asked the Postmaster-General what improvements have now been made by way of increased staff and counter space at the Weoley Castle, Birmingham, sub-post office; and to what extent this has reduced waiting and complaints.

The counter extension which I promised the hon. Member on 11th July has been completed. I understand that there is no undue waiting at this office and we have received no complaints about the service there. It has not been necessary to provide any additional staff.

asked the Postmaster-General what arrangements he is making for Christmas parcels and mails for the troops serving in Egypt and the Middle East.

Full advantage is being taken of all available methods of sending air and surface mail to these forces and I have every hope that all mail posted by the latest advertised times will be delivered by Christmas Day.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many vehicles there were on the roads in 1938 and 1955; how many he estimates there will be in 1956; and to what extent this latest estimate shows an increase on previous estimates.

The numbers of motor vehicles with licences current at the end of August were 2,987,470 in 1938; 5,859,349 in 1955; and 6,344,579 in 1956. The rate of increase over the last two years is consistent with estimates given by my predecessor.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what statistics he has as to the number of accidents involving cars driven by learner-drivers where there are other passengers in the car in addition to the instructor; and if he will publish them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I am afraid that the statistics for which my hon. Friend asks are not available.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, having regard to the national necessity for reducing petrol consumption, he will now take steps to prevent the closure of the Liverpool Overhead Railway and the replacement of it by petrol buses.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer which I have given today to a Question by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Exchange (Mrs. Braddock), on this subject.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made with the construction of the Dartford-Purfleet Tunnel.

The contractors for the main tunnel started operations last July and are at present engaged on preliminary work on both sides of the river. It is expected that the driving of the tunnel will begin in three or four months' time.

asked the Minister of Defence whether at any stage in the operations conducted by British Armed Forces in Egypt these forces came into contact with Israeli troops.

No.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will see to it that troops returning from Egypt, Cyprus or Kenya in the near future are suitably welcomed at their port of arrival in this country.

I am satisfied that my noble friend the First Lord of the Admiralty and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War have this well in mind.

asked the Minister of Defence why shipment of arms and munitions were being despatched to Egypt up to July, 1956; whether he is aware that some of these arms were used by the Egyptians against the British in the recent battle of Port Said; and whether he will take action to prevent a recurrence of this.

Until Egypt seized the Suez Canal in July the principles governing the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the export of arms to Egypt were those embodied in the Tripartite Declaration of 1950. This recognised that the Arab States and Israel should maintain a certain level of armed forces.I am aware that some arms of British origin were used, in common with much larger quantities of Soviet arms. There is now a ban on the export of arms to Egypt.

asked the Minister of Defence whether, without giving details of the types and quantity, he will state the total value in £ sterling of the arms and munitions supplied to Egypt by Her Majesty's Government from October, 1951, to 30th July, 1956.

It would be contrary to practice to give this information.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he has yet made an estimate of the number of men employed in guarding and maintaining stores on land of all kinds held as a reserve in case of a major war but which are never likely to be used in that event.

No.

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent the arms discovered in the Sinai Peninsula by the Israeli attack on Egypt differed from the quantities known to have been supplied by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to Egypt prior to 31st July, 1956.

We have no direct knowledge of the amount of arms captured from the Egyptians by the Israelis.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will make a statement on the operation in the Port Said area with particular reference to co-operation between the air and ground forces.

The operations culminating in the capture of Port Said were a notable example of co-operation between all three Services.The success of the landings depended in the first place on the establishment of air supremacy. This was the purpose of the attacks against Egyptian airfields which were carried out with great skill and accuracy by both land-based and carrier-borne aircraft.The landing was preceded by an air drop, the close support for which was supplied mainly by naval aircraft. The success of this avoided the necessity for any preliminary bombardment of Port Said. The British landing operation, which consisted of a seaborne assault by 2 R.M. commandos and the landing of a third commando by helicopter, achieved a rapid success.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps it is proposed to take, prior to the withdrawal of British forces from Egypt, to ensure the protection of British nationals and property, particularly in the Suez Canal area.

British interests in Egypt have been placed under the protection of the Swiss authorities, who are doing everything possible to ensure the welfare of British subjects, and the safety of their property, in areas under Egyptian control. This protection will be extended to that part of the Suez Canal area now occupied by British and French forces when those forces leave.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British nationals are now known to have been imprisoned, or interned, in Egypt since the present situation developed; and what action is being taken to protect their interests and secure their release.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to state the number of British subjects interned in Egypt at the present time.

460 British employees of the Suez Base contractors, and some 220 other British subjects, have been interned by the Egyptians; about fifty other British residents were arrested early in November, but it is not known whether they are still under restraint. Swiss representatives in Egypt have visited the interned men. Details of their unsatisfactory treatment were given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War on 20th November. The Swiss authorities are of course making representations to bring about an improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British nationals are still unaccounted for in Egypt; and what action is being taken to trace their whereabouts.

There are some 13,000 British subjects in Egypt. It is not possible for the Swiss representative there to check on the whereabouts and welfare of all of them, but he is making inquiries into the cases of any who, like the 460 Suez Base employees, are known to be interned or believed to be under some form of restraint.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information was supplied to Her Majesty's Government by the Israeli Government in July, 1956, concerning the amount of war material supplied to Egypt by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and her satellites; and how that information differed in degree from the information recently publicised.

Her Majesty's Government received no information from the Israel Government in July, 1956, as suggested by the hon. Gentleman. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a further statement on the dispatch of United Nations observers to Hungary.

The observers have now been appointed; there is one Norwegian, one Indian and one Colombian. The Soviet and Hungarian authorities maintain their refusal to admit the observers to Hungary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a further statement on the extent of the help, financial and otherwise, Her Majesty's Government have agreed to give to relieve suffering in Hungary.

I am glad to inform the House that Her Majesty's Government intend, subject to the approval of Parliament, to contribute forthwith £20,000 to the Austrian Government's refugee fund and £15,000 each to the two funds for Hungarian relief and refugees which have been set up by the Secretary-General of the United Nations.Together with the £50,000 already granted to the Red Cross for aid to Hungary, and £10,000 to the British Council for Aid to Refugees, Her Majesty's Government have thus contributed £110,000 directly to Hungarian relief. In addition they have incurred transport charges of some £15,000 in connection with Red Cross relief.The House may be interested to know-that the Lord Mayor's fund has now reached a total of £305,000. I understand that the Lord Mayor hopes to make an announcement very soon about the allocation of his fund.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects the Commission of Inquiry set up by the Government of Northern Rhodesia, to complete its findings upon the events leading up to the Declaration of a State of Emergency on 11th September in that Protectorate.

The decision to appoint a Commission of Inquiry into the causes and circumstances of unrest in the mining industry in Northern Rhodesia during the preceding months was announced on 11th August; the names of the Chairman and members on 20th August; the terms of reference on 7th September—all before a state of emergency in the Western Province was proclaimed on 11th September. The Commission has now completed its hearings and the Governor expects to receive its Report very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the composition of the Committee sitting under Mr. Justice Wyndham to investigate the cases of the 54 African detainees at Mumbwa Camp, Northern Rhodesia; and what are its terms of reference.

The other two members are Brigadier G. A. L. Farwell, M.C., and Mr. E. Njalamimba. The functions of the Advisory Committee are to consider and make recommendations to the Governor in respect of any objections which are duly made to the Committee by any person detained under the Emergency Powers Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the International Committee of the Red Cross has been refused access to camps in Kenya.

The Kenya Government received no request from the International Committee of the Red Cross for access to camps. If such a request were made it would be granted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons are now in custody in Singapore as a result of last month's disturbances; and if he will give an assurance that they will be brought to public trial as early as possible.

On 19th November, 322 persons remained in custody. Of these, 23 were imprisoned following conviction in court and 66 were remanded in custody and will be brought to trial as soon as possible. Of the remainder, 205 were detained under the Preservation of Public Security Ordinance and have the right of appeal to an appeal tribunal, while 28 were detained in connection with banishment proceedings and may petition the Governor in Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the circumstances which justified the use of tear gas on children in a Singapore school on 25th October and the employment, in addition, of police backed by troops.

I explained to the House on 31st October the circumstances in which it became necessary for the Singapore Government to clear the schools. Tear gas was used as being the most humane and efficient method of dispersing the students, many of whom were 20 years of age or more. The operation was completed without casualties or incidents. Troops were not used in or near the school premises, though they were standing by elsewhere to guard against further outbreaks of rioting such as had been experienced the previous evening and which later developed in many areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Nyasaland Government refused a visa to Mr. T. D. T. Banda, Secretary-General of the African Congress, to attend the Asian Socialist Congress as an observer; and why the Northern Rhodesian Government refused a passport, for the same purpose, to Mr. K. Kaunda, Secretary of the African National Congress.

All Governors have complete discretion to withhold passports or visas without stating their reasons for doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) why the Seychelles Government intend to sell the milk pasteurisation plant; and what steps are being taken to ensure the sale and consumption of clean milk;(2) if the Copra Stabilisation Fund in the Seychelles is still in being; how much has been allocated; and what is the present balance.

I have asked the Governor for reports and will let the hon. Member have the information as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why his Advisory Council for Agriculture, Animal Health and Forestry now only contains two members representing animal health as against four when it was constituted in 1929; and whether, in view of the importance of livestock in the rural economy of under-developed Colonial Territories, he will reconsider this matter at an early date.

The Advisory Council for Agriculture, Animal Health and Forestry was recently reorganised and reduced in numbers to act as a small group of experienced men to advise on broad issues of policy. The Council will turn to individual specialists for detailed advice as necessary on particular problems, including animal health questions and in these circumstances, while fully accepting the hon. Member's views on the importance of livestock in the rural economy of the Colonies, I do not consider that the Council's composition requires re-examination.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that seven separate sheets of paper had to be completed by the seller of one book, price one guinea, ordered by the Crown Agents to be dispatched to Ceylon, Indent No. 983/55–56; and why two invoices for the recipient, first advice copy with the article and second advice copy separately, an invoice, payment copy, invoice, file copy, invoice, second advice copy, invoice, copy for insurance, progress report, and certificate of posting, are all necessary to small purchases of this kind.

The seven separate sheets comprise one original invoice and six carbon copies. Of these five are normally required by the Crown Agents' principals for accountancy, Customs clearance and advice purposes. While the Crown Agents do not invariably insist on this number in the case of small orders, it would not readily be practicable to introduce special procedure for such cases into their general invoicing instructions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to state the value of imports into the Falkland Islands and their Dependencies from the United Kingdom, and all Commonwealth countries, respectively, and the corresponding figures for exports, for 1955.

£'000
—	Falkland Islands	Dependencies	Total
Value of 1955 exports, including re-exports, to:
United Kingdom	473	2,831	3,304
Other Commonwealth Countries	—	2	2
Value of 1955 imports from:
United Kingdom	389	529	918
Other Commonwealth Countries	4	14	18

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to state the number of deaths caused by terrorists in

—	Services (U.K.)	Police				Civilians				Total
		(U.K.)	(Greek-Cypriots)	(Turkish-Cypriots)	(Others)	(U.K.)	(Greek-Cypriots)	(Turkish-Cypriots)	(Others)
1955—
April	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
May	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
June	—	—	1	—	—	—	1	—	—	2
July	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
August	—	—	2	—	—	—	1	—	—	2
September	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
October	1	—	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	2
November	5	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	6
December	6	—	1	—	—	—	4	—	—	11
1956—
January	3	—	—	1	—	—	4	—	—	8
February	2	—	—	—	—	—	7	—	—	9
March	5	1	2	—	—	—	6	—	—	14
April	3	—	2	1	—	2	8	—	—	16
May	9	—	—	3	—	2	4	1	—	19
June	5	1	—	2	—	1	10	1	—	20
July	3	1	—	—	1	—	9	—	1	15
August	—	1	—	—	—	—	12	1	—	14
September	7	2	—	—	1	1	8	1	—	20
October	6	—	—	—	—	—	14	—	—	20
November (to 17th)	14	2	1	—	—	4	8	1	—	30
	69	8	10	7	2	10	97	5	1	209

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is

The figures are as follows:Cyprus for each month since April, 1955, showing Service and civilian deaths, separately.

Following are the figures of the number of deaths caused by terrorists in Cyprus for each month since April, 1955:aware that Decca Radar Limited, Maiden Way, is in breach of the Fair Wages Clause in Government contracts by reason of its failure to implement the decision of the Industrial Dispute Tribunal Award, No. 840, dated 14th May, 1956; that notice of an official dispute has been served by the Clerical and Administrative Workers Union, which has authorised its members to withdraw their labour on Monday, 19th November; what action he proposes to take in respect of existing contracts placed by the Admiralty with this firm, and in respect of any future contracts; and if he will make a statement.

I am advised that the dispute in question has now been settled. The points made in the latter part of the hon. Member's Question do not therefore arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the total value of existing contracts placed by the Admiralty with Decca Radar Limited.

It would be contrary to established practice to make public the value of Admiralty contracts held by a particular firm.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many officers and other ranks, respectively, have purchased their discharges in each of the five years to the latest convenient date.

The numbers of officers permitted to retire voluntarily and ratings who purchased their discharge were as follows:

Year		Officers	Ratings
1952	…	—*	193
1953	…	—*	279
1954	…	114	1,254
1955	…	251	1,495
1956 (part year)	…	140	749
* No statistics readily available.

In 1952 and 1953 discharge was limited to ratings with exceptional compassionate reasons. The same applied to officers, and the numbers concerned would be very small.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what British and Allied forces have been, and are now, engaged in clearing the Suez Canal.

Seven salvage vessels of various kinds, ten salvage pontoons, with the necessary supporting organisation are now at work at Port Said.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what progress has been made with the clearing of the Suez Canal.

One wreck has already been lifted clear of the proposed channel and the clearance forces are at present concentrating on making other wrecks ready for lifting. Surveys are being made of further wrecks. On shore the workshops of the Suez Canal Company are being made serviceable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will make a statement about the Government's policy for the use of the airfield at Machrihanish.

N.A.T.O. is interested in the use of Machrihanish airfield. Should it be decided that the airfield can be suitably adapted and the necessary planning clearances obtained, it would be some two years at least before any work involving the employment of local labour could be started. No Service personnel would be likely to be drafted to the airfield, at least until it has been adapted to N.A.T.O. standards, which might take a further two to three years, and then probably only during N.A.T.O. naval exercises.

asked the Minister of Health if he will exempt children, old people, the chronic sick, and victims of war injuries and industrial injuries from all charges on prescriptions.

No, but any person who, on application to the National Assistance Board, shows that he will suffer financial hardship in accordance with the Board's standards will be able to obtain a refund. Refund is made irrespective of means to any person requiring medicines for the treatment of accepted war disabilities.

asked the Minister of Supply how many of the 1,214 officers and 4,106 men, seconded to the Ministry of Supply, belong to each of the three Services.

Of the Service men seconded to the Ministry of Supply, including its outstations, 168 officers and 191 men belong to the Royal Navy; 405 officers and' 1,217 men to the Army, and 641 officers and 2,698 men to the Royal Air Force.

asked the Minister of Supply what arrangements have now been made for the construction of American-type guided missiles in this country.

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the replies given to his Questions on 27th June and 16th July last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will introduce legislation to implement the recommendation made in paragraph 94 of the Report of the Land Drainage Legislation Sub-Committee of the Central Advisory Water Committee.

The recommendations in paragraph 94 are being considered in relation to the other recommendations in the Heneage Report, and I cannot yet say whether legislation will be possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the registered producers voted at the initial poll of the British Wool Marketing Scheme.

I am informed by the British Wool Marketing Board that 75 per cent. of the registered producers voted at the initial poll.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many producers have in their possession in the United Kingdom more than 50 head of live poultry over the age of six months.

An up-to-date estimate is at present being made and I will send this information to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many registered producers were entitled to vote in the initial poll on the Tomato and Cucumber Marketing Scheme; and how many voted.

I am informed by the Tomato and Cucumber Marketing Board that 8,582 registered producers were entitled to vote at the initial poll and that 5,433 did so.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many parachutes carrying stores and equipment were dropped in the Port Said area; what was the number that failed to open; and whether he will make a statement.

Over 600 parachutes carrying stores were dropped by Royal Air Force aircraft. Accurate observation of each parachute was not possible in the circumstances but only two trailers are reported to have suffered damage on landing.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why arrangements were not made during recent operations for parachutes to be repacked at either Malta or Cyprus, thus eliminating the necessity for returning them to the United Kingdom after use.

Only repacking facilities for training are available in Cyprus. For planning purposes parachutes used in operations are deemed to be expendable.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the percentage increase in the number of insured workers in each of his Department's eleven administrative regions of Great Britain from mid-1948 to mid-1956 or to the latest available date.

The following table gives the information desired.

Percentage increase in the estimated total number of employees between mid-1948 and mid-1955.*
Region		Percentage increase
London and South-Eastern	…	7·7
Eastern	…	12·8
Southern	…	9·1
South-Western	…	5·8
Midland	…	8·9
North-Midland	…	7·1
East and West Ridings	…	2·7
North-Western	…	3·5
Northern	…	3·5
Scotland	…	2·4
Wales	…	0·9
* Figures are not at present available for any date later than mid-1955.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of arms exports of all kinds from the United Kingdom to Egypt for the twelve months, or other convenient period, prior to the date of cessation.

It is not the usual practice to disclose the total value of arms exports of all kinds to foreign countries, but certain figures covering exports of both civil and military goods are published from time to time. In the case of Egypt, the value of exports of arms, ammunition and military stores and appliances (which include sporting guns and some other non-military material) in the twelve months ended 30th June, 1956 (one month prior to the date of cessation) was £2·2 million. Exports of aircraft and parts (including civil aircraft) and of explosives (including industrial explosives) to Egypt in the same period were valued at £2·5 million and £0·6 million respectively.