asked the Minister of Defence, in view of the fact that it is impossible to establish rigid standards of stability of posting for officers and men in the Services whose children are of school age, whether he will defray from public funds the boarding expenditure necessary for giving continuity of schooling to such children.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to his similar Question on 29th May. At the same time I would remind him that we instituted a system of educational allowances in November, 1955, to help Service parents to defray the cost of sending their children to boarding schools, in the circumstances envisaged in the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what official proposals he has received to alter the present rights and responsibilities of Her Majesty's Government in relation to the Buraimi Oasis; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend has received no such proposals. Her Majesty's Government's policy on Buraimi is unchanged.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to state the countries, in addition to China, whose consular and embassy officials are barred from free travel whilst representing their Governments in this country; and whether he will discuss with these countries the lifting of these travel restrictions on a reciprocity basis.

There are no restrictions on the movements of officials of foreign embassies and consulates, who are free to travel where they please in the United Kingdom; members of the Chinese, Soviet and Roumanian Missions and some members of the Bulgarian Mission are, however, required to give prior notification of journeys outside the London area.If the existing restrictions on the movements of members of Her Majesty's Missions in those countries were to be discontinued, Her Majesty's Government would be prepared to cancel this requirement. The Governments concerned are aware of this.

asked the Secretary of of State for Foreign Affairs in how many cases Her Majesty's Government have taken advantage of the procedure for making exceptions to the export of embargoed goods to the Soviet bloc.

As my right hon. and learned Friend informed the hon. Member on 13th May, no exceptions are made permitting the export of embargoed goods to the Soviet bloc unless the circumstances are very special or only trifling amounts are involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the reason for the delays by the British Embassy in Warsaw in dealing with inquiries from Poles who desire to visit the United Kingdom; and what steps are being taken to reduce these delays.

The chief cause of delay has been the very great increase during the past six months in the number of Poles applying to travel to the United Kingdom. This has resulted in the British Embassy in Warsaw being, inundated with applications made both in person and in writing. The language difficulty and the shortage of Polish translators have markedly added to the problem.To meet this very large increase in work, the staff of the Visa Section of the British Embassy in Warsaw has, in the past year, been increased from two to sixteen persons and to the limit of the available accommodation. But despite all their efforts and long hours of work, the work is not yet up to date. In consequence, there has inevitably been, and there still is, delay in dealing with inquiries.Recently two thousand applications with their correspondene in Polish have been sent to London and translated here. I am glad to say this step together with the increase in staff. has enabled the British Embassy in Warsaw to start steadily reducing the accumulation of un-disposed of correspondence, as well as dealing with current inquiries. Provided there is no further substantial increase, it is hoped that within a month inquiries will be put in hand as they are received, and that delays will be confined to those inseparable from the examination of any application before a final decision can be made.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now say when he expects to accept the invitation of the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to visit that country.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend has no statement to make on this at present.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is satisfied with the working of the electronic random numeral indicating equipment; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. It has fulfilled all our expectations both under test and in the first of the monthly prize draws. As an illustration of its randomness, I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table which shows how closely the proportion of prizes awarded to each denomination in June corresponded with last November's sales.

asked the Postmaster-General in what circumstances he gives facilities for Government Departments to intercept conversations between telephone subscribers.

As the House was recently informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, such interception of telephone conversations by the Post Office is carried out only under the express authority of a Secretary of State.

asked the Postmaster-General on how many occasions in each calendar year since 1945 private telephones have been tapped; and how many lines were involved.

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department to the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton).

asked the Postmaster-General what effect the last rise in telegraph charges has had on this section of the Post Office revenue.

asked the Postmaster-General the effect of the last increase in telegram charges in terms of the number of telegrams, revenue, and cost.

The last increase in charges took place on 1st August, 1954. Comparing the previous year (1953–54) with the following year (1955–56), the number of inland telegrams fell from 33·1 million to 19·6 million; income rose from £3·7 million to £4·1 million; expenditure fell from £8·1 million to £6·4 million; and the deficit fell from £4·4 million to £2·3 million. It is estimated that, but for the tariff change, the deficit would have risen to over £5 million.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the accommodation provided by the Post Office at Omagh, County Tyrone, was erected and opened at the beginning of this century and is now totally inadequate for the present increased volume of business, and in view of the fact that the sorting Department has had to be transferred to a building situated a considerable distance from the main office causing inconvenience and expense, if he will consider having the present office substantially enlarged by acquiring property convenient to the present office, or by any other means.

We have the needs of Omagh in mind along with a number of other more urgent schemes. We plan to have a new building, but have not yet found a suitable site.

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the recent successful transmission of an international event from Prague, if he will use his good offices with his opposite numbers in the Soviet bloc countries to encourage the association of their television systems with the Eurovision link.

Programme exchanges are a matter for the broadcasting organisations and we can be confident that the European organisations will continue to be active in this sphere despite the technical and other problems to be overcome.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress is being made in the rebuilding of the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich.

Designs are nearly complete and demolitions will begin in November. New barracks for 1,200 men are due for completion by 1960.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will reconsider his refusal of recognition to the Civil Service Union in respect of auxiliary police grades locally recruited by his Department in Cyprus, having regard to the fact that in respect of comparable grades employed by the War Department the Union is accorded recognition.

No. I consider that our auxiliary police in Cyprus, like the various Service constabularies in this country, should be represented by associations whose membership is drawn only from police grades.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many schools in how many counties a certain pupil whose name has been supplied to him by the hon. Member for Bath has attended by reason of the frequent posting of his father; and how many more he may be expected to attend before the age of 15 years on the assumption that his rate of move from school to school remains as high as in the past.

I understand that this boy has attended eight schools in four different counties, while his father has been serving at four different stations.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how soon work on the Medway Towns by-pass road is to commence.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is now in a position to state when work on the construction of the Rochester by-pass is likely to commence.

The proposed line of the by-pass has now been agreed by the bodies representing agriculture. A draft scheme under the Special Roads Act, 1949, is being prepared and will be published as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will state the progress made on the elimination of each of the bottlenecks in London listed in his reply of 28th February, 1956.

Work is in hand on seven schemes, and I have recently made grants towards two more. The following are the details:

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will place in the Library of the House of Commons a model or, failing that, drawings showing the proposed reconstruction now in progress at Notting Hill Gate.

There is no model of this scheme, but I am arranging to place in the Library drawings showing the proposed road layout.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the accidents which arise from animals straying on to the highways from unenclosed areas such as Ashdown Forest and whether he will take steps to improve matters in this connection.

I am aware of the danger from straying animals in such areas and, where necessary, am willing to authorise the erection of special traffic signs to warn motorists.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what consultations he had with the Road Research Laboratory concerning Hyde Park—Park Lane—Marble Arch scheme: and whether he will publish their report and recommendations thereon.

Numerous proposals for the layout of the Hyde Park—Park Lane—Marble Arch scheme were examined in detail by a technical committee on which the Road Research Laboratory, the London County Council and my Department were represented The scheme unanimously recommended by this Committee, with the addition of an underpass for east—west traffic, was the basis of the scheme I eventually approved in agreement with the London County Council. I understand that the Road Research Laboratory is considering the possibility of publishing some of the results of its own investigations in connection with the scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what consideration was given to the construction of an underpass at Marble Arch in connection with the Hyde Park—Park Lane—Marble Arch scheme; and why it is not proposed to include it in the scheme.

Various underpasses at Marble Arch have been considered, but the very high cost of the engineering works and the demolition of expensive property would not be justified by the measure of relief they would afford.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when the new Conway bridge is likely to be completed; and what is the reason for the delay.

I expect this bridge to be completed by the end of 1958. The delay has been caused by engineering difficulties that could not have been foreseen in obtaining satisfactory foundations for the bridge structure.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what conversations he has had with the local authority with a view to authorising the installation of traffic signals at the junction of Gower Street and Hampstead Road, London.

The last consultations were in 1954, when it was decided that traffic signals were unnecessary.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will examine the question of providing another road bridge across the River Trent at Burton-upon-Trent; and if he will make a statement.

In the first instance this is a matter for the highway and planning authority, the County Borough Council of Burton-upon-Trent.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what exemption has been given to the London Passenger Transport Board in respect to the regulations demanding that all vehicles shall display two rear lights after dark.

None. This requirement has not been applied to public service vehicles registered before the 1st October, 1954.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware that within recent months there have been two serious accidents involving three-tier lorries for conveying sheep; and in one such accident at Barnard Castle 23 sheep were killed, and that in another in Devonshire 12 sheep were suffocated; and whether, in view of the risks of further accidents of this kind and of the fact that the loading of sheep on to three-tier lorries involves a material degree of cruelty, he will use his powers in connection with the construction and use of motor vehicles to ban their further use.

My powers to control the construction and use of vehicles do not extend to the protection of animals in transit from the risks attendant on overcrowding, which is a matter for my right honourable Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement indicating what the experience of his inspectors of accidents has shown to be the most economical way to run railway trains as regards safety; what is the degree of increased risk of accident by running railway trains at high speeds as contrasted with the comparatively smaller risk of accident by running railway trains at smaller speeds; and what is the ratio between speed and risk of accident.

The experience of the Inspecting Officers of Railways does not suggest that there is direct relation between speed and risk of accident on the railways. This is no doubt because railway engineers and operators (who traditionally demand wide safety margins) meet the demands of speed by raising standards of construction, maintenance and operation, and because the operating staffs respond by increased alertness.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many railway accidents during the last 20 years have been found to he caused by the effects of heat operating to buckle the rails or otherwise impair the permanent way or rolling stock; how many of these accidents were caused or contributed to by the high speed of the trains; where all these accidents occurred; and what human injuries were caused thereby.

During the last twenty years there were five serious accidents caused by the heat of the day. All were derailments due to distortion of the rails. The accidents were at Bletchley, Wath Road, Merstham Quarry Tunnel, Tollerton and Abington. Eight persons were killed and 135 were injured. Speed contributed in the sense that the accidents might not have occurred if the trains had been travelling very slowly.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action his Department have taken to obtain seagoing employment for Mr. F. N. Crabb, of 139, Hospital Bridge Road, Whitton, Middlesex, who wishes to recommence his service in the Merchant Navy.

My Department asked the Merchant Navy Establishment Administration to review Mr. Crabb's case, but I understand that the Administration do not feel able to accept him for employment. This is a matter which is entirely within the discretion of the industry, and I cannot press them to reconsider their decision.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is yet in a position to make a statement about the future of Colonial Coach services.

I informed the House just before the Recess that I had received the Air Transport Advisory Council's recommendations about the future basis of Colonial Coach services and that I was consulting the Commonwealth and Colonial Governments concerned. I have now received the comments of these Governments, all of whom have agreed in principle to the Council's proposals. Subject, therefore, to consideration of points of detail, I propose to accept the Council's recommendations.The A.T.A.C. took into account:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many juvenile delinquents are now detained in Kenya; to what extent the punishment of whipping is still inflicted; how many juveniles have been placed in solitary confinement; to what extent children left without parents are associated with juvenile delinquents; and what are the existing provisions for the care of children or young people in difficulties in Kenya.

pursuant to Mr. Profumo's reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 23rd January, 1957 Vol. 563, c. 36–7], supplied the following information:In March, 1957, there were 893 juveniles in Emergency detention camps, 80 juvenile offenders in prisons and 504 juvenile offenders in approved schools in Kenya. No juvenile detainee has been caned. Four juvenile offenders were caned for prison offences in 1955 and none in 1956, and 41 were caned for offences committed in approved schools in 1955 and 38 in 1956. In 1955, which is the latest full year for which total figures are available, 3,177 juvenile offenders were awarded whipping by the courts as a punishment in itself and 17 were awarded whipping with a fine or imprisonment in addition. No juvenile detainee was awarded solitary confinement in 1955 and 1956; six juvenile offenders were awarded solitary confinement in 1955 and 34 in 1956.Children left without parents who are in need of care and protection are not associated with juvenile delinquents. Although some orphans are held in two camps which are gazetted as both approved institutions and approved schools, they are segregated from the juvenile delinquents.On the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to and Neglect of Children Ordinance, 1955. a copy of which is in the Library. There is a Child Welfare Society in the Colony, which is an approved authority under this Ordinance and has a trained children's officer on its staff. In addition, 23 institutions have been approved under the Emergency (Welfare of Children) Regulations, 1954, the majority of which are Christian Mission Stations. Seventy children now remain in the Missions under the auspices of the Save the Children Fund, and there is also provision for some 80 children at the Mathari Orphanage of Nyeri which is situated at the Catholic Mission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the minimum wage paid to agricultural workers in Nyasaland per week; what are the number of hours worked; and if the wages paid include rations and housing facilities.

Wage rates for agricultural workers in Nyasaland are fixed on a daily basis. The present minimum wage—which is usually exceeded in practice—is one shilling per day and this will be increased to one shilling and three pence a day from 1st July. Both amounts include an allowance for food, hut the sum permitted to be deducted for their food is limited to an amount which only partially reimburses the employer for the cost of the food. The limit for deduction for food supplied, sufficient for full daily needs, will be 4d. per day from 1st July.Eight working hours are regarded as a normal working day, and overtime at one and a half times the minimum wage rate is paid for work done in excess of 48 hours a week. Employers are required to provide housing, at their own expense, for every employee who is unable to return to his own home on completion of his day's work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds Chua Ah Leong, an official of the People's Action Party, is being detained under the public security ordinance in Singapore; and if he will take steps to give this man an open trial with a legal representative.

It is not the practice of the Singapore Government to make public the grounds on which detention is ordered. The Preservation of Public Security Ordinance makes no provision for public trial, but provides for appeal to an appeal tribunal composed of three judges, before which the detainee may be represented by counsel.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of the increase in wages in the United Kingdom in each year from 1945 to the latest available date

The annual increases in the total wage bill since 1946 are estimated to have been as follows:—

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the possibility that this country may experience the ravages of the influenza virus which has caused epidemics in Asia, if he will make a statement giving the up-to-date picture of the situation; and, in view of the unsatisfactory experience over anti-poliomyelitis vaccine, if he will state what action is being taken to ensure that the necessary vaccines will be available to deal with the influenza should it come to this country.

The arrangements for reporting influenza to which I referred in my reply of 5th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, Central (Sir F. Medlicott) are now in operation. The disease is clinically mild and of short duration. Experimental work on the production of a vaccine is proceeding and the results of tests of its effectiveness are not yet known.

asked the Minister of Health how many poliomyelitis cases have been reported this year up to the latest available date; and how this compares with a similar period in 1955 and 1956.

The number of cases notified in the twenty-four weeks to 15th June, 1957, was 1,165; the corresponding figures for 1955 and 1956 were 446 and 689, respectively.

asked the Minister of Health how many children have been treated with anti-poliomyelitis vaccine; how many await treatment; and, in view of the time that has elapsed since the first notification was made, what is being done to deal with the situation.

Since May of last year, vaccine has been issued for two injections for just over 1 million children in Great Britain. One million nine hundred and ten thousand children were registered last year and further names are now being taken. For what is being done generally, I would refer the hon. Member to my statement of 15th May.

asked the Minister of Health whether registered medical practitioners are required in their terms of service to provide free, and without question, certificates required under the Representation of the People Act, 1949, to allow disabled persons to vote by post.

This certificate is included among those which a general practitioner is required by his terms of service to issue free of charge if reasonably required by his patient.