asked the Secretary of State for War why it has now been found necessary to close certain roads through the Stanford Battle Training Area for civilian use when, so far, with the exception of actual battle training exercises, they have been open.

These roads have in law been closed since 1942 by the temporary authority of the Defence Regulations, but in fact some local residents use the roads at their own risk when no firing is taking place. Because the Stanford Battle Area is needed permanently, we are now making the legal position permanent under the Requisitioned Land and War Works Acts, but limited use will still be allowed unless, of course, it becomes dangerous or interferes with training.

asked the Postmaster-General what proportion of the 482 applicants awaiting telephone service in January have now been accommodated; what progress is being made with the building of an extension to the Dartford Exchange; when he anticipates this will be complete; and how many additional subscribers this will allow.

Fifty-four so far, and the majority of the remainder should be accommodated later this year when additional exchange equipment and new cables will be ready for service. The start of the building extension has unfortunately been delayed, but it should be under way by the end of the year. The whole work, including installation of the equipment for 2,300 more lines, is planned for completion in just over 3 years.

asked the Postmaster-General for what reason charges for telephone calls between France and Great Britain cannot be reversed by the mutual request of those concerned; and whether steps can now be taken to introduce this facility with a view to increasing the efficiency of the Anglo-French service.

I will be glad to look into this in consultation with the French Administration. But special charges would be necessary to safeguard our revenue since the rates for telephone calls from the United Kingdom to France are lower than for calls in the reverse direction.

asked the Postmaster-General what proportion of the United Kingdom air mails to Nairobi, Salisbury, and Accra are now carried by British Overseas Airways Corporation; and what will be the proportion carried by the Corporation when the new Government policy in relation to Colonial Coach Services comes into operation.

All United Kingdom mail to these destinations is at present carried by B.O.A.C. or by one of the companies with which it has a pooling arrangement. I am not able to forecast to what extent Colonial Coach services will carry mails in future, because no details are yet known about the services they will provide under the new policy.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will state the directive or terms of reference within which the Air Transport Advisory Council were asked to advise him regarding the future of the Colonial Coach services.

The following is my letter to the chairman of the Council:

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation for how long the cinema at London Airport has been operating; on what basis it is being managed; and what is his estimate of the profit or loss to date on this project.

The cinema was opened on 8th June, 1957, and has been operating every day since then. It is being managed under contract as a result of competitive tender by an experienced company who receive a management fee and a percentage of the takings. Although it is too early to estimate profits or losses, the attendance figures are growing.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is yet in a position to make a statement regarding the proposed railway link from central London to the London Airport.

No. My right hon. Friend and I are still considering this matter with the chairmen of the British Transport Commission and the Airways Corporations.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he has considered the resolution sent to him from the trade union side of the National Joint Council of the Civil Aviation Industry with regard to his proposals for participation of private companies in international scheduled air services; and what reply he is making.

The trade union side did not send a copy of this resolution to me.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what representations he has received On the future of Elmdon Airport near Birmingham; what was the nature of such representations and what were his replies; and whether he will make a statement.

A deputation from the Birmingham Corporation came to see me on 15th July to discuss certain proposals I had made for the corporation to take over the management of Elmdon Airport. I am now considering the financial and other details discussed on that occasion.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the irritation to passengers travelling by air when asked to pay 5s. per head when departing from a British airport; and what plans he has for bringing British travel in this respect more in conformity with other countries.

I have nothing to add to the Answer given by my predecessor on 23rd November, 1955, to the hon. Member for Goole (Mr. G. Jeger).

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1)whether he is aware that the replacement value of boats operating in the London river area amounts to approximately£750,000 per annum; and why, therefore, boat owners on the Thames operating tourist services are only licensed by him on a year to year basis, which makes it impossible to develop sound business, which results in a lowering of service standards;(2)why he does not allow return tickets to be booked by tourists going by Thames boat services from Westminster Pier to the Tower of London in granting licences for these services; and if he is aware that by being obliged to purchase two single fares they have to pay 1s extra.

Passenger services on the River Thames are not subject to licence and, except for safety requirements, we have no control over their operation.

Ward asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is satisfied that the structure of the British Transport Commission, which enables the board to engage highly-paid staff, reconstruct policy, etc., and dismiss staff, even with compensation, is fitted to attract first-class men to the Commission; and if he will make a statement.

The recent increases in the salaries of chairmen and members of the boards of nationalised industries should help the British Transport Commission to offer the salaries necessary to ensure that they have the services of first-class men.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what further action he has taken to ensure that the emission of noxious fumes from diesel driven vehicles is kept to the minimum possible, following the recent report of the Medical Research Council.

Research into the control of the emission of noxious fumes by road vehicles is being actively undertaken by a number of agents with the co-operation of my Ministry. The recently published report of the Medical Research Council, to which the hon. Member refers, does not suggest any new line of approach to this difficult problem.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when it is proposed to bring into force Section 33 of the Road Traffic Act, 1956.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Blenkinsop)on 17th July.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many applications were received from local authorities during the year 1956 asking for grants for road improvements how many were refused; and what was the chief reason for the refusal.

These figures are not readily available, and in any case would be of little significance as applications for grant are not normally made until schemes have been discussed and accepted in principle.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what is now the position in respect of the proposal to construct a by-pass road at Atherstone in the county of Warwick.

My right hon. Friend intends to publish a draft Order for the Atherstone by-pass as soon as more urgent work permits, but I am unable at present to say when we can include this scheme in our road programme.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he intends to publish the draft Order under Section 1 (2)of the Trunk Roads Act, 1946, for the proposed bridge and by-pass at Queensferry; and what are the reasons for the delay in publication.

My right hon. Friend hopes to publish a draft Order before the end of the year. The report of the consulting engineers on this project has just been received and the various alternative schemes are being considered.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when the roundabout at the southern end of Lambeth Bridge will be completed; what will be the cost; and what purpose it will serve.

I am advised that work on the carriageway and footpaths will be finished within the next three weeks and that the whole scheme will be completed by the autumn. The estimated cost is about£50,000. The roundabout has been constructed to ease traffic flow and reduce congestion.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what evidence he has that a shortage of road designers is a limiting factor in the present rate of road construction; and what discussions he has had or proposes to have with the Association of Consulting Engineers before inviting foreign road designers to undertake this work.

There is a general shortage of qualified civil engineers in this country, and I know that highway authorities and consulting engineers find difficulty in recruiting staff in sufficient numbers to undertake work as quickly as the timetable of my road programme requires. The difficulty is not one of lack of skill and knowledge on the part of our civil engineers, but of shortage of manpower.The Association of Consulting Engineers has given me assurances of the willingness and ability of its members to help, and I should certainly not consider bringing in foreign designers without first considering all possible means of fully employing our own resources.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will inquire into the delay there has been with regard to the commencement of the improvement works in respect of the Storehouse Bridge, Pencelly, Breconshire; and whether he will make a statement as to the cause of the protracted negotiations and the difficulties the county council have experienced in this matter.

A grant to this scheme was issued in 1954, but the negotiation of an agreement between the British Transport Commission, as owners of the bridge, and the Brecon County Council, as highway authority, has taken longer than was expected. I understand, however, that the negotiations are now almost completed, and I hope that it will soon be possible for the work to proceed.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what plans he has for building an under-pass or a fly-over at Apex Corner, Mill Hill, in view of the fact that it will be on the route leading to the London, Birmingham, and Yorkshire motorway.

My immediate plans at this junction provide for enlarging the present roundabout, but I do not rule out the possibility that an under-pass or a fly-over may become necessary at this junction in the future.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if his attention has been drawn to the number of accidents which have taken place on the recently derestricted road through Whittle-le-Woods, Chorley; and if he will take action to restrict traffic to the 30 miles limit.

The accident record does not indicate that conditions have deteriorated as a result of the de-restriction of this road in 1955. I do not think a 30 m.p.h. speed limit would be justified on this stretch of trunk road.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the cost of a parking meter, the amount of metal used in its construction, and the number of man hours required to produce one.

The answer to these questions depends on the design of meter, which varies widely. The cost may be expected to range between£20 and£35 for a single meter.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many roundabouts are to be constructed on the Great North Road between London and Newcastle; and what is the average cost of such roundabouts.

Thirty-four, twenty-two of which are to be at junctions of new by-passes with the existing road. The average cost of a roundabout is£35,000.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the increasing direct payments made by him under the road programme, he will publish in detail such payments and include them in the amounts under the various heads and in the amount of total expenditure set out in a table on the lines of Appendix VI of previous reports on the administration of the Roads Fund.

I am at present considering what information I should make available on this subject now that the Road Fund has been abolished.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent the estimated cost of£1,200 millions for the British Railways modernisation programme is now expected to be exceeded in view of the subsequent rise in the general level of prices.

The British Transport Commission is now reassessing the cost of the programme to take account of the fact that it is ahead of the original schedule and that recent major technical decisions have altered its scope.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will detail the programme approved by him of electrification of the Euston—Liverpool—Manchester main line, giving the estimated dates of completion of each section.

There is little I can add to the information I have already given the hon. Member. Electrification of the line is starting in the north, and working southwards, and although the plan is up to schedule, there is nothing at present to suggest that the whole line to Euston will be finished before 1967.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, under byelaws approved by him, it is an offence liable to prosecution for a person to be seen smoking in a no-smoking railway compartment; or whether the offence is for a person to refuse to refrain from smoking in a no-smoking compartment after being requested to do so by a complainant.

It is an offence to smoke in a non-smoking compartment.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission to consider immediately a revision of railway timetables and stopping places in rural districts for the period of the bus strike.

No. It would be a very complicated matter to recast railway timetables for rural areas generally, and impracticable to effect a wholesale review at short notice.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action he proposes to take to establish the causes of the collision between the Gosport Ferry boat "Vadne" and H.M.S. "Redpole", and the liability of the parties in that collision.

A preliminary inquiry is being held under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, but this will not determine the question of liability, which is a matter for the courts.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what are the duties of coastguards in the United Kingdom with regard to vessels in distress; and whether they are under a duty to render assistance to such vessels.

The duties of H.M. Coastguard with regard to vessels in distress off the coasts of the United Kingdom are to watch for such vessels from their own stations and to "warn off" any ships which are standing into danger; to listen for reports of distress calls from neighbouring Coastguard Stations or Coast Radio Stations; to initiate search and rescue measures directly a ship is in distress; and to keep in touch with the progress of those measures.The Coastguard is under a duty to render all possible lifesaving assistance to vessels in distress, by mustering the local company of the Coast Life Saving Corps with its rocket apparatus, by informing the local secretary of the Royal National Life-boat Institution and by informing any other authorities who may be able to help, including those in a position to send aircraft or helicopters.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he is aware that the latest published figures for Regular recruiting appear to disclose a likely deficiency of at least 150,000 men against the stated requirements of 375,000 men that, in order to achieve the ending of National Service by 1962, the rate of Regular recruiting will have to be at least doubled; and what action he proposes to take.

The rate of recruiting has certainly declined during the last three months. It is, however, much too soon to draw the conclusions contained in the right hon. Gentleman's Question. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer him to my answer to his Question on 26th June.

asked the Minister of Defence how defence expenditure on the basis of current and prospective programmes is likely to compare with the estimates for the year 1957–58.

It is too early in the financial year to form a reliable opinion.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will now make a further statement on his tour in the Middle East and Africa and the decisions made as a result.

I am not yet ready to make a further statement.

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent he proposes to make reductions in the planned expenditure on research and development for defence purposes.

Our programme of research and development is being thoroughly reviewed so as to bring it into conformity with the revised pattern of defence announced in Command Paper No. 124.

asked the Minister of Labour what special steps he will take to find alternative employment for the workers who will be displaced by the closure of the Royal Ordnance factory at Swynnerton.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will arrange for his officers to attend at Swynnerton Royal Ordnance Factory so that the men and women shall be interviewed on their desires about future employment, and be informed of suitable vacancies.

As soon as workers are selected for discharge they will be invited to register with my local officers who will visit the factory for the purpose and will do their utmost to help them to find other employment.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed and the number of those engaged on short-time working in the City of Dundee at the last convenient date; and how these figures compared with one year ago.

On 17th June, 3,166 persons were registered as wholly unemployed, and it was estimated that during the week ending 21st June 1,830 persons were working short-time. There was an increase of 666 wholly unemployed and 1,000 short-time workers compared with the corresponding dates in June, 1956.

asked the Minister of Labour what has been the percentage increase in unemployment in the City of Dundee during the last twelve months to the most recent convenient date.

The numbers of persons registered as unemployed at the Dundee and Broughty Ferry employment exchanges showed an increase of 26 per cent. between 11th June, 1956, and 17th June, 1957.

asked the Minister of Labour how many people are at present employed in the jute industry in Dundee; what percentage this is of the total number of insured workers in the city; and how many jute workers were unemployed or on short-time working in the city at the latest convenient date.

Figures of employment in local areas are not at present available for any date later than end of May, 1956. The number of employees in the jute industry in Dundee at that date was about 15,400, representing 17 per cent. of the total number of employees in the area. The numbers of employees, last employed in the jute industry, registered as unemployed at the Dundee and Broughty Ferry Employment Exchanges at 17th June, 1957, were 910 wholly unemployed and 598 temporarily stopped. The number working short-time at the end of June was about 1,060.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he took, before dispensing with the services of the canteen advisers in his Department, to ascertain whether there were suitable vacancies for them in other Departments.

Details of the qualifications and experience of all the established Factory Canteen Advisers were sent to the Treasury in October last, and full enquiries were made into the possibilities of offering them suitable employment in other Departments.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give an estimate of the shortage now and anticipated of engineers in the radio industry.

On the 19th July, there were 392 unfilled vacancies for professional engineers in the radio industry, and on 17th June there were 950 unfilled vacancies for electronic technicians and craftsmen. The latter vacancies cover other industries as well as the radio industry. Not all vacancies are however notified to my offices. I have no recent information on which a reliable estimate of the future demands of the industry could be based.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the fact that the numbers registered as unemployed in the Kirkcaldy and Leslie areas are increasing, that the numbers of vacancies remaining unfilled are decreasing and further unemployment is threatened in the Leslie area, what emergency steps he is taking to reverse these trends.

Although there has been some deterioration, unemployment in the area is not severe. The unemployment figure for Kirkcaldy, Leslie, and Leven for June, 1957, was 1·5 per cent. My local officers will do all they can to reduce unemployment to a minimum by early submission of unemployed workers to vacancies notified to the employment exchanges.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made in preparing the proposed Code of Regulations dealing with ionising radiation.

I am glad to say that the preliminary draft of a Code of Regulations to safeguard workers employed in industry against the effects of ionising radiations is being published today.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the bus strike.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the strikes of coach drivers and workers employed at various London fruit and vegetable markets.

The House will be familiar with the background of these disputes, and I will refer only to the more recent position in each.The dispute over the wages claim of the omnibus and coach workers employed by companies represented on the National Council for the Omnibus Industry was referred to me by the employers under the Industrial Disputes Order, 1951. My officers met both parties and, as there was no prospect of a settlement by conciliation, I referred the dispute, in accordance with the provisions of the Order, to the Industrial Disputes Tribunal. The Tribunal is hearing the case today, and I expect that its award will be issued within the next few days.As regards the London fruit and vegetable markets, difficulties arose over the application of awards in relation to the system of employing labour at Covent Garden Market made by an independent chairman appointed by me. This led to a stoppage in the market, which has spread through sympathetic action to other London fruit and vegetable markets. My officers have kept in close touch with the situtation and have met both sides since the stoppage began, but at this stage there is no prospect of a settlement by conciliation.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made with the proposed inquiry into precautions against anthrax.

I am glad to say that the following have agreed to serve, under the Chairmanship of Mr. R. F. Levy, Q.C., as members of the Committee of Inquiry on this subject—Professor A. K. Cairncross, Mr. T. Eccles, Mr. J. B. Solomon and Dr. A. J. H. Tomlinson. The Committee held its first meeting yesterday and interested parties are now being invited to submit evidence.

asked the Minister of Labour why, when Raymond R. J. Thatcher, 132a, Islingward Road, Brighton, was discharged from the Royal Air Force as unfit for National Service on 15th March, 1957, and then took up a permanent post in industry, he was ordered to report again on 30th May, made to undergo a further medical examination, told that he should not consult his Member of Parliament about it, and is now about to be called up again for the Royal Air Force; and why it is necessary to call up someone who has already served and been discharged.

Mr. Thatcher has not served in the Royal Air Force. He was provisionally accepted for Regular service in the Royal Air Force, but there was some doubt about his medical condition and he was rejected. Subsequently this doubt was resolved and Mr. Thatcher was offered Regular service in the Royal Air Force, but this offer was not accepted. Accordingly, it was necessary to reconsider his position under the National Service Acts, and he was re-examined by a National Service medical board, when he was placed in Grade I. My principal medical adviser is of the opinion that this grading is correct, and he must, therefore, be regarded as available for National Service. I can find no evidence to support the suggestion that Mr. Thatcher was told that he should not consult his Member of Parliament.

asked the Minister of Labour approximately how many National Service men have had their service deferred because they are engaged on scientific work in Government establishments or for firms engaged on Government service; how long those men have to remain so employed before being entirely released from the obligation of National Service; and, in view of the need of that type of worker in industry, whether the desirability has been considered of permitting those employees to transfer after two or three years to other employment needing their resources and knowledge.

On 1st April, the number of science and engineering graduates whose National Service was deferred because they were engaged on high priority work was about 3,100. They are required to remain in the employment for which deferment has been given until they cease to be liable for National Service on reaching the age of 26.The suggestion in the last part of the hon. Member's Question has been considered, but as long as these scientists and engineers have an undischarged liability for National Service, I think it is right that they should remain in the specially important work for which they have been granted deferment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, if he is aware of the need for more medium size dry docks in various ports of the country, and that private capital is not available for these projects; and what steps are being taken by his Department to meet these requirements.

The provision of more dry docks is a matter for the dry dock owners and the ship-repairing industry. The Admiralty helps by periodically reviewing the need and by giving advice on dimensions and technical matters generally, but it is not Government policy to provide public money to construct them. No instances of medium size projects held up because of inability to find private capital have come to my notice. If the hon. Member would send me details of any such cases I would be grateful.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will make a statement about the future use of the Royal Naval coastal forces.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1)whether he will make a statement with regard to the proposal to sink H.M.S. "Hornet";(2)whether he will give the value of coastal craft to be scrapped; and how much of this is new or under construction;(3)whether he has considered the value of coastal craft in piratical conditions in the Persian Gulf and the Far East and if he will make a statement.

Coastal forces are to be reduced to a small trials unit in commission, and additional craft will be kept in reserve to meet our N.A.T.O. commitments in war. The remainder will be disposed of. The Coastal Forces base ashore, H.M.S. "Hornet," will not be required and will be closed down.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what were the circumstances that led to the collision between H.M.S. "Redpole" and the Gosport Ferry boat "Vadne"; what action he is taking to establish the responsibility for the accident; and what he proposes to do by way of compensation to the casualties.

A board of inquiry has been held but its report has not yet been received. The board of inquiry cannot, of course, determine the question of liability in law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what charges, criminal or civil, have been brought against Dr. Phidias Paraskevaides, Mayor of Lapithos.

None.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the fact that hop production is restricted in this country, what are his present proposals with regard to the import of foreign hops.

The Board of Trade announced on the 2nd July that the remaining import controls on hops will be removed from 1st August, 1957. Hops are, of course, subject to a tariff.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, now that rabbits are tending to live in the open instead of in burrows, and as gassing is no longer so effective, what means of destroying them he recommends.

Where rabbits are living in cover above ground, the methods recommended for destroying them are driving and shooting over dogs, long netting and snaring. But the most effective remedy is to remove any scrub which might harbour rabbits and for this work grants are available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that it is likely that there will be an increased number of rabbits all over the county of Kent by the autumn, as there has been a definite increase in the rabbit population even in areas thought to be clear; and if he will increase the inadequate resources available at county agricultural executive committee headquarters to deal with this pest.

I am aware that rabbits are appearing in increasing numbers in many parts of Kent. I do not consider that my pests staff in that county are inadequate for their proper functions, bearing in mind—and I must emphasise this once again—that it is the statutory responsibility of occupiers to deal with rabbits.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he is aware that there is general perturbation amongst those interested in overseas migration at the report of the Fact-Finding Mission on conditions of reception and upbringing of migrant children in Australia; what steps have been taken, as suggested in the second report of the Migration Board, to request a local investigation; and whether he will publish the results of the investigation.

My noble Friend has considered, in consultation with the voluntary organisations for child migration, the report of the Fact-Finding Mission and the observations on it in the Second Report of the Oversea Migration Board. The Australian authorities have at his request again examined the arrangements in Australia and have undertaken to keep him informed of the results of inspections to be made periodically in future. The information supplied by the Australian authorities is confidential and it is not proposed to publish it. But, after reviewing this information and the discussions with the voluntary organisations, my noble Friend has felt justified in proposing new agreements, under which he will be able to continue his support, under the Commonwealth and Empire Settlement Acts, of the valuable work of the voluntary organisations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education if he is aware of the lack of school accommodation for junior pupils in the neighbourhood of Cowley, Middlesex, and that this problem will be aggravated when the new housing estate planned for the area is completed; what scheme has been considered by him for the provision of the necessary extra school places; and when he expects a start to be made on the necessary building.

No. I understand that there will be sufficient school accommodation in this area for some time to come. My noble Friend is considering a proposal by the Middlesex Local Education Authority to enlarge the St. Laurence Church of England Primary School. I cannot yet say when building will start, but it is unlikely to be before April, 1959.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education how many students were rejected after their first year as unsuitable for further study, in the four constituent colleges of the University of Wales, respectively.

I have been asked to reply.This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people during the last twelve months have had their licences withdrawn for six months, one year, and three years, respectively, for being convicted of being in charge of a car whilst under the influence of drink.

The information asked for is not available, but some particulars of periods of disqualification for holding or obtaining driving licences imposed by Magistrates Courts in England and Wales during 1955 are given in Tables IV and IVA of the Return of Offences Relating to Motor Vehicles, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health what are the prospects of an increase in the present supply of home-produced poliomyelitis vaccine.

Messrs. Glaxo Laboratories have decided to expand their production by 50 per cent. on an undertaking by the Government that, for a period of at least a year from the time when the additional vaccine becomes available, and subject to the price being satisfactory, it will make a proportionate increase in the amount purchased. Messrs, Burroughs Wellcome are expected to come into production later this year.If these expectations are realised we should be able to consider a corresponding extension of the arrangements for vaccination, which are at present restricted to children born between 1947 and 1956 inclusive, but I must repeat and emphasise that nothing in this field is predictable either in this country or elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will indicate the progress

A table is given below. Figures for the area of buildings in each category are not available for past years.