asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of the overall cost of the overseas information services was attributable to the British Broadcasting Corporation's external services in 1957, 1958, and 1959, respectively.

Figures are available for financial years only. They are: 1957–58, 439 per cent.; 1958–59. 41·9 per cent.; 1959–60, 390 per cent.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Communist countries increased their external broadcasting by 15 per cent. last year, at a time when the B.B.C, owing to rising costs and the right hon. Gentleman's allocation, were compelled to cut theirs? What possible sense can there be in this? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that the new suggested budget for the B.B.C. is quite inadequate to meet the needs and the opportunities?

In this form it suggests a reduction. In fact, the allocation for the B.B.C. has increased during the three-year period. The fall in percentage is due to the very substantial increase in the provision for the British Council, for the teaching of English, libraries and the like, and the improvement in official information services, particularly in the Commonwealth.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why English broadcasts in the European Information Services of the British Broadcasting Corporation are being cut; and what savings will be made as a result.

To switch £2,000 to a more useful purpose.

Is this not a miserable and foolish economy? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, for example, that the very useful half-hour programme broadcast at 7 o'clock every morning for English-speaking listeners is being cut in the next week or two? What is the point of cutting a valuable programme like that, which is doing a lot of good, especially in view of the extension of foreign broadcasting by Russia, China and many other countries?

What has been done is to cut the repeat of a programme which is being given an hour earlier, there being given at the time of the repeat another programme in English of a news commentary character, in the General Overseas Service.

When Britain can do this overseas broadcasting better than any other country in the world, why do we cut it down in this way instead of expanding it?

If we are to use our resources to the full, we must switch them from time to time. In the case of European broadcasting, six-sevenths of it is in the language of the country of reception. That is not being touched. What is being saved here is a sum of £2,000 on a programme which, in fact, has its counterpart at the same time in another English programme.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what were the total payments made by all the insured contributors to National Insurance, Industrial Injuries Act, and to the National Health Service for the year 1958–59; what was paid by the employers in the private sector and public sector of industry, respectively; what tax relief the employees as a whole received; what tax relief was received by the employers in the private sector, and the public sector, respectively; and what percentage of the contributions was recovered as tax relief in each case.

The answer to the first part of the Question is approximately £460 million. Contributions paid by employers in the public and private sectors of industry during 1958–59 are estimated as £120 million and £281 million, respectively, sums which I understand would have yielded tax of under £500,000 in the first case, and £143 million in the second, representing less than ½ per cent. and 51 per cent. of the contributions paid. The total tax relief for employed contributors was approximately £40 million, representing about 1.0 per cent. of contributions paid by them.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that information.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state a case for consideration by the High Court as to whether the contributions under the Contributory Pensions Acts paid in respect of the late Mr. William Comins, from 1942 to 1946, do not entitle his widow to a widow's pension.

The contributions referred to were payments made by Mr. Comins' employer on the basis that Mr. Comins was not an insured person. Mrs. Comins was disallowed widow's benefit following a decision that in these circumstances the contribution conditions for such benefit were not satisfied in her case. As my hon. Friend is aware, the reasons for the decision have been fully explained to her on several occasions, but I am arranging for a formal statement of the grounds of the decision to be sent to her, on the basis of which she can, within 21 days of its receipt, if she is advised that a point of law arises, ask for the issue to be determined by the High Court.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his decision, which in this case is a generous one, will be received with gratitude both by my constituent and by myself?

Can the Minister tell us why it has taken so long to reach the decision which he has now announced?

The decision was reached a good many years ago. The new point in the matter is the request made by my hon. Friend, on behalf of his constituent, that it should be in a form which would render it possible to appeal to the High Court.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he is satisfied with the number of recurrent annual X-rays carried out on pensioners and others for purposes of reassessment of award.

Yes, Sir. I would add that my Department's practice in respect of X-ray examinations is in full accord with the recommendations of the Medical Research Council on radiation hazards.

Will the Minister reconsider this point, especially in view of the recent regulations issued by the Ministry of Labour under the Factories Acts, 1937 and 1948, dealing with ionising radiation? Is he aware that these regulations, admirable as they may be, make inconsistent the present-day practice in his own Ministry? Will he consider the matter again and ensure that the maximum dosage recommended in the various categories is made safe, in view of the danger that might arise from the over-use of these X-rays?

I know the hon. Member is well informed on these matters. I will gladly look into any point he raises.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will give the amount paid in pension to single and married persons in 1945, together with the dates and amount of each subsequent increase.

As the Answer consists; of a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance by how much the present single retirement pension of 50s. would require to be increased or decreased to give it the same increase in purchasing power over the 1946 pension of 26s. as there has been in the purchasing power of the average wage in 1946 over the average wage in 1960.

For men an increase of 8s. 4d. would be needed, and for women 5s. 11d.

Does not the Minister agree that in equity and in order to allow those people who are living on pensions and other forms of National Insurance benefits the same increase in their standard of living as employed people have had—when we could all say that we have never had it so good—the Government should increase their expenditure in this direction? Is the Minister further aware

Can the Minister tell us whether the first increase in pensions given in 1945 or 1946 increased the pension for the single man from 10s. to 26s. and for the married couple from 20s. to 42s.?

When the hon. Members studies the table he will find happy corroboration of his figures.

The hon. Member will be aware that the figures given in reply to the Question as he framed it refer only to relativities in regard to a certain category of earnings and that in real and absolute terms there has been an appreciable improvement.

Is it not implicit in this Question that the hon. Member suggests that the retirement pension should be linked to wages, in some way or other?

This is such fun, but so delaying.

May I continue, Mr. Speaker? Would not my right hon. Friend concede at once that such a proposition is wholly untenable and was strenuously resisted by the party opposite when it was in power between 1945 and 1951?

Whatever may be implicit in the hon. Member's Question, I thought my duty was to answer that part which was explicit, and that I endeavoured to do.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether the difference of 6s. 2d. in the value of the 50s. retirement pension over that of the 26s. pension in 1946 is expressed in terms of 1960 prices or of 1946 prices.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance by how much the single retirement pension of 50s. would require to be increased to give it a real value of 6s. 2d., in terms of 1946 prices, over the value of the 26s. pension in 1946.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the cost of raising the single basic pension from its present 50s. to a level where it would have a current purchasing power equal, in terms of 1946 prices, to 6s. 2d. above the 26s. pension in 1946.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that the single retirement pension in 1960 represents a purchasing power at 1946 prices of only 3s. 8d. more than the purchasing power of the 26s. pension in 1946; and if, in view of this, he will take steps to raise the existing retirement pension so as to enable present pensioners to enjoy a rise in their living standards comparable with the rise in living standards enjoyed by other sections of the British people.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will raise the 50s. single retirement pension so as to give it a real value, in terms of 1946 prices, of 6s. 2d. more than the value of the 26s. pension in 1946.

Using the retail prices index and the former cost of living index, the value of the present 50s. pension exceeds that of the 26s. pension in 1946 by 6s. 2d. in terms of 1960 prices and 3s. 8d. at 1946 values.

Is the Minister aware that it is what he said during the debate which has provoked these Questions, and that it now emerges—differently from what he and his hon. Friends said —that in 1946 terms the pension is now worth only 3s. 8d. more? Is he satisfied that after fifteen years this is the best the nation can afford for the old-age pensioners?

There is nothing inconsistent between what was said from this side of the House in the debate and the figures I have given. The figures that have generally been used in our previous controversies—as no one knows better than the hon. Member for Motherwell (Mr. Lawson)—are the figures at current prices, which are the prices at which the retirement pensioner has to buy what he needs.

When the right hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary talk about the real value of the pension as compared with 1946, are they talking about current prices?

Certainly. We are speaking in terms of what the pension will buy, which, though it may not interest the hon. Member, interests the pensioner.

In view of the Minister's speech, surely he will either raise the pension by 2s. 6d. to justify his own argument in the debate some time ago, or write to the Conservative Central Office telling it to end propaganda which makes claims like this.

I doubt whether my argument, or the Central Office propaganda, requires reinforcement.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that these very small amounts are really a positive disgrace in view of the tremendous increase in productivity since 1946, and does he not really consider that he ought to do more for the old-age pensioners than give them an extra packet of cigarettes a week?

This Government have nothing to fear from hon. Gentlemen opposite on any account of what has been done for the pensioners.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree, on the basis of the assessment which he has given today of how much it costs, he at any rate is responsible for his Department and for the well-being of the pensioners and that he ought to be pressing his colleagues now to increase the pension, particularly at this time of the year when these things are decided?

I dealt with this matter at considerable length as recently as 16th March. Surely hon. Gentlemen will not expect me to add to that at this date.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state, in 1946 prices, the value of the single retirement pension in October, 1952, 1955, and 1959.

23s. 7d., 26s. 5d. and 29s. 10d., respectively.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have a word with the Chancellor of the Exchequer at this rather timely point and urge on him that whatever he has got to spare ought to go to the old-age pensioners rather than to anybody else at this time of the year?

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will calculate the improvement in real purchasing power of the single retirement pension in 1960 over that of October, 1946, in terms of a prices index specially calculated to take account of the pattern of retirement pensioners' expenditure.

No, Sir. No basis exists for making such a calculation in respect of retirement pensioners generally.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the old-age pensioners have no confidence at all in the Government's Cost of Living Index? Is he also aware that they very much resent all the arguments which are produced by the Government with reference to that index, and that what they really want is an immediate increase in the pension?

The hon. Member's Question, of course, relates to the index and not to the pension. On the first part of his supplementary question, I am bound to say that I and, I think, the majority of our fellow countrymen think otherwise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the retirement pensioners do not understand these figures? They do not believe them? All they know is they have not enough to live on. What is he going to do about that?

I would remind the hon. Gentleman that, if he is right, on that hypothesis his hon. Friend's Question asking for more of these figures would not exactly help.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether, following experience of the working of Section 4 of the National Insurance Act, 1957, he will introduce amending legislation to enable five-day week workers to qualify for unemployment benefit when working only four days a week.

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is obviously an unfair discrimination against those working in the furniture and textile trades and many other trades in that when they are working short-time they find themselves debarred from receiving unemployment benefit, whereas other workers, possibly in the same firm, are able to receive benefit because they have worked more than 25 Saturdays in the preceding year? Will he consider the matter again, in consultation with the unions?

The principle, as the House may remember discussing when the 1957 Measure was going through the House, is that one should not be entitled to claim unemployment benefit in respect of a day when, in the ordinary course, one would not be working, even if work were available. The House accepted that principle at the time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his reply will cause great disappointment among many trade unions, which are finding this problem of increasing difficulty? Is he aware that the National Insurance Act was based on conditions of a six-day week, which has now been replaced so widely by a five-day week, and that the conditions for unemployment insurance should be adapted to changing working conditions?

It was precisely to make the necessary adaptation to the changing conditions that Section 4 of the 1957 Act was passed.

Will the Minister consider the objections of the T.U.C. which were made at the time when the Clause was first introduced, in order that the anomalies and injustices of the Clause may be further examined in the light of those objections?

All the representations made at the time of the passage of the Bill through the House were carefully examined. Nothing which has happened since justifies me in modifying the views then formed.

asked the Minister of Power whether it is now the Government's intention to implement the proposals of the Robson Committee for improving efficiency in coal distribution.

The Committee's only recommendation in this regard related to the establishment of large, fully mechanised coal depots. On this, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 23rd November, 1959, to the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Fitch).

But will the right hon. Gentleman agree that between the pithead and the fireplace there is a multiplicity of factors, agents, middlemen and retailers—

And the co-ops.

—and has he considered the suggestion of the Robson Committee of an investigation into the possibilities of rationalising this trade?

I answered the hon. Gentleman's hon. Friend earlier to say that my predecessor recognised that he was obliged to hold consultations about this matter; but there are a number of difficulties, as the hon. Gentleman will be aware, in face of the setting up of these mechanised coal depots. I am perfectly willing to help in those discussions if those discussions reach a point at which I usefully could help.

asked the Minister of Power whether he has given consideration to the proposals of the Robson Committee that the Government should keep closely in touch with the movements of retail coal prices and the reasons for them; and what action he proposes to take.

I have kept myself generally informed, but I think these prices are best left to be settled by competition between traders and between different fuels. The National Coal Board has kept its basic wholesale prices for house-coal unchanged for nearly three years and it is important to the future of the retail coal trade that the prices charged to the final consumer should also be kept down.

But is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, though merchants receive coal in seven quality grades agreed by the trade, they are not compelled to retail at the appropriate prices agreed and some are advertising low grade coal with distinctive trade names and selling it at high grade prices? Does he not agree that this is entirely unsatisfactory and is as bad as selling short-weight deliveries? Will he protect the consumers in some way?

The hon. Gentleman has raised a number of detailed questions which I should be only too willing to discuss with him, if he would like to discuss them. On the general question, there has been some small increase in retail prices in the last two years, but I think the retailers are perfectly well aware of the very great damage which would be done to the retail coal trade if their prices rose a great deal further.

asked the Minister of Power what representations have been made to him by, or on behalf of, the small mine owners; whether he is aware that conditions are about to be imposed on them which are likely to result in the closing down of many small mines and rendering thousands of miners unemployed; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Power what representations he has received from operators of small mines concerning threatened closures and cuts in production; what action he has taken; and if he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board to suspend any decisions about the future of licences, pending the calling of a national conference under his chairmanship to discuss the matter.

On 23rd February I met a deputation from the Federation of Small Mines, who expressed concern about the effect of the National Coal Board's proposals for reducing the output of the licensed mines. I have discussed this with the Board, which is responsible for determining the conditions of license of these mines. The Board assures me that it is willing to resume negotiations as soon as it is approached by the Federation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take note of the fact that the attitude of the National Coal Board has been infinitely more heroic at the expense of these very small mines as compared with its attitude to the vast opencast schemes which have put thousands of miners into the ranks of the unemployed?

I think that the hon. Gentleman and I and the whole House are most anxious that these discussions which are going to take place between the Board and the Federation should be successful. Therefore, I do not want to add at the moment to what I have said.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say on what terms it is proposed that the negotiations should be resumed? Is he aware, for example, that the proposal, made at any rate in north Staffordshire, was to impose a very much heavier cut in the production of small mines than of the coal industry generally? This would have the effect of putting out of work many of the older, partially disabled mine workers who would find it very difficult to get other jobs. Is he saying that it is proposed to reopen the negotiations without any specific conditions?

These negotiations, as I say, will take place between the Board on the one hand and the Federation on the other. Therefore, the terms on which they are negotiated are a matter for those two bodies which will be negotiating. They are not a matter for me.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we recognise that the small mine owners have to suffer from the changing pattern of consumption in the coal industry in the same way as we have in the National Coal Board? As we have to face 242 closures, if private mine owners do not take their share of this burden it will mean further closures in the big collieries and mines.

The hon. Gentleman's remarks will certainly be noted.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it may not even be a question of small mines closing? Is it not a fact that the Board has had a huge job to do of stocking coal and it might be suggested that the small owners should do a share of the stocking as well? If there is any question of unemployment among people working in the small mines, certainly in many instances the Board would be prepared to employ them.

I think the House will agree that these negotiations are more likely to be successful if I do not comment further at the present time.

asked the Minis-tea- of Power whether adequate supplies of smokeless fuel now exist to enable the provisions of the Clean Air Act to be complied with.

I would refer the hon. Member to the first part of the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Bilston (Mr. R. Edwards) on 23rd March.

We are constantly receiving replies of that character. While I am not doubting the validity of the Answer just given, may I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether he is aware that in the localities there are not adequate supplies? Is it not a fact that the National Coal Board has now been carrying out research and development on this for ten years? If so, has not the time arrived when there should be large-scale distribution?

I have no doubt that from time to time during the winter local shortages have taken place, but over the country as a whole supplies have been adequate over the past winter. With regard to the Board's experiments on smokeless fuels, they have reached a stage now When two pilot stations are being built, and the evidence is that in future they will make a large contribution towards the supply of smokeless fuels.

Does the hon. Gentleman not agree that the setting up of these pilot plants is rather late in the day and should have taken place long ago? Is he aware that local authorities are constantly being pressed to schedule more clean air areas and they are handicapped every time by the fact that smokeless fuel just is not available?

Research can be a very laborious job and may extend over a long period. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the Coal Board has pressed ahead as far as it can with research leading to the erection of new pilot plants. As for the latter part of the hon. Lady's supplementary question, no local authority has had an application for the establishment of a smokeless area turned down because of a shortage of smokeless fuel.

asked the Minister of Power if a decision has yet been reached as to whether Littlebrook B and Bruns- wick Wharf Power stations are to remain coal-fired.

Discussions are still going on.

Is the Minister aware that any decision to change to oil-firing would cause the greatest dismay in the coal mining industry? In view of the amount of coal stocked, will he see that this does not happen?

I will bear in mind what the hon. Gentleman says. I do not think it would be right to comment in detail about the matter at present.

Would not the Minister agree that in discussion in the House he has intimated that the Electricity Authority wishes to get back to coal-firing in many of the stations which have been on oil? Here we have two stations which have never been off coal, as I understand it; certainly they are on coal now. Would it not be a most retrograde step if at this stage they went on to oil-firing?

I take note of the hon. Gentleman's remarks. I do not think he would expect me to comment at this moment.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will inquire into the Air Traffic Control System at Prestwick Airport with regard to the hours worked by officers, in order to satisfy himself that the hours of watch are in keeping with conditions that will ensure maximum safety for aircraft using the airport.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend is already satisfied that the hours worked by the officers in question are appropriate.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in any three-day duty period these officers work sixteen hours out of the last twenty-four? In view of the fact that this work is done mostly at night, because of the movements at Prestwick, does the hon. Gentleman consider that system consistent with air safety regulations as they ought to be worked?

The average hours per week are 44 and the watch arrangements are those most acceptable not merely to the department but to the officers themselves.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary realise that the Question which I put is framed on the objections which are felt and have been made by a very large section of the officers who are engaged in this work?

There have been no representations against the present system. Some changes have been made after discussions with the officers concerned. Polls are fairly regularly taken and I really think that the hon. Member's allegations are not justified by the facts.

asked the Minister of Aviation what percentage of landings and take-offs at London Airport deposited and picked up passengers direct from passenger exits, and therefore did not require omnibus transport to and from aeroplanes, for any recent period for which figures are available.

In the first two weeks of August, 1959, which was a typically busy period, the percentage was 49·8 of all arriving passenger flights and 34·5 of all departing passenger flights. In the first two weeks of February, 1960, which was a typically quiet period, the percentages were 51·7 and 34·1, respectively. These figures relate only to the central terminal.

I thank my hon. Friend for these figures, but would he not agree that it is a needless irritant to passengers to be trundled on and off buses, particularly at the end of long journeys? As it appears to any fairly regular user of the airport, and as my hon. Friend's figures show, it happens far more often than not. Would my hon. Friend instruct the traffic control officers to consider the convenience of passengers in this respect?

I assure my hon. Friend that every effort is made to utilise the inside stands. However, only nine of the 50 stands are within easy reach on foot and, as my hon. Friend probably knows, it is internationally accepted that passengers are not expected to walk more than 1,000 feet.

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps he proposes to take to relieve the congestion at times of high traffic density in the north and central terminals of London Airport.

Congestion at the air station on the north side will be slightly relieved by the end of this month, when the customs hall is enlarged. There will be considerably more relief next year when the first part of the new air station in the centre is opened.

Shall we see soon the plans for the north terminal building, which will be of great importance and great interest to everyone concerned? They have not yet been published. As for the central premises, is the Minister aware that as about 50 per cent. of passengers now arrive in their own vehicles the congestion is getting very grave indeed at the offices where tickets are presented and examined and, even worse, that the size of the departure and arrival lounges is wholly inadequate when traffic density is very high? Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that a major reconstruction of the air terminal is really essential if great frustration and delay are to be avoided?

The building at the north terminal will not be rebuilt. There will be a new building at the centre to handle the traffic now being handled at the north terminal. I shall publish the plans and I shall give the Press access to a model very soon indeed. Very extensive additional car parking facilities will be provided in connection with the new building. I have already referred in my Answer to improvements in passenger-handling capacity at the existing central air station.

The right hon. Gentleman said that there would be some improvement but what will the rearrangements be? Will there be an enlargement of the existing lounges, which are so small, where people have to wait when they want to board a plane or when they arrive? Is the right hon. Gentleman going to do away with the huge area which is now not used for health inspection and also a great deal of the Customs offices which are not fully used?

At the north terminal, which is the subject of the right hon. Gentleman's Question, there is really nothing much that can be done. It is a temporary building and the best thing is to press ahead with the new permanent building in the right place and not spend a lot of money in tinkering with the old temporary structure.

But can we have some indication of what is to be done at the central terminal, which I specially mentioned?

I said that there are plans to rearrange the internal layout as far as we can within the existing structure, and I hope that this will be completed in time to deal with peak traffic next year.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will speed up the acquisition of starter equipment for Prestwick Airport to ensure that it will be available for the large jet aircraft when they begin using the airport in June of this year.

As my right hon. Friend told the House on 9th March, the ordering of this equipment was put in hand as soon as it was established that the operators wished it to be provided. I hope that it will be available by June, but we have arranged to hire an existing starter if it is not.

I hope Chat that is welcome news, but is the hon. Gentleman aware that the operators have been rather alarmed at what would appear to be the slowness of the Ministry in dealing with this matter? In view of that, the operators tried to get starter gear themselves but found Chat they could not get it for eight months. Will the Minister be able to get it before that time?

The only reason for the delay is that the airlines concerned failed to agree on terms for the provision of the starting service until late last month.

asked the Minister of Aviation what orders for military and civil aircraft he has placed with the two main groups of aircraft manufacturers; and what conditions have been made in respect of any development contracts made.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a further statement on the obligations which Her Majesty's Government are accepting or proposing to accept in regard to the merger of aircraft construction firms, and the amount of public money involved.

I have had several meetings with these groups. I have told them what projects or types of project would, in my opinion, justify Government support and the terms on which I would be prepared to make it available. The firms concerned are now studying the matter and I hope to receive their proposals shortly. I will make a further statement in due course.

Has the Minister given further consideration to issuing a White Paper setting out these proposals and the terms on which the Government will accept them? Can he say when this large carrot of Government aid, which has been dangling before the industry for so long, will become a reality?

Well, the industry is sniffing the carrot at the moment and I am waiting to get its reactions. As for a White Paper, perhaps the hon. Member will await a further statement which I shall make and then see whether he thinks that there is sufficient additional information to justify a White Paper. I rather doubt whether there will be.

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for saying that he will consider issuing a White Paper, but is he aware that the Leader of the House has promised in the case of the steel industry that before final agreements are reached on any question of further aid an opportunity will be allowed to the House to discuss them? Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Leader of the House on whether similar arrangements could be made in connection with the aircraft industry?

I am always in close touch with my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will make a statement on the recent International Air Transport Association Conference in Paris.

Yes, Sir. I expect to be ready to make a statement next week.

Will the statement include the international fares as well as the cabotage route fares?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Aviation when he expects to reach a decision on the application from British European Airways Corporation for permission to operate services at night with Comet 4B aircraft from London Airport.

I have authorised British European Airways to operate a small number of night services with Comet 4B aircraft at London Airport, subject to the condition that the noise level shall not exceed that of piston-engined aircraft which are already permitted to fly at night without restriction. The noise tests which have been carried out in the last few weeks show that this is technically practicable.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in spite of the precautions he has taken, his statement will be received with concern by many people living under the glide path to London Airport? If those precautions are not successful in reducing the noise of jet aircraft to the level of that of piston-engined aircraft, would my right hon. Friend reconsider his decision, and is he considering extending this permission to other airlines?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I shall keep a close check on these flights to assure myself that the conditions are being observed. So far I have not received any applications from other airlines.

Can the Minister please inform me of the dates when the noise tests were held, where, and also the details of the test readings?

Without notice, I could not do so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to send that information to me?

I will send the hon. Gentleman the information.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the only noise test in which I am interested is whether or not these Comets flying at night will wake me up? May I ask him to believe that if they do wake me up at night he will hear more about it?

It depends on how soundly the hon. Gentleman sleeps.

Can the Minister say which runway will be used, as this will decide which inhabitants in Middlesex will be affected?

Not without notice.

If one B.E.A. Comet is causing all this trouble by taking off at London Airport, why is the right hon. Gentleman proposing to increase the number of independent operators and thereby, perhaps, increase the number of Comets?

In order to develop the strength and prosperity of British aviation.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consult the British Transport Commission regarding the harmful effect of overheated compartments in diesel trains on the health of passengers with chest complaints.

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport that the heating of railway compartments is a matter of day-to-day administration which falls entirely within the responsibility of the British Transport Commission, but I am sure that the Commission will take due note of what the hon. Member has said.

In view of the large incidence of bronchitis and chest complaints in this country, will the Minister, perhaps in conjunction with the Secretary of State for Scotland, bear in mind the fact that the contrast in temperature when stepping from cold platforms into extremely overheated trains can cause severe distress to this kind of patient, and that although the distress may not be permanent, and may not have permanent effects, it can in the short term be very distressing?

I think I must resist the temptation, attractive as it is, to make the journey in company with the hon. Gentleman and must seek his company on some other and more convenient occasion. I am sure, however, that the Commission will have all these points in mind.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the shortage of dental staff in Dagenham; and whether he will take steps to improve the position.

I am aware of the shortage of dental staff in Dagenham, which is part of a general problem affecting the country as a whole. Measures have been taken to implement all the main recommendations of the McNair Committee on Recruitment to the Dental Profession. My right hon. and learned Friend gave details of the Government's plans to expand training facilities in reply to a Question on 16th November last. Arrangements are also in hand for the training of dental ancillaries who will undertake some of the simpler dental operations, thus relieving the burden on dentists, especially in the local authority service.

Can the hon. Lady say how far short the training facilities are of the McNair recommendations?

I cannot say how far short they are, but my right hon. and learned Friend has explained to the House on previous occasions the developments which are taking place and the extra training places which are being provided. I think he also told the House that there is no shortage of recruits and that all existing places are filled.

asked the Minister of Health what reply was given by Her Majesty's Government to the request of the World Health Organisation for a contribution to its Special Malaria Eradication Fund.

Her Majesty's Government regretted that they did not feel able to make any further contribution to malaria eradication work additional to that which they already make by way of their contributions to the regular budgets of the World Health Organisation and to the United Nations Children's Fund and the Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance, as well as by way of the anti-malaria work undertaken in Her Majesty's territories overseas.

Whilst appreciating the Minister's regret, in view of the fact that there are some 250 million potential victims of malaria, will he think further on the question of responding to this special appeal?

We do not think that voluntary special ad hoc funds are a sound way of financing continuing programmes of international organisations which have a regular budget. We feel that such actvities should be part of a co-ordinated programme within a regular budget drawn up with predetermined priorities.

asked the Minister of Health if he will propose at the next meeting of the World Health Organisation that all member States be asked to increase their contributions to the organisation in order to enable it to meet the cost of a special campaign to eradicate malaria.

No, Sir. I do not think that it would be appropriate to put forward such a proposal.

Will the Minister bear in mind that America is already contributing very well to the fund, and that if he cannot see his way clear to supporting the ad hoc fund, it would at least do something towards solving this terrific problem if Her Majesty's Government would consider raising an amount in the same proportion as that paid by America?

We have substantially increased our contribution to the World Health Organisation annual budget over the years. In fact, we are the third largest contributor to it. That budget has itself doubled over the last six years, and there is a further increase in the budget for 1961 of nearly 10 per cent.

How can the Minister justify not giving one penny to the Malaria Eradication Fund, in view of the fact that many of the countries for which we are responsible have a very high mortality and morbidity rate for malaria?

I answered the first part of the right hon. Lady's supplementary question when I told the House what was the view of Her Majesty's Government on the way in which this kind of work should be financed within the context of the responsibility of the World Health Organisation. As regards overseas territories, we contribute substantial sums towards anti-malarial work by way of grants under the Colonial Development and Welfare Acts.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consult the Minister of Transport with a view to securing nation-wide acceptance of the principle that access to the lower decks of public service vehicles shall be restricted to non-smokers in order to protect passengers, particularly older ones, suffering from chest complaints from the distress that may be caused by excessively smoky atmospheres.

I understand that the principle to which the hon. Member refers is widely applied in practice. Bus operators naturally wish to satisfy their passengers, and my right hon. Friend and I think it best to leave it to them and to the Traffic Commissioners to decide according to local circumstances.

While admitting the undoubted talent of the Minister of Transport, may I ask the Minister what special medical knowledge he has applied to the case wherein he more or less stated that the inhabitants of Durham who suffer from chest complaints are peculiarly immune to the effects of polluted atmosphere? Will he bear in mind the fact that what is required, and what has been asked for by the County Councils Association in a memorandum to the two Ministers concerned, is the introduction throughout the country of the prohibition of smoking on the lower decks of double-deck vehicles, thereby dispensing with the necessity to prove the need for such a requirement on the occasion of every application for a licence?

In answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I understand that my right hon. Friend allowed an appeal in the Durham case solely in view of the individual circumstances of that particular case. He accepted that, in principle, a ban on smoking could, quite probably, be made a condition of the granting of a road service licence by the Traffic Commissioners. On the second part of the hon. Gentleman's question, I am aware of the county councils' recommendation to my right hon. Friend, and I will certainly give it due consideration.

Is the Minister aware that the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Boyden) and myself have made representations to his right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport about this matter and have requested an interview? Will he in the meantime consult his right hon. Friend and explain to him the importance of preventing women, children and other people being subjected to smoking on the lower decks of buses?

I am sure that my right hon. Friend is generally aware of all the broad considerations which arise in this matter.

asked the Minister of Health what action he will take to ensure that all opticians provide proper and detailed receipts, on the official Forms O.S.C.15 and H.E.S.2., for all payments received from patients under the National Health Service, and that National Health Service forms are not used for private transactions in frames or lenses, and so mislead patients that these are National Health Service payments, when they are not.

Opticians providing supplementary ophthalmic services were reminded by a circular in November last that Form O.S.C. 15 should be issued in receipt for payments made under the Service but should not be used for private transactions. My right hon. and learned Friend will take a convenient opportunity of bringing the same point to their notice in respect of Form H.E.S.2.

Is the Minister aware that a large number of opticians do not give any receipts for National Health Service payments at all, and that others give receipts for professional services only, with no details? Is he aware that, as a result of this, prescriptions for lenses and other claims for payment from the National Health Service cannot be compared with receipts, and that there is no check on the work actually done by the opticians?

It is part of the opticians' terms of service under the supplementary ophthalmic service that they should supply a receipt for payments under the regulations for the supply of glasses. If the hon. Gentleman has any particular cases in mind where this has not been done, I would refer him to the advice given in an earlier debate to put them up to the executive council.

Can the hon. Lady say whether there is any system of checking similar to that used in regard to the supervision of prescribing by chemists?

All prescriptions are sent to the executive council, and have to be authorised by it before, in fact, the spectacles can be supplied.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the usual life of National Health Service spectacle lenses and frames, respectively; and whether there is a defined period after which spectacles can be replaced for the standard price of £1 10s. 3d.

Lenses should normally last until there is a change of prescription. Frames should with reasonable care last longer. Further glasses at the standard National Health Service charge may be obtained at any time, if there is a change of prescription following a sight test.

Is the position that, if there is a change in the prescription after two years, new spectacles can be obtained for £1 10s. 3d., but if an old-age pensioner's eyes have not changed after five years but his lenses are chipped and his frames damaged by ordinary usage, he has to pay for replacements and repairs or the full price for a new pair of spectacles? What is the period after which a new pair of spectacles will be provided as the result of fair wear and tear?

The period varies with the individual. For example, some patients need changes of lenses more frequently, and children outgrow their frames. On the average, I am advised, there is a change of prescription after about four years under the supplementary ophthalmic service, and patients may apply at any time for a further sight test.

Is my hon. Friend aware I got a new pair of spectacles last week after less than two years?

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Minister for Science, in view of the fact that radioactivity in the air in Belgium was twenty-five times the normal on 29th February, 16 days after the Sahara test atomic explosion, and that rainfall on that day was 600 times more radioactive than normal, what comparable increase has been recorded in Great Britain since that date.

Fission-products believed to be due to the French atomic explosion were detected in air in the United Kingdom in the period 27th February to 1st March and in rain on 29th February. The total radioactivity from fission-products during this period of four days reached about twice that still being recorded from earlier nuclear explosions but was less than one per cent. of the normal amount of naturally-occurring radioactivity in air. The total radioactivity from fission-products in rain on 29th February was about twice that from fission-products present on the average from earlier nuclear tests, but less than a tenth of the total a year ago.

Whilst thanking the Minister for that answer, which explains why on 29th February he told me that there had been no increase in fall-out, and in view of this reply, would he consult his right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary and discuss with him the possibility of urging France not to proceed with her second and larger test which is now due?

That is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary. Of course, the hon. Gentleman and the House will have in mind that the small increase in radioactivity over the short period to which I have referred—arising after my last answer to the House, as the hon. Gentleman was good enough to say—was due mostly to short-lived radioactivity, and only very small amounts of the long. lived isotopes, such as strontium 90 and cæsium 137, were present.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Minister for Science, if he will make a statement on the latest Harwell report showing the approximate doubling, within six months, of the strontium 90 found in British children's bones.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Minister for Science, what consideration he has given to the official report of Harwell scientists showing an increase of strontium units, per gram of calcium, in the bones of children under five years of age from 1·5 in the latter part of 1958 to 2·8 in the first half of 1959; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Minister for Science, whether he is aware that the average proportion of radioactive strontium 90 in the bones of stillborn babies and young children in Great Britain in the period January to June, 1959. compared with March to December, 1958, has increased by about 60 per cent.; what consideration he has given to the consequences of this increase; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Minister for Science, whether his attention has been drawn to the recent report made public by the Atomic Energy Authority which shows a marked increase in strontium 90 found in young children's bones; and whether he will now request the Medical Research Council to undertake an immediate review of the effects of this increased rate of deposition of fall-out.

My noble Friend and I have seen the report. The increases to which the hon. Members refer reflect the increased rate of fall-out deposition in the six months following heavy nuclear weapon testing in northern latitudes in 1958. There have been no test explosions other than the recent French test since November, 1958, and levels of fall-out in this country have fallen substantially since June, 1959. As I informed the House on the 18th February, the Medical Research Council has kept the matter under constant review and is preparing a further Report on the Hazards to Man of Nuclear and Allied Radiations which will provide a comprehensive assessment of the significance of all the available evidence.

Is not the increase likely to continue, particularly in children born after June, 1959? Secondly, is it possible that some scientists may be mistaken about the safe level or the danger level, just as they were about X-rays?

On the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, provided that no further quantities are injected into the stratosphere, it is unlikely that the level of strontium 90 in children's bones will rise much above its present level, and subsequently it will probably fall. In that context, the hon. Gentleman will have in mind the answer which I gave to the House in reply to a question by the hon. Lady the Member for Wood Green (Mrs. Butler) on 22nd March.

While recognising the Minister's limited responsibility in this sphere, may I ask him, as the Minister responsible for the health of the nation, to consider sending a cable today to his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister at Camp David reminding him of these figures and of the fact that failure to reach agreement between America, this country and Russia on nuclear tests will be at the expense of these babies and very tiny children?

As the hon. Lady knows, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has a very close knowledge of this subject and keeps it under constant review. I am sure that he has all the relevant considerations very closely in mind.

Does not my right hon. and learned Friend agree that this very steep increase will cause a fair amount of public concern? Will he urge on the Medical Research Council the importance of this subject and the urgency of completing its inquiry and making it publicly available?

I said on 18th February that the Medical Research Council is engaged in its revised assessment and that it will be published as a White Paper.

Is the Minister not aware that the estimates of fall-out and its effects have been wrong on four occasions? First, it was found that some countries were being affected more than others. Secondly, we thought that there was a stratospheric reservoir of strontium 90 seeping slowly to earth but it was then found from the Prime Minister's statement that it was coming down in the rainfall far more quickly than we expected. Two weeks ago in Nature a statement was made that it is coming down far faster than even the Prime Minister revealed.

The levels will be reviewed by the Medical Research Council in the context of its assessment of all the evidence available since 1956, which it is taking into consideration in the compilation of the White Paper to which I have referred. The Council will, of course, complete the White Paper as quickly as is possible, compatible with making a thorough, detailed and satisfactory assessment of a very difficult and technical subject.

The Minister seeks to reassure the House, but has he forgotten that the Scientific Committee of the United Nations stated that there was no threshold dose in genetic effects?

I have all these considerations in mind, but for the up-to-date scientific assessment as we see it in this country we must await the report of the Medical Research Council. It would be wrong of me to anticipate by piecemeal observations what will be included in a general and authoritative survey by the Council.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the breach of the long-established precedent that parents should be responsible for their children in all decisions concerning medical treatment which is involved in the action of the Sheffield Regional Board in establishing special juvenile courts in hospitals with powers to transfer responsibility to local authorities if parents refuse permission for an operation on a child, he will request the Board to postpone invitations to magistrates to set up such courts until the matter has been discussed on a national basis; and whether he will issue a White Paper with a view to promoting such discussion.

Whether the provisions of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, would apply to a case of this kind, and what would be the effect of any order made under them, are questions of law on which it would not be appropriate for me to express any opinion. Accordingly, I would not feel justified in intervening, and see no reason to issue a White Paper on the subject.

May I ask my right hon. and learned Friend, however, what advice he has given to this regional hospital board in regard to Section 102 (1) of this Act, whereby parents are allowed. an appeal to quarter sessions in a case such as this, and whether or not, in his opinion, that does not completely invalidate the procedure the board project in these circumstances, and, accordingly, indicate that fresh amending legislation, or legislation, is necessary for anything of this nature?

No. I am sure that the: regional hospital board is aware of the provisions of Section 102 in regard to appeals. The regional hospital Board is not seeking the use of any new powers in this context but merely trying to ensure that where the existing procedure is applicable it should operate speedily.