asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance approximately how many cases there are similar to the one sent to him by the hon. Member for Louth, where National Assistance has been increased by 6d. 6d. per week merely because hire-purchase interest was found to be charged at 21 per cent. instead of the assumed 10 per cent.; and if he will make a statement on the steps he proposes to take to stop these unjustifiably high interest rates being paid from public funds.

I have written to my hon. Friend expressing the regret of the National Assistance Board that he was given an inaccurate account of this matter with reference, among other things, to the rate of interest involved. I know of no similar case, and in the circumstances I do not think the last part of my hon. Friend's question now arises.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the average increase in National Assistance granted to meet increases of rent under the Rent Act, 1957, to the latest convenient date.

I am informed by the National Assistance Board that up to 29th March—the latest date for which figures are available—277,000 weekly assistance grants had been increased by an average of 5s. 3d. to provide for rent increases under the Rent Act, 1957. It is not, however, known how many of the recipients of these grants are still receiving assistance.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the number of war-disabled pensioners aged 60 years or over who are pensioned at the 40 per cent. or higher rate, and the number of this group who do not qualify for the age allowance; and whether, in view of the age of 65 years being the normal retirement age for non-disabled persons, he will consider the progressive lowering of the age of eligibility of 65 years for severely disabled war pensioners to qualify for the age allowance.

The precise numbers asked for are not available, but the following figures show the approximate distribution at 31st December, 1957:

—	1914–18 and former wars	1939 war and since
Estimated number of pensioners aged 60 and over whose assessment is 40 per cent. or more	103,000	6,500
Receiving age allowances	52,000	3,500
Not receiving age allowances	51,000	3,000

As regards the second part of the Question, for the reasons which I have very fully explained to the hon. Member and to the House, I have no proposals for alteration of the basis of this allowance which came into operation in February, 1957.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the number of surviving war-disabled pensioners of the 1914–18 war, and the number whose pensions were increased on grounds of worsened disablement during the past two years; and what special action he has in mind to ensure that all these ageing disabled veterans receive adequate compensation in the light of their present condition.

The number of 1914–18 war disablement pensioners was about 238,000 at the end of 1957. It is estimated that in the years 1956 and 1957 some 1,260 and 1,840 respectively had their basic pensions increased. As the hon. Member will be aware an age allowance came into operation in February, 1957, providing additional payments over and above the basic pension and other allowances for all men aged 65 and over whose disability is 40 per cent. and above. In addition all 1914–18 war pensioners were sent last year a special leaflet in which they were reminded that my Department was prepared to review sympathetically their pension assessments if their war disablement had become worse.

asked the Paymaster-General if he is yet in a position to make a statement about the outcome of the inquiry into the proposal to site a nuclear power station in the Snowdon National Park.

No.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make a statement on the future of Woolwich Arsenal.

The rôle of the Woolwich factory will continue to be that described in the reply to a Question by the hon. Member on 26th February, 1954.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has yet received from the Air Ministry a firm operational requirement for a succesor to the Beverley aircraft.

No.

asked the Minister of Supply what administrative arrangements have been made to provide compensation for those established industrial employees at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Cardiff, who, when the factory closes, may find themselves unable for domestic reasons to accept transfers to other factories.

I have some sympathy with the suggestion that arrangements should be made and am discussing the matter with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the tendency of many hospital administrations to increase their expenditure on non-essential items towards the end of the financial year; and whether, with a view to encouraging more prudent administration of hospital finance, he will revise the current system.

Hospital authorities are required to contain their expenditure within limited annual allocations. In these circumstances, it is clearly prudent for them to decide on priorities and to defer expenditure on less urgent—but nevertheless valuable and necessary—items until towards the end of the year, when it becomes clear that the money will be available. I am not at present contemplating any change in the system.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, to what extent the level of radioactivity in the atmosphere has risen since 1956; what effect this has had upon the health of children through drinking milk affected by this fall-out; and, in order to reduce the concern felt by many people, if he will make periodic statements on the level of radioactivity in Great Britain.

Regular measurements are made of the level of radioactivity derived from fall-out in the atmosphere, soil, herbage, milk and other foodstuffs and in human and animal bones in this country, and there has been a limited increase in the levels since 1956. The results, after collation, are published periodically. I am aware of no evidence that milk containing radioactive fall-out from nuclear explosions has adversely affected the health of children or of anyone else.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the need for poliomyelitis vaccine and the failure, both of the United States of America and of private enterprise, to supply this need fully, he will make the necessary provision in national laboratories.

I am not sure exactly what provision the hon. Member has in mind. If, however, he is referring to the actual manufacture of vaccine, I do not think his suggestion would be of any help, and clearly could not affect the present supply position.

asked the Minister of Health what action he now proposes to take to provide an adequate supply of poliomyelitis vaccine; and what arrangements he is making for further distributions to local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is aware that there is a growing anxiety about the inadequacy of the supply of vaccine to meet the minimum requirements for the protection of the population of this country against poliomyelitis; and whether he will make a statement on the position and on what steps he has taken to secure the necessary supply;(2) how many doses of vaccine will be available from sources in this country and from North America, respectively, for the purpose of poliomyelitis immunisation here in April, 1958, and in each of the succeeding eight months.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the present position and future prospects with regard to the vaccination of schoolchildren against poliomyelitis.

The Government's current programme for vaccination against poliomyelitis involves the vaccination of those in the priority groups—mainly children under 15 and expectant mothers—who register for it. For this purpose both British vaccine and Salk are used and initial orders for 5,000 litres of Salk were placed last September so that, with a reasonable regularity of delivery, steady and uninterrupted progress would be maintained in the vaccination programme.There has, however, been some interruption of supplies to local health authorities, and consequently of the vaccination programme, for a number of causes. These delays in the delivery of vaccine have occurred in each of the four original sources of supply, two British firms, one Canadian and one in the United States of America. In each of the four cases the cause of delay was different. But in no case was it within the control of or due to the fault of the Government.Immediate steps have been taken to remedy the deficiencies. Earlier this year, when the difficulties in the supply of British vaccine occurred, 2,800 litres of further Salk vaccine were ordered and further new purchases were immediately initiated to replace the Salk vaccine due to have been delivered last week. Any delay in vaccination due to shortage of vaccine is, of course, something which we all keenly regret but we shall do our utmost to minimise it.A batch of British vaccine is now in process of distribution; a further batch will be distributed before the end of the week and, barring further unforeseen difficulties, much larger supplies, mainly of Salk, will become available next month. I am arranging for the purchase of further substantial quantities of Salk vaccine and expect to be in a position to give some further information as to this, and also our supply position and prospects in answer to the Questions by the hon. Member for Coventry, North (Mr. Edelman) next week.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent restrictions on the export of monkeys from India have interfered with the manufacture and testing of poliomyelitis vaccine in this country.

The Government of India have recently imposed certain restrictions on the export and travel conditions of monkeys. These have not so far interfered with the manufacture and testing of vaccine in this country.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the concern in Kent arising from the failure of the delivery of the necessary supplies of vaccine that has necessitated the postponement of the Kent County Council's programme for vaccination of schoolchildren against poliomyelitis; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

I am aware of the position in Kent. In common with other local health authorities the County Council will receive its share of vaccine as it becomes available.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to receive the Report of the Cranbrook Committee on Maternity Services.

My right hon. and learned Friend hopes to receive the Report within the next few months, but I cannot yet give any exact date.

asked the Minister of Health his estimate of the number of persons who should be immunised against poliomyelitis in this country without delay; the groups which he has listed for priorities in this regard; and the estimated numbers in each of these groups, the order of priorities of such groups, and the number of vaccination doses required in respect of each of these groups for immunisation.

I am anxious that as many persons as possible within the priority groups who have registered should be vaccinated against poliomyelitis as soon as possible. The present priority groups consist of children under 15 and certain smaller groups, the main one of which is expectant mothers. There is no order of priorities within the groups. The detailed arrangements are matters for the local health authorities.In Great Britain at the end of February, the latest date for which detailed information is available, approximately 3 million persons, the great majority of them children, required vaccination with two injections and a further 650,000 with one injection. Some 6½ million doses were, therefore, required, towards which 2 million were then in the hands of the local health authorities. Detailed figures for the end of April will become available next month.

asked the Minister of Health if he will specify the bodies and organisations who have been consulted in regard to prospective revisionary legislation in the field of mental health.

I am considering the views submitted to me by the bodies and organisations listed below:

• Association of Hospital Management Committees.
• Association of Municipal Corporations.
• Association of Psychiatric Social Workers.
• Association of Teachers of the Mentally Handicapped.
• British Medical Association.
• County Councils Association.
• London County Council.
• Magistrates Association.
• Medical Practitioners Union.
• Middlesex County Council.
• National Association for Mental Health.
• National Council for Civil Liberties.
• National Council of Women of Great Britain.
• National Society for Mentally Handicapped Children.
• Regional Hospital Boards.
• Royal College of Physicians.
• Royal Medico-Psychological Association.
• Society of Chief Administrative Mental Health Officers.
• Society of Medical Officers of Health.
• Society of Mental Welfare Officers.
• Standing (Mental Health) Advisory Committee of the Central Health Services Council.
• Teaching Hospitals Association.
• Trades Union Congress.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the need to reduce tension in Central Europe, he will oppose the arming of Western Germany with nuclear weapons.

I would like to make it clear that there has never been any question of arming Western Germany with nuclear weapons except in the sense of establishing stock-piles of nuclear warheads in Western Germany under American control and of the West German forces being equipped with weapons to which these war-heads could be fitted. At the meeting of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Heads of Government in December, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation military authorities were requested to submit to the North Atlantic Council their recommendations about the establishment of such stock-piles. They have not yet done this. Her Majesty's Government will decide their attitude in the light of these recommendations when they have been made.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, in view of the importance of the forthcoming talks between the Prime Minister and President Eisenhower, what special steps he is taking to keep the people of Great Britain fully informed of the subjects to be discussed and the results achieved.

Any steps appropriate to such talks will be taken.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will publish the Report of the inquiry into the Wool Marketing Scheme, held at Holborn Town Hall on 19th September, 1957.

My right hon. Friend has not yet received the Report of the Committee of Investigation which is conducting the inquiry into complaints about the Scheme. When he does, he will certainly publish the conclusions of the Report as required by the Agricultural Marketing Acts and he will consider whether to publish the Report in full.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will instruct the Committee of Investigation set up under Section 9 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, to conduct an inquiry into the operation of the Tomato and Cucumber Marketing Scheme.

No. My right hon. Friend has no cause to do so, but I should like to make clear in case my hon. Friend has in mind the suggestion that an independent person should investigate the voting procedure at the annual general meeting of registered producers in March, 1957, that as my right hon. Friend has already indicated to my hon. Friend he would be glad to help to the extent of recommending the names of independent persons for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what percentage of the cattle and sheep now being raised for food in England and Wales hormones are being administered; in what percentage these are given in the feed; and in what percentage by implantation.

The figures for which the hon. Member asks are not available. The administration of hormones to cattle and sheep is not practised on any wide scale and implantation is believed to be the more frequent method.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is satisfied that the addition of one anti-submarine frigate to our antisubmarine forces in commission during the current financial year is adequate, in view of our North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and other commitments; and whether he will undertake to review the possibilities of putting further ships of this type in commission.

My noble Friend is satisfied that the resources available to the Royal Navy are applied so as to provide the best balance of ships, including anti-submarine frigates, to meet changing circumstances and commitments.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that during the converting of the "T" Class submarines into the "T" Conversion Class, the main armament of the submarines concerned has been reduced from eleven torpedo tubes to six; what are the reasons for this reduction in main armament; and if he will make a statement.

During the conversion of "T" Class submarines to fast battery drive, five of the torpedo tubes were removed and not replaced. These tubes, being external ones, were of limited value, and their removal permitted important improvements to be made in the overall efficiency of the submarines.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, having regard to the United States trade recession and the growing fears of its consequences to world trade and the economies of many countries, he will take the initiative, either alone or through the United Nations, to summon a world economic conference to discuss proposals for dealing with the situation.

UNFILLED PLACES AS AT OCTOBER, 1955 (EXCLUDING OXFORD, CAMBRIDGE AND ABERDEEN)
University	Arts	Pure Science	Technology	Medicine and Dentistry	Agriculture and Forestry	Veterinary Science	Total
Scottish Universities (excluding Aberdeen)	240	70	51	57	34	5	457
University of Wales	331	164	51	12	59	—	617
The Queen's University, Belfast	68	11	46	7	12	—	144
London University	296	63	59	13	8	—	439
Universities of Durham (Durham Colleges and King's College, Newcastle), Hull, Leeds Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield	310	128	154	30	11	1	634
Universities of Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham, University College of North Staffordshire	54	20	35	12	7	—	128
Universities of Bristol, Exeter, Reading, Southampton	59	47	—	—	—	—	106
TOTAL	1,358	503	396	131	131	6	2,525

Some of the reasons for these unfilled places are given in the Report, "Applications for Admission to Universities", by R. K. Kelsall, published by the Association of Universities of the British Commonwealth.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a state-

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeenshire, East (Sir R. Boothby) on 1st April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many vacant places there are in the universities and university colleges; and how these are distributed among the different institutions and the different faculties.

I have no information about vacant places in the current university session. The report of an Inquiry commissioned by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals showed the following position in October, 1955:ment on the agreement over payment of support costs by Germany, and its effect on his Budget figures.

I can add nothing to the reply given on 16th April by my hon. and learned Friend the Financial Secretary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, under his proposals, building societies will be able to add tax to their interest payments before deducting them, prior to the computation of liability for Profits Tax.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Labour the areas and the industries affected by unemployment; and what action is being taken to assist school leavers in these areas to find employment after the mid-summer term.

I would refer the hon. Member to the speech made by my right hon. Friend in the debate on unemployment on 24th February. It is part of the normal work of the youth employment service to assist school leavers to obtain employment.

asked the Minister of Labour what kind of assistance, apart from advice, is available for school

Year of intake			Left school before the age of 16 years
			(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)
			Boys	Percentage of total intake of boys	Girls	Percentage of total intake of girls	Total	Percentage of total intake of boys and girls
1950	…	…	7,849	14·7	9,095	16·6	16,944	15·7
1951	…	…	7,293	13·7	9,038	16·6	16,331	15·2
1952	…	…	6,847	12·9	8,171	15·3	15,018	14·1
1953	…	…	6,092	12·0	7,212	13·9	13,304	13·0

These figures do not necessarily express the numbers of grammar school pupils who left before completing the courses for which they were suited especially since complete grammar school courses last up to eighteen years of age.

asked the Postmaster-General when he will provide tele-

By using the network of Youth Employment Offices each local office can arrange for a young person to be submitted for a vacancy notified in any part of the country and, subject to certain conditions, can advance the cost of the fare to enable him to travel to a job or to a preliminary interview.

asked the Minister of Education how many students admitted to grammar schools, during recent years have left before completing their course of studies; and whether he can give the figures for boys and girls.

The following table gives the numbers of boys and girls admitted to maintained and assisted grammar schools in the years 1950 to 1953 who left before attaining 16 years of age:phone kiosks for public use on the New Park North Estate at Swindon, in view of the distance of the nearest existing kiosk and the fast-growing number of residents.

Extensive cable work is in hand and we expect to provide a kiosk at the junction of Chickerell Road and Kingswood Avenue in about three months' time. Another will be provided within the next 12 months at the junction of Marlow Avenue and Welcombe Avenue. Further provision will be made as the estate grows.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Report of the Medical Research Council on radioactivity is now almost two years out of date, and that meanwhile much has happened which must have increased the level of radioactivity in the atmosphere, he will consider the publication of interim reports at not more than six-monthly intervals.

No. The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation will be making a comprehensive report by July.The level of radioactive fall-out in the United Kingdom in rainwater, herbage, milk and other foodstuffs and in bone is monitored regularly and the results are published periodically.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans have been made to follow up the recent official suggestion that a conference of tourist interests should be held this spring.

Representatives of the tourist industry have been invited by the British Travel and Holidays Association to attend a conference in London on 15th and 16th May to discuss plans for the future development of the industry. I welcome this action and I and my Parliamentary Secretary will be present at some of the sessions.