asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the correspondence, dating from 1951, between the Department of Health for Scotland and Aberdeen Town Council about noxious fumes from the fertiliser plant in Bannermill Place, Aberdeen, affecting the health of the residents in that area and that over a year ago the Department promised to take steps to rectify this, but it has not yet been rectified; and if he will now take steps to have it rectified.

Yes. Aberdeen Town Council is at present considering an application from the firm concerned for planning permission for the erection of a chimney at its works in Bannermill Place in accordance with recommendations by my Chief Alkali Inspector for securing better dispersal of the fumes. I understand that the matter is likely to be the subject of discussions between the Town Council and the firm with particular reference to the height of the proposed chimney.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will inquire into the circumstances which caused a helicopter, escorted by a Royal Air Force Shackleton, to fly from Aldergrove airport in Northern Ireland to the Island of Coll in order to transport a patient requiring urgent surgical treatment to the Island of Tiree whence she was taken by Heron ambulance to Renfrew Airport and thence to a Glasgow hospital for an operation; and by what methods he proposes to improve the medical service provided for the people of Coll.

This joint operation was carried out under arrangements recently concluded with the Admiralty and Air Force to provide improved air ambulance cover to the six islands from which the service by Heron was withdrawn in February of this year. I am satisfied that these arrangements, of which I am sending details to the hon. Member, are the best that can be made at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he has given to the researches of Dr. Percy Stocks into the causation of cancer, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Govan; and what steps he proposes to take to have the conclusions reached by Dr. Stocks studied further within the Health Service in Scotland.

I have no doubt that all concerned with the causation of cancer will wish to consider Dr. Stocks' conclusions with the greatest care.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much Canadian tinned salmon was imported into Great Britain in the last twelve months; and how this figure compares with that of comparable periods in 1937 and 1938.

In the year ended 31st May, 1958, 3·9 thousand tons valued at £2·4 million as compared with 8·4 thousand tons and 8·5 thousand tons valued at £0·7 million and £0·8 million, respectively, in the comparable periods of 1937 and 1938.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the continued decline in the furniture industry in Cardiff, and that another factory is due to close down at the end of this month; and what steps he is taking to help this industry.

I am aware that a furniture factory in Cardiff is due to close down later this month. We cannot say whether the forty or so workers who will lose their jobs in consequence can be found other work in the furniture industry, but the local offices of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour will do everything possible to find them suitable employment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation to protect purchasers against fraudulent second-hand car dealers.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the review on the collection of information in regard to migration by the short sea routes and by air has yet been completed; and what action is now contemplated to ensure the more accurate compilation of statistics in regard thereto.

The review has not yet been completed, and I am not yet in a position to say what action, if any, will be taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that the difficulties of the Lancashire cotton industry will be fully explored at the Commonwealth Conference in Montreal.

This is a matter to be settled between the countries concerned, and I do not think there will be an advantage in raising this specific issue at the Commonwealth Conference, more especially if agreement is reached on a voluntary limitation in the meanwhile.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what factors caused the decrease of 2,250 in the number of people employed in North Eastern Trading Estates factories during the period November, 1957, to May, 1958.

The decrease is due, as to 640 people, to the exclusion from the figures of three factories which have been sold to the tenants and are no longer administered by North Eastern Trading Estates Limited. The balance is due to a fall in employment chiefly in the electrical and certain other engineering industries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to provide more employment on North Eastern Trading Estates factories in Sunderland.

The Board of Trade and the North Eastern Trading Estates Limited is doing its best to find a suitable tenant for the Government factory in Sunderland which is at present vacant.

asked the Prime Minister if he has yet considered a telegram from the Coatbridge Trades Council indicating the demand made by a public meeting convened by them for a steel strip mill for Scotland; and, in view of the 8 per cent. unemployment figures and the obsolete condition of industry in North Lanarkshire, if he will now make a statement in reply to that telegram.

The telegram has been acknowledged and I have taken note of its contents. The Government are not yet in a position to make a statement or the siting of the proposed new mill.

asked the Prime Minister to what extent he was informed by General de Gaulle during his recent visit of the French Government's intention to proceed with the manufacture of nuclear weapons and nuclear weapon tests if the nuclear arms race continued.

I have nothing to add to the communiqué issued after my recent visit to Paris.

asked the Prime Minister to what extent Her Majesty's Government are helping to build up Eurochemic with technical assistance and equipment.

Representatives of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority have taken part in the preliminary technical discussions on the design of the Eurochemic plant. As my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal told my hon. Friend the Member for Scotstoun (Sir J. Hutchison) on 4th February on my behalf, we are willing to provide more detailed technical assistance and equipment on suitable terms.

asked the Prime Minister whether a decision has yet been reached to adopt the planned homogeneous aqueous reactor at the Winfrith Heath Centre as a joint project with the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation.

It has been decided on technical grounds that the homogeneous aqueous reactor system would not at present be suitable for a major research and development effort, either by the Atomic Energy Authority alone or as a joint programme under the European Nuclear Energy Agency.Discussions are now in progress in the Agency about a joint research programme on the high temperature gas-cooled reactor, a system which holds considerable promise for the generation of power but has not yet been investigated in detail. This would include the construction of an experimental reactor in the United Kingdom. I hope that a satisfactory agreement will be concluded in the next few months.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the Treasury of paying all the postwar credits held by blind persons.

About £½ million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further action he is taking to check the drift in the value of the £ since 1951 and to obtain the objective of the Government in doubling the standard of living in 25 years.

Appropriate action to keep the economy in balance will continue to be taken as circumstances require. As regards the second part of the Question, we shall encourage as rapid a development of our resources as is consistent with the strength and stability of our money.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the distribution of personal income, before and after tax, for the financial years ending April, 1951 and 1957, respectively, in a similar manner to the tables contained in National Income and Expenditure, 1957, pages 22 and 23, but reducing the groups before tax to the same number as those given after tax.

The tables referred to relate to calendar years. Figures for 1950 are not available; I regret that the figures for 1956 are in course of revision.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the relaxation of the trade barriers between East and West and the consequent broadening of commercial trading, he will consider granting extended credit facilities to Yugoslavia in order to assist her to obtain from Great Britain the agricultural and other machinery of which she is in great need.

There are no restrictions particular to Yugoslavia on the credit which our exporters may give in selling agricultural and other machinery. The facilities of the Export Credits Guarantee Department are open to our exporters subject to certain limits which are kept under constant review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Paymaster-General's recent talks in Paris on European Free Trade proposals have broken down; what specific objections were raised by the French Government; and what hopes there now are of the free trade proposals being generally accepted.

My recent talks in Paris were intended to ensure the resumption of negotiations which have been at a standstill for some months awaiting the proposals of the Six Treaty of Rome powers based on the French objections. It is too early to say whether this object has been achieved.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware of the public nuisance caused in Leckwith and Victoria Park, Cardiff, by the continued emission of white dust from the faulty incinerator of the Ely Paper Works; and what action he proposes to take in this matter.

I understand that this complaint is being investigated by the Cardiff City Council, who are the responsible authority.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs to what extent there is a planned development of provision of crematoria.

The provision of crematoria is in the first instance the responsibility of local authorities, except in so far as facilities are provided by private companies, but in considering any application for loan sanction for such a purpose, my right hon. Friend has regard to the desirability both of meeting the growing public demand for cremation and of avoiding overlapping facilities.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what appeals he has received in the last twelve months concerning applications for permission to undertake development in the parish of Ashley in the rural district of Newcastle-under-Lyme; in what sense these appeals have been decided; and why no public inquiry has been held.

My right hon. Friend has received three appeals. Two are for the erection of bungalows and have not yet been decided. In one case an inquiry has been held, and in the other an inquiry will be held. The third appeal was for the erection of a workshop for the repair of agricultural machines, and was allowed. No inquiry was held, because the parties agreed to the appeal being decided on the basis of their written statements and a report by an officer of the Department on the site and its surroundings, and because my right hon. Friend considered that in this way and by study of representations from local residents he had obtained sufficient information to take a decision.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has had any further communication from the West Riding of Yorkshire County Council regarding public access to uncultivated moorland in the county; and what action he proposes to take.

Yes. I have received the County Council's proposals regarding public access in areas within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. I am in consultation about them with the National Parks Commission, whose advice I have sought.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Cypriot political prisoners are gaoled in Great Britain; and if he will consider sending them back to Cyprus.

If the hon. Lady is referring to Cypriots convicted of terrorist offences, including murder and attempted murder, the answer to the first part of the Question is, "22", and to the second part, "No".

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement as to the availability of fresh food in Lokitaung Prison, Kenya; and to what extent cases of deficiency disease have been reported in the prisoners.

The prisoners at Lokitaung receive balanced rations each day, including fresh meat and beans. They are encouraged to augment this diet by such vegetables as can be cultivated in the allotments within the prison. These include, cabbage, lettuce, onions, millet, tomatoes and pawpaw. On only seven days during the twelve months ending 31st May was it necessary to supply a non-meat diet. There have been no cases of deficiency disease at Lokitaung.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the office of the representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation in the State of Lahej was broken into and occupied; and if he will make inquiries as to who was responsible.

An allegation of this nature has been reported to my right hon. Friend involving not a representative of F.A.O. but two irrigation engineers working in the State on a F.A.O. project. Inquiries are being made by the Acting Governor and I will write to the right hon. Gentleman when a report has been received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations about Aden have been made to Her Majesty's Government by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and the Trades Union Congress; and how far these recommendations have been accepted.

Arising from a visit to Aden in April by a representative of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, a number of recommendations concerning, among other matters, immigration policy were endorsed by that organisation and forwarded to me through the British Trades Union Congress. I have forwarded these recommendations to the Acting Governor for his consideration, and when I have received his views will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the grant-in-aid which the British Solomon Islands Protectorate still requires from the United Kingdom to balance its budget, what surveys have been instituted to ascertain the economic potential of the Protectorate in various fields; and what action it is proposed to take upon their findings and recommendations.

The Geological Survey Department of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate has for some years been carrying out a programme of surveying in detail the known mineral deposits, seeking other mineral deposits and advising mining interests of prospects in the Protectorate. The Agricultural and Forestry Departments investigate the economic potential in those fields in the course of their normal duties. A project for the institution of soil surveys to determine which areas are suitable for agricultural development has recently been approved and a report on a survey of the labour problems has been submitted and is being considered. The Development Programme for 1957 to 1960, costing approximately £913,000, contains a number of other projects of economic value.

asked the Minister of Works whether work is to start on the repair of the roof of St. Stephen's Chapel during the Summer Recess.

Yes; work will start early in August.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what is his policy for the geographical distribution of research establishments and projects, with a view to spreading interest and incentive.

This is a matter primarily for the four Research Councils, whose policy is to try to arrange for the most appropriate geographical siting having regard to the nature of each particular research establishment or project.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what is the total annual income of the centre for European Nuclear Research; and what is Her Majesty's Government's contribution.

The income required by the budget of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research for the calendar year 1958 is 56 million Swiss francs, or approximately £4,660,000, towards which H.M. Government contributes one-quarter. A copy of the annual accounts for the calendar year 1957 has recently been placed in the Library.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, how far the investigations conducted by the Road Research Laboratory into the wearing of crash helmets by motor cyclists denote their efficacy.

A study by the Road Research Laboratory, with the co-operation of the Metropolitan Police, of 7,000 accidents in 1954 and 1955 showed that the wearing of a crash helmet appeared to reduce the risk of death by about 40 per cent. It also reduced by 30 per cent. to 40 per cent. the chance of injury to that part of the head covered by the helmet.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he is yet in a position to report the views of the Road Research Laboratory on the extent to which the flow of London traffic was affected by the bus strike.

Many of the observations on traffic taken by the Road Research Laboratory during the bus strike cannot be properly evaluated until corresponding observations are completed now that the buses are running. Some preliminary conclusions can, however, be drawn. Firstly, results were variable according to the route; on some journeys there was a decrease in journey speeds and on others there was an increase. Secondly, a comparison of speeds on certain routes in Central London during the bus strike with speeds on the same roads in September 1956 showed little change of speed during the peak period and little change at the beginning of the bus strike but an increase of speed of 17 per cent. towards the end of the strike. The increase of speed was accompanied by an increase of traffic flow of 7 per cent. The increase in journey speed was largely due to a reduction in the time spent at controlled intersections.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what recent talks have taken place in Western Germany between the Governments of the United States of America, Great Britain, Turkey, and Iraq on the despatch of armed forces to the Lebanon and if he will make a statement.

None.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government now intend to take to reduce the list of strategic restrictions on East-West trade; and whether he will make a statement.

The discussions on the review of the strategic controls in Paris are still in progress. These discussions have so far been ad referendum. It is expected, however, that there will be a meeting later this month, with the object of reaching collective agreement on recommendations to Governments. The outcome of these discussions will be announced as soon as possible.

asked the Paymaster-General at what percentage of total capacity the steel industry is now producing.

I am informed by the Iron and Steel Board that crude steel production in June is provisionally estimated at approximately 80 per cent. of capacity.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the value of sales of Ordnance Survey maps during the last twelve months to the most convenient dates, for England and Wales and for Scotland, respectively.

During the year ended 31st March, 1958, the receipts from the sales of Ordnance Survey maps and plans in England and Wales were about £196,000 and in Scotland £14,000. Of these sales maps and plans of England and Wales accounted for about £189,000 and of Scotland for £21,000. The receipts for maps and plans on scales of 6″ to one-mile or larger sold in England and Wales were about £72,000 and those in respect of smaller scales about £124,000. The corresponding figures for Scotland were £5,000 and £9,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many British military bases have been established, or are being

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet set up an expert committee to consider the revision of the Summary

In the Federation of Malaya there are seven main centres of accommodation for British Army units and two airfields in use by the Royal Air Force. The total cost of permanent construction in the Federation built by the Army and the Royal Air Force between 1949 and March, 1958, was about £5·7 million. The Federation Government have a large programme of accommodation for their own armed forces and cannot, therefore, contribute towards the cost of accommodating United Kingdom forces.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state for England and Wales and the Metropolitan Police Force, respectively, the authorised establishment, the strength, and the actual deficiency at the last convenient date.

The figures for 31st May, 1958, which are the latest available, are as follows:Jurisdiction (Separation and Maintenance) Acts, 1895 to 1949.

Yes. As I envisaged in my reply to a Question by my hon. Friend on 6th February, I have now set up an expert Committee to advise me on certain proposals which have been made to codify and improve the existing law. The members are:—

• Mr. Justice Arthian Davies (Chairman.)
• Mr. A. F. Stapleton Cotton.
• Mr. L. H. Crossley.
• Mr. E. Hughes, C.B.E.
• Mr. J. K. T. Jones, C.B.E.
• Lady Littlewood.
• The hon. Member for Lewisham North.
• Mr. H. H. Maddocks, M.C.
• Mr. R. R. Pittam.
• My hon. Friend the Member foe Epsom.
• Mr. J. Whiteside.

asked the Minister of Education the average size of classes in primary and secondary schools, respectively, in the South-East Staffordshire Division.

38·7 and 33·9 in January, 1957, the latest date for which figures are available.

asked the Minister of Education what progress has been made with the registration of independent schools under Part III of the Education Act, 1944.

1,465 schools recognised by me as efficient are, under Section 70 of the Education Act, 1944, deemed to be registered. The six months' period within which proprietors of other independent schools had to apply for registration ended on 31st March last and 2,959 such schools in England and Wales have been granted provisional registration. Most of these have now been visited by H.M. Inspectors and, as a result, the registration of 2,328 has been made final. So far 134 schools have come within the category of those needing special consideration. Twenty-two special inspections were carried out last term and 34 more have been arranged for the present term. I have served four notices of complaint.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state in round figures the number of British troops overseas on any convenient date and the number trooping between the United Kingdom and foreign stations in each of the last 10 years, showing troops in the Far East, Middle East, Germany, and elsewhere, separately.

The following table shows the numbers of troops overseas, including those in Europe, on 31st March in each of the last ten years. For security reasons, the figure for each theatre is not made public beyond what is contained in the annual Memorandum on the Army Estimates. We do not keep records to show the numbers trooping at any particular time.

asked the Secretary of State for War what will be the strength of the Army on 1st January, 1962, if recruiting continues until then at the average rate so far this year.

The new rates of pay have been in operation for only three months and it would be misleading to make a forecast for three years ahead on the basis of, such short experience. On 1st January, 1962, there will still be a number of National Service men in the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the approximate annual cost of paying and maintaining a brigade group, excluding the cost of military equipment, training or trooping.

Approximately £2½ million in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what proposals he is considering for authorising the construction of an Underground station at the West London Air Terminal.

A new underground station would be a costly project and could not be entertained before decisions have been taken on the various schemes

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will indicate the mileage of unclassified roads in each of the Welsh counties which have been up-graded to Class III roads; the mileage of Class III to Class II; Class II to Class I; and Class I to trunk roads since 1946.

The figures are: