asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he has in mind to prevent members of professions, such as the theatrical profession, whose earnings are not subject to Pay As You Earn, from defaulting on their tax liabilities.

Legislation designed to strengthen the hands of the Inland Revenue in dealing with the tax liabilities of members of the theatrical and other professions was included in the 1956 Finance Act, but has not yet had time to take full effect. My right hon. Friend does not consider that any further action is called for at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money the Purchase Tax on shinty sticks and balls yielded in the last financial year.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much it would cost in a full year to make a special additional earned income allowance of £100 to working blind people.

It is impossible to give a precise figure as no information is available about the incomes or the personal circumstances of working blind people, but the cost would probably be small.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he is aware of the effect of high interest rates on building societies in Scotland; and what steps he will take to mitigate its effect;(2) if he is aware of the difficulties that the increased Bank Rate has created for building societies in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

In general I am glad to say that, thanks to sound management, the building societies in all parts of the United Kingdom have been able to deal successfully with problems arising for them, as for other financial institutions, as a result of recent changes in rates of interest. There can be no question of Government action to insulate the building societies from the effects of monetary policy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the national income was taken in taxation by the central Government in 1938, 1951 and 1957, respectively.

Eighteen per cent., 35 per cent. and 29 per cent. respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent he has received reports of increasing purchases of industrial safety clothing and equipment during the past year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what increase in purchases of industrial clothing and equipment have been reported to him over the past year from Yorkshire.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent he has received reports of purchases of protective clothing and equipment in the chemical industry over the past year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what increase he has to report in the purchase of safety boots and helmets as a result of the trade union campaign over the past year.

My right hon. Friend does not receive reports of purchases in industry generally or in the particular industries referred to, of protective or industrial clothing, which have indeed been found to be incapable of definition.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to the effect of the changes in the figures of the sales of protective clothing to miners, quarrymen and moulders which took place during 1957.

I would refer the hon. Member to my Answers today to the Questions asked by the hon. Lady, the Member for Leeds, South-East (Miss Bacon) and other hon. Members.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total cost to the taxpayer in 1957–58 of the agricultural subsidies and production grants which come within the purview of the Annual Price Review; and what are his estimates on a comparable basis for 1958–59.

The provision made in Estimates for 1957–58 (including Supplementary Estimates) for the agricultural grants and subsidies which come within the purview of the Annual Price Review amounted to £284·8 million. The comparable figure in Estimates for 1958–59 is £291·3 million, but this does not take account of the determination made after this year's Annual Review nor the subsequent decision to reduce the retail price of milk for five months; the net effect of these is to reduce the estimated requirement by some £9 million. The actual figures will depend on many factors including output, sales and market prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the requirements of the home market for bacon it is intended the home producer should meet.

It is not our policy to set precise production targets for any commodity. We believe the requirements of the market should determine how the total supply of pigmeat should be shared between the pork trade, the manufacturing trade and the bacon curing industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many workers are engaged in agriculture at the latest available date; how these figures compare with the same date in 1951; and what steps he is taking to assist those who can no longer find employment in the industry.

There were 568,000 agricultural workers in December, 1957, compared with 662,000 in December, 1951. The local offices of the Ministry of Labour are doing all they can to place unemployed agricultural workers in such other suitable vacancies as are available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred in Norfolk in recent months; what was the origin of the disease; and what steps will be taken in the future to prevent its spread to so many farms.

Nine outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have been confirmed in Norfolk so far this year. Of the two primaries, one was attributed to the spread of infection from the continent and the other to infection conveyed in imported meat. I am satisfied that the control measures imposed are effective but the avoidance of spread depends very much upon early reporting of suspicious symptoms. Farmers can help a great deal by keeping a sharp look-out for the first signs of the disease.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many separate smallholdings are provided by the statutory smallholdings authorities in England and Wales, at the latest available date; and how these figures compare with 1951.

The number of smallholdings provided by county councils and county borough councils in England and Wales on 31st March, 1957, was 17,529, of which 9,521 were full-time and 8,008 part-time. The corresponding figures for 31st March, 1951, were 19,005, 9,532 and 9,473. The number of full-time holdings of the standard envisaged in Part IV of the 1947 Act has risen from 5,056 in 1951 to 7,847 in 1957.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now make a statement on the establishment of a horticultural marketing council as recommended by the Runciman Committee.

The Runciman Committee recommended that a horticultural marketing council should be established to promote and co-ordinate by voluntary means improvements and developments in marketing and distribution. The Committee envisaged an independent body representative of the whole industry. There is general approval of this recommendation, but time is needed to work out and agree upon a detailed plan covering the constitution, powers and sources of revenue of a permanent body of this character. Extensive consultation with the industry has shown that this work can best be done within the framework of an interim organisation.

I have therefore decided that the first step should be to set up without delay a horticultural marketing advisory council for England and Wales to examine all aspects of this matter and also to advise me on the marketing work undertaken by my Department.

The advisory council will consist of twenty-one members appointed on the nomination of organisations representing the producers, wholesalers and retailers,

Commodity	Consumption (lb. per head)		Home production as percentage of total supplies
	Average in years immediately pre-war	1957 (provisional)	Average in years immediately pre-war	1957 (provisional)
Flour	194·5	173·4
Wheat and flour (as wheat equivalent)			12	21
Margarine	8·7	15·2
Lard and compound cooking fat	9·3	10·3
Other edible oils and fats	10·0	12·0
Oils and fats, excluding butter (crude oil equivalent)			16	16
Butter (including farmhouse production)	24·7	17·5	9	11
Sugar (as refined)	102·9	114·5	18	19
Carcase meat and offal	98·1	103·0	51	63
Bacon and ham	28·1	25·4	31	40
Cheese	8·8	9·8	24	48
Eggs in shell	25·9	28·4	71	99
Potatoes for human consumption	181·9	208·6	94	95
Liquid milk	217·1	324·3	100	100
Tea	9·3	9·8	0	0

Note

It is not possible, because changes in stocks cannot be apportioned, to say what proportion of consumption came from home production or imports. This difficulty does not apply to the last two columns which relate to current supplies. Throughout the Table consumption and supplies include self-supply by farmers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to state the consumption per head of the main foods in 1957 and 1938 and the proportions provided from home production.

The following table shows, for 1957 and for the years immediately before the war, the quantities of the main foods consumed per head of the population, and the percentages that were home produced:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Government of Cyprus have refused to permit Turkish Airlines staff in Nicosia to enter the airport.

In January of this year the Government of Cyprus decided, for security and financial reasons, to vest the responsibility for the handling of all traffic at Nicosia Airport in the Director for Civil Aviation, who appointed Cyprus Airways as his agent for this purpose. The position was reviewed at the end of March, and certain facilities enjoyed before the emergency by the agencies, including that of the Turkish Airlines, were restored to them. I understand that these revised arrangements have been accepted by the agents as satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's proposals for a settlement in Cyprus.

I cannot add to my reply to the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson) on 24th April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations he has received from the Nyasaland African member of the Rhodesian Federal Parliament with regard to the need for an African majority in the Nyasaland Legislative Council; and what reply has been sent.

The following telegram was sent to me by Mr. Chirwa:

"Regarding constitutional changes. Government must now declare Nyasaland an African State. African majority on both Legislative and Executive Councils with universal adult suffrage must be granted otherwise country being led to serious strife ahead."

I regret that Mr. Chirwa's telegram reflects a purely racial approach. At my request, the Acting Governor has replied to Mr. Chirwa on my behalf, referring him to my statement published in the OFFICIAL REPORT on 15th June, 1955, and reminding him that discussions have not yet been completed with individuals and associations in Nyasaland in order to ascertain their views about constitutional development.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he intends to take in view of the widespread opposition in Kenya to the method of election of twelve additional members to the Legislative Council.

I am aware that the African constituency elected members expressed their intention beforehand not to take part in the choice of specially elected members, and their disapproval of any African willing to stand. In the event, however, the four African seats were contested by more candidates than those of any other group. The twelve new members have announced their joint intention to promote policies without racial or sectional bias, in the following statement, which I think is very satisfactory:

We the specially elected Members of the Legislative Council of Kenya met on the morning following our election and have resolved to form an Association with the primary object of promoting policies for the benefit of Kenya as a whole without racial or sectional bias.

We have appointed an interim committee to draw up draft articles of Association and rules which will cover amongst other provisions the qualifications for various types of members and the permanent pattern and organisation of the Association. It is our intention to produce a policy statement which will provide a lead and a guide to the vast numbers of peoples of all races in Kenya whose main desire is the economic, political and social development of the country as a whole and not the propagation of selfish interests nor the domination of one race or sect over another.

We, as the first Members of Kenya Legislative Council to represent all races, recognise that we carry a heavy responsibility, but we are confident that, with the tolerance and understanding which exists and which we are determined to increase, we will attract the support of the great majority of our fellow Kenyans and we will be able to lead our country to greater harmony and prosperity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Kikuyu who are at present employed in the Rift Valley Province; and the number who have applied for entry since restrictions on employment in the area have been applied.

Approximately 40,000 male Kikuyu are employed in the Rift Valley Province.No statistics have been kept of Kikuyu applications for entry into the province, but since 1955 nearly 10,000 Kikuyu from the reserves and detention camps have been placed in employment there under various reabsorption and resettlement schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what taxes are paid by members of the Kikuyu, Embu and Meru tribes in Kenya.

Income tax and personal tax at the territorial rates, and in addition a temporary special tax which is paid by adult male Kikuyu, Embu and Meru, except for certain exemptions, at the rate of Sh. 15 a year.

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

I have nothing to add to what I said on 15th April in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will take steps to secure the amendment of the Apprenticeship Ordinance, Chapter 187 of Northern Rhodesian law, in order to enable Africans to enter apprenticeships to train for skilled occupations.

A Bill which will have this effect was recently published by the Northern Rhodesia Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the average wages paid to agricultural labourers in Northern Rhodesia, the number of paid agricultural labourers and the number of those wholly engaged in subsistence agriculture, respectively.

For the average wages of agricultural labourers and the number of men and women farming at subsistence level in Northern Rhodesia I would refer the hon. Member to my Reply given on 15th April to the hon. Member for Southall (Mr. Pargiter). The latest figures available for December, 1956, show that there were 28,215 men and 3,400 women employed in agriculture.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the fact that the new Federal House of Representatives has elected Sir Grantley Adams as Prime Minister of the Federation of the West Indies and that a Council of State has been appointed there, if he will now make a statement on the further steps which have been taken or will be taken to establish full Federal self-government there.

The prerequisites for self-government are that a country can stand on its own feet economically and financially, conduct its own administration and be able and prepared to assume responsibility for its own defence and its own international relations. I have no doubt that the new Federal Government's policy will be to pursue a programme which will enable it to assume these responsibilities and obligations as soon as possible. As I made clear at the London Conference in 1956, when that stage has been reached Her Majesty's Government will be glad to sponsor the Federation's admission to full Commonwealth membership.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the inauguration of the Federation of The West Indies, if he will make a statement as to the constitutional and financial position and future of those islands in the West Indies which receive grants-in-aid.

Outside those spheres of activity which are transferred to the Federal Government, territories within The West Indies retain their existing constitutions. Those which qualify for the receipt of grants in aid of administration will from 1st January, 1959, receive them from the Federal Government. In accordance with the British Caribbean Federation Act of 1956, I am empowered to make annual grants to the Federal Government for this purpose for a period up to 10 years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether agreement has yet been reached on the site for the capital of the West Indies Federation.

Not yet; the Report of the Chaguaramas Joint Commission is being considered by the four Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to make a statement on the official visit to the Government of Eastern Nigeria by a four-man delegation from Ghana led by Mr. Ako Adjei, the Ghanaian Minister of Justice, indicating the subjects discussed and the results achieved by their conference.

A visit to Nigeria was proposed by Dr. Nkrumah to inform Nigerian Federal and Regional Ministers about the Conference of independent African States. As the timing was not convenient to all concerned, a party led by the Ghanaian Minister of Justice instead made a short visit to Enugu to meet the Premier of the Eastern Region. The meeting had no connection with official business and I have no information about what took place at it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to make a statement on the causes, duration and results of the recent disturbances in and near Ibadan, Western Nigeria.

Disorders lasting about ten days arose out of demonstrations of mourning at the death in a car accident of Alhaji Adelabu, the Leader of the Opposition in the Western Regional House of Assembly. I understand that the later disturbances turned to some extent into anti-tax agitation. There were twenty deaths, of which four occurred when police were forced to fire on hostile armed crowds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that Mr. Abeid Aman Karume, General President of the Afro-Shirazi Party, has written to the British Resident in Zanzibar asking that the British Government and the Sultan's Government should officially declare that Zanzibar and Pemba are an African State; and what reply has been given.

As I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. Stonehouse) on 29th April, I am consulting the British Resident in this matter. I will write to the hon. Member when I have his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that 1957 was a record year for cloves in Zanzibar; and what plans the Government have announced to end Income Tax exemptions for Zanzibar and Pemba agriculturalists.

Yes. The 1957 clove crop is estimated at some 24,000 tons, the largest on record. Following a recommendation on the East African Commission of Inquiry on Income Tax, 1956–57, a Government proposal to withdraw the exemption from Income Tax for agricultural producers with effect from 1st January, 1958, was approved by the Zanzibar Legislative Council in November, 1957.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the terms on which the Governor of Malta asked Dr. Borg Olivier to take over the Malta Administration; and what were the reasons for Dr. Borg Olivier's refusal to take up this task.

On 22nd April, the Governor asked Dr. Borg Olivier if he was prepared, pending elections, to form a caretaker Government, and made it clear that, in the event of his being willing to do so, Her Majesty's Government would be ready to make pro rata cash issues within the ceiling of £5 million for the whole year.As subsequently announced, Dr. Borg Olivier informed the Governor next day that, without a mandate from the electorate, he was not prepared to take office and form a Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the post of Minister for Police was first instituted in Malta; who controlled the police before this; and when the office was amalgamated with that of the Premiership.

Before the present Constitution was introduced in Malta in November, 1947, the police were under the control of the Governor. On the introduction of the present Constitution, while the Governor is responsible for public safety, the responsibility for the police came under the Ministerial division reserved to himself by the Prime Minister of the day. This position has remained until now.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the instructions given by Mr. Mintoff to the Commissioner of Police in Malta which caused the Commissioner to appeal to the Governor; and if he will assure the House that the Commissioner will suffer no victimisation for such action in the future.

At the height of disturbances on 23rd April, when demonstrators were throwing stones at and trying to break police cordons, Mr. Mintoff ordered the Commissioner of Police to withdraw within three minutes all mounted police and not to authorise further baton charges. He also directed the Commissioner to suspend and place on disciplinary charges certain senior police officers who were directing the police in the performance of their duties. The Commissioner quite properly referred these orders to the Governor since public safety, which was thereby endangered, is the responsibility of the Governor under Section 23 of the Constitution Letters Patent. As regards the second part of the Question, I have already authorised the Governor to assure the Commissioner and the force that they have and will continue to have my full support in the exercise of their duties against victimisation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to make a statement about recent developments in the Western Aden Protectorate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to make a statement upon the situation in the Aden Protectorate.

As to the recent developments on the Western Aden Protectorate's frontier with the Yemen, I need add nothing to what was stated on 23rd April by my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary in reply to a Question by the right hon. Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. A. Henderson.)During the last few days there has been a serious attack by a large number of dissidents instigated, bribed and armed by the Yemeni authorities on a position (Assarir) in the Dhala area, which was being held by one of the Protectorate advisory staff, Mr. Somerset, with a body of Government guards. Operations to relieve the fort were mounted by a force of British troops, Aden Protectorate levies and Government guards, and I am glad to say that they relieved the position yesterday, and Mr. Somerset has returned to Dhala. The dissidents were assisted by Yemeni troops in uniform, and a strong protest is being made about this flagrant aggression against a State in the Protectorate.Because of their subversive activities in the Protectorate, particularly Lahej, it was necessary for the Governor on 18th April to give orders for the arrest and removal of Muhammed, Alawi and Abdulla al Jifri. Muhammad and Alawi have so far evaded capture, but Abdulla has now been removed to Socotra. Conditions in Lahej have remained calm.The following is the statement which the Governor made on 18th April:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what recommendations have been made for the future conduct of elections in Singapore by the Commission of Inquiry into corrupt, illegal or undesirable practices; and what decisions Her Majesty's Government have reached on these recommendations.

I have not yet seen a copy of the Report of this Commission of Inquiry, which was set up by the Government of Singapore. When a copy is available I will place it in the Library.The second part of the Question does not arise. The Report is addressed to the Government of Singapore, whose responsibility it is to decide what action should be taken on the Commission's recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the numbers of schoolchildren attending the primary and secondary stages, respectively, in the Bahamas; and what is the average cost per pupil.

I have asked the Governor of the Bahamas for this information, and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what schemes there are for municipal housing in the Bahamas; and what rents are paid.

I have asked the Governor of the Bahamas for this information, and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the wage rates for skilled and unskilled workers in building and ancillary trades in the Bahamas; and what is the comparison between the average earnings of a Bahamian worker and those in Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad, respectively.

I am asking the Governor for this information, and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many public hospitals there are in the Bahamas; and what were the health estimates for the years 1956, 1957 and 1958, respectively.

I have asked the Governor of the Bahamas for information on the first part of this Question and will write to the hon. Member when I receive the reply.As regards the second part of the Question, the health estimates for the years 1956 and 1957 were £352,746 and £396,524 respectively. The draft estimate for 1958 is £480,464.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the total dollar receipts of the Bahamas; and how much of this went to the sterling dollar pool in 1957.

I regret that it is not possible to provide this information, since it is not the practice of Her Majesty's Government to publish figures of dollar earnings for individual territories of the sterling area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to make a statement on the circumstances which led to the recent amphibious raid by a police force, 80 strong, on the island of Msimbata, in southern Tanganyika; how many persons were arrested; and what were the charges against them.

On 2nd April armed villagers at Ntande on Msimbati Island frustrated an attempt by a small police detachment to arrest three Africans for refusal to obey the lawful orders of the Liwali, and the police withdrew to avoid bloodshed. On 9th April the police returned with reinforcements and arrested eighteen people on charges of riot and aiding the escape of a prisoner. Seventeen were subsequently sentenced to six months' imprisonment each on the first charge and to twelve months each on the second charge; the remaining accused was sentenced to four months and seven months respectively. All the sentences were concurrent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, having regard to the fact that the Tanganyika African National Union, the largest political party in Tanganyika, is free to express its opposition to the Government's multi-racial policy, he will remove the handicap of Civil Service impartiality under which the Government of Tanganyika is placed and will at least permit provincial commissioners and district commissioners to advocate the Government's policy so that the Government's case does not go by default.

I am satisfied that the officers concerned have ample opportunity to publicise fully the Tanganyika Government's multi-racial policy, and that every practicable step is being taken to ensure that that policy is known and understood by all sections of the population.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the publication of Command Paper No. 411 was so long delayed.

The task of collecting and summarising the large amount of statistical material involved in the preparation of the Command Paper took longer than usual, with consequent delay in publication. Every effort will be made to ensure earlier publication of these returns in future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he regards as satisfactory the percentage of the number of children in care who are boarded out; and if he will make a statement.

The increase from 35 per cent. in 1949 to 45 per cent. in 1957 in the percentage of children in the care of local authorities who are boarded out shows that considerable progress has been made. My Department will continue its efforts, in co-operation with the local authorities, to make known the need for suitable foster parents and to encourage in other ways the development of boarding out.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the nature of the recommendation he has received from the Liverpool licensing magistrates concerning the imposition of heavier fines for drunkenness; and whether, before taking this or similar proposals into consideration he will arrange for an inquiry to be made as to whether adequate penalties are being or can be imposed on those who in public house, club or off-licensed shop supply drink to young persons under 18 years of age.(2) if he is aware that the reports of chief constables of Liverpool and other towns indicate that the convictions for drunkenness of young persons under 18 years of age have practically doubled in the last four years for the country as a whole; and whether he will institute an inquiry to discover whether the young people concerned get their intoxicants and the habit of consuming them from public house, home or club.

The licensing justices for the Liverpool County Petty Sessional Division have expressed to me the opinion that the penalties for drunkenness are totally inadequate having regard to the change in the value of money. As indicated in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Exchange (Mrs. Braddock) on 24th April, I am concerned about the increase in drunkenness among young persons, and I am considering ways of obtaining more information about the problem. I am also, as I stated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mr. Page) on 13th March, examining small statutory fines with a view to bringing them into line with the present-day value of money.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the public anxiety at the present time about the number of cases of cruelty to children; and whether he is satisfied that everything possible is done to locate and deal with cases of cruelty, and that, in the event of a conviction, the law is sufficiently severe to give just punishment.

I hope that public anxiety will continue as long as cases of cruelty to children happen. I am sure that the responsible authorities are constantly alert to detect such cases and to take appropriate action, but they must often depend on the co-operation of private citizens for their information. With regard to the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 14th November last to my hon. Friend the Member for Horn-church (Mr. Lagden).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further consideration he has given to the anomalies that arise from the state of the Sunday observance laws; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department wheher he is aware of the disquiet caused by the legal need to cancel Sunday ballet at Coventry Cathedral; and whether he will now move to appoint a Select Committee to consider what changes are required in the Sunday observance laws to bring them into line with present-day public opinion.

Sunday observance is a matter of conscience on which public opinion appears deeply divided. The subject was fully debated in this House on 14th March on a Motion by the hon. Member for Birmingham, All Saints (Mr. D. Howell) proposing the appointment of a Select Committee to consider the existing legislation. The outcome was that insufficient hon. Members were in favour of the Question being put. I have no statement to make at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations when the Basutoland Constitutional Committee appointed in 1957 is due to report.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the Committee appointed by the Basutoland National Council in October, 1956, to advise it about its reply to my noble Friend's offer to consider proposals for giving the Council certain law-making powers. I understand that this report is likely to be ready for consideration by the Council within the next few weeks.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many chiefs from Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland, respectively, visited the United Kingdom in 1957; and how many are scheduled to do so in 1958.

Six chiefs from Basutoland visited this country in 1957 and two more are due to come in 1958. No chiefs from Bechuanaland or Swaziland came here in 1957 but one from Bechuanaland is due to come in 1958. In addition, the African Authority of the Bamangwato tribe of Bechuanaland visited the United Kingdom this year. The heir apparent and the next in line to the Paramountcy in Basutoland and the heir apparent to one of the chieftain-ships in Bechuanaland are being educated in this country.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is prepared to continue, for a further period after 1960, Cartrefle Teachers' Training College, Wrexham, in view of the proposed three years' training course for teachers; and if he will make a statement.

I am considering the future of this college and have asked for the views of the University of Wales School of Education on it.

asked the Minister of Education to state the total number of boys and girls at present attending direct grant schools, the proportion of them being maintained by local education authorities, and the total annual payment out of public funds to these schools, at the latest date for which figures are available.

Apart from junior school pupils, for whom no payment is made from public funds, there were about 84,000 pupils in direct grant grammar schools in January, 1958. About 55 per cent. of these had their tuition fees paid by local education authorities. In the financial year 1957–58, grants from my Department amounted to about £3,900,000 and fee payments by local education authorities to about £2,500,000.

asked the Minister of Education if he will state, giving separate figures for boys and girls, the national average annual cost per pupil of educating children at direct grant, grammar, secondary modern, and comprehensive schools, respectively.

I regret that information is not available in the form requested. I am writing to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Education to state the average number of pupils per class in primary and secondary classes and the average staffing ratios in local education authority schools and recognised independent schools, respectively.

The following is the answer:

MAINTAINED AND ASSISTED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Type of Class				Average size of class	Pupil-teacher ratio
Senior	…	…	…	30·1	20·9
Junior	…	…	…	34·2	30·5

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS RECOGNISED AS EFFICIENT
Type of Class	Average size of class	Pupil-teacher ratio
Secondary (including primary and secondary)	Not available	13·6
Primary	Not available	12·6

asked the Minister of Education how many communications he has received protesting against his Department's Circular No. 334 to local education authorities; and what steps he is taking to modify this circular.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, about 45; to the second, none.

asked the Minister of Education if he will state the numbers of classes of over 40 and over 50 pupils, respectively, in the primary and secondary schools of England and Wales in January, 1957; and to what extent these figures were greater or less than those for January 1956.

These numbers were included in the Answer I gave to a Question by the hon. Member on 21st January.

asked the Minister of Education how many vacant places there are for science students in degree courses in technical colleges.

It is not possible to estimate vacancies, for no maximum number of places is fixed.

asked the Minister of Education what were the reasons other than the lack of students for abolishing degree courses in science in technical colleges.

Where science degree courses in technical colleges have been discontinued, the purpose has been only to eliminate very small classes and to concentrate provision more economically in fewer centres.

asked the Minister of Education to make a statement about his proposals for an extension of the Hatfield technical college; how much these proposals will cost; and when it is expected that work will start, and be completed.

Extensions estimated to cost £114,300 and designed to provide additional classrooms and science laboratories and a larger library have been approved in principle and my Department is discussing with the local education authority a few points arising on the plans. It is hoped that building work may start before the end of this year and be completed by September, 1959.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure that the benefit of the reductions in Purchase Tax announced in his Budget are being passed on to consumers in price reductions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that leading manufacturers of refrigerators increased their prices immediately after the announcement of the reduction in Purchase Tax on refrigerators; and what steps he will take to ensure that the intentions of his Budget are not frustrated.

I would refer the hon. Members to the Answer given by my right hon. Friend to a Question by the hon. Member for Coatbridge and Airdrie (Mrs. Mann) on 24th April.

asked the Paymaster-General what progress has been made in bringing main electricity supplies to farms and village communities in each year since 1951.

The number of farms and other rural premises connected in England and Wales in each year since 1951 was:—

Year ended 31st March				Farms	Other Rural Premises
1952	…	…	…	9,129	*
1953	…	…	…	9,702	*
1954	…	…	…	11,945	63,000
1955	…	…	…	13,840	57,000
1956	…	…	…	14,666	55,000
1957	…	…	…	13,135	45,000
1958	…	…	…	12,000	*
				(provisional)
* Not available.

In 1953 the electricity boards undertook a ten-year programme of rural electrification, with the object of connecting 85 per cent. of the farms in England and Wales and a higher proportion of other rural premises by 1963.

asked the Paymaster-General what was the annual rate of steel production during February, 1957, and February, 1958, respectively; and what was the reason for the change.

The annual rates of crude steel production during February, 1957, and February, 1958, were 22,470,000 tons and 22,228,000 tons respectively. The demand for steel in the export market and in some sectors of British manufacturing industry has eased a little.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why his Department has by letter of 15th April, reference 2339/40620/221/L2(d) 16538, informed Precision Built Housing Limited that a further public inquiry must be held in regard to its building scheme at Wheathampstead; whether he is aware that except for two minor modifications suggested by the county planning officer the plans have not been amended and the layout is identical with that already approved by him after a local inquiry; whether he is aware that this further delay will involve withdrawing the labour force already on the adjoining site, cause undue delay and expense and prejudice the erection of some 140 houses for which there is urgent need in the district; and whether he will make a statement.

This firm made a fresh application to the Council involving a new layout and fewer houses on a smaller piece of land than that covered by the first application. It appealed to my right hon. Friend when the Council refused to approve the design of the proposed houses. The Council has asked for a hearing, and my right hon. Friend has a statutory obligation to give it one. An inquiry has been fixed for 20th May, and a decision will be issued as soon as possible after the Inspector's report has been received.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the anxiety in Gibraltar caused by the dismissal of a number of dockyard workers as redundant; and whether he will make a statement.

In consequence of the general decline in the level of naval work it has been necessary to make some reductions in the labour force at Gibraltar Dockyard. Some 80 men who have reached, or will shortly reach, the age of 65 will be affected. Some further reductions may have to be made later on in the year. As to the long-term future, I would refer the hon. Member to my statement of 18th February, 1958, about the Royal Dockyards.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the approximate annual cost of the Royal Observer Corps.

The total cost to Air Votes in the current financial year is estimated at just under £700,000. In addition, certain expenditure arising from the fall-out monitoring role, almost entirely on the provision of protected accommodation, is borne on the Votes of the Home Office and the Scottish Home Department.