asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the number of claims made annually for the apportionment of an assessment under Schedule A between property which has become divided into two or more distinct occupations.

I regret that no information is available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the average increase in the public local rates, taxes, and assessments which, in accordance with Section 86 of the Income Tax Act, 1952, have to be excluded in estimating the annual value of land, etc., since the last year of revaluation for the purposes of Schedule A.

The total rates received by local authorities rose from about £190 million in 1936 to £616 million in 1957, but I regret that there is no information on which to base an estimate of the amount to which Section 86 relates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the saving in administrative expense on valuation, assessment, and collection which results from the fact that quarries, mines, waterworks, canals, fishings, bridges, drains, and similar property are charged to tax under Schedule D and not under Schedule A; and whether he will initiate legislation which will make all industrial property so taxable and thus pave the way to Schedule A being abolished.

I regret that no estimate can be made but my right hon. Friend has noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, due to the sliding scale repairs allowance used in computing the net annual value of property, some inspectors of taxes are insisting that every house in a block be examined separately to ascertain the appropriate rate, and that in the case of large property owners, this involves the taxpayer, or his accountant, in many hours of work; and whether he will consider making a concession whereby the rate of repairs allowance may be governed by the average gross annual value of the individual properties in a block of similar properties.

I am afraid I could not authorise inspectors of taxes to compute the Schedule A repairs allowance on a basis which is not in accordance with the law. If, however, the hon. Lady will let me have particulars of any case she has in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons were employed in his Department, dealing with all aspects of Purchase Tax, in 1955 and each year since.

The number of staff in the Customs and Excise Department employed whole-time on Purchase Tax work was:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, taking the internal purchasing value of the £ sterling as 20s. in October, 1951, it had declined to 18s. 7d. in February, 1953, 17s. 8d. in February, 1955, 16s. Id. in February, 1957; and what was the comparable figure for February, 1959.

Yes. Fifteen shillings and three pence.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the total amount paid to the Treasury on the preference shares and debenture stock of Colvilles Limited, the total amount distributed in profits on the equity shares, and the rate of interest on these shares, respectively, since denationalisation.

Colvilles Limited ceased to be a subsidiary of the Iron and Steel Holding and Realisation Agency in January, 1955.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the total amount paid to the Treasury on the preference shares and unsecured loan stock of Stewarts and Lloyds, the total amount distributed in profits on the equity shares, and the rate of interest on these shares, respectively, since denationalisation.

Stewarts and Lloyds Limited ceased to be a subsidiary of the Iron and Steel Holdings and Realisation Agency in June, 1954.Since that date and up to 27th September, 1958, the gross dividends on preference shares and gross interest on unsecured loan stock paid or payable to the Agency totalled £4,294,000. My right hon. Friend has no responsibility for the dividends on the equity.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give details of the grants and loans paid to each district scheduled under the Distribution of Industries (Industrial Finance) Act, 1958.

No. Applications for assistance under this Act are made in confidence and I am not prepared to give details which might involve the risk of individual applicants being identified locally.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now state his intentions about repayment of the $561,000,000 which the United Kingdom drew from the International Monetary Fund in December, 1956.

Her Majesty's Government notified the International Monetary Fund in December, 1958, that it would repay $200 million of its December, 1956, drawing before the end of the Fund's financial year (30th April, 1959), and repay the outstanding balance monthly during 1960 and 1961. Her Majesty's Government undertook to review the position in December of each year, and accelerate these repayments if the position warranted it.The first repayment of $200 million is being made today.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the total amount paid to the Treasury on the debenture stock of the Steel Company of Wales, the total amount distributed in profits on the equity shares, and the rate of interest on these shares, respectively, since denationalisation.

The Steel Company of Wales Ltd. ceased to be a subsidiary of the Iron and Steel Holding and Realisation Agency in March, 1957.Since that date and up to 27th September, 1958, the gross interest on debenture stock paid or payable to the Agency totalled £4,460,339. My right hon. Friend has no responsibility for the dividends on the equity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the increasing disturbances, he will reconsider the decision of Her Majesty's Government not to send a Parliamentary mission to Nyasaland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what conclusions he has reached about the proposal to appoint a Parliamentary commission to inquire into the causes and background of the disturbances in Nyasaland.

I have nothing as yet to add to the reply I gave on 10th March to the hon. and learned Member for Ipswich (Mr. Foot).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) where Dr. Banda and other British-protected persons recently arrested in Nyasaland are now imprisoned; to what extent they are allowed to receive and send letters; and what sums are being paid to their dependants during their detention;(2) what compensation is being paid by the Government of Nyasaland to the widows and other dependants of Africans killed by the police during the recent disturbances.

One hundred and twenty-nine detainees, including Dr. Banda, are held in Southern Rhodesia. The remainder numbering 423 are in custody in Nyasaland.Each detainee is entitled to send and to receive one letter each week, but more can be allowed at the discretion of the officer in charge.Dependants of detainees living in the urban areas are offered all facilities for returning to their traditional homes and, in addition, allowances are being paid based on individual need.Payment of compensation for persons killed during the disturbances will depend on the circumstances in which the death occurred. In each case inquests will be held and, in the light of the verdicts, consideration will be given to the question of compensation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds Mr. Orton Chirwa, barrister, has been detained in Nyasaland.

The Governor was satisfied that in order to maintain public order it was necessary to detain Mr. Chirwa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) how many persons have now been detained under the emergency regulations promulgated in Nyasaland; how many of such persons are detained outside Nyasaland; how many of such persons have appealed to the Advisory Committee; how many of those appeals have been heard by the Advisory Committee; and how many recommendations the Committee have made for continued detention and how many for release;(2) whether persons detained under the emergency regulations promulgated in Nyasaland who lodge objections in writing to the Advisory Committee will be entitled to appear before the Committee; whether they will be confronted with, and be given the opportunity to cross-examine, the witnesses against them; and whether they will be allowed legal representation before the Committee.

As to the number of persons detained I would invite the hon. and learned Member's attention to the reply given today to the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle). Detainees who lodge objections in writing to the Advisory Committee are entitled to appear before it; but they will not be allowed to have legal representation at the hearing, nor will they be confronted with, or be allowed to cross-examine, witnesses.None of the detainees has yet lodged an objection to his detention and, consequently, the remainder of the question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Europeans and Africans, respectively, were killed in Nyasaland as a result of public disturbances during the six months immediately prior to the declaration of the present state of emergency; and, for the period since the declaration of that emergency, how many Europeans and Africans, respectively, were killed there.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is four Africans, all within the 10 days preceding the declaration of the state of emergency. On the second part, the latest information available to me is that 50 Africans have been killed. There have been no fatal European casualties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in the course of his inquiries, what consultations the Minister of State for the Colonies has had, or will have, with the heads of Christian Missions in Nyasaland with a view to obtaining impartial advice and information as to the cause of the recent disturbances.

My noble Friend had discussions with the Bishop of Blantyre, Mr. Doig and Mr. Irvine of the Church of Scotland and Bishop Hardmanthe and Bishop Theunissen of the Roman Catholic Church.He also had informal talks with the Roman Catholic Fathers at Lilongwe. He invited Mr. Macpherson of Livingstonia to meet him but this could not be arranged in the short time available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Governor of Nyasaland invited the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia to the secret conference held at Blantyre airport with the Federal Prime Minister.

Because one of the objects of the meeting was to discuss the provision of police assistance by the Southern Rhodesia Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the policy of Her Majesty's Government for political advancement in Nyasaland, what steps the Government of that Protectorate have taken to ensure that the English words, federation, democracy, universal adult suffrage, racial partnership, and civilisation, respectively, are correctly translated into the vernaculars of the territory and properly taught in the African schools.

The concepts embodied in these words are not easily rendered in the vernaculars of Nyasaland. I am however satisfied that the Nyasaland Government have taken all practicable steps to convey to the African people the true meaning of the words quoted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the anxiety of headmasters and headmistresses of secondary schools in Sierra Leone over the poor standards of the primary schools; and what steps the Government of Sierra Leone are taking to increase the numbers of teachers and improve their quality in the primary schools.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to him on 29th January. The Sierra Leone White Paper on Educational Development outlines the Government's proposals for the expansion of primary education and of teacher training facilities, and for the improvement of the quality of teachers.

asked the Secretary of of State for the Colonies what proportion of those eligible registered as electors in the three electoral districts of Hargeisa, Berbera, and Burao in the Somaliland Protectorate.

Approximately 14 per cent., 9 per cent. and 46 per cent. respectively, but many of those eligible to register are nomads, particularly in the Berbera district.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the relatives of all detainees and prisoners in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland have been notified of their present whereabouts.

I am asking the Governors of Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia for full information and will circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) the figures for financial surpluses and balances for the Moshi Native Coffee Board, the Songea Native Tobacco Board, the Bukoba Native Coffee Board, the Arusha Native Coffee Board and the Cotton Lint and Seed Marketing Board in Tanganyika at the close of the 1955–56 financial year, and how have these surpluses and balances been disposed of in the case of those Boards whose functions have been drastically reduced or totally abrogated;

pursuant to his hon. Friend's reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 5th February, 1959; Vol. 599, c. 111], supplied the following information:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about the progress of the five-year plan for education in Tanganyika.

I am asking the Governor for the latest information. I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT when I have his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many students from the colonies are now studying law in the United Kingdom; and how many of these are in receipt of grants from public funds.

There are 1,492 colonial students now studying law in the United Kingdom. Of these 40 are scholarship holders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are taken within the Metropolitan Police Force to find suitable employment within the force for police officers who, by virtue of injury or illness sustained during service, are declared to be medically unfit for full police duties.

Members of the Metropolitan Police Force who have been declared permanently disabled for the performance of their duty cannot be assured other employment within the force. A disabled officer who is capable of filling an authorised police post on sedentary duties may, however, be retained in such a post if one is available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the decision regarding the medical fitness of a police officer in the Metropolitan Police Force is decided by one doctor only; and in what circumstances an officer can, if necessary, appeal to a medical board.

The Police Pensions Regulations provide that the questions whether a police officer is disabled and whether the disablement is likely to be permanent shall be decided by a duly qualified medical practitioner. In the Metropolitan Police Force the decision is given by the chief surgeon.A certificate of the chief surgeon's decision is supplied on request to the officer concerned and if he is dissatisfied he may appeal to me. I am then bound by the Regulations to appoint one or more independent persons as the medical referee to decide the appeal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now permit inspection of the original copies of the Casement Diaries held by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that I am not yet able to add to the Answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on 5th March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to enable all shops in seaside places, which have a very short season, to open on more Sundays a year, and so recoup some of the losses they have incurred in recent seasons owing to the bad weather.

I regret that I can hold out no prospect at present of Government legislation on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often, during the last two years, the Metropolitan Police have searched for offensive weapons amongst the majority of those present in the case of rowdyism in dance halls and other public places.

Information about the number of searches made in connection with alleged offences is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the present Regulations applying to the Metropolitan Police for the passing of information to the Press about suspected criminal offences, accidents, and other matters which come within the scope of police activities.

Under the Police Discipline Regulations it is an offence if a member of a police force without proper authority communicates to the Press any matter connected with the force. The grant of such authority to the Metropolitan Police is regulated by the Commissioner's orders. These orders are confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Civil Defence Manual No. 1, Nuclear Weapons, 1956 is still available; and to what extent he intends to revise it.

This publication (Pamphlet No. 1 in Volume I of the Manual of Civil Defence) has recently gone out of print, after some 125,000 copies had been distributed. A revised edition is in hand and will be published within the next few months. The first edition described the effects of the detonation of a nominal atomic bomb and of a 10-megaton weapon or hydrogen bomb. The revised edition will be more comprehensive in that it will deal also with nuclear weapons of intermediate power and will include new information which has become available since the publication of the first edition. The booklet entitled "The Hydrogen Bomb" which was published in 1957 to provide information for the public in summary terms about the effects of nuclear weapons and some of the precautions that could be taken to mitigate them is still in print.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when the Crown Estate Commissioners will be issuing a further statement about the future of Regent's Park Terraces.

The Crown Estate Commissioners are issuing a further statement this evening and I have arranged that copies should be made available to hon. Members in the Vote Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what representations have been made to the Government of Eire against the release of prisoners of the Irish Republican Army and if he will make a statement.

On the instructions of my noble Friend, the British Ambassador in Dublin last week expressed our concern at the threat to the security of Northern Ireland involved in the release of the remaining I.R.A. detainees. I am sure that the House will have noted with satisfaction the recent public statement by Mr. de Valera that these releases involve no change in the position of his Government in regard to armed groups and their illegal activities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what progress has been made in carrying out the decision of the Montreal Conference to establish a new scheme of Commonwealth scholarships and fellowships.

The United Kingdom authorities are now discussing with representatives of the universities and of other educational interests how to give effect to the decision taken by Commonwealth Ministers at Montreal last September to establish a new scheme of Commonwealth scholarships and fellowships. Details will not he finally worked out until all Commonwealth Governments have exchanged views on the subject at the Education Conference which, as I said in reply to a Question from the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) on 4th December, 1958, the United Kingdom Government will convene later this year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, if he will make a further statement about recent discussions, and the general situation, in the Maldive Islands.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will now make a further statement relating to the island of Gan.

The negotiations about the R.A.F. air staging post at Gan, which have been proceeding in Colombo with representatives of the Maldivian Government, have been suspended on the initiative of the Maldivian delegation. The negotiations were on the basis of documents on which there had already been a substantial degree of agreement between us and the Maldivians. In the course of the negotiations the Maldivian representatives raised new matters of substance quite unrelated to the agreement concerning Gan. Although the United Kingdom side went as far as possible to meet them, this only resulted in the Maldivians producing further and unacceptable demands. We have informed the Maldivian Government that we remain prepared to discuss all outstanding matters and have expressed our willingness to resume negotiations at any time in Male or in Colombo or in London, if they so desire.The internal affairs of the Maldive Islands are a matter for the Maldivian Government. The United Kingdom Government are in no way responsible for recent events that are reported to have occurred in certain of the Maldivian atolls. However, when we received information of a serious famine on Huvadu atoll, some 60 odd miles north of Addu Atoll, we first informed the Maldivian Government whom we assumed would wish to undertake urgent relief measures. When further and more serious reports about the famine reached us, and it was evident that the Maldivian Government had been unable or unwilling to institute relief measures, it was decided that we could not stand idly by and that we should send some food from stocks maintained by the R.A.F. on Gan. This has now been done. The Maldivian Government have been kept fully informed at all times.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will rename teachers' training colleges as colleges of education.

No. The term "training college" has a long and honourable history. I would not, however, object if the authorities responsible for individual colleges wished to re-name them in this or other ways.

asked the Minister of Education how many local education authorities have had to restrict the entry of children into infant schools because of shortage of school places; and how far such restriction requires his approval.

So far as I am aware, no local education authority is refusing admission to children of compulsory school age. I have no power to permit authorities to do so.

asked the Minister of Education what plans have been submitted to him by the Lancashire County Council in respect of school building in Division 20 for 1960–61 and thereafter.

For 1960–61 the local education authority has submitted proposals for a secondary school to serve urban districts north and east of Rochdale; a Church of England primary school at Heywood; and a day special school at Middleton. For 1961–62 is has proposed a grammar school at Middleton; a secondary school to serve the urban districts north and east of Rochdale; a county secondary school at Heywood; extensions to a Roman Catholic secondary school at Heywood; and a Roman Catholic primary school at Heywood.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in the negotiations for a general settlement of outstanding financial questions with the Soviet Government, with particular reference to United Kingdom claims amounting to £8,000,000 arising from the Soviet annexation of the Baltic States in 1940.

My right hon. and learned Friend raised the question of our claims against the Soviet Union with Mr. Khrushchev during his recent visit to Moscow. Mr. Khrushchev undertook to look into the matter, and we subsequently received a Soviet communication which is now being studied.We shall continue our efforts to reach agreement through the diplomatic channel.

asked the Minister of Labour how the present average level of retail prices compares with the average level of retail prices a year ago; and how the variation during the past 12 months compares with average annual changes during the previous 10 years.

At mid-February the average level of retail prices was two and a half per cent. above a year ago. This compares with an average annual increase of nearly 5 per cent. in the 10 years 1948–1957.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons reporting at the Borough Employment Exchange during the preceding five months for employment and residence in the new towns, the number of those whose application was accepted, and the numbers actually placed.

During the period 1st October, 1958, to 28th February, 1959, the Borough Employment Exchange made 86 submissions to employers in the New Towns which resulted in 14 placings. There are no statistics of the total number of persons interviewed during that period in connection with such employment.

asked the Secretary of State for War what plans he has for the future of Fort George.

Fort George will be used as the depôt of part of the Highland Brigade until new accommodation is available for the whole depôt at Aberdeen. This I expect to be in 1963. I cannot at present say whether there will be a military use for the fort thereafter, but this question will be explored in the meantime.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how much his Department has spent in connection with building and civil engineering work during the last five years under competitive tenders; and how much was paid to specially selected contractors without competition.

In the last five years £37·25 million has been spent on contract work. Of this total £1·2 million was spent on contracts placed with selected contractors without competition.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many men have registered as Service voters in the current electoral roll.

In October, 1958, which was the last month for registration for the current roll, 64,710 officers and ratings had registered as Service voters. This figure represents about 88 per cent. of those eligible and includes R.N., R.M. and W.R.N.S.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to improve the accommodation in P Block, South-mead Hospital, Bristol; and whether, meanwhile, he will follow the guidance of Committee B of the Medical Whitley Council and vary the standard charge to those living in sub-standard accommodation.

I am informed that the hospital management committee has carried out some redecoration and refurnishing at this block and that further improvements will be made. The regional hospital board is considering plans for replacing the accommodation. I am in communication with the board on the question raised with me by the hospital management committee whether a reduced charge might be made for board and lodging. As, however, the charges made to junior medical staff for these services are standard amounts and below the cost of provision, it is difficult to envisage circumstances which would justify increasing still further the cost to the taxpayer.

asked the Minister of Health what is the range of cost per annum in institutions and in mental hospitals for the care of the aged poor.

I am not clear of whom my hon. Friend is thinking in referring to the "aged poor" or what institutions he has in mind.As regard homes provided by local authorities under Part III of the National Assistance Act, 1948, while records of the range of cost are not obtained centrally, the average annual cost of maintaining persons in these homes as shown in the Welfare Service Statistics, 1957–58, published by the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants and the Society of County Treasurers for each local authority area, varies between £180 and £427.As regards hospitals, the following table gives information about the annual net cost in 1957–58 of maintaining an in-patient in hospitals classified as hospitals for the treatment of the chronic sick or the mentally ill in England and Wales:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what improvements in the salaries, emoluments and working conditions of midwives in Scotland have taken place during each of the last 10 years; what improvements he expects to make in the immediate future; and what steps he is taking to increase the number of midwives in Scotland.

The information requested in the first part of the Question is shown in the table below.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children from approved shcools made use of outside child guidance services during the years 1954 and 1958, respectively.

Twenty-six children from approved schools made use of outside child guidance services during 1954, and 34 during 1958.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children in approved schools had an interview with a visiting psychiatrist during the years 1954 and 1958, respectively.

Fifty-three children at approved schools were interviewed by visiting psychiatrists during 1954 and 63 during 1958. In addition, 35 children at approved schools were interviewed elsewhere than at school during 1954 and 34 during 1958.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many approved school pupils over school-leaving age used outside facilities for further education in the years 1954 and 1958, respectively.

Fourteen approved school pupils over school-leaving age used outside facilities for further education in 1954 and one in 1958. The fall in numbers was due to the employment by one school of a part-time teacher to run what was previously an extra-mural class.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made in the arrangements for vocational training courses in approved schools to count for apprenticeship purposes.

In 1957 the General Council for the Apprenticeship Scheme in the Building Industry in Scotland agreed that half the period of training in building subjects should count for apprenticeship purposes, up to a maximum of six months, when it was given to boys at one senior approved school after their 16th birthday.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many teachers in approved schools, apart from teachers of technical subjects, were un-certificated in the years 1954 and 1958, respectively.

Excluding heads of schools and teachers of technical subjects, four teachers in approved schools in both 1954 and 1958 had no teacher's certificate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many heads of approved schools were qualified teachers in 1954 and how many were not; and what is the present position in this respect.

In 1954, 17 heads of approved schools were certificated teachers and seven were not. In 1958 14 were certificated teachers and seven were not. In both years five of the seven were heads of schools in which no primary or secondary education was provided on the premises.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many teachers in approved schools were seconded from local education authorities in 1954 and 1958, respectively.

Nine full-time teaching posts in approved schools in 1954 and 11 in 1958 were filled by teachers seconded by education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many specialist teachers employed by educa- tion authorities gave part-time service in approved schools in 1954 and in 1958, respectively.

Twelve specialist teachers employed by education authorities gave part-time service in approved schools in 1954 and 13 in 1958.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many trade instructors in approved schools held the teacher's technical certificate in 1954 and 1958, respectively; and how many did not.

In 1954 five trade instructors employed in approved schools held the teacher's technical certificate and 32 did not. In 1958 four held the teacher's technical certificate and 31 did not.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many training courses for staffs of approved schools have been held since October, 1955; and how many have attended them.

One hundred and thirty-two members of approved school staffs have attended 17 training courses since October, 1955. In addition, many have attended conferences organised by the Approved Schools Association (Scotland) and the Scottish Approved School Staff Association at which educational methods in approved schools were discussed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many boards of management of approved schools included representatives of local education authorities in the years 1954 and 1958, respectively.

In both 1954 and 1958, 16 out of the 17 boards of management of approved schools included representatives of education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many education authorities under Section 109 (b) (i) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1947, appoint teachers to area sub-committees; and how many teachers were so appointed at the most convenient recent date.

The figures are 31 authorities and 467 teachers at 1st March, 1959. The remaining four authorities are small and are not required by their administrative schemes to appoint area subcommittees.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many education authorities make a regular prac- tice of consulting teachers or sections of teachers in their employment; and how many of them operate joint consultative committees with teachers in their employment.

Thirty-one education authorities consult teachers in their employment: 28 operate joint consultative committees.