asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the cost to Her Majesty's Treasury of introducing a retirement and pension scheme for Members of Parliament based on that now operated for civil servants.

The Civil Service superannuation scheme is based on the concept of a career service which provides the necessary actuarial data, for instance, ages of entry and retirement and length of service. The conditions of service in this House do not provide data or assumptions of this kind on which a pension scheme like the Civil Service one could be founded. I am sorry, therefore, that I cannot give an estimate of the cost of such a scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give, for the latest convenient stated annual period, the total number of applicants for foreign travel currency and the numbers of applicants in each of the following groups, namely, up to £10, £10–£20, £30–£40, £60–£80, and £80–£100.

I regret this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has yet received the conclusions of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art with regard to raising the £500 lower limit so that works valued at a large sum may be exported without individual scrutiny; and whether he has any statement to make

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what loss to the Revenue he estimates would be caused by the abolition of Purchase Tax on all items other than luxury articles; and by how much the present transfer Stamp Duty on stocks and shares would have to be increased to ensure the same revenue as that now received from Purchase Tax on household and necessitous articles.

I do not know at what point the hon. Member would draw a boundary line between the two classes of article that he is seeking to distinguish.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the estimated number of civil servants who will be redundant through the closing of the Ministry of Supply; and what will be the economy in money by this change.

The functions of the former Ministry of Supply will be carried out by other Departments, mainly the War Office and the Ministry of Aviation; and the staff will go with the functions to the new Departments. I have no reason to suppose that these changes in themselves will lead to redundancy, but it is too early to say what the net effect on total staff numbers in the Departments affected will be or on the cost of administering the services.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the next practical steps he proposes in the setting up of a free trade area among the Outer Seven European countries.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) today.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs which statutory water undertakers have restricted domestic supplies during the last six months, between what dates, to what extent, and under what powers; and how many of such restrictions are still in force.

My right hon. Friend does not have full information about those restrictions which can be imposed by water undertakers without reference to him. He understands, however, from the British Waterworks Association that at the end of September they were aware of 199 water undertakers in England and Wales who had imposed restrictions on the use of hose-pipes; 34 of these had also imposed other restrictions on domestic supplies such as turning off supplies for part of the day.In a few places the hose-pipe restrictions began in May. In general, other restrictions did not begin before August. Almost all the restrictions were still in force on 30th September.

APPLICATIONS MADE BY STATUTORY WATER UNDERTAKERS FOR ORDERS UNDER SECTIONS 1 AND 2 OF THE WATER ACT, 1958, AND ORDERS MADE, DURING THE SIX MONTHS ENDING 2ND NOVEMBER, 1959
England
Name of Undertaker making Application	Section	Name and Number of Order (if made)
Durham County Water Board	1 and 2	Durham County Water (Emergency) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1276.
Macclesfield Borough Council	1	Macclesfield Water (Emergency) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1124.
Macclesfield Borough Council	1	Macclesfield Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1630.
Stockport County Borough Council	1	Stockport Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1494.
Stockport County Borough Council	1	Stockport Water (Drought) Order No. 2, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1675.
Stockport County Borough Council	2	Application under consideration.
Stockport County Borough Council	2	Application under consideration.
Leeds County Borough Council	1	Leeds Corporation Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1526.
Leeds County Borough Council	2	Leeds Corporation Water (Drought) Order No. 2, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1777.
Leeds County Borough Council	1	Leeds Corporation Water (Drought) Order No. 3, 1959. (S.I. number not yet known.)
North Devon Water Board	1	North Devon Water Board (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1518.
Bridgwater Borough Council	1	Bridgwater Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1570.
Tees Valley and Cleveland Water Board	2	Tees Valley and Cleveland Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1674.
Tees Valley and Cleveland Water Board	1	Tees Valley and Cleveland Water (Drought) Order No. 2, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1779.
Tees Valley and Cleveland Water Board	1	Tees Valley and Cleveland Water (Drought) Order No. 3, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1795.
Tees Valley and Cleveland Water Board	1	Application under consideration.
Otley Urban District Council	1	Otley Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1713.
Irwell Valley Water Board	1 and 2	Irwell Valley Water Board (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1712.
Burnley County Borough Council	1 and 2	Burnley Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1710.
Ilkley Urban District Council	1	Ilkley Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1711.
Torquay Borough Council	1	Torquay Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1716.
Todmorden Borough Council	1	Todmorden Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I 1959 No. 1708.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what applications he has received during the last six months, and from which statutory water undertakers; and what orders he has made, respectively, under Section 1 and Section 2 of the Water Act, 1958.

The information is given in the following table:

Name of Undertaker making Application	Section	Name and Number of Order (if made)
Nelson Borough Council	1 and 2	Nelson Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1700.
Sheffield County Borough Council	1	Sheffield Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I 1959 No. 1734.
Chapel-en-le-Frith Rural District Council.	1	Chapel-en-le-Frith Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1723.
Wortley Rural District Council	2	Wortley Rural Water (Drought) Order, 1959–S.I. 1959 No. 1735.
Batley Borough Council	1	Batley Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1760.
Fylde Water Board	1	Fylde Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1748.
Morley Borough Council	1 and 2	Morley Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1752.
Burnley Rural District Council	2	Burnley Rural Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1761.
Newcastle and Gateshead Water Company.	1	Newcastle and Gateshead Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1749.
Bacup Borough Council	1 and 2	Bacup Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1753.
Claro Water Board	1	Claro Water Board (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1762.
Claro Water Board	1	Application under consideration.
Liverpool County Borough Council	1	Liverpool Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1807.
Liverpool County Borough Council	1	Application under consideration.
Huddersfield County Borough Council	1	Huddersfield Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1780.
Huddersfield County Borough Council	2	Huddersfield Water (Drought) Order No. 2,1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1800.
Dewsbury County Borough Council	2	Dewsbury Water (Drought) Order, 1959. SI 1959 No. 1798.
Heckmondwike Urban District Council	2	Heckmondwike Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1799.
Wakefield County Borough Council	1 and 2	Wakefield Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I 1959 No. 1786.
Manchester County Borough Council	1	Manchester Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1785.
Derwent Valley Water Board	1	Derwent Valley Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1794.
Horbury Urban District Council	2	Horbury Water (Drought) Order, 1959. SI 1959 No. 1840.
Horsforth Urban District Council	2	Horsforth Water (Drought) Order, 1959. SI 1959 No. 1804.
Tadcaster Rural District Council	2	Tadcaster Rural Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I. 1959 No. 1841.
Barnsley County Borough Council	1	Application under consideration.
Preston and District Water Board	1	Application under consideration.
Bredbury and Romiley Urban District Council.	2	Application under consideration.
Bredbury and Romiley Urban District Council.	2	Application under consideration.
Buxton Borough Council	2	Application under consideration.
Craven Water Board	1 and 2	Application under consideration.
Leicester County Borough Council	2	Application under consideration.
Garforth Urban District Council	2	Application under consideration.
Kiveton Park Rural District Council	2	Application under consideration.
Denby Dale Urban District Council	2	Application under consideration.
Rotherham County Borough Council	2	Application under consideration.
Rotherham Rural District Council	2	Application under consideration.
Rawmarsh Urban District Council	2	Application under consideration.

Wales
Prescelly Water Company	1	Prescelly Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I 1959 No. 1694.
Haverfordwest Rural District Counci1	1	Haverfordwest Rural Water (Drought) Order, 1959. S.I 1959 No. 1724.
Newport Corporation	1	Application under consideration.
Abertillery and District Water Board	1	Application under consideration.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the public concern about the unsuitability of the proposed new building at Wyndham Place, St. Marylebone, expressed by the unanimous opposition to the plans by the St. Marylebone Borough Council, what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

I am informed that the London County Council, as local planning authority, granted permission last month for this development. I understand that the Council gave full consideration to the views of the St. Marylebone Borough Council before reaching its decision, and in all the circumstances I do not think that it would be justifiable for me to intervene.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs on what date he received a letter from the Mosscroft Farm Tenants Association, Huyton, about recent rent increases; on what date he replied; and what was the nature of his reply.

The letter was received on 21st August, 1959, and a reply was sent on my behalf on 13th October. I am sending the right hon. Member a copy of the reply.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when it is intended to introduce the Bills referred to by his Department's witness before the Joint Committee on the Promotion of Private Bills of the last Session of Parliament.

The first of these two Bills, Public Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, will be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time permits.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the number of building societies that have had advances under Part 1, Section 2, of the House Purchase and Housing Act, 1959; what were the amounts received; and what was the rate of interest obtained from them.

51 building societies have notified me that they have made advances under the scheme, of which so far 11 have actually received advances totalling £1,547,859 from the Exchequer. Interest at 5 per cent. will be charged on these advances.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the number of houses situated within the boundaries of the following district councils of Northumberland, namely, Bellingham Rural District Council, Castle Ward Rural District Council, Haltwhistle Rural District Council, Hexham Urban District Council, Hexham Rural District Council, and Prudhoe Urban District Council, together with the percentage of such houses that have a supply of piped water.

The following is the answer:

—	Number of houses September, 1959	Number of houses supplied with water	Percentage
Bellingham R.D.C.	1,683	1,394	82·8
Castle Ward R.D.C.	6,101	6,096	99·9
Haltwhistle R.D.C.	2,440	1 829	75·0
Hexham R.D.C.	7,002	6,859	97·9
Hexham U.D.C.	3,132	3,127	99·9
Prudhoe U.D.C.	2,868	2,868	100·0

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will state the Government's policy with regard to rents still remaining under control under the Rent Act. 1957.

The Government have no intention in this Parliament of legislating to alter the general rent limits laid down in Section 1 of the Rent Act for houses remaining under control.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware of the great number of slum houses in the North-East; and whether he will make a statement about plans for speeding up their clearance.

I am keenly aware of the continuing need for slum clearance in north-east England, and in other parts of the country too. Under the Government's slum clearance drive, houses unfit for human habitation are being demolished or closed in England and Wales at the rate of 60,000 a year. This is good progress. My hope is that we shall do even better.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the proposals of the Kenya Government to extend occupation of land in the White Highlands to Africans and Asians.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr Wall) on 3rd November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give statistics regarding the Kenya White Highlands at the latest available date of record showing the total area of land remaining unalienated, the estimated proportion of this which is cultivable, and the total area of land alienated, respectively.

By 1958 about 11,572 square miles of land in the Highlands had been alienated, and about 248 square miles of land of an agricultural type, apart from the Crown forests, remained unalienated. As my hon. Friend pointed out in the adjournment debate on 30th October, 1958, much of this unalienated land is not available for cultivation, since it consists of railway and road reserves, swamps, foreshores, riparian reserves, and the craters of Longonot and Menengai. I am afraid that figures are not available to show how much of the remainder could be cultivated, and at what cost and under what conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans are still detained under Emergency Regulations in Nyasaland; and when all such detainees, against whom no charges have been made, will be released.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is now the number of detainees in Nyasaland; for what reasons they are still being detained; and for how long it is proposed to detain them.

459 Africans are detained: as regards their release, I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend told the House on 2nd November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many detainees under the Nyasaland emergency regulations are now kept in the Kanjedza detention centre; and what steps are being taken to provide them with adequate lighting and recreational and educational facilities.

367. The Governor informs me that lighting already exists in two compounds and will shortly be provided elsewhere. Reading material, games and cards are provided from various sources, including a library service provided by the British Council, and wireless amplifiers have been installed in one compound. Football matches have also been arranged. Special books for educational purposes are available on request and arrangements have been made to enable detainees with the requisite educational qualifications to enrol for correspondence courses free of charge to themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) how many people have been sentenced in Nyasaland since the start of the emergency for membership of an unlawful society; how many of them have received sentences of six months or over; and what is the maximum sentence;(2) how many people have been sentenced in Nyasaland since the emergency for assisting in the management of an unlawful society; how many have received sentences of two years or more; and what has been the maximum sentence.

One hundred and forty-three persons have been sentenced for membership of unlawful societies. Of these, 55 have received sentences of 6 months or more, the maximum being 2½ year. Thirty-three persons have been sentenced for managing or assisting in the management of unlawful societies. Of these, 26 have received sentences of two years or more, the maximum being 5 years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the number of staff employed by his Department exclusively for the development and administration of co-operative societies in North Borneo and Sarawak, respectively.

The North Borneo Government employs four and the Sarawak Government 47.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what minimum wage regulations are in force in North Borneo.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he proposes following the decision of the Appeals Court that British-protected persons come within the provisions of habeas corpus.

The implications of the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal are receiving study. I am not at present in a position to make any statement, but meanwhile it should not be assumed that I accept the hon. Member's interpretation of the effect of the judgment.

asked the Minister of Works when he proposes to start work on further excavations at Avebury.

It is proposed to start work next summer on the trial excavation of the North Setting at Avebury.

asked the Minister of Works if, to assist the coal industry by setting an example, he will reintroduce at least some coal fires in the Palace of Westminster, to replace the electric fires installed during the post-war coal shortage.

No. In the particular circumstances of the Palace of Westminster, coal fires were eliminated in the interests of efficiency, economy and cleanliness. The change has been most successful in these respects, and the re-introduction of even a few coal fires would be costly and, in my view, unjustified.

asked the Minister of Works what consideration he has given to the protest made by the Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council about the proposed building to be erected at the rear of the post office now under construction there; and whether he will ensure a higher standard of planning for this building than that which has so far been adopted.

I have considered the views of the Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council which have recently been communicated to me, and I am prepared to agree to an altered plan.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with the Atomic Energy Authority, with a view to obtaining the power available from the nuclear station at Dounreay, Scotland, for purposes of industrial development in Scotland.

Dounreay is primarily a research and development establishment. I understand that the amount of electricity produced is likely to be small and any surplus will be available to the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he is aware of the disquiet caused by recent decisions to refuse permission to local authorities to contribute to the Auchengeich Mining Disaster Fund; and whether he will reconsider those decisions;

I received 37 applications for approval to contributions: six from county councils, three from cities, 21 from burghs, and seven from district councils. Of these five from counties, two from cities and 17 from burghs have had to be refused: the applications from district councils had all to be refused because section 339 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1947 (the only enactment under which such contributions can be approved) does not apply to district councils. The remaining applications have been granted.With regard to the hon. Member's other points, I do not think that I can usefully add to what was said in the debate on the Adjournment on 2nd November.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what success has been achieved by the inquiry into the use of peat in Scotland and, in particular, as to its use as fuel for gas turbines.

The Scottish Peat Committee is continuing its investigations into various problems connected with the use of peat, and tests are being made of the experimental gas turbine at Altnabreac; but it is not possible to say yet what precise conclusions may be reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement regarding the opening up of the road system in Wester Ross, and particularly when he expects to close the Balgy Gap.

Work is in progress on one scheme of reconstruction in Wester Ross under the Crofter Counties Programme, and others are being prepared. I am considering, in consultation with the Highland county councils, a programme for the construction of new roads as announced in the Review of Highland Policy, and I have authorised Ross and Cromarty County Council to appoint consulting engineers to report on the proposal for a road to close the Balgy Gap.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the nature of the structure of Cairnhill House, Airdrie, which provides residential accommodation for blind persons, he is satisfied with the conditions under which these handicapped persons live; and whether he will make a statement.

The hon. Member no doubt has in mind that the accommodation in this home is provided on more than one floor. I am assured, however, that admission to the home is restricted to persons who can safely negotiate stairs and there seems no reason, therefore, to regard the home as unsuitable on that account.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he has completed his investigations into the personal credit scheme as operated by the hire-purchase firm of N. G. Napier Limited; and whether he is now ready to start criminal proceedings against that firm.

I have investigated a number of complaints in regard to the personal credit scheme referred to. As a result, proceedings have been instituted against N. G. Napier Limited for alleged contravention of section 5 (2) of the Moneylenders Act, 1927.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what measures are being taken to assure Commonwealth and Colonial producers of their place in the United Kingdom market as United States dollar imports are further liberalised.

Commonwealth and Colonial products will continue to have the benefit of the tariff preferences they enjoy in the United Kingdom. We are keeping in touch with Commonwealth and Colonial Governments and, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies stated on 3rd November in answer to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher), we have recently had talks also with the United States Government about the problems of the West Indies citrus industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that over 2 million pencils were imported from Iron Curtain countries during the month of August, many at 5s. a gross, and that British manufacturers have to pay this price for the wood alone; and, in view of the threat to the industry which this represents, what steps he is taking to safeguard its future; and whether he will make a statement.

Imports of pencils from Iron Curtain countries are restricted by quota and during August amounted to half a million. United Kingdom production exceeded 230 million last year. It is always open to an industry to supply evidence to the Board of Trade in support of an application for an anti-dumping duty. The pencil industry has already been told this.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the need for additional factory employment in Huyton, particularly having regard to the numbers unemployed and the large number travelling long distances to work; and what steps he proposes to take to achieve further industrial development in the area.

I am aware of the need for further employment in Huyton, and a factory extension to provide 1,000 new jobs is now being built there. The needs of the area have been recognised by siting one of the three advance factories in Merseyside, and we have given wide publicity to the fact that in suitable cases factories will be built or grants or loans considered for firms willing to set up or expand there.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now state what special machinery he envisages to ensure that the provisions of the Anti-Dumping Act are not infringed in connection with the importation of Russian consumer goods under the new trade arrangements; and what is the export price and the fair market price, respectively, of Russian consumer goods for which import quotas have already been arranged.

Every application for the imposition of an anti-dumping duty is considered in accordance with the terms of the Act and no special machinery is necessary in connection with imports from the U.S.S.R. The relationship between the export and fair market prices of an imported product is only determined after an application has been submitted by an industry which considers that it is being injured or threatened with injury from dumped imports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to help exports by improving export publicity overseas.

I have decided to set up an Exports Publicity Council. The Minister of State will preside over it. I have invited to serve on the Council representatives of industry and of the publicity media, but I am not yet in a position to announce its membership. The Council's term of reference will be, "to keep under review publicity and information, both official and unofficial, in support of British exports, and to advise on the markets, media and industries where increased publicity efforts, whether temporary or permanent, seem most likely to be of value; to give advice on all other matters referred to it in the field of export publicity; and to receive reports about the action taken on its recommendations."

asked the Secretary of State for War how the pay and emoluments of the soldiers of the Royal Malta Artillery going to North Africa will compare with those received by British troops sent to serve in the same area.

The pay of soldiers of the Royal Malta Artillery is not strictly comparable with the pay of soldiers from the United Kingdom, as the two pay codes are related to the level of civilian wages in each country. There is also a difference in liability for overseas service. Maltese soldiers going to North Africa, however, receive the United Kingdom rate of local overseas allowance and, in addition, a special expatriation allowance.

asked the Minister of Health how many day nurseries are now maintained by local authorities; and how many there were in 1951.

501 and 820 respectively.

asked the Minister of Health what are the Government's plans for extending the provision of residential accommodation and of meals for old people.

In addition to encouraging the continued development of these services under existing powers, the Government propose to introduce early legislation empowering the appropriate local authorities to use privately run residential accommodation and to make direct provision for meals.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how much it would cost to abolish entirely the earnings rule for old-age pensioners.

About £100 million a year at present.

asked the Minister of Transport how many people are now waiting for driving tests at the Tunbridge Wells testing centre; and how this number compares with the number waiting 12 months ago.

At the present time there are about 1,200 people waiting to be tested at the Tunbridge Wells centre as compared with about 900 a year ago.

asked the Minister of Transport how long people registering for driving tests at Tunbridge Wells have to wait before taking their tests; and how this waiting time compares with 12 months ago.

People currently applying for driving tests at Tunbridge Wells are being offered appointments 13 weeks ahead. This compares with a waiting period of about 10 weeks a year ago.

asked the Minister of Transport, if he will state the names of the members of the Committee studying rural transport, together with the areas they represent; to what extent the Committee will take evidence regarding measures introduced in foreign countries to deal with this problem; and when he anticipates the Committee will be able to make its report.

The members of the Committee are:

• Professor D. T. Jack, C.B.E., M.A., J.P. (Chairman),
• Councillor T. W. Benbow,
• The Hon. Dame Frances Farrer, D.B.E.,
• C. I. R. Hutton, Esq.,
• W. T. James, Esq., O.B.E.,
• Colonel A. T. Maxwell, T.D.,
• Colonel Sir James M. Miller, M.C., T.D., D.L.,
• S. W. Nelson, Esq., C.B.E.,
• H. R. Nicholas, Esq., O.B.E.,
• E. B. Powley Esq., M.A., B.Litt., F. R. Hist. S.,
• Lady Riddell-Webster,
• F.W. Ward, Esq

The members sit as individuals and not as representatives of particular areas or organisations. The Committee has already obtained reports from a number of foreign countries. It may be necessary to get more information by visits abroad. The Committee has this in mind. It is too early yet in the Committee's work for me to say when it will report.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to ascertain the views of local authorities, particularly the smaller authorities, before implementing the recommendations of the Roberts Report on Library Services.

I have already received and am now considering the views of the County Councils Association, the Association of Municipal Corporations, the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee, the Urban District Councils Association and the National Association of Parish Councils. Rural district councils are not public library authorities.

asked the Minister of Education how far it is proposed to increase

BACON AND HAM
PRODUCTION IN GREAT BRITAIN, AND UNITED KINGDOM PRODUCTION EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF ESTIMATED TOTAL DISPOSALS IN UNITED KINGDOM
Description	Unit	1954	1955	1956	1957	1958	1959
GREAT BRITAIN:
Home Production:	'000 tons
July*		18·0	15·8	13·8	15·0	16·0	14·3
August		15·9	12·4	11·1	12·8	13·7	11·2
September		17·6	13·2	11·8	12·8	13·7	11·2
Total		51·5	41·4	36·7	39·2	42·3	36·4
UNITED KINGDOM:
Home Production:	'000 tons
July*		22·5	20·1	18·5	19·9	21·4	20·3
August		19·3	16·5	15·2	15·9	17·5	16·0
September		20·8	17·9	16·7	18·3	19·2	16·6
Total		62·6	54·5	50·4	54·1	58·1	52·9
UNITED KINGDOM:
Production as percentage of estimated total consumption:	Per cent.
July*		39	37	36	37	40	37
August		47	43	36	40	41	36
September		48	47	38	39	43	38
Total		44	42	37	38	41	37
* Five weekly period.

I have no present proposal to increase these grants.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total tonnage of bacon produced in Great Britain in the three months, July, August and September, 1959, with figures for the same period of 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957 and 1958; and what percentage this represents in each period of the total bacon consumption in Great Britain.

As figures of consumption are available only on a United Kingdom basis, it is not possible to give percentages in respect of Great Britain. The following table gives production figures for Great Britain and for the United Kingdom and the percentage of total consumption in the United Kingdom represented by the United Kingdom production figures:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many prosecutions there have been in each of the last five years for illegal fishing by foreign boats in British and Cornish waters, respectively; how many succeeded; and in how many of those did the sentence involve confiscation of the fishing gear.

The details are as follows:

(a) FOREIGN VESSELS PROSECUTED FOR ILLEGAL FISHING IN BRITISH EXCLUSIVE FISHERY LIMITS
Year ended 6th November		Prosecutions	Convictions	Cases in which gear was confiscated
1955	…	6	6	4
1956	…	3	3	3
1957	…	4	4	3
1958	…	6	6	5
1959	…	16	12	3

(b) FOREIGN VESSELS PROSECUTED FOR ILLEGAL FISHING IN BRITISH EXCLUSIVE FISHERY LIMITS OFF CORNWALL AND THE SCILLY ISLES
Year ended 6th November		Prosecutions	Convictions	Cases in which gear was confiscated
1955	…	3	3	2
1956	…	—	—	—
1957	…	1	1	—
1958	…	2	2	1
1959	…	7	6	—

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many owners of British and Cornish fishing boats, respectively, have been prosecuted for fishing in foreign territorial waters in each of the last five years; how many were convicted; and how many convictions involved confiscation of the fishing gear.

The details of cases involving British skippers accused of fishing within exclusive fishery limits claimed by other countries are as follows:

Year ended 6th November		Prosecutions	Convictions	Cases in which gear was confiscated
1955	…	12	9	8
1956	…	4	3	3
1957	…	11	10	8
1958	…	12	12	12
1959	…	3	3	3

These include the following which related to skippers of Cornish fishing vessels:—

Year ended 6th November		Prosecutions	Convictions	Cases in which gear was confiscated
1955	…	—	—	—
1956	…	—	—	—
1957	…	—	—	—
1958	…	—	—	—
1959	…	1	1	1