asked the Minister of Education what official facilities exist or are contemplated to enable the holders of the Diploma of Technology or similar qualifications to obtain higher qualifications by research or other means.

Last year the National Council for Technological Awards set up a committee to recommend what postgraduate awards the Councils should offer. I understand that it hopes to receive the committee's recommendations in the autumn.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the need to improve accommodation and conditions generally in the Horncastle, Cagthorpe Secondary Modern School; what representations, and in what terms, have been made to him by the local education authority; and if he will reconsider the priority which he has allotted to this work.

My right hon. Friend knows that the school is poorly housed, but regrets he cannot at present approve proposals to replace schools of this kind. The authority's most recent representations were in a letter earlier this month expressing serious concern at the omission of the new school from the 1959–60 building programme. He has told the authority that he cannot reconsider his decision.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that, whilst there is an apparent shortage of university places for science students, pending the completion of new universities, a number of technical colleges in the London area are recognised by the University of London for degrees; and how many such university places were not taken up in the past session.

The colleges do not fix a precise number of places, but I understand that last session there was room at four of them for a few more students taking degree courses in science.

asked the Minister of Education whether he can now indicate a date when it will be possible to give increased impetus to the five-year programme for reorganising all-age schools in rural areas; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has no statement to make at present.

asked the Minister of Education what consultation he has had with the Minister of Health regarding the school dental service in Swindon; and what action he proposes to take.

I have seen the letter which the hon. Member has received from a constituent about the school dental service in Swindon, and I am writing to him.

asked the Minister of Education if he will state the names of the members of his Advisory Council on Art Education; and if he will make a statement upon the functions of the Council and the considerations which led to its appointment.

I have not yet appointed the members of the National Advisory Council on Art Education. The Council's functions and the considerations which led me to set it up are explained in Circular 340, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that the number of pupils in maintained and assisted secondary schools will increase by 409,000 between 1958 and 1961 while the number of primary pupils will decline by 301,000 over the same period; and what steps he is taking to improve the staffing position in secondary schools.

Yes. Quite apart from the measures my right hon. Friend is taking to increase the total output from the training colleges, these colleges have for some time been training a bigger proportion of their students for work in secondary schools. In recent years there has been a steady increase in the number of graduate teachers and this has been helped by special arrangements for deferment. Local education authorities are also encouraging teachers to transfer from primary to secondary schools.

asked the Minister of Education why a child's chance of receiving a grammar school education in Newcastle-under-Lyme has declined substantially in the last five years.

The decline is accounted for by the increase in the size of the age group.

asked the Minister of Education whether the number of teachers in the Thurrock area is still below requirement; and by how many.

The Essex local education authority tells me that on its present staffing formula there are at the moment 70 vacant posts in schools in the Thurrock area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost of preparing the Report on the Census of Production for 1954, Volume 3, Industry 1, Motor Vehicles and Cycles, which has just been presented to Parliament; in view of its belated publication, if he is satisfied that it is of value to the industry and to the Government; and how many copies have, so far, been sold.

The cost of printing this Report was about £60. Up-to-date, 194 copies have been sold. The Board of Trade has a statutory duty to publish this information. I regret the delay in publication.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Courtauld's Knitting Mill on the Bede Estate, Jarrow, is closing down at the end of the year and that, in consequence, 210 men and women will lose their employment; and if he will take immediate and urgent steps to find another tenant for the factory, in order, as far as is possible, to provide alternative employment for the workers affected.

Yes. The firm informed me last Friday. We and they will do our best to find a suitable occupier for the factory.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will remove high speed cinematograph cameras and electronic computers from the list of goods subject to embargo for trade with China and the Soviet bloc.

As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for State for Foreign Affairs announced yesterday in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, South-West (Mr. G. Longden), the changes in the embargo list will be published on the 15th August.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish figures showing the number of second-hand cars in the hands of dealers at given times in the years 1951 onwards, and the anticipated increase in these numbers in the years ahead.

I regret that the information requested by my hon. Friend is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the review of the tourist trade, which is to be carried out by his Department with the help of other Departments, particular attention will be paid to the problems of Wales; and if he will make a statement.

The review will cover all the problems raised by the overseas tourist trade in all parts of the United Kingdom, so that I can assure my hon. Friend that the interests of the Welsh tourist trade will be taken fully into account.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Monopolies Commission have yet reported to him on whether, and to what extent, the parties concerned have complied with the recommendation made by the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission in their Report on the supply of imported timber.

Yes. I received this Report on 25th July. It will be formally laid before Parliament today in accordance with the provisions of Section 9 of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act, 1948. The Report will be published in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the fact that the total value of imported potatoes in the last four years was over £61 million, of which over £20 million worth was imported in the last six months, compared with an average for the years 1933 to 1939 of £2,250,000 worth, what steps he is taking to limit the amount of foreign exchange in respect of a commodity most of which could be produced at home.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food gave to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Norfolk, Central (Sir F. Medlicott) on 21st July.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the negotiations with the Hong Kong Government with reference to a limitation of cotton imports.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State to the hon. Member for Eccles (Mr. Proctor) on 29th July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the recent withdrawal of long-term credits from Yugoslavia by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Government will make it easier for Yugoslavia to buy the goods she needs from this country.

The Export Credits Guarantee Department has recently increased the amount of credit insurance cover available on sales of semi-capital goods to Yugoslavia. This should help considerably both in meeting Yugoslavia's needs and assisting United Kingdom exporters in this market.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many trade associations have made recommendations requesting him that the cost of delivery to the buyer at his place of business should be included in the assessment for Purchase Tax on goods so delivered; and if he will give a list of these associations.

The overwhelming consensus of trade opinion favoured this arrangement when Purchase Tax was introduced in 1940 and the law has provided accordingly since then.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reinforce his proposed scheme for controlling the liquidity of the banking system by special deposits at the Bank of England with measures to control the running down of the United Kingdom banks investments.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking to ensure that the cost of living and the cost of raw materials are reduced in relation to the reduced world prices and the reduced cost of imported raw materials.

In so far as the fall in the cost of raw materials is not offset by increases in other costs, my right hon. Friend expects them to result in lower prices without specific action on his part. Indeed the reductions in world prices are already reflected in many wholesale prices and in some retail prices.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the formula relating the output of various major industries which is used in compiling the overall Index of National Production.

The formula is by percentage increases or decreases since 1948 in volume of output of each industry in proportion to its contribution to total production in that year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reduce the interest on public works loans to local authorities for council house building, in view of the burdens it is placing on Little Hulton overspill tenants from Salford and others and also in view of the reductions in the Bank Rate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he is aware that whilst present rates of interest for loans from the Public Works Loan Board may be broadly in line with rates for similar loans available in the money market, a reduction in the rate charged by the Public Works Loan Board would influence the rates charged on the market; and if he will therefore now revise again the rates charged by the Public Works Loan Board;(2) the special reasons why he has departed from his previous policy of maintaining a lower rate of interest for loans from the Public Works Loan Board for periods of more than fifteen years.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Beswick) on 22nd July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now make a statement on the progress of the discussions relating to the establishment of a European Free Trade Area.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made yesterday.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that production increased by only 1 per cent. in the first quarter of 1958, whereas wages and salaries rose by 6 per cent., personal incomes by 7 per cent. and spending by 7 per cent.; and, since this trend must lead to further inflation, what new steps he proposes to take to make the nation aware of this, and so save the real value of all pensions.

Yes. My right hon. Friend loses no opportunity of reminding all concerned about the need for continuing moderation in regard to costs and prices. Recent performance has been rather less unsatisfactory than in the first quarter of 1958 to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the special reasons for his official meeting with the Trades Union Congress Economic Committee this week; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of his talk.

My right hon. Friend is meeting the T.U.C. at 5 p.m. today. The meeting was arranged at its request. It is not customary to make a statement after these meetings which take place from time to time.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many cases are still outstanding with the War Damage Commission; and what steps are being taken to expedite settlements, such as in the case of 6, Park Road, Dovercourt.

Up to the end of June, 1958, the Commission had received 4,654,560 claims for cost of works and 187,492 for value payments, of which 1,275 and 1,886 respectively were outstanding. It is not possible to say how many further claims are still to be made, as this does not depend on the Commission.With regard to the second part of the question, the hon. Member has recently written to me again about 6, Park Road, Dovercourt, and I will reply to him by letter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of British subjects declaring an income exceeding £2,000 from office or investment in the United Kingdom who are exempted from British taxation by residence abroad.

In general, income from United Kingdom sources is liable to United Kingdom tax notwithstanding that the recipient is not resident here. There are exceptions for certain classes of income, but I regret that information as to the number of non-residents benefiting from these exceptions is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate has been prepared of the total extent of annual losses to the Exchequer caused by deliberate planned tax evasion; and what is the present estimated annual loss.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to announce the results of the recent negotiations concerning the remuneration of officers of the Supreme Court in Northern Ireland; and whether he will make a statement.

I regret that I am not yet able to make a statement, since these discussions have not yet been concluded.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the ability of sterling to withstand the autumn drain this year.

My right hon. Friend is reluctant to make predictions in these matters. But as we enter the period of seasonal pressure, he is greatly fortified by the fact that the strength of sterling has been very well maintained in recent months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what restrictions of travel are imposed on members of the Legislative Councils of Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika; and what is the policy of the Governments concerned with regard to the extension of these restrictions.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 22nd July which is equally applicable to Tanganyika. The East African Governments continue to follow the policy of treating members of the Legislative Council in this respect as they would other members of the public; no special restrictions are contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the minimum wages paid to the employees of the East African Railways and Harbour Administration in each category, respectively.

I am consulting the Administrator, East Africa High Commission and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about his recent discussions with the Governor of Malta.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects it will be possible to hold elections in Malta; and whether it has been decided to hold them under the present constitution or under a new constitution.

I would invite the attention of my hon. Friends to the statement on Malta which I made after Questions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the present term of office of the Governor of Malta ceases; and whether he will recommend that he should continue in office until a new constitution has been introduced or a new Parliament elected.

Sir Robert Laycock's term of office was due to end on 19th September. Her Majesty The Queen has now approved an extension until next Spring.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are now being taken to end violence in Cyprus and to promote constitutional discussions with the Cypriot people.

I cannot at present add to the reply given to the hon. Member by my right hon. Friend, the Lord Privy Seal, on 29th July, to my reply to the hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan) on 24th July, and to my reply to the hon. Member on 22nd July

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations he has received from the Commonwealth Press Union about the present position of newspapers in Cyprus.

None. The Presidant of the Commonwealth Press Union informed me on 17th July that a number of Cyprus newspapers had sought the good offices of the C.P.U. and that the Secretary-General, Mr. Barger, was going to Cyprus.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider the institution in Cyprus of collective levies upon the surrounding district to provide compensation for those persons who through terrorist attacks upon people or property suffer loss which is not already recoverable under the terms of their service or civilian employment.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 29th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now state the total acreage occupied by the Army and the Royal Air Force in Cyprus; how many acres have been requisitioned; what compensation has been paid; and what action has been taken to provide productive employment for the persons dispossessed.

The total acreage so occupied is 13,764, of which 1,357 acres are requisitioned. Over the first quarter of 1958 compensation averaged £4,740 per month. There is no shortage of alternative employment in Cyprus for the persons affected, who in any case rarely lose all their land.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the estimated amount lost to the sterling area through the diamond black market operations in Sierra Leone.

I am afraid that it is large but I cannot estimate it at all accurately.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what application has been received from the British Guiana Government for a reserve sum to be drawn from if approved schemes can be undertaken; and what was his answer to such application.

During the recent talks with the delegation from British Guiana I was asked whether, in addition to the loan of £5½ million, a reserve of £2½ million could be set aside, which the British Guiana Government could borrow if the rate of development expenditure could be raised above its present level. In reply, I said that the rate of expenditure could doubtless be raised, but that, under the present financial circumstances, Her Majesty's Government could not undertake to provide more than £5½ million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the unsatisfactory conditions of housing prevailing in many parts of British Guiana, what plans the British Guiana Government have to overcome them; how much the British Guiana Government have spent on housing each year since 1954; and how much is allocated for 1959.

Provision is included in the 1956–60 Development Programme for building 4,500 houses for poorer people. The British Guiana Government are also currently pursuing possibilities of interesting private building firms in the construction of low-cost houses for sale.The British Guiana Credit Corporation, which was set up in 1954 with funds provided by the British Guiana Government, made over 7,000 housing loans totalling £1,513,000 in the period up to 30th September, 1957.The amounts spent by the British Guiana Government under their Development Programmes on housing from 1954 to 31st March, 1958—the latest date for which firm figures are available—are as follows:

	£
1954	162,000
1955	518,000
1956	972,000
1957	1,116,000
1958 (to 31st March)	200,000

There is at present no provision for Government expenditure on housing in 1959.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the amount provided under the 1956 to 1960 development programme for minor drainage and irrigation works in British Guiana; and how much is left to be spent.

The original allocation was £416,000. Up to 31st March, 1958, the latest date for which figures are available, £222,000 had been spent, leaving a balance of £194,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further action he will take to secure fair treatment for expatriate British officials by the Singapore City Council.

As I said in the House on 11th July, I am very ready, if need be, to use such good offices as I can to try and secure fair treatment for the expatriate employees of the Singapore City Council; they are not, however, members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service and were not appointed by me or by my predecessors, so that I do not have for them the same responsibilities or anything like the same powers as I have for members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Her Majesty's Government is now in a position to make a statement about Overseas Officers serving in Nigeria.

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the statement I hope to make tomorrow.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to implement the findings of Dr. Golding on the development of small local sources of power in Somaliland.

We are waiting until the necessary equipment has been tested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of applications for registration of societies or branches of societies which have been received by the Government of Northern Rhodesia under the Societies Ordinance, the number refused registration and the reasons for refusal; and what publicity has been given to the necessity for registering before 2nd August, 1958.

I have obtained the following information from the Governor of Northern Rhodesia.The Registrar of Societies has so far received 522 applications for registration, 17 societies have been registered and 175 have been exempted from registration; the remaining applications are still being examined. No society has yet been refused registration.The Government of Northern Rhodesia has given the maximum publicity to the requirements of the Ordinance through the District Commissioners, the Press, broadcasting, Government gazetting and posters so that all sections of the community should by now be aware of the provisions of the Ordinance and of the rules made thereunder. The Registrar of Societies has exercised his power to extend the time limit by which applications must be submitted and the closing date will now be 2nd September, 1958.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why it took from 11th March to 18th July for his Department to deal with an inquiry from the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme about the administration of schools in the Seychelles.

The reasons for the time taken to reply to the hon. Member's letter were explained in my reply in which I apologised for the delay.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects a piped water supply and electricity will be made available to the forestry workers who live in the cottages at Drymere, Beachamwell.

These Forestry Commission cottages, about 20 in number should receive a piped water supply within the next two or three months. The provision of electricity has been under consideration for some considerable time, but the Eastern Electricity Board will probably not be able to proceed for at least another two years. This will be an expensive project entailing laying some two miles of transmission lines with a transformer and associated equipment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many extra plants are being made available by the Forestry Commission to private owners in the coming winter, to reduce the shortage of plants and so encourage as much planting as possible.

As stocktaking on forest tree nurseries is not carried out until the end of the growing season, it will not be possible to say until about the end of October how many plants in Forestry Commission nurseries will be surplus to requirements and available for private woodland use during the coming winter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much land is now in the charge of his Department; and what are his intentions for the reduction of this acreage, apart from the areas designated as forest land.

Of 237,184 acres in my charge on 30th June last, 54,617 acres are to be sold or released. Other land will be considered for disposal as and when it ceases to be needed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet reached a decision with regard to measures to reduce the number of grey squirrels to replace the scheme abandoned by the Forestry Commission.

The Forestry Commission is maintaining a publicity campaign against the grey squirrel. Demonstrations of the latest techniques in trapping will be given to keepers from private and Commission estates by officers of my Ministry

—							Basic ration at end—July, 1948	Approximate Average Price paid in 1957 (National Food Survey)			Approximate Value of 1948 rations at 1957 prices
							(oz. per week)	(d. per lb.)			(d. per week)
Bacon	…	…	…	…	…	…	2		46		5·75
Cheese	…	…	…	…	…	…	1½		32		3·0
Butter	…	…	…	…	…	…	3		38		7·1
Margarine		…	…	…	…	…	4		22·5		5·6
Cooking Fats		…	…	…	…	…	1		22		1·4
Sugar (straight)		…	…	…	…	…	8		9		4·5
(extra ration for making jam)					…	…	4		9		2·25
Tea	…	…	…	…	…	…	2		89		10·0
Carcase Meat (estimated)				…	…	…	10½*		42		(est.) 27·5
							(10d. worth)
Canned corned meat			…	…	…	…	2		48		6·0
							(2d. worth)
Jam	…	…	…	…	…	…	4		20		5·0
							Total straight rations		…	…	78·1
Milk allocation		…	…	…	…	…	2½ pints at 8d.	…	…	…	20·0
Rationed foods and milk				…	…	…					98·1
* In the form shown in the National Food Survey, i.e., after trimming, boning and some loss of weight.
NOTES—
(i) For several commodities, particularly meat and margarine the grades and qualities of produce have much improved since 1948.
(ii) The items included in the above table accounted for approximately one-third of total household expenditure in 1948 Today the corresponding percentage is setting on for one-half.
(iii) For some foods end—July prices may be different from the annual averages.
(iv) Points and personal points could be spent on a variety of goods at the holder's choice. Eggs were subject to an allocation scheme without a specific entitlement for non-priority consumers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take on the bringing of wild rabbits from Lundy Island and setting them free in clearance areas on the mainland.

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any evidence that this is taking place.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to state the basic ration or allocation for each rationed foodstuff at the end of July, 1948; and if he will give the approximate total cost of these rationed items at the prices obtaining at the last convenient date.

The following is the information:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the Report of the de la Warr Committee on agricultural education at farm institute level; and, in the meantime, what consent he has given for the erection of new buildings or class rooms for this purpose.

I understand that the Committee expects to present its Report towards the end of this year. In the meantime, approval has been given to those new building projects at farm institutes which in my right hon. Friend's view have been urgently necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food approximately how many spring traps approved by the Spring Traps Approval Order, 1957, have been sold to the public since the order was made.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to state the number of convictions recorded at the Thames Magistrates' Court, London, E.1, in respect of charges concerning soliciting, the use of premises as brothels, and living on the immoral earnings of women, respectively, during the years 1955, 1956, 1957 and the latest convenient date in 1958.

Following are the figures:

Year	Number of convictions
	Soliciting	Use of premises as brothels	Living on the immoral earnings of women
1955	252	10	15
1956	494	6	27
1957	795	7	35
1958 (up to and including 26th July)	733	5	17

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are taken to co-ordinate the information in the possession of the Metropolitan Police regarding dwellings in Paddington vacated after decontrol under the Rent Act, and now being re-let for purposes of prostitution.

The Metropolitan Police, in Paddington as elsewhere, maintain close liaison with the local authority in regard to premises suspected of being used for immoral purposes in breach of the criminal law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will appoint a suitable commission or committee to examine and report upon the work and responsibilities of local authority fire brigades, with particular reference to the hazards arising from new scientific and industrial developments and the academic and technical qualifications necessary for personnel in the officer and other ranks of fire brigades, in order that there may be more research into modern fire-fighting techniques, more wide-spread knowledge of fire-prevention, better use of up-to-date fire-fighting equipment, and suitable pay and conditions of service to attract the highest calibre in firefighting personnel.

I believe the existing machinery for the consideration of matters affecting the work, responsibilities and conditions of service of members of fire brigades to be adequate and I should not feel justified at present in adding to it. I shall, of course, be ready to consider any specific suggestion by my hon. Friend which does not fall within the terms of reference of the present Central Advisory Councils or of the National Joint Councils.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the replies of his Department to the Report of the Select Committee on Estimates on Police (England and Wales) printed on 12th December, 1957, will be received by that Committee.

I understand that the Select Committee on Estimates has now received my reply to its Report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to make a statement on the official proposal for an institute of criminology.

Discussions have been proceeding with university authorities and I am also consulting the University Grants Committee. I have now been informed by the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University that, provided the necessary funds can be made available, the university will be glad to consider the establishment of an institute of criminology, whose functions would include both teaching and research, as well as facilities for exchange of views and information with those concerned with the practical administration of the law. The nucleus of the institute would be the existing Department of Criminal Science, but it would be developed on a broader basis and steps would be taken to associate all interested Faculties with its management. I have told the Vice-Chancellor that I warmly welcome this proposal and that I am confident that its fulfilment would make an indispensable contribution to the study of the problems of crime and the treatment of offenders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement with regard to the establishment of an institute of criminology.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Hyde).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what bodies, other than local authorities, he has consulted and from what bodies he has received representations as to the need for adequate safeguards before foreign nations not domiciled in Great Britain adopt British children;(2) what is the administrative procedure through which local authorities are consulted or may make representations to his Department with regard to matters of child welfare; and what consultations took place or representations were made as to the need for adequate safeguards before foreign nationals not domiciled in Great Britain adopt British children.

As is usual in matters of this kind, I have consulted the County Councils Association, the Association of Municipal Corporations and the London County Council about my proposals for changes in the law on adoption, including those that now appear in the Children Bill for enabling persons not domiciled in Great Britain to adopt British children. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT lists of other bodies which I have con- sulted or from which I have had representations on that subject. The general view was in favour of the new provisions, which are based on a recommendation by the Hurst Committee and which will, together with the supporting rules of court, introduce stringent safeguards for the welfare of the child.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the increase in the volume of crime in 1957 as compared with 1956; and in which age and offence groups was the increase most marked.

Provisional figures for 1957 show a large increase in the number of indictable offences known to the police. The proportionate increase compared with 1956 was most marked in the groups of offences classified as breaking and entering, receiving, and violence against the person. The following table gives the figures for 1956 and 1957:

—	Indictable Offences known to the Police
	1956	1957	Percentage increase
Larceny	323,561	360,985	11·6
Breaking and entering	85,768	105,042	22·5
Receiving	7,215	8,619	19·5
Frauds and false pretences	23,029	26,235	13·9
Sexual offences	17,103	18,635	9·0
Violence against the person	9,307	10,960	17·8
Others	13,727	15,086	9·9
Total	479,710	545,562	13·7

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cars in the London area were towed away by the Metropolitan Police on the Monday preceding the omnibus strike; and how this figure compares with the number of cars towed away on the Monday after the conclusion of the omnibus strike.

The numbers of cars removed from the streets of the Metropolitan Police District on 28th April and 23rd June were 74 and 85 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are being made to assist British subjects returning to this country from Iraq.

I have arranged for these people to be met on arrival and given any immediate help they may need. The Women's Voluntary Services and the British Red Cross Society have readily agreed to co-operate and I much appreciate what they are doing. Most of the

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will hold a public inquiry into the circumstances in which a young nurse, interviewed in the absence of any legal adviser, confessed to a crime which had never been committed, and was tried, convicted and sentenced for the larceny of jewels which had not been stolen.

I decided in the light of facts which were subsequently brought to my notice that it would be appropriate to recommend the grant of a free pardon in the case to which the hon. Member refers. I am not aware of any grounds for further action on my part.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the rate of escapes from prison in recent years; how that rate compares with that of the immediate post-war years; how many prisoners were unlawfully at large on the last convenient date; and if he will make a statement.

Escapes from prison custody fall into three categories (1) from conditions of security in closed prisons, (2) from closed prisons but not from conditions of security, e.g., prisoners in transit, attending outside hospitals, on outside working parties, or failing to return when on parole, (3) from open prisons.It is to the first category that the major public concern attaches, since these are escapes which evidently should have been prevented and the prisoners concerned are more likely to be men with bad records and serving long sentences.The numbers of escapes in this category for the past three years, as compared with the three years 1945–1947, were as follows:

1945	51	1955	11
1946	44	1956	22
1947	47	1957	15

The ratio of escapes to daily average population was for 1945–47, 1:270; for 1955–57, 1:1,100.It would appear from these figures that the security of closed prisons had greatly improved over the period and that the number of escapes, in the overcrowded condition; of most of the prisons, gave no special ground for concern.During the present year, however, escapes have so far been at a higher rate, the number at a recent date being 27.I have already inquired into the reasons for this deterioration, and shall take all necessary steps to ensure that there is no relaxation of proper standards of security.The numbers of escapes from outside closed prisons were:prisons were:

1955	1956	1957
41	25	57

The numbers of escapes from open prisons were:

1955	1956	1957
18	46	76

The number of prisoners unlawfully at large on a recent date was 16.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many old-age pensioners, who reside in rural areas, have to travel by omnibus to the nearest town to procure prescriptions prescribed for them by their doctor; and, in view of the expense incurred, if he will consider introducing a scheme which will enable such old-age pensioners to travel free on these missions.

The arrangements made under the National Health Service for dispensing are designed to avoid difficult journeys as far as possible. If the hon. Member will let me have particulars of any area where this is not being achieved, I will gladly look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have taken action, by the establishment of Home Safety Committees or other means, to initiate schemes for education on Home Safety, following the issue of Circular 6/58.

I have no detailed information about the action taken by individual local authorities in response to Circular 6/58, but I understand that the Circular has been widely welcomed and acted on.

asked the Minister of Health his policy on accident services in the London area.

I rely on the hospital boards concerned to keep hospital facilities for accident cases under review, and to co-ordinate and improve them as resources permit.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give instructions that in consideration of the question of the urgency of gynaecological operations regard will be had to the nature of the patient's employment, to the question of financial need, and to the question of an associated nervous condition in the patient.

The assessment of urgency is in each case a matter for the surgeon in charge of the patient, and I do not think it would be appropriate for me to issue instructions of this kind.

asked the Minister of Health how many patients were registered as awaiting operative treatment at the gynaecological ward of the Boundary Park Hospital, Oldham, as at the most recent convenient date.

There were 843 on 29th July, 1958.

asked the Minister of Health how many beds are available in the gynaecological ward of the Oldham Boundary Park Hospital; how many beds are available in the maternity ward; and how many full-time gynaecologists were employed at the hospital at the most recent convenient date.

There are 63 staffed and available gynaecological beds and 55 obstetric. There is no full time consultant gynaecologist.

asked the Minister of Health what number of sessions have been fulfilled by consultant gynaecologists at the Oldham Boundary Park Hospital for three months to the most recent convenient date, showing the number of sessions attended by each gynaecologist.

During the last 3 months, one consultant gynaecologist has fulfilled 99 sessions and a second has fulfilled 65 sessions.

asked the Minister of Health when patients are registered as awaiting operative treatment at the Boundary Park Hospital, Oldham, in what proportion of cases the examination of patients to decide the urgency of the operation is carried out by a consultant gynaecologist.

The normal procedure is for all such gynaecological cases to be seen by a consultant gynaecologist.

asked the Minister of Health on what day, following the decision of the case of A. H. Barber versus Minister of Health and Others, he first called the attention of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board to their moral obligations with regard to Mr. A. H. Barber.

On 9th July, 1958.

asked the Minister of Health what capital sums for development have been made to the Wansbeck Hospital Management Committee, during the period of 1948–58 and what percentage this is of the regional hospital board's capital.

The total capital expenditure on hospitals in this Group up to 31st March, 1958, was £150,379. This represents about 3 per cent. of the capital money which has been available for allocation by the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board.

asked the Minister of Health what capital developments are planned during the next two years for the extension of the services of the Wansbeck Hospital Management Board.

The Newcastle Regional Hospital Board's capital programme for the financial years 1958–59 and 1959–60 includes the following projects, estimated to cost £385,000, in the Wansbeck Group:

• Physiotherapy Department, Thomas Knight Memorial Hospital.
• Out-Patient Department. Morpeth Cottage Hospital.
• Equipping of house for nurses, Beulah House Maternity Hospital.
• Boilerhouse, Ashington Hospital.
• Ward Block, Ashington Hospital.
• Operating suite and X-ray department, Ashington Hospital.
• Sewage disposal works Stannington Children's Hospital.

The last two of these projects are nearing completion.

asked the Paymaster-General whether the Government have now decided on the location of the proposed new steel strip mill.

The Government are not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter.

asked the Paymaster-General to make a statement on the control and export of scrap iron.

The Government have decided that the public interest no longer requires them to use their powers under the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939, to control the price and distribution of iron and steel scrap in the United Kingdom. The Iron and Steel Scrap Order will accordingly be revoked with effect from 1st November, 1958.Control over the export of iron and steel scrap will continue, but my noble Friend is considering with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade the possibility of allowing the export of some limited quantities.

asked the Paymaster-General whether he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the projected nuclear power station at Trawsfynydd.

Yes. My noble Friend, after consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, has decided to give his consent to the construction of a nuclear power station at Trawsfynydd.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made with the Purfleet-Dartford Tunnel; and when it is hoped it will be open to traffic.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds) yesterday.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he has given full consideration to the objections made by the Whittington Parish Council to the siting in that village of the junction of the Birmingham-Bristol motorway with the Whittington-Pershore road; and whether that part of the draft order to be made, which will deal with the siting of the junction, will provide for it to be made elsewhere than at Whittington.

A draft Order setting out my proposals for junctions with and crossings of the Birmingham-Bristol motorway in the County of Worcester will shortly be published. I cannot anticipate it by disclosing particular proposals. There will then be a statutory period of three months during which objections can be made, and only after that shall I be able to decide what should be done.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many accidents have occurred on the trunk road A.47 in the parish of Necton, Norfolk; and when he expects to make improvements that will eliminate the dangerous bends through this parish.

Between 1st July, 1953, and 30th June last there have been 55 accidents on this length of about 2½ miles of trunk road A.47. Nine of them involved serious injury but none involved fatal injury; of the remainder 33 involved vehicle damage only without injury to persons. Improvements additional to those already made will be carried out when funds permit, but I cannot say at present when this will be.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will prohibit parking on the north-east side of Watling Street, Radlett, between the entrance and exit to and from the railway station, in view of the facts that the roadway is only wide enough for three cars abreast, and that there is a garage on the opposite side at which cars frequently stop for petrol.

I have not previously been asked to consider imposing waiting restrictions in Watling Street, Radlett, but I will have my hon. Friend's proposal examined. Before deciding to impose any restrictions, I should of course have to consult the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what approaches have been made, or are proposed to be made, to those maritime countries who have not yet ratified the International Convention for the Prevention of the Pollution of the Sea by Oil in order to secure ratification as soon as possible.

Her Majesty's Representatives in the countries concerned have already been instructed to approach the appropriate authorities with a view to urging early ratification of the Convention. Similar action is being taken in the case of the Commonwealth countries concerned.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware that three times in recent months the Wealdstone Brook has overflowed its banks and flooded not only the gardens but the foundations, flooring and drains of houses in Brook Avenue, Wembley; and, in view of the danger to health and to the structure of the houses, the damage to gardens, and the discomfort and anxiety to the occupants, if he will put into effect immediately plans already made for remedying this defect.

The execution of remedial works in the area in question is a matter entirely within the discretion of the Middlesex County Council. It has had my agreement to its scheme, and I understand that it will be reviewing this part of its works programme at its next meeting.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what guidance has been given by his Department to local authorities, in arranging finance for schemes of repair and reconstruction of old residential houses, regarding provision in the contracts for the insertion of a damp course.

If a house is being modernised with the aid of an improvement grant from the local authority, the owner must carry out works which will ensure that the house will be substantially free from damp. He is not obliged to insert a damp-proof course, since this may not be necessary nor is it always practicable.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware of recent inventions in relation to the mechanical insertion of an insulated damp course into the outer walls of old buildings after electrical cutting with a consequent substantial reduction in expense and avoiding the necessity of temporary rehousing of the occupants; and whether he will call the attention of local authorities to these inventions.

Details of this new method are given in a Digest issued by the Building Research Station, and they have already received considerable publicity in the technical Press. Technical officers of local authorities are not likely, therefore, to be unaware of this development, and in these circumstances I do not think that it is a case for special action on my part.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will send a circular to local authorities encouraging them to give every possible assistance which their technical officers are qualified to provide to tenants of controlled accommodation whose landlords are using intimidation or creating annoyance in order to try to obtain vacant possession.

The powers of local authorities on these matters are limited to giving information. I have already issued a circular asking them to use these powers in connection with the Rent Act, 1957, and am doing so again when the Landlord and Tenant (Temporary Provisions) Bill becomes law.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps he is taking to bring the Landlord and Tenant (Temporary Provisions) Bill to the notice of those who may be concerned; and whether he will make a statement on its effects.

It is hoped that the Landlord and Tenant (Temporary Provisions) Bill will receive Royal Assent tomorrow, 1st August. A leaflet explaining the main provisions of this new Measure will be available next week, free of charge, to anyone who wants it. Copies may be obtained from local authorities and citizens advice bureaux and, on written application, from my Department. I am also sending a circular to local authorities asking them to use their powers to give information about this Measure on request. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, is taking similar action in Scotland.As to the second part of the Question, very many new agreements have already been made between landlords and tenants of decontrolled property, and there are still over two months before any notice to quit such property can take effect. In all cases where a notice has been served, both landlord and tenant should study the leaflet carefully, to see how they will be affected and to consider in the light of it whether they cannot now make a further effort to reach agreement on a new tenancy. It is hoped that this may lead to agreement on a new tenancy for at least three years. If that proves impracticable, in most cases it should be possible at least to agree on a tenancy for a shorter period, so as to give the tenant the time that he needs to find other accommodation, without reference to the Courts.If full advantage is taken of all these opportunities, the number of cases to be heard by the Courts will be relatively very small. The new Measure will then have served its purpose by enabling the transition to decontrol to take place while averting the possibility of serious hardship.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of people rendered unemployed by the closure of the Wallace Foundry, Dundee, earlier this year; and how many have now been found alternative employment.

One hundred and sixty workers have been discharged, as redundant by the firm owning this foundry since April last. One hundred are known to have found other work, 11 are not at present seeking other employment and 27 were still registered as unemployed on 23rd July. The remaining 22 have probably found other employment since they have not sought my Department's help.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number and percentage of persons unemployed in the Stornoway area at the most recent convenient date, the numbers in each class, and the total number in each of the other islands of the Outer Hebrides.

On 14th July, 1,331 persons were registered as unemployed at the Stornoway Employment Exchange representing 26·8 per cent. of the estimated number of insured employees. The industries in which the largest numbers had last been employed were as follows:

Fishing	102
Wool Textiles	82
Building	122
Civil Engineering	318
Port, River and Canal Transport	75
Distribution	67
Local Government Services	99
Hotels and Catering	27
Sea Transport	49

The numbers in the other outer islands were as follows:

North Uist	92
South Uist	126
Barra	115
Benbecula	47
Eriskay	18

asked the Minister of Labour what consultations he has had with a view to reducing unemployment and promoting insurable employment in the Western Isles; and what proposals have been framed to that end for early action.

I am in constant touch with my right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the President of the Board of Trade, who will continue to take all means open to them to foster traditional industries and to interest those who have suitable new projects. The Western Isles are among the places where financial assistance under the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act will be available if suitable projects come forward.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Courtauld's knitting mill on the Bode Estate, Jarrow, is closing down at the end of the year and that, in consequence, 210 men and women will lose their employment; and what steps he intends to take to provide alternative employers for the workers affected.