asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the youth problem as it affects new towns; and if he will set up an appropriate committee to investigate and report upon the special problems that exist in these communities.

In the new towns, young people form a smaller part of the working population and, in general, their employment prospects compare favourably with many other areas over the next year or two. The "bulge" of school leavers will not reach its peak in the new towns until sometime after 1962—the peak year for the country as a whole; it will be proportionately larger and will persist for some years. The long term problems involved are being studied by the Departments concerned and the Development Corporations. I do not think that any special Committee is needed at present, but I will bear the suggestion in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women were registered at the Middlesbrough exchange at the latest date for which the information is available; and what percentage of insured workers these numbers represent.

At 12th October, there were 1,810 men and boys and 919 women and girls registered as unemployed at employment exchanges and youth employment offices in Middlesbrough and South Bank. A percentage rate of unemployment cannot be computed for Middlesbrough alone, but in the Tee-side area the percentage rates were 2·4 and 3·6.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will indicate in his Gazette, as a part of the analysis of stoppages of work due to industrial disputes, the cumulative totals of stoppages and working days lost due to stoppages not officially recognised by the trades unions concerned.

As it is not always possible to identify stoppages in this way, I regret that the information could not be given with any accuracy.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the public disquiet at the failure of the Industrial Training Council to deal adequately and urgently with the recruitment and training of apprentices; and if he will now consider re-forming the council with an independent chairman to tackle this task.

The Industrial Training Council continues to develop its activities and is encouraging industry to expand and improve its training arrangements for young people. But responsibility for these arrangements in particular industries rests with the industry concerned. As regards the last part of the Question, I would remind the hon. Member that the Council was established by the two sides of industry and not by the Government.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the ratio of wholly unemployed boys of 18 years and under to the number notified unfilled vacancies for boys in Scotland and the Midlands, respectively, at the latest convenient date.

In mid-October there were in Scotland 28 unfilled vacancies and in the Midlands Region 647 unfilled vacancies for every 100 wholly unemployed boys.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the numbers of persons of each sex now employed, under-employed and unemployed in the paper making industry in Aberdeen City and county of Aberdeen and also during each of the last 10 years.

The figures are given in the following tables. In view of the large amount of work involved in the extraction, I have given employment figures for mid-1958 (the latest date for which they are available) and for mid

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made in re-drafting the Dock Regulations, 1934.

As the hon. Member is aware only Regulation 2 of the Docks Regulations, 1934, is under consideration. All the organisations interested in this have been consulted, and it is clear that any amendment raises serious practical difficulties. In the light of the information and comments from those concerned, however, it has been decided that the Factory Inspectorate should make a detailed survey of the provision made for rescue from drowning and that

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether the report on the rating structure of the lower deck has yet been considered; and what proposals he has to make.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the number of applicants for cadetships, and the number who were selected from independent, direct grant, and state grammar schools, respectively, for the latest available period.

The figures for those who entered in 1959 were:

The report covers a very wide field and deals with complex and far-reaching questions of major importance. The implications of the report are still under detailed examination, but it will be some time before final decisions can be taken.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what proposals he has for the release of Treligga Airfield, near Delabole, in the near future.

The Admiralty has already released certain surrounding areas which were held on requisition. We are holding discussions with the various former owners to see whether they wish to buy back the remaining 230 acres now owned by the Admiralty.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he received the final report from the Goodbody Committee, which was set up to examine the officer recruitment problem; and, in view of the importance of this matter, if he will make a statement.

The final report has not yet been received. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on 4th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Wycombe (Mr. John Hall).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that, at the court-martial of Lieut.-Colonel H. R. Sandford at Quetta in 1934, the Judge Advocate misdirected the court in his summing up, he will now have this case reviewed.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on 11th November.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to remedy inadequate and unsatisfactory accommodation at Gilgil Camp, Kenya.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is satisfied with the conditions at Gilgil Camp, Kenya, and, in particular, the facilities for ablution; and if he will make a statement.

Gilgil G.1. is a temporary camp occupied by a unit while permanent accommodation is being built at Kahawa, to be ready early in 1961. During the last year some £75,000 has been spent on improvements to the camp. All messes, ablutions and latrines, the medical centre, amoury, guardhouse and main stores are in huts. Sleeping accommodation, most company stores and the headquarter company offices are in tents.Washing facilities are up to the scale approved for temporary camps. In hot climates, this scale provides for showers in place of baths. For the unit in Gilgil G.1. there are 60 showers with hot and cold water.A great deal has been done to bring the accommodation up to a fair standard, within the limits imposed by the short time we expect the camp to be occupied. No more major works services will be started at Gilgil G.1. unless it becomes necessary to retain the camp for a long period, in which case very considerable improvements will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of applicants for Army cadetships, and the number who were selected from independent, direct grant, and state grammar schools, respectively, for the latest available period.

There are two entries to Sandhurst each year. For the 1959 entries, the details requested are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Army officers, non-commissioned officers and men, respectively, are accommodated under canvas in Aden.

The approximate numbers are 20, 25 and 650, respectively.

asked the Postmaster-General what special circumstances cause the Oxford telephone area to have the highest percentage of total subscribers on the waiting list; when he expects that percentage to fall to the national average; what proportion of the requests for connection in that area are put in hand as soon as they are received; and if he will make a statement.

The figures reflect the rapid industrial and other development in the Oxford Area. We are doing all we can, but further progress depends on future demand and on the resources available. Extensive additions to plant have been and are being made, and 60 men are on loan to Oxford from other areas because of difficulty in local recruitment.Over 5,300 telephones have been fitted in the past twelve months, and the waiting list percentage has been decreased from 4·7 per cent. to 3·5 per cent. in the same period. Connection of about 80 per cent. of the applications is put in hand immediately on receipt.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that there is an unemployment problem among the ship-repair workers in the Port of London, and that the London District Committee of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions, representing all the ship-repair workers in the Port of London, is anxious for the work in connection with the conversion of the four frigates into weather ships to be carried out in the Port of London; and whether he will give the necessary instructions for this to be done.

The first of the four frigates has already been converted and went into service last year.Of the Port of London firms invited to tender for the remaining three conversions, only one submitted a tender, which was unsuccessful. The successful firm is in an area where unemployment in the ship-repairing industry has recently been higher than in London.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that a Royal Air Force aircraft approached dangerously close to the British European Airways Viscount, Flight 899, on 9th November; and if he will make an inquiry into the matter.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aviation on Monday.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has now considered the case of 4238197 A.C.1. B. Amor, Royal Air Force, Wittering; and if he will make a statement.

This airman was found guilty by District Court Martial on 10th November of absence without leave, and was sentenced to 42 days detention. He has made certain complaints about his treatment while awaiting trial. I am writing to the hon. Member to give him further details.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many officers, noncommissioned officers, and airmen, respectively, of the Royal Air Force are accommodated under canvas in Aden.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, if he will state the number of applicants for Royal Air Force cadet-ships, and the number who were selected from independent, direct grant, and state grammar schools, respectively, for the latest available period.

In 1959, 349 boys applied for R.A.F. cadetships and 128 were selected. Of these 46 came from independent schools, 9 from direct grant schools and 73 from voluntary aided and state maintained schools. These figures exclude candidates from within the Service.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the reason for the delay, since 23rd November, 1956, in erecting traffic lights at the Manor Royal-London Road-Martyrs Avenue junction of the London to Brighton trunk road, A.23, at Crawley.

My hon. Friend will recall that, in answer to his Question of 20th February, 1959, my right hon. Friend's predecessor said that the Divisional Road Engineer has suggested that traffic lights could be installed with a cheap and simple road improvement. This was not acceptable to the various authorities concerned, and it has now been agreed that a major improvement involving the acquisition of land should be carried out. We hope to be able to fit this scheme into the programme soon.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in planning a Horsham by-pass on the A.24 London to Worthing road; and when will work start on this project.

The authority responsible for planning this road is the West Sussex County Council. The scheme is likely to be expensive, and I cannot say at present when I shall be able to include it in the programme.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the series of accidents on the London to Birmingham M.1 road since its official opening; what steps he is taking, in view of the concern to the general public, to deal with the causes of the accidents; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to my reply of 12th November to the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton).

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that the granting of a table licence to restaurants on the new motorways is equivalent to the acceptance of a public house, whether he will send a circular to all licensing justices drawing attention to the possible dangerous consequences of table licensing development on fast highways.

No. The granting of licences is entirely a matter for the licensing justices.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will impose an upper speed limit on motorways.

I shall want a lot more experience of conditions on M.1 before coming to any decision whether or not to impose a maximum speed limit on motorways.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will delineate the edge of the carriageway on motorways with red cats' eyes; and whether he will provide barriers between the carriageways to prevent dazzle.

My Department and the Road Research Laboratory are considering whether any change is desirable in the present methods of delineating the edges of carriageways on motorways. My hon. Friend's suggestion is among the possibilities being investigated. A two-mile length of anti-dazzle fencing is to be put up experimentally on M.1. Experience abroad is so conflicting that no firm decision can be taken until conditions on M.1 have been thoroughly tested.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement concerning the inclusion of the Morpeth by-pass in the road development programme, and the possibilities of early action.

Preparatory work on the scheme is proceeding, but it is still too soon to say when it will be possible to carry it out.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will urge local authorities responsible for highways maintenance and development to proceed with all possible speed in having road markings done on the main classified roads.

Highway authorities face a heavy task in converting 62,000 miles of classified roads to the new pattern of road markings laid down in the amending regulations of last May, and I am particularly anxious that the highest standard of accuracy and discretion should be attained in view of the need to secure universal respect for the markings and in the light of the penalties for disobedience. I naturally share the hon. Member's desire that the work should proceed as rapidly as possible, especially on main roads.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give monthly figures for the last 12 months of the number of fatal accidents in which motor cycles were involved, and the percentage of these figures to the total number of deaths on the road.

The following are the figures:

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement about the Polegate to Eastbourne A.22 road at Lower Willingdon; and whether he is now prepared to impose a 30 miles per hour limit through Lower Willingdon.

The East Sussex County Council and our Divisional Road Engineer are investigating the possibility of improving conditions at Lower Willingdon by providing a more uniform widening of the road and installing more refuges to assist pedestrians in crossing. Conditions on this road are not suitable for a 30 m.p.h. speed limit. We might, however, consider the possibility of a 40 m.p.h. limit if and when Parliament approve the application of that limit outside the London Traffic Area.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the transport problem in Birmingham, as evidenced by the traffic jam which occurred on all major roads leading to the city on 13th November; and what plans he has in mind to remove unnecessary obstacles to the orderly flow of traffic.

Traffic control measures in Birmingham are the responsibility of the corporation. I am providing major financial assistance to their inner ring road scheme, the first part of which is now nearing completion.

asked the Minister of Transport which county and local authorities have reached agreement regarding the route of the proposed Eton relief road; and which authority has dissented from this agreement.

The line of the proposed road in Buckinghamshire has been agreed by the local authorities concerned, but the Windsor Borough Council disagrees with the line proposed through Windsor by the Berkshire County Council. It is intended to hold a joint public local inquiry with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government which, I hope, will solve these differences.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce non-hooting regulations in towns, similar to those in force in a number of European cities.

It is already an offence to use a motor horn on a moving vehicle between 11.30 p.m. and 7 a.m. in built-up areas, or at any time on a stationary vehicle. Any further restrictions on the use of the horn would have to be considered in the light of the interests of road safety.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to receive the report from the Chandos Committee on the financial support to be given for the replacement of the liners "Queen Mary" and "Queen Elizabeth".

I understand that the Committee hopes to let me have its Report by about the end of February next. As I informed the House on 4th November, the Government will make no decision in this matter until the Committee's Report has been received and considered.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the recent meeting with the Aberdeen Harbour Board, held at his Department on 5th November.

This meeting was arranged at the request of the Aberdeen Harbour Commissioners. The Scottish Office and the Admiralty were represented as well as the Ministry of Transport. As a result of the meeting, the Harbour Commissioners are going to consider bringing together all the local interests concerned with pontoon dock facilities at Aberdeen with a view to setting up a joint Working Group to consider the requirements for such facilities and their financial implications.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will arrange for a public inquiry to be held before the East and West Docks and the Roath Basin entrance to the Cardiff Docks are closed for use, in view of the adverse effects on local ship repairing firms.

The British Transport Commission will consult all the interests concerned before they reach any decision about a possible closure of the East and West Bute Docks and Roath Basin entrance. Thereafter, a report will be made by the Commission to the Transport Users Consultative Committee, who will in turn make a recommendation to me on what action should be taken. Until I receive their recommendation it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the merits of the case. I have informed the Mountstuart Dry Docks Ltd. of the action to be taken by the Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what financial deposits or guarantees are required of African students in Kenya who propose to study in the United Kingdom; at what rate interest accrues on the deposits; and to whom the interest is paid.

The deposit required from a private student, of whatever race, proposing to travel from Kenya to study in the United Kingdom is £150 if deposited in cash, or £200 if in the form of a security bond signed by a surety acceptable to the Government of Kenya. The amount is related to the possible cost of repatriation, including maintenance while awaiting passage. No rate of interest accrues on the deposits, in accordance with the practice of the Government of Kenya and other Colonial territories in regard to deposits of this nature.

asked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations what arrangements he makes in respect of persons entering the High Commission Territories in order to escape the process of the law in the Union of South Africa.

Entry into the High Commission Territories is governed by the Basutoland Entry and Residence Proclamation, 1958, as amended, the Bechuanaland Protectorate African Immigration Proclamation, 1958, and the Swaziland African Immigration Proclamation, 1959. The surrender of fugitive offenders, when requested, is governed by the Fugitive Offenders Act, 1881.

asked the Minister of Health what is the cost of the present deaf aid supplied by the National Health Service, the cost of the cheapest available deaf aid using transistors and printed circuits, and the difference in the annual cost of the batteries required by these two equipments.

It would be contrary to Government policy to disclose the prices at which Government contracts for valve and transistor hearing aids, or their components, are awarded. Accurate comparable figures of battery costs are not available, but the annual cost of batteries required for the transistor hearing aid now being supplied is considerably less than that for a valve aid.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many dwellings were held under requisition in England and Wales; and how many of them were held by each of the metropolitan borough councils, in June, 1955, and at the latest convenient date.

The latest information available is for 30th September, 1959, and is given below. The figures, which are subject to correction, relate to dwelling units, i.e., houses and flats.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware that the rent of a Salford house lacking bath, hot water or inside toilet, was raised from 11s to 19s. under the Rent Act and then, following a change of tenant, to 32s., and that because of the housing shortage similar increases are taking place daily as deaths and removals occur; and if he will give an undertaking to introduce no measures further facilitating decontrol on change of tenancy during the present session.

Though the Government are not prepared to alter the law to discourage the reletting of rented accommodation when it falls vacant, they have no intention in this Parliament of legislating to extend the decontrol provisions of Section 11 of the Rent Act.

asked the Minister of Power to what extent opencast mining is still taking place within the North Staffordshire area; what is the output; what are the stocks of opencast mined coal; and when it will cease being mined.

Production in North Staffordshire in 1959 is expected to be 175,000 tons. There are now two sites, both of which will cease production within the next twelve months. On 31st October, stocks were 82,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Education if he will state the number and proportion of senior classes with more than 30 pupils apiece at the latest date for which figures are available.

49,204 and 55 per cent. in January, 1959.

asked the Minister of Education, with reference to the grants he offers towards the cost of travel in order to encourage more teachers from the United Kingdom to exchange posts for a year with teachers in other Commonwealth countries, what are the Commonwealth countries in respect of which such grants are payable.

Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Teachers going to Canada for an approved year of interchange receive a grant to help them to meet the high cost of living in that country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present position with regard to the arrangement between Finland and the Outer Seven Countries forming the European Free Trade Association; and whether it is yet agreed that Finland will participate like the other countries in the proposed reduction of tariffs by 20 per cent. on 1st July, 1960.

I have been asked to reply.Finland has not been taking part in the negotiations between the seven countries which will form the European Free Trade Association. A statement was issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Helsinki on 13th November, however, to the effect that the Finnish Government hoped to initiate negotiations about the basis on which Finland could participate in the Association's arrangements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the continued expansion of British exports to China is likely to be affected by his decision to impose greater restrictions on imports from China.

The new quotas affect only about 10 per cent. of our imports from China and allow for an increase in these imports. I see no reason why our exports to China should be adversely affected.