asked the Minister of Works why it has taken five years to get anything to grow on the north side of The Citadel facing the Mall; and what action he now proposes to take.

Since 1956 repeated plantings of Virginia Creeper on the north side have failed owing, it seems, to too much shade and too many dogs. I intend this autumn to experiment with Pyracantha and also with climbing roses trailed from the roof.

asked the Prime Minister what rearrangement of Ministerial responsibilities has taken place in the continued absence of the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies.

None.

asked the Prime Minister what reply he has sent to a letter addressed to him and signed by Sir H. Idris Bell and fourteen other Welshmen concerning the appointment of Mrs. Rachel Jones to be Chairman of the Welsh Council of the British Broadcasting Corporation.

I have referred the Reverend R. J. Jones, who forwarded the letter from Sir Idris Bell and others to the replies which I gave to Questions on 21st June; and I have reaffirmed my confidence in Mrs. Rachel Jones's qualifications for the post to which she has been appointed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will remove the import duties on soya bean meal and on oilseed proteins.

If an application is made by users for the removal or reduction of these duties, my right hon. Friend will consider it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which countries, besides the United Kingdom, have renounced further use of the balance of payments waiver under Article XII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Sweden have, like the United Kingdom, ceased to claim balance of payments justification for restrictions under Article XII of the General Agreement, and Ghana and the Federation of Malaya have recently ceased to invoke the corresponding provisions of Article XVIII.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will appoint a suitable committee to inquire into the effects of amalgamations and take-overs on the internal competitive ability of British industry and the extent to which these are leading to unofficial price fixing, and consequently to higher prices; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is not satisfied that there is at present sufficient need for an inquiry such as my hon. Friend suggests. With regard to unofficial price fixing, he may wish to know that an agreement or arrangement between two or more parties carrying on business in the United Kingdom as to the price to be charged for those goods which they produce or supply, is registrable under the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1956, and so becomes a matter for consideration by the Restrictive Practices Court.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that one British manufacturer of medical equipment at the United Kingdom Scientific Exhibition at Moscow found that an instrument for biochemical analysis in which his firm specialised, but could not bring to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics because it was on the embargo list, was already being sold by a rival United States firm to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics through Sweden, if he will again review the present embargo list to see what further modifications can be made.

The strategic embargo list is kept under regular review in consultation with our partners in the Paris Consultative Group. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars, I shall be glad to look into the question of the equipment for biochemical analysis referred to in the Question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what authority the Customs officers at London Airport have been instructed not to examine the personal baggage of Senator Lyndon Johnson on his visits to this country; to what other American Senators this privilege is extended; and whether it is granted to members of the Parliamentary assemblies of all friendly Powers.

No such instructions have been issued to Customs officers as to the personal baggage of American Senators or of members of any Parliamentary assembly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of post-war credits owing at the latest convenient date; and the total amount that has been repaid

At 31st March, 1960, about £374 million had been repaid and about £366 million was outstanding.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider, as part of the problem of allowances for students at universities, the abolition of all fees, and the provision of free education from the age of five to graduation.

No. I do not think it would be right to contemplate the abolition of university fees.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when he expects to receive the report of his inspector on the inquiry into the Tyneside town map; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received the report of his inspector, has considered the town map proposals and the report, and will shortly be arranging for the publication of a list of the modifications which he proposes to make in approving the map.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that many councillors still have to travel long distances within their authority's boundaries and pay considerable fares to be able to attend council meetings and commitees; and if he will undertake to introduce legislation next Session to remedy this situation.

I cannot at present add anything to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member on 16th February.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware of the injustice inflicted upon the owner and tenants of houses situated on street corners, in that, although the houses are of the same size, these tenants have to pay a heavier charge for private street works than tenants living in other parts of the street; and if he will take steps to equalise the charges for all the houses on the street or make the initial charge for road making, prior to adoption, the responsibility of the local authorities.

There are ways in which the special position of corner houses may be taken into consideration. Local authorities may adopt a code which enables them in apportioning charges to take into account the degree of benefit which particular premises will derive from the street works; and under the Highways Act, 1959, all local authorities now have power to bear the whole or part of the cost which would otherwise be apportioned on premises of which only the rear or a flank fronts the street. My right hon. Friend sees objections to the suggestions made by the hon. Member, but he is looking into the whole question.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what progress he has made in discussions with associations representing local authorities concerning the working of Section 76 of the Local Government Act, 1933.

A detailed examination of the working of Section 76 has now been completed. I shall need to have further consultation with the local authority associations on the basis of this examination. I will make a statement as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many water undertakings in England and Wales are now imposing restrictions upon water supplies.

Water undertakings do not have to inform my right hon. Friend when they forbid the use of hosepipes. He is, however, aware that some have banned hosepipes and that some have appealed for special care in the use of water. Three undertakings have applied to him this year for orders under the Water Act, 1958, or corresponding powers. Two orders have been confirmed and one rejected.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is satisfied that the supply of water for domestic and industrial consumption in England and Wales is adequate to meet all emergencies; and if he will make a statement.

It is not, in my right hon. Friend's view, practicable for water undertakings to guarantee a supply of water which will be fully adequate to all conceivable emergencies, but he is satisfied that the great majority of undertakings are well able to meet all the demands for water likely to be made upon them. In a few cases additional works are needed to ensure that in a dry year foreseeable needs can be met. These works are either in hand or are at an advanced stage of design.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when the statutory annual financial statement forms used by parish councils and other parish authorities were last revised; how many are used annually; whether he has received any representations concerning them; and whether he proposes to take any action.

Forms were prescribed in 1900 and 1911 and were slightly amended in 1938. About 18,000 are used annually. My right hon. Friend is indebted to the National Association of Parish Councils for recent suggestions for revision; and he expects to prescribe new forms later this year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs to what extent it is now his policy to encourage local planning authorities to require the provision of parking space for cars within the curtilage of commercial buildings; and whether he has given any guidance to local authorities on the requirements per square foot of floor space.

My right hon. Friend thinks local planning authorities should ensure the provision of parking space for commercial buildings either within the curtilage or elsewhere; he has not issued guidance on standards of provision, but he is considering whether to do so.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that local planning authorities are requiring the provision of parking space for cars within the curtilage of commercial buildings when the application is only for a change of user from a warehouse to office accommodation; if he will state his policy in this respect; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

My right hon. Friend does not know whether local planning authorities in general require parking space to be provided within the curtilage in these circumstances. But provision of parking space, there or elsewhere, should be related to the new use, whether it is in a new building or an old one; and if my right hon. Friend decides to issue guidance to local planning authorities this point will be borne in mind.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs which authority is responsible for providing a piped water supply to the Hollins area of Bishop Thornton, near Harrogate; what complaints he has received under Section 13 of the Water Act, 1945, regarding the failure of the authority to discharge its statutory duty in this respect; and what action he has taken consequent upon such complaints.

As has already been explained to my hon. Friend, my right hon. Friend may have to determine on appeal whether and how a supply should be given. He has received no complaints under Section 13 of the Water Act, 1945.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware of the difficulties created for commercial undertakings particularly shops and showrooms, arising out of the lack of uniform standards of parking space requirements for all new developments because of the differing standards in the various county council areas; and if he will investigate this matter with a view to establishing overall uniform standards for shopping and commercial centres.

My right hon. Friend is not aware of difficulties arising from this cause, but he is considering whether to issue guidance to local planning authorities on parking space standards.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will now give loan sanction to Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council in connection with the purchase of the Bakery Site, Shaw Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Loan consent has now been issued.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, arising out of the Third Report of the Standing Committee on Synthetic Detergents, if he is satisfied that the general adoption of the new detergent alkylate material referred to in the Report would lead to the substantial elimination of foam in sewerage works and rivers; and whether he is prepared to recommend its adoption generally for this purpose.

No. The Report makes it clear that it is too early to reach such definite conclusions. The Luton experiment is being continued, further research is being undertaken by the manufacturers and it would be premature to take a final decision at this stage.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware of the rapidly increasing prices of land in urban areas of the country which increases considerably the cost of houses and, consequently, rents; and if he will take steps to set up a committee to inquire into this exploitation of values created by the community.

My right hon. Friend is aware that the price of land has risen sharply in areas where competition for it is most acute. What he is anxious to do is to increase the supply—by providing more land for development, where that does not conflict with important planning objectives, and by encouraging fuller use of land within the towns. These are matters which planning authorities and the Department are reviewing. I do not think that a committee of inquiry would help.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will name

The following is the Answer:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will name the teacher training colleges in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland for African primary and secondary teachers, respectively, which accept women students, with the numbers at each, and details of those which offer training in homecraft and health education, including nutrition, with the number of staff qualified to train teachers in these subjects, in each country.

The following is the Answer:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many police officers have sought permission from the Nyasaland Government to start proceedings for libel as a result of the findings of Mr. Justice Southworth regarding incidents outside Ryall's Hotel, Blantyre, during the Prime Minister's visit; and whether such permission has been granted.

Certain officers are seeking permission to start proceedings for libel, and this will be granted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about the recent killing of two soldiers from the Royal Hampshire Regiment in Jamaica; and whether adequate forces are now available to the Government of Jamaica so as to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and to maintain law and order.

On the morning of 21st June, police assisted by two companies of the West India Regiment and one company of the Royal Hampshire Regiment carried out a search in the Red Hills area where it was suspected that ganja and weapons were stored. A camp was discovered but when the raiding party moved in no one was there and it was evident that the camp, though recently occupied, had been abandoned. Dynamite, crude home-made bombs and other crude arms wore discovered.At about 11.30 a.m. five parsons who are believed to have been among the occupants of the camp and to have arrived in Jamaica recently made a surprise attack on members of the search party. One soldier of the Royal Hampshire Regiment was killed and three were wounded; one of the wounded has since died. Five citizens of the United States have been arrested in connection with the deaths of the two soldiers.The Government of Jamaica who are responsible for internal security, are watching the situation closely but consider that the forces available are adequate for maintaining law and order in present circumstances.I am sure that the House will wish to join me in expressing deep sympathy with the relatives of the two soldiers who lost their lives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now state the date for the elections in Tanganyika.

A date has not yet been announced, but I understand the elections are expected to take place at about the end of August.

asked the Minister of Education what instructions or directives have been given to local education authorities regarding the siting and building of schools; and how many counties are allowed to produce and develop their own designs.

Minimum standards for school premises are prescribed in The Standards for School Premises Re- gulations, 1959. All local education authorities are free to produce and develop their own designs, provided that they comply with the minimum standards and with the limits of cost per place. Advice on various aspects of school design is given in the series of Building Bulletins published by my Department.

asked the Minister of Education if his attention has been drawn to the sickness and discomfort caused to children at the new Carnforth County Secondary School, Lancashire, due to the effect of solar rays through glass; and what other instances have been brought to his notice where the new glass and concrete schools construction has resulted in similar interruptions of lessons.

My Department recommend the fitting of blinds or curtains as essential equipment in all teaching rooms exposed to strong summer sunshine, and this is the general practice. At the Carnforth School, no such provision was made except in the assembly hall. The local education authority is investigating this incident, and will consider whether additional provision is needed.

asked the Minister of Aviation what consideration he has given to the establishment of a commercial heliport in London.

I expect shortly to have the report of a technical committee set up by the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation in July, 1959. Its task is to recommend possible locations for heliports in London.

asked the Minister of Aviation how much money is being spent each year firstly by the Government and secondly by the major aircraft groups on research into ways of silencing aircraft engines.

For the reasons I then explained, it is difficult for me to give more precise information than that contained in my replies to the hon. Member for Feltham (Mr. Hunter) on 11th April last.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reasons were given by the United States of America authorities for deporting to the United Kingdom Mrs. Hazel Wolf, which were acceptable to Her Majesty's Government.

The right of a sovereign State to deport a foreign national is not subject to the consent of the foreign country concerned. The question of acceptance or otherwise by Her Majesty's Government of the reasons given by the United States Government for deporting Mrs. Wolf did not therefore arise.The grounds for agreeing to her admission to the United Kingdom were that she is a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what part was played by the Royal Navy and the British delegation in the celebrations connected with the 800th anniversary of the promulgation of the Laws of Oléron by Eleanor of Aquitaine, which were held at La Rochelle and Royan and culminated on the Isle of Oléron on 11th June; and if he will make a statement.

The centre piece of the celebrations was the presentation to the Mayor of Chateau d'Oléron of the silver gilt casket containing a acsimile copy of the Laws of Oléron. this was a gift from subscribers in the

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the quantities and average price of imports of feed wheat and feed barley in the last four years for which figures are available; and what was the average prices of home-grown wheat and barley.

Not all the information is available and figures cannot be given on a strictly comparable basis. Available statistics do not identify imported wheat subsequently used for animal feed, and quantities and average prices are not precisely known. It is estimated however that the average annual usage of imported wheat for feed in the years 1955–56 to 1958–59 was some 500,000 tons but more recently has been well below this figure. Similarly it is not possible to give the average prices of homegrown wheat and barley used for feeding purposes, although the average price for all uses can be given. The following table sets out the information that is available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Departmental officers have now completed their inquiry into the increasing number of coypu; and if he will make a statement.

I am now considering the information that has been submitted to me concerning the problem of coypu. I am also considering what assistance can be given and I hope to be able to make a statement within the next few weeks.

asked the Minister of Power what arrangements he has made to obtain independent advice on the safety of nuclear installations licensed under the Nuclear Installations (Licensing and Insurance) Act, 1959.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have appointed a Nuclear Safety Advisory Committee, under the chairmanship of Sir Alexander Fleck, K.B.E., F.R.S., to advise us on any matters affecting our functions in relation to safety under the Nuclear Installations (Licensing and Insurance) Act, 1959. The terms of reference and membership of the Committee are set out below.Arrangements have been made to keep the Minister of Commerce for Northern Ireland, who has similar functions under the Act, informed of the Committee's proceedings. The Committee will also be available to advise the Minister of Commerce on any subject covered by its terms of reference that he may wish to refer to it.The intention of Ministers to establish this Committee was announced by my noble Friend, Lord Mills during the Second Reading of the Nuclear Installations Bill, in another place, on 13th November, 1958. Lord Mills said that he thought such a Committee necessary for the time being because nuclear science and engineering were making rapid strides and the attendant problems of safety were continuously evolving with them. The responsible Minister must therefore be in touch all the time with the latest ideas about nuclear safety, so that when necessary he could put them into effect through the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate The intention was that the composition of the Committee should be such that in matters of nuclear safety its views would be acknowledged as carrying the greatest weight.

asked the Minister of Transport how many toll bridges can) trunk roads.

Three, at Selby, Shore ham and Dunham.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what production grants, other than those for ploughing up grassland, marginal production, attested herds, calf rearing, hill cattle, fertilisers and lime, are available to Scottish farmers; and what steps he intends to take to ensure that all farmers are fully acquainted with all these grants.

Other production grants are the Hill Sheep Subsidy and various grants for pest control and bracken destruction. I am satisfied that existing methods of publicity by Press, radio and leaflet are adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many places there are at present in teachers' training colleges in Scotland; and how many places it is planned to have by 1965.

The colleges have accommodated 4,884 students this session but not without some strain. It is planned that they will be able to take about 6,500 students, without strain, by 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many boys and how many girls between the ages of 15 and 18 years at present attend part-time day education.

Accurate up-to-date figures are not available, but I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as I have obtained them.