asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will give figures comparing the Manchester and Salford area with the average for other

AVERAGE DAILY FIGURES OF SMOKE IN MILLIGRAMMES PER 100 CU. METRES
—			1954–55			1955–56			1956–57			1957–58
			S	W	Y	S	W	Y	S	W	Y	S	W	Y
Salford No. 2		…	30	58	44	37	66	52	32	64	48	35	63	49
Manchester No. 9		…	20	28	24	14	37	26	21	30	26	18	36	27
Average for the Country	High*	…	44	62	53	31	81	56	40	68	54	38	71	55
	Average	…	13	25	18	12	32	22	13	27	21	12	27	20
	Low	…	1	1	1	1	3	3	1	2	2	1	2	2
* The High figures show the mean of the smoke concentrations for the sites where the highest levels, averaged over the year, were observed. These sites changed a little year by year but in the four years have included sites in Glasgow, Leeds, London, Newcastle-on-Tyne, St. Helens, Salford, Sheffield, Wednesfield and Willenhall.

AVERAGE DAILY FIGURES OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE IN PARTS PER 100 MILLION
—				1954–55			1955–56			1956–57			1957–58
				S	W	Y	S	W	Y	S	W	Y	S	W	Y
Salford No. 2	…	…	…	10	19	15	15	19	17	9	18	14	8	19	14
Manchester No. 9	…	…	…	7	12	10	7	16	12	7	12	10	7	14	11
Average for the Country:
High*	…	…	…	9	18	14	10	19	14	9	17	13	9	17	13
Average	…	…	…	5	10	8	5	11	9	5	9	7	5.	9	7
Low	…	…	…	2	3	3	2	3	3	2	3	3	1	2	2
* The High figures show the mean of the sulphur dioxide concentrations for the sites where the highest levels, averaged over the year were observed. These sites changed a little year by year, but in the four years included sites in Leeds, London, Salford and Sheffield.

Notes

1. S = Summer. W Winter. Y Yearly.

2. Salford No. 2 and Manchester No. 9 measurement stations are the only ones in the area where daily measurements of smoke and sulphur dioxide are taken. Salford No. 2 is in Regent Road, 1 mile S.S.E. of the city centre, in a residential, commercial and manufacturing district. Manchester No. 9 is at Rusholme, Whitworth House, 1¾miles S.S.E. of the city centre. The surrrounding district is residential.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what time-table he has in mind for the Local Government Commission for England to report, and areas as regards smoke pollution and chemical fumes.

Daily measurements of smoke and sulphur dioxide are taken at only two stations in Manchester and Salford, and the results may therefore not be fully representative of conditions in the two cities. The relevant figures, together with comparable measurements in other areas are as follows:for instructing the county councils to conduct their own reviews; and when he expects the reorganisation of local government areas to be completed.

At this very early stage I cannot add to what my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary said about the Commission's programme during the recent debate on the Local Government Commission Regulations. The reviews of county district boundaries will proceed county by county as soon as orders for that part of the country, following reports by the Commission, have taken effect. It is too soon to say when the whole process will be complete.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will now make a statement on future measures to be adopted to control the extended tipping of colliery spoil heaps.

No. My right hon. Friend's consultations on this subject are not yet concluded, and I am afraid that I must ask the hon. Member to wait a little longer.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what progress has been made by the Alkali Inspectorate in assessing the air pollution problems of North Staffordshire.

I cannot yet add to my reply of 25th November to a Question by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs to what extent the Clean Air Council has considered the special problems of areas like North Staffordshire; and what liaison the council has established with local authorities and industrial firms in such areas for the purpose of maintaining a continuous study of the problems.

My right hon. Friend has not so far consulted the Clean Air Council about the problems of particular areas, and the second part of the Question does not arise. As I have already explained to the hon. Member, the difficult air pollution problems in North Staffordshire are now being studied by the Alkali Inspectorate.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will expedite his decision with regard to Jarrow High Street, No. 3, Clearance Order.

My decision was given on 10th December.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs to what extent more unfurnished dwellings are to let in the London area since the Rent Act, 1957.

I can make no estimate, but some unfurnished accommodation is coming on to the market which but for the Rent Act would have been sold or let furnished.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what estimate he has of the number of flats or houses that are now vacant in the Metropolitan Police area and in Metropolitan Essex, respectively; how many of these have become vacant during the past six months; and approximately how many houses and flats are now for sale in these areas.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the average price of land per square foot paid for house building purposes by local authorities in Metropolitan Essex; how this compares with 10 years ago; and in which local authority areas land is respectively dearest and cheapest.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (1) to what extent landlords have been prosecuted for showing as arrears on rent books sums properly deducted in accordance with the Rent Act, 1957;(2) how many landlords have been prosecuted under the Rent Act, 1957, for failure to include particulars of landlord's name and address and other required information in rent books.

In neither case is the information asked for available.

asked the Prime Minister if he is now able to make a statement about the technical collaboration agreement with Euratom.

I have nothing to add at present to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Scotstoun (Sir J. Hutchison) on 9th December.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to those areas where coal mines are being closed down and where the current unemployment rate is above 8 per cent.

No; but I assure the hon. Member that the problems to which the proposed closures may give rise are under close examination.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that Japan has just built the world's largest tanker of 104,500 tons in five months; and if he will therefore call a special conference under his own chairmanship of both sides of the shipbuilding industry for the ending by agreement of all restrictive practices, and so give British shipbuilding a hope of surviving against this type of intense competition from overseas.

I have seen reports about this achievement. While I do not necessarily accept the implications of the second part of the Question, in my opinion this, and other achievements abroad, do point the need for both sides of the industry soberly to assess our shipbuilding prospects in the context of the talks on the efficient use of manpower referred to by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour in his reply of 30th April.

asked the Prime Minister to what extent it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government that Britain should make her own independent contribution to the Western deterrent.

The Government's policy on this matter remains unchanged.

asked the Prime Minister in which localities in the Highlands and Islands measurements of the amounts of strontium 90 in human bones, in farm animals' bones, in soil, vegetation and milk, are being carried out systematically; and by whom.

Monitoring surveys are carried out under the direction of the Agricultural and Medical Research Councils on a country-wide basis. The sampling plan has been carefully designed to yield information applicable to all parts of the country, including the Highlands and Islands. Among the parts of this area from which materials for analysis of strontium 90 are drawn are Islay and the counties of Ross and Cromarty, Inverness-shire, Argyllshire and Dumbartonshire.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which Colonial and Trust Territories the provisions of International Labour Organisation Convention No. 105, dealing with the abolition of forced labour, have now been applied; and whether he will state the position in regard to the other territories.

As the list of territories to which the Convention has been applied is rather tong, I will with permission circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As regards the second part of the Question, I am not yet in a position to add to the reply given to the hon. Member by my hon. Friend on 10th July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is being taken by legislative and other measures to -aise wages in the sisal industry in Tanganyika and Kenya.

Wages in the Tanganyika sisal industry are negotiated in the industry's Central Joint Council and a wage increase was recently announced. In Kenya the Government intend to set up statutory wage-fixing bodies to consider rural wages on an area rather than an industrial basis. Priority will be given to localities where wages seem unduly low.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will arrange to make available in the Caribbean Federation and British Guiana educational facilities comparable to those enjoyed by children in the United Kingdom.

Although facilities vary greatly from territory to territory, the quality of the education given in the best post-primary schools in the West Indies and British Guiana already reaches a standard comparable with that of schools in the United Kingdom. At the primary stage, both the quality and quantity of the schooling provided are less adequate.Overall improvement at all levels from infant school to university has been marked in recent years, and within the limits imposed by financial resources on which there are many other urgent claims the Governments concerned are doing everything possible to remedy the remaining deficiencies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the development of European tourist facilities, costing£3 million, on the shores of the Kariba Lake, will affect the African rights to the native trust land on the Northern Rhodesian side; what compensation is being paid to Africans for alienation of their land; and what guarantees Africans will have of access to the lake for fishing and other purposes.

The Governor of Northern Rhodesia informs me that of the£3 million contributed by the Governments of the Federation and of Northern and Southern Rhodesia only£126,000 is intended, among other purposes, for recreational and tourist facilities on both sides of the lake. All occupants of areas leased for development will have to conform to the development plan for these areas from which Africans will benefit both directly and indirectly. It is intended that the rents should be paid into a Special Fund for the benefit of the Gwembe District. Facilities for Africans to fish will be greatly improved and there will be instruction in modern techniques of fishing to enable them to take advantage of these new opportunities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the motion moved by Sheik Mohamed Shamte in the Zanzibar Legislative Council urging the withdrawal of the literacy qualification for voters, the reduction of the voting age from 25 to 21 years, the income qualification from£75 to£50, and the property qualification from£150 to£100; what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to these matters; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. These matters are under consideration but I am unable to make any statement at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to the observations of Special Justice Trainor concerning the conduct of the security forces in Famagusta on 3rd October; if he will now publish the findings of the investigation into the incident ordered by the Cyprus Government; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 10th December.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects to publish the report of the official inquiry ordered by the Governor of Cyprus into the communal disorders at Guenyeli on 12th June.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, South (Sir R. Robinson) on 10th December.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many of the Greek Cypriot workers dismissed from the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes and other service employment in Cyprus are in receipt of unemployment pay under the insurance scheme; and what effect this is having on the Insurance Fund.

I am consulting the Governor and will write to the hon. Member when I have his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now convene a conference on Cyprus with representatives of the Cypriot people.

I have nothing to add on this to the statement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 10th December.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take immediate action to ensure that Her Majesty's Government accept general financial liability for death, injury, or damage sustained by United Kingdom civilians in Cyprus as a result of the emergency; and whether he will take similar appropriate action, through the Government of Cyprus, in respect of civilians other than those normally resident in the United Kingdom.

No. The Government of Cyprus has set up an Ex-gratia Payments Board with powers to make grants to persons injured and to the dependants of persons killed—whether Cypriot or British expatriates—as a result of the Emergency.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to implement the proposed partition of municipalities in Cyprus.

A Commission appointed in October to review municipal administration in Cyprus submitted its report on 12th December to the Governor, who is now considering it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about his recent talks on the constitutional future of Malta.

As the discussions have not concluded I am not yet able to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals he has in mind for future constitutional advance in Bermuda.

No proposals for constitutional advance in Bermuda are before me at the present time.

The question of franchise, however, is being considered by a Select Committee of the Bermuda House of Assembly, and I look forward with interest to hearing the results of the Committee's deliberations. The Chairman is a coloured member of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the recent speech of the Governor of Tanganyika, Sir Richard Turnbull, when he said that a multi-racial policy is to be replaced by a non-racial establishment that will be predominantly African; and whether the speech was made with his approval.

The Governor did not say this; and in order that hon. Members may be clear as to the terms of his statement, which had my approval, 1 will with permission circulate a copy of the relevant part of his speech in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action has been taken by the Tanganyika Government with regard to the entry of Alfred Hutchinson, the African journalist and writer from the Union of South Africa, who recently sought asylum in Tanganyika.

Mr. Hutchinson entered Tanganyika without permission and was charged with being an illegal immigrant. He was bound over and has since left for Ghana.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what restrictions are imposed by the Government of Tanganyika upon the freedom of certain tribes to indulge in political activities; which tribes are so affected; and if he will make a statement.

I ant consulting the Governor and will write to the hon. Member when I have his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many trade unionists are now in prison in Singapore without trial; how many of them are women; how long they have been in prison; what their offences were; and when it is proposed to bring them to trial.

Twenty-seven trade unionists, including three women, are detained without trial under the Preservation of Public Security Ordinance for subversive activities. Nineteen have been in detention since October, 1956, seven since August, 1957, and one since September, 1957. The Preservation of Public Security Ordinance was enacted because the danger to witnesses ruled out the possibility of trial in court. Subject to the Ordinance remaining in force the maximum period which can be imposed under any one detention order is two years in the first instance but this can be extended for periods not exceeding twelve months at a time. It is not proposed to bring any of the detainees to trial.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what protests he has received from the Law Department of the University of Malaya, the Singapore lawyers and other bodies, against the appointment of a British Chief Justice; and, in view of the possibility of the establishment of an early system of self-govermnent, if he will give serious consideration to these protests.

None; the second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the constitutional position in Uganda following the recent action taken by the Buganda Lukiko in relation to the Agreement.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the Buganda Agreements 1894 to 1955 which, of course, contain no provision for unilateral abrogation by the Buganda Government. I have seen references in the Press to the effect that the Lukiko have resolved to inform Her Majesty the Queen that the time has come for the Agreements made with Her to come to an end and for the powers of protection vested in Her to be surrendered back, but the Governor has not yet received any communication from the Buganda authorities on this. The passing of such a resolution does not, of course, have any effect on the constitutional position in Uganda.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will recommend to the Government of Uganda the extension of the distribution of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund milk powder in school diets throughout Uganda, in view of the incidence of kwashiakor in the territory.

I will bring the hon. Lady's suggestion to the attention of the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the outcome of his recent discussions with Mr. Tom Mboya, elected Member of the Kenya Legislative Council, regarding constitutional developments in Kenya.

We discussed my reply to the memorandum of the African Elected Members' Organisation. I agreed with Mr. Mboya that our discussion would be confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken in Kenya to investigate and prevent the formation of a secret society on the lines of Mau Mau; and what facilities are available for Africans in Kenya to pursue constitutional political activities.

As the House knows, vigorous action has been taken against Kiama Kia Muingi, which is a variation of Mau Mau. Recent allegations about the existence of another subversive organisation are being carefully investigated and if they are well founded the necessary counter-measures will be taken.It is the Kenya Government's policy to allow members of all communities as much opportunity for the pursuance of political activities as is consistent with the maintenance of public order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has now received the observations of the Governor of Kenya in respect of alleged perjured evidence given at the trial of Jomo Kenyatta.

I received the Governor's observations yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what official action has been taken over the recent accusation of political blackmail made by the vernacular newspaper Uhuru against the Speaker of the Legislative Council of Kenya.

The newspaper published the following apology on the 25th November:—"In our editorial article of November 11th we referred to the decision of the Legislative Council to suspend the African constituency elected members and implied that this decision of the Legislative Council was taken with an ulterior motive. We implied that the ruling of Mr. Speaker on which that decision was taken was nonsensical and accused Mr. Speaker of political blackmail.In so far as the objectional part of our editorial consisted of statements of fact it was untrue. In so far as it consisted of an expression of opinion, it was unjustified.We therefore humbly apologise to Mr. Speaker and to the Legislative Council, and withdraw what we said."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what information he has about the proceedings of the Federal Congress of the Action Group Party which was held last weekend at Kano in Nigeria; and to what extent the understandings reached with the Governor-General, that free speech and free expression of ideas and opinions would be observed, were carried out.

The Governor- General and the Governor of the Northern Region have told me that the proceedings passed off quietly and that they have received no complaints about the arrangements made to ensure freedom of speech and assembly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will refrain from deporting to Cuba the Cuban citizens who were arrested in the Bahamas after their ship had been wrecked.

I am assured by the Governor that there is no question of these persons being deported to Cuba.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he has not yet published his proposals for constitutional reform in Nyasaland; and how soon he expects to do so.

The Governor has not yet completed his consultations.

asked the Attorney- General if the appointed day of the Matrimonial Proceedings (Children) Act, 1958, has now been fixed; and if he will make a statement.

An order bringing Part I of the Matrimonial Proceedings (Children) Act, 1958, into force on the 1st January, 1959, was made by my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor on 8th December.

asked the Attorney- General which are the county courts having jurisdiction in Middlesex which have not made an order for possession in a contested case under the Landlord and Tenant (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1958, with an effective date of execution before 23rd November, 1958; and which county court in Middlesex had made one such order.

County courts having jurisdiction in Middlesex which have made no such order are the courts at Bloomsbury, Bow, Brentford, Clerkenwell, Marylebone, Shoreditch, Uxbridge, West London, Westminster and Willesden; the county court at Edmonton made the order in question.

asked the Attorney-General (1) whether he is aware that in a case of which he has received details, an elderly lady with a gross income of£5 10s. per week and with savings of£156 has been assessed as able to pay£126 10s. towards costs of a county court action; to what extent this is in accord with the regulations he has issued; and whether he will amend the regulations to ensure that people in such circumstances are not required to pay sums they cannot afford;(2) whether he is aware that in a case of which details have been sent to him, a single lady with a gross income of£5 per week has been assessed as able to pay£33 towards costs of a county court action; to what extent this is in accord with the regulations he has issued; and whether he will amend the regulations to ensure that people in such limited circumstances are not required to pay sums they cannot afford.

I have invited the National Assistance Board to send me particulars of the cases which the hon. Member has referred to me and I will send them on to him when I receive them. I would remind the hon. Member that the responsibility for determining the resources of applicants for legal aid lies with the Board. Their decision is final and I have no power to review it.With regard to the latter part of the hon. Member's Questions, I would remind him that my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor and the Law Society are now engaged in making arrangements for the introduction of oral legal advice under Section 7 of the Legal Aid and Advice Act and that it is proposed to bring the remainder of the legal advice scheme into force in the next financial year. Once this scheme has been launched my noble Friend will see what can be done about the financial provisions governing the rate of contribution of persons seeking legal aid.

asked the Minister of Works whether he has yet considered the plans prepared by the architect for the reconstruction of Nos. 10, 11 and 12, Downing Street; and what decisions he.has reached.

The sketch plans are still under consideration, and I cannot yet add anything to my reply to a Question by the hon. Member on the 25th November.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will instruct the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to collate, with a view to publication, all scientific information obtained by Her Majesty's Government from the recent flights round the earth of the Russian satellite and its appendage.

In consultation with the Royal Society a "World Data Centre" has, following on the International Geophysical Year, already been established at the Radio Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. One of the functions of the Centre will be to maintain a bibliography of scientific publications relating to observations on the Russian satellites and associated rockets. This is within the executive function of the Research Council of the D.S.I.R.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he will make a statement on the discussions between representatives of the National Science Foundation and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research about establishing a co-operative scheme for arranging the translation of Russian technical journals.

These discussions have resulted in an agreement for sharing out the work of translating the more important Russian scientific and technological periodicals. The D.S.I.R. is at present attempting to arrange the translation in the United Kingdom of about 25 periodicals.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, to what extent assistance is given to the British Coal Utilisation Research Centre; and whether, in view of the urgency to produce more types of smokeless fuels and the appliances in which to burn them efficiently, he will consider giving further financial assistance.

The terms of grant by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to the British Coal Utilisation Research Association have been improved from 1st January next year to permit an increase of the maximum annual grant from£75,000 to£95,000. But research on the production of smokeless fuels is the responsibility of other organisations. Efficient appliances to burn smokeless fuels are already on the market.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local education authorities notified him of their intention to adopt his proposal that the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights should be commemorated in Scottish schools.

I regret that the information is not available as the Memorandum conveying the proposal did not call for a reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet considered the report of the two senior officers of the Department of Health about the location of the proposed new hospital for Skye, about which the hon. Member for Inverness has written to him; what decision he has made; and if he will make a statement.

I am now considering the report in consultation with the Northern Regional Hospital Board. These consultations are not yet complete, but I hope to be in a position to make a statement in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet considered the effect on Skye and Raasay of MacBrayne's proposals for the reorganisation of their Western Isles steamer services; and if he will make a statement, in the light of his responsibility for the subsidy of that company.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has now studied the representations made to him by the hon. Member for the Western Isles, about the proposed reorganisation of Messrs. MacBrayne's subsidised steamer services to the Western Isles; and what action he is taking to ensure that no outer isles services will be adversely affected in any respect.

As I indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Inverness (Mr. N. McLean) on 9th December, I am awaiting the final recommendations of the Highlands Panel on these matters. In considering them 1 will take into account the representations that have been made to me, including those referred to in the Questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the expansion of the City of Aberdeen, what applications he is considering for planning permission for increasing the number of polling stations in the new housing estates of Aberdeen, North.

The designation of polling places is primarily a matter for the Sheriff as Returning Officer, but any interested local authority or 30 or more electors if dissatisfied may make representations to me. None have done so in the Aberdeen, North constituency.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the nature of the consultations he had with the appropriate local authorities prior to making new appointments to the new town development corporations.

A local authority concerned with the development of a new town is invited to suggest names for my consideration in connection with any appointment intended to recognise that authority's concern. All the Scottish new town corporations at present include members selected from persons recommended by the appropriate county and district councils.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the steel required for the building of the Forth Road Bridge is to be supplied from Scotland.

It is for the contractors to choose their sources of supply and at this stage it is impossible to say what proportion of the steel required will be manufactured in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what improvements in the Glasgow- Greenock road, A.8, are planned; when it is intended to implement these schemes; and how much local labour would be employed in these operations;

(2) if, in view of the adverse unemployment situation in West Renfrewshire and Greenock, he will advance schemes to improve the Glasgow-Greenock road, A.8.

The reconstruction of the railway bridge at Langbank is nearing completion, and I hope that work will start on six more improvement schemes on A.8 and on some other improvements of trunk and classified roads in the Greenock-Port Glasgow area, in the first half of next year. In addition, I am prepared to authorise an improvement of A.8 at Main Street, Greenock, as soon as the Town Council submit an acceptable scheme.

The total estimated cost of all these schemes is about£460,000. It is difficult to estimate accurately how many local men may be employed on them, but the number may be about 110.

I am ready to examine sympathetically any further schemes which the highway authorities in the area may wish to put forward and on which work could start at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes taking so to improve the health of insured employees in Scotland as to reduce the incidence of sickness causing absence from work in Scotland to levels which compare more favourably with those prevailing in the Midlands Division of England.

Many factors, including industrial and environmental conditions, contribute to the geographical variations in the incidence of sickness among insured persons. In Scotland the full resources of the Health Services are being used both for the prevention and the treatment of sickness, and the major causes of long term incapacity for work are the subject of research in a number of hospitals and medical schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the unemployment situation in Scotland, he will consider speeding up and expanding the present roads programme.

I have already authorised the carrying out of additional road maintenance work with a total value of nearly£300,000 during the current financial year, and I propose to authorise shortly a number of small major improvements, with about the same total value, which can be started quickly in areas where unemployment is high.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now state the amount of authorisations and expenditure on the Scottish roads programme planned for each of the years 1959–60, 1960–61 and 1961–62; and what amount in each of those years will be spent in the Highland counties.

I propose to authorise in 1958–62 schemes which will involve Exchequer expenditure of£40 million. My proposals for 1959–60, 1960–61 and 1961–62 will be included in the Estimates for these years when they are published. The Government have already undertaken to provide three-quarter million pounds annually for the authorisation of schemes under the Crofter Counties programme; the roads programme each year will also include other schemes on trunk and classified roads in the Highland counties.

asked the Secreof State for Scotland approximately what number of farms there are in Inverness- shire which at present draw Marginal Agricultural Production grants and will be eligible for grants under the Agriculture (Small Farmers) Bill and the supplementary scheme, respectively; and approximately how many will be left out.

In 1957, the last complete year for which figures are available, Marginal Agricultural Production grants were paid in respect of 783 farms in Inverness-shire. I regret that at the moment I cannot give any reliable estimate of the number of farms which will qualify for assistance under the new proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the effect on the economy of Caithness and Sutherland of the reduction in farmers' net income of£121,000 per annum by the withdrawal of marginal grants; if he is aware of the views of the farmers that it will lead to more unemployment in an area which has now an unemployment rate of about 11 per cent., and to further depopulation; and what steps he is taking to obviate this effect.

The withdrawal of Marginal Agricultural Production Grants has to be set against the introduction of the proposed Small Farmers Scheme and the Supplementary (Marginal) Scheme. Bearing this in mind and taking into account the present state of the beef and sheep industries, and the other subsidies which will still be available, I see no reason to fear that the withdrawal will have the effect suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what other subsidies and grants will be available in the future for hill and marginal farms at present receiving grants under Marginal Agricultural Production schemes.

Many hill and upland marginal farms will qualify for assistance under the proposed Small Farmer and Supplementary (Marginal) Schemes. Assistance will still be available for improvement schemes under the Hill Farming and Livestock Rearing Acts, and under the Hill Cattle Subsidy and, in any year when payable, the Hill Sheep Subsidy. All these are additional to the general production grants and subsidies for which they can qualify such as:—

• Calf Subsidy.
• Ploughing Grant.
• Lime and Fertiliser Subsidies.
• Land Drainage Grants.
• Water Supply Grant.
• Grants for Bracken Destruction.
• Silo Subsidy.
• Farm Improvement Grants.
• Attested Herds Bonus.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what scheme he has under consideration for approval for providing supplies of electricity to Brae- more, Caithness; and on what date it is scheduled for completion.

The order in which the Board undertake particular distribution schemes is entirely a matter for them; my approval is not required except insofar as I have to give my consent to the actual placing of overhead lines. No application for such consent has been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the people in Braemore, Caithness, are likely, under the scheme which he has sanctioned, to receive supplies of water; and if he will use his powers to ensure that the local authority take immediate steps to obviate schoolchildren having to carry water from their homes for their mid-day meal at school.

The Caithness Regional Water Supply Scheme as approved does not include a supply to Braemore. I understand that the County Council who are the responsible authority are considering other ways in which the village might be supplied. As regards the second part of the Question I have not yet completed my enquiries and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the amount and value of the sales of herring to East Germany during this year; and what plans the Herring Industry Board have to assist and increase this trade in 1959.

I am informed by the Herring Industry Board that 15,062 barrels of herring valued at£100,311 have been sold this year to East Germany. I understand that the Board's agents have already started negotiations for further contracts next year and that no effort will be spared to increase both the cured and frozen herring trade with East Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how often the Cereals Trials Advisory Committee have met during 1958; and with what cereals they have principally been concerned.

The Cereals Trials Advisory Committee met in July, 1958 to inspect cereal varieties under test in the field, and will have a further meeting on 19th December to consider the results of field trials made throughout Scotland. They have been principally concerned with oats.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the recommendations made to him by the Advisory Committee on the Protection of Birds in Scotland have been adopted; and what effect these have had in preserving and increasing the rarer species.

Nine Statutory Instruments have been made giving effect to recommendations of the Committee, and a number of other recommendations made by the Committee, which did not necessitate formal action, have also been implemented. I cannot precisely evaluate the effect that those steps designed to preserve and increase the rarer species have had, but I have no doubt that they have been beneficial.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps he is taking to secure a tenant for the Government-owned factory at Cymmer which has been idle for two years;

(2) what steps he is taking to secure tenants for the Government-owned factories in Maesteg which have been idle since July last.

As my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member last July, all our Regional Controllers were endeavouring to find suitable tenants. Since then particulars have been given to a number of firms and several of these, in company with our officers, have inspected the premises, but unfortunately without result. Our Controllers will continue their efforts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what consideration has been given to a new advanced factory programme to meet the redundancies following the closure of collieries; (2) what steps he is taking under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, to deal with the consequences of pit closures in the Development Area of South Wales;(3) if he will authorise the South Wales and Monmouthshire Trading Estate Company to build factories in areas in which the mining industry is contracting.

I am in close touch with my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of Power in order to find out how far the miners now working in the pits due to be closed can be transferred to other pits continuing in production. When we have the facts we will consider what action can be taken. We are prepared to build factories in West South Wales in any suitable cases for firms requiring them. I do not believe that advance factory building would help; there are now many industrial premises empty in the area and elsewhere.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now concluded his investigation of the affairs of the Mias group of companies; what conclusions he has reached; and what further action he proposes to take.

A winding up order was made again Mias (Holdings) Ltd. by the High Court on the 15th December upon the petition of the company and its affairs will now be investigated by the Official Receiver.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to alleviate the unemployment in the county borough of Swansea and the lack of opportunities for school leavers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken to alleviate the unemployment in Swansea amongst adults and school leavers.

The factory to be built near Swansea for the Pressed Steel Company is the largest Government- financed factory which the Board of Trade have ever undertaken in a Development Area, and is expected eventually to provide about 4,000 new jobs. Other firms seeking a new location have also had Swansea brought to their attention, and we shall continue to bear its needs in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason walking sticks and canes are still subject to purchase tax at 30 per cent., unless made wholly of wood; what is the present annual revenue obtained from Purchase Tax on walking sticks and canes; and whether he will introduce greater uniformity into this field of Purchase Tax at an early date.

Wooden walking sticks are exempt because of their use by the blind, aged and crippled. I see no need to withdraw this relief in the interests of uniformity. Revenue figures are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what grounds paper serviettes are still liable to Purchase Tax at 15 per cent., whereas those made of tissue or fabric are only liable to tax at 5 per cent., or are exempt altogether; and whether he will at an early stage review the undesirability of taxing the non-luxury serviettes at the highest rate, and introduce equality into this field.

The textile articles were exempted in 1955 as part of a general plan to help the cotton and linen industries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the earnings of the British tourist industry over the last 12 months for which figures are available; and whether, with a view to assisting the British hotel industry to increase these earnings in future years, he will, at an early date, review the desirability of eliminating Purchase Tax on all articles which constitute an essential part of hotel equipment.

From overseas tourists, about£129 million. As regards the rest of the Question, I cannot add to what my right hon. Friend said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Barry (Mr. Gower) on 9th December.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications for assistance under the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act, 1958, have so far been received for Wales and Monmouthshire; how many have been accepted; and how many are still being considered.

So far there have been 14 firm and eligible applications from places in Wales of which one has been accepted and ten are still under consideration. No places in Monmouthshire are on the current list of places for which assistance under the Act may be available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of Government money on loan to, or invested with, Colvilles, Limited; and what dividends, or interest payments, have been made by Colvilles, Limited, in respect of such loans or investments since the 10 million ordinary shares of that company were resold to the investing public.

The investment of the Iron and Steel Holding and Realisation Agency in Colvilles, Limited, consists of£4 million 5½per cent. Cumulative Preference shares of£1 each, and£10 million 4½per cent. Debenture Stock 1975–85, both fully paid. Dividends on the preference shares and interest on the debenture stocks have been paid on the due dates on the amounts of the shares and stocks paid up from time to time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the large number of Members of Parliament who have met with fatal accidents in recent years, whilst being engaged in activities connected with their Parliamentary duties; and whether he will consider instituting an investigation into the possibility of introducing an accident insurance policy on behalf of Members of Parliament, similar to that in operation for local government officers.

With regard to the first part of the Question, the answer is, No; with regard to the second part, the possibility of an accident insurance policy for Members was fully considered 18 months ago and I would refer the hon. Member to the arrangements announced by my predecessor on 1st August, 1957. It is neither practicable nor desirable to extend these arrangements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that most employers insure their staff and manual workers against accidents incurred whilst working in their service, including accidents incurred whilst travelling on behalf of the industries and firms concerned, but that Members of Parliament, whilst carrying out their Parlia- mentary duties, carry no similar insurance; and whether he will initiate an insurance scheme for Members similar to that in operation for civil servants.

With regard to the first part of the Question the answer is, Yes; with regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I have given to his previous Question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with a view to assisting the textile industry, he will consider reducing the Purchase Tax on as many textile products as possible at an early date.

Apart from clothing, which is taxable only at the rate of 5 per cent., most products of the textile industry are already free of tax. As to clothing, I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon.. Friend's answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) on 9th December.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent financial assistance has been sought under the Distribution of Industry (Scortland) Act, by firms wishing to establish themselves in Aberdeen, with particular reference to Spiller's Limited; how many people are expected to be employed by this firm; and when work on their factory wil be completed.

So far, six inquiries have been received about financial assistance for undertakings in Aberdeen under the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act, 1958. All approaches are treated as confidential and I regret I can give no information about any particular application or firm.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the loss to the Treasury which would result from the abolition of Schedule A tax on dwelling houses.

About£44 million in Income Tax and Surtax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what grounds the recent pay claim made on behalf of the clerical officers and clerical assistants in the Civil Service was rejected.

This claim for an increase of approximately 20 per cent. was not rejected outright. An offer which would give substantial increases to many of the officers concerned was made at the end of November. The offer was that thought justified by a report of the Civil Service Pay Research Unit on the pay of broadly comparable work outside the Civil Service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards Civil Service pay claims in the light of their non-strike record and of the recent wage award to the National Union of Mineworkers.

The Government has accepted the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service (1953–55) for determining the pay of nonindustrial civil servants. The primary principle recommended by the Royal Commission was fair comparison with the current remuneration of outside staffs employed on broadly comparable work, taking into account differences in other conditions of service. The recent wage increase to mineworkers is not relevant as miners are not employed on "broadly comparable work".

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered the resolution which he has received from the Civil Service Pensioners' Alliance (Scotland Branch); and what reply he proposes to send to them.

Yes. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of my reply, which explains why my right hon. Friend does not consider that he would be justified in giving the special treatment demanded in this resolution.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will institute an inquiry into the conflicting considerations concerning civil and military aircraft requirements, and, in particular, in view of the contraction of the aircraft industry, into the extent to which there will, in two or three years, be adequate resources for the design, development and production of the aircraft and missiles needed by the Royal Air Force.

While it is not clear what conflicting considerations the hon. Member has in mind, my right hon. Friend is satisfied that adequate machinery already exists to deal with questions both on military and civil requirements. He sees no reason to believe that the aircraft industry, whose rate of contraction has been rather slower than had been expected, will have insufficient resources to meet defence requirements in two or three years' time.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what requests he has received from the Cunard company for a subsidy towards building ships to replace the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth; and, since Italy has just launched the 32,500-ton liner Leonardo da Vinci to compete on the North American route, if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in regard to the replacement of the Queens by more modern ships.

None.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what are the further seven major schemes of improvement on the main road between London and Harwich which are proposed within the next three financial years; and how much he estimates these schemes will cost.

The further schemes as at present proposed are intended to improve conditions at Brentwood, Hatfield Place Bridge, Hatfield Peverell, Witham, Ramsey, and at he junctions of trunk road A.12 with A.11 and A.1112. The total estimated cost is£2–2 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement, with particular reference to Berlin, on the meeting of the Foreign Ministers lately concluded in Paris.

The right hon. Gentleman will have seen from the Communiqué issued on 14th December that the four Foreign Ministers met on that day in Paris to discuss developments in the Berlin situation. They reaffirmed the determination of their Governments to maintain their position and their rights with respect to Berlin, including the right of free access. It was agreed that the four Foreign Ministers would consult with their allies in the North Atlantic Council before proceeding to formulate replies to the Soviet Government's Note of 27th November. The discussions in the North Atlantic Council are still proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is prepared for Her Majesty's Government to take part in a conference on the future of Cyprus on the lines proposed by the Greek Foreign Minister on 11th December, namely, that such a conference would have as a basis of discussion M. Spaak's amended version of the British partnership plan.

The policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to a conference on Cyprus has been made clear on many occasions, most recently in the statement which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made to the House on 10th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to carry out the undertaking he gave to the Libyan Government earlier this year to assist them in strengthening the Libyan Army.

As a result of the talks which my right hon. and learned Friend held with the Libyan Prime Minister in May about the level of Her Majesty's Government's assistance to the Libyan Government during the current five-year period of the Anglo-Libyan Treaty of 1953, it was agreed that Her Majesty's Government should provide free of cost the small arms and light equipment necessary for an expanded Libyan Army of up to 5,000 men.It is expected that the first instalment of these arms and equpiment will be delivered in January next year. The House will be asked to vote the necessary financial provision in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken by the North Atlantic Council to co-ordinate the defence arrangements entered into by the Governments of the United States of America and Spain with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation defensive strategy.

None. These arrangements are a matter for the two Governments concerned.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what proposals he has under consideration to introduce legislation to recognise the five- day pattern of work, which would enable those in the cotton industry, and in other industries, to draw unemployment benefit in proportion to their loss of earnings for odd days lost due to short-time working. assuming they are otherwise qualified.

As my hon. Friend will recall, the application of the unemployment benefit rules to five-day week workers was fully discussed during the debates on the National Insurance Acts last year. My right hon. Friend has no legislative proposals to bring forward on this subject.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many were in receipt of National Assistance grants at the latest convenient date; how this compares with the previous 12 months; and what was the total cost.

I am informed by the National Assistance Board that the number of weekly National Assistance grants was 1,637,000 at 25th November, 1958, compared with 1,700,000 a year before. The total cost of National Assistance grants in the six months to 30th September, 1958, was£57,784,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has completed inquiries into incidents at North Pickenham on 6th and 7th December; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. I have now had a full report on these incidents.It is clear that the demonstrators were cautioned by civil and Royal Air Force police not to enter Air Ministry property and warned that if they did so they were liable to be removed. The demonstrators ignored these warnings, entered the site, and attempted to bring work to a standstill. Some of them therefore had to be removed.I am satisfied that the measures taken to deal with these demonstrations did not involve the use of unnecessary force, and I consider that the police behaved with tolerance and restraint in a difficult situation. Equally, I am now informed that while the demonstrators resisted being removed they offered no violent resistance: I am glad to make this clear.There were a small number of minor injuries, due to conditions on the site, but, so far as I am aware, no serious injuries either to police or demonstrators.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will now state what improvement is to be introduced in the new scheme for officers' widows' pensions in the event of an officer dying while still serving.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) on 10th December.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will now state how far he proposes in the new scheme for officers' widows' pensions to bring all existing pensioners up to one-third of officers' 1950 basic rates and to make these the minimum for any widow.

I propose to make a statement on this subject after the Recess.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what is the number of people working on the research project on epilepsy sponsored by the Medical Research Council at the Neurological Research Unit, National Hospital, Queen Square, London; and what is the status of those so working.

I would refer my hon. Friend to page 92 of the Report of the Medical Research Council for 1956–1957 (Cmnd. 453).

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what was the number of people working on the project of mental health research sponsored by the Medical Research Council at the Neuropsychiatric Research Unit, Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff; and what is the status of those so working.

I would refer my hon. Friend to page 92 of the Report of the Medical Research Council for the year 1956–1957 (Cmnd. 453).

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what is the number of people working on the clinical studies of the effects of leucotomy sponsored by the Medical Research Council at the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, Queen Square, London; and what is the status of those so working.

I would refer my hon. Friend to page 121 of the Report of the Medical Research Council for the year 1956–1957 (Cmnd. 453).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pedestrians have been involved in accidents with motor vehicles in Carlyn Road, Wembley, and other roads on the Abbey Estate, in recent months; and if he will give brief details of each.

Industry		12th November,1956	11th November,1957	17th November,1958
Agriculture and Horticulture	…	32	36	65
Coal Mining	…	47	25	58
Bricks and Fireclay Goods	…	22	17	46
Iron and Steel Melting, Rolling, etc	…	1	10	570*
Building and Civil Engineering Contracting	…	86	89	171
Distributive Trades	…	63	65	105
Local Government Service	…	14	24	39
Catering, Hotels, etc.	…	21	25	55
All Other Industries and Services	…	386	390	671
Total, All Industries and Services	…	672	681	1,780
* Includine 504 Temporarily Stormed.