asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance why he refuses to pay the 100 per cent. pension rate to Mr. W. E. Mateer, Neasden, a pensioner, in view of the fact that he has been provided with a medical certificate making it clear that it was under medical orders that he was not working and that these medical orders were part of the treatment.

I think from our previous correspondence that what the hon. Member has in mind is the payment of treatment allowances. As I have already explained to him, these cannot, under the terms of the Royal Warrant, be issued to this gentleman for the period in question because it was not possible to certify that he was prevented from working by reason of treatment for his pensioned disability.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the total estimated saving expected this year from the economies in the administration of his Department; and what part of it relates exclusively to Scotland.

£100,000—as indicated by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his statement on 26th June, of which only a very small part relates exclusively to Scotland. This, however, takes no account of savings from the decision to concentrate the issue of National Insurance pension books for Scotland and Wales, with the issue of English pension books, at Newcastle. The full annual saving from this when the operation is completed is estimated at £83,000, of which £55,000 relates to Scotland, but I am not yet in a position to estimate what part of this saving will be achieved within this financial year.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to make a further statement on the supplies and allocations of coal in Aberdeen for industry and domestic use; and if he will also make a statement on the controlled domestic price.

Stocks of house coal in Aberdeen are higher now than for some years, and supplies for industry are good. As to the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave the hon. and learned Member on 16th April.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why it was decided to build a nuclear power station at Bradwell, Essex, rather than at Holywell Point, which Central Electricity Authority witnesses at the public inquiry admitted to be a suitable site, and which is a site free from many of the objections that have been made to the Bradwell site.

The Central Electricity Authority applied for my consent to the Bradwell site as being the one most suitable for their purpose, and I came to the conclusion, taking all the many factors into consideration, that my consent should be given to it.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, before deciding to approve the siting of a nuclear power station at Bradwell, Essex, he studied in detail the evidence given at the public inquiry into this matter, as well as the report of the inspector who conducted the inquiry; and if he will place a copy of the full verbatim record of the inquiry in the Library for the information of hon. Members.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes". As regards the second part, I am arranging for a transcript of the evidence given at the public inquiry to be placed in the Library.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what considerations led him to disregard the evidence given by expert marine biologists concerning the effect on marine life in the Blackwater estuary of the building of a nuclear power station at Bradwell, Essex; and what compensation he proposes to offer to the oyster fishermen and others whose livelihood is likely to be affected.

Full weight was given to the evidence submitted by expert marine biologists, but I came to the conclusion, in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, that the considerations put forward by them could not be regarded as decisive. Compensation is a matter for the Central Electricity Authority and not Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the shortage of mental nurses in the hospitals of the south-west region; that wards are understaffed; that untrained and partly trained nurses are called upon to perform trained work; that at one hospital the night male nurses have to sleep in rooms adjoining patient's dormitories; and if he will take steps to remedy this position and to attract more nurses.

Yes. I am aware of the shortage of mental nurses and of the difficulties to which it gives rise, not only in the South-Western Regional Hospital area, but in other areas also. As to the measures taken to remedy the situation, I would refer the hon. Member to the very full reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, North (Mr. Ire-monger) on 31st October last. I am glad to be able to add that the latest returns for England and Wales as a whole show a welcome increase in the numbers of student mental nurses enrolled for training.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that mental health officers who joined the Forces during the war are now suffering an injustice, inasmuch as their period of time in the Forces is not calculated for superannuation purposes; what changes have taken place in the superannuation provisions of the health services in this respect; and if he will take steps to remove this injustice.

Full credit for service with the Forces during the war is normally given to mental health officers, and this has not been altered by the National Health Service Superannuation Scheme. I shall be happy to look at any cases in which credit for war service is not being given.

asked the Minister of Health the numbers of certified patients who escaped from mental hospitals each year from 1950 to 1955; how many of these avoided recapture during the statutory period of 14 days; and how many of these latter were re-certified at subsequent dates.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now state the date on which he expects the Report of the Royal Commission concerning the laws relating to mental illness.

I would refer to the reply given by my hon. Friend on 4th June, to which I have at present nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Health which are the areas in which there is a low percentage of immunisation under five years of age; and how many diphtheria cases have been notified in children under five years of age in those areas in the last three years.

The percentage of immunisation was less than 40 in the counties of Derby, Rutland and Cardigan, and the county boroughs of Bury, Chester, Gateshead, Walsall and West Hartlepool. One case of diphtheria in a child under five was notified in Derbyshire in 1955. There were no confirmed notifications in children under five in these areas in 1953 and 1954.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will reconsider the decision that Great Britain should take part in the large scale combined naval exercises of the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation Powers to be staged shortly in the Gulf of Siam, in view of the fact that such exercises in that part of the world will add to international tension.

No decision to hold such exercises has, in fact, been taken. But I should also make it clear that Her Majesty's Government do not accept the hon. Member's premise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will publish a White Paper containing a Report of the recent meetings of the Disarmament Commission and the new disarmament proposals put forward by the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

The Disarmament Commission was only meeting to review the interim report from its Sub-Committee which has already been reproduced in Command Paper No. 9770. The Commission is expected to meet again later this year. For these reasons I do not think that the cost of publishing another White Paper at the present time would be justified. The full record of the Commission's recent meetings, including the speech of the Soviet representative of 12th July which contained the latest proposals of the Soviet Government, will, however, be placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will propose to the Disarmament Sub-Committee the adoption of a draft convention covering those points on which there is now agreement between all the Powers represented thereon, namely, reduction of conventional armed forces to ceilings of 2½ million for United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and China, and of 750,000 for Great Britain and France coupled with the establishment of international ground inspection of military installations and the stationing of international observation teams at key centres of communication.

I indicated in the foreign affairs debate that we had in mind the possibility of a partial disarmament agreement. I am not prepared to be more specific at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what consultation took place with the inhabitants of Ascension Island before the Agreement was signed for long-distance test ranges for guided missiles in the proximity of that island.

There are no indigenous inhabitants on Ascension Island. Those presently living there are members of the European staff of Cable and Wireless Limited and their families, and domestic and other staff brought from St. Helena. Cable and Wireless Limited were consulted during the negotiations on the Agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what recent changes have been made in the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the Specialised Agencies.

None. It remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to support the valuable activities of the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the Specialised Agencies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on Colonel Nasser's announcement that the Suez Canal is to be nationalised.

I have nothing to add to the Statements which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made on 27th July and this afternoon.

asked the Attorney-General if he is aware of the need to make judgments of the courts in Britain and the Republic of Ireland, respectively, enforceable in both countries; and if he will take steps by legislation or otherwise to achieve reciprocity in enabling such judgments to be made enforceable in both countries accordingly.

I am not aware that the present position causes any hardship or difficulty. Judgments obtained in the United Kingdom can be sued on in the courts of the Irish Republic and vice versa.Under existing legislation, arrangements can be made by Order in Council for the judgments of superior courts of the Irish Republic being entered as judgments here without a further action being instituted, if similar arrangements are made in the Irish Republic.

asked the Attorney-General to make a statement about the proposed legislation to alter the law relating to liability for damages for injury to persons by straying animals on roads and otherwise.

The recommendations of the Goddard Committee for an alteration of the law in regard to liability for damage done by straying animals were linked with other recommendations which have proved somewhat controversial. For this reason, and because of lack of Parliamentary time, I cannot hold out any hope of legislation at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in respect of what sums of uncollected Customs duties in the Seychelles he has used his power of waiver in the last five years; and for what reasons these sums were uncollected.

The Seychelles Legislative Council, with my approval, authorised the write-off of Customs dues totalling £89,651. These sums were uncollected between the middle of 1950 and the beginning of 1954 owing to the application of the minimum rate of duty on still wines in cask which, because of their alcoholic content, should have attracted duty at a higher rate. The bulk of the sum arose from the import of low-priced South African wine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many queries issued by the auditor on the departmental accounts of the Seychelles are outstanding and have not been answered; and to what years these queries relate.

On 23rd July, 1956, outstanding audit queries totalled 362. These related to the following years:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken in Nyasaland to associate Africans with Government boards and committees at local and national levels; and what decision has been reached regarding the appointment and composition of an inter-racial committee to coordinate land usage policy throughout the Protectorate.

I am consulting the Governor and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Works by what authority park keepers in Royal Parks exercise powers of arrest; and what instructions are given as to the circumstances in which their powers are to be exercised.

A park keeper in the Royal Parks has power to arrest a person for an offence against the Parks Regulations, or against the general law, by virtue of the Parks Regulation Acts, 1872 and 1926. Park keepers have standing instructions to carry out their duties with tact and consideration for the public and to exercise the greatest care before making an arrest.

asked the Minister of Works when it is expected the restoration of Chiswick House will be completed; what sums have already been spent on this work; and how much the outstanding repairs are likely to cost.

I expect the restoration of Chiswick House to be completed in 1958. Up to 30th June, about £90,000 had been spent on the work. It is estimated that outstanding repairs will cost about £40,000.

asked the Minister of Works how much money has already been spent on the restoration of the garden structures and ornaments in the grounds of Chiswick House; and what further sums are to be allocated for this work.

Up to 30th June, about £6,000 had been spent on the restoration of the garden structures and ornaments at Chiswick House. The remaining repairs are estimated to cost about £15,000. Work will be carried out as and when money is available.

asked the Minister of Works what recommendations have been made by the Historic Buildings Council for England regarding the future use of Chiswick House when the work of restoration is completed; and whether he will make a statement.

The Historic Buildings Council has said that while they would see no objection to Chiswick House being used for a suitable purpose if this was considered essential, at the same time the House is a type of building justifying preservation in itself. When the work of restoration is nearer completion, I will consider whether a suitable use can be found.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases within twelve months to the latest convenient date orders for committal to prison have been made in respect of non-payment of rates in the borough of Hove.

During the year ended 30th June, 1956, the number of orders made by the Hove borough justices for commitment to prison in default of payment of rates was four, two of which were in respect of the same person. In each case the issue of the warrant was postponed to give the defaulter a further opportunity to pay and only one person was received into prison for non-payment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what degree vivisection has increased in Great Britain during the past 10 years; how many dogs were experimented on, with and without an anaesthetic, in 1955; if he is aware that some national schools in medicine have abolished vivisection of dogs as unnecessary; and if he will take steps to do the same in this country.

The number of experiments performed under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, increased from rather less than 1½ million in 1946 to just under 2½ million in 1955. In 1955 the number of experiments performed on dogs without anaesthetic was 1,998, and with anaesthetic 1,894. The use of dogs for experiments, within the scope of the Act, is still considered to be essential in this country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases within twelve months to the latest convenient date distraint has been levied in the Borough of Hove by the Inland Revenue for recovery of unpaid Schedule A Income Tax.

During the twelve months ended 21st July, 1956, there were eight such distraints.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury to state the principle on which he, in conjunction with the Trustees of the National Gallery and Tate Gallery, respectively, act in withholding certain pictures from public exhibition; where such pictures are stored, and while there what precautions are taken to ensure their safety; and upon what principle he and they act in deciding to remove them from storage and exhibit them publicly.

The Trustees of the two galleries have sole responsibility for deciding what pictures in their collections shall be exhibited. As I explained in replying to the hon. and learned Member on 26th July, the principal considerations are those of the space available, the quality of the pictures, and the requirements of cleaning and restoration.Pictures not on exhibition are displayed on screens where they are protected in the same way as those exhibited. The rooms are patrolled day and night, the pictures are under lock and key, and the usual fire precautions are observed. Pictures not on exhibition can be viewed in both galleries on application, and most of them are available for loan to provincial galleries.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what requests have been received by him, and from whom, for the return to Dublin by the National Gallery and the Tate Gallery of the pictures included in the Sir Hugh Lane bequest; and what reply was sent in each case.

I have received several private inquiries from hon. Members and others concerning the possibility of arranging a loan of these pictures to a gallery in Dublin. I have replied that the initiative in this matter rests with the appropriate quarters in Dublin, and that the lending of pictures is within the responsibility of the trustees of the galleries.It has also been suggested in a letter from the hon. Member that legislation be introduced to transfer ownership of the pictures to the Dublin Gallery. I have replied that the question of ownership was thoroughly examined by the special Committee of the House, representing all three parties, in 1926, and that, on each occasion since then that the matter has been debated, the consensus of opinion has endorsed the findings of that Committee.

asked the Minister of Defence what estimate he has made of the average earnings and holiday entitlement of men under twenty-five years of age serving the Regular Forces, allowing for the value of their keep, compared with those who go into industry after their National Service.

One objective of the recent pay increases was to establish a broad parity between Service emoluments and civil earnings. Any more detailed comparison is not easy to make.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to ensure that workers who are directed by employment exchanges to unestablished posts in local authority works departments are not thereby disqualified from sitting as co-opted members of local authority committees.

I am not aware of any grounds for proposing legislation to relax the long-standing rule that an employee is disqualified for membership of a local authority or any of its committees.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the findings of the court of inquiry he set up into conditions at Baldovan Institute near Dundee.

When the responsible hospital authorities have reached their decisions in the light of the facts and circumstances brought out at this inquiry, a statement on the subject will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War why men of the Royal Scots Greys from Aldershot were taken to Edinburgh recently; and what was the cost.

This famous Scottish regiment which recently returned from sixteen years' service overseas went to Edinburgh for three weeks to carry out various regimental and ceremonial duties. The cost of sending them there from their permanent station at Aldershot was about £1,700.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet decided to replace the present general service ankle boot by a boot of different construction using materials other than leather; and what is the extent of troop trials on which such a decision is based.

Not yet. Trials lasting several months and involving about 2,000 men in various theatres will be held next year to compare the present ankle boot with other types having composition soles.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a decision has now been reached regarding the proposed extensions to the military ranges at Redesdale in the County of Northumberland.

Not yet.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he has now reached a decision with regard to repairing the dry dock at Londonderry.

Yes. There is no naval requirement which would justify the expenditure of naval funds for repairing the gates of this dry dock, and it has therefore been decided after careful consideration, to release the dock from requisition.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that his circular to the London County Council requiring a charge of at least 30s. per session to students attending part-time day and evening classes will, in many cases, involve trebling the present fee; and if, in view of the consequent harm to projects for further education, he will reconsider the matter.

No fees need be trebled in one year. The circular says that where the new minimum fee would be more than twice the existing fee, it may be introduced by two annual instalments. I discussed the circular with the council a fortnight ago, and understand that it intends to submit proposals to me in due course.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will send a circular to local authorities requesting them in appropriate cases to encourage the exchange of council tenancies in order to help the mobility of labour.

This advice has already been given to local authorities. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of the Report of the Central Housing Advisory Committee and the circulars concerned.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to publish the promised White Paper on local government organisation.

I shall tomorrow be presenting to Parliament a White Paper on this subject. This will contain the Government's broad conclusions on the general problem of the structure of local government in England and Wales and, in particular, the arrangements for reviewing and altering local authority areas and status.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether Western Avenue, second carriageway, between Park Royal Station and Greenford Halt, Part II, was finally authorised in the last financial year, as was anticipated in an official statement on 2nd February, 1955.

Yes. Tenders have now been approved and work should start within the next few weeks.