asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what progress was made with slum clearance during 1958.

The quarterly Housing Returns for England and Wales and for Scotland, published today, show that during 1958 local authorities in England and Wales demolished or closed just over 55,000 houses and in Scotland over 12,800. About 160,000 people were rehoused in England and Wales during the year, and over 45,000 are estimated to have been rehoused in Scotland.The year 1958 marks, therefore, the achievment of the Government aim of 200,000 people a year to be rehoused from the slums.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what was the housing allocation for Sunderland for 1958; how many houses were actually completed; and what is the allocation for 1959.

For both years I have approved the Councils house building programme in full. In 1958, it was 1,280 dwellings, and in 1959 the agreed programme is for 1,000 dwellings. The Council completed 814 houses during 1958.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many private houses were completed in Sunderland in 1957 and 1958; how this figure compares with 1951; and what is the expected number for 1959.

I have no information as to the number of private houses likely to be completed in Sunderland in 1959, but my hon. Friend will find all the other figures which he requires, together with the number of private houses under construction, in the Appendices to the quarterly Housing Return presented to Parliament.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, how many of the 75 local authorities' areas which are approved smoke-control areas are supplied with adequate supplies of solid smokeless fuel.

Supplies of these fuels appear to be satisfactory for the 34 smoke control areas now in operation in England and Wales and my right hon. Friend believes that supplies will be adequate for the 63 other areas for which orders have been confirmed, but which are not yet in operation.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what buildings at Barwick Park, Somerset, are listed as being of historic and architectural interest.

Barwick Park is in the rural district of Yeovil, and the statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest in the district has not yet been issued. A provisional list includes a number of buildings in the parish of Barwick; and, in Barwick Park itself, the obelisks to the west and north of Barwick House, and the tower to the east of the House.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware that the decision in the recent case of Cater v. Essex County Council creates a difficult position for local planning authorities in regard to the enforcement of planning control; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

Yes. I am considering in consultation with my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor whether an appropriate amendment can be made in the Town and Country Planning Bill now under consideration in another place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to which colonial and trust territories the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 105, dealing with the abolition of forced labour, has not been applied; when he expects that it will have been applied to all such territories; and whether he will take steps to expedite its application.

Declarations applying International Labour Convention No. 105 concerning the Abolition of Forced Labour have not yet been made for the following territories for which I am responsible:British Honduras; British Solomon Islands Protectorate; Cyprus; Fiji; Gambia; Hong Kong; Kenya; Federation of Nigeria; Tanganyika; Uganda; Zanzibar.In reply to the second and third parts of the Question, consultations over these outstanding cases are going ahead as fast as possible, but I cannot yet forecast when they will be completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what reasons the Government of Kenya is delaying the application of the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 105 dealing with the abolition of forced labour.

A declaration applying this Convention to Kenya has been deferred because there are still in existence certain Emergency Regulations whose relationship with the Convention is in some doubt. I am in consultation with the Governor about the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent it is the practice in Nigeria to have annual conferences of administrative officers for the discussion of general long-term policy; and if he will make a statement.

The formulation of policy is now primarily the responsibility of Nigerian Ministers, but meetings of administrative officers take place on special subjects and some of the Governments arrange regular meetings of senior officers for general discussion of administrative problems.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the progress of constitutional discussions about the establishment of the republic of Cyprus.

The three Committees which were set up following the London Conference are now all at work. The Joint Commission in Cyprus, which is specially charged with duties in connection with drafting the Constitution of the Independent Republic, held its first meeting on the 13th April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what constitutional or other safeguards are being given to the Maronite and Armenian communities in Cyprus.

I cannot usefully add at present to the statement regarding the protection of the fundamental human rights of the various communities in Cyprus in the Declaration made by the Government of the United Kingdom at the London Conference on Cyprus. The implementation of this must now be worked out between the parties to the Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements are being made for the future of British civil servants, both permanent and on contract, now employed by the Cyprus Government.

Every effort will be made to offer employment in other territories to officers who wish to continue their service overseas. Compensation arrangements for officers who cannot be offered or do not wish to take further employment overseas are being worked out urgently, but I am not yet in a position to announce particulars. The facilities of the Overseas Services Resettlement Bureau will also be at the disposal of these officers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when there was last a resident doctor in Cayman Brac.

There has not been a resident doctor in Cayman Brac since the first world war, but a dispenser and midwife are resident in the island and provision is being made for the appointment of a resident nurse. The Government Medical Officer in Grand Cayman visits Cayman Brac for a week at a time twice a year and also pays occasional emergency visits. Consideration is being given to the appointment of a private doctor who would be paid a retainer from government funds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the amount of the collective fine imposed on the population of Mlanje District of Nyasaland; how much each person will have to pay; and what this fine is intended to cover.

The fine imposed was £8,750 and each adult male taxpayer will be required to pay 30s. The fine was assessed on the value of looted property and damage to telephone lines, buildings including a dispensary, and roads and bridges.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what fine has been imposed on the pupils of the Church of Scotland Mission School at Loudon, Nyasaland; and for what purpose the money will be used.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans were killed during the incident at Nkata Bay.

Twenty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether plans have now been agreed for a proper scheme of sewage disposal at Belize, British Honduras; and when they are to be carried out.

No. But the Government of British Honduras are acutely aware of the need for such a scheme and are shortly going to submit an application for a Colonial Development and Welfare grant to cover technical advice on the planning of a proper system. These plans will be given high priority in the territory's new development plans for the period 1959–63.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in draining land surrounding Belize in British Honduras to enable new housing to be built.

Drainage has been going on for some time with a machine, purchased over 20 years ago, but its capacity has proved inadequate and a second suction dredger has recently been purchased. This has been at work during the past four weeks on the reclamation of the King's Park area of Belize which should provide about 550 building lots. Work is going on well and I hope the reclamation of this area will be completed by the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals the chiefs of the Gambia Protectorate have made in respect of the education of girls and women; whether a new Government post-primary or secondary school for girls is yet being planned; and, approximately, how many girls are attending secondary schools in the whole of Gambia.

The Chiefs have asked for more women teachers in the Protectorate to encourage the enrolment of Girls and for the establishment of a girls' post-primary school. The present enrolment does not justify a separate girls' school but the position is kept under review. 241 girls are receiving secondary education in the Gambia.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the qualifications required for the teaching staff at the Natural Resources Training School, Tengeru, Tanganyika; the nature of the courses; the average attendance of students; and the cost of running this establishment.

I am consulting the Governor and will circulate this information in the OFFICIAL REPORT when I have his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) how many district officers in the last five years have been appointed as magistrates of the Northern Rhodesian Subordinate Courts of the 3rd class before they have passed their Civil Service law examinations;(2) how many cadets of the provincial administration have been appointed magistrates of the Northern Rhodesian Subordinate Courts of the 4th class before they have passed their law examinations;(3) how many resident magistrates appointed in Northern Rhodesia have passed no language examination in any Northern Rhodesian vernacular.

I have asked the Governor for the information and when it is received will publish it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Works what was the atmospheric temperature of the Chamber of the House of Commons between 3.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday 7th April.

Records show that the atmospheric temperature of the Chamber on the day in question, having been 67·5°F. at 3 p.m., was 69·5°F. at 4 p.m. and 70°F. at 5 p.m., returning to 68°F. at 6 p.m.

asked the Minister of Works what measurements are taken, other than of temperature, of the atmosphere in the House of Commons Chamber.

In addition to temperature, hourly measurements are taken of the relative humidity of the atmosphere in the Chamber and of the volume of fresh air introduced mechanically into the Chamber.

asked the Minister of Works what arrangements govern the flying of flags from public buildings in Scotland, England, and Wales on the national days of the respective countries.

Flags are flown on Government buildings on appointed days, which include St. Andrew's Day for buildings in Scotland and St. David's Day for buildings in Wales. St. George's Day is not an appointed day and flags are not, therefore, flown on that day.

asked the Minister of Works when the work to ease traffic congestion at Alexandra Gate and Victoria Gate, Hyde Park, is to begin; and when it is to be completed.

I hope to begin widening Victoria Gate next month and to complete the road works by the end of June.As regards Alexandra Gate, I cannot add anything to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend on 12th November, 1958.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the supplies of anti-poliomyelitis vaccine to the City of Aberdeen have been exhausted; and if he will make a statement indicating on what assessment he bases his allocation of anti-poliomyelitis vaccine to Scottish cities, towns and counties, in particular to Aberdeen; and what steps he is taking to maintain adequate supplies to those places.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will outline the miscalculations made in the supply of anti-poliomyelitis vaccine; to what extent such miscalculations have resulted in a slowing-down or cessation of the anti-poliomyelitis campaign; and what immediate steps are planned to overcome the existing vaccine shortage.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Health dealt with the general supply arrangements yesterday. Early in April the normal pattern of demand was greatly extended by requests for vaccination from young adults. Neither the local authority estimates nor the Department's supply programme were framed to cover this group on such a large scale at this stage. Aberdeen Corporation originally asked for 2,000 doses for April and have already required 12,000, all of which have been supplied.All local authorities now have supplies of vaccine. Further supplies coming forward will meet in full their original requirements for May and I have asked them to let me know at once whether they will require additional vaccine for May.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the loss of agricultural land to all other purposes during the next five-year period on the basis of development plans now in view and all available information; and if he will make a statement.

I estimate that the annual loss of agricultural land to other purposes (excluding forestry) will not exceed 5,000 acres over the next five years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is yet in a position to indicate when an inquiry will be made into all aspects of the licensing laws and drunkenness in Scotland.

I have nothing to add at present to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 3rd February.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many police officers have retired since the introduction of the commutation arrangements; how many have asked to commute their pensions; and how many have been allowed to do so in Glasgow, the boroughs and counties, respectively, divided into chief constables and superintendents, on the one hand, and the federated ranks on the other.

This information is not at present available but I am obtaining it and will send it to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what is the estimated cost of the old people's home, to be built at Stornoway; how many persons it will accommodate, with what minimum private room per individual; and to what extent the special accommodation of married couples has been provided for in the plans.

The cost was estimated by the County Council in 1956 at about £50,000. The home will provide accommodation for 30 residents, 14 in single rooms, eight in rooms for two persons and eight in rooms for four persons. The four double rooms could, no doubt, be used for any married couples requiring accommodation in the home.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has limited the granting of industrial development certificates for the Bolton area to applications requiring less than 5,000 square feet.

There is no such limit. Applications for industrial development certificates are considered on their merits.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make representations to the Government of the United States of America to reconsider the decision to reduce the low duty quota of imported wool goods.

Her Majesty's Government have made repeated representations to the United States Government on this subject. We are certainly making clear to them our disappointment at their decision for this year and our hope that we can secure better arrangements for the future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made regarding the setting up of a committee to consider the question of consumer protection; and when he expects to announce the terms of reference and the name of the chairman and members who will constitute the committee.

My right hon. Friend expects to make an announcement shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent, during his discussions with the Spanish Minister of Commerce on 14th and 16th April, he discussed the question of a loan of £30,000,000 to Spain; and what was his decision in this connection.

There was no discussion of a United Kingdom loan to Spain.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now able to name the members of the trade mission to Russia.

Yes. The delegation will consist of Sir Frank Lee and Mr. C. D. Campbell, of the Board of Trade, and Mr. A. E. Percival, of the Export Credits Guarantee Department.I shall also be taking with me, as business advisers to the delegation, Sir Hugh Beaver, Mr. J. B. Scott, Mr. J. S. Gordon Clark and Mr. Leslie Phillips.The delegation will also include two secretaries from the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has received from woollen manufacturers concerning the reduction in woollen exports; and what action he proposes to take.

The Wool Textile Export Group keep in close touch with the Board of Trade about the industry's problems in export markets, and we are frequently consulted by individual manufacturers. We give all the help we can.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of his decision to abolish Purchase Tax on television tubes, whether he will now remove Purchase Tax from radio valves used for maintenance purposes.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the letter sent to him by Cornwall Circuit Limited, showing that entertainment tax and the Eady Levy paid by them absorbed nearly £27,000, leaving only £436 to service the £200,000 capital employed in the business; and what reply he has made.

Yes, and an acknowledgement has been sent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what decision has been reached as to the Income Tax liability of local authorities in regard to proceeds collected under parking schemes authorised by the Road Traffic Act, 1956.

I am advised, that as the law now stands, the profits of local authorities from parking schemes authorised under the Road Traffic Act will be liable to Income Tax, as are profits from ordinary car parks, whether run by a local authority or by any other taxpayer. They may, however, be set off against payments of loan interest, or losses which may have been incurred on other trading activities by the authorities concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in response to representations made to him, he has now reviewed the car mileage allowances payable to members of the consultative committees of the nationalised industries, agricultural tribunals and others who use their own cars for attending meetings of such Government bodies; and what action he will take in the matter.

Yes. I have authorised a rate of 6d. a mile for members of tribunals and other voluntary or fee-paid people who use their private cars on Government business. This rate is an alternative to the Civil Service rates, which give 3¾d. a mile for small annual mileages and between 7d. and 8d. a mile if mileages exceed 1,000 miles a year.The travelling expenses of members of consultative councils in the electricity and gas industries are reimbursed by the Electricity Council and the gas boards respectively at rates which are now based on the rates paid to the staff of these industries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now state what conclusion he has reached, as a result of his consideration of trade representations, about the proposed withdrawal from 1st May of the second-hand goods concession in the case of gem jewellery.

I have given very careful consideration to the representations which have been made to me by all branches of the trade, giving their assessment of the effects this measure might have on the legitimate trade in second-hand jewellery. I have noted the offers which the trade have now made of vigorous co-operation in stamping out malpractices. I have also taken into account the changes in the situation since this measure was first proposed, namely, the reduction of the lax to 25 per cent., the launching of an important prosecution, with others impending, and the registration of traders dealing in second-hand jewellery, who will be required to keep comprehensive records of their dealings in a farm satisfactory to the Customs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to improve the statistics collected about the balance of payments, especially capital transactions.

In 1956 my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, who was then Chancellor of the Exchequer, made a statement to the House on the improvements he considered desirable in economic statistics. He pointed out that it was in the interests of everyone that this information should be available and that the earlier the Government had it the more timely could their action be to keep the economy on an even course. In economics, as in medicine, early diagnosis was the essential preliminary to effective treatment.One of the subjects mentioned by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on that occasion was the improvement of the statistics of the balance of payments, including especially capital transactions. It has been possible already to make some improvements, but it is now clear that a direct approach to industry is necessary if better and more up-to-date information on two aspects of our balance of payments is to be obtained. The first is interest, profits, dividends and capital transactions connected with investment by British companies abroad and the similar investment by overseas companies in this country. I do not have to emphasise the importance to the Government of having the best information available about the very considerable overseas investment of U.K. Companies and, of course, about the earnings of such investment. Secondly we need better estimates of the important contribution which our insurance industry makes to the country's balance of payments.The Government have, therefore, after informal consultation with representatives of those concerned, decided to institute direct inquiries on these two items. The inquiries will, of course, be completely confidential as to the affairs of individual concerns. They will be carried out in the main by the Statistical Division of the Board of Trade who will keep in touch with the Bank of England so far as the Bank have a special interest in these matters. I am sure that all those approached in these enquiries will give their full co-operation. If this is done we can look forward to securing substantial improvements in the reliability of our balance of payments statistics, and a valuable addition to the statistics available for the study of the economy.

asked the Minister of Labour what factors determine the dates on which the monthly counts of employment and unemployment are taken and the day on which these figures are published; why the count of unemployment and employment relates to different dates; and whether he will publish each of these figures as soon as it is available.

Since 1949 it has been the practice to publish a manpower communique dealing comprehensively with statistics of employment, unemployment, short-time working and vacancies, and the relevant dates have been determined so that all the detailed material will normally be available at approximately the same time. The information about employment is obtained mainly from returns submitted by a very large number of employers and takes longer to analyse; it therefore relates to an earlier date than the unemployment count. In some months, partly owing to public holidays, it is not practicable to space the dates for the different counts at the usual intervals.The totals of the April count of registered unemployed are already ascertainable, but the March returns of persons in civil employment were delayed until after Easter and the result will not be available until about 14th May. In view of this exceptionally long gap, I intend to release the unemployment figures separately so that they can appear on Thursday morning, 30th April. The communique will include details of the regional totals of unemployment amongst young persons. I will consider whether the issue of separate statistics of employment and unemployment should become the normal practice in future.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1) if he will state the number of persons who, during the last 12 months, have taken their driving tests in six towns comparable in size to South Shields; and if he will state the percentage of those who have failed;(2) if he will state the number of persons who have taken their driving test in South Shields district during the last twelve months, to the nearest convenient date, and the number who failed; and if he will express the failures in relation to the whole country as a percentage;(3) if he will state the number of persons who have taken their driving test throughout the country during the last twelve months, to the nearest convenient date, and the number who have failed, expressed as a percentage.

During the twelve months ended 31st March, 1959, 1,260,530 tests were conducted; the percentage of failures was 47. The driving test centre at South Shields was only opened this month, but the number of tests conducted and the percentage of candidates who failed at Gateshead, and at 6 towns comparable in size to South Shields, were as follows:

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will take steps to release from military service teachers who have already been called up who have obtained first, second or third class honours in any subject and who have satisfactorily completed an approved course of teacher training.

Men completing teacher training in 1959 or later, who take approved employment in secondary schools, will not be called up for National Service. It would not, I am afraid, be practicable to arrange for the general release of such teachers who are now in the forces. The numbers involved are very small and they are mostly engaged on essential educational duties in the Services.

asked the Minister of Health what is the annual cost of providing the 13,000 motor-tricycles for those who have lost the use of both legs; and what estimate he has made of the number of additional tricycles, and the annual cost, if provision under the National Health Service were also made to help those who are immobolised by reason of heart or lung conditions.

About £1½ million, excluding the cost of salaries of staff engaged in the work, was spent last year on the provision and maintenance of power-propelled tricycles in England and Wales. No accurate estimate can be made of the number of persons who are immobilised because of heart or lung conditions, but the number, and in consequence the probable cost of providing them all with power-propelled tricycles, is likely to be substantial.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, in consequence of the increase in the number of cases coming before the Metropolitan stipendiary magistrates' courts, there have been delays in dealing with cases, and a difficult situation has arisen; and what action is proposed to remedy the matter.

I am aware that these difficulties have arisen. Owing to a continuing increase in the number of cases coming before the courts there have been delays, despite all that could be done by the stipendiary magistrates and their staffs, and in consultation with my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor I have been considering what action can be taken.I am glad to say that considerable assistance has been and is being rendered by the lay justices, to whom we are most grateful. The lay justices who sit at Bow Street have been sitting on an extra day a week, and lay justices will commence sitting at Old Street and Tower Bridge Metropolitan Magistrates' Courts on 6th and 7th May respectively.In addition, my noble Friend and I are satisfied that the appointment of more stipendiary magistrates is necessary. This will require legislation, and a Bill seeking authority for this, and for the appointment of temporary magistrates, is being introduced in another place.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will give further details of appeals and references to medical appeal tribunals for the country as a whole, the basic information of which is given in paragraph 223 and table 45 of Command Paper No. 493; and if he will supply corresponding information for each medical appeal tribunal in Great Britain for the years 1957 and 1958.

If the hon. Member will let me know what further details he has in mind I will gladly see whether they can be supplied.

asked the Postmaster General how many people in the Edinburgh area are awaiting new telephone connections; and how this number compares with that for April, 1958.

In the area served by the Edinburgh automatic system 203 orders are on hand, of which 151 are at present in course of being met. The corresponding figures for April, 1958, were 327 and 194 respectively.During the past 12 months, 3,655 telephones have been installed.

asked the Secretary of State for War what representations he has received from trades unions representing workers at British military establishments in Aden about wages and working conditions; what reply he has given to them; and whether he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.A claim for increased wages and improved conditions for locally engaged employees of the Service Departments in Aden was submitted by the Forces Local Employees' Union on 6th April and is now being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many Royal Air Force stations were closed in 1958; and what was their total acreage.

Twenty-nine, covering about 5,900 acres.