asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the comments of the Registrar of Friendly Societies about the dangers arising from the present tendency for building societies to be started or revived and their funds used for the commercial purposes of the directors; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this danger.

I have been asked to reply.Yes. The Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies is at present investigating the affairs of some building societies to determine whether or not they should be directed to refrain from inviting further subscriptions from members of the public.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government will now seek waivers of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade so that imperial preferential arrangements may be made to meet the needs of present-day conditions.

No. The waivers secured at the review of the General Agreement in 1955 went as far as Commonwealth countries generally thought appropriate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much British cheese was exported last year; and how this compares with 1952 and 1947.

Exports of cheese in 1956 were 1,582 tons compared with 40 tons and 218 tons in 1947 and 1952, respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now received from the major industries of the country their views with regard to the proposed arrangements for the European Free Trade Area; and when he expects to be in a position to give some further details about what is proposed.

Representative national organisations first gave their views last autumn about the proposals for a European Free Trade Area and there has been continuing consultation with them. The representatives of individual industries have also been asked for advice on technical questions arising in the negotiations, and have had the opportunity to express their views on all aspects of the proposals.As regards the second part of the Question, I have at present nothing to add to the statement of Government policy contained in the White Paper on A European Free Trade Area (Cmnd. 72).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for the latest convenient stated date, what income would be necessary today to ensure the same purchasing value as £750 per annum in 1953, taking account of the depreciation in the value of the £ sterling since 1953.

On the basis of the Consumer Price Index and the Index of Retail Prices, £845 in May, 1957, had approximately the same purchasing power as £750 in 1953.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of the £ sterling on 5th April in each of the years 1946 to 1957, inclusive, taking as the basis its purchasing value having been 20s. in 1946.

Taking the purchasing power of the £ sterling as 20s. in 1946, the corresponding figures for each of the' years 1947–57 are: 18s. 8d., 17s. 4d., 17s. 3d., 16s. 5d., 15s. 7d., 14s. 4d., 13s. 11d., 13s. 11d., 13s. 6d., 12s. 8d. and 12s. 6d. The figures are based on the Consumer Price Index adjusted by the Index of Retail Prices. They refer to mid-April for the years 1948–50, and to the average for the year in 1946–47, when monthly figures were not available on the same basis.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the danger to children in particular and the public in general of the former civil defence emergency water tanks, and bombed sites; and whether he will request local councils to remove these tanks and fence in all bombed sites, and, where councils are confronted with financial difficulties in carrying out these tasks, arrange for an Exchequer grant towards the costs of the work.

As regards emergency water tanks, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Stepney (Mr. W. Edwards) on 18th April by the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department. As regards bombed sites, local authorities have wide powers to secure that dangerous sites or other premises adjoining streets are fenced or made safe, and I do not think that they need guidance from my right hon. Friend. if the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, however, perhaps he would let me know of it.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement on the progress of his consultations on local government reform.

I have now had discussions with representatives of the local authority associations on all three aspects of the problem—areas and status and functions, on which two White Papers have already been issued, and finance, on which a White Paper will be issued next month. I am continuing to study these matters, in consultation with other Ministers concerned, in the light of the associations' views, and I hope there will be an opportunity for full discussion in Parliament before the Recess.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many houses are still held by local authorities on requisition; and how many have been released in the past year.

On 30th April, 1957, the latest date for which figures are available, 29,506 properties comprising 49,732 dwellings were still held by local authorities on requisition. In the year ending on that date, local authorities released 9,233 properties, which provided 14,540 dwellings.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take steps to secure the preservation of Bourne House, Bishopsbourne, Kent.

I have made a provisional building preservation order in respect of this house. Objections have been received from the owner and the local planning authority and a local inquiry will be arranged. I shall then consider, in the light of what transpires, whether to make a substantive order.

asked the Minister of Works what advice he has received from the Historic Buildings Council for England on the advisability of acquiring, by purchase, lease or otherwise, or the acceptance as a gift, of Arundel Castle, as being a building of outstanding historic and architectural interest.

None.

asked the Minister of Works, before sanctioning the construction of the building now nearing completion at the Royal Research Establishment, St. Andrews Road, Malvern, what information he submitted to the local planning authority about the proposed siting and elevation of it; and what reply, they made.

Information about the proposed siting and elevations was no: submitted in advance to the local planning authority: the building is within the boundary of the Research Establishment and away from the street. The authority has since been given information about the appearance of the building and a block plan, and my Department has received no comment from them.

asked the Minister of Works how much accommodation remains requisitioned by his Department; and how much has been released in the past twelve months.

On 1st April, 1957 (the latest date on which full information is available) the floor area of buildings held on requisition was 629,000 sq. ft. During the previous twelve months 771,000 sq. ft. were released from requisition.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware of the success of Son et Lumiére displays in France; and whether he will arrange such a display at one of the historic buildings in his care.

Yes. The Daily Telegraph have offered to introduce Son et Lumiére on behalf of the Ministry of Works. It will take place at Greenwich this summer. They will have the co-operation of Messrs. Harold Holt, Limited, who will undertake the direction, and of Monsieur Robert-Houdin, Conservateur of the Chateau de Chambord, who will produce the spectacle. With the consent of my noble Friend, the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Trustees of the National Maritime Museum, the display will centre on the Queens House and the Royal Naval College.This enterprise could not have been undertaken at the risk of public funds. The

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provisions he has made for giving information and advice to tenants and owners concerning the details contained in the Rent Bill when it becomes law; and if these provisions will include verbal as well as written publicity.

As the hon. Lady will now know, I have had a booklet published setting out in question and answer form the main provisions of the Act as they affect Scotland. This booklet has been widely publicised in the Press and by means of posters. I have also asked local authorities and Citizens' Advice Bureaux to provide information to the public and, on 17th June, I gave a short broadcast talk on the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now state whether it is his intention to empower probation officers in Scotland to undertake conciliation work.

I have been in consultation with the local authority and other interests concerned about the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Marriage and Divorce that I should examine the possibilities of devising arrangements to make the services of probation officers available to assist in conciliation work. The views which have been expressed to me are conflicting and the position is under consideration. I am advised that it would in any case be necessary to legislate in order to empower probation officers to do this work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much of the net capital cost of £768,000 incurred in 1956 by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board in making new connections in rural areas was charged against revenue for interest and how much for amortisation.

I am informed by the Board that the net capital cost to them of making new connections to private individuals in rural areas in 1956 was approximately £950,000. The whole of this sum was met by borrowing and will be amortised. The charge to revenue in 1956 was £25,000 in respect of interest charges.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many murders known to the police occurred in Scotland in each month since the beginning of 1957.

Since the beginning of 1957, one case of murder made known to the police was reported to me in February, one in March and one in May.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the expanded road programme showing the progress up-to-date, together with any further schemes which have been authorised since 4th December, 1956.

Details of progress with schemes on which work has started or which have so far been authorised are as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date approval was given to the County Council of Dunbartonshire for the purchase of a site at Tarbet for the erection of houses; and, in view of this approval, why he has not so far agreed to the building of those houses.

Authority was given to the county council in 1951 to buy the Manse site as a playing field. A decision on the use of part of the site for housing was deferred pending submission of specific proposals. These have recently been received and are being discussed with the county council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average price paid in 1956 for herring landed at Scottish West Coast ports and at Scottish East Coast ports, respectively.

At West Coast ports the average price was 66s. per cran; and at East Coast ports 69s. 6d.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of his having seen a widely representative deputation on 14th June, 1957, he now has any statement to make on the appointment of a consultant physician at the Bruntsfieid and Elsie Inglis Hospitals, Edinburgh.

Yes. After considering fully the representations I have received, I have felt bound to maintain my previous decision that I should not be justified in intervening in a matter which has been entrusted under Statute to the discretion of the regional board.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now state the terms of reference and membership of the proposed committee to inquire into the cost of the pharmaceutical services provided under the National Health Service in Scotland.

The terms of reference are:

"To inquire into prescribing practice in the general medical services and in the hospital and specialist services in Scotland, with particular reference to the factors governing costs and to make recommendations."

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of overseas visitors who came to Scotland during the summer months of each of the last five years, indicating the numbers who visited each Scottish county and the foreign countries from which they came.

The following figures relating to overseas visitors to Scotland during the months May—September in the years 1952–56 have been supplied to me by the Scottish Tourist Board. I regret that no figures of overseas visitors are available by counties.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the cost of the Court of the Lord Lyon King of Arms during the last financial year; and what was the revenue earned by the court.

The expenses of the Office of the Lord Lyon in the year to 31st March, 1957, were £3,480. Receipts from fees amounted to £2,486.

asked the Minister of Defence what the results have been of this year's recruiting campaign for the, three Services; and what has been the trend over the last few years.

The following tables show:(1) the number of male recruits entering the three Services during the first five months of 1957 and the comparable figures for 1954, 1955 and 1956; and(2) recruiting figures for the whole of the calender years 1954, 1955 and 1956:—

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent it is proposed to test missiles with atomic warheads from the rocket range in the Hebrides.

Not at all.

asked the Minister of Defence if he is aware that, whereas in 1952 a minimum of 90 divisions was laid down as being necessary for the defence of the West, the actual total in service today is 15 divisions, and that these are ill-sited and unco-ordinated; what steps he is taking to ensure military, rather than political or economic, integration as a first priority in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; and if he will make a statement.

The size of the forces needed by N.A.T.O. is regularly reviewed in the light of current circumstances and steps are being constantly taken to develop still further the extensive international integration already achieved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases the telephone lines of Members of the House of Commons have been tapped during the past five years.

It has always been the practice, in the public interest, not to disclose either the number of warrants issued authorising the recording of telephone conversations or whether a warrant has been issued in any particular case or in relation to any particular class of persons. I should not be justified in making any departure from this accepted practice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, now that the Royal Commission on Common Lands has finished taking evidence and is now considering its Report, he will consider recommending the setting up of a similar Royal Commission to consider the laws relating to market squares and places, village greens and other public places not covered in the present Royal Commission's terms of reference.

I understand that village greens are within the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on Common Land. As regards the remainder, I have no information to suggest that a similar investigation is required.

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what estimate he has formed of the prospects of this year's harvest.

It is rather too early to form any estimates of this year's harvest. The latest reports are for 1st June. These showed that dry and cold conditions in England and Wales had retarded growth and all crops needed rain. Grass was slow to make growth and it was expected that yields per acre of hay would be below average. The next reports, for 1st July, will give early forecasts of the probable yields per acre of cereals and pulse crops. Early forecasts for root crops will be given in the 1st August reports.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the treatment of Mr. Christoforou while in custody; and what answer has been given to the memorandum on the subject delivered to the Governor by the Bar Council of Cyprus on 2nd January.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 5th March, 1957; Vol. 566, c. 42], supplied the following information:I have been in communication with the Governor about allegations made that Mr. Christoforou was ill-treated by police officers whilst in custody in October last. I am informed that these allegations have been fully investigated in the following manner.A private prosecution was started against two members of the Cyprus Police Force who were accused of having caused grievous harm to Mr. Christoforou and of unlawfully wounding him on 3rd October, 1956, whilst he was in custody. These charges were heard in the Special Court, Nicosia, by Judge Ellison who refused to commit the accused for trial on the basis of the evidence called by the Prosecution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds the Government of Aden have refused permission to Mr. Sheikhan Abdulla ElHilshi and Mr. El-Gifri to return to Aden.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 30th May, 1957; Vol. 571 c. 51], supplied the following information:I presume the hon. Member is referring to Shaikhan Abdullah al Flabshi and Saiyid Mohammed Ali al Jifri. Neither of these men is a British subject born in Aden Colony. They both left the Colony of their own accord, and subsequently the Governor, in his discretion under the Immigration Ordinance, prohibited their entry into the Colony.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what indirect taxa

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 6th February, 1957; Vol. 564, c. 58–59], supplied the following further information:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the estimated number of African bricklayers, carpenters and storekeepers in Northern Rhodesia who are earning salaries of £50 a month or more, and of African mineworkers who are earning £45 a month or more.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 3rd June, 1957; Vol. 571, c. 65], supplied the following information which he had received from the Northern Rhodesia Government:No African bricklayers, carpenters or storekeepers, earn salaries of £50 a month or more. Two hundred and nine African mineworkers were earning £45 a month or more at 30th April, 1957.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of postage stamps sold by the Crown Agents for the Colonies to dealers in England during 1956, and, through their Bureau in Washington, to dealers in the United States of America for 1956, respectively, and the total amount received from such respective sales.

The total number of stamps sold by the Crown Agents to dealers in this country and through their Bureau in Washington during the year 1956 was 17,843,100. Separate figures are not available to show how many of these were sold to dealers in the United Kingdom or through the Bureau in Washington, but the total amount received in respect of these sales was £417,029 16s. 8d. of which £296,387 18s. 9d. was paid by dealers in this country and £120,641 17s. 11d. by dealers in North America.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education if he will give for the maintained grammar schools in Birmingham, Hampshire, Liverpool, Southampton, Manchester, and Cardiff, in regard to pupils who left last July after having completed a five years' course, details showing the total number who left, the percentage who did not enter for the General Certificate of Education at O level, the percentage who entered but failed in all subjects, and the percentage who passed in one subject, two subjects, three subjects, and more than three subjects, respectively.

My noble Friend regrets that this information is not available, because he does not ask schools to make returns of this kind.

asked the Minister of Labour what have been the numbers of unemployed registered at the Newport Pagnell and Winslow Employment Exchanges during each of the past five years.

The average numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of the under-mentioned local offices during each of the past five years were as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the separate number of men, women, boys and girls registered at the Borough Employment

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the progress of his discussions with representatives of employers and trade unions.

Preliminary discussions on the proposal to set up an independent body to consider questions relating to price stability, productivity and the standard of living, have taken place with representatives of industry, and these discussions will be resumed when they are ready with their views. I am not at present in a position to say when that will be.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent he contemplates any acceleration or expansion of his road programme.

The programme will be advanced as quickly as the country's economic and financial situation permits.

The following table gives the information desired:

asked the Secretary of State for War how many holders of the Military Medal, awarded between 1939 and 1945, have not yet received the £20 grant attaching to that award; and what steps he is taking to pay out these sums.

I know of no such cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make representations to the War Graves Commission that a Union Jack should always be flying at the British War Cemetery near Etaples.

The Union Jack is flown at Etaples on ceremonial occasions only. This has been the practice for the past 30 years at all cemeteries in the care of the Imperial War Graves Commission.