asked the President of the Board of Trade when the 1956 Trade Agreement with Hungary comes to an end; what will be the position until a new agreement has been concluded; and when discussions concerning this agreement are likely to commence.

The Agreement has been extended by mutual consent until 26th October next. The quotas on both sides are being continued pro rata until that date. It is hoped to begin discussions about a new Agreement in September.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the overall effect upon Scottish industry, immediate and long term, of the Outer Seven free trade area.

We are satisfied that these arrangements will work to the advantage of industry in the United Kingdom as a whole, including Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to encourage the holding of trade exhibitions and conferences at Belle Vue in the City of Manchester.

I am sure that the management of Belle Vue, Manchester, is very capable of making known to those concerned the well-known amenities which it can offer for trade exhibitions and conferences. Industry must decide where best to show its goods.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the amount to be spent on education my the Government of Kenya for the year 1959–60; what amount will be spent on African, European and inter-racial schools, respectively; and the number of State-aided inter-racial schools at present in the territory.

Cross expenditure in 1959–60 on all education will be about £5,391,000. The net expenditure on African education will be £2,848,000, and on European education £463,000.In addition, both Africans and Europeans benefit from expenditure on common educational services such as higher education.About £153,000 is provided specifically for inter-racial institutions. This will be spent on the Royal Technical College, and on one grant-aided school in Nairobi.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many of the 552 Africans at present detained in Nyasaland will be charged in the courts; and with what offences.

It is not possible to say how many of the 535 Africans who were still in detention on 30th June will be prosecuted. This is a matter for the Attorney-General in Nyasaland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of his undertaking during the Nyasaland talks in 1957, what information he has supplied to the African members of the Nyasaland Legislative Council to show that an association between Nyasaland and Tanganyika would be impossible.

The facts and figures to support the view that Nyasaland is financially and economically better off as part of the Central African Federation were given by the Acting Financial Secretary in winding up the budget debate in the Nyasaland Legislative Council on 20th July, 1957.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how he has allocated the funds made available under Section 1 of the Colonial Development and Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1959.

The following table shows the estimated unspent balances remaining in the various central and territorial allocations on the 31st March, 1959, the allocations of the new

—		Unspent balance of previous Allocation	New Allocation	Total
		£	£	£
SUMMARY
Central Allocations	…	10,299,000	16,900,000	27,199,000
Allocations to Colonial, &c. territories	…	29,687,000	72,850,000	102,537,000
General Reserve	…	5,514,000	5,250,000	10,764,000
		45,500,000	95,000,000	140,500,000
ALLOCATIONS
I. CENTRAL ALLOCATIONS
(i) Research	…	3,026,000	4,500,000	7,526,000
(ii) Higher Education	…	2,725,000	5,000,000	7,725,000
(iii) High Technical Education	…	1,260,000	650,000	1,910,000
(iv) Geodetic and Topographical Surveys	…	955,000	3,000,000	3,955,000
(v) Geological Surveys	…	810,000	300,000	1 110,000
(vi) Broadcasting	…	593,000	1,000,000	1,593,000
(vii) Post-Selection Training for Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service	…	230,000	775,000	1,005,000
(viii) Other Central Schemes	…	520,000	1,675,000	2,195,000
(ix) Pre-Selection Training for Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service	…	30,000	—	30,000
(x) Aeronautical Wireless	…	75,000	—	75,000
(xi) Meteorological Services	…	75,000	—	75,000
		10,299,000	16,900,000	27,199,000
ALLOCATIONS TO COLONIAL, ETC. TERRITORIES
East Africa:—
General	…	246,000	400,000	646,000
Kenya	…	898,000	5,000,000	5,898 000
Somaliland Protectorate (for three years)	…	809 000	1,500,000	2,309,000
Tanganyika	…	2,059,000	6,000,000	8,059,000
Uganda	…	735,000	3,000,000	3,735,000
Zanzibar	…	42,000	450,000	492,000
		4,789,000	16,350,000	21,139,000
Central Africa:—
General	…	109,000	—	109,000
Northern Rhodesia	…	648,000	1,000,000	1,648,000
Nyasaland	…	642,000	3,000,000	3,642,000
		1,399,000	4,000,000	5,399,000
West Africa:—
Gambia (for three years)	…	338,000	1,000,000	1,338,000
Nigeria:—
Pre-Federation	…	32,000	—	32,000
Federation	…	1,656,000	—	1,656,000
Northern Region	…	1,733 000	—	1,733,000
Western Region		902,000	—	902,000
Eastern Region		1,875,000	—	1,875,000
Southern Cameroons		830,000	—	830,000
Sierra Leone (for three years)		1,292,000	2,000,000	3,292,000
		8,658,000	3,000,000	11,658,000

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects the Report of the Committee of Inquiry under Lord Sinclair of Cleeve into the Colonial Development Corporation to be made available.

Lord Sinclair has just submitted his Committee's Report. It will be printed as soon as possible. Meanwhile, for the convenience of Members, I am arranging for a number of roneoed copies to be available in the Library from noon on Friday, 24th July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the staffs of Government schools in Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria are consulted about the text-books and other educational aids to be used in their schools.

Generally speaking in each of the territories, the text-books and other educational aids are selected by the head teachers and their staffs, but Government advice is always available if required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further progress he has made in his discussions about the law relating to suicide; if he is now satisfied that the law requires amendment; and if he will make a statement.

I have certain proposals in mind but I am sorry that I am not in a position to make a statement today. I shall do so as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now completed his review of the present position regarding the award of costs to persons acquitted on criminal charges; and whether he will make a statement.

I am considering this question in consultation with my colleagues and others, but I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any further statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether, in view of the ratification by the United Kingdom of the International Convention relating to the Arrest of Sea-going Ships, 1952, he will take steps to have the Admiralty jurisdiction which is contained in the Administration of Justice Act, 1956, applied to the courts of the Isle of Man by an Order in Council made under Section 56 of the said Act;(2) whether, in view of the ratification by the United Kingdom of the International Convention relating to the Arrest of Sea-going Ships, 1952, he will take steps to have the Admiralty jurisdiction which is contained in the Administration of Justice Act, 1956, applied to the courts of the Channel Islands by an Order in Council made under Section 56 of the said Act.

I am in consultation with the authorities in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the ratification by the United Kingdom of the International Convention relating to the Limitation of Liability of Sea-going Ships, 1957, he will take steps to have the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act, 1958, applied to the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, respectively, by Orders in Council made under Section 11 of the said Act.

The authorities in Guernsey and the Isle of Man have agreed to the making of Orders in Council under Section 11 of the Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act, 1958, to enable the Convention to be extended to their territories. I understand that the States of Jersey will be recommended to agree to this at their next meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from his medical officers regarding the addiction to preludin by persons who are charged with crimes of violence; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many criminal cases involving acts of violence the violent behavour has been attributed to the use of the drug preludin by the persons charged.

I have recently been informed by a prison medical officer of two cases in which the taking of preludin associated with alcohol, and in one case with mental illness, has been followed by violence. I regret that there are no figures available about the number of offences of violence in which the persons charged have been taking preludin.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a report from the committee inquiring into juvenile drunkenness and delinquency may be expected prior to the Parliamentary summer Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he had yet received the report on the increase in youthful delinquency and drunkenness which he asked the Social Survey Division of the Central Office of Information to produce; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the report of the Social Survey Division of the Central Office of Information on its investigation into offences of drunkenness among all age groups may be expected towards the end of the year. There is no official committee inquiring into juvenile drunkenness and delinquency.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he was given of the work about to be undertaken by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, in relation to the Home Safety Campaign; and what was his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial assistance he will give to the Home Safety Campaign.

I dealt in my reply to the hon. Member for Coatbridge and Airdrie (Mrs. Mann) on 27th November last with the grant to be paid in the present year to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents for their home safety work. The society has informed me that it has increased its lecturing and visiting resources by appointing a second assistant in its Home Safety Department, and a Home Safety Organiser for Scotland and the North of England. I am considering its representations about a continued grant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will restore the arrangements existing prior to the issue of Circular R.P.A. 50, of 23rd August, 1952, for the notification of deaths by the General Register Office; and if he will allow local registrars to provide information about deaths to the agents of the political parties.

The arrangements under which electoral registration officers could, on request, obtain notifications of deaths from the General Register Office were discontinued because it was found that little use was made of them; and I have no evidence to suggest that there is a case for restoring them. The provision of information by local registrars is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend, the Minister of Health.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that electors who have correctly completed the Registration Form A are sometimes omitted from the Electoral Register through an error on the part of the registration authorities; and if he will take steps to give greater publicity, through the Press, radio, and television to explain how and when the provisional register can be checked, how claims to be included can be made, and the latest date for making such claims.

Besides local publicity arranged by electoral registration officers, I will arrange for the issue of suitable material about the electors' lists for the assistance of the Press and the broadcasting authorities. There will also be a postmark slogan this year calling attention to the lists.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to amend the Representation of the People Acts so as to allow electors who have correctly completed the Registration Form A, but who have been left off the Electoral Register through an error on the part of the registration authorities and do not discover this until it is too late to make a claim to be put on the register, to be put on a special supplementary register so as to enable them to vote at local government and parliamentary elections during the year during which the register on which they should have been included is in force.

No. Much as I regret the mistakes that occasionally occur, I attach great importance to the principle that the register, once published, is final.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department approximately what number of West Indians have arrived in this country during the past six months; and what number have returned to the West Indies.

During the six months ended 30th June, approximately 7,650 West Indians arrived in this country and 2,300 departed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that in some cities large numbers of people have been removed from one part to another as the result of various Government orders and will not consequently receive notices of the poll from the clerk; and if he will arrange that the new and old addresses should be given in the notification of the poll, in order that they may be delivered to the new address, the obligation now being that the old address must be stated.

The returning officer at a Parliamentary election is required by law to send an official poll card to each elector at his qualifying address. I doubt whether any other arrangement would be practicable or is needed, in view of the facilities that exist for forwarding correspondence to a new address.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of Great Britain's responsibilities towards Hong Kong and of her international obligations in World Refugee Year, he will now review Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the admission of Chinese refugees in Hong Kong who desire to take up employment in this country.

I am prepared to review the established practice in this matter, in consultation with my right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Minister of Labour and National Service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet received a report from the Boundary Commission for England, recommending changes in the boundaries of certain constituencies; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. I have received a Report from the Boundary Commission for England, dated 20th July, under Section 2 (3) of the House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act, 1949, recommending adjustments to the boundaries of thirty-nine constituencies to conform with local government boundary alterations. In accordance with Section 2 (5) of the Act, I am arranging for the Report, together with draft Orders-in-Council to give effect to the Commission's recommendations, to be laid before Parliament within the next few days. But the House will understand that it will not be practicable, in the time available, to invite Parliament to approve the draft Orders before the Recess.The Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Party have been consulted and agree.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents involving personal violence by gangs of youths have been reported to the Metropolitan Police during the month of July; what prosecutions have taken place in respect of these incidents; and with what result.

During the period 1st to 16th July, fourteen incidents involving personal violence by gangs of youths were reported to the Metropolitan Police. Fifteen persons have been charged in respect of these incidents. The charges have not yet been heard.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what pension and emoluments will be paid to the widow of Detective Sergeant Raymond Purdy of the Metropolitan Police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what special compensation, other than ordinary pension, is given to the widow of a police officer murdered whilst on duty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the circumstances of the death of her husband, Detective Sergeant Purdy, while discharging his duty, he will consider offering to Mrs. Purdy, of Berry-lands Road, Surbiton, a supplementary pension over and above that which she would normally receive.

I am sure that hon. Members will wish to take this opportunity of expressing their sympathy to Mrs. Purdy, whose husband was killed while doing his duty, and to her family.The Police Pensions Regulations provide for the payment of special pensions to the dependants of regular police officers who the as a result of injuries received without their own default in the execution of their duty. Mrs. Purdy has been informed that her total benefit has been assessed at £10 10s. 8d. a week. This sum includes the police pension that will be payable and the Industrial Injuries benefits and family allowances now in payment, and covers awards for two of her children.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what security of tenure of the house she now occupies, and which is owned by the Metropolitan Police, is enjoyed by the widow of Detective Sergeant Raymond Purdy of the Metropolitan Police.

The widow of a police officer living in a police house has no security of tenure in law, and all police houses are needed for serving officers. It is, however, the practice to deal as sympathetically as possible with such cases, and that will certainly be done in the case of Mrs. Purdy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will, if necessary, offer a substantial reward for information leading to the arrest of persons who unlawfully kill, or attempt to kill, police officers on duty, more especially as these officers are not armed.

The offer of a reward for information leading to the arrest of a criminal is not advisable as a general rule; but special circumstances in a particular case might warrant such an offer as an exceptional measure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider instituting free life insurance for all police officers killed whilst on duty or who the from injuries thus received.

I do not consider that the provision of free life insurance would be appropriate. The Police Pensions Regulations already cover awards to the widows of officers who the as a result of injuries received in the execution of their duty.

Davies asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps were taken by the Metropolitan Police during the London to Paris air race to ensure that the speed limits on roads used by contestants were observed by them; how many were warned or summoned for exceeding these speed limits; how many accidents were reported which directly or indirectly could be attributed to them during the race or prior to it during practice runs; and how many casualties resulted therefrom.

Traffic patrol officers have paid special attention to streets near the starting and finishing point. Up to 19th July inclusive, nineteen persons concerned in the competition had been warned for alleged traffic offences, and in another three cases the question of prosecution is being considered. One accident has been reported, involving a competitor who was not taking part in the race at the time. One person was killed and two others received injuries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions during the last five years he has found it necessary to communicate with the Watch Committee of a local authority outside the Metropolitan Police District in respect of matters concerning the police department in its area.

My Department is constantly in communication with watch committees on a wide variety of matters arising in the ordinary course of police administration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he is aware that the Inter-Governmental Committee for European Migration has since 1952 assisted 233,000 migrants to settle in Australia and 143,000 to settle in Canada; and what representations he has received from the Australian and Canadian Governments suggesting that Her Majesty's Government should become a member of the Inter-Governmental Committee for European Migration.

I am not aware of any recent approach from the Canadian Government. I discussed the matter with Mr. Downer, the Australian Minister for Immigration, during his visit here last month.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, having regard to the objectives of the Commonwealth Education Conference, what consultations have taken place with representatives of industry with a view to securing their co-operation.

Consultations with representatives of industry are now in progress at the Oxford Conference. It would be premature for me to make any forecast as to their result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what negotiations are now in progress, or what agreement has now been made, with the Maldive Government with respect to the cost and rent for the air base; and what is being paid for the use of the staging post.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 18th June to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway). The installation at Gan is not an air base but a staging post, and under the present agreement the annual rent is £2,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what steps he intends to take to ensure that Government grants are available for all teachers in the schools of Basutoland established by the English Church Mission for which there is a recognised educational need.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 19th February to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall). 1 am fully aware of the important contribution which the English Church Mission and the missions of other denominations are making to the development of education in Basutoland. As far as teachers are concerned, the Basutoland Administration are considering whether it is practicable, with the funds likely to be available, to pay grants in respect of more qualified teachers in mission schools.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what matriculation work is being done by the Basutoland High School and Lerotholi Technical School, respectively; and to what extent he has considered the desirability of amalgamating these two institutions in the interests of efficiency and the future needs of the territory.

The Basutoland High School provides matriculation courses. Lerotholi Technical School conducts four-year trade courses beyond standard VI for training artisans, and one-year post-secondary courses for training clerks. It does no matriculation work. The work of these two institutions is so different that amalgamation would be educationally undesirable.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what is his policy with regard to the development of junior secondary schools in Basutoland Protectorate; and how many new schools are to be built.

Since 1953 thirteen new junior secondary schools have been completed with assistance from colonial development and welfare funds. A fourteenth is now being built and four private junior secondary schools for girls have been started by the Roman Catholic Mission. For the immediate future the policy is to consolidate the substantial progress made since 1953 in increasing the number of schools and to improve their quality, in particular, to provide all junior secondary schools with adequate boarding facilities and staff housing.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what arrangements are being made for consulting the pitsu in Swaziland regarding the future of land and mineral rights in the Protectorate.

There is no pitsu in Swaziland.

asked the Minister of Education what plans he has for the improvement of primary education facilities at Lichfield, Staffordshire.

School or Department			Juniors		Infants
			July, 1958	July, 1959	July, 1958	July, 1959
Beacon	…	…	—	—	50	54
Roskear: (Boys)	…	…	326	293	—	—
(Girls)	…	…	242	215	—	—
(Infants)	…	…	—	—	246	240
Camborne, Church of England	…	…	256	226	—	—
Camborne, Church of England	…	…	—	—	148	150
St. John's Roman Catholic (Junior and Infants)	…	…	46	47	26	35
			870	781	470	479

asked the Minister of Education what outside buildings are hired in the borough of Falmouth, Cornwall, to accommodate primary school children; how many there are in each; and for which age groups they are used.

A Baptist Sunday school for 120 children of 5 to 7 years of age, and a former art school, for 34 girls of 7 to 11 years of age.

School or Department			Juniors		Infants
			July, 1958	July, 1959	July, 1958	July, 1959
Beacon	…	…	—	—	286	292
Clare Terrace (Girls)	…	…	239	236	—	—
Trevethan	…	…	—	—	116	120
Wellington Terrace (Boys)	…	…	333	293	—	—
Falmouth, Church of England: (Boys)	…	…	158	156	—	—
(Girls)	…	…	223	204	—	—
(Infants)	…	…	—	—	142	131
Penwerris, Church of England	…	…	—	—	51	55
St. Mary's Roman Catholic (Junior, Mixed and Infants)	…	…	50	56	30	33
			1,003	945	625	631

The Staffordshire local education authority hope to start work this year on a new primary school in Lichfield.

asked the Minister of Education how many children there are now in each of the primary school departments of the town of Camborne, Cornwall; and how many there were in July, 1958.

The following is the information:

asked the Minister of Education how many children there are in each of the primary school departments of the borough of Falmouth, Cornwall; and how many there were in July, 1958.

The following is the information:

asked the Minister of Education what is the estimated shortage of school teachers in the Wednesbury, Darlaston, and Willenhall areas for primary and secondary schools, respectively; and what is being done to meet this need.

Teachers are still being appointed to posts in the area for next September and it is too early yet to say what the position is likely to be then.

asked the Minister of Education what efforts are being made to reduce overcrowding in classes in primary schools in Wednesbury, Darlaston and Willenhall.

A new secondary school in Wednesbury will open this year and a new primary school early next year. New schools in all three towns have been included in approved building programmes for 1960–61 and 1961–62. In addition, extra classrooms have been provided, or are shortly to be provided, at a number of schools.

asked the Minister of Education if he will consider favourably an application from the Women's Cooperative Guild for a grant for educational work similar to those made to Women's Institutes and Townswomen's Guilds.

If an application is submitted to my right hon. Friend, he will of course consider it.

asked the Minister of Education (1) by what percentage each of the 14 local education authorities which were 1 per cent. or more above their quota in January, 1959, exceeded its quota;(2) by what percentage each of the 61 local education authorities which were 1 per cent. or more below their quota in January, 1959, was below its quota.

The following is the answer:

AUTHORITIES 1 PER CENT. OR MORE BELOW OR ABOVE THEIR QUOTA IN JANUARY, 1959
Below quota (61)
	Percentage
Isles of Scilly	13
Kingston upon Hull	8
Wakefield	7
Oldham	6
West Bromwich	6
Bury	5
Dewsbury	5
Middlesbrough	5
South Shields	5
West Hartlepool	5
Warwickshire	4
Barrow	4
Chester	4
Grimsby	4
Southend-on-Sea	4
Worcester	4
Bedfordshire	3
Isle of Ely	3
Suffolk East	3
Rutland	3
Lines. Kesteven	3
Suffolk West	3
Birmingham	3
Bradford	3
Gateshead	3
Huddersfield	3
Lincoln	3
Rochdale	3
Durham	2
Essex	2
Northamptonshire	2
Peterborough	2
Yorks. North Riding	2
Barnsley	2
Burnley	2
Burton-on-Trent	2
Great Yarmouth	2
Halifax	2
Ipswich	2
Newcastle upon Tyne	2
Reading	2
St. Helens	2
Sunderland	2
Walsall	2
West Ham	2
Montgomeryshire	2
Merthyr Tydfil	2
Cheshire	1
Leicestershire	1
Nottinghamshire	1
Blackpool	1
East Ham	1
Buckinghamshire	1
Exeter	1
Bristol	1
Portsmouth	1
Rotherham	1
Anglesey	1
Newport	1
Lincs. Lindsey	1
Southampton	1

asked the Minister of Education which local education authorities in January, 1958, were employing full-time teachers in excess of the quota indicated by his Department's Circular 318; and by what percentage each of the authorities concerned exceeded its quota.

In January, 1958, 15 authorities were 1 per cent. or more above quota. The names these authorities are as follows:

	Percentage
Huntingdonshire	1
Lincs. Holland	1
Wiltshire	1
Coventry	1
Burnley	1
Reading	1
Radnorshire	1
Carmarthenshire	1
Carlisle	2
Oxford	2
Lincs. Kesteven	3
Manchester	3
Smethwick	3
Stoke-on-Trent	3
Anglesey	4

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the quantities of bacon imported into the United Kingdom in the twelve months up to the last convenient date from each of the four major supplying countries; and from which of these countries bacon imports are subject to limitation by quota.

In the twelve months to the end of May imports of bacon from Denmark, Poland, the Irish Republic and Holland were 223, 48, 24 and 21 thousand tons respectively; of the four countries referred to, Poland is the only one from which imports of bacon are subject to quota restrictions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the anxiety of bacon producers that, as a result of increased imports of Danish bacon and a reduction in bacon prices, the cost of subsidies to pig producers is likely to become increasingly expensive and may accordingly be reduced; and whether he will give an assurance that the guaranteed prices will not be reduced over the next five or ten years.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the assurances given by my right hon. Friend in the debate on Tuesday, 21st July, and to the assurances given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his statement in the House on Thursday 9th July. These statements should have removed any anxiety that may have been felt by pig producers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a further statement on the grey seals colony on the Farne Islands.

The Nature Conservancy considers that the evidence points to the need for control of the breeding population on the Farnes but suggest that further culling should be deferred until the National Trust which owns the islands is satisfied that this is the only method of control likely to succeeed. At present the National Trust is not convinced of this.Meanwhile the Nature Conservancy is putting in hand a study of the interaction between grey seals and salmon, with the help of a grant from the Development Fund. Therefore, my right hon. Friend does not propose any further experiments in culling until some progress has been made with this inquiry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the development of an economic spraying technique and the uncertainty that exists about the continued need for dipping sheep as there has been no outbreak of scab in this country since 1952, he will review the requirements of the Sheep Scab Order before next summer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will have an investigation made to find out whether it is necessary to continue compulsory sheep dipping against sheep scab in order to secure national uniformity.

Under the Sheep Scab Orders it is for local authorities to consider whether it is necessary for them to make or continue sheep dipping regulations. My right, hon. Friend is aware that different opinions have been expressed on this matter and he proposes to review it in consultation with the interests concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the current net output of British agriculture compares with 1951 and 1955.

The latest estimate is the forecast made for 1958–59 at the last Annual Review. This was 161 per cent. of pre-war compared with 149 and 156 per cent. for 1951–52 and 1955–56 respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will extend the National Agricultural Advisory Service for the hot-water treatment of celery and broccoli seeds for one more year, since many growers of these products require another year to arrange for the hot-water treatment of their seed.

Notice of discontinuance by the N.A.A.S. of the hot-water treatment of celery and broccoli seed was given in November, 1958, in order that growers might have adequate time to make their own arrangements for the 1960 season. However in view of the practical difficulties that have been represented to me I am prepared to arrange as a temporary measure for the N.A.A.S. to continue this treatment until the end of March, 1960.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which parts of the country myxomatosis has re-appeared as a killing disease this summer; and to what extent rabbits have developed immunity where the disease has been prevalent in earlier years.

There have been fairly widespread outbreaks of virulent myxomatosis this summer in Northumberland and to a lesser extent in counties in the South-East, with scattered outbreaks elsewhere. The percentage of rabbits recovering from myxomatosis and developing immunity varies widely in different areas and may be as low as 5 per cent. or as high as 80 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider advising corn and agricultural merchants to use higher capacity auger elevators instead of storage bins, when storing grain and feedingstuffs, thus reducing costs.

No one method of movement or storage of grain is the best in all circumstances. It is up to those concerned to decide which is most appropriate in a particular case. The National Association of Corn and Agricultural Merchants has issued a pamphlet giving practical advice about bulk-handling equipment to farmers, merchants, ultimate users of grain and all concerned in advising on, or supplying, this type of equipment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further progress has been made in setting up rabbit clearance societies in England and Wales; and whether he is satisfied with the position.

There are now 259 rabbit clearance societies covering 4·3 million acres of land. This is good progress, but I am far from satisfied. The area covered is still only 14 per cent. of the agricultural acreage of England and Wales, and I am now getting disturbing reports that rabbit numbers are on the increase. I must therefore sound a warning that unless occupiers join together in setting up societies in those parts of the country not so far covered, there is a serious danger that, before long, the wild rabbit will re-establish itself as a major pest of agriculture.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the outcome of the negotiations at Stockholm for a free trade area of the Outer Seven European countries.

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the statement which I made to the House this afternoon.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress was made at the Conference of Commonwealth Officials studying methods of mobilising resources for commonwealth development; and whether he will make a statement.

The recent meetings in London were most useful, but they were meetings of officials who are reporting to their Governments. I cannot therefore make any statement about them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much is now required to purchase food which in 1951 would have cost 20s.; and how much is now required to purchase all items which in 1951 would have cost 20s. taking food and all items in the Index of Retail Prices and linking them to the corresponding items in the interim indices.

Nearly 30s. and 26s. 11d. respectively, comparing June, 1959, with the average for 1951. The first figure is only an approximate estimate because the retail prices index does not relate to the pattern of 1951 food purchases, and because of two changes in coverage since 1951.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much consumers' expenditure on food and consumers' expenditure upon all items has increased between 1951 and the latest convenient date; how much is represented by an increase in the volume of consumption; and how much is due to increase in prices.

Between 1951 and 1958 consumers' expenditure on food is estimated to have risen from £2,949 million to £4,672 million or by 58 per cent. Total consumers' expenditure over the same period is estimated to have risen from £10,047 million to £14,853 million or by 48 per cent. No precise analysis of these changes is available, but measured at average 1954 prices the increases in the volume of consumption were about 15½ per cent. for food and about 18½ per cent. for total expenditure. On this basis the increases attributable to price changes were about 37 per cent. and 25 per cent respectively.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what recurrent grants and non-recurrent grants have been made to Durham University for each year commencing 1954 to date.

Following is the information:

Academic Year (1st August to 31st July)	Recurrent Grants	Non-recurrant Grants
	£	£
1953–54	934,180	257,316
1954–55	1,084,046	205,007
1955–56	1,158 500	197,405
1956–57	1,227,460	392,415
1957–58	1,508,680	939,484
1958–59 (to date)	1,603,535	1,096,931

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the Government are still advised by the Economic Planning Board on the best use to be made as a whole of United Kingdom resources in industry and manpower.

The Economic Planning Board continues to meet regularly in order to review general economic problems, and, where necessary, to advise Her Majesty's Government on them. The Government attach importance to the work done by the Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what the estimated rateable valuations will be upon which in due course contributions in lieu of rates will be paid by the Treasury Valuer's Department in terms of Section 6 (1) of the Atomic Energy Act, 1954, in respect of the completed atomic energy stations at Dounreay and Chapelcross.

I have been asked to reply.For the year from Whitsunday, 1959, contributions in lieu of rates will be granted on rateable values of

Dounreay	£28,700
Chapelcross	£34,390

When the projects have been completed, it is estimated that the rateable values should be about

Dounreay	£29,000
Chapelcross	£54,000

These latter figures take no account of the revaluation which comes into force in 1961.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the nuisance and danger arising from allowing dogs to roam without control in congested traffic areas in Central London; and what steps he is taking in the matter.

Section 15 of the Road Traffic Act, 1956, empowers local authorities to designate roads in their areas where dogs must be kept on a lead. Such orders are subject to my confirmation. No local authority in Central London has yet proposed to make use of this power.

asked the Paymaster-General how many civilians, other than workmen engaged on the erection or repair of electricity cables, suffer death or injury each year by coming in contact with electricity supply lines.

The number of persons involved in accidents of this kind in recent years has averaged a little under fifty, of which about one in four has suffered fatal injuries. The great majority of these accidents have been caused by mobile equipment, such as cranes or elevators, touching overhead electric lines.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will make a further statement on the prospects of securing an industrial tenant for the Royal Naval Aircraft Repair Yard, Donibristle.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 25th June.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will name the local authorities to which he expressed disapproval of their action in withdrawing facilities from the Press; and what were the terms of his communications to them.

With permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of a letter which was sent on my right hon. Friend's instructions to the Nottingham City Council. He wrote to that council because, as the letter explains, he had received a number of complaints about its action. Copies of this letter were sent to the Town Clerks of Barrow-in-Furness, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and Liverpool because those authorities had been reported in the newspapers as having in one way or another withdrawn facilities which they normally give to the Press, and my right hon. Friend thought that it would be useful to them to have the full text of what he had said to the Nottingham Council. Copies were also sent to the associations of local authorities so that they might be aware of his views in connection with the discussions taking place about securing full facilities to the Press.

asked the Attorney-General what is the longest period a person has served in prison as a penalty for contempt of court; and, in view of the fact that there is no limit to the period of committal which can be imposed by a judge for a person to purge his contempt, and that there is no appeal against such a committal, if he will give this matter consideration with a view to a change in the law which will meet present circumstances.

During the period for which records are readily available the longest term served by a contempt prisoner is two years and eleven months, between 1942 and 1945. I can hold out no hope of any alteration of the law on this point.

asked the Attorney-General the grounds upon which he refused to sanction a prosecution in respect of the publication of the Economist of the 20th June, 1959, without the name and address of its printer.

Having regard to all the circumstances of the case, and in particular to the fact that the name of the publisher appeared on the face of the edition, I decided that it was not necessary in the public interest to institute proceedings.

asked the Minister of Health for how many proprietary drugs satisfactory price agreements have now been concluded under the voluntary price-fixing scheme initiated by his Department, expressed as an approximate percentage of the total annual value of all proprietary drugs dispensed under the National Health Service.

The prices of some 4,000 proprietary drugs representing rather more than 80 per cent. by value of all proprietary drugs dispensed under the National Health Service have so far been accepted by reference to the various provisions of the voluntary price regulation scheme.

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephone subscribers there are in the new town of East Kilbride; how many potential subscribers are awaiting service; and how this figure compares with that two years ago.