asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on how many occasions since 1945 he or his predecessors have given permission for Members of Parliament's telephone conversations to be tapped: and whether he will publish in HANSARD a list of the names of the Members whose telephones have been so tapped;

(2) on what date since 1945 he or his predecessors gave permission for the telephone of the hon. Member for West Ham, North, to be tapped; and for what purpose;

(3) the types of cases in which, in the interest of public order, he grants permission for telephone calls to be intercepted; and why telephone calls of trade unionists connected with industrial disputes are included among such cases.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 25th June to a Question by the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton).

The Minister has answered three Questions together dealing with three entirely different points which were not dealt with in the Question and Answer to which he referred. May I now ask the right hon. Gentleman to confirm or deny whether the telephone of the hon. Member for West Ham, North was tapped and how many Members of Parliament have had their telephone calls intercepted, and for what reason?

I can only give exactly the same Answer as I gave to the hon Member for Brixton on 25th June and the answer I gave to supplementary questions on 27th June, namely, that I am not prepared to disclose the number of warrants, nor am I prepared to disclose any particular class of persons and nor should it be surmised by certain persons that their telephones have been tapped.

May we take it that this information will be available to the Committee?

I do not know. I am not running the Committee. All I know is that some very able, distinguished and learned gentlemen are engaged on this Committee, and as far as I am concerned the more information they can have the better.

If I have a suspicion, however unwarranted, that my telephone has been tapped, could the right hon. Gentleman remove that suspicion by making a declaration which would satisfy me?

It is very difficult to satisfy the right hon. Gentleman at any time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1), as mock auction activity is again on the increase doing harm to our tourist trade, and as overseas visitors with confidence of getting a square deal in this country are easy victims of the technique involved in purchasing at exorbitant prices specially produced shoddy goods for mock auctions, at times with guarantees that are worthless, what steps he proposes to take to deal with the situation;

(2) what action he is taking in respect of complaints of unlawful practices at mock auctions in the Metropolitan Police area made in a letter and sent to him by the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford.

I am having inquiries made and will write to the hon. Member when they have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the latest thorough investigation into the activities at mock auctions was undertaken; what was the extent of the investigation; and how many offences were detected under Section 32 of the Larceny Act, 1916, of obtaining money under false pretences with intent to defraud.

The investigation of alleged offences is a matter for the police. The Metropolitan Police has given this matter much attention since 1953, but has not been able to find any evidence to justify the institution of criminal proceedings.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that every one of these sales is bare-faced robbery? I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will accept my offer to send plain clothes men along to such sales where the present law is being broken at every sale.

I understand that the hon. Gentleman rightly takes an interest in what are called "mock auctions," but we have no been able so far, despite the investigations which I and the Metropolitan Police have made, to find the evidence to justify the institution of criminal proceedings. Of course, if the hon. Gentleman can give me or the police any help, we shall be glad.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider the advisability of transferring Benedict Obibine, who was sentenced to fourteen years' imprisonment at the Old Bailey on 21st June, to Nigeria to serve his sentence.

This man has applied to the Court of Criminal Appeal for leave to appeal against his conviction and I cannot therefore comment on the case; but, in any event, I have no power to adopt the course which the hon. Member suggests.

Are there not extraordinary circumstances surrounding this case, and is it not the fact that this man appears to be suffering from very strange delusions? Whatever the result of the appeal may be, could not the right hon. Gentleman arrange for the man to be properly examined by psychiatrists with a view to his transfer to Nigeria which, on the face of it at least, would appear to be the humane thing to do in this case?

As to the merits of the case, I cannot comment because the man has applied for leave to appeal. In the case of the powers given me by Parliament, I have only the Colonial Prisoners' Removal Act, 1884, and that gives power to transfer a prisoner from a Colony to the United Kingdom or from one colony to another, but not from the United Kingdom to a Colony.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the increase of convictions for drunkenness last year, whether he will obtain the figures of convictions for drunkenness for each of the ages between 14 and 21 years; and what evidence there is as to the places from which the persons convicted obtained the drink immediately prior to their conviction.

The information immediately available shows that 933 persons aged 14 and under 18 were convicted of drunkenness during 1956 and indicates that nearly 70 per cent. of these were aged 17 and about 25 per cent. aged 16. The number of convictions of persons aged 18 and under 21 was 4,452.

Chief constables were again asked for available information about the source of the liquor in cases of offences by persons under 18. In 57 per cent. of the cases the source was not known and in 33 per cent. it was stated to be public houses.

In view of the large number of convictions and the serious public apprehensions about them, will the right hon. Gentleman follow up this investigation to try to get to know in more detail what are the sources of supply of the liquor, because there is illegal drinking which has resulted in convictions for drunkenness?

We shall certainly do our best, but it is very difficult to cure social evils solely by the making of inquiries or even by legislation. We have ascertained that licensees on the whole do their best. From our inquiries I find that it is very difficult for them to be sure, for example in a crowded bar, that they are not serving drinks to people under age, but they do their best.

Is it not also very difficult for licensees or others who serve drinks to know whether an individual is 17, 18 or 21?

That is confirmation, for which I am grateful to my right hon. Friend, of what I was trying to make clear, that it is extraordinarily difficult to find out someone's age.

In view of the fact that there is an alarming increase in the rate of drinking and drunkenness among young people, is it not, whatever the difficulty, the Secretary of State's responsibility [HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—the responsibility of us all—to tackle this problem to see that these figures are reduced?

Clearly there is an increase in drunkenness. There are, however, about 4 million persons under 21. The number of convictions for drunkenness is comparatively small, 5,385. While I agree that they are disquieting, I do not think the matter is completely out of hand. I will do my best within the powers available to me to follow this up.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many probation officer posts in the London area are unfilled, showing adult and juvenile courts and male and female posts separately; what percentage of the establishment for London these vacancies represent in aggregate; and what steps he is taking to remedy the position.

In the metropolitan magistrates' courts area, for which I am the probation authority, there are now vacancies for three men at adult courts and two at juvenile courts. There are also vacancies for a man and a woman for relief duties. These vacancies represent in the aggregate 4·5 per cent. of the establishment. The vacancies were recently advertised and, in so far as they cannot at once be filled by permanent staff, I shall endeavour to make temporary appointments.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that any vacancies in this extremely important social work are to be deplored? Does not he agree that the true figures are to some extent masked by the use of untrained and relatively inexperienced probation officers in the past?

Yes. That to some extent is the fact. It is true that the establishment—that is the number—has been increased by about 35 per cent. from 114 to 154 to meet the increase in probation work. I am ready to consult the Probation Advisory and Training Board on how to deal with the problem the hon. Member has brought before us.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that many probation officers try to do their very difficult jobs without the assistance of motor vehicles? If there is a shortage of manpower in this service would not providing the officers with motor cars double the extent of the work they can do? We provide them with many facilities. The provision of motor vehicles would be a great help.

There is a great tradition in the probation service of service as such. If we can supplement it, we will, but it is rather difficult to do it in the way the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the serious increase of solicitation in the Metropolitan Borough of Stepney; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware that the number of arrests of women in the Borough of Stepney for soliciting was 449 in 1956 compared with 123 in 1954 and 255 in 1955. These figures reflect a serious increase in prostitution and offences allied to it, which gives ground for concern, though I must add that the rise in the number of arrests may be due to a number of different causes and it should not be inferred that the number of women engaged in these activities has increased in the same proportion.

I have consulted the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, who shares my concern, and I am satisfied that the police are, within the limits of their resources, doing all that they can to enforce the law. The responsible citizens of the area can give valuable help to the police in dealing with this problem, and the police will be grateful for any such assistance.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a serious increase in prostitution in this area, and in what is termed the East End of London, a residential area, and that what is happening is completely different from anything that has ever taken place in that part of Stepney, certainly since I was born there, and indeed long before that? Is this matter simply to be left? Is this traffic to go on increasing and increasing without the Home Department doing anything at all? Up to now it has done nothing to stop the increase, and the people in that area have no alternative, unless the Home Office does something about it, to accepting this increase in prostitution.

The police have done their best, as is shown by the increased number of arrests made. I think the police should be supported in what they have done. We should like to get the help of local residents in giving the police more power. The matter under discussion has been referred to the Wolfenden Committee. That shows that the Home Office is not unaware of this very severe problem, in Stepney, as elsewhere.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain how local residents can help in this matter, unless he means local residents are the cause of the trouble?

I only wanted to say that the police would be glad if the people who complain of the activities of prostitutes would give them specific information and be prepared to appear in court to give evidence. Such co-operation by the public has been very useful and made a very considerable difference to the police.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Wolfenden Committee's Report will now be published?

I should be awfully sorry to forestall a Question to be put by the hon. Member for East Aberdeenshire (Sir R. Boothby). However, as we have already passed it, I would say that I am expecting the Report some time next month.

In view of the apparent complacency of the Home Secretary in this matter, I beg to give notice that I shall raise it on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the persons awaiting admission to a Borstal Allocation Centre were under the age of 17 years when committed for sentence; and how many of these are detained in remand homes and how many in prison.

On a recent date, six boys who were under the age of 17 when committed for sentence and who were sentenced to borstal training were awaiting admission to a borstal allocation centre. All were detained in prison.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is a most unfortunate preliminary to the constructive training of Borstal that boys have to be kept in prison? In view of the shortage of places at allocation centres, will he press on with the supply of remand centres as he promised?

Yes, certainly, I want to press on with the provision of allocation centres, and I am glad to say that there has been a considerable reduction in the number detained in this way over the past month alone. I should like to make progress, and the pressure put upon me by the hon. Member is very welcome to me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many boys are now at Wormwood Scrubs prison awaiting a period of Borstal training; and what is the average length of time that they have been there.

On 28th June, 1957, there were 295 boys in the Borstal reception centre at Wormwood Scrubs. The process of allocation lasts from six to eight weeks. At present, owing to the shortage of vacancies in the training Borstals caused by the increase in committals to Borstal, the average time spent in awaiting transfer after allocation is 22 days.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the time spent at Wormwood Scrubs awaiting Borstal training affects the period for which a boy may be lawfully detained at Borstal thereafter?

I should like to have notice of that. Hon. Members will be glad to hear that we have been trying to locate this centre elsewhere, and we have found suitable alternative premises which we propose to acquire if we receive planning permission. We hope that that will help to get over the difficulty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what authority and for what purpose British subjects leaving the United Kingdom by sea are asked to produce passports for examination by officials of his Department.

Adult persons leaving this country, whether British subjects or not, are required by the Aliens Order, 1953, to produce adequate evidence of identity and nationality; and the most readily available evidence is a valid passport.

What is the object of their being required to do this, inasmuch as any British subject obviously has an inherent right to leave this country whenever he wants to? Will the right hon. Gentleman withdraw the Order?

No, Sir. It is simply a case of identification. The hon. Member is correct in saying that there is no power to refuse a British subject leave to embark. Therefore, it is simply a case of establishing identity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the large number of convictions at magistrates' courts, and in particular the Thames Magistrates' Court, in 1956, for living on immoral earnings, involving Maltese, he will consider the introduction of legislation to permit the deportation of this type of offender coming from Commonwealth and colonial countries.

These figures give cause for concern, but I do not find in them sufficient justification for departing from the view I expressed on 28th February last to my hon. Friend's Question.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that of 35 persons convicted at Thames Magistrates' Court in 1956 of living on immoral earnings, no fewer than 27 were Maltese? Is he aware that colonial immigrants are responsible for a disproportionate number of these crimes all over the country and that the most effective means of combating this most serious social menace is to introduce deportation?

We are aware of the position in respect of Maltese at the Thames Magistrates' Court, but we are also aware of the long-standing British tradition in regard to the deportation of British subjects. As at present advised, although I understand my hon. Friend's anxiety, I am not prepared to depart from that long tradition.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the evidence which has satisfied him that the present powers to prevent the purchase of tobacco by schoolchildren are adequate.

None, Sir; but equally I have no evidence to the contrary. As I said in reply to the hon. Member on 9th May, Section 7 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, makes it an offence to sell tobacco to anyone apparently under the age of 16 years; and I have no reason to think that the provisions of the Section are not adequately observed.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it rather unfortunate that he should give this opinion when, as he now says, he has no evidence on which to base an opinion? If he requires evidence, will he turn to the Answer given to me by the Minister of Education, who said on 6th June that in his view:

"there is sufficient evidence in common experience for the statement that cigarettes are not so difficult for children to obtain…".—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 6th June, 1957; Vol. 571, c. 128.]?

In view of the Medical Research Council's Report, will the right hon. Gentleman have another look at the matter to see whether the provisions are sufficient for him to take action? If they are not, will he ask for extra power?

For the same reason as I gave in connection with drink for young persons, it is very difficult to ascertain absolutely the age of a person to whom sales are made. That is why I said "apparently" under the age of 16. There can be no absolute rule in this matter. I suggest that the course for those who are very worried about it is to put evidence to the Ingleby Committee which is still sitting and which may be able to make some recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of a recent court decision in favour of a claimant to British nationality through descent from a woman, he will now introduce legislation giving British women the same right as British men to transmit their nationality to their children.

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a resident in Paddington did not know until he had finished his National Service and applied for a passport that he was a stateless person? He was born of a British mother in France and no record of her marriage can be found. The result is that he has two small daughters of different nationality, as one of them happened to be born abroad. If the Electress Sophia can give nationality to the occupiers of the benches in another place, surely an ordinary electress of this country ought to be able to give her own nationality to her own child.

I sympathise very much but the facts are that the legislation in respect of the Electress Sophia was repealed in 1948 in respect of the 1st January, 1949, and therefore we start all square. In relation to the hon. Member's point, I realise the difficulty about illegitimate children born abroad, but the Secretary of State has power, under Section 7 of the British Nationality Act, 1948, to register such children as citizens of the United Kingdom and the Colonies whilst they are minors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conclusions he has reached in regard to the recent court decision which enables British nationality to be claimed through descent from the Electress Sophia; and whether he will now introduce legislation to enable him to resist such claims in cases where the claimants have borne arms against this country.

This matter has received careful consideration and I do not think that any action is called for on my part.

While agreeing that this is not as important as it sounds, may I ask the Home Secretary if there is any hope of its being a sufficient irritant in his Department to cause a review of the entire question of the naturalisation of aliens?

The latter point is rather a broader one than is that of the descendants of the Electress Sophia, who appear to be of the order of 400 persons. Whilst I should be glad to answer questions on the broader issue, I think it is as well to leave these 400 alone.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider introducing legislation empowering local authorities to spend money for the promotion of home safety and the dissemination of information and advice relating thereto.

I sympathise with the object which my hon. Friend has in mind and will consider his suggestion.

Whilst thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that a local authority now has to obtain the Minister's permission before it can set up a home safety committee? Would not it be a good thing if it could set up a home safety committee on the same lines as the road safety committees and be able to draw on and use its funds for that purpose?

That is why I want to look into the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes in civil defence policy he has under consideration in the light of the implications of the White Paper on Defence.

The review of civil defence plans is a continuing process, but no changes were called for by the conclusions announced in the Defence White Paper, which confirmed that civil defence must play an essential part in the defence plan.

Without going into the question whether civil defence is of any value at all in a thermo-nuclear age, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will consider the possibility of transferring responsibilities and making them either regional or national instead of local?

One of the great features of civil defence is that we should enlist the co-operation of the local authorities, otherwise volunteers do not feel that they are attached to their own localities. While I am ready to entertain any ideas, I believe that it is important to retain the local connection.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for some years now military appreciation of the problem of civil defence has recognised that in the first period this will be the main responsibility of the military, and should not this be recognised in its organisation?

Yes, Sir, but I think there are limits to what the military can do compared with a local authority in connection with its own local force and its training, and I attach great importance to the latter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the knowledge now available about the effects of nuclear warfare, he will introduce legislation to revise the Civil Defence Act accordingly.

The Civil Defence Act, 1948, provides a broad statutory framework for civil defence administration. There is ample scope to revise plans and policies, as necessary, without amending legislation.

In view of the fact that paragraph 12 of the Defence White Paper states that there is no adequate protection for the people of this country in the event of nuclear war, surely the Home Secretary should consult other members of the Government with a view to revising the whole question?

No, Sir. I am in constant communication with my colleagues, hourly and daily. I am fully aware of all their points of view, and I am not prepared to alter my answer on the strength of such consultation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the procedure and practice relating to the case of a prisoner in one of Her Majesty's prisons who is dissatisfied with a finding of a disciplinary committee and with the report of a visiting committee; and if he will indicate what right and opportunity such a prisoner has by way of appeal or otherwise to an outside tribunal.

A prisoner who is dissatisfied with a disciplinary award may petition the Secretary of State, who has power under the Prison Rules to mitigate or remit the award. A visiting committee or board of visitors is itself an outside tribunal independent of the prison administration. No appeal lies from a decision of the committee or the board to any other outside tribunal.

Is the Home Secretary aware that certain prisoners allege that they do not get fair hearings by internal committees, and will he provide a means whereby such prisoners can bring their grievances before external committees, at which they can be represented either by counsel or next friend, so that their cases may be fully and fairly put?

As far as I am aware, with the reserve powers of the Secretary of State, the position is satisfactory, but if the hon. and learned Gentleman wishes to put to me any individual points with which he has found dissatisfaction, I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances, and upon what authority, prisoners who are serving sentences in Her Majesty's prisons are brought to give evidence which is not on oath before tribunals which are neither statutory not judicial; and to what extent the costs of transferring such prisoners and their close escort while away from prison are borne by the authorities convening the tribunals.

Where the Secretary of State is satisfied that the attendance of a prisoner at any place in Great Britain is desirable in the interests of justice or for the purposes of any public inquiry, he has power under Section 22 (2, a) of the. Prison Act, 1952, to direct the prisoner to be taken to that place. The question who pays the cost of the production depends on the circumstances of the particular case, but where the attendance is for the purpose of giving evidence before a professional disciplinary body, the production is normally at public expense.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will send an independent panel of doctors to Wormwood Scrubs to examine the Cypriot prisoners.

No, Sir, I regret not. I have every confidence in the competence and integrity of the medical officers at Wormwood Scrubs prison.

Is the Minister aware that the integrity of those representatives is not in dispute, but that what is in dispute is that they have put out a statement which is in absolute contradiction to the statement put out by my hon. Friend the Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) and myself? Will the right hon. Gentleman say that he also has complete confidence in our integrity, and will he, therefore, if dealing with two groups of people whose integrity he respects, which I must assume, find out where the truth lies?

I am in no doubt about the integrity of the hon. Lady or of the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway). I have seen them both on this matter, and I accept absolutely what their impression is, but I have to give the medical opinion as given me by medical persons, and whilst the hon. Members may have many talents, I am not aware that they are of the medical profession.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the report which he has received from the medical officer at Wormwood Scrubs bears out the statement made by the Secretary of State for the Colonies that the medical officer did not find any sign of bruises or injuries upon these prisoners?

I should prefer to answer that question after it has been put on the Order Paper. I have also been making inquiries in Cyprus through my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary, and I should prefer to give an answer to that matter, which is a full one, on a special Question, rather than to give a chance answer now, because I want to be accurate.

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

The letter from Dr. Mackey contains a request that the remains of Roger Casement should be removed from Pentonville Prison and that certain documents should be returned to Casement's legal representatives. The letter is under consideration, but I regret that I am not yet in a position to reply to it.

Will the Home Secretary give consideration to the fact that this controversy is still raging in Ireland, and will continue to do so until the British Government hand over these documents? Does he not think it is time that we followed the example of historical documents respecting Scotland being returned there? Why should not these be returned to Ireland?

I cannot go further today than to say that the letter from Dr. Mackey is under consideration and that I am not ready to give an answer today.

Can the Home Secretary say whether or not the alleged diaries are still in existence?

I am not prepared to go any further today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the forcible feeding of Alfred George Hinds, a prisoner at Pentonville.

Hinds refused all food after his return to Pentonville on Tuesday, 25th June. He was placed under medical observation and on 1st July the prison medical officer decided that Hinds should be fed by tube. The prisoner did not resist and two more meals of this type have since been administered without incident.

Is the Home Secretary aware that the public is beginning to get a bit uneasy about this case—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Is he aware that the public is a little bit uneasy about the case despite the jeers of hon. Gentlemen opposite? Will the Home Secretary, in the exceptional circumstances, have some further investigation made into the reason this man is apparently willing to starve to death rather than accept the justice of the verdict that has been imposed upon him?

It so happens that I personally have not had an opportunity of considering this case in detail. If there is any fresh aspect of it which any hon. Member or any other person wishes me to consider, naturally I will do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will increase the rent allowances of policemen not living in police houses when their rent is increased consequent upon the Rent Bill becoming law.

Any increase in the rent paid by a policeman entitled to a rent allowance is automatically reflected in the allowance, subject to the operation of the maximum limit approved for his force.

Since the maximum at present obtaining will not be sufficient to meet many of the rents which people will have to pay as a result of the Rent Act, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he himself will approve any increase which may be negotiated by the appropriate bodies?

So long as it is realised that the matter is primarily one for the Police Council for Great Britain, I shall be in a stronger position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will authorise hot weather relaxation of dress regulations in the Metropolitan Police, to give at least the same degree of comfort as those operating in many county police forces.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Metropolitan Police are not allowed some relaxation in dress in hot weather.

A lightweight uniform jacket was introduced a few years ago for wear by the uniformed sergeants and constables of the Metropolitan Police in the summer, and I am not aware of a need for any further change.

Will the Home Secretary take the opportunity to get around a bit and see how in other police forces tasks are carried out with great dignity and surely greater efficiency by police constables who are allowed more relaxation of dress in this sort of weather? Is it not rather terrible when the Metropolitan Police have the greatest difficulty in enforcing parking regulations, speed limits and the laws on betting, and in combating prostitution, and the only regulations they have to enforce are these out-of-date dress regulations?

A constable on traffic duty may wear a white linen coat in place of the jacket. It is, however, possible for the Commissioner to make further relaxations and to give instructions that duty may be performed in shirtsleeves. Furthermore, a number of provincial forces may also be allowed to do duty in shirtsleeves. A working party of the Police Council is at present considering certain aspects of police uniform, including summer dress, and therefore, the hon. Member is pushing at an open door.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Ayrshire the police have been operating for the last three weeks in shirtsleeves, which adds greatly to their dignity?

Would my right hon. Friend come to Newcastle-on-Tyne, where he will see a very effective and smart police force in pale blue shirts, looking extremely nice? In view of the fact that to almost every supplementary question my right hon. Friend has said how glad he is that we are pushing at an open door, could he come up to Newcastle? Perhaps then he 'will be able to take action instead of making semi-promises.

If I can be assured that my hon. Friend will show me round, I shall be glad to come.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the numbers of police regularly on duty in the vicinity of Buckingham Palace have been strengthened in recent months; and for what reason.

The number of constables employed at Buckingham Palace has been increased to avoid the need to call on Cannon Row Police Station to provide reliefs. There has, however, been no increase in the number of officers on duty at any one time.

Will the Home Secretary assure himself that there is not an excessive number of police doing this work? Is he aware that the inactivity associated with this type of guard work is apt to lead to frustration amongst the police when there are so many active jobs to be done?

I gather that the number at Buckingham Palace was increased only in order to avoid the need to call on the police station whose name I gave. I do not think there is any reason for me to re-examine the position.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if, in view of the surplus in the national budget of Swaziland for the year 1955–56, he will authorise increased expenditure on educational and health services.

The Swaziland accounts for the financial year 1955–56 do not show a surplus. On the contrary, they showed a small deficit. The Swaziland Government does however possess an accumulated surplus as an assurance against future needs.

Expenditure on educational and health services in Swaziland are steadily increasing and it is estimated that expenditure on education in the current financial year will be approximately four times the amount spent in the financial year 1950–51 and expenditure on medical services about two and one-half times the 1950–51 figure.

Is not that reply a little misleading? Was there not in fact a surplus of £442,235 in March, 1956? As there are only 19 Government schools, and aid is given to 111, and there are only 25 doctors, some of whom serve mostly Europeans, are not the Government prepared to do more for education and health?

The Government are anxious to do all possible to advance education and health in the Protectorate, but the existence of a deficit for the financial year 1955–56 shows how prudent the Government have been in maintaining an accumulated surplus over previous years.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what facilities exist for the purchasing of consumer commodities in the area situated along the Caledon river in Basutoland; and the number of shopping centres and the types of goods available.

There are five major shopping centres situated in Basutoland along the Caledon River. They provide facilities for the purchase of all necessary consumer commodities. In addition there are 144 shops selling most basic articles and food and clothing, as well as agricultural and domestic necessities. There are also numerous cafes, bakers' and butchers' shops in this area.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that most of the Basutos go to the town of Ficksburg in the South African Union to buy their necessities, and that the Government of South Africa have now indicated that they will prohibit Africans from going to those European shops? In view of that fact, will the hon. Gentleman consider the necessity of meeting the needs of the Africans in Basutoland itself?

I think my reply has shown that there are adequate shopping facilities in the area. The entry of Africans into Ficksburg is a matter for the South African Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the cause of the disturbances on 19th May at Roma College, in Basutoland, when police were called in to restore order.

About 100 students of the high school, which forms part of the college, attacked the director of the college with sticks and stones. Order was restored before the police arrived to investigate the assault. A Commission has been appointed to inquire into the causes of the disturbance and to recommend measures necessary to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.

Can the hon. Member give any indication when the report of the Commission is likely to be published?

The Commission is composed of three members, one to be nominated by the resident commissioner, one by the paramount chief and the third by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Maseru. I cannot tell the hon. Member exactly when the report will be received, but I assure the hon. Member that there will be no unnecessary delay.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what assistance is given to African and non-African farmers, respectively, in Swaziland from the Land Bank, State subsidies and other Government sources.

Over the five years 1st April, 1952, to 31st March, 1957, African farmers in Swaziland have received loans both from Swaziland Government sources and from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund. Non-African farmers have received loans from Swaziland Government sources or, if they are land owners, from the Swaziland Land and Agricultural Loan Fund. Total sums borrowed in the five-year period were in round figures: Africans, £136,000; non-Africans, £30,000.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that there is public feeling in Swaziland that the amount of assistance for land development is not sufficient? Will he have another look at this mattes to see what can be done?

I will certainly note the point the hon. Member has made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations when the Report from the Commonwealth Economic Committee on raw material development may be expected.

The Commonwealth Economic Committee has informed me that the drafting of its Report is at an advanced stage. When it is completed, the Committee, in accordance with its established practice, will send the Report to all Commonwealth Governments for their approval and for their agreement to publication. The right hon. Member will appreciate that these Governments will wish to give close examination to a Report of this importance. We are most anxious that there should be no undue delay in its publication, but the Commonwealth Economic Committee cannot, as yet, estimate the date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what assistance has been offered by the United Kingdom Government to the Government of Ghana for the development of the Volta River project.

The general position is still as stated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies in his written reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Haltemprice (Major Wall) on 27th July last.

In view of the vast difference which the realisation of this project could make to Ghana, do not Her Majesty's Government think that they would be well advised to offer a proportion of the financial cost of undertaking the scheme, say one-third?

My right hon. Friend's reply to which I referred said that the United Kingdom and the Ghana Government and the aluminium companies have each reaffirmed their interest in the project. The Ghana Government have given a group of United States companies until 18th July to survey the project and to enter into negotiations to undertake it. The matter therefore rests at the moment with the Ghana Government.

asked the Prime Minister what discussions took place at the Commonwealth conference with regard to the need for the maximum mutuality in trade and the need to maintain international standards; and what action he proposes to take in these matters.

The discussions are not yet complete. I would ask the bon. Gentleman to await the communiqué.

On the completion of the discussions of this very important matter affecting the whole Commonwealth, will the Prime Minister make a report to the House to enable hon. Members to debate the issue? Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that in all quarters of the House there is great anxiety about the future of Commonwealth trade?

It would be best to wait until the discussions are complete. The conference has been very important and very valuable and I hope that the House will feel that the work done has been useful, and, more than that, constructive. Perhaps the best way of discussing a debate would be through the usual channels, which could also discuss an appropriate method.

asked the Prime Minister if he will support the proposal of the Prime Minister of Canada that a Commonwealth trade conference should be held with a view to increasing inter-Commonwealth trade.

This proposal is now being discussed with the Prime Minister of Canada and my other Commonwealth colleagues now gathered in London. I would ask my hon. Friend to wait until the present discussions have been completed.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, will he agree that in principle such a conference is highly desirable and will he do whatever he can to bring it about?

Yes, but my hon. Friend will realise that I have two duties, to represent the United Kingdom and to preside over the conference. I hope that we shall reach useful conclusions on this, as on other matters.

Is the Prime Minister aware that an increasing number of our fellow countrymen are inclined to the view put forward by the Prime Ministers of Canada and India? If the right hon. Gentleman is favourably inclined towards it, is it his intention to take the initiative for an early Commonwealth conference with a view to considering these matters?

All this is very helpful to us, and I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman for what he said.

asked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to announce legislative proposals for the reform of the House of Lords.

I would refer to the reply given by me on 11th April last.

Did not that reply promise legislation during the Session? Does not the Prime Minister agree that by this time the tension among their Lordships must be well-nigh unbearable?

No, Sir. This Session is not yet ended, of course; nor did I refer to legislation, but to proposals.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that appointments to regional hospital boards and hospital management committees in England, Scotland, and Wales, are continually changing, thus jeopardising the preservation of special hospitals as donors directed and as was implicit in the original negotiations for the take over, he will appoint a Select Committee to examine this problem and advise on a continuity of policy, thus safeguarding the interests of those whose expressed and agreed desires are now being disregarded through changing circumstances.

I am satisfied that my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Health who have statutory obligations in this matter, and the hospital authorities which act on their behalf, are fully aware of these considerations.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Scottish Regional Hospital Board has gone back on the undertaking originally made about the Elsie Inglis Hospital and the regional hospital board responsible for a special hospital for children in Kensington? How is the ordinary public to know what arrangements were made at the time of the establishment of the National Health Service unless there is some machinery to which people can apply? Am Ito understand that the Ministers of State responsible can override the unnecessary disregard by the present regional hospital boards of matters settled many years ago?

These are complicated matters. They are governed by Statute and the Ministers concerned have statutory obligations which I am sure they will carry out. I am particularly anxious not to be drawn into discussion of the details of the statutory requirement in the matter since I am told that the interpretation of the relevant provision in the Scottish case is at present before the Court of Session.

asked the Prime Minister what progress British scientists have made towards the production of clean hydrogen bombs; and if he will make a detailed statement on the subject.

Our examination of this subject shows that progress is being made, but it would not be in the public interest to disclose details.

Does not the Prime Minister agree that this is a very urgent matter which affects the peace, health and happiness of mankind, and is not the public entitled to some information about it? Will the right hon. Gentleman revise that non-committal statement and give a better answer?

I must point out that any progress towards the production of "clean" bombs would not have taken place at all if I had yielded to what the hon. and learned Gentleman and his friends wanted, which was not to test them.

Does not the Prime Minister also agree that the happiness of the human race would not be at all advanced if it were blown off the earth by a "clean" hydrogen bomb? Is not the use of the adjective in this connection itself a pollution of the English language?

The hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) and the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Beswick) are contiguous in their positions. They must try to adapt their policies.

asked the Prime Minister if the statement made in Rome by the President of the Board of Trade about the European Free Trade Area and economic relations with Commonwealth countries represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

I would refer to the reply given on 2nd July.

asked the Prime Minister is he is now in a position to make a statement on the circumstances in which Commander Crabb disappeared in Portsmouth Harbour.

I have no statement to make on this subject.

Is the Prime Minister aware that after the inquest the solicitor representing the Crabb family stated that Commander Crabb had died in the service of his country? Does the Prime Minister accept that view and, if he does, will he take steps to see that an appropriate pension is issued to the widow in addition to the solitary ex gratia payment of £10 which has so far been made?

I will look into the second part of the hon. Member's supplementary question. I am not informed about it. As to making a further statement on the circumstances. I am afraid that I must stand on the position taken by my predecessor in the debate on 14th May last year.

Will the Prime Minister reply to my question? Does he believe that the statement by the solicitor that Commander Crabb died in the service of his country was correct?

It would be wrong for me to add anything to the statements made by my predecessor in this matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education whether, in view of pressing need for a primary school to serve the Millfields Estate in the borough of Wednesbury, immediate priority can be given to the building of this school.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 6th June.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that priority for the building of this school was given by his right hon. Friend the former Minister of Education some years ago and that there is a pressing need for this school to be built, as there is a large young school population which otherwise may have to go some miles to attend school?

I am aware of the hon. Member's concern in this matter. My noble Friend has approved the inclusion of this school in the reserve list for the 1958–59 building programme, so it definitely has priority for the 1959–60 main programme.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education whether he is now in a position to announce the further plans for the Sunderland Technical College.

The building programme approved by my noble Friend for the current year includes a hostel for about fifty students and a project costing some £200,000 for accommodation on a separate site which will remove the lower level engineering and commercial courses from the main buildings. The programme approved for 1958–59 includes a £350,000 extension to the teaching accommodation of the main college, which should enable all departments to expand.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the dissatisfaction about the Minister's decision on the naming of the College of Advanced Technology for the North-East and will he give me three assurances: first, that the Sunderland Technical College will be able to carry on the advanced work which has already been approved by the Minister secondly, that the Sunderland Technical College will be able in the near future to qualify as a second College of Advanced Technology in the North-East; and thirdly, that if the governors of this college wish to see the Minister, he will be available to see them?

On the last of those points, I will refer to my noble Friend what my hon. Friend has said. I can, however, assure him that the Northern Advisory Council is to consider at an early meeting the whole question of the pattern of advanced technological education in the North-East in the light of my noble Friend's decision to designate a College of Advanced Technology there.

In view of the grave disappointment that the noble Lord's decision has caused in Sunderland, will the Parliamentary Secretary assure the House that this is one of the matters that will be discussed when he receives the deputation from Sunderland?

There is no question of the decision being altered, but I can promise the hon. Member that there will be full discussion and consideration by the Northern Advisory Council of the whole pattern of advanced technological education in the area.

In view of the unsatisfactory reply by the Parliamentary Secretary, I give notice that I will endeavour to raise this matter as soon as possible on the Adjournment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education whether he is aware that more than one-quarter of all local education authorities spend less than 10s. per head of school population per year on books; and what steps he will take to remedy this situation.

Yes, Sir. My noble Friend recently emphasised the great importance of an adequate supply of suitable books and other reading material, especially for school libraries. He hopes that as a result of the further publicity which has been given to this matter, local education authorities will take steps to see that their schools do get enough books, and he will continue to take a keen interest in this.

Does not the hon. Gentleman's noble Friend feel that he can do anything further beyond exhortation in this matter?

My noble Friend cannot lay down how much local education authorities should spend. What he can do—and I am doing it again this afternoon—is to emphasise very strongly that money spent on school books is money well spent. I think that anybody going round new schools today must be encouraged by the growing signs of improvement in school libraries.

Is my hon. Friend aware that last year his Department issued figures showing that for every £1 of expenditure on education, only 2d. was spent on school books? Is he aware that these are the real tools of a teacher's trade and will he try in practical terms to persuade every local authority to spend a larger proportion of that £1 on school books?

There has been a great improvement in school libraries in recent years. They are one of the most encouraging departments of nearly all new schools. I would only reiterate that my noble Friend most warmly agrees that this is a part of local education revenue which is extremely well spent.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education how many prospective full-time youth leaders are now in training at Swansea University College and Westhill Training College, respectively; and, of these, how many intend to take up youth leadership posts in the United Kingdom.

Fifteen students are following a one-year course at Swansea University College and twenty others a two-year course at Westhill Training College. All except two overseas students at Swansea are expected to take posts in England and Wales.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to complete the determination of export quotas for goods on the quantitative control list for China; and whether the quotas now being established will apply only to exports from this country or will be part of larger quotas shared with other members of the Paris Consultative Group.

Recommendations as to these quotas are due to be made by the Paris Consultative Group to member Governments in the near future. Sonic of the agreed quotas will probably operate globally; the rest will be allocated as between the countries concerned, but there will be some room for adjustment.

May I take it from the Minister's answer that the allocation is to come from Cocom in Paris? Does that mean that, having broken with Cocom on a matter of principle, we are now to become tied up with that organisation on matters of detail and, perhaps, suffer the frustrations of the last five years?

No, Sir. It is very important that we should work with Cocom within our new arrangements and we hope to get these quotas by the end of the month. I think they will be subject to adjustment and I hope that our industry will know its position by the end of this month.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the twenty biggest, in percentage, of the tariffs or protections to British industry that will be lost as a result of the adoption by the United Kingdom of the European Free Trade proposals.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Yardley (Mr. Usborne) on 19th February, in which a list of goods bearing ad valorem duties of more than 33⅓ per cent. was given. With permission, I will also circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the main classes of goods which are subject to ad valorem duties of 33⅓ per cent.

Have the trades affected made any protest to my right hon. Friend? Has he been in contact with them?

I am not sure about protests but, of course, I have been in contact with them. There is appropriate machinery in the Board of Trade whereby any trade which desires to know what its future may be under these proposals can seek advice, and trades are so doing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that the tobacco revenue was estimated at £707 millions for 1956–57 and only £701,946,000 was received, what margin of error he anticipates will be necessary in the estimate of £698 millions for the year 1957–58.

The figure of £698 million for 1957–58 represents the closest practicable estimate. My right hon. Friend does not regard the difference of 0·7 per cent. between estimate and outturn in 1956–57 as unsatisfactory.

As the cancer scare was not effective in the previous financial year and as, if the Minister of Health has his way, it will be very effective this year, surely some estimate must be made of the effect on the tobacco duty?