asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many additional maternity beds need to be provided in Glasgow to meet the recommendations of the Montgomery Report.

It is estimated that 150 additional beds are needed to meet the Montgomery recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities in Scotland provide a probation service; and if he will name those local authorities who do not provide such a service.

There are twelve counties, three cities and one large burgh in which there are separate probation services, there are thirteen areas in which counties or large burghs have combined or act jointly to provide a service. There are no areas in which no service is provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of construction of the Whiteinch tunnel.

The contract is making good progress and, unless any unforeseen difficulties arise, the target date of completion, 1961, should be met. The following statement gives some details of progress to date:

Work on tunnel No.1 is making good progress. The main access working shafts on the south side of the river have been completed and the 12 ft. diameter pilot tunnels have been driven northwards and southwards from that point, the north drive having passed completely under the river bed to about 100 yards north of the north bank. The first main tunnel shield was set up in position and the driving of the main tunnel—diameter 29 ft. 6 ins.—northwards began in October.

The manufacture of the second shield is virtually complete and it is expected that within the next two or three months it will be erected in the shield chamber and that the southward drive of the main tunnel will begin.

Work has also been going on on the tunnel approaches, mainly on the south side of the river. where the approach lies below water level in open section. Two-thirds of the structural work has been completed there. At the northern approach, the accommodation works are well advanced and the first piles for the open section will be driven soon.

As regards ancillary works, draft specifications and schedules of quantities for the ventilation and lighting of the tunnels have been prepared by the consulting engineers. It is hoped that tenders will be invited shortly for the provision and installation of the ventilation plant and for the manufacture and supply of the lighting equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has completed his consideration of the representations made to him last June by the deputation from Shotts and district; and if he will make a statement.

I assure the hon. Lady that I recognise the gravity of the position at Shotts and an continuing to give it special consideration, in consultation with my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister of Labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what stage has been reached in his discussion with the various parties concerned about Edinburgh University's plan to redevelop the east and south sides of George Square.

It now appears possible that construction of buildings for the university's most urgent requirements, due to start next year on ground near the south-east corner of George Square, can go ahead without prejudice to a final decision on the future of the existing houses fronting on the square or on the future layout of modern development in the vicinity. I understand that, if this is so, the amenity societies would not in principle be opposed to this course, and consultations are proceeding in order to clarify the position.At the same time, the university and the amenity societies have agreed on a joint examination of practical possibilities with a view to devising a specific alternative plan for meeting the University's present and future needs adequately and timously, incorporating the new buildings near the south-east corner of the square but without demolishing the existing houses on its east and south sides. The Town Council, as local planning authority, will be kept in touch with this work. If an alternative plan is found to be practicable, objective comparison with the university's present proposals will then be possible and will, I hope, lead to an agreed decision.I very much welcome the co-operative spirit that is being shown by all the parties concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to increase the import of Chinese silk, because unless this is done it will adversely affect industry and those employed therein at Macclesfield.

The Board of Trade will consider sympathetically applications for licences required to cover firm orders placed before the control was announced on 4th November, and my right hon. Friend will review the position in a few months with a view to ensuring that United Kingdom industry has adequate supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a list showing the main countries in Western Europe to which British motor cars are exported, the nature and degree of restrictions on this trade in each case, and the steps he is taking to reduce these barriers and increase this trade.

A statement showing the main European markets for United Kingdom and the import licensing regulations in force for United Kingdom cars in those countries is given below. We are working in the G.A.T.T. and in the O.E.E.C. to secure the elimination of the remaining quota restrictions against our exports generally, and in the E.F.T.A. Convention there are specific provisions for the progressive removal of all quota restrictions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new Government-financed factory-building schemes, including extensions, and how many private schemes, have been approved in Development Areas in 1959; what were the corresponding figures for 1958; and what was the volume of new employment involved in each year.

Ninety-six Government-financed schemes have been approved so far this year and 207 private schemes received Industrial Development Certificates up to the end of October. Estimated new employment from these schemes is about 25,000. In the year 1958, 46 Government financed schemes and 253 private schemes were approved, estimated to provide about 20,000 new jobs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many schemes for clearance of derelict sites in Development Areas under Section 5 of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, whether by his Department or by grant, have been approved this year; how many have been started; what is the total cost; and how these figures compare with 1958.

During 1959, thirty-eight projects by local authorities have been approved for grant at an estimated cost of £210,000. Three schemes have been completed and a start made on eight others. No projects were approved in 1958.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage, measured by square feet, the total of new factory approvals in the London and South Eastern Region was of total approvals in Great Britain in the first ten months of 1958 and 1959, respectively.

For schemes of over 5,000 square feet, 21·5 per cent. in 1958 and 18·7 per cent. in 1959.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the West of Scotland.

My right hon. Friend visited Renfrewshire and North Lanarkshire on 3rd and 4th December. He had the pleasure of meeting the Lord Provost of Glasgow and many others including representatives of Scottish industry, who were able to explain to him their views on problems currently arising within the economy of Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he has had with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research with a view to developing safety devices to prevent oil heaters flaring in draught; and whether, in the light of the numerous fires and consequent fatalities caused by such heaters, he will take steps pending such developments to ensure that sales of these appliances are in all cases accompanied by some suitable form of warning to purchasers.

The development of safety devices is not a matter for the Board of Trade but I am aware that the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is working as a matter of urgency on the problem of flaring and that a committee of the British Standards Institution is reviewing the standard for domestic stoves. I have no power to impose the labelling condition suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from national organisations about depreciation allowances on commercial buildings which were the subject of recommendations by the Committee on the Taxation of Trading Profits in 1951 and by the Royal Commission on Taxation of Profits and Income in 1955; and what was his reply.

I have received various representations asking for the introduction of capital allowances for commercial buildings and have promised to consider them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have been taken to ensure that proper weight is given to the opinions of Scottish historians and lawyers regarding the establishment of a Parliament of Great Britain in 1707 and its subsequent history, in the History of Parliament that is being undertaken by the History of Parliament Trust.

The administration and policy of the Trust are the responsibility of the Trustees, to whom I must therefore refer my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will set out fully in tabular form the amounts paid in loans and subsidies to each service and industry during the last financial year, and the total amount since the end of 1946.

The following table shows the principal loans and subsidies by the central Government in 1958 and in the period 1947 to 1958 inclusive. The figures follow the definitions used in estimates of National Income and Expenditure and relate to calendar years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the findings of the survey conducted by Dr. Douglas M. McIntosh, Director of Education for Fife, he will institute an inquiry into the high rate of failure of first-year students at Scottish universities.

I have been asked to reply. The University Grants Committee has from time to time conducted inquiries into the success or failure of students at all the universities in Great Britain and I understand that it will shortly be examining the results of its most recent inquiry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the quantities of malt whisky and grain whisky, respectively, distilled in Scotland for the year ended 30th September, 1959, and the quantities of both distilled in the whole of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The quantities of malt spirit and of grain spirit distilled in Scotland and in the United Kingdom as a whole in the year ended 30th September, 1959, were as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing what were the respective contributions to the Estate Duty receipts in 1958–59 provided by the range of estates set out in table 107 of the latest Report of Her Majesty's Commissioners of Inland Revenue.

Particulars of the duty paid by each range of estate set out in table 107 are not kept. Some of the figures shown below are therefore estimates.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has considered the resolution of the Association of Municipal Corporations, a copy of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Dagenham, in favour of meeting the travelling expenses of members, within the area of their local authority, when on council business; and whether he will introduce legislation for this purpose.

My right hon. Friend has been in consultation with the local authority associations and is considering this suggestion for amendment of the law. He is not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that certain abandoned mine-shafts in West Cornwall are constituting a statutory nuisance, in that they are not properly fenced and so constitute a danger for people and animals; and what action he is taking in this matter.

Section 151 of the Mines and Quarries Act, 1954, provides that certain quarries and the shafts of abandoned mines may constitute statutory nuisances if their unfenced state represents a danger to the public. I think that local authorities are generally well aware of this provision but the hon. Member's Question will no doubt help to draw attention to it.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will set up a committee to inquire into the future of gravel-winning in South Buckinghamshire, and ensure that, so far as possible, no new permissions are granted until it has reported.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will set up a committee to inquire into the future of sand and gravel-winning in South-West Middlesex; and if he will, so far as is possible, ensure that no new concessions, or extensions of existing concessions, are granted until the committee has presented its report.

I will answer these two Questions together since South Buckinghamshire and South-West Middlesex are parts of a large gravel supply area. In consultation with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Minister of Works, my right hon. Friend is already investigating the future of gravel working in this area, and when full information is available the position will be discussed with the local planning authorities concerned and the industry. In these circumstances, my right hon. Friend does not think it is appropriate to set up a committee. As each application must be decided on its merits my right hon. Friend cannot undertake to ensure that no new permissions are granted until these inquiries are completed.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps he is taking to secure the installation of main sewers in areas not yet provided with modern sanitation.

These areas are almost wholly rural localities where main drainage has usually had to await the provision of piped water supplies. Accordingly, my right hon. Friend's policy has been and still is to assist local authorities in providing both those services. Since 1951 water supply schemes costing £55 million and sewerage schemes costing £66 million have been approved and Exchequer grants under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Acts, 1944–55, totalling £38 million either made or promised.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what information he has as to the number of dwellings in England and Wales using cesspit sanitation and earth bucket facilities.

I regret that no precise information is available. In 1951 about 8 per cent. of households did not have the use of a water closet and about 13 per cent. had to share. Since then over l¾ million dwellings have been built and a slum clearance programme is being vigorously pursued, with the result that the number of dwellings without main drainage is steadily being reduced.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what recent representations he has received with regard to levies made upon householders under the Coast Protection Act, 1949; if he is aware that hardship is being experienced; how many appeals for remission have been made to him; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware of the anxiety caused to residents in coastal areas by demands for payment of coast protection charges under the Coast Protection Act, 1949; and whether he will make a statement.

In addition to a few general representations that I have received, fifty-four persons or bodies affected by recently completed coast protection schemes in four local authority areas have exercised their statutory right of appeal to me on the grounds that the amounts demanded from them are inequitable or unduly onerous. I shall examine these appeals with great care. Without prejudging what amount of contribution is reasonable, it does not seem to me wrong in principle to expect some contribution from owners whose properties have been increased in market value by reason of the protection given by the new works.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many schemes have been approved so far under the Coast Protection Act. 1949; in how many cases he has agreed to make a grant; and in respect of which schemes such grant has been made conditional upon the local authority levying charges on property-owners benefiting from the scheme.

Three hundred and twenty-five schemes have been approved in England and Wales; grants have so far been promised in respect of 215 of these and I am considering a further 21. The award of Exchequer grant has in no instance been made conditional upon the collection of coast protection charges.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will ensure that the views of the Royal Fine Art Commission on the revised plan for the development of the Cafá Monico site are made known at the public inquiry.

It is not customary for the Royal Fine Art Commission to be represented at a public inquiry of this kind; but I intend to seek its views before coming to a final decision on this application in its revised form.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether the Departmental survey of private streets will include particular consideration of the Biggin Hill district where, in some cases, the cost of sewerage and roadworks are unusually high owing to the nature of the district, but falls to be met by persons of modest means occupying dwellings of little value with large frontages.

The survey will cover the whole country, and where any district has special problems these will be noted. The Department's attention has already been drawn to the position at Biggin Hill.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what directions or advice he has given to urban district councils for the disposal of refuse; and how far each such authority is permitted to decide for itself between tipping and other methods of disposal, such as incineration.

My right hon. Friend has given no general directions or advice, but any individual authority seeking advice is given it. In suitable conditions, properly controlled tipping often has economic and other advantages, but each local authority must decide which method of disposal is best suited to local circumstances.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs his reasons for refusing a public inquiry into the decision of the Rickmansworth Urban District Council to give planning permission for a block of flats at the junction of Yorke Road and Watford Road at Croxley Green, in view of the opposition to the proposal by all the councillors representing the inhabitants of Croxley Green.

Planning permission had already been given by the responsible local authority, and where that has happened I can intervene only if I am prepared to consider making a revocation order. It did not seem to me that the circumstances warranted this course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of people in the Seychelles employed in the outer islands without wages and solely in return for their shelter and maintenance; and whether he will make a statement.

None. Everyone employed in the outer islands is employed on a contract which has to be attested by the Labour Officer and which sets out the rate of wage to be paid. Most island managements pay higher wages than the minimum laid down by law.The Governor has recently returned from a personal visit to eight of the large outlying islands.He tells me that he was impressed by the good health and the cheerful morale of the island communities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of registered unemployed in the Seychelles; and what percentage this is of the total employable population.

There are no registered unemployed in Seychelles and no unemployment registers are kept.Registration of those seeking employment, mostly in Government service, is carried out by the Labour and Welfare Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will appoint a commission to inquire into conditions of labour in the Seychelles; and whether he will invite the Trades Union Congress to nominate members to it.

No. Four major inquiries and six minor inquiries in the economic and social field have been carried out in Seychelles by visiting experts in the last two years.On the basis of their advice the Seychelles Government has now embarked on a comprehensive development programme, one of the main aims of which is to provide improved employment opportunities and conditions of work for the inhabitants of the Colony.I am sure that the hon. Member will agree that it is vitally important to the welfare of the Colony, including the workers, that the small Seychelles administration should be allowed to concentrate its energies on carrying out this programme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give further details of the financial aid to Malta in the current financial year.

The financial aid, amounting to approximately £5 million, which Malta will receive from the United Kingdom in the current financial year is part of the £29¼ million which Her Majesty's Government are contributing towards the cost of the Five Year Development Plan. I regret that I replied in a contrary sense to a supplementary question asked by my hon. Friend on 24th November.The contribution in the current year is towards estimated expenditure as shown in the plan.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that belts studded with brass nails and spikes are being used increasingly in attacks of violence; and if he will take steps to prohibit the production and sale of these and make it an offence for them to be worn.

There is no evidence of any recent increase in the use of studded belts in crimes of violence in the Metropolitan Police District, and the number of cases reported is very small. There has, however, been some increase this year in the number of persons charged with possessing studded belts as offensive weapons. In view of the fact that the existing law is well able to deal with this, I am not convinced of the need for extra powers.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the Dartford-Purfleet Tunnel, the planning and construction of the approach roads, and the prospects with regard to completion dates.

Work on the project, including the planning and construction of the approach roads, is up to schedule, and it should be completed in 1962.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if he has yet been able to fix the level of tolls to be levied on users of the Dartford-Purfleet Tunnel;(2) when he anticipates the Dartford Purfleet Tunnel will be ready for use;(3) the cost to date of the Dartford Purfleet Tunnel; and what he anticipates the final cost will be.

The cost of the Dartford Tunnel and its approach roads to date is some £7½ million, including contracts which have been let but not completed. The final cost is estimated at just over £11 million.Between twelve and six months before the expected date of opening the Tunnel Committee must submit to me for confirmation its proposed schedule of toll charges. At the same time the proposals must be advertised so that an opportunity is given for objections and, if necessary, a public inquiry. I cannot therefore say at present what tolls are likely to be charged.The tunnel should be ready for use in 1962.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has for the improvement of the A.20 between Birchwood and West Kingsdown.

I am planning a two-mile dual carriageway by-pass of Swanley which will be constructed as soon as the preparatory work is completed and funds permit. We hope to provide dual carriageways on the rest of this section of A.20 in due course, but higher priority is now being given to the improvement of A.2.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission to improve the points system, in order to avoid collisions such as the one which occurred at Neasden on 12th November.

No. This is not a matter for the issue of a general direction to the British Transport Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government is now prepared to join the Inter-governmental Committee for European Migration; and whether he will make a statement.

We are at the moment giving further consideration to this matter. I am afraid, therefore, I cannot make a statement now.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the amount agreed with the Czechoslovakian authorities in respect of British interests nationalised in Czechoslovakia; the total amount repaid to date; and the amount and date of the last payment.

The 1949 Agreement with Czechoslovakia provided for the payment to Her Majesty's Government of £8 million as compensation for nationalised British property. Of this sum, £6,757,696 has been paid to date. The last payment was of £267,095 and was received on 1st October, 1959.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the Government's present policy towards the restitution to Czechoslovakia of a part of her gold released by the Bank of England during the German occupation; and the current value of this gold.

The gold to which the hon. Member refers is today worth about £9·2 million. It forms part of the claim for losses of monetary gold made by the Czechoslovak Government to the Tripartite Commission for the Restitution of Monetary Gold. This claim is still under consideration by the Tripartite Commission.

asked the Minister of Aviation when he expects to reach a decision on the type of light liaison aircraft to be used by the Army Air Corps.

I hope very soon.

asked the Minister of Aviation at what times the Boeing 707 aircraft takes off from London Airport between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Departures are scheduled for 6 p.m. and 10.30 p.m.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has completed his consultations about the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Poisonous Substances Used in Agriculture and Food Storage; and if he will make a statement.

These consultations are not yet completed, but as soon as they are I will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Education how many secondary modern schools in how many local education authority areas arrange for scholars to sit for the General Certificate of Education examinations.

In the summer of 1959, 970 secondary modern schools in 109 local education authority areas submitted candidates for the General Certificate of Education examinations.

asked the Minister of Education what percentage of the primary and secondary school population was being taught in classes of over 40 and 30, respectively, on 1st January for the years 1958 and 1959.

In January, 1959, 24·2 per cent. of juniors and 64·2 per cent. of seniors were in classes of over 40 and 30 respectively, compared with 29·7 and 62·1 a year earlier.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of applications waiting for telephones in Hayes and Harlington on the last convenient date, and the corresponding figure twelve months ago.

In September, 1958, there were 692 applications on the waiting list and 89 others under inquiry or being met. Between that date and September, 1959, 893 new telephones were installed. Thus on 30th September, 1959, the figures had become 249 and 165 respectively.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the expressions of regret by the Independent Television Authority and the programme company regarding the programme entitled "Probation Officer", he will arrange to have placed in the Library, for the convenience of hon. Members, transcripts of the series.

This is not a matter in which I have statutory powers, but the Authority tells me it is always ready to meet reasonable requests for programme scripts from hon. Members. It says, however, that it would not be in accordance with its practice to provide, as a regular feature, particulars of a programme series in the way suggested by the hon. Member. I am sure that if any hon. Member approaches either the Authority or the B.B.C. in regard to any particular script which interests him they will be made available.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet taken a decision about the reconstruction of numbers 10, 11 and 12 Downing Street.

Although there is no immediate cause for alarm, the condition of the houses, Nos. 10, 11 and 12, in Downing Street is deteriorating. It has, therefore, been decided that the work of reconstruction, on the lines recommended by the Crawford Committee on the Preservation of Downing Street, should be put in hand as soon as possible. Preliminary planning is now well advanced and work is due to start at the beginning of the Summer Recess in 1960. The task is expected to take about two years to complete, and while it is in progress Admiralty House and adjoining buildings will be used.As recommended by the Crawford Committee, the reconstruction of the Treasury buildings in Whitehall will be undertaken simultaneously with the Downing Street work. The combined cost of the work on the Downing Street houses and the Treasury is thought likely to be of the order of £1,250,000. Proposals will be laid before the House for the necessary financial provision to be made in the financial year 1960–61.