asked the Minister of Health what steps he will take to place the tranquilising drug Persomnia on Schedule 4, in view of the widespread anxiety in the medical profession about its unrestricted sale to the public and the danger of addiction.

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department that the Poisons Board is not prepared to recommend in this sense. At the Board's suggestion, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have, however, referred the problem to the Interdepartmental Committee on Drug Addiction.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the provision of two-seater invalid carriages to disabled people in place of the single-seater vehicle at present issued.

This is not a development which my right hon. and learned Friend can reasonably contemplate.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of his statement on the need for expert study of the nature of stress, its reduction, prevention and cure, what steps he has taken to encourage such a study.

This wide subject goes far outside the medical field; but much medical work now going on, in the realms of both treatment and research, has a bearing on the problem.

asked the Minister of Health how many leucotomy operations were performed in the mental and mental- deficiency hospitals in England and Wales during each of the last ten years.

The only information available is as follows:

Leucotomy operations in N.H.S. hospitals in England and Wales
1949	…	…	…	1,442
1950	…	…	…	1,337
1951	…	…	…	1.308
1952	…	…	…	1,355

A special inquiry showed that, in 1957, 728 operations were performed in regional hospitals with 100 or more beds.

asked the Minister of Health what new hospital projects and new extensions in Wales have been sanctioned by his Department; and the estimated cost of these new projects and extensions.

I would refer the hon. Member to the list of projects in progress, or shortly to be started, in Appendix A of the National Health Service Estimates for 1958–59. £867,000 has been allocated for capital development in Wales in 1959–60, and the estimates of the hospital boards include provision for the following as well as smaller projects:

Hospital	Project	Estimated Total Cost
		£
St. David's, Cardiff	Improvements in Maternity Department.	84,000
South Pembroke shire.	Improvement	69,000
Maelor General	Twin operating theatres.	76,000
St. Asaph General	Central boiler. Plant	73,000
	Laundry	67,000
Llanelly	Two-storey ward block (from non-Exchequer funds)	100,000

In addition, the Welsh Regional Hospital Board has been asked to complete by 1959–60 the planning of a second stage of the new Swansea Hospital, further building at Llanfrechfa Grange and extensions to Bronglaise Hospital. The total estimated cost of these three projects is £1¾ million.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to make a statement about the investigation into the murder of Mrs. Doran, wife of the British Air Attaché in Israel; and to what extent it has disclosed transgression of the armistice agreement.

Since my reply to the hon. Member for Kilmarnock on 24th November, I have learnt that the Israel-Syrian Mixed Armistice Commission will not meet to discuss the report by the United Nations observers.Evidence that Mrs. Doran's killers came from Syrian territory is contained in the United Nations observers' report, a copy of which is being placed in the Library of the House. The Syrian authorities did not allow the United Nations observers to pursue their investigations on the Syrian side of the River Jordan until three days after Mrs. Doran's body was found. I am waiting to receive from H.M. Ambassador in Tel Aviv certain answers to supplementary inquiries made of the Israel authorities before deciding what further action should be taken.The Israel Government have complained to the United Nations Chairman of the Mixed Armistice Commission that the Syrian military post on the east bank of the River Jordan, opposite the point to which footprints leading from Mrs. Doran's body were found, had been illegally established inside the demilitarised zone. I am informed that the Chairman has now called on the Syrian authorities to remove the infringement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who is responsible in the office of the Chargé d'Affaires in Pekin for reporting scientific developments in China.

It is part of the normal functions of Her Majesty's Missions abroad to report on scientific developments, as on other matters, in the countries where they are accredited. There is no one specially charged with these responsibilities in Peking.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to make a statement concerning proposals by commercial air lines for transporting refugees of European origin now at camps in Hong Kong to Great Britain.

I have written to the hon. Member about this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent he authorised the statement issued by a spokesman of his Department on Mr. Randolph Churchill's articles on Suez.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the head of his Press department, Mr. Peter Hope, recently made a statement concerning the Press articles written by Mr. Randolph Churchill, concerning the Suez war; whether he will publish this statement in HANSARD; and whether he will make a statement.

I take full responsibility for anything said by spokesmen of my Department. In this case the remarks were made by the spokesman in reply to a question put to him. They have been so widely quoted that I do not think it necessary to circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the debate in the United Nations Organisation on the subject of Cyprus.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's proposals for Cyprus in the light of the United Nations debate.

The United Nations General Assembly on 5th December adopted unanimously a resolution tabled by the delegate of Mexico. The resolution was:

"The General Assembly, Having considered the question of Cyprus, Recalling its Resolution 1013 (XI) Expresses its confidence that continued efforts will be made by the parties to reach a peaceful, democratic and just solution in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations."

Her Majesty's Government were glad to subscribe to this resolution which accords with our own objectives. With regard to the hon. Lady's Question, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will be making a statement later in the week.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what British ambassadors received and accepted, either officially or informally, the statement from the German Democratic Government on, "The Threat to Peace represented by the Arms Policy of Western Germany"; when, and from what source, were these documents obtained; and what action he has taken thereon.

Copies of this East German Memorandum have reached certain of Her Majesty's embassies in various ways, mostly on or about 11th November. Her Majesty's Ambassadors in Moscow, Warsaw, Budapest and Bucharest have reported that they have received copies of this Memorandum. In Prague an attempt was made to send the Memorandum to Her Majesty's Ambassador under cover of a formal Note purporting to come from the Government of the so-called "German Democratic Republic". The Note was not accepted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to participate in the work of the Special Committee on Frontier Formalities created by Resolution 56 (22) of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the attitude of the United Kingdom to the question of the reduction of formalities at frontiers.

Her Majesty's Government are represented at the meetings of the Special Committee on Frontier Formalities created by Resolution 56 (22) of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe by an observer, who is empowered to contribute to the discussions when this seems appropriate. Her Majesty's Government have already done much generally to facilitate travel. To this end they are always ready to give sympathetic consideration to proposals which appear suited to the circumstances of the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much finance has so far been made available for the improvement of rural roads under the Agriculture (Improvement of Roads) Act, 1955; and how much has been made available in Wales.

At 30th September, 1958, the total cost of works approved was £525,000, attracting grant of approximately £239,000 in Wales and £153,000 in England. In addition schemes involving expenditure of £134,000 are now under consideration, of which £116,000 would be spent in Wales.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of increases in the retail prices of cheeses and bacon since June, 1958; and, in view of the hardship caused to old age pensioners and others, whether he will take steps to control the prices of these commodities.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the recent increases in the price of cheese in Newcastle-upon-Tyne; and what steps he is taking to increase the supply and control the price.

It is not unusual for bacon prices to rise a little towards the end of the year. The increase in the price of cheese has followed a temporary shortage. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has just increased the North American quota for cheese to allow the import of further supplies from that source. It is not the policy of the Government to control prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, retail prices of potatoes for the years, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954 and 1955; and, in view of the present high price of potatoes, which affects the cost of living of many families, and which is the subject of complaints by proprietors of shops selling fried fish and chips, if he will take steps to introduce price control of potatoes this coming winter.

From 1951 to the end of July, 1955, when prices were decontrolled the maximum retail prices for main crop potatoes were 2d. to 3½ per lb. according to district and variety. Potato prices are high this season as a result of the poor home crop but the Government do not propose to introduce price control. Such a step would have the effect of discouraging the imports we need to supplement home supplies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications have come from Cornwall for grants under marginal production schemes in each year since they first operated; and how many have been granted in each year.

I regret that in the time available it has not been possible to obtain these figures. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as they are available.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what he estimates would be the total cost in 1958–59 and 1959–60 of increasing the pensions of married and single pensioners by 10s. a week, and of increasing the other benefits under the National Insurance Act in proportion.

On the assumption that no increase is given in respect of wives, rather less than £150 million in 1958–59, and rather more than £150 million in 1959–60.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what he estimates would be the cost of raising all pensions by 10 per cent. to allow for an equivalent increase in the cost of living.

The cost of a 10 per cent. increase in all pensions and benefits administered by my Department, including war pensions, would be about £105 million in 1959–60, rising to about £140 million in 1981–82.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will make a statement on the effect of the worsening employment situation on the task of his welfare officers in relation to their attempts to place disabled war pensioners in suitable employment.

In problems of employment our welfare officers work closely with the disablement resettlement officers of the Ministry of Labour and National Service, who are primarily responsible for finding suitable work for the disabled. Though these problems are never easy, the hon. Gentleman will be glad to know that the increase in unemployment among registered disabled men has been very much smaller in proportion than in respect of the working population generally. Separate figures are not available in respect of war pensioners, but there is certainly no reason to believe that they have fared less well in this respect than disabled persons generally.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will amend the National Assistance regulations to permit an applicant to claim National Assistance in his own right at the age of 15 years instead of 16 years as at present.

This is not a matter of regulations, but was fixed by Parliament in Section 7 (5) of the National Assistance Act, 1948. My right hon. Friend has no proposals to amend it.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will take measures to alter the earnings rule limit for old-age pensioners to give them the opportunity of earning a higher income.

My right hon. Friend has no proposal to make on this subject at present.

asked the Minister of Supply the amounts of Government money earmarked for research on manned aircraft and aero engines during the fiscal year 1958–59, with comparative figures for actual expenditure for 1956–57 and 1957–58.

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to disclose these figures. I can, however, say that the total for 1958–59 is slightly larger than for 1956–57 and slightly smaller than for 1957–58.

asked the Postmaster- General if he is aware that on the evening of the recent Scimitar deck-landing accident in H.M.S. "Victorious", the British Broadcasting Corporation news televised a film showing a man, known to many Service personnel, meeting his death in a similar type of accident, and in a slow and unpleasant manner, and repeated the showing of this film on the occasion of the salvaging of the aircraft from the sea bed; and if he will use his powers under Section 15 (4) of the Licence and Agreement to prevent the further showing of this film on the British Broadcasting Corporation's television.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the actual news film of the tragic deck-landing disaster to the Scimitar on 25th September. I am sorry if this film has given pain to anyone but I feel that it is a good principle to leave programme content to the British Broadcasting Corporation and I do not think it appropriate to use the powers of direction under Clause 15 (4) of the B.B.C.'s Licence and Agreement, as suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, how many British embassies abroad now have a scientific attaché on their staff; and what proposals he has to increase the number in the near future.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will increase the number of appointments of scientific attaches to British embassies abroad.

Four British embassies abroad have a scientific attaché on their staff, namely Washington, Paris, Bonn and Stockholm.As the House is already aware, Her Majestys' Government propose to appoint a scientific attaché to the British Embassy in Moscow. The choice of a suitable person is now being made.The appointment of scientific attaches to certain other embassies is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give, in mileage and cost, the latest figures of road improvement under the Agriculture (Improvement of Roads) Act.

To date, 19 schemes in Scotland involving 48 miles of road and estimated to cost about £142,000 have been formally approved. In addition, preliminary approval has been given to four schemes involving five miles of road at an estimated expenditure of about £12,000, for which detailed specifications have still to be submitted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will publish details of the new four-year programme of road schemes which has been prepared by his Department.

The road programme for the four years 1958–62 is based on my statement of the 30th July, 1957, and the main projects to be covered in it are described in the Scottish Roads Report, 1957.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement on the future of the Royal Air Force Unit at Habbaniya, Iraq.

The future of the Royal Air Force Staging Post at Habbaniya is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied with the recruitment of dentists for the Royal Air Force; and if he will make a statement.

We still need more dental officers and this need will increase when the entry of qualified men under National Service Act comes to an end. We have decided to supplement existing methods of recruitment by offering a number of cadetships in the Dental Branch. Successful candidates will be commissioned as acting pilot officers and will study at a University for a dental degree.The cadetships will be open to young men between 17 and 19½ years of age with appropriate educational qualifications. Some categories of serving officers and airmen below the age of 26 will also be eligible to apply.We hope that the new scheme will appeal to men who are keen to practise dental surgery and at the same time to take advantage of the career which the Service has to offer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps Her Majesty's Government will take to put British farmers in a position to compete on terms of equality with Irish and continental farmers, in the purchase of nitrogenous fertilisers.

I assume the hon. and learned Member has in mind the possibility of the removal of the import duty on sulphate of ammonia. I would refer him to the reply given on 4th December to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Barkston Ash (Sir L. Ropner).

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will use the opportunities created by the fact-finding visit, in December, of the West German Retail Mission to bring to their attention the industrial and trade potential of Aberdeen, and the fact that Aberdeen has direct shipping facilities with West Germany.

The mission is on a short visit to see displays of British consumer goods organised by trade associations and other representative bodies. Given the time available it has not been possible to adopt suggestions of this kind, but all the services of my Department will be readily available to assist businessmen, whether in Aberdeen or elsewhere, who are interested to develop export trade to Western Germany.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken, and intends to take, to encourage trade between Aberdeen and Scandinavia.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply which my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary, gave on 2nd December to a related Question from the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. G. M. Thomson).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how much, in the last accounting year, was paid to the British Transport Commission in respect of fares for officers and ratings of the Royal Navy and Women's Royal Naval Service travelling on free warrants in the British Isles.

In the financial year 1957–58 the cost of warrants for free travel on leave was approximately £950,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications for financial assistance made by companies in Lanarkshire have been considered by the Development Areas Treasury Advisory Committee in the past twelve months; how many have been successful; what is the amount of money involved in the assistance granted; and what was the amount of money involved in the total of the unsuccessful applications.

Two, of which one, involving £105,000, was successful, and the other, involving £10,000, was unsuccessful.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of confining the incidence of Surtax to taxable income as computed for Income Tax purposes.

About £40 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of raising from £2,000 to £3,000 the starting point of Surtax.

To move all the rates of Surtax up the income scale by £1,000 would cost £45 million a year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of putting an overall ceiling of 15s. on the combined level of Income Tax and Surtax on any part of a taxpayer's income.

I am not clear what my hon. Friend has in mind; but if it is to retain the present Surtax scale on incomes up to £6,000 when the rate now reaches 6s. 6d. in the pound and to charge all incomes in excess of that amount at 6s. 6d., so that the maximum combined rate of Income Tax and Surtax was 15s. in the pound, this would cost about £17 million a year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Inland Revenue has ruled that distribution by the Suez Canal Company to United Kingdom residents of compensation received from the United Arab Republic will be subject to United Kingdom Income Tax; and whether he will have this ruling reconsidered, having regard to the losses already suffered by these United Kingdom residents arising out of the actions of the United Arab Republic.

The question here is one of interpretation of the Income Tax law and the Inland Revenue is advised that the distributions in question will constitute income chargeable to tax if received by shareholders resident in the United Kingdom. A shareholder will be entitled to appeal against any assessment made on him.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what success has resulted from his circular dealing with the new administrative provisions to safeguard good agricultural land; and what administrative action is taken when application to use such land is brought before the local county or other authorised planning authority.

So far as my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I are aware the procedure suggested in the circular is working satisfactorily. In reply to the second part of the Question, I do not think I can usefully add to what is said in the circular itself, but I will be glad to consider any particular point which my hon. Friend may have in mind.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many local authority water undertakings, how many joint water boards, and how many private water companies have all or part of their area of supply within the West Midlands special review area.

Four local authorities, one joint water board, and one statutory water company.

asked the Paymaster- General if he will give general directions to the National Coal Board to produce a smokeless fuel, of a quality which will pass the Clean Air Act and be allowed in smokeless zones, out of the large stocks of unsaleable small coal.

No. The National Coal Board is already working on a number of possible methods of making

Age Group						1938		1957
						Males	Females	Males	Females
Age 8 and under 14	…	…	…	…	…	50	56	38	47
Age 14 and under 17	…	…	…	…	…	51	57	38	50
Age 17 and under 21	…	…	…	…	…	42	63	27	51
Age 21 and under 30	…	…	…	…	…	18	39	14	32
Age 30 and over	…	…	…	…	…	9	20	10	18
All ages	…	…	…	…	…	32	36	23	32
						32		24

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent it is proposed to review biennially the pay and pensions of officers as well as those of other ranks.

The biennial reviews of pay and pensions will cover both officers and other ranks.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent any amendments to pension rates which come into force on 1st April, 1960, will apply to those on pension before that date.

asked the Paymaster- General how many persons are employed by the Iron and Steel Board.

One hundred and fifteen.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of persons convicted of indictable offences was placed on probation in 1938 and the latest available year, respectively.

The following table shows the numbers of persons put on probation after being found guilty of indictable offences in 1938 and 1957, expressed as percentages of the total numbers of persons found guilty of such offences.

I would refer my noble friend to the Answer given on 19th November by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is now proposed that an officer's widow will draw one-third of her husband's pension after 1st April, 1959, if he has retired before that date.

I must ask my noble Friend to await an announcement on the scope of the revised family pension scheme which will be made as soon as details have been settled.