asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Ghana on the subject of ensuring similar economic and financial assistance for Ghana to that available for the previous Colony of the Gold Coast.

As the hon. Member will be aware, the United Kingdom and Ghana Governments have already agreed in principle on a scheme of mutual technical assistance. The details of this scheme are now under discussion.I was able, during my recent visit to Ghana, to talk generally with the Prime Minister of Ghana about the question of United Kingdom assistance for Ghana, end to assure him of our continued interest in Ghana's economic development. As the hon. Member will know from the reply given by my hon. Friend

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total cost of Government aid to the fishing industry during the last financial year; and what were the main items.

Final figures are not yet available but the approximate cost of assistance to the United Kingdom fishing industry was £7·2 million, made up of grants and subsidies £4·6 million and loans £2·6 million. The following table shows the main items.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reply he has given to the Danish Government's protest that the sale of British eggs in Western Germany contravenes Article 16 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; and the estimated cost to the British Exchequer in sub-sidising these exports.

The Danish Government were informed that it was not the intention of the United Kingdom Government to subsidise production of agricultural commodities for export; and that we should be prepared to discuss with them what action should be taken if it became clear that exports of eggs to Western Germany and other Continental countries were likely to continue on a scale which might seriously prejudice Danish interests. In accordance with G.A.T.T. procedure further discussions with the Danish Government about the position are due to take place shortly. The best estimate that can be made of the subsidy incurred on some 13.000 boxes of eggs exported to Western Germany during the first quarter of 1957 is approximately £50,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now state which general categories of British exports are treated by his Department as sufficiently important to permit barter arrangements in the case of Eastern Germany.

These deals with Eastern Germany are only permitted if there is a special need as with fish and cotton textiles to find additional export outlets for the British goods affected.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Deartment if he will provide a school crossing patrol at assembly and dispersal times for Timber-croft Lane School, Plumstead, S.E.18.

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police, who is responsible for the provision of school crossing patrols in the Metropolitan Police district, that, after full inquiry, he does not consider that the small amount of traffic at this point would justify the provision of a patrol.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Deartment whether he will take steps to institute a close season appropriate to each species of deer in England and Wales, subject to the exception, in the case of deer actually causing damage, of deer killed in accordance with Sections 98 to 101 of the Agriculture Act, 1947.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave on 11th April to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, South (Sir J. Lucas) about deer hunting on Exmoor. A close season is, I understand, also observed by the hounds who hunt deer in the New Forest. My right hon. Friend is informed by the Forestry Commission that it is its practice not to shoot deer during the breeding season unless circumstances make it essential. The Committee on Cruelty to Wild Animals made no recommendation about a close season, and my right hon. Friend has no information that would justify the introduction by the Government of legislation to impose one.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cars have been towed away for improper parking in the Metropolitan Police district during the past week; and in how many of these cases the owner is being prosecuted.

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that in the seven days ended on Tuesday, 14th May, 62 vehicles were removed from the roads in the Metropolitan Police district under powers conferred on the police by The Removal of Vehicles (England and Wales) Regulations, 1957. The question of proceedings is being considered in all cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what efforts his Department has made to secure from the Ministry of Supply the equipment suitable for Civil Defence organisation, which is being offered for sale by public auction at Ruddington on 14th to 17th May, 1957.

None. Most of the vehicles issued by the Home Office to local authorities for Civil Defence training are specially designed or equipped, and orders for the current training programmes have already been placed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education when the gymnasium of Hookergate Grammar School, County Durham, is going to be completed.

My noble Friend expects to approve this project for inclusion in the Durham local education authority's school building programme for 1959–60, and it should be completed by the end of 1959 or soon afterwards.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education the percentage of students

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education when the Report of the Committee on the Supply and Training of Technical Teachers will be published.

The Report was published this morning.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to th Ministry of Education the latest available figures of the awards made by the 10 largest local education authorities to students at universities and other institutions of further education and of the State scholarships awarded to residents in their areas, as a proportion of the population, together with particulars of the proportion of 17-year-old pupils staying on at school.

The latest available figures are as follows:failing to obtain degrees or diplomas from amongst the students who have received State scholarships in the 10 largest local education authorities.

Following is the information:FIRST DEGREE RESULTS, 1955–56Failures and premature terminations of courses expressed as a percentage of all the results achieved by State scholars according to local education authority of residence.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what was the percentage proportion of the Exchequer contribution to the National Insurance Fund in 1949–50 and 1955–56.

Expressed as a percentage of total contribution income, the Exchequer payments to the National Insurance Fund in these years were about 27 per cent, and 15 per cent, respectively.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what are the total reserves including the sum total of the annual surpluses and the amount brought over from the old insurance schemes at the latest available date.

The balance in the National Insurance and Reserve Funds together at 31st March, 1956, was £1,485 millions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of an allowance of £250 to single persons and £400 for a married couple at the age of 65 years to all taxpayers, excepting Surtax payers.

The cost of such an allowance against Income Tax but not against Surtax would be about £37½ million in a full year, or £35 million more than the cost of exempting incomes not exceeding £250 (single) or £400 (married) for taxpayers over 65 as proposed in the Finance Bill.