asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to amend the Representation of the People Acts to give adult suffrage at 18 years of age.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of accidents to eyesight arising from the use by children of air guns and air pistols; and if he will now state what steps are to be taken to prevent the sale of these dangerous weapons to juveniles, as a result of his further inquiries.

My right hon. and gallant Friend has no evidence to suggest that the number of accidents caused by air-weapons is increasing, or that further legislation is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give instructions that in metropolitan areas such as Paddington where leases with periods to run are frequently sold in the open market, and where there are reasonable grounds to suppose from observation that such premises have been converted for use for prostitution, special investigations shall be made by the police to discover whether they are being leased or let on conditions which enable a prosecution to be initiated under the existing law.

Police investigations are made wherever there is reason to suspect that premises are being used for immoral purposes in contravention of the existing law, and proceedings are taken where there is sufficient evidence. Leases with short periods to run are acquired for a variety of purposes and I am not sure that the police can usefully do more than they do at present on the lines suggested, but I am having the matter carefully examined and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to give an assurance that he will receive and consider the opinions of interested staff associations and trade unions before introducing a Bill to implement the recommendations of the Gowers' Committee on conditions of employment in shops and offices.

I am always ready to consider the views of staff associations and trade unions on such matters. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, my predecessor and I have already discussed the proposed legislation with representatives of the Trades Union Congress and the unions concerned on a number of occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is in a position to make a statement about the reference of deportation cases under the Aliens Order to an advisory body.

The European Convention on Establishment, to which the United Kingdom recently became a party, provides that, except where imperative considerations of national security otherwise require, a national of any contracting party who has been lawfully residing for more than two years in the territory of any other party shall not be expelled without first being allowed to submit reasons against his expulsion and to appeal to, and be represented for the purpose before, a competent authority or a person or persons specially designated by the competent authority. Although the Convention expresses only the agreement of the members of the Council of Europe who have signed it, it seems right that the safeguards for which it provides against arbitrary expulsion should be made available to aliens in general and not merely to the nationals of member States.The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, to whom I am greatly indebted for his ready help, has agreed that he and his colleagues at Bow Street shall be designated by myself, as the competent authority, for the purpose of this provision of the Convention. In future, therefore, when a deportation order has been made, or is contemplated, against an alien otherwise than on the recommendation of a court of law, it will be open to the alien, except in circumstances that are set out later in this Answer, to ask for a hearing by the magistrate of any representations that he may wish to make, either in person or by solicitor or counsel, against the order. The magistrate, after such examination of the objection and the objector as he may deem sufficient, will make a recommendation to me as to whether or not the order shall be carried into effect. I should perhaps make it clear that the function of the magistrate will be advisory: and that while I should normally act on his recommendation I do not bind myself to do so.The procedure will not be applicable to cases where a deportation order has been made on grounds of public security; or on the ground that the alien has landed in the United Kingdom without permission or, having been in the United Kingdom less than two years, has failed to observe the conditions attaching to his stay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the persons under 21 years of age convicted for drunkenness in 1954 and 1955 were females; and how many males and how many of the females were placed on probation in either year.

In 1954, 210 females under 21 were found guilty of drunkenness as the principal offence: of these 23 were placed on probation. The corresponding figures for 1955 were 226 and 24 respectively.Of the 3,024 males under 21 found guilty of drunkenness as the principal offence in 1954, 41 were placed on probation: the corresponding figures for 1955 were 3,872 and 31 respectively.In addition, 257 males and 11 females in 1954, and 311 males and 8 females in 1955, of these ages, were found guilty of drunkenness at the same time as a more serious offence, but information about the sentences imposed for these offences of drunkenness is not available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he is aware that many former Government servants whose pensions are administered by his Department have not yet received the increased pensions due to them under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1956; and when payment may be expected.

The increases are being paid as rapidly as possible. About one-third of those entitled are already receiving them, and it is hoped that most of the rest will be receiving them by the end of August.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations why it took him over six weeks to ascertain what was his responsibility for the condition of prisoners detained in the Central Prison, Salisbury; and if he will make a statement.

I much regret the delay in replying to the right honourable Gentleman's letter. I have sent him the information he required.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what steps are being taken to restore mineral rights in the Swaziland Protectorate to the ownership of the Paramount Chief as trustee of the African population.

The Paramount Chief is preparing a memorandum on the reversion to the Swazi nation of lapsed mineral concessions and when it is received, with the High Commissioner's recommendations, my noble Friend will give it the most careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the approximate average addition to pensions received under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1956, by the pensioners who come under the Third Schedule, paragraph 1 (c) exceeding £50 but not exceeding £100 and (d) exceeding £100 but not exceeding £130; and what is the average total pensions under the 1956 Act of these two categories now, showing the amounts for each separately.

I have been asked to reply. I regret that this information is not readily available, and could not be obtained without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour, and without holding up the work of paying the increases due to pensioners under the Act.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he has now considered the representations by the Swindon Old People's Welfare Committee on the subject of hardship suffered by Swindon old-age pensioners which were sent to him by the hon. Member for Swindon on 6th July; and when he intends to reply.

IMPORTS INTO THE UNITED KINGDOM FROM ITALY
Numbers
	1953	1954	1955	Jan./June 1956
New cars (including taxis) and chassis for cars	32	271	1,759	267
Motor cycles and motor tricycles*	1,263	4,295	16,200	10,553
New commercial vehicles (including special purpose vehicles but excluding tractors) and chassis for commercial vehicles	1	—	1	—

UNITED KINGDOM EXPORTS TO ITALY
Numbers
	1953	1954	1955	Jan./June 1956
New cars (including taxis) and chassis for cars	740	497	660	382
Motor cycles and motor tricycles*	303	178	234	88
New commercial vehicles (including special purpose vehicles but excluding tractors) and chassis for commercial vehicles	17	22	60	34
*Motor scooters are included in this heading, but not distinguished separately.

My right hon. Friend has today written fully to the hon. Member about this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce the necessary legislation to compel all public liability companies to put aside a percentage of their earnings, before payment of dividends to shareholders, to ensure a specified retirement pension, and a notice of discharge payment to all employees.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many vehicles, in the categories of private cars, commercial vehicles, and motor scooters, respectively, have been imported into the United Kingdom from Italy for the years 1953, 1954, and 1955; what is the latest figure available for 1956; and how many similar vehicles we exported to Italy during the same period.

The numbers are as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for the first registration of restrictive trading agreements under the Restrictive Trade Practices Bill.

Now that the Bill has received the Royal Assent I have signed the first Order (the Registration of Restrictive Trading Agreements Order, 1956) making certain classes of agreement subject to registration. It is intended to seek Parliamentary approval of the Order early in the new Session and, if this is given, the Order would come into force on 30th November, 1956. During the three months following that date, particulars of the classes of agreement specified in the Order must be furnished to the Registrar of Restrictive Trading Agreements. The specified classes of agreement are, broadly, those which include restrictions as to prices or other terms or conditions or which involve collective discrimination. They therefore include agreements about common prices and conditions of sale, agreements about level or agreed tendering, agreements under which preferential terms are granted to certain persons or traders and agreements under which suppliers of goods are confined to certain persons or traders.Agreements of the classes in question which contain restrictions affecting exports and which do not affect supply to the home market, do not have to be registered but must, under Section 31 of the Act, be notified to the Board of Trade. I have deposited copies of the Order in the Vote Office. Copies will be on sale to the public on 10th August, 1956.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will arrange for one Minister to be responsible for settling claims for damage caused by aircraft flying under Her Majesty's Government's responsibility owing to the impossibility of the public being able to identify the aircraft which cause the damage.

I have been asked to reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the Treasury Bill interest rate in Canada is 2·49 per cent. or about one-half the United Kingdom rate; that many Canadian investors will not purchase British Treasury Bills despite their relative high rate of interest because they fear repayment will not be made in Canadian dollars; and if he will give an assurance that repayment will be made in Canadian dollars, and so encourage the investment of Canadian funds in this country.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes." As regards the other parts, it has been, and remains, our policy to allow repayment, in sterling to a Canadian account, of any investment by residents of Canada in United Kingdom Treasury bills. Sterling on a Canadian account may be freely disposed of for Canadian dollars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the sum of company profits for 1946 to 1955, figures to be given separately each year; what was the percentage rise from 1946 to 1955; and what were the profits in the first and second quarter of 1956.

The Answer to the first part of the Question, which involves a number of figures, is given below.The Answer to the second part of the Question is that the increase in gross trading profits of British companies before tax was 95 per cent. from 1946 to 1955. The answer to the third part of the Question is that figures of profits in the first and second quarters of 1956 are not known.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount paid in dividends by companies in 1946 to 1955, figures to be given separately for each year; what was the percentage rise from 1946 to 1955; what has been the rise in dividends for the first and second quarter of 1956; and what has been the rise in percentage from 1946 to the latest known figures for 1956.

The Answer to the first part of the Question, which involves a number of figures, is given below.The Answer to the second part of the Question is that the increase in payments of preference and ordinary dividends by British companies before tax from 1946 to 1955 was 57½ per cent.The Answer to the third and fourth parts of the Question is that comparable figures for the first and second quarters of 1956 are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations he is having with the committee which is now considering the project for a common market in Europe; and whether he has yet indicated a basis on which British participation might be possible.

I have nothing to add to the statement which I made on 24th July on the proceedings of the Ministerial Council of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation. In this I made it clear that the position of Her Majesty's Government is completely open, and that we welcome the studies initiated by the Council, including those on possible forms of association between the proposed customs union and other member countries of O.E.E.C.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the internal purchasing value of the £ sterling based on the Interim Index of Retail Prices in July 1956, 1955, 1954, 1953, and 1952, taking the value in October, 1951, as 20s.

Taking the internal purchasing power of the £ as 20s. in October, 1951, the corresponding figures for the dates referred to in the question are as follows:

				s.	d.
July, 1952	…	…	…	18	9
July, 1953	…	…	…	18	3
July, 1954	…	…	…	17	10
July, 1955	…	…	…	17	2
June, 1956	…	…	…	16	5

This estimate is based on the Interim Index of Retail Prices for the first four dates, and on the new Retail Price Index (which was introduced in January, 1956) for the last. June, 1956, is the latest date for which information is available,

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to release the accounts of British nationals resident in Egypt, in view of the hardship being caused to those who are now in this country and who are unable to draw on their accounts.

Arrangements have already been made under which the banks will permit the release of reasonable sums in such cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements he has made to equip universities and technical colleges with nuclear reactors for research and training purposes as they may be required; and which universities or technical colleges have shown an interest in so equipping themselves.

Nuclear reactors are very large and costly installations, and it would not be an economical arrangement for individual universities or technical colleges to have their own. Consideration is being given to the possibility of making arrangements under which members of staff and suitably qualified students from the universities or elsewhere might have access to a reactor to be specially provided for research and training purposes. The universities of Manchester and Liverpool in particular have informed the authorities that they are interested in this possibility.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many Statutory Instruments were in force at the end of 1955; and the number of new ones made and old ones revoked during the preceding 12 months.

Excluding Instruments of local application and those relating to territories now outside the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom Parliament, 8,267 general Statutory Instruments made under permanent legislation and 263 under emergency legislation were in force at the end of 1955, making a total of 8,530.The number of new general Statutory Instruments made during 1955 was 657 and the number revoked was 319.

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food whether he will make a further statement on the Report on the provincial and local organisation and procedures of his Department.

Yes. I have decided to leave the present structure of agricultural executive committees unchanged though with some reduction in sub-committees. In the administration of grants and services the valuable advice and practical experience of members of these committees will still be fully used, but they will be relieved of the straightforward work. I am accepting the recommendations for setting up divisional executive offices and for the appointment of regional controllers. These decisions were taken in the light of the views of the agricultural executive committees and the comments of the industry's representative bodies. They should result in a simplified and more efficient organisation and in a substantial measure of economy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether myxomatosis is still active in this country; and to what extent rabbits are reappearing in areas previously cleared by the disease.

Myxomatosis is still smouldering or slowly spreading among light infestations of rabbits in parts of Cumberland, south Lancashire, West Riding of Yorkshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire and, to a lesser extent, in Merionethshire. Small outbreaks have also been reported in other counties which were virtually cleared by the disease. At this time of the year it is difficult to assess the rabbit population, but reports show that rabbits in small but slowly increasing numbers are appearing in most areas of England and Wales. A substantial proportion of these rabbits are young ones. Reports of reinfestation are being followed up expeditiously by county pests staffs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the value of the drainage work done by the Essex Agricultural Executive Committee for the years ended 31st March, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955 and 1956.

The information is as follows:

Year ended			Value
			£
31st March, 1952	…	…	106,372
31st March, 1953	…	…	148,743
31st March, 1954	…	…	234,428
31st March, 1955	…	…	239,876
31st March, 1956	…	…	244,000
			(provisional)

These figures include a small element of work on trenching for water supply schemes. The substantial increase in the total after 1953 is due to drainage improvements after the East Coast floods.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much the value of the drainage work to be done by the Essex Agricultural Executive Committee for the year ending 31st March, 1957, is likely to differ from previous years.

On present information it seems likely that the value of drainage work to be undertaken by the Essex Agricultural Executive Committee in the current financial year will be some 20 per cent. below the value of that done in each of the last two financial years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria he will adopt in deciding whether the Essex Agricultural Executive Committee should cease to undertake drainage work.

The Essex Agricultural Executive Committee's drainage contract service will continue in operation until I am satisfied after consultation with the Committee that alternative facilities exist to undertake all the necessary field drainage work efficiently and at a reasonable cost to the farmers. The position is kept under constant review.

WHEAT
Accounting Period	Seasonal Standard Price per cwt.		Ascertained Average Price per cwt.		Deficiency Payment per cwt.		Quantity Qualifying for Deficiency Payment	Total Payments
	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	million cwt	£ million
1st July—30th Sept., 1955	27	11	19	10·9	8	0·1	10·6	4·3
1st Oct.—30th Nov., 1955	29	5	21	3·7	8	1·3	10·6	4·3
1st Dec., 1955–29th Feb., 1956	30	11	23	7·1	7	3·9	12·6	4·6
1st March—30th April, 1956	32	2	25	2·0	7	0·0	7·8	2·7
1st May—30th June, 1956	32	11	26	11·5	5	11·5	4·7	1·4
Payments in respect of the first four periods have already been made. Payments for the period 1st May to 30th June, 1956, will be made in August apart from a few certificates which are still under query.

RYE
—	Yearly Standard Price per cwt.		Ascertained Average Price per cwt.		Deficiency Payment per cwt.		Quantity Qualifying for Deficiency Payment	Total Payments
	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	million cwt	£ million
Cereal Year 1st July, 1955, to 30th June, 1956	23	3	19	3·9	3	11·1	0·28	0·05
An advance at the rate of 3s. per cwt. has already been made to growers following the announcement made on the 16th December, 1955. The final payment to these growers will, therefore, be at the rate of 11.1d. per cwt. Payments will be made in August apart from a few certificates which are still under query.

BARLEY
—	Yearly Standard Price per cwt.		Ascertained United Kingdom average "at farm" Price per cwt. for lower priced Barley		Price Deficiency per cwt.		Deficiency Payment per acre			Acreage qualifying for Deficiency Payment	Total Payments
	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	million acres	£ million
Cereal Year 1st July, 1955, to 30th June, 1956	24	8	20	4·96	4	3·04	4	2	6	2·23	9·2
An advance payment at the rate of £3 0s. per acre has already been made to most barley growers following the announcement made on the 16th December, 1955. The final payment to these growers will, therefore, be at the rate of £1 2s. 6d. per acre. Payment will begin immediately and will be completed during September or October.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to give particulars of the deficiency payments on wheat, rye, barley, oats, and mixed corn for the cereal year ended 30th June, 1956.

The particulars of payments under the Cereals Deficiency Payments Scheme. 1955, are as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to make a statement about the long-term arrangements for the administration of the Cereals Deficiency Payments Scheme.

It was announced in September, 1953, in the White Paper on Guarantees for Home Grown Cereals (Cmd. 8947) that after consultation with the interests concerned the Government held the view that the only practicable way of guaranteeing cereal crops in a free market was a deficiency payments system.This system was introduced for the harvest of 1954 and has now been run successfully for two years. The arrangements for 1956–57 have already been announced and the White Paper on the Annual Review and Determination of Guarantees 1956 (Cmd. 9721) has indicated that the scheme will operate for the 1957 crops. The system has proved a most effective method of implementing the Government guarantee while preserving all the advantages of the free marketing of grain. Administration by the Agricultural Departments, with the help of advisory committees representing growers and the trade, has been smooth and efficient. The Government are greatly indebted to the members of these committees for their co-operation.In the light of this experience, and after consulting the interests concerned, the Government have decided that the deficiency payments system should be continued as a permanent arrangement. Responsibility for the administration will remain with the Agricultural Departments who will continue to rely on the cooperation of the interests represented on the two existing advisory committees. No change is at present proposed in the method of financing deficiency payments from the Exchequer.All the interests concerned will continue to be consulted regularly, through the advisory committees, about the detailed administration of the system, but no changes are at present proposed by the Government.Pre-war legislation providing for deficiency payments on wheat (administered by the Wheat Commission) and for subsidies on oats and barley, has been in suspense since 1940. The Government's decision on permanent arrangements will call for the repeal of the pre-war legislation and, with that, the disbandment of the Wheat Commission set up under the Wheat Act, 1932.In preparing and administering the present deficiency payments system the Agricultural Departments have benefited greatly from the successful pre-war experience of the Wheat Commission. The Government wish to acknowledge their indebtedness to the valuable work which the Commission did in a quite new field of agricultural policy and administration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many preference and how many non-preference applicants for smallholdings there were on the authorities' waiting lists at 31st March, 1956.

At 31st March, 1956, there were in England and Wales, 6,577 preference applicants and 2,133 non-preference applicants on the waiting lists of smallholdings authorities.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what amendments to the British Egg Marketing Scheme proposed by the National Farmers' Union the Government consider necessary in the interests of egg producers and consumers.

With my right hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, I have decided that the draft Scheme should be allowed to proceed subject to certain modifications. Notice of these modifications is being sent to the promoters. While these are final conclusions, subject in accordance with the usual practice only to consideration of any drafting points that the promoters may wish to raise, it would not be appropriate for me to disclose their nature until the promoters have had an opportunity of deciding whether or not to accept them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the fact that the Rabbits Bill has been dropped, he will give an assurance that it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to prevent the spreading of wild rabbits.

Yes. The spreading of wild rabbits is strongly deprecated. The Government remain entirely in favour of the objects of the Bill referred to and regret that it has not been possible to afford facilities for legislation through lack of Parliamentary time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to state to what extent the supply of potatoes fell short of demand last winter.

The United Kingdom crop of potatoes in 1955 was insufficient to meet consumers' needs. Total production was down by about a million tons compared with the year before. Over the season, after allowing for imports which did not go into consumption, up to a quarter of a million tons of supplies from overseas augmented our own crop. Even with these imports, prices in shops advanced steadily until they reached 6d. a lb. in March. Without imports prices would certainly have been still higher.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that agricultural contractors in Essex have had to dispose of some of their drainage equipment because of the unfair competition of the Essex Agricultural Executive Committee, and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

I am not aware that private contractors in Essex have been disposing of their drainage equipment and I cannot agree that there is unfair competition by the Essex Agricultural Executive Committee, whose drainage contract service does not operate at a loss. On the contrary, the Committee give every encouragement to the employment of private drainage contractors. The proportion of grant aided work undertaken by the Committee has fallen from 88 per cent. in 1952 to 51 per cent. in 1955.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) to make a statement on the scope of the White Fish Industry (Grants for Fishing Vessels and Engines) (Amendment) Scheme, 1956, indicating how far this scheme with its increased grants will apply to vessels which, in process of being built under the earlier scheme, are not completed when the new scheme comes into operation; and whether the increased grants under the new scheme will apply to vessels for the building of which applications have been approved but no grants paid when the new scheme comes into operation;(2) if he will state the number and amount of grants and loans under the White Fish Industry (Grants for Fishing Vessels and Engines) Scheme, 1955, which were approved but not fully executed by the completion of the shipbuilding before the coming into operation of the White Fish Industry (Grants for Fishing Vessels and Engines) (Amendment) Scheme, 1956.

I have been asked to reply. The numbers of vessels in Great Britain not completed, but in respect of which grants and loans have been approved are 72 near and middle water vessels and 86 inshore vessels. The amounts of the grants and loans payable will depend on the final cost of the vessels. The Amendment Scheme only affects near and middle water vessels costing over £100,000. In such cases where grant has not already been paid arrangements are being made so that the new ceiling will apply. A few cases where grant has already been paid but the vessel is not yet completed are under separate examination.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the trend of building costs for fishing vessels continues to rise; that, in consequence, contracts for the building of fishing vessels now normally contain a clause providing for variation in the building costs according to the increases in the price of labour and materials; and if he will now take steps to empower the White Fish Authority to provide similarly

Period			Outbreaks of Atrophic Rhinitis	Pigs Slaughtered	Compensation Paid
1954 (May—December)	…	…	4	876	£22,149
1955	…	…	8	1,189	£68,863
1956 (to 31st July)	…	…	8	1,662	£50,824

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made towards the eradication of atrophic rhinitis in pigs; what precautions are required after an outbreak; and on what basis compensation is paid for animals slaughtered.

Outbreaks of atrophic rhinitis continue to occur but they are sporadic. All pigs on affected premises are slaughtered and the premises are then disinfected. Compensation for affected pigs is half the value of the animals immediately before slaughter, and for other pigs the whole of their pre-slaughter value.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many beds are to be provided in the new hospital

The rise in the cost of building fishing vessels is the reason for the raising of the maximum grants payable for new vessels from £25,000 to £30,000 under the White Fish Industry (Grants for Fishing Vessels and Engines) (Amendment) Scheme, 1956, which operates from 7th August. Both the grants and the loans are determined as a prescribed proportion of the final cost of a vessel, so that the effect of variation clauses in builders' contracts—which are common practice—is automatically provided for.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of outbreaks of atrophic rhinitis in pigs; the number of animals slaughtered; and the amount of compensation paid this year and in previous years.

Following is the information:at Hong Kong; how many house officers will be required to staff it; and from what source these are to be drawn in view of the fact that only about 50 students of medicine graduate from Hong Kong University in a 100 per cent. pass year.

The plans of the new Kowloon General Hospital provide for 1,275 beds. On the other two points my right hon. Friend is consulting the Acting Governor and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Tan Yeow Meng was kept in prison for six months in Singapore before being brought to trial, when he was acquitted; and, in view of the criticisms of the committing magistrate and the Attorney-General by the judge, what action has been taken to avoid a repetition of this prolonged detention by prisoners awaiting trial.

My right hon. Friend is asking the Governor for a report on this case and will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many members of E.O.K.A. were killed or captured by the security forces in Cyprus in each month since April, 1955.

The following figures are of persons, who might be presumed to be members of E.O.K.A., killed in terrorist attacks on the security forces.

Month					Killed
1955—
September	…	…	…	…	1
December	…	…	…	…	1
1956—
February	…	…	…	…	1
March	…	…	…	…	2
April	…	…	…	…	1
May	…	…	…	…	1
July	…	…	…	…	1

As regards the second part of the Question, I assume that the hon. Member requires figures of persons detained and convicted on charges connected with terrorism. The figures are as follows:

Month		Detained	Convicted
1955
April	…	nil	nil
May	…	nil	30
June	…	nil	11
July	…	13	1
August	…	66	nil
September	…	22	3
October	…	18	27
November	…	43	28
December	…	17	43
1956
January	…	18	38
February	…	25	32
March	…	42	27
April	…	35	24
May	…	47	12
June	…	69	30
July (to 27th)	…	70	88

Of these, 54 detained persons have been released and 10 have escaped.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he intends to introduce the ministerial system in Mauritius.

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which he gave to the hon. Member on 13th June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many of the Tonga people in Northern Rhodesia are now being moved from the bushland between Kariba Gorge and Victoria Falls; what amount is to be paid them in compensation for their displacement; and what steps have been taken to make certain that water supplies will be available in their new lands.

It is expected that about 29,000 Africans in all will have to be moved, and that about 2,000 who live nearest to the Kariba site will be resettled this year. The amount of compensation to be paid has not yet been decided; but anyone who suffers as a result of being moved will be compensated either with money or in some other appropriate manner.Extensive hydro-geological and geophysical surveys have been undertaken to determine the ground water potential and the complete water requirements of every village site are being assessed individually. In most cases good clear water can be found near the surface. Supply will normally be by open well, and where the water is at some depth, consideration will be given to the provision of wind driven or other pumps. In two areas a dam and a weir have already been provided.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he will invite the Medical Research Council to make a report on the genetic and other physiological effects of the use in war of the existing stocks of nuclear weapons.

No. The recently published Report by a Committee of the Medical Research Council on the Hazards to Man of Nuclear and Allied Radiations, which was debated in this House on 16th July, 1956, sets out existing knowledge on the genetic and other effects of radiation from all sources, and deals with war-time as well as peacetime hazards.

asked the Minister of Health how many beds are available in mental deficiency hospitals and homes for which he is responsible; and how many of these beds are occupied.

On 31st December, 1955, the number of patients resident was 52,871. In addition, 1,273 beds were not in use owing to shortage of staff and 424 for other reasons.

asked the Minister of Health what use is to be made of St. George-in-the-East Hospital, Wapping, E.1, when it is closed down on 30th September, 1956.

No decision has yet been taken.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that Middlesex County Council has declined to take further action in the formation of a joint committee with county district councils to deal with Middlesex overspill problems and has also refused to establish a central register for the whole county in connection with the Industrial Selection Scheme; and what action he now proposes to assist in dealing with the overspill problems of Middlesex as a whole.

I understand that the county council came to its decision after consulting the county district councils, most of which were not in favour of a joint committee. While the initiative in negotiating town development schemes must rest with the individual authorities concerned, or with any joint body they may set up among themselves to co-ordinate their action, I shall be glad to give any help I can. The London New Towns will continue to be available to industry and population moving out of Middlesex.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to deal with the sewage deposits at the bathing beaches at Sandbanks and Branksome, Dorsetshire.

Sewage is discharged into Poole Bay from the areas of three sewerage authorities. Conditions in the bay, and consequently on these beaches, will be improved when effect can be given to a number of schemes which have been submitted to me by these authorities. One of these schemes has been completed, and work has started on another; two more have been approved in principle, and the remainder are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what arrangements are being made to provide the necessary fresh water for the nuclear power station at Bradwell-on-Sea; and if he is satisfied that this will not jeopardise the present supplies being received by the residents in the area, which are inadequate for their present needs.

It is proposed that the Southend Water Company should provide a bulk supply from the Hanningfield reservoir to the Maldon Rural District Council, which is the water undertaking for the Bradwell area. I am satisfied that local supplies will not be jeopardised.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement about the increasing demand for water in Essex and the schemes designed to meet it.

A water survey for Essex has been carried out by one of my engineering inspectors. A summary of his report is being prepared and I hope to make it available in the autumn to water undertakers, local authorities and other interested bodies, together with my recommendations.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to amend the regulations so that when an application is made for planning permission on any property the application shall state the name of the owner of the property and whether the application is being made with the owner's knowledge and approval.

The model form of application for planning permission issued by my Department provides that particulars of the applicant's interest in the land should be given; and that it should be stated whether, if the applicant is not the owner, the latter has consented to the proposal. Most planning authorities ask for this information.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he hopes to be in a position to announce the result of the Government's examination of the effects of the revaluation.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Crosby (Mr. Page) on 15th March. It is the Government's intention to announce the results of their examination of the effects of revaluation at the same time as they announce the outcome of their general review of local government finance.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the difficulties of retail coal merchants in persuading their deliverers to carry coal up stair-cases and along lengthy garden paths and passageways; and if he will circularise local authorities on this point at a suitable opportunity with a view to ensuring that in planning new housing estates and flats, local authorities' architects do not overlook the desirability of providing coal storage facilities which are quickly accessible to coal deliverers.

I will certainly bear this suggestion in mind, but the convenience of the tenants has also to be remembered.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether the inquiry into the housing provision for the elderly is yet complete; and if he will make a statement.

The inquiry is now complete. The results are being studied, and, if the hon. Lady will put down a Question when the House reassembles, I will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he has taken to provide the citizens of Derby with an alternative right of way to replace the footpath between Sinfin Lane and Caxton Street, which was closed during the war by the authorities of his Department.

A number of proposals and counter-proposals have been examined. This has involved prolonged discussions. A further meeting between the interested parties is to take place shortly, and I hope that a satisfactory solution will then be reached.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what inquiries he is making in regard to alternative footpaths before finally making the order stopping up the right of way between Sinfin Lane and Caxton Street, Derby.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War is arranging consultations with representatives of the British Transport Commission and the Derby Corporation about an alternative footpath. I must await the results before publishing proposals under the provisions of the Requisitioned Land and War Works Act, 1945.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when it is estimated that the Preston by-pass will be open to traffic.

The latter part of 1958.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has now been made toward the construction of the road to replace Milvil Road. Lee-on-the-Solent.

There is still one outstanding objection from the Southern Gas Board which has indicated that it expects, as a result of its negotiations with the Admiralty, to withdraw its objection very shortly. When this is done I shall make the Order and authorise the highway authority to proceed with the road works.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why no doctor or ambulance was available at Elmdon when British European Airways Corporation's flight 576 landed on 27th July; if he is aware that, at take-off and during the storm, passengers were not instructed to fasten their safety belts; and if he will take proceedings against the pilot for failure to comply with his safety regulations.

I am informed that the station ambulance was standing by on the apron when the aircraft landed, and that a doctor and a local ambulance, having been summoned on receipt of a radio message from the pilot eight minutes before the aircraft landed, arrived a minute or two later, and that the doctor was ready to commence treatment by the time the first of the injured passengers—none of whom was a stretcher case—had walked the few yards from the aircraft to the first-aid room.As regards the second part of the Question, I am informed by B.E.A. that passengers were instructed to fasten their safety belts both at take-off and immediately prior to entering the area of turbulent air. The third part of the Question therefore does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the hardship and inconvenience caused to mothers discharged from Newport Maternity Home, Fife, by having to travel long distances home by public service transport, he will now take steps to ensure that all mothers, on discharge from maternity hospitals, shall be provided with ambulance service.

As my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary explained in the debate on 17th July last, the provision of an ambulance is a matter for the decision of the doctor in charge of the case, taking all factors into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement about an appointment to the vacant post of Zone Controller of the Western Civil Defence Zone.

Yes. I have appointed Mr. W. Hope Collins to be Zone Controller of the Western Civil Defence Zone in succession to the late Mr. John McAslan, O.B.E., D.L., J.P.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the importance of the Commander-in-Chief retaining his present accommodation in Malta; and how long Admiralty House in Malta has been occupied by the Royal Navy.

It is important that the Commander-in-Chief should continue to have a suitable residence. Admiralty House, Malta, has been the traditional home of the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean for 135 years. The lease expires next December. Every effort is being made to negotiate a renewal of the lease with the Malta Government.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what battle honours the Fleet Air Arm have been granted.

Full details of Battle Honours awarded to Fleet Air Arm squadrons serving in the post-war Fleet as at October, 1954, are set out in Admiralty Fleet Order 2565/54, a copy of which my hon. Friend will find in the Library. Since the issue of that Fleet Order, however, the following Battle Honours have been awarded:

Squadron	Battle Honour
800	Korea 1950
801	Korea 1952–3
802	Korea 1952
804	Korea 1951–2
805 (Royal Australian Navy)	Korea 1951–2
807	Korea 1950–3
808 (Royal Australian Navy)	Korea 1951–2
810	Korea 1950–3
812	Korea 1951–2
816	Korea 1951–2
817	Korea 1951–2
821	Korea 1952–3
825	Korea 1952
827	Korea 1950
898	Korea 1952–3

If my hon. Friend should wish to have also a list of battle honours of any squadrons disbanded before October, 1954, I shall be happy to send it to him if he would write to me.

asked the Minister of Education whether the membership of the small joint committee on teacher training for technological subjects has yet been determined; and if he will give assurances that the technical teacher training colleges will be represented, and that such representatives will not be out-numbered by any representing the other teacher training colleges.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is "Not yet." But I can say that, while the technical teacher training colleges will be represented on the Committee, the other teacher training colleges will not.

asked the Minister of Education what are his plans for the recruitment of teachers and their training in the existing or future technical teacher training colleges, having regard to the fact that, for 1,000 vacancies annually in colleges of further education, no more than some 60 in engineering and some 40 in commerce and the office arts have in fact been annually so trained and taken posts.

As my hon. Friend knows, I have invited a special committee to advise me on these matters.

asked the Minister of Education how many annual vacancies for the teaching of technical, commercial and office arts subjects in secondary schools will be included in the estimates, and how many of these in the estimates of recruitment and training programmes of the technical teacher training colleges; and what are his plans in regard to grant policy to facilitate the recruitment of adult and experienced candidates, and to provide places in technical teacher training colleges adequate to the needs of both further and secondary education.

The information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available, as teachers in secondary schools are not classified by the subjects they teach. The purpose of the technical teacher training colleges is to train teachers for institutions of further education, though a few of the teachers may find posts in secondary schools. I am asking the special committee which I am setting up to advise me generally on these colleges.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action has been taken by Egypt in accordance with the resolution of the Security Council, passed in 1951, which called upon Egypt to terminate the restrictions on the passage of international commercial shipping and goods through the Suez Canal wherever bound.

Egypt has not terminated the restrictions which the Security Council sought to deal with in its Resolution of 1951.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made to the Burmese Government that the regulations governing remittances from Burma are harming British commercial interests in that country and, in many cases, causing hardship to individual British subjects.

Her Majesty's Ambassador at Rangoon has taken up this matter on frequent occasions with the Burmese Government. He has pointed out not only that their rules governing remittances, and more particularly the manner in which these rules are applied, are inequitable in their effects, but also that they stultify the Burmese Government's expressed wish to encourage foreign investment in Burma. I understand that the Burmese Government are examining their remittance procedure in the light of these representations, but I regret that there has, so far, been little improvement in this unsatisfactory position.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now state what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to discuss with other Governments the question of the limitation and control of nuclear tests separately from the question of a disarmament convention; and with which Governments such discussions are to take place.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to a supplementary question by the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler) on 24th July. While we do not preclude taking the initiative in the matter, it is a complicated question which we must work out carefully for ourselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many individuals have attended the Middle East Centre for Arab Studies in the Lebanon during the past five years; how many attained proficiency in Arabic; and how many are working where this language is of use.

102 students attended the Middle East Centre for Arab Studies in the years 1951 to 1955. Of these 28 were members of the foreign service, 47 were members of the Armed Services and there were 27 others, including representatives of certain Commonwealth foreign services, commercial firms and the British Council. 26 of the 28 members of the foreign service attained proficiency in the language and 20 of them are at present serving in countries where Arabic is spoken. Information is not immediately available about the linguistic proficiency and present whereabouts of the non-foreign service students who have attended the Centre.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will now revise the Government's policy in regard to the production of shale oil in Scotland.

It remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to afford the shale oil industry the same degree of assistance as other indigenous oil producers.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of factories granted certificates in respect of their fire escape arrangements; and what percentage this is of the total number subject to the provisions of the Factory Acts.

Out of 60,600 factories which require such certificates, 33,116 had at a recent date received them. This is 55 per cent. of the total. The 45 per cent. given in the reply to a supplementary question by the hon. Member on 26th July is the percentage of the factories that have not got certificates.

asked the Minister Labour the total number of unemployed persons in Brentford and Chiswick at the latest convenient date; and how this figure compares with the corresponding total in 1955 and 1954.

The following table gives the information desired:

NUMBERS OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS ON THE REGISTERS OF THE BRENTFORD AND CHISWICK EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AT THE UNDERMENTIONED DATES
Date		Males	Females	Total
12th July, 1954	…	110	62	172
11th July, 1955	…	95	43	138
16th July, 1956	…	67	52	119

asked the Postmaster-General when he intends to lay before Parliament the accounts of Cable and Wireless, Limited, for the year ended 31st March, 1956.

These are being presented in dummy form today and will be published as a Command Paper on 9th August.

asked the Minister of Labour and National Service how long he intends to publish a linked index figure showing the change in the level of retail prices since June, 1947.

For the convenience of those industries which have agreements providing for adjustments in wage rates according to movements in the Index of Retail Prices based on June, 1947 = 100, I propose to continue to publish an index figure on this base up to and including the figure for December, 1956, which will be published in January, 1957. Thereafter only the index figure on the new base of January, 1956 = 100 will be published regularly each month. The industries concerned will therefore have just over five months in which to consider any necessary amendments to the existing agreements.

asked the Minister of Works (1) if he is aware of the dissatisfaction of the staff side due to the suggested closing of the Newcastle Regional Office; if he has considered the suggestion, made by the local staff, that a sub-regional office at Newcastle, covering Northumberland, Durham, North-East Yorkshire, Cumberland, and Westmorland, would save manpower and give efficiency; and if he will reconsider his decision in the light of these suggestions.(2) in the proposed reconstruction plan for the regional offices of his Department, what consideration he gave to the advantages of a sub-regional office at Newcastle, which would save paying salaries to the Regional Director and Assistant Directors; if he is aware that a close examination of the staff at Leeds and Manchester would produce economies equal to those in the proposed amalgamation, and would obviate the expense of transferring the families involved; and if he will reconsider his decision in the light of these facts.

The staff side have made known their views and have been informed that I propose to retain a district office at Newcastle. I am satisfied that the concentration of regional work in my offices at Leeds and Manchester will give the most satisfactory and economical results. I have, therefore, no grounds for reconsideration of the decision to close the regional office at Newcastle.