asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement indicating the number of motor cars containing only one or two occupants which enter London daily at stated hours by routes covered by public transport; and if he will consider the implications of this in relation to traffic congestion in London streets and parking places.

The indications are that between 50 and 60 thousand cars come into Central London daily; about 90 per cent. of them carry two occupants or less. The hon. and learned Member may rest assured that the problem thus created is very much in my mind at the moment.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made with the surveys which have been undertaken to obtain further data in accident rates for motor cyclists of different ages as recommended by the Departmental Committee on Road Safety in its Report on the Minimum Age for Motor Cyclists.

Information has been collected about 10,000 motor cyclists and about 5,000 motor cycle accidents. The analysis of this material is nearly complete.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the percentage of accidents, in the latest available year, in which the influence of drink or drugs was a contributory factor; and what was the percentage in which pedestrian heedlessness of traffic was such a factor.

In 1959 drivers under the influence of drink were reported in 0·6 per cent. of all fatal and serious accidents. 93 per cent. of the fatal or serious accidents to pedestrians occurred when the pedestrian concerned was crossing or in the road; heedlessness of traffic is no longer reported as a specific contributory factor.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will show in a table the percentages of all power-driven vehicles licensed in 1959, comprising private cars, lorries, motor cycles, and other vehicles, respectively, and the percentage of accidents for which vehicles in each of these categories were held by the police to be responsible.

The following table shows the percentages of motor vehicles involved in personal injury accidents; it should be noted that involvement does not necessarily imply responsibility.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the number of accidents caused by bicycles in 1959.

58,831 bicycles were involved in personal injury accidents in 1959. I must, however, point out that involvement does not necessarily mean responsibility.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the result of his test of the breathalyser apparatus.

The apparatus is simple, quick to use, and apparently accurate. Its potential usefulness as an indication of the proportion of alcohol in the bloodstream is being further investigated.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will cause an investigation to be made into the methods applied relating to motor driving tests to see how far it is possible to safeguard the public against practices which have recently caused the conviction of two of his examiners.

Instructions were issued last November with the object of strengthening the safeguard in the driving test system against abuses of the kind to which the hon. Member refers. I am satisfied that these precautions will prove effective.

asked the Minister of Transport why, having invited a joint delegation from the Government Advisory Panel of the Highlands and Islands, the Scottish Touring Board, and the Highlands local authorities to meet him in London in December, he refused to consider the views of the delegates.

The deputation came to see me at their own request. The matter which 1 indicated to the deputation that I could not go into was the merits of the British Transport Commission's proposals to close a number of wayside stations and two branch lines between Inverness and Wick and Thurso. These proposals had already been thoroughly investigated and approved by the Transport Users' Consultative Committee for Scot land set up under the Transport Acts for the purpose. I explained to the deputation that, in the circumstances obtaining, I had no powers to act on the proposals.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the need to secure to the transport user a fair and competitive basis between road and rail transport, he will make a statement of Government policy in this matter with particular reference to the economic aspects.

Government policy is to ensure that both road and rail transport can each make its contribution as effectively as possible to the economic life of the country. That is why we are pressing forward with a vigorous roads programme and giving considerable financial support to the modernisation of British Railways.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that it is not in the interests of road safety to allow vehicles to stand on the streets at night without lights in times of poor visibility and fog; and whether he is contemplating any alteration to the regulations in this connection.

There is clearly danger in leaving vehicles unlit on roads in conditions of poor visibility or fog. The difficulty is to define these conditions in Regulations. We prefer to leave the remedy to the good sense of motorists, reinforced by timely Press and broadcast announcements.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the taxation of bicycles to implement the Road Fund.

Whilst I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget statement, I very much doubt whether the registration and licensing of bicycles would be a practicable proposition.

asked the Minister of Transport what instructions he has given to traffic commissioners concerning goods vehicle licensing in periods of railway strikes.

There are no standing instructions. Transport problems arising from a strike are best dealt with in the light of the situation at the time.

asked the Minister of Transport what legislation he is proposing to ensure that drivers convicted of road offences, which raise doubts as to the ability or skill of a driver, will be compelled to take another driving test before a driving licence is reissued.

The courts can already disqualify from driving, until the passing of a driving test, any person convicted of dangerous or careless driving or of driving under the influence of drink or drugs. The decision to impose this penalty is entirely a matter for the courts in each particular case.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce legislation substantially increasing the minimum penalties which may be imposed on drivers of vehicles charged and found guilty of dangerous driving or being drunk in charge of a vehicle, in view of the public disquiet existing on this matter.

Courts are already required, in the absence of special reasons, to disqualify for at least 12 months drivers convicted of driving under the influence of drink or drugs, and for at least 9 months in the case of a second or subsequent conviction for dangerous driving. In either case disqualification may be imposed for longer periods and with both a fine and imprisonment in addition, if the court considers that the circumstances justify it. I do not think that to increase these already severe penalties would of itself contribute to road safety.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has yet received a report on the experimental anti-dazzle fence on the M.1; and if he will make a statement.

Erection of 2 miles of experimental fence was completed on 19th January; it is too early yet to make a statement on its effects. I expect to receive a report from the Road Research Laboratory later this month or early in March.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will appoint a departmental committee to consider what administrative changes are necessary in the road and bridge construction programme at present in operation; and whether he will make a statement on the incidence of accidents, such as the two suffered at Barton Bridge, and the present arrangements for contracting and sub-contracting.

As I have explained in a recent letter to the hon. Member, the safety of workers on schemes like the Barton Bridge is covered by the Factories Acts, which are administered by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour. The present arrangements for contracting and sub-contracting on these projects are governed by the relevant clauses in the Institution of Civil Engineers' Standard Conditions of Contract and I have heard no suggestion that they are unsatisfactory in this respect. I do not consider, therefore, that there is any occasion to set up a committee on the lines suggested.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the present position regarding the incomplete inner ring road in Bristol; and, in view of the obstruction and bottleneck it is causing and the increasingly serious effect this is having upon the business of the city, if he will reconsider his refusal to make a grant towards this stage of the work.

I fully realise the value of this proposal, but I cannot say at present when we shall be able to make a grant for it.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the average cost per mile of constructing the Ross Spur Road.

I can give only an estimate at this stage. The average cost per mile is expected to be about £260,000.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that of the £500,000 allocated to Bristol during the past two years £350,000 was absorbed by the construction of a traffic bridge, and that the remainder is quite inadequate to meet the needs of a large city like Bristol; and if he will hold an inquiry in the city on the urgent traffic problems which exist.

The cost of the duplication of Bath Bridge is estimated at £289,000, and grants have been made during the past two years towards other schemes estimated to cost £282,000, a total of £571,000. My right hon. Friend knows that all our large cities are anxious to carry out new road schemes and he has their needs in mind.He has already agreed to hold an inquiry into Bristol's proposal to introduce parking meters in the centre of the City, and we do not think it would be appropriate to hold a general inquiry into the City's traffic problems.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress is being made with the erection of reflecting road signs in place of those which cannot be read in the dark with dipped headlights.

Most signs already have button reflectors or are directly illuminated. The Traffic Signs Regulations, 1957, provided for the use of new materials which reflect the whole area of a sign. A high proportion of those now manufactured are of this type.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now immediately proceed with the project for the provision of traffic lights on the Cellarhead cross-roads on the Stafford to Leek road; and if he will give the number of accidents and deaths on that spot since the hon. Member for Leek last inquired of his Department about the need for traffic lights at that junction.

I am glad to say that there have been no fatal accidents at these cross-roads since the hon. Member's Question in 1956. Of the ten accidents which have occurred, five have involved personal injury. The "Halt" signs at the junction were replaced by much larger ones last November and supplemented by a repeater "Halt" sign. In addition, our Divisional Road Engineer has recently suggested to the county council a road improvement which would give better forward visibility.We are not satisfied that conditions at these cross-roads make them suitable for control by traffic signals, but we will review the position after we have gained experience of the effect of the measures now being taken.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has for continuing the arrangements for parking in the Pink Zone.

My hon. Friend will be aware, from a reply yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works, that he has agreed to continue the special parking facilities on Horse Guards Parade until the beginning of April, when parking meters come into operation throughout Mayfair.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now permit U-turns by taxi-cabs in the Pink Zone.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I have today given to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Clapham (Dr. A. Glyn) and the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton).

asked the Minister of Transport what was the number of road accidents in High Street, Feltham, and the number of casualties involved, in 1959, with comparative figures for the year 1958.

There were 44 accidents resulting in 46 casualties in 1959, compared with 58 accidents and 65 casualties in 1958.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the number of road accidents on the Bath Road, A4, between its junction with the Parkway and the eastern end of the Colnbrook by-pass, and the number of casualties involved in 1959, with comparative figures for the year 1958.

There were 104 accidents resulting in 138 casualties in 1959, compared with 96 accidents and 128 casualties in 1958.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has for improving the A.38 road between Plymouth and Exeter.

I am planning eventually to provide a dual carriageway road throughout A.38 between Plymouth and Exeter, but I cannot yet say how soon this work will be carried out. One scheme for the provision of over half a mile of dual carriageway at Redcross Hill is, however, due to start early this summer.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether he will reconsider his policy to provide new

asked the Minister of Transport if he will issue a list of schemes under the road programme, costing over £100,000, which were started in the six months ended 31st December, 1959, with estimated completion date and total cost of each

The schemes are:motorways with two lanes only in each carriageway, in view of evidence of the inadequacy of two lanes, for instance in the new Meriden by-pass.

The number of lanes provided depends on the estimated volume of traffic that will use the motorway and there are many routes where dual two-lane carriageways will be sufficient to meet this need.The Meriden by-pass is not a motorway but part of trunk road A.45 which his been improved to dual two-lane carriageway standard. Ultimately it is proposed to supplement this route by a motorway link between the London to Yorkshire and the Birmingham to Lancashire motorways which will both have dual three-lane carriageways.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made by the Committee under Lord Chandos, in fixing the conditions for the building of the two Cunard liners.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Montgomery) on the 18th November. I now understand, however, that the Committee may not complete its report until next month.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that Her Majesty's Government are to provide financial aid towards the cost of the proposed new "Queen" liners, what part Her Majesty's Government will play in deciding with which shipbuilding firm or firms the contract or contracts will be placed.

The Government have not entered into any commitment to provide financial aid towards the cost of replacing the "Queens". As I said in answer to a previous Question by the hon. Member on 4th November last, no decision will be taken in this matter until the Report of the Chandos Committee has been received and considered.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the concern in Scotland consequent on the decision to award to an English firm the maintenance of 50 moorings in Scottish waters at a time when the five existing vessels employed for this purpose at Rosyth, Fife, are unable to find sufficient work; and whether, in view of current difficulties in Scotland in maintaining full employment, he will take urgent steps to revoke this decision.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the feeling of insecurity among the personnel at present employed in Royal Naval dockyards on the maintenance of moorings in Scottish waters,, arising from the decision to divert some of the maintenance work to an English firm; and why he took this decision.

I regret the concern felt in Scotland, but I am satisfied that the contract into which we have entered, and which cannot now be cancelled, is on the best terms that could be obtained. The five Admiralty vessels in Rosyth were not employed in the maintenance of Ministry moorings either in Scottish waters or elsewhere. I understand that my hon. Friend the Civil Lord of the Admiralty will be writing to the hon. Members on the question of employment in the Royal Naval dockyard.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give the names of the members of the consortium of shipowners, formed on the proposal by the First Lord of the Admiralty, to arrange for the ownership and operation of the first British nuclear-powered ship; what is the programme of their intended discussions; when those discussions will take place; and whether he will inform the House of their nature and result.

No consortium has yet been formed. The small committee of shipowners of which I told the hon. Member last week is to consider with the Government the suggestion that one might be set up.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the Joint Parliamentary Secretary's recent tour of Tyne and Wear shipyards; and what steps he is taking to bring repair work to Tyne and Wear yards, which at the moment have little or no work, and thus provide employment for the growing number of unemployed in the ship-repairing industry.

My hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary visited a wide selection of shipyards and ship-repair yards on the north-east coast after Christmas and again last month. He went to see at first hand what is happening there in these industries and he has reported his impressions to me. The fall in repair work is general and follows the decline in shipping activity. The hon. Member will appreciate that I am not in a position to divert work from other areas.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the total amount of money invested in British Railways, and the total losses to date since they were nationalised.

It is not possible to provide the information required with any precision, but, on a very broad calculation, the capital liability of British Railways at 31st December, 1959 may be assessed at some £1,300 million and the deficits on British Railways for the years 1948 to 1958 at about £300 million.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the statement, contained in paragraph 117 of the British Transport Commission's reappraisal plan, regarding the relationship of the Commission's financial structure to their long-term policies, what proposals he has for amending the present financial arrangements between Her Majesty's Government and the Commission.

asked the Minister of Transport what relief he is contemplating of the British Transport Commission's financial obligations.

The Government have not yet completed this examination of the Commission's Re-appraisal of the Modernisation Plan. I am therefore not able to make a statement at present.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will refer to the appropriate Transport Users' Consultative Committee the widely-signed petition which he has received from residents in East Islington, drawing attention to the unsatisfactory condition of Canonbury Station.

No. The British Transport Commission is responsible for the matters mentioned in the petition and I am asking the Chairman of the Commission to look into them. If, after that, the hon. Member's constituents are still dissatisfied, it is entirely open to them to make representations to the appropriate Transport Users' Consultative Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport how much the Victoria—Walthamstow underground railway is expected to cost the British Transport Commission; and what rates of interest will be charged on the money loaned for this purpose.

The estimated cost of the Victoria Line is £55 million. The interest rates would depend on the rates prevailing at the time of borrowing.

asked the Minister of Transport what consideration has been given by his Department to the report of the London Travel Committee on the proposed Victoria Line; and whether he will make a statement.

I have at present nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Islington, East on 27th January.

asked the Minister of Transport by what date the British Railways Modernisation Plan will be completed.

The original Railway Modernisation Plan was formulated late in 1954 and started in 1955. It was made up of schemes capable of being started within five years and completed within fifteen years. The British Transport Commission's Re-appraisal of the Plan (Cmnd. 813) published in July, 1959, proposes substantial acceleration of certain schemes in order to achieve by 1963 benefits which would otherwise not have accrued until four or five years later. Other parts of the Plan may not be completed, or the benefits may not be secured, for several years after 1963.

asked the Minister of Defence what progress has been made in the last year in standardising the arms and equipment of the forces of the North Atlantic Allies; and if he will make a statement.

As I informed the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Kershaw) on 20th November, 1959, the feasibility of increasing standardisation is under continuous study in both Western European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.In the past year, twenty-one agreements on the standardisation of equipment have been promulgated in N.A.T.O. These all related to components. In order to promote standardisation on major items, we are co-operating with Our Allies in defining the military characteristics of new weapons, and in related research and development.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of his discussions with the Defence Minister of the German Federal Republic.

I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Warbey) on 9th December, when I informed him that during my talks with Herr Strauss we discussed the possibility of co-operation within the N.A.T.O. framework in certain fields of research, development and production with the object of making the most efficient use of scientific and industrial resources of the two countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a further statement on the results of his representations to the Ethiopian Government arising out of the incidents in the Haud in which Ethiopian forces killed 13 tribesmen from the Somaliland Protectorate.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 1st February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which countries do not accept the jurisdiction of the Court of International Justice.

The following are the names of the 39 countries which do accept the jurisdiction of the Court:

• Australia.
• Belgium.
• Cambodia.
• Canada.
• China.
• Colombia.
• Denmark.
• Dominican Republic,
• El Salvador.
• Finland.
• France.
• Haiti.
• Honduras.
• India.
• Israel.
• Japan.
• Liberia.
• Liechtenstein.
• Luxembourg
• Mexico.
• Netherlands.
• New Zealand
• Nicaragua.
• Norway.
• Pakistan,
• Panama.
• Paraguay.
• Philippines
• Portugal.
• Sudan.
• Sweden.
• Switzerland.
• Thailand.
• Turkey.
• Union of South Africa.
• United Arab Republic.
• United Kingdom.
• United States.
• Uruguay.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which countries do, and which countries do not, accept the decisions of the Court of International Justice without reservation; and, in the case of the latter, if he will state the nature of the reservation in each case.

Of the 39 States which have accepted the jurisdiction of the Court three (Haiti, Nicaragua and Paraguay) have accepted it without reservation. A further 18 maintain minor reservations. The remaining 18 have reservations which are more extensive. The texts of the reservations are to be found on pages 205 to 227 of the Year Book of the International Court of Justice for 1958 to 1959, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the London Conference on Cyprus.

At present, I cannot add anything to the statement which my right hon. and learned Friend made to the House on 1st February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what consultations he has had with the Soviet Government regarding the date on which the new Soviet Ambassador will arrive in this country to take up his appointment.

The Queen has given her agrément to the appointment of Mr. Soldatov. The date of his arrival is a matter for Mr. Soldatov and his Government to decide.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will lead the United Kingdom delegation at the Ten-Power Disarmament Conference in Geneva commencing on 15th March.

No. As has already been announced, I shall be the Leader of the United Kingdom Delegation at the Conference of the Ten-Power Disarmament Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider increasing the grant of £200,000 to the United Kingdom Committee for World Refugee Year, in view of the international importance of the refugee problem.

The importance which Her Majesty's Government attach to the refugee problem is shown by the provision of over £2 million last year for refugee relief. A large part of this goes to Palestine 810" refugees. I cannot at the moment hold out any hope of increasing Her Majesty's Government's contribution to the World Refugee Year appeal.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will agree to contribute to the fund for helping world refugees, from Government sources, a sum equal to the amount raised by voluntary associations in the first half of World Refugee Year.

No. The World Refugee Year appeal is directed primarily to the generosity of the public in this country and not to Government funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date he received the appeal for world disarmament from the Chairman and Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; whether he will publish the text of this appeal in HANSARD; whether he will give the date of his reply; and whether he will publish this reply in HANSARD.

The text of this Appeal was received at the Foreign Office on 18th January under cover of a Note from the Soviet Embassy requesting that it be transmitted to Parliament and to Her Majesty's Government. A reply was sent to the Embassy on 21st January stating that copies of the Appeal had been forwarded as requested. The text of the Appeal, with an English translation, is available in the Library and I see no reason to publish it in HANSARD.It would not be proper for Her Majesty's Government to send any further reply to a communication from the parliament of another country.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number and proportion of unemployed persons in Newcastle-under-Lyme at the latest date for which figures are available; how these figures compare with those for

asked the Minister of Labour what local consultations took place before the decision to close his Department's office at Llanwrtyd Wells, Breconshire, was made; whether the local authorities, employers' associations and trade unions were advised of the proposed closure; how far away the nearest employment exchange is where advice can be sought; and how unemployed persons will be able to register and obtain unemployment benefit. 12 months and two years ago, respectively; what number and proportion of those at present unemployed are over 40 years of age; and what number and proportion of them are disabled persons.

At 11th January, 847 persons representing 3·2 per cent. of the estimated total number of employees in the area were registered as unemployed. compared with 1,490 or 5·6 per cent. at 12th January, 1959, and 967 or 3·6 per cent. at 13th January, 1958. At 7th December, 1959, the latest date for which an age-analysis of the unemployed is available, 404 persons or 60 per cent. of the total of 678 wholly unemployed were aged 40 and over. At 18th January there were 196 unemployed registered disabled persons, representing about 23 per cent, of the total number of unemployed in the area.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will publish the figures showing the amount of unemployment among men, women, boys, and girls. respectively, in each of the last six months in the West Fife area.

The table below gives the information desired:

This was not one of my Department's regular local offices, but an agency which gave very limited services. When the agent resigned last month, transfer of these services to the office at Llandovery, which was already responsible for general services in the area, appeared preferable on practical grounds to the appointment of a new agent. Llandovery is 11 miles away, but unemployment benefit is paid by post and claimants are not required to attend to sign the register.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress he has made in finding a service unit to replace the Command Ordnance Depot at Hilsea, Portsmouth; and why it has taken a year to make an announcement.

The Water Transport Group, R.A.S.C. is to be concentrated in the area of the Solent. Its headquarters, with a boat stores depot and a repair unit, will be stationed at Hilsea. The transfer of units will begin in March and should be completed by the end of the year. It has been delayed by consultations with other authorities concerned in the new arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers and civilians were employed in Hilsea Depot in 1950; and how many it is proposed to employ in 1960.

In 1950, there were about 60 military and 1,000 civilian staff at Hilsea. I expect the corresponding numbers to be about 20 and 600 this year, but there will be considerable fluctuation due to the movement of units and the run-down of 28 Command Workshop.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will supply figures showing the increase in recruits from the mining industry in the last two years from Scotland and England. respectively.

In Scotland. 328, 391 and 471 ex-miners were recruited in 1957, 1958 and 1959, respectively. The corresponding numbers in England were 1,504, 2,236 and 1,842.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will take the necessary steps to give soldiers who won the Military Medal in the 1914–18 war the same monetary recognition as those of the 1939–45 war.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will amend the regulations covering the award of the Military Medal, so that those who earned this medal before 3rd September, 1939. may receive the same financial benefits as those who earned it after that date.

No. In 1945, when these benefits were introduced, it was made clear that they applied only to decorations earned on or after 3rd September, 1939.

asked the Postmaster-General on how many Tuesdays in the last eight weeks pensioners have had to queue outside the Weoley Castle, Birmingham, sub-post office while awaiting payment.

Pensioners have not had to wait outside the office on any of the eight Tuesdays unless they arrived before 9 a.m. when the office is due to open. There have been some queues inside the office for short periods on several Tuesdays, but no one has had to wait more than two or three minutes for attention.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Independent Television Authority is not adequately complying with the requirements of Section 3 (1) (e) of the Television Act, 1954, as regards stations designed to serve Wales; and whether he will take action to ensure that the Authority observes those requirements.

The Authority assures me that full regard is paid, and will continue to be paid, to Section 3 (1) (e) of the Television Act in regard to programmes from stations giving service to Wales.

asked the Postmaster-General what representations he has received concerning the need to provide a more integrated television service for Wales.

My predecessor and I and my right hon. Friend the Minister for Welsh Affairs have received written representations from a number of Welsh organisations and local authorities who wish to secure a separate Welsh television service.The problem was discussed last year with the Welsh Parliamentary Party and also with representatives of the University of Wales. Last week my right hon. Friends the Minister for Welsh Affairs and the Minister of State for Welsh Affairs and I met members of the Continuation Committee of the National Conference on Television for Wales and I am circulating below the agreed statement issued after that meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the shark nets of the bathing beaches at Aden, used by Royal Air Force personnel and their families, have yet been repaired; and whether they are now an effective protection for bathers.

The protection available at the beaches near the Officers Club and the United Services Club has recently been extended and improved. Both nets are fully effective.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will state the approximate date when it is anticipated that air-conditioned sleeping accommodation will be available for all serving Royal Air Force personnel in the Aden Protectorate.

More than half of the R.A.F. personnel in Aden should have air-conditioned sleeping accommodation before the end of 1961. The remainder will be in quarters built to full tropical standards. The question of air-conditioning these buildings is under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what effective steps are being taken to eradicate bed bugs from the sleeping quarters of Royal Air Force personnel in the Aden Protectorate.

This is a continuing problem but the use of modern insecticides and the boiling or destruction of infested beds is bringing about some improvement. New domestic buildings now being built will be easier to keep free of the pests.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what special equipment has been installed and what special construction work has been carried out in East Anglia in preparation for the United States Air Force aircraft transferred from France.

As a result of this transfer, jet blast deflectors, crew dormitories, aircraft shelters, and other technical and storage facilities are being constructed at four airfields in this country. The cost is being borne by the United States Air Force.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what was the date on which officers of his Department interviewed Flying Officer Anthony Maynard Wraight after his return from Russia; and whether he will make a statement.

Officers of my Department were present at interviews which Wraight had with the civil authorities on 30th and 31st December, 1959.

asked the Secretary of State for Air on what date and for what reason Anthony Maynard Wraight ceased to be a member of the Royal Air Force.

I would refer the hon Member to the statement I made in answer to Questions on 27th January.

asked the Minister of Education how many all-age schools there were in Cornwall at the latest convenient date; and how many children of secondary school age they contained.

There are 33 all-age schools remaining in Cornwall compared with 58 a year ago. The number of pupils in senior classes in these schools is not yet available.Building projects now in progress, or included in approved building programmes, will enable reorganisation to he completed in the county.

asked the Minister of Education who represents the United Kingdom on the central authority of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation; who are the members of the United Kingdom council concerned with the Organisation's activities; how such members are appointed; for how long and how often this council meets; how many of them attend conferences convened by the Organisation; what delegates from the United Kingdom to such conferences are appointed; what report is available to parliament on the work and policy pursued by the United Kingdom representatives either at the Organisation or its conferences; what annual contribution is made by the United Kingdom to the Organisation; and what proportion of that body's revenue is spent on European, African, Asian and American activities in recent years.

I am writing to the hon. Member giving the information asked for.

asked the Minister of Education what provision has been made for the educationally sub-normal children by each of the education authorities in England and Wales, estimated as a percentage of the school population.

I am sending the hon. Member a table giving the information for which he asks.

asked the Minister of Education, as representing the Minister for Science, how many British embassies abroad now have a scientific attaché on their staff; and whether it is proposed to make any further appointments in the near future.

Five Scientific Attachés are attached to British Embassies abroad, at Washington, Paris, Bonn, Stockholm, and Moscow. The Attaché at Washington is accredited also as Scientific Adviser (Civil) to the High Commissioner in Ottawa. The Attaché at Paris is accredited also to Berne and carries out liaison duties in Italy and Benelux countries. The Attaché at Bonn is accredited also to Vienna. The Attaché at Stockholm is accredited also to Copenhagen and Oslo and carries out liaison duties in Finland. In addition a Scientific Adviser to the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom is stationed in Delhi. Thus the total number of Embassies or High Commissioner's Offices to which Attachés or Advisers are accredited is eleven.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if promotion in the police force in Malta is by seniority, examination or selection; what percentage of such posts is filled from outside the service; what person or committee is responsible for the selection; and on What principles selections are made.

Promotion in the Malta Police Force is on merit and seniority supplemented in certain cases by examination. Of the 52 officers in the force 23, including the present Commissioner, entered as inspectors and 29 were promoted within the force.Recommendations for promotion are made by the Commissioner of Police to the Governor who considers the recommendations in consultation with his advisors. A Public Service Commission is shortly to be established when promotion to inspector and above will be by the Governor acting on the advice of the Commission.

asked the Minister of Works what is the number of staff expected to use the offices being built for the Ministry of Transport at Southwark Street, London; and how many of these are expected to use cars to travel to their places of work.

asked the Minister of Works what parking facilities, and for how many cars, are being provided in connection with the offices being built for the Ministry of Transport at Southwark Street, London.

The total number of stiff who will occupy the new office building in Southwark will be about 3,500. The new building will have parking facilities within its precincts for about 280 cars. This is in accordance with the planning standards applicable to the area. It is not yet known how many of the staff will use their cars to come to work.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the list of special areas under the Local Employment Bill is to be announced; and whether Hull will be included.

I hope shortly to be able to indicate the places which will he included in the list of districts eligible for assistance under the Local Employment Bill. I cannot say whether Hull will be one of them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet received the comments of Messrs. MacBraynes upon the report made to him by the Highland Panel upon the inadequacy of the proposed steamer services for Skye and Raasay; and if he will make a statement.

I have asked Messrs. MacBrayne to consider the recommendations made by the Highlands Panel. I understand that they are doing so, and that they hope shortly to be able to announce their intentions for their sea services this summer to Skye and Raasay.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of fully qualified certificated women teachers who entered training between 1919 and 1926 at present employed in teaching posts in Scottish schools; and what is the estimated annual cost of raising their proposed new salary scales to the level proposed for teachers of technical subjects.

About 2,400 non-graduate women teachers of general subjects who entered training between 1920 and 1926 inclusive are at present employed in Scottish schools. As regards the second part of the Question, teachers of technical subjects are paid on several different scales. One of these scales is that on which these women teachers are already being paid; another is that on which, for a special reason, the non-graduate men teachers of general subjects who trained at the same time are paid. The additional cost of paying these women teachers on the latter scale would be about £240,000 a year.