asked the Minister of Education if he is in a position to make a statement about the future of the Central Advisory Committee for Education, England.

Yes. I am reconstituting the Central Advisory Council, England, and have been fortunate to secure the services of Mr. Geoffrey Crowther as chairman. I am asking the Council to consider, in relation to the changing social and industrial needs of our society, and the needs of its individual citizens, the educaton of boys and girls between 15 and 18 and in particular to consider the balance at various levels of general and specialised studies between these ages and to examine the inter-relationship of the various stages of education.I will announce shortly the membership of the new Council as soon as I have received replies to all my invitations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to be able to publish the Economic Survey and the half-yearly Balance of Payments White Paper.

The date of publication of these two documents depends both on statistical work and on the situation in the printing trade. I hope that the Economic Survey will appear before the end of March, and the Balance of Payments White Paper early in April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of his recent announcements, he will now impose a tax on the distributed funds of football pools, to an extent at least as great as that now levied on the distributed profits of industry.

I have taken note of my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion. I would remind him that the Pool Betting Duty is already levied at 30 per cent. of the total stakes.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) from which local authorities during the last three years he has received complaints and requests for action concerning the pollution of the air by Thamesside oil refineries;(2) what steps have been taken to abate the continued pollution of the air of southeast Essex by the Thamesside oil refineries;(3) from which local authorities it has been represented to him that the continued pollution of the air of south-east Essex by the Thamesside oil refineries is detrimental to health; and what steps are being taken to conduct research into the effect of this pollution on health.

During the last three years I have received representations about air pollution from these refineries from the Council of the County Borough of Southend and the Urban District Councils of Rayleigh, Benfleet, Canvey Island and Sheerness. The Southend Council have expressed anxiety about the effect of the pollution on health.The refineries are all registered under the Alkali, Etc., Works Regulation Act, 1906. They are inspected regularly by my alkali inspectors, and I am advised that all practicable steps are being taken, as the Act requires, to prevent the emission of noxious or offensive gases.It is not practicable to eliminate pollution and unpleasant smells entirely, but I am advised that such emissions as occur are not detrimental to health.

asked the Minister of Supply the result of the ground-running trials of the helicopter, the contract for which was placed by his Department with Hunting Percival Aircraft Limited in 1951; when this aircraft is to fly; and the total cost to public funds to date of this venture.

As I announced during the defence debate on 29th February, it has been decided, as part of the general rationalisation of the helicopter programme, to discontinue Government support of this project. My Department is, however, arranging for a limited amount of ground running and flight testing to be carried out before work ceases, so that we may obtain as much information as possible from the development so far. The ground running is expected to take place this month and the flying during next month. As I told my hon.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of motor scooters imported month by month April, 1955, to January, 1956; and the countries of origin.

Figures of motor scooter imports are not available separately, but are included in the Trade Returns with those for motor cycles and motor tricycles. The bulk of these imports came from Italy and Western Germany. Although the major part of the imports from Italy is believed to be motor scooters, the German imports are mainly power-assisted bicycles.