asked the Minister of Defence, in view of the March recruiting figures, what steps he is taking to ensure that the estimated requirements of the Army, of 180,000 men at the end of 1962, are met: and what estimate he has made of the progress made by the Royal Air Force in meeting its manpower requirements by the same date.

The planned figure for the Army for the end of 1962 is 165,000, although, as was explained in last year's Statement on Defence, units have been allowed to recruit in excess of this figure up to a total ceiling of about 180,000. Recruiting figures for recent months do not alter my opinion that we shall get 165,000 by that date. The R.A.F. should be able to obtain the 135,000 it wants by the same date.

asked the Minister of Defence what investigations are carried out before he approves the annual requirements of the fighting Services for National Service men.

The size of the National Service intake is determined by estimates of commitments during the two succeeding years, and the extent to which they can be discharged by regular Service men. These estimates are prepared after a careful examination of all relevant factors. If the requirement changes during the year, the National Service intake is altered accordingly.

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent the United Kingdom has agreed to share in the research and development costs of Sky-bolt; what these costs are estimated to be; and what proportion he has undertaken to share.

asked the Minister of Defence what is the extent of Her Majesty's Government's commitment in money and scientific manpower in the research for, and development of, the United States ballistic missile Skybolt.

I would refer my right hon. Friend and the hon. Member to the replies which I gave at Question Time today.

asked the Minister of Defence what safety measures and procedures have been prepared and practised on rocket sites and other places where nuclear weapons are stored to prevent a nuclear explosion in case of fire; and what study is being made by his Department of information made available by the United States Government regarding the accident at the McGuire base, New Jersey, United States of America, on 7th June.

Wherever nuclear weapons are stored, stringent precautions are taken to prevent fires and to avoid a nuclear weapon being involved in a fire. In any case I am advised that the design of all nuclear weapons held in this country is such that even if they were involved in a fire the possibility of a nuclear explosion is negligible.Information made available by the United States Government on the recent incident at the McGuire base will be studied carefully when received.

asked the Minister of Defence how far the strategic reserve is now air mobile.

The air mobility of the strategic reserve is already considerable as recent exercises have clearly shown. This mobility is increasing as more Britannias enter service.

asked the Minister of Defence what arrangements he has made for the purchase of the Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile; and whether he will make a statement.

The Minuteman is a large inter-continental missile with a very long range. We have no need for a missile of this type and have made no arrangements for its purchase.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now consult with other Ministers concerned with a view to withdrawing the conditional clause in the British ratification of the Statute of the European Court of Human Rights which limits the hearing of claims from British Colonial Territories to questions raised by member Governments.

There is no conditional clause in the United Kingdom ratification of the European Convention of Human Rights. The position is that Her Majesty's Government have not made the optional and purely voluntary declaration provided for under Article 25, whereby petitions complaining of breach of the Convention by Her Majesty's Government can be accepted from individuals as well as from member Governments. Having made this clear I can say that my right hon. and learned Friend is prepared to consult with other Ministers concerned in this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement about the future of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation.

The eighteen member Governments and the two associate members of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation received in April a report, which is available in the Library, from the Group of Four experts. The report recommends the lines on which the Organisation should be remodelled. Detailed work on it is now going on in Paris. It is hoped to hold a meeting of Ministers towards the end of July to discuss a draft Convention for the reconstitution of O.E.E.C.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has concerning the compensation claimed by the British shareholders in the Anglo-Argentine Tramways; and why the dates previously suggested for a court decision to be made have been delayed.

This case is still before the Argentine Court, which has not yet indicated when judgment will be handed down. Her Majesty's Government have continued to make clear to the Argentine Government the importance they attach to a settlement of this dispute.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the forthcoming visit to Great Britain of the Spanish Foreign Minister.

The Spanish Foreign Minister paid a short visit to London in September, 1959. He was then invited to pay another visit this year. This was announced at the time. He has now accepted an invitation to pay an official visit from 11th to 13th July. As my right hon. and learned Friend informed the House on 7th March, the purpose of the visit is to improve relations between the two countries. This is not an occasion for negotiations but my right hon. and learned Friend will take the opportunity to exchange views with Señor Castiella.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what indication he gave the United Kingdom Committee of World Refugee Year that he had in mind that part of the Government's second contribution should be part of an allocation to the relief of the Algerian refugees of Tunisia and Morocco.

The United Kingdom Committee for the Year has been asked to allocate £50,000 from the Government's last contribution for the relief of the refugees in Morocco and Tunisia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is satisfied with the technical collaboration agreement existing between the United Kingdom and Euratom; what progress has been made by the two atomic energy authorities in promoting a closer understanding, and exchange of atomic energy information; and whether he will now consider a closer relationship with Euratom.

As I informed the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Peart) yesterday, I am satisfied that the Agreement of February, 1959, provides the basis for fruitful technical collaboration between the United Kingdom and Euratom. The Continuing Committee for Co-operation, on which my noble Friend the Minister for Science and the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Authority represent the United Kingdom, has had a useful first meeting and there have been valuable exchanges of information in the Joint Working Group of officials of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the Euratom Commission and at meetings of experts on specific subjects.As regards the last part of the Question, we have made it plain that we will be ready to consider anew the proposal that Britain should join Euratom as part of a wider settlement in Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements are being made for payments to the Governments of Somaliland and of Somalia in accordance with the undertakings already announced by Her Majesty's Government.

As the House is aware, Her Majesty's Government have undertaken to give £100,000 in economic aid for Somalia and £1,500,000 as aid for Somaliland during the first year of independence. Provision for the sums required in the current financial year will be made in the Summer Supplementary Estimates shortly to be presented to Parliament. In the meantime advances will be made from the Civil Contingencies Fund in order that the first quarterly instalments of these grants may be paid as soon as the two countries become independent.

asked the Minister of Labour what ocupations are now specified under his regulations as a requirement for registered conscientious objectors; to what extent the list has been altered since the last war; and whether he will now alter it to meet peace time priorities.

None. When a conscientious objector is registered on condition that he takes up civilian work, it is the duty of the Tribunal to specify the work to be done. The National Service Acts and Regulations do not lay down a list of occupations to be undertaken.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the recent visit to this country of the International Labour Organisation mission studying conditions relating to freedom of association; when its report will be published; and whether the mission will be invited to study conditions in United Kingdom Colonial Territories.

The International Labour Organisation mission was established in 1958 to study conditions relating to freedom of Association in member countries of the I.L.O.I understand the survey will cover all members of the I.L.O., which at present number eighty-two.The mission began its work last year by visiting the United States of America and the Soviet Union and continued it in this country between 20th April and 1st June this year. The mission had discussions in London and in other parts of the United Kingdom with representatives of Government Departments, employers' and workers' organisations as well as with individual employers and workers. The mission is not visiting United Kingdom Colonial Territories. The mission's report on its visit will be published by the I.L.O. in due course.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the shortage of teachers in West Bromwich, he will reconsider his decision to refuse deferment of call-up for National Service to B. J. Hawthorne, of 26, Newhall Street, West Bromwich, until the completion of his probationary year as a teacher.

No. As I explained to the hon. Member in my letter of 9th June, Mr. Hawthorne does not come within the arrangements for the deferment of teachers.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men, women, boys and girls, respectively, were employed in the central West Fife area in May of each of the last five years.

The following table gives the information available. Figures for local areas can be split by sex only and not by age. Estimated numbers in employment in central West Fife at end-May of each of the years 1955 to 1959.

asked the Minister of Labour what evidence he has that apprenticeship schemes are not being conducted in all cases according to the agreements arrived at between employers, apprentices and parents, respectively; and, in view of the need to expand apprenticeship and maintain a high standard of training, if he will investigate this matter.

Apprenticeship schemes are drawn up by both sides of industry who are responsible, nationally and locally, for their supervision.There have been a number of inquiries into this matter since the war and I do not think that a further investigation at this stage would be the best way to expand apprenticeship and improve standards of training.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what is the future of H.M.S. "Swiftsure": and whether he will make a statement.

H.M.S. "Swiftsure's" future is under examination. I am not yet in a position to say what the outcome will be.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he will state his plans to allocate more of the Admiralty orders for shipbuilding and ship-repairing to Aberdeen, where there is unemployment in the shipyards and in ancillary trades.

I cannot add to the reply I gave to the hon. and learned Member on 2nd March.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he has considered the protest made by the Trawler Officers' Guild against the recent action of the commander of the British destroyer, H.M.S. "Crossbow", in advising British fishing trawlers to keep outside Iceland's disputed 12-mile fishing limit; and if he will make a statement about the incident.

I assume that the hon. and learned Member is referring to a complaint made by the Grimsby Trawler Officers' Guild to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food stated on 28th April, Her Majesty's Government are not in a position to give orders to the trawler industry. However, the trawler owners have themselves instructed skippers not to fish for the time being inside the 12-mile fishery limit claimed by Iceland.On 10th June a number of trawler skippers appeared to H.M.S. "Crossbow" to be unaware of their owners' instructions. Her Majesty's ships have orders to remind British trawlers of these instructions if, because of navigational difficulties or for any other reason, they are seen to he fishing inside the 12-mile limit and so running the risk of becoming involved in incidents. I am sure that the hon. and learned Member will agree that it is in the interests of all concerned to avoid such incidents at the present time.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty why aircraft of the Royal Navy are not participating in the Farnborough Air Display this year.

We reached this decision with the greatest reluctance. However, this year we are introducing three new types of aircraft—the Sea Vixen, the A.E.W. Gannet and the Whirlwind Mark VII—into aircraft carriers. The Scimitar Squadrons are also being built up. The Fleet Air Arm has therefore an even more intensive programme to fulfil than usual and we believe that it is right to give first place to the operational efficiency of the Fleet. I hope that the Royal Navy will appear at Farnborough again next year.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if the floating dock in Malta has yet been disposed of by the Government; how many times it has been hired out during the last two years; and what are the Government's future intentions concerning it.

The floating dock has not been disposed of and it is intended to keep it in Admiralty ownership. The dock has been used by Messrs. Bailey (Malta) Ltd. on a repayment basis since April, 1959, and since that date ten commercial ships have been docked in it.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arms are used by the Bank of England picket.

They carry F.N. rifles and bayonets.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is satisfied that the proposed future use of Instow Sands by the Services fulfils the conditions agreed upon at the 1951 inquiry; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for War what representations he has received from the Devon County Council and other local bodies regarding the use made by the military authorities of Instow beach; and whether he will now hold a public inquiry so that these objections may be considered by his Department.

My proposals for the use of Instow beach, and their relationship with the 1951 inquiry, are being considered by the Devon County Council. This will provide an opportunity for comment from local interests. My further action will depend on the Council's reply. The only representations I have received were from the Instow Parish Council.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on the report of the Hutchison Committee.

Not yet.

asked the Secretary of State for War by what date it is expected that a British anti-tank weapon will be available for use by parachute regiments.

A British anti-tank weapon, the Wombat, is undergoing trials as a replacement for the weapons now used by parachute battalions. The date of its introduction into service will depend to a large extent on the results of the trials.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the Government's plans for sending the Royal Malta Artillery for a tour of duty to the Middle East or North Africa; and if their pay and allowances will be made equivalent to those of the British soldiers with whom they are serving.

There are no plans for a tour of duty in these areas, apart from the periodical training visits to North Africa which will continue at the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief.

asked the Postmaster-General what proposals he has for aged pensioners to be exempt from paying the present television licence fee or to pay a reduced fee.

I regret I do not feel able to abate the television licence fee for pensioners.

asked the Postmaster-General if it is his intention to allow the development of local radio stations either by the British Broadcasting Corporation or on a commercial basis by independent companies before the findings of the committee due to study the future of television and broadcasting have been made known.

I am considering the proposals for local broadcasting which have been submitted to me by the B.B.C. I cannot anticipate my conclusions, but any general review of broadcasting would be bound to cover the question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there has been a noticeable increase in temporary breaks in his Department's underseas cables; and to what extent is it technically possible for these cables to be tapped by alien organisations.

There has been no general increase in underseas cable breaks but, following more than two years' immunity, there have been four breaks in the transatlantic telephone cable system linking this country with Canada and the United States of America since February, 1959. All are due to fishing trawler operations.Tapping submarine cables would present formidable technical difficulties and it could certainly not be achieved by breaking the cables.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) to what extent the problems confronting Cable and Wireless have now been overcome; why there is a shortage of staff in this Department; and what is being done to remedy these difficulties;(2) to what extent business has been lost by Cable and Wireless through suspension and delays of letter cables; how many complaints he has received about this service, and from what sources; and whether he expects to recover all business lost through these delays.

The main problem confronting the Post Office overseas telegraph service is a severe shortage of staff which is accentuated by substantial increases of overseas telegraph and telex traffic. I have recently improved the pay at the recruiting level, and recruits are now coming forward in much better numbers. These recruits are being given shortened training courses to bring them into service quickly. Some telegraphists have also been transferred temporarily from the inland service.I am also pressing ahead with the mechanisation of the overseas telegraph and telex services and other measures designed to reduce the staff required and make the best use of those available. The full effect of all these measures will not be felt for some time, but already the service is improving and this trend should be progressive.Suspension of the letter telegram service from 11th May to 6th June resulted in a reduction of about 8,000 telegrams daily. Since the restoration of the service two-thirds of this has been recovered and I am confident of regaining the balance as the service improves. I have received numerous complaints about the suspension of letter telegrams mostly from business customers.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps he is taking to ascertain the cause of the fire at the Royal Air Force station, Valley, on 27th May, 1960; if he is satisfied that the firefighting equipment on the station is adequate; and if he will make a statement.

The cause of this fire and the measures taken to bring it under control are being investigated in the normal way by a board of inquiry. Preliminary reports do not suggest that there were any unusual or disquieting features.

asked the Secretary of State for Air which mark of which V-bomber can be modified to carry the United States-built Skybolt.

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aviation said on 30th May, we are interested in fitting Skybolt only to the Mark 2 V-bombers. We are planning to modify the Vulcan Mark 2 to carry Skybolt, but have not yet reached any decision about the Victor Mark 2.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many Royal Air Force officers have been posted to the United States of America for flying training in the last two years; and how many of these have since been killed in the course of this training.

Forty-three R.A.F. officers have received various forms of flying training in the United States in the past two years. One was killed.

asked the Minister of Transport what reply he has given to the communication sent to him by Oldham Corporation with regard to the proposed improvement of Alt Lane; and whether, in view of the information contained therein, he will now reconsider his refusal to authorise this improvement as being eligible for grant.

The reply was to the effect that since this Class III road was neither a busy industrial route nor an accident black spot no grant could be authorised for widening it at the present time.I have considered the matter again but I regret that the decision must stand.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the dangerous conditions at the junction of Stamford Brook Avenue and Stamford Brook Road, Hammersmith, which result in frequent accidents there involving injury and death as well as damage to property; and if he will arrange for illuminated halt signs to be placed in appropriate positions to avoid such accidents in the future.

Since January, 1958, there have been two fatal accidents and one accident causing damage near this junction. I am suggesting to the Hammersmith Metropolitan Borough Council, which is the highway authority, that it supplements the "Slow" carriageway markings with "Slow" signs, provide dotted white lines across the approach lanes art the mouth of the side roads and cuts back any shrubs which restrict visibility.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has, other than the provision of by-pass roads and a second bridge over the River Usk, for relieving the severe traffic congestion in Newport, Monmouthshire, and in Cardiff; and whether he will make a statement.

The initiative in these matters rests with the responsible highway authorities. I understand that the County Borough of Newport has recently decided to make a comprehensive Traffic Control Order and that in Cardiff restrictions on waiting have lately been extended.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now announce his target date for the eastern by-pass road around Cardiff to relieve the congestion caused by through traffic to west Wales.

Preparatory work on this Scheme is now in hand but I cannot say yet how soon it will be possible to start construction.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his Department has completed its inquiries into the request of the Epping and Ongar Rural District Council for the erection of traffic signals at the Four Wantz Junction; and what further action is contemplated.

I understand that a small roundabout at Four Wantz junction might produce better results than traffic lights, and this possibility is being examined.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will list the roundabouts under construction and proposed on trunk roads.

Following is a list of roundabouts under construction on Trunk Roads in England and Wales.As regards our future proposals, some roundabouts will continue to be built where they are the most suitable form of junction. The design of junctions on trunk roads is, however, under review to determine the extent to which grade-separation should be provided. Many roundabouts will be capable of conversion to grade separated junctions at a later stage.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that in certain cases where C licence vehicles are engaged in regular deliveries or for servicing, for instance, agricultural machinery, the daily records seldom vary; and whether he will consider the case for instituting a once-for-all licence restricted to such cases, while at the same time giving adequate protection to employees.

I am considering proposals put to me by the British Road Federation for a "Once for all" record in these cases.

asked the Minister of Transport if the charge made for issuing driving licences is designed only to cover the cost of issue or as a method of raising revenue.

Fees for driving licences were fixed by the Road Traffic Act, 1956 on the basis that over the years there should be no loss to the Exchequer.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now introduce legislation for the registration of driving schools, and to secure a minimum standard of efficiency in those who give instruction in such driving schools.

While I am not at present convinced that legislation on the lines suggested by the hon. Member would yield results commensurate with the work which would be involved, I am reviewing the whole matter most carefully in connection with my plans for tack ling the problem of road accidents.

asked the Minister of Transport what staff is at present employed on testing at the Dartford testing centre; and how this compares with the number twelve months ago.

The number of driving examiners employed on testing at the Dartford centre is four, which compares with three twelve months ago.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet received a report from the Advisory Committee set up to examine the organisation of British Railways; and whether, in view of the public statements made by members of the Committee, he will publish any reports which he receives from the Committee.

The Special Advisory Group will not make formal reports, but will advise the Government and the British Transport Commission from time to time on various aspects of its task. This is a continuing process and I will inform the House of any action the Government may decide to take as a result. I know of no public statements by members of the Group which would affect my decision not to publish details of the advice it tenders.

asked the Minister of Transport how many berths, with what annual capacity, are now idle in British shipyards.

At the end of March some eighty berths were vacant, excluding those under reconstruction or permanently closed as a result of reorganisation. However, the number of berths vacant is not a true measure of idle capacity, because the introduction of modern building techniques has diminished the number of berths in use without prejudicing output. The tonnage launched from United Kingdom shipyards this year is likely to be about the same as in 1959.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on his recent visit to United Kingdom shipyards.

Last week I visited a number of shipyards, ship-repair yards and marine engineering establishments on Clydeside and the North-East coasts. The purpose of my visit was to see at first hand the measures the industry is taking to modernise its facilities, and to discuss with the management and the trade unions the problems with which the industry is faced. I should like to take this opportunity of thanking all concerned for the generous way in which they received me, and the care and trouble they devoted to my visit.

asked the Minister of Transport, if he will now send a copy of the report of the Aberdeen interests which he called together to study the problem of the pontoon docks there to the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North.

I understand that if the Aberdeen Harbour Commissioners adopt the report at their next meeting on 27th June they will be sending copies to the hon. and learned Member, and to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South. (Lady Tweedsmuir.)

asked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will give details of the amounts of loans, grants and other forms of economic assistance made available by Her Majesty's Government to India since she became an independent member of the Commonwealth.

The following are the particulars:

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the total sums received from work carried out under contract by the consultants employed at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.

Thirteen thousand two hundred and thirty pounds for the financial year 1959–60.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the names of the consultants, and the number and times of the sessions that they are employed at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.

The names are Mr. P. L. Blaxter, Mr. O. M. Duthie, Mr. F. Janus, Mr. A. Stewart Scott and Mr. S. B. Smith. I understand that four of the doctors named give six notional half-days a week and one gives five.

asked the Minister of Health how many registrars and other medical officers, other than consultants, are employed at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital; under what terms of contract they are employed; and what was the total remuneration that they received in 1959.

Currently seven registrars and fourteen others. I understand that all are full-time except two senior hospital medical officers who have contracts for nine notional half-days a week and one senior hospital medical officer who spends two notional half-days a week at this hospital. Total remuneration of non-consultant medical staff was £24,020 in the financial year 1959–60.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made in the formulation of new training regulations for controlling entry into the Scottish teaching profession.

I have asked the bodies principally concerned for their observations on the main questions that arise. After their observations have been received, examined and discussed, I shall issue new regulations in draft.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what training courses for serving teachers in the education of backward children are at present provided in Scotland; and how many teachers attended these last year.

One hundred and thirty-seven serving teachers have so far enrolled for such courses to be conducted in the four main colleges this summer. Eleven teachers attended the corresponding course at Aberdeen College last July.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many transistor hearing aids have been sent to National Health Service distribution centres in Scotland; how many people in Scotland are at present using conventional National Health Service hearing aids; and how long it is estimated it will take to provide transistor aids to all who need them.

Over 6,000 National Health Service transistor hearing aids have been sent to distribution centres in Scotland: some 78,000 people in Scotland are at present using conventional National Health Service valve hearing aids; and I estimate that production of

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost to date of the Performing Right Tribunal set up under the Copyright Act; what is its present approximate annual cost; whether he will provide a list of the cases which have been heard by this tribunal since its establishment; what were the costs involved; and what facilities exist to enable individual music new aids will make it possible to complete distribution in three or four years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the quantities, values, and countries of origin of the import of new potatoes during the five months ended 31st May, 1959 and 31st May, 1960, respectively.

The following is the latest available information.I will write to my hon. Friend giving the figures for May, 1960, as soon as possible.users of small means to appeal to this tribunal when they consider excessive charges are demanded for the use of their music by monopoly copyright owners.

Since the Performing Right Tribunal was set up in 1957 the total net cost has amounted to £7,287. The annual cost depends upon the number and length of hearings, since the members are paid by fee. On present experience it is likely to be between £2,500 and £3,500.Two cases have been heard and adjudicated upon by the Tribunal: