asked the Attorney-General if he will instruct the Director of Public Prosecutions to institute proceedings against Archbishop Makarios, on his entry into the jurisdiction, for complicity in the murder of British Service men in Cyprus, on the basis of the Grivas diaries and other documentary evidence in the possession of Her Majesty's Government.

For obvious reasons, it is not desirable to disclose, in relation to offences alleged to have been committed outside the jurisdiction by a person now outside the United Kingdom, whether any decision has been taken to prosecute him if he comes within the jurisdiction; and it is also not desirable that I should reveal what instructions, if any, I would give to the Director of Public Prosecutions should Archbishop Makarios visit this country.

I am very grateful for that Answer, but does my right hon. and learned Friend appreciate that there are many people in this country who consider that Archbishop Makarios has blood on his hands, and should never have been invited here, and, if he comes here, will my right hon. and learned Friend deport him, hang him, or do something to stop him landing here?

While not condoning in any way what has taken place in Cyprus, may I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether he agrees that, in view of the very delicate situation, and the statement made by the Prime Minister last week, Questions of this character are to be deprecated?

asked the Attorney-General if he will introduce legislation to abolish actions for enticement.

No.

But does the Attorney-General think that it is necessary or desirable in the public interest that the courts should be exploited so that people can make money in this rather sordid way? While this kind of case is, fortunately, rare, could not it be left to the divorce courts to make suitable provision for injured parties?

I do not think that there is any question of the courts being exploited for the purpose of making money. Damages are awarded and assessed, by a jury, very often, to compensate for the injury suffered. I certainly do not think that there is any general demand for the abolition of this cause of action.

asked the Minister of Works whether his Inspector of Ancient Monuments in Scotland has yet completed his investigation into the nature, extent and contents of the underground chamber recently discovered at South Unigarth on the mainland of Orkney; and if he will make to the House a comprehensive statement on the subject.

Yes, Sir. The structure consists of a low entrance passage and a chamber, roofed with large stone slabs, which measures approximately 12 ft. by 10 ft. and is 3 ft. high. The whole structure, which is substantially intact, has throughout its history been underground, but was probably associated with a surface dwelling which has disappeared. The only article discovered was a hammerstone of uncertain date.

While thanking the Minister for that detailed reply, may I ask him whether he realises that this and similar discoveries are of great interest to archaeologists and historians? Will he, therefore, take steps to issue a White Paper relating this and kindred discoveries to each other?

I am sure that the archaeologists concerned will have other ways of obtaining information of this without a White Paper.

Is this underground chamber big enough to hold the whole of Lady Violet Bonham-Carter's party?

asked the Minister of Works if, in view of the dangerous condition of Corfe Castle, Dorset, he will take the necessary steps to bring Corfe Castle into his guardianship in order to carry out the necessary repairs and regulate further access.

My Department is negotiating with the owner of Corfe Castle, and I hope to be able to make a statement shortly.

asked the Minister of Works if he has now completed his inquiries regarding the recent destruction of a stretch of the Roman Wall of London between Cripplegate and Falcon Square; what steps he is taking to prevent further demolition; and if, in conjunction with the City Corporation, he will proceed immediately with the plan for the creation of a sunken garden to preserve and expose the external face of the wall down to the level of the ancient city ditch.

Yes, Sir. I am satisfied that the recent demolition of a fragment of London Wall near Falcon Square was inadvertent. With the object of avoiding another such incident, the City Corporation has repaired and strengthened the fencing round the remains of the wall in this vicinity and will provide any further protection which may appear necessary. It is also reaffirming its instructions that those concerned with operations near the wall should be most careful to keep clear of it. As the hon. Member knows, it is the intention of the City Corporation to preserve and display this stretch of wall, with a public open space adjoining it. I understand that the City Corporation proposes to carry out this work when it can best be fitted into the general redevelopment of this area.

I thank the Minister for that reply, but will he suggest to the City Corporation that it would be desirable to complete this work, which it can quite conveniently do, in advance of its general scheme of development in the area?

I am approaching the City Corporation with the suggestion that it might be desirable for further exploration to take place before large-scale building work begins in the neighbourhood.

asked the Minister of Works what further restoration work on Donnington Castle, Newbury, is to be done this year; and when the galvanised sheeting blocking the entrance will be removed.

The final stage of the repair work to the gatehouse roof will start in July; this will be followed by repairs to the two turrets. Galvanised sheeting has been erected to prevent entry to the gatehouse while work is in progress. This is to protect visitors from danger of injury and also to safeguard materials stored during repairs. It will be removed when the roof repairs are completed, which I hope will be about the end of March, 1959.

asked the Minister of Works how often the flowers and plants in the boxes on the Terrace of the House of Commons are changed.

The plants in these boxes are changed two or three times a year, depending on the weather.

Is my hon. Friend aware that dead rhododendrons remained in those boxes for a week after we returned from the Whitsun Recess? Is this not rather surprising, in view of the very high standard usually shown in these matters, and will not my hon. Friend agree that it is most important for his Department to give an outstanding example of the highest standards of British horticulture in the House of Commons, as it undoubtedly does already all over the Royal Parks?

It is generally agreed that the standard in the Royal Parks is particularly high, and I was glad that my hon. Friend said that the terrace is usually good too. On this occasion, I agree, the change could, perhaps, with some advantage, have been made earlier.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will restore the bridge, temple and other garden architecture at Chiswick Park so as to make it in keeping with Chiswick House.

Yes, Sir, I hope to carry out this work in due course.

asked the Minister of Works if he will take steps to acquire for future extensions of the National Gallery the vacant site in Tragalgar Square adjacent to the west side of the National Gallery.

I have at present nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Flint, East (Mrs. White) on 10th June.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he and the Government will never be forgiven if they allow this site to slip through their fingers? Can he say whether there have been discussions with the Canadian Government? Is there any information about the Canadian Government's need of the site?

So far as I am aware, the site is not yet on the market, though there have been indications that it is likely to be. Hon. Members will not expect me to say more at this juncture.

Will the Minister bear in mind that the acquisition of this site is very necessary both in the interests of the collection itself and in the interests of the general appearance of the square? Will he do everything he can to expedite a decision on this very important matter?

I understand that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is likely soon to receive a deputation from hon. Members on both sides of the House.

Is the Minister aware that many hon. Members on both sides will support him in any representations he makes to the Chancellor for taking this unique opportunity to acquire a site which it may not be possible to acquire during the lifetime of any Member of Parliament except at this particular moment?

I will bear in mind what the right hon. Gentleman has said.

asked the Minister of Works what steps he is taking to ensure the preservation of the Roman hypocaust beneath the London Coal Exchange.

The Roman hypocaust beneath the London Coal Exchange is scheduled as an ancient monument, and three months' notice is required under the Ancient Monuments Acts of intention to carry out any works affecting it. If proposals for the demolition of the Exchange proceed, the City Corporation has promised to consult my Department on means of preserving the hypocaust.

asked the Minister of Works what steps he is taking to prevent further damage by trees and animals to the tumulus on Barrow Hill, West Mersea.

I am looking into this and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he is satisfied that the Shirley Institute is adequate to the requirements of modern developments for the present-day needs of the cotton industry; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir. The British Cotton Industry Research Association—to give it its full title—provides an excellent example of progressive development and has achieved the confidence of industry and a high international reputation. My noble Friend has recently visited the Institute and is confident that the Council and Director of the Shirley Institute will continue to direct their programme of research effectively to those problems whose solution will be of the greatest benefit to the cotton industry.

I thank my hon. Friend for his reply, but will he say what financial support the Government are giving to this Institute and whether it will be increased if the work of the Institute expands?

Yes. The grant last year was £84,000 and some extra hundreds. If the industry contributes more, then, for every £100 extra from the industry, the Government will increase their grant by £50.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what publication is made of the measurements of air pollution made by, and submitted to, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Summaries of measurements of air pollution made by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and by the 364 organisations co-operating with the Department are published annually by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in a Report entitled "The Investigation of Atmospheric Pollution."

Will the Parliamentary Secretary encourage the widest use of this information, and can he say how many of these organisations are local authorities?

The widest use is made of it. Of the 364 organisations, 331 are local authorities.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, by what outside bodies the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is advised on grants for promising researches in science and technology in universities, colleges and other institutions.

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is advised on grants for special researches by the Research Grants Committee of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, though the Committee may seek the views of outside referees on any application. The Chairman of this Committee is Professor P. M. S. Blackett, F.R.S., and its members are scientists of distinction in relevant research subjects. The Chairman of the University Grants Committee and the Physical and Biological Secretaries of the Royal Society sit as assessors.

Is my hon. Friend able to say how the present expenditure on nuclear physics research and other research compares with expenditure in previous years?

There has been a steady growth on both. The grant this year for nuclear physics was £330,000, Last year, it was £192,000. Apart from nuclear physics, it has grown from £80,000, two years ago, to £155,000 last year and £320,000 this year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what investigations the Hydraulics Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has made into the improvement in design of small harbours used by fishermen.

The Hydraulics Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has recently studied the problems affecting three fishing harbours in the United Kingdom; Southwold, Great Yarmouth and Eyemouth. As a result, at Southwold wave action can be reduced and the entrance made safer for ships of greater depth; at Great Yarmouth a redesigned South Pier will reduce turbulence and the immediate danger of undermining from scouring. Also useful information dealing with the bank of sand that builds up at the entrance of Eye-mouth Harbour has been obtained from experiments on a scale model.

Does the Hydraulics Research Station undertake to advise on all harbour improvement works?

Yes, it does, up to the limit of its capacity. It undertakes research when the harbour authorities invite it to do so, provided that they are prepared to pay the cost.

In view of the discoveries about the sandbank at Eye-mouth, has the Minister any information about what will be done about it now that we know?

It is for the harbour authorities themselves to put into operation the results of the investigations carried out by this research department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what steps have been taken by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to ensure that the research facilities available to the coil spring industry are adequate in relation to the facilities afforded for research on other forms of springing.

The Coil Spring Federation Research Organisation, which is supported by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, has recently completed plans for the construction of a new research laboratory in Sheffield to provide better facilities for research on the characteristics of springs and the materials used. It is hoped that ultimately all forms of springing will be investigated.

Is membership of this research organisation open to users as well as to manufacturers of springs? If the industry supports the organisation, can my hon. Friend indicate whether the Government will give the organisation further help?

I should like to give my hon. Friend a good answer on his birthday. The position is that, provided the industry raises £7,000 a year, the Government grant will be £4,000. Above those figures the Government will give £100 for every £100 subscribed by the industry, up to £4,000.

That is a very good answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that Scotland's population at 30th June, 1957, had increased by 37,000, that 35,000 Scots people migrated to other countries, and that this is partly due to unemployment in Scotland; and what steps he is taking to induce Scottish people to remain in employment in Scotland.

I am aware of the figures quoted by the hon. and learned Member. Emigration is, of course, prompted by a wide variety of motives. The Government's economic policy continues to be directed to the maintenance of a high level of production and employment and new measures to assist in the provision of employment in localities where a high rate of unemployment exists and is likely to persist are contained in the Distribution of Industry Bill now before the House.

Is not the best way of dealing with this problem to put light industries into the North-East and the Highlands of Scotland because they are peculiarly suitable, having regard to the fact that high freight charges handicap heavy industry? What steps has the Minister taken to move light industries into the area?

As the hon. and learned Member knows, every effort is being made to encourage this kind of development by the provisions which I have described in my Answer. Our aim is to help in this very important matter.

Does the Secretary of State appreciate that the loss of population suffered by Scotland by migration last year was by far the greatest since 1929 and that but for that loss of population the unemployment figures for Scotland would be very high indeed?

I do realise that very serious fact. It is interesting that a study of the loss of population by emigration in relation to local pockets of unemployment does not give any clear conclusions. It is evident that the reasons for emigration are complex.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the shortage of teachers, he will continue the increased publicity in respect of the Special Recruitment Scheme which is proving beneficial.

I have arranged that the increased publicity, which has recently produced over 2,000 inquiries, will be continued.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that his reply will give great satisfaction in Scotland? Will he go further in seeking avenues in which the scheme can be publicised in view of the great problem that exists?

I am prepared to consider any new suggestion of how to get even wider publicity.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now given consideration to the recommendation of the Advisory Council on Education that awards to graduates undergoing training should be increased and awards under the Special Recruitment Scheme should be reviewed; and what is his decision.

This recommendation is still under consideration, and I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Since these are the only two remaining recommendations of the Advisory Council, and since the scheme is making such a contribution, will the right hon. Gentleman make a decision quickly, in view of the programme confronting Scottish education in the next two or three years?

I fully realise the hon. Gentleman's point and I hope that a decision will be reached very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of cases of driving, attempting to drive or being in charge of a motor vehicle while under the influence of drink or drugs, reported to the police in Scotland in 1957.

2,384.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figure is double that of only five years ago? Since this is creating great problems for the administration in Scotland, will the right hon. Gentleman now consider increasing the penalties even to the extent of depriving people, such potential murderers, of their licences?

The hon. Gentleman knows that the recent provisions provided fairly substantial penalties. I am watching the effect of the Act very closely, but so far I have no reason to suppose that the powers of the courts are inadequate.

Is not prevention better than cure or even punishment? Where there is a great number of motor cars outside a roadhouse, would not it be advisable sometimes for a policeman to see that the person who comes out drunk never gets into his car, which is a lethal weapon when he is in it?

That is an interesting suggestion, which I will consider. It raises some other interesting points, too.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what amount in grant was paid to Fettes, Loretto, Glenalmond, the Ladies' College of St. Andrew's and other schools of similar type in Scotland for 1956 and 1957, respectively; and what fees were charged for the same years in the primary and secondary departments to pupils by those private schools which are grant-aided.

No grant is paid to these or other independent schools. Information as to the fees charged is not available in my Department.

Can the Secretary of State give me some idea of what supervision and control the Department has over these schools?

That is another question, which the hon. Gentleman should put upon the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take to assist the City of Dundee following his recent visit there.

I was very glad to have the opportunity of visiting Dundee and of discussing its industrial problems with local interests on 23rd May. I am considering the representations and suggestions made to me during my visit in close consultation with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and other Ministers, as appropriate.

Is the Secretary of State aware that the unemployment figures in the jute industry, which have just reached me this morning, show that the situation there is steadily worsening and that the figure is now more than 15 per cent.? Is the Secretary of State also aware that there will be intense disappointment in Dundee if the right hon. Gentleman's on-the-spot investigation does not produce really decisive action from the Government to remove uncertainty from the jute industry and bring more jobs to Dundee workers much more quickly?

No doubt the hon. Gentleman will realise that the programme of diversification is not too unsatisfactory. Six factories approved since last autumn is fairly good going, although I agree that a great deal more has to be done. We are watching every possible chance to help the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps are being taken by the Herring Industry Board to facilitate and increase the sale of herring from Scotland to East Germany this year and in the coming years;

(2) to what extent, and in what way, the Herring Industry Board has been advising and assisting persons anxious to sell herring to East Germany.

For a number of years, the Herring Industry Board has arranged to sell cured and quick-frozen herring to East Germany in exchange for fertilisers and other goods, and it also notifies the appropriate trade associations of any opportunities which may arise for private sales. Some contracts for the current year have already been concluded and negotiations are proceeding for further contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the new town of Cumbernauld is planned to have mean net residential densities ranging from 70 to 120 persons per acre with an overall density of 32 as compared with 18 in other new towns; and if he is satisfied that under this plan sufficient easily accessible playing field accommodation will be available for children.

While the detailed provision of playing field accommodation has not yet been fully worked out, I am satisfied that the general standards which the Corporation has in mind will provide adequate playing field accommodation for children.

In view of the exceptional densities which are to prevail in certain areas in this new scheme, is not it absolutely essential that there should not only be ample playing space but playing space that is easily accessible? Will the Secretary of State look into the statement that has been made that the proposed space for playing spaces is now waterlogged and not usable at all?

I certainly will look at that point, which is a different one from that which was asked in the Question on the Paper. I would remind the hon. Member that the Development Corporation is working to two acres per thousand of the population, which apparently is the normal standard for new developments.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the deteriorating condition of the River Forth, with the result that salmon and other fish float dead from pollution; and what steps are being taken to deal urgently with purification.

As I told the right hon. Member on 2nd July last, there have been occasional complaints of fish dying from pollution in the tidal parts of the Forth over which the River Purification Board has at present no control. A draft Order extending the Board's jurisdiction to the tidal waters of the estuary was published in May this year, but has been the subject of objections which are now being considered.

Would the Secretary of State investigate the possibility of scientific methods of counteracting the pollution, even if he cannot get pollution stopped immediately? Would he also see whether preventive measures could be taken against some of the worst forms of pollution until such time as the Board can get its major operations into order?

I understand that the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has been examining the possibility of curing pollution by re-aerating or oxygenating rivers, but all the evidence so far shows that that is an almost impossibly expensive method of doing it. The cure must lie in prevention rather than in action after the event.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the beginning of pollution in the Devon near Dollar; and what steps he will take to prevent any development of this destruction of the amenities of the Devon.

I assume that the right hon. Member is referring to pollution of the river resulting from the driving of two new shafts at the Dollar mine. I understand this pollution is only temporary and that the National Coal Board is co-operating with the Forth River Purification Board in minimising it while it lasts. I have not heard of any damage to fish.

Will the Secretary of State keep in mind that if he can get the hydraulic analogy for nipping it in the bud, he will stop this pollution before it starts, so to speak, in this part of the Devon, which is one of the most beautiful rivers in Scotland?

This is a question of a mixture of water and sandstone brick which has been getting into the river. It is hoped to get over the trouble very quickly indeed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his directive to new town development corporations to increase their rents.

There was no formal directive, but my views on the low level of the existing rents and on the course of action I thought the Corporations should follow were made clear to them in discussion.

Is it not the case that this scheme was laid before the Development Corporations, that they asked whether in the Press statement they could use the words that it was a directive and that the Minister of State said that they could use those words? Further, can the right hon. Gentleman state whether the Development Corporations had any power to alter or modify the scheme laid before them?

The position is that a scheme was shown to them. My words are correct; there was no formal directive in the technical sense of the word. I have to be frank about that. There was no formal directive. I think my first Answer made clear that my views were made very plain to the Development Corporations. I should like to examine the hon. Member's later question very carefully before I give a reply to it.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman done his utmost to encourage the Development Corporations, if he has not directed them, to determine new rent levels which are precisely those which he asked local authorities to work towards over a period of years? Is not the increase much too sudden in this case?

I cannot accept that increases of the order of 7s. 6d. a week at East Kilbride and 6s. in Glenrothes are too severe as increases in standard rents, especially when account is taken of the rent rebate scheme, which is a very fair scheme indeed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why, in view of the improvement in the nation's financial situation, no grants are being made available to local authorities in the current financial year for unclassified roads in Caithness and Sutherland in spite of their importance to agriculture and forestry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why grants have been refused to the County Council of Ross and Cromarty under the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, 1897, for the year 1958–59.

Grants are being paid for a number of projects at present under construction in Ross and Cromarty, Caithness and Sutherland, but I regret that the need to restrict grants still continues and that it has not so far been possible to offer grant for any new projects to start this year.

Is not it a bad thing to withhold grants for essential road repairs while unemployment is running at a rate of 7.2 per cent. and many thousands of pounds are being paid out to keep men idle? Would not it be better to put them to work on the roads?

I am only too anxious to get on with urgent road work where-ever it is humanly possible and consistent with economic conditions, but I should point out that the amount of employment given by extensive road works is relatively very small, although I agree that it is an element in reducing unemployment.

If the amount of employment is necessarily small, that means that not much labour is used in the making of roads. That seems all the less reason for closing them. Would the Minister say whether even after a war, in our hardest times, there was ever any stoppage of the development of these roads in the Highlands?

There is no stoppage now. Work is going on. At the moment work is going on in Sutherland where grants of £20,000 have been approved, in Caithness £8,400, and in Ross and Cromarty £25,000.

Would the Secretary of State agree that one of the things which makes minor roads so expensive is the stopping and starting of projects? Cannot he represent to the Treasury that the annual grant for this purpose sometimes leads to considerable extra expenditure? Since there is an indication in the private sector that the Chancellor of the Exchequer is relaxing the squeeze a little, can the right hon. Gentleman give any idea when the relaxation may reach the public sector?

This work is continuous and that is why it must be phased gradually to avoid the kind of disruption to which the hon. Member refers. The second part of his question is one which is constantly in my mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had from Renfrewshire tenants regarding evictions under the Rent Act; and from which areas within Renfrewshire.

I have received representations about notices to quit under the Rent Act from seven tenants in my constituency and from one in Paisley.

Are any of these tenants in the Gourock area?

I do not know whether I should have included Questions in the House from the hon. Lady as one of my constituents in Gourock. I regret that I omitted to do so. Of those to which I referred, five were in Gourock.

Is not the right hon. Member aware that he is not likely to have any representations from me because I own my own house? Thirty-five of his constituents in Ashton Gardens are threatened with eviction. Can he tell us what he intends to do about it? Will he now admit that there are hardships under the Rent Act?

It is still too early to tell whether any notice to quit will result in eviction. I have never disguised the fact that there might be some individual cases of hardship, but I do not believe that it is widespread, and I think that the hon. Lady must agree with that.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the Ingleby Committee's terms of reference and work concerning juvenile courts, remand homes, approved schools, and prevention of cruelty to, and exposure to moral danger of, juveniles; and why such a committee has not been set up for Scotland.

I am aware of the Committee's terms of reference. The Scottish Advisory Council on Child Care has already explored part of this field; and I intend to seek the Council's advice on any recommendations made by the Ingleby Committee which fall within its province and are relevant to Scotland.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the overcrowded remand homes, the overcrowded approved schools and the overcrowded Borstals of Scotland and take some action along the lines recommended by the Ingleby Committee?

I have listened to the hon. Lady's supplementary question carefully and I will consider it very carefully.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to give effect to the legal aid and legal advice provisions under Sections 5 and 7 of the Legal Aid and Solicitors (Scotland) Act, 1949.

I hope to bring Section 7 of the Act into force towards the end of this financial year and to follow that by bringing Section 5 into force in the next financial year.

Does the Secretary of State realise that to bring those Sections of the Act into force would not only tend to reduce the cost of the scheme but would greatly assist persons contemplating legal proceedings? Is he aware that his announcement will be received with satisfaction?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many road improvement schemes in Scotland under the Agriculture (Improvement of Roads) Act, 1955, he has so far approved; how many have been completed; and the mileage involved.

Sixteen schemes involving 43 miles of road have been approved. I have not yet been notified of the completion of any of these schemes.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of them have been started?

Most certainly. Some of them may have been completed, but I might not yet have had notification of completion.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has received from Edinburgh Corporation concerning tide and storm damage at East-field; and what action he proposes to take.

Edinburgh Corporation recently informed me that it had the condition of the sea wall at Eastfield under active consideration, with a view to the action which it might take under the Coast Protection Act. I am awaiting a further report from the Corporation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Edinburgh Corporation has had this matter under active consideration for several years? Is not it time that he gave the Corporation a bit of a jog and got something done?

I am certain that the Corporation will take note of the views expressed by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to announce that a start has been made in building the Forth Road Bridge.

The Forth Road Bridge Joint Board has, with my approval, recently placed a contract for site-clearing work at South Queensferry which is an essential preliminary to the construction of the bridge; and I understand that a start was made on this work yesterday. The Board is pressing on with the negotiations for the two main contracts, and I hope it will be possible to begin work on the bridge itself in two or three months. I have no doubt that the contractors will be anxious to complete the work in the shortest possible time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to a complaint by Coldstream Town Council about the frequent incidence of water-main fractures owing to the heavy traffic which passes through the town; whether he is aware that this has necessitated repeated expenditure on digging up and renewing pipes; and what action he proposes.

I have received an inquiry from the Border Burghs' Convention about the protection available in law to Coldstream Town Council against damage caused by very heavy traffic passing through the Burgh. As the main road through Coldstream is used for the movement of heavy indivisible loads, I am consulting with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, who administers the regulations governing such movements.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether we can take it that some helpful action is likely to result?

The whole question is rather complicated and I think it may be helpful if I write to my hon. and gallant Friend about it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further legislation he intends introducing to deal with agriculture in Scotland.

I am not at present in a position to make any announcement about future legislation.

Can the Minister give us an assurance that if any future legislation dealing with agriculture in Scotland comes to his attention it will be sent to the Scottish Grand Committee? The Committee on the Agriculture Bill, which affects Scotland, contained only 6 Scottish Members out of 45. A very large number of Scottish Members have wished to put points for their agricultural constituents but have been unable to do so. The whole thing is grossly unfair to the farming community of Scotland.

I do not accept that for one minute. Replying to the main question, I am not prepared to hypothecate, if that is the right word, about the future.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses have been closed in Leith since 1945 and 1954, respectively; and how many houses have been built.

The number of houses closed is 289 since 1945 and 177 since 1954. The numbers built since these dates are 187 and 171 respectively.

In view of these figures, which prove the continued decline in population in this part of Scotland, can the right hon. Gentleman say what steps he is now taking to expedite the building of new houses and slum clearance?

The hon. Member may well be referring to the Leith Port site. Plans and specifications have been prepared there and it is hoped to invite tenders shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the atomic station at Hunterston, Ayrshire, is to be used for production of material for military purposes.

Her Majesty's Government are concerned solely with the possibility of securing additional sources of military plutonium should the need for them arise. I cannot at present forecast what use, if any, would be made of Hunterston in these circumstances.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the London Times published an article saying that plutonium for military purposes is to be manufactured at Hunterston and this has caused great alarm in the district as raw material for atom bombs will be manufactured in a big industrial area, which is near to the constituency of the Secretary of State?

The reply I have given is based on the facts as they are at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the strong representations from Wales concerning the periodic tests for radioactive fall-out, he will give instructions that reports are to be written in a non-technical form easily understandable to the public; and whether, to reassure the population in the upland areas of Wales, he will publish in simple non-technical terms the incidence of fall-out and the level of strontium 90 in these areas, and give in non-scientific terms information which will help lay persons in assessing the danger from strontium 90 fall-out.

We are considering whether we can improve the presentation of the results of measurements of fall-out. I would point out, however, that the assessment of the significance of these results is a complicated and technical matter. The forthcoming Report of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation will, I understand, contain an up-to-date assessment of the health hazards due to radiation.

Will the Prime Minister look at this matter again, because in Wales people are getting alarmed and, from the Western Mail of today, we understand that water in Wales is to be tested for strontium? All the people would like to know in simple language what it really means to them and whether they can carry on earning their livelihood at sheep farming, particularly in the Welsh hills.

In simple language, I am advised that the levels do not constitute any danger to the human population, but I am sure the hon. Member would understand that there is always rather a difficulty in trying to express these highly technical results in too simple a form because one might then be accused of not keeping precisely the balance. In simple language, I have tried to answer this supplementary question, but for the more technical language I would rather await the reports of the experts.

Will the Prime Minister bear in mind that there are continuous references made to this matter in the Press and that widespread concern is created? While appreciating the difficulties, may I ask him if, when he has had this Report, he will consider whether people can be reassured—that is what they want—that the dangers so often spoken about are not very real?

I have tried my best today to give that assurance, and I say there is no evidence to suggest that these levels constitute a danger to the human population. While keeping a balance and not being accused of misrepresenting the facts but trying to state them in rather more understandable forms, I should say that the levels will not constitute a danger to the human population.

Will the Prime Minister make the United Nations Report of which he spoke available as a White Paper for the House and the country to see and, if necessary, can it be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum?

I will certainly consider the form of this publication and whether it should be re-published in the form of a White Paper. I will also consider the question of an explanatory memorandum, but I have to be very careful in doing so not to be accused of in any way trying to re-write the Report or making my own gloss upon it. I should have thought it would be better to leave the Report as it is, but I will consider the suggestion.

I am obliged to the Prime Minister, but will he bear in mind the great difficulty in obtaining United Nations documents and the importance of having the full text of these Reports?

Yes, I will see to that.

Will the Prime Minister tell us the date of the latest report of the Medical Research Council on this matter?

There is to be a further report covering the 1957 figures to be issued in the next few days.

asked the Prime Minister if he will initiate discussions with Commonwealth Governments on the need to create a Commonwealth atomic energy organisation.

Co-operation with Commonwealth countries in atomic energy matters is already so close and continuous that I do not think there would be any advantage in creating any formal organisation. I am not aware of a desire for any such organisation on the part of other members of the Commonwealth. We have, however, invited all Commonwealth Governments to send delegates to an informal meeting of Commonwealth nuclear scientists in the United Kingdom this September as foreshadowed in Command Paper 237 last year.

While I welcome an informal meeting of scientists on this matter in September, may I ask whether the Prime Minister agrees that if European countries can create a formal organisation like Euratom, with which we may be associated, there is surely a need for a formal arrangement for a Commonwealth organisation, and that many people feel that such an organisation would have tremendous influence in the world, not only for developing atomic energy but in the wider sphere of Commonwealth organisation?

Yes, Sir; but I should not like to deal with what we might discuss at Montreal. Up to now it has been the tradition of the Commonwealth to deal informally and not to set up these formal bodies. That may change and we may end by setting up some of these bodies, but I will certainly consider what the hon. Member has said.

Taking first things first, is not there an urgent need to initiate discussions with Euratom immediately in view of the United States' Euratom agreement issued this morning? Secondly, why have we been lagging so lamentably behind the United States with all our experience in nuclear reactor production for electricity, so that the Americans have been able to step in and capture this European market with a £120 million programme?

The hon. Member has succeeded in a supplementary question in raising an entirely different question and altogether misrepresenting it.

Does not the agreement between the United States and Euratom point to the value of having a specific international organisation to deal with this problem? Might not we use that experience with the Commonwealth to avoid being pushed out there by the United States?

No, Sir. Glad as I am to find the hon. Member rallying to the Commonwealth, that is not really a question which arises from the original Question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in his proposed meeting with General de Gaulle, he will endeavour to secure a co-operative attitude to the negotiations for a European Free Trade Area.

We shall have many important matters to discuss, but I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that the French Government will have been told of the great importance Her Majesty's Government attach to the speedy conclusion of an agreement on a Free Trade Area.

Is the Prime Minister aware that, because of the fairly reasonable certainty of the "Little Six" organisation starting next year, a great many arrangements are being made among the different firms in those areas and, unless this is decided fairly soon, it may be that there will be consolidation between the Six which will preclude the proper organisation which might come if the European Free Trade Area could be started earlier?

It is, of course, a great regret to us that there has been delay in negotiations waiting on the preparation of a joint decision by the Six. That in its turn has waited on the political situation in France. That is one of the reasons, among others, why I hope in this visit to Paris at the end of this week to clear up this matter, as well as many other matters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can yet state the outcome of the negotiations undertaken by his Department about the setting up of a large factory in west South Wales.

Yes, Sir. I am glad to be able to announce that arrangements between the Board of Trade and Pressed Steel Company of Cowley, Oxford, have now been concluded by which the Government will provide them with a large factory at Swansea where the company proposes to manufacture refrigerators.

The company estimates that it will employ in this factory some 2,000 workers within eighteen months of the date of occupation and build up progressively over the ensuing four to five years to a labour force of around 4,000.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this will give enormous satisfaction to all Welsh hon. Members on both sides of the House? Can he give us an assurance that he will apply the same pattern of procedure to the problems of unemployment in North Wales?

Naturally the Board of Trade is glad that these arrangements have been concluded, but I should like to emphasise that this is only part of the normal work on which the Board of Trade is continuously engaged.

While we welcome this announcement, may we be assured that the Board of Trade will continue its efforts in north West Wales and other parts of the Principality?

And in Stoke-on-Trent.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Answer to this Question appeared on the tape at ten past one today and that the Department was careful to point out that it had no connection with the strip steel mill? May we take it, therefore, that Scotland's prospect of having this mill is very much better than it was?

The hon. Member should not draw any such conclusion from this announcement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, under his regulations, a television tube which has to have the gun replaced attracts Purchase Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that Customs and Excise has now ruled that repair costs of television tubes must now bear Purchase Tax with the result that an £8 job will now cost £12 16s.; and if he will rescind this new administrative imposition.

Insertion of a fresh gun in a television tube amounts to the manufacture of a virtually fresh tube, and tax is therefore chargeable under the law. This is not a new imposition, and I see no reason to amend the law.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that an engine, wheels and body can be replaced on a motor car without the whole vehicle attracting taxation for the second time? Why cannot this principle be applied to television tubes?

Without more study, I am not sure that I would agree that there is a very great deal that a television tube and a motor car have in common.

Would not the Chancellor agree that the imposition of this tax will tend to encourage people to buy a new tube instead of paying for this very expensive repair; that they will be enouraged to spend £18 where, previously, £8 was sufficient? Will he try to appreciate the utter futility of the Government talking to the trade unions about stability while their own policy is so blatantly inflationary?