asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will discuss with the African Advisory Council in Bechuanaland the extension to the Bangwaketse and Bakwena tribes of the democratic tribal council system adopted by the Bamangwato tribe.

The Bangwaketse Tribal Council has been in existence for nearly a year, The Constitution of the Bakwena Tribal Council has been agreed and will shortly be promulgated.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he did not make any reference to the Bangwaketse Tribal Council, which I mentioned in the Question? Will he encourage development of these democratic institutions in Bechuanaland?

I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman may not have heard my reply clearly. I said:

"The Bangwaketse Tribal Council has been in existence for nearly a year".

As I did not hear the first Answer of the hon. Gentleman, might I say that my reference therefore should be to the Bakwena Tribal Council, to which the hon. Gentleman has made no reference?

May I read the rest of my Answer:

"The Constitution of the Bakwena Tribal Council has been agreed and will shortly be promulgated".

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what progress has been made in the establishment of a Legislative Council for Bechuanaland.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 19th February.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that is some time ago and that one hopes that very rapid progress is being made in this very hopeful development in a British Protectorate?

On that occasion I said to my hon. Friend who asked the Question that my noble Friend hoped to reply to the Joint Advisory Council of the Protectorate at its next meeting in April. I am sure that the House will think it proper that, as that reply is in response to a Resolution of the Council, the information regarding my noble Friend's decision should be conveyed to it first.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the present political position in Bechuanaland; what constitutional developments are being considered; how many Africans now occupy Government administrative positions in this territory; and the increase, compared with five years ago, of students who have received and completed secondary education.

The Bechuanaland Protectorate is administered by a Resident Commissioner under the direction of the High Commissioner for Basutoland, the Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland. The Resident Commissioner is assisted by three Advisory Councils—the African Advisory Council, the European Advisory Council and the Joint Advisory Council—which are associated with the Protectorate Government in the formulation of Government policy, the drafting of legislation and the consideration of administrative and economic problems. In the Reserves, there is a system of tribal administrations in charge of African Authorities. Tribal Councils to advise them are being established.

Does not the Under-Secretary of State agree that the figures he has given of the number of Africans occupying Government administrative positions indicates that there is still a long way to go, and that there should be a speed-up to ensure that more Africans occupy such positions? Further, would not he agree that, at the present time, far more African students should be receiving education to fit them to occupy these posts?

In March of last year I said that it is the policy to employ more Africans in the administration of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, as suitably qualified and trained Africans become available. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will agree that the key to the whole of this problem is the extension of African education in the Protectorate. As I think my Answer demonstrates, we have made progress. That it is inevitably slower than many of us would wish is, I think, true, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we are most anxious that this progress should be sustained and increased

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what action is being taken to extend to Swaziland proposals for the establishment of a Legislative Council such as have been agreed in the case of Basutoland and are under consideration in the case of Bechuanaland.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 31st July, 1958.

That is rather a long time ago. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that on these Questions I am not in a controversial mood? My desire is to congratulate him on the progress which has been made. Will the hon Gentleman seek to repeat in Swaziland the developments which are being made in Bechuanaland and Basutoland?

The hon. Gentleman is aware that conditions in Swaziland are somewhat different from those in the other Protectorates. He will also be aware that, under the wise and able guidance of the Paramount Chief Sobhuza, there has long been a tradition of rule in accordance with a tribal pattern in Swaziland, which seems to be very appropriate to conditions there.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that, since the conditions are so different in Swaziland and the Paramount Chief's native administration is running more or less in parallel with the British administration, it should be relatively easy to establish a new Constitution there? It is very important that there should be one, in view of the possibility of the Union of South Africa trying to take control of that territory.

I do not think that there is any relationship between the two points that the hon. Gentleman made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what information he has about the arrest of Mr. Clutton Brock, a citizen of the United Kingdom, in Southern Rhodesia.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what inquiries he has made about the arrest of Mr. Guy Clutton Brock, a citizen of the United Kingdom who was until recently agricultural adviser to St. Faith's Mission Farm, Rusape, Southern Rhodesia.

On my noble Friend's instructions, the United Kingdom High Commissioner in Salisbury has made inquiries of the Southern Rhodesia Government. He has been informed that Mr. Guy Clutton Brock has been detained by the Southern Rhodesia authorities under Emergency Regulations of Southern Rhodesia. Although Mr. Glutton Brock is a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies, he is also a citizen of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, having previously become a Southern Rhodesia citizen in 1951. It would be contrary to normal practice for the United Kingdom Government to intervene on behalf of a person with dual citizenship —[HON. MEMBERS: "Shame."]—in the other country of which he is a citizen.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for having made inquiries, may I ask whether he would agree that the answer to his inquiries is rather unsatisfactory? Surely, without interfering, we could be told what it is alleged Mr. Guy Clutton Brock has done, what is the charge brought against him, and whether it is anything except, as I understand, that he is a member of the Congress Party?

I would draw the hon. Gentleman's attention to the last part of my Answer, during which I was interrupted. I said

"It would be contrary to normal practice for the United Kingdom Government to intervene on behalf of a person with dual citizenship in the other country of which he is a citizen."

It may be a long-established and logical practice, but are we not in a most unprecedented situation? Is the hon. Gentleman making inquiries about the welfare of Mrs. Clutton Brock, and Guy Clutton Brock's daughter, both of whom are in the territory, and both of whom are, as far as I know, still citizens of the United Kingdom? Is not the real trouble that Guy Clutton Brock was able to demonstrate that Africans and Europeans could live and work successfully side by side? Would the Under-Secretary of State convey to the Southern Rhodesian Government that when they arrest a man like Guy Clutton Brock, whose record, character and integrity are known to so many people here, they do not condemn him but convict themselves?

One of the sad aspects of all circumstances of this sort is the effect on wives and families, but I understand that, in accordance with the arrangements that have been made by the Southern Rhodesian Government—and these, I think, have been publicised—a payment is being made to all the wives of detainees; and the families are being looked after in accordance with arrangements made by the Southern Rhodesia Government.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that I caused inquiries to be made about the arrest of Mr. Clutton Brock? Yesterday, I had confirmation from a constituent who says that Mr. Clutton Brock is a gentleman of the highest honour and integrity, and that his only crime is that he is kind to the Africans? Is not it a responsibility of the Commonwealth Relations Office to see that the well-being of Africans throughout Africa is maintained? Otherwise, the Commonwealth will be destroyed.

I must draw the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the final part of my Answer, which is directly relevant to his point.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the vendetta that has been carried on in this House in the last two or three days is doing an immense amount of harm to the Southern Rhodesia territory, and that it harms the blacks more than the whites? It is about time we let that country manage its own affairs.

Before the Under-Secretary replies, may I ask if the House of Commons is really coming to the stage when we cannot protest about the arrest, on political grounds, of a man whose record is above dispute, and who is known to thousands of people in this country, without being accused of conducting a vendetta against a Government that has arrested him for political reasons?

Answer.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the wholly unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter again at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Education his reasons for approving the proposal of the Somerset Education Committee to close the Church of England School at Combe Florey, Taunton.

Yes, Sir. I thought that the proposal of the Somerset Local Education Authority would give the children a better education.

Will my right hon. Friend kindly give me two assurances? First, will he assure me that in this rather sad local case, full consideration was given to local opinion, and, secondly, will he say whether, when there are proposals for the closure of village schools, however logical the closure may be from the point of view of local education arrangements, expense and so on, full weight is given to the fact that very often the local school is an important community centre?

I do understand this, but at this school it looked as if the number of pupils would fall to only 14 in a year or two, and it was plainly not right to continue it.

asked the Minister of Education in which counties teachers have been accommodated by the county councils; and what is the number of teachers so accommodated by each such council.

This information is not available, but I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the administrative memorandum which describes my policy on this matter.

asked the Minister of Education approximately how many schoolchildren under the Essex Education Authority went on school tours to the Continent in 1958; and how many joined school holiday parties for a week or more in the British Isles.

This information is not available, since the schools make their own arrangements.

In order to get this information, is it possible for the Minister to inquire of the Essex Education Authority, so that we may compare what takes place in Essex with what takes place in other counties? I am sure that he will agree that it is highly desirable that as many of these tours as possible should take place.

I think that it is, and my information is that it is taking place in the county. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would reflect on whether we should put the county to the point of writing to all the schools, because I do not think that the staff in the county office has the information. However, perhaps I can discuss the matter with the hon. Gentleman.

While my right hon. Friend is dealing with the question of Catholic schools and buildings, will he also pay attention to the letters I have written to him—

Order. This Question deals with school tours to the Continent.

Would the Minister consider advising local education authorities not to send children on tour to Southern Rhodesia, because the Government will not be able to protect them?

Answer.

asked the Minister of Education the estimated cost to be met by the Catholic community in respect of the Roman Catholic schools to be built in Sunderland within the next five years according to the proposals submitted by the Sunderland local education authority.

I cannot at this stage make such an estimate.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is likely to be a very heavy figure, and in his consideration of the general issue, will he pay particular attention to the special difficulties of certain localities such as Sunderland?

I am doing that.

asked the Minister of Education if he will pay the premiums of an approved insurance policy against accidents incurred during their studies on behalf of holders of State scholarships and recommend local education authorities to do so also in respect of holders of their awards.

No, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that a great number of hardships have been caused to students as a result of accidents in laboratories during their studies? In view of the very small cost of such a scheme, will he consider it if I submit further proposals to him?

I will consider it, but I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will realise that, in the awards, there is a sum in the calculations which is meant to deal with various matters which are not precisely calculated, and this should be considered in that kind of category.

asked the Minister of Education what action he will take on the offer of the Development Corporation of the new town of Harlow to make their offices available for use as a teachers' training college.

I have not yet heard from the Development Corporation, but I shall, of course, consider carefully any offer it makes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that one of the oldest-established firms in Elland, R. and J. Holroyd, Limited, cotton spinners and doublers, Springwood Mills, Holywell Green, is to close within a few weeks, and that from 15 per cent. to 20 per cent. of the working population of the village of Holywell Green will be out of work; whether he will extend the provisions of the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act to cover this area immediately; and what other steps he proposes to take to avert unemployment in this village.

I am aware that this mill is shortly to close, but the level of unemployment in the surrounding district is low and the men and women who lose their jobs have a good prospect of finding other work. I understand that many of them have already done so, and I shall watch the position carefully.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. Will he agree that, where a small community is gathered round one centre of industry, it is desirable, if possible, to restore the community interest by reoccupying the mill for industrial purposes? Will he direct his attention to that? Is he aware that for members of a small community like this to be travelling to neighbouring communities for work will destroy the cohesion of that village community and leave a derelict mill as a standing condemnation of the Government's economic policy?

I am afraid that I do not know the particulars of the buildings concerned, but I will look into the matter and see whether there is any chance of finding another tenant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the name of the factory project in Peterhead to which he recently gave his approval; the name of the Government-financed factory in Aberdeen whose extension he recently approved; how many men and women. respectively, are employed at each factory; and how many it is expected will be employed when the factories are completed and in working order.

Thos. Smith & Co. (Peterhead) Ltd., which employs 40 men and 82 women, expects to employ a further 10 men and 40 women when its new factory is completed. The Government-financed factory is at Peterhead, not Aberdeen, and is leased to the Cleveland Twist Drill Co., which employs 183 men and 53 women and expects to employ a further 175 men and 75 women when the extension is built.

May I thank the President of the Board of Trade for that Answer, but will he say whether, in giving his approval in cases such as these two, he takes into account the grave unemployment in the particular area? Did he take it into account in this case? What effect does he expect that the approval will have on the serious unemployment in that region?

I should welcome any new industry in this area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has been taking to induce new and expanding industries in Batley and Morley to move to other parts of the country.

As employment in Batley and Morley has been high, my officers have discussed with expanding firms the possibility of their going to a place where unemployment is serious.

May I take it, then, that the right hon. Gentleman admits trying to induce some industries to move out of my constituency? Is he aware that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade has sent a letter to more than 60,000 managing directors stating that the Government are offering special inducements to industries to move to Scarborough, Bridlington, Blackpool, Rhyl and other seaside resorts, and mentioning that substantial grants to industries willing to set up elsewhere are offered? Further, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of those letters have been sent to firms in Batley and Morley where there is already serious unemployment which is causing grave concern? Is not it his business to improve conditions in the West Riding of Yorkshire and not to rob us of industry and make unemployment worse? How dare the right hon. Gentleman come and trespass—

Order. I think that the hon. Gentleman made his point.

I am glad to say that unemployment in the hon. Gentleman's constituency is well below the national average. If we do not discuss moving with firms which are in constituencies with high employment, how are we to get anyone to go to the areas where unemployment is serious?

On a point of order. This is a very serious matter. The Minister is taking steps which can make unemployment in my constituency worse, and I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the award of a contract to Messrs. C. & A. Parsons by the Tennessee Valley Authority is to be made the subject of an investigation on the ground of United States national security; and, in view of the effect on British export trade, what representations he has now, therefore, made on this matter.

As I told the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis) on 19th February, I have no reason to suppose that the award is not firm.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, quite apart from a suggestion that the award of this generating contract to Messrs. C. & A. Parsons poses a threat to United States national security, it is suggested also that this British firm lacks both the background and the experience to carry out the work? Will my right hon. Friend agree that Messrs. Parsons have much more experience of this kind of work than any of their unsuccessful American competitors, and that they have built and are continuing to build the world's largest generators?

I do not know who were the competitors, but I entirely agree with my hon. Friend that the record of Messrs. C. & A. Parsons is second to none.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Tennessee Valley Authority has insisted again that the contract is standing, but, nevertheless, will he do his best to make sure that there is no danger of firms of great repute like Messrs. Parsons going to the great expense of preparing all the tenders and details merely to find that there is no prospect of the order being available?

The United States Government are very well aware of our concern in this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in connection with his decision to permit the flower bulb quotas for 1959–60 to be increased from £3,445,000 to £3,745,000, to what extent the additional amount will be made available to those who have not previously been able to obtain a quota and who have had to pay a premium to obtain their requirements from their more fortunate competitors in this country.

The present quotas are shared among 7,000 importers. The allocation of the additional amounts will be decided after consultation with the trade interests concerned, which will take place shortly.

Will my right hon. Friend ensure that all those who at present enjoy the Dutch quota "racket" are excluded from this increase, while wholesalers who are at present outside the "racket" shall have a chance to have a part of it? Further, in support of the National Farmers' Union, will my right hon. Friend try to end this quota system over the next three years?

I dislike the quota system very much myself, but, unfortunately, it has to continue a little longer. We are about to consult the trade, and I hope that we shall make a fair arrangement.

Will the President of the Board of Trade ensure that there will be a fair allocation of these bulbs sent to places like Bromley and Davenport?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table showing the imports of flax goods for the past three years and the countries of origin.

Yes, Sir. With permission, I will publish the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can my right hon. Friend say off the cuff whether the figures show that there have recently been increased imports from behind the Iron Curtain? If there have been such increases, will he keep a watch on them to see whether it may be necessary, in order to protect the home flax trade, that some anti-dumping duty should be imposed?

I will look at the matter, but it appears that imports from Hungary have risen while those from Czechoslovakia have fallen.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, as the result of the recent £5,000,000 loan to the Sudan by Her Majesty's Government, which was made without strings, that Government has ceased to buy flax goods from its traditional suppliers in Great Britain and is buying these goods from behind the Iron Curtain at prices with which British firms cannot compete; and whether he will ask the Sudan Government to continue to buy these goods from their traditional suppliers rather than go to new ones.

No, Sir; the £5 million will all be spent on United Kingdom goods and should help, not hinder, United Kingdom exporters. There have been some difficulties about import licences into the Sudan for flax goods, and I am having inquiries made.

I welcome the latter part of my right hon. Friend's reply, but may I ask whether he is aware that information is available to me to show that the Sudan is buying Hungarian flax goods at what amounts to a dumping price, supporting a new supplier instead of, as in the days gone by, the traditional supplier? Will my right hon. Friend see what he can do to help?

Yes; I should be glad to have that information.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a miniature pottery dish is subject to Purchase Tax at 15 per cent. whereas an equivalent article with a groove for a cigarette, a whiff or a cigar, is subject to Purchase Tax at 30 per cent.; and, as both are basically the same article, whether he will remedy the imposition placed on the makers of the latter articles.

These are not the same article. One is clearly an ashtray, the other is not.

Will my hon. Friend do something to persuade the Chancellor to reform Purchase Tax on all receptacles? Is he aware that some baskets attract no tax, some a tax of 15 per cent. and some a tax of 30 per cent.? Further, some pottery boxes attract a tax of 15 per cent. and some 30 per cent., although they are the same article, save only the latter having a little groove? Will he ask the officials at the Treasury how stupid they are prepared to be?

I resent the slight on the officials of the Treasury contained in my hon. Friend's supplementary question. I am not aware of baskets being used as ashtrays.

is the hon. Gentleman aware that two evils are pointed out in the Question: first, the 30 per cent. tax on an ashtray and, secondly, a 15 per cent. tax on pottery? Is not he frightened that if he does not remedy this matter I shall ask the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) to support me in an appropriate Amendment to the Finance Bill?

The point is that an ashtray is a smoker's requisite, properly taxable at 30 per cent. If porcelain ashtrays were taxed at 15 per cent., we should create yet another anomaly for my hon. Friend, because other types of ashtray made of metal would still be taxed at 30 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in view of the current practice of exempting from Purchase Tax certain photographic equipment if sold to professional and industrial users under signed covenant, such concessions have not been extended to many of the small cameras and enlargers which are now in general use by professional photographers on whom the Purchase Tax on essential tools of their trade imposes a serious burden.

There is an exemption for cameras and enlargers suitable only for industrial, scientific or military use. Certain enlargers which appear to be border-line are given the benefit of this exemption on the understanding that they will only be sold for such use. Small cameras and enlargers referred to in the last part of the Question are clearly right outside this exemption.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the last part of that Answer is entirely wrong? Has he never seen, for example, a Zeiss miniature camera complete with an enlarger and lighting equipment used by Press photographers and other professional people solely for the pursuance of their avocations and professions? Why should he discriminate against cameras used for professional purposes just because they happen to be small in size'? Will my hon. Friend now go away and do his homework properly?

I am surprised to find my hon. Friend so offensive this afternoon. I can only say to him that apparently he has not noticed that the cameras he has described are frequently used by amateurs.

Yes, but also by professionals.

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will not be dissuaded by the form of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary questions from looking into the substance of them. Is he aware that this problem is causing very considerable concern to professional people who have to use cameras in a rather smaller way of business than the big firms who take advantage of the concession?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I have done my homework carefully on this occasion. While I appreciate the difficulties, the fact remains that these cameras are extensively used by amateurs, on whom the tax is properly levied.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to the memorandum presented by the British Jewellers Association in December, 1958, upon prospects for further increased export trade following a reduction in the Purchase Tax rate of 60 per cent. on silver articles; and, in view of the special craft interests involved which are not dissimilar to those concerned with the manufacture of pianos which were freed from Purchase Tax several years ago and of the desirability of stimulating export trade, whether he will now remove altogether purchase tax from silver articles.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave my hon. Friend last Thursday.

That was a long time ago. Is not my hon. Friend aware that, since Purchase Tax on silverware was reduced from 60 to 30 per cent. in the last Finance Act, exports have gone up very considerably? Is he now aware that as a result of the recent vicious impost of Purchase Tax on second-hand gem jewellery the silverware industry is afraid that the predatory habits of the Chancellor will extend to second-hand silverware as well? Will he give the House an assurance that that is not the Chancellor's intention this Thursday or next Thursday?

My hon. Friend's supplementary question differs substantially from the main Question, which deals solely with silverware. Were my hon. Friend's suggestion to be acceded to, we should then have the anomalous position that silver teapots were tax-free whereas teapots made of porcelain would still carry a 15 per cent. tax.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he need not worry about the language of his hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) because he never backs up his bark at Question Time with any bite in the Division Lobby?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now able to announce a favourable decision on the application by the Inchgreen Investigating Company Limited for financial assistance in the construction of the proposed Clyde Graving Dock at Greenock.

No, Sir. The case is still being considered.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that since the Government came to office the average monthly unemployment in my constituency has been over 6 per cent.; that when the Chancellor last year announced the decision to give help the figure was 8 per cent. and that it is now 9 per cent.? Should not the hon. Gentleman get a move on?

As I explained, this is a very large scheme and full consideration of it must inevitably take a certain amount of time.

This is a very important scheme. Will the hon. Gentleman note that it is eminently suitable for assistance by D.A.T.A.C. and that it would cause great disappointment locally if it were turned down

We are fully aware of the importance of the scheme, but I remind the right hon. Gentleman that it has to go before D.A.T.A.C., which is an independent Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will initiate legislation to assimilate the tax liability of the owner-occupier of a residential house with that of the owner-occupier of a residential houseboat, by relieving the former of liability for Schedule A Income Tax.

My right hon. Friend has noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Has my hon. and learned Friend ever taken a steamer from outside the House up the Thames, and has he seen the small dwellings on the banks which are subject to Schedule A tax as against the palatial houseboats used as residences on the river which are free from tax? I am not suggesting that my hon. and learned Friend should impose a tax on houseboats but that he should do away with Schedule A tax altogether.

I was aware of my hon. Friend's view on this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will issue a directive to inspectors of taxes that the maintenance and repair of portable heating apparatus, such as moveable electric fires, oil radiators, etc., shall be a deductible allowance against Schedule A tax in the same way as the maintenance and repair of fixed heating apparatus is a deductible allowance;

No, Sir. As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer told my hon. Friend on 9th December, maintenance relief is given for expenses incurred by an owner, as owner, in keeping up his property, and not for expenditure to an occupier.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that the efficient way to heat a room is to put the heating apparatus near the window where cold air enters? One should not put a fixed fire there because of curtaining and, therefore, movable fires are the right things to use. Is not it illogical that maintenance of such fires should not be allowed against Schedule A tax?

The question comes down to this: what can properly be regarded as a landlord's liability? It is for that reason that portable heating apparatus and movable electric fires are not allowed as a deductible item.

Is it not the tenant who is assessed to Schedule A tax? Why should it be only the landlords' liabilities which are taken into account in maintenance claims?

No, it is the owner.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates would be the annual amount of repayments of post-war credits over the next five years, if the age for the repayment were reduced to 64, 63, 62, 61 and 60 years, respectively; and if he will give his consideration to this method of repayment.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind reductions of one year in the qualifying ages for both men and women. The amount of annual repayments would on this assumption he about £35 million a year. I have noted the hon. Member's suggestions.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that many people have been waiting nearly 15 years for the payment of post-war credits? The method which I suggest would be an honest attempt to start paying the amounts which are owing.

I have noted this suggestion as one of the methods by which the payment of post-war credits could be accelerated.

Would the hon. and learned Gentleman convey to the Chancellor of the Exchequer that this year appears to be exceptionally appropriate for the repayment of post-war credits? In defending the failure to repay them more rapidly, it was always understood that they could be held against the danger of a trade recession. Does the hon. and learned Gentleman appreciate that there are special advantages in this method, because the repayment would be a once-for-all affair and therefore would not involve future complications, as other reductions in taxation inevitably do?

I will draw the remarks of the right hon. Gentleman to the attention of my right hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the financial saving in administrative collection of Schedule A tax if this tax were abolished; and how many staff would be released for other duties.

This would depend on the extent to which staff released by the abolition of Schedule A would need to be employed on alternative arrangements for assessing and collecting tax on income from property.

It would give much relief if this tax were abolished. Will my hon. and learned Friend make urgent representations to his right hon. Friend the Chancellor to give urgent consideration to abolishing the tax? Many would-be home owners would be encouraged by its abolition.

There seems to be considerable difference of view as to the Schedule A tax on owner-occupiers, but I will certainly draw to my right hon. Friend's attention what my hon. and gallant Friend has said.

Has the Financial Secretary considered the alternative of exempting the first so many pounds of Schedule A from Income Tax and thus benefiting mainly the smaller owner-occupiers?

All these matters are being reviewed and are borne in mind by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of post-war credits now owing at the latest convenient date; and the present-day purchasing power of £100 of post-war credits owing from 1942, 1943, and 1944, respectively.

About £431 million was outstanding at March 1st, 1959. The Answer to the second part of the Question is £52 16s. 0d., £54 14s. 0d. and £56, respectively.

In thanking the hon. and learned Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him to bear in mind that post-war credits have lost nearly half their value in purchasing power?

Yes, Sir. The holders of post-war credits, like many other members of the community, have suffered in the post-war inflation. That is another demonstration of the importance of overcoming and continuing to overcome inflation.

In the repayment of post-war credits, will the hon. and learned Gentleman ask the Chancellor to bear in mind that repayment would be more fairly done, not by lowering the age of those to whom they are repaid, but by repaying the credits for each complete year in turn, beginning, say, with 1941, continuing with 1942, and so on?

I will certainly draw the hon. Member's suggestion to the attention of my right hon. Friend. Administratively, however, that would be just about the most wasteful and expensive way of carrying out the operation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the recent representations he has received from the Municipal Passenger Transport Association and several local authorities on the tax-burden on the passenger transport industry.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has taken note of these representations, but he cannot anticipate his Budget statement.

While I do not expect the Economic Secretary to the Treasury to anticipate his right hon. Friend's Budget statement, will he take serious note to the fact that not only the Municipal Passenger Transport Association, but private transport associations also, are finding the taxation burden crippling and that they have to pass on this burden to the consumer—the passenger? Will the hon Gentleman take serious note of the representations which he has received?

Yes, certainly. I am aware of the difficulties, which were fully pointed out to me when a deputation came to see me on 27th January.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans from Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland have been detained by the Southern Rhodesian Government following the recent ban on the African National Congresses.

My right hon. Friend has consulted the Governor of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland but the information is not yet available. My right hon. and noble Friend is also making inquiries.

I am much obliged for that Answer, but may I ask the Under-Secretary what arrangements are being made about the families of the men who have been detained? Can any help be given to them until charges are made against the men concerned?

Perhaps the hon. Member will await the result of the inquiries that we are making.

Can the Under-Secretary say whether these Africans from Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland are detained in Southern Rhodesia on orders emanating from the Protectorates, from the Southern Rhodesian Government or from the Federation Government?

I understood the Question to refer to those Northern Rhodesian and Nyasaland persons who were living in Southern Rhodesia and who were detained under the Southern Rhodesian emergency.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the increase of 8,000,000 in poultry numbers, shown in December, 1958, agricultural returns, is attributable to the expansion of the broiler industry; and if he will arrange for the agricultural returns to show, separately, the number of birds kept for broiler production as distinct from those kept for egg-laying so that current developments in the poultry industry may be recorded more accurately.

On the information available, it is estimated that nearly one-half of the total increase in the poultry population is due to the expansion of the table poultry industry. probably mainly in broilers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the draft Ice Cream Regulations; and whether he will allow adequate time for further consultation before laying the Regulations.

A revised draft of the Regulations was circulated for comment and my right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Health have now completed their consultations with interested parties. My right hon. Friend hopes to lay Regulations very shortly.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether they have been able to reach a satisfactory compromise in this matter? Will he do his utmost to see that the present anxieties of the Milk Marketing Board are allayed?

Yes, Sir. When the hon. Member sees these Regulations I think he will realise that we have tried to meet the points which were in the mind of the Milk Marketing Board.

asked the Prime Minister what proportion of the income of the Atomic Energy Authority is derived from public funds.

Under the Atomic Energy Authority Act, 1954, the expenses of the Authority are met out of moneys provided by Parliament. The 1958–59 Estimates showed expenditure of about £119½ million reduced by Appropriationsin-Aid of about £13½ million. In addition extra receipts payable to the Exchequer were estimated at just over £3 million.

In view of the fact that the great majority of the income of the Authority is received from public funds voted by Parliament, does not the Prime Minister think that this body cannot be treated like a commercial or nationalised industry and that it is wrong that Parliament should not have the opportunity to discuss the administration of the Authority, even in its day-to-day affairs, particularly in view of the present grave dissatisfaction among the staff of the Authority, especially among the members of the Isotopes Division?

I cannot accept that deduction. Section 3 of the Act makes it quite clear that while the Minister has power to give the Authority such directions as he may think fit, he

"Shall not regard it as his duty to intervene in detail in the conduct by the Authority of their affairs unless in his opinion overriding national interests so require."

Is it not the case that a great deal of the Government money which is involved here is on capital account and for research and other purposes and cannot be regarded as a normal trading loss or anything of that kind?

Yes, Sir. There is a large amount of money to be invested. It is really a vast research undertaking and the return, if at all, comes from the ultimate benefit of the research applied when the time comes to apply it.

I merely wish to confirm what, I think, was in the Prime Minister's mind and to ask whether it is the case that, in effect, the financial benefit from this undertaking will not necessarily accrue in financial returns to the Exchequer, but in the general benefit to the country, the Defence Departments and civilian industry as well?

All those are points to be taken into account in taking a general view of this activity. What the hon. Member for Edmonton (Mr. Albu) had in mind was, I think, to try to show that because, for the present at least, the expenditure of money was far greater than any return could be expected to be, it should be administered in a rather different way from the other nationalised industries. I was trying to rebut that and to point out that under Section 3 of the Act, I thought my duty as the Minister responsible was not to intervene in the detail but only to intervene in large matters of public policy.

I quite agree that the right hon. Gentleman should not intervene in detail, but would not he agree that there is, surely, a difference from the other nationalised industries because of what he has himself said, namely, that this is, in effect, a large public research undertaking and one cannot talk of balancing the accounts year by year, or anything of that kind?

One can summarise these things as one likes. This one can never pay. The others do not pay.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has now considered the paper on environmental radioactivity, by the Coventry city analyst, read to the Warwickshire Clean Air Council, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if, in view of the anxieties expressed in the final paragraph and the facts quoted on page 5, he will take steps to have measurements of radioactivity taken locally and if he will make a statement.

I have seen the paper to which the hon. Member refers.

I am sorry, but I did not hear the whole of the Answer. May I ask whether the Prime Minister is aware that the rainfall varies locally and that if the rain has become radioactive the radioactivity may therefore vary locally? In view of the fact that in future medical officers of health may have to trace the sources of radioactive contamination, would not it be a good idea that they should take these measurements through rainfall in co-operation with the Atomic Energy Research Establishment?

I think that the arrangements for making all these scientific calculations are very complete and give general satisfaction to the scientists who have to study them. But if there is any particular point—and these are rather complicated questions—on which the hon. Member would like to speak to me or get in touch with me, I will try to give what attention I can to what he has in mind.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman.

Is it not, however, the fact that this is an additional form of both atmospheric and ground pollution and that local authorities are rightly anxious about this matter? In view of the fact that the apparatus is not expensive to buy, should not these authorities be encouraged to take steps to guard against any dangers and keep the Ministry of Housing and Local Government fully informed so that we shall better know what is happening throughout the country?

No, Sir. We have to be careful that we keep this very highly scientific question in the hands of those who are really the most suited to deal with it, but I will see whether any information can be made available or any improvements made which would have general assent.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman a fairly simple question? As he has said, food supplies in this country are examined, but is he aware that none of the food which is imported from countries where there is radioactivity and where the food supply is suspect is examined before being consumed in this country? Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with that state of affairs?

I think that this point is met by the fact that where strontium appears at all, to however small a degree, it is almost entirely in milk or green vegetables, and the import of these commodities into this country is really small, if not negligible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if, in view of the numbers of people, especially children, who are burned to death in their homes, he will as a matter of urgency consider appointing a Departmental Committee to examine the desirability and feasibility of introducing compulsory fire prevention and fire escape arrangements in respect of every house, flat or other dwelling place throughout the country.

My right hon. Friend shares the concern of my hon. Friend about the number of burning accidents in the home. He thinks that the existing machinery for considering what measures would contribute towards safety in the home—which includes an Inter-departmental Committee on Accidents in the Home—is adequate, but if my hon. Friend would help him by indicating whether he has any particular dangers or remedies in mind he will gladly consider how they may be explored.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this question was prompted by a recent case in which a mother and five sons were burned to death? In looking further into this problem, would the Home Office verify, as seems to be the case, that there are more of these tragedies in the Provinces than in London? Is that perhaps due to the fact that they have not yet copied the admirable fire regulations of the London County Council?

That is a separate question. I will look into it and let my hon. Friend know.

Was there not some difficulty about local authorities having power to sot up home safety committees? Has the difficulty been overcome? If so, are local authorities dealing with that subject efficiently now?

In November last a "Guard That Fire" campaign was launched by the Home Office in which we had the fullest co-operation from local authorities, mainly through committees which they set up. Two and a half million leaflets and 300,000 circular stickers were distributed through those channels and we had considerable support from the Press.

With a view to encouraging education on the prevention of accidents in the home, will my hon. Friend circulate in England and Wales copies of the Scottish publication "Design for Safety in the Home" which has been so widely circulated to housing committee members and architects and others responsible for the design and the construction of houses in Scotland?

I think that these matters are covered by the Home Office and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

In view of the fact that a great many accidents are caused by children's pyjamas or nightdresses catching fire, would the hon. Lady consider the possibility of making it much more evident to parents what materials are highly inflammable and which are safe?

That is one of the matters on which there has been a considerable amount of publicity, but the hon. Member will be aware that under Section 11 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, as amended, penalties are imposed if a child is killed or injured through being in a room where there is an unguarded fire.