asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what scrutiny he is making of the material issued by information officers overseas.

I am making an inquiry into the overseas information services generally, looking for ways in which these services might be improved. The responsibility for the actual material issued by information officers overseas rests with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs, for Commonwealth Relations and for the Colonies.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to co-ordinate the propaganda disseminated in the Middle East by the Foreign Office, the Colonial Office, and the Army.

Arrangements have been made for regular contact among the information officers of the overseas Departments and the Ministry of Defence, and with information officers of the Service Departments where appropriate.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the size of his staff at the present time and a year ago.

For the co-ordination of the Government's information services I have a staff of two, apart from private secretaries. A year ago my staff was 360,000, as Postmaster-General.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what recent proposals he has received from the National Assistance Board for improvement in the National Assistance scales.

None.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to state the number of people in the county of Norfolk who were in receipt of National Assistance on 31st January, 1950, 1955, 1956 and 1957, respectively.

The National Assistance Board informs me that the County of Norfolk is served by five area offices of the Board, one of which also serves a small part of Suffolk and the precise information asked for is therefore not available. The numbers of weekly National Assistance grants issued by these offices were, however,

At 31st January, 1950	…	11,508
At 25th January, 1955	…	22,397
At 24th January, 1956	…	20,441
At 22nd January, 1957	…	21,589

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many retirement pensioners were in receipt of supplementary allowances from the National Assistance Board as at the latest available date.

I am informed by the National Assistance Board that in December, 1956, 927,000 weekly National Assistance grants were being paid as supplements to National Insurance retirement pensions. Some of the grants provided for the requirements of a household with more than one pensioner.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how much National Assistance has been paid by his High Park Street, Liverpool, office to Mr. L. St. Hill, 50, Arnold Street, Liverpool, Mr. O. Henville, 18, Thackery Street, Liverpool, and Mr. E. Watts, 146, Huskisson Street, Liverpool; and under what circumstances assistance has needed to be given.

Inquiries are being made and a reply will be sent to the hon. Lady as soon as possible.

asked the Paymaster-General whether he is now in a position to announce his approval of the scheme for an increase in pensions of ex-municipal gas employees submitted to him by the Gas Council.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave on 11th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward).

asked the Paymaster-General what research is being made by Her Majesty's Government into the possibility of developing liquid hydrocarbon fuel from vegetation in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the Commonwealth.

asked the Paymaster-General what research is being made into the possibility of the large-scale production of alcohol fuel from vegetation in the tropical regions of the Commonwealth in order to lessen our dependence upon oil fuel.

None. The relevant technical and economic facts are already well known and it is clear that no such developments could provide a worth while contribution to our national fuel supplies.

asked the Paymaster-General to consider allocating additional supplementary petrol related to their needs to permanently disabled drivers who are not pensionable.

Applications from all disabled drivers, whether pensionable or not, are considered sympathetically.

asked the Paymaster-General whether, in view of the fact that he is allowing petrol for those taking part in horse racing and other sports, he will consider allowing the motor racing promoters enough petrol to take part in the British Empire Trophy on 6th April, bearing in mind that motor racing funds last year contributed £30,000 to the Exchequer.

asked the Paymaster-General what were his reasons for refusing to grant an allocation of petrol for the motor race for the British Empire Trophy, which is due to be held in April, in view of the fact that supplies have been granted for several other sporting events.

Petrol will be provided for a limited number of events which the Royal Automobile Club, the Auto-Cycle Union and the British Cycle and Motor Cycle Industries' Association have recommended maintaining in the interests of the motor-car and motor-cycle industries. Following is a list of the events, which include the British Empire Trophy.MOTOR RACING

asked the Paymaster-General (1) whether he is prepared to assist Scottish tourism by a special allocation of petrol for the wide areas not served directly by rail;(2) whether he is aware of the threat to Scottish tourism arising from petrol shortage; and whether he is prepared to grant a special allocation of petrol to tourists visiting Scotland who are prepared to take their cars by train to the nearest point.

I have nothing to add to the Answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. John MacLeod) on 4th February.

asked the Paymaster-General to allocate an extra supply of petrol to those people who make entries for the agricultural and trade shows that will take place from time to time.

Requests for petrol for the purpose of organising or exhibiting at agricultural and trade shows will be considered on their merits.

asked the Paymaster-General what further steps have been taken to explore the possible natural oil resources of Britain; how many borings have been drilled during recent years; and what was the maximum depth reached.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on 11th February. 59 borings have been made over the last three years and the maximum depth reached was 7,559 feet.

asked the Paymaster-General how much oil has been imported from the United States of America since the Suez crisis; and if he will, at an early date, make a statement on the oil supply position.

I hope it will be possible to make an announcement on the oil supply situation later this week. As to the amount of oil imported from the U.S.A. since the Suez crisis, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 28th January to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Poole (Captain Pilkington).

asked the Paymaster-General the national production of methane gas from sewage; and what action he is taking to increase the supply of power and heat by extraction of methane gas from sewage.

I regret that national figures for the production of methane gas from sewage are not available. A number of schemes for the utilisation of methane produced at large sewage works have been sanctioned in recent years and, subject to present limitations on capital investment, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government is prepared to consider similar schemes on their merits. The maximum contribution which sewage gas could make to our national fuel supplies, however, would be unlikely to exceed one tenth of one per cent. of present requirements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if an estimate has yet been made by his Department of the damage done to growing crops by the indiscriminate use of hormone weed killers;(2) whether he will order an investigation to be made before the next crop season with a view to suitable regulations being devised to ensure that damage caused to growing crops by the uncontrolled drift of hormone weed killer spray is reduced to the minimum.

It has not been possible to make any firm estimate of the total damage due to spray drift. My Department, in consultation with the National Farmers' Union and the Agricultural Improvement Council, has been giving close attention to this question. It should be possible by advice and publicity to do much to mitigate spray damage and my Department will do all it can to help in these directions in the coming spraying season.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take, by price control or otherwise, to reduce the price of potatoes and ensure that the consumers obtain some of the advantage which will accrue from a bigger supply than demand, in view of the anticipated surplus above the normal requirements in the coming season.

None. My right hon. Friend expects the public will continue to be able to obtain ample supplies of potatoes of good quality at reasonable prices throughout the current season, without intervention on his part.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the financial loss caused to the pig industry each year through disease.

Losses due to deaths of pigs in Great Britain have been estimated at about £9½ million a year. My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot give an estimate of losses from illness not resulting in death.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is being taken by the Food Standards Committee about the composition of flour and bread.

CALF SUBSIDY, ENGLAND AND WALES
Numbers of applications received and paid and numbers of calves approved and not approved in applications dealt with in January, 1956 and 1957.
—	Applications		Calves Approved			Calves not approved*
	Received	Paid	Steers	Heifers	Total	Steers	Heifers	Total	Proportion of Heifers
									Per cent.
January, 1956	15,415	11,654	36,857	37,090	73,947	2,917	4,746	7,663	61·9
January, 1957	17,099	14,593	48,579	43,231	91,810	5,091	8,363	13,454	62·2
* Includes calves not suitable beef on inspection but which may later become suitable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the recent increases in the price of imported meat, if he will introduce price control.

No. A seasonal increase in the prices of both beef and lamb is normal at this time of year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive a report from his inspector following his visit to France; and whether he will meanwhile suspend the export of live cattle for slaughter.

I have received this report, and I am arranging for its substance to be put before the Committee of Inquiry whose appointment I announced last week. As regards the second part

The Committee is at present taking evidence.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of applications for calf subsidy received from farmers for January, 1957, and the comparable figures for January, 1956; how many of these applications were approved on each of these two months in these years; and of those rejected in January, 1957, what was the proportion of heifers as compared to the corresponding month in 1956.

The information is given in the following table:of the Question, I must await the Committee's Report; in the meantime, the Exported Cattle Protection Order, 1957, which comes into force on 26th February, will ensure that cattle are properly rested, fed and watered before they are embarked.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the increasing quantity of milk now being produced, if he will consider having the costs of collecting and delivery to the markets looked into.

The Milk Marketing Board for England and Wales maintains a close watch on the cost of collecting milk from farms. My Department makes a continuous investigation into the cost of handling milk at all stages of distribution.

asked the Minister of Supply how many workers are employed in industrial grades at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Wigan; how many of these are likely to be dismissed within the next three months on the ground that they are redundant; to what extent similar dismissals are likely in the case of members of the staff not in industrial grades; and what arrangements are being made to help those who are dismissed to obtain suitable employment.

It would not be in the public interest to disclose the size of the labour force at individual Royal Ordnance factories. Two hundred and fifty, together with 17 non-industrial employees, will be discharged from the Royal Ordnance Factory, Wigan, as redundant during April and May next. Every effort will be made by the management, in co-operation with local officials of the Ministry of Labour and National Service, to help the redundant employees to find suitable alternative employment.

asked the Minister of Supply if his attention has been drawn to the low prices that are being paid for such articles as razor blades, worsted material, flannelette and transport vehicle parts at his Department's depot at Ruddington, Nottingham; and what steps he is taking to obtain better prices for these articles, thereby reducing an avoidable waste of Government property.

The value of surplus stores depends on their age and condition and the demand for them. Public auction is the most satisfactory way of securing the best competitive price. I cannot agree that there is any avoidable waste.

asked the Minister of Defence what has been the total expenditure applicable to the production of the megaton bomb to date.

I have been asked to reply.It would not be in the public interest to give this information.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress has been made by the Medical Research Council in its experiments into the effect of engine exhaust fumes on people in built-up areas and in confined spaces.

The Medical Research Council is continuing its investigations on the nature and effects of engine exhaust fumes. So far no evidence has been obtained that such fumes produce either immediate or long-term effects on health when persons are exposed to them in city streets. The results will be published in the scientific press as they become available.

asked the Minister of Health for the latest convenient period of twelve months, what was the number of hospital confinements; and what percentage this represented of the total number of confinements.

During 1955 the number of institutional confinements in England and Wales was 440,857, which was 64.75 per cent. of the total.

asked the Minister of Health the position so far as the new hospital at Whitehaven is concerned; when the building of the hospital is likely to commence; and what the estimated cost of the hospital will be.

On Friday last, 15th February, I authorised the Regional Hospital Board to proceed with the site works, and work should begin shortly. The total estimated cost of the new hospital, including equipment, is about £2½ million, and plans for the first stage are nearing completion.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made with the training of ancillary dental workers.

More than 200 dental hygienists have been trained for employment in the Forces and in the public dental service and hold my certificate of efficiency; further arrangements for the training of dental hygienists are held up until the General Dental Council have made Regulations to widen the scope of their employment.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress has been made by the General Dental Council with revising its draft regulations under the Dentists Act, 1956, enabling dental hygienists to work under proper supervision in private practice.

The General Dental Council was asked on 5th February to review its draft regulations so as to enable dental hygienists to work under proper supervision in private practice. I understand that the Ancillary Dental Workers' Committee of the Council will have before it this request on 19th February. Its recommendations should therefore be available to the General Dental Council when, I am informed, it meets on 27th March.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he has yet received further proposals from the General Dental Council regarding the availability of the services of dental hygienists for the general public.

No, Sir. The General Dental Council submitted proposals which were considered unsatisfactory from the point of view referred to in the hon. Member's Question. It was asked on 5th February to review the proposals. I understand that a Committee of the Council will meet on 19th February and that the Council itself is to meet on 27th March.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he has yet received from the General Dental Council the revised draft regulations about dental hygienists; and if he will make a statement.

No. The General Dental Council's proposals have been referred back to it for further consideration. The Council's original proposals would delay indefinitely the possibility for dental hygienists of working under proper supervision in private practice; and this delay would not, in my opinion, accord with the intentions of Parliament as expressed during the passing of the Bill which became the Dentists Act, 1956. The request to review its regulations was made on 5th February. I understand that it will he considered by the Ancillary Dental Workers' Committee of the Council on 19th February and that the General Dental Council itself is to meet on 27th March.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, when regulations will be introduced which will make it possible for those foreign dentists whose degrees or diplomas are not as yet accepted as sufficient qualification for registration to qualify by special examination.

The General Dental Council has submitted regulations to the Privy Council for approval. An amendment of the regulations to accord with the views of Parliament that the examination might be mainly practical has been suggested to the Council for consideration at its next meeting on 27th March and I hope it will then be possible for the regulations to be approved and introduced.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will reconsider his decision not to approve the Lancashire County Council's proposals in regard to chiropody services for aged people.

I regret that I cannot do so at present.

asked the Minister of Health when the Advisory Council for the Welfare of Handicapped Persons last met; and when it is likely it will meet in the future.

23rd March, 1954; I am reconstituting this Council as from 1st April next as an Advisory Committee to advise me on questions relating to the health as well as the welfare of the handicapped. It is hoped to hold the first meeting of the new Committee in April.

asked the Minister of Health his intention with regard to the recommendations of the Report of the Committee on the Rehabiliation, Training and Settlement of Disabled People.

I would refer the hon. Lady to the reply given to the hon. Member for Brierley Hill (Mr. Simmons) on 4th February.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement regarding an extension of facilities for the training of dentists, in view of the recommendations of the McNair Committee.

The recommendations of the McNair Committee are being studied but I am not yet ready to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Health the cost of tranquilliser drugs prescribed in the National Health Service.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health how much poliomyelitis vaccine was sent to local authorities in December, 1956; and how much has been sent to local authorities so far this year.

Approximately 31 litres; none.

asked the Minister of Health why the fatal case of diphtheria in an immunised child in the West Ham area in December, 1955, has been omitted from the Report of the Chief Medical Officer for 1955.

The case is mentioned in page 39 of the Report. I am advised that the child has not been immunised since 1945 and her death was therefore recorded in Table 1 on page 38 among those of children never immunised or immunised before 1951.

asked the Minister of Health (1) in view of the fact, revealed by Command Paper No. 9780, that diagnostic X-rays contribute far more to background radiation than any other source, including nuclear bomb tests, whether he is in a position to make a statement on the technical and administrative steps taken to reduce the amount of such radiation from hospital and other radiology units;(2) in view of the increased evidence of the danger of leukaemia and of general hazard to health arising from radiation, what steps are being taken to ensure that patients under the National Health Service receive strictly limited, and not indiscriminate or repeated exposure, when undergoing X-ray examination.

Radiologists and other members of the medical profession are well aware of these hazards, and I cannot accept the implication that patients are exposed indiscriminately or unnecessarily to radiation. The whole question is, however, under review by a Committee under the chairmanship of Lord Adrian, and any further action must await its report.

asked the Minister of Health if he will introduce legislation to enable local authorities to inspect old-age pensioners' homes owned by charitable and other private organisations.

Section 39 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, already empowers local authorities to inspect old persons' homes registered under Section 37 of the Act.

asked the Minister of Health how many children per dental officer there are in the part of Lincolnshire covered by the Lindsey County Council.

Approximately 7,700 children attending maintained schools, or 9,000 if children aged 3 and 4 are included as well. Dental treatment is, of course, also provided under the general dental services.

asked the Minister of Health how many dental students began their training in 1954, 1955, and 1956; and to what extent the number of students falls short of the future needs of the profession.

The numbers who started the first year of their professional course at English dental schools in the academic years 1954–5, 1955–6 and 1956–7 were 381, 494 and 509 respectively; the Committee on Recruitment to the Dental Profession estimated that Great Britain needed 800 new dentists each year, of which, on the basis of present distribution, the share of England and Wales would be about 700.

asked the Minister of Health what are the composite packages now issued on one prescription; and whether any further composite packages have been proposed by the British Medical Association.

The undermentioned sets of apparatus or dressings, each of which includes two or more articles, may be ordered as one prescription:

• Atomiser.
• Colostomy apparatus.
• Douche.
• Hypodermic syringe.
• Smog mask.
• Multiple pack dressing.
• Perfusion fittings.
• Suprapubic belt.
• Higginson's enema syringe.
• Urine sugar analysis set.
• Vaporiser.

In reply to the second part of the Question, I am still awaiting the views of the Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what contribution Her Majesty's Government have made to the funds of the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration for the movement by the Intergovernmental Committee of Hungarian refugees from Austria to the United Kingdom.

Her Majesty's Government have contributed £40,000 in recognition of the Committee's valuable work in moving Hungarian refugees from Austria to various other countries of asylum.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consult the Governments of the United States and France as cosignatories of the Tripartite Declaration of 1950 about what offers of arms are to be made to Israel, in view of the recent offer of arms to Saudi Arabia by the United States, so as to preserve the balance of arms between Israel and the Arab countries according to the terms of the Tripartite Declaration.

The Tripartite Declaration says nothing about offering arms to any country. It sets out certain principles in the light of which applications for arms of war material will be considered. Her Majesty's Government continue to be guided by these principles.For the time being of course the General Assembly Resolution of 2nd November has recommended all Member States to refrain from introducing military goods into the area of hostilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will contradict in the United Nations the statements made there to the effect that Egypt is the victim of aggression by Israel, in view of the fact that Egypt has continuously claimed that a state of war has existed between her and Israel since 1948 and has used this as an excuse to justify her illegal interference with Israeli ships seeking to enter the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Aqaba.

Her Majesty's Government's views have been made quite clear both in the United Nations and in this House. We do not consider that Egypt was the innocent victim of aggression by Israel, although we do not condone the Israeli attack and have never done so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what machinery exists at present for monitoring broadcasts originating from countries which are members of the Arab League.

The British Broadcasting Monitoring Service, in co-operation with its American counterpart, covers approximately three hundred transmissions totalling one hundred and thirty hours per week from countries which are members of the Arab League.

asked the Secretary of State far Foreign Affairs to what extent broadcasts from Eastern Europe are monitored in this country; and to which Government Departments material so obtained is distributed.

In so far as reception conditions allow, the British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring Service monitors all important transmissions in the domestic services of Eastern European countries including the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. A representative selection of their broadcasts to the outside world are also monitored. The material so obtained is published in parts 1 and 2 of the "Summary of World Broadcasts". Copies of parts 1 and 2, which appear twice weekly are sent to the following Governments Departments—the Foreign Office, Admiralty, War Office, Air Ministry, Home Office, Colonial Office, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation and the Central Office of Information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to improve our information services in countries behind the Iron Curtain.

Her Majesty's Government have every desire to convey the British point of view to the peoples of these countries. British information offices were however closed down there after the war with the exception of a small office in Hungary because the authorities there either insisted on their closing or made it impossible for them to fulfil their functions. When the question of reopening them was raised at the Geneva Conference in November, 1955, M. Molotov said that the Soviet Government had no intention of allowing such an establishment in the Soviet Union and suggested that they had been centres of espionage. It is true that in the joint declaration of 26th April, 1956, the Soviet Government undertook to

"take practical steps directed towards ensuring a freer exchange of information by the spoken and the written word".

But the only move in this connection since then on the Soviet Government's side has been to renew jamming of the British Broadcasting Corporation's services. I hope that they may see fit to reverse this step.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage visits by foreign journalists to this country.

In the current financial year arrangements have been made to invite to this country at official expense over one hundred foreign journalists. Help is also given to other foreign journalists visiting the country under their own arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has taken regarding the recommendation of the Consultative Assembly about fertilisers.

The recommendation was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 10th January and is due to be discussed by the Ministers' Deputies at their next meeting on 7th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to improve our information services in Yugoslavia.

The information departments of Her Majesty's Embassy in Belgrade and Her Majesty's Consulate-General in Zagreb are already taking full advantage of the opportunities open to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the full text of the Brussels Treaty Organisation Agreement of 20th December, 1950.

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 8th February, 1957; Vol. 564, c. 101], supplied the following further information:

Text of Resolution by the Brussels Treaty Consultative Council on 20th December, 1950, on the future of the Western Union Defence Organisation in the light of the reorganisation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation military structure.

The Consultative Council have considered the suggestion of the North Atlantic Council that the Brussels Treaty Powers should review the status of the Western Union Defence Organisation in the light of the establishment of an overall North Atlantic Treaty Command Organisation.

2. The Consultative Council have noted

(i) that it has been decided to dissolve the existing European Regional Planning Groups with their Regional Chiefs of Staff and principal Staff Officers Committees;

(ii) the view of the North Atlantic Council that when the new N.A.T.O. Command Organisation is established it will be unnecessary and undesirable to have a parallel Western Union Command and that the new Headquarters suggested for Western Europe should be directly under S.H.A.P.E. and should not be responsible to the Western Union Defence Committee.

3. The Council agree that, in the light of this re-organisation, the continued existence of the Western Union Defence Organisation in its present form is no longer necessary. They accordingly instruct the Permanent Commission to consider in consultation with the Western Union Military Committee, acting on the instructions of the Defence Ministers, how the proposed re-organisation can best be effected and what military machinery, if any, needs to be retained under the Brusels Treaty.

4. The Council affirm that these new arrangements will in no way affect the obligations assumed towards each other by the signatory Powers under the Brussels Treaty. In particular, the Consultative Council established under Article VII, including the non-military organs set up under the Council, will continue to function, and the reorganisation of the military machinery shall not affect the right of the Western Union Defence Ministers and Chiefs of Staff to meet as they please to consider matters of mutual concern to the Brussels Treaty Powers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education whether he will make a statement on financial assistance to students attending farm institutes.

The main source of financial assistance to students attending farm institutes is from awards given by local education authorities. Perhaps the hon. Member will let me know in what particular aspects of this matter he is interested.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what sum is allocated yearly out of public funds to pay for visits of journalists to this country from Commonwealth countries; and how this has been allocated in the last year.

Between 1952 and 1956 an annual sum, varying between £250 and £820, was allocated out of Central Office of Information funds to meet the expenses of Commonwealth visitors to this country: this sum had to be used for all types of visitors and only in 1955–56 was it possible to spend any of it specifically on journalists.In the current financial year, 1956–57, a sum of £8,250 has been allocated for Commonwealth visitors. £4,000 of this falls on the Commonwealth Services Vote and pays the visitors' fares to the United Kingdom and £4,250 on the Central Office of Information Vote to pay expenses in this country. In accordance with the recommendation of the Drogheda Report, most of this money has been spent on bringing here journalists from India and Pakistan; four have come from India, and it is hoped to bring two more before the financial year ends, and four from Pakistan.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to improve the radio reception of British news services to East Africa.

The British Broadcasting Corporation tell me that four news bulletins in the General Overseas Service are picked up daily and rebroadcast with satisfactory reception in East Africa. In these circumstances no action seems necessary.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones are still outstanding in the Borough of Swindon.

One hundred and nineteen, of which 47 are in course of being met.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of officers of air rank serving in his Department on 1st January this year and in each preceding four years.

Following are the figures:

1st January, 1953	…	…	62
1st January, 1954	…	…	62
1st January, 1955	…	…	63
1st January, 1956	…	…	66
1st January, 1957	…	…	67

There are in addition two air commandants: the Director of the Women's Royal Air Force, and the Matron-in-Chief, Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies under whose authority the First Permanent Building Society is operating in Tanganyika, Northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland, Zanzibar and Uganda; and to what etxent the building undertaken by this Society is co-ordinated with the building plans of the Governments of the territories concerned.

, pursuant to Mr. Profumo's reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 22nd January, 1957; Vol. 563, c. 30–1], supplied the following information:

The First Permanent Building Society is incorporated in Northern Rhodesia and is operating in all the territories mentioned under the authority of local ordinances which follow generally the provisions of building societies legislation in the United Kingdom. Like those of any building society in this country, its activities are limited to raising money from investors and making advances to borrowers and it is only permitted to conduct direct building operations in respect of buildings necessary for its own operation.

Building undertaken with loans provided by the society is not co-ordinated with Government building in any of the territories except in so far as it has to comply with requirements under town planning and other legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give details of his recent visit to Africa; who accompanied him on this visit; and what was the total cost to the Exchequer of this visit.

I left London on 27th December with the main object of visiting the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. I took the opportunity of having discussions with the Governor of Kenya on my way through Nairobi. I spent the first week in Northern Rhodesia visiting Lusaka, the principal towns of the Copperbelt, the Barotseland Protectorate, where I met the Paramount Chief, and Livingstone. I had discussions with members of the Government and Legislative Council, trade union leaders, the Western Province African Provincial Council, and many others.I then paid a short visit to Salisbury, the capital of the Federation, calling on the way at the Kariba dam site. In Salisbury I had talks with the Federal Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet, with the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia and with representatives of various communities and organisations. I was greatly heartened by a visit to the new University College. On 10th January I returned briefly to London on hearing of the late Prime Minister's resignation.On resuming my tour, I reached Nyasaland on 13th January, where I spent a week. In Zomba and Blantyre I met Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, the Nyasaland Association, the Southern Province African Provincial Council, and representatives of many organisations. I also spent two days in Lilongwe, the headquarters on the Central Province, where I met the African Provincial Council, the Central Province Association, representatives from the Northern Province African Provincial Council, and many others.On leaving Nyasaland I spent a further four days in Northern Rhodesia, which included a visit to Broken Hill. During this second visit I had further talks in Lusaka with leaders of opinion in the territory, and met the African Representative Council.I left Northern Rhodesia on 23rd January, reaching Accra on the following day. I spent a week in the Gold Coast, which included a visit to Kumasi in Ashanti, and Tamale, the headquarters of the Northern Territories. I had discussions with the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet, Dr. Busia and representatives of the Opposition parties, the Asantehene and Members of the Asanteman Council, the Standing Committee of the Northern Territories Council, the Principal Northern Territories Chiefs, the Joint Provincial Council of Chiefs, and many others.On my return from the Gold Coast I spent two days at Kano in Northern Nigeria, where I had discussions on matters of current interest with the Governor and with the Governor-General. I returned to this country on 2nd February.On my visit to Central Africa I was accompanied by my wife and eldest son, by Mr. W. L. Gorell-Barnes, Assistant Under-Secretary of State, and by my Principal Private Secretary, Mr. J. O. Moreton. During my visit to West Africa I was accompanied by my wife, by Mr. C. G. Eastwood, Assistant Under-Secretary of State, and by my Principal Private Secretary.The cost to the Exchequer of these visits was approximately £2,850, including the cost of the journeys of the officers of my Department who accompanied me, as well as the cost of my brief return to London during 10th-12th January. The cost of the journeys of my wife and my son was not borne by the Exchequer and is therefore not included in the figure just given.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will ensure that for the unveiling of the War Memorial at Singapore on 2nd March next, official invitations are sent by his Department to the Governor of Malaya at the time of the British surrender in 1942 and also to General Percival, then Commander-in-Chief in Malaya, and now President of the National Federation of Far Eastern Prisoner of War Clubs and Associations, as representing the comrades and relatives of the thousands of British soldiers who died in Japanese prison camps; and if he will treat this matter as urgent.

The arrangements for this ceremony are in the hands of the Imperial War Graves Commission, which has already invited the National Federation of Far Eastern Prisoner of War Clubs to send a representative from the United Kingdom. The Commission has no power to expend its funds on the payment of the travelling expenses of official guests, and has therefore refrained from issuing invitations to official guests from the United Kingdom, since it felt that such invitations would only be an embarrassment unless at the same time it was able to provide for the costs of the journey.Following consultations between the Commissioner, the War Office, Air Ministry and my Department, it was decided that the use of public funds to provide for the journey of official guests from the United Kingdom, could not be justified when the very high cost of such journeys is preventing all but a few of the next of kin of the men from the United Kingdom commemorated on the Memorial from attending the ceremony.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans in each constituency and in each tribe in Kenya have been registered for two and three votes, respectively.

Provisional figures, subject to final correction, are as follows:

Constituency		Total voters registered for
		two votes	three votes
1. Akamba	…	4,633	1,706
2. Central Province	…	8,609	3,055
3. Coast Province	…	2,413	994
4. Nairobi	…	1,066	663
5. Nyanza North	…	5,554	1,816
6. Nyanza Central	…	4,000	1,888
7. Nyanza South	…	11,508	3,161
8. Rift Valley and Masai	…	2,141	863
TOTAL	…	39,924	14,146

Tribe	Total voters registered for
	two votes	three votes
1. Abaluyha	5,554	1,816
2. Bukusu
3. Digo and Duruma	619	195
4. Elgeyo and Marakwet	302	120
5. Embu	1,463	484
6. Giriama	478	192
7. Kamba	4,633	1,706
8. Kikuyu	3,801	1,763
9. Kipsigis	2,205	499
10. Luo and Kisii	13,303	4,550
11. Masai	383	161
12. Meru	3,301	786
13. Nandi	786	405
14. Riverine (Tana River)	102	57
15. Samburu	99	35
16. Swahili	7	5
17. Teita and Taveta	870	311
18. Tugen and Suk	262	92
19. Settled areas containing more than one tribe, where tribal breakdown is not available	1,756	969
TOTAL	39,924	14,146

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give full particulars regarding the 1890 treaties between the British South Africa Company and the Northern Rhodesian African chiefs which were the subject of the motion proposed by Mr. L. H. Ngandu in the Legislative Council.

As some fifty agreements are involved, it will take time to assemble this information and I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many hospital beds are available for the treatment of tuberculosis among Africans and among Europeans, respectively, in Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda, Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia; how many Africans and Europeans are known to be suffering from this disease in each of the territories; and what further provision for the treatment of tuberculosis is made or contemplated.

I am referring to the Governments of Kenya, Tanganyika and Uganda for this information and will write to the hon. Member when I have their replies. I am unable to provide the information relating to Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia since health matters in those territories are the concern of the Federal Government.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the division of the defence budget under the principal headings for the financial years 1951–52, 1952–3, 1953–54, 1954–55, 1955–56, and 1956–57, giving separate figures for each financial year to show voted provision and the actual expenditure and, when this is not possible, to show the most up-to-date figure.

The information is given below. Table 1 gives actual net expenditure. The voted provision for the years in question is not readily available in the

TABLE 1
—	Actual net expenditure—£ million (a)
	1951–52	1952–53	1953–54	1954–55	1955–56 (b)	1956–57 (c)
1. Pay, etc. of Service personnel	249	262	263	280	272	—
2. Pay, etc. of Reserve Forces, etc.	14	18	17	20	20	—
3. Pay, etc. of civilians	124	136	144	155	163	—
4. Movements	52	54	55	53	58	—
5. Supplies	126	155	159	156	256	—
6. Production and research	395	660	662	680	464	—
7. Works	117	149	130	118	133	—
8. Miscellaneous effective services	10	7	13	18	23	—
9. Non-effective charges	36	36	40	40	44	—
10. Totals before appropriation-in-aid of American aid receipts	1,123	1,477	1,483	1,520	1,433	1,620
11. Totals providing for the appropriation-in-aid of American aid receipts	1,123	1,392	1,358	1,458	1,407	1,540

TABLE 2
—	Net Estimate published in Annex II to Statements on Defence—£ million
	1951–52 (d)	1952–53	1953–54	1954–55	1955–56	1956–57
1. Pay, etc. of Service personnel	—	254	269	265	267	274
2. Pay, etc. of Reserve Forces, etc.	—	18	18	21	21	19
3. Pay, etc. of civilians	—	133	148	155	163	200
4. Movements	—	50	57	56	54	57
5. Supplies	—	149	172	183	164	162
6. Production and research	—	652	746	748	664	613
7. Works	—	162	171	156	143	150
8. Miscellaneous effective services	—	8	16	16	20	26
9. Non-effective charges	—	36	39	40	41	48
10. Totals before appropriation-in-aid of American aid receipts	—	1,462	1,636	1,640	1,537	1,549
11. Totals providing for the appropriation-in-aid of American aid receipts	—	1,377	1,496	1,555	1,494	1,499
(Total voted provision after providing for the appropriations-in-aid of American aid receipts (e))	—	(1,429)	(1,496)	(1,555)	(1,504)	(1,477)
NOTES:
(a) For accounting reasons it is not possible to subdivide actual expenditure with complete accuracy into the headings used for Annex 11 of the annual statements on Defence. The figures in the table are subject to this qualification.
(b) Provisional figures.
(c) Estimated out-turn: detailed analyses not available.
(d) No Statement on Defence, 1951, was published.
(e) Takes account of revised and Supplementary Estimates voted by Parliament. Certain Supplementary Estimates for 1956–57 are pending.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to give the figures for authorised establishment, the actual strength, and the number over strength or under strength, male and

METROPOLITAN POLICE FORCE
Month		Men			Women
		Authorised establishment	Actual strength	Under strength	Authorised establishment	Actual strength	Under strength
30th September, 1949	…	19,767	15,434	4,333	338	246	92
30th April, 1950	…	19,737	15,593	4,144	338	279	59
30th September, 1950	…	19,739	15,905	3,834	338	318	20
30th April, 1951	…	19,716	15,616	4,100	338	335	3
30th September, 1951	…	19,726	15,466	4,260	388	351	37
30th April, 1952	…	19,681	15,751	3,930	388	380	8
30th September, 1952	…	19,678	15,872	3,806	388	378	10
30th April, 1953	…	19,647	15,972	3,675	458	442	16
30th September, 1953	…	19,667	15,844	3,823	524	450	74
30th April, 1954	…	19,696	15,936	3,760	524	470	54
30th September, 1954	…	19,719	15,808	3,911	524	477	47
30th April, 1955	…	19,692	15,571	4,121	523	505	18
30th September, 1955	…	19,451	15,447	4,004	523	496	27
30th April, 1956	…	19,462	15,619	3,843	523	501	22
30th September, 1956	…	19,471	15,838	3,633	523	506	17

CITY AND BOROUGH POLICE FORCES
Month		Men			Women
		Authorised establishment	Actual strength	Under strength	Authorised establishment	Actual strength	Under strength
30th September, 1949	…	22,168	18,122	4,046	533	429	104
30th April, 1950	…	22,225	18,721	3,504	552	477	75
30th September, 1950	…	22,287	19,032	3,255	567	484	83
30th April, 1951	…	22,381	18,766	3,615	608	504	104
30th September, 1951	…	22,409	18,735	3,674	618	504	114
30th April, 1952	…	22,417	19,460	2,957	655	535	120
30th September, 1952	…	22,422	19,835	2,587	657	557	100
30th April, 1953	…	22,564	20,111	2,453	701	611	90
30th September, 1953	…	22,577	20,059	2,518	712	625	87
30th April, 1954	…	22,594	20,177	2,417	732	653	79
30th September, 1954	…	22,608	20,090	2,518	784	673	111
30th April, 1955	…	22,749	19,926	2,823	830	727	103
30th September, 1955	…	23,029	19,770	3,259	868	740	128
30th April, 1956	…	23,355	20,306	3,049	931	804	127
30th September, 1956	…	23,375	20,599	2,776	970	842	128

The figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to give the number of immigrants into Great Britain from the West Indies for each month since January, 1955; and the number who have returned home each month after a period in this country.

Exact figures cannot be given, but the following table gives the estimated numbers. These include students and others coming to this country for temporary purposes.

—	Entering the United Kingdom		Leaving the United Kingdom
	1955	1956	1955	1956
January	1,620	1,100	140	160
February	950	1,120	140	170
March	2,540	2,800	150	225
April	1,880	4,440	150	200
May	2,850	4,200	210	190
June	1,650	4,680	250	325
July	2,830	3,730	375	360
August	3,080	3,740	400	350
September	2,750	3,070	280	380
October	4,150	2,020	260	390
November	3,200	1,430	225	725
December	2,900	1,170	240	190
	30,400	33,500	2,820	3,665

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in order to encourage More married women graduates to take up careers as technicians and technologists, he will take steps to abolish Purchase Tax on vacuum cleaners, washing machines, food mixers, and other domestic appliances designed to reduce drudgery in the home.

I have noted my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion and will bear this point in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in framing his Budget proposals, he will consider granting an allowance to those who pay fees for the education of their children at private and public schools.

I have noted my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion, but I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the full male staff of the British Productivity Council; how many have signified their intention of resigning; and what percentage this represents of the Council's staff.

I do not require the Council to furnish me with details of all their staff or to inform me of resignations. I understand however that the Council at present employs 27 male staff.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in anticipation of the need to face stronger competition in the domestic and European markets, and to equip British industry for the forthcoming struggle, he will reverse the grants made to European Productivity Agency and the British Productivity Council by increasing the latter's annual grant to £150,000 and decreasing the former's to £10,000 for the next three years.

No. In fact, the grant to the British Productivity Council is £110,000 a year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many members of the staff of the British Porductivity Council are allocated to the problem of productivity in the wholesale and retail trades; and to what extent the Council has sent teams to the continent of Europe to study and report on foreign methods of distribution.

I do not require the Council to keep me informed on either of these matters, but I understand that the Council does not at present allocate staff to work in connection with particular trades or industries and has not sent teams to Europe to study distribution methods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade i,f in view of the value of films on work study and kindred subjects sponsored by the British Productivity Council, he will encourage the Council to step up its educational film output for the enlightenment of executives, managers and operatives; and if he will augment the Council's grant for this purpose.

No. The Council has made twelve films, has six in preparation and five under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to take the lead in initiating a Commonwealth industry and trade exhibition in the summer of 1959 to focus attention on the importance of Britain's export trade and on the markets and resources of the Commonwealth.

While I fully agree with my hon. and gallant Friend as to the importance of developing Commonwealth trade, our available resources for the purpose in question are better used on exhibitions in Commonwealth countries.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to state what progress is being made towards international agreement concerning the extension of the law of salvage to include aircraft on land, other than the shores of the sea or tidal waters; for how long this matter has been under consideration by the International Civil Aviation Organisation; and whether he will state the views of Her Majesty's Government thereon.

The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation decided in 1948 and 1949 that a pre-war draft convention was unsuited to modern requirements. Since then the subject has remained on the work programme of the legal committee of the Organisation, but no progress has been made. Meanwhile, most States have established Government search and rescue organisations as a humanitarian service, leaving salvage of property to be arranged by the owners of the aircraft. It is not considered that there is any need for the International Civil Aviation Organisation to be urged to give this subject early attention.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if his Department has yet been able to trace the source of the large sheet of crude oil which was carried into the river Yealm on Tuesday, 29th January, and which extended from Wembury to Steer Point.

This oil has been shown by analysis to have the characteristics of fuel oil, but I regret that it has not been possible to trace the source of it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress has been made in the construction of the laboratory of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research and in the recruitment of staff for this laboratory; and when the first accelerator will be ready to operate.

Substantial progress has been made in the construction of both buildings and apparatus. The first accelerator should be in operation in the second half of this year. Most of the components for the large accelerator have been ordered and adequate progress is being made on its housing and experimental buildings.Recruitment is proceeding satisfactorily and the staff now numbers some 480.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether there is to be an agreed division of research fields between the European Organisation for Nuclear Research and the nuclear research authorities of the member countries; and what co-ordination of research projects there is to be.

The research activities of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research are intended to be complementary to those of member countries since the facilities provided will be beyond the means of most of them individually. The Council of the Organisation, in deciding its research programme, takes fully into account research proceeding or proposed in member countries.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministery of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to mark the geophysical year 1957.

A number of Government Departments and research organisations are participating in the programme of scientific research planned for the International Geophysical Year in fields such as meteorology, ionospheric research, geomagnetism and oceanography. A substantial grant-in-aid is also being provided from public funds through the Royal Society in support of the activities of non-Governmental bodies. These activities include the dispatch of a Royal Society expedition to establish a scientific base at Halley Bay on the Antarctic mainland and the programme of research in the upper atmosphere by the firing of high altitude rockets from Ministry of Supply ranges in Australia.