asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Commissioner appointed by the Kenya Government to carry out a survey of unemployment and under-employment is expected to report; and if he will publish the report when available.

The officer appointed to conduct the survey expects to submit his report in about 3 months' time. It has not yet been decided whether to publish it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what communication was made by the Governor-General of Nigeria to Dr. Azikiwe, president of the Senate, leading to the cancellation of his membership of the Nigerian delegation to the final constitutional conference before independence.

Dr. Azikiwe is in fact coming to these discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply has been made to the memorandum from the Government of Trinidad requesting full internal self-government for Trinidad, independence for the West Indian Federation, and the return of the base at Chaguaramas and other areas leased to the United States of America.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to a memorial approved by the General Council of the People's National Movement and adopted at a public meeting on the 22nd April. I have been sent a copy of this memorial, apparently as an expression of public sentiment in some quarters in Trinidad on the several issues mentioned. I have asked that the authors of the memorial should be informed that its contents have been noted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consideration has been given to the effect of the Act of 1702 relating to the limitation of land leases in Trinidad on the agreement made in 1941 to lease the Chaguaramas base to the United States of America for 99 years; and what action is to be taken in this regard.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the Crown Lands Act, 1702. I am advised that the provisions of that Act are not applicable to land outside Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects to receive the Report of the Lowe Commission investigating the circumstances of the disturbances in December, 1959, in Suva, Fiji.

The Commission was appointed by the Governor of Fiji. The Report is being printed as a Council Paper and will be published in Fiji on the 16th May. Copies will be sent to me as soon as they are available, and I will place a copy in the Library.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made with long-term contracts between pig producers and bacon curers on the basis of the price stability resulting from the 1960 Farm Price Review.

I am glad to say that both producers' and curers' organisations have followed up energetically the encouragement given by the Government at the last Annual Review. Long-term contracts for bacon pigs have been offered by the Fatstock Marketing Corporation and by about 15 individual curers. I understand that the initial response from producers has been satisfactory, though it is too soon to give reliable figures.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals have been received by his Department from a private syndicate to plant 2½ million acres in Great Britain with trees; and whether he will make a statement.

Neither my Ministry nor the Forestry Commission has received any such proposal.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the ratio of acreage of former agricultural land, however poor, which has been subject to grants for afforestation by private timber growers, to the acreage of former woodland that has been subject to planting grants to private timber growers since the introduction of the present grant structure.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the ratio of acreage of agricultural land, however poor, acquired for afforestation, to acreage of woodland, however poor, acquired for replanting and improvement by the Forestry Commission since the publication of their last report.

Of the total acreage of plantable land acquired by the Commission in Great Britain between 1st October, 1959, and 31st March, 1960, 70 per cent. was bare agricultural land, 28 per cent. former woodland and 2 per cent. existing woods.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will arrange for a public inquiry to be held into the case of Vimy Farm, Corscombe, Dorsetshire, where the tenant has complained of failure by the landlord to carry out certain work which the tenant believed to be necessary.

No. The complaints made by the tenant of this farm have been exhaustively gone into in the past, and I am satisfied that no useful purpose would be served by inquiring into them afresh.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to state his conclusions regarding the findings of the Peppiatt Committee.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. E. Johnson) and the hon. Member for Islington, East (Mr. Fletcher) on 3rd May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many mental defectives from Cornwall have been sent to prison in each of the last three years because the mental institutions of the county are full.

During the period 1957 to 1959 no mental defectives were sent to prison by the courts in Cornwall under the provisions of Section 8 of the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913, which permit a court to deal with an offender by committing him to prison as a place of safety until the local authority can make arrangements for his admission to an institution for mental defectives. So far in 1960 one person has been committed to prison by a court in Cornwall under these provisions; he has since been removed to an institution for defectives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what communications he has received from the municipal corporations on the question of the extension of British Summer time; and what was the nature of his reply.

The Association of Municipal Corporations, after consulting its members, informed my right hon. Friend that 78 are in favour of making no change; 36 favour an extension of Summer Time in the autumn; 104 favour an extension in the autumn and spring; 144 would prefer Summer Time to be continued throughout the year; and 43 have expressed no opinion. The Association's letter was acknowledged.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the present lease of Dartmoor Prison began; when it is due to end; what is the annual ground rent; and whether all buildings, including recent construction, will revert to the ground landlord at the end of the lease.

The first lease began in 1850. The current lease ends in 1970, but it may be terminated earlier by the Prison Commissioners on 28th September in any year if two years' prior notice is given. The annual ground rent is £2,000, excluding rates. If the lease terminated without renewal the buildings would revert to the ground landlord, but their future would be a subject for discussion by all concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new buildings have been erected at Dartmoor Prison in each of the last 10 years; and what has been the total cost in each year.

The following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young male offenders will be able to be accommodated at one time in the 12 detention centres now existing or planned; what is the estimated capital cost of each place provided for young male offenders at the proposed new detention centres for which estimates have been accepted; and what is the annual cost of maintaining each place at the four existing detention centres.

The existing and planned detention centres will accommodate about 950 male offenders. The estimated capital cost of each place in the new detention centres is about £1,500. The cost of maintaining each place in the existing centres in 1958–59 was about £640.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many magistrates' courts in England and Wales will be able to send young male offenders to a senior detention centre after the present programme of providing a total of 12 detention centres is complete; how many will then be able to send young male offenders to a junior detention centre; and what are the higher and lower age limits for senior and junior detention centres.

The programme is intended to enable all magistrates' courts in England and Wales to commit young offenders aged 14 and under 21 to detention centres. Junior centres are for those aged 14 and under 17 and senior centres for those aged 17 and under 21.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how long a 17 year old boy, details of whom have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Pontypool, has remained in custody at Cardiff Prison waiting to be sent to Borstal for training; how long this boy has been sharing a cell with a mentally sick older prisoner; and what steps are being taken to prevent him being placed in contact with convicted murderers in the prison.

Six weeks. He will be moved to a borstal reception centre when his solicitor signifies that his presence in Cardiff is no longer necessary in connection with his appeal. He has not been placed in a cell with any mentally ill prisoner. He is not permitted to associate with adult prisoners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many remand homes for boys awaiting Borstal training are intended to be created in Wales; and when it is anticipated they will be ready for use.

It is not yet possible so say when remand centres will be available to cover the whole of Wales. When the new Borstal Reception Centre at Ashford is completed early next year the waiting period before boys are transferred to a reception centre should be greatly reduced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made with regard to the provision of warmer clothing for the inmates of women's prisons during the winter months.

The Prison Commissioners are reviewing the provision of clothing for the inmates of women's prisons and my right hon. Friend has asked them to pay particular attention to the point raised by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will take steps for the formation of a Commonwealth Council of Nutrition as an agency analogous to the recently established Commonwealth Council on Education.

Her Majesty's Government have every sympathy with the object of improving standards of nutrition in Commonwealth countries, but are not convinced that an official initiative in the sense suggested is the best way of furthering that object. The Council for Education in the Common- wealth is an unofficial body, though it was set up on the initiative of members of this House.

asked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations how many citizens of the United Kingdom and British-protected persons are now detained in South Africa without charge or trial.

According to the information received from the South African Government, two: Miss Hannah Stanton and Dr. Elias Letele.

asked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on the talks held by the Secretary of State recently with a deputation of Africans from Southern Rhodesia.

On 28th April, my noble Friend received a deputation from the National Democratic Party of Southern Rhodesia, who gave him a memorandum of their views. He undertook to consider it and said that, as the Prime Minister had already said in the House of Commons on 18th February, in the event of any change being made in the Constitution of Southern Rhodesia, the interest of Africans would, of course, be given full weight.

asked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on the talks with the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia.

The Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia brought certain proposals which he discussed with my noble Friend. My noble Friend made certain comments on these proposals which Sir Edgar Whitehead has taken back to his colleagues for their consideration. I hope to be able to make a further statement shortly.

asked the Minister of Education what steps it is proposed to take to recruit women dentists for the school dental service.

Women dentists are already employed in the school dental service and local education authorities are constantly advertising vacant posts in the service for which women dentists would be eligible.

asked the Minister of Education what action he is taking to ensure that children at maintained schools are taught and rehearsed in the words of the National Anthem.

I certainly hope that all children do learn the National Anthem. How and when they do this is best left with parents and teachers.

asked the Minister of Education how many places will be available in teachers' training colleges in Durham in 1960 and 1961; and what are the prospects for a new teachers' training college in view of the decision to close Wynyard Hall which has served a useful purpose in catering for two year students.

In each of the two coming academic years about 900 students are likely to enter training colleges in the Durham Area Training Organisation. The places to be given up at Wynyard Hall are being more than made good.

asked the Minister of Education how many primary and how many secondary school classes contained over 41 pupils in January, 1959, and in January, 1960, respectively.

In January, 1959, 22,928 junior classes and 4,297 senior classes had 41 or more pupils on the register. Figures for 1960 are not yet available but are likely to show a slight improvement.

asked the Minister of Education what was the average size of primary school and of secondary school classes in January, 1959, and January, 1960, respectively.

In January, 1959, the average size of junior class was 33·1 and the average size of senior class was 30·4. Figures for 1960 are not yet available, but a slight improvement is expected.

asked the Minister of Education what was the cost per head of primary schoolchildren and of secondary schoolchildren, respectively, in 1959.

The average cost per head of educating primary and secondary pupils in maintained schools in England and Wales in the financial year 1959–60 is estimated to be £53 10s. and £90, respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the warning given in the Interim Report of the Committee on Consumer Protection of the dangers resulting in fatal accidents in the home from slackness in ensuring reasonable standards where electrical appliances and fittings are concerned, what steps he proposes to take to deal with the situation in this respect outlined in the report.

As I indicated on 27th April, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department and I are studying the Committee's recommendations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will announce Her Majesty's Government's decision on the latest application for improved protection of the British tomato growing industry.

Having carefully considered all the circumstances, Her Majesty's Government have reached the conclusion that the import duty of 4d. per lb. on fresh tomatoes should be increased to 6d. per lb. from 16th May to 15th June and to 5d. per lb. from 16th June to 31st July. From 16th to 31st May the new rate of 6d. per lb. will apply only to tomatoes of a value exceeding 1s. 3d. per lb. An Order which increases the import duty will be laid on 10th May and will take effect on 16th May, 1960.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that the number of looms on corduroys in the Hebden Bridge area has fallen by 60 per cent. since April, 1959 and that the fall in yardage on the finishing and dyeing side of the trade has fallen by 25 per cent. for some firms, and 33 per cent. for others; and what steps he is taking to check imports which are contributing to this decline;(2) what increase there has been in recent months of imported woven and dyed corduroy from Spain; and what steps he is taking to safeguard home manufacturers and dyers.

Separate figures of imports of corduroy fabrics are not available. Imports of pile and chenille fabrics (other than moquettes), which include corduroy fabrics, from Spain during January and February were valued at £10,149 compared with £25,058 during the year 1959. I shall continue to watch the position.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the continued failure of the trade union movement to clear up the charges made against the Electrical Trade Union leadership, if he will now move for the appointment of a tribunal under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921, to inquire into these charges as a matter of urgent public importance.

The General Council of the Trades Union Congress has informed the Executive Council of the E.T.U. that unless by 18th May it decides either to sue those who have accused the union publicly of malpractices, or to refer the matter to an independent inquiry, the union will be suspended from membership of the Trades Union Congress. In these circumstances, I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Farey-Jones) on 18th February last.

asked the Minister of Transport how many people were killed and injured, respectively, in road accidents in Lincolnshire over the Easter week-end this year and in each of the last 10 years.

The numbers of persons killed and injured in Lincolnshire from Maundy Thursday to Easter Monday, inclusive, in 1960 and in each of the past ten years were:

asked the Minister of Health if he will now institute an inquiry in accordance with his letter to the hon. Member for Bristol, South-East, into the circumstances of the death of Miss Moira Burchell, details of which have been given to him.

As soon as the hon. Member confirms that there is no objection to the hospital authorities concerned being made aware of the contents of his constituent's letter dated 6th January, 1960, I will make further inquiries into the case.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what plans he has for carrying out works in the Dunbartonshire area.

So far as the Royal Navy are concerned, none. But plans are being developed for the construction of N.A.T.O. storage facilities in the Dunbartonshire area. Provided there are no changes in the plan, the approximate value of the contract will be £3,750,000. Bids will be invited under the usual N.A.T.O. procedure about mid July, 1960, with a view to starting work on a site in Glen Douglas next year. As the money to build the storage facilities will be provided by N.A.T.O., firms in all the 15 N.A.T.O. countries are elegible to apply to tender.