asked the Minister of Education what discussions have taken place between his Department and Staffordshire Local Education Authority about the project for a college of further education in Newcastle-under-Lyme; and what steps will be taken to provide permanent accommodation for further education in the borough.

As the hon. Member is aware, a full discussion of this project is to take place between representatives of the local education authority and my Department on 27th June. I hope this talk will prove useful.

While thanking the Minister for offering to receive this deputation, may I ask him whether he will ensure that on that occasion he hears the voice of the excepted district of Newcastle-under-Lyme where there is at the moment such serious discontent with the present balance of further education facilities on the site of the Clayton Hall Grammar School? Will the right hon. Gentleman see that Newcastle-under-Lyme is well represented?

That and all other considerations will be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Education if he will make a statement on the Anderson Report.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is yet in a position to announce the date of publication of the Anderson Report.

The Report of the Committee on Grants to Students, appointed in 1958 by the Secretary of State for Scotland and my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr. G. Lloyd), is being published today and copies are available in the Vote Office.

We on this side of the House would, of course, wish to associate ourselves with the expression of thanks to Sir Colin Anderson and his colleagues. In the nine minutes since the Report was available my study of it has been cursory.

I sympathise with the hon. Lady, who has done well in nine minutes. We also agree that the question of uniformity as between one student and another in England, Wales and Scotland is a very important matter. Naturally, we feel that grammar school education is the foundation of university students, but it does not come under this Report. We shall consider that separately.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the desirability of having a debate in this House on this subject, as well as discussing the recommendations with local authorities, universities and others? Will he discuss this suggestion with my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House?

Yes, I will talk it over with my right hon. Friend.

As the decisions to implement this cannot be made until 1961, does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman will not be in a position yet to decide whether the means test should exist or not? Would he consider, in arriving at that decision, whether it could be made retrospective to 1960?

The hon. Gentleman would perhaps do well to read the Report. He will see that there is a division of opinion about the means test and a very difficult question of administration arises on taking either one decision or the other.

In considering the Report, will my right hon Friends the Minister of Education and the Secretary of State for Scotland try to arrange things in future so that Scottish students get roughly uniform treatment with English students? There has been a feeling in the past that English students have been doing better than Scottish students in the amount of national help received.

That is one of the matters that arises in the Report. The Committee is quite firm in its recommendation that the three parts of the United Kingdom should receive the same treatment. I think my hon. Friend can take it that we accept that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that, when he is conducting consultations with various authorities, he will also consult those who are very closely concerned—the National Union of Students?

I cannot be sure about that. The National Union of Students is always making submissions to me, and I would be very glad to hear what it has to say. We are very pressed for time if we are to legislate early next Session.

asked the Minister of Education if he will now award adequate dependant's allowances to all categories of training college students.

I shall be examining the whole field of grants to students, including dependant's grants, in the light of the report of the Anderson Committee.

Is there any reason why mature students taking three year courses should not have the same treatment as mature students taking two-year courses? Is this not an anomaly which could be removed at the stroke of a pen?

It may be better to consider the whole range of awards to teacher training colleges.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree with the principle that there should be uniformity of treatment between these two classes of people who are in exactly the same financial position? There is a growing sense of injustice on the part of some of these students.

I will look at this problem urgently.

asked the Minister of Education how many local education authorities have not been able to recruit sufficient teachers to reach their January, 1960, quota.

Provisional figures show that in January, 1960, 54 local education authorities were 1 per cent. or more below their quota. This is slightly better than last year.

Could the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what steps he is taking to carry out the suggestion of the Crowther Report that some experiments should be made to see what effect financial inducements will have in steering teachers to under-staffed areas?

A system of differential allowances according to area would be very difficult to operate.

asked the Minister of Education what inquiries he has made into the effect of the aggregation of incomes for taxation on the number of married women prepared to return to teaching in schools or training colleges.

None, Sir.

As the right hon. Gentleman makes a stronger appeal to married women than, I should think, any of his Ministerial colleagues, with the possible exception of the Minister of Health, would he not consider taking the initiative, perhaps with some voluntary organizations, to make an inquiry into this matter? This affects not only teachers and the staff of training colleges, but also school dentists and school architects, of whom there appears to be a chronic shortage, which he uses as an excuse on many occasions for not being able to undertake certain works. There is a strong feeling among organisations of professional women that this is a serious factor. Would he look into this, because it affects the supply of highly qualified professional married women?

The recruitment of architects and dentists lies outside my responsibilities, but the head of the School of Social Studies at Sheffield University is now undertaking an examination into the wastage of women teachers. We are giving him all the help that we can, and no doubt some interesting information will come out of it.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he proposes to take to include the widows and orphans of teachers in the Teachers Superannuation Scheme.

Provision is already made for this in the Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1956, but the teachers have so far felt unable to agree to a scheme in the form provided for in that Act.

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that this scheme in its present form is entirely unsatisfactory? Is he aware that widespread representations have been made to local education authorities on this matter? Does he not also agree that when a man has served a lifetime in a profession which is not too well paid he should at least feel that in the event of his death his widow is provided for?

When the Act was introduced we thought that this provision would be worth taking up by the teachers, but they have decided otherwise. I agree that if we had endless finance it would be a very good thing.

asked the Minister of Education what plans he has to solve the staffing problems, which will occur during the year 1962–63 as a result of the introduction of the three-year training course for teachers.

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary outlined our plans during the debate on the Crowther Report. I am holding a conference in July with representatives of the local authorities, teachers and others concerned to encourage speedy action.

asked the Minister of Education whether his attention has been directed to the fact that at a school, details of which have been supplied to him, security officers have interviewed the headmaster and brought pressure to bear upon him to ascertain from his sixth form pupils the nature of their political allegiances; and what guidance he will give to principals of schools to ensure that, when any approaches of this kind are made, both principals and pupils are aware of the proper procedure for dealing with them.

I looked into this as soon as I heard of it. The headmaster of the school assured me that the statements made in the first part of the Question are entirely without foundation and that no inquiries have been made about boys still in the school. No guidance from me is, therefore, required.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that answer is rather worse than I had expected? I am informed that this matter arose in the following way: there is no doubt that the headmaster interrogated one class of the lower sixth—containing about 27 boys—about their political affiliations, telling them, for instance, that they should not wear the badge of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, and warning them of the danger of holding left-wing views. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that subsequently, when parents and boys protested to the headmaster, he told them that one of the reasons he had asked them about their political affiliations was because he had been asked to do so by M.I.5?

What advice on the facts of life a headmaster gives to his pupils is entirely within the province of the headmaster.[HoN. MEMBERS: "Nonsense".] A headmaster is entitled to say to his pupils that in his opinion, this or that is not good for them in the rest of their lives. He is entitled to do that, and the Minister has no control over that whatever—and I am sure that the House would not wish me to have any control. As to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, if he will send me the information, I will, of course, look into it.

Is the Minister aware that this must be the first time that a Minister of Education has enunciated the principle that it is perfectly proper for a headmaster to seek to interfere with the political view of his pupils? Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the complaint made by my hon. Friend and seek to ensure that the Prime Minister will represent to the security authorities that, if any steps of this kind have been taken, any information obtained in this way will immediately be expunged from the records?

The headmaster informed me—as, I think, I said in my original answer—that no inquiries were made about boys in the school. [Interruption.] It is common practice when a young man seeks an appointment with the Atomic Energy Authority for inquiries to be made into his past political affiliations.

When the Minister says that no inquiries have been made about boys still in the school, will he make it clear that this is not to be taken as casting any imputation on boys who have just left the school? Is that his intention, or were the inquiries of a more normal sort?

It does not cast any aspersion on anybody who has left the school, but it is routine practice when an appointment to a security job is being made to inquire into the antecedents of the person.

Is not the Minister aware that no headmaster in any school should interfere with the political views or liberties of a student in the school, either inside it or outside? Will he give an assurance that the Ministry of Education would disapprove of any interference with that fundamental liberty by police, M.I.5, or any other organisation?

Of course, I give an assurance as to interference with liberty, but in education some advice is given about different things the whole time. That, under our system, is left to the headmaster.

I am afraid that we cannot debate this now.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I beg to give notice that in view of this very unsatisfactory answer from the Minister on the threat to the liberty of the subject, I shall take steps to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Education, as representing the Minister for Science, what recent reports he has received from the Scientific Attaché at Her Majesty's Embassy in Moscow regarding the latest Russian achievements in the sphere of rocket projection.

Rocket propulsion is generally regarded as a military subject and lies outside the field of the Scientific Attaché.

As my noble Friend the Minister of Science must receive infor- mation of some kind which is of interest both to himself and to us all, would my right hon. Friend none the less consider issuing an authoritative statement from time to time assessing Russian performance with rockets? Many people would have considered that of particular value at the time of the U2 incident in giving us all some guidance in assessing both the truth of the incident and the Russian performance at the time.

I will inform my noble Friend of my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the orders placed by Government Departments for electronic equipment, currently, goes to firms in Scotland; whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction expressed by Scottish companies in this matter; and whether he will take immediate steps to increase the Scottish proportion.

The form in which records are kept does not make this information readily available. I understand that a few Scottish firms have complained about Scotland's share of orders, but in the placing of Government contracts preference is given to development districts, and we shall continue to operate these arrangements.

Will the Economic Secretary look at this again, as I understand that the manufacturers of this equipment in Scotland have complained to the Department about the lack of orders being given to Scottish firms? Will he, at least, see that more work of this nature from the nationalised industries goes to Scotland?

As the hon. Gentleman will know, there are two schemes. There is what is known as the general preference scheme, and there is the special preference scheme. I will not weary the House with the details of the schemes now, but a great deal is done for these development areas. If the hon. Member has any specific complaint, I should be very happy to look into it.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that unemployment in Scotland has risen during the past few weeks with consequent urgency in the need to attract new industries; and what special financial facilities he therefore plans to rectify these industrial and employment disabilities.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it right that a Question should remain on the Order Paper unasked, when it is demonstrably untrue?

If an hon. Member puts down a Question, he takes responsibility for the fact.

Then the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) should be here to ask it.

That is not for me.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether as a result of the talks that have taken place at No. 10 Downing Street with the Archbishop of Canterbury, as Chairman of the Trustees of the British Museum, the Lord Chancellor, an ex-officio Trustee, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Minister of Works, he will announce the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to assisting the requirements of the British Museum for rebuilding and expansion.

The policy of Her Majesty's Government will continue to be to meet the agreed needs of the British Museum as rapidly as resources permit.

Does the Economic Secretary realise that that reply will be regarded as very disappointing? Is he not aware that there is urgent need for the Trustees of the British Museum to be able to commence operations in connection with the proposed National Library on the site that has been designated for that purpose? Can we now have an assurance that those responsible, including the Minister of Works, will take the necessary steps to acquire the site in order that this much-needed expansion can begin?

As a result of the meeting to which the hon. Gentleman refers in his Question, it is proposed that discussions should take place between the Trustees and Government representatives covering, among other things, the timing of the various building and reconstruction works to which he refers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the percentage of Purchase Tax charged on the wholesale value of go-karts used for racing purposes in this country.

Go-karts are taxable at 50 per cent. of their wholesale value.

Is it not the fact that other articles of sports equipment, such as tennis racquets, hockey sticks, football gear and the like are not subject to the tax? As go-kart racing is comparatively new and mainly a working-man's sport, will he consider reducing or removing Purchase Tax from go-karts to bring them into line with other sporting articles? Will he also bear in mind that the manufacture of these go-karts is a most useful light industry and would be encouraged if Purchase Tax were removed?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer answered a Question on this subject, asked of him by my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Sir A. Hurd) on 10th May. My right hon. Friend said in his Answer that he did not feel able to recommend a reduction in the rate of tax on go-karts, and I am afraid that I cannot go further than that.

Would my hon. Friend ask my right hon. Friend the Chancellor to consider this matter again? Is he aware that this is a very new industry in this country and that a 50 per cent. rate of Purchase Tax makes it extremely difficult for it to become established? Is he further aware that this industry is starting in areas of high unemployment, that there is a large potential export market, and that this high rate of Purchase Tax is reducing home sales, reducing production, and making it very difficult to reduce manufacturing costs in order to compete with the longer-developed American market?

I will certainly convey my hon. Friend's observations to the Chancellor, but I must repeat that only a few weeks ago my right hon. Friend had an opportunity to consider the matter and to express views on it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent payments made by firms to political parties are now regarded by the Inland Revenue as a legitimate business expense for tax purposes.

Payments to political parties are not regarded as a deductible expense.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to spend a smaller proportion of the country's financial resources on building council houses this year compared with last year and with 1954, respectively; and what methods he proposes to use to achieve this purpose.

The number of local authority houses completed in 1960 should be appreciably higher than in 1959. The fall in local authority house building since 1954 reflects the Government's successes in overcoming the housing need in many areas away from the big cities, and also in encouraging house ownership.

Is it not the fact that this proportion was deliberately halved between 1954 and last year, that the proportion this year will be very much the same, and that this results directly from the Government's policy of increasing interest rates and removing most types of housing subsidy? Does not the hon. Gentleman's reply, which shows a manifest ignorance of the situation, also show that the Government are not putting first things first?

Perhaps I may first take up the hon. Gentleman's remark about ignorance of the situation. He refers in his Question to the Government spending on local authority housing a smaller proportion of our financial resources this year as compared with last year. The fact is that the estimated expenditure on local authority house building will be greater this year than last year; that the proportion of the total public sector investment to be spent on local authority house building will be greater this year than last year, and that the estimated number of completions will be greater this year than last year.

Is it not a fact that the hon. Member himself, for his standard of reference, chose the worst of many years, namely, 1958? Is it not a fact that in 1958 the number of council houses was lower than at any time for very many years, lower than under the Labour Government?

I think the right hon. Gentleman misunderstood me. I was referring to the three years mentioned in the Question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury Whether, in view of the unsatisfactory progress made by the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England) in recent years, he will recommend bringing the work of the Commission to an end and transferring its functions to the Ministry of Works.

No, Sir. I cannot yet add to the statement which my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary made during the debate on the Adjournment on 24th May.

Will not the hon. Gentleman agree that the operations of this Royal Commission have been very disappointing and very slow? It was appointed over 50 years ago. As a permanent Royal Commission is becoming an anachronism and as this one has outlived its usefulness, would it not be much better if it were merged with the National Buildings Record and the Ancient Monuments Department of the Ministry of Works?

Only last week my hon. Friend the Finanical Secretary explained that his predecessor initiated some months ago an inquiry to examine all these questions and that as soon as the result is available he will himself take the chair at a meeting to decide what action is necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which organisations have now submitted written evidence to the Committee on Consumer Protection.

As the Answer contains a long list of names, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary reconsider the possibility of publishing this evidence at a suitable time, preferably sooner rather than later?

It is up to the Committee to decide whether to publish the evidence. Up to date, it has taken no objection to organisations publishing their own evidence if they like.

Can the hon. Gentleman give an indication when the Committee is likely to report? Is there any truth in the rumours that it will be on the job for another two years?

It is certainly a very long and complicated job. I should not expect the report within a year or two.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the extent to which British industry participated with Government support in the fourth World Trade Fair held in New York in May, 1960; and if the British Government was officially represented at this fair.

I understand that only one United Kingdom firm participated in this trade fair. There was no Government support and no official exhibit.

Can my hon. Friend say to what extent our principal competitors were represented at this fair?

Sixteen countries had official stands, but British businesses did not show any great interest in the fair. In 1960 only one firm took a stand. Five agents exhibited goods of United Kingdom principals. That is why we decided to concentrate on the British Trade Fair in June, where the Board of Trade is staging an official display.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many acres of land are immediately available in West Hartlepool and Hartlepool, respectively, for industrial development.

Thirty-eight acres of land are available for immediate industrial development on the Board of Trade's Hartlepools Estate, 24 in West Hartlepool and 14 in Hartlepool, My right hon. Friend understands that, in addition, there are several privately or municipally owned industrial sites, totalling 28 acres in West Hartlepool and 7½ acres in Hartlepool, but that not all of these are available for immediate development.

Will my hon. Friend explain why his regional controller, in a tour from Jarrow to The Hartlepools, said that he could find only 20 acres immediately available for industrial development and in The Hartlepools only 8 acres suitable for building?

The regional controller said that he was looking for one site of 20 acres which was immediately available and that no such site existed in the area. That, I understand, is the position. The largest site on the Board's Hartlepools estate is 8 acres. One of the other sites mentioned is about 13 acres.

While it may be true that no site of that size exists in the development district, is it not also true that people living on the perimeter could easily travel from the development district into this area where I am sure sites are available?

To the south of West Hartlepool there is a site of 106 acres. Industrialists have looked at this and have not found it attractive.

Do the Government intend in the near future doing something about this problem of industrialists looking for land? The extortionate prices asked are a social scab on the system. Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to do something to control the prices of land?

That is another question. Our regional controller is, however, in touch with the local planning authority about the possibility of more land being made available for industry in the boroughs of West Hartlepool and Hartlepool.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the exports of the machine-tool industry are being jeopardised by a shortage of castings; and what action he is taking to assist the industry to overcome it.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has no evidence of a general shortage of castings for the machine-tool industry.

Is not the Parliamentary Secretary aware that one of my constituents sent him a mass of evidence, from the Foundry Trade Journal, and so on, showing that there is a shortage of castings and that many firms are complaining about how this is jeopardising their export trade, as is the call-up of apprentices as soon as they have completed their training? Will the hon. Member consider this matter?

The Newcast Foundries have sent copies of letters from four other companies complaining about delay. In the main, these companies seem to be connected with the Newcast Foundries. I have examined the correspondence, but it does not appear to have established that there is a general shortage of castings which is preventing the export of machine tools.

Is it not clear that there is a shortage of castings which is jeopardising the production of important exports? This is due to the call-up of specially skilled men who are required for the maintenance of production. Will the hon. Gentleman look into that aspect and send an urgent message about it to the Minister of Labour?

I cannot accept what the hon. Gentleman says, but if any machine-tool firm is finding difficulty in obtaining supplies of castings it will be well advised to get in touch with the Iron and Steel Board and discuss its problems with that organisation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now refer the distribution of petrol and lubricating oils to the Monopolies Commission for study and report.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) on 17th May.

Surely the Board of Trade ought to have something to say in view of the fact that the world oil situation is now very favourable to buyers and that the lack of competition in this country is preventing the motorist from having the benefits of the world situation. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that nine out of ten garages are now tied to the big petrol companies? If the party opposite believes in competition, why does it not allow competition to operate in the petrol world?

The Monopolies Commission has three references before it. I am sure that my right hon. Friend will bear in mind the hon. Member's observations.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether petrol distribution would qualify under the legislation setting up the Monopolies Commission for an inquiry?

That is one of the subjects under consideration at the moment.

How much longer will we have to wait before the Government make up their mind in this matter? Millions of £s are being extracted from the people of this country quite unjustly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the effect which the shortage of home-produced silicon manganese steel, used for making coil springs, is likely to have on the imports of steel and exports of products of which springs are essential components; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend understands that the Iron and Steel Board is examining, in consultation with the Coil Spring Federation and with the steel producers, the reported shortage of silicon manganese steel used for the production of coil springs, and until this examination is completed it is not possible to say whether imports of steel are likely to go up. He has no reason to think that exports of products incorporating coil springs will be adversely affected.

Those observations certainly are not borne out by the statements made by the manufacturers in Sheffield. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that one of the biggest manufacturers has said that he is going as far away as Japan in search of steel to bring to Sheffield? Does not that cause the Parliamentary Secretary any alarm? Is he not aware that this situation arises from the fact that the private steel companies will not plan ahead to meet demand but wait for demand to catch up with them?

As I have said, the Iron and Steel Board is conducting an examination. Through the Ministry of Power we are keeping in touch with the Board. Should a shortage of silicon manganese exist, we shall take any steps necessary in order to avoid loss of exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make representations to the Government of Pakistan about the need for a continuity in the supply of raw jute to the United Kingdom jute industry.

My right hon. Friend is sure that the Government of Pakistan and the jute trade there fully appreciate the need for continuity of supplies.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that drought in Pakistan has caused a great deal of anxiety about the continuity of supply and concern about the possibility of unemployment in this country later this year? Will he do his best to ensure that this situation does not arise in another year?

It is difficult to control the effects of weather, and it is not yet known to what extent last year's drought may affect the jute crop. The 1960 crop should be much better than appeared likely a few weeks ago. The Pakistan Government have set up a Jute Inquiry Commission, which has visited Dundee, as the hon. Member knows. We will certainly watch the position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent community development methods and techniques are used to popularise nature conservation projects in territories under United Kingdom administration.

The Governments of the territories concerned are giving closer attention to the education of Africans in the need to preserve wild life, by organised visits to National Parks, publicity at local shows and through the Press and radio, and by the establishment of local committees to advise on conservation and game management. If there are any other particular methods which the hon. Member has in mind and he will send me details of them, I shall be glad to consider the matter further.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, having regard to the outstanding economic and cultural value of wild life to the East and Central African territories, what steps he is taking to secure the continual and improved conservation and development of these resources.

I am glad of this opportunity to reaffirm Her Majesty's Government's concern for wild life in Africa. Wild life conservation measures are continuously under review in the East and Central African territories and in spite of financial difficulties much has been done in the last ten years to establish and consolidate National Parks and Reserves.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him if he is aware that this question is not prompted solely by sentimental considerations, but that any change in the wild life structure is inevitably followed by change in vegetation, and that large areas of Africa at present capable of supporting human life could easily be rendered incapable of so doing?

This is not by any means only an economic question. There are many aspects of it, and all of them point to the importance of this matter. That is why I was glad to have the opportunity of making a statement on it today. and I am glad to know that this meeting, to which I have referred, which is to be held in a week or two, has the idea of a conference in view.

Is the Minister aware that there will be a general welcome for his announcement on this subject? Can he say what participation the Government are taking in this meeting?

Amongst the people who will be there are Dr. Worthington, who often advises me on these matters, and who has just returned from a visit to Africa. He has prepared a detailed report on his visit, and I will be able to study that and the need for further help in a few weeks' time.

While also thanking my right hon. Friend, may I ask him if he is satisfied that it is generally recognised as a modern scientific truth that controlled game slaughter over a large part of Africa provides more protein to the square mile than any form of agriculture? Will he realise that this is not just sentimental and colourful, but has remarkable economic significance?

I agree with that. I was most impressed when a deputation which I met recently on this subject proved the extraordinary contribution from the point of view of protein that this sort of scheme can make.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies Whether he is aware of the need for the development of increased educational facilities in Fiji; and what proposals he has for meeting it.

I am aware that in its recent report the Burns Commission, while making certain recommendations on education, particularly in regard to agricultural and technical training, laid emphasis on the Colony's need for economic rather than social development and expressed the view that the Colony cannot at present afford facilities for a higher standard of education. The Commission's report is being studied by the Fiji Government, and I await their reactions to it.

Is it not the case that the increase in the educational facilities has not even kept pace with the increase in the population, the result being that the educational facilities are growing less rather than greater?

No, I do not think that is so. The figures I have show that the total school roll in the period 1946 to 1958 increased by about 100 per cent. as against an increase of 44 per cent. in the total population. I should have thought that on that basis we were clearly keeping pace, but that does not mean to say that there is not a great deal still to be done, which is now being studied by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals he has for the improvement of African agriculture in Nyasaland.

The current development plan envisages the expenditure of some £250,000 on agriculture, and £500,000 on land re-organisation. I recognise, however, that there is room for additional effort in this field, and I am at present in consultation with the Governor about the possibility of more comprehensive plans for agricultural development over the next few years, and their financial implications.

While welcoming that reply, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he does not agree that African agriculture is of vital importance if progress is to be made in this very backward country? May I further ask him to bear in mind that, as this is a territorial subject, there is a very great responsibility on Her Majesty's Government, and whether, for purposes of comparison, he will bear in mind the great progress made in Southern Rhodesia in this field?

Yes. I accept the importance of this subject. I always bracket African agriculture and African education as the two subjects on which it is most important to keep one's mind in the economic development of the country. I am, as I have said, studying more comprehensive plans in relation to Nyasaland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the possible danger to animals in the use of crops treated with narcotics for the purpose of killing wood pigeons; and whether he will make a statement with particular reference to the experiments carried out near Newmarket in the last six months.

I am aware that there is a possible danger to animals from crops treated with narcotics. So far their use has been restricted to official experiments to ascertain whether or not narcotics can be used safely. In the experiments carried out by my officers on one farm near Newmarket, wheat treated with narcotics has been laid and some 300 wood pigeons and about fifty other harmful birds were caught. No animals have been reported as affected.

May I ask the Minister to be extremely careful before encouraging this practice, in view of how little we know about possible danger to wild life, not only animals but birds?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that that is so. That is why I am carrying out this very strictly controlled experiment under my own auspices on one farm.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will introduce legislation on the lines of the recent Canadian Crop Insurance Act, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Lincoln.

According to the report the hon. Member has sent me, the Canadian Government may now make grants and loans toward the cost of crop insurance schemes run by Provincial Governments. Conditions in our two respective countries are very different, and the causes and extent of crop failures are not the same.

Is the Minister aware that I and anybody who has been to Canada is well aware of that? Will he at least say that he is not against the principle of State insurance of crops on the lines of American and Canadian practice?

I would not go as far as giving the hon. Gentleman that assurance. Conditions vary so much more in this country than they do in Canada. The hon. Gentleman is no doubt aware that it is possible for farmers to insure their crops against failure, and that insurances of this kind are taken into account at the Annual Review.