Written Answers To Questions
Wednesday, 27th April, 1960
Employment
Renfrewshire
4.
asked the Minister of Labour what was the ratio of boys under 18 years of age registered as wholly unemployed to the number of unfilled notified vacancies in the County of Renfrew at the latest date available.
Twenty-two notified vacancies for every 100 wholly unemployed boys on 11th April.
Home Department
Road Transport (Dangerous Substances)
40.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the large quantities of dangerous acids, oils and bulk cement now being carried in road transport tanks; and, in view of the special dangers arising out of an accident or collision with these vehicles, if he will introduce legislation to deal with this matter.
The question whether additional safety requirements are needed covering the conveyance of dangerous substances by road is kept constantly under review. The Home Office is at present co-operating with the chemical and transport industries in preparing a scheme for the marking of vehicles carrying dangerous substances.
Union Of South Africa
Disturbances (Citizens Of The United Kingdom And Colonies)
asked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he is yet in a position to make a further statement about the casualties among United Kingdom citizens in the disturbances in South Africa in March.
I have on a previous occasion undertaken to keep the House informed of casualties among United Kingdom citizens and British-protected persons in the recent disturbances in South Africa.
The High Commissioner has been continuing his inquiries and has now been informed, I regret to say, that at Sharpeville four Basuto were killed and 14 were injured, of whom 11 are still in hospital. This includes the one Mosuto injured, of whom I informed the House on 24th March. With one exception all these casualties have been confirmed by the Basutoland authorities. In addition, the Basutoland authorities have heard a report that a fifth Mosuto has been killed and his name has been forwarded to the Union authorities for confirmation.
I am sure that the House will wish to express its sympathy with the relatives of those killed and with the injured, and its wishes for their speedy recovery.
Meanwhile, the judicial inquiry established by the Union Government into the disturbances at Sharpeville has opened, and the Basutoland Government have made arrangements for legal advisers to be available to advise, and, as necessary, to represent, citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies involved in the disturbances who may wish, or be required, to appear before the judicial commission or against whom charges are brought. The services of these advisers will also be available to the dependants of those killed.
Trade And Commerce
Committee On Consumer Protection (Report)
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange for the publication of the Interim Report of the Committee on Consumer Protection.
The Interim Report, which is on the general issue of the safety of consumer goods, was published as a Command Paper yesterday. I am grateful to the Committee for completing so promptly this comprehensive examination of this aspect of its inquiry.The Committee's recommendations will, of course, have to be studied in consultation with the interests affected and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department and I are arranging for this to be put in hand.
Wright, Hamer Textiles, Ltd (Investigation)
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has now considered the report of the inspector appointed by his Department to investigate the affairs of Messrs. Wright Hamer Textiles, Ltd.; and what action he proposes to take.
Yes. The company is in compulsory liquidation and I do not consider that there is any occasion for action by the Board of Trade in respect of any of the matters dealt with in the Report.
Roads
Expenditure
asked the Minister of Transport (1) in view of the recent statement of Government policy on authorisation and expenditure under the road programme, how it is proposed to enlarge the programme to meet the demands of continually increasing traffic.(2) whether, in the light of the recent statement of Government policy, he is satisfied that it is practicable to authorise road schemes to meet the levels of expenditure for the road programme approved each year, in view of the fact that preliminaries before construction take up to five years; and if he will make a statement.
I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Bolton. West (Mr. Holt) about the size of the road programme. The preparatory work for road schemes is authorised sufficiently in advance for them to be ready by the time when they are expected to find a place in the construction programme.
Accidents (Car Drivers)
asked the Minister of Transport how many and what proportion of the drivers of motor cars involved in accidents of which the police took note during the Easter week-end were, respectively, full owners or owners subject to hire-purchase or merely hirers of the car which they were driving at the time of the accident.
Information on this subject is not included in the police returns.