asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what training facilities are available for Africans in Northern Rhodesia to qualify for senior or other staff posts at power stations or to train as maintenance engineers and for other specialist positions; and what is the number of Africans who will be employed in skilled jobs.

For engineers a university qualification is the first essential, and this can only be obtained outside the territory. Shift supervisors are promoted from artisans who have served their apprenticeship. The other information asked for is not yet available, but I am in consultation with the Governor of Northern Rhodesia and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the name of the resident doctor at Hola Detention Camp; whether this doctor was on duty at the time the 11 detainees were beaten to death; to what extent he attended to any of the injured detainees; and what report he made to Mr. Campbell of the cause of the deaths of the detainees.

Dr. R. W. Moyes. He was on duty at the hospital on the morning of 3rd March and treated the injured detainees. The evidence he and Mr. Campbell gave to the inquiring magistrate was published on Friday with the remainder of the inquest proceedings and exhibits as Cmnd. 795.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now prepared to place in the Library of the House a photostatic copy of the page in the Aguthi detention camp punishment book dealing with the birching of the detainee who wrote to the hon. Member for Blackburn.

I am placing in the Library a copy of the pages which the hon. Member saw during his visit to Aguthi. There is no evidence that the detainee in question ever wrote to the hon. Member for Blackburn, and he was not given corporal punishment for doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what changes have recently been introduced into the administration of the hospital service in Victoria and Praslin, Seychelles; and when the regrading of patients will take place.

So far as I am aware no changes have recently been made. I am in touch with the Governor about the regrading of patients.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans he has for slum clearance in Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles; and whether he will make a statement.

An officer with recent experience of housing problems in the West Indies has been appointed to the new post of Government Architect in Seychelles. He will arrive in the Colony in mid-August and will advise the Seychelles Government on the plans which should be made to tackle the problem.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the future of the leper colony on Curieuse, Seychelles.

In the last four years the number of patients has been reduced from 40 to 11. I hope that with the use of new drugs, the closing of the settlement will not be long delayed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he is taking about the appeal to the Governor by the East, Central and Southern Africa Area Committee of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions that the Government of Nyasaland should consider the desirability of making a full investigation without delay into the cases of the detained trade unionists with a view to the early restoration of the full rights they enjoyed as free citizens, and should intervene in any individual cases brought to its notice of workers released from detention being refused reinstatement by their employers.

Rights of appeal exist for those who claim that they are unjustly detained. Moreover, every case is periodically reviewed by the Governor, and those detained are released as soon as they are no longer considered a threat to public order. I see no reason for further investigations where trade unionists are involved, and they will be accorded the same treatment as other detainees.Employers have been encouraged to reinstate released detainees both by the Press and in a letter sent by the Nyasaland Employers' Association to all its members. It will however be appreciated that the Government can hardly compel employers to take released detainees back.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what Orders in Council relating to any Colony or any place in which Her Majesty has jurisdiction have been made under Section 11 of the Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act, 1958.

None, but I am still in consultation with Colonial Governments on this question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects to be able to announce his constitutional proposals for Sarawak.

There are no constitutional proposals for Sarawak at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the announcement in Mauritius, on 19th May, of the proposed withdrawal of the military garrison.

Yes. By arrangement betwen the East African Governors and the Governor of Mauritius the present military garrison is provided by two companies of the East African land forces administered by the East African Land Forces Organisation in Nairobi. East African forces first went to Mauritius during the last war to protect the Colony against attack. The continuance of these arrangements until recent years has been based partly on the needs of Mauritius and partly on the requirements of Commonwealth strategy.Changes in defence policy and improvement in air transport have meant that it is no longer necessary to maintain small and scattered garrisons. Mauritius has itself never borne the whole cost of the garrison and recently United Kingdom financial assistance for this purpose has been paid direct to the East African Land Forces Organisation; provision was, however, made in this year's Colonial Services Vote that from the 1st July, 1959 such assistance would instead be paid direct to the Mauritius Government.The Governor has now decided to raise a Special Mobile Force under his control for the internal security requirements of the territory. This will allow the progressive withdrawal of the East African garrison during the next twelve months. In these circumstances there is no point in changing present financial procedures, and United Kingdom financial assistance from 1st July, 1959, will continue to be paid direct to the East African Land Forces Organisation.

asked the Minister of Works what consultation he has had with the Scottish Tourist Board about points of historical interest, at Douglas, Lanarkshire, with a view to spreading public appreciation of the country's architectural and other treasures there.

My Department has not had any consultation with the Scottish Tourist Board specifically about historic places in Douglas, Lanarkshire, but it regularly supplies the Board with publicity material and information about Ancient Monuments in the care of the Ministry of Works in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what independent schools in Renfrewshire receive public grants; what is the size of the grant in each case; and what is the sum of money deducted from the general grant given to Renfrewshire County Council and other local authorities in Renfrewshire.

Grant will be paid only to St. Columba's School, Kilmacolm. The estimated amount for the school's next financial year will be £15,500. No deduction from general grant is involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made towards provision of jetties and a vehicular ferry service at Scalpay, Isle of Harris.

Plans of the proposed jetties were submitted recently by the county council and are being examined by my Department's engineers. These plans do not include provision for a vehicular ferry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of families transferred to receiving areas since the introduction of the Housing and Town Development (Scotland) Act, 1957.

Although the first houses built in pursuance of overspill agreements are only now on the point of completion, 38 families have already moved as overspill tenants to other houses made available by receiving authorities. Applications have been approved in this category from a further 194 families who will move shortly. It is not possible to ascertain how many families have moved independently of overspill arrangements, but in East Kilbride alone, from April, 1957, to March, 1959, Houses were allotted to 900 Glasgow families.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the cause of the recent decline in the production of pigs and bacon in Aberdeen city and county; and what steps he is taking to arrest that decline.

The latest available figures do not suggest any significant decline in either pig or bacon production in the City and County of Aberdeen.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the total number of prisoners now in Peterhead Prison; how many are skilled and unskilled; in which trades, professions and avocations they are skilled; how their work is allocated in and outside prison; how far the present talks on changes in the system of allocation of work in and out of prison have gone; and when it is expected that those talks will conclude.

Forty-three of the prisoners are skilled (13 engineers and metal workers, 12 building artisans, 7 miners, 3 tailors and 8 others) and 195 unskilled. Prisoners are allotted to the work for which they are most suited: 154 are employed indoors, mainly in the worksheds and on domestic duties, 64 out of doors and 20 on the maintenance and adaptation of prison buildings.The Governor has had preliminary talks with the Town Council about the possibility of the Council's employing prison labour but further discussions will be needed to establish whether this is practicable and these cannot be concluded quickly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the numbers of amenity beds and pay beds in National Health Service hospitals in each regional hospital board area in Scotland in 1951 and 1958.

The number of amenity beds and pay beds in the National Health Service hospitals in each regional hospital board area in 1951 and 1958 were as follows:

Hospital Region			1951	1958
AMENITY BEDS
Northern	…	…	33	53
North-Eastern	…	…	275	312
Eastern	…	…	170	166
South-Eastern	…	…	433	475
Western	…	…	1,237	1,205
Total	…	…	2,148	2,211

PAY BEDS
Northern	…	15	13
North-Eastern	…	144	130
Eastern	…	196	183
South-Eastern	…	135	124
Western	…	527	422
Total	…	1,017	872
GRAND TOTAL	…	3,165	3,083

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the effect which the recent changes of policy of the Herring Industry Board have had and are having on the supply and prices of herring and white fish, respectively; if he is aware that these changes are prejudicial to producers and consumers; and what steps he intends to take to rectify the situation.

I am not aware of any recent change in the Herring Industry Board's policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what improvements in accommodation have to be carried out at Foresthall Hospital, Springburn; and what is the probable cost.

The Western Regional Hospital Board has arranged with Glasgow Corporation for the upgrading of wards West 1, 2 and 3 which form part of the hospital accommodation at Foresthall Hospital made available by the Corporation to the Board. The cost, which will be met by the Board, is estimated to be £35,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of agricultural machines shown at the Highland Show complied in all respects with the regulations and draft regulations enacted or proposed by Her Majesty's Government.

Farm Safety Regulations apply to machines used by agricultural workers in the course of their employment. There is therefore no question of compliance so far as machines on show are concerned. It is not possible to give a percentage figure but reports from my Inspectors indicate that most of the machines on show at Aberdeen were adequately guarded and that manufacturers are now showing a good deal of interest in safety measures. A further satisfactory feature of the reports is the very considerable degree of progress since last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average length of time a mother remains in hospital in Lanarkshire after the birth of her baby.

I regret that an exact figure is not available. The general policy in Lanarkshire is that a normal patient remains in hospital for seven days after the birth of her child.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) for what reasons it was decided to revoke the Anti-Dumping Order (No. 1) directed against certain specified methyl silicone fluids of Rhone-Poulenc;

The antidumping Order was revoked because, when the domestic and export prices of this firm's production came into line, the dumping was effectively ended and there was no justification for continuing the anti-dumping duty. The specific purpose of an anti-dumping duty is to offset dumping, and the removal of such a duty does not, in itself, call for alternative steps to assist the industry concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much wool from the Government stock has been sold this season; and how much remains to be sold.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 1,601,874 clean lb. We shall be offering a further 1,774,337 1b. during the remainder of the season.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of cinemas in South Wales which have closed during the past two months.

My present information is that one cinema in South Wales and one in Monmouthshire closed during May and June. One cinema in South Wales re-opened during this period.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now ready to make a statement of the membership of the Committee to consider the interests of the consumer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state the composition of the committee appointed to consider the whole question of consumer protection.

Invitations to serve on the Committee on Consumer Protection under the Chairmanship of Mr. J. T. Molony, Q.C., have been accepted by Mr. Bedford Attwood, Mrs. Leslie Beauchamp, Mr. Rex Cohen, Mrs. Beryl Diamond, Lord Geddes, Mr. Bernard Kenyon, Mr. E. R. Lewis, Mr. John Ramage, Miss Agnes Richmond, and Mrs. Dorothy Stone. My right hon. Friend is adding one further member with legal experience but his acceptance has not yet been received.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the approximate value of the exports of United Kingdom agricultural products in 1958 to each of the countries which attended the Stockholm discussions in June to discuss a free trade association; and what was the approximate value of the agricultural produce imported into the United Kingdom from the same countries during the same period.

The values are as follows:

TRADE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS (a) BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SELECTED COUNTRIES IN 1958.
£ million
—		Imports into the United Kingdom	Exports Produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom (b)
Sweden	…	6·2	0·9
Norway	…	2·1	0·3
Denmark	…	99·0	1·2
Switzerland	…	2·0	0·4
Portugal	…	3·0	0·4
Austria	…	1·0	0·2

(

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that Purchase Tax is expected to yield £471 million in 1959–60; and by how much Income Tax would have to be increased to ensure this amount to the Treasury, on the basis of excluding the first £2,000 per annum of gross earnings and then instituting a progressive tax of 10 per cent. on a cumulative basis on each additional £1,000 per annum of earnings.

Yes. To raise this amount on the basis suggested it would be necessary to increase the standard rate of Income Tax by 2s. 9d., with proportionate increases in the reduced rates, when all earned incomes would be taxed at 100 per cent., in respect of the slice above £5,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that compared with five years ago £100 worth of imports costs only £97 today, whereas £100 of exports now fetches £109; and whether, using 1951 as £100, he will give the annual rise and fall in the price of our imports and exports from 1951 to the latest convenient stated date, quoting also for the dates given the internal rise and fall of the cost of living and the £ sterling.

The following is the reply:

—	Import prices	Export prices	Consumer price index	Purchasing power of the £
				s.	d.
1951	100	100	100	20	0
1952	98	105	106	18	11
1953	90	101	108	18	7
1954	88	100	110	18	3
1955	92	102	114	17	7
1956	93	106	118	16	11
1957	95	110	122	16	5
1958	87	110	125	16	0
May, 1959	86	109	125	16	0

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent he estimates the reduction of 3 per cent. in the cost of our imports and the rise of 9 per cent. in the receipts for our exports during the past five years has been responsible for the improvement in our balance of payments and the present steadying of our cost-of-living index figures.

A number of factors, which include the reduction in indirect taxation resulting from the last two Budgets and changes in supplies of some kinds of food, have contributed to the relative stability in the retail price index over the past year. The fall in import prices during 1957 has also played an important part in halting the upward movement; it is not possible to measure statistically the contribution it has made.The fall in import prices has also undoubtedly benefited the balance of payments, but again, no quantitative estimate can reliably be made of that benefit. Although the cost of imports was reduced, export earnings and income from investment abroad were both adversely affected by the fall in import prices.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the concern felt by the paper and board industry, especially in Scotland, as to the effect of the possible establishment of the Little Free Trade Area; and whether he will make a statement of Government policy in this respect.

I have been asked to reply.I am very well aware of this industry's views which the Government will take fully into account together with those of other British industries. As regards the possibility of establishing a Free Trade Area of the Seven countries, a report was prepared by officials at a meeting in Stockholm last month and is now being considered by Ministers in each of the countries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the figure of national income for the year 1958; and by how much would this figure have increased, compared to the year 1951, if the average increase of industrial production in the years 1945 to 1951 had been maintained in the years 1952 to 1958.

The gross national product, which is the national income reckoned before deduction of depreciation, is estimated at £20,114 million for 1958. It is not possible to estimate what its value would have been in the conditions postulated by the hon. Member, as this would require assumptions about the proportion of the national income derived from industrial production, and about the relation between money income and real output, in hypothetical conditions; and such assumptions could only be arbitrary.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of those local authorities which discharge untreated sewage into coastal or estuarial waters.

I regret that this information is not available. I am aware, and I know that the coastal sewerage authorities are aware, that in a number of cases action to clean the sea and beaches is badly needed. Whether the discharge of untreated sewage is objectionable depends of course, on the point of discharge, the direction of the currents, the speed of dilution and other factors, so that each case must be judged separately.I intend progressively to reduce pollution both of the sea and of the rivers. To this end I am encouraging local authorities to increase investment in sewerage work, and shall continue to do so.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what progress has been made in setting up an inquiry into the operation of the Statutory Orders (Special Procedure) Act, 1945.

The questions at issue are now being examined by the Departments concerned, after which the House authorities will be brought into consultation.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how far he has now developed his plans for a monitoring service which will be available to local authorities; and if he will instruct local authorities, owing to the inadequacy of present arrangements, to obtain the necessary staff and equipment so that they can proceed with their own monitoring system on a scale which they think necessary until the completion of his plans.

The Government already have nation-wide arrangements for testing radioactivity in the environment and for keeping a special watch near nuclear installations. These arrangements will be adjusted if experience shows this to be necessary. I can see nothing that would be gained by local authorities duplicating them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many grants or loans have been approved this year under Section 3 of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945; and what is the total sum approved to date.

One grant has been approved under this section since the issue of circular 22/59 on 12th March. The amount of the grant is £44,000. A tentative indication of grant amounting to £80,000 has been given on one other scheme, but grant cannot be formally approved on this until details of the scheme have been received. Sixteen other applications (mainly in Wales) are being considered.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps he proposes to take to ensure that every opportunity is given to those who desire to see preserved the architectural beauty of squares and streets in London, which may be endangered by the erection of new buildings out of keeping with neighbouring architecture, to criticise or object to new building proposals before planning permission is granted.

These matters must be left in the general run of cases to the London County Council as local planning authority, who always consider the effect of a new building on its neighbours, especially in a street or square of architectural beauty. In any case of sufficient importance they consult the Royal Fine Art Commission.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what opportunities have been given for interested parties to see the proposed design for the building of Wyndham House on the bombed site adjacent to Wyndham Place, Montague Place, and Bryanston Square, in view of the importance of harmonising the design of the proposed new building with the surrounding Georgian architecture before planning permission is granted.

Approval of the design of the proposed building rests primarily with the London County Council, as local planning authority. I understand that they consulted the Royal Fine Art Commission, when the proposal was first submitted and that the Commission raised no objection; and that they are now consulting the St. Marylebone Borough Council.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware that living conditions are becoming bad in the part of Splott Ward, Cardiff, adjoining Guest Keen Iron and Steel Works due to fumes and grit from the works; and if he will use his powers to require an abatement of this nuisance.

I am not aware that conditions have deteriorated, but I am seeing that the position is watched. Since the major processes at these works were brought under the Alkali Act a year ago, the Alkali Inspectorate has been doing its best to make sure that pollution from the works is reduced to a minimum.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will consider legislation to prevent local authorities withholding official information and public notice advertisements from the Press, when, as in the present printing dispute, emergency editions of newspapers are being produced.

On many occasions I have made clear my view that local authorities should be forthcoming in providing facilities for the Press to report their proceedings, decisions and actions. But I have no legislation in mind of the particular character which my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that the majority group of the Birmingham City Council has decided not to use separate newspaper publication facilities available to the Council during the printing strike; and if he will use his powers to ensure that there is no wilful failure on the part of the Council to publish notices required by statute.

I had read reports of this, but I have no powers in the matter. Should a local authority fail to comply with some statutory requirement, its action is open to challenge in the courts.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has yet come to a decision on the proposal by the London County Council to increase the height of Block 21 on the Alton Estate, Roehampton, from eight storeys to 10 storeys; what public notice was given by the London County Council of the proposed addition of the two storeys; and what opportunity those who are adversely affected by the change will have of exercising their statutory right of objecting to it.

My right hon. Friend understands that the London County Council has not given public notice of this proposal, but it has received a number of objections which it is now considering. The London County Council has not yet consulted him officially about its proposal. Before authorising the London County Council to depart in this respect from the terms of the permission granted to it by his predecessor, my right hon. Friend would consider any objections and the views of the London County Council upon them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will state the estimated number of dwellings damaged and destroyed by enemy action in the last war; and how many of these were repaired and rebuilt in each year during the period 1945 to 1951.

In England and Wales, 218,215 houses were destroyed or damaged beyond repair and a further 544,858 were severely damaged. In addition, over 3 million houses were less seriously damaged. The numbers of destroyed and severely damaged houses repaired in each year are given in the attached table. I have no similar figures for the slightly damaged houses.

—		Houses Rebuilt	Severely damaged dwellings repaired
Up to end 1945	…	178	60,817
1946	…	5,509	46,420
1947	…	12,376	19,774
1948	…	14,178	9,799
1949	…	6,100	4,844
1950	…	2,666	2,767
1951	…	1,383	1,634

asked the Paymaster-General how far the Government expect to contract the mining industry; and

PURCHASES BY MINISTRY OF WORKS
—				1954–55	1955–56	1956–57	1957–58	1958–59
Fuel oil Tons	…	…	…	24,540	30,490	42,550	58,720	61,680
Coal Tons	…	…	…	418,840	390,720	330,790	317,610	291,740

The above amounts include substantial purchases on behalf of other Departments (varying from year to year) which bear the cost of fuel on their own Votes.

INDUSTRIAL FUEL CONSUMPTION (in Thousand Tons)
—				1954	1955	1956	1957	1958
Fuel oil	…	…	…	2,800*	3,200*	3,600*	4,037	4,994
Coal	…	…	…	40,822	40,647	39,397	37,481	33,565
* Estimated.

Imports of fuel oil are not generally earmarked for specific users, so that the extent to which consumption in a particular sector is met from imported fuel oil cannot be stated.

I cannot anticipate the proposals which the National Coal Board will be making to my noble Friend, but I am satisfied that, in consultation with the unions concerned and with Government Departments, the Board will do all it can to secure alternative employment for any mineworker affected by colliery closures.

asked the Paymaster-General what was the net import and cost of fuel oil for use in Government Departments, Government industrial establishments, and industrial users in each of the past five years; and what was the amount of coal used by these establishments in the same years.

The full information requested is not readily available, but details can be given of quantities purchased by the Ministry of Works for use in Government buildings and of quantities consumed by industrial users. The following are the figures:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether, at the 1960 constitutional conference on Central Africa, he will endeavour to ensure the continuance of the existing territorial police forces as the sole police organisations in Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia.

It would not be proper for me to attempt to specify now what subjects will be considered at the 1960 Review Conference.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many farms with an acreage of under 20 there are in the county of Staffordshire; and, of this number how many are situated within the boundaries of the Lichfield and Tamworth parliamentary constituency.

In June, 1958, there were 3,904 agricultural holdings in Staffordshire between one and 20 acres of crops and grass. Four hundred and eighty of these were in the Lichfield and Tamworth parliamentary division. Most are part-time farms, and some are large gardens, fields and paddocks used only to a minor extent for agriculture.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when a reply was sent to Road Haulage Association Limited in response to their letter Reference EWR/ED of 26th January, 1959, to the Director Naval Contracts, Admiralty (Contract Department), the receipt of which was acknowledged by postcard; and why the despatch of this reply was so long delayed.

I regret the delay in replying to the Road Haulage Association, whose letter raised an important and complicated issue. A reply was despatched yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will take the initiative in inviting the representatives of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and Warsaw Pact to explore the possibilities of arriving at a clear understanding about the future of Germany's frontiers and an easing of tension in Central Europe.

No. The frontiers of a reunified Germany can only be finally settled with the agreement of an all-German Government. My right honourable and learned Friend is working at Geneva and elsewhere for an easing of tension in Central Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made by Her Majesty's Government in their recent review of the terms of the 1945 Potsdam Agreement concerning the territories of the German Reich; to what extent this matter has been raised officially by the Government of Western Germany; and what reply has been made to such representations by Her Majesty's Government.

Her Majesty's Government have not been reviewing the terms of the Potsdam Agreement concerning the territories of the German Reich and have not received any representations from the Federal German Government on this subject.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the terms reported to him for settlement of the dispute in the printing industry which have been demanded by the trade unions; and what terms have been offered by the employers.

I understand that, broadly, the principal items in the unions' claim are a 10 per cent. increase in wages and a reduction of the working week to 40 hours and that the employers have offered a 2½ per cent. increase in wages and a reduction to 42½ hours in the working week, coupled with proposals which in their view would improve the efficiency of the industry.

asked the Minister of Labour how far it was a condition agreed by both the Master Printers' Federation and the 10 printing unions, and reported to him, that any industrial dispute, which had not been resolved by the joint industrial conciliation machinery, should be referred to arbitration; to what extent any of the opposing parties are expressing willingness to carry out that agreement; and which are in breach of it.

The constitution of the Joint Industrial Council of the Printing and Allied Trades allows for the adoption of special procedure in the event of a breakdown in negotiations. It is, I understand, the case that the employers have expressed their willing- ness to have the dispute referred to any mutually acceptable form of arbitration but that the unions have not so far been willing to follow that course.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will introduce legislation to clarify the position with regard to the maintenance of fences erected along a new road, particularly as to how this applies to agriculturists.

In general there is no obligation upon the highway authority to provide or maintain a fence nor is the land-owner obliged to provide one or maintain a fence that may have been provided. I do not consider that legislation on this matter is required.