after a Commission has gone to such trouble to prepare a Report, it is remarkable that the Government cannot accept a single recommendation? In view of the fact that the right hon. and gallant Gentleman gave a Written Answer to the Question, is not that treating the Commission and the House with contempt?

I think that the hon. Gentleman's memory is at fault. We had a debate on this whole matter last February, when I referred in very great detail to the three main recommendations of the Commission. If the hon. Gentleman will look at the OFFICIAL REPORT, he will find that I treated each one in very great detail in my speech.

Would not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman nevertheless bear in mind that even among that dwindling number of persons who desire in some cases to retain the death penalty there is an almost universal feeling that the law in its present form, at any rate, cannot be defended? In those circumstances, would he not reconsider the matter?

As I think the hon. Gentleman appreciated when he referred to my right hon. Friend's answer on the last occasion, it is important that the state of public opinion should be ascertained in this matter. I do not altogether accept his figures, but in any event I think it is essential—and I am sure we all agree—that the present state of public opinion should be ascertained. Surely there is no better place for that than this House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to introduce legislation to implement the unanimous recommendation of the Royal Commission on Capital Punishment that the law should be amended so that where on a charge of murder a jury consider that the accused killed the deceased upon provocation, that he was deprived of self-control as a result of that provocation, and that a reasonable man might have been so deprived, the nature, as distinct from the degree, of the provocation should be immaterial.

I cannot hold out any prospect of legislation on this subject in the near future.

Does the Home Secretary realise the very great care with which the Royal Commission considered this unanimous recommendation? If he is not prepared to have a debate on the whole range of the Report, could we not have a discussion on this unanimous recommendation for the reform of our law?

I can only refer the hon. Gentleman to the Answer which the Prime Minister gave last week to a Question by the hon. Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. S. Silverman)—that the Government are prepared to have a discussion on the whole question, which would include this recommendation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firearms he estimates are in private possession and unlicensed; and whether he has considered the possibility of legislation to tighten up the present control.

I can give no estimate of the number of firearms illegally held. As regards the second part of the Question, it is already an offence, punishable by severe penalties, to be in possession of a firearm except in accordance with a firearm certificate issued by the appropriate chief officer of police.

Is it not clear that there still exist in the hands of private individuals a considerable number of weapons from the last war? Would it not be a good idea to suggest, for a limited period, their return without penalty?

I think that my hon. Friend has in mind a kind of general amnesty. I am not expressing an opinion against that, but I do not think that for some things it should be done too frequently.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the total number of inmates of Broadmoor, and give the annual average of discharges.

The number of patients in Broadmoor Institution at 31st December, 1954, was 917. The average number of discharges over the five years 1950–54 was 32.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether, in considering suitability for discharge, he invites opinion from outside sources or whether he relies entirely upon the Home Office medical services?

In most cases we rely on the medical opinion of the staff.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with existing legislation rendering illegal certain agreements and transactions affecting bidding at auctions; and if he will make a statement.

I have noted, with approval, the publicity which has been given in the Press to certain practices which are alleged to take place at auctions. I am advised that the practices which have been described are already unlawful under the Auctions (Bidding Agreements) Act, 1927, and that there is consequently no need for further legislation on the subject.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that under the 1927 Act there has been only one prosecution? Admittedly it involved three people, but for all that it was only one prosecution.

I think my hon. Friend will appreciate that it is not always easy to enforce an Act of this sort owing to the obvious difficulty of getting evidence. We are all very grateful indeed to a gentleman in Oxford who is drawing up a list of antiquarian booksellers who are pledged to take no part in a ring.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the amount of money paid under Statute by cinemas opening on Sundays to charity; and what steps he is taking to repeal this legislation.

The annual amount paid to charity under the Sunday Entertainments Act, 1932, is estimated to be about £400,000. Her Majesty's Government have no present intention of introducing legislation on this subject.

Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend think that the whole principle behind this is disagreeable? In view of the fact that the need for charity has diminished considerably since the 1930s and that the position of the exhibitors has materially deteriorated, does he not think that some change is needed?

I am sure my hon. Friend will agree that it would be a little awkward if we had to introduce legislation on every occasion in which circumstances changed. It would be extremely difficult. I am sure my hon. Friend also appreciates that any legislation of this kind would be extremely controversial.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what approach has been made to him by the "Alcoholics Anonymous" organisation to allow members to visit inmates of our prisons who have turned to crime through drink; and what decision he has reached in the matter.

The movement known as "Alcoholics Anonymous" has been allowed to send literature to prison medical officers and has been supplied with a list of names and addresses for this purpose. Members of the movement have been permitted to visit suitable prisoners.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether he is hopeful of success from this, and whether his decision was influenced by the activities of this organisation in Australia and America?

I cannot answer the latter part of the question. Whilst it is too soon to come to a final conclusion about this matter, I can say that the influence of this society has had a beneficial effect on some prisoners.

Could the right hon. and gallant Gentleman arrange for my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Dodds) to undertake this work, provided he remains as anonymous as the alcoholics?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Her Majesty's Government will introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Betting.

I can hold out no hope of the introduction of legislation on this matter at an early date.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that this Report has never even been discussed by the House? Does he not think it rather insulting for the House and Her Majesty's Government to ask a number of distinguished men to give a great deal of their time as members of a Royal Commission on a particular subject and then not to pay the faintest attention to their recommendations?

My hon. Friend's Question was whether there was any hope of legislation. I can only repeat that I can see no hope of legislation at any early date.

Then why was the Commission set up?

Is the Minister now subscribing to the doctrine of Ramsay MacDonald, "A Commission a day keeps a crisis away"?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what complaints of the sale of horror comics he has received since the coming into force of the Children and Young Persons (Harmful Publications) Act, 1955.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further representations he has received that certain publications are contravening the Young Persons and Children (Harmful Publications) Act; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Members to the Answer which I gave on 21st November to my hon. Friend the Member for Dover (Mr. Arbuthnot).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can now announce what action will be taken to implement the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on the Summary Trial of Minor Offences.

I am broadly in agreement with the recommendations of the Departmental Committee, and I am considering the amendments of the law which would be necessary to give effect to them. I cannot at present say when it will be possible for legislation to be introduced.

In view of the colossal number of man-hours represented by the attendance of forty or fifty police officers for the better part of a morning at most magistrates' courts, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman do his utmost to hasten this new legislation?

I certainly will, but I am sure the hon. Member appreciates that it is a very complicated and difficult matter, and that it will take some little time to get the legislation ready.

Is it correct that at least one of these recommendations was stated by the Committee to be extremely urgent? Does the Home Secretary not realise that by the Answers which he has given, not only to this Question but even more to the Question of the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire, East (Sir R. Boothby) about one Royal Commission and to the Question of my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. de Freitas) about the Royal Commission on Capital punishment, he is giving the impression that the Home Office has been completely squeezed out of the legislative programme and is becoming a totally inert Department under his leadership?

Twelve suggestions for legislation are contained in the Questions which I have had today, let alone anything else.

is that a reason for doing nothing?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Advisory Council on the Treatment of Offenders has now completed its survey of the problem presented by those cases now dealt with by short-term prison sentences; and if he will make a statement.

No, Sir. This is a complicated problem which necessitates a great deal of study and consultation. The Advisory Council has started work upon it, but I do not expect that it will be in a position to report to me for some time.

In view of the need to relieve the tremendous pressure on prison accommodation, will my right hon. and gallant Friend do his best to ensure that this matter is dealt with as speedily as possible?

I received the report of the more detailed proposals from the Howard League on 15th November, and on 21st November the Advisory Council appointed a sub-committee which will let me know about this matter as soon as it possibly can.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many approved schools have been closed this year; and how many he expects will be closed next year.

Action has been taken this year to close eight approved schools which are surplus to requirements; five will close in December, and the rest early in 1956. While the future demand for places in approved schools cannot be foreseen, no further closing of schools is in prospect at present.

Is the Home Secretary in close touch with the Ministers of Education and of Health to see that any suitable schools are taken over as going concerns for the education of handicapped children, etc.? That would not involve legislation.

No. The Ministers of Education and of Health are kept constantly informed of the position and every one of these schools has been looked at by those two Departments.

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether the reduction in demand for places in approved schools is due to a decrease in juvenile delinquency or to a change in the policy of juvenile court magistrates towards commitment to approved schools?

I am glad to say it is due largely to the decrease in juvenile delinquency.

Could the Home Secretary say how many of these eight schools are to be taken over by the Ministers of Health or of Education or by local authorities acting on their behalf?

I think I am right in saying that, of the eight, six are being investigated, and I think that a local education authority is negotiating for the seventh.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he has refused a visa to John Addison Wolfard, thereby preventing him from accompanying his British wife to the United Kingdom.

I did not consider that it would be in the public interest to authorise a visa in this case.

Surely the policy of the Home Secretary about granting visas to aliens is based on the recognition of certain human rights as well as on the right of political asylum? While the question of political asylum does not arise in this case, is it not most undesirable that husbands or wives of British citizens should be excluded from visiting this country unless some very powerful political reason can be produced?

The policy of the Home Office towards foreign husbands of British wives is certainly liberal, and has nothing to do with this case.

Does not the answer that this would not be in the public interest ignore other considerations and is that not precisely the attitude to which we objected so strongly in the case of Russian wives who were refused permission to travel with their husbands?

That is a quite different case; there is no analogy at all.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of cases reported to the police to the last convenient date, of motor vehicles still under hire-purchase agreements having been illegally sold by the hirers.

In the Metropolitan Police district, 34 cases were reported to the police in 1954, and 66 in the first ten months of 1955. I regret that information from other areas is not available.

Whilst thanking my right hon. and gallant Friend for that answer, may I ask, in view of the serious consequences of this type of larceny—not to the hire-purchase companies, but to the car purchasers—whether he will consider, with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, an alteration of the registration book—the "log book," as it is called —to stop this type of trickery?

In view of the very large numbers of hire-purchase vehicles, I think the figures I have quoted —34 cases in 1954 and 66 in 1955—are small. I am informed by the police that they do not regard this as a serious problem.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, whilst preserving necessary security safeguards, he will modify Home Office regulations and the administration of these regulations governing the entry of tourists into this country so as to prevent needless waiting at points of arrival.

Every effort is made at the ports to pass passengers through the immigration control without unnecessary delay, and I have recently impressed on my officers the importance of reducing the examination of bona fide foreign visitors to the minimum, consistent with the purposes of the control.

Would it not help Customs officials if they could make an inspection on cross-Channel ships? Would it not be possible to simplify the car travel documents?

I think that my hon. Friend referred to cars. An experiment has been conducted this summer on the boat, and the results of that experiment are being examined at present. One of the troubles with this immigration services and others is that there are sometimes physical difficulties which are out of my control.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance has been given to courts on the type of youth who may appropriately be sent to detention centres under Section 18 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1948.

When the detention centres at Kidlington and Goudhurst were opened circulars were sent to the courts to which the centres were made available explaining briefly the nature of the proposed regime at the centre, the primary purpose of which was to provide short, sharp punishment designed to bring home to the offender the gravity of his situation, and setting out some general considerations, such as the physical fitness of the offender and the question whether he had had previous institutional training, which the courts might wish to bear in mind in considering whether committal to the centre would be appropriate in a particular case.

Is the Home Secretary satisfied that, on the whole, the type of cases coming to these centres are cases which are quite suitable to be dealt with? As he knows, the case of conscientious objectors has been mentioned, and apparently unsuitable people are being sent to these centres. Would he consider sending out further guidance, or at any rate information, to the courts of this subject?

Whilst I am prepared to consider anything of that kind, I think that the right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that it would not be proper to me to advise courts how to deal with a convicted person. The right hon. Gentleman referred to conscientious objectors, for example. I can only point out that the purpose of this particular kind of detention centre was to provide an alternative to imprisonment. That is all magistrates have to consider, whether it is better to send a man to a detention centre or to prison.

Bearing in mind the severe physical training and treatment regimes to which detained persons are subjected at these centres, is the Home Secretary satisfied that before they are so committed their physical state is properly considered?

Yes, I am certain of that, because as soon as they are received they get their medical examination and, if they are found to be unfitted for the ordinary physical routine, they are put on to something else.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will draw the attention of the public to the danger of phosphorus poisoning from broken discarded fluorescent lighting tubes; and in particular whether he will draw the attention of persons transporting these tubes to the unwisdom of leaving vehicles containing them unattended.

I understand that these tubes do not contain elemental phosphorus, and there is no reason to suggest any special precautions when transporting them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of successful prosecutions in England and Wales for the illegal possession of Indian hemp during 1953 and 1954; and what proportion of these were in the Metropolitan Police area, and what proportion in the remainder of the country.

Eighty-three convictions for the possession of Indian hemp were recorded in 1953, of which 51 were in the Metropolitan Police district. In 1954, the figures were 144 and 84 respectively.

In view of the increase in these convictions, is the Home Secretary fully satisfied that provincial police authorities in all parts of the country are aware of the dangers of this drug?

I have no reason to doubt that they are aware of it. While there was an increase in 1954, the figures up to date this year indicate that a slight decrease will be shown.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions have been given to prison officers to restrict or censor prisoners' mail.

As the Answer to this Question is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate the reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Whilst appreciating the difficulties of the Home Secretary in this matter, may I ask if he is aware that some of us are really concerned at the way in which this censoring is being done and the fact that admittedly prisoners' mail to Members of Parliament is being interfered with?

It is not so much a question of my difficulties as one of courtesy to the House. If I read the whole Answer it would take a long time, as it deals in full detail with the circumstances in which prisoners may communicate by letter. They were laid down in Prison Rules in 1949. If, having perused the Answer, the hon. Member wishes to raise any point on the Prison Rules, I shall be glad to look into it.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman read the report in HANSARD of last night's Adjournment debate, which concerned the exercise of discretion in Prison Rules, because the Joint Under-Secretary gave a reply which the whole House found totally unsatisfactory?

I find that extremely difficult to believe.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce the necessary legislation for the purpose of abolishing private fee-paying employment agencies.

No, Sir.

Is the Home Secretary aware that the unions concerned, and the T.U.C., have expressed a desire for this to take place? Will he consult the trade unions concerned to see what is their view in connection with it?

I think that the hon. Member ought to realise that the basis of this matter is the view of the International Labour Organisation, which suggested that supervision is necessary. I should have thought that supervision, not abolition, was the proper thing in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what grounds his officials grant or refuse residence permits to aliens wishing to reside in the United Kingdom.

Aliens are not normally admitted to this country to reside but some who have been admitted temporarily in the first instance are subsequently allowed to remain. Such cases are dealt with on their individual merits.

Does the Home Secretary not think that in modern conditions he is taking an unnecessarily old-fashioned view of this problem?

I remind the hon. Member that this is not a country of immigration and settlement. I think we can say that we have certainly done our share in the question of refugees from Europe.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that many of us who have had constituency cases of this nature have found the Home Office extremely reasonable?