asked the Minister of Works whether he will take powers to clear away all the dilapidated buildings between Great College Street and the King George V Memorial, with the exception of the recently reconstructed Jewel Tower, and make the area into a public park; and his estimate of the cost of this undertaking.

As all the houses between Great College Street and the King George V Memorial are owned by my Department or by the Crown Estate Commission, there is no need to seek statutory powers. I am anxious to effect an improvement on this important site and I shall make a statement to the House when I am in a position to do so.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that if that could be carried out it would complete the setting for Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, and probably make it one of the most beautiful sites in the whole of the world?

I am extremely glad to hear my hon. Friend express that view. It is a great opportunity, which I hope we shall be able to take.

Can the Minister say what bodies he proposes to consult before reaching a conclusion?

I would rather not. Consultations are taking place at the moment.

asked the Minister of Works when he will resume the work of rebuilding the New Palace Yard Arcade.

It is hoped to start rebuilding this Arcade during the next few months.

Can my hon. Friend say whether it will be necessary to close the covered way?

No, it will not be necessary to close it. A narrow footpath will be left; but the work is quite extensive and it will take some time.

asked the Minister of Works if he will demolish the brick buildings at the entrance to New Palace Yard.

Plans are being prepared for a new taxi light and police shelter so that these brick buildings can be demolished. It will probably not be possible to carry out the major part of the work until the long Recess of 1958.

Can my hon. Friend tell us what work, if any, will be carried out in this Summer Recess? It is a long time until 1958.

This is work that has to be confined to the long Recess. I think that the taxi light, which is part of the work, may possibly be done in the Recess of 1957. The remainder will, I think, be done in the long Recess of 1958.

Why is it necessary to wait until the long Recess to demolish the eyesores which exist and which have been there since the war? Is not it possible for the work to be done before the long Recess of 1958?

The work is not just that of demolishing the existing buildings. New ones will have to be built and new lights fitted. It is rather better to have the whole thing planned and carried out at one fell swoop. That, I think, is the considered view.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the poor condition of many of the courtyards in the Palace of Westminster; and when he proposes to repair them.

I agree that some improvement in the condition of a number of courtyards is needed. Royal Court will be resurfaced in the long Recess. We hope to find money for other courtyards in subsequent years.

Will my hon. Friend ensure that the condition of New Palace Yard is not allowed to deteriorate, in view of the heavy volume of traffic which it has to carry?

The surface of New Palace Yard has been attended to quite recently, and it will be looked at as and when necessary, but there is no suggestion at the moment of completely resurfacing it—certainly not until the work on the Arcade, to which my hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Mr. Farey-Jones) referred, is completed.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is satisfied that the hammer-beam roof in Westminster Hall is properly illuminated by the existing lighting arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

The lighting fittings in Westminster Hall include floodlights directed at the roof and these can be switched on by the control engineer at the request of any hon. Member.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that information, may I ask him whether he would agree that it is a pity that the full beauties of this magnificent hall, which is the finest of its kind in Europe, if not in the whole world, go very largely unseen and unappreciated because these lights are so rarely switched on'? Could not he make an arrangement whereby they can be kept on permanently so that visitors will be able to see the roof and appreciate it fully?

I agree that the beauties of the roof should be easily seen. That is why the lights are fitted. The reason for not leaving the lights on the whole of the time is one of economy. It would cost about £100 a year. They can be switched on by asking for extension 800 at any time, if any hon. Member wants that to happen.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that in both design and execution, this is the greatest monument to English craftsmanship that we possess, and should not it be made continually available to view, particularly by visitors, to give them some idea of the beauty of this piece of English craftsmanship—[An HON. MEMBER: "British."]—no, English. It has a connection with Chaucer, who was Clerk of Works when it was put up. This is one of the great heritages common to our-selves and the Americans, because it was built before they left.

I accept all that the right hon. Gentleman has said. This is a great heritage, and it is right that we should make it easy for people to see. The question here is whether or not the lights should be left permanently switched on. We do not see the need for that, but we have made arrangements whereby they can be switched on without delay.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what use is made of the National Physical Laboratory's electronic digital calculators in the public service; and what revenue is earned from work done for outside bodies.

The National Physical Laboratory's electronic digital computer, the "DEUCE ", in addition to its use on the research programme of the National Physical Laboratory and other D. S. I. R. stations, provides a service for other Government Departments, including the Admiralty and the Ordnance Survey. In addition it has been used for work for the Atomic Energy Authority, for private industry and for universities; the revenue earned from these bodies amounted to £17,700 in the financial year 1955–56 and £9,500 in the year 1956–57.

Could my hon. Friend say whether the all-in revenue represents any diminution in the service? Surely, he appreciates that such machines should be kept constantly occupied?

Yes, we do, indeed, appreciate the need to see that they are fully used, and I think that the reason why the service has fallen off over the last twelve months is that our erstwhile customers have purchased digital computers of their own. I suppose that that is really a compliment to "DEUCE" and its predecessor, "ACE".

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, in view of the competing claims on the limited scientific manpower of this country made by defence and civilian research, if the Government will set up an executive body to study and direct the nation's organisation for scientific research and development in all fields.

As explained by the Prime Minister in answer to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stross) on 31st January, complex machinery already exists for coordinating the national scientific research effort. The position is constantly watched but my noble Friend is not satisfied that it is necessary to establish a new organisation of the type suggested.

Will my hon. Friend ask his noble Friend to give this matter constant attention?

I can assure my hon. Friend that my noble Friend is aware of the importance of this, and will keep it very clearly under review.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell the House how many members of the Cabinet have had any scientific education?

That is a question of which I should want notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether the European Organisation for Nuclear Research has yet announced a research programme; and whether Her Majesty's Government has suggested any particular problems for study.

No research programme has yet been announced. The full research resources of the Organisation will only become available when the two accelerators are completed. The smaller accelerator is expected to be in operation late this summer. Full-scale research on it should commence by the end of the year and a research programme is now being worked out. Her Majesty's Government have suggested some problems for study.

Would the Minister say who is responsible for agreeing the programme?

The working out of the research programme is the responsibility of the Director-General, but he has the advice, on the Scientific Policy Committee, of many eminent scientists, who include Sir John Cockcroft and Professor Blackett from the United Kingdom.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress has been made by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in translating Russian scientific periodicals and providing a lending library service on them; and whether it will be prepared to translate scientific papers on request.

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has ordered all the Russian scientific and technological books and periodicals which are available through commercial channels and, where possible, English translations of them, and is trying to obtain additional material on exchange. When sufficient material has been received a lending service will be started. The Department is continuing its small Co-operative Translations Scheme, under which the cost of a translation of a scientific paper is shared by those interested, and is considering the provision of a more comprehensive translation service.

Could my hon. Friend give any idea as to when it is expected that the lending service will be started, and could he say whether there will be any political difficulties about obtaining these publications?

The service is well on the way now, and I do not think that we anticipate any difficulty in getting the exchange moving, because Russia is eager to have our publications and in order to get them there must be a real, live exchange.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary say whether any objection has been raised by the Foreign Secretary on the ground that these books and documents have been written by Communists or fellow-travellers?

This matter has not yet come within the purview of the Foreign Office in that particular respect.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, to what extent the British programme of research in the upper atmosphere, as part of our contribution to the International Geophysical Year, will be affected by the decision of the United States to defer the launching of her earth satellites.

The United States decision will no doubt be taken into consideration by the British National Committee which has been set up by the Royal Society to co-ordinate the British programme. As things stand at present the British programme is expected to proceed as planned.

In view of the Answer which was given to my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea, South (Mr. Partridge) on 14th May, does this mean that Russia alone will now be launching earth satellites?

Several countries, including ourselves, intend to launch rockets of one kind or another. My recollection of the announcement from the United States is that they are merely delaying the launching of their satellite, not abandoning it.

asked the Secretary of State for War what services his Department receives from the Admiralty Compass Observatory, Ditton Park.

We receive no direct services, but I understand that the Ministry of Supply has some development work done by the Observatory on equipment intended for the use of the Army.

Would not the Minister agree that the work which is done for the Ministry of Supply is of real value to his Department?

The hon. Gentleman will realise that he is asking about the activities of a second cousin once or twice removed. All development work for the Army is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply, and the contribution made by the Compass Observatory is only a small part of the research upon and development of Army equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for War what active steps are now being taken to encourage a continuing flow of volunteer recruits to the Territorial Army.

With the decision to abolish National Service in 1960, the Territorial Army will once again be the entirely volunteer organisation which it was before the war, and we hope that many young men and women will come forward. Meanwhile, we are devoting part of our normal recruiting resources to the Territorial Army and taking steps to secure the active co-operation of employers and the T. U. C. As in the past, we shall rely a great deal upon local good will and the recruiting activities of the units themselves.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this reply will be received with great satisfaction by all ranks in the Territorial Army, and will he give an assurance that there will be a real and really imaginative intensification of the recruiting campaign, now that the National Service entry is coming to an end?

I thank my hon. Friend for what he has just said. I shall certainly never be complacent about the measures that we are taking to increase recruiting either for the Regular Army or for the Territorial Army. I can assure him that I shall do all I can to assist recruiting in both of these directions.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his Answer will not be received with any satisfaction by those who are interested in the Territorial Army? Is it not about time that it was made clear, if such is the case, that those in the Territorial Army will be employed as soldiers, and not in a civil capacity?

I am sorry that my hon. and gallant Friend has said that. I think that I have made it absolutely clear—perhaps he did not hear my speech in the debate on the Army Estimates—that the Territorial Army is to be kept as a fighting force, and I have great confidence that it will carry out its duties with great success.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider making arrangements whereby all volunteer recruits to the Territorial Army, who sign on for a minimum period of four years' service as Territorials, will be exempted from National Service until further notice.

No, Sir. This would not help us to achieve our aim of a Territorial Army made up wholly of volunteers.

Will not my right hon. Friend re-examine this proposal in order to encourage a steady flow of volunteers: and discuss the matter with the Minister of Labour?

I will certainly look at my hon. Friend's suggestion, but my own reaction is that if we want an all-volunteer Territorial Army it would be a mistake to have in it people who, as second choice to avoid National Service, had decided to do four years in the Territorials.

Before turning down this suggestion entirely, will my right hon. Friend call to mind the considerable difficulties that we had in the Territorial Army in the 'thirties in getting sufficient recruits, and that with the further flow of National Service suddenly stopping it will take a great deal to re-introduce the voluntary spirit?

I have said that I would be only too pleased to look at this suggestion, but I thought it only fair to my hon. Friend and to the House to give my first reactions.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there has recently been any improvement in recruiting for the Territorial Army?

Yes. Although I have not got the actual figures, I am glad to say that I have been given to understand that in the last week or so there has been some improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the closing of the Women's Royal Army Corps Staff College, and on the future of the Corps.

The Women's Royal Army Corps Staff College will be closed in August because the numbers now being trained there do not justify maintaining a separate establishment. Staff training for women will continue, but it will now be brought under the direction of the Commandant of the Staff College, Camberley. These new arrangements do not imply any reduction in our need for women officers. The Women's Royal Army Corps will become more important than ever as National Service comes to an end, and we wish to attract as many recruits as we can, both officers and other ranks.

Can my right hon. Friend say exactly what this means to women staff officers? Will they have the same training as men, and does my right hon. Friend anticipate much difficulty in getting the numbers he requires by voluntary recruitment for the Women's Royal Army Corps?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question is that they will in fact make use of the training facilities at the Staff College at Camberley, and they will continue to receive a course of training very similar to the one which is now provided at Frimley. On the second part of the supplementary question, all I can say is that the Corps has a proud tradition and a great record of service. There are nearly 50 different trades open to members of the Women's Royal Army Corps, including several technical trades, and I hope that we shall recruit sufficient personnel, because they will be of great value to the Army of the future.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) why on 21st May, he wrote to inform the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion, that Craftsman Ford's big toe would come out of plaster on 7th May, two weeks previously and stating that he would then be completely overhauled medically, whereas this had already happened on 15th May;

(2) why he informed the secretary of the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion, on 16th May that a letter concerning Craftsman Ford was in the post, which letter was shown by its contents to have been written before 7th May; why it was dated 21st May; and what steps he is taking to make sure that Members' complaints about their constituents' health and treatment in the Army are urgently treated.

I very much regret the delay in writing to my hon. Friend after receipt of the first medical report.

I understand that the telephone message given on 16th May was that a letter had been drafted but was not in the post. Inquiries from hon. Members are given high priority in the War Office, and the delay in this instance is exceptional.

Does my hon. Friend realise that this letter, dated 21st May, refers to what will happen when the toe comes out of plaster on 7th May, a fortnight before; and that furthermore this man would then be examined by the War Office and that I would be informed of the result? In the meantime, as my hon. Friend is aware, the father learned all about this. The son was taken ill on the train with acute appendicitis immediately after the medical examination. If this man, having got appendicitis, had been properly examined, and if his tummy had been touched, surely he would have jumped a mile. I gather that Dr. Roger Bannister was one of the doctors who examined this man's foot. Did he examine the rest of his body as well?

I think that the second part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question anticipates the next Question. I can only say that I have already expressed regret for the delay, and I hope that my hon. Friend will accept that expression of regret.

asked the Secretary of State for War why, when Craftsman Ford was completely overhauled medically on 15th May and ordered back to Chester hospital for three months for toe trouble, it was not discovered that he had acute appendicitis, since he had to be taken to Liverpool Hospital that same night for operation; and why, in his letter of 21st May, he did not refer to this operation.

Craftsman Ford did not complain of abdominal trouble and there was no evidence of acute appendicitis, symptoms of which did not begin until he was on his return journey. I had not heard about this development when I wrote to my hon. Friend.

May I ask my hon. Friend why he had not heard about this? It was fourteen days afterwards when he wrote to me. Is it really necessary to keep a man like this in National Service, when he has been in hospital since the beginning of December, and all his family wants is that he should come out and go home to take up an ordinary job of work?

In reply to the first part of the supplementary question, I would say that I am advised that the condition of appendicitis commences suddenly. In the absence of symptoms or complaints from the soldier himself, there was no reason to foresee this attack. The answer to the second part of the supplementary question is, yes. Because of foot trouble, and as a result of the medical board, my right hon. Friend has decided that Craftsman Ford should be discharged.

Can we have this important matter cleared up? Did the man lose his toe or his appendix?

He lost his appendix. I understand that his toe is recovering. He has been discharged.

Had he been an officer there would have been none of this joking.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that several of the articles listed in Schedule B of the recent Anglo-Australian Trade Agreement such as mowers, cement-making machines, channelling machines, and certain hand tools, enjoyed preference of 25 per cent. or more before the agreement came into force; and what estimate he has made of the effect on United Kingdom exports if the margins of preference on these and other articles are reduced to the minimum of 7½ per cent.

Yes, Sir. These items have in recent years accounted for about 3 per cent. of our exports to Australia. I am confident that, as my right hon. Friend the then President of the Board of Trade said on 12th November last, our exporters to Australia should be sufficiently competitive to hold the market notwithstanding the reduction of preference margins.

If that is the case, how is it that Australia is not satisfied with the preference margin that she gets from this country? Surely if Australia is not satisfied, we are being rather complacent in being satisfied with the reduction in the preference on our exports to Australia?

I do not think I said anything to justify the charge of complacency. It is true that some of our preferences are being reduced, but my hon. Friend, who has so much expert knowledge of this subject, will appreciate that the preferences we now have are certain for five years, whereas the previous preferences were at six months' notice.

In order that the full impact of this Agreement upon our trade and upon Commonwealth preferences can be properly considered by hon. Members, would the right hon. and learned Gentleman try to initiate a publication setting out the reduction of tariffs on all the various items that come into the Agreement? Until we get that, it is very difficult for us to judge the effect of this Agreement.

I have, of course, carefully studied what the right hon. Gentleman said about this on Thursday night, and we will certainly give consideration to his suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to which foreign countries evaporated and condensed milk is being exported.

In the four months January-April, 1957, Western Germany, Austria, Cuba, Hungary, Libya and Burma took 85 per cent. of our exports of evaporated and condensed milk to foreign countries. The remainder was sent, in small amounts, to more than 30 countries.

As this is another example of a subsidised export, and as it depends upon imported feeding stuffs paid for in dollars, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman keep this export under review?

I think that that question should more properly be directed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. For myself, I note what the hon. Gentleman says.

Could the right hon. and learned Gentleman give any idea of the weight or volume of this export trade?

The exports to foreign countries to which the Question relates are only about 15 per cent. of the whole of the exports overseas. These amounted in the first quarter of this year to 12,333 tons to a value of rather over£1¼million.

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether these exports, which after all are carrying a certain degree of subsidy, are in conformity with out undertakings under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade?

I am not aware of any challenge to these exports under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

if we are to have some of these surpluses, whether of milk or eggs, would it not be better to get rid of them by giving them to our own hospitals or to old-age pensioners rather than by disturbing foreign markets by selling them at cheap prices abroad?

I think that that question raises issues rather wider than arc implicit in this Question, which merely asks to which foreign countries these exports go.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reason for discriminating in the hire-purchase restrictions against public service vehicles and goods vehicles of over 30 cwt. carrying capacity by refusing to extend to them, as to other mechanically propelled road vehicles, the reduction to 20 per cent. in the minimum initial hire-purchase deposit payable; and when he proposes to take remedial action in this matter.

An Order has been laid before Parliament today, to come into operation tomorrow, fixing a common minimum deposit of 33⅓ per cent. for all mechanically propelled vehicles. The Order also reduces the minimum deposit for machinery and plant from 50 per cent. to 33⅓ per cent.

Is my hon. Friend aware that operators of goods vehicles and coaches will receive that news with a good deal of satisfaction. equalled only, I think, by the dissatisfaction with which motorists will receive the news that their minimum deposit has gone up from 20 to 33⅓ per cent.?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of imports from the Commonwealth and Empire imported into the United Kingdom during 1956 that were items enumerated in Chapters 1 to 24 of the Brussels Nomenclature; and what proportion this represented of the total value of all Commonwealth and Empire imports during this period.

These imports were valued at £853·0 million and represented 49 per cent. of total imports from the Commonwealth.

Has my right hon. Friend communicated those figures to the Federation of British Industries, and has he noticed that, in its last pamphlet, the Federation put the proportion at 10 per cent.?

As my right hon. Friend well knows, I have no responsibility for what the Federation of British Industries publishes. If it is under any misapprehension as to these figures, I am sure that it will be corrected by the Answer which I have given.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend bear in mind that, whether he has responsibility or not for what it publishes, the evidence which the Federation of British Industries gives will nevertheless have considerable force so far as European free trade is concerned, and will he, therefore, make sure that, when it submits evidence, that evidence is accurate?

I have no reason to suppose that the Federation of British Industries ordinarily publishes statistics other than those which are accurate. If there has been any slip on this occasion, I am satisfied that the Federation will correct it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made with the negotiations for a European Free Trade Area drive since, on 13th February, he was charged with co-ordinating the work of three Organisation for European Economic Co-operation committees on the subject.

Much valuable work has been done, and the hon. Member may rest assured that all practical steps to assist the progress of negotiations will be taken.

But even assuming that the Chancellor's Answer meant anything, is it not clear that the Common Market core is becoming increasingly rigid, that the signatories are increasingly less anxious to change anything, and that we are now in a position where it is very difficult for us to change the core and very difficult for us to fit ourselves around it as it exists? What is the Government's policy? Do they still propose to go straight ahead with the Free Trade Area plan, even if the French and Belgian Colonies are in on the present terms?

That seems to be of the nature of a commentary upon events.

Since we have been asking the Chancellor for a statement about this matter ever since the Paris meeting, will he not, perhaps after Questions one day, make a fuller statement about what happened there and about what the Government's policy is? Secondly, is it or is it not the case that, as was authoritatively stated after the recent meeting in Bonn, the Prime Minister and the German Chancellor agreed to "soft-pedal" work on the Free Trade Area for some time until the ratification of the Common Market Treaty?

I should like to emphasise that there is no soft-pedalling going on. There is a great deal of very hard work going on, and I think that it would be better for it to be completed before any statement is made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the changes recently made in connection with local authorities borrowing for capital purposes.

In order to shorten the waiting period for local authorities proposing to make stock issues, it has been decided to restore the arrangement in force before 1955 by which local authority stock market issues and placings were made only for amounts of £3 million or more. This will have the effect of reserving the stock market for those authorities whose needs are larger than can readily be met in the mortgage market, and it will make room in the mortgage market for the smaller authorities to whose needs it is better suited.

When many local authorities were taken away from the help and protection of the Public Works Loan Board and were driven into the market, they had every ground for complaint; and is it not the fact now that many of the smaller authorities are finding that they cannot, as they were told they would have to do, borrow in the market? Will the Chancellor now say whether the Public Works Loan Board is open to them with the same freedom as was before 1955?

I have had no complaint from local authorities about this new arrangement, which is, indeed, I think, the most convenient for them. The position of the Public Works Loan Board remains exactly as it was before this re-arrangement of the stock market issues.

Will the Chancellor consult his right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, who is continually receiving complaints not only from individual local authorities but from local authority associations in regard to this?

I certainly will consult my right hon. Friend, but I do not think that he is getting any complaints about this particular question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the widespread interest and concern about the work of the Radcliffe Committee on financial policies and techniques, he will ensure that the Committee publishes its evidence as taken, following the practice of the Macmillan Committee on the same subject.

A full record of the evidence taken will be published with the Committee's Report. In this the practice of the Macmillan Committee will be followed, as the right hon. Gentleman suggests.

I have not myself checked in the case of the Macmillan evidence, but is it not a fact that during the hearings of the Macmillan Committee the evidence was published as it was taken, after a short interval, instead of people having to wait until the final publication of the Report? Would it not be of very great interest to many people in this country who are following the work of the Committee with great interest if this information could be made available, instead of their having to wait eighteen months or two years for the whole of it to be published with the final Report?

I thought that the evidence was published with the final Report, but I will have a look at that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the only exclusively live theatre in Leicester is about to close; and whether he will ask the Arts Council of Great Britain to take steps to re-establish a theatre in that city of 290,000 inhabitants.

It has been the policy of successive Governments to leave to the Arts Council all decisions on the spending of the grant which Parliament makes to them.

Is the Chancellor aware that the closing of this particular theatre, which has been in existence for about 120 years, is a serious blow to theatre-loving people in Leicester, and would he consider making an additional grant to the Arts Council to enable it to deal with this particular situation?

I have already made some contribution to the living theatre by the abolition of Entertainments Duty. So far as the Arts Council is concerned, I think I must leave it to make its own decisions.

Is not the time coming when my right hon. Friend will be well advised to appoint either a Royal Commission or a Select Committee so that we can have a little more certainty about What we are doing in the whole field of art; and is not the proposal made by the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West (Mr. Janner) just one of the points which are so difficult for the Arts Council and the general public to understand?

I think that that goes rather wider than the original Question—

It was meant to.

—but I certainly think that the Arts Council is probably a better judge than the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the desire of the public in Leicester to attend the theatre.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the receipts received from the tax on football pools and on dog racing, respectively, for the months of March and April, 1957.

I will, with permission, circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL. REPORT:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what recent conversations he has had with local authorities about the problem of private streets in England and Wales, respectively, which were developed, or partly developed, more than twenty years ago.

It is part of my Department's normal duties to deal with proposals from local authorities in both England and Wales for the making up of private streets. The problem of the older unmade roads—and I know that many of them are more than twenty years old—is usually prominent in our correspondence and discussions with the local authorities in both countries.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in the part of my constituency which is on the outskirts of the City of Cardiff, there are many streets which have been in an appalling condition for all this time, and the inhabitants and residents are most apprehensive that each year which passes will add to the probable cost of making up those streets and the road charges? Does he not think that there is reasonable ground for taking some steps which will give these roads priority over any new streets which may be constructed?

This is a matter for the local authorities. It is for each authority to decide which streets it will make up under its statutory powers. A local authority ordinarily endeavours to deal with the worst streets first.

Is the Minister aware that the frontagers, when they purchased the houses, purchased on the basis of no road charges, and the continuing delay makes for considerable difficulty in tracing builders who received payments originally in the purchase price for making up the frontage?

I think that that is rather another aspect of the question.

Will the Minister restore to local authorities facilities for loan sanctions for this work, refusal of which is hindering a good many of them at the present time?

We are now issuing loan sanctions at the rate of about £1 million a year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what advice he has given to his regional officers in regard to the granting of planning approval for caravan sites.

My regional officers have no authority to grant or to refuse planning approval for any form of development. That is a matter for the local planning authority, or for me on appeal. I am at present reviewing the policy on caravan sites in the light of discussions which my Department has had with the local authority associations and with caravan organisations.

While that may be true, will my right hon. Friend please hasten that decision, since he is, no doubt, aware that the position as regards caravan sites at the moment is quite chaotic, and, unless some direction is given, site owners will take the law into their hands, and matters will take much longer to put right in the end?

I hope that nobody will contravene the law. I can assure my hon. Friend and the House that I realise the importance of this. There is a great clash of opinion, and I am anxious to find a solution which will be generally acceptable.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now take the necessary steps to preserve Charles Dickens' house, 1, Devonshire Terrace, W.1, from demolition, in view of the notification received from the London County Council.

The London County Council, as local planning authority, decided not to make a preservation order in respect of this house, and after carefully considering all the circumstances I reached a similar conclusion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his reply will give acute disappointment to a large number of people? Is he aware that this terrace of only three houses was scheduled, as recently as October, 1954, as comprising buildings of special architectural and historic interest? Is not this decision of the right hon. Gentleman's making absolute nonsense of town planning legislation?

The decision which I have to make is whether to use my default powers. The London County Council, which is the planning authority, decided not to make a building preservation order

"in view of the architectural character of the premises, which have been substantially altered since they were built in the late eighteenth century, and of the existence of other houses in London and the provinces devoted to the memory of Charles Dickens."

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the concern felt by the farmers and anglers of Warwickshire regarding pollution of the River Avon by sewage pouring into that river from the Sherbourne and Sowe tributaries; and whether he will take immediate steps in this matter.

Works are in progress which should gradually improve the condition of this river. The Coventry City Council has already spent over £½million on improvements to its main sewage disposal works, which discharge to the River Sowe, and has a further programme involving substantial expenditure.

Would the Minister agree that nearly all the watercourses in the vicinity of large cities are virtually open sewers? Can he not do something more about this, or must the people await domestic action by the big county boroughs?

I cannot accept the generality of the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question. In this case, there is a great deal to be done. Coventry is a city which has expanded rapidly. I think it is aware of the magnitude of its responsibility, and the fact that it has already spent over £500,000 is, I would say, evidence that the Coventry City Council is taking the matter seriously.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now announce his decisions, following inquiries into claims for general public access to certain wild moorland areas in Yorkshire and Lancashire.

I hope to be in a position to announce my decisions on these difficult cases next month.

Does the Minister feel that the Duke of Devonshire's interests are so overwhelming that it takes two years to decide whether anyone can walk over his grouse moors?

There is no question of any personality. The papers are before me at the moment. They concern twelve areas in the West Riding and other areas in Lancashire, and I am now more than ever aware of the great complexity of the matter. I want to reach a decision that is a correct one.

asked the Minister of Labour how many employees of the Suez contracting companies have applied to his officers for other employment owing to events in Egypt; and with what result.

Separate statistics of British subjects from Egypt who were employees of Suez contracting companies have not been maintained. So far, 2,121 British subjects from Egypt have registered for employment. Of these 842 have been found work by my Department. In addition a number have found their own employment, and some have emigrated. At 17th May, 475 men and women were still awaiting placing.

asked the Minister of Labour what recent inspections have taken place in factories working with radioactive materials such as radium or radio-thorium; and with what results.

Since 1st June last year, at least 300 such inspections have been made. The majority of these factories are covered by the Factories (Luminising) Special Regulations, 1947, and in most cases the standard of compliance with the Regulations is good.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered unemployed persons in Cardiff at the latest convenient date; and the comparable figures for a year ago.

The number was 2,459 at 13th May, 1957, compared with 1,898 at 14th May. 1956.

Is the Minister satisfied that this is not a trend which is likely to develop? There is a great deal of anxiety in the city.

The figures are, of course, higher than last year, but that is only part of the story. Last year, unemployment increased throughout the year without the normal seasonal improvement, whereas this year there is the encouraging feature of a very substantial seasonal improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has come to a decision on claims for compensation from Scottish fishing vessels whose nets have been damaged in recent incidents with foreign ships.

A claim in respect of loss suffered by one Scottish trawler has been sent to Her Majesty's Embassy in Moscow for transmission to the appropriate Soviet authorities. Claims in respect of two Scottish drifters are being examined.

asked the Prime Minister what communication he has received from Dr. Herbert Mackey, of Dublin, Chairman of the Casement Repatriation Committee, on the question of the remains of Sir Roger Casement and the books, documents and papers, the property of Sir Roger Casement and now in the custody of Her Majesty's Government; and what was the nature of his reply.

I have received a communication from the Casement Repatriation Committee and I have asked my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to deal with it. He will no doubt write to the Chairman of the Committee in due course.

Could the Prime Minister have a word with the Home Secretary? Is he aware that historical documents connected with trials for treason in Scotland have been returned to Edinburgh? Does he see any objection against historical documents relating to Ireland being returned to Dublin? Is there any possible reason why this country should hang on to documents and other things which are of no interest to it?

I am sure that my right hon. Friend will have all these and all other relevant considerations in mind.

Has my right hon. Friend seen a recent account in a Sunday newspaper to the effect that the remains of Roger Casement were handed over privately on the instructions of the late Mr. Ramsay Macdonald, when he was Prime Minister in 1932, to Casement's brother, Thomas Casement, and another Irishman? Can my right hon. Friend say whether there is any truth in that story?

No, Sir, I am afraid that I have not read the Sunday newspaper in question, but if my hon. Friend will send me a copy I will see that it is transmitted to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister if he will lay before the forthcoming Conference of Commonwealth Prime Ministers proposals that Commonwealth Governments should simplify their tariffs, firstly, by reducing to a reasonable number the large number of different rates of duty which most of them contain, and secondly, by converting specific rates, especially complicated duties composed of specific and ad valoremrates combined, into ad valoremrates.

This is a technical matter to which a good deal of thought is already being given by the United Kingdom and certain other Commonwealth Governments. I scarcely think that the forthcoming meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers would be a suitable occasion to consider such questions except in general terms.

Will my right hon. Friend consider bringing this matter before the next meeting of Commonwealth Finance Ministers, whenever one is held?

Certainly. Sir. This is, as my hon. Friend probably knows, a very technical matter, on which a good deal of work is already going on.

asked the Prime Minister if he is yet in a position to announce what steps he intends to take to relieve the burden on the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations.

I have at present nothing to add to the reply which I gave the hon. Gentleman on 16th April.

Is the Prime Minister aware that there is a special sense of urgency in this matter? In view of the many indiscretions that the present holder of the office has committed during the last few months, would the Prime Minister not agree that the best course would be to relieve him of office altogether?

No, Sir. I utterly repel that observation, which is foolish and unworthy.

While I do not want to get into any controversy concerning the indiscretions of the Minister concerned, may I ask the Prime Minister whether he does not agree that the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations is, in fact, very underworked? Will the Prime Minister not see whether it is possible, at the forthcoming conference of Commonwealth Prime Ministers, to increase the Secretary of State's duties by some further economic co-operation between the members of the Commonwealth?

As to whether my noble Friend is overworked or under-worked, I must leave the right hon. Gentleman to settle with his hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. Hamilton).

asked the Prime Minister what knowledge he expects to gain from further hydrogen bomb tests on Christmas Island that is not already possessed by the Government of the United States of America; if, in the proposals he is considering making to the United States of America for the pooling of information about nuclear weapons, he will consider the feasibility of their nuclear scientists co-operating with ours in an examination of the details of our tests and a subsequent report to the British Government upon the advisability of any further tests being made; and if he will request the United States Government to seek the authority of Congress to examine afresh, with the British Government, the question of nuclear defence.

As the hon. Member is aware, the United States Government are not able under United States law to exchange details of their tests which concern the design and fabrication of nuclear weapons; I therefore do not know what knowledge they possess in this sphere and how it relates to our own. We do, however, exchange information on the effects of nuclear weapons; this exchange while valuable to both parties does not, of course, help us in the design of our own weapons. I have said that the possibility of putting proposals to the United States Government will be carefully considered.

Does the Prime Minister fully realise the enormous risk that we are taking in the defence of the free world in the question of nuclear weapons? Is it not time that we told the United States that they must cooperate with us on a fair basis if we are to continue to take these tremendous risks? Does not the Prime Minister realise that, as well as the problem of poisoning the world by the tests, there is the really great problem of dismantling the enormous amount of nuclear power that is now built up and which, we are advised, could destroy all Europe in three hours? Does he not consider that the best way to do that is to press as quickly as possible for a conference in which the veto of Congress in this matter can be considered?

The hon. Member will recognise that the number of supplementary points that he has raised makes his Question more suitable for debate than for question and answer, but I will do my best to summarise in this way. I regard the nuclear power of the free world thus: it has at least preserved peace in the period since the war, and is our greatest protection; that it should not be abandoned without corresponding reductions in conventional armaments. I welcome any initiative, in which we will play our part, and in which the United States Government are playing their part, which may lead to a proper solution of this problem.

asked the Prime Minister if he will specify in detail the evidence submitted to him that the worldwide fall-out of fission products from the first British hydrogen bomb test was negligible.

asked the Prime Minister what assessment has now been made of the effects of fall-out from the first Christmas Island test, in particular upon health and genetic prospects.

The explosion took place as planned at a great height, and the cloud was seen to rise into the stratosphere. As I said in my statement on 21st May, I am satisfied, on the advice that I have received, that any addition that this test will make to the worldwide fall-out of fission products will be negligible. I am also satisfied that from the medical and biological point of view the radiation effects will be insignificant. The conclusion that in these circumstances any addition to the worldwide fall-out of fission products will be negligible is based on scientific assessment of the yield of the weapon and the known effects of previous nuclear explosions.

But is it not a very far-reaching claim for the Prime Minister to make, that he is satisfied that the worldwide effects of the fall-out will be negligible? How does he know? Has he had recording stations placed strategically round the globe? Or is this just guesswork, which is not reinforced by any evidence from any countries which are receiving fall-out?

I am satisfied because I have great confidence in my advisers, and I believe this statement that I have made to be correct.

Has my right hon. Friend read the excellent letter in The Timesof today by Lord Cherwell, and if he has seen it will he send a copy to the hon. Lady and put her fears to rest?

I shall be very happy to send a copy of The Timesto the hon. Lady, if I can find one at home.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how he can be satisfied that the genetic effects will be negligible before the by-products have been absorbed?

I have been given advice by the greatest experts that I have at my command, and for the statement that I have made I relied upon the advice which they gave me.

In view of what the right hon. Gentleman has now said, will he arrange for himself, the Foreign Secretary, and Lord Cherwell to be in the danger zone when the next explosion takes place?

Well, Sir, I have been in danger zones before.

asked the Prime Minister, having now tested the hydrogen bomb, if he will, with a view to allaying further public concern, make an announcement of future Government policy on atom and hydrogen bomb tests.

It is impossible now to determine what our future requirements will be, but it is our policy to restrict testing to the minimum.

Would it not be most heartening if, now that we have tested our hydrogen bomb, the right hon. Gentleman would say that he is prepared to step into the international arena to meet the representatives of the atomic Powers at a high level to try to get step by step an agreement on all aspects of the nuclear problem?

I think I must repeat what I said before, that a single test does not give us the full requirement that is necessary in this series. I think we should bear in mind the relatively small amount of experience that we have, compared with two other great Powers.

Is it not very unfortunate that the Labour Opposition should deliberately and unnecessarily increase public alarm about these tests?

Yes, Sir.

In view of that remark, may I ask the Prime Minister whether he has studied the report of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which yesterday unanimously recommended that we should stop these hydrogen bomb tests altogether, as they will do no good to anyone?

I have not read the full report. I can only say that, while I fully respect and understand those who have their duties to perform, I also have my duty to perform, and I do not intend to abandon it.

Is the Prime Minister aware that, whatever may be the precise merits of this question, there is very genuine anxiety and alarm among millions of people in this country, and it is extremely foolish, to say the least of it, for hon. Members opposite to imagine that this is a worked-up campaign? May I ask whether it is the Government's policy, before they will contemplate an international agreement on the suspension of tests, to insist that it must be part of a general disarmament agreement?

All these details we will go into again when we come to the next disarmament debate. There are signs of considerable progress being now possible. I do not feel at all pessimistic about the prospects of some forward movement. The right hon. Gentleman knows the importance, and perhaps has had experience of the difficulty, of keeping a balanced view of this problem.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the problems of redeployment of industry and employment of skilled workers arising out of the revised defence programme have not been solved by the existing machinery for coordination between the Board of Trade and the Ministries of Labour and Supply, particularly in regard to Coventry; and if he will appoint one Minister to investigate this problem.

The Government recognised in the White Paper on Defence that a certain amount of disturbance is unavoidable; but it is too soon to pass judgment or, the efforts which Departments and industry are making to reduce local difficulties in Coventry and elsewhere. The Answer to the last part of the Question is "No, Sir".

Is the Prime Minister aware that not only in Coventry and not, I think, on this side of the House only, there is very real anxiety over the effects of these defence cuts? Will he look further into the matter, because in Coventry both management and unions are very much afraid that the scientific teams which have been built up and the equipment assembled in the factories over many years are now going to be wasted?

Yes, of course, this presents a considerable problem. I think that the Minister of Labour dealt with it in the debate on 17th April, in a speech which was very well received on both sides of the House. I have great confidence in his power, with that of the Board of Trade, to do their best to deal with these questions, if they arise. I would point out that whereas the registered unemployment in the whole pf Great Britain on 15th April was 1·6 per cent. the registered unemployment on the same clay in Coventry was 2 per cent.. not a very substantial difference. By 13th May unemployment in Coventry had fallen to 1·8 per cent.

asked the Prime Minister how long he considers it necessary to examine the letter addressed to him by Mr. Bulganin on 20th April; and, in view of the need for agreement on vital issues affecting both countries, if he will speed up his final and comprehensive reply to Mr. Bulganin.