asked the Minister of Labour the total numbers signing at the Longton and Stoke employment exchanges, respectively; and what are the prospects in this area for employment.

On 16th July, 272 persons were registered as wholly unemployed and 707 as temporarily stopped at the Longton Employment Exchange; the figures at the Stoke Employment Exchange were 304 and 252, respectively. Within the daily travel area there are 2,200 notified vacancies for men, and 700 for women.

Whilst thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask whether he will use his influence with his local officers to ensure that the men and women who are signing on will be invited to take employment as soon as possible? It is a terrible thing to sign on when other people are in full employment.

We will certainly keep the position in this area closely under review because we are aware of the difficulties.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now make a full statement on the results of his consideration of automation and on the results of raising the matter at the Government Advisory Council and several joint committees.

The question of automation was considered by the National Joint Advisory Council at their meeting on 25th July. They were in general agreement with the conclusions of the report by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research that automation has not so far caused any serious employment problems and is unlikely to create unmanageable problems in the future. The three sides of the Council are continuing their examination of the problems involved and the Council will resume discussion at a later meeting.

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade also discussed the question with the Engineering Advisory Council on 4th July. Members from both sides of industry welcomed a proposal to make inquiries, which are being put in hand, about the adoption of new production techniques and the availability of special equipment. Similar discussions have taken place with other advisory bodies in the engineering field.

Will the Minister convey to his right hon. Friend the information that I have heard great appreciation expressed of those joint talks; but the immediate issue is short time in certain industries which are preparing to adopt automation, so can the Minister say whether his right hon. Friend has given consideration to the document I am holding, which was published by the United States? If so, is it intended to take any action on it?

My right hon. Friend is considering that document. However, I would like to emphasise that, in our view, the short time to which the hon. Gentleman refers is not significantly attributable to automation. I think this is the view of both sides of industry.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that perhaps the greatest revolution which the application of electronics to industry will make will be amongst clerical workers? Can he say whether the Ministry of Labour is giving careful consideration to what steps it is likely to be able to take when many clerical workers will certainly be displaced by new machines for clerical work?

I think there is considerable point in what the right hon. Gentleman has said. I can assure the House that we are not treating this matter with any complacency. The B.E.C. has set up a special committee to consider automation in all its aspects. The T.U.C. is working through its economic and production committees. The fact that discussions are to be resumed means that there is no laziness on the subject and that we all feel that this is a matter which ought to be looked at most carefully and thoroughly.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the publishing firm of D. C. Thomson, of Dundee, Salford and Glasgow, recently prohibited an employee, who was the branch secretary of the National Union of Journalists, from attending their offices even though remaining in their employment; and if he will draw the attention of this firm to the written undertaking it gave to his predecessor in the interest of good industrial relations following the trade dispute of 1952 regarding trade unionism among its workers.

I have seen the statement made by the National Union of Journalists on this matter. What the firm said in 1952 was that they would cease to insist on their employees signing an agreement not to belong to a trade union. There is nothing in the union's statement to suggest that the firm have departed from their declared policy.

Is not this a deliberate breach, if not of the letter then of the whole spirit and meaning, of the undertaking given to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Labour—

And the House.

by D. C. Thomson on which the unions agreed to a settlement of the dispute? If this is so, can the Minister, in justice, stand aside, and do nothing, encouraging further victimisation in the future?

It would be quite incorrect, and I do not believe it can be seriously accepted by anyone in the House, that we are encouraging victimisation. I repeat that the firm gave in writing an undertaking and, as far as the facts disclose, it is not breaking that undertaking. It is easy in these matters to condone or to ask for condemnation, but that does not always result in progress.

Does the Minister appreciate that if this had been the other way round and one worker had sent another to Coventry, there would have been a very big outcry in the country?

I am sure that we all deplore intolerance from whatever side it comes, but our system of industrial relations in this country is voluntary and we do not—least of all the trade unions—believe in direct Government interference. I feel certain that that is the right principle on which to conduct industrial relations.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the action of Messrs. D. C. Thomson and Company Limited, Dundee, in segregating a trade unionist employee from any contact with his fellow workers is a breach of the International Labour Office conventions to which Her Majesty's Government are signatories; and what action he proposes to take.

I understand that the employee referred to is no longer with Messrs. Thomson and Company Limited. No question, therefore, arises of my taking any action in relation to this matter. I am not in a position to express an opinion as to whether anything occurred while he was in their employment which could be said to be contrary to an International Labour Office Convention.

Is the Minister aware that this trade unionist is a disabled ex-Service man who honoured the agreement not to be a trade unionist as long as that written document was in force but who exercised the right obtained, partly by the House, to join a trade union when the document was withdrawn? Does it not make a mockery of the undertaking given by the firm to the Government and to the House, as well as to the trade unions who were a party to the dispute, if it isolates a trade unionist in this way? Do the Government intend to sit back and accept this breach of the undertaking without further action?

As I said in reply to a supplementary on the last Question, I do not believe that direct Government intervention can serve any useful purpose in this matter. I repeat that we deplore intolerance in this sort of affair, wherever it occurs.

Will the Minister reconsider this matter? Does he regard it as good enough that when a firm has given an undertaking that it will employ trade unionists, it puts into action such provisions that they are even excluded from meeting their fellow workers?

What about the men sent to Coventry?

Is not that an outrage against ordinary human liberty? Surely the Government cannot stand aside and do nothing whatever?

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage rise of earnings since 1951.

Inquiries covering manual wage earners in manufacturing industries generally and in a number of the principal non-manufacturing industries showed that the average weekly earnings per worker in October, 1955, were about 33 per cent. higher than in October, 1951. Figures for dates later than October, 1955, are not available.

In view of the fact that the rise in the cost of living during this period has been 21 per cent., does my hon. Friend agree that it is the height of irresponsibility for accusations to be made against the Government that they are attacking the standard of living of the workers, as is alleged in some Trades Union Congress resolutions?

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons have been suspended from work during this year in the Tottenham—Edmonton area due to flooding.

There is no record in the Tottenham Employment Exchange of any unemployment this year due to flooding.

Is the hon. Member aware that every year very large numbers of man-hours are lost in the Tottenham—Edmonton area due to flooding? What reply has his right hon. Friend given to the document which he received from the Chairman of the North London Productivity Council on this matter?

I am afraid that, without notice, I cannot answer the last part of the hon. Member's question. We know from local reports that some time was lost, for example, during July this year, owing to this cause. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food told the hon. Member on 19th July, the Lee Conservancy Board was aware of the urgency of the drainage scheme and the first section of the plan was in hand.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to cases in Birmingham, and to particular examples which have been sent to him, of men who are finding it difficult to obtain employment after dismissal by the British Motor Corporation; whether he is satisfied that these are isolated examples; and if he will make a further statement.

My right hon. Friend will write to the hon. Member as soon as he has made inquiries, but for the present he has no further statement to make in amplification of what he said on 26th July.

Will the Minister pay particular attention to the example which I sent him of the man who tried for 28 jobs and did not manage to get one of them? He is a very good man; I know him personally. Secondly, will he have a look at these cases in which it is alleged that certain employers are refusing to take B.M.C. men? One firm of food distributors has been mentioned. It might be advisable to look into the whole matter.

I can assure the hon. Member that my right hon. Friend will look into it as carefully as he can and write to him. As the hon. Member knows, my right hon. Friend received these details only as recently as Tuesday.

How many of these men are disabled ex-Service men, as in the case of the man at D. C. Thomson's? Are the provisions of the King's Roll for the employment of the disabled applied fully both at Thomson's and in this case?

I am afraid that I cannot give the hon. Member that information without notice, but I will look into the matter and write to him about it.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the basis of his estimate that 10,000 vacancies exist in the immediate area of Birmingham; and if he will give a rough breakdown of the figures showing the industries needing men and the skills mainly in demand.

The total of 10,000 is the sum of the vacancies for men verified as outstanding on 25th July at employment exchanges within daily travelling distance of the centre of Birmingham. The information desired in the second and third parts of the Question is not immediately available, but my right hon. Friend will write to the hon. Member as soon as practicable.

Is not the Minister aware that, until we have these figures broken down, they are totally meaningless in Birmingham? Is he aware that men sacked from engineering jobs are now finding it very difficult indeed to obtain alternative jobs and regard with derision the Minister's statement that 10,000 vacancies are sure to be available for them?

As to the derision about the vacancies, I can only assure the hon. Member that the number of vacancies is verified every four weeks. At the end of each four-week period, all those which have been notified more than a week previously are checked. Replying about the general employment position, the unemployment register of ex-B.M.C. employees on 30th July was 1,191, which is 500 fewer than a fortnight earlier.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will introduce legislation to give him discretion, where a man has already served part of his National Service in one arm and has been discharged, not to call him up in another arm for the remainder of his term.

No, Sir. I am afraid my right hon. Friend cannot consider legislation on this point.

Is my hon. Friend aware that he is relying on the legal interpretation of the Act, the words being "liable to be called up" for the balance of the period, which must be uneconomic? The ordinary layman would understand that wording to mean "may be called up." Since it is uneconomic to call them up, will he not allow common sense to prevail over legal interpretation?

I recognise the point which my hon. Friend has in mind, but when the National Service Act was passed, I think the House had in mind in these provisions that it would not be fair to the great majority of people having to do their full period of service to allow others to do less than their full service.

If a man does service for one year and ten months, is he called up for further service for another two months?

As in all these matters, my right hon. Friend has discretion, and when a man has done most of his service, my right hon. Friend will use his discretion. In the individual case to which I expect my hon. Friend is referring, the man has done only half his normal period of service.

It is still uneconomic.

asked the Minister of Labour to give an assurance that he will consider the effect on young workers in unskilled, office, or other jobs of not exempting them from National Service in the alternative schemes of National Service which he is at present considering.

As my right hon. Friend indicated in the debate on 31st July, the whole pattern of National Service in the future is under active consideration.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Prime Minister, addressing the Conservative Party conference last October, said:

"I do not believe a system of selective service or balloting would be acceptable to the people of this country."?

If National Service is unpopular as the Minister admitted to the House on Tuesday—and as far as the conscripts and parents are concerned, that is putting it mildly—does not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that a selective call-up would be doubly resented by those not exempted and by their parents and families?

All aspects of this difficult question are under consideration at the moment, but for the present there is nothing further I can add to what my right hon. Friend has said.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions have been placed upon the collection of funds by representatives of the Ethnarchy of Cyprus.

There is no power to impose special restrictions on such collections, although the general restrictions imposed by law on house to house and street collections would apply.

Does not that Answer, taken with the Answer which I got from the Secretary of State for the Colonies yesterday, making it clear that collection of these funds was also perfectly legal in Cyprus even under the present Defence Regulations, make absolute nonsense of the Home Secretary's excuse for deporting the Archimandrite who was supposed to be collecting these funds for shooting British Service men in the back?

At no time did my right hon. and gallant Friend suggest that the legality or illegality of the Archimandrite's action caused the action which my right hon. and gallant Friend took. My right hon. and gallant Friend took his action because he considered that it was not conducive to the public good that the Archimandrite should be allowed to remain here. The legality of the collection did not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which streets were closed in central London on 16th July and for how long; whether he is aware of the dislocation caused to traffic; and if he will endeavour, on future occasions, to minimise this dislocation.

On 16th July, on the occasion of the arrival in London of His Majesty the King of Iraq for a State Visit, 50 streets or parts of streets were closed for periods varying from 1 hour and 20 minutes to 1 hour and 55 minutes. I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the streets closed. The closing of streets inevitably causes dislocation of traffic, but the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, who makes Regulations for the control of traffic on occasions such as this, is well aware of the need to minimise dislocation.

Is the hon. Member aware that by closing streets for more than an hour the actual delay to traffic is much more than an hour? On this occasion traffic was blocked from Trafalgar Square as far north as Holborn. Will he try to see that this is minimised in future? Perhaps some of these happy events could take place on Sundays when people would enjoy them and not have their xenophobic tendencies encouraged

I will consider what the hon. Lady says, but I hope that she will bear in mind that this was the occasion of a welcome to a sovereign of a friendly state.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that, while it is appreciated that the presence of the head of a foreign State does create special circumstances, there is a good deal of anxiety on the part of the public at the extent to which the police are taken off their ordinary duties every time our own Queen visits a theatre or one of our main line railway stations? As this sort of thing is not necessary in countries like Sweden and Holland, could the Home Office review the present system and see whether occasions of this kind could not be arranged without making a strain on police power, as is the position at present?

Yes, certainly, but the main answer to the hon. Member is that these occasions are very infrequent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have taken place in connection with the sale and distribution of gramophone records of an undesirable character and under what statutory powers.

The answer is "None" according to my information. It is a misdemeanour at common law to publish an obscene libel, and if any prosecution took place it would be for that offence.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is a very great and very reprehensible traffic in very undesirable gramophone records in this country at the present time? If the police are not active in the matter, will he do something about stimulating them into doing something?

My hon. Friend knows that the Secretary of State is not responsible for enforcing the law regarding obscene publications. Any question of prosecution or the initiation of proceedings for the destruction of obscene works is a matter for the police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has given to police authorities regarding the use of mounted police in industrial disputes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has given to chief constables with regard to the use of mounted police at the scenes of industrial disputes in view of the possibility of unnecessary provocation being caused by their presence.

My right hon. and gallant Friend has given no guidance to police authorities or chief constables on the use of mounted police in industrial disputes. It is for the chief officer of police concerned to take appropriate action to ensure that the law is complied with.

While in no way wishing to cast any reflection on the police, is not the Joint Under-Secretary aware that the presence of mounted police in a dispute such as the one which occurred in the Midlands causes very ill feeling? Can he give an undertaking to try to give some guidance to chief constables that only in extreme cases should such measures be taken?

This is not a question of provocation but of physical control. All hon. Members with experience of crowds and so on know that there are many jobs which mounted police can do more safely and more efficiently than a larger number of foot police. No doubt, that is why they were used on this occasion.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that the very presence of mounted police on occasions like these offers a provocation and creates in itself ill-will and bad temper? Is he aware, that, on the whole, where mounted police have not been employed, the behaviour in industrial disputes has been very good? If he has ever been present in a crowd, especially where tempers are likely to be lost when mounted police are present, he will appreciate how the men engaged in industrial disputes feel about it.

I cannot accept that mounted police will create more provocation than foot police. It is a question of safety, and there are many occasions on which, for the safety of all concerned, mounted police can do a better job than foot police.

Does the Joint Under-Secretary not realise that there is a significant difference between controlling a crowd, say, coming out from a football match, when everybody is fairly reasonable, and the controlling of a crowd where there is an industrial dispute? That seems to be a very significant difference, and it appears that the Government have not understood that difference.

It is the duty of the police to enforce the law and it is the responsibility of the chief officer of police to employ the methods which he thinks will help him to do that best.

Even if that be so, is there not a case for special instructions? Can the hon. Member give an assurance that it is normal police practice to employ not only the least force which is necessary, but also the least show of force and to leave the situation as normal as possible whenever there are crowds of any kind?

That is obviously so. The responsibility in these matters ultimately rests, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, with the police authority and not with my right hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has given to provincial police, by circular or otherwise, as to police intervention where peaceful picketing is employed as a result of an industrial dispute.

My right hon. and gallant Friend drew the attention of chief constables last year to a circular on the provisions of the law relating to picketing which was addressed to chief constables in December, 1925, and later presented to Parliament as Command Paper No. 2666 of 1926.

I am much obliged. Is the hon. Member aware that, although many of us pay tribute to the bearing and good humour of the police outside the B.M.C. factory, we were nevertheless upset by one or two of the incidents, and particularly, as my hon. Friend has said, about the use of mounted police when tempers are frayed and it seems to the men, at least, to be provocation when they are moved up suddenly? Would it be possible for the hon. Gentleman to send a further note, following his circular, drawing the attention of police authorities to this aspect of the matter?

I should stress that the circular to which I have referred contained no guidance on the methods to be adopted by the police to enforce the law. That is the responsibility of the police and, ultimately, of the police authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prostitutes in the West End of London have in recent weeks been ordered to find a surety of £25 for good behaviour or go to prison for one month.

I am informed that in the nine weeks up to 23rd July the number was 11.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that, by imposing this penalty in appropriate cases, the vice racket operated by these property-owning procurers in the West End can be quickly ended? Why is not this penalty imposed in cases very well known to the police?

Send the mounted police.

The answer quite simply is that some magistrates do not like to deal with prostitutes in this way, because its effect, if the surety is not found, is to send the prostitute to prison, although the offence for which she has been convicted is punishable only by a fine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why so many people are allowed to loiter and obstruct the pavements in Frith Street and Old Compton Street, Soho; and what action is being taken in the matter.

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the police move people on where it is necessary to prevent obstruction.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that this corner, where occasional razor contests take place, is infested all day long by riff-raff and lay-abouts connected with racing gangs? If he goes along there he will see them standing there now. Why does he not instruct the police to keep them moving?

It is quite true that there are large crowds here. They congregate here and street bookmakers are a problem in the area. The police do take action, but if they are to prevent grounds for complaints of over-bearing behaviour—which there have been—the police have to use their discretion in moving people along.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the results are to date of his consultation with police authorities about back-dating to September the pay increases recommended by the December arbitration award.

The consultations which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and gallant Friend are having with the police authorities are still in progress, and it would be premature for him to make a statement about them at this stage.

Can the Joint Under-Secretary say whether any police authority has yet objected to the backdating of the pay, and, in particular, what is the attitude of the police authority in London in this matter?

I am very anxious to say nothing which will prejudice the conduct of these negotiations, which we are anxious to terminate as quickly as possible, but I am bound to add that the assumption made that all the authorities concerned were, from the start, agreeable that the pay should be retrospective is not a correct assumption. That is why the consultations are having to take place now.

In view of the rather long-drawn-out nature of this matter, and the fact that the Secretary of State did not handle it particularly well, although I realise that consultations with the local police authorities must go on, will the hon. Member urge upon the Secretary of State that, having got so far, and it being perfectly clear that the Government are morally committed to the principle of back pay, he should do all he can to hurry this matter along, otherwise there is bound to be a sense of injustice among the police?

I accept the need for urgency which the right hon. Gentleman stresses, but he knows quite well that there must be consultation at this stage. The object should be to conclude it as quickly as possible.

In view of the fact that members of the fire services and probation services are affected in the same way as the police, can the hon. Member say whether he proposes to hold consultations with representatives of those services as well? Will he welcome any approach from them upon this issue?

That is a separate question, which I should like to look into.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will issue a circular to local police authorities advising them to instruct police officers not to interview and take written statements from school children on school premises and during school hours without a parent of such children being given an opportunity of being present.

The procedure in individual forces is a matter for the chief officer of police concerned, but my right hon. and gallant Friend understands that it is the normal practice to interview children in the presence of the parent or guardian, unless there are good reasons to the contrary. He does not think that any special advice on this point is necessary.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary not aware that in the county of Northampton it is common practice for the police to interview a child of 10 or 11 years of age in the company of the headmaster of the school? Does he think that a youngster of 10 or 11 years of age is competent to handle interrogation of that sort with the headmaster and the police, particularly when a written statement is taken down by the police and the youngster has then to sign it?

As I said, my right hon. Friend's understanding is that the normal practice is for the parent to be present, and I would say that any instance which the hon. Member has in mind is exceptional.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that there is evidence that overcrowding and understaffing are factors in recent attacks by prisoners on prison warders; and if he will cause a prison-by-prison investigation to be made so that the load is evenly distributed until ameliorative measures can be made effective.

While it is true that both understaffing and overcrowding aggravate the difficulties of administration, my right hon. and gallant Friend is not aware that either has directly contributed to any recent assault by a prisoner on an officer in any of the 19 cases of assaults on officers which Governors have considered serious enough to report to the Commissioners since 1st January last. If the hon. Member will let my right hon. and gallant Friend know which particular attacks he has in mind, he will be happy to look into the circumstances more closely. The allocation of prisoners and staff to prisons is under continuous adjustment to ensure an even distribution of resources.

Is my hon. Friend aware that discipline in an overcrowded prison is virtually impossible, and that certainly no good can be done to the prisoners in the reformative sense in a prison which is so overcrowded that the small staff has no possible chance of helping individual prisoners? Will he therefore try to arrange as even a distribution of prisoners as possible?

I accept that. If he will let us know which particular cases of assault he has in mind, we will be very glad to look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further proposals he has for the improvement of recruiting into the prison service.

The issue of a new pamphlet, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, will be followed up by the display of posters in employment exchanges and elsewhere. Further display advertisements will be inserted in the Press. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that an increase of pay was announced four months ago.

All concerned with the prison services will be grateful to my hon. Friend for what he is doing to try to improve recruitment in them, but will he assure the House that he will continue this process as vigorously as he can?

Yes, I give that assurance.

asked the Minister of Education what action he has taken regarding a circular dated 12th July, 1956, issued by the Herefordshire County Council to the heads and staffs of educational institutions and youth clubs, a copy of which has been sent to him, giving particulars of the annual essay competition sponsored by the League of Empire Loyalists offering prizes of £20, £10 and £5 and a school cup for essays on subjects which are expressed in terms of political bias.

None, Sir.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this organisation is largely composed of ex-Fascists who have in turn disturbed meetings of the Prime Minister, Father Huddlestone and my right hon. Friend the Member for Ebbw Vale (Mr. Bevan)? Is he further aware that the subjects which have been distributed by the education authority include the following—"The Case Against Scuttle" and "Why Britain should Stand Firm in Cyprus, Singapore and other Places"? [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] Even if that is applauded by hon. Members opposite, does the Parliamentary Secretary regard those as suitable for distribution among our schoolchildren as subjects for essays?

The Question asked whether my right hon. Friend would interfere in this particular matter, and he feels that it should be left to the discretion of the local authority and to the good sense of the headmasters. For that reason, without commenting upon the issue involved, he does not think that he should intervene with the local authority.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will increase the grant at present paid to the Greenwich Royal Naval School in order that this school may continue to provide free education for all its pupils.

I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave to the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson) on 23rd July.

Is the Minister aware that, under Section 100 of the Education Act, he can make grants to cover the whole of the fees and expenses for any education facility in the country, and that if this school had been a private school he could have made a special agreement with it, or it could have become a direct grant school or even a controlled school? If he really believes in free secondary education, will he use this Act of Parliament to save this unique free public school?

That is a very different question, as I think the hon. Gentleman understands. The grant which has been given to it over a number of years is really a nominal grant, and to do what he wants would mean that there would be an increase in that grant to many times its present level. This problem could not be considered in isolation from those of many other schools equally affected. For that reason my right hon. Friend considered, with reluctance, that he could not increase the grant at the present time.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will give an approximate date when the building of a new grammar school for the Feltham area of Middlesex will commence.

I cannot say. The Middlesex Local Education Authority has not proposed the inclusion of such a project in a building programme.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that at St. James School, Blackburn, school meals have to be served from a boys' cloakroom 9 feet by 18 feet where 75 boys have to hang their coats, that washing-up has to be done by five dinner helpers in one small sink in this same cloakroom and meals are served on the children's desk in four classrooms; and, in view of the fact that these conditions have been condemned by Her Majesty's Inspectors, why he has refused to give approval for the erection of a dining room at this school.

The local education authority were informed on 24th July that my right hon. Friend agreed to the provision in the 1957–58 building programme both of a kitchen and a dining room at this school.

I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for the concession that has been made since I raised this matter with him, but is he aware that, by still refusing to include this scheme in the current year's programme, he is forcing the staff and the children at this school to continue to live and work in these highly unsatisfactory conditions, and that these boys will still have to survive a Lancashire winter hanging up their coats in a wet kitchen?

I realise that. It was for that reason that, when the hon. Lady saw me on 19th July, I arranged that this project should be included in the very next programme. More than that I am afraid I cannot do.

asked the Minister of Education what advice he proposes to give to local education authorities on the purchase of works of art by promising young artists; and to what extent such expenditure incurred by them will rank for Government grant.

My right hon. Friend does not think local education authorities require any special advice from him on this matter. If they can save money in other directions, he will recognise for grant reasonable expenditure on works of art for schools and colleges.

I thank the Minister for that very modified sanction for local education authorities. May I ask him to bear in mind that the policy of the Minister is striking seriously at a group of highly specialised teachers, who will be thrown out of work, and will he therefore modify the policy which he has recently adumbrated?

We are always prepared to examine each of these cases, but I think the policy of concentrating art courses has much to commend it on grounds other than of economy. I do not think the hon. Member is right in suggesting that these teachers will be unable to find other employment in the education service.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the practice in certain schools of the Northampton Local Education Authority to permit the interview of, and the taking of written statements from, children by police officers on school premises and in school hours without a parent of the children being present or being given the opportunity to be present; and whether he will advise the Northamptonshire Local Education Authority that such practices should be discontinued.

I am aware of one case of this kind. The circumstances were exceptional, and my right hon. Friend does not propose to issue any advice on the subject to the local education authority.

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply. With respect, may I contradict that this is an exceptional case? I agree that the case which has been under discussion with the education authority is exceptional. But, while not universal, the practice is common in Northamptonshire for both the chief constable and chief educational officer to take the view that the headmaster is the protector of the child during school hours, and is not that a fallacy in an interrogation of this kind where the parents have responsibility for a child?

I said that I was aware of only one case, and I should be pleased to learn of any other cases of which the hon. Gentleman has knowledge. My hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department said, in answer to an earlier Question, that it was only in very exceptional cases that the parents would not be called in. I hope that that will be so in the future.

Would not my hon. Friend agree that a head teacher is acting within his rights—irrespective of what is said by the local authority—in refusing permission for a policeman to interview a child under such circumstances within the precincts of the school?

I agree. In the case I have in mind the headmaster gave his permission.

asked the Minister of Education if, in view of the serious effects it will have on further education, he will withdraw Circular No. 307.

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds) on 16th July and to the statement my right hon. Friend made in the debate last Wednesday.

Is the Minister aware that, apart from other objections to this Circular which have been voiced in this House, this is the first time the Ministry has issued a directive to local authorities requiring the attaching of a specific fee to a particular course? Is not that a most undesirable interference with the initiative and independence of local authorities in the field of education?

I cannot accept that. As I think the hon. Gentleman knows, my right hon. Friend has been prepared to discuss this with local authorities and has done so with the London County Council. As a result of such discussions certain modifications have been made.

asked the Minister of Education if he will authorise a grant to the School of Navigation, through the University of Southampton, in order to compensate the school for the loss of the ketch "Moyana" on her return voyage from Lisbon.

The school receives a direct annual grant from the Ministry. The committee has not yet asked my right hon. Friend for special assistance towards the replacement of the "Moyana," but, if they do so, he will consider their request.

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that an encouraging reply would be received with great appreciation by the people of Southampton, whose mayor is launching an appeal for the replacement of the "Moyana," and by people throughout the country who have been stirred by the seamanship and discipline shown by the youthful crew?

I think that the whole House would wish to sympathise in the loss of this vessel and to wish every success to the appeal. If in due course the committee approach my right hon. Friend, he will see what he can do to help.

For the record, may I ask whether the Minister is aware that the cadets of this School of Navigation sailed the ketch "Moyana" on the 700-mile race from Torbay to Lisbon; beat all other competitors in the race and brought the ship within an ace of home before losing it? They brought honour to British education, and is the Minister aware that if he can associate his Department with the replacement of that ship, he will be doing honour to the Ministry?

I accept what the hon. Gentleman says.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the number of bank loans refused to the country's voluntary schools since the Government's credit restriction policy began; and if he will state the approximate additional annual cost to Catholic schools in the Salford diocese resulting from the raising of interest to its present rate on loans made to them for school building under Section 105 of the Education Act.

My right hon. Friend does not obtain information about the number or amount of bank loans made or refused to the managers or governors of voluntary schools. He agreed to make a loan under Section 105 of the Education Act, 1944, to the managers of the only school in the Salford diocese which have applied, but they built the school without borrowing the money.

But is the Minister aware that the increase of ½ per cent. in the Bank Rate has meant an extra £40 a week to be raised voluntarily in a neighbouring parish? Is not the only reason this has been avoided in Salford the past exceptional efforts by the parishioners, and is it not the case that if interest keeps at its present high rate there are limits to what can be done in this respect?

My right hon. Friend is aware of this problem and recently received an all-party deputation. Only last week he discussed the matter again with the right hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes), the leader of the deputation, to see if there was anything further that he could do about it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what action has been taken by Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom under Clauses 27 to 32 of the Letters Patent for the Constitution of Southern Rhodesia and under the instruction to the Governor passed under Royal Sign Manual &c, dated 1st December, 1923, paragraph 6, with regard to discriminatory legislation and amendments to the Land Appointment Act of 1930.

Laws passed by the Legislature of Southern Rhodesia which apply to Africans provisions different from those applied to persons of European descent, or which amend the Land Apportionment Act, contain a Section suspending their operation until the Sovereign's pleasure has been signified. The Government of Southern Rhodesia invariably consult the Secretary of State before introducing legislation of this kind and it has never been necessary to advise the exercise of the power of disallowance.

I thank the hon. and gallant Gentleman for that answer. Does it imply that Her Majesty's Government have never found reason to intervene in the cases of racial discrimination and land distribution in Southern Rhodesia?

The fact that consultations invariably take place before discriminatory legislation is introduced shows that the Southern Rhodesian Government recognise that safeguards still exist. I can assure the House that the procedure for prior consultations between the Southern Rhodesian Government and Her Majesty's Government provides a full safeguard against any legislation which would be injurious to the interests of the African population.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what negotiations are in progress for the granting of concessions for the exploitation of iron ore in Swaziland and of diamonds in Basutoland; and if he will ensure that the concessions will be for a limited period, permitting subsequent public ownership, will exclude racial discrimination among the employees, and will allow for trade union organisation and recognition.

Several concerns have shown interest in acquiring rights to mine iron ore in Swaziland, but no firm proposals have yet been received by the Swaziland Government. A grant of exclusive rights to prospect for and to mine diamonds in Basutoland was made by the Paramount Chief on 9th March, 1955, and was approved by the then Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations.

It is not the policy of Her Majesty's Government to limit the period of concessions in order to permit subsequent public ownership. Under the Basutoland diamond agreement, the company is required to employ as few Europeans and as many Basuto as possible. It is also required as far as possible to train Basuto to replace Europeans in all capacities. The laws of both Swaziland and Basutoland provide machinery for the registration and regulation of trade unions and for the ordinary settlement of trade disputes.

Again I thank the hon. and gallant Gentleman for that very full reply. Is he aware of the widespread uneasiness, particularly among all the population of Swaziland, regarding concessions for iron ore development, and whether, as in the case of Bechuanaland, the ownership of the mineral rights and the decision will be in the hands of the tribal authority there?

In answer to the last part of that question, I may say that I made it quite clear last night that that is the case. I think also that, from what I said last night the hon. Member and the House can have no doubts that we shall do everything possible to maintain the interests of the African people.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many reports on discriminatory treatment of Africans have been made to him by the Governor-General after having been submitted by the Standing Committee of the African Affairs Board to the Federal Parliament of Central Africa since it began to function in 1953.

None, Sir.

Is it not a fact that earlier this year the defence regulations were a differentiating measure? Is it not a fact that Sir John Moffatt protested in the African Affairs Board against the fact that Africans could not get commissions while Europeans do have commissions? Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman care to confirm or deny that Viscount Malvern gave some partial assurance in this matter?

The hon. Gentleman is right. I understand that a few weeks ago the Committee reported that, in its opinion, the regulations to which the hon. Gentleman has referred were a differentiating measure. After discussion the Committee withdrew its report in the light of assurances which it had been given. Thus the report was not brought officially to the attention of my noble Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made as to how far the regulations affecting Egyptian deposits in British banks will reduce exports to, and imports from, Egypt.

None, Sir. But the effect of these controls will clearly be to reduce trade.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that these restrictions were imposed without any conception of what they mean to British trade? Is it the case that, after hearing all this Session about the need for increasing our exports, we now appear to be indifferent, and can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how the Scottish whisky exporters who do trade with Egypt are going to get the trade?

I think the House generally will recognise that these controls are necessary in existing circumstances.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to increase our exports to Egypt.

None, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that Egypt is a valuable market and that, while we all agree that arms should not be sent to Egypt, it is essential that we should help to solve our own trade problem by increasing exports to this country?

It would be an illusion to think that our principal preoccupation at the present time is an expansion of trade with Egypt.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now make a statement on the future policy of the Government towards film production.

Yes, Sir. The Government have come to certain broad conclusions, which I propose to announce now so that film producers will know what forms of assistance they can expect in the future. In the first place, steps will be taken in due course to extend the exhibitors' quota beyond its termination in October, 1958. In the second place, the powers of the National Film Finance Corporation to make loans, which expire in March of next year, will be renewed. In the third place, a statutory scheme, comparable in purpose with the British Film Production Fund, will be brought into operation when the present voluntary scheme lapses in October, 1957.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what this means so far as the British Film Production Fund is concerned? Will more money be available or less?

It will be a scheme comparable in scale to the present voluntary scheme.

While expressing dissatisfaction that the announcement should be made on the last day before the Recess, may I say that, as far as can be seen at the moment, we on this side of the House welcome the proposition of the right hon. Gentleman?

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the duty-free entry of maize was bound at the recent tariff negotiations at Geneva in view of the fact that it was already bound by the combined effect of the Ottawa Agreements Act and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

We agreed to bind under the G.A.T.T. the existing duty-free entry for foreign maize in response to a request for this which was made in the course of the negotiations.

Does not this make it still more difficult at any time in the future for us to give encouragement to the growing of maize in the Commonwealth, thus saving dollars by getting rid of these international complications?

It would seem to me to make very little difference, as it was effectively bound already.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will give an assurance that he has cancelled all licences for the export of war equipment and any other vehicles or machinery or spare parts, either directly or indirectly, to Egypt;

(2) if Licence No. 17B/6431/55, issued in 1955 for the export to Egypt of Sherman tank spare parts to the value of over £300,000, is now to be withdrawn.

All valid export licences for the export to Egypt of arms and munitions, including armoured vehicles and parts and aircraft and aircraft engines, have been revoked. No further licences are being issued for supply of these goods to Egypt.

In view of the fact that these licences very often come to life again in a rather unobtrusive manner at a later stage when things have subsided, is it possible for the Government to make some sort of announcement, either through the Press or in this House, when the licences are revived?

These have been effectively revoked.

Will the Minister take note that this is something which we have been asking him to do for months and that a great deal of harm has already been done?

I am not aware of any request for the revoking of these licences.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what is going to happen to the large pieces of armament, namely, the two destroyers in British waters?

In the Board of Trade I do not issue any export licences for destroyers.

Does the right hon. Gentleman seriously say that he was not aware of Questions being directed to many of his colleagues on this subject of the export of arms to Egypt, including spare parts? Does not he take note of what is happening in the House? Is he so isolated from events?

I merely said that on the export licences with which I have been concerned, I have not received a request from the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the overlapping functions involved, he will now transfer to himself responsibility for the administration of Cyprus and negotiations regarding its future status from the Secretaries of State for the Colonies and for Foreign Affairs.

I have been asked to reply. No, Sir.

In view of the fact that there clearly are overlapping functions which have constantly obliged the Prime Minister to take most of the major decisions over this question, would not it be for the general convenience and for the convenience of his two Departmental friends if the change were made?

No, Sir, not in the opinion of my right hon. Friend. The relationships between foreign Governments and Her Majesty's Government are dealt with by the Foreign Office. The relationships of the Cyprus Government with Her Majesty's Government, and matters relating to its internal administration, are dealt with by the Colonial Office. My right hon. Friend is satisfied with the arrangements that have been made, and he intends to continue them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that whenever there is an important statement on Cyprus the Prime Minister comes down to the House and makes the statement? For the convenience of hon. Members, it is very difficult to follow up that statement with the Prime Minister because, whenever one attempts to do so, he transfers the Question to one of the Departmental Ministers, and Questions to the Colonial Secretary are reached on the Order Paper only about once a quarter? Can the right hon. Gentleman and the Leader of the House not do something better to make it possible for us to ask effective Questions on Cyprus?

It has always been normal in the course of British history for the Prime Minister of England to come in on matters of grave importance. Cyprus has on many occasions assumed that character. The Prime Minister, therefore, has answered some Questions. My right hon. Friend is fully aware of the need to serve the House and hon Members in this respect. I will draw this matter to his attention, but I am not prepared to accept the proposal put by the hon. Member for Swindon (Mr. F. Noel-Baker).

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that some Ministers are taking two and three months to reply to letters received from hon. Members; and if he will give instructions with a view to establishing a more efficient system of dealing with such correspondence.

I have been asked to reply. No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has as recently as last month reminded all his colleagues of the need to deal promptly with correspondence with hon. Members. If the hon. Gentleman will let him know of any instances of unreasonable delay, he will look into them.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask him whether he is aware that on behalf of a constituent I have addressed three letters to a Minister; that he took four months to reply to the first, five months to the second, and three and a half months to the third? The result is that I have not been given a chance to raise the matter on the Adjournment. I protest and ask the Minister to have an investigation.

I can assure the hon. Member, not only on my own behalf as Leader of the House but also on behalf of the Prime Minister, that we ourselves strongly object to such delays in answering the correspondence of hon. Members. If the hon. Member will be good enough to let me have the examples which he has just cited, I will pass them on immediately to my right hon. Friend.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think the Prime Minister will use the cane on his right hon. Friends?

It depends which right hon. Friends they are.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of retirement benefit schemes which have been approved by the Inland Revenue under Sections 379 and 388, respectively, of the Income Tax Act, 1952, during each of the last five years and during each month of 1956 to the latest convenient date.

As the Answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

While thanking the Financial Secretary for that information, which I shall read tomorrow morning, may I ask him to be good enough to say under which section the greater number of schemes have been approved, first during recent months and secondly during recent weeks?

I am afraid that I could not give an answer about recent weeks. If my hon. Friend would read the fairly extensive figures with which I am providing him and would then write to me, I would certainly endeavour early during the Recess to give him further information.