asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what decision has been reached regarding the extension of secondary education in Gambia ; and what replies have been given to the proposals made in the memorandum submitted to him by the Gambia Democratic Party.

The Gambia Government have decided to set up an independent co-educational secondary school, into which will be merged the secondary schools now run by Missions agreeing to participate. The Government have undertaken that in implementing the scheme they will take into account the proposals made by the Gambia Democratic Party, which differ from their own only on points of detail. I am therefore asking the Governor to inform the party in these terms.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies under what authority two new airfields are to be built in Sierra Leone ; what is their purpose : and what is their cost.

No new airfields are contemplated. With the authority of the Sierra Leone Government airstrips for light aircraft have been constructed by diamond interests for their own use at Kenema and Yengema.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what decisions have been reached regarding a new constitution for Sierra Leone.

As has recently been announced, I have approved the Sierra Leone Government's proposals for a new and enlarged Legislature to come into being early next year. The new House will have a Speaker and will consist of 4 official and 2 nominated members, 39 directly elected members, and 12 Chiefs selected by the District Councils. The elections will be on a revised and broad franchise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many African students in Nyasaland gained the Cambridge School Certificate in 1955; and what further training in employment they have taken.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans are proposed for the exploitation of uranium found in Nyasaland in the recent geological survey.

A mining company has been granted a concession to prospect for radio-active minerals in the Tambani area of Nyasaland, but it is too early yet to indicate whether the occurrence will be large enough to warrant commercial development.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations have been received from representatives of the political parties in British Guiana regarding the proposed changes in the Constitution.

Representations made to the Governor of British Guiana have been on the grounds that the proposed number of elected members should be increased and also that the Constitution suspended in 1953 should now be restored.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of electors in each constituency represented in the Legislative Council of the Bahamas.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Bahamas House of Assembly and not to the Legislative Council, which is the nominated Upper House of the Colony. I am asking the Governor for this information and will write to the hon. Member on receipt of his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what Ministers have been appointed in Trinidad and to which parties they belong, following the recent General Election.

Ministers in Trinidad are not appointed but are elected by the Legislative Council. Below is given, with a description of their offices, a list of the recently elected Ministers, all of whom are members of the People's National Movement :

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that despite agreement to employ a secret ballot, voting by a show of hands was used in the recent Kano Town Council elections ; and what action he is taking to investigate the complaint of the Northern Elements Progressive Union in this matter.

I have called for a report from the Acting Governor of the Northern Region and will write to the hon. Member when I receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action has been taken in respect of the Alhaji Kabiru, younger brother of the Emir of Kano, who, when holding high office in the native authority police force, was convicted of intending to cause grievous bodily harm and has now been appointed District Head of Taura.

I have asked the Acting Governor of the Northern Region for a report, and will write to the hon. Member when I receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the ban has been imposed by the Sokoto Native Authority in Nigeria on the holding of election meetings by the Northern Elements Progressive Union ; and if this is with his approval.

The Sokoto Native Authority rejected, on grounds of public order, an application by the Northern Elements Progressive Union to hold a week of meetings and processions in a single constituency where no candidate from this party was standing. The party has been readily granted permits for meetings elsewhere in Sokoto Province. My approval was not required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the negotiations between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Malta, regarding financial assistance.

Discussions were held in London with the Maltese Prime Minister between 22nd and 24th October about the provision of United Kingdom aid for the current Maltese budget. The discussions were facilitated by certain interim recommendations of the Economic Commission, which is now preparing a report relating to the current financial year. I hope to be able to make a full statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what wages are paid to labourers employed on the sugar estates in Mauritius ; what facilities are provided for them to gather fodder from the estates for their cattle ; and what access trade union officials are allowed to the estates.

The wages of daily rated field labourers—including a cost of living allowance of 46 per cent.—range from 2s. 10d. to 5s. 5d. for men and from 2s. 2d. to 2s. 9d. for women.When fodder is available regular employees may collect it on most estates without payment : only rarely is a nominal charge made.Under the terms of an agreement between the Amalgamated Labourers Association and the Sugar Producers Association, accredited officials of the Association have free access to the estates to collect subscriptions provided notice of the visit is given. Such officials may also meet and address their members on estate premises—excluding factory and fields—provided that permission has first been given by the estate manager.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what constitutional changes are proposed in Gibraltar.

I announced certain changes in the Constitution of Gibraltar in my reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Essex, South-East (Mr. Braine) on 27th July, and the Order in Council implementing these changes have now been made. I have nothing further to add to that statement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will make a further statement about the Royal Marine Barracks, Chatham.

I hope that the site on which these barracks now stand can be used for a new combined Dockyard Technical College and Apprentices Training Centre. There is a proposal to provide funds in the coming financial year for the necessary design work and the preparation of detailed plans.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the expenditure that has been incurred on H.M.Y. "Britannia" this year up to 30th September ; what is now the weekly cost of maintaining the ship ; the weekly wage bill ; how many men are now on the ship ; the total expenditure on the ship up to date ; and what proposals he has for economy.

Expenditure incurred on Her Majesty's Yacht "Britannia" this year up to 30th September, is approximately £90,000 ; the average weekly cost of maintaining the yacht over this period is £2,600, and the weekly wage bill amounts to £3,800 including victualling. Her present complement is 22 officers and 257 ratings. Total expenditure on the yacht up-to-date is about £2½ million, including her construction costs. The need for economy is kept constantly in mind and every opportunity is taken to keep costs to the minimum.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) how many naval reservists have been recalled and how many time-expired men retained, during the present emergency ;(2) what arrangements have been made to give leave to reservists and time-expired men now serving.

No naval reservists have been recalled. Time-expired naval ratings and Marine other ranks on Special Service engagements have been retained in service, and the number so retained now amounts to about 1,200. These men are still entitled to leave under the normal regulations, but it is being considered whether the circumstances justify the grant of any additional leave.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the expenditure he has incurred on naval preparations in connection with the Suez Canal dispute ; and what he estimates is now the current weekly expenditure.

The extra expenditure incurred by the Admiralty in connection with the Suez Canal dispute up to 30th September was about £425,000. The extra weekly expenditure is at present about £15,000.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to provide an improved postal service in the W.C.2 area to remedy the complaints which have already been sent to him in this connection.

While some measures have already been taken to improve the postal services in the W.C. district, particularly with regard to the recruitment of additional staff, I fully recognise the existence of the difficulties to which my hon. and gallant Friend has drawn my attention. We are considering further special measures which may, we hope, assist in their solution. I will write to him as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the Louth Rural District Council have asked for a transmitter to be built on the banks of the Humber, because of the poor wireless reception in north Lincolnshire ; and if he will give this scheme his support as a matter of urgency.

I am aware of the request of the Louth Rural District Council : but the provision of additional medium-wave transmitters would interfere with present services. The answer to this problem is in V.H.F. working, and a V.H.F. station at Holme Moss, which is expected to provide the Louth area with satisfactory reception of all three sound programmes, will open before the end of the year.

asked the Postmaster-General if the location of a transmitter for commercial television has yet been approved for South Wales ; and which channel has been allocated for the transmission.

Yes ; at St. Hilary Down, Glamorgan. We propose to allocate Channel 10, but we are awaiting final clearance with the Continental Administrations concerned.

asked the Postmaster-General why the British Broadcasting Corporation, contrary to the terms of its Charter, allows gramophone records, books, and films to be advertised on the Home and Light Programmes ; and what payment is received by the British Broadcasting Corporation in respect of these advertisements.

I am advised that the B.B.C.'s practice in respect of gramophone records, and of book and film reviews is not contrary to the terms of the Corporation's Charter or its Licence and Agreement. These broadcasts do not constitute commercial advertisements, and the Corporation receives no payment.

asked the Postmaster-General what loans have been made to the Independent Television Authority under Section 12 of the Television Act, 1954.

Advances so far made total £555,000.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is satisfied that the Independent Television Authority is in a financial position to carry out the duty imposed upon it by Section 3 (1) (b) of the Television Act, 1954 ; and if he will make a statement.

This matter is under consideration in connection with a proposal by the I.T.A. that a grant to them under section 11 of the Television Act should be provided for in the 1957–58 Estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for Air on whose authority the decision was made for the Royal Air Force Vulcan bombers to use London Airport as the return base on 1st October ; by whom the reception arrangements were made ; and if he will make a statement.

As I explained last week in a Written Answer to Questions about the accident to this aircraft, it would not be appropriate for me to make a statement until my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation has completed his investigation. I can say however that as is customary on such occasions the arrangements for the use of London Airport and for the reception were made by my Department in consultation with the airport authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what consultation took place between his Department and the Hawker Siddeley Group before the latter issued their statement on 1st October as to the cause of the accident to the Vulcan bomber.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the new basis on which local overseas allowances have been recently introduced in Germany, following the withdrawal of Deutschemark support costs, is causing much unfavourable comment amongst Royal Air Force personnel in Germany ; if he is further aware that these new rates show a difference of 4d. a day as between warrant officers, flight-sergeants and sergeants, but that as between sergeants, corporals and below, the difference rises to 3s. 10d. a day ; that all ranks have to pay the same, and increasing, Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes' prices ; and how far it is his intention that a sergeant should be enabled to maintain his family at a higher standard of living, in respect of local overseas allowances intended to cover extra living costs abroad, than a corporal or below.

I consider it appropriate that a sergeant should be enabled to maintain a higher standard of living for his family than an airman of lower rank.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has any statement to make about pay for members of the Royal Air Force serving in Australia.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that the British airmen serving at Maralinga, Australia, get a local overseas allowance of 3s. 9d. per day, whereas the Australian forces working side by side are paid a remote area allowance of 17s. 6d. per day ; and if he will lift the local overseas allowance at Maralinga nearer to the Australian figure.

The local overseas allowance paid to airmen serving in Australia, including those at Maralinga, ranges from 3s. 9d. to 8s. 3d. a day (tax free); while the sterling value of the remote area allowance payable to Australian personnel is about 14s. a day, subject to tax. The difference between the two allowances, which are not strictly comparable, is in consequence less than the hon. Member suggests. I am nevertheless keeping the position under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the expenditure he has incurred on the Air Force preparations in connection with the Suez Canal dispute ; and what he estimates is now the current weekly expenditure.

The extra cost up to 30th September was about £650,000. The extra weekly cost is at present about £20,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the present procedure for inquiries into aircraft accidents gives the impression to the general public that the Service has something to hide ; and whether, in the interests of the Service and of the public, he will consider reviewing the procedure to allow for inquiries to be public, except when matters of security are involved.

I have nothing to add to the statement which my hon. Friend made on this subject in the course of the debate on the Adjournment last Wednesday.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement upon the new Anglo-Irish Agreement upon Civil Aviation.

Yes. As was announced at the beginning of September, agreement has been reached with the Government of the Irish Republic on the revision of the Air Services Agreement with that country signed in 1946. Under the revised Agreement, British European Airways and some independent companies will be able for the first time since the war to operate scheduled services to and from the Irish Republic.I have already sent the hon. Member a summary of the main provisions of the new Agreement. The full text of the Exchange of Letters, which brought the revised Agreement into force, will be published shortly as a Command Paper. In the meanwhile, I am arranging for copies to be available in the Library.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what effect the new Anglo-Irish Agreement upon Civil Aviation will have upon the development of civil flying in Wales.

Under the revised Agreement, U.K. airlines will be able to operate services on three new routes between Wales and the Irish Republic and to supplement Aer Lingus' existing service on the Cardiff-Dublin route. The new routes are Haverfordwest-Dublin, Cardiff-Cork and Haverfordwest-Cork ; the introduction of services to Cork must, however, await the construction of a new aerodrome there.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what decision he has made with regard to the application of the British Overseas Airways Corporation to buy Boeing jet aircraft from the United States of America ; what is the total amount of dollars involved in connection with this proposed purchase ; what import duty will be included in the purchase price for such aircraft and spares ; and if this aircraft type has a British certificate of airworthiness.

In answer to the earlier parts of the Question I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, East (Sir R. Boothby) and the hon. Member for Feltham (Mr. Hunter) on 24th October. The question of import duty does not arise at this stage, and the answer to the last part of the Question is "Not yet".

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the representations which have been made to him by the Guild of Air Traffic Control Officers concerning the need for improved methods of air traffic control in Great Britain.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. P. Williams) on 24th October.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether the study of present methods of air traffic control has now been completed ; and when more up-to-date systems will be introduced so as to eliminate the dangers and delays arising from existing methods of control.

May I refer the hon. Member to the full statement, with which I am in complete agreement, made on 24th October by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air in reply to the Question put by the hon. Member for Belfast, East (Mr. McKibbin).

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what are his plans for the future of Belfast Airport.

I am investigating the possibility of using Sydenham as the airport for Northern Ireland instead of Nutts Corner. Considerable problems are, however, involved and until I have gone into them, I cannot state my plans for the future of Belfast Airport.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware that the handling of air line passengers is made slower and more costly by his regulation that a list of passengers must be carried ; and whether, in view of the abandonment of this regulation by European countries, he will take the same step in the United Kingdom.

The carriage of a list of passengers by aircraft engaged in international navigation is a requirement of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation which is binding on all Contracting States. Many European States have ceased to require copies of the passenger list to be presented to public authorities and consideration is at present being given to a similar step in the United Kingdom as regards flights to and from the Continent.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many casualties have occurred during any convenient recent 12 months from accidents involving goods vehicles carrying non-fare-paying passengers to and from places of work ; and whether he is satisfied that regulations governing the use of goods vehicles for that purpose are sufficient to protect such passengers.

The only figures available relate to the three years ending 31st July, 1954, and show that on the average during that period 20 persons were killed annually and 440 injured in 322 accidents of this type in Great Britain. I do not think there is sufficient evidence to justify any additional regulation but I shall keep the matter under observation.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the desirability of limiting as far as is practicable in present circumstances the import of fuel oil, and the desirability of not adding further to the volume of diesel fumes in the congested London area, he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission to disallow the decision of the London Transport Executive to spend over £10 million on the purchase of diesel buses in substitution for existing electric trolley buses worth approximately £20 million.

No. The additional consumption of diesel oil will be comparatively insignificant.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why he has decided to remove the speed limit on the Derby-Macclesfield road from its junction with Kingsway to its junction with Prince Charles Avenue ; why he has further refused to impose a speed limit on the Derby-Macclesfield road from Prince Charles Avenue to Radbourne Lane as requested by the Derby Borough Council ; and whether, in view of the dangers on the road and the strong local feeling on the matter, he will reconsider these decisions.

As I have explained to the right hon. Gentleman, the decision to remove from the first length the speed limit automatically imposed on it by the recent installation of street lighting, and not to impose the limit on the second length which is unlighted, was based on the knowledge that neither length is in a recognisably built-up area and that a speed limit would not add to safety on the road.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the increase in deaths and injury in road accidents in Leicester ; and what steps he proposes to take in order to deal with the situation.

Casualties in Leicester for the first eight months of this year totalled 1,360, with 19 fatalities, which compares with a total of 1,379, with 22 fatalities, for the corresponding eight months of last year. In built-up areas generally throughout the country the increase in road accidents over this period was of the order of 5 per cent. I am glad to say that Leicester has an active Road Safety Committee, which is playing its full part in the promotion of road safety in the city and, in particular, is co-operating fully with the Ministry in the "Mind that Child" autumn safety campaign.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation particulars of the anti-crash helmets for motor-cyclists approved by his Department.

I am at the moment consulting interested parties about the regulations to be made under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act, 1956, prescribing standards for protective helmets for motor-cyclists. My present advice to motor-cyclists is to wear helmets bearing the British Standards Institution "Kite" mark.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many merchant ships have been taken over by the Services during the present emergency ; and what is the weekly cost.

50 merchant ships are under requisition at a weekly cost of about £400,000.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the numbers of driving licences which have been temporarily or permanently revoked for the latest available year ; and what proportion of these was due to drunken driving.

21,262 holders of driving licences were disqualified during 1954 by the courts in England and Wales. 2,723, or just over 12½ per cent., of these were disqualified following on a conviction for driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle while under the influence of drink or drugs. Comparable figures for Scotland are not available.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation particulars of the five major road projects to which he is giving first priority, and indicate which of the projects are to be new roads and which are to be improved roads.

I give below descriptions of five road projects to which I attach special importance. In so far as they are not already included in the programme, these schemes will be added as soon as the country's economic and financial position allows sufficient funds to be devoted to road improvements. The schemes are as follows :

1. An improved trunk road from London to the north-east based on the present Great North Road. Many improvements on this road are already in progress and others are being prepared.

2. A new motor road from London to the north-west, the first part of which will be the motor road from north London to the south-east of Birmingham. It is hoped to complete this section by 1960. It will be followed by the motor road from north of Birmingham to Lancashire, linking up with the Preston By-pass (on which work has already started).

3. Improvements of the two existing trunk roads from London to the south-east, bypassing the Medway Towns (A.2) and Maidstone and Ashford (A.20).

4. A road from the Midlands to South Wales, including the new Ross Spur motor road from Upton-on-Severn to Ross and substantial reconstruction of the existing Heads of the Valleys Road between Abergavenny and Hirwaun. Also a new motor road from Upton-on-Severn to the outskirts of Birmingham.

5. A road from London westwards to London Airport, the West of England and South Wales.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what specific surface his Department recommends for repaired roads ; and what is the colour.

No surface or colour is specifically recommended. There exists a wide range of well-tried materials, many of them covered by British Standard Specifications, but the choice for any particular work must take into account site and traffic conditions and the possibility of using suitable local materials.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will issue a list showing the estimated dates on which the 68 road construction

ROAD PROGRAMME
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATES OF SCHEMES ALREADY BEGUN OR EXPECTED TO START BY 31ST MARCH, 1957
Schemes started in 1955
Bridges :				Estimated completion date
	Conway Bridge, Caernarvonshire	…	…	October, 1957
	Langstone Bridge, Hayling Island, Hampshire	…	…	December, 1956
London and approaches :
	Cromwell Road Extension	…	…	December, 1959
Urban Schemes :
	Bridgwater, inner relief road	…	…	September, 1957
	Lincoln, bridging of Pelham Street level crossing	…	…	March, 1958
	Warrington, bridging of Wilderspool level crossing	…	…	August, 1957
Trunk Road Schemes :
A. 1.	Browney Bridge to Farewell Hall, Durham ; diversion and dual carriageway	…	…	June, 1957
A. 5.	Markyate, Herts., by-pass	…	…	May, 1957
A. 6.	Cavendish Bridge, Derbyshire ; reconstruction	…	…	March, 1957
A.20.	Ashford, Kent, by-pass	…	…	July, 1957
A.40.	Oxford to Islip turn ; widening	…	…	October, 1956
A.52.	Borrowash to Sandiacre, Derbyshire ; widening	…	…	June, 1957
A.57.	West Drayton, Notts.; diversion	…	…	March, 1957
A.69.	Newcastle City boundary to Throckley ; widening	…	…	December, 1957

Schemes started January-June, 1956
Bridges:
	Runcorn-Widnes Bridge, Lancashire-Cheshire	…	…	December, 1959
London and approaches:
A.12.	Newbury Park Station, Essex, bridge reconstruction	…	…	March, 1958
A.40.	Western Avenue, Middlesex, dualling Victoria Road to Park Royal	…	…	October, 1957
Urban Schemes:
	Manchester, Western Road, Wythenshawe, new road and bridge	…	…	April, 1957
	Plymouth, Eastern approach road, Gasking Street-St. Andrew's round about	…	…	December, 1958
	Southampton, inner ring road	…	…	December, 1957
	Swansea, East Side Approach Road, Vale of Neath railway bridge	…	…	June, 1959
	Swansea, Neath Road, reconstruction of Wychtree Bridges	…	…	December, 1959
Trunk Road Schemes:
A. 1.	Stamford to Kesteven boundary, Rutland ; improvement	…	…	January, 1958
A. 1.	Gosforth to Gosforth Park, Northumberland ; widening (completion)	…	…	June, 1958
A. 6.	Preston by-pass (motorway)	…	…	June, 1958
A.23.	Handcross, Sussex, by-pass	…	…	December, 1958
A.34.	Stratford Road, Shirley, Warwickshire ; widening	…	…	July, 1957
A.34.	Stafford-Strongford Bridge (Part I), Staffs., second carriageway	…	…	March, 1957
A.45.	Ryton-on-Dunsmore to Coventry, Warwickshire, second carriage way	…	…	June, 1957
A.59.	Liverpool-Aintree Road, Lanes.; improvement	…	…	May, 1957

Schemes expected to start by 31st March, 1957
Bridges and Tunnels:
	Dartford-Purfleet Tunnel, Kent-Essex	…	…	1962
	Barton High Level Bridge, Lanes	…	…	December, 1959

Yes. The following is the information :

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, in view of the growing increase of vehicles on the roads, what change there is to be in the Government's road development plans.

I intend to add a number of important schemes to the present programme as the country's financial and economic progress enables more funds to be devoted to road improvements. The standards of construction adopted allow for anticipated increases in traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the progress made in carrying out the expanded roads programme ; what changes he proposes to make in it ; and to what extent it is proposed to extend it.

In the period from 1st April, 1955, to 30th September, 1956, schemes costing the Exchequer some £37 million have been authorised, and work has actually begun in the same period on more than 1,500 schemes costing about £26½ million. These figures include Scotland up to 31st March, 1956, but not subsequently.The programme is proceeding broadly on the lines of the announcements already made but there are many other important schemes which I intend to introduce as the country's financial and economic progress enables more funds to be devoted to road improvements.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he has noted the view of the Road Research Board that the present road programme is out of scale with need and has no hope of even keeping pace with the large increase in the number of vehicles ; and, in view of this, what steps he is taking to remedy the situation.

I have noted the Board's Report and what they say about the present road programme. The Government have in hand the largest programme which in their view is possible in present economic circumstances. As and when conditions allow I intend to expand the programme to include many further important schemes.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what extra road and parking space is to be made available when the proposed new buildings round Piccadilly Circus are erected.

The future improvement of Piccadilly Circus is being considered, but it is too early to say what extra road and parking space will be available.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will replace all "Go Slow" with "Stop" signs at major roads.

No. "Halt at Major Road Ahead" signs, which carry a penalty for disobedience, are used only at junctions where the driver's view into the major road is restricted and it is essential for all traffic from the side road to come to a standstill before emerging on to the major road. If more widely used, their effectiveness and their value as a safety measure would decline.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the criticism of the proposal contained in the draft Traffic Signs (Size, Colour and Type) Regulations and General Directions for separate signs to denote school and children, and of the designs themselves ; and what action he proposes to take to meet the objections.

There have long been different signs to denote "School" and "Children," although both have used the same torch symbol. The circumstances in which "School" and "Children" signs are used are different and, although there have been criticisms, I think it appropriate that the signs should also be different.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he proposes to make the Traffic Signs (Size, Colour and Type) Regulations and General Directions ; from how many organisations he received comment ; how many comments were received ; and how many were acted upon.

I hope to make these regulations early in the New Year to come into effect at the same time as Section 35 of the Road Traffic Act, 1956, which modifies the relevant law. Fifty-six organisations were consulted and more than two hundred suggestions received, about a third of which I intend to adopt.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in carrying out the proposed improvements to Western Avenue, a pedestrian subway is to be built at Medway Junction.

This will depend on whether difficulties in locating the approach ramps to a subway can be overcome. I do not yet know if that will be possible, but a design is being considered.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether a flyover will be incorporated in the northern approaches to the reconstructed Albert Bridge.

As my hon. Friend will be aware, the preparation of a scheme for reconstructing Albert Bridge is a matter for the London County Council in the first place. I will ask them to consider whether a flyover should be included at the northern end of the new bridge.

asked the Minister of Defence the total of additional military expenditure arising from actions of Her Majesty's Government following President Nasser's decree for the nationalisation of the Suez Canal Company.

I would refer to my reply on Wednesday, 24th October, 1956, to the hon. Member for Sparkbrook (Mr. Shurmer).

asked the Minister of Defence if, in view of the reference of the Suez dispute to the United Nations, Her Majesty's Government will now release from the Armed Forces the reservists recalled during August.

No.

asked the Minister of Defence (1) whether he will allow one Christmas parcel, up to three 1bs., to be sent free of postage to all Service personnel on Christmas Island ;(2) if he will allow one Christmas parcel, up to three 1bs., to be sent free of postage to all Service personnel outside the United Kingdom.

As announced on 11th October, the concession by which next-of-kin may send a Christmas parcel up to 3 1b. in weight by air post free to Service men in Korea and Japan will be repeated this year. The Government have carefully considered extending this concession to other Service men overseas, but have decided that in present circumstances it cannot increase in this way the already substantial cost of postal concessions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made to the French authorities about the case of two British touring motorists, Mr. D. H. Walters and Mr. G. A. Smith, who were arrested at gunpoint, manhandled, charged with attempted murder, and held for five days in solitary confinement in Dijon Prison on the ground that they failed to stop when signalled to by a policeman ; about the fact that they were not permitted to contact Her Majesy's Consul-General at Lyons ; and asking why the French authorities did not notify Her Majesty's Consul-General at Lyons immediately, as required to do under Article 25 of the Anglo-French Consular Convention of 31st December, 1951 ; what reply he has received to these representations ; and what steps it is proposed to take to ensure that British subjects, when touring in France, are not subjected to similar treatment.

Her Majesty's Embassy in Paris has made representations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, drawing their attention to the breach of Article 25 of the Anglo-French Consular Convention which provides that Her Majesty's Consular officers shall be informed immediately by the appropriate local authorities when any British subject is arrested in France. The Embassy has asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their observations on this case but so far no reply has been received.The case against these two men was not only that they failed to stop when signalled to do so, but that they nearly ran over a gendarme, drove at excessive speed and resisted arrest. Before the trial a charge of violence was substituted for that of attempted murder.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he proposes to take to secure the enforcement by Ethiopia of the agreement granting grazing rights in the Haud area to tribes from British Somaliland.

On 24th October my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies assured the House that Her Majesty's Government will do everything in their power to maintain the provisions of the Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement, 1954. To this end consultations are proceeding between the British liaison officer in the Haud and the local Ethiopian authorities. It is my earnest hope that these consultations will lead to a clearer interpretation of the Agreement, particularly in so far as the grazing rights of tribes from British Somaliland are concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what protection is afforded to British subjects and British protected persons in Ethiopia.

The jurisdictional rights of British subjects and British protected persons in Ethiopia are regulated by an Agreement signed by Her Majesty's Government and the Ethiopian Government in Addis Ababa on 19th December, 1944. In practice consular protection is afforded to our subjects under the normal provisions of international law. The rights of British protected tribes who enter the area defined by the Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement, 1954, for the purposes of grazing fall into a separate category and are regulated by that Agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now propose to the Governments of the United States of America and of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics that separate discussions should take place on the limitation of nuclear tests outside the context of a disarmament convention.

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend to the right hon. and learned Gentleman on 24th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what grounds the representatives of the United Kingdom voted in favour of the French resolution on the future status of Togo-land, at the last meeting of the United Nations Trusteeship Council, in view of the objectives of the trusteeship system of the United Nations.

The French resolution asked the Trusteeship Council to appoint observers to supervise the referendum to be held in French Togo-land. The United Kingdom Representative supported it so that, as the French wished, the United Nations should have an impartial report on the proceedings of the referendum.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will give an assurance that he will not take any action to decontrol rent-restricted premises until such time as he has abolished industrial derating.

I have still nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Allaun) on 23rd October.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in his proposed legislation dealing with the abolition of rent control, he will take such action as to ensure that profits are not made at the expense of tenants by landlords ; that any proposed increases shall be used in improving the property ; and that profits recently made by property companies and others on the Stock Exchange shall be taken over by the Government to finance a new housing drive.

Perhaps the hon. Member will await the submission of the Government's proposals to the House.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent delays in obtaining his Department's approval of tenders are affecting Cardiff's house-building programme.

I am not aware that Cardiff's house-building programme is at all affected by any delay in the approval of tenders, but if my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of any cases he has in mind, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will explain in detail how the ceiling price for council house tenders is arrived at.

The ceiling price for local authority house tenders is designed to ensure that local authorities do not pay more than a fair price for the houses they build. It is derived from a critical examination of actual prices submitted by local authorities, and is kept under review. In considering tender prices, account is taken of any abnormal factors affecting the cost of a scheme.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the cost of building a three-bedroom council house in 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, and 1956, respectively ; and what was the cost to the local authority in borrowing these sums of money for each of the years quoted from the Public Works Loan Board, on the assumption that they repaid capital and interest charges back over sixty years.

The information asked for is as follows :

THREE-BEDROOMED COUNCIL HOUSES
First quarter in each year	Average cost of tender approved	Interest and repayment charges on average costs
	£	£	s.	d.
1951	1,304	46	19	11
1952	1,380	63	15	5
1953	1,385	64	0	0
1954	1,378	60	15	5
1955	1,402	61	6	7
1956	1,448	82	16	10

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether his attention has been called to the fact that a reduction or remission of rates has already been refused for 103 sets of almshouses in England ; and whether, when further revising the rating laws, he will consider this matter with a view to ensuring rating exemption for such establishments.

I have seen a newspaper report to this effect. Almshouses are protected against any increase in rates this year. What has presumably been refused is a reduction of this year's rates below the level of last year's. I have already undertaken to present the facts about the rating of charities and similar bodies to Parliament in due course so that it may be seen whether any further action needs to be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many reservists recently called up were employed in the coal mining industry ; and how many of them were released immediately they had reported for duty.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the written answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Morpeth (Mr. Owen) yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for War what emoluments are received by reservists during the period when they are not serving in an active capacity with the Regular Army.

Regular reservists receive from 1s. to 2s. a day according to their section of the Reserve. Members of the Emergency Reserve do not receive Reserve pay but some volunteer members receive annual bounties of between £9 and £50, according to their category and length of service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the increase in the valuation assessment of the Manchester waterworks undertaking.

As the assessments for years both before and after revaluation are under appeal, it is not yet possible to say what increase there will be, if any.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement concerning the financial agreement between the United Kingdom and India.

Yes. The following statement is being issued today in Nw Delhi and in London :

"The Financial Agreement between the Governments of India and the United Kingdom dated 20th July, 1953, expires on 30th June, 1957. The purpose of that Agreement was to regulate the release of sterling from the balances that had been accumulated by India during the war period.

The Government of India and the Government of the United Kingdom having consulted together, consider that no grounds exist which make it desirable to replace the current Agreement on its expiry by a fresh one and its provisions will accordingly lapse on the due date. The expiry of this Agreement does not in any way affect India's right and competence to draw upon her sterling balances. Nor does it affect the position in regard to the treatment of remittances of savings and the voluntary repatriation of investments by United Kingdom citizens as secured by Section 3 of Article VII of the Agreement. This position is in accord with and follows from the policy of the Government of India on this subject as enunciated in their resolution No. 1 (3)-44 (13)/48 dated 6th April, 1948, and in the statement made by the Prime Minister in Parliament on 6th April, 1949. It is the intention of the Government of India to continue their present policy in this respect."

asked the Minister of Supply what proportion of the 5,350 serving officers and men seconded to the Ministry of Supply belong to each of the three Services ; and how many of them are concerned with the supply of aeroplanes or guided missiles.

Of the 5,320 Service officers and men serving in the Ministry of Supply on 1st October, 359 were seconded from the Royal Navy, 1,622 from the Army and 3,339 from the Royal Air Force. Some two-thirds of these officers are concerned with the development, testing and supply of aircraft, aircraft equipments and armament, and guided weapons.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of infected frozen whole eggs have been brought to his notice during the past twelve months ; and what steps are taken under the Food and Drugs Act to reduce the danger to the public from this source of infection.

During the twelve months to the end of September, 1956, 563 samples were reported by the Public Health Laboratory Service to be infected. As regards the steps taken to reduce the danger to the public health, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) on 29th October.

asked the Minister of Labour what principles determined the appointment of the numerical strength of the trade organisations on the Mantle and Costume Wages Council.

In this as in other Wages Councils the aim was to secure that the employers' side had amongst its members one or more with special knowledge of each main section of the trade, of different types of establishment and of the principal areas in which the trade is carried on. The Minister is required by the Wages Councils Act, 1945, to consult organisations which appear to him to represent employers. Nominations are called for from such organisations, but each member is appointed as an individual and not as a representative of any organisation to which he may belong.

asked the Minister of Labour what is his latest information about the decline in the labour force and the extent of short-time working in the pottery industry compared with a year ago.

The number employed in the manufacture of china and earthenware fell in the year ended August, 1956, from 76,700 to 70,200. In the same period the number working short-time, according to returns received from employers, rose from 310 to 8,872. Reports from my local offices indicate some decrease in short-time working between the end of August and the middle of October. The number employed at the end of September will be known in a few days' time, and I will let the hon. Member have this information when it is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members he appoints to each of the milk marketing boards in Scotland ; how many of these are consumer representatives ; and if he will give the names of the present holders of these appointments.

I have appointed two members to each Board. They are :1.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further arrangements he is making to review the policy of his Department regarding overseas trade fairs and exhibitions.

I have asked my right hon. Friend the Minister of State to act as Chairman of a Committee to advise me on this matter. The following gentlemen have generously agreed to serve on the Committee :

• R. P. S. Bache, Esq.
• J. E. C. Bailey, Esq.
• W.B. Beard, Esq., C.B.E.
• Sir Ernest W. Goodale, C.B.E., M.C.
• John McLean, Esq., C.B.E.
• F. Rostron, Esq.
• Sir Cecil Weir. K.C.M.G., K.B.E., M.C., D.L.
• W. J. Worboys, Esq., B.Sc, D.Phil.

In addition, the Foreign Office, Commonwealth Relations Office and Board of Trade are represented by senior officials on the Committee, which recently held its first meeting.