asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what restrictions he has placed upon the movements of Archbishop Makarios of Cyprus on the Island of Mahé; for what reason; and how many visitors His Beatitude has been permitted since he arrived there.

Visits to the town and other parts of the island are permitted during the hours of daylight, accompanied by an escort. Apart from these occasions, the Archbishop has been confined to the house and grounds of "Sans Souci". The Archbishop and the other deportees have now given their parole not to attempt to escape, to pass or receive surreptitious messages or issue political statements or talk to unauthorised persons, and not to leave "Sans Souci" without giving notice. In view of this, I have decided that it is unnecessary further to restrict the movements of the deportees. The Archbishop has been visited by three clergymen, and on several occasions by the Secretary to the Government and the Director of Medical Services. He has also been visited almost daily by an instructor in English.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of orange trees in the Famagusta area that have been cut down by security forces during the past week; for what purpose the felling took place; to whom these trees belonged; and what basis of compensation has been arranged.

2,000 trees belonging to about 200 persons of whom all but one are Greek-Cypriots. This action is being taken as a security measure because of the very large number of attacks which have been made on the security forces from the cover of these groves, in which nine people have been killed and 53 wounded. Compensation will be paid either by mutual agreement or after arbitration, as provided in the Emergency Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many schools are closed in Cyprus; and how many children are therefore not receiving any education.

252 schools are closed, most of these being Greek Cypriot elementary schools. 26,000 elementary school children are not receiving education. It is not possible to say how many secondary school pupils are not receiving education.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to find representatives of public opinion in Cyprus with whom negotiations might be resumed; and with what success.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear in his reply to the right hon. Member for Ebbw Vale (Mr. Bevan) on 17th April, the Governor is taking active steps to restore law and order. This is essential to end the intimidation by which representatives of public opinion as a whole are at present prevented from coming forward. Substantial progress has been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken in Sierra Leone to consider constitutional amendments; and what is the nature and composition of the body which will consider the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has considered the representations made in respect of a recent conference in Sierra Leone to discuss the new constitution; and if he is satisfied that all responsible political bodies participated in that conference.

A proposal by the Sierra Leone Government for a round table conference to consider constitutional change was abandoned when it proved impossible to secure that all shades of local opinion were adequately represented on it. A meeting of all those who had accepted invitations to the conference was called by the Chief Minister, and I understand that Ministers are now preparing proposals to be discussed in the Legislature in July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further developments have taken place in respect of constitutional reforms in Sarawak; and what consultations have been, or will be, held with representative persons and bodies in Sarawak itself.

Proposals for the revision of the constitution have been fully discussed and generally accepted by representative bodies and individuals throughout Sarawak. They were incorporated in a resolution passed unanimously by the Council Negri last September. The drafting of the Constitutional Instruments to give effect to these proposals is now well advanced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give an assurance that the numbers of the delegations and the bodies in Nigeria recognised as entitled to delegates as determined at the meeting in January at Lagos are subject to revision or extension where it can be shown that important new organisations have either come into existence or have greatly expanded in recent months.

The Lagos meeting fixed only the numbers of the Nigerian delegations. It is agreed that all shades of political opinion should be represented, and I have no doubt that in proposing the division of these numbers the Nigerian Governments will take into account the claim of all organisations, new or old.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is to be the composition of the new Legislative Council in the Somaliland Protectorate.

The Governor (as President); three ex-officio Members (the Chief Secretary, the Attorney-General and the Financial Secretary); not more than five Official Members, and not more than six Unofficial Members.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when he hopes to publish the Report of the Medical Research Council on the genetic effects of nuclear radiation.

The Report, entitled "The hazards to man of nuclear and allied radiations", was published as a Command Paper yesterday.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the main components of the total cost of approximately 0·6 pence per kilowatt hour which the Atomic Energy Authority estimates to be the probable net cost of electricity generated by the early nuclear power stations and what is the selling price of the plutonium byproduct assumed for the purpose of this estimate.

I believe the hon. Member has seen the paper presented at Geneva last Agust which gives the detailed figures about which he asks. Although some of the figures used in building up the estimate have altered one way or the other, it remains the best estimate that can be given.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what proportion of the fleet oil tankers and naval vessels are equipped with oil separators; how much oil is recovered by this process; to what extent it is usable after recovery; what is its value; and if he will give an assurance that all naval vessels now under construction are having oil separators installed in them.

No warships at present on active service are fitted with separators. Rather more than half of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary dry cargo ships are fitted with separators which can deal with both oily bilge and ballast water; 20 per cent. of Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers are fitted with bilge separators, and approximately 15 per cent. of the tankers are fitted in addition with cargo tank separators. Separators are also fitted in the Royal Yacht, and in four special Royal Fleet Auxiliaries used for cleaning ships' tanks.The quantity of usable oil produced by bilge separators is usually negligible; but the washings of a thirteen thousand tons cargo of furnace fuel oil, for example, can contain up to 20 tons of usable oil. It is not possible to assess the total amount recovered by the equipments fitted in the tankers and dry cargo ships, as the conditions of their employment vary considerably. Each of the four special tank-cleaning vessels, however, recovers some one thousand tons of usable oil in the course of a year's working. The value of oil recovered by these methods is between seven and eight pounds a ton.Oily water separators are only necessary for warships and dry cargo vessels which regularly use their fuel tanks for the carriage of water ballast. The classes of new construction which are affected are being fittted with the necessary equipment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many professional accountants are employed by his Department; and on what branches of the work of the Department they are engaged.

Sixty-two. They are mainly engaged on work for the Contract and Purchase Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many orders for new ships have been placed with British shipyards during 1956, and for what tonnage; and what were the corresponding figures for 1955.

The latest figures available show that, during the first quarter of 1956, orders for 64 merchant ships of 325,283 gross tons were licensed for construction in United Kingdom shipyards as compared with 60 of 214,297 gross tons in the first quarter of 1955.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what steps he is taking to assist those shipbuilding firms which are still having difficulty in obtaining the steel supplies they require.

Requests to the Admiralty for assistance are carefully considered and, where appropriate, are taken up with the iron and steel industry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make a further statement on the discussions being held to ensure improved supplies of steel plate to British shipyards.

As regards steel plate, I have nothing to add to my reply of 16th April to my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. P. Williams); the further discussions mentioned concerned steel sections. I am glad to say that deliveries of both plate and sections to British shipyards as a whole have considerably increased.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the large number of circulars on which excess postage has had to be paid as a result of the recent increase in charges; what publicity has been given to the increased rates; and whether he is satisfied that this is adequate.

I am aware that excess postage has had to be paid on large numbers of packets, as a result of the recent increase in charges. The changes in the rates were widely reported in the national and local Press at the time of my announcement in the House on 11th April. Subsequently, large users of the post, chambers of commerce, trade associations, and other similar organisations were individually told about them. In addition, notices have been exhibited and leaflets for the public have been provided at all Post Offices.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will arrange for the issue of a special postage stamp to commemorate the jubilee jamboree of the Boy Scout Movement to be held in Great Britain in June, 1957.

Yes. I propose to issue special stamps of the 21½d., 4d. and 1s. 3d. denominations to commemorate the event.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will issue special postage stamps to mark the holding of the Empire Games in Wales in 1958.

Yes. I propose to issue special stamps of the 2½d., 4d. and 1s. 3d. denominations to commemorate the event.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that political impartiality is not being observed in its television feature programmes by the British Broadcasting Corporation; if he has considered the evidence sent to him on this matter by the hon. Member for Deptford; and if he will issue an appropriate notice under Article 15 (4) of the Charter in this regard.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the British Broadcasting Corporation have recently departed from the code of political impartiality by making attacks on members of minority political parties by paid broadcasters speaking outside the agreed programmes of party political broadcasts; and if he will issue a notice under Article 15 (4) of the Charter instructing them to refrain from such departures.

The B.B.C. is aware that the Government relies upon it to treat controversial subjects with complete impartiality. I regard the maintenance of such impartiality as of fundamental importance but I am not satisfied that the circumstances call for more formal direction by me.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the reason for the deterioration of television reception in the Harwich—Dovercourt area, after a short improvement when the new transmitter at Crystal Palace was first opened.

The Harwich—Dovercourt area is at present at the limit of possible reception from Crystal Palace. The improved reception obtained when the new station was opened was due to exceptionally favourable atmospheric conditions at the time. Reception will be improved when Crystal Palace begins to transmit on higher power in August and again towards the end of next year when the station is completed and working on full power.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will investigate the complaints made by the Holton-le-Clay Parish Council about the low flying of aircraft over the district, particulars of which have been sent him by the hon. Member for Louth; and what steps he is taking to minimise this practice.

If my hon. Friend will let me have more detailed information I will have the complaints investigated. Aircraft taking off from, or landing at, Binbrook, may have to fly over the neighbourhood of Holton-le-Clay at heights between 1,500 and 2,000 feet, but the instructions require that wherever possible the village must be avoided.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many officers of the Royal Air Force are employed in the Air Ministry.

1,187.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many officers of the rank of squadron leader are now serving in the Education Branch of the Royal Air Force.

One hundred and forty-three.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the average age and length of service in the rank of squadron leader of those squadron leaders in the Education Branch of the Royal Air Force who were promoted to wing commander in the years 1950 and 1951 and in the years 1954 and 1955, respectively; and how many were so promoted.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that the agreement between the Amalgamated Engineering Union and his Department regarding dilutee employees, announced on 2nd June, 1954, has failed to remove a basic grievance of this class of employee; and why his Department did not propose to the Amalgamated Engineering Union that dilutees should be accorded skilled status on completion of five years' satisfactory service in their dilutee capacity.

A statement summarising the outcome of the negotiations between the Air Ministry and the Amalgamated Engineering Union was made in a written reply on 2nd June, 1954, and it is not customary to disclose what proposals were made in the course of confidential negotiations of this kind. As regards the first part of the Question, the agreement resulted in a number of improvements for dilutee employees, but it did not, as my hon. and gallant Friend knows, alter the status of the dilutee to that of a fully skilled worker.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that, following the announcement by his Department of the closing of No. 9 Maintenance Unit, Cosford, many dilutee craftsmen who have been employed there, or at other maintenance units, for upwards of 16 or 17 years as skilled aircraft-fitters, have found difficulty in obtaining skilled aircraft work, notably from the Ministry of Supply, because of their nominally dilutee status; and what steps he is taking to remove this anomalous situation in order that these skilled and experienced men may follow their careers without the taint of being dilutees.

Five dilutee craftsmen employed at No. 9 Maintenance Unit, Cosford, with upwards of 16 years service under the Air Ministry, were offered establishment in accordance with the agreement reached in 1954. When the unit was closed, those who had accepted establishment were offered transfer to other Air Ministry units, but all have now resigned. The answer to the second part of the Question is "None".

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many professional accountants are employed by his Department; and on what branches of the work of the Department they are engaged.

None.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many accidents have taken place on route A6, between Penrith and Carlisle, during 1955; and how many have taken place so far in 1956, showing in each case the numbers of fatal and non-fatal accidents.

During the year 1955, 217 accidents were reported by the police. Of these, 4 were fatal, 69 involved non-fatal injuries and 144 damage to property only. For the first five months of this year 57 accidents were reported, of which 2 were fatal, 21 non-fatal and 34 damage only.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what is the position regarding the construction of dual-carriageways on the Great North Road A1 between Alconbury Hill and Stilton; and when it is expected the work will be completed.

A contract will be let shortly for part of the length from Alconbury Hill to Woolpack Cross Roads and this part should be open to traffic by the end of 1957. Tenders have been invited for the remainder of this length (on which experimental work is to be carried out), but work on this part is not expected to be completed until the summer of 1958.The preparation of contract details is in hand for the length from Woolpack Cross Roads northwards to Norman Cross beyond Stilton and it is hoped to let a contract for this length early in 1957 and complete the work by the spring of 1958.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is now satisfied with the result of the experimental one-way working in Jermyn Street, W.1.

This experiment has improved traffic conditions, but further observations are necessary, and the views of the London Traffic Advisory Committee must be sought before the details of any permanent scheme can be settled.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will devise a scheme for easing traffic congestion at the south end of Great Cumberland Place, W.1.

Any remedial action here is bound up with both the parking survey of the inner area of London and the treatment of Marble Arch in the New Park Lane Scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what is the present position of Newbury Park Station Bridge on A12; and whether it is now possible to give a definite estimate as to the date by which the work will be completed.

Work began on 9th April, 1956, and is expected to be completed by the end of 1957.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what restrictions the Soviet Government have placed on Viscount aircraft using Soviet airfields.

I am not aware of any such restrictions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether, in view of the continuing deterioration in the situation in Goa, he will now make further representations to the Governments of India and Portugal on the lines of those made in 1954.

No. But Her Majesty's Government will continue to watch the situation and to maintain their contacts with both Governments

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications for the provision or extension of Government-financed factories in the Scottish development area are under consideration as cases of special importance and urgency; and how many have been deferred.

One and seven, respectively.

asked the Minister of Health what reply he has made to the letter dated 30th May from the National Health Service Executive Council for the city of Lincoln suggesting the abolition of charges to old-age pensioners who receive services under the provisions of the National Health Service Acts.

I have explained to this Executive Council that old-age pensioners and any others who can show that they are unable to meet the charges can already get help from the National Assistance Board; and that I do not consider that any change in the existing arrangements would be justified.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of vaccinations and revaccinations performed at the public expense from the year 1937 to the year 1947; what record he keeps of revaccinations performed at the public expense since 1947; whether he will give the number for each year to date.

The information asked for in the first part of the Question is not fully available. The number of children in England and Wales born during the years 1937 to 1946 who were reported as successfully vaccinated during those years were:—

asked the Minister of Defence how many officials of the West German Ministry of Defence are in the United Kingdom at his invitation for the purpose of evaluating British military aircraft; why the invitation was sent; when they arrived; when they are expected to depart; what facilities are being granted them for the examination of aircraft; and in which types of aircraft of the Royal Air Force they are permitted to fly.

I have been asked to reply. Two officials of the Federal German Ministry of Defence have been in the United Kingdom since 29th May to evaluate aircraft, at the invitation of the Hawker Aircraft Co. and of Hunting Percival Aircraft, with the full approval of Her Majesty's Government. As explained by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence, in answer to the right hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell) on 6th June, it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to assist Western Germany to equip the forces which it has been agreed that she should contribute to North Atlantic defence, and to this end, to encourage sales of British arms and equipment on a commercial basis.The officials will be staying for about a fortnight. The aircraft which they have been evaluating and, as necessary, flying at the companies' airfields are the Hawker Hunter Mark 6, Hawker Two-seater Hunter Mark 7, the Gloster Javelin Marks 4 and 7, the Hunting Percival Provost jet trainer, and the Hunting Percival Pembroke Transport.At the invitation of the Air Ministry, one of the officials has spent two days with R.A.F. Fighter Command studying the organisation and methods of air defence, and the other has spent two days with R.A.F. Flying Training Command, making a similar study in the flying training field.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what discussions he proposes having with technical experts on those elements of Soviet building experience which he found in the course of his visit to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics could be used with advantage in this country.

I was much interested in the extent to which the Russians are using pre-cast concrete components, and by the way in which they have developed production line methods on the building site. I saw nothing which suggested that the actual techniques employed were in advance of those developed in this country. The main difference is that in the Soviet Union prefabrication and mechanisation appear to be used on a much larger scale. I have asked my technical advisers to let me have their considered views on Soviet building methods, though it does not, of course, follow that what is suitable in Russia would necessarily be applicable to conditions and the scale of building operations in this country.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will set out the full list of occupations, other than the actual manufacture of business and household furniture, included under the heading of furniture and upholstery in the Ministry of Labour Gazette.

The monthly statistics of numbers employed and unemployed, published in the Ministry of Labour Gazette, are analysed on the basis of the Standard Industrial Classification, in which persons are classified by reference to the industry of the employer irrespective of their particular occupation. The definition of the Furniture and Upholstery group as published in the Standard Industrial Classification is as follows:—

"Establishments manufacturing curtains, blinds, loose covers, quilts,cushions, feather beds and pillows, mattresses (not wire mattresses), divan beds and similar goods. Shop and sun blinds are excluded.

Establishments manufacturing or repairing wooden or upholstered domestic, office, school, church, theatre and cinema furniture, wooden wireless cabinets, billiard tables, upholstered seats for vehicles and aircraft, rustic furniture, basket furniture, etc. Metal furniture is excluded."