asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the light of the railways modernisation scheme, he will make a statement on his proposals to meet the future manpower needs of British Railways.

My officers are in close touch with the British Transport Commission, and will continue to give British Railways every possible help towards meeting its manpower requirements.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that this problem requires particularly close attention, in view of the fact that, traditionally, one of the attractions of employment on the railways has been security of tenure, which has rather offset the low level of remuneration?

Yes, certainly. We have been in touch with the British Transport Commission for a number of months already over its future needs, in particular for professional and technical staffs.

In view of the concern among the railwaymen about the future of the railway workshops, will the Minister give an assurance that his officers will consult fully the trade union when his consultations take place?

Yes, Sir; I am sure we will, but the next Question on the subject does indicate that there is no anxiety for some years ahead.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the probability of redundancy in the locomotive works at Eastleigh, in view of the railway modernisation scheme; and what proposals he has for alternative employment.

I know of no likely redundancy at the Eastleigh locomotive works.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him whether I may take it that there will be no question of any redundancy at Eastleigh locomotive workshops, where there has been considerable apprehension in the minds of many of the men, as it is now over a year since the modernisation plan was announced and there has been no statement to the men as to their future likelihood of employment?

It is thought by the British Transport Commission that the workshops will be fully occupied for at least the next five years, and, as I am sure my hon. Friend knows, there is very heavy pressure on the labour resources at Eastleigh.

Could the right hon. Gentleman extend that assurance to the whole of the railway workshops of the British Transport Commission?

Yes. Indeed, a statement was put out by the British Transport Commission a day or two ago which said, if I may quote it:

"In connection with the railway modernisation plan, the British Transport Commission foresee that during the next five years at least British Railways' workshops will, with but minor exceptions, be fully employed. This is on the assumption that the plan proceeds to schedule."

asked the Minister of Labour why no reply has been sent to the National Union of Students in answer to their letter to his Department asking for details of the conditions imposed by him on students wishing to enter the United Kingdom to become domestic helps; and when the union can expect a reply giving the information they seek.

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I say that I originally put down this Question to the Home Office, against which Department the discourtesy implied in the Question was directed?

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend. The original letter also was addressed in equal error to the Home Office and ended up with me.

The following is the reply to the Question:

I much regret this delay, but a reply giving the information required was sent on Wednesday, 15th February.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, despite the fact that this letter had to be forwarded, despite the fact that this Question was put down on the Order Paper of this House, it took four weeks for a reply to be given, and that that was a week after the notice had been given of the Question? Could he, as a matter of courtesy to the public—who, after all, are entitled to address letters to the Department—please see that that sort of procedure is speeded up?

Yes, indeed. I said that I very much regretted the delay. I have looked into the average time taken to reply to these matters, and it is about one week, which I think is reasonably satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Labour what official visits were paid under the auspices of his Department during 1955 to the United States and to Western Germany by representatives of the employees in industry to study methods of production and working conditions.

No such visits took place last year directly under the auspices of my Department. During that year, however, sixteen teams representing British trade unions visited various countries on the Continent under a scheme organised by the European Productivity Agency to study methods of production and working conditions. Nine of these teams visited Western Germany. This country reciprocates by receiving similar teams under the scheme from other European countries, and my Department plays an active part, with the workpeoples' and employers' organisations and other bodies concerned, in arranging programmes for these incoming parties.

While I in no way suggest that our methods are in any degree behind those of the countries I have mentioned, may I ask if my right hon. Friend will continue to do all he can to encourage these visits, not only by representatives of the trade unions, but also by employers, because I am sure that all can benefit from the experience?

I am very glad to do everything I can to encourage such visits, although the actual rôle of my Department in connection with them is perhaps limited; but it is an excellent thing that we should travel and see as much as we can of the work which is being done.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will arrange to meet the Trades Union Congress to discuss with them the present economic difficulties confronting the country and the extent to which they can propose measures to him for maintaining industrial peace.

The discussions which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister hopes to hold shortly with members of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress will afford an opportunity for a review of the economic and industrial situation.

Will the Minister please answer my Question? I am asking whether he will meet the T.U.C. I am not asking whether the Prime Minister will meet the T.U.C.—I asked that Question yesterday. I am pleased, of course, that the Prime Minister will be seeing them, but I am very much concerned that the Minister of Labour has not yet made an approach. Will the Minister take the opportunity of seeing the T.U.C., notwithstanding what the Prime Minister may or may not do?

If the hon. Member had taken the trouble to study a little more closely what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said, he would have seen that my right hon. Friend said: I hope to do this with those of my colleagues who are most closely concerned. Obviously, I am one of those and will join in the conference.

In order to make this meeting more valuable, will the Minister arrange that a copy of yesterday's statement by the T.U.C. is circulated to all his colleagues and that, this year, they are asked to take some notice of it?

Is it not a cause for some disquiet that the T.U.C., which is supposed to be a set of responsible politicians, if not statesmen, should have issued that statement in advance of the meeting with the Prime Minister?

asked the Minister of Labour if he will introduce legislation which will have the effect of providing for workers who have a conscientious objection to striking, equivalent protection to that which is contained in Section 17 of the National Service Act, 1948, for those who have a conscientious objection to fighting.

No, Sir. The two situations are not analogous.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that not all of those who have to take part in strikes are necessarily in favour of them, and that we on this side have a special responsibility towards the workers in this respect, because if it is ever a question of speaking up for the rights of individual workers against the power of the unions, the party opposite seems to become deaf, dumb and paralysed?

I am sure my hon. Friend will realise that he is asking me for a legal remedy in a situation where no legal compulsion exists.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent the industrial disputes during the last 12 months have been due to the refusal by employers to agree to claims for wages to meet the increased cost of living.

I regret that this information is not available.

Is the Minister aware that the trade unions are very concerned at the continued rise in the cost of living, which will increase again once the effects of the Government's announcement are fully felt? Is he further aware that the employers have issued a statement to the effect that they must harden their replies when negotiating with trade unions, and will he give an assurance that the Ministry of Labour will not in any way support the employers in their attitude?

All that is very interesting, but it has very little to do with the Question on the Order Paper.

What has to do with the Question is this. Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind how much these industrial disputes owe to the economic and financial policies of the Government?

Has not the cost of living risen less in the last three years than it did in the last year under the knuckleheads opposite?

asked the Minister of Labour how many notified vacancies there are in the cutlery and silverware trade in Sheffield; and how many persons are at present applying for such jobs.

The cutlery industry is combined with the tools and implements industry in the statistics that are compiled by my Department and silverware is included in the group entitled, "Jewellery Plate and Refining of Precious Metals." For these two groups the number of vacancies notified to employment exchanges in Sheffield and remaining unfilled at 8th February were 531 and 167, respectively. Statistics of the numbers applying for work in particular industries are not available, but the numbers of persons registered as unemployed at the Sheffield employment exchanges at 13th February whose last employment was in these two industry groups were 121 and 10.

asked the Minister of Labour the latest available figures for average weekly earnings in the cutlery and silverware trades in Sheffield.

I regret that information is not available about average earnings in separate towns and in particular trades. The statistics on average earnings compiled in my Department relate to the United Kingdom as a whole and the industrial classification employed is the standard industrial classification used for Government statistics in general. For the industry group covering tools and cutlery the average weekly earnings of all workers in the last pay week in April, 1955, were 174s. 3d. For the industry group covering jewellery, plate, and refining of precious metals, the corresponding figure was 159s. 11d.

asked the Minister of Labour the cost-of-living index figure on 1st December, 1955, and 1st February, 1956; and by what amount recent changes in the prices of food have influenced the cost-of-living index figure during the period between these dates.

The Retail Prices Index is calculated in respect of prices ruling in the middle of each month and the latest available figures relate to mid-January. At that date the index figure was 153, compared with 154 at mid-December and also at mid-November. Reductions in food prices between mid-November and mid-January were the equivalent of a fall of a little over one point in the all-items index.

asked the Minister of Labour by what amount, in the case of the 2 million manual workers whose wages are tied to the Index of Retail Prices, he estimates that the total weekly wage bill is increased to cover each rise of one point in the index.

Only about 10 per cent. of these 2 million workers are covered by agreements which provide for wage adjustments corresponding to each separate movement of one point in the Index of Retail Prices. Owing to the widely differing provisions of the various agreements, it is not possible to estimate the average increase in the total weekly wages bill resulting from each rise of one point in the index.

Is it not clear from that Answer that the Government irresponsibly decided to increase the cost of living by one point as a result of the increased charges for bread and milk without taking the trouble to find out in the case of this particular section of manual workers what the immediate and automatic repercussion would be? Is not this a very slapdash way of doing things?

On the contrary, we knew the position precisely. Something like 70 per cent. of the people covered by these agreements have their agreements revised either quarterly or at six-monthly or yearly intervals, and the two principal trades concerned—those of building and printing—which between them account for about 1¼ million of those concerned—have their agreements revised, in the one case at six-monthly and in the other at yearly intervals; so that this particular matter is not relevant to this particular argument.

asked the Minister of Labour what surface technical staff of the National Coal Board, as opposed to coal miners and underground workers, are exempt from call-up for National Service so long as they remain with the National Coal Board until they are 26 years old.

The call-up for National Service of a number of grades of technical staff of the National Coal Board is deferred so long as they remain satisfactorily so employed. As the list is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree, however, that it is undesirable for the National Coal Board to use exemption from National Service to attract technical and office workers from other industries which have an equally important responsibility?

People go to the jobs to which they wish to go, and there can be no direction in the matter. The deferment given in respect of coal mining is for the well-known reason of its enormous importance to our national economy. Although there are many industries, businesses and firms which make a major contribution, I do not think it possible to extend the present list of deferments.

Would the Minister agree that the shortage of technical staff in the coal mining industry, particularly for new development, is of serious concern, and that every encouragement ought to be given to technicians to enter the industry?

I do not think that that is in dispute.

asked the Minister of Labour how many teachers were called up for National Service in Scotland in 1955.

I regret that this information is not available, but the number is likely to be very small as it is the general practice for a man to do his National Service, if fit, before undertaking work as a teacher.

Is the Minister aware that, however small the number may be, it is very important in relation to the shortage of teachers in Scotland, which is very serious? If there are very important reasons for exempting coal miners and allowing them to do their National Service in the mines and for allowing agricultural workers to do their National Service on the land, will not the Minister consider allowing teachers to do their National Service in the schools?

I am afraid I could not accept that. When I said that the number was very small I meant that there were practically none. I have heard of no cases at all, and if the hon. Member knows of any perhaps he will bring them to my notice.

asked the Minister of Labour why information concerning Brian A. McKeown, of Duddeston, Birmingham, having fallen from a 30-foot roof as a boy, causing damage to his leg and internal injuries, was disregarded at the time of his medical examination for National Service; and why he was placed in medical category A1.

I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

When the Minister is making his inquiries, will he bear in mind that this National Service man specifically states that he gave this information to the medical board at the time, supplemented by information from his mother? Will he also bear in mind that this man has been tortured as a result of three months doing training for which he was totally unfitted? This is a grave situation, and I hope the Minister will seriously investigate it?

I will certainly look into that. I know that the board was aware of the accident mentioned in the Question. I will call for a special report from the board and communicate with the hon. Member.

Will the Minister go a little wider than this case, as there is a great deal of feeling because many of these cases arise throughout the country? Could he make an inquiry into the operation of the boards in general?

I am always ready to look at that from time to time. Indeed, I looked at the figures only a week or two ago. One figure—if I remember it correctly, and I am sure I do—which I should have thought was very comforting, was that the number of times the original board was found to have made an error was 3 in 10,000 cases. I should have thought that that was a very great tribute to the boards.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cars are stolen daily in London; and how many such cars are used for criminal purposes.

An average of about thirteen private cars a day are stolen or taken and driven away without the owners' consent in the Metropolitan police district. The proportion used for criminal purposes is not known with certainty, but it is believed to be small.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Metropolitan Police officers are engaged in tracking down stolen cars; and how many persons have been prosecuted in connection with theft of cars during the last twelve months.

All officers on patrol are responsible for keeping a watch for vehicles which have been reported as stolen, and a small group within the Flying Squad have special responsibilities. During the last year 1,569 persons were prosecuted by the Metropolitan Police for stealing or taking and driving away motor vehicles.

Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend's reply indicate that the unattended motor car is a great accessory and help in a high proportion of the crime which takes place in London at present?

I do not know about that, but it is certainly a great help in having it taken away.

Is not one of the difficulties of prosecuting in these cases the fact that most of these cars are not technically stolen, since those who take them do not intend permanently to deprive the owner of them but merely use them for a job and then abandon them?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consult the Commissioner of Police on what steps can be taken to prevent cars being stolen and so aiding crime, or whether any new devices are practicable.

The Commissioner has been giving this matter close attention in collaboration with other chief officers of police. Car owners and drivers can help greatly by taking the obvious precautions, such as locking their vehicles before leaving them unattended.

While I realise, of course, what is the main action which can be taken to prevent these crimes from taking place, would not my right hon. and gallant Friend think it worth while, for example, discussing with insurance companies whether the use of anti-theft devices might be rewarded by a reduction in the insurance premium; or might he not even consider making it an offence to leave a car unattended and unlocked?

I am not anxious to add to the list of offences. The difficulty is that a device which might work when an ordinary person was concerned might very easily be broken into by an expert. I am told that there are devices which can be fitted on steering wheels and gear-change levers which are much more effective, but that would have to be done in co-operation with the manufacturers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will state the principle and evidence on which he acted in assessing the compensation to be paid to Leonard Richard Emery, James Edward Powers, and Arthur Joseph Thompson, who were recently convicted of criminal offences and later pardoned, released from prison and awarded compensation by him;

(2) if, where a citizen is wrongly convicted and sentenced for the alleged commission of a criminal offence and later pardoned and awarded compensation by him, he will take steps to ensure that such compensation is assessed upon evidence adduced publicly instead of privately.

The payments made to the three men who have recently been pardoned were not compensation in the sense of damages, since it would be for the courts to assess the amount of damages if there were any question of wrongful arrest or false imprisonment. The payments were made ex gratia and not in discharge of any legal liability. I indicated in my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. F. Willey) on 26th January the principles and particulars which are taken into account in deciding what amount should be given. If the hon. and learned Member's suggestion is that ex gratia payments of this kind should be assessed by some public tribunal, then the answer is that I cannot accept that suggestion.

Is the Minister aware that I am not suggesting that they should be ex gratia payments. I am suggesting that they should be compensation, and compensation as such for a wrong inflicted on people who are declared to be not guilty. Does the Minister realise that this involves a serious question of natural justice as well as a question of public finance? Is it not wrong that such compensation—call it compensation or an ex gratia payment as he likes—should be assessed secretly and the evidence not disclosed? Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman see that such cases are submitted to an appropriate authority or tribunal in the future?

I am not sure what basis of compensation the hon. and learned Member has in mind. This is an ex gratia payment, based on a practice which has been in use for very many years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that some local authorities refuse to disclose the charities to which they apply moneys collected as a result of Sunday cinema performances; and if he will amend the law so as to make disclosure of the disposal of such public moneys compulsory.

I can hold out no prospect of legislation which would be necessary for this purpose.

Will not my right hon. and gallant Friend agree that this is a most immoral piece of legislation in which we extract money from exhibitors to bribe the public conscience? Are they not at least entitled to know where the money goes?

I do not want to express an opinion about the immorality or otherwise of the legislation. All I said was that it cannot be altered without further legislation and that I am satisfied that under the present Act the distribution is going on as it ought to go on.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the growing difficulty experienced by small cinema proprietors from the operation of the Sunday charity levy, having regard to the growing competition from Sunday television; and whether he will consider legislation to remove this disadvantage.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which I gave on 1st December, 1955, to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Cheadle (Mr. Shepherd).

Does not the Home Secretary consider that this situation is getting ever more difficult for small cinema proprietors and that, whatever justification there might have been for this special levy at the time when cinemas held a practical monopoly of Sunday entertainment, now, due to the counter attraction of television, small cinemas are suffering considerable hardship?

I would not contradict that, but the difficulty is the practical impossibility of introducing the necessary legislation at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Alfred George Hinds, who escaped from Nottingham Prison on 28th November and who claims that he was wrongly convicted in December, 1953, remains at large, although he is not only in touch with the Press and television, but is also well known to the police; and whether he will make a statement.

It would not be in the public interest to indicate what the police are doing or how much information they have.

As this man has recorded his voice and had it broadcast over commercial television, may I ask whether the Home Secretary holds out any hope of catching him until he makes a personal appearance or something like that?

I am always full of hope, and I am perfectly satisfied that in due course the police will get him, but, as the hon. Gentleman no doubt realises, there is nothing to prevent a prisoner, either through the post—[HON. MEMBERS: "Advertise for him."]—or through the Press, from taking this action. Unfortunately, he is advertising himself. I am satisfied that the police will catch him.

Will the Minister not consider extending similar facilities through the Press, radio and television to other criminals who have loyally remained in prison, so that they make an appeal for public sympathy?

Has not this case occasioned some public comment and public distaste? Can my right hon. and gallant Friend explain why representatives of the Press and television who evidently have connived in the association with this criminal refugee from justice, are not brought into court and prosecuted?

This is a very difficult point. It is an offence to harbour a criminal—[An HON. MEMBER: "Or to televise him."] He was not televised. It is an offence to harbour a criminal, but not to do what has been done up to date, otherwise action would have been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has considered the remarks of Judge Maude in a recent judgment concerning the letting of premises for purposes of prostitution; and whether he will introduce a measure to amend the law on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will refer to the Departmental Committee on Prostitution and Homosexuality the judicial comments made in a case at the Old Bailey on 9th February concerning premises let at exorbitant rents for the purposes of prostitution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the decision in the case of Regina v. Silver and others that it is not illegal for a person or persons to lease property solely for the use of prostitution, he will consider introducing an amendment to the Vagrancy Act, 1898, whereby the licence which is thus afforded to those living on immoral earnings will be withdrawn.

The judgment in the case of Regina v. Silver and others is being considered by the Departmental Committee on Homosexuality and Prostitution, and it would be wise to await its Report before considering legislation.

Whilst thanking the Home Secretary for that reply, may I ask if he will bear in mind that the disconcerting effect of this judgment and the unequal operation of the law in regard to forfeiture of leaseholds does, perhaps, call for a separate examination from the law in regard to the use of property? What does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman propose to do in that connection, as it might be a mistake to leave that to the wider investigation of a Departmental Committee?

I think that I would rather await the Report. To do what the hon. Member suggests might lead us into piecemeal legislation, which would be a mistake.

In the meantime, pending the receipt of the Report, has the Home Secretary taken any trouble to discover what is going on? Is he aware that rents in these areas have gone roaring up and that the criminal classes are transferring their affections to these quarters as the easiest way of making a living? Has the Home Secretary looked into that?

As no doubt the right hon. Member appreciates, I spend my time trying to find out what is going on, but I still think that in this case the best thing was to ask the Departmental Committee to consider the matter before making its Report.

If the Report of the Departmental Committee cannot be expected soon, would not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman take immediate legislative action to end this horrible state of affairs, as a result of which big money is being made out of organised vice? Is it not an intolerable situation, now that we know people can live legally on immoral earnings, that no action should be taken by the Government?

I still think that as the Committee is considering the whole question—this is a very important part of it—it would be better to await its Report.

The Home Secretary has dodged this before. What is he going to do to hurry up the Report of the Departmental Committee? He knows perfectly well that his officers know a great deal about this and a lot of it is done with the connivance of the police. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Oh, yes.

The right hon. Member said that I have dodged this before. The only thing I have dodged was a wholly unwarranted suggestion made by himself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when Mr. F. H. Maw, Darras, Roman Road, Shrewsbury, may expect a reply to his letter requesting details of the requirements of his Department in au pair arrangements, in which an answer to this question is given;

(2) what are the requirements of an au pair arrangement for foreign nationals to stay in the United Kingdom; and how details of these requirements are made available to British subjects wishing to make such arrangements.

Foreign girls are permitted to say here under au pair arrangements on the footing that their primary aim is to learn English, and that they live as part of the family and are not used as domestic staff. These arrangements are not susceptible of more detailed definition. Mr. Maw has employed several foreign girls in the past, and I feel sure he can appreciate the difference between employment and au pair.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many registered clubs for the sale of alcohol existed in England and Wales during each of the years from 1950 to the latest available date.

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

In view of the enormous increase in the number of these clubs, which is making nonsense of our licensing laws, cannot my right hon. and gallant Friend say how soon he will be able to bring forward the legislation promised when Defence Regulation 55C was withdrawn four years ago?

I am afraid I cannot add anything further to my Answer, except to add that if I said it was a slightly controversial matter I should plead guilty to an understatement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to extend the age limit for jury service to 70.

No, Sir. The proposal is one on which different views may be held, but even if I thought it right to raise the age limit I could not hold out any prospect of legislation on the subject in the near future.

Is not the Home Secretary aware that between the ages of 60 and 70 judgment, perception, intelligence and understanding are often at their ripest and best—

The hon. Member should speak for himself.

and a very large number of retired people who are thus well qualified would be glad to have the opportunity of serving the community in this way?

Speaking for myself, I am most grateful to my hon. Friend for the limits he has chosen, but there are many things relating to juries which would need legislation and certainly need examination with regard to numbers, ages, and so forth. I cannot possibly promise legislation in the near future.

Does not the Home Secretary agree that in my case, having reached the mature age of 70, I compare favourably in perception, judgment, intelligence and other qualities with the hon. Member for Norfolk, Central (Sir F. Medlicott)?

Nevertheless, may I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend to explain the inconsistency whereby jurors have to retire at 60, stipendiary magistrates can go on until they are 72, and judges of the High Court can go on for ever?

This is a matter which obviously must be looked at by a committee, because there are many other questions than age. During the war, as an emergency measure, the age limit was raised to 65. Obviously, this is a question which needs examination. I cannot go further than that at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons are officially qualified to perform the duties of executioner and assistant executioner; how they are recruited; what preliminary training they undergo before they are regarded as proficient in these duties; what their terms of service are; and what payments they receive for attending and officiating at executions.

The answer to the first part of the Question is six. As the other information required is rather lengthy, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In view of the decisive vote of this House that capital punishment should be brought to an end forthwith—[An HON. MEMBER: "Not decisive."]—would my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether he proposes to make any appropriate form of compensation to these gentlemen for the loss of their offices?

I would get into serious trouble if I decided to start compensating them now.

Give them the rope.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend not consider that if my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Hyde) and those associated with him showed some sympathy with the relatives of the murdered people instead of with the murderers, it would be more in keeping with their alleged humanitarian ideas?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what purpose he has kept the passport belonging to Victor George Sparkes since 7th October, 1955.

Mr. Sparkes left a passport and certain other documents at the Home Office on 7th October, 1955, in connection with certain representations which he had made to me. His representations related, among other things, to his movements during 1950, and it has been necessary to retain the passport in order to examine the entries for this period. Careful inquiries are being made into Mr. Sparkes's representations, and the passport and other documents will be returned to him as soon as I have completed my consideration of the case. He has not represented that he desires to have the passport for travel abroad.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now give complete discretion to local authorities for the demolition or removal of domestic surface air-raid shelters which have become a threat to health.

I am always prepared to agree to demolition when it is shown to be essential on medical grounds, but I think it is desirable to retain central control over demolition of shelters at public expense.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that that Answer is quite inadequate, and that in the City of Salford 9,000 of these shelters are still in existence, most of them in small backyards, cutting out the light from kitchens and sculleries? Cannot the Home Secretary trust the officials of these responsible authorities to use their own discretion in such matters? In any case, what use would these shelters be as protection in a modern war?

That question does not enter into the matter at the moment. With regard to the health aspect, to which the hon. Member referred, if local authorities proposed action of this kind on the ground of health, so far as I am aware there is no opposition at all. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I should be grateful if he would let me know.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what individual grants were made in 1954 and 1955, respectively, by the Racecourse Betting Control Board to horse and pony breeding societies in this country under the obligation imposed upon them by Section 3 of the Racecourse Betting Act, 1928, to make moneys available out of the totalisator fund for purposes conducive to the improvement of breeds of horses.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Iraqi students in the United Kingdom are awaiting renewal of their permits to remain in Britain; and why some of them who made application for renewal some months ago have not yet been informed of his decision.

Separate statistics about students are not kept and I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question could not be obtained without a great deal of investigation, but I shall be glad to let the hon. Member know the position of any particular case if he will give me details.

Is the Home Secretary aware that since he expelled three of these students from Britain a month ago, without bringing any charges against them, considerable apprehension has been expressed by many of the hundreds of Iraqi students still remaining in this country, who tell me that they applied for the renewal of permits as long ago as last summer but have not yet had a reply? To my knowledge, at least a dozen of them are involved. Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman at least give the assurance that if they comply with the usual conditions laid down for foreign students, to which his hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary referred in the Adjournment debate a week or two ago, no obstacle will be put in the way of their remaining here?

I can certainly give the assurance that if, as the hon. Member himself said, these students continue their studies and behave themselves in this country, there will be no obstacle whatever. We are anxious that these students should come here; they have their permits renewed from year to year. I am happy to give the assurance that as long as they continue with their studies and do nothing which is contrary to the interests of this country, they need not worry at all.

In what way did the deported Iraqi students misbehave themselves in this country?

My hon. Friend who replied to the Adjournment debate said that he could not go any further than he stated at the time.

Is it not true that these Iraqi students were expelled not because they had misbehaved themselves in the United Kingdom or engaged in subversive activities, but because the Iraqi Government asked for their deportation?

I am sorry to have to contradict the right hon. Gentleman on that. Two of the three Iraqi students whom we asked to leave this country—for reasons which, I am perfectly satisfied, were good ones—did not have their bursaries withdrawn, as some of their fellow countrymen did last year. Therefore, it had nothing whatever to do with the Iraqi Government. I acted, as I always do, in the interest of this country and of no other.

In view of the fact that for many years many students have come to this country and we have welcomed them, does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not realise that this action will cause a good deal of dismay and do a good deal of harm to this country in the countries from which students come here?

The right hon. Gentleman ought to keep a sense of proportion. I have not the exact figures, because they are not kept, but there are at the moment probably 1,000 Iraqis registered in this country, of whom at least 500 to 600 are students. Three were asked to go. I do not know why that should create misapprehension amongst all the people who come here. They know perfectly well, by the number of students who come here, from all parts of the world, that we are glad to welcome them here for that purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, in view of the need for all nations to observe the code of conduct towards prisoners of war embodied in the 1949 Geneva Prisoners of War Convention, Her Majesty's Government have not yet introduced the necessary legislation for ratification of the Geneva Conventions.

Unfortunately, it has not yet been possible to find time for legislation on this subject.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Minister of Defence, in a statement to the House on 15th February, emphasised the vital importance of these Geneva Conventions to the members of Her Majesty's Forces and their safety as prisoners of war? Is it not quite disgraceful that seven years after the signing of these Conventions, the British Government have taken no steps to ratify them in face of the fact that most other Governments have ratified already? What is the reason for this?

It is only that time has not been found to bring this legislation forward. I can only regret it.

Is the Home Secretary aware that many of us are getting rather dismayed at the number of occasions on which he gives this answer in reply to Questions? I think it is the third time this afternoon that the right hon. and gallant Gentleman has taken no objection to the principle behind the suggestion but is unable to find time for legislation. Are we to understand that he makes no claims whatever on behalf of his Department in the legislative programme of the Government?

I do not have to take note of that last remark. The right hon. Gentleman said that for seven years nothing has been done. I remind him that of that seven years, he was in office for at least two or three years.

Is not the Question rather unrealistic in view of the fact that we in this country treat our prisoners of war far better than any other country does?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any statement to make concerning the improvement of the conditions of service of school crossing patrols in the Metropolitan Police district, with particular reference to holidays with pay and payment of a retaining fee during school holidays.

I understand that the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, who is the responsible authority under the School Crossing Patrols Act, 1953, is arranging a further meeting with the unions to discuss this claim; and, in the circumstances, I cannot make any comment on it.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that most of the people engaged on this work are old-age pensioners, and that there is a feeling of resentment among them that conditions of labour are being enforced which would not be enforced on younger men?

The point is that at the moment this matter is under discussion and I do not think it would be wise for me to comment on it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date Inspector C. R. Jacobs of the Metropolitan Police entered the service; how many commendations he had received during the period of his service with the police; what was the date of his posting to the West End Central Police Station; and what were the reasons for his dismissal from the Metropolitan Police.

Mr. Jacobs joined the Metropolitan Police on 5th January, 1931, and received 22 commendations during his service. He was posted to "C" Division on 4th January, 1954. He was dismissed from the force having been found guilty of three offences against the code of discipline.

Will the Home Secretary agree that the disciplinary court which heard these charges did not have Inspector Jacobs before it? If those charges were so grave, why were they not made before a court so that he might be tried on the charges of which he was accused? Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not agree that there was indecent haste on the part of the Commissioner in calling a Press conference to defame this man before he had an opportunity of entering an appeal?

As this may be a subject of appeal to me as Secretary of State, I think I had better not add anything at the moment to what I have said.

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether the offences alleged against this officer were put before the Director of Public Prosecutions?

The matter is subject to an appeal now.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether in view of the rise in the cost of living, he will reconsider the position of policemen's widows whose husbands died before the date of the Oaksey award, with a view to bringing them into line with other policemen's widows.

Increases for these widows are being considered in the light of the increases proposed by the Pensions (Increase) Bill, but I cannot hold out any hope that it will be possible to treat them more favourably than other widows whose husbands died before the introduction of the National Insurance Scheme.

Is the Home Secretary aware that hon. Members on both sides of the House have been pressing him and his predecessors to remedy this injustice? Would he not agree that it is in keeping with the spirit and tenor of the Bill we are about to discuss later this afternoon that he should take steps to deal with this injustice?

As the hon. Member said, this is a subject which has been drawn to the attention of my predecessor and myself for some time, but the National Association of Retired Police Officers recently submitted some specific proposals on behalf of these widows which are now being considered.

Does not the Home Secretary agree that this injustice could be righted if he collaborated with the Financial Secretary to the Treasury over Clause 7 of the Bill we are to debate this afternoon?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in order to free the overburdened Metropolitan Police for their primary task of protecting the community and preventing serious crime, he will consider the establishment of a special body of traffic police, whose standards of fitness and training could be lower than normal, to regulate traffic and deal with offences under the Road Traffic Acts.

Proposals of this nature have been considered from time to time but have not been found acceptable. In particular, I am not convinced that men of a lower standard of fitness and training could perform these duties satisfactorily.

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend not agree that to chase motorists for car parking offences and deal with them in police courts obviously does not require such a high standard of fitness as the catching of criminals? Would he not also agree that if the long-term car parking problem in London is to be solved, much more activity on the part of the police will be required?

I agree that that is probably so, but I was taking the matter as it is today and was dealing rather with the question of men of a lower standard of fitness and training. I assure my hon. Friend that as things are, the strain on police who have to do traffic duties is very high indeed.

asked the Minister of Education whether he has considered the doubts expressed in paragraph 59 of the unanimous Report entitled "Early Leaving" presented to the Minister of Education in 1954 by the Central Advisory Council for Education, England, on the legal validity of school-life agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Yes, Sir; and my general view is that premature leaving is better countered by persuasion than by the imposition of legal sanctions.

As the Attorney-General dodged the issue raised in my Question by having the Question transferred to the right hon. Gentleman, will the Minister, in the circumstances, seek advice from the National Council for Civil Liberties, because the essential liberty of a child who wins a place in a grammar school is involved?

I do not think that there is any question of dodging it at all. The Government's view is that it is not a good thing to have a penalty clause. At the same time, there are often local circumstances, and if a local authority has felt very strongly, it has taken powers. But I myself deplore it.

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is more than one opinion about this matter, and that many local authorities wish to have a penalty clause in school agreements? Will the right hon. Gentleman do nothing to detract from the powers of local authorities in this matter?

The hon. Member only shows me how difficult it is to arrive at a decision favourable to the opinion both of local authorities and of others.

asked the Minister of Education (1) whether, in view of the representations which he has recently received from the County Council's Association, he will increase the amount per place which local education authorities are permitted to spend on providing new schools;

(2) whether, in view of the variation of the cost of building new schools which exist in different parts of the country, he will introduce some flexibility in the permitted cost per place for those authorities which find it impossible to build within the prescribed figures without sacrificing essentials.

No, Sir. There is evidence to show that in spite of variations in building costs, schools of good quality can be built within the current limits of cost and to the requirement of the Regulations.

As I put two very separate points in my Questions, may I put two supplementary questions? First, is the Minister aware that the cost per place which he has fixed lags behind the steady rise in the cost of living? Is he aware that the experience of hon. Members who sit on education committees is that we are continually cutting down essentials in schools and features which in the long run will become economic, merely to conform to his figure? May I put it to the right hon. Gentleman that it is the experience of members of local authorities in "in-spill" areas that building costs are considerably higher than those in other areas, and require sympathetic treatment from the Minister?

It is true that building costs have risen faster than the cost per place; but the efficiency of school building has increased, and I am satisfied that local authorities today, with the experience which they have had since the war, are able to build somewhat more cheaply, which is a good thing. On the second point, there are certain areas where the costs are higher than in others; if a very special reason can be shown I am prepared to vary the cost limits, but only on very rare occasions.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the cost per place now ruling was last fixed and what has happened to costs since that date?

I have raised the cost per place figure within the last year.

asked the Minister of Education whether, in appointing a new Director of the Science Museum, he will raise the salary of the post to the same level as that of the Directors of the British Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

I am not yet in a position to make any statement about the appointment of a new Director for the Science Museum.

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that this is an invidious distinction between these posts, and is out of date, in view of the present need for an increase in scientific and technical manpower? Does he not think that there is something completely out of date in an invidious distinction between the arts and the sciences disclosed by the respective salaries for these posts?

The question of salaries is one of the matters which I have in mind.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give a single reason why there should be a difference between the salaries paid to these various directors?

I imagine that the other museums, at any rate for some time, were on a much larger scale and were considered to be more important. I think that the whole question requires looking at now.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the forthcoming restrictive practices legislation which provides for the lapsing of references on which the Monopolies Commission has not prepared its final report when the new legislation comes into operation, he will instruct the Commission forthwith to suspend its inquiries in respect of all references which are unlikely to be complete at that time, thereby preventing unnecessary expenditure of time and money by the industries affected.

No, Sir, but my right hon. Friend is in consultation with the Corn-mission about the progress of the Reports on which it is now working. He hopes to announce the Government's intentions during the Second Reading debate on the Restrictive Trade Practices Bill.

Would my hon. and learned Friend try to hasten that decision as soon as possible? The proposed legislation is likely to become actual legislation within the next few weeks, and these inquiries engage people in a great deal of work.

I do not think that my hon. Friend will have very long to wait for a statement of the Government's intentions. When he says that the proposed legislation will become legislation in the next few weeks, he presumably refers to the Second Reading of the Bill, and not to its final enactment.

In view of the Government's declared policy that they want to end restrictive trade practices, will the hon. and learned Gentleman see that nothing is done to stop the Monopolies Commission from continuing this work and completing it?

The right hon. Gentleman will see that that is provided for in Clause 23 (3) of the Bill, which relates to references on which the Monopolies Commission is working.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary give an assurance that the inquiry into level tendering will not be allowed to lapse, in view of the importance of that subject and the value of the illuminating information which may be forthcoming as a result of the inquiry which is now in progress?

The provisions of Clause 23 (3), to which I have referred, are subject to the directions of the Board of Trade, and what the hon. Members has said will, of course, be taken into account in that context.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the increase in purchasing value of the average industrial wage between 1945 and 1951 and between 1951 and 1955.

Average weekly earnings of industrial wage earners shown by Ministry of Labour inquiries were £4 16s. ld. in July, 1945, £6 16s. 2d. in April, 1951, and £9 2s. 3d. in April, 1955, a rise of 42 per cent. between 1945 and 1951, and 34 per cent. between 1951 and 1955.

The Consumer Price Index, adjusted for particular months by means of the Interim Index of Retail Prices, shows a rise of 32 per cent. between 1945 and 1951, and 16 per cent. between April, 1951, and April, 1955.

On the basis of these figures, and taking no account of changes in direct taxes or benefits received, the purchasing power of average earnings rose by 71½ per cent. between April, 1945, and April, 1951, and 16 per cent. between April, 1951, and April, 1955.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that both sides of the House will—I hope—join in welcoming this evidence of the rapid increase in the prosperity of the industrial workers which has taken place under Conservative administration?

Oh.

I agree with my hon. Friend that these are striking and important figures.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since 1945 the percentage by which dividends have risen is greater than that by which wages have risen? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Yes.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the total amount received during 1954 and 1955, respectively, from Estate Duty on thoroughbred horses.

I regret that this information is not available.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of not charging this duty in the case of horses of national value until the horses are actually sold, as I understand happens in the case of pictures of national value?

I will bring the suggestion to the attention of my right hon. Friend.