asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance when he proposes to introduce legislation to exempt from payment of National Insurance contributions students who are not earning or in receipt of any income.

Such students if in full-time education are excepted from liability to pay National Insurance contributions.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give figures to show coal stocks in Scotland at the present time, as compared with the figures at the same date in 1955 and 1954.

Total distributed stocks were 1,059,000 tons at 10th March, compared with 841,000 tons in 1955 and 985,000 tons in 1954.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is now in a position to state what is the cost to public funds of the liability in respect of the Swift.

A number of Swifts and spares for these aircraft are still under construction. In these circumstances it will not be possible for many months to give a precise figure for the final cost of the redundancies resulting from the cancellations.

asked the Minister of Supply why the civil staff employed in his Department increased by 185 between 1st October, 1955, and 1st January, 1956.

The increase arose from the continued expansion of the defence research and development effort and from the need for more supervisory and inspection staff on defence production in the Royal ordnance factories and in industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what price he has paid for the 164 acres of land on the top of Halkyn Mountain, Flint-shire; whether that land had previously been on the valuation rolls for rating purposes; and its rateable value.

Purchase of this land has not yet been completed. The property does not appear in the valuation list and no information is available as to any assessments in past lists.

asked the Minister of Health, in respect of the General Hospital, Chester-le-Street, the amount of capital works which are being carried out for the year 1955–56, and the amount proposed to be carried out in the year 1956–57, indicating the work to which the capital is related.

In 1955–56 £1,200 to instal an X-ray set and £836 to provide three single bed wards; in 1956–57 £400 on modification to boiler plant.

asked the Minister of Health the names of the members of the North-East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board.

The following are the names:

asked the Minister of Health the names of the members of the Stepney Hospital Management Committee.

The following are the names:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the proportion of Turkish and nominated members to Greek members in the proposed Cyprus Assembly.

Her Majesty's Government's policy was set out in paragraph 3 of my right hon. Friend's statement to Archbishop Makarios on 29th February, which was published as Part III of the White Paper on the correspondence exchanged between the Governor and the Archbishop (Cmd. 9708).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has a statement to make concerning the shooting in Cyprus of Police Sergeant Rooney.

Yes. The circumstances were as follows.Sergeant Rooney of the Kent County Constabulary had arrived in Cyprus in December last, having volunteered for police duties in Cyprus. He was stationed in Nicosia, and at 8.45 a.m. on Wednesday the 14th March, he was on normal patrol duty in Nicosia, accompanied by a Cypriot police constable. Their duty on this patrol was to record the numbers of shops closed on account of a strike. The two officers were fired at from behind at short range. They were hit by sten gun bullets and Sergeant Rooney died instantly. The condition of the constable is still serious.The authorities in Cyprus have taken vigorous action in their efforts to trace the terrorists responsible for this abominable and cowardly murder. The Governor and I have conveyed to the relatives our deepest sympathy at the loss of this young police officer in the course of his duties in Cyprus.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Section 8 of the Amended Tanganyika Penal Code prohibits the boycott of shops; and if he will make a statement.

This section makes it an offence to watch or beset a place in such a manner as to prevent persons proceeding on their lawful occasions. It does not apply to action which is lawful under the provisions of any law relating to trade unions or trade disputes. It is designed to preserve the liberty of the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Section 6 (63) (b) of the Amended Tanganyika Penal Code, Ordinance 49, 1955, which makes the publication of certain statements an offence, except when published for certain specified purposes, does not include as one of these authorised purposes the publication of these statements, in the public interest, as part of a political campaign.

That contingency is sufficiently covered by the purposes specified in the section.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what sentences were imposed on Jonam Nsofu, Jericho Ngona, Peter Mukanga, and Kolembegi Lesa, charged with conspiracy to injure Mr. Orne-Gliemann, in July, 1955, in the Kasama Court, following the boycott of his shops by Africans; and why the District Commissioner, Kasama, who was informed of the decision to begin the boycott, in person and by letter the previous March, raised no objection to it and made no effort to warn those concerned of the criminal charge to which they laid themselves open either at the time or in the months leading up to the summons for the court.

Jonam Nsofu and Peter Mukanga were sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour, Jericho Ngona was bound over for two years, and Kolembegi Lesa was sentenced to one day's imprisonment.The District Commissioner, when informed of the proposed boycott through members of his staff, advised those concerned, through the same channels, to consult a solicitor in view of the seriousness of the action contemplated. This was found as a fact by the magistrate who tried the case.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what plans the West Riding County Council have now submitted to him to deal with the present congestion and in order to improve both vehicular and pedestrian traffic over Otley Bridge.

None.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what quantity of paint his Department has purchased from Government surplus stock offered by the Ministry of Supply or the War Department since 1st January, 1954; on what dates orders were placed, and how many gallons of paint have been purchased by his Department during the same period from other than Government sources.

The answer to the first part of the Question is nil. As regards the last part, numerous small purchases of paint, mainly for urgent local requirements or for special purposes, have been made since 1st January, 1954, to a total of 1,399 gallons.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action is taken in his Department on receiving notification by the Ministry of Supply of public auctions of Government surplus stocks; what is the extent of purchases made by his Department from these stocks since 1st January, 1954; and what was the date of the last order to be placed.

Copies of published catalogues of public auctions promoted by the Ministry of Supply are circulated within my Department to all likely users of the equipment listed.There has been no purchase made since 1st January, 1954, the last purchase from auction stocks having been made on 19th May, 1951.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what is the present position with regard to the Plymouth Eastern Approach Road which was authorised in April last year; and if he can now give an estimated date for its completion.

Demolition and site clearance work is in hand and the road and bridge works are expected to start shortly. The work is expected to take about two years o complete.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will give some details of the activities of the Central Rhine Commission, and of the benefits this country receives by contributing towards its expenses.

The Central Rhine Commission is responsible for the maintenance of freedom of navigation on the Rhine. Its activities include the supervision of the engineering works, dredging, buoying and the marking of channels. It also deals with police regulations for the control of river traffic; customs and passport regulations; manning of vessels and conditions of work and social services for boatmen and their families; the issue of navigation certificates to masters of vessels. In addition the Commission is the final court of appeal for navigation cases (accidents, collisions, etc.) which are first tried in the navigation courts of the countries bordering the Rhine.The United Kingdom Government firmly support the principle of freedom of navigation of international rivers so that vessels of all flags may trade freely on them. To help to maintain this freedom, membership of river Commissions is not confined to states bordering the rivers. Some British coasters still trade on the lower Rhine, but our major interest in the work of the Commission is to help to maintain the full freedom of navigation in this greatest of European traffic arteries.As a leading Power in Europe and one with less direct interest than many of the

OFFICERS IN RECEIPT OF RETIRED PAY UNDER THE VARIOUS PENSIONS CODES
—		Pre-1919 Codes	1919 Code	1945 Code	1950 Code	1956 Code
Under 60 years of age	…	—	1,190	14,330*	6,840	370
60 years of age and over	…	50	7,860	10,450*	410	10
* Including 1919 Code pensions reassessed for war service.

asked the Minister of Defence the number of widows of Regular officers of Her other members of the Commission the United Kingdom is often able to give real help to the work of the Commission by reason of its detached position.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, in view of the declared policy of successive Governments to encourage gliding, if he will give the gliding clubs now based at Lasham Aerodrome a reasonable security of tenure.

This airfield might have to to be brought into Service use at short notice. Formally therefore we cannot give the gliding clubs security of tenure, but I see no reason at present to doubt that the clubs will be able to continue operations there.

asked the Minister of Defence the number of Service officers, including those of the Indian armed services, below and above the age of 60 years, respectively, now retired and receiving pension under the pre-1919 code, the 1919 code, the 1945 code, the 1950 code and, since 1st January, 1956, under the 1956 code, respectively.

The following statement gives the approximate numbers of Service officers under and over 60 years of age, respectively, who are in receipt of retired pay under the various pensions codes mentioned by hon. and gallant Friend.Majesty's Armed Forces below and over the age of 40 years, respectively, who are in receipt, respectively, of ordinary and attributable pensions from the three Service Departments.

The following is the Answer. I must emphasise that the figures are approximate.

OFFICERS' WIDOWS IN RECEIPT OF PENSIONS PAID BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS
—	Ordinary Pensions	Attributable Pensions
Under 40 years of age	210	3
40 years of age and over	7,900	300

NOTE.—The Service Departments pay "attributable" pensions (i.e. pensions to widows whose husbands' deaths were attributable to service) only in those cases where the husband died as a result of peacetime service between the two Great Wars. The Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance pay other attributable pensions of Service widows.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the number of widows of Regular officers of the Indian armed forces who are being paid ordinary and attributable pensions, respectively.

1,702 are in receipt of ordinary pensions and 375 in receipt of attributable pensions.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of men medically examined prior to call-up for National Service in 1954 and 1955.

The total number of medical examinations, including re-examinations, made under the National Service Acts during 1954 and 1955 were 239,575 and 221,354 respectively. Re-examinations are not recorded separately.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now considered the finding of the Phillips Committee that there has been no systematic analysis of the income and expenditure of elderly households in Great Britain; and what action he proposes to take.

On 13th March, when I announced the introduction of the new Index of Retail Prices, I stated that a full Report on the 1953 household expenditure inquiry would be published towards the end of this year and that this would show details of the expenditure pattern of households wholly or mainly dependent upon National Insurance retirement or similar pensions, including National Assistance paid in supplementation or instead of such pensions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what quantity of paint his Department has purchased from Government surplus stocks offered by the Ministry of Supply or the War Department since 1st January, 1954; on what date orders were placed; and how many gallons of paint have been purchased by his Department during the same period from other than Government sources.

No paint has been acquired by the Admiralty from surplus stocks held by the War Department or Ministry of Supply since 1st January, 1954. During this period 1,368,000 gallons of paint were bought from the trade. This excludes compositions and materials purchased for making up in the Royal Dockyards. War Department and Ministry of Supply paints would not be suitable for use on Her Majesty's ships.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what action is taken in his Department on receiving notification by the Ministry of Supply of public auctions of Government surplus stocks; what is the extent of purchases made by his Department from these stocks since 1st January, 1954; and what was the date of the last order to be placed.

Notifications of Government surplus stocks sent by the Ministry of Supply are carefully scrutinised in the Admiralty. Purchases actually made since the 1st January, 1954, have amounted to less than £2,000. The date of the last order was 8th February, 1956.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the specially favourable terms which the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board has agreed with the British Transport Commission for the charging of batteries for a rail car service on a branch line in Scotland; where these batteries will be charged; and what branch line will be served.

I am informed that the Board has offered to supply electricity for this purpose at a charge of ¾d. a unit for an experimental period but that, while the matter is under active consideration, no agreement has been concluded and no decision reached as to where any experiment would be conducted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in what proportion the expenditure of about £3,000,000 in connection with technical education, which it is hoped to start within the next two years, will be divided between the central institutions and the local technical colleges.

So far as can be estimated at present, the expenditure on central institutions and on local technical colleges respectively will be roughly in the ratio of 1:4.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange for pattern makers engaged in all forms of material to be able to obtain as soon as required tools to suit the needs of the growing number of materials in use.

I am not aware that pattern makers are having difficulty in obtaining suitable tools. If the hon. Member has evidence to the contrary I will gladly look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the difficulties experienced by skilled engineers in obtaining suitable tools; and if he will see that quality steel is in ample supply for all tool needs, and that the quota of measuring rules is sufficient to meet all requirements.

I am not aware of such difficulties. Deliveries of tool steel were much larger in 1955 than in 1954 and are still increasing. There is no quota for measuring rules.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what special arrangements he has made to ensure that appeals regarding reassessments for rates are dealt with expeditiously, in view of the large numbers anticipated; and what those arrangements are.

The ultimate volume of appeals is a matter of conjecture. Experience may well vary greatly from one area to another. In the main it is expected thatthe staff responsible for the revaluation will be able to deal expeditiously with appeals, but special arrangements such as overtime working and borrowing of staff from other offices will be made if the circumstances require it. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government that arrangements are being made to increase the membership of local valuation panels and the numbers of their staffs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give consideration to allowing shipping companies relief from some taxation, to ensure that, after having run their ships the normal length of life, they have enough money with which to replace them.

I hope that my proposal to continue the investment allowance for ships will be of material help.