asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement on the case sent to him by the hon. Member for Louth regarding an ex-Royal Air Force man who applied for a civilian job in the Royal Air Force last September and who has received no decision because his parents were Communists; and, since Communist sympathies cannot be proved against the applicant, why he cannot be given a job for which otherwise he is suitable.

I regret that we cannot employ this applicant.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to make a statement on the recent railway accident at Welwyn Garden City; and what progress has been made in fitting automatic train control equipment.

An inquiry has been held by the Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways. I am awaiting his report, but it is already clear that the express train had passed signals at danger.I gave my final approval to the automatic train control system on 30th November, and the Commission are now going ahead with its plans to provide the equipment on all the main traffic routes as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the urgent necessity for economising in the use of diesel oil, he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission temporarily to delay the further introduction by British Railways of diesel-driven units in place of coal-burning locomotives.

No. I have been in touch with the Chairman of the Commission and am satisfied that the Commission will, as far as practicable, restrict the introduction of new diesel services to those routes where improved services are urgently required.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many gallons of diesel oil for motive purposes have been allocated to British Railways for use in the first four months of this year; and how many gallons were used by British Railways in the same period of last year.

There is no formal allocation to British Railways, but the British Transport Commission estimate that their total consumption of diesel oil for motive purposes in the first sixteen weeks of this year will be approximately 11,320 tons. This compares with 7,755 tons in the first sixteen weeks of 1956, but represents a considerable saving on the consumption required to carry out the programme as originally planned.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the high accident rate, including fatalities, in the newly-developing township of Kirkby, near Liverpool, in the period since 1st January, 1957, he will order an inquiry into the position; and take the necessary steps to make those roads for which he has responsibility safe, especially for children.

I understand that the police are already investigating the accident situation in this area, and I think it is best to leave it to them and the local authority to consider what steps should be taken to improve the position. No roads for which I am the responsible highway authority are involved. My Department will, of course, give any assistance that it can.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, for the period of petrol rationing, he will take steps to extend the length of time during which a car is permitted to remain at a car park, so that those in charge of the car may not have to expend petrol on unnecessary journeys of short distances.

While I sympathise with the hon. Member's intention I do not think that his suggestion would be in the general interests of traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether a decision has yet been reached on the bridge versus tunnel controversy for the river Tyne.

Not yet; but I had a very helpful meeting with representatives of the Tunnel Joint Committee on 1st February, and I shall do my best to see that a decision is reached as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what is the position with regard to the construction of the West Drayton diversion, Nottinghamshire, part of the East Retford by-pass.

The West Drayton Diversion was opened to traffic yesterday, except that, for a quarter of a mile at the western end, only one carriageway can be used until the widening of the bridge over the river is completed. The second carriageway over the river should be available for traffic within the next three months.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the fact that a comprehensive solution to the urban traffic problems must include new roads and that the greatest benefits are likely to come from building such roads as urban motorways, he will reconsider his recent decision that at the moment the Government are not convinced that the high cost of such motorways is justified.

No final decision has been taken in this matter and the review of the national highway system which is being undertaken will include an examination of the need for, and the possibilities of, urban motorways.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the position with regard to the completion of the first part of the London to Yorkshire motorway, the second part of this motorway and the Preston to Birmingham motorway.

The scheme establishing the line of the first part of the London-Yorkshire motorway was made on 15th October, 1956. The necessary Order dealing with alterations to side roads and means of access is being published this week. Land acquisition for this section has been authorised and, provided objections can be satisfactorily dealt with, the first contract for constructional works should be let by the end of the year.With regard to the second part of the Question, I am considering the proposed line of these motorways with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Central can expect a reply to his representations about petrol allocations to the firms of Peters, Simmons, and Cowans.

I wrote to the hon. Member on 8th February about Messrs. Peters and Simmons and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Power wrote to him on the same date about Messrs. Cowans.

asked the Minister of Defence in how many cases during recent years relatives of Service men who have died overseas have paid the cost of bringing home the body; what the average cost has been; and what proportion of this cost has been payment to the service concerned for its expenses.

In 1955 and 1956 there were 94 such cases. Since the relatives normally pay the costs direct I regret that I cannot give an average figure. The Services make no charge for such incidental assistance as they provide. If the Service man has not already been given a Service funeral, a grant-in-aid of £10 is payable from Service funds towards the cost of a civil funeral.

asked the Minister of Defence what were the estimated contributions from United States aid and German support costs for 1956–57, respectively; and by what amounts, respectively, these estimates were not reached.

The estimated contributions from U.S. aid and German support costs in 1956–57 shown in the Statement on Defence 1956 (Cmd. 9691) were £50 million in each case. U.S. aid has fallen short by some £30 million but, for the reasons explained in the reply I gave the hon. Member yesterday, receipts from the Federal German Republic will roughly equal the estimate.

asked the Minister of Defence what is his estimate of the amount of aid to be received by the United Kingdom under the Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement in the current financial year.

£30 million, excluding aid in the form of finished equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the progress in clearing the Suez Canal as compared with the progress expected by using the Anglo-French salvage fleet.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given on 11th February by my right hon. and learned Friend to the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mr. P. Noel-Baker) and the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Rankin); and on 30th January by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty to the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) and the hon. and gallant Member for Poole (Captain Pilkington).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will instruct the United Kingdom delegate to the United Nations to propose that Egypt be called upon to terminate forthwith the state of war which that country claims has existed between Egypt and Israel since 1948; and to propose that a detachment of the United Nations Emergency force shall take over from the Israeli forces in the Sharm el Sheikh area, so as to ensure freedom for the ships of all nations entering or leaving the Gulf of Aqaba.

For the moment, I do not think I can usefully add to what my right hon. and learned Friend said on this subject on 11th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of repeated statements by the Egyptian Government that a state of war has existed between Israeli and Egypt since 1948, he will instruct the United Kingdom delegate to the United Nations to propose that the dispute between those two countries, with special reference to the Gaza strip and non-interference with shipping in the Gulf of Aqaba, should be reconsidered by the Security Council of the United Nations as being a more suitable body to deal with this matter than the General Assembly.

While not altogether in disagreement with the thought behind my hon. Friend's Question, my right hon. and learned Friend does not consider that, in present circumstances, it would be timely to make such proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the latest instructions given to the Secretary-General of the United Nations in regard to the situation in Egypt, Hungary, and Kashmir, respectively; what authority has been given to him to implement those instructions; and what machinery exists to supervise the way in which he interprets and carries them out.

The responsibilities given to the Secretary-General of the United Nations in respect of the Middle East and Hungary arise from the various resolutions passed by the United Nations General Assembly, of which copies are available in the Library. Thus the authority under which he carries out his duties is that of the General Assembly itself. The Secretary-General makes frequent reports to the General Assembly on the manner in which he interprets and carries out his responsibilities. The General Assembly is therefore in a position to supervise the way in which Mr. Hammarskjoeld carries out his duties. No responsibilities have been given him in respect of Kashmir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about his visit to the Central African Federation, with particular regard to proposals regarding a change of status of the Federation within the Commonwealth.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement following his official visit to Central Africa.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend and the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) on 6th February, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how far it is his policy to encourage hospital development in the Colonies on a multi-racial basis.

The development of "group" or multi-racial hospitals in the territories is encouraged so far as religious beliefs and social customs permit, but the basic aim is to produce an efficient hospital service acceptable to the inhabitants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much of the Mauritius Labour Welfare Fund has been allocated for the building of sugar estate houses for the workers; how many houses are to be built in these estate camps; and what are their rents.

£337,500 has been allocated for loans to sugar estates to assist in their housing schemes, including the construction of a model village. It is not yet possible to say how many houses will be built in the various estates. No rents are payable for any of the estate houses.£225,000 has also been allocated for housing loans to individual workers in the sugar industry and £213,652 for construction of houses under the control of the Fund Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement regarding the reorganisation of the present arrangements for looking after the interests and welfare of Mauritius students in the United Kingdom, with particular reference to the London office.

Arrangements have been recently made in agreement with the Mauritius Government for setting up a separate office in London to deal with the affairs of Mauritius students in the United Kingdom, particularly in regard to finance, personal welfare and choice of courses. This work is at present undertaken by the Colonial Office. The Mauritius Students Unit is expected to be established in its own premises and under its own Supervisor by August or September of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he intends to issue a White Paper upon proposed constitutional change in the North Rhodesian Protectorate.

As will be clear from the statement which I made on 6th February in reply to a Question by the hon. Member, I have yet to receive proposals from the Governor of Northern Rhodesia after local consultations still to take place. It is certainly too early to say whether and, if so when, it will be appropriate to publish a White Paper on this subject.

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.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 30th January, 1957: Vol. 563, c. 184–185], supplied the following further information:The Government of Northern Rhodesia are doing everything possible to reduce the likelihood of such incidents occurring. Legislation cannot of itself eliminate the possibility of such incidents, but by passing the recent Race Relations (Advisory and Conciliation) Ordinance the Government have shown that they are determined to provide a framework within which educated public opinion can work. An important step will be the constitution of Racial Discrimination Committees under the Ordinance. The Government hope that these Committees, by giving objective consideration to complaints in any such cases, will help to improve the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations he has received from the Commonwealth Press Union about the Emergency Regulations as they affect the Press in Cyprus; and what reply he has sent thereto.

Following upon a letter from the Chairman of the Press Freedom Committee of the Commonwealth Press Union which made certain criticisms of the regulations relating to the Press in Cyprus, I was asked to discuss with him the letter sent at the end of last week by the Cyprus Government to two editors in Cyprus. I agreed and have arranged for this matter to be discussed later today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will take steps to ensure that the order making the death sentence mandatory upon conviction of a Cypriot citizen convicted of carrying arms is revoked forthwith.

My right hon. Friend, who was then Minister of State for Colonial Affairs, explained the Government's views when these and other Regulations were debated on 21st December. Certain amendments to the Regulations are being carefully considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the reasons for the refusal of the Registrar of Trade Unions in Singapore to register the proposed National Union of General Workers.

Registration was refused because the proposed rules of the union did not comply with the provisions of the Trade Unions Ordinance. An appeal from this decision has been made to the Minister for Labour and Welfare.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what classes of prisoners are sent to St. Helena; and from what territory.

With the exception of three prisoners removed from Bahrain recently, no prisoners have been removed to St. Helena in recent years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further financial help Her Majesty's Government contemplates giving to the Kenya Government towards expenditure arising out of the emergency.

In consultation with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and with the Minister for Finance of the Kenya Government, I have now reviewed the Colony's financial prospects for the coming financial year.On 14th February, 1956, I told the House that for the financial year 1956–57 H.M. Government had undertaken to make available £6 million to the Kenya Government towards expenditure arising out of the emergency. This figure showed a great reduction on that for 1955–56 because of the improvement in the situation.During the current year that improvement has been steadily maintained and, as a result, it has been necessary for the Kenya Government to draw only £4 million of the 1956–57 assistance.Nevertheless, despite the steady return of law and order, it is clear that the cost of military, administrative and police expenditure and of rehabilitation for the thousands making their way from detention will continue to be too heavy for Kenya to bear by herself. Present indications show that expenditure arising out of the emergency in 1957–58 will be nearly £4½ million, towards which Kenya will be able to provide nearly £1½ million from her own resources, apart from maintaining existing services and essential development.Subject, therefore, to the approval of Parliament, H.M. Government will be prepared to provide Kenya with a further grant of £1½ million and an interest-free loan of the same amount for the U.K. financial year 1957–58. As in previous years, this assistance will be called upon only to the extent that it proves necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in each of the social, political, and economic reforms foreshadowed in the Kenya Government's 1954 statement of policy.

Details of the progress achieved so far and of their plans for the future are outlined in a document recently prepared by the Kenya Government, of which I have placed a copy in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the report of the committee appointed by the Kenya Government in 1954 to study the possibility of introducing some form of old-age security has been published; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

The report has not yet been published.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if amended legislation has been introduced in Kenya to provide for the full representation of African producers on the Coffee Marketing Board; and what is the number of African producers who are now full members of the Board.

The Coffee Marketing Board, in consultation with the Coffee Board of Kenya, are preparing, in accordance with a resolution passed unanimously at the last Annual Coffee Conference, recommendations for legislation providing full representation of African producers on the Board. Those recommendations will be considered at the 1957 Annual Coffee Conference and it is hoped thereafter to introduce the necessary legislation. The second part of the question does not, therefore, yet arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement regarding Hong Kong.

I understand that the hon. Member has in mind a report which has been circulated abroad to the effect that the advisability of returning the Colony of Hong Kong to China is being considered. I should like to make clear beyond doubt that this report is entirely without foundation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what negotiations with foreign governments are in process concerning the future of Hong Kong.

None. On this I have nothing to add to the reply which I have given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke.

asked the Secretary of State far the Colonies if a passport has now been provided to Mr. Ntumazah at Lagos to enable him to attend the United Nations; and if an identity certificate has been issued to Mr. Moumie for the same purpose.

A travel document was issued to Mr. Ntumazah on 4th February endorsed for the journey from Lagos to New York via London. A certificate of identity has not been issued to Mr. Moumie, as the issue of travel documents to him is not primarily a matter for any British authorities.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what are the numbers of chief petty officers and petty officers who signed on to complete time for pension during the year 1956; what percentage this represents of those eligible to do so; and how these figures compare with those for 1955.

Men on twelve-year engagements become eligible to re-engage for pension any time after the beginning of their ninth year of adult service and of those eligible 783 re-engaged in 1956, representing 18 per cent. The corresponding figures for 1955 were 422 or 12 per cent.However, the majority of men do not re-engage until towards the end of their engagements. Of those who completed twelve years in the course of 1956, 54 per cent. had re-engaged representing 320 men; the corresponding figures for 1955 being 49 per cent. representing 293 men.The figures include all ratings with the equivalent rank and pay of chief petty officers and petty officers—except artificers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what are the numbers of artificers who signed on to complete time for pension during 1956; what percentage this represents of those eligible to do so; and how these figures compare with those for 1955.

Artificers on twelve-year engagements become eligible to re-engage for pension any time after the beginning of the ninth year of adult service and of these 428 re-engaged in 1956, representing 17 per cent. The corresponding figures for 1955 were 320 or 12 per cent. However, the majority of artificers do not re-engage until towards the end of their engagement. Of those who completed twelve years in the course of 1956 53 per cent. had re-engaged, representing 282 men; the corresponding figures for 1955 being 51 per cent., representing 297 men.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will make a statement about the special Royal Navy reserve of men and women to supplement the regular staff handling naval affairs at Plymouth in connection with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation exercises.

The Reserve consists of a new section of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and the Women's Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve known as List "H". Its purpose is to provide a Reserve of trained men and women living near to Naval Headquarters who will be immediately available in war to assist in manning the Headquarters and will be able to assist in naval exercises by undergoing peacetime training at the Headquarters.Officers will normally be recruited for service with List H from those already in one of the various Reserves or on the Retired or Emergency Lists. Ratings will normally be recruited from persons without existing Reserve liabilities who are living in the vicinity of the Headquarters.The Reserve is now being formed initially at Plymouth and Northwood.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what arrangements he has made with the Government of the Union of South Africa regarding the future employment of the naval personnel of Simonstown base.

Naval officers and ratings employed at Simonstown will continue to serve under the Royal Naval Commander-in-Chief, at his new Headquarters at Youngsfield.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many rooms there are in Queen Anne's Mansions; how many of them are in use; and how many people regularly work in these rooms.

Excluding rooms suitable only for storage, there are 769, all in use, and occupied by 1,754 people.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty to what extent his Department's yardcraft vessels in Hong Kong will, in future, be officered by locally entered staffs; and whether these locally entered staffs will be included in or excluded from the published total of civil servants employed in his Department.

Our present policy in Dockyards abroad is to employ local entrants on work for which they are considered suitable, and no change in this policy is contemplated. There are at present fourteen United Kingdom-based yardcraft officers of various grades in Hong Kong, and it is intended to replace, as soon as practicable, two mates and one first class engineer by locally-entered grades, subject to suitable candidates for the posts being available.The numbers of locally entered staff serving abroad are included in the numbers shown in the Navy Estimates, but excluded from the quarterly White Paper "Staff employed in Government Departments" which relates to United Kingdom-based staff only.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what are the qualifications required of the United Kingdom based officers employed in his Department's yardcraft vessels in Hong Kong; and what qualifications will be required of the locally entered staffs who replace them.

The qualifications of United Kingdom-based yard craft officers are laid down in Admiralty Fleet Order No. 884/56, a copy of which the hon. Member will find in the Library. These officers may be required to serve anywhere in the world, including, Hong Kong. The locally entered staff who will replace some of these officers at Hong Kong will be required to satisfy the Dockyard Authorities that they are up to an acceptable standard, as a result of an interview and test.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what are the salaries, exclusive of foreign service allowances, paid to the United Kingdom based officers employed in his Department's yardcraft vessels in Hong Kong; and what will be the salaries paid to the locally entered staffs who replace them.

The salaries of United Kingdom-based officers employed in Admiralty yardcraft vessels in Hong Kong, exclusive of foreign service allowances, range from a minimum of £635 a year for a mate of yard craft to a maximum of £925 a year for a master (higher scale). Salaries for the locally-entered staffs have not yet been fixed, but will be determined by means of a review of the wages or salaries in force for comparable work under the generality of other local good employers.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to safeguard the transmission of television programmes in the Welsh language between the hours of 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

This is a matter for the broadcasting authorities. However. I can add that to make it easier for them to arrange programmes in the Welsh language it has been agreed that under the new rules on television broadcasting hours the programmes will not count towards the normal maximum hours of fifty a week or eight on any one day. Also, in addition to any that may be given in normal broadcasting hours, Welsh language programmes may be broadcast on Sundays in the periods 12 noon to 2 p.m., and 6.15 p.m. to 7.25 p.m.

asked the Postmaster-General to give an estimate of the value of damage done to telephone and telegraph installations in Northern Ireland as a result of the recent winter storms; and whether he intends to make an extra capital allocation to the region to compensate for this.

The storm which occurred on 25th-26th December cut off 9,000 subscribers and 68 telephone exchanges. These services were restored within about three weeks at a cost of £60,000 and permanent repairs will cost a further £60,000. A further storm on 4th February cut off 2,500 subscribers and 36 exchanges. Most of these have already been reconnected and the total cost is likely to be about £15,000. The cost of repairing storm damage is not itself chargeable to capital, but account is taken of the leeway in normal work when making capital allocations.

asked the Postmaster-General how many party and individual telephone lines, respectively, are now provided by the Orpington telephone exchange; and how many of each will be provided when the new exchange comes into operation.

Approximately 3,000 shared lines and 4,700 exclusive lines. On the opening of the new exchange, about 1,000 new lines will be provided, of which some 400 will be shared lines, and 600 exclusive.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants are at present waiting for a telephone service within the area to be served by the new Orpington telephone exchange; and by what date they will all have received telephones.

Two thousand one hundred and thirty-six. About a thousand will be given service when the new exchange opens, 200 shortly afterwards, and it is hoped that all will receive telephones by the middle of next year.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants are at present waiting for a telephone service in the parliamentary division of Orpington.

Two thousand, seven hundred and ninety, of which about half are in course of being met.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will instal a telephone kiosk in the vicinity of the Aged Miners' Homes on the Red House Estate, Sunderland.

There are already two kiosks within 500 yards of the homes, but I will consider the possibility of moving one, or providing another nearer to the homes, and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what works, in connection with the harbour at Alderney, he is responsible; and over what period such works have continued.

The Home Office has been responsible for maintaining the breakwater at Alderney since 1st April, 1950.

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.

asked the Paymaster-General what plans are in hand for a general increase in the output of nuclear power in Great Britain so as to lessen by all practical means our dependence on oil fuel.

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply given to the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Peart) on 6th February.

asked the Paymaster-General as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress has been made by the Atomic Energy Authority in the study of nuclear fusion as a practical and economic source of energy.

I am informed by the Atomic Energy Authority that, as stated in Chapter 6 of their Second Annual Report (paragraphs 112 et seq.), a programme of research into the possibilities of obtaining economic power from controlled thermo-nuclear reactions has been under way since 1948. The work is still in the laboratory stage, and many problems remain to be solved before a practicable fusion reactor will be possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education what financial support has been given by his Department to the National Foundation for Educational Research in each year since its inception.

The following grants have been made direct to the Foundation by my Department:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education in how many secondary schools Russian is now taught.

About 35.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what has been the amount of money spent by the Medical Research Council on research into the causes and cure of the rheumatic diseases in each of the years since 1945.

The following are the figures:

asked the Minister of Health the estimated number of people in Britain suffering from rheumatism, arthritis, and kindred diseases; and what proportion of the population this figure represents.

Precise figures are not available, but surveys in particular areas and other evidence suggest that the rate of incidence of the chronic rheumatic diseases may be between 2 and 4 per cent. of the population per annum.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has yet confirmed the order made by the National Parks Commission designating the Quantock Hills as an area of outstanding natural beauty.

I am glad to announce that this order, the first of its kind in England, has been confirmed.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons, male and female, separately, have been sent during the last two years to rehabilitation centres for training for suitable employment from Whitehaven, Cleator Moor and Millom Employment Exchanges; and how many have found suitable employment as a result of their training.

In the two years to 31st January, 1957, the numbers from these offices sent to industrial rehabilitation or vocational training courses and subsequently placed in suitable employment were as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons, male and female, separately, have signed the Disabled Persons' Register at White-haven, Cleator Moor and Millom Employment Exchanges and are still unemployed; for what periods they have been signing this register for employment and why they have not been found suitable employment; and how many have signed this register who would be capable of, and suitable for, employment at the factories of Remploy Limited at Cleator Moor and Barrow-in-Furness.

The numbers of disabled persons registered at these Exchanges on 15th October, 1956, are shown in Table I; the numbers at present unemployed are shown in brackets. Table II gives an analysis of the unemployed according to duration of unemployment. Local opportunities of suitable employment are limited, and about half of the men are unskilled and over 50 years of age. 16 of the 67 men and women now unemployed have been classified as suitable only for employment under sheltered conditions and all of these have been considered for submission to Remploy. A few are unsuitable for various reasons or prefer not to be put forward. Ten have been submitted, and of these, three are awaiting the next panel. The remainder are considered by Remploy to be unsuitable for the work at these factories.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of vacancies which are registered at the latest available date at Whitehaven, Cleator Moor and Millom Employment Exchanges.

The numbers of notified vacancies remaining unfilled at Whitehaven, Cleator Moor and Millom Employment Exchanges at 9th January, were 363, 92 and 46 respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour to state the total number of disabled persons now employed at the factory at Cleator Moor of Remploy Limited; the total number employed at this factory twelve months ago; and the maximum number that could be employed at this factory.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many schools in Scotland Russian is now

48, 48 and 60, respectively. These figures do not include three severely disabled employed on staff duties.

asked the Minister of Labour to state the number of unemployed, male and female, separately, signing on at Whitehaven, Cleator Moor, including Egremont Parish, and Millom Employment Exchanges at the most recent available date, and the same particulars for the like period of 1956 and 1955, respectively; and how many have been signing on at each employment exchange for three months, six months, twelve months, and more than twelve months, respectively.

The following tables give the information desired so far as it is available:taught; and to what extent this is an increase over the 1939 figure.

In January, 1956, the latest date for which figures are available, Russian was taught in six schools, five more than in 1939.

asked the Minister of supply the estimated cost of the hydrogen bomb tests on Christmas Island, including materials, airlifts, installations, and personnel.

It would not be in the public interest to give such an estimate.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men available to be called up for National Service in each of the post-war years; and what was the number actually called up to do National Service in each of those years.

The following table gives figures for the years 1946 to 1956: