asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he will now make a statement on the appointment of an independent committee to examine and report on financial assistance to students.

My right hon. Friend's consideration of the arrangements for financial assistance to students has still not yet reached a stage at which he can make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will institute a public inquiry on the proposed abolition of the primary departments of the Aberdeen Grammar School and the Girls' High School in view of the strength of public opposition to this proposal and in view of the close voting on this issue in Aberdeen Town Council.

My right hon. Friend is at present considering, in the light of his information about educational provision in Aberdeen, both the Education Authority's proposal and such detailed representations as have so far been received from those who have protested against it. Having done so, he will decide Whether a public inquiry should be held.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Board of Management for Coatbridge. Airdrie and district hospitals are prepared to provide a maternity ward at Hairmyres Hospital in view of the rapidly growing population of the new town of East Kilbride, which includes a high proportion of young married couples.

The need which my hon. Friend has in mind will largely be met when the new hospital at Bellshill is completed. A maternity unit at Hairmyres would involve additional building works. The regional hospital board is, however, considering proposals for the provision of additional beds elsewhere when its resources permit.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many wards are now empty at Hairmyres Hospital.

Three standard wards and one small ward are at present empty. These include one surgical ward awaiting redecoration and one ward which is to be adapted to provide a new dispensary.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Calderwood shopping centre in East Kilbride new town is to be built.

It is expected that work will start in the autumn of this year, and that the first of the shops will become available for letting towards the end of 1959.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what evidence he has as to whether salmon poaching has increased or declined since the passing of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Protection) (Scotland) Act, 1951.

From 1952 to 1956 the average yearly number of convictions for offences against the Act was 189 whereas in 1949 and 1950 the numbers of convictions for corresponding offences were 390 and 322 respectively. These figures, I think, show that poaching has declined.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a report from the Monopolies Commission on the subject of the supply of certain electrical equipment for mechanically propelled manned vehicles.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a report from the Monopolies Commission on the subject of the supply of machinery for the manufacture or packaging of cigarettes or of cigarette or pipe tobacco.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress he has made since July, 1957, in attracting new industries to the Dundee Development Area.

The Board of Trade continues to encourage new industrial development at Dundee and there is a good chance of additional jobs being provided as a result of negotiations now in hand.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies for 1956; and whether he will introduce legislation to stop the practice, referred to in the Report, of building societies in charging premiums when advances are made.

I have seen the Chief Registrar's Report on Building Societies for 1956. Legislation relating to the practice of building societies in charging premiums on mortgage advances is not contemplated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a further statement on Her Majesty's Government's proposals for a European Free Trade Area; and what arrangements have been proposed regarding agricultural products.

Negotiations in the Inter-Governmental Committee are continuing to make progress, and agriculture has been further considered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made in Paris negotiating the Free Trade Area agreement; and what British industries, other than agriculture, he has attempted to safeguard.

Progress continues to be made with the negotiations. As regards the second part of the Question, Her Majesty's Government regard it as essential to ensure that there are rules to prevent unfair trading practices throughout the whole field of industry.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will review his decision to refuse to exercise his discretion to approve a subsidy for four houses to replace those destroyed by mining subsidence in Swinton.

No.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many houses were built both privately and by local authorities during 1957.

These figures are not yet available. They will be published in the Housing Return due to be presented to Parliament on 30th January.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many people are on the local authority housing lists throughout England and Wales at the latest convenient date, distinguishing between applicants requiring accommodation suitable for the elderly, and other applicants.

This information is not available. Nor do I think it would be useful to collect it specially from the 1468 local housing authorities, since any figures obtained would not be reliable for use as an index of housing need.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) how many hutted camps are still in civilian occupation; and the number of persons living in such camps;(2) if he will urge local authorities with hutted camps in their areas occupied by civilian families to provide other suitable accommodation for them and clear the camps.

I am continually urging local authorities to provide alternative accommodation for families living in hutted camps; I am furnishing the hon. Member with copies of circulars which have been sent to them. Both the number of camps still in civilian occupation and the number of persons living in them are steadily diminishing. Details are published in the Housing Return every quarter.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities have, to date, made application for additional financial assistance under Section 5 of the Housing Subsidies Act, 1956; and to how many local authorities such assistance has been given.

Twenty-five local authorities have made application under Section 5. Nineteen applications have been rejected. Applications from Mynyddislwyn U.D.C., Newcastle Emlyn R.D.C. and Teifiside R.D.C. have been approved. Further information is awaited from the remaining three authorities.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities in England and Wales, up to the latest convenient date, were operating building society guarantee schemes, whereby prospective house purchasers are enabled to obtain a building society advance of 90 per cent. or 95 per cent. for small houses with the help of a local authority guarantee.

To date 977 local authorities have adopted guarantee schemes under Section 5 of the Housing Act, 1949.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities in England and Wales have authorised improvement and conversion grants to private individuals under the Housing Acts; how many authorities have not authorised them and what are the total figures for the number of grants made and their value in the calendar years 1954, 1955, 1956 and 1957.

At 31st December, 1957, 1,344 local authorities had approved applications made by private owners for grants under Part II of the Housing Act, 1949, towards the cost of schemes of improvement and conversion. The remaining 124 local authorities had made no grants. The number of grants made in 1954, 1955, 1956 and 1957 was 12,774, 34,450, 31,997 and 32,852, respectively. The value of the grant payments approved during 1957 was£6,657,063; I regret that totals for previous years are not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities in England and Wales have sold council houses since the war; and what is the number of houses so sold up to the latest convenient date.

Up to the 31st December, 1957, 444 local authorities in England and Wales had sold 9,703 council houses. In addition, seven new town development corporations had sold 61 houses.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what is his policy with regard to orders which may be made by him under Section 67 (1) of the Housing Act, 1957, in view of the fact that in recent cases he has confined himself to making such orders only in very special circumstances;(2) whether, in order to reduce the hardship suffered by owners of land who oppose clearance and other orders made under Section 67 of the Housing Act, 1957, he will make a wider use of the discretion given to him under that Section in respect of allowance of expenses.

It is not the practice to make an award of costs against a local authority carrying out any of their statutory duties unless they have either misconceived the duty or have acted unreasonably or vexatiously. I would, however, invite my hon. Friend's attention to the statement by the Lord Chancellor in another place on 27th November last, undertaking that the question of awarding cosfs in administrative inquiries should be referred to the Council on Tribunals when it has been appointed.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what decision has been made regarding the use of the Redesdale area.

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War that his proposals for extending the use of the artillery range at Redesdale are still under discussion with the local authorities and amenity societies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his recent conversations with representatives of the Sierra Leone Government, indicating, in particular, their proposals for self-government and his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement upon proposed constitutional changes in Sierra Leone following the exploratory talks in London of December, 1957, with the Sierra Leone Government delegation, led by Dr. John Karefa Smart.

Last month I held exploratory discussions with a Sierra Leone delegation about changes in the executive side of Government and other related matters. In the light of these discussions the Sierra Leone Government has just published its proposals for constitutional changes in a White Paper which will be debated in the House of Representatives early in February. Following this debate I expect to receive a formal communication from the Sierra Leone Government. Until I have done so, I would prefer not to make any further statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement of the Government's future policy regarding Cyprus.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a statement on the future of Cyprus.

I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consultations he has had with Her Majesty's Government in Jamaica regarding the desirability of ensuring that intending immigrants to the Mother Country are adequately informed concerning conditions prevailing here; what official arrangements are made to welcome Her Majesty's West Indian subjects on arrival; what reports he has received concerning their welfare in this country, with special reference to health, housing, and employment; and whether he will make a statement concerning the Government's policy as regards immigration of Commonwealth citizens into the United Kingdom.

Since June, 1956, the British Caribbean Welfare Service has been established in the Colonial Office. This Service is now maintained by the Government of the West Indies and reports regularly to them. Also in 1956 the Chief Officer of the Service visited Jamaica and assisted in the establishment there at a Migrant Advisory Bureau for the guidance of Jamaicans proceeding to this country; this Bureau provides comprehensive information to intending emigrants on all aspects of conditions here: relevant information has also been given prominence in the West Indies by radio, press and other publications.Members of the Service meet all parties of new arrivals in this country, and, with the co-operation of representatives of the voluntary welfare organisations, give them all advice and practical assistance which they may need.My Department is in direct and regular touch with other Departments of Her Majesty's Government who are primarily responsible for such matters as health, housing and employment, which affect West Indians and other members of the community alike. Her Majesty's Government keep the general question of immigration from Commonwealth countries under regular review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many, and what proportion, of the teachers in schools in the Seychelles are uncertificated: and what steps are being taken to increase the proportion of certificated teachers.

The total number of teachers in Seychelles is 258 and the number of uncertificated teachers is 173, a proportion of 67 per cent. Twelve student teachers are attending a two-year course leading to the award of a certificate at the end of 1958. A teacher training college is under construction. It is Seychelles Government policy not only to increase the number of certificated teachers but also to improve the general standards of all teachers. Thus many teachers now uncertificated have reached a standard which a year or two ago would have qualified them for a local certificate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the percentage of illiteracy amongst those entitled to vote in the Dominican Federal elections in March; and what are the unique and exclusive party symbols approved for each political party taking part, for the purpose of ensuring that these elections are conducted on approved lines.

The latest available figure for illiteracy in Dominica, that given in the 1946 census, is 40 per cent. It is not possible to estimate more precisely the percentage of illiteracy among those entitled to vote in the Federal Elections. A hand, a hat and a bottle are the symbols which will be assigned to the political parties when it is known which parties will contest the elections.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of his personal and special message sent to the Gambia Regiment before the regiment was placed in a condition of suspended animation.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in how many cases fees charged to out-patients and in-patients, respectively, in Government institutions in Kenya have been waived on grounds of hardship; and how many African patients have received treatment since the charges were introduced, compared with the corresponding period in the previous year.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 14th November, 1957; Vol. 577, c. 1118–9], supplied the following information:From 1st January, 1957, to 6th December, 1957, fees were waived for 2,455 out-patients and 1,693 in-patients. These figures exclude those entitled to free medical treatment. At those hospitals where fees have been charged, the numbers of Africans treated in the same period were 302,505 out-patients and 30,017 in-patients. As fee-paying has been introduced in successive stages and is not yet the rule in all hospitals, and as annual attendance figures only are available for 1956, no direct comparisons can yet be made between the two years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by the Government of Kenya to allocate houses for civil servants in Nairobi and other towns on a non-racial basis.

pursuant to Mr. Profumo's reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 14th November, 1957; Vol. 577, c. 1119], supplied the following information:The Government of Kenya have accepted in principle the recommendation of a government working party that, following the introduction of a non-racial civil service, Government quarters should be allocated on a non-racial basis. The Government are at present considering detailed proposals for making practical moves in this direction.

asked the Minister of Works to what use the hangars at Wardle, Cheshire, are being placed; and with whose permission.

These hangars are used for vehicle storage by arrangement with the Air Ministry who own the site.

asked the Minister of Works what were the attendance figures at the Tower of London for each Sunday of opening in 1957.

The Sunday attendance figures for 1957 are as follows:

			Paid Attendance
May 5th	…	…	3,518
May 12th	…	…	2,910
May 19th	…	…	3,563
May 26th	…	…	3,753
June 2nd	…	…	3,137
June 9th	…	…	6,214
June 16th	…	…	3,234
June 23rd	…	…	4,128
June 30th	…	…	2,570
July 7th	…	…	4,483
July 14th	…	…	4,629
July 21st	…	…	4,683
July 28th	…	…	6,498
August 4th	…	…	6,291
August 11th	…	…	6,260
August 18th	…	…	5,972
August 25th	…	…	5,068
September 1st	…	…	4,890
September 8th	…	…	4,739
September 15th	…	…	3,840
September 22nd	…	…	3,584
September 29th	…	…	1,476

These figures are for visitors who paid at the ticket office for admission. Blocks of tickets are purchased by agencies in advance; there is no record of their use on particular days but it is believed to be small.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is continuing its support for the scientific study of human problems in industry; and, if so, through what arrangements.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes."Following a review of its responsibilities in this field, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has decided to continue to promote research into the human problems of industry as an established part of its work. Accordingly, it has set up a Committee on Human Sciences in Industry which will keep under review the development of the human sciences in relation to industrial needs, and advise the Research Council on the allocation of grants, and on other means of promoting research in this field.This Committee replaces on the D.S.I.R. side the two former committees which were set up jointly by D.S.I.R. and the Medical Research Council in 1953 (one on Human Relations in Industry, and the other on Individual Efficiency in Industry)—agreement having been reached to replace them by separate committees reflecting the different interests of the two bodies.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what are the methods used by the industrial research associations to make the results of their work known to industry.

The Research Associations make the results of their work known to their industries in a variety of ways; different methods are used by different associations, appropriate to the industries they serve. Among the means used are publications, bulletins, lectures, films, training courses, exhibitions and mobile demonstration units—and in particular—

(1) Bulletins and reports circulated confidentially to member firms, giving accounts of research work by the Associations, new methods, materials, etc. Some of these reports are intended for the research and technical staff of member firms and others are especially prepared for the foreman and production staff.

(2) Publication in scientific and technical journals of the results of long term research.

(3) Liaison officers who visit member firms periodically to discuss their technical problems.

(4) Lecture courses for the staff of firms.

(5) One Association has successfully used a mobile unit which visits members' works and demonstrates new methods and techniques.

(6) The various methods were discussed at a Conference in London last October which provided a useful exchange of ideas and experience.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will place a model of the proposed new St. Thomas's Hospital in the Upper Waiting Room.

I am arranging with the Board of Governors of St. Thomas's Hospital for a model of their present proposals for a new hospital to be on view to hon. Members in the Upper Waiting Hall for the week beginning Monday next, 27th January.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the results of recent experiments indicating that in parts of a Christmas pudding adjacent to threepenny pieces there were 250 parts of copper in a million and in the case of sixpences 360 parts of copper in a million; and, in view of the Government's policy of discouraging the sale of foodstuffs containing more than 20 parts of copper in a million, if he will look into the matter with a view to giving guidance to the public.

Tests have shown that the health risk from putting sixpences and threepenny pieces into Christmas puddings is very slight. A precaution would be to wrap the coins in greaseproof paper or to insert them into the pudding near the time of serving.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he will take to alleviate the expense to which sufferers from diabetes in Swindon are exposed by being obliged to make repeated payments for the equipment and drugs which are necessary for them.

In diabetic and other cases where there is a continuing need for drugs and appliances, it is already open to a doctor to prescribe quantities sufficient to last a reasonable time.

asked the Minister of Health what advice he has given to local authorities regarding smoking at meetings of their members; and what action has been taken as a result.

I have given no advice; this would in any case be a matter for individual members or for the local authority itself to decide, as part of its methods of conducting its own business.

asked the Minister of Defence whether a decision has yet been reached on the siting of rocket ranges in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Defence what additional Civil Defence expenditure he estimates will be necessary as a result of the establishment of new rocket bases in Scotland.

I believe that my hon. Friend has in mind rocket sites and not rocket ranges. Discussions with the United States Government about the supply of intermediate range ballistic missiles are still proceeding and no decisions about the siting of them have yet been taken.

asked the Minister of Defence if he is now in a position to state what agreement has been reached with the United States Government on the stationing of intermediate range ballistic missile squadrons in the United Kingdom.

I hope to make a statement shortly.

asked the Minister of Defence what recommendation has been received from the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, on military grounds, regarding the stationing of intermediate range ballistic missiles in the United Kingdom.

None.

asked the Minister of Defence when it is expected that the advice of the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, on the location of intermediate range ballistic missile squadrons in Europe will be available to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's Council of Ministers.

The N.A.T.O. Military Authorities are considering this matter. I cannot yet say when their recommendations will be submitted to the North Atlantic Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the complaints of two British Post Office engineers that they were marched at rifle point by an American guard when dealing with a line fault at Sculthorpe Air Base; and if he will take steps to ensure that such an humiliating experience does not befall any other Britisher discharging his duties in England.

I understand that the United States Service authorities have expressed their regret to all concerned for the incident to which the hon. Member refers, which arose as a result of a misunderstanding. Both the United States Service authorities and the British authorities concerned are anxious to avoid any repetition of such incidents, and discussions have taken place to this end.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what financial assistance has already been given to the British Trans-Antarctic Expedition; and what assistance he now proposes to give.

Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have made a cash grant of£100,000 to the Expedition. In addition, the value of free assistance which will continue to be given by the three Services is estimated at approximately£86,000.

asked the Minister of Education the numbers of classes of over 40, and over 50, pupils, respectively, in the primary and secondary schools of England and Wales on 1st January, 1957, and the comparable figures for each of the last five years.

The numbers fix maintained and assisted schools are set out in the following table. The figures for classes with over 40 pupils include those with over 50.

Year (January)		Junior Classes		Senior Classes
		over 40	over 50	over 40	over 50
1952	…	35,163	1,180	3,863	60
1953	…	40,046	1,330	3,156	50
1954	…	40,447	1,145	3,304	44
1955	…	37,011	917	3,734	36
1956	…	33,589	621	4,181	64
1957	…	31,907	558	4,115	56

asked the Minister of Education what was the educational expenditure, per 1,000 of the population, in the County of West Sussex in each of the last five years.

In the last five years the total expenditure of the West Sussex Local Education Authority per 1,000 of population on services within the purview of my Department was as follows:—

			Total expenditure per 1,000 of population
			£
1952–53	…	…	6,259
1953–54	…	…	6,576
1954–55	…	…	7,372
1955–56	…	…	8,258
1956–57	…	…	9,584

asked the Postmaster-General what steps his officers are taking to improve radio and television reception in the area of the Penhill Estate at Swindon.

Satisfactory reception of television and V.H.F. sound radio should be obtainable in this area from the B.B.C.'s Wenvoe station, providing suitable receiving sets and aerials are used. The Home and Third Programmes on the medium wave and the Light Programme on the long wave should similarly be satisfactory. Swindon is not, however, within range of the existing I.T.A. stations. Complaints of electrical interference have not been numerous. The Post Office is always willing to investigate in such cases.