asked the Minister of Labour whether he will receive a deputation from the Cornish group of trades councils about the serious unemployment in Cornwall.

I understand that my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade is to receive a deputation, and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour will be happy to be present at the meeting.

asked the Minister of Labour what consultations he had with the British Transport Commission to ensure that the decision on the future of Cowlairs and St. Rollox railway workshops does not aggravate the unemployment situation in Glasgow.

I understand that the British Transport Commission's modernisation policy will result in some reorganisation of their workshops in Scotland over the next two years, but it is not possible for them at this stage to say what will be the effect in Glasgow.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that faulty naval installations are responsible for the film of oil covering parts of Portland Harbour; and, as this is an offence under the Oil in Navigable Waters Act, what steps he is taking to prevent further leakages.

There has been a small leakage of diesel oil into Balaclava Bay, and this has been spead by variable winds and the spring tides. All naval oil mains are now being examined and I expect to have a special report on the situation quite shortly. I shall inform the hon. Member and my hon. Friend the Member for Dorset, South (Viscount Hinchingbrooke) of any developments.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make a further statement on the development of nuclear propulsion for shipping.

I have nothing at present to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) on 12th May. The technical appraisal of the various reactor systems is not yet completed.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he will be able finally to settle the question of rates of gratuity for civilian clerks employed by the military department in Mauritius.

There are already rules in force governing superannuation and gratuities for War Department staff to Mauritius. What remains to be settled is a claim by the staff side that more favourable terms should be granted. Our decision has been delayed by inquiries into the practice of good employers in the island and discussions with the Colonial Government who are of course concerned. I am doing everything possible to bring these negotiations to an early settlement, but I cannot forecast at present when this will be done.

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephones there are per square mile in Brighton, Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent, respectively.

The information is available only for exchange areas. The approximate figures are:

Brighton Exchange	1,650 per square mile.
Manchester (47 Exchanges)	1,100 per square mile.
Stoke (City and Trinity Exchanges)	1,150 per square mile.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now able to make a statement about the British Broadcasting Corporation's plans for improving and extending their television and very high frequency sound coverage.

Yes. I am pleased to announce that I have now approved in principle proposals by the B.B.C. to erect low-power satellite television and V.H.F. sound stations in the following areas:

• Berwick on Tweed.
• Fort William.
• Galashiels.
• Llandrindod Wells.
• Loch Leven.
• Oban.
• Oxford.
• West Cornwall.

Other satellite television stations built in the following areas:

• Barrow/Lancaster area.
• Enniskillen.
• Ipswich.
• Pembroke.
• Sheffield.
• Skegness.

and satellite V.H.F. sound stations in:

• Channel Islands.
• Londonderry.

where there are already B.B.C. television stations. All the V.H.F. sound stations will put out the Home Service and the Light and Third Programmes.These fourteen television and ten V.H.F. sound stations represent the first stage in the Corporation's plans for improving and extending their coverage. They will bring B.B.C. television to some 200,000 new viewers and will improve reception for about one million more. Some 600,000 people will get the V.H.F. sound service for the first time. The Corporation hope to complete these twenty-four stations by March, 1962.The Corporation will then plan for further stations. All the satellite television stations will have to use frequencies in Band I and it is far too early to say just how many such stations it may, in the end, be possible to fit into that Band. The broad result of this programme will be to bring B.B.C. television coverage to over 99 per cent., and their V.H.F. sound coverage to nearly 98 per cent. of the population of the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when it is proposed to start work on converting H.M.S. "Amberley Castle" lying in Cardiff Docks to a weathership.

We shall be inviting tenders shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what progress is being made towards the formation of an integrated North Atlantic Treaty Organisation fighter defence system; and what consideration has been given to the formation of an anti-aircraft system for Western Europe.

My right hon. Friend has no statement to make on this subject.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made by the European Conference of Ministers of Transport with regard to common standards concerning weights and dimensions and payload rules for road vehicles.

The standards which countries can safely adopt on their roads vary from country to country and the European Conference of Ministers of Transport is studying this complicated problem because all its members have not been able to adopt a common standard. The study is continuing, but I am unable to say when it will be completed.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made on the drafting of a European highway code by the European Conference of Ministers of Transport.

This work has been undertaken by the Economic Commission for Europe. The Commission has decided to study particular subjects before attempting to draft a comprehensive code, and agreement has already been reached on an International Manual on Car Driving and a European Agreement on Road Markings. The United Kingdom has assisted in the drafting of the Manual and is a party to the Agreement.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will state his reasons for closing Errol Airport.

The aerodrome has been unused for flying for some years. No operator has found it possible to establish air services there, nor are any services in prospect. In these circumstances I cannot justify retaining it in State ownership any longer and the Town Councils of Dundee and Perth have been asked whether they wish to take it over.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is now satisfied that sufficient progress has been made in helicopter development for him to encourage the introduction of an inter-city helicopter service, with subsequent branch services operating from helistops in provincial towns; and to what extent he is encouraging either private companies or his Department quickly to start such a service.

The introduction of economic scheduled helicopter services depends upon the successful development of large multi-engined machines. The Government have given financial assistance towards the development and production of a number of helicopter types and I expect that a satisfactory British helicopter for services of this character will be ready in a few years time. When a suitable aircraft is ready I hope that airlines with the necessary organisation and experience will start operations.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will state the reasons for the delay in publishing the report of the inquiry into the Viking aircraft accident at Southall in September, 1958; and when he now expects this report to be published.

I have received the Report, I am considering it and I intend to release it at an early date. There is no undue delay in releasing it for publication.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the congestion and confusion caused by two-way working in the narrowest part of Seymour Place, W.1, when vehicles are parked in it; and if he will introduce one-way working so as to lessen the confusion and reduce the danger of accidents.

I am asking the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee to consider this and other suggestions for relieving congestion in Seymour Place. I will get into touch with my hon. Friend as soon as I have considered the Committee's conclusions.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that congestion is caused by two-way traffic in the narrowest part of Villiers Street, Strand, W.C.2, when vehicles are parked in it; and if he will enforce one-way working from south to north.

I am arringing for my hon. Friend's proposal to be examined. Before coming to a final decision I shall consult the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will appoint an independent committee, on the pattern of the Bowes Committee on Inland Waterways, to inquire into the organisation and finance of British Railways.

No. As my hon. Friend will know, I have asked the British Transport Commission to prepare a report on their re-appraisal of the railways' modernisation plan and financial prospects.

asked the Minister of Defence whether, in view of the experience gained in recent amphibious exercises, he is satisfied that there are sufficient modern amphibious ships and craft in the Indian Ocean and Pacific areas; and if he will make a statement.

I have not yet received a report on these exercises. As I informed my hon. Friend on 11th February last, I consider that we are maintaining a reasonable number of specialised ships of this kind. The deployment of these craft is varied from time to time in the light of the current situation.

asked the Minister of Defence what is the total United Kingdom contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on infrastructure; and how much was spent on airfields, telecommunications and other items in France.

So far the United Kingdom has contributed some £71 million to N.A.T.O infrastructure, of which slightly over a half has gone towards work in France.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the number of unemployed in Cyprus at the latest convenient date; and the corresponding figures for the years 1957 and 1958.

There were 4,103 registered unemployed persons at the beginning of this month. The corresponding figures for 1957 and 1958 were 1,315 and 2,241.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many pupils are now enrolled whole and part time in trade schools in Tanganyika; and in which trade schools.

The total enrolment of full-time pupils at the Moshi and Ifunda Trade Schools on 31st May was 402 and 513, respectively. These schools do not provide for part-time pupils.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the negotiations for a site for the proposed new hospital in Fort William have now been completed; and when it is expected that work will start.

The negotiations for the acquisition of the site are now at an advanced stage. Preparation of the detailed plans for the new hospital is proceeding as quickly as possible, but it is too soon to say when the actual building works can begin.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the most recent number of local authorities which have adopted the model building byelaws to ensure the installation of smokeless fuel appliances in new buildings; and what steps he is taking to encourage the others.

The byelaw has been adopted by 24 local authorities. I have taken the opportunity of bringing its desirability to the attention of local authorities from time to time, and I shall do so again shortly in a general circular which I shall be issuing on the subject of smoke control areas.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applicants are on the waiting list for smallholdings in each of the counties of Wales.

According to information supplied by smallholdings authorities the position is as follows:

NUMBER OF APPLICANTS ON WAITING LISTS FOR SMALLHOLDINGS IN WALES ON 31ST MARCH 1959
County		Preference (a) applicants	Non-preference applicants	Total
Anglesey	…	110	27	137
Brecon	…	14	3	17
Caernarvon	…	—	6	6
Cardigan	…	31	9	40
Carmarthen	…	24	21	45
Denbigh	…	54	22	76
Flint	…	62	16	78
Glamorgan	…	46	66	112
Merioneth	…	51	8	59
Monmouth	…	119	1	120
Montgomery	…	124	29	153
Pembroke	…	75	3	78
Radnor	…	32	9	41
TOTALS	…	742	220	962
(a) "Preference" means applicants who at the time of their applications are employed under a contract of service as agricultural workers, or who under regulations made by the Minister are to be treated as if they were then so employed.

asked the Minister of Health what was the number of deaths from respiratory diseases in the first three months of 1959 compared with the first three months of 1958, in the South Eastern Metropolitan Region.

Precise figures for deaths in the South-East Metropoltian Region Hospital Area are not available. Estimated figures for deaths due in influenza, pneumonia and bronchitis in the first three months of 1958 and 1959 are as follows:

—				1958	1959
January	…	…	…	1,089	651
February	…	…	…	655	1,442
March	…	…	…	632	1,080
				2,376	3,173

Provisional figures (based on registrations of deaths reported weekly by registrars of births and deaths to the Registrar General).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will state for the financial years 1957–58 and 1958–59 the details of United Kingdom Government economic aid to under-developed countries; and if he will give the information in a form corresponding to that of the answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Meriden on 10th December, 1957.

The following table gives the details in the form requested of United Kingdom Government economic aid to under-developed countries for the financial years 1957–58 and 1958–59.

UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC AID TO UNDERDEVELOPED COUNTRIES*
£ million
—	1957–58	1958–59 (Estimated)
I. COLONIAL TERRITORIES
(a) Loans
Colonial Services Vote	3·1	6·6
Colonial Development and Welfare	—	0·1
Colonial Development Corporation	3·1	5·8
Total	6·2	12·5
(b) Grants
Colonial Services Vote	20·4	19·4
Colonial Development and Welfare	18·2	19·4
Total	38·6	38·8
II. OTHER COMMONWEALTH
(a) Loans
Through release of sterling subscription to I.B.R.D.	12·2	17·5
E.G.C.D. Section 3 Credit	2·0	20·0
Total	14·2	37·5
(b) Grants
Colombo Plan (to Commonwealth countries)	0·7	0·7
Overseas Settlement	0·2	0·2
Commonwealth Services	2·7	50
Development and Welfare	1·2	1·3
Total	4·8	7·2
III. OTHER COUNTRIES
(a) Loans
Jordan	0·5	0·6
Through release of sterling subscription to I.B.R.D.	0·1	0·1
E.C.G.D. Section 3 Credit	3·7	1·7
Turkey—O.E.E.C. Common Aid	—	2·7
Total	4·3	5·1

asked the Secretary to the Treasury to what extent the expansion of university places has kept pace with the increased number of sixth-form pupils who qualify for entrance.

In the three years October, 1955, to October, 1958, the number of full-time students with homes in the United Kingdom admitted to universities in Great Britain increased by just under 20 per cent. It is estimated that the number of sixth-form pupils having the minimum entrance qualifications increased by about 18 per cent. over the same period.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state in tabular form the numbers on waiting lists at hospitals throughout the country, in the city of Stoke-on-Trent, Salford, Manchester, and Birmingham and in the three towns or cities having a population of approximately 270,000 which have the lowest waiting lists, for the years 1938, 1948 and 1958.

I regret that information for 1938 and 1948 is not available. At the end of 1949, 498,000 persons were awaiting admission to National Health Service hospitals in England and Wales: the corresponding figure at the end of 1958 was 443,000. Information for hospital management committees and boards of governors whose hospitals serve the towns or cities set out below (including the two with populations of about 270,000) is as follows:

Town or City		Waiting List at 31st December,
		1949	1958
Manchester	…	15,758	16,857
Stoke-on-Trent	…	6,254	5,474
Salford	…	4,228	1,685
Birmingham	…	16,321	12,759
Leicester	…	6,066	7,580
Newcastle-on-Tyne	…	8,867	8,174