asked the Minister of Works what plans he has for the building of the British Embassy in Brasilia.

The Government of Brazil are presenting a site to Her Majesty's Government for the Embassy Residence and the Chancery Offices, and I am buying, a number of sites in Brasilia for residential accommodation for other staff. My Permanent Secretary and Chief Architect recently visited Brasilia and I am now considering how we should proceed.

asked the Minister of Works when he intends to install air conditioning units in the Dining Rooms, Kitchen and Library of the House.

To install a full air-conditioning system in these rooms would be very costly. The present ventilation system of the kitchen is satisfactory, but I am considering whether any improvements in the ventilation of the other rooms, and also of the Smoking Room, can be carried out at reasonable cost.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will make a statement about the rifle range at Hunter's Bog in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh.

Yes. The range is to be closed. The War Department is to provide alternative facilities at the Castle Law and Dreghorn Ranges, near Edinburgh, for the Edinburgh T.A. Association and other users. Work on removal of the structures will start in October. I am most grateful to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War for the ready co-operation which I have received in this matter. As a result the public will be able to enjoy unrestricted entry to this beautiful part of the Park for the first time in many years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why Her Majesty's Government concurred in the decision made at Geneva by the contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade to establish a standing council and to enlarge its secretariat; what advantage to the United Kingdom is expected therefrom; and whether he will give an assurance that no extra public charge will result.

Her Majesty's Government concurred in the decision to establish a council because they believe that the present day problems of international trade require closer and more continuing attention than the contracting parties can give to them in two short sessions each year. The effective application of the G.A.T.T. which the establishment of the council is designed to facilitate is to the advantage of the United Kingdom in view of her dependence on international trade. The secretariat will need to be strengthened to deal with the increased work falling upon it independently of the establishment of the council, and this will result in some increase in the contribution from the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in how many cases assistance has been given to firms developing in the North-East of England, under the Local Employment Act.

LOCAL EMPLOYMENT ACT, 1960 APPLICATIONS
Region		Under Section 3	Under Section 4	Of which		Under Consideration
				Rejected	Approved
Northern	…	1	16	1	2	14
North Eastern	…	1	Nil	—	—	1
Eastern	…	—	2	—	—	2
London and South Eastern	…	1	16	1	—	16
South Western	…	—	24	4	—	20
Wales	…	4	31	8	1	26
North Western	…	5	30	7	5	23
Scotland	…	5	100	30	10	65

In addition, two application for further assistance under section 27 of the Act have been granted in respect of projects in the North Western Region but not in a development district

asked the President of the Board of Trade who are the patentees of penicillin; what royalties they have received; and on what basis.

Many patents have been granted in this country for various kinds of penicillin and their derivatives and for methods of making them. These patents are owned by various people in this country and elsewhere. I have no information about which patents are in commercial use, the terms on which they are used or the amounts paid for their use.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has made an assessment of the effects of Command Paper No. 1083 on the nuclear power industry; to what extent the industry's manpower will be run down; and to what extent he estimates that joining Euratom would offset this deferment of acceleration.

Financial assistance has been offered in two cases and approval in principle has been given for six factory building projects.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications have been received for financial assistance under the Local Employment Act, 1960, from each region; and how many of such applications have been granted in each region.

The following is the information:

There will be some compensation for the rephasing of the nuclear power programme by the increase in the conventional programme. My right hon. Friend is discussing the effects of these adjustments with the plant manufacturers. It is unlikely that joining Euratom would materially affect the size of the industry during the next few years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet decided to refuse an application for antidumping duty against imported Italian nylon stockings.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when he expects to have decided which of the various decimal currency systems which can be adapted to the £ sterling will receive his support, with a view to obtaining the views of trades and the country at large;(2) if he will take immediate steps to ascertain the views of trades and the country at large, with a view to an early change to a decimal currency system, since delay will add to the expense if a change is finally made.

There is nothing that I can add at this stage to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cleveland (Mr. Proudfoot) on 31st May.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in a case, details of which have been sent to him, Her Majesty's Customs have detained at London Docks for two months a consignment of glass discs to a firm in Northfield, Birmingham, despite the firm's repeated offers to pay the extra £3 15s, which may be due as extra duty; whether he is aware that the firm has now had to import a complete new consignment by air as a result of this delay; and whether he will release the discs forthwith and send an official apology to the consignees for the inconvenience they have suffered.

The goods were released by Customs on 30th June. Inquiries into the reasons for the delay in clearance are not yet complete, but I will write to the hon. Member as soon as the facts have been ascertained.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement outlining the purpose of the recently-announced credit restriction policies, so far as the Scottish economy is concerned.

The purpose of the recent measures was to reinforce the steps taken earlier in the year to restrain the growth of credit and thus to maintain stability in the United Kingdom economy, of which the Scottish economy is an integral part.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the form and date of the concession permitting the spreading for Surtax purposes of income received from Departments in chronologically uneven and irregular amounts.

Section 238 of the Income Tax Act, 1952 (originally enacted as Section 34, Finance Act, 1927) contains provisions under which a Surtax payer can claim a measure of Surtax relief if he shows that, in consequence of the provisions of the Income Tax Acts which require certain income from which Income Tax is deductible at source to be treated for Surtax purposes as income of the year in which it is receivable, the income from any assets, as computed for Surtax purposes for the year in question, represents more than a full year's income as computed on an accruing basis, and that consequently the Surtax payable by him for that year is more than 5 per cent. above what it would have been if the amount of one year's income only on an accruing basis had been taken into account for that year. Section 238 does not apply to income apportioned under Chapter III of Part IX of the Income Tax Act, 1952 (previously Section 21 of the Finance Act, 1922, as amended) to members of companies under the control of five or fewer persons; but in the exceptional circumstances created by the compensation provisions of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Acts relief on the lines of the Section was extended to "interim income" paid to former colliery companies under those Acts which was so apportioned.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action he is taking in view of the development of other uses for irrigation, to conserve water for agriculture and other purposes.

My right hon. Friend has received a report from the Central Advisory Water Committee recommending the temporary control of certain abstractions, primarily for irrigation, from rivers and streams. He is examining the recommendation urgently.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will make a statement about changes in green belt policy.

I should like to make it clear, in view of some recent comments in the Press, that there has been no change whatever in my policy towards green belts, which remains the same as that of my predecessor.Nor do I contemplate any change. I believe that green belts, once properly established, should, except in very special circumstances, be maintained inviolate; and I believe further that they will be so maintained over the years, for this is a policy which commands wide support.It is, therefore, the more important to make sure that the land to be reserved for green belt should be decided upon initially with care and discrimination. Remarks to this effect have been misconstrued in some quarters, giving rise to a false idea that policy was being relaxed. The right principles are that a green belt should be established only where there is clear need to contain the growth of a town within limits which can be defined at the time; and the limits of the belt should be carefully drawn so as not to include land which it is unnecessary to keep permanently open for the purposes of the green belt.Further, where a town is to be closely circumscribed by green belt, proper provision must be made for development beyond the green belt. This is a matter which local planning authorities examine when reviewing their development plans, and which it is my policy to take into account when considering and approving them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs which authority is responsible for providing Birstwith, near Harrogate, with a piped water supply; what are the causes of the repeated delays; and when a piped water supply will reach the village.

The Claro Water Board are now carrying out a scheme for supplying a large area which includes Birstwith. Delay occurred in the early stages because of difficulties in acquiring the Eagle Level source, but since the contract was let last year work has proceeded normally and the supply will be available in Birstwith in the near future.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if the proposed piped water supply to Birstwith has to cross the River Nidd; whether negotiations have yet been started with the local landowners; and when and where it is proposed to start bridging the river.

The supply to Birstwith will cross the River Nidd at a point close to the existing Hartwith Mill Toll Bridge. I understand that all necessary consents have been obtained and that work on the crossing will start very soon.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what progress is being made with Her Majesty's Government's review of the problems arising from the sharp rise in the price of land in certain areas; and when he expects to be able to announce measures to deal with these problems.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if, in view of the recent rapid increase in land speculation, he will take measures to modify his policy with regard to a free market in land.

What I am doing, as my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary explained in reply to the hon. Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery) last Tuesday, is to ask local planning authorities, in the reviews of their development plans now proceeding, to allocate more land to building beyond the green belts. In addition to that I am seeking to encourage the fullest use of land within the urban areas. But we have to face the fact that the demand in and around the most prosperous towns will continue to exceed the supply, unless we are to abandon planning policies of restricting the growth of towns, preserving good agricultural land and protecting the countryside; and that I am not prepared to do. What this means is that builders must turn their attention increasingly to re-development of older areas within the towns, which is our chief need.

I am not prepared to modify the policy of a free market in land, without which of course we should not have had the vigorous building progress of the last few years What the situation calls for is administrative action of the kind I have described, rather than more legislation.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the greater equitability of the system of the rating of land site values, why the Government has declined to abolish the present system of rating.

I cannot accept the hon. Member's assumption. Rating of site values is a question which has been examined by a succession of committees and commissions since the beginning of the century and reported against by each one of them. I see no reason to reject their advice.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what progress has been made in the negotiations between the London County Council and the British Transport Commission regarding the removal of the Doric Arch from Euston Station and its re-erection elsewhere; and what request has been made to Her Majesty's Government for financial assistance in this respect.

My right hon. Friend has just heard from the London County Council that the British Transport Commission has informed them that the Commission would raise no objection to the re-erection of the Arch if a suitable site can be agreed, but it is not willing to pay for it. The Council inquired whether there is a possibility of a contribution from Government sources, but my right hon. Friend has no power to make a contribution for this purpose. I am ascertaining whether there are any other possibilities.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when he will be in a position to announce the result of the planning inquiry, held on 16th and 17th April, 1959, into the Middlesex County Council's proposal to build a fire station in Wellesley Road, Chiswick.

Very soon.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will introduce legislation to permit rural district councils to contribute in whole, or part, to the expenditure incurred by parish councils.

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any general need for this power.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will make a statement about the visit of the District Alkali Inspector to the neigh-bourhood of Ideal Boilers and Radiators, Limited, Hull, to investigate alleged air pollution.

A Deputy Chief Alkali Inspector is visiting Hull today to investigate. When I have studied his report I shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what effect Her Majesty's Government's new financial policy will have on the present rate of council house building; and whether he will make a statement.

Consultations are taking place on implementation of the Government's policy, but it is unlikely that the house building programmes already agreed with local authorities will be affected.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what was the cost per acre to local authorities in England of sites for council house building in 1951, 1955 and 1959, respectively.

Local authorities are not required to tell me what they pay for land and the information desired by the hon. Member is not therefore available. Land bought for housing ranges from open land, unserviced, to land on which slum or other houses stand; and in recent years acquisitions for housing have concentrated more on developed land. An average figure, even if it were available, would therefore be completely misleading.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what was the average cost per acre of land bought for council house building by the local authorities of Bishop Auckland urban district, Barnard Castle urban district, Barnard Castle rural district, and Shildon urban district, respectively, in 1951, 1954 and 1959, respectively.

I have not got this information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when a co-operative union will be established in Tanganyika; and what plans are in hand for the further development of marketing and consumers' co-operation in the territory.

Preliminary steps have already been taken towards the formation of a territory-wide union and draft byelaws are being considered by prospective member societies. It is not possible to forecast when the discussion of details will be completed and the union will be established. The policy of the Tanganyika Co-operative Department is to encourage and assist the expansion of existing marketing societies and the development of new ones where there is a demand and where this is economically feasible. In particular, the Tanganyika Government are at present awaiting a report on prospects for consumer societies by an official from the consumer movement in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures he will now propose to secure internal self-government for Fiji.

In my reply to the hon. Member for Abertillery (The Rev. Ll. Williams) on 10th March I stated that I had no further plans for constitutional reform in Fiji but that I knew the Governor had the matter continuously under review. Proposals for the election of Fijian representatives were made by the Commission of Enquiry into the Natural Resources and Population Trends of the Colony of Fiji, 1959, in paragraph 163 of their Report (a copy of which is available in the Library of the House). These proposals are at present under consideration by the Governor and will be debated in the Legislature in September or October next.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking during direct government in Malta to ensure that the people of Malta are made aware of the United Kingdom contribution towards their economy, both in direct financial aid and in expenditure by the service.

The presentation of information on the economic and financial situation of Malta is the responsibility of the Government of Malta. I am satisfied that in discharging this responsibility the Government has fully explained the impact of direct and indirect contributions by the United Kingdom to the Maltese economy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, what was the total sum expended by the armed forces in Malta during the last financial year, and the total of United Kingdom financial aid of all kinds during the year.

Expenditure by the Armed Forces was £21·5 million. Direct United Kingdom financial aid i.e. excluding that arising from expenditure by the Armed Forces, amounted to £5,797,046.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Government will exercise their right to appoint extra directors to Messrs. Bailey in Malta.

The decision to exercise any right to appoint extra directors to companies in receipt of Government loans is taken in the light of careful consideration of the circumstances in each case. I am not sure that in the present case the exercise of my right to require Bailey (Malta) Ltd. to appoint to their board a director nominated by me would be the best way of securing for the board any strengthening which may be desirable.

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent the Government's plans for the restriction of capital investment are to be applied to the armament programme; and whether he will make a statement.

The defence implications of the policy announced by my right hon. Friend on 23rd June are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Defence (1) when he anticipates that the surface-to-surface missile, which is being jointly developed by the United Kingdom and the German Federal Republic, will come into production; and whether it will be separately produced in each country;(2) whether the surface-to-surface missile, which is being jointly developed by the United Kingdom and the Federal Republic of Germany, is designed for use with nuclear or conventional warheads.

A missile is being considered by the United Kingdom and the Federal Republic of Germany for joint development under arrangements approved by N.A.T.O. No agreement for joint production has been reached. It would be contrary to normal practice to disclose the date when the equipment may be expected to be available from production. Like other missiles of comparable type, it would be equipped with a nuclear warhead under N.A.T.O. arrangements. Any nuclear warheads required for missiles in service with Federal German forces would be held in the N.A.T.O. atomic stockpile under the control of S.A.C.E.U.R.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on milk retailers' margins and allowances.

From 1st July changes were made in the margins and allowances of milk retailers in England and Wales, which, broadly speaking, provided an increase in income of ⅜d. a gallon for those who pasteurise and bottle, ⅛d. a gallon for those buying from wholesalers and ld. a gallon for producer-retailers. These changes bring the estimated average profit for the current year up to the target rate of 2d. a gallon. They have been agreed with the Central Milk Distributive Committee.

asked the Minister of Aviation by what percentage the noise of the engines of the Comet 4 and Boeing 707 has been reduced by the suppressors fitted, as compared with engines not so fitted.

Suppressors have reduced the noise of the Comet 4 by about four to six perceived noise decibels according to the power used, and that of the Boeing 707 by about ten perceived noise decibels. This means that the noise of the Comet is about two-thirds as loud and the noise of the Boeing 707 about half as loud as before the fitting of the suppressors. However, the Comet 4, because of its higher rate of climb, is less noisy than the Boeing 707, as heard from the ground under the flight path.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many retired teachers had taken advantage, at the most convenient recent date of the offer of £100 to continue teaching.

On 31st March, 1960, the number of retired teachers over 65 years of age who were employed in continuous service in public or grant-aided schools or education authority further education centres, and who will qualify for a special allowance of £100 if they complete a year of such service, was 405.