asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why he made a statement of the Government's intended legislation at a political party rally, and not to the House of Commons.

This is not the first time that a statement of policy has been made at a party conference.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy regarding the decontrol of rent-restricted properties ;(2) whether he is aware that increase of rents is inflationary ; and whether, as it is the Government's policy to combat inflation, he will take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that rents will not be increased.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 23rd October to the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Allaun).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has now decided what action should be taken as a result of his survey of frost damage to houses in the winter of 1955–56.

The survey, which covered nearly a million council houses, showed that 18 per cent. of them had suffered some damage from frost and that much of it was avoidable.In the light of the information obtained, I have sent a circular to housing authorities and water undertakers, recommending that water byelaws should be brought into line with the recently issued British Standard Code of Practice on frost precautions; and I have asked that steps should be taken to improve co-operation between water undertakers and building byelaw authorities. I am drawing their attention to new materials and fittings which have proved capable of withstanding frost, and I am sending them some suggestions for reducing the risk of frost damage in existing houses, at moderate cost.I am also writing to the professional and trade organisations most concerned, to enlist their help in securing improvements in the design and layout of plumbing systems.In addition, a short television film is being prepared to show people generally some simple precautions they can take in their own homes.I am also arranging for the demonstration of what might be called a "Frostproof House" at the Ideal Home Exhibition next March.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that Service cities and towns have given valuable assistance to Service personnel in their housing problems for which they have received little assistance in return ; and if he will seek powers to give local authorities in such cities and towns the special financial assistance necessary to rehouse Service personnel.

My right hon. Friend appreciates the work done by these local authorities in housing ex-Service men. As was explained in the debates on the Housing Subsidies Act, local authorities should be able to build for this and similar purposes without special help ; but any authority who consider that they fulfil the conditions for special help under Section 5 of that Act are entitled to apply for it.

asked the Minister of Labour how many farmworkers have been called up and how many subsequently released, in the course of the last three months.

The call-up of farmworkers for National Service was suspended for the harvest starting from July or August according to the region.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in the radio industry at the latest convenient date.

At 17th September, 1956, the latest date for which figures are available, the total numbers unemployed were 901 in the wireless apparatus and gramophones industry and 333 in the wireless valves and electric lamps industry.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has taken place in the arrangements for an Industrial Health Service.

A reply to a similar Question from the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stross) was given on 1st November, 1955. Since then continued progress has been made. The Report of the Pilot Industrial Health Survey of the town of Halifax has been completed and the Industrial Health Advisory Committee is considering that Report. The Pilot Survey of the pottery industry is in progress in Stoke-on-Trent. Arrangements have been made to co-ordinate the work of the various Departments concerned with occupational health research problems. The strength of the Medical Branch of Factory Department has been increased and, as announced in a White Paper earlier this month, the other parts of the Inspectorate are also to be increased.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of local authorities which have no new houses in process of construction at the latest date available.

The information required by the hon. Member is to be found in Table 11 of the quarterly Housing Return for Scotland. The Return for 30th September, 1956, will be presented to Parliament very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the light of protests from local authorities, he will reconsider his proposals on housing subsidies.

No. Parliament will have a full opportunity shortly of debating this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the increasing ill-balance of the population of Glenrothes, especially in the Auchmuty precinct ; and what steps are being taken to redress the balance.

The development corporation has reported to me a slightly higher ratio of miners to total population in the Auchmuty precinct than the average for Glenrothes as a whole. This average is, however, in line with that for which the town was planned, and variations from district to district are unavoidable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to meet local authorities for consultations about the proposed Town Development Bill.

I hope to initiate discussions with the local authority associations shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether he has considered a petition from Mr. H. D. Wilson, Inspector of Fire Services, and officers and men concerning the condition of Coatbridge Fire Station ; what representations were made to his Department; and what action will be taken on these, and when ;(2) if, in view of the fact that the condition of Coatbridge Fire Station is a menace to safety and health, he will authorise the necessary expenditure so that the new station can now be proceeded with.

I have received a number of representations regarding the condition of Coatbridge Fire Station. While I am in full sympathy with the proposal of the Lanarkshire Fire Brigade Joint Committee to erect a new Fire Station at Coatbridge, it has not so far been possible to authorise them to proceed in view of the continuing need to control capital investment by public authorities. The claims of Coatbridge will be given immediate consideration as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps were taken to try to dispose of the research facilities available at the Inveresk Gate Unit to a British research organisation.

The Department of Scientific Research and the Agricultural

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his regulations with regard to the number of items which can be put upon one prescription form.

There are no regulations on the subject. Doctors have been asked, and it is their normal practice, not to write more than two prescriptions on one form.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total tax-borne expenditure of his Department for the last complete financial year on salaries of teachers, pensions of teachers, post-school bursaries and scholarships, teachers' training colleges, institutions for higher education, day release education, and school building, respectively.

The following table gives the latest estimate available for the financial year 1955–56 :

asked the Minister of Works what response he has received to his appeal for the loan of classical statues and busts to occupy the niches in the Orangery at Kensington Palace.

I have received many offers of busts and statues for which I am most grateful. Most of these however were not suitable for this particular purpose but I hope to make use of one or two.With others kindly lent from Windsor Castle, the British Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum there is now a sufficient number of pieces to furnish the Orangery : though I should be glad of any further offers.

asked the Minister of Works why it has not proved possible to find a convenient site in Dagenham for the new local tax office.

There appear to be no suitable offices available in Dagenham which we could hire; and in present financial circumstances I could not justify putting up a Crown building there. Arrangements have therefore been made to lease accommodation for the Dagenham Tax District office in a building now under construction at Gant's Hill, Ilford.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what was the actual net expenditure of the Road Research Laboratory of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for the fiscal year 1955–56 ; and whether he will consider increasing the sum which has been allocated to the work of the Road Research Laboratory in the Estimates for the current fiscal year.

The net expenditure of the Road Research Laboratory for 1955–56 was £ 388, 436. The net provision as shown in the Estimates for 1956–57 is £395,654 and it is now expected that there will be a further allocation of some £40,000 to cover salary increases and some increase of staff.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many science or engineering graduates or holders of equivalent qualifications are enrolled in the Army ; and how many of these are engaged in duties which require the use of their specialised knowledge.

On 30th September about 2,300 National Service men in the Army possessed science or engineering degrees or equivalent qualifications. About 2,000 of these were employed on duties requiring the full or partial use of their specialised knowledge. The remainder were men whose special qualifications could not be used by the Army or in a few cases, candidates who had chosen non-technical arms. Similar information in respect of Regular soldiers is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for War how long it is intended to continue the call-up of certain parts of the Army Reserve and the retention of time-expired Regulars with the Colours ; what useful employment is being given to these men in present circumstances ; and whether he will define the purposes for which these men are now retained.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister explained in his statement of 9th October, these reservists are needed in order to keep formations and units up to operational strength. Because the emergency created by the action of the Egyptian Government continues, I regret that their release is not at present warranted but they will be released as soon as the operational situation permits. So far as their primary duty of standing-by allows, reservists are training and carrying out normal military duties including the domestic tasks which are necessary in every unit.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many National Service men who had not volunteered for the Reserve have been called up in connection with the Suez dispute, and under what authority ; when they will be demobilised ; and whether they will be paid the sum they would have received if they had been on the Reserve since completing their National Service.

All the men called up for service in the Suez emergency are members of either the Regular Reserve or the Army Emergency Reserve. The Army Emergency Reserve consists of volunteers and of National Service men fulfilling their statutory liability for part-time service.The number of National Service men recalled was about 3,600. Directions for the recall of these National Service reservists were given under Her Majesty's Proclamation of 3rd August, 1956, which was made under Section 5 of the Army Reserve Act, 1950. Section 25 of the National Service Act, 1948, makes it clear that those provisions apply to National Service men. When reservists will be released depends upon the course of the present emergency, No-one will be retained longer than is justified.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers and men in each of the three Services were called up in the Suez Emergency Proclamation under Emergency Reserve, Category 2.

Only Army reservists have been recalled. About 5,000 of these were in Army Emergency Reserve, Category II, which consists of volunteers and of non-volunteer national servicemen.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider examining possibilities whereby a moratorium could be declared on all mortgage and hire-purchase repayments due from reservists during the period of their temporary recall to the Colours.

Recalled reservists are eligible for National Service grants which are designed to enable them to meet such liabilities as mortgage and hire purchase repayments. In addition they have the protection of the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Protection of Civil Interests) Act, 1951. If my hon. Friend knows of any cases where these arrangements seem to have failed I will gladly look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many miners were recalled as Army reservists during recent months ; and whether he will make a statement concerning policy for their return to the mines.

We do not keep records of men's employment whilst on the Reserve. Accurate figures are not therefore available, but we estimate that about 600 of the reservists called up were employed in the coal-mining industry. As I explained in a written Answer on 24th October to a Question by the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds) the reservists called up in the present emergency are vital to the Army's needs which must take precedence over other claims. But it has been possible to help the industry by the release of 98 key men.

asked the Secretary of State for War why certain reservists failed to join the ship which was taking them back to their unit in Germany from Southampton on 24th October.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the reservists who were due to go overseas on the "Asturias" on 24th October.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the 187 reservists who failed to report to the troopship "Asturias" on Wednesday, 24th October, have now done so; and what were the reasons for such failure to report.

1,368 reservists were due to return to British Army of the Rhine in Her Majesty's Transport "Asturias" on 24th October. 1,166 actually embarked. The 202 reservists who did not embark are accounted for as follows : 78 missed the boat or had been granted a short extension of leave by their units. These men returned to Germany by other routes. 42 were certified to be sick at home or in hospital. 10 were on compassionate leave. 40 returned to their units a day or more late. 22 have been apprehended as absent without leave and 10 have not yet been traced. Those men who are found to have been absent without good cause will be subject to disciplinary action under the Army Act.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give instructions that leave for harvest work should be granted to reservists who have been called up.

My right hon. Friend regrets that the situation does not permit the issue of such instructions. But if farmers apply for assistance with the harvest, the local Army authorities are giving help wherever possible on a day-to-day basis.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that the grants for reservists and the computation for commitments meet the requirements having regard to the fact that reservists are likely to have firm obligations ; and if he will make a statement.

These grants are designed to enable inescapable commitments to be met and in calculating them account is taken of firm obligations of reservists.

asked the Secretary of State for War if a reservist is normally called up to serve in the rank which he last held as a serving soldier; and what are the rules governing this matter.

A National Service man performing his reserve service is recalled to the Colours in the substantive rank he has held while serving in the Territorial Army or the Army Emergency Reserve. Regular Army reservists and volunteer members of the Army Emergency Reserve are, with certain minor exceptions, called out in their substantive ranks. I have written to my hon. Friend giving details.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many complaints he has received, in connection with the recall of reservists, of pay difficulties and time wastage ; and what steps he has taken to deal with these problems.

About 150. The action taken varied according to the type of complaint and whether or not it was substantiated.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent the number of ceremonial parades has been increased in the Army for the purpose of keeping reservists occupied.

Not at all to my knowledge. But, if the hon. Member has a particular case in mind, I will gladly look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the change in circumstances which enabled him on 5th October to allow seven days' leave for reservists when a few days before it had been his policy that more than 72 hours' passes were militarily impracticable.

We could not grant more than 72 hours' leave until we were satisfied that the situation permitted it.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent the contribution made by Her Majesty's Government towards the pensions of Colonial Forces applies to the 1st Battalion of the Rhodesian Rifles now serving in Malaya.

These pensions are paid by the Government of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland under Regulations made and administered by them. Her Majesty's Government have undertaken to refund the cost of any disability or dependants' pensions arising from service in Malaya.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that T/22972090 Driver W. Witt was killed in Cyprus on 4th August, 1956, but that his mother's request for information as to the cause of his death has not yet been complied with, although on 7th August the Army authorities demanded immediate payment of £46 for a special casket before they would apply to the Cyprus authorities for repatriation of the body to this country; and what action he is taking.

I regret the delay in giving Mrs. Witt more information about her son's death. For several reasons inquiries in Cyprus were unfortunately held up, but a letter was sent to her on 22nd October. The application to the Cyprus authorities was made as soon as Mrs. Witt's request was received and not held up as the hon. Member suggests. For reasons which have frequently been given in the House, we bring bodies home from abroad only when the next-of-kin bears the expense, including the cost of the special coffin which health regulations prescribe. The position was fully explained to Mrs. Witt before she took her decision.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the accident which recently ocurred on the Longmoor Military Railway ; and what precautions are taken to avoid collisions on this single line.

An accident occurred, in foggy weather, on the Longmoor Military Railway in Hampshire at about 8.45 a.m. on Saturday, 13th October, on the single line section between Longmoor Downs station and Liss Forest Road station. The trains involved were the 8.40 a.m. ordinary passenger train from Liss to Longmoor and a special works train which left Longmoor at 8.40 a.m. for Liss. These trains were scheduled to pass each other by means of the crossing loops at Liss Forest Road.The passenger train arrived at Liss Forest Road at 8.44 a.m. but failed to stop at that station. It went on into the single line section towards Longmoor and as a result collided head-on with the other train shortly afterwards. The passenger train consisted of a steam locomotive, brake van and one passenger coach conveying passengers to Longmoor camp. None of the train crew or passengers in this train were injured, and the engine and coaches sustained only slight damage. The works train consisted of a diesel locomotive, a box van and four other wagons. All the casualties occurred among 19 soldiers of the Corps of Royal Engineers who were travelling on duty in the box van, which was telescoped and destroyed by the following wagon. Six soldiers were killed and eight others were injured, one seriously.The Longmoor Military Railway is worked in accordance with the Military Railways Rule Book which is based on British Railways rules and regulations. Various methods of signalling, all designed to ensure safe operation, are used in order to train Royal Engineer personnel in the systems of railway working which they might encounter or have to introduce on railways under British military control both in the United Kingdom and overseas.As my hon. Friend may know, an inquest on the dead soldiers was held on 26th October. The verdict was accidental death and the jury added a rider

asked the Secretary of State for War whether officers and other ranks of units which have recently been withdrawn from the British Army of the Rhine but whose wives are still living in Western Germany, have the same entitlement to free travel, when proceeding on leave from the United Kingdom to their homes in Germany, as they would have were they stationed in Germany and their homes were in the United Kingdom.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that an officer of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers, whose name has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Arundel and Shoreham, was detained under certificate in a mental home from November, 1953, until March, 1954, when he was discharged uncured, having been advised that he was incurable ; that this officer is still on the Regular Army Reserve of Officers and drawing retired pay ; and what appointment is earmarked for this lieutenant-colonel in the present emergency.

This officer retired voluntary in 1950 and in the normal way was transferred to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers. The information contained in the first part of the Question had not been given to the War Office ; but his retired pay is in no way linked with his fitness for recall. He is not earmarked for any appointment in the present emergency.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements have been made to reinforce local troops from the United Kingdom in case of emergency in the Ethiopian-Somaliland border dispute.

For reasons of security I cannot disclose information of the kind asked for, but I assure the hon. Member that such a possibility has not been overlooked.

asked the Secretary of State for War what payment is made to men liable to be called up as Emergency Reserve, Category II, from the time of the cessation of National Service to the time of call-up.

National Service men posted compulsorily to the Army Emergency Reserve Category II for their part-time service receive normal pay and allowances when called up for training. Those who become volunteers can qualify for training bounties.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that senior serving British officers fraternised with and publicly eulogised convicted German war criminals at the Afrika Korps reunion on 29th September last; and if he will make a statement thereon, including what steps he proposes to take to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

I am aware that certain senior officers of the British Army attended the fifth reunion of the Afrika Korps at which the President of the union, the former Field Marshal Kesselring, was present. No speeches were made by any member of the British Army. I do not consider that it would be in the interests of Anglo-German relations for officers to boycott these reunions when invited as guests.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the 381,325 shaving brushes, 168,000 hair brushes, 986,375 safety razors and 4,075,000 razor blades offered at the auction sale at Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, on 16th and 17th October, were sold; what was the total amount realised ; and how this compares with the cost of purchase.

423,625 shaving brushes, 205,450 hair brushes, 986,375 safety razors and 4,075,000 razor blades were sold and realised £18,466. The exact cost of these items, which were all bought before the end of the war, is not now known; but the amount received was about a third of the prices current in 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give an estimate of the cost to his Department of increasing the pay and allowances of Regular Service men and reservists by 60 per cent. as has been recently done in the case of Her Majesty's judges ; and whether he will take the necessary action to implement this increase.

The answer to the first part of the Question is at present about £40 million a year to increase pay and marriage allowance for the Regular soldiers and recalled regular reservists alone. The answer to the second part of the Question is No. There is no relationship between Army pay and the salaries of judges which, until the Judges remuneration Act of 1954, had remained unchanged since being reduced in 1832.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will make a statement about the proposed free trade area between the six member countries of the Coal and Steel Pool and other members of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation ;(2) if he will make a statement concerning his talks in Washington with Commonwealth Ministers about Her Majesty's Government's views on tightening economic links with Europe.

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the Answer given to Question No. 10 last Tuesday by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in regard to the European free trade area into which Her Majesty's Government is contemplating entering, what arrangements are contemplated for permitting the freer movement of labour from country to country within the area; and what safeguards are envisaged for our armament producing industries so as to enable the United Kingdom to defend itself in case of another European war.

Under the proposals which are now being considered arrangements for the movement of labour would remain within the control of the individual Governments. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's reply to him on 25th October.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the current rate of duty levied by the United Kingdom on imports of cotton yarn and cloth from countries included in the proposed free trade area, and also the corresponding rates levied by these countries on imports from the United Kingdom.

I would refer the hon. Member to the last part of the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 25th October.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the Anglo-Czechoslovak trade talks.

A Trade Arrangement was signed on 22nd October and formal arrangements for trade with Czechoslovakia now exist for the first time for over two years. The Arrangement provides generally for trade until the end of 1959 but detailed quotas have been negotiated, in the first instance, only until the end of 1957. During this period Czechoslovak quotas for our exports amount to some £5½ million and we have undertaken to license up to £8 million of Czechoslovak goods apart from certain other Czechoslovak products which may already be imported under open licence. It is recognised in the Arrangement that trade need not be restricted, in either direction, to the goods and quotas provided for, and the Arrangement will not only provide new opportunities for increased United Kingdom exports but, in conjunction with two Exchanges of Notes on Financial Matters which will be published as a White Paper, will result in the resumption by Czechoslovakia of payment of compensation for the nationalisation of British property.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the request by the heavy electrical plant manufacturers to him not to publish parts of the Monopolies Commission's Report on that industry ; and to what extent he estimates that their sales to the Central Electricity Authority have been used to subsidise their export business.

My right hon. Friend is considering the requests which he has received from various quarters that if certain matters are dealt with in the Report they should be excised before publication. As regards the second part of the Question, I would ask my hon. Friend to await publication of the Report and not to draw any inference about its contents from statements reported in the Press.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to allow the Festival of Wales Committee a grant for their activities during the visit of the Empire Games to the Principality in 1958.

No. Such funds as are available to assist our tourist industry can best be expended on overseas tourist promotion and I can assure the hon. Member that the British Travel & Holidays Association will not overlook this Festival in their tourist promotion campaign for the 1958 season.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, as a result of consultations between the Iron and Steel Board, the British Iron and Steel Federation, and the National Association of Iron and Steel Holders, he has now been able to improve the supply of iron and mild steel for rural craftsmen.

The inquiry about which I informed my hon. Friend in September is not yet complete. But I understand that there has been a further increase in total supplies of the small sizes of iron and steel which are normally used by rural craftsmen.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now announce his decision in the case of Freda and Paul Oppenheimer, victims of Nazi persecution, who are claiming a release of their assets in this country.

The persons claiming the release of these assets have remained resident in Germany since the war and did not therefore qualify for an ex gratia release under the concession relating to victims of Nazi persecution. The assets have passed, with most other German enemy property, to the Administrator for distribution to British creditors of Germany and are no longer available for return. My right hon. Friend is, therefore, unable to direct their release.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now announce his decision in the case of Mr. Walter Bernthal, a victim of Nazi persecution, who is claiming a release of his assets in this country.

These assets have already been released following the owner's emigration from Germany.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will expedite discussions regarding the importation of fresh citrus fruit from the United States of America, having regard to the high price now ruling for these fruits in this country owing to shortage of supplies.

Imports of citrus fruit from the United States under Mutual Aid arrangements have been substantially greater in 1956 than last year. I can hold out no prospect of dollars being made available for further purchases, but I understand that the new season's supplies from other sources are beginning to arrive.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent pottery exports have dropped in the first eight months of 1956 compared with the first eight months of 1955 ; and what action he is taking to promote an expansion of such exports.

Exports of domestic pottery in the first eight months of this year totalled £9,709,334 as compared with £10,006,464 for the same period last year. With regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stross) on 5th July.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the restriction of shipping consequent upon the requisitioning of ships for the Suez emergency has delayed export of motorcars to foreign markets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the export particularly of cars is limited by the shortage of ships due to the Suez dispute.

It is not possible to give any precise estimate of the effect which the requisitioning and diversion of ships due to the Suez dispute has had upon the value of our exports recorded in August and September. While it appears that there has been some reduction in recorded exports as a result of these factors, the reduction is likely to have been relatively small.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in regard to the European free trade area into which Her Majesty's Government are contemplating entering, what arrangements are envisaged for either a common currency, or a definite linking of the currencies of the countries involved ; and what account he has taken of the effect that such a step would have upon that section of the sterling area which is outside the United Kingdom trade.

The currencies of European countries are already linked through the system of exchange rate parities agreed with the International Monetary Fund and through the payments arrangements of the European Payments Union. It is not necessary for the successful operation of a free trade area that there should be a common currency and H.M.G. do not contemplate taking part in any arrangements of this kind, even if such arrangements were proposed, in view of our wider responsibilities with regard to sterling. The second part of the Question therefore does not arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the economy of this country will be affected by the internal economy and conditions of the other European nations concerned as a result of the European free trade area which Her Majesty's Government are considering joining in some form; and, in order that the full extent of this may be gauged, if he will instruct our representative at the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation to obtain information as to the social services these countries enjoy and the income per capita, the weekly wages and the working hours in each country; and if he will have this information published.

The factors mentioned by my hon. Friend are only some of the many factors which are relevant to the competitiveness of British industries and hence to the effects on the economy of this country of helping to create a European free trade area ; they need to be seen in perspective against the broad background of economic opportunity which the establishment of such an area should create. The information listed is already available in published material.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the balance of earned income left after Income Tax in the year 1955 for a single man, a married man, a married man with one child, and a married man with two children, when the earned income in each case was £624.

The net income after tax at 1955–56 rates corresponding to a grossed earned income of £624 was £536 for a single man, £570 for a married man, £597 for a married man with one child and £619 for a married man with two children.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the percentage rise of tax-free undistributed profits for companies and public corporations from 1946 to 1955 ; what has been the percentage rise in the weekly earnings of all the workers in the same period; and what has been the rise, in percentage, of all the wage-earner's weekly earnings of those engaged in these companies and public corporations for the same time.

Undistributed income of companies and public corporations after taxation but before providing for depreciation and stock appreciation increased by 190 per cent. between 1946 and 1955. Over the same period total wages and salaries before tax increased by 105 per cent. and after tax by 111 per cent. Between October, 1946, and October, 1955, average weekly wage earnings (before tax) in manufacturing and certain other industries increased by 85 per cent. Separate figures for the earnings of wage-earners employed by companies and public corporations are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to introduce legislation to extend the operation of Section 53 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, to Northern Ireland in respect of war damage payments.

No. But the matter is being considered with a view to the introduction of the necessary legislation at a suitable opportunity.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost in 1955 of now filing equipment needed to house the growing records of the Civil Service ; and what is the estimated cost for 1956.

The estimated total expenditure is as follows :

asked the Chancellor of the Exhequer on how many occasions he has increased the bank rate generally and the interest rate charged on loans to local authorities in particular.

In the last five years, Bank rate has been increased on five occasions and reduced twice, while the rates of interest charged on loans to local authorities from the Local Loans Fund have been raised on nine occasions and reduced on three occasions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for an estimate of the cost to the Treasury of granting Members of Parliament a 60 per cent. increase in their salaries, as has been recently granted to Her Majesty's judges.

About £350,000 a year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the purchasing value of the £ sterling has depreciated from 20s. in October, 1951, to 16s. 5d. in September, 1956.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the White Paper on the Economic Implications of Full Employment for a detailed analysis of the reasons for the fall in the value of money since the war. The main reason, as I have pointed out many times, is that personal incomes (in money terms) have risen faster than production. The Government have made great efforts this year to bring home to both sides of industry the need for restraint. I think we shall have some success. I am glad to see that the Index of Retail Prices has remained steady since April of this year.

asked (he Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he is taking by general direction or otherwise to improve facilities for welfare workers to assist West Indian passengers on arrival at the docks and at London terminal stations.

If, as I understand, the hon. Member is referring to the facilities provided by the British Transport Commission, I am informed that the railway regional managements and the welfare organisations concerned are constantly in touch with a view to providing the best available facilities.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation under what authority his inspectors require a B licence for a person owning a saloon car and using it for hire and reward for the purposes of towing a caravan.

The Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, provides that an "A" or "B" carrier's licence is required when a vehicle which is constructed or adapted for the carriage of goods is used for the carriage of goods for hire or reward. Section 36 (1) of the Act defines the "carriage of goods" as including the haulage of goods and "goods" as including goods or burden of any description.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what was the object, and the cost to public funds, of the visit paid to Canada in August and September by members of the Committee he set up in March of this year to survey the parking position in inner London and to advise him where to establish parking meters.

The object of this visit to Canada was to enable members of the Committee to study the methods of enforcing parking meter regulations, particularly in cities where enforcement is not the responsibility of the police. The cost was £3,020.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about his recent discussions with Mr. Grantley Adams, the Premier of Barbados.

The discussions held in London with the Governor, the Premier, Dr. Cato and the Financial Secretary of Barbados on the one hand and myself and members of my Department and other United Kingdom Government Departments on the other had two objects. The first was to discuss in general terms what might be the next stage in the constitutional development of Barbados in the light both of experience since a ministerial system of government was established early in 1954 and the approaching Federation of the British West Indies.It will be recalled that the Montego Bay Conference of 1947 resolved that the political development of the several units should be pursued as an aim in itself, without prejudice, and in no way subordinate, to progress towards Federation.The talks were of an exploratory and general character and there was no question of taking final decisions either on the precise nature of changes to be made or on their timing. These matters will fall to be considered by the Government of Barbados after the general elections have taken place.The second object was to review the development programme of the Barbados Government. Previous discussions on this plan had been held in August, 1955, and in February of this year. In February the plan, which included the construction of the proposed Deep Water Harbour, involved expenditure of £8¼ million in the period 1955–1960.Since then the Barbados Government has felt obliged to expand the programme to include provision for other urgent commitments that have arisen. These include a new 500-bed hospital, additional schools to accommodate the increase in the child population and to eliminate overcrowding, new buses for the road transport service and provision for higher salaries and wages. The effect of this expansion of the programme is to increase its cost from about £8¼ million to just over £10 million.Further useful talks have taken place in London on every phase of the revised development programme. The conclusion of these further talks with Her Majesty's Government was that financial resources are available to carry out every stage of the revised development programme for 1955–1960 as planned.One important project in the plan is the expansion of Seawell Airport for which a grant of £135,000 has now been made from colonial development and welfare funds.The question whether Seawell Airport should be open to additional airlines has been discussed with Her Majesty's Government who have undertaken to consider it sympathetically. The Premier of Barbados will make a further statement within a few weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what colonial services and on what items of the loan to Kenya he proposes to save £1,250,000 in this year's Estimates.

The loan to Kenya formed part of the assistance Her Majesty's Government agreed to supply to Kenya should the need for it arise this year. After a review of Kenya's financial position it was decided that Kenya could forgo £1 million since it expects to be able to cover the costs of the emergency this year from its own resources and from the £4 million grant which Her Majesty's Government is still providing. The £250,000 reduction in other services is made possible by a reassessment of the cost of African forces this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what disturbances occurred during the strike on the Copper Belt in Northern Rhodesia; and what casualties occurred among members of the police force and supporters of the strike, respectively.

Between 11th and 17th September there were minor disturbances at Luanshya, Kalulushi, Mufulira and Ndola during which five members of the police and 40 members of the public suffered minor injuries. It is not possible to state whether the members of the public who were injured were supporters of any strike.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds the use of Community Hall in Bamanda has been refused for the purposes of a meeting on United Nations Day under the auspices of the Union of the Peoples Union of the Cameroons.

It was decided that on United Nations Day public buildings should be used only for non-party or for all-party celebrations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has considered the new Indian proposals for settlement of the Suez Canal dispute ; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave in answer to a Supplementary Question by the Leader of the Opposition on 23rd of October.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the armed forces of Jordan, Syria and Egypt are now unified under Egyptian control, he proposes to continue with the £10 million subsidy to Jordan.

The subsidy paid to Jordan by Her Majesty's Government arises out of obligations under the Anglo-Jordan Treaty. These obligations are not directly affected by the decision to form a unified command.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when it is proposed to introduce legislation to enable retrospective effect to be given to awards made by the Arbitrators to the Police Council for Great Britain.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 25th October to Questions by the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) and my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow. East (Mr. J. Harvey).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of murders known to the police in England and Wales for each month during the five years from September, 1951.

The number of murders recorded as known to the police in England and Wales during the months in question are shown in the following table :

asked the Minister of Education the total tax-borne expenditure of his Department for the last complete financial year on salaries of teachers, pensions of teachers, post-school

asked the Postmaster-General why it has taken so long to make up the wages of Post Office employees called up under the Emergency Regulations ; and what action has been taken to improve the situation.

The first step, taken in August, was the central collection and collation of necessary information as to the members of the staff called up, with particulars of their Forces pay, a process which took some time. Subsequently it was necessary to ask each individual member of the staff concerned to name the bursaries and scholarships, teachers' training colleges, institutions for higher education, day-release education, and school building, respectively.

The following table gives the latest estimates available for the financial year 1955–56.dependant who should receive the cash. By 13th October out of 622 cases all but 18, all single men, had been dealt with.

asked the Prime Minister whom he proposes to appoint to fill the vacancy on the Police Arbitration Tribunal.

I have appointed Sir Albert Day as one of the three arbitrators for the Police Council for Great Britain in place of the late Sir Richard Lloyd-Roberts.