asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now give authority for the removal of all Anderson shelters still remaining from 1945, and those in Salford in particular.

The removal of Anderson shelters was substantially completed some years ago by most local authorities, including Salford. The removal at public expense of shelters of all types is now considered on the facts of each case, and I can find no grounds for treating any remaining Anderson shelters exceptionally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what Metropolitan police officers he has authorised to investigate meetings organised to protest against test hydrogen bomb explosions, so as to obtain a police record of those who organise, address or attend such meetings.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers are vested under his regulations in the children's officer and committee of local authorities to restrain a young person of 17 years from returning to an undesirable home.

No powers of restraint are available in respect of a person aged 17 unless an order for his detention in legal custody is in force.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the increase in the number of marriages contracted by minors without the parents' consent; whether he is aware that such marriages, even if contracted on the basis of a forged consent, are valid; and what action he proposes to take to put an end to this practice, which causes worry and distress to parents and must inevitably widen the risk of marriages breaking down.

I am informed that superintendent registrars take all practicable steps in the case of marriages of minors to verify that the consents required by law have been given. Every person giving notice of marriage by superintendent registrar's certificate has his attention drawn to the fact that if he knowingly makes a false declaration he will be liable to prosecution under the Perjury Act, 1911. My information is that the number of marriages without consent is very small.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons seeking political asylum in Great Britain have been deported in the last six years; and how many on contriving to re-enter Great Britain after deportation have been deported again.

I regret that information is not available on the number of persons deported during the last six years who claimed political asylum. Over the same period four persons who were subject to deportation orders re-entered the country and were again deported.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many Crown properties in Regent's Park are now vacant; and when a decision will be taken as to their future.

The Crown properties in Regent's Park at present vacant, and in hand, are 50 Nash terrace houses and 26 mews flats. The future of the Nash terraces is being considered by the new Board of Crown Estate Commissioners.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education how many new schools have been built in the excepted district of Newcastle-under-Lyme in the last two years; how many are now under construction; and how many it is proposed to start in the rest of the current building year.

One school has been completed in the last two years, three schools are under construction and work on another is expected to begin before the end of the current building year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education if he will authorise the establishment of a new secondary school to serve the area around Broughton-in-Furness, Coniston and Hawkshead; how far this project has proceeded; and when it is likely to reach an active stage.

My noble Friend has included a new secondary school at Coniston in the school building programme for Lancashire, which he has approved for 1958–59. As soon as the local education authority has successfully completed negotiations for a site, it will prepare plans for the school.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education what steps have been taken to prepare for the introduction of Part III of the Education Act, 1944, on 30th September, 1957.

An explanatory memorandum was sent to all known independent schools in March, 1956, and in May of this year Regulations were made under Section 70 of the Education Act, 1944. Letters and application forms have been sent this week to those proprietors who will have to apply for the registration of their schools in accordance with the Regulations; they have been asked to apply as soon as possible after 30th September. Because my noble Friend is satisfied that he has sufficient information about those independent schools which are recognised as efficient under Rules 16, he proposes, by means of an Order under Section 70, to exempt them from registration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the wide sales of underwater harpoon guns to children and young persons and the doubt that exists as to the circumstances in which a gun licence is required, if he will introduce legislation to make it clear that a licence is required in all cases.

The interpretation of the Gun Licences Act is a matter for the courts. I am not aware of any need for legislation to clarify it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the British Transport Commission last year reduced its holdings of Government stocks from £25,300,000 to £664,660, in 1955 sold £40 millions and since 1948 has sold practically all its £178 millions gilt-edged securities; and, since this policy has depressed gilt-edged prices, if he will arrange that appropriate general direction should be given to stop other nationalised industries deserting trustee stocks lest this example be followed by private holders and the gilt-edged market be demoralised.

I am aware of these sales. They were made to enable the Commission to meet capital expenditure which otherwise could only have been financed by the issue of new securities. I do not think that general directions of the kind suggested would be appropriate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that in 1954 the Select Committee appointed to inquire into Members' salaries reported that the average expenses incurred then by Members in carrying out their parliamentary duties was £750 per annum; and what the latest average figure is, taking into account the depreciation in the purchasing value of the £ sterling since 1953.

The figure of £750 was the average amount of Members' expenses allowable for Income Tax purposes for the financial year 1952–53. Information for the financial year 1956–57 is not complete, but it is estimated that the corresponding figure for that year is about £880. It cannot be estimated how much of the increase is attributable to the rise in prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that old potatoes sold by the Potato Marketing Board at low prices to farmers to feed cattle are being placed on the market for human consumption at 28s. a hundredweight; and what action he proposes to take to protect consumers.

No, if the hon. Member can give details of actual happenings of this sort, my right hon. Friend will be glad to have them investigated.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the consumption per hectare of nitrogenous, phosphate and potash fertilisers in the United Kingdom compares with the con-

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many slaughterhouses are now being used.

The number in England and Wales at the end of May, 1957, was 4,471.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the delivered prices, as ascertained by the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation, showing the amount of subsidy, of nitrogenous, phosphate, and potash fertilisers expressed in United Kingdom currency per ton of plant nutrient in Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Western Germany and the United Kingdom, respectively.

The following is the information:sumption in Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Western Germany, respectively, as ascertained by the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation.

The following is the information:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that within recent months there have been two serious accidents involving three-tier lorries for conveying sheep; that in one such accident at Barnard Castle twenty-three sheep were killed, and that in another in Devonshire twelve 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 take steps to ban their further use.

My right hon. Friend understands that there have been a few accidents to three-tier lorries carrying sheep. As at present advised, my right hon. Friend is doubtful whether the loading of sheep on to three-tier lorries need cause the animals unnecessary suffering, but if my hon. and gallant Friend can provide any evidence to the contrary, he will gladly look into the matter further.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the present restrictions placed on credit required by river boards to carry out necessary drainage work is making it impossible for them to carry out their duties effectively and economically; and what action he is taking.

My right hon. Friend is fully aware that the restrictions on borrowing applied to river boards, in common with other local authorities, have resulted in the deferment of a number of desirable drainage schemes for the benefit of agriculture, and this matter is being most carefully considered at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the anxiety of members of the African Representative Council of Northern Rhodesia regarding the state of African education in the Colony and particularly of the anxiety expressed in Council by Mr. Harry Franklin, the Minister for Education and Social Services, and also by Mr. Laurence Katilunger, African Mineworkers' Secretary; and what steps he proposes in this situation.

Yes. The Northern Rhodesia Government and my right hon. Friend are fully aware of the problem. With the rapid growth of the copper mining industry, it is not surprising that there are on the one hand vacant places in rural schools and, on the other hand, more children in the new towns than the education system can adequately provide for at present. The difficulties are aggravated by the heavy fall in the price of copper. In spite of the consequent trimming of the estimates, special priority continues to be given, as regards both recurrent and capital expenditure, to African education.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to Sessional Paper, No. 7 of 1956, Mauritius Legislative Council, entitled "Report of the Mauritius Cement Project"; and what action is being taken thereon.

Attempts have been made to interest private enterprise, both in Mauritius and in the United Kingdom, as recommended by the Report; but the prospects are not at present good since the local market is not considered large enough for economic production, and there are many technical difficulties, including the lack of a suitable local fuel.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state his plans for further constitutional developments in Uganda.

I have placed in the Library of the House proposals recently published by the Uganda Government for the direct election in 1958 of the African Representative Members of the Legislative Council. These proposals are shortly to be debated by the Legislative Council, which at the same time will be asked to endorse the statement of policy made by Sir Andrew Cohen in 1956, namely, that direct elections of the Representative Members of the Legislative Council on a common roll, with adequate and effective representation of the non-African communities, should be introduced in 1961.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will invite representatives of the International Red Cross to visit Cyprus prisons and detention camps, examine the political prisoners, and make a report.

A representative of the International Red Cross has already made two visits to the prison and detention camps. I should certainly have no objection to another visit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he will be in a position to make a statement about the Nigerian Constitutional Conference.

My right hon. Friend is laying before Parliament today a White Paper containing the Conference Report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what military commitments have been entered into with the Government of the Federation of Malaya with regard to the use of Commonwealth Forces in that territory after Independence Day for the purpose of maintaining order or the prevention of civil commotion or racial strife.

Upon independence, the Government of the Federation of Malaya will become exclusively responsible for the maintenance of law and order in the Federation, and the armed forces of other Commonwealth countries will not normally be available to assist the civil power in the Federation in these tasks for which the Federation Government will be able to rely upon substantial forces of its own. There is every reason to suppose that they will be able to deal with any civil commotion or racial strife that may occur.The Federation Government have indicated, however, that upon independence it intends to request the assistance of those Commonwealth forces which will be stationed in the country in prosecuting its campaign against the Communist terrorists, and Her Majesty's Government have stated that, if such a request is made, they will be willing that their forces should provide that assistance under suitable arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the Treaties, with dates, which exist between the United Kingdom and Japan; whether he is aware that these treaties are restricting British export trade; and what action he intends to take to modify them.

The list of agreements affecting trade between the United Kingdom and Japan is given below. None of these Agreements restricts our export trade and no action to modify them is, therefore, intended.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether machinery will be set up to supervise the application of the Slavery Convention; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in the matter.

The 1956 Slavery Convention came into force when the United Kingdom instrument of ratification was deposited on 30th April. As my hon. Friend the then Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary said on 21st December last, we do not believe that any supplementary machinery will be necessary to supervise the application of the Slavery Convention. The Secretary-General of the United Nations can always suggest further machinery, if he sees fit to do so. We shall be ready to consider any suggestions that he may make. But we must give him time to see how Article 8 of the 1956 Convention operates in practice.

asked the Minister of Health what provision exists or is proposed for the North Staffordshire area for hostels for girls who are able to work, but who would otherwise have to be housed in a mental deficiency colony.

Stoke-on-Trent are proposing to establish a hostel for such girls whose home conditions are unsatisfactory. In present circumstances, my right hon. Friend is not able to give his approval, but the matter will be kept under review in the light of the Royal Commission's Report, which is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he will instruct the Medical Research Council to investigate the desirability of immunising children against contracting German measles during later life, possibly during pregnancy, by infecting them while young, in view of the fact that the German measles virus has not yet been isolated.

Until a controlled method of conferring immunity to German measles is available, the risk exists of conveying a virus of unknown virulence from person to person as well as the possibility of transmitting another unrelated infection. The successful isolation and culture of the casual virus may lead to the production of a vaccine against German measles. Apart from the field of virology, the problem would not seem to be a matter for research, but rather one of assessing the advantages and disadvantages of spreading the natural disease in early life.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on what road work is planned to deal with the week-end congestion on roads from London to seaside resorts.

Work is going forward and planned which will do much to help relieve congestion on the London—Great Yarmouth Road, the London—Folkestone and the London—Brighton Roads. The total cost of these schemes is over £3½ million. In addition, works are planned on the Portsmouth Road and the London—Exeter Road, and a draft scheme for the Medway Towns by-pass is in course of preparation.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now give the dates during which the call-up of agricultural workers for the forces will be suspended in order to help with the harvest.

The dates of the 14-week period during which the call-up of agricultural workers will be suspended during this year's harvest vary, as usual, according to the needs of the different areas and are set out below:—Wales—8th July to 12th October.South Western Region—22nd July to 26th October.London and South Eastern and Southern Regions—25th July to 30th October.Northern Region—6th August to 11th November.Midland, North Midland, North Western and East and West Ridings Regions, and Scotland—12th August to 16th November.Eastern Region—19th August to 23rd November.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the serious interference caused to listeners and viewers of radio and television broadcasts from the Norwich transmitter by the television transmitter at Liege, Belgium; and what steps he proposes to take to improve reception of home broadcasts in this area.

I know that certain places on the fringe of the Norwich television station service area are experiencing interference from Continental stations. It is due to abnormal atmospheric conditions which will pass. Moreover, television reception from the Norwich station will be improved at the beginning of December this year when the power is increased, and again next year when a further increase is planned. These increases are so timed as to meet our international obligations for avoiding interference to a Belgian station which is not yet on full power.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is satisfied that the orders now placed for, and the rate of delivery of, Beverley transport aircraft are adequate for the needs of the Services and the production capacity of the Blackburn Aircraft Company.

The orders placed for, and the rate of delivery of, Beverley transport aircraft meet Service requirements as now stated. They do not fully absorb the Company's production capacity.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many cases have so far been referred to him for action under the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act; whether he will give particulars about such cases; and to what extent he is relying on trade and industry submitting cases to him for action or upon action initiated by his own officials.

Four applications have so far been received. The first was for a countervailing duty on subsidised new potatoes from France during part of May and June. Following representations from Her Majesty's Government, the French Government suspended the subsidy.An application for an anti-dumping duty on tomatoes from the Canary Islands was rejected on 27th May.The two other applications are still under consideration. One of them (an application for an anti-dumping duty on polymethylsiloxane fluids and emulsions from France) was advertised on 21st June and comments are awaited from interested parties. The fourth application is still under preliminary examination and it would not be appropriate to give details of it at this stage.As I said during the debates when the Act was before Parliament, I look to industry to take the initiative in applying for the use of powers under the Act.