Written Answers To Questions
Thursday, 2nd July, 1959
Education
Race Relations
2.
asked the Minister of Education whether he will consider the issue of a circular to local education authorities with suggestions for the teaching of race relations in schools.
I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer my right hon. Friend gave my hon. Friend the Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher) on 4th June.
National Finance
Taxation (Yield)
30.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much more, approximately, would have to be paid in Purchase Tax, Income Tax, Surtax, Profits Tax, and Excise Duties, respectively, if the same rates of taxation imposed in the April, 1951, Budget were now operative.
At 1951 rates the estimated yield this year from Income Tax, Surtax and Profits Tax would be of the order of £1,200 million more than at current rates. No worthwhile comparable estimate of the yield from indirect taxation can be made because it is impossible to assess what would be the effects on consumer spending of the higher level of direct taxation in 1951, and because with 1951 rates of indirect taxation the pattern of consumption would probably be very different.
Post-War Credits
32.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that holders of post-war credits entitled to repayment under the new regulations are being presented with demands for tax alleged to have been under-paid in the years 1941–42 and other war years; and, in view of the failure of the Inland Revenue to present these tax demands during the period which has elapsed since they became due, whether he will give instructions for the demand for these sums to be waived.
I assume that the hon. Lady is referring to cases where the postwar credit repaid is reduced by arrears of tax. Where the full tax for a post-war credit year was not paid, the full credit was not earned and, as I explained in debate on the Income Tax (Repayment of Post-War Credits) Bill, the Exchequer cannot be expected to make a payment in respect of tax which it has not received.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he will commence to repay post-war credits to those categories of persons named by him.
Repayment of post-war credits to the categories of persons described in my right hon. Friend's Budget proposals began on 1st June.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what means, under his regulations, entitlement to repayment of a post-war credit is established when the certificate has been lost or destroyed.
If a post-war credit holder who qualifies for payment has lost or mislaid his certificates, he should send in an application to the Inland Revenue on the ordinary form. The form tells credit holders what to do if they cannot find their certificates.
Farm Vehicles (Duty-Free Oil)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider allowing farm-goods-carrying vehicles, as well as tractors, which are used on and near farms, to run on duty-free diesel oil.
In so far as such vehicles are not licensed for use on public roads or are exempt from licence duty under Section 7 (4) of the Vehicles (Excise) Act, 1949, their entitlement to use duty-free heavy oil is already provided for in Clause 6 (2) of this year's Finance Bill.
Trade And Commerce
Travel Agents
33.
asked the President of the Board of Trade what further courses for travel agents have been arranged by consulates abroad on the lines of the one run by Her Majesty's Consul in Chicago last November.
All the overseas offices of the British Travel and Holidays Association arrange lectures for travel agents, clubs, and other interested organisations. The Chicago course was run by the Association and was more comprehensive than is usual. The Association is considering how far this successful course can be copied elsewhere.
Citrus Imports
34.
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the importance of the citrus industry to the economy of the West Indies, he will give an assurance that there will be no further liberalisation of dollar citrus imports, at least for a period which will allow producers to make necessary adjustments.
Citrus imports were excluded from the recent dollar liberalisation, and producers in the West Indies have therefore an opportunity to make adjustments. We always do our best to give due weight to the views of Colonial Governments.
Chester-Le-Street, Washington And Birtley
39.
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the high level unemployment in the Chester-le-Street, Washington and Birtley areas; and what steps he proposes to take to induce new industries to establish themselves in these areas.
Unemployment in Chester-le-Street and Birtley is very little above the national average, and in Washington is below it. In all three places industrial developments are taking place which should provide many new jobs. No special steps to assist the area are required.
Prime Minister (Visit To Soviet Union)
47 and 48,
asked the Prime Minister (1) to what extent during his talks with Mr. Khrushchev in Moscow he discussed the question of chemical or biological warfare; and what assurances he offered or sought that both the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United Kingdom would continue to uphold and conform to the Geneva Conventions whereby such warfare is declared illegal;(2) to what extent at his recent talks in Moscow, he discussed with Mr. Khrushchev the subject of nuclear warfare, apart from the cessation of tests.
I have nothing to add to the communiqué published at the end of my visit and the statement I made to the House on 4th March.
Explosion, Aldermaston (Report)
asked the Prime Minister if he has yet received the final report of the board of inquiry into the fatal accident at Aldermaston on 26th February; and if he will make a statement.
Yes. I have now received the final report of the Board which I appointed to inquire into this accident.It confirms the conclusion in the interim report, of which I informed the House on 17th March, that the explosion must be regarded as an accident and did not arise as a result of negligence.As hon. Members will recall, I also said then that the explosion occurred during the course of conveyance of high explosives by truck; that it was confined to the vicinity of one building; and that there was no outbreak of fire.Two men were killed instantly, one was injured, and eleven other workers were treated for shock.The Board has reported that there can be no doubt that the explosion occurred in explosives which were being conveyed by truck in a box which was missing after the explosion.From an examination of the site it was clear that the explosion occurred at or about ground level, and that the explosive could have detonated in one of two ways; either the box containing it was lifted off the truck and was subsequently allowed to fall to the ground, or the box fell to the ground as the truck stopped.The Board was unable to obtain conclusive evidence; but tests on a fragment of the charge involved in the explosion which was available in the Establishment showed that the material was not so sensitive that it would be expected to detonate if dropped, in its felt-lined box, from a height of about two feet to the ground.On the other hand, if the box fell when the truck stopped, and the explosive escaped from it and slid along the ground, the immediate effect at the points of contact would be a rise of temperature which could approach or exceed the ignition temperature and cause an explosion.The Board therefore regarded the second possibility as the more likely, and was confirmed in this view by a number of independent factors and inferences, particularly in trials carried out on a similar truck.The maintenance records of the truck used, and the truck itself, were examined after the accident, and it is certain that the explosion was not caused by any electrical or mechanical failure. Nor was there anything in the casualty and sickness records of the men involved to suggest proneness to accidents.The Board recommended certain changes in the practice of the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment for dealing with explosives. These relate chiefly to the duties of the scientific and supervisory staff, the procedure for handling and conveying explosives, and the design of the trucks used.I have referred the Board's recommendations to the Atomic Energy Authority, which has accepted and is acting on most of them, and giving further consideration to the remainder.
Nuclear Tests
asked the Prime Minister what declarations have recently been made by Her Majesty's Government on the suspension of nuclear tests.
Before the Geneva Conference on the suspension of nuclear tests began last autumn, Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government undertook to suspend tests for a period of one year from the opening of the Conference, provided that the Soviet Government did the same. In fact the Soviet Government held tests after the negotiations had started, and thereby formally released us and the Americans from our undertaking. Nevertheless, on the 7th of November, 1958, my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary said: "In spite of the Soviet Union action, we do not propose at present to resume tests."I regret that I did not make it clear, in reply to a Supplementary Question from the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition on the 30th of June, that Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government have not made any formal declaration that they would not resume tests so long as the Conference continues. Nevertheless the fact remains that, so far as we know, there have been no nuclear tests for the last eight months.
Cabinet Records (Public Disclosure)
asked the Prime Minister what action he proposes to take to implement the Public Records Act, 1958, in relation to Cabinet records.
The Public Records Act, 1958, provided that public records should in general be available to public inspection after they have been in existence for fifty years. The Government think it right that, for the purposes of this Act, Cabinet records should be treated in the same way as Departmental records. They therefore decided after consultation with the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition and with the hon. Gentleman the Member for Orkney and Shetland, to recommend that the memoranda and minutes of the Cabinet and of Cabinet Committees should be opened to public inspection in the Public Record Office when they are fifty years old unless there is strong objection, in any particular case, to doing so. Her Majesty The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve this.There will doubtless be some cases in which the public disclosure of Cabinet records, or indeed of Departmental documents, would be contrary to the public interest, even after the lapse of fifty years. For example, some papers relating to individuals, including Royal personages, may need to be withheld for a longer period, at any rate until the death of the person concerned. Or there may be some special security consideration which would require a document to be withheld for a longer period. In such cases, whatever the class of public record, the Act gives my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, who is now responsible for the direction of the Public Record Office, power to vary the period, subject to the approval of the Minister or other person concerned.
Nyasaland
African Civil Servants (Detention)
49.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans held posts in the Government service in Nyasaland at the time of the declaration of the state of emergency; how many of them have been arrested; and how many are still in detention.
The Answer is that 8,450 Africans held posts in the Nyasaland Government. Of these 54 have been arrested under the Governor's detention orders and 51 are still in detention. A small number of African civil servants may be detained under 28-day Orders. The Governor is obtaining this information and will forward it as soon as possible.
Buganda
Constitution
50.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations he has recently received from the Kabaka about the protectorate status of Buganda; and what reply he has made.
Copies have been placed in the Library of my reply, dated 9th April, to a letter from His Highness The Kabaka to Her Majesty The Queen forwarding a Memorandum from the Buganda Lukiko seeking cessation of the Buganda Agreements and the reply by my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State for Colonial Affairs, dated 29th May, to a further letter from His Highness The Kabaka requesting that proposed talks on constitutional changes in Buganda should be held in London instead of in the Protectorate.
Kenya
Disciplinary Inquiry, Hola Camp (Report)
51.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects to receive the Report of the disciplinary inquiry into the conduct of the Camp Commandant and his Deputy at Hola Camp, Kenya.
I received advance copies late yesterday but have not had time yet to study them.
Detention Without Trial
53.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now able to furnish particulars of the intended legislation under which the Kenya Government intend to preserve the system of imprisonment without trial after the end of the present emergency; and how many of the present staff at Hola will continue to be employed at the camp.
As regards the first part of the Question I have nothing to add to the reply I gave on this point to the hon. and learned Member on 11th June.In accordance with normal procedure, all subordinate staff are changed over in stages every six months. This system, and the posting of the senior officers—of whom there are at present seven, all having gone to Hola since 3rd March—will no doubt be considered by the Fairn Inquiry.
West Indies
Citrus Industry
52.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals have been made by his Department to encourage the citrus industry in the West Indies, in view of the difficulties the industry is facing from the effects of the dollar trade liberalisation policy.
I have nothing at present to add to the reply which I made on the 30th June, to the Questions on this subject by my hon. Friends the Members for Essex, South-East (Mr. Braine) and Surbiton (Mr. Fisher) and by the right hon. Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. A. Henderson).
British Guiana
Medical Department (Former Employee)
54.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the former porter in the medical department, British Guiana, whose name was supplied to him by the hon. Member for Openshaw, was informed in writing of a new charge to be preferred against him and given an opportunity either personally or through his trade union to reply to the charge and to advance reasons why he should not be dismissed.
The officer in question was not dismissed. He was a temporary employee and his appointment was terminated on payment of one month's salary in lieu of notice. There was no need, therefore, to prefer any further charges against him.
Singapore
Banned Publications
55.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Government of Singapore have banned a number of publications from the West because of their corrupting influence and how many of these are published in Great Britain.
Yes; nine.
Trade Union Officials
56.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many of the public persons released by the Singapore Government on 8th June were officials of a trade union; how many are still in prison awaiting trial; and if he will take steps to bring the cases to the court as early as possible.
Presumably the hon. Member refers to the releases made on 4th June of which five were of trade union officials. In view of the changed nature of my responsibilities for Singapore following the introduction of the new Constitution conferring full internal self-government, I am not in a position to give the information sought in the second part of the questaion, nor can I take action in the sense suggested in the third.
Sierra Leone
Timani Tribe (Headman)
57.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Timani Tribe people of Sierra Leone do not have a substantive headman, and that discontent about this situation was mainly responsible for the disorders that took place in Freetown during his visit; and whether the Government of Sierra Leone will have elections for this tribal headman.
While there was a passing reference to this complaint as being a contributory factor to the Freetown disturbances in the memorandum which was presented to me by the People's National Party, no mention was made of this in the course of my discussions in Sierra Leone.
Zanzibar
Self-Government
58.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations the Resident of Zanzibar has received from the leaders of the Afro-Shirazi and Zanzibar Nationalist Parties, respectively, regarding self-government in 1960; and whether he will make a statement.
In April the British Resident received a memorandum signed by the President of the Afro-Shirazi Party and the General Secretary of the Nationalist Party calling for immediate self-government for Zanzibar and a round-table conference. The British Resident was not: prepared to entertain these demands and in his reply repeated his determination that the country should proceed towards self-government in an orderly and reasonable manner. I have nothing to add to this.
Tanganyika
Land (Rights Of Occupancy)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total acreage of land alienated in Tanganyika in 1957 and 1958; and how much was to public and how much to private owners.
Long-term rights of occupancy have been granted as follows:
| — | 1957 | 1958 |
| (acres) | (acres) | |
| Total area of land alienated | 155,008 | 119,021 |
| Grants to public bodies | 5,913 | 2,526 |
| Grants to individuals and commercial undertakings | 149,095 | 116,495 |
Development (Loans)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many schemes have been approved and are in course of operation, respectively, under the Local Development Loan Fund and the African Productivity Loan Fund in Tanganyika; what sums have been incurred from each of the two funds; and what have been the main developments sponsored.
Details as at 31st March were as follows:
Local Development Loan Fund
African Productivity Loan Fund
The main developments sponsored have been, in the case of the Local Development Loan Fund, agricultural development including clearing of land, mechanical cultivation, the purchase of oxen, fishing equipment and livestock buildings; and under the African Productivity Loan Fund, the purchase of agricultural machinery including tractors, milling machinery and industrial machinery for home industries, as well as the development of carpentry and woodwork, damming and irrigation projects and copra kilns.
Home Department
Licensing Act, 1953 (Occasional Licences)
59.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to difficulties arising in magistrates' courts about interpretation of the description, occasional licence; and whether he will introduce legislation to clarify this matter.
I am aware that different interpretations are sometimes placed upon the conditions that must be satisfied before the justices can give their consent to the grant of an occasional licence under Section 148 (3) of the Licensing Act, 1953. This point has been noted for consideration when a suitable opportunity arises for legislation.
Arthur James Cox
60.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that at the recent trial held at the Old Bailey when Arthur James Cox, of Forest Gate, was found guilty of murder both the judge and jury strongly recommended mercy; and what action he proposes to take to carry out the wishes of the judge and jury.
I am informed that the jury made a strong recommendation to mercy, which the judge asked counsel for the prosecution to forward to the proper authority. I shall bear the jury's recommendation in mind in considering how long Cox should be detained.
Lottery Results (Publication)
61.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that newspapers have been reluctant to publish the results of lotteries owing to the provisions of Section 1 (2, h) of the Small Lotteries and Gaming Act, 1956; and whether he will amend the Act in order to clarify the position.
No. I do not share the view that paragraph (h) of Section 1 (2) of the 1956 Act refers to a list of the results of a lottery. This paragraph prohibits, subject to exceptions, the publication of a written notice or advertisement of a lottery, but this appears to me when read in its context to refer only to an announcement of an intention to hold a lottery.
Sir Roger Casement
62.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now return the Casement papers to Ireland.
I regret that I am not yet able to add to the reply which I gave on 14th May to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. du Cann) and the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes). As soon as I am in a position to make a statement I shall do so.
63.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will agree to return the remains of Sir Roger Casement to be buried in Ireland.
No. I cannot make an exception to the normal rule.
High Commission Territories
Salaries (Report)
66.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement about the report of the Salaries Commissioner concerning the salaries, allowances and conditions of service in the High Commission Territories.
As I stated in reply to a Question by the right hon. Member on 18th June, the report of the Commissioner is now being studied. I hope to make a statement as soon as this study is complete.
Southern Rhodesia
Preventive Detention (Temporary Provisions) Act
64.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will exercise the powers of Her Majesty's Government under the Southern Rhodesia Constitution Letters Patent, 1923, to prevent the implementation of the Preventive Detention (Temporary Provisions) Act, in view of the discriminatory nature of this legislation.
I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) on 18th June.
Magistrates' Court Amendments Act
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations why the powers of Her Majesty's Government were not exercised to prevent the operation of the Magistrates' Court Amendments Act in Southern Rhodesia in view of the discriminatory nature of this legislation.
My noble Friend considered that, in so far as the Act fell within the terms of Article 28 (a) of the Southern Rhodesia Constitution Letters Patent, it conferred advantages on the Africans which they had not enjoyed under the previous law.
Bechuanaland
Bamangwato Tribe And Rhodesian Selection Trust Exploration Ltd
67.
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he has a statement to make about the consultation of the Secretary of State with the Bamangwato Tribe and the Rhodesian Selection Trust Exploration Limited.
My noble Friend is consulting the Bamangwato Tribe and the Rhodesian Selection Trust Exploration Limited, as he undertook to do, about the possibility of a further statement being made about the agreement which they signed, but he has not yet received their views.
Commonwealth Relations
Commonwealth Countries (Entry Restrictions)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what Commonwealth Governments now impose restrictions on the entrance into their own territory of citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies either for temporary or permanent residence.
In general citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who are of good character, in sound health and not liable to became a charge to public funds are admitted for temporary residence in most Commonwealth countries without formality.For permanent residence, in addition to these requirements, other requirements have to be satisfied by citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies wishing to enter most Commonwealth countries, though in certain of these countries the requirements are not uniform for all citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies.
Scotland
Houses, Douglas
68.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the amount of indebtedness borne by the Treasury in respect of the construction of houses at Douglas, Lanarkshire, by the Scottish Special Housing Association.
The current annual burden borne by the Exchequer which is attributable to the cost of constructing the Association's 266 post-war houses at Douglas is about £11,500.
Diligence (Exchequer Assistance)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he now intends to take on the Report of the Committee on Diligence, particularly in respect of the remote areas.
The Committee made a large number of recommendations, some of which, including those relating to the creation of a diligence fund for the remote areas, would eventually require legislation, and consideration of them is not yet complete. Meanwhile, I have decided as a matter of urgency to introduce an experimental scheme of Exchequer assistance for the doing of diligence in remote areas on the lines recommended by the Committee. A Supplementary Estimate for this service will be laid before the House in due course.
Nuclear Warfare
69.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United Kingdom will now seek to obtain from the International Court an advisory opinion as to the legality of nuclear warfare, having regard to the extent of the contemplated destruction of the lives and property of non-combatant populations and to the relevant Geneva Conventions and the established rules of civilised war.
No. The use of nuclear weapons, as of all weapons, is governed by the ordinary rules of international law.
Royal Navy
Nuclear Marine Propulsion Unit
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what difficulties were encountered with the initial design of the nuclear marine propulsion unit at Dounreay; and what progress is now being made with its development.
The problems experienced in the earlier work on the nuclear marine propulsion unit at Dounreay were of the kind likely to arise with any new venture in this field. Progress was being made towards solving these problems and they could have been solved completely by research and development effort in this country, but this would have taken time.The knowledge acquired as a result of Anglo-American agreements for the exchange of atomic information, and in particular that which is being obtained as part of the contract under which machinery for "Dreadnought" is being obtained from the United States, has enabled us to make economies in the research and development programme for the Dounreay prototype reactor.
Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
Hypomagnesaemia
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make arrangements for veterinary surgeons to deposit supplies of calcium magnesium with some responsible person or authority in districts where it was not readily available for use in cases of hypomagnesaemia in stock.
I am not aware of any difficulty in obtaining calcined magnesite or other commercial grade of magnesium oxide from agricultural chemists and merchants. The value of these substances against hypomagnesaemia in stock is mainly as a protective addition to the daily food during the period when the trouble is most likely to occur. A veterinary surgeon should be called in as soon as symptoms suggestive of hypomagnesaemia are observed in order to make a positive diagnosis and give treatment. This usually takes the form of an injection of magnesium and, possibly, calcium compounds.
Weed Killers (Spray Drift Damage)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the damage which can be caused by the drift of weed killers, if he will issue instructions that hormone weed killers shall not be sprayed from the air at times of high wind or where they can overflow to adjoining agricultural land.
My Ministry and agricultural organisations including the Weed Control Council have issued much advice on the avoidance of spray drift damage. I have no power to control aerial spraying of hormone weed killers, but I have no reason to think that aerial spraying contractors will not use proper skill and care in these operations.
Apples And Pears (Grades)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will consider discontinuing the existing super grade for apples and pears under the National Mark Grades scheme;(2) if he will recommend the application of Grade I, Fancy, and Grade II, Standard, for Apples and Pears now coming under the Recommended, Fancy and Choice National Mark Grades.
Under the National Mark Scheme which was suspended in 1939 and not revived the grade designations were:
| Apples | Pears |
| (S.R. & O. 1935 No. 976) | (S.R. & O. 1933, No. 932) |
| Super | — |
| Extra Fancy | Extra Fancy |
| Fancy | Fancy |
| Domestic | Domestic |
| Apples | Pears | |
| Dessert | Culinary | |
| Super "R" | — | Extra Fancy |
| Fancy "R" | Fancy "R" | "R" |
| Choice "R" | Choice "R" | Fancy "R" |
| Domestic "R" | Domestic "R" | — |
| Domestic "R" | ||
If the industry is agreed that a revision of the grades is now desirable I shall, of course, be ready to consider any representations they may wish to make.
Wheat (Transport)
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to secure the giving of instructions for the speeding up of movement orders by nationalised carriers with regard to wheat, in view of the hold-ups that sometimes occur at the present time.
I have not been informed of any difficulties in this connection. In the first instance this is a matter which should be referred to the carriers concerned.
Forestry Workers
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of industrial workers employed by the Forestry Commission in Wales for the years 1955 to 1958, and the number now employed; whether he will indicate the number of similar workers directly employed in the Commission's forests by private traders and contractors for the same periods; and whether he will state the number of forestry workers who have been made redundant.
The number of industrial workers employed by the Forestry Commission in Wales on the 31st December in each of the years 1955–58 was:
| 1955 | … | … | … | … | 3,242 |
| 1956 | … | … | … | … | 3,175 |
| 1957 | … | … | … | … | 3,140 |
| 1958 | … | … | … | … | 3,165 |
Farm Improvement Scheme
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many complaints his Department has received with regard to the administration of the Farm Improvement Scheme; and of what particular nature and form.
I am afraid particulars are not kept in a form that would enable me to answer my hon. Friend's question. But my opinion is that this scheme, under which grants for work costing over £26 million have already been approved in England and Wales, is running very well.
Local Government
Refusal Of Planning Permission (Appeals)
20.
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many appeals against refusal of planning permission have been made in each of the years 1956, 1957 and 1958; in how many such appeals a public inquiry has been held; and in how many instances when there has been a public inquiry he has allowed such appeal.
The Answer is that 6,699 appeals under Section 16 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, were received in 1956; 6,921 in 1957; and 7,499 in 1958. The numbers of appeals decided after public inquiry in each of these three years were 3,452, 4,033 and 3,838 respectively. The number of appeals allowed in 1958 after public inquiry was 1,154; comparable figures are not available for 1956 and 1957 though figures of the total number of appeals allowed in those two years will be found in appendix XIV to the Report for 1958 issued by my Department.
National Service
Craft Apprentices (Deferment)
asked the Minister of Labour whether craft apprentices who have completed their apprenticeship now need to meet any requirements, additional to those set out in the Answer given by him on 16th April, 1957, in order to qualify for extended deferment.
My Answer of 16th April, 1957, gave details of certain classes of young men for whom I was able to extend the deferment arrangements. There has been no change affecting craft apprentices since then.The basic conditions are, briefly, that a deferred craft apprentice who has obtained the Ordinary National Certificate within the period of his apprenticeship may have up to two years' extension of deferment to take a Higher National Certificate; a craft apprentice who at the end of his apprenticeship is within one year of taking his Ordinary National Certificate may have a year's extension to sit the examination.
Coal Miners
asked the Minister of Labour to what extent miners leaving the pits before the age of 26 years are now liable for National Service.
If men who have been deferred as coal miners leave the mines before they pass out of liability at the age of 26, they become automatically available for call-up. I have, however, arranged that men who have worked for several years in the mines, and who become redundant owing to closures, will have their cases looked at specially if they are within two years of the upper age-limit, and normally their National Service obligation will not be enforced.
Employment
Aircraft Industry
asked the Minister of Labour the average annual employment in the aircraft industry for each year from 1949 to 1958.
The following table gives the information desired.Estimated average numbers of employees in employment in the manufacture and repair of aircraft in Great Britain for each of the years 1949 to 1958.
| Year | Numbers in employment | |||
| 1949 | … | … | … | 151,500 |
| 1950 | … | … | … | 150,600 |
| 1951 | … | … | … | 164,300 |
| 1952 | … | … | … | 194,300 |
| 1953 | … | … | … | 216,000 |
| 1954 | … | … | … | 231,800 |
| 1955 | … | … | … | 244,900 |
| 1956 | … | … | … | 259,800 |
| 1957 | … | … | … | 259,900 |
| 1958 | … | … | … | 250,600 |