asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government have completed their consideration of the recommendations made recently by the Standing Advisory Committee on the pay of the higher Civil Service; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The Government have decided to accept the Committee's recommendations, the details of which I gave to the House on 12th February last. Corresponding increases will be awarded to certain Judicial Officers in England and Wales and in Scotland whose salaries have of recent years been adjusted with those of the higher Civil Service.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister wishes me to express the Government's recognition of the evident care and consideration which Lord Coleraine and his Committee have given since their appointment to their difficult and exacting task.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters he has received from individual beer-drinkers requesting that the price of beer should be increased by 2d. a pint and the proceeds devoted to other purposes.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters he has received from Income Tax payers protesting against the reduction in the standard rate and lower rates of Income Tax, respectively, and requesting that the former rates be restored and the proceeds devoted to other purposes.

I have received no letters from Income Tax payers protesting against the reduction in their tax liability.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he can now make a statement on the Chairmanship of the London Transport Executive.

I have decided, after consultation with the Chairman of the British Transport Commission, to appoint Mr. A. B. B. Valentine to be Chairman of the London Transport Executive in succession to Sir John Elliot who is retiring on 30th June, 1959. I should like to take this opportunity of paying a tribute to the great service that Sir John Elliot has rendered as Chairman of L.T.E. for nearly six years. The new Chairman will bring to bear on the problems that face him an outstanding knowledge derived from many years of experience of London Transport. I am sure we all wish him well in his most responsible task.

asked the Minister of Health what is the cost to individuals or the State of each series of inoculations for poliomyelitis.

The cost to the Exchequer of the vaccine for a series of three inoculations is estimated currently at between 10s. and 12s. The cost to local authorities of arranging for the vaccine to be administered varies according to the arrangements made, and I regret that an estimate is not available. No charge is made to the persons vaccinated.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what percentage of retirement pensioners were drawing National Assistance for each of the years 1945 to 1959.

The following table shows the position at the end of each of the years from 1948, when the present arrangements first started. The percentage for December 1958 is the latest available figure.

asked the Minister of Education how many students are enrolled in teachers' training colleges at the nearest convenient date; and what is the expected intake during the period 1959–60.

28,318 students are at present following courses of initial training in general, housecraft and physical education training colleges. 14,431 of them were admitted at the beginning of the academic year 1958–59.

asked the Minister of Education what additions he proposes to make to the list of direct-grant grammar schools.

I have informed the governors of the following schools that I am prepared in principle to admit them to the direct grant list:

The King's High School for Girls, Warwick. Preston Catholic College.

Redland High School for Girls, Bristol.

The School of St. Helen and St. Katharine, Abingdon.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will issue a list of schemes in the road programme costing over £100,000 which were started in the year ended 31st March, 1959, with the present estimated completion date and total cost of each.

Following is a list of the schemes referred to:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the total value of new construction and major improvement schemes authorised under the road programme for the financial year 1958–59.

The total estimated cost of new construction and major improvement schemes on trunk and classified roads in Scotland authorised during 1958–59, including the Forth Road Bridge, is approximately £21,500,000, of which about £20,250,000 will be borne by the Exchequer.