asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies under what conditions the Government of Tanganyika are prepared to permit the registration of the five new branches of the Tanganyika African National Union which have been refused registration.

Attempts have been made in the past by certain branches of the Tanganyika African National Union to subvert the authority of the Central Government and of local Native Authorities. The Tanganyika Government, while not wishing in any way to obstruct the legitimate development of political organisations, will be prepared to register new branches only if it is satisfied that the individuals concerned and the local circumstances are such that registration would not involve the probability of similar threats to legally constituted authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what invitation has been received by the Government of Uganda from the Ethiopian Government to attend the Conference on the Nile Waters.

None. So far as I know, no steps have been taken by the Ethiopian Government to call such a conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Government of Northern Rhodesia has introduced legislation to restrict the right of appeal from native courts to the High Court.

As the number of appeals from native courts had been increasingly rapidly in recent months, the Northern Rhodesia Government found it necessary to bring the appeal procedure more into line with that in the United Kingdom and in other African territories, by limiting the right of appeal to the High Court in certain minor cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will discontinue the system by which Attorneys-General in various Colonies make regular confidential reports upon the conduct of the judges before whom they appear.

My hon. Friend is under some misapprehension. It is not the practice for Attorneys-General to make reports on judges before whom they appear.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many African students it is intended will be enrolled for training with the Copper-belt Technical Foundation this year.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) on 13th March, 1958.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Pepel Port superintendent has issued a notice in writing which is expressed to be under Government regulation directing the captains of ships entering the port of Pepel, Sierra Leone, not to permit traders to board their ships while in Pepel and not to permit goods liable to local customs duties to be bartered or exchanged for local commodities; and if he will make a statement indicating under what regulation it was issued and the circumstances in which it was issued.

The notice is intended as a regular reminder to the masters of vessels of the provisions of Section 69 of the Sierra Leone Customs Ordinance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that Pepel Port Superintendent at Sierra Leone has issued a notice in writing which is expressed to be under Government regulation to the captains of ships entering the port of Pepel, directing them to put their accommodation ladders on the starboard side; under what regulation it is issued; and if he will take immediate steps to have it withdrawn.

I understand that this advice is given simply as a safety precaution and not under any Government regulation. There are no grounds for my right hon. Friend to intervene.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many schools in Hong Kong receive Government grants; how many of them are private schools; and what are the average fees charged in each category.

On 31st December, 1957, there were 48 schools run by Government, 335 others receiving Government grants-in-aid or subsidies and 533 private schools, many of which are given rate rebates and grants or loans for building projects. In the urban areas, the average annual fees for primary education are $ H.K. 42 in Government schools, $131 in grant-aided schools, $70 in subsidised schools, and $224 in private schools. For secondary education the average fees are generally two or three times as great. In the rural areas fees are often -much smaller.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the proceedings and conclusions of the Inter-African Committee on Maps and Surveys which met recently in Cape Town.

The Second Meeting of the Inter-African Advisory Committee on Maps and Surveys of the Commission for Technical Co-operation in Africa South of the Sahara (C.C.T.A.) was held in Cape Town from 6th to 9th November, 1957. The meeting, which was attended by representatives from all the countries belonging to C.C.T.A. with the exception of Liberia, made a number of recommendations designed to promote technical co-operation in this field between Member Governments. These recommendations have been accepted by Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he is satisfied that the corrective training and disciplining of boys at approved schools is in general strict enough to ensure that the public is not endangered on their release; and if he will make a statement;(2) what special measures are taken to safeguard the public against the possibility of crimes being committed by boys when on leave from approved schools.

One of the principal objects of approved school training is to develop good habits and self-discipline in order to help boys to become useful and co-operative members of society. Home leave is a part of that training, and no special measures are taken when it is allowed. The schools have many more successes than failures, but the failures are a challenge to the schools and to my Department to seek improvements in methods of training. The approved school system is, of course, one of the matters now being considered by the Departmental Committee under the Chairmanship of Lord Ingleby.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the weighty volume of medical opinion that has led him to deny the use of an emergency supply of morphine to the Port Medical Centre at Cardiff Docks.

It is in general considered desirable that drugs controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Act should be administered by or under the direct supervision of a qualified medical practitioner. I am not convinced that there is a case for making an exception to that rule at ports.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to provide better conditions and ensure separate accommodation for girls remanded in custody under the age of 21 years and those over that age and for girls on remand for the first time and those who have previously served prison sentences.

Care is taken, by segregation so far as is practicable and by careful supervision, to prevent girls remanded in prison being subjected to harmful influences; but the number is too small to allow of the complete separation of different classes to the extent suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the first of the remand centres provided for by the Criminal Justice Act, 1948, will be established.

A site which appears suitable for a remand centre has been found, but even if it is possible to acquire the site for this purpose, I do not expect work on the centre to start until the financial year 1960–61 at the earliest.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he informed the Police Council that he would not be able to adhere to his original intention to make the police regulations concerning commutation of pension operative from 1st April, 1958.

After consulting the Associations represented on the Police Council on the details of the proposed regulations, I was satisfied that it would not be possible to complete the Parliamentary and other processes prescribed by the Police Pensions Act, 1948, by 1st April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, in view of the fact that the £150 parliamentary election deposit, which was first introduced in 1918, needs to be increased to £325 to restore its purchasing value to the 1918 figure, he will not introduce the necessary legislation to give effect to this proposal.

Because I am not convinced that a change is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give approval to the use of the old Barking Town Hall as an additional court for the Becontree Division.

My approval has been sought to the acquisition of this building for use as an additional court house by the Justices of the Beacontree Petty Sessional Division. The matter is under consideration and I hope to reach a decision shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the date when the amount at present being paid into the Metropolitan Police Fund was fixed; and whether he will consider increasing this to bring it into line with present day £ values and the actual cost of duties of a national and State character which the Metropolitan Police Force carry out.

The Exchequer grant to the Metropolitan police in respect of their imperial and national services was fixed at the present amount of £100,000 a year in 1910. Records of the cost of the services of the police that might be regarded as imperial or national have been maintained during the current financial year, with a view to a reconsideration of the general position. I can say nothing more at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a person in respect of whom a probation order has been made on account of sexual offences against young children is entitled to have that order discharged on production of a medical report stating that he is cured; and if he will examine the working of the law in this matter, in view of responsible medical opinion that such a cure cannot be guaranteed.

Where a probation order contains a requirement for the probationer to undergo treatment for his mental condition, the medical practitioner responsible for the treatment has a duty to inform the probation officer if he is of opinion that it is no longer required. The probation officer must then apply to the court for cancellation of the requirement; but the court has full discretion in the matter. Cancellation of the requirement does not, in any event, involve the discharge of the order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that in London contraventions of Sections 2 and 3 of the Landlord and Tenant (Rent Control) Act, 1949, as applied by Section 13 of the Rent Act, 1957, and of Section 15 of the last-mentioned Act are taking place; how many prosecutions have been instituted by the Metropolitan Police in respect of such offences; and whether he will undertake to consider any evidence submitted to him, and take steps to see that prosecutions follow in all appropriate cases and that the attention of the Metropolitan Police is called to their duties in the detection and prosecution of such offences.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which I gave to the hon. Member for East Ham, North (Mr. Prentice) on 12th December, 1957. No proceedings have been instituted by the Metropolitan Police for such offences, but on one occasion assistance was given to a local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the condition and characteristics of the building in which the South Western Magistrates' Court administers justice; and when this court will be properly housed.

I know, and regret, the deficiencies of the temporary premises in which the court is at present housed. The rebuilding of this court has first claim on the resources that can be devoted to the building of courts in London, but I cannot yet say when it will be possible to make a start.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, in his current discussions with the Commonwealth of Australia concerning the proposal now being considered by that Government to ban the importation of livestock into Australia from this country on the grounds of the danger of introducing blue-tongue, whether he will impress on Australia not only that this disease has never been known in this country but also that veterinary regulations and control are adequate here to prevent its introduction.

The Australian authorities have been informed that to the best of our knowledge and belief no case of blue tongue has ever been known to occur in this country, and that in view of our own stringent regulations we are entitled to claim that the risk of the disease being imported into Australia with cattle from this country is nonexistent.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what progress is being made towards the establishment of Legislative Councils in the three High Commission Territories in South Africa.

It is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to encourage the formation of representative institutions in the High Commission Territories, but at the present stage of political development of these Territories it would be premature to consider the establishment of legislative councils.In his reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Bristol, South-East (Mr. Benn) on 25th October, 1956, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary described the advisory councils already existing in the High Commission Territories. In the course of the debate on 6th May, 1957, I described recent progress in the development of representative institutions in the three Territories, and, in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) on 27th February this year, I gave information about the development of Tribal and Area Councils in the Bechuanaland Protectorate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet given a further direction to the Registrar of Restrictive Trading Agreements about the order in which registered agreements are to be taken before the Restrictive Practices Court.

Yes. A direction has today been sent to the Registrar, the text of which is as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many cinemas closed in London and Middlesex each year during 1955, 1956 and 1957.

Fifteen cinemas closed in the London postal area in 1955, fourteen in 1956 and fourteen in 1957. In the Middlesex postal area no cinemas closed in 1955, four in 1956 and three in 1957.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will make regulations to apply the rules contained in Administrative Memorandum No. 418, Suspension or Termination of the Employment of Teachers on Medical Grounds, to direct grant grammar schools and independent schools.

No. I do not think there are sufficient grounds for making such a regulation for direct grant schools and I have no power to make one for independent schools.

asked the Minister of Education if he is prepared to place students in Wales who have specialised as teachers of Welsh outside the present quota system; and if he will make a statement.

I am always ready to give special consideration to requests from authorities wishing to appoint teachers of Welsh outside the quota system, when that is necessary.

asked the Minister of Education how the proportion of sixth form boys in Great Britain taking up scientific careers compares with that of the other countries of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation.

I have no information on which to base a comparison with other O.E.E.C. countries in this respect.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider extending to chamois mops the exemption from Purchase Tax which now extends to chamois leather skins, stitched chamois leathers, dusters, dish cloths, and floor mops; and for what reason a large range of chamois mops has been subjected to Purchase Tax.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. P. Thorneycroft) gave on 19th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a ruling has been given to manufacturers of chamois mops to the effect that a chamois mop, weighing about eight ounces and with fringed edges and retailing at about 4s. to 6s. each, can be sold tax free but that an eight-ounce mop not fringed and sold at about 1s. 9d. each is liable to Purchase Tax, although supplied direct to factories; and whether he will review this ruling.

If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the ruling he mentions, I will look into it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present approximate annual revenue received in respect of Purchase Tax on business forms of all kinds, account books and commercial stationery; and whether, in view of the fact that this charge has to be borne by the whole field of commerce and industry, and is therefore damaging to die export trade, he will give consideration to its abolition or reduction.

I regret that this information is not available. In reply to the second part of the Question, my hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the inadequacy of the income of the Arts Council to maintain such artistic activities as receive its approval, and which it is in the national interest should be encouraged; and whether he will move to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the position of the arts and to make recommendations for a national policy to ensure their survival.

This Government have practically doubled the Arts Council grant in seven years and are proposing to increase it by 11 per cent. to £1,100,000 for 1958–59. I think this is a very generous record. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No"

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now inform the House of the arrangements made with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation for payment by the Federal German Government of the support costs of the British forces in Germany.

This matter is still under consideration by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and I have as yet nothing to add to the reply I gave on 13th March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will reinforce his anti-inflationary policy by permitting the sale of gold sovereigns to Her Majesty's subjects in the United Kingdom;(2) why none of the 2,072,000 sovereigns minted during the calendar year 1957 were issued for circulation in the United Kingdom; how many it is his intention to mint during 1958; and how many sovereigns were released for circulation abroad in 1957 to meet the demand for these coins amongst foreigners.

It would not be an economical use of the gold and dollar reserves to allow sovereigns to circulate in the United Kingdom. No decision has been reached as to the number to be minted during 1958. As regards the final part of the second Question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave him on 11th March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the present stock of sovereigns in the nation's gold reserve;(2) how many of the sovereigns minted during 1957 were put into the nation's gold reserves.

It is not the practice to give information about the composition of the gold and dollar reserves.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will place in the Library the quarterly reports of his food survey unit.

Yes. The principal statistical information from the National Food Survey has appeared in the quarterly issues of Economic Trends and will have been available in the Library. From April onwards similar information will appear at quarterly intervals in the official "Monthly Digest of Statistics" which will also be in the Library.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what percentage farm incomes and other incomes have risen or fallen since January, 1952.

As my hon. Friend will see from the White Paper presented today on the Annual Review Determinations, farming net income has risen between 1951–52 and 1957–58 by some 11 per cent. on an actual basis or by some 13 per cent. when adjusted for normal weather conditions. Comparable figures for other incomes are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will extend the research being carried out into the prevention of damage by birds to fruit tree buds, to include damage done to immature fruit on the tree.

Although there are indications that damage by birds to immature fruit has increased recently, I am advised that this may be abnormal. The position is being carefully watched, and if serious damage of this nature continues I will consider extending our research to this problem.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider setting up a committee of inquiry into damage done to adjacent crops by crop-spraying.

This problem is being discussed with the National Farmers' Union and I am awaiting their views before considering the problem further.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the concern among farmers due to the number of applications for grants under the Farm Improvement Scheme now being refused on the grounds that the livelihood obtained by the farmer concerned was not sufficient to justify a grant; and if he will, in view of the recent fall in profitability in small farms, reconsider these rejections which have been disallowed on these grounds.

The Agriculture Act, 1957, does not authorise me to approve an application for a farm improvement grant unless the land for the benefit of which the improvement is proposed is, or after improvement will be, capable of yielding a sufficient livelihood to a reasonably skilled occupier. Where applications for grant have been rejected on the grounds that this requirement is not met, it is only after most careful consideration in each individual case. I therefore see no grounds for a general review of rejected cases.

asked the Paymaster-General if he will state the different classes of consumers who received large coal during the year 1957, and their respective amounts.

Disposals of large coal to inland consumers last year were as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour how the United Kingdom delegates to the International Labour Organisation voted on the proposal by the Director-General during the session of 11th–15th March that a consultative committee be established in Africa.

The United Kingdom Government member of the Governing Body voted in favour of the proposal for the establishment of an African Advisory Committee.

asked the Minister of Labour if, having regard to the increase in short-time working in the area, he will reopen the Borrowash, Derbyshire, employment exchange.

No. The number of short-time workers from the Borrowash area claiming unemployment benefit at a recent date does not, in my opinion, make this step necessary. I will, however, keep the position under review.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the number of immigrant workers, male and female, placed in employment in this country during the year 1957;(2) the number of immigrant workers who returned to their country of origin, or some other country, during the year 1957.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, in view of recent accidents and of complaints that the law is not being observed, what steps are taken to bring to the notice of the public the provisions of the law with regard to the positioning and display of bicycle lamps.

The statutory requirements for the lighting of bicycles are, in my opinion, well known to cyclists, and any failure to comply with them is not likely to be due to ignorance. If, however, the hon. Member has any proposals for further publicity on this subject, I shall be happy to consider them.