asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are made for bringing home from abroad, at public expense, National Service men who are required to attend interviews at universities or colleges.

None. National Service men who are serving in stations outside North-West Europe, are not eligible to travel at public expense to this country for leave other than compassionate leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War what transport arrangements are made for the transfer of Service personnel serving in Germany when coming home on leave; and what standard of comfort is provided on transport vessels used for this purpose.

Conveyance is by special train and troopship, the short-sea crossing between Harwich and the Hook being made at night. Officers and all families have cabins; troops are accommodated in troop decks fitted with folding berths, and they are provided with pillows and blankets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he intends to announce the allocation of dollars for the import of tobacco from the 1957 crop.

The allocation is not made known publicly until the end of the buying season in order not to prejudice our buyers' bargaining position in the sales.

asked the President of the Board of Trade by what amount, expressed as percentages, the total overseas trade and the total overseas trade with countries other than Commonwealth and Empire countries, has fallen in the last five years.

United Kingdom total overseas trade and total trade with foreign countries have not fallen; in 1956 compared with 1952 they rose by 16 and 21 per cent., respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the import of petroleum and petroleum products from the Soviet bloc are not on open general licence; and whether he will take the necessary action to allow the free import of these products from all countries where payment is not in hard currency.

Licences are required so that proposals to import can be considered in the light of the current circumstances, including the balance of payments and the supply position. For the present, petroleum and most petroleum products are being freely admitted from Soviet bloc countries other than Roumania.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has ordered the closing of the local office of his Department in the City of Dundee.

My right hon. Friend has decided in the interests of economy to close all district offices of the Board of Trade in Great Britain, other than that at Inverness.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that hire purchase restrictions have caused a General Electric Company's factory to close down in Portsmouth; and what action he intends to take, by relaxing these restrictions, to prevent similar factories from closing down elsewhere.

I am aware that Coldair Limited have recently decided to cease production at their Farlington factory. I do not know whether this decision was due to hire-purchase restrictions. As my right hon. Friend stated in a Written reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Arundel and Shoreham (Captain Kerby), on 29th March, relaxation of existing restraints must depend on our success in improving our general economic position.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take to deal with the existing complexities of the law in relation to weights and measures.

My right hon. Friend hopes to introduce a Bill based on the recommendation of the Committee on Weights and Measures Legislation as soon as Parliamentary time permits.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in what way and for which commodities the East German Government neglected to implement their Barter Trade Agreement with Great Britain; and which of the items for which he refused import licences since October, 1956, were affected.

There is no such agreement. In each of the cases in which import licences have been refused since October, the reason has been that we have not been satisfied with the exports the East Germans proposed to take in exchange for their goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many licences for trade with North Vietnam have been granted since the end of hostilities in Korea.

Export licences issued for trade with North Vietnam were not separately recorded until 9th March, 1955. Since then three such licences have been sought, and in each case the licence was granted.

asked the Prime Minister what arrangements were made at the Bermuda Conference to integrate British and United States research work on guided missiles.

This matter was not raised at Bermuda, having already been satisfactorily covered in the recent discussions between my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence and the United States Secretary of Defence.

asked the Prime Minister what decisions were arrived at at the Bermuda Conference concerning future trade with China.

asked the Prime Minister whether he drew the attention of President Eisenhower to the economic damage inflicted on this country by the restrictions on our trade with China maintained since the Korean war; and with what result.

There was a frank exchange of views on this subject at Bermuda. I hope that we can make a further statement shortly.

asked the Prime Minister what reply he has sent to the Scottish Housewives Association's letter disapproving of his recent visit to Bermuda.

The letter to which the hon. Gentleman refers was acknowledged. No further reply appeared to be called for.

asked the Prime Minister what arrangements he made with President Eisenhower at Bermuda for the pooling of planning and intelligence between the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

I have nothing to add to what I said in the House yesterday.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish the text of all documents embodying agreements which he entered into with President Eisenhower at Bermuda.

No formal agreements were entered into. The agreements and conclusions reached in discussion were embodied in the final communiqué from the Bermuda Conference, which has already been published as a White Paper.

asked the Prime Minister what are the independent scientific organisations mentioned in the Bermuda communiqué as confirming that continued nuclear testing will not increase world radiation to harmful levels; and if he will publish a copy of such of their reports as have been made to Her Majesty's Government.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given last Wednesday to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Gorton (Mr. Zilliacus).

asked the Prime Minister which Department will be responsible for issuing invitations to foreign observers to attend the hydrogen bomb tests at Christmas Island; which Department will be responsible for ensuring that any invited observers attend the tests; and by what authority action will be taken against uninvited observers who position themselves three and a half miles outside the waters around Christmas Island to prevent them from observing the tests.

Invitations have been issued by the Ministry of Defence. The Ministry of Supply is responsible for the conduct of the tests, including the arrangements for the accommodation of observers. As for the third part of the Question, it is normal practice to declare a danger zone.

asked the Prime Minister what is the scientific evidence on which was based the reply sent by Her Majesty's Government to the Japanese Government on 23rd March assuring the Japanese Government that the hydrogen bomb tests on Christmas Island will not involve any danger to Japan.

The known effects of nuclear explosions, and the fact that the tests are taking place some 4,000 miles from Japan.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make the necessary arrangements for a delegation of Members of Parliament to witness the forthcoming nuclear weapon test by Great Britain, such delegation being selected on a ballot principle similarly to that in use for Private Members' Bills and Motions.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave yesterday to the hon. Gentleman the Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes).

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that nuclear tests contaminate fish, marine plants and seaweeds; that such contaminated fish, marine plants and seaweeds travel hundreds of miles; that they infect other fish, marine plants and seaweeds; that such infection is dangerous to people who eat such contaminated fish, marine plants or seaweeds; and what steps Britain, either alone or in conjunction with other nations, is taking to protect the British people from such contamination and infection.

Provided that a nuclear explosion takes place in areas remote from populated territories and an adequate danger area is declared for the period of the tests, any localised deposit of radioactive matter is so diffused by the normal dispersal action of currents and winds, as well as by the natural decay of the bulk of radioactivity emanating from the explosion, that any possible danger to human health is negligible.Radioactive contamination of fish, marine plants and seaweeds can occur only in the immediate vicinity of the explosion. The chances of any contamination going outside the danger area, or continuing after the termination of the danger period, are negligible in the case of tests conducted by the United Kingdom. There should be no contamination of fish from the high air bursts proposed for our forthcoming tests.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish the terms of the Japanese note requesting Her Majesty's Government to suspend its nuclear tests near Christmas island.

Two Notes requesting Her Majesty's Government to suspend their forthcoming nuclear tests have been published by the Japanese Government, and I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what communication he has received from the Japanese Co-operative Fishermen's Association concerning the proposed hydrogen bomb test at Christmas Island; and what reply has been sent.

Two telegrams and a letter from the Federation of Japan Tuna Fishermen's Co-operative Association, requesting suspension of the forthcoming tests, have been received by my right honourable Friend the Prime Minister. The reply to these communications sent by Her Majesty's Embassy in Tokyo is as follows:"Gentlemen,I am directed by Her Majesty's Ambassador to acknowledge the receipt of your communication (

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will publish the correspondence he has received concerning the Japanese delegation which is being sent to London to protest against the Pacific hydrogen bomb test.

On 19th March the Japanese Ambassador addressed to my right hon. and learned Friend a Note informing him that the Japanese Government were intending to send to this country a party, headed by Dr. Matsushita, whose primary purpose would be to deliver a message from the Japanese Prime Minister to the Prime Minister here. By agreement with the Ambassador I am arranging for copies of this Note to be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Foreign Secretary's declaration at the opening of the United Nations Disarmament Commission on 18th March, to the effect that Her Majesty's Government were willing to consider partial disarmament arrangements as a preliminary to a comprehensive agreement, represents the policy of the Government.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government will arrange for meetings with the Opposition on the subject of defence similar to those held in 1949.

The right hon. Gentleman is no doubt referring to three meetings held in the summer and autumn of 1949 between my right hon. Friend the Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill) then Leader of the Opposition, and his colleagues and the Prime Minister and other Ministers of the day. These arose from a memorandum on defence sent to the Prime Minister by my right hon. Friend the Member for Woodford. If the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition cared to make a similar approach, I would of course give it careful and sympathetic consideration.

asked the Prime Minister what representations he has received from the Anti-Atomic League for the protection of life; and what reply he has sent.

I cannot trace any letter from a body bearing the name mentioned by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Prime Minister if he will now publish a White Paper on the planning of "Operation Musketeer" and the joint planning with the French that led to the armed intervention in Egypt.

asked the Prime Minister if he will publish a White Paper on the military preparations and plans between Her Majesty's Government and the French Government which preceded the joint action taken against Egypt in October.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the serious financial position of many old-established football clubs, if he will give total remission of tax on those clubs whose attendance figures at any one match fall below 10.000 spectators.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that Purchase Tax has been among the causes resulting in the closing of a General Electric Company factory in Portsmouth; and if he will therefore relax the tax on electrical products in order to prevent similar factories from closing down elsewhere.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to refund post-war credits to persons under 60 and 65 years of age, respectively, who have left this country to live permanently abroad, after they have been away five years.

I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the extent of the Government shareholding in British Petroleum Limited; the system adopted by the Government in making nominations to the board of this company; and what control the Government exercises over the policies of this company.

Her Majesty's Government hold £56,250,000 of issued ordinary stock and £1,000 issued preference stock. Two Government directors are appointed by the Treasury. The policy of successive Governments has been not to interfere in the commercial management of the company.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to the stability of price levels.

Perhaps the hon. Member will wait for my Budget statement next week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the 8 million persons shown in Table 28 of the White Paper on National Income and Expenditure, 1955, as having incomes up to £250 are non-contributory pensioners and National Insurance retired pensioners; and how many of these 8 million are liable to pay contributions.

I regret that the composition of the 8 million incomes of up to £250 is not known.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer who are the members of the Capital Issues Committee; what are their periods of office and their remuneration: and what are the terms of reference of the Committee.

The members of the Capital Issues Committee are:

• The Rt. Hon. Lord Kennet of the Dene. G.B.E., D.S.O., D.S.C. (Chairman).
• Sir Thomas Frazer, O.B.E., F.F.A. (Deputy Chairman).
• Sir Otto Niemeyer, G.B.E., K.C.B.
• Sir Percy Lister.
• H. B. Turle, O.B.E.
• M. F. Berry.
• Sir Thomas Barlow, G.B.E.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that many speedway racing tracks have had to close during the past few years due to the incidence of Entertainments Duty; and whether, in his forthcoming Budget, he will remove this type of entertainment from having to pay this duty.

I am aware that a number of speedway racing tracks have closed in recent years, but I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will ensure that in the Government's forthcoming legislation dealing with gaming, betting and lotteries a fair and adequate betting tax on all types of gambling shall be imposed, that such betting tax will he equally applied on horse-racing, greyhound-racing, football pools, and that a tax shall be made on the off-course bookmakers at least equal to those on the track.

I will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind at the appropriate time.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress has been made made in dealing with the pollution of the River Thames; and what are the plans for the future to deal with the nuisance.

The sewage treatment improvement programme which was approved on the advice of the Pippard Committee is making good progress. Further stages for which tenders are being invited this year include nearly £10 million worth of new treatment plant for the London County Council; £700,000 worth for the Middlesex County Council; and £600,000 worth for the West Kent Main Sewerage Board. I understand that the final reports of the Water Pollution Research Laboratory and the Pippard Committee are likely to be completed later this year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) why it takes so long for an appeal against the planning decisions of local authorities to be heard; and what steps he is taking to expedite the hearing of such appeals;(2) why there is a long delay between the hearing of appeals against planning decisions by local authorities and the declaration of his decision.

The number of appeals received has risen sharply in the last few years. The 1956 figure was 6,699, compared with 3,441 in 1952. This has thrown a heavy load on to the inspectorate and other departmental staffs involved. By increasing the number of inspectors and reorganising the handling of the work, the time taken both to fix inquiries and to issue decisions after inquiries has been reduced. I am not yet satisfied, however, and efforts to improve the timetable will continue.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when his decision will be given concerning the appeal heard on 15th May, 1956, concerning a site in South Wales, details of which have been sent to him.

My decision on this appeal has now been given.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he will authorise the Brigg Rural District Council to put into effect their schemes for bringing supplies of water to rural parts of north Lindsey.

I am prepared to consider any additional evidence which the council may submit to me that the schemes are urgently needed. The council has been told this.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that the one source of water supply now being used by the village of Birstwith is polluted; that the present guarantee to supply water is fast expiring; and if he will use his powers, under Section 5 of the Water Act, 1945, to require the Ripon and Pateley Bridge Rural District Council to formulate proposals for providing a piped water supply to this village.

The rural district council has already formulated a scheme for supplying this and other villages, and I am informed it recently instructed its consulting engineers to prepare in detail that section of the scheme which includes Birstwith.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will introduce legislation to consolidate the law relating to the making up of private streets.

The consolidation of private streets legislation is being considered in connection with the larger question of consolidating the general law relating to highways, streets and bridges.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many dwellings in Wales have been approved under arrangements for slum clearance; and if he will make a statement.

Proposals by Welsh local authorities to demolish 21,060 slum houses in the next five years have been approved.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that Gosforth Council has sold to private builders land which it had previously bought out of the surplus funds of the Housing Revenue Account for the purposes of its principal programme of council house building; and whether he will hold an inquiry into these actions of the Gosforth Council.

I am aware that, with the consent of my predecessor, the Gosforth Council sold some of its housing land, which was surplus to its own requirements, for the erection of houses by a private builder. I am at present considering a proposal by the Council to apply part of the proceeds of the sale, together with surplus funds in its Housing Revenue Account, to the discharge of outstanding compensation claims arising from the Council's acquisition of land for housing.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now reconsider the case for giving rank and file trade unionists the protection of compulsory strike ballot legislation in view of recent stoppages in industry and the widespread demand from workers to be given the right to decide on strike action by secret ballot.

No. Some unions have provision for ballots in their rules, but I am sure that legislation would not help to reduce the number of strikes. Experience in this country and abroad of such measures seems to confirm this.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered unemployed men and women at the Feltham and Hounslow employment exchanges at the latest convenient date.

At 11th March, 1957, there were 112 men and 71 women registered as unemployed at the Feltham Employment Exchange, and 257 men and 129 women at Hounslow Employment Exchange.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that unemployment among building trade operatives in the Bristol area is on the increase; and what steps are being taken to arrest this tendency.

I am aware that unemployment among building and civil engineering workers in the Bristol area has been increasing, but the number registered as unemployed on 11th March was considerably less than a month earlier. There are a number of factory building projects which should provide opportunities for further employment in the area.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons registered as unemployed in the radio industry at the latest convenient date.

At 11th March, 1957, the total numbers registered as unemployed were 1,519 in the wireless apparatus and gramophones industry, and 416 in the wireless valve and electric lamps industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which of the school building projects in his estimate of £13,200,000 for 1957–58 relate to projects included in estimates for the previous year but not yet begun.

On present information, I estimate that about 40 projects, to cost approximately £2·75 million, which were expected to start in 1956–57, were not begun during that year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the many further representations he has received, he will now advise the South-Eastern Regional Hospital Board to retain the appointment of a woman consultant physician at the women's hospitals in Edinburgh.

I do not have anything to add on this matter to the full statement made by my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary of State on the Adjournment on 25th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to authorise to increase road safety at Steel's Cross, Lanark.

Proposals for the improvement of the junction to allow easier access from the Class I road (A.72) to the trunk road (A.73) have been agreed with Lanarkshire County Council and Lanark Town Council. It is hoped to undertake the works this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many huts are still occupied at Burnwood Camp, Carluke; and when he expects the camp to be closed and destroyed.

The number of temporary houses in this camp still occupied has been reduced from the original 59 to 42. It is still not possible to forecast when all of the houses will be vacated.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many privately owned rented houses there are in Edinburgh between £40 and £90 rateable value.

I am informed that there are about 3,100 houses in this category in the City.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the net emigration from Scotland in 1954 and 1955; and how this compares with 1956.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Motherwell (Mr. Lawson), on 26th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the population, respectively, of the seven crofter counties in Scotland and of the seven southernmost counties.

The estimated population at 30th June, 1956, of the seven crofting counties in Scotland was 278,500; and of the seven southernmost counties 252,800.

asked the Minister of Supply when and in what way he brought to the notice of the Admiralty and the Air Ministry that he had for disposal over 8 million surplus razor blades from the War Department.

In accordance with the normal practice, when the razor blades were declared surplus the other Services were notified. Sales catalogues were also sent to them prior to the auction.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, as a result of the Prime Minister's meeting with President Eisenhower, instructions can now be given to the captains of British ships to whom they should pay Suez Canal dues.

I have still nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) on 27th March.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the fullest possible details, separately, of the two items in Table C, page 13, of Command Paper No. 109, under the heading Farm Expenses of Machinery, £198,500,000, and Other, £148,500,000, respectively.

The individual items comprising these forecasts are naturally open to some margin of error, but the most important components are, in the case of the machinery expenses total, about £60 million for depreciation on vehicles and machinery (at replacement cost), nearly £55 million for purchases of fuel and oil and about £60 million for repairs, replacement parts and tyres; the total for "other expenses" covers a large number of items of miscellaneous farm expenditure, but the most important are nearly £30 million for seeds (imported seeds plus merchants' margins on homegrown seed) and about £40 million for livestock (imported livestock plus merchanting charges on inter-farm sales of home bred livestock).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the result of the initial poll on the Egg Marketing Scheme.

The returning officer appointed to conduct the initial poll on the British Egg Marketing Scheme has reported that the result is that a sufficient majority of producers have voted in favour of that Scheme for it to remain in force. A total of 210,897 registered producers cast valid votes: 198,589, or 94·2 per cent. of these, voted in favour of the Scheme, representing 93·7 per cent. of the productive capacity of those voting.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give the voting figures in each constituency in the Kenya African elections showing separately those voters having one, two or three votes, respectively, and also the number of spoilt papers in each such category.

Following is the information:—

asked the Minister of Health what is the average length of stay of patients at present detained in Rampton State Institution; and how many patients have been detained for ten

asked the Minister of Health the number of patients detained in Rampton State Institution who are defined as mental defectives under Section 1 (1) (d) of the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913, namely as moral defectives; and what are the customary tests used to define mental defectiveness under this Section.

Sixteen male and two female patients. As with other classes of mental defect, assessment is based on the patient's incapacity in daily life, in school work or in response to standardised intelligence tests: there is also an estimate of his strongly vicious or criminal propensities, based on his behaviour.

asked the Minister of Health how many children under the age of fifteen years there are detained at Rampton State Institution; and what proportion of such children were transferred to the adult section when reaching the age of fifteen years during the latest convenient year.

Nineteen boys and three girls under the age of sixteen years, which is the age when a juvenile becomes an adult. Six boys and six girls were moved to the adult section in 1956.

asked the Minister of Health, how often the visiting magistrates visit Rampton State Institution; how long their visits last; and how many cases on the average have been reviewed on each visit.

Quarterly visits of two days duration. The average number of patients seen on each visit is seventy.

There is no average period of stay, but the numbers of patients detained for the periods mentioned are as follows:

asked the Minister of Health how many patients detained in Rampton State Institution have had their certificates revoked by visiting justices of the peace during the past ten years at reviews that have taken place after their attaining the age of twenty-one years.

Two.

asked the Minister of Health how many patients were discharged from Rampton State Institution during the latest convenient year; and what were the various categories of destination to which such patients were discharged.

Eighty-eight patients were discharged during 1956 as follows:

asked the Minister of Health how many patients were readmitted to Rampton State Institution during the latest convenient year after being discharged to other institutions and discharged on licence elsewhere, respectively.

The number of patients re-admitted during 1956 after being dis- charged to other institutions and discharged on licence respectively are as follows:

asked the Minister of Health what is the average period of stay by patients of Rampton State Institution, who are committed there, in the refractory ward of the men's side and the isolation ward on the women's side.

There is no average period of stay in the special observation wards. Some patients are there for a day or two, others for a few weeks; a smaller number for months and exceptionally, some for several years.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1) whether his attention has been drawn to departmental correspondence at King's Cross, quoted by Lieut.-Colonel Wilson, Minister of Transport Inspector at his Inquiry. which states that signal failures at Welwyn are getting all too frequent; and whether, in view of local concern, he will make a statement on the recommendations which are to be made;(2) pending the report of his departmental investigation into assertions by four train drivers that a signal at Welwyn Garden City gave a false clear on several occasions, what special steps are being taken to ensure the safety of railway traffic passing through Welwyn Garden City.

I am aware of the statements at the resumed Inquiry of the Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways into the accident at Welwyn Garden City on 7th January. I am also aware of an allegation by an engine driver that he had received a false clear indication at the Welwyn Garden City Up Main outer distant signal, and that this driver had referred to similar experiences at this signal by other drivers. The Chief Inspecting Officer is investigating whether there is any truth in these allegations, but my hon. Friend will understand that I cannot anticipate the findings of his report, which will be published as usual as soon as it is ready. I can, however, say that thorough and prolonged tests and examinations of the signal and its associated equipment have not disclosed any fault which might conceivably have caused a false clear indication.Notwithstanding the outcome of these tests, the precaution has been taken of installing a special indicator in Welwyn Garden City signal box which will warn the signalman at once if a false clear indication should be displayed.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what traffic control and safety precautions he is proposing to take to safeguard the junctions of the new Borrowash, Derbyshire, bypass road and Lodge Lane. Borrowash Road, Victoria Road and Cole Lane.

At most of these junctions it is proposed to erect "SLOW —MAJOR ROAD AHEAD" signs on the minor roads, but at one or possibly two, where visibility on both roads is somewhat restricted, it may be necessary to erect "HALT" signs on the minor roads. The task of motorists in crossing the road will be much eased by the wide central reservation.