asked the Minister of Education if he will state the number of students in the first and second years, respectively, of courses for the Diploma

asked the Minister of Education what would be the estimated cost of increasing by 10 per cent. the grants now paid to grant-aided schools; approximately how many children attend grant-aided schools; and what evidence he has of serious deterioration in school buildings due to the incapacity of voluntary school authorities to undertake necessary reservations, extensions and rebuilding.

£440,000; nearly 1,000,000; and none.

asked the Minister of Education what literature published by his Department and by private firms or organisations is officially allowed to be circulated to schools in respect of Empire Day; and, in view of the continuous replacement of the concept of Empire by in Technology, distinguishing the subjects of the courses; whether they are whole-time or sandwich courses; and whether the students are works or college based.

The National Council for Technological Awards has given me the following information:that of Commonwealth and the fact that the population of the Commonwealth is now far greater than that of the residual British imperial possessions, whether he will give an assurance that the significance of that historical change is emphasised in literature on Empire Day sent to schools.

My Department does not suggest the use of any special literature on Empire Day, but sends out an annual circular giving sources of information for the study of the Commonwealth and Empire.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the amount of machinery imported into the United Kingdom duty free in respect of the years 1955, 1956, and 1957, respectively.

The value of machinery in respect of which duty-free licences were issued in 1955, 1956 and 1957 was £26·3 million, £29·6 million and £31·6 million, respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food whether he is yet able to state if fish is included with agriculture as being outside the negotiations for a European Free Trade Area.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a statement as to whether fish is to be included in or excluded from the scope of the proposed participation by this country in the European Free Trade Area.

Our policy on agriculture in the context of the Free Trade Area negotiations applies to fish as to other foodstuffs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has noted that, despite the high numbers of applications for improvement grants in Wales and in the County of Glamorgan, respectively, the percentage of applications granted are substantially lower than the percentage granted in the United Kingdom as a whole; and if he will take steps to increase the proportion granted in Wales and in the County of Glamorgan.

At 31st January, 1958, the proportion of applications finally approved was 15·8 per cent. in Wales and Monmouthshire, 15·2 per cent. in Glamorgan and 20·8 per cent. in the United Kingdom as a whole. A further 28·7 per cent. of applications in Wales and Monmouthshire and 29·5 per cent. of applications in Glamorgan have been approved in principle and will be finally approved when the applicants have submitted necessary technical details. I am following the progress of the scheme very closely and have already made some staff adjustments. I will consider the further redeployment of staff if that should appear desirable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the cattle trade figures between this country and the Continent, showing particular regard to any loss the farming community may have suffered through Governmental restrictions on the movement of cattle abroad.

Since February, 1957, when the restrictions imposed by the Exported Cattle Protection Order came into operation, the number of cattle exported weekly from Great Britain to the Continent has fallen appreciably. In recent months, more ungraded cows have come on to the home market than a year earlier, but average prices at auction have been up to 10s. per live cwt. higher than last year. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a comparative statement of weekly prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what precise restrictions are operating at the present time with regard to the sale of live British cattle in European markets; and whether, in view of the damage which is being suffered by British farmers as a result of these restrictions, he will review the position with a view to their early modification.

Cattle for export to the Continent are required to be rested, fed and watered, and certified by a veterinary inspector as fit to travel before they are allowed to leave the country. They can only be exported for slaughter to countries which have given assurances that the animals will not be re-exported, will not travel more than 60 miles from the point of disembarkation and will be slaughtered by electric stunning or by captive bolt pistol. Suitable lairages and and arrangements for feeding and watering at slaughterhouses are also necessary. I am not prepared to consider relaxing these restrictions, nor can I agree that they are causing any losses to farmers. On this, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply today to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Nantwich (Mr. Grant-Ferris).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has noted the decision of the Australian Government to ban the importation of cattle and sheep after May next because of the risk of introducing blue tongue disease; and what steps he is taking to ensure the continuance of the export trade in pedigree stock from Britain where the disease has never occurred.

I understand that the Commonwealth Government are considering a recommendation by the Australian Agricultural Council that imports of cattle and sheep should be banned. The Australian authorities are being advised that no case of blue tongue has ever been officially recorded in this country. As my hon. Friend will be aware, the importation into Australia of sheep from the United Kingdom is already prohibited because of scrapie.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for intensifying the campaign against the warble fly this year.

I am advised that a suitable derris solution properly applied at the right times is still the most reliable known method of control. An extensive publicity campaign is again being arranged this year to remind cattle owners of their statutory obligations in this matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what degree of sterilisation, in terms of heat and of time, is necessary to render safe meat and bone, respectively, from the frozen carcasses of cattle infected with foot-and-mouth disease;(2) what degree of sterilisation, in terms of heat and of time, is necessary to render safe meat and bone, respectively, from the chilled carcasses of cattle infected with foot-and-mouth disease.

I am advised that not less than 212°F. throughout for some minutes is required, whether the meat and bone is chilled or frozen. The precise time required in any particular case would vary with the size of the piece of meat or bone.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has yet received from the Trent River Board details of the scheme to build a flood-prevention bank at Branston, Burton-on-Trent; and when he will be prepared to approve such a scheme.

I understand that the Trent River Board hopes to submit proposals in the course of the next few weeks. Approval will, of course, depend upon the result of the examination of the proposals.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the setting up of the experimental hydraulic model to deal with the cleansing of the River Trent at Burton-on-Trent; where the model is operating; and when he expects to receive a report on the experiment.

The Hydraulics Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is now able to provide accommodation for an experimental model, and construction is expected to start in April. The model would come into operation towards the end of the summer and would run until the end of the year, after which the D.S.I.R.'s report to the Trent River Board would be prepared.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that on Tuesday, 11th February, 1958, the River Trent at Burton overflowed its banks, that many acres of land were under water, that the rise was rapid, and that the position was aggravated by the fact that the river and side-streams were becoming increasingly silted; and what steps he will take to rid these river courses of silt.

The flooding on 11th February, 1958, was an overflow on to the washlands. I will invite the attention of the Trent River Board to the suggestion that siltation aggravated the position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the recent decisions of the International Tin Council to cut world tin production will affect Colonial Trust Territories who are producer members; and what steps are being considered by Her Majesty's Government to counteract the unemployment which has already resulted.

Nigeria, which is not, of course, a Trust Territory, is the only Colonial Territory represented on the Council. While Her Majesty's Government give all the assistance in their power to promote economic prosperity in the Colonies, immediate responsibility for dealing with particular problems of unemployment falls inevitably on the Colonial Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to visit the Bahamas to inquire into the conditions necessary for the extension of responsible government, the state of race relations and the need for legal sanction for the encouragement of trades unions.

The question whether a commission should be recommended is still under consideration. The House will be informed of the decision as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what facilities exist in Nyasaland for Africans to obtain the necessary technical administrative and commercial knowledge to enable them to qualify as agents for the Agricultural Production Marketing Board; and in what respects different qualifications are required for similar positions in the coffee industry.

I am consulting the Governor and will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects to have the report of the Electoral Commission in Mauritius.

I hope it will be possible to make an announcement before the end of the month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will recommend to the authorities of other prisons the practice, successfully used at Nottingham Prison, by which long-term serving prisoners with good conduct are permitted to work in local factories, visit friends, and wear ordinary clothing, thus making them accustomed to ordinary civilian life and thereby making it easier for them when ultimately released.

Yes. This system has been in operation for some time at two other prisons, and I have plans for extending it to a number of others in the financial year 1958–59.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further consideration he has given to protests by women's and other organisations against allowing the sale of flick knives and similar dangerous objects, particularly to children and juveniles.

I have considered this matter very carefully in the light of all the representations made to me and in consultation with chief officers of police. The problem is not regarded as a serious one except in one or two areas; and the police generally consider that their existing powers, particularly under the Prevention of Crimes Act, 1953, are adequate to deal with it. In these circumstances, I am not satisfied that further legislation would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the mackintoshes worn by the Metropolitan Police allow no immediate access to the truncheon, there being no slit in the side pocket as there is in the greatcoats worn by the Metropolitan Special Constabulary.

A Metropolitan police officer who is wearing a mackintosh has no difficulty in getting hold of his truncheon on the rare occasions when this is necessary, as the mackintosh has a vent at the back and is of light material.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has in mind for placing reasonable restrictions on the entry of British subjects from other Commonwealth countries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what change he is considering in the present arrangements whereby British subjects from other parts of the Commonwealth are allowed to enter this country without restriction.

I have no proposals to make at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average weekly cost per inmate in the local prisons, excluding new buildings.

For the twelve months ending 31st March, 1957, the average weekly cost per inmate in all types of prison was £7 12s. 6d., excluding the cost of new buildings. I regret that separate figures for local prisons are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the daily average number of inmates in prisons serve their sentences in the local prisons.

In 1956, the latest year for which figures are at present available, approximately 67 per cent, of the daily average prison population was in closed local prisons and 5 per cent. in open local prisons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will give the latest figure of Hungarian refugees who have been granted asylum in this country; how many of these refugees, up to 31st March last, returned to Hungary; and how many since then have made application to return home;(2) what is the average rate of requests he is receiving from Hungarian refugees to return home; what help and assistance he gives; and to what extent the Hungarian Government or its representatives in this country are placing any obstacles in the way of these refugees returning to their country of birth.

21,667 Hungarian refugees have come to the United Kingdom since 28th October, 1956; of these, 14,710 are still here. I understand that by 31st March, 1957, 477 had returned to Hungary, and that a further 737 have done so since. The grant of permission to return to Hungary is a matter for the Hungarian authorities; I have no reason to suppose that it is, in general, withheld.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the amount of 6 per cent. fixed in 1934 under the Betting and Lotteries Act, as the maximum allowed to operators of a totalisator at greyhound racecourses, for administration purposes, etc., is, at present-day purchasing values, only equivalent to 2 per cent. compared with 1934; and whether he will take the necessary legislative action to amend the First Schedule to the Betting and Lotteries Act, 1934. and thus rectify this anomaly.

In any review of the adequacy of the statutory deduction, account would have to be taken of factors other than that mentioned by the hon. Member, and of the view of the Royal Commission on Betting, Lotteries and Gaming that the 6 per cent. limit has allowed over-large profits to be made in the past. I am not at present satisfied that amending legislation would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, in view of the Government's request for wage restraint, he has agreed to increase the salaries of coroners in Middlesex by £250 per annum; and whether he is aware that, with their £1,050 per annum expenses, this will mean that these coroners will be receiving £3,400 per annum.

My approval is not required when a coroner's salary is fixed by agreement between the coroner and the local authority.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement about the proposed Commonwealth Trade and Economic Conference to be held this year.

The United Kingdom Government warmly welcomed the initiative of the Canadian Government in inviting all the Commonwealth Governments to participate in a Commonwealth Trade and Economic Conference beginning in Montreal on 15th September. We look forward keenly to the Conference and will do all that we can to contribute to the proceedings and help to ensure a constructive and positive outcome. Preparatory talks have already been held between officials, designated by each of the Commonwealth Governments, at a meeting in London from 11th to 13th February. This meeting discussed a provisional agenda for the Conference, and recommendations for this are being made to Governments. Considerable preparatory work must be undertaken in coming months, and arrangements have been set in train for it to be shared between all the Governments. This work is to be reviewed at a further meeting of officials to be held in London early in June.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, in view of the fact that the Government of Ghana is about to send five missions overseas to countries other than Great Britain to study trade prospects and the possibility of attracting foreign investment in Ghana, what steps he is taking to develop British trade and investment in Ghana.

The Government of Ghana have also asked that a similar mission may visit the United Kingdom. My right hon. Friend has, of course, replied that we shall warmly welcome such a mission. A comprehensive programme of talks and visits to industrial and other installations is being arranged for the mission, covering trade, investment and other matters in which the Ghana Government have indicated that they will be specially interested.

asked the Minister of Works, if he is aware of the present grave situation in the slate-quarrying industry in north Wales; and if he will make a statement on the steps which he proposes to take to assist the industry.

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Welsh Affairs has already announced some help for this industry, and my architects will continue to specify slates for public buildings whenever this material is the most suitable, having regard to all the circumstances.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement following consideration of the representations by Mr. Derek Short, who has recently been discharged from the Rampton Mental Hospital, as to the harmful effects of scrubbing stone floors for 8½ hours per day, which representations were communicated to him by the honourable Member for Erith and Crayford; and why the four-hour regulation was exceeded in this case.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Adjournment debate of 19th December, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many compulsory purchase orders have been confirmed within the area of the Basildon new town since 1946; and what is the total acreage of the properties subject to the confirmed orders.

Sixty-five compulsory purchase orders have been confirmed; the total area covered by the confirmed orders is 741 acres. In addition, eight authorisations covering 134 acres of land were given under the provisions of Section 2 of the Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) Act, 1946.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total expenditure on defence during the current financial year, to date.

It is not the practice to publish figures of departmental disbursements for broken periods within the financial year. Such figures could be very misleading and give no accurate indication of the rate of expenditure over the financial year as a whole.

asked the Minister of Defence how much the service retired pay of a commander Royal Navy, a lieutenant-colonel and a wing commander, respectively, who were commis- sioned in 1949 and retire after 25 years' service will be abated when they qualify for National Insurance retirement pensions on reaching the age of 65 years.

If the officer entered or was commissioned before 1st July, 1949, no abatement would be made. If he entered or was commissioned after 30th June, 1949, the abatement, under present regulations, would be £21 15s. 5d. a year assuming his 25 years' service is all reckonable for retired pay.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will examine the possibilities of the British European Airways Corporation and the British Overseas Airways Corporation running a passenger connecting service to London Airport from Croydon Airport; and whether he will make a statement.

No. It is planned to close Croydon Airport at the end of this summer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which university bodies have expressed dissatisfaction with the amount of grant last made by the University Grants Committee.

Those annual reports which have so far been published indicate that most of the universities are dissatisfied in varying degrees with the grants allocated to them, especially for the first two years of the quinquennium. It should be noted, however, that the quinquennial settlement provides for grants which are 8 per cent. higher in the current academic year than in 1956–57, and which rise by a further 30 per cent. over the next four years. To these will be added supplementary grants in respect of the cost of the salary awards effective from last August. The result is that the universities are receiving in total 20 per cent. more grant in 1957–58 than in 1956–57; and will receive a further 28 per cent. increase over the next four years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the percentage change in entertainments tax receipts from cinemas in the most recent three monthly period for which figures are available, compared with the same period a year earlier.

24½ per cent. less in the three months ending 31st January, 1958, than in the corresponding period last year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a punter who places a bet on a totalisator at a horse-racing track pays no tax, whereas a person who places the same bet on a totalisator at a greyhound-racing track has a 10 per cent. tax deducted by his Department; and whether, in his forthcoming Budget, he will remove this inequality by placing both sports on the same basis so far as taxation is concerned.

I am aware of the position, but I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage totalisator tax on totalisator at both greyhound racing tracks and horse racing tracks he estimates would be necessary to ensure to the Treasury the same revenue return which is received by the present 10 per cent. tax levied solely on totalisators at greyhound racing tracks; and whether he will consider adopting this method of taxation in his forthcoming Budget.

I cannot give such an estimate, since it is not possible to say how far a duty on totalisator bets at horse racecourses would result in a switch to betting with bookmakers; nor can I anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that greyhound race track promoters are by law compelled to deduct 10 per cent. from the totalisator pool for payment to the Treasury, that they are by law limited to a 6 per cent. charge for administration costs, and that this latter figure was fixed many years ago when wages, costs and administration charges generally were much lower than now; and whether, in his forthcoming Budget, he will consider placing greyhound racing on the same basis as horse racing, so far as taxation and charges are concerned, in such a way as to ensure that both aspects are administered by the same Department.

I will bear in mind what the hon. Member says, but I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget.