asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to enable him to acquire for letting unoccupied houses which have been awaiting offers for sale for more than a given period.

No. Local authorities already have adequate powers to acquire property for housing purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how far school attendances have been affected by illness amongst children; to what extent this illness is infectious; and what medical agreement has been reached on diagnosis and treatment.

In some eastern areas many more children than usual have recently been absent, as a result of various catarrhal conditions normally of a mild nature. The illness is thought to be a virus infection and laboratory investigation is proceeding. The treatment recommended is to keep the children at home as for a cold.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the Government-built factory of Weir Housing Corporation is now employing less than a third of its former numbers; and, as this factory was built to give diversity of employment locally, what steps he is taking to utilise the advantages that this factory offers, particularly in housing components.

The Weir Housing Corporation, like other firms engaged in the manufacture of components for houses, have full opportunities of competing for contracts to be let by local authorities and other public bodies. Subject to the price being reasonable, my right hon. Friend is ready to approve any proposals submitted to him by such bodies involving the use of this firm's resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schools there are in Lanarkshire of all types with 150 pupils or more; and in how many of these schools the head teacher is responsible for teaching a particular class or subject, giving details separately for each type of school.

196. In 45 of them—37 primary and 8 junior secondary—the head teacher normally takes a class or subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet received a report from the commissioner appointed by him to inquire into the endowments administered by the Royal College of Technology and Science, Glasgow.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision is now to be made for farms over 150 acres which lose Marginal Agricultural Production assistance and which may yet require assistance to prevent them going out of use.

As already announced, these farms are to receive Marginal Agricultural Production grant for a further year. They can also take advantage of the other forms of assistance available and of the strong demand for store stock and my right hon. Friend does not think there is any danger of them going out of use.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet decided what modification is necessary in Government policy with regard to rents on trading estates; and whether, in the light of such modification, he will reconsider the rent being asked for the well-equipped clothing factory on the Fforestfach Trading Estate, in view of the increasing unemployment in that area.

I hope to make a statement bearing on this later today.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the decision of Nylon Spinners Limited not to site their new factory in the City of Aberdeen, what steps he has since taken to secure that factory for a site anywhere in North-East Scotland; and with what result.

As the hon. and learned Member will recall, my right hon. Friend reminded him on 22nd January that the Lord Provost had been informed by the firm that Aberdeen was not a suitable site. The reasons then given would apply equally to North-East Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to encourage new industries to the Burgh of Kirkintilloch.

Kirkintilloch is well placed to attract industry from Glasgow under the recently concluded overspill agreement, and the Board of Trade will do what it can to facilitate this movement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Indonesia is one of the few countries for which the Export Credits Guarantee Department cover is not available, that this is hampering United Kingdom export trade to that country, and that as a result important orders are continually lost; and whether he will review this policy of the Export Credits Guarantee Department towards Indonesia with a view to bringing it into line with that of similar institutions in other countries which give credit cover to Indonesia.

We are keeping the matter under review and I can assure my hon. Friend that cover for Indonesia will be resumed as soon as circumstances permit. I understand that those credit insurance institutions in other countries which do offer cover only do so to a very limited extent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that unemployment in Aberdeen is still increasing, that this affects not only the major industries in the city but also the related industries in the county and in the Highlands and that discontent and distress continue to grow in these areas; and if he will now specify, as a matter of urgency, the additional steps he has taken, is taking, and intends to take, to solve the relevant problems.

I am aware of the concern felt about unemployment in Aberdeen and the Highlands. I cannot, however, add much to the previous Answers given to the hon. and learned Member on 29th January, 27th January, 20th January, 3rd December and 6th November. I have myself in the past few days written to 50 thousand managing directors drawing their attention to the assistance the Government are prepared to give to firms setting up factories in these areas, and the Board of Trade Regional organisation is constantly on the look-out for firms to expand there.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now completed his inquiries concerning the cancellation of contracts by the Gremio with the Aberdeen box-making industry; and whether he will make a statement.

No. We have written to the Portuguese Authorities about this matter and still await their reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now considered the suggestion that he should issue a revised edition of Industry on the Move, showing how smaller districts surrounding certain big towns can participate.

I do not think there is need for a revision. The point about which the hon. Member is concerned is dealt with in paragraph 2 of the leaflet, which says "The industry or business does not need to be in one of the places on the list as long as people will travel from them to the new work".

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of applications made by firms in the Rhondda valleys for extensions to their existing factories; what is the estimated additional number of persons that would be employed if the applications were allowed; how many applications were refused; and for what reasons.

Three applications for extensions to factories in the Rhondda Valleys have been received and all have been authorised. On completion later this year they should provide about 120 new jobs. In addition, nine extensions have been authorised on the Treforest Trading Estate and these should also afford some help to Rhondda.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new factories, works, and industries of any kind have commenced working in Bootle or Liverpool in the past two years; how many jobs have been provided therein; and what definite proposals he has received for bringing new industries to this area in the immediate future.

Industrial building statistics for districts smaller than Development Areas are not readily available. In the Merseyside Development Area as a whole 88 industrial building schemes (of over 5,000 sq. ft.) totalling 2·6 million square feet were completed in the two years ended June, 1958, the latest period for which information is available. It is not known how many jobs these have provided, but eight new firms which have started production in the past two years now employ about 4,500 workers. 37 industrial building schemes totalling 500,000 sq. ft. were approved for the area in 1958. These projects, together with other known developments, are expected to provide about 5,000 new jobs in the next two years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what assistance is being given by his Department in promoting the production and exhibition of films produced jointly by United Kingdom companies and companies of other European countries.

The scope for the joint production of films with other countries is at present somewhat limited by the Cinematograph Films Acts and my right hon. Friend is considering suggestions from the industry that the Acts should be amended.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Spitz-Holter hydrocephalic valves have been imported under licence into the United Kingdom from the United States of America; and at what cost to the hospitals concerned.

I regret that the information is not available. These valves are not separately distinguished in the import statistics.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, having regard to reduction of the number of Purchase Tax rates from seven to four as a measure of simplification in the Finance Act, 1958, what general economy in assessment and collection has been effected in Customs and Excise; what is the value in the current year of such economy; and what estimate he has made of labour saving among Purchase Tax payers consequential upon simplification of rates.

I regret that it is not possible for me to calculate these effects.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware, in connection with the difficulties arising from assessment of Purchase Tax on particular items of stationery, that following trade protests, a meeting between traders and Customs and Excise took place on 12th November, 1958, when traders again made a request for arbitration, which has not so far been accepted; and when such arbitration is to be accepted with a view to settling difficulties arising from Purchase Tax assessment on stationery, including theatre tickets, competition entry forms, lottery tickets, and stamp albums; and whether he will make a statement.

The articles mentioned are representative a broad class of stationery goods; their liability to tax raises a question of principle which it would be inappropriate to settle by informal arbitration. On a previous occasion, the Customs and Excise offered to facilitate a test action in the courts if that should be desired, and this offer remains open.At the trade's request, however, the Customs are themselves reviewing the criteria of tax liability in this field and they will let the trade Committee know as soon as this review is completed with a view to further discussion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that an industrial type of polythene bucket over two pounds in weight and with a pouring lip is free of Purchase Tax, whereas a polythene jug, big in section and four and a half pints in capacity, is subject to 15 per cent. Purchase Tax; as both the polythene bucket and polythene jug described are specifically for industrial use, why he is discriminating in favour of buckets and against jugs, both vessels having broadly comparable purposes; and what remedy he proposes to dispose of this anomaly.

Yes. This is unavoidable, because all sizes of jugs are used domestically, but not all sizes of buckets.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, when framing his Budget, he will consider the removal of Purchase Tax from those gas and coke fires with a gas poker point combined which are necessary to comply with the Clean Air Act.

I am not quite sure what my hon. Friend has in mind; grates for burning coke, including those fitted with gas ignition, are not taxable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the fact that gramophone records are used extensively by the British Council and others to demonstrate the British way of life, if he will consider reducing or removing the Purchase Tax on them.

My hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate my Budget decisions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the rate of Purchase Tax on gramophone records amounts to twice as much as the tax on mink coats; that the gramophone industry provides for Great Britain more in employment and foreign currency than the mink coat industry; and, in framing his next Budget, if he will take these facts into account, with a view to reducing the Purchase Tax on gramophone records.

I do not doubt the hon. and learned Gentleman's facts, but I think the relevance of his comparisons is questionable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the principle on which he acts when, in framing his Budget, he imposes tax on some of the media for the propagation of knowledge, culture and education, namely, gramophone records, but not on other media, namely, books.

I explained in my Budget speech last year why I believe that a comprehensive tax extending to such things as books and newspapers is for practical purposes a mirage; and why I had to retain tax at a relatively high rate on gramophones and records.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the loss to the Treasury in Income Tax and Surtax from persons whose income has been reduced or has ceased as a result of the loss of trade with Egypt following the Suez operations.

I regret that sufficient information is not available on which to base an estimate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will instruct the Inland Revenue to include in its next Report a table showing the cost of collection for each form of taxation and duty collected by them.

I have asked the Board of Inland Revenue to consider whether, and to what extent, this can be done. There are difficulties where the same staff are employed on more than one tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications for aid under the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act, 1958, have been received from Aberdeen since 16th December, 1958; and how many have been granted.

No further inquiries about financial assistance under the Act have been received from Aberdeen since 16th December last. Of three firm and eligible applications received since the Act came into force, one has been granted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much it would cost to repay post-war credits to all widows, regardless of age.

About £20 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much it would cost to repay post-war credits to all disabled ex-Service men.

The cost would be negligible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much it would cost to repay post-war credits to all blind people.

No precise estimate of the cost can be made but it would probably be less than £½ million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in his negotiations with the Egyptian Government over financial matters connected with the recent war in Suez, he will insist that, as, in the view of Her Majesty's Government, Egypt was responsible for this war, the financial settlement should include not less than £60 million for the Suez base installations and the stores, together with £25 million as estimated in the Appropriation Accounts in addition to any losses claimed by civilian and private interests.

In advance of the signature and publication of the Agreement it would not be appropriate for me to discuss how governmental claims are being handled.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, taking the first half of 1950 as equalling 100, the average cost of food imports rose by the second half of 1951 to 140 whilst, for the same period, our exports rose by only 125 per cent., that, since then, for the first half of 1958, import prices have decreased to 121, whilst exports have increased to 132, but that, nevertheless, the cost of living has continued to rise to such an extent that the £ sterling is only worth 15s. 4d. in spending power, compared with 20s. in October 1951; and what action he proposes to take to change this position.

I am, of course, aware of the movements of prices, production and unemployment to which the hon. Member refers. The rise in prices since 1951 has been the result mainly of higher domestic incomes and other costs, which have a much greater influence on their trend than the movement of import prices. During the last twelve months the Retail Price Index has risen much less than in previous years, in spite of a continued rise in incomes, and it is satisfactory that there has been this progress towards stability of prices. Statements of the Government's attitude towards these matters have been made from time to time, and will, no doubt, be made again at appropriate times.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the delay in signing the Anglo-Egyptian financial agreement, and especially those provisions relating to the implementation of industrial credit between British and Egyptian firms, is preventing the completion of contracts between the British and Egyptian nations, and the export of goods from Great Britain to Egypt, and is thereby increasing unemployment in Great Britain and depriving Great Britain of much-needed foreign currency; and what steps he is taking to rectify the economic effects due to this delay.

I am aware that the conclusion of the Anglo-Egyptian Financial Agreement would facilitate trade between the two countries, and I shall be glad if the difficulties at present holding up the signature can be quickly overcome.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he is aware that the payment of the present radio and television licence is a hardship for old-age pensioners and those on limited incomes; and whether, in view of the profits being made by the various television companies, and the dividends being paid to shareholders in these companies, he will consider reducing the cost of the tax on the radio and television licence and replacing this by a special television tax on the operating companies;(2) whether he will give an estimate of the amount of revenue which his Department would receive if a 10 per cent. television entertainment tax were placed on the undistributed and distributed profits of the various television operating companies.

The hon. Gentleman will not expect me to anticipate my Budget statement, nor could I usefully make the arbitrary assumptions necessary to answer the hon. Member's hypothetical question.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether, in view of the difficulties confronting tenants as a result of the disappointing and unexpectedly short periods of relief from eviction that are being granted by many county courts under the Landlord and Tenant (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1958, he will introduce further legislation on the subject.

I have no information which suggests that the Landlord and Tenant (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1958, is failing to help those whom it was intended to help.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether a joint board or joint advisory committee is now to be set up for the administration of the Brecon Beacons National Park; and from what date the organisation will operate.

I have issued a direction the effect of which is that administration of the Park will be carried out by a Joint Advisory Committee, subject to review in three years. The three County Councils were informed of my decision on 5th February in a letter of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. It will now be for the three County Councils and the National Parks Commission to consult together about the detailed arrangements, and I shall wait to hear from them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, how many families other than problem families are at present in institutions owing to their inability to secure housing accommodation according to their means; and whether he will consider recommending the housing of such families through halfway houses as recommended by the report published in 1955 by his Department.

I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. As to the second part, my right hon. Friend and I will shortly be issuing a joint circular to all local authorities reviewing the problems of homeless families and making suggestions for improving the arrangements for dealing with them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the present membership of the Central Advisory Water Committee and of its Trade Effluent Sub-Committee, respectively; from what organisations the latter has taken evidence; and when its report may be expected.

The Central Advisory Water Committee, of which I am the Chairman, has twenty-five members, as follows:

• Sir Frederick Armer, K.B.E., C.B., M.C.;
• Alderman C. H. Chandler, J.P., C.C.;
• J Coekram, Esq., A.C.A.;
• The Lord De Ramsey;
• Lieut.-Colonel G. E. FitzHugh, T.D., J.P.;
• Lieut.-Colonel J. Godman, C.B.E.;
• Alderman A. Gorman;
• Lieut.-Colonel Sir Arthur Heneage, D.S.O., D.L., J.P.;
• N. R. Hood, Esq., Ph.D., B.Sc., F.R.I.C., M.I.Mech.E., M.I.Chem.E.;
• H. E. Hopthrow, Esq., C.B.E., M.I.Mech.E.;
• Major Gen. Sir Reginald Kerr, K.B.E., C.B., N.C.; N.C.;
• Professor W. B. R. King, O.B.E., MC., M.A., Sc.D., F.R.S.;
• W. C. Knill, Esq., B.Sc., M.I.C.E., M.I.Mech.E., M.I.W.E.;
• A. G. McLellan, Esq., B.Sc., M.I.C.E., M.I.W.E., J.P.;
• The Rev. Canon W. Marsden;
• G. S. Mason, Esq., B.Sc., M.I.Chem.E., J.P.;
• W. A. Muddell, Esq., J.P.;
• Professor J. Proudman, C.B.E., M.A., D.Sc., LI.D., F.R.S.;
• J. H. T. Stilgoe, Esq., M.I.C.E., M.I.W.E.;
• G. R. Taylor, Esq;
• A. Titherley, Esq., C.B.E.;
• E. T. Wadman, Esq., J.P.;
• Alderman J. R. Wardell, O.B.E., J.P.;
• Mrs. Charles Williams, O.B.E.;
• Alderman R. C. Yates, D.L.
• The present membership of the Trade Effluents Sub-committee of the Central Advisory Water Committee consists of the following ten members:
• Sir Frederick Armer, K.B.E., C.B., M.C. (Chairman);
• J. H. Edmondson, Esq., O.B.E., M.I.Mech.E., M.I.Chem.E.;
• H. E. Hopthrow, Esq., C.B.E., M.I.Mech.E.;
• S. H. Jenkins, Esq., Ph.D., D.Sc., F.R.I.C., F.Inst.S.P.;
• G. S. Mason, Esq., B.Sc., M.I.Chem.E., J.P.;
• W. A. Muddell, Esq., J.P.;
• C. W. F. Ridley, Esq.;
• G. R. Taylor, Esq.;
• A. Titherley, Esq., C.B.E.;
• E. T. Wadman, Esq., J.P.

The Sub-committee has taken evidence from a wide range of organisations representative of local authorities, river hoards, industry, fishery and other interests, details of which will, I feel sure, be included in their report. I expect the report later in the year; it will be published.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the total area of new office building in Central London completed since the war; what is the area now in process of construction; what is the area for which he has given town planning consent for future erection; and what he estimates to be the total working population thus provided for.

The primary responsibility for granting permission for new office buildings in the County of London rests with the London County Council as planning authority, and not with me. No recent figures are yet available, but at 31st January, 1956, some 8,334,000 sq. ft. of new office space had been provided in the central area since the war, and some 9,877,000 sq. ft. were under construction.I understand that by mid-1957 the permissions granted for new office building in Central London amounted to 40,393,000 sq. ft. If all the outstanding permissions were implemented, accommodation could be provided in total for about 270,000 workers; but since some of the new building involves the replacement or improvement of existing offices, the net increase of employment in Central London would be considerably less than this.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many of the claims on the Central Land Board under Parts I and V of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1954, remain outstanding.

The Central Land Board deals with claims under Part I of the Act, and my Department with claims under Part V. The claims outstanding on 29th January were 534 and 64, respectively, out of 109,630 and 7,140 respectively that were received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been achieved in building the new airstrip in the Seychelles.

This is a matter in which my predecessor took a particular interest during his visit to the Colony. An expert from the M.T.C.A. recently visited Seychelles to consider possible sites for an airfield. His report will shortly be available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the new West Aden Protectorate Federation.

The new federation, with the title "The Federation of Arab Amirates of the South", will be inaugurated on 11th February. Immediately thereafter the Treaty between the United Kingdom and the Federation will be signed. I am happy to say that my right hon. Friend will be present at this ceremony. I am arranging for a copy of the English text of the Treaty to be placed in the Library of the House on 11th February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply has been given by the Governor of Tanganyika to the petition of the 826 representatives of almost all sections of the Asian community asking for the present scale of educational fees to be considerably lowered.

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

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the total number of Africans in detention camps in Kenya on the latest convenient date; and how many have been deained four years, or longer, without trial.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 20th January, 1959; Vol. 598, c. 8], supplied the following additional information:Of the 2,409 persons detained under Emergency Regulations in Kenya on the 31st January, 808 have been in detention for 4 years or longer without trial.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give directions that no further operational exercises be held in Cyprus until he has had an opportunity of making a further effort to reach a solution of the island's affairs.

No. The security forces must continue to take whatever steps may be necessary to prevent EOKA forces from regrouping and from transporting arms and explosives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the resettlement of the Africans displaced in Northern Rhodesia by the Kariba Scheme; what compensation per head has been paid to those moved from their homes; and what health conditions have been experienced in the resettlement areas.

Resettlement is virtually complete. About 22,000 people have moved, leaving 1,800 to move this year.Individual compensation is assessed in respect of loss of huts, of developed land and of production. The average rate is over £10 a head. Out of £330,000 estimated to be payable as individual compensation, £117,000 has been paid and payments are continuing.In December there was an outbreak of bacillary dysentery. This is not unusual in this area during the early rains. But medical surveys undertaken earlier by the Federal Government have enabled measures to be taken which should lead to a general improvement in the health and nutrition of those who have moved. I will place in the Library copies of a report just received from the Governor.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that certain local authorities are charging an initial entrance fee when a ratepayer joins the local library; and whether he will introduce legislation to amend the Public Libraries Act, 1892, so as to clarify the law in this matter.

I am aware that some authorities make such a charge. The need for legislation will be considered in the context of the Report of the Roberts Committee on Public Libraries in England and Wales, which I hope to present to Parliament this month.

asked the Minister of Education what was the number of Bootle pupils who sat the General Certicate of Education examination in the year 1958 at O level in grammar schools inside or outside of the borough; and what was the average number of passes per student.

The figures for grammar schools inside the borough were 167 and 3·2, respectively. Information about pupils attending schools outside the borough is not readily available.

asked the Minister of Education how many secondary modern schools in Bootle are preparing students for the General Certificate of Education; how many students from such schools have taken the examination to date; and what was the average number of subjects passed by such students.

None at present.

asked the Minister of Education how many pupils from secondary modern schools in Bootle, over the age of 13 years, were transferred to grammar schools in the last year.

Eleven pupils were transferred in September, 1958.

asked the Minister of Education whether he has now completed his arrangements for the establishment of a National College of Agricultural Engineering.

Yes. I am glad to inform the House that, after consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and with the representative bodies of the agricultural engineering industry, I have decided to establish a new National College to be devoted to agricultural engineering. It is proposed to build new premises designed for this purpose at Silsoe, Bedfordshire, near to the National Institute of Agricultural Engineering. I have been assured of the co-operation of the Bedfordshire County Council, for which I am grateful. I am happy to say that Sir Eric Ashby, Vice-Chancellor of Queen's College, Belfast, has accepted my invitation to become the first Chairman of the Board of Governors of the new College.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will specify the discussions which took place between his Department and Lancashire County Council on the design of the Preston By-pass.

As I stated in the House on 28th January, when I said that the Lancashire County Council had my full support, the general question of drainage for the Preston By-pass was discussed between the Ministry and the Lancashire County Council in 1954.Proposals submitted by the County Surveyor to the Divisional Road Engineer on 5th October, 1954, were discussed at a meeting held on 29th November, 1954, when it was agreed not to proceed with them. Alternative proposals were submitted in a letter dated 1st December. These were discussed between the officers concerned and at a meeting in the Divisional Road Engineer's office on 21st February, 1955, agreement was reached as to what should be included in the contract drawings, it being accepted that the proposed sub-soil drain on the high side of the carriageway was not necessary.At no time since constructional work started has any request for additional drainage or any other alterations to the plan been put forward by the County Surveyor and refused by the Ministry.The Lancashire County Council have seen my reply and the County Surveyor confirms that the facts are as stated.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, in view of the Bowes recommendations regarding the Union, Forth and Clyde, and Monk-land Canals, and as these canals are considered a danger to life and a menace to public health by the Commission, if he will treat the report as a matter of urgency.

I know that some canals should be dealt with as soon as possible, and the Government's proposals, which I hope to announce very shortly, will take this into account.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the cruisers H.M.S. "Kenya", H.M.S. "Jamaica", H.M.S. "Superb", H.M.S. "Euryalus", and H.M.S. "Newfoundland", are now earmarked for disposal.

Disposal of "Kenya", "Jamaica", and "Euryalus" has been approved. "Superb" is in reserve but we are ready to consider offers for her. "Newfoundland" is in commission: her future has not yet been decided.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty on what grounds H.M.S. "Superb" is considered unfit for further service in either the active or reserve fleets, in view of her having been completed only 13 years ago, and in view of her having been laid down somewhat later than H.M.S. "Tiger". which is not yet in service.

"Superb" could only be brought up to the standard of "Tiger" at a cost which would prejudice the attainment of the fully modernised and balanced Fleet, as approved. The refit of "Superb" to any lower standard would not fit in with long-term plans for the Royal Navy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will give the approximate figures of naval personnel employed on shore, seagoing and Fleet Air Arm duties; and what changes will be made in these figures in view of the saving of 7,000 uniformed personnel in shore posts, as indicated by the First Lord recently.

At a recent date approximately 68,000 naval personnel were employed ashore (including 12,000 at Fleet Air Arm establishments ashore); 40,000 were on sea service. As far as can be foreseen the total number employed ashore will drop eventually to about 61,000 (including those at Fleet Air Arm establishments) and numbers on sea service to about 37,000.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether eight of the Dark Class fast patrol boats, built during the last four years, are now for disposal; and how many of these eight boats have been used in active commission.

Yes. They have all been in active commission. The reasons for the reduction of our coastal forces were explained in a reply given to the right hon. Member for Rochester and Chatham (Mr. Bottomley), and the hon. and learned Member for Northampton (Mr. Paget) on 24th July, 1957.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will give the approximate cost of a vessel of the Dark Class.

£300,000.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the destroyers H.M.S. "St. Kitts", H.M.S. "Barfleur", H.M.S. "Comet", H.M.S. "Chieftain", H.M.S. "Consort", and H.M.S. "Cockade", are now for disposal; and on what grounds they are no longer required, in view of the fact that ships of their classes today form the backbone of the Royal Navy's destroyer forces.

Yes. Within the limits of the approved Naval plan, these ships, because of their age and condition, have had to give way to better ships.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what research he is undertaking into fog dispersal.

As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation explained last week, an improved FIDO is now being tested at a R.A.F. airfield. The further development of this equipment for the Royal Air Force will depend upon how the results compare with those obtained by the Ministry of Supply Blind Landing Experimental Unit in the work they are doing on the development of automatic and instrumental blind landing systems. In addition research into the dispersal of fog over small areas is being carried out by the Meteorological Office.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the shortage of midwives, particularly in maternity hospitals; and what steps he is taking to rectify this shortage and attract more nurses into this profession.

The shortage of midwives in the hospital service has been considered by the National Consultative Council on the Recruitment of Nurses and Midwives, whose recommendations have been circulated to all hospital authorities for their guidance.I am sending to the hon. Member a copy of the memorandum embodying these recommendations, which appear to me to offer the most helpful approach to a solution of this problem.I am also making arrangements for medical and nursing teams from my Department to visit areas where the shortage is most acute in order to study the local difficulties, to advise the hospital authorities on remedial action and to obtain further information as a guide to future policy.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now make inquiries into the arrangements existing between general hospitals and their respective ambulance services with a view to obtaining a better co-ordinated effort for the conveyance of patients over long distances.

No; the responsibility in this matter is well defined, and it is the practice of the responsible ambulance authority and the requisitioning hospital to consult each other when necessary on any special provision required on the journey.

asked the Minister of Health if he will bring to the notice of all hospital boards the recent journey from Wolverhampton to Barnsley of Mr. J. W. King and the urgent need to improve this service.

I do not think that to be necessary. The ambulance authority concerned has already instructed its staff in the right procedure in such cases.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent it is the present policy of his Department to ensure proper co-ordination of ambulance services and general hospital requirements; and what proposals he has in mind to better this service.

The need for co-operation has been stressed in advice to both local health authorities and the hospitals. I have no evidence that this advice is being ignored.

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements are in being between general hospitals and their respective railway stations to ensure adequate attention being given to patients travelling long distances, and particularly when changes en route have to be made.

No special arrangements appear to be necessary between hospitals and railway stations. Special arrangements, if required, for example, for stretcher cases, would be primarily the responsibility of the ambulance authorities, who keep in close touch with the railway authorities in such circumstances.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that sufficient Parrott stretchers are available at all general hospitals for the comfortable conveyance of patients by rail.

When a hospital calls on the Ambulance Service, the ambulance authority is responsible for the transport arrangements, including any stretcher required for any part of the journey performed by rail. It is not necessary for hospitals to hold special stretchers for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to have readily available at main line railway stations a Parrott type stretcher which can be used in cases of emergency.

Stretchers of this type are held at various points by railway authorities and can be delivered to any point where they are needed. In addition many ambulance authorities who make considerable use of rail transport have provided themselves with this type, and I have no evidence that the present arrangements are inadequate.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to make available more hospital beds in the Home Counties area, in view of the shortage of accommodation at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, for hydrocephalic children in need of the Spitz-Holter valve operation.

I have not received any representations from the responsible hospital boards that there is a shortage of accommodation for hydrocephalic children who can benefit by this treatment.

asked the Minister of Health why conversion grants for cars are only allowed to persons suffering from double leg amputations or from other disablement causing total or almost total loss of the use of both legs, but are not given to persons suffering from disablement of one leg due to poliomyelitis and who therefore cannot drive cars in the orthodox manner; and whether he will cause the case, details of which have been sent to him, to be reviewed.

Assistance with the conversion of a private car to hand control is given only to those patients who are eligible to be supplied with a power-propelled tricycle but who prefer instead to use their own car with adapted controls. My right hon. and learned Friend will review the case, details of which the hon. Member sent him, and will write to him about it.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the total amount of unclaimed Premium Bond winnings to the nearest convenient date; what steps are taken to inform bond holders of their winnings; and what consideration he has given to the need for changing this system, in view of these unclaimed winnings.

Out of nearly £9 million prizes awarded up to the end of 1958, only £6,950 were unclaimed at 30th January. Most of these had been drawn in the last three months. Each bondholder is notified by post when his number is drawn and invited to claim the prize. Notifications returned as undeliverable are pursued at once through the Head Postmaster. If a claim is not returned a reminder is sent after three weeks. If this produces no response the Head Postmaster makes inquiries locally. I see no need to reconsider the system.