asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, on the basis of figures used in calculating the official cost-of-living index, he will publish in HANSARD a table showing the retail prices of butter and Cheddar cheese on 30th September, 1951, and at the latest convenient date; what steps he is taking to ensure a fair distribution of butter and cheese in the immediate future; and if he will seek powers that will enable him to prevent further price increases.

I regret that the information on retail prices is not available. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that the construction of the official index of retail prices is such that the average prices of individual items are not calculated.I do not intend to interfere with the existing arrangements for butter and cheese distribution. Price control would do nothing to increase supplies and indeed would have the reverse effect.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the gross earned incomes required today by a married man with two children to equal, after deduction of tax, the purchasing power of gross earned incomes in 1938 of £2,000, £3,000, and £5,000.

About £8,950, £20,750 and £50,700 respectively if both children are aged under 12.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will arrange for a simpler system for claiming allowances for repairs, maintenance, insurance, etc., of property, against Schedule A tax assessment, so as to help the less well off owner-occupier to get full benefit of fair allowances without expert assistance;

The existing claim forms are reasonably simple and contain instructions on how to make the claims. They invite taxpayers who want further information to apply to the Inspector of Taxes. I do not think a special leaflet is called for, but the instructions on the claim form are being amplified in some respects.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will simplify the procedure for making small payments of money to persons living in Western Europe.

I think that the present procedure is as simple as possible, given the need to maintain control of capital movements. If my hon. Friend has any suggestion to make, I will certainly be pleased to consider it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sum has accrued to the British Museum to date as its share of the estate of the late George Bernard Shaw.

The Answer is £163,924 10s. 5d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in his consideration of suggestions for the further payment of post-war credits, he will give particular attention to the case of the postman, aged 62 years, and in financial difficulties owing to a move enforced by the ill-health of his wife, details of which were sent to him on 2nd November by the hon. Member for Wallsend.

My right hon. Friend will bear this case in mind, along with others that have been put to him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider giving himself powers of discretion in special cases where applicants for the release of post-war credits are within two years of the standard ages at any given date.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the quantity of still light wines and spirits, respectively, retained for consumption in the first and last half-year of the financial year 1958–59 and for the first half of the financial year 1959–60.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Prime Minister what undertakings he gave during his conversations with Dr. Adenauer regarding the degree of support which will be offered by the United Kingdom to proposals for disengagement made at a Summit Conference.

I have nothing to add to what I said in the House on 24th November on these matters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade his estimate of the direct financial loss which would accrue to the Scottish paper-making industry by the removal of the 16⅔ per cent. import duty on paper and boards.

I presume that the hon. Member has in mind the reduction of the import duty over ten years under the European Free Trade Association Convention. It is impossible to estimate the financial effect of this.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will reconsider his predecessor's decision to reject the application for an increase in the tomato tariff.

The horticultural interests concerned have just submitted a fresh application, which will be considered in accordance with the normal procedure.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to improve the efficiency of the British machine-tool industry.

Responsibility for the efficiency of the machine-tool industry rests with the industry itself. However, in a few day's time I intend to discuss the industry's current problems with them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state in respect of each employment exchange area, or in wider areas to prevent individual businesses being recognisable, the number of firms which will be closed down and the numbers of spinning and doubling spindles and looms which will be scrapped under the provisions of the Cotton Industry Act, 1959.

The following is the Answer:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in view of the fact that it costs more to send paper from Scotland to London by rail than from Sweden to London by sea, he will consult with the British Transport Corn-mission regarding the early introduction of a flat rate for the carriage of paper within the United Kingdom, so as to ensure the continued prosperity of the Scottish paper-making industry after the Outer Seven Free Trade Area comes into force.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further consultation he has had, during November, with the Paper Makers' Association concerning the Outer Seven Agreement; and whether he will make a statement.

I received a deputation from the Association on 16th November. We had a full discussion in which I explained that it would be impossible to give the paper-making industry exceptional treatment under the European Free Trade Association Convention but drew attention to the provisions for dealing with cases of special difficulty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the number of applications made to him for protective duties under the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act, 1957, and the number granted. together with a description of the goods affected, the size of each tariff and the length of time they had to run.

Forty-four formal applications have been received for anti-dumping or countervailing duties under the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act, 1957.Anti-dumping duties have been imposed in two cases. A duty of 4s. per 1b. was imposed on polymethylsiloxane fluids imported from a particular firm in France on 7th January, 1958, and revoked on 2nd June, 1959, after the dumping had ceased. A duty of 12s. per cwt. was imposed on pearled barley imported from Western Germany on 28th May, 1959, and is still operative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will include on the Committee which is to inquire into the Companies Act and the safeguarding of investors, persons knowledgeable of other codes of commercial law such as that contained in the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts.

I will bear this suggestion in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to an offer to acquire from the present shareholders the controlling interest in a company known as Suburb Leaseholds Limited, whose principal business is the letting and management of a large part of the Hampstead Garden Suburb; and whether he will ensure that the proposed inquiry into the working of the Companies Act will investigate such takeovers having regard to their possible aesthetic and social consequences.

I have seen Press reports but, apart from the Question put down by the right hon. Member from Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson), I have not received any other representations in this matter.As to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made after Questions.

asked the President of the Board Trade whether he has considered the evidence, sent to him by the hon. Member for Bilston, that a group of firms controlling 80 per cent. of the business of the cable industry are conducting a campaign aimed at achieving monopoly control; and whether he will refer this industry to the Monopolies Commission for inquiry.

I have considered the information sent to me by the hon. Member, and I have nothing to add to the reply which my hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Cannock (Miss Lee) on 19th November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are now being taken to encourage car manufacturers to establish an industry in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

I shall do all I can to induce manufacturers in the motor vehicle and component industries to establish new capacity in the unemployment areas in Scotland and elsewhere.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make an early tour of industrial Scotland and discuss with representative bodies concerned the measures required to attain and maintain full employment in Scotland.

I hope to visit Scotland next week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present position with regard to a trade agreement with Hungary.

The 1956 Trade Agreement has been further extended by mutual consent until 26th January, 1960. The quotas on both sides are being continued on a pro rata basis until that date. It is hoped to begin discussions about a new Arrangement at the end of December.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the communication of the Conference of the Small Burghs of West Fife and of Lochgelly Local Committee of Fife County Council concerning industrial development in that area; and, as a matter of urgency, if he will take such other steps as may be necessary to avoid the area becoming depressed.

I replied to this communication on 17th November, and, as I said in my letter, the position in the area will continue to be closely watched.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used by Government inspectors in determining whether a firework is dangerous under Section 1 of the Fireworks Act, 1951.

The construction and composition of fireworks is broadly governed by definitions in the Home Office List of Authorised Explosives. In the case of banger fireworks, there are also limitations, imposed by an agreement with the trade, on the sizes, types and weights of compositions. It is not possible to describe in general terms. within the compass of an Answer, what might lead an inspector to take action under Section 1 of the Act of 1951, but if my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular matter in mind perhaps he would send me details.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what administrative arrangements exist to ensure that information concerning the names of deceased persons is conveyed by the Registrar of Deaths to the appropriate Electoral Registration Authority.

None at present. The arrangements previously in force were discontinued in 1952, 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.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to give greater publicity to the compilation of the registers of electors and the places at which they can be examined; and if he will make it generally more convenient for inspection by the electors to take place.

As regards publicity about inspection of the electors lists, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. E. Johnson) on 5th November. Arrangements for local and national publicity about the importance of completing Form A will, as in the past, also be made at the appropriate time: these will include a film available for showing on television. I have received no evidence to suggest that the arrangements made by registration officers for public inspection of the electors lists at public buildings such as council offices, public libraries and main post offices are unsatisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in his discussions about the reintroduction of the six-monthly electoral register; and what conclusions he has reached.

I have no statement to make at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions are given to the officials of Her Majesty's prisons regarding the giving of information about prisoners to unknown persons on the telephone.

The normal practice is to refuse to give information in response to a telephone inquiry and to invite the inquirer to submit his request in writing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will define the points arising from his reconsideration of the law of suicide which he has referred to the Criminal Law Revision Committee; and when he expects to receive the Committee's advice on the matter.

I have asked the Criminal Law Revision Committee to consider, on the assumption that it should continue to be an offence for a person—whether he is acting in pursuance of a genuine suicide pact or not—to incite or assist another to kill or attempt to kill himself, what consequential amendments in the criminal law would be required if it were decided that suicide and attempted suicide should no longer be criminal offences. It is as yet too early to say when the Committee will be able to submit its report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for Scotland, to review the law relating to clubs.

I am consulting representatives of registered clubs about possible amendments of the law in England and Wales. The law in Scotland is different, but I am keeping my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, in touch with my consultations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has in mind to amend the law relating to clubs, and to ensure fairness of treatment between clubs and public houses; and whether he will make a statement.

I understand that my hon. Friend is concerned at the proposal in Clause 10 of the Betting and Gaming Bill to permit gaming, subject to conditions, in clubs. The Bill does not propose to alter the existing position under which gaming is prohibited in licensed premises. The question whether gaming should be permitted in premises like licensed premises to which the public have access raises different considerations from those relating to gaming in clubs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of prisons in England and Wales where oil has replaced coal as a fuel for heating purposes, and where it is proposed to replace coal by oil, respectively.

Oil has replaced coal as fuel for heating purposes at six prisons and borstals, and conversion work is in progress at another seven. Plans for conversion at nine other establishments are fairly advanced and the heating arrangements at thirty-three other establishments are under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many students and non-students, respectively, have come to this country during the last recorded twelve months from India, Pakistan, Ceylon, East African British Colonial Territories, West African British territories, and Ghana, respectively.

The numbers for the twelve months ended 31st October, 1959, are estimated to be approximately:

asked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations with reference to the average figure of upwards of 2,500 teachers a year who have been taking up service in other Commonwealth countries, what estimate he makes of the numbers going to independent countries and dependent territories, respectively.

Of the estimated figure of 2,500 teachers a year taking up service in other Commonwealth countries, probably about 500 go to dependent territories and 2,000 to independent countries. No precise figures are available.

asked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations, why no representative of Nyasaland attended the recent Commonwealth Education Conference.

The delegation from the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland to the Commonwealth Education Conference represented the interests of the Federation as a whole. The Nyasaland Government did not consider it necessary to attach a special representative to the delegation, but provided briefs for it on matters of particular interest to Nyasaland.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that it will shortly be impossible to give any form of qualified science teaching in the Chipping Sodbury Secondary Modern School owing to the proposed call-up for National Service of its only available qualified teacher; and what steps are being taken to fill this vacancy.

The local education authority tells me it does not expect any great difficulty in filling the post with a suitably qualified teacher.

asked the Minister of Education if he will consider increasing the amount granted to local education authorities for technical and technological education in those county areas which will be affected by redundancy through pits being closed down.

There is no specific Exchequer grant for technical education and expenditure on it is met from the resources available to local education authorities from rate income and general grant. It is for authorities to decide what proportion of these resources to devote to technical education.

asked the Minister of Education (1) if he is aware of the financial difficulties facing the Catholic community of England and Wales in providing schools approved by his Department for 1960 to 1965, in spite of recent improvement in the State grant; and if he will make a statement on his proposals for assistance in this matter;(2) if he is aware of the fact that, in the Southwark diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, a sum of nearly £5 million will be expected from the Catholics in that diocese to complete the programme of new school building approved by local education authorities and his Department; and if he will make a statement on the steps he will take to reduce this burden;(3) if he will consider the possibility of amending the Education Acts to enable denominational schools to be treated in England and Wales in the same way as they are dealt with in Scotland.

The Education Act, 1959, raised the rate of grant payable on voluntary school building from 50 to 75 per cent., and empowered me to pay grant on new secondary schools needed to match existing aided primary schools. This will be a substantial help to the Roman Catholic community. No further legislation is proposed.

asked the Minister of Education why the band of the 4/5th Battalion, The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, Territorial Army, has been refused permission for practising in the grounds of Prudhoe secondary modern school; and whether he will arrange for the matter to be reconsidered.

This is a matter for the governors and the local education authority.

asked the Minister of Education, as representing the Minister for Science, what work has been carried out, or is being carried out, by the Building Research Station, with a view to reducing the noise made by pneumatic drills and pile drivers; and, whether in view of the large amount of structural building work now proceeding in London and other great cities, he will request the Building Research Station to accelerate its researches into this matter, with a view to finding some practical method of reducing this noise nuisance at an early date.

None, but individual problems of industrial noise are the subject of research at the National Physical Laboratory. As regards the second part of the Question, the Government are considering what further measures can be taken to deal with the problem of noise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the Icelandic fishing dispute; and what new steps he is taking to bring this to a satisfactory solution.

I am sorry that I have nothing to add to the written reply which I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 18th November. Her Majesty's Government are still prepared to consider any steps which may seem to offer a prospect of achieving a satisfactory interim settlement of the dispute pending the outcome of the Second Conference on the Law of the Sea.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action he proposes to take to deal with a situation that is causing widespread concern, namely, the decision to impose higher rates on orphanages and children's homes run by charitable contributions by classifying them for rateable purposes with boarding houses; and, in view of the need to give every possible help to those who do so much for these children and thereby reduce the number dependent upon public authorities, if he will treat this matter as urgent.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester, South (Mr. Corfield) and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wembley, North (Wing Commander Bullus) on 24th November.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action has been taken on all the complaints received under Section 22 of the Clean Air Act, 1956; how many complaints have been made from Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester and Salford, respectively; what action has been taken in respect of each of these complaints; how many complaints originated from within a 50-miles radius of Manchester; and what action was taken in respect of each of these complaints.

My right hon. Friend is not in a position to supply this information. Complaints under this Section are addressed to the Minister responsible for the premises concerned.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what early action is being taken on the 95th Annual Report on Alkali, &c., Works, by the chief inspectors, in particular in relation to the conditions indicated on pages 36 to 38 of the Report which deal with ceramic works within the city of Stock-on-Trent.

The lines of research, experiment and supervision indicated in the Report are being pursued both in Stoke-on-Trent and in other parts of England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what early action is being taken about the emission of flourine compounds in the City of Stoke-on-Trent; what complaints he has received from farmers; whether he will consult the Minister of Agriculture about the results of the Fenton Farm investigation; and what action he proposes to take.

The Chief Alkali Inspector is co-operating with the Chief Inspector of Factories in an examination of these emissions. My right hon. Friend has had no recent complaints. He regularly receives information about the Fenton Farm investigations. Examination and study continue.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take to remove the unsightly colliery bings from the vicinity of Cummins Diesel Engine Company factory at Shotts.

Powers to deal with this matter are vested by statute in the county council as local planning authority which is, I understand, at present making a survey of derelict sites in the area which may be suitable for clearance and rehabilitation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that Scotland gets its share of the scientific research and development projects, both civil and military, sponsored by the Government.

The Government are well aware of the importance of siting centres of research and development to the best advantage and I can assure my hon. Friend that I shall continue to keep in touch with my noble Friend the Minister for Science and other Ministers concerned and that full attention will be paid to the interests of Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of his staff assisting him in his responsibilities for Scottish roads.

The number of staff in my Departments engaged whole-time on work relating to Scottish roads and bridges is 129. The service of staff who also have other duties is equivalent to an additional 3 whole-time staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the Acts of Parliament from which he derives his responsibility for the well-being of Scottish industry.

Apart from numerous enactments relating to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, including the Crofters Act, 1955, the following are the principal statutes conferring powers on the Secretary of State which have a direct bearing on industrial development.

• Distribution of Industry Act, 1945.
• New Towns Act, 1946.
• Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, 1947.
• Housing and Town Development (Scotland) Act. 1957.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in considering remedial measures for Scottish industry and employment, he will consult with the Scottish Trades Union Congress, the Scottish Council (Development of Industry), and the Scottish Board for Industry, as organisations widely representative of Scottish interests and in possession of all relevant information on industry and employment in Scotland.

I am always glad to receive advice on Scottish industrial and employment questions from these bodies and others with experience in this field.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider introducing legislation to bring personal credit schemes for the purchase of household goods within the terms of the Money-enders Acts, 1900 and 1927, thereby giving protection to the public as regards advertisement and interest rates.

I understand that criminal proceedings are pending which may raise the question whether a personal credit scheme falls within the Moneylenders Acts. It seems desirable first to have the law established in this way.

asked the Minister of Transport, having regard to the transfer of responsibility for shipbuilding and shipping matters to the Ministry of Transport, what decision he has taken regarding the future of the Galbraith Committee on the marine application of nuclear power which was appointed by the First Lord of the Admiralty; and who is the present Chairman of the Committee.

The Galbraith Committee has completed its examination of the immediate problems connected with the development of nuclear propulsion for merchant ships and the Government are now considering its recommendations.When decisions have been taken I shall consider whether the Committee should be reconstituted.

asked the Minister of Transport, in the light of the present traffic congestion in London, what special measures he intends to introduce for the regulation of London traffic during the Christmas period; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave after Questions today to the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton).

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he is aware that the still-birth rate in Barnsley is well above the national average; what is the reason for this; and what steps he intends to take to help the obstetric services of the town.(2) why a special investigation was made by his Department earlier this year into the high still-birth rate in Barnsley; what it has revealed; and if he will make statement.

I am aware that the stillbirth rate in Barnsley is above the national average. Although this may not be significant in view of the small number of births, a number of suggestions for improving the maternity and child welfare services have been made to the local health authority following an informal survey in February of this year.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made during 1959 with the surveys on the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis mentioned in the Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer for 1958.

I am informed that of these surveys, the one in Wensleydale has now been completed and the data obtained are being analysed prior to publication. During 1959 a further survey has been made at Leigh in Lancashire in order to supplement information obtained from previous surveys in the same town.

asked the Minister of Health the reasons for delays of over two months, by the appointed repairer in Hull, in the repairs of his Department's cars and tricycles; and what action he will take to reduce these delays and the loss of employment and income by disabled persons.

I am unable to trace any recent delay of over two months in the repair of invalid cars or tricycles in Hull, but if the hon. and gallant Member cares to send me details of any case where there has been undue delay I shall be glad to investigate. Spare tricycles are available in Hull for loan to disabled persons to enable them to continue their employment while their own machines are under repair.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how the turn over to the Navy Works Department of responsibility for Manager Engineering Department work at outstations will affect those at present employed on this work at Risley.

As a result of the turn over to Navy Works Department of responsibility for work at outstations now done by Manager Engineering Department, all those industrials employed on 1st January, 1960, on this work will be transferred to the Navy Works Department. The conditions of transfer have been agreed with the trades unions through the Admiralty Industrial Council.