asked the Minister of Labour what is the extent of present redundancy at Swynnerton and Radway Green Royal Ordnance factories, and what opportunities exist for alternative employment.

During June, 350 part-time women workers were discharged from Swynnerton and 610 full-time workers from Radway Green. There are practically no opportunities for part-time work in the area but there are full-time opportunities, which some of the Swynnerton workers have accepted, for women in pottery and textiles and for men in engineering and metal manufacture, coal mining, rubber manufacture and pottery.

asked the Minister of Labour what administrative machinery exists for co-ordination between other Departments and his Department to provide alternative employment for those made redundant at Radway Green and Swynnerton Royal Ordnance factories.

The arrangements which I described in the defence debate on 17th April are designed to give my Department as long notice as possible of impending redundancies so that action can be taken without delay to help the redundant workers to obtain other employment.

asked the Minister of Labour from how many undertakings he requested information about profit-sharing and co-partnership schemes in 1955 and subsequently; how many replies were received; in what form this information has been collated; for what purpose it was sought; and what further action he intends to take.

In the inquiry made by my Department in 1955 into profit-sharing and co-partnership schemes in operation in 1954, questionnaires were sent to some 1,800 undertakings. Replies were received from 1,680 of which 408 operated schemes. No further inquiry has been made. An analysis of the schemes operating in 1954 was published in the May, 1956, issue of the Ministry of Labour Gazette.The inquiry was made as a result of the Resolution of this House on 28th January, 1955, in order to provide up-to-date factual information about the development and working of profit-sharing and co-partnership schemes. I do not think that any immediate further action is called for by my Department, but I should be prepared to consider a further inquiry next year.

asked the Minister of Labour how many employees benefited in 1954 from profit-sharing and co-partnership schemes, other than schemes which applied only to staff or to selected classes of employees; what was the average amount of bonus per participant and the average percentage addition to earnings; and how these figures compare with those obtained for the year 1938.

In 1954, nearly 381,000 employees are known to have been entitled to participate in profit-sharing and co-partnership schemes other than schemes which applied only to staff or to selected classes of employees. The corresponding figure in 1938 was 261,000.It is not possible to measure precisely the financial benefits from all schemes, but for the 349 schemes of a profit bonus type in 1954 which applied to employees in general, and covered some 357,000 persons, the average amount of bonus per head was £28 5s. 4d. and the average percentage addition to earnings was 5·8 per cent. The corresponding figures in 1938 were 355 schemes, 238,000 persons, £11 6s. 7d. and 5·9 per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of insured men and women registered as unemployed, at the latest date, in the burgh of Clydebank.

At 17th June, 458 males and 106 females.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what military operations have occurred in recent weeks on the Aden-Yemeni border; and what negotiations are in progress for the settlement of disputes in this area.

There has been a diminution of activity on the Aden-Yemen border in recent weeks. However, air action had to be taken in mid-June against a small Yemeni force which had established itself on a hill in Aden Protectorate territory, and a protest was made on 19th June to the Yemen Government. Negotiations are still in progress with the Yemen Government for a meeting to discuss the settlement of existing differences.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the progress of the present talks on disarmament, it is still the policy of Her Majesty's Government to insist on a settlement of some outstanding political problems before accepting any agreement for a progressive reduction in armed forces.

There is general agreement in the Disarmament Sub-Committee that no political conditions should be attached to the initial reduction of armed forces as part of a first-stage disarmament agreement. This applies to reductions to 2·5 million men for the largest powers and 750,000 men for the United Kingdom and France. Any commitment to further reductions must, in Her Majesty's Government's view, be made dependent on progress in the political field.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will initiate discussions with the French Government about the possibility of immigration into Madagascar to relieve overpopulation in Mauritius.

This possibility has been under examination by my right hon. and learned Friend's Department for some time. The matter may now also concern the Government Council of Madagascar which was elected last month under the new French provisions for local autonomy. I shall be glad to keep the hon. Member informed of developments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will instruct his representative at the United Nations to propose that the Emergency Force costs for 1958 be included in the regular United Nations' Budget.

I would refer the right hon. and learned Member to the reply which I have given today to the hon. Member for Yardley (Mr. Usborne).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make a statement about further improving the supplies of steel to the shipbuilding industry.

The shipbuilding industry has received about 5 per cent. more shipyard steel this year than in the corresponding period last year. The percentage increases for individual months are a good deal higher than this except for March and April when conditions were abnormal because of the shipyard strike.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how deliveries of steel supplies to the shipbuilding industry for the first six months of this year compare with the supplies for the corresponding period last year.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I have given today to the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. P. Williams) which indicates how supplies in the first five months of 1957 have compared with the corresponding period of 1956. Figures to show deliveries made in June, 1957, are not yet available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of ships and the tonnage launched in the United Kingdom in the first six months of 1957.

131 merchant ships totalling about 619,500 gross.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of ships and the tonnage launched on the north-east coast in the first six months of 1957.

Thirty-six merchant ships totalling about 291,000 gross tons.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when the hon. Member for the Manchester, Exchange Division, may expect a reply to his letter of 21st April, 1957, concerning events in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary "Succour".

I wrote to the hon. Member yesterday, and he should have received the letter by now.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many men and women were employed in Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, in 1954–55, 1955–56, and for the first six months of 1957; and how many are established.

The average numbers employed during each of the three periods, respectively, were approximately 19,550, 19,850 and 19,600. Of the 19,767 employed on 1st July, 1957, 8,297 were established.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many contracts were placed with private contractors for work in connection with Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, in 1954–55, 1955–56, and for the first six months of 1957.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to works contracts. Seventeen were placed with private contractors for work in the Dockyard area in 1954–55, thirteen in 1955–56 and seventeen in 1956–57. Four such contracts were placed between 1st April and 30th June, 1957.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the reason for the building of eight static water tanks at Thankes Oil Fuel Depot by an outside contractor at the estimated cost of £1,400.

This contract was placed locally in November, 1956, because the existing tanks had become unserviceable and because the Departmental labour force was then fully occupied. The contract was completed some months ago.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes' establishments in Germany do not stock British domestic appliances; and whether he will remove this discrimination against British goods.

The hon. Member has been misinformed. More than 80 per cent. of the domestic goods sold by N.A.A.F.I. in Germany are made in Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to protect from strong sunshine the heads of horses that have to stand for long periods on sentry duty.

I am advised that no protection is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the increasing numbers of officers and men who are leaving the Army as a result of the anxiety felt over the Government's five-year Defence Plan; and whether he is yet in a position to announce detailed proposals in order to allay this anxiety.

The announcement of a new defence policy has not brought any significant increase in the number of officers and men leaving the Army. The rates of retirement and prolongation have remained steady between March and May. Everything possible is being done to complete details of the new organisation quickly. As I have already indicated, I hope to make a further announcement before the Summer Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether when conscription ends, he will consider introducing short-term engagements of two years designed to encourage boys keen on doing National Service to join the Army, but who would not feel able to commit themselves for a longer period.

I regret that we could not introduce, except for special categories, a short-term engagement without detracting from the six-year term, and adding unduly to our recruiting, training, movement and other overheads. Young men who desire to give military service but do not wish to join the Regular Army can help most effectively by joining the Territorial Army or the Army Emergency Reserve on an engagement of two, three or four years.

asked the Postmaster-General why the private telephone subscriber has to be debited with any necessary 999 emergency call when such calls made from public telephone boxes are free.

Logically, a charge should be made in both cases. But finding coins could mean delay in an emergency, and for that reason emergency calls from public telephone boxes have, for many years, been allowed free of charge.

asked the Postmaster-General when he proposes to modernise the telephone service in Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley.

We expect to have automatic working at Leigh in 1960. Work on a new exchange is planned to begin in a few months. At Atherton, we can readily extend the existing exchange, which also serves Tyldesley, and we have at present no plans for its conversion to automatic working.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the growing practice of giving prizes of significant value to viewers of commercial television in breach both of the rules and of Section 3 of the Television Act, 1954; and if he will use his powers under Section 9 (2) of the Act to prevent such breaches continuing.

I am not aware of any breaches of the Television Act or of any rules.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that growing use of celebrity spots by advertisers on commercial television is a breach of the no sponsorship provision of the Television Act, 1954; and if he will use his powers under Section 9 (2) of the Act to prevent such breaches continuing.

I am not aware of any such breach.

asked the Postmaster-General how he proposes to further his consultations with industry and users about questions of radio frequency allocation.

I intend to set up a new committee, which will include representatives of industry and users, to advise me on broad aspects of radio frequency allocation. The precise composition of the committee has yet to be settled.

asked the Postmaster-General what are his intentions in regard to the Clayton Green, near Chorley, sub-post office; and if he will state the reason for his proposals.

When the sub-postmaster at Clayton Green retires at the end of July, a new sub-office is to be opened in nearby premises. I think a sub-office in this position will be well placed to serve the locality.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that many people disapprove of the right of shipowners to limit their liability in cases of loss of life or personal injury; and whether he will take such views into consideration before giving instructions to the representatives of Her Majesty's Government at the international conference relating to limitation of liability of sea-going vessels to be held in Belgium during October.

The views of all interested parties will certainly be taken into account before instructions are given to the representatives of Her Majesty's Government at the forthcoming international conference.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he proposes to issue further regulations for the compulsory carrying of inflatable life-rafts on passenger and cargo ships.

I am now preparing regulations requiring the carriage of inflatable life-rafts in cross channel passenger ships, in cargo ships engaged on coastal and short international voyages and in sea-going tugs and other small seagoing craft. I am also recommending that inflatable life-rafts be carried by ocean-going dry cargo ships in addition to their existing life-saving appliances, pending revision of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1948.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will amend the Merchant Shipping (Lifesaving Appliances) Rules, 1952, so as to include the Gaskin lifeboat and life-raft within the terms of the existing regulations.

On the information I have at present I do not consider that I should be justified in amending the Merchant Shipping (Lifesaving Appliances) Rules, 1952, to permit of this design being used as a lifesaving appliance.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why he has not yet granted an Al certificate to the Gaskin lifeboat and liferaft after repeated tests over a period of twenty-one years.

I am not at present satisfied that this design would comply with requirements for lifeboats so far as strength, stability, buoyancy and manœuvrability are concerned. I have already indicated that I should be pleased to examine this problem further if detailed drawings are submitted and a prototype made available for tests.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why he has approved the inflated rubber life-raft but not the Gaskin life-raft.

Inflatable life-rafts which are approved for use under the Merchant Shipping (Lifesaving Appliances) (Amendment) Rules, 1956, can be thrown overboard and inflated ready for boarding in a matter of seconds and give protection out of the water and under cover. From such information as I have the Gaskin life-raft appears more comparable to a lifeboat, and I am not satisfied that it complies with the statutory requirements.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what complaints he has received regarding the inadequacy of the Aust Ferry to deal with the growing needs of the locality and the considerable delays which take place by the traffic crossing to and from Wales; and what steps are being taken to improve the position.

Eleven complaints have been received during the last eight years. Apart from my requirements concerning the safety of passengers, I have no responsibility for the operation or improvement of this ferry, which is privately owned.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when a start is to be made on the proposed Rochester by-pass road.

As I said on the 26th June, a draft scheme under the Special Roads Act, 1949, is being prepared.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what representations he has received from the Atherstone Rural District Council on the safety of Watling Street at Grendon in the county of Warwick; and what his replies have been.

The council asked me recently to reconsider my decisions not to impose the 30 m.p.h. speed limit on this road and not to provide a pedestrian crossing in Grendon, and to make a personal investigation on the site. I regret I cannot do this at present, but I am arranging for a senior officer of my Department to make this investigation on my behalf and report to me.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he intends to build a flyover at the junction of A.35 and A.36 lying between Totton and Millbrook, in view of the high accident rate, the increase in volume of traffic and the dangerous design of the existing junction.

I am at present discussing with my agent authority, the Hampshire County Council, the best way of improving traffic conditions at this junction. I am unable at present to say when I can include such an improvement in my programme.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made regarding the Darlington by-pass road.

The draft scheme under the Special Roads Act, 1949, showing the line of the proposed new road was published in April, 1956, and two objections to the proposal were received. One of these has been withdrawn, and I hope to reach a decision on the outstanding one very shortly, after which I shall be in a position to make the scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the fact that the proportion of national income spent on roads is much less in Great Britain than in most other countries of Western Europe; and, in view of the steady increase in the number of vehicles using the roads, if he will now allocate more funds for new road schemes and improvements.

It is to be expected that a major road programme which was only initiated in 1954 should call for a relatively low level of actual expenditure in the first few years. Authorisations of new works by the end of the current year will total £147,000,000 since 1954.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many street accidents involving vehicles, passengers and pedestrians have occurred in the vicinity of the junction of Hampstead Road and Gower Street, London, since 1954.

Twelve accidents involving personal injury occurred at or within 20 yards of this junction between 1st January, 1954, and 30th June, 1957.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1) what reply he has given to the request from the Tyne Tunnel Joint Committee asking that they be given authority to commence the preparatory work with regard to the proposed tunnel;

What the hon. Member refers to as preparatory work forms an integral part of the tunnel scheme as a whole, and I cannot authorise it separately from the main works. I have written to the Tyne Tunnel Joint Committee accordingly.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that, owing to defects of which he has been informed, in the carriage of perishable commodities by train notably fish from Aberdeen to London, alternative transport by road has become essential; that this involves his permission to extend the number of refrigerated road lorries for which licences may be granted for this kind of work; and if he will investigate the relevant problems and seek or give powers to the appropriate licensing authorities to increase the permitted number of licensed refrigerated road lorries accordingly.

There has been trouble with hot axle boxes on some of the fish trains from Aberdeen, and to avoid this the British Transport Commission are fitting about 200 of the newest fish vans with roller bearings. Under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, it is for the licensing authorities and not for me to grant any road carriers' licences for this kind of work, if they are satisfied that more vehicles are necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action he is now taking by appropriate regulations or general directions to prohibit smoking in single deck buses and in underground trains.

As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health explained in the statement he made on 27th June, the Government's policy is to make known the risks of smoking, leaving it to individuals to make up their own minds. It would therefore be inappropriate to introduce general prohibitions of this kind at present, but the position will be kept under review.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will give an estimate of the number of vehicles on the roads of Great Britain in three, five and ten years' time, respectively; and to what extent he expects that the existing programme of road construction will absorb this additional traffic without further increasing congestion.

Long-term estimates of this nature are very speculative. So far as can be foreseen at present, the number of vehicles in use in 1960, 1962 and 1967 might be of the order of 8, 9 and 11 millions, respectively, but these cannot be regarded as anything but purely tentative figures. For this reason, the programme of road construction must be and must remain the largest that can be reconciled with competing demands on our economy.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what estimate he has made of the loss caused to the country by traffic congestion; and what this loss is likely to be three years hence, in view of the increase in the number of vehicles using the road during that period.

There is no doubt that traffic congestion causes a very considerable loss to the country, but I am not satisfied that any exact estimate of the sum involved can at present be made.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will now reintroduce the regulation that learner drivers must always be accompanied by a qualified driver, as this rule was abandoned during petrol rationing, and ensure greater road safety.

I intend to reintroduce this requirement from 1st October this year. Holders of provisional licences who have not yet applied for a test are advised to do so without delay.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, in view of the increasing number of transatlantic flights, what changes are proposed in vertical, lateral, and fore and aft separation standards in order to enable more aircraft to be fitted into available air space; and what methods which will not increase the strain on the traffic control officers are proposed to prevent time gained in flight by the new turbo-jet airliners being lost over the airports through the presence of the slower piston engined aircraft.

A long-range navigational system which should enable us to reduce lateral separation is now being tried. This, coupled with improvements to communication facilities, should also reduce fore and aft separation. No changes in vertical separation are contemplated. Extended use of radar techniques and improved methods of presenting information should enable us to fit extra traffic, including the new jets, into existing airport traffic patterns. I hope that these techniques will simplify the work of the air traffic controller in spite of increased traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what arrangements will be made under Section 6 (7) of the Transport Act, 1947, for examining the British Transport Commissions' proposal to close the railway between Lewes and East Grinstead.

In accordance with the view of the Special Report from the Committee of this House on the British Transport Commission Bill I have asked the Central Transport Consultative Committee to take the exceptional course of themselves conducting a local public inquiry into this proposal when it is submitted again. At the same time I want to make it clear that I have the fullest confidence in the ability and integrity of the Area Transport Users' Consultative Committees, who normally review proposals for closing branch lines, and in particular of the South-Eastern Area Committee, which has already been concerned with this scheme.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will take immediate steps to dispel anxiety in the Armed Forces arising from lack of information regarding future reduction in manpower, especially in view of the adverse effect this is having on recruiting.

I am anxious as soon as possible to remove uncertainty among members of the Forces as to how they themselves and their units may be affected by the reductions foreshadowed in the White Paper outlining future Defence Policy. The necessary announcements will be made at the earliest practicable moment.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will now state the date after which Service officers who resign in order to take up civilian employment will receive compensation.

A comprehensive announcement on terms and conditions of compensation will be made very shortly.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will make a statement regarding his official visit to Kenya in connection with the establishment of a military base in that Colony.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will make a statement on his tour in the Middle East and Africa.

asked the Minister of Defence when he expects to be in a position to announce the Government's decision on the establishment of new bases in Africa and the Middle East; and whether he will present a White Paper giving the costs and implications of those proposals.

asked the Minister of Defence what conclusions he has come to regarding the future use of Kenya as a base.

asked the Minister of Defence what consultations have taken place on the future use of Kenya as a military base.

During my recent tour in the Middle East, I had discussions with all the Government and military authorities in Aden, Kenya and Libya. The object was to obtain information upon which to base decisions regarding the strength and disposition of our forces in these areas, in conformity with the outline of policy set out in the recent Defence White Paper. I hope to be able to announce some of these decisions in the near future.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will state the latest information regarding the extent to which there was harmful fall-out from the three hydrogen-bomb tests that recently took place off Christmas Island.

Measurements taken on the ground and in the air at stations distributed widely in the operational area have so far revealed no distinguishable increase in radio-activity above the natural level, except in a few instances in which the increase was far too small to be harmful. No increased radio-activity has been detected in fish.

asked the Minister of Defence what is the purpose of the new British contribution of £500,000 to the Bagdad Pact; what proportion of this sum is to be used to help meet the cost of the infra-structure of the staff of this venture; and what proportion on the new nuclear training centre in Bagdad.

The purpose is to assist in the provision of military installations and facilities, in particular radar and airfields. No part of the contribution will be used for the provision of staff or for the nuclear training centre.

asked the Minister of Defence how the end of National Service will affect the Boys' Cadet Forces.

I am at present considering what further measures can be taken to strengthen and assist the Combined Cadet Force and the cadet forces of the three Services. The cadet forces have proved of great benefit in fostering qualities of leadership and initiative; and we shall continue to look to them to encourage and train boys who are interested in Service careers. This will be of especial value to recruiting at this time.

asked the Minister of Supply the total number of employees in Royal Ordnance Factories; how this figure compares with the corresponding figure twelve months since; and what estimate he makes of the figure after reorganisation is complete.

In round figures, the total is 40,000 as against 46,500 twelve months ago. As regards the last part of the Question, I should prefer not to anticipate the announcement which I hope to make shortly about the Royal Ordnance Factories.

asked the Minister of Supply what number of employees, male and female, have been made redundant at the Royal Ordnance Factory. Maltby, since 1st May, 1957.

The numbers are none and 150, respectively.

asked the Minister of Supply what estimate he has made of the future level of employment at the Royal Ordnance Factories, Woolwich; and to what extent he anticipates redundancies.

In present circumstances it is not possible to make reliable estimates of the future level of employment at the Royal Ordnance Factories, Woolwich. Some redundancy in the next few months is, however, inevitable, although I cannot at present say how many employees will be affected.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he is taking to maintain full employment at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Barnbow, Leeds.

I have been making a comprehensive review of capacity in the Royal Ordnance Factories, and I would ask the hon. Member to await a statement I hope to make in the course of the next two to three weeks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many prosecutions, requiring the consent of the Minister, have been instituted in England and Wales under the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1926, for each of the years since 1953; and what was the number of convictions obtained.

The following is the information required:

FERTILISERS AND FEEDING STUFFS ACT, 1926
Year	Number of prosecutions taken by local authorities with the consent of the Minister	Number of convictions
1953	2	1
1954	7	7
1955	9	7
1956	10	6
1957 to date	3	2

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportion of the annual dollar income for the last five years of the Commonwealth dollar pool has derived from the sale of Malayan tin and rubber; and what steps are to be taken in the new Malaya Constitution to ensure that these dollar earnings are still credited to that pool.

The figures available relate to the Federation of Malaya, together with Singapore, Sarawak, North Borneo and Brunei and cover total dollar earnings from all exports. The bulk of these, however, is derived from exports of tin and rubber. The proportion which Malayan area dollar earnings from visible trade bear to the total dollar earnings of the sterling area from visible trade since 1953—the earliest year for which a comparison is possible—is 7 per cent. This percentage would be lower if gold sales and dollar earnings other than from exports were included.After independence, the Federation of Malaya will remain a member of the sterling area and will abide by the principles of membership of that area, as at present. The Federation Government are resolved to take all measures to strengthen the economy of the Federation and to maintain and increase the contribution which the Federation makes to the strength of the sterling area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of primary and secondary schools in Somaliland; what is the number of children attending school; and what provision is made for technical and higher education in the territory.

Seventeen elementary, six intermediate schools, and one secondary school cater for 1,190, 520 and 63 pupils respectively. A further seven elementary and three intermediate schools will be opened this year to provide for 210 and 90 pupils respectively. There is one trades school, providing technical education for 78 pupils; and one vocational training centre with 41 trainees. There is no provision within the Protectorate for education beyond secondary school standard; this is provided by means of scholarships to suitable pupils to study in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make available in the Library of the House a copy of the report on the amendment of the constitution of the Bahamas, which was recently approved by the Legislative Council of that territory.

A copy of the report of the Select Committee appointed by the Bahamas House of Assembly to inquire into reform of the Constitution is being placed in the Library. I take it that it is to this Report that the hon. Member's Question refers. It should be pointed out that the Bahamas Legislative Council, i.e. the Upper House, has not yet expressed its views on the Report which has been sent to a committee of the Council for study.

Class			Quantity	Receipts of Duty
			Gallons	£
Oils chargeable with Customs Duty
Light oils	…	…	1,963,556,035	267,661,306
Of which motor (including aviation) spirit	…	…	(1,913,241,864)	(260,555,772)
Heavy oils:
For use as road fuel	…	…	447,802,826	62,319,034
Other (mainly lubricating oils)	…	…	165,705,488	690,439
Oils chargeable with Excise Duty
Light oils	…	…	121,142,550	9,121,807
Of which motor (including aviation) spirit	…	…	(73,316,246)	(5,340,862)
Heavy oils for use as road fuel	…	…	22,228,428	1,738,290
Total	…	…	—	341,530,876
Allowance on certain home produced oils used in approved refineries as raw material for chemical synthesis			—	3,617,961
Net total	…	…	—	337,912,915

These particulars relate to oil subject to a net liability to Customs or Excise Duty; comparable figures are not available in respect of heavy oils for which the duty is wholly rebated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the amount of each class of hydrocarbon oils retained for home consumption during the year ended 31st March, 1957, and the net amount received in respect of duty thereon, showing, in particular, the amounts received in respect of motor spirit and heavy oils used as fuel in road vehicles.

The required particulars are as follows: