asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to provide compensation for the dependants of the officers and crew of the Scottish Fishery Cruiser "Vaila", lost when she was wrecked off the coast of Ross and Cromarty on 6th January, 1957.

Gratuities under the Superannuation Acts have been awarded to the legal personal representatives of the five men who lost their lives and, where a widow has been left, benefits under the Industrial Injuries Scheme are being paid. Awards under the Injury Warrant, 1952, under which allowances may be granted in respect of injuries received by Government employees in the discharge of their duties, are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that there is dissatisfaction among the dependants of the men lost in the wreck on 6th January, 1957, off the coast of Ross and Cromarty with the incompleteness of the evidence adduced at, and with the consequent findings of the fatal accidents inquiry held at Stornoway on 25th February; and if he will therefore place in the Library or publish the evidence and findings.

I have not received any representations to the effect indicated in the first part of the Question. As regards the second part, it would be contrary to practice to place in the Library or to publish a transcript of the evidence taken in a court of law; but I am sending the hon. and learned Member a copy of the findings of the jury.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many sheep farms which have been acquired for planting are now being farmed by the Forestry Commissioners.

Five sheep farms owned by the Forestry Commission are being farmed by them until the ground is planted with trees. The agricultural residue of one of the farms will be let from Martinmas, 1957; in the remaining four farms the land will be almost completely planted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many shepherds were employed by the Forestry Commission on 1st February, 1957; and how many of them received wages more than 5s. above the standard wage laid down by the Agricultural Wages Order.

The answer to the first part of the Question is nine and to the second part seven. Three of those in receipt of higher wages were in charge of farms; the remaining four were employed where continuity of employment could not be guaranteed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average valuation price for North Country Cheviot ewes and lambs paid by the Forestry Commissioners when taking over hill farms for planting.

The Forestry Commission have taken over North Country Cheviot sheep stock on only one occasion in recent years; and it would be inappropriate for me to give details of individual transactions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the reason for the shortage of linen revealed in cases confined at Bellshill Maternity Hospital; and, as large quantities will be required for the new hospital in any case, if he will encourage buying more now.

The board of management have found that the linen has been returned from the laundry at an uneven rate and are putting this right. They are also inquiring fully into the whole position, including the level of stocks held.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what was the approximate proportion of established industrial and non-industrial civil servants out of the total numbers borne on the Navy Votes at the latest convenient date.

About 36 per cent. of the non-industrial and industrial civil servants borne on Navy Votes at 1st April, 1957, were established, The proportion can vary very widely between classes and between places.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what are the approximate numbers of established industrial and non-industrial civil servants now borne on the Navy Vote who would normally retire on pension during the next five years.

Roughly 14,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to the recent losses incurred by the attacks of warble fly on cattle in Wales; and what steps are being taken to advise about the precautions to be taken.

I regret that my right hon. Friend has no information on which to base a reliable estimate of the losses caused by warble flies in Wales.My Department, with the co-operation of local authorities, police forces, the National Farmers' Union, the Milk Marketing Board and the Fatstock Marketing Corporation, has this year again given extensive publicity to the statutory requirement to dress visibly infested cattle. Film shows have been arranged, leaflets and reminders distributed to cattle-owners, posters displayed at markets and publicity given through the B.B.C. and the farming press. In addition, the Ministry's veterinary and advisory staff have been instructed to remind cattle-owners of their obligations when visiting farms.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether there has been any recent increase in the incidence of liver fluke amongst sheep and cattle in Wales; and whether he is satisfied that sufficient precautions are being taken to control this disease.

The incidence of liver fluke disease in sheep and cattle varies greatly, increasing in wet summers and falling again with a dry season. The succession of wet summers in Wales in recent years has resulted in an increase of the disease there. Experience shows that after an outbreak of acute liver fluke disease, farmers take the precautions recommended by my Department, but tend to relax their vigilance once the disease position appears to have improved.I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a leaflet on the subject prepared by my Department.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give the names of the county agricultural committees in Wales which have dispensed with their machinery service; and whether he will indicate the number of contractors who are now able to give this service, in each county.

Agricultural machinery contract services for farmers have been dispensed with in Caernarvon, Carmarthen, Flint, Glamorgan, Monmouth, Montgomery and Radnor. My right hon. Friend regrets that he has not sufficient information to enable him to state the number of persons carrying out contract work for farmers in these counties.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why it is not yet considered practicable to have an Annual Price Review for horticultural produce similar to that for agricultural produce.

There is widespread agreement that guarantees similar to those given for the main farm products cannot be applied to horticultural produce, which is generally more perishable, more variable in quality, and subject to greater fluctuation in supply and demand. The Government however provides safeguards to home producers of most kinds of horticultural produce during their main marketing season by means of a seasonal tariff.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that certain manufacturers supplying cauterisers for the dehorning of cattle are recommending their products without the use of anaesthetics; and whether, in view of the great pain caused, he will take the necessary action to prevent this practice.

There are several methods of cauterising the horn buds of young calves; and if the hon. Member will send my right hon. Friend particulars of the products he has in mind he will look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Defence what is the estimated total national expenditure for all purposes which could be fairly described as civil defence expenditure for the years 1955–56, 1956–57, and 1957–58.

Civil Defence expenditure by Civil Departments was about £42 million in 1955–56 and £25 million in 1956–57. The estimated expenditure in 1957–58 is £20 million. This does not include the expenditure by the Service Departments on measures to aid the civil authorities in the event of war.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a further statement on the report of the inquiry by Mr. C. S. S. Burt, Q.C., into allegations made by the Civil Service Union relating to the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme.

Yes. Mr. Burt's report has been published today as a Command Paper. The report makes it clear that there is no substance in the allegation made by the Civil Service Union that pressure has been brought to bear on public house managers in the Scheme to produce greater profits by giving short measure, nor in the Union's allegation that managers have been given demonstrations how to "make" one pint of beer out of every ten. The General Manager and his colleagues in the Carlisle Head Office, against whom these unfounded allegations were directed, continue to enjoy my full confidence.

asked the Minister of Labour how many industrial establishments in the United Kingdom having 200 or more employees have on the spot facilities for physiotherapy treatment; and what proportion this number bears to the total number of such establishments.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has completed his discussions about arrangements for deferment of call up of students entering farm institutes; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir. In the past, the general rule has been that these young men could only obtain deferment to take a course not later than that next commencing after their 18th birthday. After consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, it has been decided that in future they will be eligible for deferment to take a later course, provided that they are under deferment on agricultural grounds or as agricultural apprentices on 1st May, or are subsequently granted deferment, in the year in which the course commences.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many man-hours were lost to industry in 1956 due to rheumatic and kindred complaints.

I have no figures with respect to man-hours lost to industry. The information at my disposal is limited to cases in which sickness benefit is paid. In 1954–55, the last year for which I have complete figures, the number of weekdays in respect of which incapacity for work was certified as due to rheumatic fever, rheumatism or arthritis totalled about 22 million.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many different types of pensions exist in the public service; and if he will detail these in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I have been asked to reply.The main pension schemes in the public service are those for

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether a reciprocal agreement has now been made to link up the schemes of social insurance in this country and in Cyprus.

I am glad to say that an agreement has been concluded and was given effect by an Order in Council made on 17th May. The agreement links up closely the scheme of social insurance in Cyprus and the schemes in the United Kingdom and, in particular, provides that a person who has paid contributions in both countries can have them added together for the purpose of a claim to benefit in either.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will make a statement with regard to reciprocal arrangements on social security with Sweden.

I am glad to be able to tell the House that by Order in Council made on 17th May effect has now been given to the Convention on Social Security with the Government of Sweden. It will come into force on 1st June.This Agreement covers on a reciprocal basis the benefits provided by National Insurance, Industrial Injuries Insurance, National Assistance and the Health Services. Swedish health services will be available to all British nationals, including tourists, and Her Majesty's Government much appreciate the co-operation of the Swedish Government in enabling these provisions to come into operation in time for this summer.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give further details of projected television and radio developments in Scotland.

Under the present plans, the B.B.C, expects to open V.H.F. sound broadcasting stations at Kirk c'Shotts this autumn and at Rosemarkie next year. The B.B.C.'s television station at Rosemarkie will be ready later this year, and the I.T.A.'s station at Blackhill, Lanarkshire, is to open on 31st August.In addition, my right hon. Friend is considering a proposal just received from the B.B.C. for a V.H.F. sound and television station in the Orkneys. This will also serve the North coast of Caithness, and will greatly improve reception in these areas. The Corporation does not consider it practicable to propose further stations at present.