asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will publish in HANSARD a list of the housing authorities in England, Scotland and Wales who have intimated to him that they have decided to reduce or stop their housing programmes.

While it is not customary to circulate such lists in the OFFICIAL REPORT, I will on this occasion do so. My responsibilities do not extend to Scotland.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that local authorities which suffered a severe loss of their houses as a result of bombing during the last war have had, ever since 1945, difficulty in replacing these houses, due to shortage of building materials, high building costs, high interest rates and loss of rateable income, and that his latest measures will further aggravate these problems; and what action he proposes to take to assist local authorities confronted with these difficulties.

Any local authority which needs to build more houses and cannot do so without imposing an unreasonably heavy rate burden or charging unreasonably high rents can apply for additional subsidy under Section 5 of the Housing Subsides Act, 1956.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has considered the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, together with the letter from a resident making charges and allegations against landlords and their agents taking oppressive action against their tenants; and whether he will make a statement.

The hon. Member sent me without comment an unsigned allegation that tenants of an unnamed block of flats had been given notice to quit. It is hard to make any statement on such indistinct material.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that the cost of living rose again last month, and that the reason for this was due in part to increased rents; and what action he proposes to take to maintain and restore rent control, reduce rents and thus assist the Government in their declared policy of reducing the cost of living.

The rise due to rents to which the hon. Member refers was less than a third of a point. I pointed out in reply to the hon. Member on 1st August that artificially depressed rents contribute to inflation.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to further national unity and co-operation in the solution of our economic difficulties, he will seek to make a fortnightly television appearance in order to explain Governmental policy in an informal manner.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend appreciates the spirit behind the hon. Gentleman's Question but thinks it would be best not to disturb the present arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to the numerous errors detected by the principal auditor in his examination of the accounts of the Seychelles for the year 1956; and what action is being taken to improve the standard of accounting.

The Principal Auditor's Report for 1956 shows that there has been a continued improvement in the standard of accounting since 1954. Additional measures have been taken during 1957, which should lead to further substantial improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give the figures for African, Indian, Arab and Comorian children who have reached the last class of the Government Boys Secondary School during the period 1st January, 1948, to 31st July, 1957.

The figures are:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Government hours of business in Nigeria are from 7.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. whereas those of business are from 8 a.m. to 12 mid-day and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and what steps are being taken to co-ordinate the working day between Government and business.

I understand that the question of Government hours of business, which vary both between Regions and Departments, is shortly to be discussed among the Nigerian Governments. It is very much a domestic matter for these Governments to decide in the light of local conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service have applied to be considered for the Special List; and whether there is any age limit for applicants.

Up to this moment Nigeria is the only territory with which Special List agreements have been concluded. I do not yet know how many applications have been made. It is only fairly recently that invitations to join were issued and applications can be sent in at any time within five years. The procedure is for them to be considered first by the Governor-General or the Governor concerned before being forwarded to me. Any overseas pensionable officer in Nigeria up to the age of 55 is eligible to apply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what liaison there is between African Territories under his control and those administered by the Government of the French Republic.

Liaison is effected by means of local Anglo-French conferences, mainly on technical subjects, by exchanges of visits by officials of the British and French administrations, and through the local consulates. A member of Her Majesty's Government's Consulate-General in Daker has special duties in connection with Anglo-French liaison in West Africa. International organisations, such as the Commission for Technical Co-operation in Africa south of the Sahara, provide further opportunities for discussion of common problems.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the urgent need for Maltese hoteliers to advertise Malta's amenities in the Press of countries which will no longer have visa restrictions with Malta after 1st January, as long as possible before that date, he will now state what those countries will be; or, if it has not yet been settled concerning all the countries, which countries it is so far certain will not require visas.

The Malta visa relaxations which take effect on 1st January will apply to the nationals of the following countries: Italy, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Western Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Greece and Turkey.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he does not propose to discuss the plans for Malta's integration with Great Britain with the Opposition in Malta before their publication; what undertaking in this connection was given by him or the Governor to the Opposition in Malta; how many members of the Maltese Legislature are in Opposition; and what percentage that is of the total membership of the Legislature.

As regards the first two parts of the Question, the Governor, with my authority, informed the Opposition in Malta on 19th August that they will be afforded an opportunity of commenting on the terms of the integration agreement when it is in its final draft form and before its formal presentation to Parliament. The figures asked for in the last two parts of the Question are 17 out of 40 and 42½ per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply he has given to the recent delegation from the Bahamas House of Assembly on constitutional changes in the Colony.

The main recommendations in the report of the recent Select Committee of the Bahamas House of Assembly were that the members of the Executive Council, with the exception of the ex-officio Members, should be elected by the House of Assembly from Members of the Legislature, and that Members of Public Boards should then be chosen by the Executive Council. I have informed the recent Delegation from the majority party in the House of Assembly, and also the Leader of the People's Progressive Party in the House of Assembly who was here at the same time, that until I am satisfied that these changes have general support in the Colony I cannot consider them.I have, however, agreed that as a matter of practice and in accordance with the usual conventions of consulting majority opinion, the Governor should consult the Leader for the Government, who would normally be drawn from the majority party of the House of Assembly, about the appointment of Members of Executive Council and Chairmen of Public Boards. I have also agreed that the Governor should consult with the Chairmen of those Boards about the appointment of Members of the Boards. I have, however, made it clear that the Governor's discretion whether to accept advice on all these points must be unfettered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many people are now in detention without trial in Cyprus; and how many are 18 years of age or under.

817 persons were in detention on the 12th November. I am asking the Acting Governor for the latest figures and for the information asked for in the second part of the Question, which I will then send the hon. Lady.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the declared object of the visit of Mr. Charles Chiakoulas, of the United Auto Workers Union of America, to Cyprus.

To visit and advise on behalf of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, on organisational matters concerning the new trade unions of Cyprus.

asked the Minister of Works why he has withdrawn his support from the national apprenticeship scheme in the electrical contracting industry.

I gave notice last January of my intention to discontinue the provision by my Department of secretarial services to the Apprenticeship and Training Council for the Electrical Contracting Industry because I felt that the time had come for this industry to manage its own affairs as other industries do.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress is being made in the United Kingdom in the use of solar heat to assist in research experiments not possible or convenient with other heat sources.

Solar radiation is not at present being used in this country to produce high temperatures for research purposes. In the United Kingdom solar energy can never be used as regularly as in geographically more favourable parts of the world.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what arrangements he is making to increase the availability of translations of Russian scientific papers and books.

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has started a comprehensive collection of English language translations of Russian scientific and technological literature in all fields, excluding clinical medicine. The material collected is being made available through the Department's Lending Library Unit which also lends technical literature in Russian to research organisations, industrial organisations, universities and colleges, and Government departments. In addition Microfilms of several thousand translations of Russian scientific papers have been ordered from a library in Chicago, which houses the main collection in the U.S.A.The Department, in conjunction with the Scientific Library and Technical Information Committee of the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy is reviewing the question of what additional measures are necessary to improve the volume of translations of Russian scientific papers and books which is being undertaken in the English-speaking world.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what improvements are being made regarding the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and development contracts and projects.

D.S.I.R. has undertaken to consider proposals for contracts designed to promote developments of particular ideas, or in particular industries, in the public interest, when these are outside the scope of or unacceptable to the National Research Development Corporation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what action is being taken regarding the suggestions made about the emigration of scientists and engineers in the Annual Report of the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy, 1956–57.

The suggestion that British firms might make arrangements to interview British scientists and engineers in North America has been referred for consideration to the appropriate committees of the Federation of British Industries. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is considering what action could be taken to encourage more of our scientists and engineers to do post-graduate work in Europe.

asked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been drawn to the Law Reform Committee's Sixth Report, Court's Power to Sanction Variation of Trusts; and whether he will remit to the Law Reform Committee, Scotland, the question whether it is desirable that the Court of Session should have powers similar to those recommended in the Report.

Yes, my attention has been drawn to this Report and I am at present considering it. In doing so I shall keep in view the hon. and learned Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will arrange that the tow path is taken under the main road at the point where the new bridge will cross the Forth and Clyde Canal.

No. The plan and specification of the new swing bridge to be built over the Forth and Clyde canal as part of the Denny by-pass on the Glasgow-Stirling road, as set out in the Second Schedule to the Trunk Road Order for the Denny by-pass (S.I. 1957 No. 1722 (S. 83)), provides for a headway of 5 feet above canal water level, and for the towpath, as is the case at the present bridge, to be taken across the carriageway. No objections relating to the bridge were received when the intention to make the Order was advertised.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that John McGhee has escaped from the State institution for dangerous mental defectives, Carstairs, for the second time in one year; and whether he considers the safety precautions adequate.

Yes. Steps have already been taken to improve security measures, and others are under consideration. The improvement of security measures is constantly under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied with the warning system at Carstairs as sufficient for occasions when escapes are made from the State institution for dangerous mental defectives; and whether he will make a statement.

Experience suggests that the present warning system is adequate for its purpose but the matter is being kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of persons detained at the State institution for dangerous mental defectives, Carstairs; the number of guards; and whether the staff are adequate.

There are ninety-five patients in the State Institution for Mental Defectives at Carstairs. The institution and the adjacent State mental hospital have a joint staff of seventy-one male nurses. These staff, of whom twenty-seven have been recruited in recent month, provide adequate supervision. Some overtime is, however, necessary at present and the recruitment of additional staff is in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many inmates of the Criminal Lunatic Department of Perth Prison have been transferred to the State institution for mental defectives at Carstairs; and how many additional staff have been appointed at Carstairs to care for them.

Ninety-nine inmates were transferred in October; twenty-seven additional staff have so far been appointed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many road accidents, fatal and non-fatal, respectively, have occurred since the war on the Stirling—Carlisle road near Law Hospital.

From 1st January, 1946, to the present date there have been four fatal and 24 non-fatal road accidents on the Stirling—Carlisle road near Law Hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the fatal accident which occurred on the Stirling—Carlisle road, near Law Hospital, on 1st September, he is satisfied with the road safety measures in force there; and if he will make a statement.

As criminal proceedings are pending as a result of this accident, I regret that I am unable to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the use of juries in civil actions in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. My right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate and I have decided in the light of the views expressed from time to time in various quarters that an inquiry on this matter is desirable, and I have appointed a committee with the following terms of reference: To consider (1) whether, and if so to what extent, the existing right to jury trial in civil actions in Scotland should be abolished or limited; (2) whether, in the light of their conclusions under (1), any change should be made in the jurisdiction or procedure of the Court of Session and the Sheriff Courts in such actions, and any steps should be taken to expedite the hearing of such actions and to reduce the expense thereof; and to report.Lord Strachan has accepted the Chairmanship, and the other members are:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the fact that import prices fell from 111 in April to 103 in October, but shop prices increased from 104·5 to 107 in the same period, he will move for the appointment of a select committee to investigate how far the recent take-over bids are creating a monopoly in the distributive trades and, by eliminating competition, are preventing shop prices from falling.

No. The Monopolies Commission is available to undertake inquiries into monopoly conditions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that under present rules relating to Purchase Tax, curling tongs and other instruments used in connection with waving the hair by means of heat treatment only pay tax at the rate of 30 per cent., whereas all other hair curlers not designed for use of the heat waving of hair, as well as home permanent waving outfits, are subject to tax at 90 per cent.; what are the reasons for these differentiations; what medical advice has been taken on the subject; and whether this anomaly may be dealt with at an early date by reducing to a reasonably low rate all articles used for treating the hair.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to him on 19th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what experts were consulted before a decision was reached that such articles as a lady's modesty front or modesty vest would be subject to Purchase Tax at 30 per cent. if they did not exceed 14 inches width in front or 10 inches at back and if their full length at back from the centre of the shoulder to the hem did not exceed 15 inches, but that if any one of these measurements was exceeded the article would be regarded as a blousette and taxable as a garment at 5 per cent.; and what has been the revenue from Purchase Tax on ladies' modesty vests and blousettes during the past 12 months for which figures are available.

This definition was drawn up in 1944 in consultation with representatives of the trade associations concerned. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, having regard to the fact that ornamental candles are chargeable to Purchase Tax at 60 per cent. whereas candles for religious use are free of tax, what machinery exists to ensure that tax-free candles are not used for domestic purposes.

Religious candles are unlikely to be bought for domestic use as fancy or ornamental candles; ordinary domestic candles are not chargeable with tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give estimates of the current earnings of British films in the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation countries and the current earnings in the United Kingdom of films produced in the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation countries, respectively.

Figures of the earnings of British films in O.E.E.C. countries are not available. Films produced in O.E.E.C. countries earned about £1 million in the United Kingdom in 1956.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is yet able to give an indication of the result of the discussions, concerning expenses under Schedule E of the Income Tax Act, which he has been having with professional and other bodies, following the undertaking given in Committee on 2nd July, 1957.

Not yet.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, taking the internal purchasing value of the sterling as 20s. in October, 1951, it had declined to 18s. 5d. by October, 1953, and to 17s. by October, 1955; and what was the comparable figure for October, 1957.

Yes, Sir; 15s. 8d.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the proposed changes in pensions and National Insurance benefits, he will review the amount which a local authority, in assessing the ability to pay of a resident in accommodation under Part III of the National Assistance Act, must assume that he will need for his personal requirements.

Yes, I am making an amending Regulation increasing the amount of the pocket money of these residents from 7s. 6d. to 10s. a week. The Regulation will come into operation on 27th January, 1958, the date on which it is proposed that the increased National Insurance benefits shall take effect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Cambridge Department of Criminal Science investigation into the effectiveness of attendance centres has yet been completed; and, if so, when this report will be published.

I am informed by the Director that the investigation is nearly complete and that a report on it should be ready to send to the publishers in three or four months' time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in HANSARD a detailed statement giving the qualifications of each of the members he appointed to serve on the Wolfenden Committee on Homosexual Offences and Prostitution.

The members of the Committee, which was appointed in August, 1954, by the then Home Secretary and the then Secretary of State for Scotland, were persons who in their opinion were well qualified to perform this public service. It is not customary to specify the qualifications of those appointed to serve on such bodies, and I see no reason to do so in this case.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will request the British Broadcasting Corporation to announce outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease during the market report at 6.25 a.m., mentioning the names of any markets which have been closed as a result, so that farmers in the affected areas can avoid moving stock off their farms into disease-affected districts.

No. The position remains as described in the Answer my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food gave on this subject on 2nd August, 1957.