asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make an inquiry into the hardship arising from the operation of the statutory provisions for town and country planning in Scotland relating to the compulsory acquisition of small houses at a valuation fixed by the local authority below the purchase price paid by the present owner, or, where improvements have been executed by the present owner, below the improved value, with special reference to cases where the present owner is too poor to contest that valuation or to incur the expense of an expert valuation to rebut the under-value assessed by the local authority; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no reason to think that local authorities seek to negotiate the purchase of houses at prices less than the statutory compensation. The Town and Country Planning Bill recently passed by this House will improve the statutory basis of compensation in certain respects, and while my right hon. Friend will, of course, study any relevant information that may come to his notice, he does not think that the time is ripe for a further review.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that for the owner of a single house hardship may arise if he is put to the expense of valuation and costs in order to prove the real value to him of one house affected by acquisition proposals, and will he, therefore, to minimise the costs, particularise the procedure such a person would have to adopt?

I sympathise with the hon. and learned Member in his Question, and my right hon. Friend will do all he can to ensure that the local authorities tell these people exactly what their rights and obligations are under the Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what moneys have been granted towards roads since 1950 in the seven crofter counties, respectively.

I shall, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT information covering the period for 1st April, 1951, to the latest convenient date. The relevant information for the period before 1st April, 1951, is not readily available.

Could the Joint Under-Secretary of State say whether the figures for Ross and Cromarty are very much less than those for Inverness and Argyll, for instance? Does he appreciate that Ross-shire County Council is very worried about the large programme it wishes to carry out, since the moneys are totally inadequate for the programme it has in mind?

The figures are complicated and I do not think I could give an answer now which would give my hon. Friend any useful information. It would be better if he looked at the figures himself first.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints he has received concerning the inadequacy of facilities at the Dunfermline Maternity Hospital; and what steps he intends to take to improve the situation.

One, Sir. The regional hospital board is presently reviewing the maternity services in Fife in the light of the recommendations of the Committee on Maternity Services in Scotland.

Is the Joint Undersecretary of State aware that the conditions in this hospital are really quite shocking and that people of all political persuasions in the area feel that the only remedy is to extend the facilities available? Would he give some indication whether provision for such extension will be made in the 1959–60 financial programme?

On the first part of the supplementary question, I agree with the hon. Member to some extent. The regional hospital board is proposing to improve the toilet facilities and organisation generally, and it would like to consider if greater use could be made of the domiciliary services. The question of the extension of maternity services is one for the board to decide. In Scotland we must concentrate on areas like Glasgow where facilities are below average.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what long-term hospital building projects in Ayrshire are being considered by the Western Regional Hospital Board.

Following a review of the whole hospital service in Ayrshire, the regional board is now working out proposals for the major developments it considers necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much horseflesh is sold for human consumption in Scotland; and in what areas this is permissible.

It is permissible to sell horseflesh in any area in Scotland if it has been passed as fit for human consumption. No statistics are available but so far as I can ascertain no one in Scotland eats horseflesh now.

Is the Joint Undersecretary aware that the consumer does not know whether it is horseflesh or animal flesh? Is it not an astonishing reply when we consider that Scotland has the best herds and the best beef and is now reduced to eating horseflesh? Should it not be ticketed as such—"Horseflesh"?

I hope that the hon. Lady will give me, perhaps in a letter, chapter and verse, because it is an offence to supply horseflesh for human consumption to a purchaser who has not asked to be supplied with it or has asked to be supplied with some compound article of food not ordinarily made of horseflesh.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that there has been a considerable reduction in the number of houses completed in Scotland during this year; and what action he proposes to take in this matter.

In the first four months of this year, 9,666 houses were completed in Scotland, compared with 11,573 in the same period last year. As local authorities are free to build the houses required in their districts, no special action is called for.

Is not that an astonishing reply? There has been a reduction of completed houses this year already of over 2,000 and at the same time we are looking for more employment, and building trade workers are on the dole. Is not this due to the Government's practice of withdrawing the subsidy and increasing interest rates?

It is not at all due to that. Many of the smaller local authorities have stopped building because there is no longer an urgent need—[HON. MEMBERS: "Nonsense."]—as we are all glad to see. Local authorities in industrial areas are tending to concentrate more on redevelopment and new, virgin sites are becoming less easy to find. This figure of 9,666 compares very favourably with the best similar four months under the Labour Government when the figure was not 9,666 but 8,642.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent he consulted the National Federation of Property Owners at his meeting with them at Pitlochry on 21st May on the question of rents.

My right hon. Friend, who attended the annual dinner of the Federation on 21st May as a guest, has asked me to tell the hon. Gentleman that he did not consult the Federation on the question of rents.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us why he used this occasion to call municipal tenants the privileged class?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Gentleman by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 2nd June.

Although it is said that the Joint Under-Secretary did not consult the Federation on rents, will he be consulting them in future, since he went out of his way to talk to people, not concerned with council houses at all, about this subject?

I should like the hon. Member to put a Question on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on the future of the shipping services to the North Isles of Orkney.

The Government are in communication with the companies concerned and discussions are proceeding.

Will the hon. Gentleman hasten the matter on? It is causing great anxiety in the North Isles of Orkney and has been going on for a very long time.

My right hon. Friend is well aware of the importance of this matter and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we are getting on with it as quickly as we can.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent it is proposed that fly-over roads should take the place of roundabouts in his plans for Scottish road construction over the next five years.

Fly-overs are being planned on the approaches to the Forth Bridge and at a number of junctions on the Glasgow—Stirling and Glasgow—Carlisle roads.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he will bear in mind that fly-overs are much safer than roundabouts and, therefore, as a long-term policy they are obviously a good thing to aim at?

I will certainly bear that in mind. Fly-overs will be constructed where they are justified, but they are more expensive and one has to have regard to the economic position as well as the physical conditions and the traffic I hat requires to use them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what facilities exist within the National Health Service for the treatment of migraine.

The full range of facilities offered by the general practitioner and hospital specialist services is available to sufferers from migraine.

That, of course, does not meet the point contained in the Question. Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that the facilities that are offered within the National Health Service are in keeping with the widespread nature of this functional disease? Is there anything in Scotland to compare with some of the specialist clinics which operate in England to deal with this disease?

I have no evidence to suggest that the facilities available are unsuitable, and the method of clinical treatment is a matter for the individual doctor to decide.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to a com plaint by the Scottish Tourist Board that financial considerations are preventing the Board from expanding the scope of its work: and if he will now announce the steps he proposes to take to enable the Board adequately to implement the Government's policy of encouraging the tourist industry.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is aware that the Scottish Tourist Board requires all the financial support which it can obtain, and he hopes that its appeal for funds will be supported by all those who are interested in the development of the tourist industry in Scotland. The scale of the overseas activities of the Board which are paid for out of the Government grant to the British Travel and Holidays Association has been considerably increased this year.

Is my hon. Friend aware that while the recent complaint by the Board about lack of funds was occasioned by disappointment at the fact that it might not receive from local authorities all that it had hoped for, the fact is that we have to maintain this Board adequately financed, otherwise it cannot get on with its job?

Yes, Sir. As my Answer indicated, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is doing everything he can, and my noble Friend the Minister of State drew attention to this matter in his address at the annual meeting of the Tourist Association of Scotland on 24th April. I hope very much that local authorities will note what he said. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is also having discussions on the subject of special assistance for tourism in the Highlands.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the mass X-raying of schoolchildren has been stopped; how much notice of this change of policy was given to local education authorities; and what alternative means are being provided for early diagnosis of tuberculosis.

The Interim Report on Radiological Hazards to Patients by the Committee appointed by my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland recommended that children should not be X-rayed by miniature film. This Report was sent to all local health authorities on 5th May, who were advised that hospital authorities had been requested to implement the recommendations. Where an X-ray of the chest of a child is considered necessary a large film should be used.

I am sure that everyone on this side of the House will agree that children ought not to be subject to this kind of radiation hazard. Can the hon. Gentleman indicate whether the new suggestion will prevent children from having the X-rays that they would normally have had under the original scheme?

Yes, Sir. All schoolchildren in the 13–14 age bracket are offered a tuberculin test, and 75 per cent. accept the offer. Not all schoolchildren, of course, accept the offer of miniature mass radiography and it is up to us to try to get more to accept this offer. Of the 75 per cent. who accept, three-quarters are found to be tuberculin negative and receive B.C.G. vaccination. The other quarter are T.B. positive. The hon. Member will be glad to note that the number is falling each year and for those it is up to the local authorities to arrange large films, either on a mass basis or at a clinic or hospital as appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many further smoke control areas in Scotland have now been confirmed; and where they are situated.

Three Smoke Control Area Orders under the Clean Air Act, 1956, have been confirmed for areas in Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow. Preliminary proposals for four more smoke control areas have been approved in principle, and other proposals are known to be under consideration by local authorities.

Since there is only one scheme actually in operation and the reply to this Question is not entirely satisfactory, can the hon. Gentleman take the initiative in stimulating other local authorities into taking action to bring about the beneficial effects of smoke control?

I agree with the hon. Member. After consultation with the Clean Air Council for Scotland, I am about to write to local authorities in the central belt of Scotland urging them to make more use of their power.

Will my hon. Friend make special efforts to ensure that areas which will accept new industries from Glasgow, and Glasgow overspill, have smoke control areas approved before those new industries are brought in so that we may thus prevent new pollution of the atmosphere?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. That is a point on which I have already taken some action.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his negotiations with the National Coal Board concerning the Bearsden-Summerston development are now completed.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is in consultation with my noble Friend the Minister of Power about the National Coal Board's proposal to develop a new colliery at Bearsden, and he hopes that it will be possible to intimate a decision at an early date.

But this consultation has gone on for four years now, and the Glasgow local authority simply cannot proceed with the planning and development of this area as a whole until a decision is reached. Four years is a reasonable period to allow. Cannot the Scottish Office take some action to expedite this matter?

There are two points. I agree that it has taken a long time to reach a decision but complicated considerations have been raised. As regards holding up development, the hon. Gentleman will know, and the Glasgow Corporation knows, that it would be necessary for the Corporation to amend its development plan and we should then have to consider any objections that might be raised to its proposals.

Surely the hon. Gentleman is aware that to deny a city like Glasgow the opportunity of a housing development for a period of over four-and-a-half years is a shocking scandal? Will he now take steps to ensure that a definite decision is reached very soon?

I cannot agree with the hon. Gentleman that it is a shocking scandal to consider the Bearsden-Summerston scheme.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation about the appointment of Scottish representatives to the Inland Waterways Redevelopment Board.

After consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation has appointed two Scottish members to the Inland Waterways Redevelopment Advisory Committee, namely, Mr. Peter Meldrum, formerly Treasurer of Glasgow Corporation, and Dr. Thomas Shedden, an Edinburgh industrialist.

While that explains the delay which in some measure has taken place over this matter since the original Committee was appointed, can the Joint Under-Secretary now go a little further and tell us why, since none of the canals in Scotland is linked in any way with those south of the Border, there was not a separate development board for Scotland?

That seems to me to be an entirely separate question. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put it down.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he has now received from the trustees of the National Gallery in Scotland their proposals for the type of picture which should be shown in the new gallery of modern art at Inverleith House.

The trustees are not required to submit their proposals to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, but I understand they are considering the possible scope of the collection on the lines I indicated on 10th February.

Will the hon. Gentleman be more specific about the lines he indicated, because he indicated that the trustees were meeting, and that after they had met he would be able to indicate more? Can he say that it is now agreed that this gallery shall be filled simply with modern pictures by living artists?

No, Sir, I am not in a position to say that yet. In point of fact, it is today the trustees are meeting, and not last Thursday.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total Government subsidy paid on local authority houses built in Scotland during the years from 1951 to 1958, inclusive.

The total subsidy paid between 1951 and 1958 in respect of houses completed during that period was approximately £32 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total amount paid to Scottish agriculture in grants and subsidies from October, 1951, to the nearest convenient date.

The grants and subsidies paid to Scottish agriculture for the financial years 1951–52 to 1958–59 inclusive totalled approximately £200 million. The food subsidies borne by the Ministry of Food prior to 1954–55 have been excluded.

In view of the very striking differences between the two sets of figures given in reply to this Question and Question No. 17, will the hon. Gentleman take into account the great fuss that has been made about housing subsidies, and the fact that we never hear anything about agricultural subsidies? Will he make it plain to the people that the greatest national assistance has been given to the farmers and not to the ordinary tenants of local authority houses?

The hon. Gentleman, as he knows perfectly well, is making an entirely false comparison. He also knows that housing subsidies depend on the number of houses completed, whereas there is no such factor concerned with agricultural subsidies, not even the number of houses completed.

Is it not the case that there are payments of up to 50 per cent. for the building of pig sties and cowsheds? Is this a misrepresentation of the facts?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made by the Films of Scotland Committee, appointed by him in 1955 to promote, stimulate and encourage the production and circulation of Scottish films of national interest.

Since the Films of Scotland Committee was appointed in 1955 by the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's predecessor, they have sponsored the making of 16 films about Scottish subjects and 10 more are either in production or under consideration. Most of the completed films have already received widespread distribution throughout the world.

Would not my hon. Friend agree that this is a highly commendable operation and that this body is doing work which may at least become of enormous importance to Scotland and our work overseas? Is he quite satisfied that everything possible is being done to support this enterprise?

I should like to take this opportunity of congratulating the Committee on its work, and I agree with what my hon. Friend has said on the subject. The Committee receives help from the Central Office of Information, which has been a joint sponsor of some of the Committee's films and has purchased the overseas distribution rights of others, so that assistance is being given in that way.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the policy of Her Majesty's Government with a view to safeguarding the British hollow-ware trade from unfair competition in its overseas markets.

I am not clear as to the particular forms of competition the right hon. and learned Gentleman has in mind. Nor does he specify the markets to which he is referring, and conditions, of course, vary. If, however, he has evidence that dumping or subsidisation is taking place and is causing material injury to the United Kingdom industry, we would be prepared to consider whether Her Majesty's Government could usefully or practicably intervene.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken to bring to the notice of industrialists the availability of subsidised housing that is now empty, and suitable industrial sites, at Douglas, Lanarkshire.

As my hon. Friend was told on 7th May, we will be able to talk to industrialists as soon as the Development Plan for the industrial sites in Douglas has been approved.

Can my hon. Friend say whether it is possible to hurry up the Lanark County Council in deciding about these sites? Is he aware that when recently I wrote round to all the branch offices of the F.B.I. and also to the chambers of commerce, none of them had heard about Douglas, and therefore there is great urgency in pressing on with this matter?

We recognise that there is urgency in this matter, but it is one for the county council and not for my Ministry.

Has not the Board of Trade made it clear that the Government will not build factories in this area, which is in South Lanarkshire, but only in North Lanarkshire which is some distance from Douglas?

What I have said in reply to a previous question is that if any firm applies for assistance under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1958, and can show that it would attract labour from a D.A.T.A.C. area adjacent, we would consider that matter.

Is my hon. Friend aware that we are very grateful for the attention he is giving to the matter?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has seen the advertisement for Eleven Plus Re-Vitalising Tonic for Young People; and what action he is taking to control such advertising, which is of concern to the teaching profession.

I have seen certain advertisements of this product. As they appear to contain no false or misleading information, I do not propose to take any action.

Is the Minister aware that that Answer is not good enough? Does he know that the teaching profession is very much concerned about the advertising of such products, which can cause harmful effects to children who are already subject to a considerable amount of tension at examination time, and will he look further at this to see whether any code of conduct can be established?

We have consulted the Ministry of Health and are advised that this preparation may be loosely described as an iron-vitamin tonic and does not contain any tranquilising, sedative or stimulant ingredient or drugs. I would say in reply to my hon. Friend that where a child is ill, parents would be well advised to go to their normal medical practitioner and not to rely on this preparation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if flowers are now being imported from Commonwealth countries such as Malta and the Channel Islands; and to what extent they are exempted from the provisions of Import Duties (General) (No. 2) Order, 1959.

Yes Sir. Supplies of flowers from the Channel Islands and from Malta and other parts of the Commonwealth are duty-free.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the increase in duty from 25s. to £4 10s. on certain types of imported pottery authorised by Import Duties (General) (No. 5) Order involves a change in the free entry of such pottery from Commonwealth sources.

None, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate has been made of the effect of the recently concluded trade agreement with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on Scottish industry.

The increased trade with the Soviet Union which is expected to develop over the next five years will be of benefit, directly and indirectly, to United Kingdom industry as a whole. It is not possible to make a separate estimate of its effect on Scottish industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the outcome of the discussions of the Paris Co-ordinating Committee about its restriction on the export of cable to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics by British firms.

The cable in question falls within the strategic embargo. The situation arising from Soviet inquiries for it is still under consideration in Paris.

Is the Minister aware that these orders are for ordinary telephone-type cable, that we are losing the chance of big orders and that the French Government are not objecting to their manufacturers going ahead? Will he give the House one good reason why we should lose these orders?

I am told that these are inquiries and that no shipment has taken place to date.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether ordinary telephone cable is on the banned list, and, if so, why it should be?

I should like notice of the question about the actual specification, but long-distance communications cable can have important military uses.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what action he is taking to ensure in the Gartcosh-Chryston area, that there will be factories there to induce industrialists to set up business when the steel strip mill at Gartcosh begins production;

I have made it known as widely as possible that in all suitable cases factories will be provided and applications for grants or loans considered for firms who will set up or expand in North Lanarkshire. The Department will continue by all possible means to seek out and encourage firms to go to this area.

Since these are two completely separate areas, I should like to ask two supplementary questions.

I am aware of the gravity of the situation and we are doing our best to encourage firms to go to both areas. With regard to the Gartcosh area, it will be some time before the strip mill will be started, and we have two or three years in which to attract subsidiary industries to the area.

Is the hon. Gentleman suggesting that the unemployed will be unemployed for two or three years before action is taken? That is the purport of what he said.

On the contrary, we are taking action all the time in our efforts to encourage firms to go to the area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the proposed extension of Cummins Diesel Engine Factory will commence.

The company is revising its plans for the layout of this extension. Until we have these, the starting date for building cannot be estimated.

Can the Minister tell me whether delay is being caused by the district valuer over the purchase of the land which is required for the extension? Does the hon. Gentleman realise that here is an opportunity to provide work very quickly for the men for whom the National Coal Board in its latest closure can find no work at all? Is he aware that this is a most distressed area at the present moment, and that it is feeling completely without hope?

Negotiations by the district valuer for land purchase are proceeding at this moment, and as far as I know there is no hold-up because of that. I understand that three weeks ago the firm changed its mind about the plant layout and the location of the extension in relation to the existing factory. In consequence, much of the preliminary work done is now abortive. I understand that a representative of the firm is in America at the moment with the revised plans to discuss them with the parent company.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what negotiations are taking place over the proposed Little Free Trade Group; and if he will make a statement.

United Kingdom officials are taking part in discussions in Stockholm on the possibility of establishing free market arrangements among seven countries. Her Majesty's Government believe that if such an association could be created it would not only be valuable in itself but would also make possible a new approach to a multilateral association that would embrace all member countries of O.E.E.C.

May I say that we are all glad to see the Chancellor of the Exchequer on dry land, and may I ask the Paymaster-General whether we may take it from the Answer that this is only a preliminary to some attempt by the Government to get back into the Community of Europe from which up to now they seem to have been excluded, and that this does not mean a further split in Europe, not only between the Common Market countries and the Free Trade Area countries but, now that some countries are being left out of the new Free Trade Area, between the Common Market and Free Trade Area countries and this smaller group?

I would not agree that we have been excluded from the Community of Europe. Far from it. However, Her Majesty's Government believe that this development, should it be possible, would provide the best possible foundation of further negotiations that would embrace all European countries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to maintain and publish up-to-date figures of the debts of local authorities, showing what proportion of them mature within seven days, six months, one year and five years, respectively.

A survey was recently made by the Treasury of the composition and term of local authority loan debt in the early part of the years 1955 and 1958. I am considering the repetition of this survey, perhaps on a regular basis, and the form in which the results might be published.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct the department of Inland Revenue to allow as a business expense, deductible from gross income before arriving at net taxable income, the cost to a blind person who is in full-time employment of keeping a guide dog.

I am afraid such an allowance is precluded by the general rule that the cost of getting to and from work is not an allowable expense for tax purposes.

Will not the Chancellor agree that this is rather stretching the interpretation of the rule? Would not a comparison be two people walking to work, one blind and one not? The cost of their shoe leather is not an expense which could be allowed. In the case of a blind man who has to take a dog, this is an extra expense. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Government accept some financial responsibility for people who are handicapped, such as a blind man, and if such a man takes steps to avoid cost falling on the Exchequer by having a guide dog, why cannot the cost of that dog be allowed as an expense?

The hon. Gentleman will, I am sure, know that if I could possibly stretch the rule far enough to cover his suggestion I should wish to do so, but the rule is, unfortunately, perfectly definite, that costs which are—[Hon. Members: "Make another rule."]—the rule is perfectly definite, that costs involved in getting to work are not allowable. If the cost were involved in the performance of the work, the position would, of course, be different.

Instead of the Chancellor being so bureaucratic about this rule, which the whole House knows to be widely abused in much less reputable cases, would not the right hon. Gentleman take the initiative in proposing that an allowance of this kind be made by legislation in the current Finance Bill and relate it not as a business expense but as a personal allowance? Will he take our word for it that we—I am sure the Liberal Party will support this—will give every facility to such an Amendment proposed by the Chancellor?

I am afraid that I could not give an assurance that I would propose what would amount to a very major alteration to the rules. As I say, if I could have covered this case without involving other changes, I should have been ready to do so. I cannot possibly accept the implications of what the right hon. Gentleman said.

It is clear that the Chancellor has not understood what I proposed to him. It is a question not necessarily of the rules for business expenses. He could perfectly well introduce an Amendment to the Finance Bill providing for a personal allowance under the Income Tax law relating to guide dogs for blind persons. If he were to do that, will he tell us what precedents would be established and what wider implications such an Amendment would have?

I am sorry if I misunderstood the right hon. Gentleman. I now see what he is suggesting. I am, however, very doubtful whether a remission of tax is the best way of meeting the difficulty. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, the higher the rate of tax that the individual happens to pay, the greater is the contribution.

Is not the rule to which the Chancellor refers with regret one which has already been very much criticised by Her Majesty's judges in other cases?

It is a very important rule which at present is the basis of a good deal of our assessments of tax, and I could not possibly give an assurance to alter it.

If the law disallows this but allows political advertisements, must there not be something wrong with the law?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress is being made with the History of Parliament; and whether he will make a statement on the future of the Trust.

Work is going forward steadily on five sections of the History out of a total of fifteen, and I have recently agreed, in response to representations from the Trustees, to provide an additional £20,000 in order to enable a sixth section to be undertaken. The project as a whole is, of course, a very long-term one; but the arrangements which I have approved should suffice to enable the Trustees to plan the programme of work on a systematic and economical basis for several years ahead, after which the question can be considered afresh.

Can the Chancellor say when the first volumes will be published, so that we may see what they are to be like?

Not without notice, but I will look into that, and if I find that I can give a date, I will write to the hon. Gentleman, or, if he prefers to put down a Question, then I will give him the information he wants. This operation is taking a great deal longer than was thought likely when the scheme was started in 1951.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the official estimate that there will be about 12½ million road vehicles registered in this country by 1969, he will give an estimate of what will be the revenue from motor fuel tax, licence duties and purchase tax for each year until 1969, on the assumption that no reductions are made in the said taxes.

The revenue from these duties is affected by a variety of factors and it would not be realistic to make estimates for them for ten years ahead.

Since it has been possible to estimate the number of vehicles likely to be on the roads in 1969, surely it is possible to make some estimate of the amount of revenue which will be derived from motor vehicle and fuel taxation? Is it not the fact that, however rough an estimate is made, there will be seen to be a very great increase in revenue from this source? Does not the Chancellor of the Exchequer consider that the maximum of £60 million which is now being spent on the roads is quite pitifully small in comparison with the £800 million of tax which will come from this source?

Factors other than the number of vehicles are involved—the type of vehicle, fuel consumption, average mileage and whether the additional vehicles on the road are new or second-hand. It would be possible to make an estimate, but I do not think that it would be possible to make one which would be sufficiently accurate to be of value. I estimate that over the years ahead there is likely to be a substantial yield from fuel duties at present rates. However, as the hon. Member knows, expenditure on the roads this year is a substantial increase over the expenditure of previous years. At this stage, I would not care to estimate future levels of expenditure.

Since figures anything like these will obviously put a very great strain not only on cross-country roads but on streets in big towns and cities, and since the Government's relaxation of import restrictions for motor cars means that we must expect to see many more of these American monstrosities or our roads, would not the Chancellor agree that there is now a very strong case for relating the tax on automobiles to the floor area occupied by the car in question?

I will take note of what the right hon. Gentleman has suggested. I think that that is rather a new one. I should be glad if the right hon. Gentleman would describe more fully exactly what he means by the floor area occupied by the car.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I rather carelessly expressed myself? Is not it obvious that the important factor is the amount of road space taken by a car, not only on the open road, but more particularly in parking areas in big towns and cities? Will he therefore consider relating the tax to the actual road space occupied by vehicles, so that the bigger vehicles will pay a heavier rate of tax than the present uniform tax and smaller vehicles a lower rate of tax?

I will take note of that suggestion.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many information officers have been engaged since the beginning of 1959 by Government Departments, the Civil Service Commissioners, and the Central Office of Information; and how many of them have had journalistic experience.

Thirty-seven information class officers have been recruited through the Civil Service Commission to established posts, 29 of whom were already serving in a temporary capacity. Twenty-six of those certificated had journalistic experience. In addition, the Central Office of Information has engaged 24 information class officers in a temporary capacity of whom 8 have had journalistic experience. The figures for other Government Departments are 8 and 5 respectively.

I thank my hon. and learned Friend for that Answer. Is he aware that, according to my information, there is no information officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who has journalistic experience, even as a Press officer? Does he not think that that is wrong, and will he look into it?

Not all information class posts require journalistic experience, but I am told that all posts which do so require journalistic experience have been filled by ex-journalists.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will consult the Kensington Borough Council to see what special steps should be taken to deal with the housing and social needs of North Kensington.

If the council needs further help from me on these matters I am sure it will let me know, and I shall be ready to give what assistance I ca n.

Does that mean that the Minister is not interested in trying to find a solution to the problems of this area, since he is apparently not prepared to use his own initiative?

It does not mean that, and the hon. Member knows that it does not, because I am visiting his constituency tomorrow. Kensington is an excellent housing authority which is embarking on the clearance of no less than twenty-two acres of slums, which is a big task for a Metropolitan borough. If it wants my help, it will ask for it.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many public buildings, including swimming baths, libraries and social centres, have been erected by the Kensington Borough Council since 1900 with the aid of loans approved by the central Government.

The records for the earlier years are incomplete but to the best of my knowledge eleven loan sanctions relating to public buildings have been given to the council by the central Government totalling some £680,000. I cannot say how many buildings have been erected therewith.

Is the Minister aware that not a single public building of the kind I have enumerated in the Question has been built by the Kensington Council since the Victorian era? Will he be good enough to try to get the council to wake up and to realise that this is the Elizabethan age and that it is time that the council did something?

The borough council is responsible to its own electors and I know that it discharges that responsibility very well.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action he is taking to deal with overcrowding in the Metropolis.

The population of Greater London fell by 126,000 between 1951 and 1958. The net increase in the number of houses and flats in Greater London in the same period was 204,000. Serious overcrowding of individual houses still exists in some parts of the area, which the housing authorities are tackling in the course of slum clearance and their rehousing operations generally.

Does the Minister think that a completely satisfactory reply, in view of the serious state of overcrowding in some parts of the Metropolis? May I ask him whether he will recall that eighteen months ago his Parliamentary Secretary agreed, while speaking in the House, that there was a serious over crowding problem, and that his Parliamentary Secretary at that time agreed that it was beyond the powers of local authorities to enforce overcrowding provisions? Will he also recall that the Parliamentary Secretary promised that the right hon. Gentleman would give this matter special consideration? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider especially—

Hon. Members should not make speeches at Question Time.

I shall never be satisfied about housing conditions and I have told the hon. Member today that serious overcrowding does exist in some parts of London. Fortunately, the local authorities are tackling their job with a will. The position is vastly better than it was eight years ago, but there is still a very long way to go.