asked the Minister of Education whether he is satisfied that the parental income scale for assessing the need for free school meals reflects the rise in the cost of living in the past five years; and if he will make a statement.

Local education authorities make their own arrangements for the remission of the dinner charge, subject to the approval of my right hon. Friend. 'The proposals submitted to him certainly suggest that the authorities pay due regard to changes in the cost of living.

asked the Minister of Education how many places there are at Poynton Secondary School and how many pupils there are presently attending.

On the standards normally accepted at the present time the school has; 180 places but, by greater use of the dining and specialist accommodation than would ordinarily be considered desirable, it has been possible to find room for the 235 pupils now in attendance.

asked the Minister of Education what is the percentage of grammar school places available in Carlisle and Newcastle, respectively, and throughout England and Wales in general.

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of List 69.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will state the latest available figures showing the numbers of boys and girls, respectively, who continue full-time day, part-time day, and evening- class education, respectively, after the statutory school-leaving age has been reached; and what increase there has been in the number of girls receiving full- time and part-time further education since the publication of the White Paper on Technical Education in February, 1956.

The latest figures available are for the educational year 1956–57 and are given in the following table. Under the heading "Full time" are included pupils still at school and in teacher training, in universities and in technical colleges.

Thousands
Age		Full-time	Part-time day	Evening only
BOYS
20	…	22·5	24·7	26·7
19	…	13·2	35·5	34·0
18	…	21·7	46·8	44·5
17	…	37·4	68·7	65·4
16	…	63·1	71·2	72·4
15	…	105·9	48·4	71·5
GIRLS
20	…	11·7	1·8	25·9
19	…	15·8	3·1	31·7
18	…	14·2	6·1	40·4
17	…	29·6	15·8	56·3
16	…	58·6	18·7	64·5
15	…	100·4	14·5	63·3

The figures for girls given above show the Following increase or decrease over those on which the percentages in Table ill of the 1956 White Paper on Technical Education were based.

			Thousands
Age		Full-time	Part-time day	Evening only
20	…	+1·8*	+0·5*	+3·9
19	…	+3·0*	+0·8	+4·7
18	…	+0·6*	+1·5	+5·5
17	…	+4·0	+2·2	+2·5
16	…	+4·6	+2·4	–0·4
15	…	+3·2	+1·3	–3·7
* These figures are affected by a change in the method of estimating the age distribution in universities and training colleges, which has the effect of increasing the 19 and 20 year-old figures. but of reducing the 18 year-old figures for 1956–57

asked the Minister of Education what deferred schools and other projects in Hull he will now approve, as the result of the Government's decision to ease the restrictions on capital expenditure, in order forthwith to reduce the increasing unemployment in Hull.

I have agreed that one new school in the 1959–60 building programme and work on a playing field for another school may start immediately. I am awaiting details of other minor projects and hope to be able to approve most of them without delay.

asked the Minister of Education if he will now set up an expert committee to study and report upon the various schemes of comprehensive education and patterns of comprehensive schools now in existence in England and Wales.

No.

asked the Minister of Education what is the number of schools in the primary and secondary stages, respectively, where the head teacher is required to take charge of a class.

In January, 1957, the head teachers of 11,678 primary and 180 secondary schools were in charge of a class.

asked the Minister of Education what proportion of the curriculum of, and of the books used in, secondary grammar and secondary modern schools is devoted to the study of civics; what subjects this study includes; and whether the structure and financing of industry are included.

I have no statistics about curricula and text books. Preparation for citizenship is most often provided through the medium of a number of subjects—for example, History, Geography and English. Some schools also include Current Affairs as a subject in the curriculum, but I have no precise information about the extent to which the structure and financing of industry are studied.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of recent announcements concerning pit closures, plus the recognised difficulty of securing employment for women and girls, what immediate action he intends to take to steer alternative industry to Fife.

As my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member on 13th November, the Board of Trade will draw the attention of companies proposing development to the area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has recently received as to the unsatisfactory nature of the existing weights and measures legislation relating to solid fuel; and what reply he has sent to these representations.

Hon. Members have recently sent me representations from a local association of coal traders and from a county council alderman. I have replied that we have no powers at the moment to deal with the problem, that a new Weights and Measures Bill is necessary, and that suggestions on detail will be considered on that context.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the now disused aerodrome at Holton, Suffolk, completely supplied with roads, sewerage, water and lighting and near a rail head in direct contact with London and other industrial areas is lying vacant, and is available for industrial development at very little cost once the site is cleared; and whether he will take steps to have the site made available without delay and take all possible steps to attract industry there, in view of the high incidence of unemployment in the area of north-east Suffolk.

The Board of Trade are aware of the airfield site at Holton and are in touch with the Air Ministry regarding its disposal. No opportunity has been or will be lost of drawing the attention of industrialists seeking new development to the openings in this area of north-east Suffolk, including the facilities available on the airfield itself.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the nature of the Government's policy in relation to the growing unemployment in the cotton textile industry in Lancashire and what steps it is proposed to take.

The hon. Gentleman, 1 am sure, will not expect me to deal with the various aspects of this subject by Question and Answer, but I would refer him to what my right hon. Friend said about the problems of the cotton industry in his speech during the Debate on the Address on 4th November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to prohibit the use in woollen textile advertising of the phrases, Spun in the Outer Hebrides or elsewhere in Scotland, and, Finished in the Outer Hebrides or elsewhere in Scotland, since the reference to a specific locality, already comprehended within the term, Scotland, misleads purchasers into believing they are buying goods manufactured in the Outer Isles, but which may be made from wool, imported from any part of the world, and spun and finished wholly in places other than the Outer Hebrides; and if he will make a statement.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is "No." The application to goods for sale of false or misleading trade descriptions or as to the place or country in which they were made is an offence under the Merchandise Marks Acts but I should not have thought that the descriptions quoted contravene those Acts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the interest of the consumer and the employment of British workers, he will take steps to see that woollen textiles are clearly marked to show whether they are of British materials and manufacture.

I see no sufficient reason for seeking power to compel manufacturers to mark woollen textiles in this way. Manufacturers of goods made in this country of British materials are free to mark them accordingly if they wish to do so. Imported woven piecegoods of wool are required to bear an indication of origin on importation and imported knitted fabrics of wool to be marked with an indication of origin at the time of sale.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether in view of the decision of the National Coal Board, announced on 4th December, that it intends to close Douglas Castle Colliery, Lanarkshire, with consequential unemployment for 336 miners, he will call for a survey of possible sites or buildings in the village of Douglas where small light industries could be established, paying particular attention to the Cotton Houses and Sliddery in Main Street;(2) whether, in view of the National Coal Board's announced intention to close Douglas Castle Colliery, Lanarkshire, by March, 1959, causing 336 miners to lose their jobs, he will extend application of the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act, 1958, with the object of steering alternative employment to the village of Douglas, which has no other industry and has for many years depended on this colliery for its livelihood.

I understand that most of the miners now employed at the Douglas Castle Colliery will be offered work elsewhere. I shall watch the position, but I hope that there will be no need to consider whether the application of the Act should be extended to the area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the recently published Digest of Statistics discloses a further increase of 4,000 in the number of unemployed in the northwestern regional area between 15th September and 13th October, 1958; and whether he will state the Government's policy for dealing with the situation.

Yes. For the answer to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Debate on Unemployment which took place on 17th December.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he increased the import quota for Cuban cigars in the last renewal of the Anglo-Cuban trade agreement, having regard to the fact that during the last six years of the agreement the United Kingdom has had an adverse balance of trade of £87 million with Cuba, while during the same period the adverse balance in respect of trade with Jamaica amounted to only £27·9 million; and whether he will ensure that no further increase in cigar quotas are granted to Cuba as long as Jamaica is able to supply cigars of good quality to the British market.

A considerable proportion of our imports of sugar from Cuba is re-exported and this must be set against the adverse balance of trade. I am satisfied that our trade agreements with Cuba, which have provided for increased quotas for Cuban cigars, have assisted our export trade with Cuba. Some further increase of quotas may be found necessary in the new trade agreement which is at present being negotiated, but my hon. Friend may be assured that the interests of Jamaica will be kept in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Cypriot Greek agents of British firms are refusing to place any new orders with such firms and are publishing declarations to this effect, voluntarily or under duress, in the Greek Cypriot Press, and that this practice is not only detrimental to the interest of the British firms concerned but is contrary to the wishes of Turkish Cypriot merchants who are desirous of producing and selling British goods; and if he will, therefore, take steps to make it known to British manufacturers that this situation exists so that British firms can make the necessary changes in their marketing arrangements in Cyprus.

It is for individual businessmen to decide whether or not it will be in their best interests in the circumstances prevailing to transfer their agencies from Greek Cypriot agents or to split them between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. I have no doubt that my hon. Friend's Question will serve to bring this possibility to the attention of firms which have not already considered it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the numbers of disabled ex-Service men and ex-miners are rapidly increasing in the Chester-le-Street constituency and that few facilities exist for the employment of these persons; and what efforts are being made by his Department to attract light industries to the area in order to overcome this problem.

The Board of Trade would welcome the establishment of new industries in Chester-le-Street which is an area in which unemployment has increased in recent months. The Ministry of Labour Disablement Resettlement Officers are doing their best to place the disabled in suitable employment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take to prohibit the production or the import of the dangerous weapon known as a flick-gun, which has the appearance of a toy-gun until the four-inch blade is released by the trigger, in view of the fact that this weapon cannot be used for any trade or employment.

I would refer the hon. Lady to the Answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department to the right hon. Member for Smethwick (Mr. Gordon Walker).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many matrices of American recorded music to the value of £18,800 were imported in the last 12 months.

I have been asked to reply.Gramophone record matrices are not recorded by number in the United Kingdom trade returns and the information is thus not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many dollars were earned by the export to the United States of America of British gramophone record matrices during the past 12 months; and what was the number of such records.

I have been asked to reply.Exports of record matrices to the U.S.A. were valued at £817 or roughly $24 thousand in the twelve months ended October, 1958. Figures of dollar earnings and the number of matrices involved are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what gain or loss there would be in revenue and the annual cost of administration if Schedule A tax upon property, other than owner-occupied dwelling-houses and owner-occupied business promises, were abolished, and if the tax were dealt with under Schedule D on the basis of income expenditure.

Insufficient information is available on which to base an estimate of the effect on the Revenue and on the cost of administration, but the cost of administration would almost certainly be greater than at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the report of the Civil Service Pay Research Unit was taken into account before making the recent offer of a pay increase to clerical officers; and why this report was not used as a basis of negotiation with the staff association concerned.

The report of the Civil Service Pay Research Unit on the Clerical Grades in the Civil Service provides the factual information which was used by the Staff and Official Sides in the negotiations which followed. The offer made by the Official Side was what was felt to be justified by the information contained in this report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange for outstanding post-war credits to be repaid in monthly instalments to widows and others in need.

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange to transfer the total amount of post-war credits into Premium Bond savings and issue to holders of post-war credits a special Premium Bond which would be included in the monthly prize draw, but only encashable by the holder on production of his or her birth certificate, at the age of 65 years for men and 60 years for women.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in his forthcoming Budget, he will take the necessary action to ensure the repayment of post-war credits on the basis of 100 per cent. repayment to all those who in the last financial year paid no Income Tax, and to institute a graduated scheme of repayment, on the basis of repayment to those in the lower Income Tax groups first, up to, but excluding, those in the surtax range.

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion, but I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in HANSARD details of the insurance scheme covering accidents incurred by Members of Her Majesty's Government whilst carrying out their duties on behalf of the State.

Ministers of the Crown are covered for accidents incurred while carrying out their duties by the Injury Warrant, 1952 (S.I. 1952 No. 60) and the Injury Warrant, 1957 (S.I. 1957 No. 1354).These Warrants are framed under Section 41 of the Superannuation Act, 1949, and applied by Section 3 of the Ministerial Salaries Act, 1957, to persons holding office in Her Majesty's Government.The detailed arrangements are complicated and vary with the circumstances of the case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times the Highlands Committee of the Scottish Board for Industry have visited the Western Isles consituency during the last four months; how many specific proposals, apart from general reports or comments, it has made to him for the development of industry and employment in the Outer Hebrides; what was the nature of those proposals; and what action he has taken to implement their suggestions.

The Highlands and Islands District Advisory Committee of the Scottish Board for Industry has not visited the Western Isles during the past four months, but it keeps in close touch with conditions there and the Provost of Stornoway is Chairman of the Committee. The Committee has not recently put any specific proposals to my right hon. Friend through the Scottish Board for Industry, but it has considered the state of the Harris Tweed industry, the provision of transit shed accommodation at Stornoway Harbour, and ways and means of giving local publicity to and creating interest in the provisions of the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the decline in the number of theatres in the provincial cities of England and Wales, if he will take steps, by grant or otherwise, to enable the remaining theatres to continue in existence.

The extent of the need for theatre buildings in the provincial cities of England and Wales is a matter within the scope of the inquiry into the Housing of the Arts which was commissioned by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal and on which the Arts Council are now engaged. My hon. Friend will find an account of what is already being done out of public funds to help drama in provincial cities in the thirteenth annual report of the Arts Council.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the anxiety that has arisen because of the increase in the cost-of-living index for the second successive month; what official measures it is proposed to take to deal with the matter; and what are the prospects for the New Year in this connection.

The rise in the index of retail prices in October and November has been to a significant extent the result of higher potato prices arising from unfavourable weather conditions during the summer. The retail price index is, nevertheless, at the same level as in the second quarter of the year. This result is as good as could be expected in view of all the circumstances, including the increases in wages and other personal incomes. Apart from seasonal factors and external factors which cannot be foreseen, the future trend of prices will depend very largely on the movements of personal incomes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in drafting the regulations laying down the requirements which must be fulfilled by building societies which are to be approved for the purposes of the Government house purchase scheme, arrangements will be made to ensure that Condition 2 (d) of Appendix II of the White Paper, Command Paper No. 71, will not debar any building society for all time in respect of its reserve position for the years 1957 and 1958; and whether he will make a statement clarifying the position with regard to this matter.

Yes. The Regulations will make clear that, provided that the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies is satisfied in other respects, the society will be eligible for approval at any time if it can show in its latest annual account that its free reserves, as defined and qualified, are not less than 2·5 per cent. of its total assets (excluding advances from Her Majesty's Government); and lower qualifying percentages will be allowed for 1957, 1958, and 1959.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, taking the internal purchasing value of the £ sterling at 20s. in October, 1951, it had declined to 18s. 9d. in November, 1952, to 17s. 10d. in November, 1954, and to 16s. 3d. in November, 1956; and what was the comparable figure for November, 1958.

Yes; 15s. 4d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications have been lodged from the Highlands and Islands for the assistance he has offered under the Distribution of Industry (Financial Provisions) Act, 1958, to persons or firms, wanting to set up or extend and improve hotels and boarding houses in the area; how many he has approved; and what is the total sum offered in those cases.

So far one firm and eligible application has been lodged in respect of an hotel. This is still being examined.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications for assistance from the Western Isles constituency he has received and approved to date under the Distribution of Industry (Financial Provisions) Act, 1958; what is the total amount of assistance approved; and for what number of people these developments will provide employment.

The figures of applications given in the reply of my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary on 12th November are unchanged. None of the three firm and eligible applications has yet been approved. According to the estimates of the applicants, 13 more people would be employed if these applications were to be granted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement setting out the financial claims made to date by the United Kingdom and Egypt, respectively, in connection with the evacuation of the Suez Canal Base and the disposal of its contents, the seizure of the Canal and its nationalisation by Egypt, the blocking of the Canal and the cost of clearing it, the invasion of Egypt by British forces and the subsequent loss of life and the property resulting there-from, and the approximate net loss to the British taxpayer arising from all these events up to the present; and whether he will now state what progress has been made by Her Majesty's Government in negotiations to settle this matter.

In answer to the first part of the Question: No. In answer to the second part of the Question: I have nothing to add to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the right hon. Member for Grimsby (Mr. Younger) and the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Donnelly) on 19th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) in view of the limited results of the Premium Bonds receipts to date and the effect on other forms of National Savings, what modifications he preposes to make in the Premium Bonds scheme;(2) what has been the increase in the sale of Premium Bonds and the reduction in other forms of National Savings, respectively, during the last 12 months; and whether he will make a statement.

I do not propose to make any modifications at present in the Premium Bond scheme. During the twelve months ending 30th November. 1958, net sales of Premium Bonds were £75 million and the amount invested in other forms of National Savings increased by £85 million.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the growing concern about the increase in the recession in the north-west and other regions, he will consider the possibility of making available in the Monthly Digest of Statistics figures of unemployment by area more recent than two months before publication.

The regional analysis of unemployment is not normally available until about a fortnight after the Monthly Digest of Statistics goes to press. I regret, therefore, that the suggestion in the Question could not be adopted without postponing the publication date of the Monthly Digest and with it the publication of other important series. I would remind the hon. Member, however, that regional figures for the 17th November were included in the Press release by the Ministry of Labour and National Service on 8th December.

asked the Prime Minister whether, during his forthcoming tour in the north of England, he will make a point of meeting representatives of the trades unions and local trades councils to discuss unemployment and short-time working; and further, whether he will make a point of meeting the representatives of the miners and their trade union to discuss the problems now confronting the mining industry.

I do not intend to hold any formal meetings on my tour, but I hope to meet people from all walks of life, including trade unionists.

asked the Prime Minister why he asked Dr. Adenauer to cancel his proposed visit to London.

The hon. Gentleman is quite wrong in suggesting that I asked Dr. Adenauer to cancel his visit. On the contrary, I welcomed the suggestion that he should come to London for discussions and was much disappointed when he was forced to cancel his arrangements because of illness.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on British policy towards Cyprus following the conclusion of the United Nations debate.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 10th December.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has now completed his consideration of the possibility of changing the name of Empire Day to Commonwealth Day; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I am glad to be able to tell the House that, with the concurrence of other Commonwealth Governments and of the Empire Day Movement, it is proposed to change the name of Empire Day forthwith to Commonwealth Day. I am sure this change will be widely welcomed as representing the general feeling in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries on this matter.

asked the Prime Minister what was the date on which the Royal Commission on the Law relating to Mental Illness and Mental Deficiency was set up; on what date the Commission completed its report; who were the practising lawyers on the Commission; and how long each served, giving dates in each case.

The Royal Commission on the Law relating to Mental Illness was appointed by Royal Warrant dated the 20th of February, 1954 and the Commission presented its report on the 7th of May, 1957. My right hon. and learned Friend the Member for York (Sir H. Hylton-Foster) was appointed an original Member of the Commission, but resigned upon appointment as Solicitor General on the 18th of October, 1954. In his place my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Middlesbrough, West, (Mr. Simon) was appointed on the 19th of November, 1954. He in turn resigned from the Commission on appointment as Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department on the 18th of January, 1957. He was not replaced as the Commission was so near to completing its report.

asked the Prime Minister what instructions have been issued to Departments on the procedure to be followed in dealing with requests from outside bodies for access to official mailing lists.

General guidance has now been given to Departments on the circumstances in which such assistance may properly be given and on the procedure to be followed. Copies of a Treasury Circular dealing with this matter have been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now allow Archbishop Makarios to return home to Cyprus.

I have nothing to add on this to what was said in the statement of policy published on 19th June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it was with his approval that the Governor of Cyprus instructed the editor of the Cyprus Mail to convey to Archbishop Makarios that the British Government was seriously considering the Archbishop's plans for an independent Cyprus and did not favour the Turkish plan for partition; and if he will make a statement.

The report in Reynolds News that the Editor of the Cyprus Mail carried proposals from the Governor to Archbishop Makarios is a fabrication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to audit the accounts of the Greek Cypriot churches and charities.

This proposal has been considered in the past, and I have no doubt that if the Governor thought that it would contribute to the restoration of peace in Cyprus he would let me know.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now able to make a statement regarding the allegations made by Rawson Macharia that he and other witnesses gave false evidence at the trial of Jomo Kenyatta.

No. I have not yet completed my examination of the Governor's observations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will arrange for an independent inquiry into the conditions at Kamiti Prison, Nairobi, in view of the charges about ill-treatment of prisoners made by Captain E. Law in a report, a copy of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Wednesbury.

Some of these allegations were made to me by Captain Law in June, and investigation then showed them to be unjustified. Since the statements sent to me by the hon. Member raise fresh matters, I have asked the Governor for his comments and will circulate a further reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further steps in constitutional advance he has in mind for the British Somaliland Protectorate.

I have at present nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on the 27th November. But I have the future of the Protectorate very much in mind. I hope to be able to visit both Somaliland and Aden some time during the first three months of next year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the disappointment felt by the Somali people, as represented by the National United Front, regarding the fact that the Somaliland Protectorate Government retains an official majority in the Legislative Council under the new constitution; and whether he will make his further statement on constitutional advance, that is promised for March, 1959, in the near future, so that the National United Front will be encouraged to give their full support to the future constitution, and co-operate fully in registering for the elections which are themselves expected for the month of March, 1959.

I am aware that the National United Front are not completely satisfied with the arrangements recently announced for constitutional development, though I believe they recognise that they constitute a substantial advance. As for the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Rankin) today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any further statement to make on constitutional development in Northern Rhodesia.

After considering very carefully all the representations which have been made to me from different quarters and all that was said in the debate in this House on 27th November I have decided that the proposals in my despatch of the 10th September contained in Cmd. 530 should stand. I shall tender advice to Her Majesty accordingly at the earliest practicable date. There are several points, however, on which I thought some clarification to be desirable and I have accordingly sent the Governor of Northern Rhodesia a further despatch the text of which will be circulated with the OFFICIAL REPORT.Following is the text of the despatch to the Governor of Northern Rhodesia for circulation in the OFFICIAL REPORT:"I have the honour to refer to my despatch No. 516 of 10th September, 1958, in which I informed you of my proposals regarding the changes to be made in the Constitution of Northern Rhodesia before the election of a new Legislative Council.2. Since I addressed you on this subject in my despatch under reference I have received representations on the proposed constitutional changes from many quarters urging that I should make various modifications to my proposals. I have given most careful consideration to all these representations and to all that was said in the course of the debate in the House of Commons on 27th November, 1958, of which you have already received the OFFICIAL REPORT. However, I have reached the conclusion that the proposals as they stand represent the fairest reconciliation of the interests of the various communities, having regard to the special conditions of Northern Rhodesia and that no change in them would contribute further to this object.3. I have given especially careful consideration to the proposal that candidates in the six special constituencies should be required to obtain certificates approving of their candidature from two-thirds of the Chiefs in the constituency concerned. This proposal has been criticised on the grounds that there would be likely to be mechanical difficulties in the way of its successful operation and that it might impede the development of a party political system on normal lines. On the first point I understand that a period of some sixty days will normally be available between the announcement of a dissolution and nomination day, and that there is no provision under which certificates could be revoked. It seems to me therefore that potential candidates for special seats should have adequate time to obtain certificates. As regards the second point, it is of course one of the principles underlying the new constitution that politics should be encouraged to develop on party rather than on racial lines. A complete system of party politics cannot, however, be built up overnight in a territory such as Northern Rhodesia where the Africans have not hitherto participated in any form of direct elections. For them the new constitution represents an experiment in the beginnings of representative government, and I consider that there is very great force in the argument that it is wise to provide a bridge between the two concepts of direct election and traditional rule by Chiefs. At the same time, I consider that the Chiefs should be given clear guidance setting out the considerations which they should have in mind in approving or disapproving of the candidature of a particular candidate. I should be glad therefore if you would arrange for the Chiefs to be advised that they should not refuse certificates on such grounds as tribal identity or party political affiliation. No regard should be given to which, if any party the candidate proposes to support. The criterion should be whether the prospective candidate has personal and other qualities which would make him an adequate representative of the people in his constituency and whether he is a fit and proper person to put himself forward as a candidate. Given this guidance, I consider that the Chiefs should be able to perform the function allotted to them satisfactorily. I recognise, however, that this is an experiment which it will be necessary to watch carefully. If it is abused in any way, it will be necessary to consider whether it should be continued.4. It has become apparent that there is need for some clarification of certain points in my earlier despatch. My proposals include the appointment of six Unofficial Ministers to Executive Council and the nomination of two Nominated Unofficial Members of Legislative Council. It will of course fall to the Governor in his discretion to make recommendations to me regarding the choice of members of the Legislative Council to be appointed as Unofficial Ministers and to nominate the Nominated Members of Legislative Council. At the same time I consider that in order to constitute an Executive Council which will command a majority in the Legislative Council; which will be such as to enable the principle of collective responsibility to be consistently applied; and which will encourage the growth of the party political system in Northern Rhodesia, the Governor before selecting the un-officials whom he will recommend for appointment as Ministers should consult with, and pay due regard to the advice of, the Member of the Legislative Council who as a party leader is in the Governor's opinion most likely to command the support of a majority of the elected members of the Legislative Council; and that in making his selection he should first consider elected members. That same member of Legislative Council would be among those whom the Governor would consult before nominating the two Nominated Un-official Members of that Council.5. I also consider that, if after completing his consultations, the Governor cannot find among members of the Legislative Council, including the two Nominated Unofficial Members, the full number of persons suitable for appointment to the Executive Council, then the composition of the Executive Council should still be considered complete even if the full number of Unofficial Ministers has not been appointed, and I propose to tender advice to Her Majesty that the Royal Instructions should so permit.6. It has been represented to me that a Chief Minister should be appointed from the elected members in the Legislative Council. In my view the time has not yet come when it would be appropriate for such an appointment to be made. I should, however, be prepar,x1 to consider this matter again when the time is appropriate."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to make a statement on the conclusions of the discussions with representatives of the political parties in Malta on the economic development and constitutional future of the island.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply has been given by the Labour Department of Mauritius to the request of the Federation of Civil Service Unions, to refer the dispute concerning Mr. Margot's interdiction and dismissal to an Arbitration Tribunal under the Trades Dispute Ordinance.

The dispute to which the hon. Member refers appears to be that arising out of the termination of Mr. Marg—éot's probationary appointment in accordance with Colonial Regulations 11 years ago, and my latest information on the subject is 5½ years old. I am asking the Governor for news of more recent developments and I will write to the hon. Member when I have it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what qualifications are required for the post of Senior Examiner in charge of the Customs Testing Laboratory of Mauritius.

The post is not one of those which my Department is normally asked to fill, and I am asking the Governor to confirm that there has been no change in the qualifications required since 1956, when I was last consulted about it.The qualifications then required were:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give the names of those Africans who will officially attend the conference on housing and urbanisation to be held in Nairobi in January by the Commission for Technical Co-operation South of the Sahara; and which territories they represent.

The list of delegates who will attend this technical conference on behalf of the United Kingdom and the Colonial Governments in Africa is not yet complete. When it is I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what financial aid, excluding Colonial Development and Welfare Funds, Her Majesty's Government now propose to give to the Seychelles.

Her Majesty's Government have agreed, subject to the approval of Parliament, to meet the Seychelles deficit for 1958. They have further agreed to make a grant in aid of Administration in 1959, the amount of which is at present under consideration. Provision will therefore be sought by presentation of a supplementary Estimate in February for £121,000 to meet the Colony's estimated deficit in 1958 and the first quarter of 1959. In the meantime advances up to this amount will be made from the Civil Contingencies Fund.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration has been given to stopping the practice of wrapping foreign butter labelled as if it is made from home- produced milk; and what complaints have been received about the labelling of milk substitutes giving the impression that milk has been used.

The Merchandise Marks (Imported Foods) No. 1 Order, 1932, makes it an offence to sell imported, including foreign, butter unless it bears an indication of origin. In addition the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, and the Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887 to 1953, make it an offence to label goods with a false description. Responsibility for enforcement rests with local food and drugs authorities who would no doubt take appropriate action if foreign butter were to be labelled in such a way as to give the impression that it was the produce of the United Kingdom. On the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend has received representations from dairy organisations and has circulated proposals for regulations. He hopes to have received the comments of the interested organisations by the New Year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the experimental cull of seal calves on the Farne Islands.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the problem of grey seals in the Fame Islands and the progress up to date in carrying out the experimental cull of seal calves.

The population of grey seals on the Fame Islands has increased from about 800 pre-war to about 3,000 today and still increasing. The Fame Islands belong to the National Trust and the grey seals are protected during their breeding season by the Grey Seals (Protection) Act, 1932.The Nature Conservancy are undertaking a scientific study of the seals, which are damaging coastal salmon fisheries on the Scottish and Northumbrian coasts. In their Report for 1957 they reluctantly accepted the desirability of experimenting in strictly limited measures of control in view of the continuing rapid growth of the colony. They recommended that while research and observations on the seals should continue as at present, measures to protect the salmon nets against depredations by the seals should be explored and further increases in the grey seal population should be limited by an annual cull of 300 calves. That was proposed as an experimental and interim measure.After discussing these recommendations with the Nature Conservancy, the National Trust and other interested bodies, the Government concluded that the practicability of culling the seal calves must be investigated before any final decisions were taken. Accordingly an Order suspending the close season was laid before the House. In the ensuing debate on 28th July it was explained that culling would be undertaken under the supervision of the veterinary staff of the Ministry of Agriculture; that if practicable the humane killer would be used; and if that were not successful, experiments would be made with clubbing, the method most acceptable to the R.S.P.C.A. if the humane killer proved unsatisfactory.In accordance with these arrangements an experimental cull was undertaken on 3rd December when the humane killer was used and 10 seal calves were killed. Bad weather has prevented further landings this week when the tides were suitable: but the information obtained about the use of the humane killer suggests that used alone it is not completely satisfactory. Information on clubbing methods will be obtained from other sources including Norway, where there has been considerable experience of these techniques.The seal calves are likely to have left or to be leaving the breeding grounds by the end of December when the tides would again be suitable for further landings. The Government have decided therefore not to conduct further experiments this season.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the average retail prices of potatoes at the latest available date and at the corresponding date in 1957.

During the week ended 13th December retail prices of potatoes generally ranged from 4½d. to 5 per lb. for red varieties and 3½d. to 4½d. per lb. for white varieties. During the corresponding period in 1957 red varieties were 3½d. to 4d. per lb. and white varieties 3d. to 4d. per lb.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether, in view of the relaxation of credit restrictions, he will now allow the Northumberland County Council to buy Duddo Farm;(2) whether he is aware that the Small-Holdings Committee of the Northumberland Council are interested in the purpose of Duddo Farm; and whether he will allow the county council to bid for the farm at the proposed public auction.

I am afraid I could not agree to the acquisition of this property by the Northumberland County Council. It still seems to me that smallholdings authorities should devote the resources that are available to the improvement of existing smallholdings estates rather than to the acquisition of new ones.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the current cost of farm subsidies compares with the corresponding figures for the years 1947 and 1957.

Farming grants and subsidies in the United Kingdom in 1946–47 cost about £34 million including estimated expenditure on fertilisers of £6.8 million borne by the Board of Trade. In addition, losses were incurred by the Ministry of Food in buying from producers in the United Kingdom at guaranteed prices and in selling so as to reach consumers at controlled retail prices, but it is impossible to estimate how much represented farm subsidies.In 1956–57 the cost of agricultural support in the U.K., was £239·2 million including £70·8 million in respect of farming grants and subsidies.In 1958–59, provision was made in the Estimates Class VIII, Votes 2 and 11 of £301 million for agricultural support including £83·5 million in respect of farming grants and subsidies. The Estimates did not take account of the Annual Review and Determination of Guarantees 1958, nor the subsequent reduction in the retail price of milk for five months this summer; the net effect of these is to reduce the estimated requirement in the current financial year by some £9 million.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will arrange that at the next whaling conference the question of ensuring that the destruction of whales is carried out as humanely as possible is placed on the agenda.

The next meeting of the International Whaling Commission to which I assume my hon. Friend refers takes place in June, 1959. I shall certainly consider in the light of the circumstances obtaining the suggestion that my hon. Friend has put forward.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what sums have been provided through the White Fish Authority for the provision of fish processing and storage facilities in Scotland and in England, respectively.

The total sums advanced by the White Fish Authority by way of loans for these purposes up to 15th December, 1958, have been £507,352 in England and £30,255 in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made by the official committee looking into the composition of milk with respect to human nutrition and animal husbandry.

My right hon. Friend understands that the Committee on the Composition of Milk has received a large amount of written evidence and is now taking oral evidence from some of the organisations concerned. In view of its wide field of inquiry, the Committee is not expected to report for some time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from food and drugs authorities with regard to the draft Ice Cream Regulations; what further consultations he proposes to have with regard to their amendment; and whether he will now give an indication as to the date when these regulations are likely to be laid before Parliament.

Two of the associations I have consulted as representative of food and drugs authorities have suggested raising the minimum fat content of ice cream, and in one case the milk solids. In addition, 14 out of some 400 food and drugs authorities have written to me individually opposing the use of the term "ice cream" for a product which contains no milk fat. I have received many other representations, and until I have decided what further consultations may be necessary I cannot say when I shall be able to lay regulations before Parliament.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made by the official committee looking into the problems of the meat and livestock industries; and what is being done to encourage the production of smaller and leaner joints of meat at a more reasonable price.

In the reply 1 gave to the hon. Member on 6th March I indicated the general scope of the problems being considered by the Technical Advisory Committee on Meat Research. Since then the Committee has been primarily concerned with proposals for the establishment of a Meat Research Centre, to which they attach great importance.As regards the second part of the Question, the free market provides a most effective form of encouragement for the production of the types and qualities of meat which are most in demand by consumers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the report of the Engledow Committee on the Technical Problems of Welsh Agriculture.

The report of this Committee of the Agricultural Improvement Council is being published today. I am most grateful to Sir Frank Engledow and his colleagues for this helpful report. I am obtaining the views of interested organisations and those of the Agricultural Research Council and shall study the report in the light of these views.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be able to invite applications under the new assistance scheme for small farmers.

I intend to invite provisional applications from 15th January, 1959. But any one who thinks he may be eligible can ask the appropriate Divisional Office of my Ministry now to send him an application form as soon as supplies are available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what functions his Department exercises in relation to loans granted by the Lands Improvement Company for improvements accepted for grant under Part II of the Agriculture Act, 1957.

The Company is an independent body which was formed in the last century and is empowered to advance loans in respect of agricultural improvements under the Improvement of Land Acts. My Department has no responsibility for its management but has certain functions under the Acts in relation to the creation of a charge on the improved land which provides security for the loan. I wish the facilities of this Company were more widely known. They are available to owners carrying out a wide range of improvements including those assisted by grant under the Farm Improvement Scheme. The Company are, I know, most anxious that full advantage should be taken of their facilities.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action it is proposed to take on the report made by the committee officially investigating for Great Britain complaints referred to them concerning the operation of the British Wool Marketing Scheme.

My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have considered the report and have accepted the findings and recommendations of the Committee. Orders have been made today, which will give effect to these recommendations.One Order will direct the Board to introduce a period of six months' notice to their agents concerning producers' applications to change to another agent so far as the 1960 clip is concerned. The Board have themselves introduced a period of notice for the 1959 clip. The Committee of Investigation recommended at least twelve months' notice, but for practical reasons my colleagues and I have decided that the shorter period should be introduced on a trial basis. The arrangements will be reviewed in the light of the working of the 1960 arrangements in consultation with the Board and their agents' representatives. If some other period of notice is then shown to be justified we shall modify the statutory direction accordingly.The second Order amends the Scheme to provide for the establishment of an Agents' Negotiating Committee as a forum for negotiation of the rates of remuneration to be paid to agents under an agency contract so long as the Board and the agents' organisations wish to conduct such negotiations centrally. This Committee will also discuss such other terms of the agency contract as both parties agree to be appropriate. The Order also provides for the appointment of an independent person to be consulted in the event of disagreement of the Committee concerning the rates of remuneration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the report of the Fleck Committee on the Fishing Industry.

The Committee are still taking evidence from the different sections of the industry and I am informed that some considerable time will elapse before they are able to report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he is proposing to wind up the work of the Anglo-Egyptian Resettlement Board; and whether he will make a statement.

The extension of the ex-gratia loans scheme which I announced on 30th October has entailed additional work for the Board, and I am not yet in a position to say when it can he wound up.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements exist in the Metropolitan area for dealing with dogs run over in the street by motor vehicles and seriously injured; and what instructions have been given to the Metropolitan Police in connection with such cases.

Metropolitan policemen carry lists of veterinary surgeons and of ambulance points and have instructions to call a veterinary surgeon when necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of offences known to the police of breaking and entering premises, or attempting the same, within the Orpington Parliamentary division in 1958, 1957, and 1956, respectively, and the number of arrests therefor in respect of each year.

—	1956			1957			January-October, 1958
	Crimes	Crimes cleared up	Arrests	Crimes	Crimes cleared up	Arrests	Crimes	Crimes cleared up	Arrests
Burglary	9	6	1	16	2	3	20	10	5
Housebreaking	41	7	5	92	17	12	77	19	6
Shopbreaking	54	17	15	74	28	17	81	12	9
Attempted breakings	49	24	14	18	7	1	12	3	2
TOTAL	153	54	35	200	54	33	190	44	22

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the increasing number of crimes of violence, involving the use of firearms, if he will consider advising the Metropolitan Police to issue an appeal for the surrender of such weapons, as was done in 1946, without a penalty during the month following the appeal.

The information I have received from the Commissioner of Police regarding recent crimes of violence involving the use of firearms does not indicate that it would be advantageous at present to make a special appeal of the kind made in 1946 in the exceptional circumstances which then existed following the end of the war. It is the normal practice of the Commissioner to put no obstacle in the way of any person who wishes to surrender firearms or ammunition to the police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what grounds he considers that the recommendations of the Street Offences Committee, 1928, do not represent a satisfactory solution of the problems of street soliciting.

In the course of discussion of the Bill which I have introduced today to deal with these problems, I shall endeavour to explain why I consider the provisions of the Bill to be preferable to other proposals that have been put forward.

As the reply contains a table of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the Official Report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the answer given in this House on 11th July, 1938, by his predecessor on the subject of cash betting with the Racecourse Betting Control Board; and to what extent this still represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

It is for the Board to decide, within the limits of their powers, what facilities for betting they should provide.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the growing practice of motorists parking cars close to road junctions; and, with a view to reducing the likelihood of accidents arising from the difficulty caused to other drivers in seeing traffic coming from their right or left, if he will take steps to prevent this occurring in the Metropolitan Police District.

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that the police are well aware of the dangers of parking near road junctions and take what action they can to prevent it, including the removal of cars in appropriate cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the recent case in the Metropolis in which a person was arrested and charged with a criminal offence, and even though the evidence and witnesses were readily available, the police requested an adjournment for three weeks; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the utmost restraint is exercised by the Metropolitan Police in deciding the period for which they request adjournments in such cases.

I know of no such case. It is for the court to decide whether to remand an accused person and for how long. The Metropolitan Police apply for a remand only when it is necessary for the purpose of preparing the case for the prosecution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider extending the functions of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Police so as to make it part of their responsibility to ensure that the police forces are free from corruption.

Commission for England	Appointed by
The Honourable Mr. Justice Diplock (Deputy Chairman).	The Lord Chancellor.
Mr. C. Erskine W. Simes, Q.C.	The Secretary of State for the Home Department.
Sir John Wrigley, K.B.E.	The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs.
Commission for Scotland
The Honourable Lord Guest (Deputy Chairman)	The Lord President of the Court of Session.
Sir Robert Nimmo	The Secretary of State for Scotland.
Professor G. S. Pryde
Commission for Wales
The Honourable Mr. Justice Davies (Deputy Chairman).	The Lord Chancellor.
Sir Frederick Armer, K.B.E.	The Secretary of State for the Home Department.
Sir Richard Williams-Bulkeley	The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs.
Commission for Northern Ireland
Mr. Justice McVeigh (Deputy Chairman)	The Lord Chief Justice, Northern Ireland.
Mr. W. A. Carson, I.S.O., M.B.E.	The Secretary of State for the Home Department.
Mr. A. T. Green, F.R.I.C.S.

The above appointments have effect Births, Death and Marriages for Northern until 31st December, 1962.The Registrar General for England and to the Commission for Northern Ireland. Wales and the Director General of Ordnance Survey will be assessors to the Commissions for England and Wales, Marriages in Scotland and the Director General of Ordnance Survey will be assessors to the commission for Scotland; and the Registrar Genaral of

Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary regard it as part of their duty to examine the administrative arrangements of a force to minimise the risk that corruption could exist undetected. To expect them to detect or inquire into particular allegations of corruption, however, would be inconsistent with the true nature of their functions and the proper constitutional responsibilities of police authorities and Chief Constables.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state the membership of the Boundary Commissions for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland constituted under the House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Acts, 1949 and 1958.

Mr. Speaker is the chairman of each of the four Commissions. The other members of the Commissions are: —Births, Death and Marriages for Northern Ireland and the Commissioner of Valuation for Northern Ireland will be assessors to the Commission for Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to prohibit the manufacture, import and distribution of flick-knife guns.

For reasons given in replies to Questions by the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 20th February and the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West (Mr. Janner) on 4th December, I am not satisfied that further legislation to deal with the problem of flick-knives generally would be justified. I am, however, watching the situation. The flick-knife in the form of a gun which has been brought to my notice appears to have been designed as a novelty and to be no more dangerous than other flick-knives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what illness prisoner 4639 Alfred Piears in Wandsworth Gaol has been admitted to hospital; whether he is aware that, in spite of repeated inquiries, no information has been given to his wife as to the cause of his admission or of his condition; and whether he will ensure that an up-to-date medical report is supplied to the wife of this prisoner.

It has not been possible to give Mrs. Piears any conclusive information because despite protracted and careful investigation no definite diagnosis has yet been reached. The prisoner was yesterday removed to an outside hospital for further investigation and Mrs. Piears has been so informed.

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

I cannot at present add to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave the hon. Member on 8th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what has been the total expenditure to date on and in connection with the Western isles guided missiles project since and including the first surveys of the site.

About £545,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what progress has been made with the provision of good and adequate accommodation, general comfort and entertainment for the Service men in South Uist, Benbecula and St. Kilda in connection with the Western Isles guided missiles range; and if he will make a statement.

A domestic camp and married quarters are being built for the Army at Benbecula. We expect the work to be completed in the second half of next year. The renovation of domestic accommodation for the Army on St. Kilda was completed last August.I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War that cinema shows are held at least three times a week both at Benbecula and at St. Kilda, and that at Benbecula there is a squash court. A grant has been made from Army welfare funds for additional recreational amenities. I also understand that through the generosity of the Nuffield Trust a seagoing motorboat is being made available.No Service men are stationed on South Uist.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many civilian workers are directly employed full time at the Western Isles rocket range; how many of them are local men; what will be the biggest number the range is to employ and at what date; when the scheme will be completed; and how many civilians it will then employ full time.

The contractors are employing 177 local men in a labour force of about 220. In addition 15 civilians from the Air Ministry Works Department are at present employed on the sites. The number will begin to fall about next March. Construction work should be finished in the second half of next year.I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War does not expect to employ civilians at the range during the first year's operations but a small number of civilians may be given full-time employment there later.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in the Paris talks with Greece and Turkey on the question of Cyprus.

I have nothing to add at present to 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 if agreement has yet been reached on the terms of a loan to Yugoslavia; and if he will state the sum involved and the purposes of mutual benefit to the United Kingdom and Yugoslavia for which this credit will be used.

Her Majesty's Government have made a formal offer to the Yugoslav Government of a loan of £3 million. The Yugoslav Government have not yet given their formal reply. The purpose of the loan is to help Yugoslavia to purchase certain capital and semi-capital goods in the United Kingdom, and to further the policy of economic co-operation between the two countries which has existed for the past ten years to the advantage of both. Her Majesty's Government have borne in mind in this context the question of Yugoslavia's prewar debts to this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply has been sent to the latest Russian note; and if he will make a statement on the progress of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation discussions.

No reply has so far been sent to the Soviet Note of 13th December. The North Atlantic Council meetings are still in progress. So far as the question of Berlin is concerned, the House will have seen the statement issued on Tuesday by the Council, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the date upon which the United Kingdom ratified the International Convention relating to the Limitation of Liability of Owners of Sea-Going Ships, signed at Brussels in October, 1957; and what other countries have ratified the said convention.

Her Majesty's Government have not yet ratified this Convention but are proposing to do so in the near future.The Belgian Government, who are the Depository Power to this Convention, have not informed us of the ratification of the Convention by any other countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what help Her Majesty's Government propose to give to the Jordanian Government, whether by direct financial aid or by technical training assistance for their armed forces.

As announced in the Press on 15th September, 1958, Her Majesty's Government decided, subject to Parliamentary approval, to make a grant in aid of £1 million to the Jordanian Budget for the financial year ending 31st March, 1959. Parliamentary approval will be sought in due course by way of a supplementary estimate. In the meantime advances are being made from the Civil Contingencies Fund.As my right hon. Friend said in reply to the hon. Member for Derby, South (Mr. P. Noel-Baker) on 26th November, Her Majesty's Government are providing technical and training assistance for the Jordanian forces. Parliamentary approval will be sought in due course by way of a Supplementary Estimate for the expenses of the attachments mentioned in that reply, and of certain preliminary training given to Jordanian pilots in the United Kingdom. It is estimated that the total cost will be in the region of £75,000 of which about £44,000 will be needed in the current financial year.Improvements to the Port of Aqaba during the presence of our forces in Jordan last summer necessitated some small expenditure for which Parliamentary approval will be sought by way of a supplementary estimate as soon as details are known.All the above charges will be borne on the Foreign Office Grants and Services Vote.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the purpose of the Royal Air Force Mission in the Lebanon.

The Royal Air Force Mission in the Lebanon is paid for by the Lebanese Government. Its purpose is to provide advice and training to the Lebanese Air Force which is mainly equipped with British aircraft. When the United States Government presented the Lebanon with six British Hawker Hunter aircraft in November under the off-shore procurement programme it was agreed that Her Majesty's Government should contribute to the extent of providing free training in the flying and maintenance of these aircraft for the period of one year. For this purpose two Royal Air Force officers and fifteen other ranks are being attached to the Royal Air Force training mission in the Lebanon at the expense of Her Majesty's Government.The total cost will be approximately £35,000 and Parliamentary approval will be sought for expenditure of £15,000 in this financial year by way of a Supplementary Estimate on the Foreign Office Vote.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to oppose proposals for legislation to make strikes illegal unless preceded by a ballot in favour of striking among trade union members concerned; and if he will give reasons for the policy of Her Majesty's Government in that matter.

My right hon. Friend still holds the view expressed in the reply he gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Arundel and Shoreham (Captain Kerby) on 10th April, 1957, to which I refer my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will restate the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to the closed shop policy adopted by certain trade unions in certain trades and firms; and what progress has been made in reducing restrictive practices on both sides of industry.

In answer to the first part of the Question, the Government's attiture conforms with its general policy of leaving the two sides of industry to regulate their own affairs by the process of joint negotiation.As to the second part of the Question, the National Joint Advisory Council have been conducting an inquiry into the efficient use of manpower and my right hon. Friend hopes to publish a report early in the New Year.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of recent examples of the ill effects of leadership by trade union leaders elected to office in elections in which only a small proportion of those entitled to vote did actually vote, he will consider afresh the desirability of introducing legislation to make the statutory privileges enjoyed by trade unions conditional upon registration, and to make registration conditional upon the existence of union rules designed to require a reasonable minimum poll in election to union office.

I think that the purpose which my hon. Friend has in mind is more likely to be secured by trade unionists showing a greater interest in union elections than by legislation.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the numbers of men and women, respectively, now registered as unemployed in Orpington, and the numbers similarly registered at the end of 1956 and 1957, and the respective vacancies for each date.

At 17th November, 1958, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 268 men and boys and 68 women and girls registered as unemployed at the Orpington Employment Exchange arid Youth Employment Office compared with 109 and 44 at 10th December, 1956, and 160 and 46 at 9th December, 1957. The number of notified vacancies remaining unfilled at these offices at 3rd December, 1958, were 53 for men arid boys and 127 for women and girls compared with 49 and 121 at 15th December, 1956, and 70 and 114 at 4th December, 1957.

asked the Minister of Labour which six employment exchanges in the London area have the largest number of registered unemployed; how many of them are registered at each of these exchanges; and what is the total number of unemployed in the London area.

The six employment exchanges which together with the corresponding youth employment offices had the largest number of registered unemployed on 17th November, 1958, were Brook Green—3,723; Brixton—3,210; Edgware Road—2,872; Stepney—2,561; Hackney—2,419; and Holloway—2,378. There were 61,296 unemployed in the London area on the same date.

asked the Minister of Labour how many miners employed respectively, at the Andershaw, Glentaggart and Douglas Castle Collieries in the Muirkirk Group of the Scottish Division of the National Coal Board, and at the Auchlochan, Bankend, and Douglas, Anfeigh, collieries in the East Ayr Group, have been declared redundant since last July; and how many in the case of each colliery have found other jobs, in and outside mining respectively, and within daily travelling distance of their homes, or beyond that, respectively.

am making inquiries and I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of unemployed in the Oldham area to the most recent convenient date.

4,277 at 17th November, 1958.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of persons unemployed in Sunderland at the latest available date and the number for the corresponding date in 1957.

4,272 at 17th November, 1958, compared with 2,319 at 11th November, 1957.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what is the average delay in arranging for driving tests in the Southampton area; and what is the average delay there in arranging for re-examination after failure at the first or subsequent test.