asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Soviet Government since Soviet jamming of the British Broadcasting Corporation's broadcasts to that country began; on what dates these representations were made; and what reasons were given for objecting to this jamming.

Her Majesty's Government have made no representations to the Soviet Government on the general question of the Soviet jamming of British Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts, but they have made clear on many occasions their opposition to systematic jamming without regard to contents.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations were made to the Soviet authorities in reply to their Notes announcing the abrogation of the Anglo-Soviet treaty last year.

No representations were made to the Soviet Government following the receipt from the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 10th May, 1955, of the text of the Edict of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet annulling of the Anglo-Soviet Treaty. A full statement of Her Majesty's Government's views on this subject had been conveyed to the Soviet Government in a Note dated 26th January, 1955 (Command 9385). This contained a reply to a Soviet Note of 20th December, 1954, in which the Soviet Government had threatened the annulment of the Anglo-Soviet Treaty in the event of the Paris Agreements being ratified.The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet had by its edict of 10th May denounced the Treaty unilaterally, and thus had not acted in accordance with Article VIII of the Treaty. It would have been open to Her Majesty's Government to regard the Treaty as still in force, but they chose to exercise their right to regard it as terminated. Representations to the Soviet Government were therefore not required.For this same reason, no reply had been sent to a Soviet Note of 28th February, 1955, reiterating the views expressed in the original Soviet Note of 20th December, 1954 (Command 9385). A copy of the Soviet Note was placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the estimated total quantity of surface coal known to exist in the United Kingdom.

I am advised by the Coal Board that fully or partly proved reserves of opencast coal exceed 80 million tons and that prospecting, which goes on continuously, should reveal substantial additional reserves.

asked the Minister of Health in the investigation of the illness amongst members of the staff of the Royal Free Hospital last year, what inquiry was made as to the vaccination or inoculation of the patients who contracted the disease, and how many of them had been recently vaccinated or inoculated.

Inquiries were made of those suffering from this illness who were treated at the hospital as in-patients in order to ascertain whether they had been vaccinated or inoculated within the previous month. The results of these inquiries are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deep shelters are now available for use; and how many are to be constructed during the next twelve months.

Apart from the London underground railway system and the seven associated deep tubes which were specially constructed for shelter purposes in the last war, there are about a hundred tunnels and caves, giving varying degrees of overhead cover, which could be used as public air raid shelter. No new deep shelters will be constructed in the next twelve months.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the East Kilbride Development Corporation has forbidden the erection of pigeon-lofts by certain of its tenants; and whether he will invite development corporations, in the interest of encouraging the growth of local amenities, to encourage the activities of homing clubs.

East Kilbride Development Corporation does not forbid the keeping of pigeons by their tenants. Applications have to be lodged through the local homing club and each application is considered on its merits.It is the policy of both new town development corporations in Scotland to encourage social group activities such as those of homing clubs.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what measures have now been taken to improve the Glasgow-Carlisle road at Harthope Viaduct, in the County of Lanark.

Two new "Double Bend" signs have been erected, each fitted with a yellow background to give added prominence; in addition, the solid white centre line on the carriageway has been renewed and provided with reflecting studs.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he expects to give the details of disbandment, or change of rôle, to the Territorial Army units concerned, as delay is apt to affect volunteer recruitment.

The plan for units of the Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Artillery and infantry will be known shortly. The problem of other units, including the administrative element, is much more complicated, and their future will not be decided until later.