asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on employment prospects for disabled persons in Cardiff.

There has been little change in the position during the past year, but recently there have been signs of an increasing demand for labour which it is hoped will benefit the disabled.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total number of unemployed persons it Coatbridge and Airdrie at the end of 1959; and what percentage of the insurable population this represented.

2,697 at 7th December, 1959. As I explained to the hon. Member in my letter of 18th December, percentage rates of unemployment cannot be computed for Airdrie and Coatbridge. For North Lanarkshire as a whole the rate was 6·4 per cent.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants in the borough of Barry are waiting for telephones; what number of applications will be satisfied during 1960; and how these figures compare with the figures in 1955.

At 31st December last, there were 83 applications outstanding and 25 under inquiry or in course of being met. The coresponding figures for 1955 were 202 and 112, respectively. We hope to install about 250 telephones this year. The 1955 figure was 250.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones remain outstanding at Dinas-Powis, Glamorgan; and how many applications will be satisfied during 1960.

At 31st December last, there were 91 applications outstanding and two in course of being met. The exchange is being extended, new cables are being laid, and I expect to clear all the applications on the waiting list by the end of this year.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give priority for the installation of telephones for firefighting purposes to applications from foresters or contractors approved by the Scottish Woodland Owners' Association.

Yes. I think my hon. Friend has in mind an application from one of his constituents. Owing to a misunderstanding it was not at first appreciated that the telephone was required for fire emergency purposes. Thanks to the co-operation of a nearby subscriber, a shared line will be installed by the middle of next month.

asked the Postmaster-General what representations have been made to him by public bodies, including fire service authorities, with regard to the desirability of making all emergency telephone calls free of charge; and whether he will make a statement.

I have received representations from the Essex County Council, on behalf of the fire service authorities in the county. Ten local authorities in Essex have supported these representations. As regards future policy, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply today to the Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Ilford, North (Mr. Iremonger) and Harwich (Mr. Ridsdale).

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that all of the countries within the Soviet zone have made an agreement whereby all letters to and from any of the Soviet countries will be charged for at the normal inland postage rates; whether he will initiate discussions with the countries of the west to arrange the signing of a similar postal agreement; and whether he will arrange for Her Majesty's Government to participate in the first-mentioned agreement.

I have no information about the agreement referred to by the hon. Member, but I regret that an arrangement with either group of European countries as suggested would result in a loss of postal revenue which I could not contemplate at the present time.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet been able to decide upon the request for a post box at Combe Haven caravan park, St. Leonards-on-Sea.

Yes. I am arranging for a post box to be provided.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is satisfied that the early warning installation at Fylingdales Moor will not interfere with television; and what consultation he has had with his frequency advisory committee on the subject.

I am advised that the installation is unlikely to cause interference to television reception except possibly in the immediate neighbourhood of the station; such interference should be easily remedied. The answer to the second part of the question is "None."

asked the Secretary of State for Air approximately how many aircraft, engines, aircrew, officers and men other than aircrew, there were in the Royal Air Force and auxiliaries on 1st April, 1939, and 1st April, 1959, respectively.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Air approximately how many officers of air commodore rank and above, officers and men below the rank of air commodore, commands and groups there were in the Royal Air Force and auxiliaries on 1st April, 1939, and 1st April, 1959, respectively.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Air, in view of the expectation that other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries will benefit from the additional protection afforded by the ballistic missile warning station at Fylingdales, why the entire cost of this station is being borne by the United States of America and the United Kingdom alone.

The main purpose of the system is to improve the effectiveness of the allied deterrent based in the United Kingdom and America. The United States are bearing some 97 per cent. of the capital cost of the system as a whole, including over 80 per cent. of the cost of the United Kingdom station. In these circumstances, we thought it reasonable to meet the balance of the cost of this important contribution to Western security.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what topographical, geographical and operational criteria determined the choice of the Fylingdales site for a ballistic missile early warning station; what consultations he had with other Governments regarding the possibility of siting the station outside the United Kingdom; what consultations were held with the National Parks Commission, and other authorities and bodies concerned, before this decision was taken; and if he will publish a list of the other areas whose suitability for this purpose was considered before this site was chosen.

The whole of the United Kingdom was considered before this site was chosen.The factors we had to consider included the need to provide the best possible early warning cover for the stragetic deterrent cases, the need for an uninhabited area, and for ground with suitable geological and topographical characteristics. No site outside the United Kingdom would have given a comparable degree of early warning.As I have told the House, we shall be consulting the National Parks Commission and the local authorities and amenity bodies about the actual siting and layout at Fylingdales.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what plans he has for catering at Royal Air Force Station, Swinderby; and how this will affect the catering firm which is at present working there on contract.

We intend to continue with civilian catering at this station. The present contract still has six months to run, and we shall give the contractor the opportunity to tender for the period after that.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether building has yet started on the additional accommodation at the Royal Air Force Station, E1-Adem; and when he expects this work to be completed.

Work has now begun and should be finished before the middle of next year.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the number of accidents, giving the number of persons involved, which have taken place on or near the Cefn Brynich cross-roads on the A.40 trunk road during the last 12 months; whether his attention has been drawn to the rider which the jury added to their verdict on a triple inquest held following the accident on 31st January, about the provision of "Halt" signs on the road leading out of Llanfrynach; and if he will make a statement.

During the last twelve months there have been eight accidents at Cefn Brynich cross-roads causing four fatalities, and twenty cases of personal injury. Our attention has been drawn to the rider to which the hon. Member refers but, much as I regret the occurrence of these accidents, I do not consider that they would have been prevented by the presence of a "Halt" sign on the road from Llanfrynach. A much better solution would be to stagger the junction; this has been proposed by our divisional road engineer to the county council. In the meantime, the existing signs are being improved.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now state when the Newport By-pass and other improvements to the Ross-Cardiff road are likely to be commenced.

My right hon. Friend hopes to authorise the first schemes in the comprehensive dualling of the trunk road between Ross and Newport during the next financial year. Preparatory work on the Newport By-pass is now actively in hand, but it is too soon yet to say when constructional work on this and on the subsequent improvement of the trunk road between Newport and Cardiff will be commenced.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now make a statement on the position of the proposed access road between Newport Road and Cardiff docks.

We have received a memorandum from the Cardiff City Council and this is now being studied. A reply will be given as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if he will expedite negotiations with householders who will be disturbed by the Hatfield-Peverel by-pass;(2) when work will start on the Hatfield-Peverel by-pass on the A.12.

Negotiations for land acquisition cannot begin until the line of the by-pass is settled. We are at present examining objections to the draft proposals published last September. As the line of the by-pass has not yet been finally established, it is too soon to say when construction can be started.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will ask the Departmental Committee on Road Safety to consider the suggestion that in order to avoid danger to cyclists on the carriageway at night cyclists should be permitted to ride on paths alongside roads after lighting-up time outside built-up areas.

I will gladly put this suggestion to the Road Safety Committee if my hon. Friend will let me have a brief note on the reasons why he thinks it should he adopted.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to increase the allocation for road building in the city of Bristol to enable the inner ring road to be completed, and other urgent projects to be set in hand.

I regret that I cannot at present add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery) on 3rd February.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will announce the details of his new and expanded road programme.

I cannot at present add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 3rd February.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will reconsider the representations made to him by the Whitchurch Parish Council, Glamorgan-shire, about the Manor Way by-pass road through Whitchurch, Glamorgan; and if he will make a statement.

The Whitchurch Parish Council has made a number of suggestions to us in regard to speed limits, traffic signals and a pedestrian crossing on this length of road. We will consider the imposition of a 40 m.p.h. speed limit on the by-pass if and when Parliament approve the use of that limit on appropriate lengths of road throughout the country. If the by-pass proves suitable for a 40 m.p.h. limit we will also consider the question of providing traffic lights at the junction with Pantmawr Road.

asked the Minister of Transport when he now expects the report of the Committee on Rural Transport; and whether he will make a statement.

It is too early for me to say when the Committee will report. It is still taking evidence.

asked the Minister of Transport how many road accidents in 1959, causing personal injury, involved motor cycles, scooters and mopeds; what percentage this represents of the total number of accidents; and what is the percentage of the total registrations of vehicles, of two-wheeled vehicles and other types of vehicles.

In 1959, 101,135 motor cycles, scooters and mopeds were involved in road accident; causing personal injury. This represents 28·3 per cent. of the total number of motor vehicles involved. 19·5 per cent. of the total number of motor vehicles for which licences were current at any time during the quarter ended 30th September, 1959, were two-wheeled vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport what proportion of the total orders for new tonnage by British shipowners were placed at home and abroad respectively, in 1955 and in 1959.

I have no official information about orders placed abroad, but I understand that about 15 per cent. of the vessels ordered by United Kingdom shipowners in 1955, totalling 368,000 gross tons, and 13 per cent, in 1959, totalling 197,000 gross tons, were placed abroad. If tankers are excluded the figures are about 15 per cent., totalling 174,000 gross tons, in 1955, and 9 per cent, totalling 74,000 gross tons, in 1959.

asked the Minister of Transport if the British Transport Commission has sought his approval under Section 4 (2) of the Transport Act, 1947, to embark upon a large capital expenditure on the docks at Port Talbot, that would have the effect of duplicating facilities that already exist and are not fully used in other South Wales ports; and, in view of the anxieties felt among the port interests in South Wales, if he will withhold his consent until he has reported fully to Parliament upon the matter.

The British Transport Commission has not sought my authorisation for any new major items of capital expenditure during 1960 for the development of any of the South Wales ports. The Commission informs me that it is still studying a scheme of works for Port Talbot for which Parliamentary powers would have to be obtained.

asked the Minister of Transport what capital expenditure on docks development he has authorised for Newport, Barry, Port Talbot, Swansea, and Cardiff, respectively, during 1960; and what policy decision has been taken concerning the future of Cardiff docks;

asked the Minister of Transport what new capital development he has authorised for the port of Barry, and for each of the other British Transport docks in South Wales, during 1960.

I would refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friend to the Answer I have today given to the hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan). As regards the future of Cardiff docks, I have nothing to add to the reply I gave on 18th November, 1959, to the hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has for increasing the facilities for importation of iron ore at Cardiff docks.

The British Transport Commission says that it considers the facilities for handling iron ore at Cardiff docks are adequate, and that it has no plans for increasing them at present.

asked the Minister of Defence what percentage of the working population is now either in the Services or supporting them; and how this compares with February, 1952.

The percentage of the working population now in the Services or supporting them is estimated at 4·9 per cent. This is slightly more than half the corresponding percentage for 1952 (the figure for mid-1952 was 8·8 per cent.).

asked the Minister of Defence what is the establishment of the Middle East Command Headquarters in officers, other ranks, and civilians, respectively.

When the unified command comes into being on the 1st May, 1960, the establishment of the Middle East Command Headquarters will consist of some 270 officers, 520 other ranks and 95 civilians.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will outline the scope of the planning tasks to be undertaken by Middle East Command Headquarters.

The Middle East Command Headquarters will undertake such planning tasks as are required to enable our forces to fulfil our treaty obligations, to meet our commitments to CENTO, and to help preserve stability in the Near East and North Africa by providing an effective military presence.

asked the Minister of Defence on what basis he estimates that the German Democratic Republic has 27 line divisions; and whether these divisions are exactly the same in number of men and formations as British divisions.

I am not prepared to discuss the basis on which my estimates are formed, but I can say that these divisions are not exactly the same as British divisions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that certain goods liable to Purchase Tax evade tax in respect of packing and carriage when consigned on carriage-paid terms, whereas the same goods attract Purchase Tax in respect of packing and carriage when bought in consignments of less than £10, when the payment of packing and carriage is the responsibility of the recipient, thus causing Purchase Tax on packing and carriage to be paid on the article in some instances and not in other instances; and whether he will end this inequality by abolishing all Purchase Tax on packing and carriage costs.

My hon. Friend is in error. The value of goods for Purchase Tax, as defined by law, includes the normal cost of delivery to the buyer at his place of business, and goods consigned on carriage-paid terms do not evade tax on delivery cost.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people currently receive no tax relief arising from their contribution to National Insurance; how many people there are whose maximum rate of Income Tax is 1s. 9d., 4s. 3d., 6s. 3d., and 7s. 9d. and higher rates, respectively; and what is the current amount paid as tax relief per week in respect of National Insurance contributions, in each case.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many retired civil servants now hold appointments in firms which supply arms and other military equipment to Her Majesty's Government, as directors or in other high managerial posts, within two years of their retirement; and whether he will furnish a list of these men in the OFFICIAL REPORT, and of the posts they hold.

This information is not available. Under the arrangements laid down in the White Paper (Cmd. 5517) issued in 1937, civil servants of the rank of Under-Secretary and above, and more junior officers occupying posts of a special character are required to seek the approval of the Government before they accept, within a period of two years after their retirement, appointments with firms having, for example, contractual relations with the Government. But these arrangements do not cover the majority of civil servants, and no records are kept of any appointments which they may take up on retirement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements have been made for warnings given by the early warning installation at Fylingdales Moor to be conveyed to Civil Defence organisations throughout the country; and how long such a process is expected to take.

As indicated in the reply given to the hon. Member for Barking (Mr. Driberg) by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air on 22nd February, it is planned to originate a public warning from this station. Arrangements are being made to replace the use of post office telephone operators by a line broadcast system. These should make it possible to distribute warnings throughout the country in a matter of seconds.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will extend the area of the aircraft noise tests he has already announced to include the Chiswick Park and Grove Park wards of the borough of Brentford and Chiswick.

The particular noise tests to which my hon. Friend refers are being confined to distances of about 4 miles from the start of take-off; their extension to his constituency, where noise levels would be less than in built-up areas closer to the Airport, would not help me in reaching my decision. However, as part of my Department's general noise research programme, noise surveys are being arranged in a number of neighbourhoods in the London area, and I will consider including Brentford and Chiswick among these.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research stations, experimental farms and farm institutes are provided in the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.

There are the following agricultural experimental, research and education centres in the counties referred to by the hon. Member:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many registered schools there are in the British Solomon Islands; how many of these are mission schools; how many fully-trained teachers are employed in the registered mission schools; and if he will initiate discussions with the missionary societies to increase the number of trained teachers.

There are 266 registered schools of which 252 are mission schools. Fifty-four fully trained teachers are already employed in the latter schools. The British Solomon Islands Training College which opened in 1959 is now taking 20 teacher trainees a year for a two year course, and 90 per cent or more of these trainees will serve in mission schools on the completion of their training. Close liaison is already maintained between the Protectorate Government and the five missions principally concerned with education and all are represented on the Protectorate Education Advisory Committee. In the circumstances it does not seem necessary for me to initiate special discussions with the missionary societies to increase the number of trained teachers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state, for each year from 1949, the allocations received by the British Solomon Islands from colonial development and welfare funds in respect of educational expenditure.

Allocations of Colonial Development and Welfare funds are made to territories for their whole development programmes and no part of an allocation is set aside by the Colonial Office for a specific purpose such as education. As explained in the "Report on the use of funds provided under the Colonial Development and Welfare Acts", presented to Parliament in February, 1959, as Cmnd. 672, the Colonial Governments themselves originate proposals for the use of their allocations.The following schemes relating to education have been made for the benefit of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate in the years shown:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many teachers are employed in registered schools in the British Solomon Islands; how many are college trained; and what steps are being taken to increase the number of college-trained teachers.

594 teachers are employed in registered schools. Sixty-six of these are college trained. A two year training course for teachers is available at the British Solomon Islands Training College and a number of scholarships are available at training colleges overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many secondary school places there are in registered schools in the British Solomon Islands for boys and girls, respectively.

75 secondary school places in registered schools are available for boys. There are no secondary school places for girls but some are available in schools in Australia and New Zealand.

asked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations what progress has been made in carrying out the recommendations of the Oxford Conference with regard to the training of teachers.

I am glad to inform the hon. Member that good progress is being made in carrying out the proposals for assistance over teacher training, put forward by the United Kingdom at the Conference.By the beginning of the next academic year in October it is expected that more than 400 additional Commonwealth students will be coming to the United Kingdom to take courses in teacher training institutions with bursaries provided by the United Kingdom Government covering their tuition fees and full maintenance. This is more than half the existing total of Commonwealth teachers already receiving training in this country. Places will be available for these students on a wide variety of training courses at institutions throughout the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Education, as representing the Minister for Science, what is the number of scientists, engineers and other senior professional grades employed in each of the groups of the Atomic Energy Authority.

Information on the numbers of scientists and engineers employed by the Authority, analysed into classes according to the subject of qualification, was published in November, 1959 in the White Paper on Scientific and Engineering Manpower in Great Britain (Cmnd. 902, Appendix V). The numbers are as follows:

asked the Minister of Education, as representing the Minister for Science (1) what steps have been taken to make adequate quantities of plutonium available for research work in connection with the development of fast breeder reactors;(2) when plutonium will be available for use in substantial quantities in the Dounreay fast breeder reactor;(3) what steps have been taken to increase the proportion of the Atomic Energy Authority's research staff which is engaged in work on the fast breeder reactor.

My noble Friend has been informed by the Atomic Energy Authority that the number of scientists and engineers working on the fast breeder reactor has more than doubled since 1958. Plutonium in large quantities will not be required for the experimental programme on the Dounreay fast reactor until about 1963–64; in the meantime, adequate quantities are being made available for research on the development of fast breeder reactors.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now make a statement concerning the reopening of the consulate at Nice.

Yes. We are now going through the necessary administrative formalities with the French Government, and I hope that a consular post at Nice will be re-opened for public business early in May this year.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory position which obtains in Stockport in respect of the supply of insert hearing aids and transistor hearing aids, that the shortage of insert hearing aids has persisted since July, 1959, and that of transistor hearing aids since the original issue, and that only one of the latter was received in November, 1959, and again one in December, 1959; what steps he is taking to overcome these shortages; and when the supplies to Stockport are expected to improve.

My right hon. and learned Friend is aware that there have been temporary shortages due mainly to production difficulties, but supplies have been improving recently, and my information is that current demands from the Stockport centre for valve and transistor aids are being met.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will now make a statement about planning control of broiler houses.

As a result of my consultations with the interest concerned, I have come to the conclusion that all large agricultural buildings should be brought under planning control in order to ensure that they are sited with due regard to local amenities. I have today laid before Parliament an order to amend the Town and Country Planning General Development Order, 1950, for this purpose. The order, which will come into force tomorrow, will apply to agricultural buildings or groups of such buildings which exceed 5,000 square feet in area.I am today sending a circular to local planning authorities to advise them of the factors to be taken into account in the exercise of this control, and stressing the importance of consultation and cooperation between the authorities and farmers and landowners in this matter. I have arranged for copies of the circular to be placed in the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in what circumstances the Accountant of Court accepts payment of his bills by cheque instead of by adhesive stamps.

Exceptionally, where adhesive stamps are not readily available, the Accountant of Court does not refuse payment by cheque.

asked the Minister of Education what was the net increase in the number of teachers during the year 1959.

The net increase in the numbers of teachers in maintained primary and secondary schools between February, 1959 and February, 1960 was about 5,500.

asked the Minister of Education if he will issue an up-to-date version of Table 4 of the White Paper on Technical Education, Command Paper No. 9703, giving full details of part-time day release, industry by industry, for the years ended May, 1958 and 1959.

The following table gives the information for 1958. This is

asked the President of the Board of Trade what inventions resulting from public research are now being developed and exploited by the National Research Development Corporation.

A full list would take some time to prepare, but the Corporation's Annual Report for 1958–59 described the more important inventions which it was handling and indicated the source of most of them. The Report also showed that of the 187 patent rights assigned to the Corporation during the year 1958–59, the majority had resulted from public research.