asked the Minister of Works whether he will arrange for the ordinary lighting in Westminster Hall to be disconnected and the floodlights to be permanently switched on during the hours of darkness in order that the unique beauty of the hammer-beam roof may be better appreciated.

The floodlights alone would not give enough light in the body of the Hall after dark. Members can themselves switch the floodlights on and off at any time.

My suggestion was that the ordinary lighting should be disconnected because the flood lighting was so much better. Would not my hon. Friend agree with that suggestion?

I am advised that flood lighting alone would not have the effect which the hon. Member has in mind.

If the conventional lighting cannot be dismantled altogether, can it be redesigned so that we may have a more appropriate kind?

If the hon. Gentleman will make use of the switch on the panel near the Crypt and have all the lights on together, he will see that the effect is admirable. We had a long discussion of this matter at Question Time, and we have tried to meet the requirements of the House. Since that occurred only in July, it may well be advisable to give a longer time before we think of altering it again.

asked the Minister of Works what action he is taking to ensure that roofing slates from North Wales quarries are used in public buildings.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 20th February.

asked the Minister of Works the total number of workers employed in the North Wales slate-quarrying industry, the total output of the industry in the area, and the total value of slate exports from the area in the years 1938, 1948 and 1957, respectively.

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Works if he will inquire into the position, prospects and problems of the North Wales slate-quarrying industry with a view to making a comprehensive statement on the future of the industry.

The condition of the slate industry is kept under regular review. I have nothing to add at present to what has already been said by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour. The hon. Member will know, however, that for several reasons, of which cost is one, the popularity of slate as a roofing material has declined considerably in the last forty years and may well continue to decline.

While not thanking the Minister for that defeatist and depressing reply, may I ask if he is aware that depression is deepening in this important industry, which is of the highest importance to the economy of North-West Wales, and that the least he can do as the responsible Minister is to institute an immediate and fast-moving inquiry into present conditions and prospects of the industry?

I think the position of the industry is reasonably well understood. I would point out to the hon. Member that there is no great unemployment among those who are willing to work in this industry. Within the last year there has, in fact, been a shortage of labour in the industry.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what research the Government are making into possible alternative uses for slate?

We are not ourselves engaged in research, although research is continuing to take place. Bricks, tiles and lightweight aggregates are possible uses for slate in a ground-up form. One of the companies owning a quarry there is likely to begin producing shortly tiles and bricks made of ground slate.

asked the Minister of Works () why he has banned a meeting under the auspices of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday which is to start a four-day march to Aldermaston led by clergymen and Members of Parliament;

The reason why permission for holding this meeting was not given was that for the past 65 years it has been the policy of my Department generally to limit the holding of meetings in Trafalgar Square to Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. I have now reconsidered the matter and have come to the conclusion that, since the meeting would have been permitted had it been proposed to hold it on a Sunday, it would be illogical to continue to withhold consent for it on Good Friday. If the organisers care to get in touch with my Department, arrangements will be made accordingly. No detailed regulations have been issued covering assemblies in the Square, but under the Trafalgar Square Regulations, 1952, my permission is required for an assembly to take place.

I am sure that that decision will be generally welcomed, and I am most grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for it.

Is.the Minister aware that this change of a long-established practice on his part, involving as it does a change applicable to a particular day in the year, will cause consternation among many people?

My hon. Friend must realise that in the past there has been a ban upon all meetings, including religious meetings. My Department has refused permission to the Archbishop of Canterbury for a religious demonstration on Good Friday, 1915, and to the Rural Dean of Westminster on Good Friday, 1942. I cannot feel that there is any justification for allowing meetings which obtain my consent to be held on other Holy Days in the year and to draw this distinction on Easter Sunday and Good Friday.

Is the Minister aware that the character of this demonstration will be very different from that of the ordinary political demonstration and will be most consistent with the nature of Good Friday?

It has never been the intention that my powers to allow or disallow a meeting in Trafalgar Square should be used as some kind of censorship upon the kind of meeting held. Because this meeting would have been permitted on a Sunday, or even Easter Sunday, I did not feel that the fact that Good Friday is technically not a Bank Holiday was a sufficient reason for continuing the ban.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Works whether his attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction over the methods employed in preserving Hadrian's Wall; and whether he will have the work examined with a view to satisfying himself of the soundness of the technique employed and give an undertaking that the work will be properly supervised.

asked the Minister of Works what advice he has sought from aræologists in connection with the restoration of those sections of Hadrian's Wall for which he is responsible.

asked the Minister of Works what supervision he provides over the repairing of Hadrian's Wall; how much of the wall has been dismantled at Birdoswald and elsewhere; and if he will make a statement.

The Ancient Monuments Board for England approves my Ministry's methods of maintaining Hadrian's Wall. The archæological policy of the repairs is directed by my Inspectors of Ancient Monuments, who make periodical visits to the work and have the co-operation of local archæologists who are specialists on Hadrian's Wall. The day-to-day work is supervised by staff with long experience of archæological restoration.

Original Roman work is exposed, retained and consolidated in the state in which it is found. Fallen stones are replaced if it is known what their original position was. Stones on the point of falling are removed from the Wall and re-bedded. Apart from this re-bedding, there has been no dismantling of the Wall at Birdoswald or elsewhere. Roman mortar is kept wherever possible, and on exposed surfaces lime mortar is used where necessary.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that very detailed reply, may I ask whether I would be in order in assuming that the article which appeared under the name of Jacquetta Hawkes, I think it was, in one of the Sunday papers a fortnight ago gave an absolutely inaccurate and unfounded criticism of the methods used by my right hon. Friend's Department? I agree that it is of the greatest interest to all that the Wall should be properly and adequately looked after.

Yes, my hon. Friend is entirely correct in her assumption. What is being done at Hadrian's Wall is supported by the local archæologists, and I am glad to say I have had letters from Professor Eric Birley, Professor of Romano-British history and archæology in the University of Durham, and Mr. Gillam, who is reader in the same subject in that university, approving of what has been done. It appears to me quite clear that Mrs. Jacquetta Hawkes' article was based on inaccurate information and was written without having visited the Wall herself.

Are there not frequently two views on matters of this kind? Is it not a fact that, in the opinion of many people who are qualified to judge, the methods used by the right hon. Gentleman's Department in this instance do not reach the normally high standards that he employs in preserving ancient monuments? Will he consider having further advice before proceeding further with this work?

There are often two opinions on every subject, the correct and the incorrect. What is being done by my archæological department, and is approved by the Board of Ancient Monuments for England and supported by a professor and a reader in archæology in the local university, is the correct line, while the line that takes the contrary view is the incorrect one.

In view of the great interest attaching to this matter, I beg to give notice that, in order to give the Minister a better opportunity to put the facts before the House and some of my hon. Friends an opportunity of expressing their points of view, I will try to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Works whether, in view of the success of Son et Lumière at Greenwich, he will allow a similar event to be mounted in Westminster Hall when this House is not sitting.

I appreciate my hon. Friend's sentiments, but I do not think opinion amongst hon. Members would approve a show of this kind in Westminster Hall.

While appreciating the point made by my right hon. Friend, may I ask him to bear in mind that this new art form has great educational value and engages the attention of young people with the great events that are now passed.

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend. I hope that a great many hon. Members attended the Son et Lumière at Greenwich last year. I am most anxious to do all I can to extend the use of this new form of art throughout both kingdoms, but I am doubtful whether the introduction of it into Westminster Hall would be acceptable.

asked the Minister of Works on how many occasions during the past year official motor cars have been sent abroad to Geneva or other places on the Continent for the use of delegations attending conferences; and what is the approximate cost.

During the past year, official cars were sent to cover four conferences at Geneva. The total cost was approximately £2,000. Two cars were kept in Geneva for the duration of the first three conferences, as they were almost continuous.

Although the cost was not very great, would my right hon. Friend look at this matter again to see whether this exercise is really worth while and whether, in the end, it is not simpler to arrange for some local hire firm to provide for the delegation?

We have looked into the matter and, as far as we can make out, it is slightly cheaper to send our own cars over. It results in a certain economy in foreign exchange. There is not very much in the matter, but on the whole it is better to send British cars.

asked the Minister of Works what reduction has been made in the number of chauffeur-driven cars for which his Department is responsible since November, 1951.

There were 722 chauffeur-driven official cars on 1st November, 1951. When the Government Car Service was formed on 1st April, 1952, it consisted of 661 cars: there are now 277.

Whilst congratulating my right hon. Friend on that particular piece of administration, may I ask him to ensure that out of those which remain there are at least some sent to Geneva which are a credit to the car industry of this country and that he has not to rely on superannuated Humbers?

I would point out to my hon. Friend that, when we are trying to be as economical as possible, it is hardly likely that we can have a fleet of brand new cars.

asked the Minister of Works if he will take steps to ensure the preservation and re-erection of London Stone when Saint Swithin's Church, Cannon Street, is demolished.

I understand that the Diocesan Board of Finance of the Diocese of London proposes that the London Stone should be preserved and re-erected as nearly as possible in its present position when St. Swithin's Church is demolished and the site redeveloped.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that that statement will be welcomed by all who recognise the antiquity of this monument and are interested in the traditions of London?

I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman. I am entirely in agreement with what he said.

asked the Minister of Works whether he now has firm proposals for re-erecting the trilithon at Stonehenge.

Preparations at Stonehenge are starting this week, and all works involved in raising the trilithon have been arranged for completion within the next three to four months. From tomorrow a model will be available for inspection in the Upper Waiting Hall, and 1 can arrange for the operations to be explained in detail if requested.

May I thank my right hon. Friend for making this firm decision and for making the model available? Am I not correct in thinking that there is no question of faking Stonehenge but simply of re-erecting some of the original stones into the positions they were known to occupy until they fell less than 200 years ago?

My hon. Friend, who is a member of the Ancient Monuments Board, is entirely correct about this. We have no intention of trying to fake Stonehenge. It is believed that many of the stones were knocked down by the Romans, and it appears to us appropriate to leave them in the same position as they were put at the time by the Roman invaders. The only stones we are re-erecting are those which have fallen within quite recent times. What we are doing is in accordance with advice given by the Ancient Monuments Board.

While the right hon. Gentleman has these matters in mind, could he have another look at the plans of his Department for similar work on the stone circle at Avebury?

I will certainly look into that point.

While accepting that these stones fell only 200 years ago, may I ask where the Department proposes to draw the line? Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the case of Stonehenge—the most ancient monument in Britain and the finest stone circle in the world—a large body of archaeological opinion considers his Department is making a great mistake?

I am always accustomed to being told that my Department is making a great mistake on every subject, but my hon. Friend has not indicated what he desires—whether we are raising too many stones, or that all the other stones should be raised.

Leave them as they are.

In view of the exaggerated implications in the last supplementary question, can the right hon. Gentleman say what bodies have advised against this move?

No body has advised me against it. The Ancient Monuments Board is in favour of it, and the two most distinguished archaeologists—both from Edinburgh University—Professor Stuart Piggott and Mr. Atkinson, who made a special study of it—are in favour of doing this.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what action has been taken regarding the conclusions on research and development contained in paragraph 26 of the Annual Report of the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy, 1956–57.

Paragraph 26 makes three points. On the first, by approving the expansion programme for the universities and technical colleges, the Government are playing their part. This expansion will ensure an increased supply of scientists and technologists. On the second, it is up to industry to take full advantage of skill made available for civil research work by the limitation of the defence programme. On the third point, the Advisory Council is now studying in greater detail the methods of financing research at universities, including the provision of supporting staff.

While thanking him for that reply, may I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether as yet there has been any marked redundancy and what steps the Government are taking specially to ensure that the fullest use will be made of these men with high qualifications?

There is no sign at all of serious redundancy, and in the replacing of any of these men the normal services of the Ministry of Labour are available. It keeps in close contact.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress has been made by the Committee on Scientific Manpower to obtain the relevant statistics and information to assess periodically the supply of scientists and engineers.

In response to a request from the Committee on Scientific Manpower, the professional scientific and engineering institutions have offered to co-operate in carrying out an annual review of their membership. In addition, it has now been decided that a further survey of the number of scientists and engineers employed in Great Britain, similar in scope to the one carried out in 1955, will be undertaken towards the end of 1958.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say why these surveys should be over this particular period? Would it not be better to hold them more frequently?

It was felt that there would not be sufficient change in less than three years to justify another survey. The original one was in 1955, and we asked the Committee to estimate what the position would be in three years' time so that we can now check on its estimates.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great diversity between scientific discoveries and their application to industry and that scientists complain considerably that our inventions and knowledge are far ahead of application in industry, and that many of our ideas go to Switzerland and elsewhere to be developed by other people?

I do not think there is anything to substantiate the suggestion that industry does not keep in close contact with new research in this country and elsewhere.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council. what research is being supported by the Government with a view to lessening the cost of high quality paper.

The British Paper and Board Research Association, supported by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, has recently perfected an improved process for the pulping of straw and esparto for use in making high-grade papers. This has increased the yield of pulp, from 40 per cent., in the old process, to about 55 per cent., without any falling off in the quality of the final product.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that answer, may I ask him two questions? Is any commercial use being made of this new process? Secondly, because of the increased yield of the pulp, is paper to be any cheaper?

Full trials have been conducted in the actual process, but it has not been put to commercial use so far because of the difficulty of getting an even supply of esparto at present. The process will certainly decrease the cost of pulp, but we are not in a position to say whether or not the paper which flows from that will be cheaper.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, to what extent worthwhile results have accrued from research supported by the Government, directed to improving the efficiency and design of domestic heating appliances using solid fuels.

Since the freestanding convector fire was put on the market a few years ago, the most important development—also originating from the British Coal Utilisation Research Association, supported by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research—has been a new type of central heating system using pipes of small bore and forced-circulation. This system can be installed without expensive structural alterations. Thus it is now possible to provide the comfort of central heating in many older houses for which installing central heating has hitherto been too expensive.

Can my hon. Friend search his mind and say what is the approximate cost? Can he say, for instance, what is the approximate cost of converting an ordinary three-bed-roomed house to this new system?

The figure I have in mind after asking questions about this is that a house of 1,100 sq. ft. would cost between £300 and £320.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress has been made with laboratories of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research at Geneva and when they will be completed.

The smaller nuclear particle accelerator was satisfactorily completed last August; since when it has undergone running trials and is now available for full-scale research. Satisfactory progress continues on the larger accelerator which is planned to come into service in 1960. Good progress is also being made on the completion of the Laboratory buildings. The Third Annual Report of the Organisation will be issued shortly and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Can my hon. Friend say what will be the total cost of this project, and what will be the contribution made by Her Majesty's Government? Furthermore, can he say how many United Kingdom nationals are likely to be employed by the Organisation and what proportion they will represent of the whole?

The total cost of the project is about £15 million, and the United Kingdom has responsibility for about a quarter of that sum. The total staff is in the region of 170, and I think that at the present time the United Kingdom provides about 40 of them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the present close time for netting fish in the River Dee is insufficient to allow an adequate stock of fish to ascend the river and reach the spawning grounds; and if he will take immediate steps to extend that time by a further six hours.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer given to him by my noble Friend on 18th February.

Does not the Secretary of State realise that that answer is quite inadequate and that the salmon fishing industry is not sufficiently protected? Will he invite evidence from experts to satisfy him that something should be done in this matter?

As my noble Friend made clear, there is to be an investigation this year, and all the points that the hon. and learned Member has in mind will certainly be taken into account in that investigation.

is my right hon. Friend aware that there has been acute controversy on this subject for many, many years past, and that as the number of fish that reach the spawning grounds depends entirely on the weather in the early part of the season, will it be possible during this conference to consider more flexible arrangements?

The investigation will bring out information that we shall have to study with great care in the light of the evidence available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of work on the new Bridge of Don, Aberdeen; and when he now expects the work will be finished and the new bridge open for traffic.

Work is progressing satisfactorily, and though it is unlikely to be fully completed until the spring of 1959, I hope that the new bridge will be open to traffic at the end of this year.

Does the Secretary of State realise that that Answer is far too vague, that it is very important to the trade and industry of Aberdeen that this bridge should be completed at the earliest possible moment, and that there are sufficient men unemployed in Aberdeen to get on with the work?

What the hon. and learned Gentleman demands is beyond anybody to provide—there are such things as weather and other considerations—but the work is proceeding satisfactorily and fast, and the bridge should be ready for use by the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state, for each of the last two years at any convenient date, the number of police raids made on shops transacting illegal ready money betting, the number of people arrested and the total of fines paid.

For the year ended 31st December, 1956, 512 premises were visited by the police in Scotland and proceedings were taken against 10,477 persons, fines totalling £18,642 being imposed. For the year ended 31st December, 1957, the figures were 695, 12,202 and £22,595 respectively.

Is the right hon. Gentleman now satisfied that these figures demonstrate the growing concern—and there is growing concern—amongst local authorities, police authorities and the general public at the growth of this undesirable traffic, with its evil social consequences? Will he consult his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs as to the possibility of introducing legislation giving effect to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Betting, Lotteries and Gaming, which was very aware of this concern?

The Government have undertaken to introduce legislation, but it is not yet possible to say when.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the betting laws in Scotland are just about as effective as were the prohibition laws in America and that the application of these fines is just a farce—everyone knows that betting is tolerated all over the place—and that legislation should be introduced to put it on a proper basis?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of applications now before the local authorities' planning committees for permission to convert shops into turf commission agents' shops.

I regret that this information is not available.

Is the Secretary of State for Scotland aware that these applications are merely a subterfuge for opening offices, after which the applicants proceed to use the premises for deliberately breaching the law? In the interval, can he advise local authorities or police authorities how to deal with the problem?

It is correct that, strictly, planning considerations are not necessarily involved in this, but the whole question is a serious one and I have been considering whether there is any way to help local authorities in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the information which he has received from the honourable Member for Caithness and Sutherland, he will now give a general direction to the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board not to defer connecting applicants for electricity for the sole reason that the necessary cables have to be laid underground.

No, Sir. As I have explained to my hon. Friend, such matters have to be considered in relation to what is practicable in each particular case, and that is a matter for the Board.

Is it not the case that throughout its history the Hydro-Electric Board has refused to lay any cables underground and that great pressure has had to be brought upon it? Is it not the case also that, in the small town of Wick, fifteen applicants have been waiting for years and that the sole reason for the Board's refusing to take the light to them is the expense of putting the cables underground, which is common practice throughout the country?

I know very well my hon. Friend's concern about this matter, but, as I have stated, it is a matter for the Board, and I do not see that I have any powers which I could use in this particular case.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the high freight rates and the recently altered postal services between the north of Scotland and the south of Britain give to trade and industries located in England an unfair advantage over trade and industry located in Aberdeen and in other parts of the north of Scotland; and if he will consult with the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation and the Postmaster-General with a view to rectifying these injustices by treating Britain as a unit.

I have brought the hon. and learned Member's Question to the notice of my right hon. Friends, but I understand that freight rates and postal facilities in Aberdeen are on the same basis as in other parts of Great Britain.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that, in the matters referred to in the Question, people in the north-east of Scotland are treated as though they were foreigners and not given equal rights? Is he aware that the Prime Minister expressed himself as being in favour of the "postalisation" of freight rates so as to give north-east business men equal opportunities with the rest of the people in this island? Will he look at the matter again?

Many great brains, including the hon. and learned Gentleman's, have pondered hard on the postalisation of freight rates, but I should point out that the recent charges scheme is an improvement on the previous method of charging for the remoter areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent he has investigated the number of vacant houses available for renting in Scotland; and how many have been available during the past six months.

The letting of houses is a matter for the owners, and I have no means of ascertaining the number of vacant houses available for renting during any particular period.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that statement is an entire contradiction of what he said on 17th December, when he stated there were numbers of houses to let, and said:

"If one watches the newspapers carefully, one sees that there are…"—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 17th December, 1957; Vol. 580, c. 191.]

We are now told that he has no means of ascertaining the figure. Which of the two statements are we to believe?

I should have thought that the hon. Lady would see clearly the difference between ascertaining an accurate number and keeping a watch on the newspapers published and seeing the flow of houses to let.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the arrangements in connection with tendering for work on the Forth Road Bridge; and what safeguards exist for ensuring full consideration for tenders coming from sections of Scottish industry affected by redundancy or short-time working.

The Forth Road Bridge Joint Board has advertised for competitive tenders for the construction of the piers and anchorages, and proposes also to advertise for competitive tenders for the construction of the approach roads and approach viaducts at the appropriate stage. As regards the bridge superstructure, the Joint Board has entered negotiations, with my approval, with a consortium of the three principal British bridge-building firms.

Tenders from Scottish firms for the main contracts will receive full consideration on their merits. In accordance with the usual procedure, the placing of any sub-contracts that may be required will be a matter within the discretion of the main contractor concerned.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that major public works of this kind can be of great assistance in clearing up pockets of local unemployment and short-time working? Will he review the arrangements which he has just suggested for sub-contracts so that, other things being equal, subcontracts will go to Scottish industries in which there is short-time working or redundancy?

Much as one hopes, with propriety, that work will go on a competitive basis to Scottish firms, I do not think it would be right to interfere with the normal contracting procedure, because, after all, the contractor is responsible for doing the job in the time and at the price quoted and one cannot completely take away his powers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which trap he is now recommending for the destruction of rabbits; and whether he is satisfied that it is in every respect capable of replacing the type of spring trap now in use.

I have approved the Imbra Mark I, Imbra Mark II and Juby traps for killing or taking rabbits in rabbit holes. I am satisfied that these traps will catch and kill rabbits almost as efficiently as the gin trap and without causing the suffering inflicted by the gin trap, but, under the statutory provisions, I cannot prohibit the use of the gin trap until I am also satisfied that, among other considerations, the approved traps are available in adequate quantities at reasonable prices.

While supporting the humanity of my right hon. Friend's reply, may I ask him if he could state how these traps compare in weight and in price with the present gin traps?

Not without notice of that question.

Now that the gassing of rabbits is so efficient and so easy to work, will not the right hon. Gentleman consider recommending the abolition of traps altogether, no matter of what kind, and stop this abominable practice?

There is a great variety of ways in which trapping has to be done, and I am afraid that I could not realistically consider that suggestion at this time.

asked the Lord Advocate if he will order a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Alexander Wilson in a betting-shop brawl in Possilpark, Glasgow.

Having read all the evidence in this case, I am not satisfied that it is expedient in the public interest that an inquiry should be held.

Is the Lord Advocate aware of the widespread public disquiet in this area that such an incident should take place in full view of witnesses and yet no public inquiry should be held to establish the facts? Apart from the merits or demerits of the beginnings of this case, and no matter how it started, would not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his decision and now agree that it is in the public interest and that of the police authorities that a full public inquiry should be held to establish the facts?

Public inquiries are held in limited circumstances. I am entitled, and only entitled, to order a public inquiry in the case of a sudden or suspicious death if I think it is in the public interest to do so. Normally, the public inquiry is held with a view to clearing up some doubt or something of that nature. In the present case, on the evidence before me, I am quite satisfied that there is no reasonable doubt about the circumstances in which this man met his death.

is not the learned Lord Advocate aware that, in view of the publicity given by the Press to the circumstances in which this man met his death, there is widespread public concern that there should be some inquiry into how he met his death?

Is he aware that we understand from the Press reports that this man, if he had not died, would himself have appeared in court on a charge of a disturbance of the peace or something like that, and that if someone else had died in the fight which ensued, this man would be charged with culpable homicide? Since no one has been charged with any offence as a result of the fight which took place in this betting house, and there has been no public explanation of what went on there at all, cannot the learned Lord Advocate appreciate that there is a need, in order to satisfy public concern, for him to order a public inquiry into this matter?

I have taken into consideration all the matters suggested by the hon. Gentleman opposite, including the question that obviously there has been public concern in the neighbourhood and in Glasgow. Despite all those matters, I am satisfied that in this case it is not in the public interest to hold an inquiry.

In view of the most unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter at an early opportunity on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Lord Advocate, in view of the purported discovery of the skeleton of Dugald Johnston, who was boarded out in a foster-home at Dunoon and who disappeared, if he will order a public inquiry into the death and disappearance of Dugald Johnston.

When this boy disappeared in April, 1955, the most extensive inquiries were carried out but no trace of him could be found. In March, 1956, a skeleton was discovered, and after further elaborate investigation by the Procurator Fiscal it was established beyond reasonable doubt that the remains were those of the boy Johnston. Consideration was then given to the desirability of holding a public inquiry, but it was decided that, in view of the fact that the Procurator Fiscal had already made thorough investigation into the whole circumstances and the cause of death, it was not necessary in the public interest that such an inquiry should be held. Should, however, the hon. Lady have any facts which she would like to put before me, I shall be glad to receive them and to reconsider the position.

Is the Lord Advocate aware that I have a great many facts, but I think they would be better dealt with in an Adjournment debate? Will it therefore be in order to suggest that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this matter at the earliest opportunity on the Motion for the Adjournment?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that agreements which would otherwise have been registrable under the Restrictive Trade Practices Act are being amended to avoid the necessity for registration; and what legislation he intends to introduce to deal with this matter.

One of the purposes of the Act would be defeated if agreements modified so as properly to bring them outside the scope of Part I of the Act were now to be made subject to registration by new legislation.

Would the Minister agree that there is a good deal of confusion about this matter? Will he confirm that, if agreement is varied after the date on which it becomes registrable, the original agreement, together with the Amendment, does not have to be registered?

I would have to look into that point and let the hon. Member know.

Is the Minister satisfied generally with the working of this Act when, eighteen months after its passing into law, no case has yet come before the Restrictive Practices Court, and when undoubtedly these agreements are being altered so as to have the same practical effect but not be subject to registration?

If we are to bring a case to the Court concerning a major industry, time must be spent in preparing that case properly.

Could the Minister at least tell us when the first case will be brought?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the exemption from Purchase Tax already extended to celestes, clavichords, harpsichords, pianofortes, spinets, virginals, pipe organs, electronic organs and reed organs, may now be extended to all other musical instruments; and what would be the approximate cost of such a concession.

My hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate my Budget statement. The cost of exempting musical instruments, excluding gramophones, radio-gramophones, record-players, and records, would be rather less than £1 million a year.

Would my right hon. Friend tell the House, without anticipating his Budget statement, what are the criteria which have caused Treasury officials to impose this highly discriminatory tax system on musical instruments? Why should there be one rate of tax for an oboe or a trombone and a different one for a spinet or a harpsichord? Is it because of the music they make, the noise they make, or what are the considerations?

I have much sympathy with my hon. Friend's interest in music, and I should hate to put any obstacle in the way of his acquisition of a trumpet of his own.

Could the right hon. Gentleman tell us when this decision was taken and whether the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) voted for it?

No, I am afraid I have not that information at the moment, but it has been of long standing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what date and for what reasons it was decided that forceps and tweezers under four and a half inches in length and nail nippers not exceeding three and a half inches in length must pay Purchase Tax at 90 per cent., whereas forceps, tweezers and nippers exceeding these lengths are free of tax; whether this matter can be reviewed at an early date; and what is the present approximate annual Purchase Tax revenue in respect of forceps, tweezers and nail nippers.

The object of these longstanding distinctions is to free from tax instruments used by professional chiropodists. I do not think review is called for. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. P. Thorneycroft) gave him on 17th December.

But is my right hon. Friend really suggesting that the instruments referred to here which are free of tax are used only by chiropodists, when they are known to be widely used by medical practitioners, manicurists and a variety of trades and professions? Why should he discriminate in favour of chiropodists? What is his special interest in toe nails?

I can only say that, if my hon. Friend will add to his many existing qualifications that of chiropodist or manicurist, he will be able to obtain the tools of his profession free of tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many disputes with regard to liability to Purchase Tax of various articles have been taken to arbitration during each of the past three years; and what has been the cost of collecting Purchase Tax for each of the last four years for which figures are available.

In 1955, two; in 1956, one; and one since. In reply to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. P. Thorneycroft) gave him on 3rd December.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will re-examine the Purchase Tax on wireless and television sets.

I will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind in connection with my general review of taxation before the Budget.

That is an encouraging statement, but is the Chancellor aware that wireless and television sets are no longer a luxury and that, in the second half of the twentieth century, they have become a social necessity? Will he not therefore now consider the removal of this restrictive tax?

I do not want the hon. Gentleman to become too exhilarated at my reply, because I ought to say that I have promised to keep in consideration also a great many other suggestions made by other hon. Members.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that there are a number of safety devices which manufacturers will not produce because they are subject to Purchase Tax; and if he will take steps to remove the tax from these items.

My hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate my Budget statement.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will consider this matter very carefully, because we are taxing safety? May I remind him that many young men and women are prevented from using their own endeavour and ingenuity to produce safety devices to reduce the tremendous number of accidents in our homes? Will he review this matter again with very great interest and do his utmost?

I will take into consideration everything that my hon. Friend has said

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in HANSARD a table showing the number of persons or grades of employment in the Treasury which have been granted and refused wage and salary increases, respectively, since the Government's appeal for wage restraint; and why increases have been granted.

Yes, Sir.

Do not those figures show that in fact those on higher salary scales have received increases while those on lower scales have been denied theirs? Can the Chancellor explain why those in the lower income group are being deprived of increases while those in the £5,000 a year and £6,000 a year class are receiving them?

No. The reply I have given will indicate to the hon. Gentleman that the increase has been very small and consequential upon agreements entered into before the policy was announced by my right hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. P. Thorneycroft) in September.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government are taking with a view to preventing the economic involvement of this country in the recession now affecting the United States of America.

The Government are watching the situation closely. But there is so far no sign that the level of activity in this country is being affected adversely by the fall in activity in the United States.

Has the Chancellor not consulted or seen some of the more responsible American economic journals and the statements of responsible American economists? Is it not now obvious that it is necessary to attempt to build our export trade on a much wider base through the Commonwealth and through those countries in Eastern Europe which do not experience economic crises these days?

I agree with the hon. Gentleman that every possible effort must be made to stimulate our export trade still further.

asked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to publish additional recent information about the increase of strontium 90 in sheep bones.

A report on the levels of strontium 90 in bone recorded during 1957 will be published later in the year when the compilation and evaluation of the figures has been completed.

Since the level of strontium in the bones of sheep in Wales rose from 20 units in 1954 to the alarming figure of nearly 200 units in 1956, is it not likely that this growth has continued? As these examinations have continued since, when in 1958 will the report on them be published?

The taking of these readings is, of course, a very delicate process, and the whole record has to be scientifically checked. I am afraid that I cannot give a date today.

asked the Prime Minister whether the statement concerning prices, unemployment and the Bank Rate, made by the Minister of Works at Caxton Hall, London, on 18th February, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

My right hon. Friend indicated that the Government's disinflationary policy was not intended to lead to a serious deflation or heavy unemployment; and that the Government's monetary policy would be flexible and would be directed to conditions as they might develop. That does not go beyond what has previously been said on behalf of the Government.

The Minister said also that the Government were interested in a high degree of unemployment but mentioned nothing about full employment. Is the Prime Minister not aware that he went on further to say that, in the event of unemployment growing, the Government would immediately cut the Bank Rate? In view of the fact that unemployment is growing, may we have some idea of when the Bank Rate will be cut?

I think that the hon. Gentleman has not given a quite accurate account of what my right hon. Friend said. All he said was that monetary policy ought to be flexible, which seems to be a very sensible doctrine.

asked the Prime Minister (1) what part this country will play in the establishment of a homogeneous aqueous reactor at Winfrith Heath, as contemplated by the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation; and what this country's responsibilities, duties and contributions will be; and

(2) to what extent this country proposes to take part in the project for the joint operation under the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation of the boiling water reactor at Halden, Norway.

Both projects are still under discussion in the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation, and no decisions have been reached. The United Kingdom is taking a full part in the discussions.

asked the Prime Minister what capital contribution this country proposes to make to Eurochemic, the company for the treatment of irradiated fuels; and what right this country will have to the plutonium thereby produced.

Eurochemic is an Organisation for European Economic Co-operation joint project for the separation of plutonium and the recovery of depleted uranium. The United Kingdom already possesses sufficient processing capacity and does not, therefore, participate in Eurochemic. We do, however, provide advice, and have indicated our willingness to provide technical assistance and equipment on suitable terms.

Does my right hon. Friend's reply mean that of the plutonium produced this country will have no share and, furthermore, will have no control over the uses of the plutonium produced in this establishment?

The point is really that, as we have sufficient capacity for our own needs, it did not seem wise to join this as a full member, but we are willing to help in any way we can with advice or technical assistance.

asked the Prime Minister if he will prepare and publish a White Paper dealing with research in radioactive fall-out resulting from atom and hydrogen bomb tests, and including also a section dealing with the effectiveness of the monitoring system in operation for scrutinising the after-effects of waste fission products from the atomic power stations.

Current programmes of research are outlined in the annual reports of the Medical Research Council, and figures showing the level of strontium 90 in bone and other substances are published from time to time. I would refer to the reply which I gave on 31st October last on the machinery for monitoring fall-out.

As regards the last part of the Question, the discharge of radioactive waste from the establishments of the Atomic Energy Authority is strictly controlled in accordance with the requirements of Section 5 of the Atomic Energy Authority Act of 1954. These were referred to in the recent report on the Organisation for Control of Health and Safety in the Atomic Energy Authority (Cmnd. 342). The question of the control of waste from nuclear power stations to be built in future is at present being studied in connection with the proposals for the licensing and inspection of nuclear reactors, about which the Government intend to introduce legislation in due course.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, but I should be glad to know if he will reconsider what I ask in the second part of my Question about a White Paper on the monitoring system for the after-effects of waste fission products. This is bound to be a growing problem after all the nineteen atomic power stations come into being, and there is very little information. Should we really not have a White Paper?

I will certainly consider that, but the hon. Gentleman knows, I think, that the matter is being actively pursued by the Authority in accordance with its statutory duty.

asked the Prime Minister, now that he has completed his Commonwealth tour, if he will accept the