asked the Paymaster-General, in view of the controlling interest of Her Majesty's Government, if he will give a breakdown of the price of one gallon of B.P. petrol sold in the United Kingdom, so that the dollar content is clearly shown.

Information in the precise form requested is not available. In any event the Government would not be justified by their majority shareholding in B.P. in disclosing details of the company's commercial operations.

asked the Paymaster-General what stocks of pit wood are held at the pits in the South Western Region of the National Coal Board; and what are the stocks held at central depots.

For commercial reasons the National Coal Board does not divulge its current stocks of mining timber.

asked the Paymaster-General what supplies of pit wood were bought direct from the Forestry Commission, and what was the amount bought through agents from the Forestry Commission, for the last available full year.

The National Coal Board estimates that in 1957, of its total purchases of mining timber—peeled pit-props and unpeeled pit-wood—from the Forestry Commission, about 20 per cent. were by direct purchase and about 80 per cent. through agents.

asked the Paymaster-General, in view of the many advantages to be gained by working a five-day working week in the mining industry by cutting out Saturday working, which would have a marked effect on costly day-to-day absenteeism and would further yield an all-round improvement in operating costs together with advantages to the miners, if he will consider taking the necessary steps to eliminate Saturday working in the industry.

Saturday working is the subject of an agreement between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers which is renewed annually in April. I have no doubt that when it next comes up for renewal the Board will have in mind the full economic considerations including those referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Paymaster-General the numerical effect on the mining industry of the new manpower recruiting policy.

I regret that no such estimate of numbers can be given.

asked the Minister of Supply what action he is taking to ensure that priority is given to the use of Welsh roofing slates in Government contract work wherever practicable.

The Ministry of Supply buys only small quantities of roofing slates and at present all our orders are for Welsh slates.

asked the Minister a Supply the total amount received from the sale of surplus stocks of Service goods last year; the loss to the Treasury; and what steps are taken to bring about an equilibrium of supply and demand to avoid such losses.

Sales by the Ministry of Supply of surplus stores from the Services realised £12½ million in 1957. As the sales included scrap, partly worn and obsolete equipment, and articles which had been in stock for many years, any comparison with original cost would be difficult and valueless. Current supply and demand are not out of balance, but Service holdings are being reduced to match the needs of strategic plans and the intended size of the Forces.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will make a further statement about the future of the Royal Ordnance Factory, Creekmoor, Poole, especially with reference to the 700 men and women employed there.

My right hon. Friend is now planning to close this factory in the autumn of this year. He regrets that, because of reductions in orders, it will not be possible to keep the factory in operation until 1959–60, as previously envisaged. Established employees will have the right to be transferred to other Government establishments and every effort will be made, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and National Service, to secure employment for other redundant workpeople. As regards the disposal of the factory, a number of inquiries have been received from possible purchasers.

asked the Minister of Supply for what purpose the three incomplete Comet II aircraft are to be purchased by his Department for an estimated £500,000.

These aircraft were purchased in incomplete condition in 1955 as a reserve at the same time that thirteen Comet II's were bought for the Air Ministry. The need to use them has not materialised and it would cost money to preserve the aeroplanes. The decision has, therefore, been taken to scrap them and their purchase price of £500,000 is being transferred from the Ministry of Supply's Purchasing (Repayment) Services Vote to the Main Vote in order that the original payment may be finally accounted for.

asked the Minister of Health the number of consultants specialising in tubercular disease and venereal disease engaged by the National Health Service in 1948, 1952, and at the last convenient date, and the number of hospital patients and out-patients suffering from these diseases at these dates.

The following are the available figures:

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to publicise the recent evidence to the effect that smoking is a definite factor causing lung cancer; and whether he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add at present to the replies given to the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) on 3rd February by myself and by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of children under the age of 15 years was protected against diphtheria in each of the years 1953 to 1956, inclusive; and whether he is satisfied with the position.

Respectively 47·8, 48·4, 49·3 and 48·9 per cent. I should like to see the proportion increased and local authorities have been urged to continue to impress upon parents the advisability of immunisation.

asked the Minister of Health how the donations of blood, under the auspices of his Department, compared in number between 1955 and 1956; and whether he is satisfied with the present arrangements.

The number of blood donations in England and Wales was 759,571 in 1955 and 803,522 in 1956. The present arrangements are generally satisfactory, but more donors are always needed to take the place of those who retire, and to meet the increasing demand. I welcome this opportunity of expressing our gratitude to donors who have given their services.

asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to issue the transistor hearing aid for children in the Tees-side area; and whether he will now make a general issue of the Monopack hearing aid in the same area.

On the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 17th February to the hon. Member for Norwich, North (Mr. J. Paton). No other monopack Medresco aid is in production.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that everything reasonably possible is being done to prevent persons suffering from active tuberculosis caused by organisms resistant to anti-tuberculous drugs from distributing the disease.

Yes. The position is well understood by chest consultants and others responsible for advising the patients concerned.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of cases of open pulmonary tuberculosis notified in the year 1956–57 had organisms resistant to anti-tuberculous drugs; and whether he will take steps in all cases in which such information is available to have this recorded in future notifications.

The proportion is not known. I do not think that the inclusion of information on this point in the notification of cases would be of help.

asked the Minister of Health, in connection with his statistical branch, what procedures of statistical investigation and operational research he has laid down.

An extensive review and reorganisation of records and returns is progressing and procedures have been formulated to deal with a variety of questions.

asked the Minister of Health what provisions are being made to extend the facilities at designated mental hospitals in the County of Northumberland.

In addition to schemes recently completed at a cost of more than £350,000, building and engineering schemes of a total estimated cost of about £550,000, are in progress or planned for the immediate future at these hospitals.

asked the Minister of Health to the most convenient date the number of patients in designated mental hospitals in the County of Northumberland and the percentage of voluntary patients.

On 31st January the figures were 3,219, and 20 per cent.

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of overcrowding exists in designated mental hospitals in the County of Northumberland.

On 31st January the percentages were 21·5 at St. Nicholas. Gosforth, 45 at St. George's Morpeth, and 20·6 at St. Mary's Stannington.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the approaching retirement of the area matron of the Kettering General Hospital raises staffing problems of some urgency; and when he expects to reach a decision on the scheme for re-organisation of nursing administration submitted by the Kettering and District Hospital Management Committee to the Oxford Regional Board and by the Regional Board to him.

Yes, I have been asked to approve a salary in excess of the agreed Whitley Council rate for one of the posts of matron under the scheme of re-organisation, which otherwise does not require my approval. One of my officers will shortly visit the hospitals concerned to assess the responsibilities of the post in question.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent, with the increase in air travel, there was an increase last year in the number of people not normally resident in Great Britain who were able to obtain hospital treatment here free of cost to themselves.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health how much of the £18 million to be spent in this financial year on major new hospital building in England and Wales will be spent on such building in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Of the £18 million for all hospital building, the Welsh share was £1,270,000. Of the £4 million for major schemes, about £400,000 will be spent in Wales. Work is in progress on the major new hospital at Swansea, the development of the Caernarvon and Anglesey Hospital, and the West Wales Hospital, Glangwili, and extensions to Llanfrechfa Grange Mental Deficiency Hospital.

asked the Minister of Health what salary increases have been given or are contemplated to part-time hospital chaplains.

Following representations from the Church authorities, I have authorised new salaries ranging from £1 5s. a week to £7 a week according to the number of patients of the chaplain's denomination, which represent increases ranging from 5s. a week to £2 a week.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will propose at the United Nations a world census of persons enjoying diplomatic immunity.

My right hon. and learned Friend is not convinced that a census of this kind would serve a real purpose or that any useful conclusions could be drawn from the results.Nearly all Governments publish in their diplomatic lists details of the persons enjoying diplomatic immunity in their countries. The number of officials of international organisations, who enjoy immunity comparable in extent to diplomatic immunity, may be obtained from the various international agreements relating to the privileges and immunities of the organisations concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals, in the course of negotiations at Lancaster House, Her Majesty's Government have made for a provisional agreement for phased transfer of armaments to a supranational authority.

The Western Powers' plan for partial disarmament, which was tabled in the Disarmament Sub-Committee on 29th August, included a proposal that the States concerned should place in storage depots, within their own territories and under the supervision of an international control organisation, specific quantities of designated types of conventional armaments to be set out in agreed lists.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being considered by Her Majesty's Government to assist in establishing an African Office for the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.

Her Majesty's Government have not yet been asked formally to assist in this matter, but the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation has called a conference of the Governments concerned to discuss arrangements for setting up the African office. Her Majesty's Government will of course be represented at this meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals Her Majesty's Government intend to submit for the consideration of the Economic and Social Council of United Nations at its next Session in accordance with the resolution passed on 26th November, 1957, in the General Assembly of the United Nations requesting prompt and favourable consideration to be given to the establishment of an economic commission for Africa.

My right hon. and learned Friend cannot yet say what proposals we may put forward to the Economic and Social Council at its next meeting in April. We are at present exchanging views with other interested Governments, including, of course, those of the African territories for which Her Majesty's Government are responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, at the next meeting of the North Atlantic Council, he will present for discussion the resolution adopted by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Parliamentarians' Conference asking for the convening of an Atlantic conference similar to that held at The Hague in 1948.

The resolution has been forwarded to all the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Governments. As it is not suggested that the proposed Atlantic congress should be held before 1959, and in view of the current heavy programme of the North Atlantic Council, my right hon. and learned Friend does not intend to promote a discussion of the resolution by the Council at the present time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the apples and pears publicity scheme is inadmissible under the Marketing Acts; what advice he has received to this effect: if he is aware that this fact is of substantial concern to the trade; and what steps he will take to allow the scheme to continue as planned.

Yes; I am advised that the draft Apple and Pear Publicity Scheme of which a copy was sent to my Department by the National Farmers' Union last year is not a Scheme for regulating the marketing of an agricultural product, and would not therefore comply with the requirements of the Agricultural Marketing Acts. I have so informed the National Farmers' Union, although it is of course entitled to challenge this legal interpretation in the courts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has now considered the points put forward by the National Farmers' Union, the Fatstock Marketing Corporation and the bacon curers in his recent discussion with them about bacon pig prices; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on bacon pig prices.

I hope to make an announcement this week on this subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what directions he has given to the Egg Marketing Board under Section 2 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1949, relating to the standard weight of eggs which may be sold as large eggs, and the protection which may be given to the consumer in this matter.

None. I am advised that Section 2 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1949, does not give me power to serve such a direction. Under arrangements made by the Egg Marketing Board, all first quality eggs passing through packing stations are individually weighed and the weight grade is stamped on the shell.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he will take, by the imposition of price control or otherwise, to abate the high prices being charged to the consumer for tinned salmon.

Price control without rationing would not be satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that there are now sufficient stocks of home-grown potatoes, and potatoes imported from abroad, to avoid a potato shortage during the early period of this year; and if he will state the tonnage of potatoes imported since licences were granted in December.

Home-produced potatoes are still supplying most of our needs. Up to 15th February, about 47,000 tons of main crop potatoes had been imported, mainly from Belgium; imports will continue to be licensed as long as they are needed to supplement home-produced supplies. I hope that these arrangements will provide adequate supplies for the rest of the season.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the present establishment of the inspectorate to enforce the provisions of the Agriculture (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act, 1956; and whether he will make a statement.

The present establishment in my Department is 73 posts, three of which are at headquarters. All of these posts have been filled with the exception of six outside London to which appointments are now being made. I believe this establishment to be adequate.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what amount of pit-timber was sold by the Forestry Commission to the South-Western Region of the National Coal Board for the last full year, directly and through agents, respectively.

Between 1st July, 1956, and 30th June, 1957, the Forestry Commission sold and delivered to the South Western Division of the National Coal Board through agents 37,700 tons of mining timber. None was sold directly. Some timber was also sold to merchants but it is not known how much was converted to pit-wood and sold in turn to the Board.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many widows of 50 years and under 60 years of age are receiving 50s. weekly widows' pensions.

About 165,000 excluding those entitled to widowed mother's allowance.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the number of cases in the area of the Borough of Gateshead where National Assistance officers have advised tenants applying for assistance to meet rent increases under the Rent Act, 1957, to take statutory remedies regarding disrepair.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how far, before assistance grants are increased to provide for rent increases under the Rent Act, investigation is made to ensure that the property in question is ineligible for a certificate of disrepair.

It is no part of the responsibility of the Board's officers to decide questions concerning certificates of disrepair; that is a matter for the local authority on application being made to them. The Board's officers do however take note in the course of their visits of cases where serious defects in the state of the accommodation are obvious and advise tenants where necessary about the completion of Form G and any subsequent steps.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance in how many cases in the City of Salford the National Assistance Board has found it necessary to increase the rent supplements paid to recipients of National Assistance in consequence of the operation of the Rent Act, 1957; and what is the additional cost to the National Assistance Board with the average of the individual's supplement.

I am informed by the National Assistance Board that in the two offices concerned, which cover an area extending beyond the county borough, 2,510 weekly assistance grants had been increased up to 8th February, by an average of 5s. 9d., to provide for rent increases under the Rent Act. For reasons of which the hon. Gentleman will be aware it is not possible for the Board to calculate the total additional expenditure on this account.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many weekly grants have been increased by the National Assistance Board in the areas served by the four offices covering part of the County of Derbyshire and the eight offices which also serve areas outside the County, as a result of the operation of the Rent Act, 1957; and how much of the Supplementary Estimate of £4,600,000 required by the Assistance Board in the year ending the 31st March, 1958, is for the purpose of meeting such increase.

I am informed by the National Assistance Board that in the areas referred to 8,411 weekly assistance grants had been increased up to 8th February, by an average of 5s. 3½d., to provide for rent increases under the Rent Act. As regards the latter part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to what my right hon. Friend said on this subject on 17th February in the debate on the Board's Supplementary Estimate for the current financial year.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the number of people in Slough and district who are in receipt of increased National Assistance benefit to meet increases in rent under the Rent Act, 1957.

I am informed by the National Assistance Board that the figures available relate to the whole of the area served by the Board's office in Slough, which as the hon. Member is no doubt aware extends considerably beyond the town. In that area 562 weekly assistance grants had been increased up to 8th February to provide for rent increases under the Rent Act. It is not known how many of the persons concerned have since ceased to receive assistance.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the number of persons in receipt of National Assistance covered by his offices in the Gateshead Borough who have received assistance arising from the operation of the Rent Act, 1957; the total amount of the assistance given to date to this number; what percentage of the total are receiving assistance in respect of rent increases; and what percentage receiving assistance in respect of rent increases are old-age pensioners.

I am informed by the National Assistance Board that up to 8th February 2,765 weekly assistance grants in the area served by the two offices situated in Gateshead had been increased, by an average of 5s. 4d., to provide for rent increases under the Rent Act. For reasons previously given it is not possible for the Board to calculate the total additional expenditure on this account. The number given is equivalent to about 35 per cent. of the total number of current weekly grants, but as it is a cumulative figure it in fact bears no relationship to the current number of recipients of National Assistance. The number of retirement pensioners in the total is not available.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the total number of persons in receipt of National Assistance in the Gateshead Borough, the number receiving a reduced weekly payment arising from increases in other benefits, excluding assistance to meet rent increases, and the total amount of the overall reduction.

I am informed by the National Assistance Board that the number of weekly assistance grants in the area served by the two offices situated in Gateshead at 17th December, 1957, was 8,162 and at 28th January, 1958, following some of the increases in other benefits, 7,839. Of the former figure 6,020 were grants which, being in supplementation of National Insurance benefits, would fall to be reduced—or in some cases withdrawn—because of the increases in those benefits. Savings in National Assistance for particular localities in consequence of reductions in such supplements could not be calculated without disproportionate labour but for information on this point for the country as a whole I would refer the hon. Member to what my right hon. Friend said on this subject on 6th November.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what proportion the proposed weekly contribution for an insured person will bear to the present average weekly earnings in industry; and if he will set out for comparison, on the basis of statistics available to him through the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation, the relevant proportions at present paid by insured persons in Western Germany, France, and Italy, respectively.

The following figures relate only to contributions paid in the social security system of the countries concerned and relate to a differing range of benefits. For instance, in the three Continental countries family allowances are financed out of these contributions.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what reply he has made to the petition from the Ten Shillings-a-week Pensioners Guild.

This petition signed by a number of his constituents was forwarded by the hon. Member for Itchen (Dr. King) to my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary. I am, with the permission of the hon. Member for Itchen, sending to the hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde a copy of my hon. Friend's reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases people were refused entry to this country last year because it was obvious to the immigration authorities that they came here in order to obtain free hospital treatment.

One alien was refused leave to land in 1957 on the primary ground that he was seeking free hospital treatment. Particulars are not available of cases where, although there was an intention to seek free medical treatment, the refusal of leave to land was based primarily upon some other ground.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions were registered during 1957 for living on immoral earnings in the Metropolitan Police district against men whose countries of origin were West Africa, West Indies, Cyprus, and Malta; what proportion of the total London population colonial immigrants represented in 1957 and in 1939; and how many colonials were convicted of living on immoral earnings in that latter year.

Of the persons arrested in 1957 and subsequently convicted of living on the immoral earnings of women, 13 were of West African origin, 15 West Indian, 1 Cypriot, and 35 Maltese. No corresponding figures are available for 1939. As regards the second part of the Question the information at my disposal is not sufficiently precise to enable me to give reasonably reliable figures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the deportation order made against Attilio Messina, a convicted souteneur, was ever enforced; on what date he was deported and to what country; and on how many subsequent occasions he has re-visited the United Kingdom.

It has not been practicable to enforce the deportation order made against Attilio Messina, since the Italian Government do not recognise him as an Italian national.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the approximate cost of exempting war widows' pensions from Income Tax.

The cost which cannot be estimated precisely might he £2 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement about the rates of interest chargeable to local authorities borrowing from the Local Loans Fund.

A Treasury Minute made today provides that loans advanced to local authorities from the Local Loans Fund on and after 25th February, 1958, until further notice shall carry the following rates of interest:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether further arrangements have now been made with the United States Government for the import of tobacco for sterling and for the building of houses for United States forces in this country.

Yes. We have agreed with the United States Government on a transaction under Public Law 480 involving 5 million dollars' worth of tobacco for sterling. This is a second extension of the transaction announced in June, 1956, and extended in March, 1957, which under the two earlier deals has involved 18 million dollars' worth of tobacco and the arrangements will be identical in character. The proceeds of the transaction will be appropriated to the United Kingdom Defence Budget. The United Kingdom Government for their part will undertake to provide additional houses for United States Service personnel and their families in this country at an equivalent cost. The houses will be let to the United States Authorities at a nominal rent for as long as they are required but will remain the property of the United Kingdom Government. The tobacco will go into companies' stocks and its acquisition will not cause any reduction of United Kingdom purchases of tobacco from Commonwealth countries. We have not accepted any undertakings as to the 50 per cent. shipping requirement in connection with this transaction.

asked the Minister for Defence whether he will now make a statement on the division of responsibilities between the Royal Air Force and the United States forces on the supply, installation, maintenance and operation of missiles of United States origin.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement I made on this subject after Oral Questions today.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what special training courses are given in dealing with the danger of unfissioned nuclear materials being released if an aircraft carrying nuclear weapons crashes; to whom such courses are given; and when such courses began.

For some years selected R.A.F. personnel from a number of branches have received specialised instruction in the procedures required for dealing with hazards associated with nuclear weapons. Courses have been and are being held, both at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment and within the Service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with regard to offers by member States of the United Nations of study and training facilities for inhabitants of Trust Territories, how many persons from each Trust Territory applied for, and how many were granted, scholarships, fellowships, or other trust facilities, respectively, in the year ending on the last convenient date.

According to figures provided by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the General Assembly, the number of applications received by the Secretary-General from inhabitants of Trust Territories under United Kingdom administration, and the number of awards made for the academic year 1957–58, are as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what information is available to him from reports of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation showing the growth of population and income per head of the countries forming the European Economic Community, taken together, and the non-sterling members of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation taken together, respectively, since the war and over a convenient period.

Information available from the various reports issued by the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation indicates that between 1950, the earliest post-war year for which reliable figures are available, and 1956 the population of the non-sterling group of O.E.E.C. countries grew by 6·3 per cent. and that of the European Economic Community grew by 5·1 per cent. In the same period gross national product per head of the population, at current market prices, grew by 67 per cent. in the non-sterling group of O.E.E.C. countries and by 73 per cent. in the European Economic Community.

asked the Minister of Works what new buildings have been allocated for occupation by Government Departments in Glasgow.

It is likely that three new buildings will be started this year for occupation by Government Departments in Glasgow. One will be at Park-head and one at Bridgeton for local offices of the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance and the National Assistance Board. The third will be nearer the centre of Glasgow to house the Glasgow telephone manager's office, the central Glasgow office of the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance and local offices of the Inland Revenue.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will encourage Government Departments, where possible, to establish new offices in the developing new town of East Kilbride rather than in the overcrowded city of Glasgow.

The Government offices in Glasgow have to serve in the main the local community and it would therefore not be in the public interest for them to be outside the city. Nonetheless, I have constantly under review, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, the possibility of dispersing Government staff from Glasgow if suitable occasions arise.

asked the Postmaster-General how many letters at printed matter rate were dispatched by the Post Office during the last twelve months for which figures are available.

About 3,650 million in 1956–57.

asked the Postmaster-General the income and expenditure expected in the light of present charges on postal, telephone and telegraph accounts, respectively, for the years 1957–58 and 1958–59 on the basis used in Table IV of the Report on Post Office Development and Finance, Command Paper No. 9576.

The latest commercial forecast for 1957–58 is given at Appendix A to the Revised Supplementary Estimate for the Post Office (H.C. 89). A forecast for next year will shortly appear as Appendix A to the Post Office Estimate for 1958–59.