asked the Minister of Education what steps are taken to ensure that the proportion of passes for grammar school places in areas of rapid development is comparable with that in more stable areas; and, in particular, if he will give details in this respect for the Borough of Slough.

It is my right hon. Friend's policy to see that the building proposals of local education authorities provide adequately for their abler children. The new grammar school to be opened at Langley in September will maintain the proportion of grammar school places available to Slough children.

asked the Minister of Education what amount was spent on school building in Brentford and Chiswick during each year from 1952 to 1955 inclusive.

The value of work done on major and minor building projects at schools in Brentford and Chiswick in each of the years 1952, 1953, 1954 and 1955 was approximately £55,000, £35,000, £106,000 and £14,000.

asked the Minister of Education the total number of new school places provided in Brentford and Chiswick between the years 1952 to 1955 inclusive.

560 primary and 900 secondary school places.

asked the Minister of Education whether the Oakfield County Primary School, Hyde, has been included in the building programme for 1957–58.

No. I cannot in present circumstances approve the inclusion of this school in the authority's building programme.

asked the Minister of Education the capital value of the new schools programme started, and of new schools completed, in each of the years 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, and 1955.

The following is the information:

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of Chinese orders for which export licences have been refused during the last three years for Lincoln-built marine engines similar to those which have previously been exported to China and which have been used in ordinary merchant ships engaged in river and coastal trade; and whether the export of such engines to China is still forbidden.

The export of these engines to China is subject to embargo, and there has been no change since I answered a similar Question by the hon. Member on the 3rd November last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement in respect of trade between Hong Kong and this country, particularly in regard to its specific beneficial and detrimental effect on British exports.

In 1955 our exports to Hong Kong, at nearly £26 million were more than half as much again as our imports, at £16½ million. Hong Kong applies virtually no restrictions to her trade with us and only a few customs duties, and we enjoy a tariff preference on both liquor and tobacco.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the estimated loss to the United Kingdom during the 1939–45 war in shipping tons and value, foreign investments and debts, and in railways, docks, harbours, factories and other buildings and installations; and how much of this loss he estimates still remains to be made good.

The best estimates available of the loss of wealth to the United Kingdom during the 1939–45 war are those contained in "Statistical Material presented during the Washington Negotiations" [Cmd. 6707 published in December, 1945]. The loss of national wealth is estimated in this paper to be of the order of £7,300 millions. It is impossible to say what proportion of the specific assets affected by the war has not yet been repaired or replaced.

Cooke asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the need for restraint in salaries and wages, consideration will be given to postponing increases due to take place on 1st July of salaries in the higher ranges of Her Majesty's Civil Service.

No. It was last year that these increases were recommended by a Royal Commission on a comparison with the level of salaries which already prevailed in occupations outside the Civil Service twelve months ago. They clearly afford no ground for any increase over the level of mid-1955 in any of those other occupations.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury when the provincial differential rates for civil servants' salaries which established the 12-miles-limit were introduced.

On 1st June, 1951.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what discussions have taken place between his Department and the National Staff Side of the Whitley Council under the Provincial Differential Rates Agreement of 1951, regarding the variation of particular pay areas.

The two sides of the National Whitley Council have recently concluded negotiations on many matters arising from the Royal Commission's Report, including provincial differentiation, and I understand that it is intended before long to resume in greater detail discussions on this latter topic.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far it is now the practice of the Inland revenue to direct that all hire-purchase companies should deduct tax from their payments of deposit interest; and whether he is satisfied that all such companies are observing the rule.

In general in such cases tax is deductible from deposit interest. But this may not apply where the interest is not annual interest, or where the concern carries on a banking business. If tax is not deducted the concern is liable to make returns to the Inland Revenue under Section 29, Income Tax Act, 1952, of the interest so paid in excess of £15 to any person in any one year. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I will be happy to consider it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the hardship which will result from the recent decision that Purchase Tax must be charged on gear supplied to officers or members of the crews of fishing vessels; and if he will reconsider this decision.

No. The gear in question is in fact clothing. For a time it was allowed free of tax as ship's stores, but this was stopped recently when it was found that it is sold to individual seamen and becomes their personal property.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in approving the sale of the Trinidad oil industry to the Texas Oil Company, Her Majesty's Government have taken full account of the value of the submarine oil resources capable of development in that area of the Caribbean.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the proposed sale of the Trinidad Oil Company. In deciding to approve this in principle, subject to conditions, the Government took full account of the value of that company's interest in the development of off-shore oil licences.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that school building takes priority over less essential building.

I would refer the hon. Lady to the Answer my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave on building licensing to the right hon. Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson) and others on 12th June.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury on what date the headquarters for Customs and Excise officers stationed at London Airport were moved from Adelaide House in London to the present London Airport office.

The new Customs Collection with headquarters at London Airport was set up on 1st January, 1951.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many non-industrial civil servants were employed at London Airport in 1951; and how many at the most recent convenient date.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the increase in numbers of non-industrial civil servants employed at London Airport since 1951.

Nine hundred non-industrial civil servants were employed at London Airport on 1st April, 1951. The number on 1st April, 1956, was 1,767, an increase of 867.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the staff in the Prime Minister's office have to meet the cost of their postage, telegrams, stationery, telephones, travel, living away from home expenses, secretarial expenses, etc., out of their State salaries; how many of these have not received an increase in such salary for more than two years; and in how many cases in this category have the Government subsequently refused to implement recommendations regarding increases in salary made by an investigating committee set up by the Government.

None.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will hold discussions to review in the light of experience the operation of Part II of the Agriculture Act, 1947, and the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1948.

Yes. I have had these matters under consideration for some time. The Wilson Committee also reported that they had met with a variety of conflicting opinions on the operation of these provisions. I hope that discussions with the organisations concerned, which must inevitably take some time, will start within the next few weeks. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is proposing similar discussions in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the profit or loss in each year from the time the Wissington light railway was taken over by his department up to June, 1950.

The surpluses or deficits on the operation of the railway, after taking into account the Administrator's fee of £500 per year, when payable, but with no regular allowance for depreciation or interest on capital, have been as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the figures in the possession of Kentish farmers regarding the crops such as barley which are kept back on the farms after being harvested, to be sold at a later date, differ from the official figures; and what methods of calculation are used for obtaining the official figures.

My Department does not make or issue any official estimates of stocks of crops on farms to be sold at a later date. It would not be practicable to forecast the proportion that might be retained for use on the farm and that which might be sold.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has now been made in settling the dispute at the Tilbury Power Station.

Following the discussions at national level to which I referred in my Answer to the hon. Member on 14th June arrangements have been made for the matter to be considered further at a local meeting between the officers of the unions, the firm and the Employers' Association in accordance with the recognised procedure in the industry. The meeting will be held on 6th July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that many Cypriots in London are being visited by collectors who ask for regular donations to support various funds alleged to be in aid of the liberation of Cyprus, under threats of action against their relatives still in Cyprus; and whether he will take steps to prevent this intimidation of loyal British Cypriots.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has that duress has been used in the collection of subscriptions from Cypriots in Britain; and how many complaints have been received by the Metropolitan Police or by his Department.

Information reaching the police from a number of sources indicates that some Cypriots have subscribed to funds under duress, but no one who has been subjected to pressure in this way has complained to me or to the police. If evidence that money has been demanded under threats is obtained, appropriate action will be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police man hours daily are occupied in following Cypriots in London.

It would be contrary to the public interest to disclose information of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the observations of the court in the case of Miss Jean Callender, if he will send a circular to local authorities drawing their attention to the circumstances in which proceedings ought and ought not to be taken for obtaining care and protection orders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has considered the remarks of the Lord Chief Justice in re Callender; and if he will send a circular to local authorities drawing their attention to the need for restricting requests to the courts for care and protection orders to cases where it is clear that persons in charge of children are failing in their duties and not otherwise.

This matter is receiving my consideration

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that a man, whose name and address have been supplied to him, will receive medical treatment while serving the sentence he has received for malicious wounding; and what instructions he has given to the Metropolitan Police, on the man's release, to protect his family and friends from a possible repetition of his behaviour.

The prisoner is under observation in the prison hospital, where there are special facilities for dealing with psychiatric patients. He will receive careful attention and any necessary treatment which can be given. The police are aware of the position and will take any necesasry steps on his release.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now state whether, in deporting Father Kallinikos Macheriotis, he complied with the requirements of the Anglo-Greek Consular Convention of 1953.

The instructions issued to the police at the time when this Convention was concluded did not deal explicitly with the situation which arises in cases of deportation and, therefore, no notification was made to the Greek Consul, in accordance with Article 19 of the Convention, during the short period of Mr. Macheriotis' detention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his meeting with Archbishop Athenagoras of Thyateira concerning the deported Archimandrite.

Archbishop Athenagoras called on me by my invitation on 25th June. The procedure followed in the deportation of Mr. Macheriotis was discussed. I explained that in this matter the police had merely executed an Order made by myself as the responsible Minister and that the circumstances of the case made immediate action necessary. I assured him that the action taken was not in any way directed against the Greek Orthodox Church and that no discourtesy to the Archbishop was intended.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for carrying offensive weapons have been initiated in the Metropolitan Police area under the Prevention of Crime Act, 1953; and how many convictions have been secured.

Up to 31st December last, the latest date for which figures are available, 244 persons were prosecuted in the Metropolitan Police District for offences under the Prevention of Crime Act, 1953. Of these, 203 were summarily convicted and in 15 cases the charges were withdrawn or dismissed or otherwise disposed of. The remaining 26 persons were committed for trial.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the authorised establishment of the Metropolitan police force; and what is its present strength.

The authorised establishment of the Metropolitan police force is 19,462 men and 523 women. The strength of the force on 31st May was 15,659 men and 506 women.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that Mme. Verlet was fined at Bow Street on 12th September, 1955, for keeping a brothel at 39 Curzon Street, W., and in view of the disclosures at Tournai during the trial of the Messina brothers that this house belongs to them and is still being used for the same purpose, what action he proposes to take.

So far as the police are aware these premises are not at present being used in contravention of the law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that No. 10 Bentinck Street, owned by a Mrs. Frank and administered for her by a man named Joseph Craig, is being used as a house for improper purposes; and, in view of the fact that Joseph Craig was recently convicted and fined at Marlborough Street Police Court for permitting the premises to be so used, what action he proposes to take as the premises are still used for the same purpose.

I am informed that the police have no evidence that these premises are at present being used for improper purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the two brothers, Michael and Anthony de Bono, recently convicted in the West London Police Court of living on the immoral earnings of a woman, are blood brothers of the Messina brothers né de Bono, now on trial at Tournai for keeping brothels and running the white slave traffic; whether he is satisfied that the proceeds of the four brothels, 7 Stafford Street, 36 Shepherd Market (upper floors), 39 Curzon Street, and 12 Chesterfield Street, are not being transmitted to the Messinas through the younger de Bonos; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the police have no evidence at present to justify any further prosecution of Michael and Anthony de Bono.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he now proposes to take, in view of the revelations at Tournai last week during the trial of the Messina brothers that 39, Curzon Street, 12, Chesterfield Terrace, 7, Stafford Street, and 36, Shepherd Market, all belong to the Messinas and are being used as brothels under the control of mesdames employed by the Messina brothers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, in view of the fact that in the evidence now being submitted in the vice trial in Belgium, a Scotland Yard officer has stated that the Metropolitan Police had, and have, evidence that five addresses in Mayfair were being used as brothels, no action has been taken by the police against those responsible.

In giving evidence at Tournai, an officer of the Metropolitan Police stated that, of four premises mentioned to him, proceedings had in the past been taken in respect of two houses which had then been held to be brothels. There is no evidence that any of these houses is at present being used as a brothel.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, since what date consideration has been given to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on the Adoption of Children, Command Paper No. 9248; whether he is aware that legislation on the broad lines proposed is overdue; and if he will give an assurance that every effort will be made to introduce the necessary legislation with the minimum delay.

The Committee's report was submitted in April, 1954. Her Majesty's Government intend to introduce legislation on the subject as soon as Parliamentary time can be found for it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what he prescribes as the guaranteed adequate funds necessary to enable a student from overseas to remain here for study purposes; and how this figure is arrived at.

The amount of the assured funds which a foreign student should have at his disposal if he comes to this country to study will necessarily depend on the particular circumstances of his case and it would be inappropriate to prescribe any figure as a standard of general application. Each case is dealt with on its individual merits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children deprived of normal family life are under the care of local authorities; and what percentage of these have been abandoned or deserted by their parents.

The number of children in the care of local authorities on 31st March, 1956, was 62,347. I am unable to state how many of these had been abandoned or deserted by their parents; but of the 38,305 children received into care in the 12 months ending 31st March, 270 had been abandoned or lost and 2,779 deserted by the parent with whom they were living.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what instructions have been sent to Her Majesty's Government's representative at the United Nations on the question of United Nations supervision of the mandated territories of South West Africa.

The subject of the South West African Mandate is not under consideration in the United Nations at the moment; the Question therefore does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why Her Majesty's Government are opposing the hearing at the United Nations Organisation of oral petitioners from the South West African Mandate by the Committee on South West Africa.

Her Majesty's Government accepted the Advisory Opinion given by the International Court in 1950. This held that the degree of supervision exercised by the United Nations in respect of South West Africa should not exceed that which applied under the League of Nations Mandates System. Under that system there was no provision for the oral hearing of petitions; therefore the view of Her Majesty's Government has been that it would be contrary to the 1950 Opinion for the South West Africa Committee to grant such oral hearings; but this view will be examined between now and the next session of the General Assembly in the light of the Opinion of the Court given on 1st June, 1956.

asked the Minister of Health why a man, whose name and address have been supplied to him, was refused re-admission to St. Ebba's Hospital, Epsom.

I understand that the medical view was that his re-admission as a voluntary patient to this hospital would not be in his own best interests or in those of the other patients.

asked the Minister of Health how many hospitals have regular psychiatric out-patient clinics; how many child guidance clinics with a psychiatrist in attendance are provided by local authorities; and to what extent there is serious delay in obtaining appointments for preliminary diagnosis or at later stages of treatment.

At the end of 1954 (the last year for which figures are readily available) out-patient clinics for mental illness and mental deficiency (excluding child guidance) were held at 465 hospitals. I am not aware of serious delay in obtaining appointments, but I will gladly inquire into any case brought to my notice. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education that local education authorities provide 195 child guidance clinics with a psychiatrist in attendance.

asked the Minister of Supply the number of inhabitants moved from their homes on Pacific islands to enable the latest tests of nuclear weapons by Her Majesty's Government to take place.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) when the Taylor Report on the further development of the Air Training Corps is to be issued;(2) if he is aware of the sense of frustration which is growing among officers of the Air Training Corps, owing to their lack of knowledge as to whether any of the recommendations made during the hearings of the Taylor Committee are to be adopted; and what consideration has yet been given to the recommendations of that committee.

The Committee, presided over by my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, North (Mr. W. J. Taylor), was appointed in July, 1955, to review the organisation and administration of the Air Training Corps and to recommend what improvements could be made in the interests of efficiency and economy. The Committee reported in January. The Report was discussed on the two Air Cadet Councils on 16th March and 17th April, and I am now in a position to announce the decisions reached on the main recommendations. A more detailed statement covering all the recommendations is being distributed today to all A.T.C. Wings.The main finding of the Committee was that the present system of administration through R.A.F. Home Command and the six Regional Groups was over-elaborate and failed to provide the element of continuity which the A.T.C. requires. The Committee recommended that the R.A.F. Groups should cease to be responsible for local A.T.C. administration and that this should be entrusted to the A.T.C. Wings. Officers commanding Wings would be responsible direct to a Commandant, who would be a retired officer of Air Rank.We have decided to increase the responsibilities of the A.T.C. Wings as recommended in the Report; and the R.A.F. Groups will cease to have any executive responsibility for the A.T.C. We are not convinced, however, that the formation of a separate headquarters under a retired officer of Air Rank would be in the best interests of the A.T.C., since it is essential to preserve the close association of the Corps with the R.A.F.We have, therefore, decided that the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Home Command, should remain responsible for the general oversight and control of the A.T.C. He will assume the additional title of "Commandant of the A.T.C.", and all A.T.C. Wings outside Scotland will be responsible direct to his headquarters, which will include a small number of retired officers employed specially for A.T.C. duties. Special arrangements will be made for the oversight of the Scottish Wings and we are considering this aspect further. We recognise that when the Groups cease to have responsibilities for the A.T.C., it will be necessary to strengthen the links between A.T.C. units and neighbouring R.A.F. stations.The new organisation will come into force on 1st January, 1957.The Taylor Committee recommended that the aims of the A.T.C. as defined in the Royal Warrant of 23rd June, 1947, should stand: they also recommended that there should be no change in the age of entry into the A.T.C. or in the general conditions applicable to cadets. Both these recommendations are accepted.The Committee recommended that A.T.C. training should be revised to give general instruction to cadets up to the age of 16 and thereafter advanced instruction in specialist subjects suited to the requirements of the Royal Air Force. An experimental syllabus on these lines is already being tried out in one Wing, and we shall consider the matter further when we see the result.The Committee recommended that battle dress should be introduced for proficient cadets over the age of 16. We are unable to accept this recommendation, partly for reasons of economy and partly because we consider it undesirable to have different uniforms being worn in the Corps.There are certain other recommendations which affect other cadet forces and which must, therefore, be considered on an inter-Service basis.I should like in conclusion to record my gratitude and that of my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, North and his colleagues for their most valuable Report, which has led us to approve these important changes in A.T.C. administration and which will lead to considerable savings within Home Command.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British officials in Aden and the Aden Protectorate are proficient in Arabic.

I assume that the question refers to British officials who were not born in Aden or the Protectorate. Of 190 such officials, 63 have passed Arabic examinations or, owing to proficiency acquired before appointment to the territory, have been regarded as qualified in Arabic. Six of these have passed the higher examination, 18 the lower and 39 the elementary. A total of 113 of the remaining officials comprises those who have not yet completed the period of 18 months' service within which an Arabic examination should be passed, those serving on temporary engagements, and those who have reached the age of 35 before appointment to the territory and who are not obliged to pass an examination in Arabic.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to increase the number of Arabic-speaking officials of the Colonial Office in Aden and the Protectorate.

Under the regulations of the territory officers on permanent terms of service whose native language is not Arabic are required to pass an elementary standard examination in Arabic within 18 months of arrival in Aden.Certain officers, e.g., the District Commissioner, Political Officers, Magistrates, Accountants, and Police, Medical, Education, Customs and Prisons Officers are required to pass a further Arabic examination, the lower standard, within four years of arrival.The District Commissioner, the Education Officer in the Protectorate, and Political and Agricultural Officers, are required to pass a higher standard examination in Arabic within six years of arrival in the territory.Failure to pass the appropriate examination within the prescribed time normally carries the penalty of deferment of confirmation in appointment for officers serving on probation, or the withholding of increments of salary for other officers. A payment of £18 15s. is made to officers who pass the lower standard examination and a payment of £37 10s. to those who pass the higher standard examination. Officers who have reached the age of 35 before the appointment to the territory are not obliged to pass a language examination.The Governor fully realises the importance of a knowledge of Arabic for officers serving in Aden and the Protectorate and I do not consider that any further steps are required.

asked the Prime Minister to what extent the ruling on Ministers holding directorships and private employment outside of their Ministerial appointment also applies to the holding of stocks and shares; and whether he will introduce the necessary legislation to ensure that when a Member of Parliament is appointed to a Ministerial appointment he shall make a public declaration giving details of the financial interests he has held and relinquished on appointment to Ministerial rank.

The holding of shares by Ministers is covered by the statement of general principles to which I referred the hon. Gentleman on 17th May. The answer to the second part of the Question is: No.