asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provisions exist for the encouragement of the training of women teachers in Uganda and Kenya; how many studentships there are for this purpose; and if he will make a statement.

In Kenya, there are three Government and twenty grant-aided centres at which 870 African women were being taught in 1957; no fees are charged. There are also two colleges training 130 Asian women where fees are charged at low rates.

In Uganda, at the end of 1956 there were three Government, 35 aided and one unaided teacher training centres at which 1,366 African women and 40 Asian women were being trained. No fees are charged for African women being trained; I have not the details of fees for Asians.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the present rent controls in townships in Uganda; and what is the policy of the Uganda Government with regard to decontrol.

In townships in Uganda rent control now applies only to residential accommodation and to business premises contained in one lease with living quarters, and does not in any case apply to accommodation and premises let after 1st January, 1957.

The Uganda Government's policy is eventually to achieve complete decontrol. Business premises contained on one lease with living quarters will be decontrolled on 1st January, 1959, and a committee of the Legislative Council is about to examine the position regarding purely residential premises.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies upon what conditions inhabitants of the United Kingdom are granted assisted passages from Britain by each Colonial Government; what undertakings are given them as to economic conditions and promise of employment; and what are in each case the conditions of transport and for accommodation of the emigrants during travel and on arrival while awainting employment and later.

There is no Government assisted migration from this country to any Colonial Territory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which districts of Tanganyika are the branches of the Tanganyika-African National Union which have been refused permission to register and declared unlawful, respectively.

The following branches of the Tanganyika African National Union have been refused permission to register: Lake Province. Mwanza. Malampaka. Nassa. Nera. Lushoto. Morogoro District. Karebezo. Kondoa. Shinyanga. Geita District. Bukokwa-Buchosa Geita.

In the case of the Morogoro District branch, registration has since been permitted to allow activities throughout the whole of Morogoro District save in the two sub-Chiefdoms of Mkuyuni and Matombo.

Branches have been declared unlawful in the Geita and Iringa Districts and at Korogwe in the Lushoto District.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies at what date the Employment Bill being prepared by the Hong Kong Government will be published.

I have nothing to add to the oral reply about this Bill which I gave the right hon. Member on 26th June.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many meetings have been held by the Fleck Committee appointed to inquire into the fishing industry.

The Committee has so far met five times.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the excessive price for potatoes now being charged to fish fryers in the City of Birmingham which is causing hardship to the trade and to the house wife; and what action he will now take to reduce these prices.

I am aware that, in common with other users, fish fryers have had to pay high prices for potatoes in recent weeks. Wholesale prices have, however, already fallen significantly and, with supplies becoming more plentiful, prices should continue to fall.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what number of consignments of fresh cherries imported into the United Kingdom from Italy in 1956 and 1957 were condemned because of infection by cherry fruit fly.

The number of consignments of fresh cherries from Italy which were refused entry at ports in England or Wales because of infestation with cherry fruit fly in 1956 and in 1957 was eight and seven, respectively. There were no importations of fresh cherries from Italy into Scotland or Northern Ireland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what negotiations are being at present conducted by the Forestry Commission for the purchase or lease of any land in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

The Forestry Commission is at present negotiating with 26 landowners in the West Riding of Yorkshire for the purchase or lease of approximately 5,824 acres.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the approximate acreage owned or leased by the Forestry Commission in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

The Forestry Commission has acquired by purchase or lease 8,331 acres of land in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the safety regulations governing the storage of inflammable oils were observed by the United Oils Company Limited before the recent outbreak of fire at Tyndall Street, Cardiff.

There is no general enactment governing the storage of oil other than petroleum spirit, and I am informed that no petroleum spirit was involved in this fire.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of unsolved murders in Great Britain since 1st January, 1950.

I regret that the information is not available in the form in which my hon. and gallant Friend asks for it. I am, however, circulating below a table showing the number of murders recorded as known to the police in England and Wales in each of the years 1950–56 in respect of which the offender was undetected when the volume of Criminal Statistics for that year went to press in the succeeding summer. The figures include murders which, although unsolved some six months after the end of the year in which they were recorded, were solved subsequently.

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland that the figures for Scotland are not available in a precisely comparable form, and it is not, therefore, possible to give total figures for Great Britain. If my hon. and gallant Friend wishes to have Scottish figures perhaps he will put down another Question.

NUMBERS OF OFFENCES RECORDED BY THE POLICE IN ENGLAND AND WALES AS MURDER IN EACH OF THE YEARS 1950–1956 IN RESPECT OF WHICH THE OFFENDER WAS UNDETECTED WHEN THE CRIMINAL STATISTICS FOR THAT YEAR WENT TO PRESS Year Victims aged 1 year or over Victims under 1 year old 1950 … … 3 11 1951 … … 5 5 1952 … … 6 2 1953 … … 2 8 1954 … … 6 4 1955 … … 2 8 1956 … … 7 4

Note: More than one of these victims may have been killed by the same person.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he expects to introduce legislation to provide for the health, welfare and safety of workers in shops and offices on the lines recommended by the Gowers Committee;

(2) when he expects to re-introduce the Shops Bill dropped last Session on grounds of lack of time.

I have no statement to make except that I have these matters in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the National Association for Mental Health can expect a reply to their letter of 2nd January, 1958, receipt of which was acknowledged by his Department, and their further letter of 25th April, so far unacknowledged, on the subject of police practice in cases of suspected child murder.

I am sorry that the Association did not have an earlier reply to their letters, which related to the practice of securing the publication in the Press and on television of photographs of missing children as an aid to the police in their inquiries. This is a matter which is the responsibility of the Commissioner of Police, and I have sent the hon. Member a copy of the reply which, after consultation with the Commissioner, has now been sent to the Association.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in view of the existing provisions for the licensing of hairdressing establishments and the need to ensure that hairdressers are skilled and qualified in their trade, if he will introduce legislation to compel the individual registration of all persons engaged in this trade.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 1st April to a Question by the hon. Member for Swansea, West (Mr. P. Morris).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what pensions were paid to members of the police forces who retired in 1939, from inspectors down to constables; what were the dates of any increases granted in the intervening years; and what are the pensions now being paid.

Varying scales of pensions applied as between different forces in 1939. The following table relates to Metropolitan police officers who retired in 1939 with minimum and maximum awards payable in that force. It shows the amount of their awards at the time of their retirement and now payable as the result of subsequent Pensions (Increase) Acts.

— Minimum Maximum 1939 1958 1939 1958 £ £ £ £ Constable … 153 241 165 257 Sergeant … 181 280 195 299 Inspector … 242 352 260 372

The relevant Pensions (Increase) Acts and their operative dates are those of 1944 (1st January, 1944); 1947 (1st December. 1946); 1952 (1st October, 1952) and 1956 (1st April, 1956).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the reason for the delay in publishing the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis for 1957; and when it will be published.

The Commissioner's Annual Report is not normally published until the summer. The time required for its preparation depends on the work in connection with statistics. The 1957 Report is with the printers and should be published in early August.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Annual Report of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary for 1956–57 did not appear until 18th June, 1958; and if he will accelerate publication of future reports.

The delay in publication was accounted for by the time taken in compiling and checking factual material, and in printing. I will consider whether the Report can be published earlier in future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the present proposals on the part of the Prison Commissioners for the use of H.M.S. "Ceres" and part of the Royal Ordnance factory at Thorp Arch.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to his Question on 22nd May. Planning consent has now been granted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he is aware of the case of Mr. William Robertson, of Aberdeen, a skilled tradesman who went to Canada on the official Canadian representation that remunerative employment in his trade would be found there for him and to whom an assisted passage loan was made, but who found no such employment in his skilled trade, had to return to Scotland, and is now being pursued by the Canadian Government Immigration Service for a return of the balance amounting to £60 14s. 7d. of that loan; and if he will make representations to the Canadian Government authority to ensure that justice is done to Mr. Robertson.

As soon as I have completed inquiries into the facts of this particular case, I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether, in view of the reduction by one third in the number of assisted passages for United Kingdom emigrants to New Zealand, the Government will provide a grant towards the cost of New Zealand's assisted passage scheme, such as this country already provides to the Australian Government.

The free passage scheme to New Zealand is financed and operated by Her Majesty's Government in New Zealand. The reduction recently announced, which I understand will not come into effect until outstanding applications from the United Kingdom have been dealt with, was made, according to a statement by the New Zealand Minister of Immigration, in view of the prevailing economic conditions in New Zealand and her overseas exchange position. The majority of the emigrants from this country to New Zealand pay their own fares and will not be affected. My noble Friend is at all times willing to consider proposals for a joint scheme under the Commonwealth and Empire Settlement Acts if the New Zealand Government wishes the United Kingdom Government to participate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he has any information with regard to the effect of the recent disturbances in Ceylon upon the lives and property of United Kingdom citizens in that country.

The United Kingdom High Commissioner has reported fully on the present situation in Ceylon. So far there has been no indication of any serious threat to United Kingdom lives and property, and the United Kingdom Government are confident that the Ceylon authorities will take all necessary steps to ensure that no such threat develops. It is our hope that the measures now being taken by the Ceylon Government will be effective in restoring tranquillity on the island. Recent actions show that a determined effort is being made to that end.

At the beginning of this month a number of United Kingdom ships were requisitioned by the Ceylon Government under emergency powers to move refugees to and from the north of the island. It is understood that the ships have now been returned to their owners.

Certain pamphlets of a threatening nature were circulated during a recent strike. I understand that they have not given rise to serious concern among the majority of the United Kingdom community. One United Kingdom citizen is believed to have been killed during curfew hours in Colombo, but a report from the Ceylon authorities on the circumstances is still awaited.

asked the Minister of Education if his attention has been called to a breach of Section 27 of the Education Act, 1944, in respect of the daughter of Mr. G. M. Williams, in attendance at the Devizes, Southbroom, Church of England controlled Junior and Intermediate School; and what action he has taken to prevent a repetition of this breach of the Act.

I am making inquiries and will write to the right hon. Gentleman when they are complete.

asked the Minister of Education if, in order to inculcate appreciation of country and Commonwealth amongst school children, he will make 24th May an annual school holiday.

It is for local education authorities and the schools to decide when to grant holidays. In my view, sound teaching is the most effective way of achieving the purpose which my hon. Friend has in mind.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the continuing anxiety in Lyme Regis and the surrounding district about the proposal to convert Lyme Regis Grammar School into a bi-lateral school; whether he will give his reasons for approving the decision; and whether a public inquiry may be held, in view of the large number of objectors to the proposal.

I approved this proposal because I agreed with the local education authority that, since only about 90 pupils in the Lyme Regis area reach secondary school age each year, it was much better to have one school offering a reasonable choice of courses than two schools both of which would be too small. I received very full statements of the views of numerous objectors and I saw no need for a public inquiry. I sympathise with their anxiety, but I feel sure that it will be allayed when they see what the enlarged school can offer.

asked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the request of university authorities that vacation employment of students should not interfere with essential studies, he will further revise the rates of standard vacation grants awarded to State scholars to enable students to refrain from taking on vacation employment not related to the student's course.

No. I do not think any change is necessary, taking into account the special rates for vacations set out in paragraph 6 of Administrative Memorandum No. 563, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Education to what extent his policy in relation to the provision of classes for patients in mental deficiency hospitals is still governed by Circular 312, dated 11th September, 1956, and called "The Education of Patients in Hospital" and, particularly, by paragraphs 33 and 34 of that circular.

The policy stated in Circular 312 continues to be my policy. As the Parliamentary Secretary explained in his Answer on 19th June, I shall be considering the scope of local education authorities' powers in consultation with my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Health.

asked the Minister of Education how many new places for children in primary schools and secondary schools, respectively, have been provided since January, 1952, in the area of Basildon Urban District Council and in that of the Brentwood Urban District Council.

Between 1st January, 1952, and 31st March, 1958, the following new school places were taken into use: — Primary Secondary Total Basildon U.D.C. 4,400 1,260 5,660 Brentwood U.D.C. 1,440 450 1,890 Total 5,840 1,710 7,550

asked the Minister of Education what is the Secondary Schools Examination Council; and who are its members.

The Council's function is to advise me on matters of policy connected with examinations in all types of secondary school. The Chairman is Dr. J. F. Lockwood, M.A., Ph.D., Master of Birkbeck College, University of London, and the members are:—

Nominating Body and Names of Members

Minister of Education: Miss M. J. Bishop, C.B.E., M.A., Headmistress of the Godolphin and Latymer School, Hammersmith. Mr. W. F. Crick, General Manager for Research and Statistics, Midland Bank. Mr. C. E. Miller, M.A., Headmaster of Prince Henry's Grammar School, Evesham. Professor J. A. Pope. B.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc., M.I.Mech.E., Head of Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Nottingham. Mr. R. B. Simpson, Works Director, English Rose, Ltd.

County Councils Association: Mr. R. Beloe, M.A. Chief Education Officer, Surrey. Mr. H. R. Thomas, C.B.E., J.P. Chairman of the Welsh Joint Education Committee.

Association of Municipal Corporations: Alderman T. J. Brennan, Vice-Chairman of Association of Municipal Corporations Education Committee. Mr. E. L. Russell. C.B.E., M.A., Chief Education Officer for Birmingham.

Association of Education Committees: Dr. W. P. Alexander, Ed.B., M.A., B.Sc., General Secretary, Association of Education Committees. Mr. Stanley Moffett, M.C., M.A. Director of Education for Sheffield.

London County Council: Dr. Alec Hay, Chief Inspector, Education Department, London County Council.

Joint Four Secondary Associations: Mr. E. H. Goddard, M.A., Headmaster, Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham School. Miss H. Lister, M.A., Headmistress of Selhurst Grammar School, Croydon. Mr. A. W. S. Hutchings, M.A., Joint Secretary, Joint Four Secondary Associations. Miss O. M. Hastings, M.A., Joint Secretary, Joint Four Secondary Associations, and Secretary, Assistant Mistresses' Association.

National Union of Teachers: Mr. O. Barnett, B.E.M., B.A., Vice-Chairman of N.U.T. Education Committee. Mr. E. L. Britton, M.A., Headmaster of the County Secondary Mixed School, Warlingham. Mr. H. E. Davies, M.A., Headmaster of Canton High School, Cardiff. Mr. R. G. K. Hickman, B.A., Secretary to N.U.T. Grammar Schools Committee.

Association of Principals of Technical Institutions: Mr. N. M. H. Lightfoot, M.A. F.R.S.E., Principal of the Chelsea Polytechnic, London.

Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions: Mr. W. Ing, B.A., B.Com., Headmaster of the Secondary Technical School, Grimsby.

Headmasters' Conference: Mr. H. D. P. Lee, M.A., Headmaster of The College, Winchester. Oxford, Cambridge and London Universities: Reverend V. J. K. Brook, M.A., All Souls College, Oxford. Mr. C. W. Crawley, M.A., Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Professor C. T. Ingold, D.Sc., Birkbeck College, University of London.

Other Universities: Professor H. B. Charlton, C.B.E., M.A., D.de.D., Litt.D., John Edward Taylor Professor of English Language and Literature, University of Manchester. Dr. Brynmor Jones, B.Sc, Ph.D. Sc.D., F.R.I.C, Vice-Chancellor, University of Hull. Dame Olive Wheeler, D.B.E., D.Sc., lately Professor of Education, University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, Cardiff.

Welsh Joint Education Committee: Mr. H. Wyn Jones, M.A., B.Sc., Secretary, Welsh Joint Education Committee. Professor Henry Lewis, M.A., D.Litt., Professor of Welsh Language and Literature, University College, Swansea.

asked the Minister of Education if he will state for the latest date for which figures are available, the total number of children attending secondary schools and the numbers attending comprehensive, grammar, secondary modern, and technical schools, respectively.

The numbers of senior pupils attending maintained and assisted schools of different types in January, 1957, were: Comprehensive 42,416 Grammar 558,645 Modern 1,424,041 Technical 94,469 Multilateral and Bilateral 66,926 Total attending secondary schools 2,186,497 Seniors in all-age schools 165,329 Total seniors 2,351,826

In addition, there were 76,955 pupils aged 11 and over in direct grant grammar schools and 868 in direct grant secondary technical schools.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state the number of cases since 1st May in which the families of those on strike in the London omnibus dispute and in the London docks have been paid National Assistance, and the total sum involved.

The National Assistance Board informs me that during the strike of some 48,000 omnibus workers, which began on 5th May and ended nearly seven weeks later on 20th June, 4,199 strikers' families received assistance at a cost of £16,642. The Board also informs me that separate figures for the dock strike are not available, but information about this strike and the one at Smithfield Market can be given together. Up to 24th June, when these strikes had lasted, respectively, for about six and nine weeks involving, it is understood, some 20,000 dock workers and over 4,000 meat market workers, 5,505 of their families received assistance at a cost of £51,332.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) what was the cost of refitting and re-engining the submarine H.M.S. "Turpin" in 1956–57; and how many months' service this submarine carried out after that refit before breaking down again;

(2) what is the estimated cost and duration of the refit and further re-engining that the submarine H.M.S. "Turpin" is carrying out in Devonport at present; and whether he is satisfied that the expense incurred is in the national interest, in view of the fact that in 1956, 1957, 1958, and 1959 H.M.S. "Turpin" will have had over three years' refitting and two new sets of main engines for only four or five months' active and useful service.

I do not want to minimise "Turpin's" misfortunes, but they are not typical nor are they so bad as these Questions make out. From the middle of 1954 until the start of her current refit, "Turpin" was in commission for about 28 months and refitting for about 14 months. I have already explained, in the reply to my hon. Friend on 18th June, that her next programmed refit has been brought forward so that, on its completion, she may do a full 2 years' commission.

"Turpin's" last refit cost £379,000. Her present one is expected to take 12 months and to cost about £240,000. I am satisfied that this work must be done. When basic defects of this nature occur we must find the remedy for them: we cannot abandon the problem and scrap the vessel.

asked the Minister of Defence what he estimates would be the immediate cost if the retired pay of Regular officers of the three Armed Services and the Indian Services who retired prior to 1st September, 1950, was raised to the rates introduced from that date; and by how much this immediate cost would be likely to fall in each of the next three years.

The cost in the first full year would be £2,130,000, decreasing by about £70,000 a year in each of the next three years.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now give the dates during which the call-up of agricultural workers for the forces will be suspended in order to help with the harvest.

The dates of the 14-week period during which the call-up of agricultural workers will be suspended during this year's harvest vary according to the needs of the different areas and are set out below: Wales—7th July to 11th October, London and South Eastern and Southern Regions—26th July to 31st October. South Western and Northern Regions—4th August to 8th November, Midlands, North Midlands, North Western and East and West Ridings Regions—11th August to 15th November, Eastern Region and Scotland—18th August to 22nd November.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet authorised construction of a by-pass road on the Glasgow—Carlisle road at Abington.

Yes.