asked the Secretary of Stare for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made under Allied High Commission Law No. 27 relating to the de-concentration of the West German iron and steel industry, with particular reference to the remaining Krupp interests.

All the required deconcentra Lions have been carried out except a small portion relating to the former firm Vereinigte Stahlwerke and a larger portion relating to the firm of Krupp. As regards the latter a Mixed Committee is being set up under the provisions of the Bonn Settlement Convention to consider applications for extension of time in which to carry out the remaining sales. The British member of this Committee has already been nominated.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that long playing gramophone records containing recorded speeches of Hitler, Goering and Himmler are being exported from the United States into Germany, and that these records containing photographs of Nazi leaders, swastikas, etc., are being circulated in the British sector of Berlin; and what action he has taken or proposes to take, either by approaching the government of the United States to prevent the export of these records to, or by approaching the Federal Government of Germany to prevent their circulation in, the British sector of Berlin.

As my hon. Friend stated in his reply on 4th May, this is essentially a matter for the German authorities. I understand that the Berlin police are likely to confiscate any copies of the record that may appear there.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why restrictions are placed upon the granting to residents from Eastern Germany of the necessary travel documents to visit Great Britain; and when he anticipates lifting these restrictions.

No such restrictions are imposed, and the second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, why, under his regulations, a mother is not allowed to make application for a passport in respect of her children.

By common law, a father is the legal guardian of his legitimate children and as such is entitled to their custody; a mother is not so entitled unless she is awarded custody by a competent court or the father is dead.It is the general rule that a passport should not be issued without the consent of the person entitled to custody of the child.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is yet in a position to make a statement about the payment of compensation to Mr. G. M. Spankie, following his expulsion from Greece in 1956.

The hon. Member has written to me about this matter and on 6th May I sent him a full reply to his last letter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what decisions were made at the meeting in Mexico of the United Nations Economic and Social Council on the industrialisation of underdeveloped countries and on the freedom of information.

A United Nations Press release containing the texts of resolutions adopted by the Economic and Social Council at its recent session has been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that 20,000 hours of potential productive output were lost last year through shortage of work at the Remploy factory, Coventry; and what plans are in hand to avoid similar wastage this year.

Yes. I understand that Remploy is making special efforts to secure more work for this and other packaging factories.

asked the Minister of Labour when the next monthly unemployment figures for the United Kingdom will be published.

I believe the arrangements I made last month for publishing the unemployment figures separately without waiting until the employment figures became available were found to be acceptable. I propose to make this the normal practice in future and to publish the provisional unemployment figures separately as soon as they have been collated which will usually be about fifteen days after the count. The May count of registered unemployed is today and allowing for the Whitsun holiday I hope to publish the provisional totals on 27th May.

asked the Minister of Labour when the official Report on the Pottery Industry will be published.

The Report was sent to the Stationery Office last week and I under. stand that it is expected to be published next month.

asked the Minister of Labour how many factories, at the latest available date, were using radioactive isotopes; how many operate X-ray apparatus among those using sealed sources of ionising radiations; what is the approximate number of workers exposed; and the number receiving blood examinations at regular intervals.

My information is that there are at present some 560 factories using radioactive isotopes. Some 475 factories use sealed sources of radioactive substances, and some 260 factories use X-ray apparatus; there are cases where both are used but I cannot say how many. In all, there are some 3,000 persons employed in the processes and two-thirds of these receive blood examinations.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the health, including the presence of changes in the white cell and eosinophil blood count of the woman employee, described on page 36 of the report of the Chief Inspector, who was subjected for one week to working with grade 120 radium in 1956; whether she is still employed as a luminiser; and what treatment has been given.

The woman has been regularly examined by the appointed factory doctor in accordance with the Luminising Regulations. At the last such examination earlier this month she was recorded as being in a satisfactory state of health. In addition, she has been examined on several occasions by a medical inspector of factories in the course of routine haematological investigations of persons exposed to ionising radiations. The most recent examination was in April this year when, both clinically and haematologically, nothing abnormal was found.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement concerning his intentions with regard to legislation to authorise the payment of wages of manual workers otherwise than wholly in cash, and to reviewing the Truck Acts as a whole with a view to amending legislation, respectively.

My National Joint Advisory Council has accepted the view that wages might, at the request of the worker and with his employer's agreement, be paid into the worker's bank account or by cheque, and in certain circumstances be paid by money or postal order. As regards the last part of the Question, the Council recommended that a committee should be set up to review the operation of the Truck Acts and to make suggestions for bringing them into line with modern conditions. I very much welcome these initiatives and both these matters are now receiving the attention of the Government.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now consider introducing a temporary payment towards the travelling expenses of those workers who, having qualified for the lodging allowance, find it necessary to travel home for domestic reasons.

Free return travelling facilities are provided in case of hardship for a transferred worker in receipt of lodging allowance who is required to visit his home in a serious domestic emergency. I am not, however, prepared to extend the Transfer Schemes to cover the payment of daily travelling expenses as an alternative to lodging allowances.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons in Sunderland at the latest available date; and how this figure compares with the figure for the previous month and with the figure for the corresponding period last year.

The Answer is 4,805 at 13th April, 1959, compared with 4,679 at 9th March, 1959. and 3,161 at 14th April, 1958.

asked the Minister of Labour how many worker trainees from other countries have received training in the United Kingdom under the Technical Assistance Programme of the International Labour Organisation.

Between 1954 and 30th March, 1959, ninety-six worker trainees have received training in the United Kingdom under technical assistance projects run by the International Labour Organisation.

asked the Minister of Labour how many British experts have taken part in missions to other countries under the Technical Assistance Programme of the International Labour Organisation.

From 1951 to 30th March, 1959, 148 British experts have taken part in technical assistance projects of the International Labour Organisation, many of them in more than one project.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement comparing the difficulties of providing employment for juveniles as between new towns and other localities, at the present time, a year ago, and five years ago; and what further action is being taken in respect of this problem.

With certain exceptions, the new towns have been, and still are, more favourably placed than other areas in the provision of employment for young people. This is partly because their proportion of young workers to adults is much less than the national average, and partly because many of these towns are in areas of the country where the general employment situation is good. The "bulge" in the new towns does not reach its peak until the mid-1960's or even later. All concerned including the Development Corporations are well aware of the longterm problems involved.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of jobs, lost in Scotland in 1958 and the first quarter of 1959 as result of closure of, and redundancies in, Ministry of Supply, and Ministry of Works factories, and in defence establishments in Scotland.

The net reduction in employment in Scotland by the Ministry of Supply and the Service Departments was about 4,000. The Ministry of Works has no factories in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Labour the rise in civil employment in Scotland between September, 1957, and April, 1959.

Precise statistics of the numbers in civil employment relate only to May each year and are published the following February. Between May, 1957 and May, 1958, there was a reduction of 42,000.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unfilled vacancies notified to him in the police, prison, fire, post office and hospital services, and the various specialist and tech-

Group			Number of Adult Vacancies outstanding (18 years of age and over)
			Men	Women	Total
Vacancies in Police, Prison and Fire Services (This group also includes a number of other occupations in national and local government service, and with private employers)	…	…	592	57	649
Post Office—including all Post Office establishments, Telegraph and Wireless Communications	…	…	337	361	698
Medical and Dental Services (including physicians, surgeons, nurses, midwives, masseurs, etc.) whether working in hospitals and other institutions, or otherwise	…	…	237	2,253	2,490

All established vacancies in the Civil Service are dealt with by the Civil Service Commission. Temporary specialist and technical vacancies in the Civil Service are notified to the Ministry of Labour, but separate figures are not available.The placing arrangements of the Department provide that vacancies are given local, regional or national circulation as appropriate. This means that vacancies which cannot be filled by local labour are brought to the notice of unemployed people in other areas, particularly in the areas of high unemployment.All employment exchanges are aware of the employment opportunities in national and local government service, and bring them to the notice of suitable registrants.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers and percentage of unemployed at the latest Ministry count at Stornoway, and the numbers in Barra, South and North Uist and Benbecula, respectively, at the same date.

Statistics are not available for the individual occupations concerned, but the following table shows the number of unfilled vacancies, notified to employment exchanges in groups which include these occupations on 9th March, 1959:

The answer to the first part of the Question is 1,579 or 31·3 per cent., and to the second 122, 81, 113 and 29 respectively.

asked the Minster of Labour to what extent it is the policy of his Department to offer to registered disabled workers vacancies for employment as itinerant vendors of carpets or other commodities from door to door at payment of small wages or commission.

The general policy of my Department is to submit registered disabled persons for any vacancies which appear to be well suited to their capabilities. It is recognised, however, that special care is needed in dealing with vacancies for canvassers and agents, whether fit or disabled applicants are concerned. Unless the employer is known to the Department, appropriate inquiries are made; and if a vacancy offering commission is brought to the notice of an applicant, he is informed of this fact at the Outset

asked the Minister of Labour if he will publish in tile OFFICIAL REPORT the approximate average weekly, daily or hourly rate of earning for those who lived in Greater London, Brighton, Leeds, Sheffield and Birmingham, respectively, in 1800, 1900, 1925, 1950 and 1958.

Inquiries into average earnings were not made in 1800, 1900 or 1925. Although inquiries in respect of manual workers were held in 1924, 1950 and 1958 the information was tabulated on an industry basis in order to obtain details for the United Kingdom as a whole and at no stage were figures calculated for particular towns or cities.The following table gives such information as is available for the United Kingdom:

Average Weekly Earnings of Manual Workers All Workers Covered by Inquiry
	s.	d.
October, 1924	48	3
October, 1950	128	0
October, 1958	217	4

asked the Prime Minister what recent reports he has received from the United States Government or from other sources indicating the extent to which radioactive fall-out from nuclear tests now exceeds the scientifically recognised safety level; and what is the newly assessed danger to human health in the light of recent revelations.

I have been asked to reply.I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's statement of 28th April on radioactive fall-out. The reports of American statements which I have seen in the Press do not appear to justify any revision of the views he then expressed as to the dangers to human health.

asked the Prime Minister why no figures have been given for strontium 90 in children's bones, or in milk and other foods after March, 1958, covering the period of increased fall-out; and if he will complete his recent statement in these respects.

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 9 of my statement of 28th April on radioactive fallout. This emphasises that the

"…measurements of very low levels of strontium 90 involve lengthy and complex processes of analysis, using specialised techniques and facilities The results of the food survey for 1958 are now being prepared for publication."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 28th April, 1959; Vol 455. c. 1102.]

I would also refer to the answer I gave on 7th May to a supplementary question from the hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason).

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that only twenty-seven analyses have been undertaken of the strontium 90 level in 1 to 5-yearsold children, although the average level in children of 1 to 2 years and of children 2 to 3 years is higher than in other age groups; and if he will have this research extended without delay.

Over a hundred measurements of strontium 90 in the bones of children from 1 to 5 years old have been made in the United Kingdom, of which twenty-seven were undertaken in the first three months of 1958. Every effort is being made, wherever possible, to increase the number of such analyses.

asked the Prime Minister since, with the old rate of fallout, the United Nations Scientific Committee's Report estimated that the dose of radioactivity to human bone from strontium 89 would be up to 20 per cent. of that from strontium 90 and since these short-lived fission products will be more abundant with the faster rate of deposit, if he will give the figures of strontium 89 in fall-out now; and what proportion of the total radiation dose in bone this isotope is expected to give.

The ratio of the dose to bone from strontium 89 as compared with that from strontium 90 depends, among other things, upon the ratio of the content of strontium 89 to strontium 90 in the diet at the time of ingestion and not on the relative content in the fallout. The values for diet in the United Kingdom in 1958 will be published shortly. It is expected that the dose from strontium 89 will fall well within the range 1–20 per cent. quoted by the United Nations Committee. There is at present no reason to believe that the position will change significantly. The ratios of strontium 89 to strontium 90 in fallout will be published from time to time as results become available.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state the proportions of radiation derived from various sources affecting the mean marrow dose, assuming that no more tests of nuclear devices take place; and to what extent his figures would be altered in countries depending upon a plant-type diet.

I am advised that the average mean marrow dose of radiation from strontium 90 in the United Kingdom is at present less than 2 per cent. of that due to the natural background. The mean marrow dose of radiation from medical uses of X-rays is under consideration by the Adrian Committee and figures are not yet available. Comparable figures are not available from countries depending on a plant-type diet.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an estimate of the proportions of radiation derived from various sources referring to the genetically significant dose; whether he will take into consideration the view of the Medical Research Council that the genetically significant dose from medical diagnostic radiology may be as much as 100 per cent. of the natural background radiation in countries with extensive medical facilities; and whether he will state revised figures.

I am advised that the genetically significant dose of radiation received by human beings in this country expressed as a percentage of that from the natural background is estimated to be at least 22 from medical diagnostic radiology and between 1 and 2 from fallout. The figure of at least 22 per cent. was derived from a fairly small investigation undertaken for the Medical Research Council when they prepared their report on the Hazards to Man of Nuclear and Allied Radiations. The matter is being more fully investigated by the Adrian Committee whose final report is awaited.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state in mc/km² the latest figures for accumulation of radioactive strontium in bone in the United Kingdom, showing the extremes of local variation as well as the average and treating young children as a separate category.

The latest published figures for the accumulation of radio-strontium in bone in the United Kingdom are contained in a recent Report from the Atomic Energy Research Establishment entitled "Radioactive and Natural Strontium in Human Bones", a copy of which is available in the Library. It is expected that a further report on strontium 90 in human bone will be published during the summer.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been drawn to the warning given last week in part of Denmark against drinking from the normal water supply which had become dangerously radioactive; if he is satisfied that adequate monitoring is now carried out of all British drinking water; and what increase in radioactivity has been detected.

My attention has been drawn to newspaper reports on this subject. I am advised that the arrangements for monitoring drinking water in the United Kingdom are adequate. In answer to the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to a report published in February this year entitled "A Preliminary Survey of Radiostrontium and Radiocaesium in Drinking Water in the United Kingdom", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. It shows that the intake of these substances from drinking water is very small.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on pig marketing.

The Government's policy on pig marketing was given in the White Paper on the Pig Industry issued in November, 1956. As I have made clear the Government's present view based on the Report of the Reorganisation Commission is that a basically free market in pigs and pigmeat is to be preferred to a marketing board for all pigs. But I am of course ready at any time to consider carefully any proposals submitted to me for a marketing scheme under the Agricultural Marketing Act, in the light of the circumstances at the time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the inflated price of cheese in Newcastle-upon-Tyne; if he will take steps to reduce it, by the imposition of price control or otherwise; and if he will make a statement.

I have no evidence that the price of cheese is higher in Newcastle-upon-Tyne than in other cities.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the warning issued by his Department that such substances as stilboestrol and hexoestrol, used by farmers for the caponing of poultry and the fattening of livestock, could have a serious toxic effect on man even when small amounts are swallowed or inhaled, what steps are being taken to ensure that the warning issued to farmers is properly appreciated by all sections of the public.

My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that the warning to which he refers relates to the dangers which could arise from the presence of these substances on the farm and their handling in the course of administration to animals. The materials are not freely available to the public. For these reasons, the warning was primarily addressed to farmers, but the statement has been issued to the general as well as to the farming Press.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans for the future development of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, which this year celebrate their 200th anniversary, are a treasured national possession and Her Majesty's Government are considering what is required for their future development.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster by whom the re-appraisal of the Overseas Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation is being carried out; what are their terms of reference; and when, to whom, and in what form, they will report.

A re-appraisal of the Overseas Services in English is being carried out by the British Broadcasting Corporation in consultation with the prescribing Departments. The object of the review is to ensure that the most effective contribution is made to the projection of the United Kingdom overseas. The results of the review will be reported to Ministers in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for which countries it is intended that the extra facilities for the teaching of English, described in paragraph 9, Command Papet No. 685, will be made available; and when, and on what scale.

Provision has been made in the 1959–60 Estimates for additional expenditure by the British Council, of £84,000 in India, Pakistan and Ceylon. In India and Pakistan, the money will be used to provide further scholarships in the United Kingdom to expand the Commonwealth University Interchange Scheme, to help with local courses for teachers, and to help finance teaching posts at schools, colleges and universities,In Ceylon, most of the money is to be spent on the establishment of a new British Council centre near the University of Ceylon in Kandy. The timing of the programme will be decided in consultation with the educational authorities in the countries concerned.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state the size, prescribed under his regulations, of silicotic nodules which have to be found in the lungs of a mineworker who dies from silicosis, before his Dependants can claim compensation.

Neither the statutory definition of this disease nor any regulations provide any limitation by reference to size of silicotic nodules. My hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary has written to the hon. Member very fully on this subject.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to what extent a claimant for sickness benefit through incapacity to work who received a postal draft for £5 6s. 8d. in payment of the sickness benefit is debarred under his regulations from drawing the money owing to his failure to present the draft during the time allowed, namely six months.

The regulations provide for extinguishment of the right to benefit if payment is not claimed within six months, but extend this period in certain specified circumstances. Whether it should be extended in any particular case is a matter for the independent statutory authorities responsible for determining claims and questions under the Act.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that a widow has her 10s. pension deducted from her sickness benefit when she is ill; that she has paid, and is still paying, the full contribution for this benefit; and if he will take steps to see that widows who find themselves in this position are permitted to draw the full amount for which they contribute.

I presume that the hon. Member's Question refers to a woman who has no entitlement to a widow's pension under the present scheme but who, in recognition of her husband's insurance under the pre-1948 scheme, has a 10s. pension which has to be taken into account when she qualifies for any of the benefits of the present scheme. My right hon. Friend has no proposals for modifying the arrangements made in this respect in 1948. I would point out that the widow's title to these other benefits may also derive from her late husband's contributions.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the cost of paying all widows who do not qualify for a pension on the death of their husband, a full pension at the age of 50 years.

About £13 million a year.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what was the original rate, and what have been the changes in the rates, of National Insurance contributions since the introduction of the present scheme in 1946.

From 30th September, 1946, the ordinary rates of weekly health and pensions contributions were increased to 4s. for an employed man and 3s. 4d. for an employed woman (of which the employee paid half) on the introduction of the pension rates established by the National Insurance Act, 1946. In addi- tion throughout the period to July, 1948, unemployment insurance contributions were payable of Is. 8d. for an employed man and ls. 6d. for an employed woman, of which the employee also paid half.

MEN
Period	Employed						Self—Employed						Non—Employed
	National Insurance and Industrial Injuries lnsur-ance		National Health Service†		Total (showing employee's share in brackets)		National Insurance		National Health Service†		Total		National Insurance		National Health Service†		Total
	S.	d.	S.	d.	S.	d.	S.	d.	S.	d.	S.	d.	S.	d.	S.	d.	S.	d.
5.7.1948 to	9	1*	—		9	1	6	2*	—		6	2	4	8*	—		4	8
30.9.1951					(4	11)
1.10.1951 to	9	5*	—		9	5	6	6*	—		6	6	5	0*	—		5	0
5.10.1952					(5	1)
6.10.1952 to	10	9*	—		10	9	7	5*	—		7	5	5	7*	—		5	7
5.6.1955					(5	9)
6.6.1955 to	12	9*	—		12	9	8	5*	—		8	5	6	6*	—		6	6
1.9.1957					(6	9)
2.9.1957 to	11	11	1	8	13	7	7	7	1	8	9	3	5	8	1	8	7	4
2,2.1958					(7	5)
3.2.1958 to	15	10	1	8	17	6	9	10	1	8	11	6	7	5	1	8	9	1
6.7.1958.					(9	5)
From 7.7.1958	15	10	2	4	18	2	9	10	2	2	12	0	7	5	2	2	9	7
					(9	11)

WOMEN
5.7.1948 to	7	1*	—		7	1	5	1*	—		5	1	3	8*	—		3	8
30.9.1951					(3	10)
1.10.1951 to	7	5*	—		7	5	5	5*	—		5	5	4	0*	—		4	0
5.10.1952.					(4	0)
6.10.1952 to	8	5*	—		8	5	6	2*	—		6	2	4	5*	—		4	5
5.6.1955.					(4	6)
6.6.1955 to	10	5*	—		10	5	7	2*	—		7	2	5	2*	—		5	2
1.9.1957.					(5	6)
2.9.1957 to	9	9	1	4	11	1	6	6	1	4	7	10	4	6	1	4	5	10
2.2.1958.					(6	0)
3.2.1958 to	12	11	1	4	14	3	8	4	1	4	9	8	5	11	1	4	7	3
6.7.1958.					(7	8)
From 7.7.1958	12	11	1	10	14	9	8	4	1	8	10	0	5	11	1	8	7	7
					(8	0)
* Including a payment towards the Na-tional Health Service (10d. in the case of men and 8d. in the case of women).
†A separate National Health Service con-tribution was established by the National Health Service Contributions Act, 1957.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will arrange for information to be given to a workman having met with an accident and claiming benefit under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries)

The decision and findings of the medical board or medical appeal tribunal assessing disablement resulting from an industrial accident should record any disablement due to idiopathic or other conditions obtaining before the accident. The decision and a summary of the findings is sent to the claimant. If the hon. and learned member has any particular difficulty in mind I should be glad to look into it.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (1) what would be the cost of raising the statutory limit of income allowed to those in receipt of a non-contributory old-age pension at 70 years of age by 10s., 20s. and 30s., respectively;(2) if he will consider raising the statutory income limit which governs the granting of non-contributory old-age pensions at the age of 70, in view of the hardship being felt by such people, who have to live on a very small income.

It is not possible to estimate the cost of any extension of the scheme to cover persons now excluded by means above the statutory limit. The non-contributory old-age pension is in any case an obsolescent provision and is administered by the National Assistance Board which is able to pay Assistance to those who are in need by National Assistance standards whether or not there is title to this pension.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make a statement giving the up-to-date position with regard to the disposal of the 1,250,000 surplus Army boots.

644,000 pairs have been sold out of 807,000 pairs so far declared surplus by the War Office.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will make a statement about the recent loss of secret equipment as a result of an aeroplane crash in Turkey.

The aircraft concerned was on one of a regular series of charter flights for my Department carrying equipment for the guided weapons range in Australia and was flying by a recognised route. There were certain secret items on board, including missiles and associated equipment for testing at Woomera.Mail carried by the aircraft has been recovered, but as salvage of the cargo would not be possible instructions were given for it to be destroyed.I am sure that the House would wish me to take this opportunity of expressing its sympathy to the relatives of the men who were lost in this accident. I would also like to express my high praise for the magnificent efforts of the Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Team and the fine co-operation of the Turkish Air Force and other authorities.

asked the Minister of Supply why employees of the Royal Ordnance Factory, Woolwich may receive only their first two anti-poliomyelitis injections in working hours with pay, and not their third also.

We hope to arrange with the local authority later in the year for the third injections to be given at the factory as were the first two. The issue would not then arise.

asked the Minister of Health what action he is taking to prohibit the use of lead or other harmful substances in the printing of wrappers immediately in contact with sweets.

It is already an offence against Regulation 10 of the Food Hygiene Regulations, 1955, to use for the wrapping of any open food any paper which is liable to contaminate it. I have no evidence to suggest the need for a specific prohibition of particular substances.

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he is aware that doctors in the Washington area, County Durham, with a practice of 12,000 patients, have been able to obtain only 200 doses of anti-poliomyelitis vaccine for the past month; and what action he proposes to take to improve the position;(2) if he is aware that the demand for anti-poliomyelitis vaccine in the County of Durham exceeds the supply; and, in view of the opinion of the medical profession that now is the best time for first injections to be given, if he will have further supplies sent there immediately.

As I have said in reply to recent Questions, I am aware of the steep increase in the demand for vaccination. Very large quantities of vaccine have been issued in recent weeks, and more is being sent to Durham County Council this week. Distribution among the doctors within the county is a matter for the council.

WAITING LISTS AND STAFFED BEDS IN CERTAIN HOSPITAL REGIONS: 1951–1958 (AT 31ST DECEMBER)
Hospital Region		Waiting Lists
			1951	1952	1953	1954	1955	1956	1957	1958
Manchester	…	60,859	61,027	65,088	61,708	55,002	58,035	55,309	56,772
Liverpool	…	18,867	17,584	16,761	13,602	16,001	14,328	14,018	14,337
Leeds	…	23,238	22,210	25,125	24,687	20,266	19,113	19,851	21,656
Sheffield	…	52,426	60,160	63,626	62,154	55,899	50,453	52,696	51,044
N.W.		43,709	44,144	48,252	41,952	42,207	36,813	38,366	38,404
Metropolitan.
Hospital Region		Staffed Beds (see note below)
			1951	1952	1953	1954	1955	1956	1957	1958
Manchester	…	42,547	43,264	44,096	44,464	44,414	44,436	44,531	44,124
Liverpool	…	23,814	23,838	24,452	24,600	24,755	24,735	24,832	25,116
Leeds	…	32,480	33,324	34,214	34,665	34,514	34,375	34,426	34,268
Sheffield	…	34,604	35,230	35,891	35,951	36,029	36,024	36,126	36,323
N.W.		39,415	40,279	41,143	41,579	41,603	42,158	42,082	42,153
Metropolitan

NOTE: 1951 and 1952 figures exclude staffed beds which were temporarily unavailable

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now able to say when the new St. Helen Hospital extension is due to begin; and what is the new estimated cost of this project.

Discussions with the regional hospital board on the details of the accommodation to be provided are

asked the Minister of Health the number of people awaiting admission to hospital in Cardiff, and the number who have been waiting for six months or longer.

The Answer is 3,307 and 1,390 respectively at 31st March last.

asked the Minister of Health the numbers on the waiting list, and the number of staffed beds, as at 31st December in the years 1951 to 1958, in hospitals in the Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, and North-West London Regional Hospital Board's areas.

Following are the figures:continuing, but it is still too early to say when building will begin. The total cost of the project is still estimated at £2 million.

asked the Minister of Health how many regional hospital boards have representatives from mental. hospitals serving upon them; and what is the position in the south-western region.

Members of regional hospital boards are not appointed in a representative capacity, but every board contains members with experience in mental health services; five of the twenty-nine members of the South-Western Regional Hospital Board are members of the management committees of mental or mental deficiency hospitals.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received the revised proposals for the new Manchester Hospital; to what extent these plans were considered by the whole Board of the Manchester Hospital Regional Board; and what reply he has sent to the Board.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No"; the second and third parts of the Question do not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what researches he has undertaken into the effects upon the eyes of children under the age of 15 years of watching television; what information he has thereby obtained; and what conclusions he has reached as to the harmful effects upon children's eyesight or otherwise on their health.

My noble and learned Friend is advised that existing medical knowledge is sufficient to conclude that no harmful effects upon children's eyesight may be expected to follow from watching television nor does he see any reason to apprehend that any harmful effect on health generally results from this pastime.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether all pass laws in Swaziland have now been repealed.

The laws to which I referred in my reply to the hon. Member's Question on 26th March have not yet been repealed, but legislation providing for their repeal has been drafted and has been referred for the agreement of the native authority.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations when the laws in Swaziland on the subject of the relationship between master and servant inherited from the Transvaal Republic, including the Swaziland Master and Servants Law 13 of 1880, will be repealed.

The laws of Swaziland are at present being revised. This process includes the modernisation of laws governing the relationship between employers and employees. Meanwhile the existing Master and Servants Law contains many desirable provisions for the protection of servants, which will have to be retained pending the introduction of the revised law.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the debts of local authorities outstanding on 1st April, 1959, was due to be repaid in one year or less and in five years or less; and whether he will give comparable figures for 1st April, 1954.

This information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the personal allowance of a single person and a married couple, respectively, in 1938, and the amounts expressed in 1959 money values.

The figures are £100 and £180; £283 and £510.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the question of rates of gratuity for civilian clerks employed by the Military Department in Mauritius has yet been finally settled: and on what terms.

These people are employed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. I understand that the matter has not yet been settled but that it is being dealt with urgently.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will order an inquiry into the circumstances of the killing of Africans at Nkata Bay by Bren gun fire, the shooting of a schoolboy at Misuku, and the shooting of a woman by the security forces.

No. The facts are sufficiently established by the inquests for which the law provides.At Nkata Bay the weapons used were a Sten gun from which nine rounds were fired, and rifles from which 18 rounds were fired. As I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Lanarkshire, North (Miss Herbison) on 5th May, there was no Bren gun fire.I have no evidence that any schoolboy was shot at Misuku.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the actual figure of Exchequer advances to the Colonial Development Corporation in the financial year 1958–59.

The Answer is £5,784,334, broken down as follows:(a) short term (1 year) £980,000; (b) medium term (10 years) £1,432,000; and (c) long term (40 years) £3,372,334.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the daily average number of persons sentenced to Borstal training but temporarily detained in prison awaiting vacancies.

In 1958 the daily average number of boys sentenced to Borstal training and temporarily detained in prison was 360 and of girls 9. On 21st April, 1959, there were 290 boys and 10 girls so detained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the daily average number of persons sentenced to detention centres, but temporarily detained in prison awaiting vacancies in detention centres.

Boys sentenced to detention in a detention centre are sent there direct from the court.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the daily average number of young persons sentenced to prison and detained in local or other prisons awaiting vacancies in a young persons' prison.

In 1958 the daily average number of boys eligible for transfer to young prisoners' centres who were awaiting transfer in a local prison was 233. In addition there were 51 boys in local prisons who were ineligible for transfer to young prisoners' centres because of the shortness of their sentence. On 21st April, 1959, the corresponding figures were 186 and 64 respectively. There are no young prisoners' centres for girls because these are too few to make it practicable to run a special centre. In 1958 the average number of girls serving a sentence of imprisonment was 18 and on 21st April, 1959, there were 26.

asked the Paymaster-General what will be the result to the export of British coal of the recent decision of the High Authority of the Coal and Steel Community on the restriction of coal imports; to what extent the United Kingdom representative under the Association Agreement has been present at the discussions; and whether he will make a statement.

The European Coal and Steel Community has not yet come to a conclusion on the restriction of coal imports. Meanwhile we are in consultation with the High Authority as provided for by the Agreement of Association.

asked the Paymaster-General if he will give an estimate of the amount of dollars saved by refining oil at Esso, Fawley, in 1948 and in 1958, respectively.

Without the refinery, products would have to be imported instead of crude oil, and in 1958 the United Kingdom's import bill would have been increased by the equivalent of some £20 million. It is not possible to give an estimate of the dollar content of this figure. In 1948 refining at Fawley was only on a small scale.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will inquire into the lack of public telephone

A—SCHEMES COSTING OVER £100,000
(1) Trunk Roads
Road		Agent Authority		Scheme	Estimated Cost	Progress	[Estimated] starting date	[Estimated] date of completion
					£
A.1†	…	Berwick C.C	…	Scrogend and Houndwood Diversions	108,000	Work in progress	May,1959	End 1960
A.8	…	Renfrew C.C.	…	Improvement at Langbank	133,000	Almost complete	May, 1957	June, 1959
A.9	…	Stirling C.C;	…	Bridge of Allan diversion, including new bridges	276,000	Work in progress	June, 1956	End 1959
A.9	…	Stirling/West Lothian C.C.		Improvement, including new bridge at Linlithgow Bridge	164,000	Work in progress	March, 1958	Autumn, 1959
A.9†	…	Perth and Kinross C.C.		Improvement from Blueton to west of Blackford	136,000	Land being acquired	Summer, 1959	Spring, 1961
A.74	…	DumfriesC.C.		Improvement from Johnstone bridge to Beattock	471,000	Work in progress	March, 1958	Early 1960
A.74	…	Lanark C.C.	…	Improvement, including new bridge at Paddy's Rickle Bridge	125,000	Work in progress	September, 1957	Autumn 1959
A.74	…	Lanark C.C	…	Improvement from Newfield Inn to South of Millbank	712,000	Work in progress	October, 1957	Spring, 1960
A.74	…	Dumfries C.C.		Improvement from Dalmakethar to north of Lockerbie	518,000	Work in progress	July, 1958	Autumn 1960

This matter was carefully considered towards the end of last year as part of a general review of the public telephone facilities in the Isle of Lewis. For the reasons explained in my correspondence with the hon. Member I regret that I cannot justify the provision of a telephone kiosk in the village of Orinsay.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the road programme in Scotland showing progress up to date, together with further schemes authorised since details were given in the OFFICIAL REPORT for 2nd July, 1958.

The information is given in the following statement:

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will state, for each of the traffic areas, the number of prosecutions and convictions, respectively, for infringements of statutory regulations in the Road Traffic Acts re-

NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS TAKEN AND CONVICTIONS SE-CURED RELA TING TO IIIL KEEPING OF RECORDS (GOODS VEHICLES) AND HOURS OF WORK (GOODS VEHICLES AND PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES) DURING THE LICENSING YEARS ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER AND 31ST MARCH RESULTING FROM THE OPERATION OF GOODS AND PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES RESPECTIVELY FOR 1956, 1957 AND 1958
(The numbers of cases in which penalties imposed exceeded e guineas are shown in brackets)
Traffic Ares		Licensing year	Keeping of Records—Goods Vehi-cles			Driver's Hours
						Goods Vechicles			Public Service Vechicles
			Prosecutions	Convictions		Prosecutions	Convictions		Prosecutions	Convicions
Northern	…	1956	234	226	(68)	174	160	(42)	15	15	(—)
		1957	84	83	(4)	35	30	(2)	—	—
		1958	107	107	(4)	75	75	(13)	—	—
Yorkshire	…	1956	2,332	2,320	(288)	1,061	983	(117)	—	—
		1957	753	752	(72)	320	305	(52)	1	1	(—)
		1958	1,775	1,625	(159)	809	674	(177)	—	—
North		1956	653	502	(31)	503	374	(21)	—	—
Western		1957	155	151	(12)	19	14	(5)	—	—
		5958	456	443	(21)	38	15	(2)	—	—
West Midland		1956	492	492	(61)	424	424	(49)	49	49	(14)
		1957	267	267	(39)	156	156	(64)	10	10	(1)
		1958	540	526	(146)	473	473	(135)	—	—
East Midland		1956	306	306	(13)	198	198	(12)	—	—
		1957	114	114	(8)	118	116	(13)	2	2	(1)
		1958	663	638	(29)	309	293	(22)	32	32	(15)
Eastern	…	1956	471	400	(2)	72	450	(12)	2	2	(—)
		1957	177	171	(2)	77	70	(14)	—	—
		1958	854	679	(13)	647	557	(16)	—	—
South Wales		1956	48	29	(4)	23	23	(4)	—	—
		1957	27	19	(4)	—	—		—	—
		1958	98	79	(27)	24	6	(3)	—	—
Western	…	1956	286	286	(16)	310	303	(6)	2	2	(—)
		1957	51	50	(23)	39	39	(11)	4	4	(—)
		1958	642	638	(125)	520	510	(45)	—	—
South Eastern		1956	330	330	(24)	42	42	(9)	—	—
		1957	393	393	(11)	81	81	(9)	—	—
		1958	1,049	1,041	(36)	169	164	(16)	5	5	(1)
Metropolitan		1956	876	682	(39)	496	340	(22)	22	22	(—)
		1957	378	327	(62)	89	72	(11)	—	—
		1958	1,050	1,008	(79)	423	243	(27)	4	4	(4)
Scotland	…	1956	269	269	(16)	39	39	(33)	—	—
		1957	150	144	(19)	61	49	(29)	—	—
		1958	287	287	(33)	72	72	(41)	—	—
TOTALS	…	1956	6,297	5,542	(562)	3,742	3,336	(327)	90	90	(14)
		1957*	2,549	2,471	(256)	995	932	(210)	17	17	(2)
		1958	7,521	7,071	(672)	3,559	3,082	(497)	41	41	(20)
* NOTE: Enforcement activities be-tween December, 1956, and May, 1957, were suspended as examiners were employed on fuel rationing.