asked the Secretary of State for War if he will publish the wording of the certificate signed by soldiers leaving the military corrective establishment after they have seen the commandant and been invited to make complaints about their treatment.

My right hon. Friend has decided that the certificate serves no useful purpose and will be abolished. The following is the certificate:

This is to certify that I fully understand that it is an offence to attempt to smuggle unauthorised mail out of the M.C.T.C.; that I have been asked if I wish to complain as to the treatment received during my stay in the M.C.T.C.; that I have all my kit with me for release, all of which has been checked and inspected and is in good repair; and that I have had a bath, haircut, and medical inspection prior to release.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether when soldiers at Tidworth Camp were told to be vaccinated on account of a suspected but unconfirmed case of smallpox, they were also told that the operation is voluntary and that they could decide for themselves whether to be vaccinated or not, bearing in mind that nowadays more fatal results of vaccination are recorded than fatal results of smallpox.

It is laid down in regulations that inoculation and vaccination are voluntary. This is well known in the Army.

asked the President of the Board of Trade from which Commonwealth countries hosiery goods are being imported into this country; and what quantities were imported from each such country over the most recent convenient period.

In the first four months of 1957, imports of hosiery goods were recorded from twenty-three Commonwealth countries, but with the exception of Hong Kong, which supplied 95 per cent. of these imports, the quantities were negligible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of hosiery goods imported into this country during the most recent convenient period was manufactured in Hong Kong.

Imports of hosiery goods from Hong Kong during the four months ending 30th April, 1957, were valued at £476,106. As to manufacture, practically all of these goods qualify for Imperial Preference, and it is a condition thereof that the goods concerned must have been manufactured in the Commonwealth.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that the Government have declared it to be their policy to end the differential in regard to the embargo on trade with China, what action his Department intends to take to increase trade with that country.

The Government have taken action in ending the differential to which the hon. Member refers, and it is for businessmen themselves to follow up the opportunities for trade in non-strategic goods which this action should open to them in the Chinese market. In this they will be effectively supported by the Sino-British Trade Committee, and they can, of course, rely on all possible help from the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether the United Kingdom has yet given, or proposes to give, notice in writing to Denmark in accordance with Article XVI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in respect of any exports in the current year;(2) what complaints he has received in the current year from any country that was a party to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade that the United Kingdom has not complied with any Article of that Agreement;(3) on what date, or dates, and to which country, or countries, any notice in writing under Article XVI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade has been sent or handed over since 15th October, 1956;(4) whether he has yet been requested to discuss with any contracting party the possibility of limiting the subsidisation of any exports by the United Kingdom in accordance with Article XVI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade;(5) what action has been taken in accordance with any Article, other than Article XVI, of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in respect of the export of any agricultural produce to Denmark;(6) whether he will publish those parts of any notice in writing that has been sent by the United Kingdom to any other country in accordance with Article XVI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade which set out the extent and nature of the subsidisation, the estimated effect of the subsidisation on the quantity of the affected products exported, and the circumstances making the subsidisation necessary.

Her Majesty's Government regularly notify all Contracting Parties in accordance with Article XVI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade of any subsidies which operate to increase exports from the United Kingdom or to reduce imports. The last notification was sent in August, 1956, and this year's notification will be sent shortly. I do not consider that these notifications have sufficient public interest to warrant publication, but I am arranging for copies to be sent to my hon. Friend.While it has not been suggested that Her Majesty's Government have been in default of any of their obligations under the General Agreement, the Danish Government requested discussions under Article XVI in regard to the export of eggs from this country. These discussions have been held and, as has already been announced, Her Majesty's Government have agreed to take steps to safeguard Denmark's legitimate trade interests in this matter. The Netherlands has associated itself with the Danish Government's approach under Article XVI.It is not considered that any other action is called for by reason of any other Article of the General Agreement.

asked the Minister of Labour how many registered disabled persons have been unemployed for more than twelve months.

The answer is 10,051 on 10th December, 1956, the latest date for which figures are available.

asked the Minister of Labour the weekly cost of maintaining the Employment Exchange in Victoria Street, Windsor.

Approximately £65.

asked the Minister of Labour by what amount the Retail Price Index has been reduced by the reduction of the fuel tax by 1s.

Nearly one fifth of a point. This is the direct effect taken into account in the April index, and is almost entirely in respect of private motoring. Most of the reductions in road passenger transport fares resulting from the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties (End of Temporary Increase) Order, 1957, did not operate until after the date to which the April index relates

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made in absorbing the redundancy arising at the Hawker aircraft factory at Squires Gate, Blackpool; and what steps his Department has taken in this matter.

Of 1,675 who have already left the factory, 123 are registered as unemployed at Blackpool and neighbouring offices and most of the remainder are thought to have obtained other work. The management have provided interviewing facilities at the factory not only for my local officers, but also for other employers wishing to engage workers as soon as they can be released from their present employment.

asked the Minister of Labour how many workers have left the Hawker aircraft factory in Blackpool during 1957; how many have been found alternative employment; and how many are recorded as unemployed.

1,675 workers are known to have left the factory between early February and 21st May. Nine hundred and seventy had already obtained other employment before leaving, 479 with the assistance of my Department. Sixty-nine have been placed in other work by my Department since leaving the factory and 123 former employees are still registered as unemployed at Blackpool and neighbouring employment exchanges. Many of the 500 not accounted for are thought to have found other work for themselves and it is known that some have moved away from Black pool.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the present proposals relative to the suggested closure of the Porth exchange are to be confirmed; to what other office the unemployed men and women are to be transferred; and what arrangements will be made to cover their travelling expenses.

As I have not yet received the views of the Rhondda Local Employment Committee, no decision has been taken about the future of the Porth Employment Exchange. If it is closed, the offices at which the unemployed may be expected to attend are Tonypandy, Tonyrefail, Pontypridd and Ferndale. It is not proposed to introduce special arrangements to pay their travelling expenses.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board in 1956 in making connections from the mains to the homes or premises of consumers; and how much was recovered from the applicants.

I am informed by the Board that in 1956 it spent approximately £1 million on new distribution in rural areas. It received £182,000 by way of capital contributions, of which approximately £50,000 was in respect of supplies to private individuals.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any further statement to make on the progress being made towards the building of new houses in the burgh of Culross by the Scottish Special Housing Association.

I understand that the town council and the Association are meeting on 6th June to discuss the proposals for building houses on gap sites in the burgh.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the roads policy in Scotland; what total expenditure on trunk roads is planned for the current year; and what major improvements and new construction is planned.

The Scottish road programme continues to be based upon the expanded road programme announced by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation on 2nd February, 1955. The Roads, etc., Scotland Estimate for 1957–58 provides for the expenditure of £2,140,000 on the new construction and major improvement of trunk roads, an increase of nearly £1 million over the provision for 1956–57. During the current year further schemes estimated to cost £3,050,000 will be authorised.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has approved the appointment of Mr. Vernon Gattie to act as Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the Tomato and Cucumber Marketing Board; and on what date.

Mr. Gattie was approved on 20th December, 1956, by the then Secretary of State for appointment by the Tomato and Cucumber Marketing Board as Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the Board.

asked the Minister of Works the amount of foreign slates imported into the United Kingdom during 1956.

The answer is 3,464 tons of roofing and damp course slates, 592 tons of raw slate blocks and 1,854 tons of polished or ground blocks.

asked the Minister of Works what happens to the bulbs in the Royal Parks when they have been removed from the beds.

The great majority of the tulips are planted again for a second year and afterwards destroyed. The labour and cost of sorting and packing for sale would make such a course uneconomic. Some daffodils and narcissi are grown each year in beds and later lifted and naturalised in grass where they may remain undisturbed for a long time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what has been the result of discussions between scientists of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and Dutch scientists on the electro-dialysis process to draw dissolved salts out of sea-water; what would be the cost of producing fresh water from the sea by this means; and what other countries are collaborating with this project.

Following small-scale experimental work, larger scale equipment has been designed and made, and a long-term trial on the removal of salts from sea-water is being carried out at Scheveningen.It is too early to make firm estimates of production costs, but work so far indicates that other processes, e.g. distillation, will be cheaper for the treatment of sea-water. For brackish waters, such as occur in many parts of the world, electro-dialysis is expected to be the most economic process.The countries collaborating in the work are The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, South Africa, Israel, Greece and Pakistan.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education whether a decision has been reached on the establishment of a college of advanced technology in the north-east.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education whether he will now make a statement on the proposed college of advanced technology in the north-east.

The Northern Advisory Council for Further Education recently submitted at the request of my noble Friend's predecessor a report on the pattern of technical education in the northern region with particular reference to the establishment there of a college of advanced technology. My noble Friend has been studying this question in the light of this report and has himself visited the region.The Council expressed the unanimous opinion that a college of advanced technology should be established in the region as soon as possible. They reviewed various proposals for establishing such a college and considered in particular the possibility of either building a completely new college for this purpose or of designating an existing college. They were unable to put forward a specific recommendation, but they recorded their conviction that all the authorities would accept and support any decision my noble Friend reached on the matter.My noble Friend agrees with the Council that a college of advanced technology should be established in the northern region as soon as possible. On the other hand, in his view no existing college is at present suitable for designation. It is necessary, therefore, to contemplate a large scale programme of development in order to provide the necessary conditions. My noble Friend has considered whether this development programme should be devoted to the establishment of an entirely new college, but he has decided that apart from the extra time involved the establishment of a new college outside the existing industrial centres would have no merits.After considering the situation in all its aspects, my noble Friend has decided to request the Newcastle Local Education Authority to undertake the development necessary at the Rutherford Technical College, so that it may become in due course a college of advanced technology. The Ministry's officers will begin negotiations with the Newcastle Local Education Authority forthwith in order to settle a programme for the erection of buildings, the recruitment of staff, and so forth. Designation will follow when in my noble Friend's judgment the college is sufficiently well established as regards staff buildings and numbers of students, and when in particular a substantial volume of advanced full-time and sandwich courses is in sight.It is essential that the college of advanced technology should take its place in a regional scheme in which the other colleges in the region, and in particular the Sunderland Technical College and the Constantine Technical College, Middlesbrough, will play their full part. My noble Friend will be requesting the Newcastle Local Education Authority, amongst other things, to review their scheme of government for the Rutherford Technical College in order to afford representation to certain other authorities in the region. He also proposes to ask all the local education authorities to consider through the medium of the Northern Advisory Council what amend- ments will be necessary in the existing regional scheme of technical courses.The Sunderland Technical College will, as a regional college, continue to make its distinctive contribution to the provision for technical education in the region, and my noble Friend hopes that the Constantine College may also develop into a regional college in the near future. In both cases there exist plans based on regional college status for the expansion of accommodation, the development of new courses and the reconstitution of the governing body. My noble Friend's decision about a college of advanced technology in no way militates against these plans and he hopes that the local education authorities concerned will press on with them as urgently as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals the United Kingdom Treasury has considered or endorsed to increase the borrowing powers of the Colonial Development Corporation.

The Government are considering this question, but I am not yet able to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the Bahamas Government are participating in the development of the port of Grand Bahama; for what purposes the port will be used; and to which companies licences to operate are granted in the free port.

The port is privately financed and administered under agreement with the Bahamas Government which does not participate in the project but which hopes that a number of indirect benefits, including increased avenues of employment for Bahamians, will accrue to the Colony. Promoters of the port project are encouraging industrial organisations to take out licences to operate in the port area. The firms which have so far been formally licensed by the Free Port Authority are: Bahamas Shipyards Ltd., for shipbuilding and repairing; Bahamas Chemicals Ltd., for manufacture of cement; Bahamas Natcon Ltd., for the lumber trade, including manufacture of paper board; and Barclays Bank DCO Ltd.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will introduce legislation for the purpose of inaugurating a National Motor Insurance Scheme. to be administered by an appropriate Government Department, thereby relieving private insurance companies of their obligations arising from motor insurance.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, in view of recent and proposed increases in motor insurance premiums, and since third party insurance is a statutory obligation, if he will introduce legislation to control the rate of premium.

No. Premium rates are arrived at on a competitive basis, and I have no reason to suppose that the intervention of the Government in this class of insurance would secure any advantage for the motorist.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will give details of Government discussions with the oil companies regarding the provision of discharge facilities for giant tankers in the United Kingdom.

I have myself held discussions with the interests concerned with Milford Haven, who are seeking powers to provide facilities for ships up to 100,000 deadweight tons. At Southampton plans are going forward to enable tankers up to 65,000 deadweight tons to be handled. On the Clyde, a new jetty is to be provided capable of accommodating ships up to 100,000 deadweight tons. On the Mersey, a new oil berth is contemplated capable of taking ships up to 65,000 deadweight tons, or up to 100,000 deadweight tons with a draught restriction. On the Thames, the Port of London Authority and the oil companies are discussing the dredging necessary to raise the present limit of 45,000 deadweight tons. A number of other sites are also being surveyed by the interests concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to amend the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act to provide that the obligation to furnish statutory statements shall include the disclosure of the charge made for preparing for sale, by mixing and bagging, compound fertilizers.

No.

asked the Minister of Health if he will ensure that the London County Council, when they re-fence the front of Roehampton House, Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton, leave the facade of this house open to view.

The Governors of the Roehampton Charity and I have arranged with the London County Council that in the rebuilding of the wall at Queen Mary's Hospital there will be a wide gate immediately opposite Roehampton House. This will leave a clear view of the house.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give details of the salary scales for junior and senior radiographers in the National Health Service, including particulars of the remuneration given for extra duties, such as emergency night calls.

As regards salary scales, I would refer the hon. Member to the details given in reply to his oral Question yesterday, A radiographer recalled for work outside normal hours receives 7s. 6d. for each emergency call lasting not longer than one hour and payment at the rate of 5s. per hour for time in excess of one hour per call. A radiographer standing by at the hospital receives, in addition, a night duty allowance of 10s.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now announce the composition of the Departmental Committee on Proceedings before Examining Justices.

I have appointed the following to be members of the Committee under the chairmanship of Lord Tucker: —

• Lady Adrian.
• Mr. Norman G. Fisher.
• Mr. T. Mervyn Jones.
• Mr. F. H. Lawton, Q.C.
• Sir Sydney Littlewood.
• The Lord Merthyr, T.D
• Miss J. J. Nunn.
• Mr. J. C. Rodgers, M.P.
• Mr. L. P. Scott.
• Mr. David Weitzman, Q.C., M.P.
• Mr. J. P. Wilson.

In consultation with the Chairman, I have amended the terms of reference which I informed the House on 15th April I proposed to give the Committee. The Committee's terms of reference are as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give an estimate of what would be the cost involved in paying compensation to the victims of violent crimes on the same basis as the compensation given through the Industrial Injuries insurance to persons injured in the course of their work.

If the victims of offences of personal violence were to receive benefits and allowances similar to those payable under the Industrial Injuries Scheme and the number and nature of such offences remained as in 1956, the total cost of the payments if made under a funded scheme would be about £200,000 a year. But in some of these cases National Insurance benefits and allowances, costing about £50,000 year, are already payable and the additional cost of such compensation would therefore be about £150,000 a year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what advice he has given to avoid the dumping of milk in mines and quarries, thus endangering public health.

I am advised that the possibility of danger to public health from such action is remote. In the circumstances, I do not think that there is need for me to give special advice.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what consideration he has given to the possibility of repealing the General Development Order, 1950, which allows uncontrolled tipping of colliery spoil heaps, and simultaneously allowing a sufficient period of time for all planning permissions to be dealt with; and if he will make a statement.

I do not think that a revocation of the relevant provisions of the Order would be a suitable method of dealing with this problem. As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary explained in the debate on 23rd May, am considering a different approach.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent the Government have helped local authorities financially to rid their areas of old colliery spoil heaps; and to what extent it intends to help in the future.

An Exchequer grant of 50 per cent. is payable at present under the Planning Acts in respect of approved schemes for reclaiming derelict land. These schemes sometimes include the levelling of spoil heaps; and particulars have already been furnished to the hon. Member of four such schemes which have been authorised in recent years. Within the limits imposed by finance, I am anxious to encourage local authorities to undertake this work and am ready to consider any reasonable proposals.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress he has made with his suggested pilot scheme to get rid of the most offensive cases of uncontrolled colliery spoil tipping.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the suggestion that the West Riding county council should supply particulars of a selected number of tips and of the work they consider necessary to improve them. This information is not yet available.

asked the Minister of Supply, as the Government have now decided to reduce expenditure on armaments, if he will move to appoint a Select or some such form of committee to advise his Department on the best methods which should be employed by his Department to dispose of Government surplus stores and thus obviate the waste and abuse that have taken place during the years following World War II in disposing of surplus stores.

No. Indeed I am not aware of waste and abuse. In any case, the whole matter was looked into thoroughly last year and a statement made in the House on the 16th May, 1956, by the then Prime Minister.