asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reduce the Purchase Tax charged on haversacks and rucksacks.

I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a manufacturer of cheque book holders has recently been officially informed that if such a holder incorporates one or more pockets, irrespective of depth, or is fastened by the means of a flap closing one side, it is liable to Purchase Tax, but that if it consists of a narrow retaining strap, band, pressure bar or pair of small corner pieces of metal or leather, it will not be liable to tax; and whether in view of the desirability of not handicapping designers of new products in this field, he will have this matter reviewed.

Yes. The matter has been reviewed, and as my hon. Friend is aware, the anomaly has been rectified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason paper doilies are chargeable to Purchase Tax at 30 per cent., whereas plastic doilies are exempt from Purchase Tax; when this anomaly was last considered by his Department; and if he will state briefly the reasons for maintaining this distinction.

This situation dates back to 1955 when certain non-woollen materials and articles were relieved from tax. Recent representations by trade interests will be taken into account in my review of the tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the net income after Income Tax for a single man, a married man, and a married man with one child under 11 years, all with incomes of £650, for the financial year 1956–57.

£554 12s. 10d., £588 17s. 6d., and £618 3s. 8d., respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the £734 million shown in table 161 of the Monthly Digest of Statistics as employers' contributions is paid to approved pension schemes apart from National Insurance; and, assuming that this is all allowed as an expense item, what is the resulting loss of revenue to the Exchequer.

Of the total employers' contributions of £734 million in 1956, £304 million consisted of National Insurance contributions and about half of the remaining £430 million related to contributions to superannuation funds or, in some cases, the actual pensions paid by Central and local Government and by the nationalised industries. Contributions to approved funds and schemes by employers in private industry amounted to just over £200 million, the tax relief in respect of which is estimated at about £90 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the income to the Exchequer for the year 1957–58 from 6d. in the £ Income Tax.

On the basis of the Budget estimate, 6d. in the standard rate of Income Tax together with the proportional amounts in the reduced rates will yield £128 million in 1957–58.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the statement by an official of his Department that the sending of receipts for amounts over £2 without a stamp but with observations, such as "Paid by Cheque," was illegal, was made with his authority; and if he will either clarify the position under Section 3 of the Cheques Act, 1957, or amend the Stamp Act.

I am advised that the giving unstamped of a receipt for £2 or more marked "Paid by Cheque" would contravene the provisions of Section 103 of the Stamp Act, 1891, under which a fine of £10 may be imposed for giving a receipt liable to duty and not duly stamped. Section 3 of the Cheques Act, 1957, does not affect this provision in any way.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what period normally elapses between the date on which a postwar credit is due and that on which payment is actually made.

Straightforward claims are often paid within a week of receipt, but sometimes inquiries are necessary which occupy some time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the approximate annual cost of repaying post-war credits of all deceased persons so that bereaved relatives might have immediate benefit of the money.

£40 million in the first year and £2 million a year thereafter.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what guidance he has given, in terms of Town and Country Planning Acts, to the local planning authorities in the giving of their consent to the building of new petrol filling stations.

I hope to issue a circular on this subject within the next week or two, and will send my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, if he is aware that certain houses in Pound Hill, Crawley, built by Messrs. Taylor Woodrow Homes, Limited, and fitted with smokeless fuel heating for clean air, have been valued for rating purposes at £6 more than exactly similar houses built by the same firm where the usual open fire system has been installed; and what views the Clean Air Council have expressed on this matter in their consideration of the progress made in abating air pollution.

As my hon. Friend has been informed, these houses are not exactly similar. There are several material differences in the amenities which explain the difference in rating assessments; and the implication in the Question cannot be sustained. There is nothing here for the Clean Air Council.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will request local authorities to register the names and addresses of all persons who have received notices to quit on 6th October, with a special register for old-age pensioners, and to report the number to him by 6th April, so that Parliament may be made aware of the extent of the reaccommodation which will be required.

Information about the position at this stage could be of only limited value, because there are at least six more months in which landlords can conclude agreements or tenants can make alternative arrangements.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action he is taking to ensure that so far as possible Lake District roofing slates are used in local authority building.

It must be for each local authority to choose the materials they will use for their houses. No objection will be taken by my Department to any local authority incurring additional costs by using these slates.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware that in some areas, including the Borough of Leyton, half-way houses to accommodate families who have been evicted or have otherwise lost their habitations cannot now fully meet the need for this temporary accommodation; and what what further recommendations in respect of this matter he has given to local authorities where the problem is critical.

This is a matter which also concerns my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, whom I have consulted. I have no reason to believe that there are special difficulties in the Borough of Leyton. Homeless families who fail to solve their housing problem by their own efforts may be able to get temporary help either from the welfare authority or from the housing authority, and it is for these authorities to keep the position under review.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (1) what is his estimate of the extent to which owners of houses now decontrolled in the Metropolitan area have converted their properties into accommodation for more than the one family occupying a house, and also in respect of tenants pursuing the same course subsequent to their increase in rents;(2) how far he intends to give further inducements through local authorities to householders or tenants to enable them to adapt their accommodation for the housing of additional tenants and families; and if he will state approximately the number of houses which have thus been assisted for this purpose in the London area during the past twelve months.

I do not think that further help is needed, since 50 per cent. of the approved cost of a conversion can be paid under the present arrangements. In 1957, 595 conversions were approved for grant in the London Region; others have been and are being carried out without grant, but I cannot estimate the number.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what definite results have accrued from the recommendations of the working committee on unemployment in West Wales; and whether he will make a statement.

The four-man team which I appointed to consider the difficulties raised by the closure of certain steel, sheet and tinplate works in West South Wales have now completed their examination of the problem and are considering their findings. Their conclusions and recommendations are to be submitted to me at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the diminishing number of British expatriate civil servants in the Northern Region of Nigeria and the dearth of trained Nigerians to replace them is encouraging a tendency towards the breaking up of that Region as a unit and its reversion to a collection of small emirates; and if he will indicate his plans for stemming that tendency and maintaining the Northern Region of Nigeria as an effective unit.

So far there has been no decline in the number of overseas officers in the Northern Region. As the House is aware, I am considering measures to encourage overseas officers to remain in Nigeria, and meanwhile the Northern Regional Government is taking steps to increase the number of Nigerians qualified for senior posts in the Regional Public Service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the special list scheme in Her Majesty's Oversea Civil Service has been subject to criticism by the expatriate British civil servants in Nigeria, that it is not, as intended, inducing them to stay at their posts and that they are retiring in such numbers that the Civil Service in Nigeria is being unduly depleted; and how he proposes to rectify the dangerous situation thereby created.

I would refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to the reply which I gave to his Question on 20th March to which I have for the present nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on constitutional proposals in Northern Rhodesia.

On 21st March, the Acting Chief Secretary informed the Legislative Council of Northern Rhodesia that, before the end of the following week, he proposed to lay on the table a Government White Paper in which would be set out proposals for changes in the Constitution of Northern Rhodesia. He emphasised that the Paper would contain proposals and not decisions—proposals for discussion by the public before any final recommendations are put to me for decisions. I will ensure that copies of the White Paper are placed in the Library at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the increase of African housing in urban areas of Northern Rhodesia without the corresponding building of primary schools is causing disquiet; and whether he will take immediate steps to coordinate the housing and educational programme.

I welcome this implied tribute to the energy with which the Government and many local authorities in Northern Rhodesia are pressing forward with the provision of housing for Africans in towns. As regards education in towns, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to his Questions on 17th December, 1957, and on 11th February last. I am confident that the Governor gives constant and careful consideration to the need to maintain a proper balance in meeting all the various claims on the financial resources of the territory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who are the members of the Consultative Labour Council on the Central Line Sisal Estates in Tanganyika; and what organisations they represent.

The Council established by Central Line Sisal Estates Limited comprises eight African members representing the workers and four members representing the management.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how long Lachaka Lomiyang, who was arrested in March, 1957, was in custody before being charged before a magistrate; why he has recently been rearrested; whether his companion who was arrested at the same time last year is still under arrest; and with what offence the latter is charged.

Lachaka Lomiyang was in custody for about nine months before being brought before the courts on an application for his extradition to the Sudan in connection with charges of murder and attempted murder. He was released on 6th January because the depositions furnished by the Sudan Government in support of the application were not properly authenticated, and was then taken into custody again pending proper authentication of the depositions, which have been returned to the Sudan. J. L. Lopiti, who was arrested with Lomiyang in March, 1957, and also brought before the court on an application for extradition on charges of murder and attempted murder in the Sudan, was discharged on 6th January as his identity was not proved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the total expenditure from colonial development and welfare grants for engineering work in the Aden Protectorate; and what schemes are now in progress.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many professional engineers of the Oversea Civil Service are authorised for employment in the Aden Protectorate; and how many are actually employed there.

There are three posts for professional engineers on contract of which two are actually filled at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on how many occasions within the last 10 years the accounts of the Abyan Board, Aden, have been audited; whether he is satisfied with the present accounting system of the Board; and what steps he is taking to see that its accounts department is adequately staffed.

The accounts of the Abyan Board have been audited four times in the last ten years. I am satisfied with the present accounting system of the Board. Since 1955 the Board has consisted wholly of representatives of the Fadhli and Lower Yafai States which are in advisory treaty relationship with Her

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that many honourable Members using the lift in the Library Corridor in the mornings are put to considerable inconvenience; and whether he will restore the manning of the lift which was discontinued as an experimental economy.

Some hon. Members prefer to operate the lift themselves, but I note that the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne prefers the employment of an attendant. I think that the Majesty's Government. The Governor's advisory staff has constantly assisted the Board in its efforts to obtain staff, but recruitment is proving extremely difficult.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in the advancement of British Somalis in the administration of the Protectorate.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 4th February, 1958; Vol. 581, c. 158], supplied the following further information in respect of the Somaliland Protectorate:new arrangements should have a full trial before any conclusions are reached or any changes made.

asked the Minister of Works what steps he is taking to ensure that no microphones are concealed in Committee Rooms at the Palace of Westminster.

No special steps have been taken beyond the visual inspection of Committee Rooms by the Department's engineers. No evidence of concealed microphones in these rooms was detected.

asked the Minister of Works on what date the Carey Street, West, automatic electric lift in the Royal Courts of Justice was installed; what is the number of occasions upon which it has been out of order; what steps are being taken to ensure its proper maintenance; and by whom such maintenance is carried out.

This lift was installed in 1955 and has failed twice. It is maintained by my Department's engineers who service it once a fortnight.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the scheme in writing on fleet re-building sent to him by Messrs. Craig Stores (Aberdeen) Ltd., the object of which is to encourage, with Government assistance, Aberdeen fishing vessel owners to dispose of their existing steam trawlers and substitute for them modern diesel units; if he is aware that this scheme has the approval of many fishing vessel owners in Aberdeen; and whether he will take steps to procure the Government help required to implement the scheme.

I have considered this proposal. It would need legislation, and I am not satisfied that its advantages would outweigh the difficulties to which it would give rise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the fact that he has ordered an inquiry to be held into the deaths and injuries caused at Dancing Cairns Quarry, Aberdeen, how many people, and of what ages and sexes, were, during the last 10 years, killed and injured, respectively, at that quarry; and how many families thereby sustained loss.

In the last 10 years three boys, one aged 15 and the other two aged 10 years, were killed in the Quarry; one man aged 64 died there and one aged 52 was presumed to have been drowned there. A boy, aged 9, was seriously injured in the Quarry last year. None of these persons had the same surname.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the fact that he has ordered an inquiry to be held into the losses by death and personal injury sustained at Dancing Cairns Quarry, Aberdeen, who are the owners of the quarry; and in what circumstances they worked the quarry and then left the quarry in its present derelict and dangerous condition.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate has instructed the holding of an inquiry under the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act, 1906, into the death that occurred in Dancing Cairns Quarry on 2nd March, 1958. I understand that the owners of the quarry are the Adamant Stone and Paving Company. As a public inquiry will be held it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many murders known to the police occurred during February.

There were no cases of murder, made known to the police, in Scotland in February, 1958.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what types of new industrial project are suitable for the further industrial development and diversification of Scotland; and to what extent, in particular, light industries are suitable.

Practically all types; light industries are particularly appropriate for diversification of employment in areas solely or mainly reliant on heavy industry and for rural and remote areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that Mr. H. L. Cockrell, of the Fish Hatchery, New Abbey, Dumfries, intends to explore the depths of Loch Ness using a knife and explosives; and what steps he proposes to take to protect the amenities of Loch Ness and the fish in it.

I have seen Press reports of Mr. Cockrell's intentions. The use of explosives might constitute an infringement of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Protection (Scotland) Act, 1951, and other statutes, but I feel that this possibility can safely be left to the appropriate authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many complaints he has received from individuals in Scotland about the trading activities of the personal credit firm of N. G. Napier Limited, of Ayr; whether he is satisfied that this firm is operating within the terms of Statutory Instrument, 1957, No. 430; and whether he will initiate a publicity campaign to warn the public of the dangers involved in signing either hire purchase or credit sale agreements before carefully studying the full implications of them.

Twenty-one complaints have been received since December, 1956. I cannot comment on the legality of the firm's proceedings. It is of course desirable that the public should familiarise themselves with the terms of agreements before signing them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he is aware of the concern among traders and the public in Scotland caused by the unfair trading practices of such firms as N. G. Napier Limited, of Ayr, which are selling goods on 80 weeks' credit as against 38 weeks given by competitors; that such concern is caused by the difficulty in interpreting the relevant Statutory Instrument, 1957, No. 430; and whether he will make a full statement to show the extent to which the period of credit allowed in Scotland approximates to that allowed in England;(2) why personal credit firms in Scotland are allowed to sell goods on 80 weeks' credit, whereas in England they are allowed to sell only on 38 weeks' credit; and what steps he intends to take to remedy this anomaly.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him yesterday. The Hire-Purchase and Credit Sale (Control) Orders apply to the whole of the United Kingdom. They stipulate three different maximum repayment periods, according to the type of agreement covered by the Order.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now reduce the deposit of 50 per cent. at present applying to purchases of domestic refrigerators.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total expenditure for the years 1955–56 and 1956–57 in respect of sheep under the Hill Farming Act; and what proportion of this expenditure has been in respect of applications relating to flocks of under 40 ewes.

Total expenditure on hill sheep subsidy in England and Wales in the subsidy year 1955–56 was £498,000. It was agreed with the National Farmers' Union that no subsidy was payable for 1956–57 in view of the economic circumstances of the hill sheep industry. My right hon. Friend regrets that information on the other point raised by my hon. Friend is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total expenditure on ploughing grants for the years 1955–56 and 1956–57; and what proportion of these grants has been in respect of areas of under five and 10 acres, respectively.

The total expenditure on ploughing grants in England and Wales for the financial years 1955–56 and 1956–57 was £3,308,877 and £6,431,538, respectively. As regards the second part of the Question, the only figure readily available is that the average acreage per claim for England and Wales as a whole was 9 acres in 1956·57.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in connection with the forty-seven claims for loss of life in actions for limitation of liability during 1957 in England and Wales, he will state the several amounts, totalling £163,076, awarded by the Admiralty Court in the references and the several sums, totalling £30,442, respectively, available to meet such amounts.

The forty-seven claims were assessed at seven references, and the amounts awarded and available for payment for each of these references were as follows:

asked the Minister of Defence what is the total cost of maintaining our forces in Germany; and what is the cost that falls to be borne in foreign currencies.

I have been asked to reply.About £130 million in the present financial year, of which about £54 million is for Deutschmark expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many murders known to the police occurred in England and Wales during February.

The number of murders recorded as known to the police in England and Wales in February was fifteen. The figure includes cases that may later be found not to be murders.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will consult the Crown Commissioners with a view to their pulling down the derelict site of the Gilder Sleeves Hotel, Hastings, and proceeding with a scheme of development.

I am informed by the Crown Estate Commissioners that they are negotiating a building agreement for the redevelopment of this site together with the adjoining site formerly occupied by the Albany Hotel.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to what extent under the Family Allowances (Qualifications) Regulations, 1946, which entitles an alien who lives in this country for three out of the preceding four years to enjoy benefits of family allowances, it is also required that he should make the appropriate contributions in a manner similar to that required of British subjects.

As contributions are not paid in respect of family allowances by British subjects or foreigners, there is no such provision as my hon. Friend has in mind.