asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what financial assistance under the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act has been and will be made available to alleviate unemployment in North-East Scotland.

So far financial assistance to a total of £53,220 has been offered by the Treasury to four undertakings in North-East Scotland under this Act. Thirteen firm and eligible applications are still receiving consideration by the Development Areas Treasury Advisory Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is satisfied that the increase from £500 million to nearly £700 million in the national hire-purchase debt since the restrictions were removed last autumn does not contain the seeds of another inflationary movement; what action he proposes to take to deal with it; and if he will make a statement.

The removal of restriction on hire purchase has given a useful stimulus to the economy. I expect its effect on expenditure to diminish as time goes on. We are not suffering at present from conditions of excessive demand, but the level of hire-purchase expenditure is kept under continuous review along with other factors in the balance of national resources and expenditure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct the United Kingdom representative on the World Bank to urge that no loan should be granted to Egypt to widen the Suez Canal while she is defaulting upon her undertaking to allow the passage of ships of all nations.

This matter is still under consideration by the staff of the Bank, and no proposal for a loan has yet been presented to the Executive Board. In the event of such a proposal being made, the attitude of Her Majesty's Government will be settled in the light of all the relevant factors prevailing at the time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fee was paid to the Exchequer in respect of the reproduction of the portrait of Doña Isabel Cobos de Porcel by Francisco José de Goya, the property of the nation, as part of an advertisement for sherry, published in The Times newspaper of 9th June; by whom the fee was paid; and why no official request was made for an acknowledgment to be published of the ownership of this famous picture.

For the particular insertion of the advertisement in The Times on the date referred to, a fee of two guineas was charged to the agents to the advertisers. Policy on these reproductions is a matter for the Trustees of the National Gallery, who, I understand, have decided that when a picture from the Gallery is reproduced for advertising purposes, no reference to the permission of the Trustees or Gallery should be included.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what official proposals have been received for the admission of Portugal into the new European Common Market of seven countries, including the United Kingdom; what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding such proposals, in view of the adverse effect of the subsidised Portuguese export trade in fibre products upon the hard fibre cordage trade of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Portuguese officials have taken part in the Stockholm discussions but since none of the seven Governments concerned has yet entered into any commitment it is too soon to say which countries will be members of the proposed free trade association if it is set up. If there is to be such an organisation, it is likely that it will have rules about the use of export subsidies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the altar piece, Adoration of the Magi, by Rubens, is to be offered for sale by auction in the near future; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that this important work of art comes into the possession of the nation.

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to my reply to the hon. Gentlemen, the Members for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stross), and St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson), on 16th June.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that Mr. Jack Cronwell, of Oldham, is in jeopardy of imprisonment for the Income Tax liability of £4 9s. 3d., that he has been unemployed for eight months, and that he has over £50 of post-war credits outstanding but has been refused repayment because his wife has since commenced work, if he will now take the necessary administrative steps to enable this man to repay his Income Tax debt by the release of the post-war credits owing to him.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the case of Mr. Jack Cromwell, who owes £4 9s. 3d. tax. My hon. and learned friend, the Financial Secretary, has written to the hon. Member reply to his letter about this case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which women's voluntary organisations receive annual grants from Government Departments; in which year the grants were first made; and what are the amounts of the present grants.

The Women's Voluntary Services receive assistance from various Government Departments, not as a rule by annual grant but by way of meeting certain expenses of the organisation. Exchequer assistance was first given to this body in 1938–39. The provision in the current year's Estimates is as follows:

	£
Salaries	187,410
Travelling and Incidental Expenditure	95,950
Telegrams and Telephones	34,800
Vehicles	26,100
Uniforms	39,500
Works Services	228,500
Post Office Services	14,500
Stationery Office Services	8,500
Clothing Stores	18,790
Army Votes	20,820
	£674,870

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many building societies in the Leek Parliamentary Division have applied for trustee status.

It would not be in the public interest to give this information.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the announcement by the Government of Canada that it would welcome a relaxation of currency restrictions imposed by the British Government on Britons visiting Canada in order to encourage reciprocity in tourism between Great Britain and Canada; and if he will now indicate what steps he plans to remove these disparities and restrictions.

I am not aware of any recent request by the Canadian Government for an increase in the United Kingdom tourist allowance, and have no further statement to make at present. The Government's policy remains to relax currency and trade restrictions whenever economic circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will set out in tabular form for the years 1938, 1948, and 1958, respectively, the expenditure on National Assistance, unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, war pensions, total social security payments, housing subsidies, national health services, public capital outlay on health, hospitals, education, housing, railways, roads, and all war purposes, respectively, each expressed as a percentage of the gross national product at market prices for the year concerned.

The table below gives the figures for 1938 (so far as they are available), 1948 and 1957. Figures for 1958 are not yet available in the full detail requested, and for these I would ask the hon. Member to await the publication of the National Income Blue Book later this year.

EXPENDITURE ON CERTAIN SERVICES BY PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AS PERCENTAGES OF THE GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT AT MARKET PRICES
Per cent.
—	1938	1948	1957
Current expenditure and grants
National Insurance benefits, pensions and assistance, of which:	5·2	5·4	5·5
Assistance grants (including outdoor relief)	1·0	0·4	0·6
Unemployment benefit	1·0	0·2	0·1
Sickness benefit	0·4	0·4	0·5
War pensions and service grants	0·7	0·7	0·4
Housing subsidies	0·4	0·6	0·5
Health services	n.a.	2·2	3·2
Capital expenditure
Health services (including hospitals)	0·1	0·1	0·1
Education and child care	0·3	0·2	0·6
Housing*	1·0	2·6	1·6
Railways†	n.a.	0·4	0·6
Roads and public lighting	0·3	0·1	0·2
Military and civil defence	n.a.	0·1	0·4
* Including expenditure by New Town Corporations and Housing Associations.
† Expenditure by British Transport Commission.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications have been received in the area of the County Borough of Oldham for repayment of post-war credits on grounds of hardship; and how many have been granted, and how many refused, up to the most convenient date.

I regret that separate statistics are not available of applications for and repayments of post-war credits on hardship grounds.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will make a statement indicating the progress made in dealing with the pollution of the River Thames; and to what extent he expects that the Erith district will be spared this summer the stench nuisance of previous years.

Improvements costing over £20 million are being carried out by the London County Council. Those at the Northern Outfall works should be completed in 1960 and those at the Southern Outfall works by 1963. Elsewhere along the tidal river, works costing several million pounds are in progress or have recently been finished, and further works are in view. On the best forecast that can be made at present, there should be a substantial improvement in the river next year, and my right hon. Friend hopes that after 1962 there will be no more trouble from smells, unless perhaps during conditions of exceptional drought.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps are being taken to abate the nuisance caused by sulphurous fumes at the Midland Rexco Limited, works, situated at Mansfield Colliery.

The Alkali Inspectorate has this problem under review, but I am sorry to say that so far the technical difficulties of reducing the emissions have not been overcome.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why he has refused permission for offices and a workshop to be built in Oswaldtwistle.

The proposal did not accord with the provisions of the approved development plan and would have brought industry into a part of Oswaldtwistle which is planned to be primarily residential.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what percentage of the population in the rural areas of England now have piped water; and what percentage of the people living in the Leek and Cheadle areas of Staffordshire now have piped water.

About 90 per cent, of the population in the rural areas of England now have piped water; in the rural districts of Leek and Cheadle the percentages are 67 and 96 respectively.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs the number

YEARLY AVERAGE CONCENTRATIONS OF SMOKE AND SULPHUR DIOXIDE AS DETERMINED BY DAILY MEASUREMENT
City or town	Smoke (a)						Sulphur dioxide (a)
	Year ended 31st March						Year ended 31st March
	1938		1948		1958		1938		1948		1958
All daily measuring instruments in Great Britain (b)	42	(15)	27	(20)	20	(211)	10	(10)	8	(15)	7	(163)
Stoke-on-Trent	70		49		—		—		—		—
Manchester	—		26	(c)	27		—		16	(c)	11
Salford	—		—		49		6		16		14
Warrington	—		—		19		—		—		11
Stockport	—		—		—		—		—		—
Burnley	—		35		16		—		6		7
Bolton (d)	—		—		32		—		—		11
St. Helens (d)	—		—		—		—		—		11
Ramsbottom (d)	—		—		31		—		—		10
Bournemouth	—		—		—		—		—		—
Harrogate	—		—		10		—		—		—
Torquay	—		—		—		—		—		—
NOTES:
(a) The units of smoke concentration are milligrammes per 100 cubic metres; the units of sulphur dioxide concentration are parts per 100 million.
(b) Figures in brackets are the number of measuring instruments on which the averages are based. The averages for each city or town, where available, are based on one instrument.
(c) These figures refer to the year ended 31st March, 1949, because in the year ended 31st March, 1948, observations were made for three months only.
(d) These towns are included because for smoke or sulphur dioxide their daily measurements are among the three highest daily measurements taken in Lancashire.

There are no households without piped water supplies in Leek Urban District. In Leek Rural District there are about 2,000, and in Cheadle Rural District about 400.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will set out in tabular form the average daily figures of smoke and the average daily figures of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere of the United Kingdom for the years 1938, 1948, and 1958, for the whole country and for Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, Salford, Warrington, Stockport, Burnley, the three highest in Lancashire, Bournemouth, Harrogate and Torquay.

The information available is given in the following table. The absence of an entry denotes that daily figures are not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs the total of grants made under the 1955 Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Acts to the rural authorities of Leek and Cheadle to date.

The total capital value of the grants so far promised to the Cheadle Rural District Council under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Acts, 1944 to 1955, is £124,135. Of this total £84,682 has already been paid. The corresponding totals in the case of Leek Rural District Council are £42,272 promised and £8,737 already paid.Since 1955, payment of grants under these Acts has normally been made by half-yearly instalments over a period of thirty years, and it is by this method that the outstanding grants are being paid in the present instances.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what conclusions have been drawn with regard to the prevention of air pollution from the washing plant experiment carried out on a commercial scale at the power station in Nottinghamshire; to what extent his expectations have been realised; and what are his intentions about issuing a circular to local authorities asking them to use their planning authority to make the erection of washing plants compulsory and to bring about the objects of the Clean Air Act within a reasonable time.

The report on the result of this experiment is not yet forthcoming. Further action will be considered in the light of the report.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware that, whilst there is a right of appeal against planning permission, there is no right of appeal against the imposition of Article 4 Restrictions; and whether he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs.

A direction under article 4 of the General Development Order merely makes it necessary to apply for permission for some kind of development previously allowed by the order itself. Permission may be given or refused, and there is the usual right of appeal against a refusal. To provide for an appeal against a direction would duplicate, and perhaps prejudice, appeals against refusal of permission.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what progress has been made by the Local Government Commission for England in reviewing the West Midlands Special Review Area and the associated General Review Areas; and when draft proposals will be prepared.

I understand that the Commission has received a great many memoranda and is now discussing the problems involved with the local authorities and other bodies concerned. As I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member on 23rd March, the process is bound to take time and I am unable to say when the Commission will make its draft proposals.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister of Welsh Affairs whether he will revise the current aggregate of the general grant, which allows for a 5 per cent. increase in teachers' salaries, in view of the actual increase recommended by the Burnham Committee and accepted by Her Majesty's Government, being nearly 10 per cent.

I understand that the Committee has not yet submitted recommendations to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education. The need to revise the current aggregate of the general grant is a matter which will come up for consideration in the light of any increase in teachers' salaries which may be approved by him.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs to what extent he has sanctioned loans by metropolitan borough councils to purchase requisitioned houses under the Requisitioned Houses and Housing (Amendment) Act, 1955.

Up to 31st March, 1959, my right hon. Friend had sanctioned loans by twenty-three metropolitan borough councils for the purchase of 2,255 houses which are either held on requisition or bought in substitution for requisitioned houses. All but 100 of these properties are being purchased by agreement under the powers contained in Part V of the Housing Act, 1957.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs the approximate number of persons who have been displaced from their homes during the past two years, respectively, owing to slum clearance and the demolition of houses for public purposes; and how many of these have now been placed in new houses or flats built or provided by local authorities.

Appendix X of the Report of the Ministry for 1958 shows that 159,223 and 159,923 people were moved from unfit house in England and Wales in 1957 and 1958 respectively. The numbers rehoused by local authorities will be of the some order, since local authorities accept an obligation to offer alternative accommodation to all families displaced.Separate figures relating to the demolition of houses for other public purposes are not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs to what extent local authorities are being impeded in their programmes of slum clearance and other building by a shortage of bricks.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis) by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works on 16th June.My right hon. Friend has no evidence to suggest that in general local authorities are being impeded in their building programmes by a shortage of bricks.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps he will take to facilitate a supply of bricks to the Waterloo Road slum clearance project for which the Romford Borough Council are responsible, and which is being delayed through lack of facing and common bricks.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Works.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total number of detainees in Nyasaland, and the number of these detained in Southern Rhodesia; and when he expects them to be released.

There are at present 556 Africans in detention, of whom 134 are held in Southern Rhodesia. Detainees will be released when the Governor is satisfied that it is no longer necessary to exercise control over them for the purpose of maintaining public order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what official facilities are available to elected members of the Legislative Council in Northern Rhodesia.

Travelling expenses when on Legislative Council business and a postal allowance of £25 a year are paid by Government.There are provided free of charge:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) the loss to the national income of Tanganyika during 1958 as the result of the fall in commodity prices; and what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to provide financial assistance;(2) the loss to the national income of Uganda during 1958 as the result of the fall in commodity prices; and what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to provide financial assistance.

As compared with 1956, the export price index number of Tanganyika for 1958 fell by about 13 per cent. and that of Uganda by about 5 per cent. Commodity prices are only one of the factors affecting the level of national income; this is shown by a comparison of the national income of these territories over the same period when that of Tanganyika increased by about 10 per cent. and that of Uganda by about 2 per cent. The effect, however, of falling prices upon an economy may be delayed. Because of the interaction of prices and other factors it is impossible to say what the national income would have been in 1958 had commodity prices not declined. In view of what I hope are temporary difficulties holding up the expansion of recurrent revenues at a sufficiently high rate and in order that the two Governments can continue to plan for basic services at reasonable levels, Her Majesty's Government have assured both Governments of their readiness to assist in meeting financial difficulties should the need arise. To the extent that the local resources of Tanganyika are inadequate to meet the approved recurrent budget for 1959–60, Her Majesty's Government will make available the necessary assistance. For the present the Uganda Government has sufficient reserves to meet possible recurrent deficits but if the present unfavourable circumstances continue that may no longer be so in two years' time and Her Majesty's Government will then be ready to help. On the capital side the needs of both territories have been much in my mind in considering the allocations of C.D. and W. monies for the new quinquennium, and I hope to make a general announcement on those allocations shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals have been made or negotiations initiated either with individual countries of the European Economic Community or the European Economic Community itself for trade treaties involving the Colonies.

Consultations with the Six continue under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, concerning the effects on colonial trade of the association of the overseas territories of the Six with the Common Market.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) the number of postage stamps sold by the Crown Agents for the Colonies to dealers in England during 1958, and the total amount received from such sales;(2) the number of postage stamps sold by the Crown Agents through their bureau in Washington to dealers in the United States of America during 1958, and the total amount received from such sales.

The total number of stamps sold by the Crown Agents during 1958 in this country and through their Washington Bureau was 17,304,550. Separate figures are not available to show how many of these were sold to dealers in this country or through the Bureau, Washington, to dealers in the U.S.A. The amount received in respect of sales was £228,782 18s. 10d. of which sum £160,070 13s. 4d. was received by the Crown Agents' Bureau in the United Kingdom, and £68,712 5s. 6d. by their Washington Bureau.

asked the Secretary of State for the colonies to what extent recommendations from the colonial Governors or Governments as to the grant of honours are referred for consideration by an advisory committee.

There is regular and standing machinery within the Colonial Office for the central scrutiny of recommendations from colonial Governors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many schools were started in Malta during the period of the Government which was recently suspended; and how many have been started since or are in contemplation.

Schools started by the late Maltese Government between 19:55 and April 1958 were:

• 15 Primary schools plus three extensions,
• 2 Grammar schools,
• 3 Technical schools,
• 2 Craft training centres.

Since April, 1958, three primary schools and an extension to a Grammar school have been started. It is proposed to build a further:

• 12 Primary schools plus 3 extensions,
• 1 Grammar school,
• 1 Technical school,
• 1 Polytechnic,
• 1 extension to a craft training centre.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to ascertain the wishes of the people of Malta on the suspension of the constitution and the desirability of a new one; and if he will hold a referendum of the people, or an election, to ascertain their wishes.

My consultations on a new constitution with representatives of the Maltese political parties last November failed for reasons which were explained in the debates in February on the Malta (Letters Patent) Bill. I then expressed the hope that the Constitution made under that Bill, when it became law, would be genuinely interim, but it would be premature for me to try to indicate when elections can be held.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies his latest information about the date of publication of the report of the Devlin Commission into the Nyasaland disturbances.

I have nothing at present to add to the reply given by my hon. Friend to the hon. Member's Question on 4th June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the members of the International Red Cross who have been appointed to visit the detention camps in Kenya.

The Rev. Henri Philippe Junod, who took part in the first mission to Kenya in 1957, and Dr. Jean Maurice Rubli.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will place in the Library a photostatic copy of the page in the Aguthi Detention Camp Punishment Book dealing with the caning of a detainee for writing to a Member of Parliament.

After the hon. Member's reference in the recent debate I set in hand further inquiries, and when these are completed I will be able to answer the hon. Gentleman's Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies his plans for the future of the closed camp at Hola; whether he will remove it from its present site; and if he will make a statement.

All but seventeen of the detainees who were in the closed camp have been moved elsewhere, most of them to Manyani camp. The extent to which the closed camp should continue to be used is still being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the Cowan Plan is still being operated.

As I said in the debate on the 16th June, Mr. Cowan's proposals were for the adaptation of a proved and successful technique to the particular circumstances of Hola. Orders requiring recalcitrant detainees to work were not then being given in any other camp, nor will they be given anywhere, including Hola, pending the advice of the Faint Inquiry into how far present rehabilitation methods can and should be adopted in the future administration of the camps.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he was informed of the Cowan Plan before its introduction to the Hola camp.

No. But in so far as Mr. Cowan's proposals, as originally conceived and approved (though not as actually carried out) provided for an operation which the inquiring magistrate described as "comparatively minor", there was no reason why I should have been informed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many African women from Kenya are doing courses of higher education in the United Kingdom; and what proposals he has for increasing these numbers.

Two, taking courses leading to Diplomas in Sociology and Domestic Science respectively. The recent rapid expansion of girls' education, particularly at secondary level, should lead to a rise in the numbers of suitable candidates for courses of higher education overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the disturbances which have occurred in Bermuda, following the boycott of cinemas which bar citizens with African blood from certain parts of the auditorium.

A month's boycott, against two privately-owned cinemas which bar coloured persons from balcony seats, was recently started by a group calling themselves "a progressive group". Although there were a few minor incidents on the first night of the boycott, the crowds have been very orderly and there has been no violence.The owners of the two cinemas, in which the reservation of a small balcony for white people has existed for many years, had stated publicly, before the boycott, that they had of their own accord decided many months ago, to terminate all balcony reservations as soon as they were able to open their new cinema, which is at present under construction and which is expected to open in November.No discrimination is practised in any other theatre or cinema in Bermuda.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the progress of the Cyprus negotiations.

The three Committees set up following the London Conference are continuing and are making progress in their tasks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what new developments have taken place in respect of the future relationship of the Cameroons with Nigeria and the plebiscite to be taken in 1960; and if he will make a statement.

The people of the Northern Cameroons will be asked to choose by plebiscite next November whether or not they wish to remain part of the Northern Region when Nigeria becomes independent.On the Southern Cameroons I have nothing at present to add to the Answers I gave to the hon. Member on 9th April and to the hon. Member for Brigg (Mr. E. L. Mallalieu) on 11th June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider appointing a Speaker for the Legislative Council in Zanzibar.

The present arrangement under which the British Resident presides in the Legislative Council is working satisfactorily, and there is no reason for a change at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Somali students are taking engineering courses in the United Kingdom; and what plans he has for increasing these numbers.

Eight, including one who is undertaking pre-university studies. A further four will arrive in September.The number is expected to increase progressively as suitable students come forward from the secondary school, which has recently been doubled in size.

asked the Minister of Works if he will make a statement on the production of bricks, giving comparison of the present production rate with 1951, 1955, and 1957, respectively; to what extent there has been a slowing down of house building through shortage of bricks; and how many brickmaking firms have gone out of business since 1951.

Brick production in the first five months of each year was:

1951	…	…	…	2,437 million
1955	…	…	…	2,866 million
1957	…	…	…	2,934 million
1959	…	…	…	2,699 million

The figures of houses started and completed do not suggest that there is any slowing down of house building. I am not aware that building operations have been held up or delayed through shortage of bricks on more than a few sites.I have no accurate information of the number of brickmaking firms which have gone out of business since 1951, but about 100 brickworks have been closed down because claypits have become uneconomic or for other reasons.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that house building in Bristol is being held back owing to the shortage of bricks; and what action he is taking to increase supplies.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery) on 16th June.

asked the Minister of Works the results of the recent conference to discuss the shortage of bricks in Stockton-on-Tees; where it was held; and who attended.

A meeting was held on 11th June between representatives of the brick manufacturers in the northern region and officers of my Department. At the meeting the manufacturers stated that they would increase their output as much as possible, and that, as far as existing commitments permitted, they would increase deliveries to Tees-side. I understand that it is likely that further supplies for Tees-side will be forthcoming from Yorkshire manufacturers.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware of the shortage of bricks in the Romford area; and if he will arrange for a meeting of brick producers in that area in order to consider the unsatisfied demand at the earliest possible time.

As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis) on 16th June, I am aware that difficulties have arisen over deliveries of certain popular bricks, particularly Flettons, in some areas. I understand there is some work at Romford for which further supplies of a particular facing brick are required, and alternatives are being considered. I am in touch nationally with brick manufacturers and everything possible is being done to minimise delays.

asked the Minister of Works how soon he proposes to put work in hand at Avebury.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Swindon (Mr. F. Noel-Baker) on 12th May, 1959. I intend to carry out a limited trial excavation, to elucidate the North Setting, perhaps next year.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the concern of local authorities, and of the Leyton Borough Council in particular, at the frequently unsatisfactory manner in which contractors instructed by his Department remove temporary bungalows; and if he will instruct these contractors to remove debris and foundations in accordance with the wishes of the local authority, and to avoid noisy operations on Sundays.

I have recently dealt in full with complaints of the Leyton Borough Council in a letter to the hon. Member. Sunday work has been stopped and my officials are doing all they can to enforce the terms of the contracts. Complaints from other local authorities have been few.

asked the Minister of Works on what date he expects his Department to commence the building of the Prescot Women's Employment Exchange; and when this will be finished.

The builders started work on the new Prescot Women's Employment Exchange on 15th June. It should be ready for use by the end of next September.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will specify the further information which he asked for to enable him to reach a decision on the Aberdeen development plan, if he has yet received it; and if he has reached a decision on this plan.

In approving the development plan over a year ago, a controversial proposal for part of an inner ring road was deleted. The Corporation had been told that, for further consideration of this proposal, it would need to prepare large scale plans and this I understand it hopes shortly to do. Reinstatement of the proposal in the development plan would require the promotion of a formal amendment, subject to objection and inquiry in the usual way.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Scotland, and how many in Aberdeen, during the recent period of abnormal demand, were subjected to delay in vaccination against poliomyelitis due to supplies of vaccine not being available.

The vaccination programme depends on the availability of medical and other staff as well as on the supply of vaccine and these factors can not be separately assessed. Returns from local authorities show that at the end of April—which was the month when the very heavy public response started—66,000 people, 10,000 of them in Aberdeen, had registered but had not then been vaccinated. Supplies of vaccine then available in Scotland amounted to 300,000 single doses and in most areas there was no appreciable delay. Present supplies are now adequate for current demands.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the increasingly dilapidated state of the pier at Portree; what is the reason for the continued delay in carrying out the necessary improvements; and when work on the new pier will start.

Yes. The County Council's proposals for the reconstruction and improvement of the pier have been approved, subject to final approval of the contract document and it is hoped that work will be started by the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken this summer to improve the condition of the roads on the mainland and in Skye approaching the recently-opened Glenelg-Kylerhea ferry; and whether he is satisfied that the signposting for this ferry on these roads is adequate.

I understand that Inverness County Council is at present repairing both approach roads to this ferry at an estimated cost of £16,000 on which a grant of 50 per cent. will be payable.I am in touch with Ross and Cromarty County Council about a suggestion that the existing road signs should be supplemented by an additional sign at Shiel Bridge giving particulars of the ferry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that present congestion in Kyleakin Harbour is making difficulties for the fishing industry, especially during the tourist season, owing to the volume of car and coach traffic; and what steps he is taking to improve the facilities at this harbour.

I am aware that Kyleakin fishermen find it difficult at times to get berths for their boats. Consultations are now taking place between Inverness County Council and my Department about a scheme to give them better facili- ties which the Council might put forward for assistance under the Fisheries Act, 1955.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive, and to make known, the report of the public inquiry into proposals by the East Kilbride Licensing Planning Committee to build public houses in the Murray and Calderwood housing schemes.

I expect to receive this report within the next few weeks, the parties having previously been afforded by the Commissioner an opportunity of commenting on a draft of its factual part. Copies of the complete report will be sent to the parties as soon as possible thereafter, along with my decision on the proposals for the siting of licensed premises which gave rise to the inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in order to secure the effective implementation of the Regulations under the Clean Air Act, which became operative on 31st December last, he will request the Clean Air Council to meet more frequently than in the past year.

No. Since I appointed the Clean Air Council for Scotland on 20th November, 1957, it has met six times. In addition, a sub-committee of the Council has held five meetings. I think that is a very satisfactory record.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the reports of the Scottish Health Services Council and its committees have been omitted from the Report of the Department of Health for Scotland, 1958; and if he will revert to the previous practice in future.

The Scottish Health Services Council invited me to publish its reports separately. The 1956 and 1957 reports were therefore published separately and the 1958 report is due to be published very soon in this form. On future reports I would be guided by the views of the Council.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further consideration he has given to bringing newsreel films within the quota system; and if he will make a statement.

This matter is still under consideration. I have no statement to make.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he now expects to receive the Report of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission on its investigations into chemical fertilisers, cigarettes and manufactured cigarette and pipe tobacco, machinery for the manufacture or packaging of cigarettes or of cigarette or pipe tobacco, and electrical equipment for mechanically-propelled land vehicles; and what further industries are now under investigation.

My right hon. Friend hopes to receive the Report on chemical fertilisers before the end of July and the Report on cigarettes and manufactured cigarette and pipe tobacco and on machinery for the manufacture or packaging of cigarettes or of cigarette or pipe tobacco early in 1960. It is at present too early to say when the Report on electrical equipment for mechanically-propelled land vehicles will be ready. No other subjects are at present under investigation by the Monopolies Commission.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make representations to the Indian Government against its introduction of export quota control of raw goatskins in view of its effect upon United Kingdom trade and industry.

No. I understand that this control does not mean a cut in total exports of goatskins from India.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the introduction of export quota control of raw goatskins by the Indian Government, if he will remove the 10 per cent. tariff preference on raw goatskins.

No. The tariff preference on goatskins is maintained in the interests of other Commonwealth countries as well as India.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will receive a deputation from the Cornish group of trades councils about the need for new industries in Cornwall, because of the high unemployment rate in the county.

I reported to my right hon. Friend on my visit to Cornwall early this year and he is well aware of the problems of the County and its need for new industries I am, however, prepared in conjunction with my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour to receive a deputation from hon. Members representing Cornwall and the trade councils concerned at a mutually convenient time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will ensure that the maximum service provided by the Trade Facilities Acts will be available when required for all orders obtained through the five-year Trade Agreement with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and if he will publish advice on how it will be administered.

The authority conveyed to the Treasury by the Trade Facilities Acts, 1921–26, has now expired. The normal facilities of the Export Credits Guarantee Department are available for exports to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, during the negotiations in London on the carrying out of the five-year Trade Agreement with representatives of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, he will invite them or their representatives to visit Stoke-on-Trent to see the pottery, rubber tyre, ceramic engineering, and uniform clothing factories, to Manchester to see the Shirley Institute, and the engineering, cotton, and man-made fibre factories, to Trafford Park, Liverpool and Stafford to see the modern capital equipment, the electronic control equipment, and the steel tyre plant, to North Staffordshire and Hern Heath to see the methods of conveying gas direct from the pits, to the Crewe railway works to see the methods of engine construction and patterns made in plastics, and to Little Hulton to see the patterns made for plastics.

I will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind when the Soviet delegation come here next year to review the Trade Agreement.

asked the Minister of Defence the cost, in round figures, per person per week of this year's defence budget.

About 11s.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the resentment caused by the decision of the White Fish Authority to increase interest charges on loans for the building of new vessels; when this decision received his approval; and if he will make a statement.

The loans made by the White Fish Authority are provided from funds advanced by the Exchequer at interest rates reflecting those at which the Exchequer can itself borrow for corresponding periods. The recent increase of ⅛ per cent. for loans for not more than fifteen years follows a corresponding increase in the Exchequer lending rate which was notified to the Authority on 11th June.

asked the Minister of Health how many vacant beds there are at present in tuberculosis hospitals; and whether he will consider initiating a scheme for the admission and treatment of tubercular refugees from German camps as part of Great Britain's contribution to Refugee Year.

In 1958, an average number of 6,280 beds allocated to tuberculosis were unoccupied in England and Wales.As regards the second part of the Question I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply given to the hon. Members for St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson) and Holborn and St. Pancras, South (Mrs. L. Jeger) on 18th June by my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department.

asked the Minister of Health the number of people on the waiting lists of hospitals in the South Eastern Metropolitan Region to the last convenient date.

The Answer is 32,989 at 31st December last.