asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the proposed reduction in the size of Her Majesty's forces, he will review arrangements for the compassionate release of men serving in the Royal Navy, including the case referred to him by the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East.

All requests for release on compassionate grounds are considered on their individual merits; such decisions are not affected by general considerations about the size of the Navy. No application has yet been received in the Admiralty from the rating about whom the hon. Member wrote to my right hon. and noble Friend. A report has been called for, and my right hon. and noble Friend will write to the hon. Member as soon as this has been received and a decision given.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) if he will give consideration to reconstituting the anti-submarine squadrons of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Air Branch; and explore means of reorganising them as an active aerial force so that their skill and enthusiasm are not lost to the nation;(2) if he is aware that there is disquiet over the decision to disband the Air Branch of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve which seriously impairs the anti-submarine defence of this country; that the skill of the air crews in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve anti-submarine squadrons is equal to that of regular Royal Naval squadrons; that they are able to master modern aircraft during week-end training; that their loss to national defence will be incommensurate with a maximum saving of £2,500,000 a year; and if he will forthwith revoke the decision.

My right hon. and noble Friend is aware that there is disappointment about the decision to disband the Air Branch of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. The Air Branch had been built up to become a fully competent part of our naval air power, and we acknowledge the enthusiastic and unreserved support which has been given to it by all volunteer officers and ratings. But the decision to disband the Branch, which the Admiralty reached with extreme reluctance, was only taken in the interest of the replacement and re-equipment of the Fleet as a whole within the limited Navy Votes. My right hon. and noble Friend regrets that he is unable to reconsider this decision.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when he proposes to present a Supplementary Estimate for the £17,000 cost of supplies and services provided to the French Navy recently engaged in Middle East operations, in view of the fact that the application of this sum has not yet been authorised by Parliament; and how he proposes to set off the refund from the French Government.

As the hon. Gentleman will be aware from the explanations in Navy Estimates, the Appropriation-in-Aid subheads make provision for receipts from sales of this nature and no special significance attaches to this transaction. The Supplementary Estimate for Navy Services generally which will shortly be presented will of course seek Parliamentary sanction for the appropriation of all extra receipts, including those arising from this particular service.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to make a statement on his recent discussions with the various organisations representing the road transport industry, in connection with petrol rationing.

Following meetings I had with representatives of the Road Haulage Association, the Traders Road Transport Association and the National Conference of Road Transport Clearing Houses on 8th, 9th and 10th January, respectively, I set up a National Consultative Committee to advise me on the working of the rationing system for goods vehicles. The Committee includes representatives of the road, rail and inland waterway carriers, of coastal shipping and of the trade union side of the road haulage industry.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he has taken to ensure adequate supplies of petrol to long-distance road hauliers handling pottery goods, in cases where such goods cannot be handled by the railways without grave risk of damage or likelihood of delay.

The Regional Transport Commissioner for the West Midland Area has recently authorised increased allocations to hauliers, including those handling pottery goods. I understand that he is keeping in close touch with this industry.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many identical letters he has sent to hon. Members in reply to their representations about petrol supplies for individuals and firms.

I have received, studied, and answered as yet some 400 letters about petrol sent to me by hon. Members on behalf of their constituents. It was clear from much of the correspondence that many constituents would be greatly helped by a reply explaining carefully the rationing system and the appeals machinery. I sent in this way 108 similar letters.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware that the businesses of Hose-craft and Durawear shoe repairs, owned by Mr. R. W. Sharman, 1584, Pershore Road, Birmingham, 30, need 615 gallons of petrol to operate normally for four months; whether he is aware that the allocation of petrol he has made is only 25 per cent. of this figure, and will cripple the business; and why he is forcing a 75 per cent. economy on this business when he aims, nationally, at saving 25 per cent.

Mr. Sharman has received 320 gallons of petrol in his basic and supplementary ration combined. This is more than half of his normal requirements. If Mr. Sharman is still in difficulty he should appeal to the Regional Transport Commissioner. I have asked all Commissioners to give particular attention to applications involving livelihood or the continuity of a business.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why furniture distributors in the London area have been allocated 70 per cent. of their normal petrol requirements, whilst distributors in North-West England and in Scotland had their requests for increased allocations rejected on 14th January.

Generally speaking, the allocation of petrol to furniture distributors in the Metropolitan area is of the order of 60 per cent. of normal requirements. Since the middle of January, Regional Transport Commissioners in the North-West and Scotland and elsewhere have been reassessing all cases which come to them on appeal.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will now state the fuel allocations to be made available to public service vehicle operators for the next rationing period, commencing 8th April, 1957, having regard to the present allocation of 50 per cent. of normal usage, and the special need for such operators to be fully informed as to fuel that will be available to them for long distance coach traffic during the summer holiday period, for express services, excursions, tours, and similar peregrinations.

I am very conscious of the need of bus and coach companies to be able to plan their summer operations and I will let them know how they are likely to stand as soon as it is practicable to do so.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether road accident investigation officers have now been appointed to all the offices of divisional road engineers; and if he will describe briefly the duties of such officers.

Yes. The main task of these officers will be to give all possible assistance to highway authorities in identifying, and helping to secure the right treatment for, accident "black spots".

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what improvement has taken place in the speed of traffic through Central London since petrol rationing was introduced.

There has undoubtedly been a material increase in the speed of traffic in Cenral London, but figures on which to base a reliable comparison are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is yet able to authorise the resumption of driving tests on a limited scale for persons who have to be able to drive for business purposes.

My examination of the arrangements necessary for a resumption of driving tests on a restricted scale is not yet completed, but I hope to be in a position to make a statement in about a week or so.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action he proposes to take on the suggestion made to him by the Lindsey and Holland Rural Community Council, that special licences should be issued to permit the use of country carrier vehicles to carry goods and provide transport for not more than twelve fare-paying passengers.

It is already possible for licences to be issued for a vehicle to carry both goods and passengers and I do not think it necessary to introduce a special licence.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is now in a position to say whether he has approved the scheme, submitted to him as far back as November, 1956, by the Transport Commission, which deals with increase in pensions of those who were transferred to the Commission on vesting day.

No such scheme was submitted to me in November, 1956, or subsequently. As I informed the House on 28th March, 1956, the British Transport Commission introduced from 1st April a further scheme of supplements for superannuitants. This scheme did not require my approval.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many bus services have been completely eliminated in Scotland as a direct consequence of petrol rationing.

So far as I am aware, none.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to state the number of men lost at sea from trawlers during each of the five years before inflatable dinghies became compulsory and the number lost since; and if he will make a statement on the general usefulness in practice of inflatable dinghies.

Twenty-three men were lost at sea from trawlers and other fishing vessels in 1951; 27 in 1952; 62 in 1953; 44 in 1954 and 79 in 1955. Last year not a single life was lost as a result of a casualty to a fishing vessel. Inflatable life rafts saved the complete crews—57 men—of four of the vessels that were lost. There is no doubt that many of these men would have drowned but for the use of this valuable equipment.In October last I made Regulations requiring the carriage of these rafts in all fishing boats from 50 ft. to 145 ft. in length. I am now preparing additional Regulations to require their carriage in fishing vessels over 145 ft., most of which are already voluntarily equipped with them, and I am discussing with the shipping industry proposals for extending their use in merchant ships.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he has considered the report on the loss of the fishery protection vessel "Vaila"; and if he will consider making it obligatory to fit all lifejackets with whistles, and with torchlights similar to those used at sea during the war.

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland stated in a Written Answer on 22nd January, a public inquiry into the loss of life from the "Vaila" is expected to take place in the near future. I must await the findings of the court.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is satisfied that recruitment of civil air crew is adequate to meet demand in the near and further future; and what steps he is taking to safeguard this position.

A prospective shortage of pilots, which had been foreseen, now seems likely to develop rather earlier than expected and I am examining, with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air, what steps can be taken to ease the position. I shall also be discussing the subject next week with the Chairman of the Air League of the British Empire who has raised it with me.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that there is now no British operator flying a regular all-freight service across the North Atlantic; that under present arrangements a British nationalised air corporation acts as sales agent for a United States private enterprise operator; and what steps he has taken to revise the policy which has led to this position.

It is true that there is no British regular all-freight service across the North Atlantic, but this is not a matter of Government policy. The North Atlantic route is highly competitive and any United Kingdom operator, including B.O.A.C. can, if they wish, apply for permission to operate regular freight services.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made with the earth walls to baffle noise at London Airport; and whether he will give an approximate date of the completion of the earth walls.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made with the earth walls to combat noise at London Airport.

B.O.A.C. has built two earth banks on the eastern boundary of its maintenance area and has agreed to extend these banks in step with the gradual development of their area. Negotiations have been opened with the Middlesex County Council to acquire the land for this extension. Discussions are also proceeding with the various airline operators as to the best layout and use of earth banks in the No. 2 Maintenance Area on the south-western perimeter. I shall be able to estimate the date of completion of the scheme for this area as soon as a satisfactory plan has been agreed, and planning is going ahead as rapidly as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress he is able to report in the negotiations between the British Overseas Airways Corporation and de Havillands for the construction of an aircraft sufficiently flexible to meet its needs, and command a ready sale in world markets; and whether he will make a statement.

An aircraft was evolved by de Havillands to meet a specification provided by B.O.A.C. for a pure jet all-purpose aircraft which could serve both the North Atlantic and Eastern Hemisphere routes. Unfortunately, the prospects for sale overseas of this aircraft do not appear to be promising and there is no advantage in producing an aircraft which would be used by B.O.A.C. only. B.O.A.C. is accordingly discussing with de Havillands and with a number of other companies alternative possibilities, including that of producing an alternative aircraft not designed for non-stop Transatlantic operation which may have more of a world-wide appeal.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of reduced traffic through motor fuel rationing, he will request highway authorities to accelerate road maintenance, so that its effect on traffic will be reduced after the end of fuel rationing; whether he will make available such increased grants as are necessary for this purpose; and whether he will advance the date of notification to highway authorities of grants to be authorised to enable highway authorities to make best use of the time available.

I am sure that highway authorities may be relied on to take whatever advantage they can of the reduction in traffic to carry out road maintenance more conveniently, though their ability to do so may be limited by a number of factors. All the funds voted by Parliament for maintenance and minor improvement grants this financial year have already been allocated to highway authorities. I will notify highway authorities of their allocations for next year at the earliest practicable date.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware that on Cromwell Road extension there is a difference in the levels of the carriageways of Middlesex County Council and the London County Council where they meet at the boundary, causing a serious jolt to vehicles passing over; how this occurred; and what steps he will take to remedy it.

A slight difference in levels developed where the concrete carriageway in the London County Council area joins the flexible pavement in the Middlesex area. This was due to a settlement of the flexible pavement, which has now been put right.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to state the number of child pedestrians killed, child pedestrians injured, adult pedestrians killed and adult pedestrians injured, respectively, and similar information concerning child and adult cyclists, for the period of the Mind that Child campaign, the three months ending 30th November, 1956, together with comparative figures for the corresponding months of 1955.

The numbers of casualties reported by the police were as follows:

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress is being made in the consideration of the removal of speed restrictions on main highways out of London.

Proposals for an experimental 40 m.p.h. speed limit on certain sections of main roads leading out of London are now being examined by the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made in the provision of a rail-link between the centre of London and London Airport.

The committee set up by the British Transport Commission to study this matter is now considering the interim report of the survey carried out by consulting engineers.

asked the Prime Minister what instructions he has given to Ministers and junior Ministers regarding the use of Departmental facilities for dealing with their constituency activities.

I have been asked to reply.This is a matter which has always been left to the good sense and judgment of Ministers.

asked the Paymaster-General, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what is now being done to use nuclear power in ships and other forms of transport.

With regard to the use of nuclear power in ships, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Test (Mr. J. Howard) on 23rd January. The application of nuclear power to road vehicles or railway locomotives is not practicable at present. Nuclear propulsion of aircraft also presents considerable difficulty, but preliminary studies have been made and there have also been discussions with industry on the subject.

asked the Paymaster-General, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will state the gap in costs indicated by the recent conference of the United Kingdom Atomic Research Establishment, Harwell, between the nuclear propulsion of ships and the methods now in operation; and what is now being done to make nuclear propulsion of ships commercially attractive.

My noble Friend has been informed by the Atomic Energy Authority that investigation of nuclear propulsion of ships is still in too early a stage for the gap in costs to be estimated; but the main purpose of the work that is being done is to find a method which will make the nuclear propulsion of ships commercially attractive.

asked the Paymaster-General, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what machinery exists whereby there can be a regular interchange of information between British and United States scientists in the development of the peaceful uses of atomic energy, so as to avoid duplications of effort and waste of scientific manpower.

The agreement between the United Kingdom and United States Governments for co-operation on the civil uses of atomic energy provides for the exchange of information over a wide field. This is effected through the regular transmission of reports between the United States Atomic Energy Commission and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, and by frequent exchanges of visits by experts of the two countries. In addition, the Atomic Energy Authority maintain a Scientific Liaison Office in Washington and the Atomic Energy Commission has recently established a similar office in London. Opportunities for the exchange of information also result from the participation of the United Kingdom and the United States in international conferences and in the work of international bodies concerned with atomic energy.

asked the Paymaster-General if he is now in a position to make a further statement about the expansion and acceleration of the Government's atomic energy programme.

No. The review of the programme about which the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Warbey) was informed on 17th December, 1956, has not yet been completed.

asked the Paymaster-General the amount of petrol allowed for private-hire cars.

The maximum allowance for chauffeur-driven hire cars provides about 1,300 miles of motoring a month. Following are the amounts of petrol for different sizes of car:

asked the Minister of Defence whether he is aware that recruits reporting for National Service who are persuaded to enlist for three years lose, by so doing, their rights of reinstatement in civil employment, secured to them under the National Service Acts; whether he will ensure that this is made clear to such recruits; and whether he will also introduce legislation to give equivalent protection to those enlisting for such extra service.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend is aware that the position of these men is as stated by the right hon. Gentleman. Every man registering for National Service is handed a Ministry of Labour leaflet (N.L. 2) which makes it clear that if he undertakes a voluntary engagement in lieu of National Service he loses his statutory rights to reinstatement. It is not proposed to introduce legislation on this point.

asked the Minister of Defence how many members of Her Majesty's Forces are at present stationed in Jordan; and for what period they are to remain there.

I have been asked to reply.There are about 2,000 British Service men at present stationed in Jordan. As regards the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Attercliffe (Mr. J. Hynd) on 23rd January by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he is aware that large German armament orders have been placed in Britain; and what effect these are likely to have on the time-table for the re-equipment and modernisation of our own forces.

I have been asked to reply.Negotiations for the sale of various kinds of military equipment to Germany are going on, but few firm orders have been received so far. Neither these nor those in prospect will adversely affect our own orders.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will initiate a meeting of Commonwealth Defence Ministers prior to major cuts in United Kingdom defence commitments.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend will certainly ensure that Commonwealth Governments are kept informed of developments in our defence policy and consulted on matters which affect them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why he instructed our representative at the United Nations to vote in favour of a Resolution requiring Israel to withdraw behind her 1948 boundaries; and whether he will now support the Israeli proposals for the future control of the Gaza Strip and the Gulf of Aqaba.

In answer to the first part of my noble Friend's Question, I would refer to the replies I gave on 28th January to the hon. Member for Blackley (Mr. E. Johnson), the hon. and gallant Member for Arundel and Shoreham (Captain Kerby), and the right hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell). As regards the second part of the Question, in so far as the Israeli proposals differ from Her Majesty's Government's policy as explained in the replies quoted, I cannot undertake to support them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that responsible sections of the Gaza inhabitants have given intimation that they would welcome the continuation of Israeli administration in that strip of territory; and if he will take steps, through Her Majesty's Government's representative at the United Nations organisation, to support this proposal there.

I have heard more than one view expressed on this subject and the one which I believe would command the greatest support is that the administration should be provided by the United Nations. This is the view favoured by Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many lire paid as compensation to British subjects under the Anglo-Italian Peace Treaty are at present held in blocked accounts in Italy; and what restrictions the Government imposes on the use of these funds by the owners in Italy.

It is not possible to quote figures in respect of lire compensation held in blocked accounts in Italy. Claimants were under no obligation to present their claims through Her Majesty's Government and many were presented direct to the Italian Government. Compensation is paid direct to the claimant.Under Article 78 of the Treaty all compensation is payable in lire in Italy and is made subject to the current exchange control regulations in force in that country. Up to the present these regulations have not permitted transfer across the exchanges.As with British-owned assets in other countries, owners of blocked accounts in Italy require the approval of the British Exchange Control Authorities before using these funds. The latter are prepared to allow such funds to be used in certain ways, such as for holidays.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the decision of Her Majesty's Government to take steps to intensify collaboration with Western European countries in various fields, what steps it is proposed to take to improve the information services from Great Britain to the countries concerned in that area.

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster with the assistance of the Departments concerned is examining the Oversea Information Services generally with a view to recommending ways in which they might be improved or in which the balance of effort might be adjusted between different areas of the world and different forms of activity. The services to Western Europe will be examined in the course of that review.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are taking regarding the Conventions of the Council of Europe on establishment and on the exchange of war cripples for purposes of medical treatment, respectively.

Her Majesty's Government deposited their instrument of ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the exchange of war cripples for purposes of medical treatment on 13th July, 1956. Her Majesty's Government have not yet ratified the Council of Europe Establishment Convention. The text was laid before the House on 10th January as Command 41.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with respect to the implementation of the claims concerning the right of individual petition and the jurisdiction of the court in the Convention of the Council of Europe on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Her Majesty's Government do not propose to make the optional declaration provided for in Article 25 of the European Human Rights Convention concerning the competence of the European Human Rights Commission to receive individual petitions. Nor do Her Majesty's Government propose to make a declaration under Article 46 of the Convention accepting the compulsory jurisdiction of the proposed European Court of Human Rights.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures are being taken by the Governments of Uganda, Tanganyika, Kenya, Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland to educate the African population in the meaning and procedure of elections.

The information, which varies from territory to territory, is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government or the territorial Governments of the territories concerned to meet the shortage of doctors in British Guiana, Jamaica, Trinidad, Dominica, and other West Indian territories.

Except for specialist posts, there are only a small number of vacancies for doctors in the medical departments of the British Caribbean territories which I have been asked to fill. These vacancies are advertised in the professional journals and every effort is made to fill them. Local Governments are themselves trying to fill some other vacancies. The expansion of medical departments in the Caribbean is closely related to the development of the territories' resources on which their maintenance depends. The expansion of the teaching facilities for medical students at the University College of the West Indies to meet estimated long-term needs in the area is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much agricultural land has been bought by the bauxite companies in Jamaica; what controls are imposed by the authorities to prevent exploitation of the farmers by middlemen; and to what use the land is put which is alienated from farming.

The companies own or have an option to purchase about 135,000 acres of land in Jamaica, much of which is not suitable for cultivation. They have themselves taken steps to check the activities of middlemen, some of whom have bought from small cultivators for resale to the companies, and no Government action in this respect is contemplated. Land not used for mining or related activities is either used for farming or forestry by the companies themselves or rented out to tenants to farm.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of child workers employed in industrial and other undertakings in Singapore; and what are their conditions of employment.

101 child workers are registered for employment in industrial undertakings and 158 children or young persons are licensed to take part in public entertainments. The number employed in other undertakings is not known, but the minimum age for all these forms of employment is 12 years. The conditions governing child employment are laid down in the Labour Ordinance, 1955, and Cap. 128 of the Revised Edition of the Laws of Singapore, 1955, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what efforts are being made to protect the interests of British employees of the City Council of Singapore who are being replaced by local men; and if he will make a statement.

The Singapore City Council has not yet put forward any proposals for the replacement by local men of expatriate officers on the permanent staff.Employees of the council are not members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service and my right hon. Friend cannot, therefore, assume responsibility, should the situation arise, for securing any agreement on compensation terms. He would, however, be very ready at the right time to use his good offices to that end.

asked the Secretary of of State for the Colonies the number of Africans in Northern Rhodesia who are serving on the Police Advisory Board, the Special Committee and Commission for Natural and Historical Monuments, the Factories Ordinance Advisory Board, and the African Housing Board.

One African is serving on the African Housing Board, none on the Police Advisory Board, the Natural and Historical Monuments Commission or the Factories Ordinance Board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will take steps to prevent a repetition of the experience of an African member of the Northern Rhodesian Legislative Council who was not allowed to have his meals in the Rutland Hotel, Ndola, when he visited the Copperbelt recently as a member of a Select Committee to take evidence.

I am consulting the Governor and when I hear from him will circulate a reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the plans of the Northern Rhodesian Government for rural development to be financed by the loan from the Rhodesian Selection Trust; what additional personnel will be employed; where they will be recruited; and what funds will be used for the payment of their salaries.

The loan from the Rhodesian Selection Trust will form part of the funds allotted for capital expenditure on African rural development, particularly in the Northern Province.The plans include major development area schemes, focused on country market towns; planning of these continues and a representative of a firm of consultants is now in Northern Rhodesia to advise on the economic aspects of the plan.The objects of other schemes include the encouragement of house-ownership by a loan scheme; a community centre, near Kasama; hydro-electric schemes for the Kasama and Abercorn areas; clearance of a water-route through the Baugweulu Swamp and the provision of suitable craft to operate on the route; the Kalungwishi Barrage intended both to improve the Mweru fish production and inundate a breeding ground of red locust: major advances in the field of education including teacher training establishments at Serenje and near Monze, and a trade school near Kasama; and expansion of the Peasant Farming Scheme.At this stage of planning the additional personnel required. cannot be clearly estimated, but they will be recruited both locally and in the United Kingdom as required. Any permanent civil servants will be paid for from the territorial revenue; staff on special contract or on projects put out to contract will be paid for from capital funds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has reached a decision regarding the develop- ment of new sugar estates by Tate and Lyle Limited upon African reserve land at Gwembe, Northern Rhodesia; and what discussions have been held by the Protectorate Government with the Northern Rhodesian African Advisory Council in this matter.

The matter is still very much in the exploratory stage and no decisions have yet been reached. On 14th June, 1956, the African Representative Council adopted a resolution recommending that because of shortage of land the development of a sugar growing scheme in the Gwembe district should not be undertaken. Assurances were given by the Government that the land involved was unoccupied and was not required for resettlement. Should firm proposals involving the use of native reserve land in the area be made, they would be the subject of consultations with the Gwembe Native Authority, including the possibility of devising an African cultivator's Scheme on co-operative or peasant farm lines.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many African co-operative officers, and from which territories, were invited to attend the conference of the Northern Rhodesian Department of Co-operative Societies and Marketing which was held in Lusaka from 10th to 13th December, and to which the heads of the co-operative and marketing departments in Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland were invited for the first time.

Four African members of the Northern Rhodesian Department itself attended this purely departmental conference. The heads of the Southern Rhodesian and Nyasaland Departments were invited as guest speakers, but the latter could not attend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a further statement on the Government's plans and proposals for bringing peace and tranquillity to Cyprus.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the progress of discussions about Lord Radcliffe's constitutional proposals for Cyprus.

I would refer the hon. Members to my right hon. Friend's statement in the House on 19th December and to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on 23rd January to a Question by the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) about progress towards securing agreement on the constitutional proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the proposals for constitutional reforms have now been received from Tanganyika; and when they will be published.

The Committee appointed to consider proposals for the inauguration of elections to the Legislative Council has reported and its recommendations are now being considered by my right hon. Friend in consultation with the Governor.The Tanganyika Government intend in the near future to publish the Report and submit draft electoral legislation to the Legislative Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of children in British Guiana, of all races, between the ages of five and 15 years; and the number of school places available to them.

The number of children in the primary education range, which is from 6 to 14 years of age, is estimated at 102,000. At present, there are 84,000 places, excluding private schools.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what percentage of the electorate of British Guiana is illiterate;

The percentage of illiteracy is estimated at 20 per cent.-25 per cent. of the electorate.The proposal to discard the 1953 mode of taking ballots is in accordance with the recommendations in the Report of the Constitutional Commission, 1954, which found that there were grave doubts about the secrecy of the ballot conducted under that method.I cannot agree that the new system, which is in line with common practice in other Caribbean territories, is more likely to confuse illiterate voters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the proposed uniform tariff for the Central African Federation will deprive the Nyasaland Government of its present tariff rebate; what proportion of that rebate is at present devoted to African welfare in Nyasaland; and whether steps are being taken to replace from other sources the loss to African welfare.

If a uniform tariff is introduced, the existing tariff rebate to the Nyasaland Government will fall away entirely. Over the last two years the rebate has been estimated at £330,000. About £107,600 is used to offset the suspension of the motor spirit sales tax in Nyasaland and so benefits, directly or indirectly, all communities. The balance is used for capital projects directly benefiting the African community. No decisions have been taken yet about financing projects of this nature in the future but these will naturally be considered in relation to the territory's general financial position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what decision the Nyasaland Protectorate Government have made regarding the provision of land for sites for secondary industries in Blantyre and Limbe.

Adequate provision has been made for sites for secondary industries in the Blantyre—Limbe area. An area of public land has been reserved for light industries which is now partly developed and another area for heavy industries, which already contains a cement factory, has also been reserved. In addition, a large block of privately owned land in Blantyre is now being developed for light industrial purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what negotiations have taken place between the Government of Sierra Leone, the Columbia-Southern Chemicals Company, and British Titan Products Limited on the development of Sierra Leone's rutile deposits.

Preliminary negotiations have taken place in Sierra Leone and London on the terms whereby rutile deposits in Sierra Leone might be jointly developed by these two companies, but agreement has not yet been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will consider the appointment of an African from Sierra Leone as commissioner for the territory in the United Kingdom.

Under present arrangements the Commissioner for Sierra Leone in the United Kingdom is also Commissioner for the Gambia. His appointment is entirely a matter for those Governments.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will consider the fuel needs of pensioners during the winter months and give them additional assistance for this purpose.

My right hon. Friend has nothing to add to his Answers on the 3rd and 10th December with regard to the rate of retirement pension.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which commodities from which territories at present enjoy special preferences as a result of the colonial waiver under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

Advantage has been taken of the procedures provided by the colonial waiver to increase the preferences on bananas and lime oil. The increases apply to the whole Commonwealth and should benefit in particular the West Indies and Nigeria.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, when he expects to receive the report of the committee which he appointed to investigate the relationship between alcohol and road accidents.

Research on the effect of limited quantities of alcohol on skill in driving motor vehicles is being carried out under the aegis of a committee appointed jointly by the Medical Research Council and the Road Research Board. A report on the work is at present being prepared, with a view to publication by the Medical Research Council.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that packing stations are not able to fulfil their obligation to collect eggs at least once a week as a result of the petrol shortage; and whether he will lift the embargo on farmers selling eggs direct to shops in order to allow housewives to obtain British eggs that are as fresh as the Danish eggs.

My information is that packers generally are maintaining weekly collection of eggs with the co-operation of producers some of whom are arranging to take their eggs to central collecting points. I am maintaining a close watch on the frequency of collections and I am not satisfied that any relaxation of the provisions of the Eggs Order is required.If my hon. and gallant Friend cares to let me know of any individual producers whose eggs are being collected at fortnightly intervals, I will do my best to see that more satisfactory arrangements are made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is yet able to make a statement on the application of the proposed farm improvement schemes to particular types of agricultural buildings, including those whose construction is urgently needed before next harvest.

Following the issue of the White Paper on Long Term Assurances for Agriculture (Cmnd. 23), the Government have had further consultations with representatives of farmers and landowners and have also had discussions with the professional bodies concerned with agriculture. It is now proposed, subject to Parliamentary approval of the legislation, to provide grants which will, except where grant is also obtained from other sources, be at a flat rate of 33⅓ per cent.There are still many details to be worked out; but, subject to the general conditions of eligibility which were set out in the White Paper and which will be incorporated in the necessary legislation, the grants will cover a series of farm improvements which will, in the first instance, be on the following lines:

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement on the future of No. 30 Maintenance Unit, Stoke Heath.

As explained in my hon. Friend's letter of 24th January to the hon. Member, we do not at present contemplate any further major changes in the functions of the unit at Stoke Heath.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when he proposes to present a Supplementary Estimate for the £56,000 cost of supplies and services provided for the French Air Force serving in Cyprus or proceeding to Israel or engaging in Middle East operations, in view of the fact that the application of this sum has not yet been authorised by Parliament; and how he proposes to set off the refund from the French Government.

The Air Estimates for 1956–57 include provision for supplies and services to be made available to other Governments on repayment and for money received from those Governments to be credited as Appropriations in Aid. A Supplementary Estimate will only be necessary if the sums provided in the original Estimates should prove insufficient to meet expenditure incurred in the year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education what has been the net increase in the total number of qualified teachers during 1956; and how this compares with previous years.

The increase in the number of qualified teachers in maintained primary and secondary schools (excluding special schools) in the years ended March, 1954, and March, 1955, was 5,738 and 6.442 respectively. I regret that no later figures for qualified teachers, as distinct from all teachers, are available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education what has been the increase during 1956 of qualified teachers of mathematics and science; and how this compares with previous years.

Of the qualifications for teaching mathematics and science, the only one which can be readily identified is a university degree. The following are the figures of increase in the number of mathematics and science graduate teachers in recent years:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education the number of comprehensive secondary schools in existence in England and Wales; what proportion of the school population attends them; and the range in size of such schools.

In January, 1956, there were 31 comprehensive schools in England and Wales, containing 1·2 per cent. of the pupils of secondary school age attending maintained and assisted schools. On that date the largest had 1,669 pupils and the smallest, apart from one or two schools which had opened recently and contained younger children only, had 576 pupils. During 1956 six further schools were added, for which detailed statistics are not yet available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education to state in terms of denominations concerned the capital cost of school building of voluntary schools completed in each year since 1947, inclusive, and the amount of Government grants paid under Sections 102, 103, and 104 of the Education Act,

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that as from August some 400 London taxi-cab owner-drivers will be out of work for no reason other than that their taxi-cabs will be over ten years old, and will thus be refused permission

Following is the information:to ply for public hire; and taxi-cab No. HYL 614, Police Badge No. 994, is in perfect condition mechanically and otherwise; and if he will so amend his regulations as to permit all such taxi-cabs which are roadworthy in all respects other than under the 10 year age qualification, to ply for hire until they are judged to be unroadworthy mechanically.

Under the London Cab Orders, 1934 and 1955, the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis is empowered to refuse a cab licence if a cab does not conform to the prescribed conditions of fitness and is not fit for public use. The practice of the Deputy Commissioner is to have a special inspection made when a cab is ten years old, but such inspection does not involve automatic condemnation. A cab which is more than ten years old may be re-licensed if the inspection shows it to be still reasonably fit for public service. Incidentally the number of cabs involved is 140 and not 400.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants are on the waiting list for telephones in the City of Aberdeen; and what steps he is taking to supply them all with telephones.

One thousand and four, of which about half are in hand. Additional cables and equipment are being provided and it is hoped to instal about 1,500 telephones in the city this year.