asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now authorise the demolition of air-raid shelters by local authorities where, in the opinion of the latter, there is justification on grounds of health or economy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the possibility of their not being required and the probability of their not being effective, he will permit the demolition of domestic air-raid shelters where they obstruct the use of yards or gardens.

These shelters would give protection outside the area of complete devastation from a hydrogen bomb and, while I appreciate that many are unsightly and inconveniently placed, I am satisfied that the balance of advantage lies in retaining them for the present unless there are compelling grounds for removal in individual cases.It is desirable to retain central control over demolition of shelters at public expense but permission to demolish is readily given when it is shown to be essential on medical grounds or if a shelter is beyond economic repair.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were certified as insane and sent to mental hospitals from Walton Prison, Liverpool, during the years 1953, 1954, 1955, and 1956 to date.

The numbers of prisoners certified insane while serving sentences in Liverpool prison during the relevant period are as follows: 1953, 9; 1954, 11; 1955, 10; 1956 (until 2nd June), 10; making a total of 40.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made in preparing Measures to implement the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on the Summary Trial of Minor Offences.

Progress has been made with the drafting of the necessary legislation, but I cannot hold out hope that it will be possible to find time for a Bill during the current Session.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Fire Brigades Union is much concerned with the present two-man hook ladder drill which it believes to be unnecessary and dangerous; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. I have arranged for discussions with the union to take place at the Home Office early next week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to make a statement following his inquiry into allegations of ill-treatment of prisoners in Liverpool Prison.

I have not yet completed my inquiries into the allegations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to consider opening the mounted branch of the Metropolitan Police service to members of the Women's Police service.

I have brought this suggestion to the notice of the Commissioner, but he does not consider that it would be in the interests of the Force to adopt it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action the police took on the late evening and early morning of 11th and 12th May to prevent a public disturbance at a licensed club in Swedenborg Square, E.1; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member today.

asked the Minister of Education if he is now in a position to state how many school projects in the 1956–57 school-building programme will have to be deferred on account of the inability of local education authorities to start 330 projects included in the 1955–56 programme.

My right hon. Friend hopes shortly to give guidance to local education authorities.

asked the Minister of Education if he will now, in the interests of health and economy, authorise the Staffordshire Local Education Authority to demolish air-raid shelters on school sites.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given earlier today by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Home Secretary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what concessions have been granted to date to European mining syndicates in Bechuanaland Protectorate; what discussions there have been upon future mineral exploitation within the African Advisory Council; and whether he will make a statement about Government policy in this matter.

I am obtaining the information asked for in the first part and will let the hon. Member have it as soon as possible.I understand that mining development was to be one of the subjects for discussion at the meeting last week of the African Advisory Council, but a report of the proceedings is not yet available.It is Her Majesty's Government's policy to encourage the development of mineral resources in the Bechuanaland Protectorate in order to provide the inhabitants with further opportunities for employment and to raise additional revenue for improved social services. Leases for mining in the native reserves will be made by the Native Authorities with the concurrence of the High Commissioner. Mining will not be permitted until Her Majesty's Government are satisfied that the rights of the indigenous people are fully safeguarded.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he is aware that the failure of the Singapore Constitutional Conference will have repercussions within the Commonwealth, and especially in India; and if he will place the subject on the agenda of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference to be held in London shortly.

The discussions about Singapore have certainly been a matter of interest to a number of Commonwealth countries. There have been no representations to suggest that the breakdown of the talks caused special concern in India. It is not the practice to disclose in advance what matters are to be discussed at meetings of Commonwealth Prime Ministers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the latest tariff negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

Yes. A White Paper (Cmd. 9779) on the results of the negotiations will be available in the Vote Office at 4 o'clock this afternoon; and copies of the tariff schedules which embody the new maximum tariff rates will at the same time be placed in the Library.The amounts by which we and other countries will be reducing individual tariff rates as a result of these negotiations are, in general, small, but as measured by the value of the trade covered by the concessions exchanged, the results constitute a useful addition to what has already been achieved in earlier G.A.T.T. negotiations to reduce or stabilise tariffs.

Evans asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that the number of places available for science students at the universities is sufficient to meet the demand for places of those of sufficiently high academic attainment for entry, and whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy on university grants in this regard.

The increasing demand for admission to science courses in universities is causing congestion in some institutions. Improved and enlarged laboratories have been provided on a considerable scale in recent years, others are under construction, and plans for substantial future developments are being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies at what age the registration of children in Cyprus under the Emergency Regulations starts.

Twelve.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by what authority restrictions are imposed in Cyprus upon the free circulation of the daily HANSARD.

There are no such restrictions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the latest replies he has received from Governments of Colonial Territories regarding the conditions of deportation; and in which Colonies, Protectorates and Trusteeship territories powers to deport or rusticate persons without trial remain.

According to my latest information, there are 12 territories whose law does not provide for prior judicial process in the case of either deportation or rustication of a British subject or British protected person. In addition, there are two territories which provide for such process in the case of rustication but not deportation, and a further four in the case of deportation but not rustication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of the sterling balances due to or from each Colonial Territory at the most recent convenient date, indicating separately those earmarked for development boards or other special purposes.

The latest figures, in as much detail as is possible and showing the funds earmarked for special purposes, have just been published in paragraphs 522 and 523 of my latest Annual Report (Cmd. 9769). Reserves specifically earmarked for development are included under the heading of "special funds".

asked the Lord Privy Seal to what extent a monitoring system is in operation within the United Kingdom to check the increasing fall-out of radio strontium following atom and hydrogen bomb tests.

Such a system is already in operation. The amount of radio strontium reaching the ground in the United Kingdom is monitored by the regular analysis of rainwater samples. The radio strontium still to fall is monitored through the analysis of dust samples collected by aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many Royal Air Force officers over the normal retiring age are still employed; and how many of those officers are in the Education Branch.

There are 465 officers serving in the Royal Air Force who are above the normal retiring age of their rank and branch; 21 of them are in the Education Branch.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps he is taking to deal with the block in promotions in the Royal Air Force Education Branch due to the change in 1946 of this branch from a civilian to uniformed branch.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackley (Mr. E. Johnson) on 30th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many squadron leaders in the Education Branch of the Royal Air Force were promoted wing commander between 1st January, 1955, and 1st May, 1956; what was their average length of service; and how many can continue to serve until they are 60 years of age.

Seven squadron leaders were promoted to the substantive rank of wing commander during this period. Their average length of service was between 18 and 19 years. All of them can continue to serve until they are 60.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the present establishment of wing commanders in the Education Branch of the Royal Air Force; and how many of the officers now serving in that rank can continue to serve until they have reached the age of 60 years.

There are 42 wing commanders at present serving in the Education Branch of whom 41 can continue to serve until they are 60.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will extend the system of two-yearly increments of pay for squadron leaders in the Education Branch of the Royal Air Force for a longer period than that at present in force in order to compensate them for the lack of prospects of promotion to wing commander.

No. As I explained to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackley (Mr. J. Johnson), in the reply I gave him on 30th May, we hope to be able to maintain a reasonable rate of promotion from squadron leader to wing commander in this branch.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what increases of pay are given to officers of the rank of squadron leader in the Education Branch of the Royal Air Force and after how many years in that rank is the maximum rate of pay reached.

The incremental scale of basic pay for squadron leaders in the Education Branch is as follows:

asked the secretary oar State for Air how many squadron leaders in the Education Branch of the Royal Air Force have been promoted to wing commander since 1950, although they were over the normal retiring age for squadron leaders.

One.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps were taken to inform officers who joined the Education Branch of the Royal Air Force after 1946, when they applied for permanent commissions, that promotion prospects were not altogether normal because of the fact that there were a number of officers serving who had transferred from the civilian Royal Air Force Education Service and would not have to retire until they had reached the age of 60.

None. Such action would have been called for only if there were a danger that the reserved rights of certain officers might prevent a reasonable rate of promotion to the ranks above squadron leader.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Committee appointed to consider the problems of career planning in the Royal Air Force has completed its review, especially in regard to the prospects of promotion of officers in the Education Branch of the Royal Air Force; and if he will make a statement.

The Committee has not yet completed its review of the Education Branch.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many Royal Air Force officers who are over the normal retiring age are still employed at the Air Ministry; and what is the nature of their duties.

I regret that it would not be possible to give this information without a lengthy scrutiny of officers' records.