asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the latest monthly juvenile unemployment figures, male and female, for the south-west and west Durham areas; what was the number of available employment vacancies; and how this compares with the same month a year ago.

Following is the Answer:

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were registered as unemployed at his Department's Falmouth and Redruth Employment Exchanges, respectively, at each monthly count since 14th March, 1960; and what percentages these are of the numbers of insured persons.

Following is the Answer:

NUMBER OF PERSONS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AT THE FALMOUTH AND REDRUTH EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES AT THE UNDERMENTIONED DATES AND THE PERCENTAGES THEY REPRESENT OF THE ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF EMPLOYEES IN THE AREA
Falmouth
—	Males	Females	Total	Per cent.
11th April 1960	390	88	478	5·0
16th May 1960	464	68	532	5·5
13th June 1960	933	46	979	10·2
11th July 1960	671	36	707	7·3

Redruth (Redruth and Camborne*)
—	Males	Females	Total	Per cent.
11th April 1960	266	121	387	4·2
16th May 1960	240	110	350	3·8
13th June 1960	261	85	346	3·6
11th July 1960	219	71	290	3·2
*Separate percentage rates cannot be computed for Redruth alone; those shown are for the combined area of Redruth and Camborne.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what bleaching agents or improvers are in use for the treatment of flour since agene was forbidden; and what is the evidence that these are not also harmful to health.

The bleaching agents and improvers in use are chlorine dioxide, potassium bromate, potassium persulphate, benzoyl peroxide, nitrogen dioxide, chlorine and sulphur dioxide. I understand that the Food Standards Committee's Report on Bread and Flour, which I expect to receive soon, will include a study of the evidence on the question raised by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will implement the recommendation of his Food Standards Committee that labels on fruit juice drinks should declare the percentage of the fruit or juice in the drinks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is now prepared to introduce regulations to give effect to the recommendations of the Food Standards Committee on the composition and labelling of fruit drinks.

As I said in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend, the Member for Wembley, North (Wing Commander Bullus) on 18th July, I am still considering the comments I received on the Food Standards Committee's Report on Soft Drinks and will announce my decision on the recommendations as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the concern amongst butchers that cattle passed under the Area Eradication Scheme as free from tuberculosis are purchased by them in good faith only to find that in some cases after being slaughtered they are affected with tuberculosis and unfit for human consumption with substantial loss to the butchers concerned; and if he will give consideration to the payment of compensation in such circumstances.

As I informed the hon. Member for Willesden, West (Mr. Pavitt) on 18th July, representations have been made to me on this matter, but I have no power to pay compensation for seizure of meat on account of bovine tuberculosis and the Government could not accept responsibility for this commercial risk.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the inclusion of crushed orange peel in orange squash drinks; and what steps he proposes to take to legalise this practice.

I have received a representation from a firm of soft drinks manufacturers asking that it should be made compulsory to inform the public that comminuted orange drinks contain orange peel as well as the juice and flesh of the orange.As regards the second part of the question, the inclusion of crushed orange peel in soft drinks is not illegal.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the estimated cost of the fatstock guarantee in respect of cattle, sheep, and pigs for the first quarter of this fatstock year, as compared with the same period of April, May, and June for 1959.

Guarantee payments on fat-stock for the period April-June, 1960, totalled£11·80 million compared with£16·49 million in the corresponding quarter of last year. The separate figures are:

Cattle,£4·52 million compared with£1·89 million.

Sheep,£0·68 million compared with£3·51 million.

Pigs,£6·60 million compared with£11·09 million.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Report of the Terrington Committee on the importation of Charollais cattle is expected to be published; and if he will ensure publication before the Parliamentary Recess.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has now considered the Report of the Committee he appointed to advise on the desirability of importing Charollais bulls; and if he will make a statement.

The Report has now been presented and the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are arranging for it to be published as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further steps to eliminate animal diseases he will take on the successful completion of the campaign for the eradication of bovine tuberculosis; and if he will pay particular attention to warble infestation in cattle, and swine fever.

I am giving this matter close attention but I am not yet in a position to make a statement. I will certainly bear my hon. Friend's views in mind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research is being undertaken by his Department into the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis; and when he expects to introduce tests Which are more reliable than those in use at present.

My Central Veterinary Laboratory is continually seeking ways to improve current techniques for diagnosing bovine tuberculosis. I am advised that the tuberculin test used in this country is one of the most accurate of biological tests. I cannot accept the inference that it is not reliable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the low prices now obtaining for early potatoes in Lincolnshire; and what action he proposes to take to help growers.

I am aware of the low prices being realised for early potatoes in Lincolnshire. Larger acreages at home combined with higher yields have helped to increase the supplies available. Detailed figures are not yet available but imports in July from Belgium, our main overseas supplier during that month, appear to be lower than in the two previous years. A measure of protection is provided by the tariff on new potatoes which varies seasonally.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Fool if he will state the tonnage of potato crops for the months of June and July in 1959 and 1960, respectively; and whether there has been an increase in the amount of potatoes imported this year.

It is estimated that sales of now potatoes off farms in the United Kingdom in June and July, 1959, were 163,000 tons and 301,000 tons respectively. I regret that similar information is not yet available for the 1960 crop.As regards the second part of the Questions, imports of new potatoes from 1st January lo 30th June are provisionally estimated at 242,000 tons, an increase of about 6,000 tons over the same period last year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with interested parties on the intensive rearing of veal calves.

I received a deputation from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on 20th July on the subject of the intensive rearing of veal calves. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a Press notice which was issued after the meeting.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will draw up a voluntary code of conduct for the use of poultry farmers, dealers, distributors, and importers, including the United States armed forces, with a view to reducing the risk of fowl pest.

The precautions necessary against fowl pest have been widely publicised by my Ministry and by others. I understand that the poultry industry is about to embark on a widespread campaign aimed at substantially reducing the incidence of fowl pest and we will gladly give them all the help we can.The importation of poultry and hatching eggs and uncooked poultry carcases from countries where fowl pest exists is prohibited. Special and exceptional arrangements exist for the importation of uncooked carcases for use in the United States Air Force messes in this country. I am satisfied that the stringent veterinary control measures imposed on these imports are fully observed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the amount of compensation paid in respect of fowl pest during the latest 12-month period, and the amount spent on research on fowl pest during the same period.

The amount of compensation that will fall to be paid on account of outbreaks of fowl pest during the twelve months ended 30th June, 1960 is approximately£5¼million. It is not possible to assess the cost of research into fowl pest separately from other similar activities at my veterinary laboratories and elsewhere, but the work is not suffering from want of money.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has completed his inquiries into the desirability of legislation providing for a different system of tribunals for boards such as the Egg Marketing Board.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the recent proceedings of certain disciplinary committees of agricultural marketing boards, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West, he has now decided to repeal the provisions of the Acts, under which these committees were set up.

I am circulating below a statement which shows that I uphold the disciplinary committees as the only appropriate means of enforcing the agricultural marketing schemes.The disturbances to which my hon. Friend refers do not alter my approach to the matter. The House will much dislike the actions of a few people in breaking up a properly constituted public meeting. But it does not follow that we should transfer to the courts what would, as the statement explains, he altogether unsuitable subject-matter. The problem is to secure orderly meetings, and I am giving this serious consideration, in consultation with the Boards and the National Farmers' Union.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation requiring firms selling milk replacer in this country to comply with mineral nutritional requirements, bearing in mind the absence of iron in the water of some areas.

No. The proprietary milk substitutes used for veal production are largely based on dried skim milk and therefore are basically very similar in mineral content to natural whole milk. I understand that further minerals are added.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the liquid milk consumption in England and Wales from 1st January to 30th June 1960; and if he will state the comparative figure for the same period last year.

In the period from 1st January to 30th June, 1960, 690 million gallons of milk were sold for liquid consumption through the Milk Marketing Board in England and Wales. The figure for the corresponding period in 1959 was 678 million gallons. After adjustment to take account of leap year, the 1960 figure represents an increase of 1·2 per cent. over 1959.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce comprehensive regulations to ensure that all the ingredients used in preserved and processed foods are clearly marked on the containers.

The Labelling of Food Order 1953 provides that a list of ingredients must be shown on the containers of most pre-packed foods.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the use of herbicides for the eradication of bracken.

I am not yet in a position to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on the 14th March.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will list in HANSARD the dyes used in colouring foodstuffs, stating which of them are derived from coal tar; and if he will also list those which were in use and are now forbidden, and give the reason for refusing to allow their use any longer.

The colours which may be used in colouring foods are shown in the 1st Schedule to the Colouring Matter in Food Regulations, 1957, and are as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the recent launching of the Food and Agriculture Organisation's Freedom from Hunger campaign, when the British campaign will be launched; what form it will take; and what contribution Her Majesty's Government will make to the Food and Agriculture Organisation's headquarters fund for administering the campaign.

I hope to set up a representative National Committee within the next few weeks to conduct the Campaign in the United Kingdom and to decide its form.Her Majesty's Government are making a contribution of£20,000 towards the Campaign costs of F.A.O. Headquarters, and a Supplementary Estimate will he presented in due course to cover this contribution. Meanwhile, an advance will be obtained from the Civil Contingencies Fund for this purpose. Her Majesty's Government will also make a contribution to the National Committee Fund when this has been established.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as representing the Minister for Science, what examination he has made of the effect on the health of consumers of the practice of treating chickens produced for human consumption with stilboestrol and hexoestrol by certain poultry farmers.

As I informed the hon. Members for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) and Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stross), on 7th July and the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) on 11th July, the Agricultural Research Council is studying the use of these substances in agriculture and I am awaiting its advice.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that widows who lose a second husband within three years of remarriage are disallowed pension; and if he will amend the regulations to remove this anomaly.

The position is only as stated by the hon. Member in the first part of his Question where there are no children and where for three years before her remarriage the widow was neither married nor in receipt of one of the full National Insurance widows' benefits. This is not, in my view, an anomaly, and the Answer to the second part of the Question is "No".

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what complaints he has received of the low assessments made under the provision of the Industrial Injuries Act in respect of injured workmen in receipt of disability benefit; and whether he will have this matter reviewed, with a view to the basis of assessment being increased, and a more generous interpretation given in respect of loss occasioned by loss of faculty.

I receive from time to time, as one would expect, complaints from people whose assessments are not as high as they think they ought to be. Assessments are made by independent medical boards and, on appeal, by Medical Appeal Tribunals. For certain categories the assessments are as laid down by the Hancock Committee in 1947 and accepted by my then predecessor. I have no reason to doubt that assessments generally are made in accordance with the degree of loss of faculty, and I do not think that a review such as the hon. and learned Member suggests would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what change he has made in the provisions under which a person may be entitled to a reduced rate of retirement pension under the present National Insurance Scheme because of a deficiency of contributions under the old contributory pensions scheme before July, 1948.

I have today laid Regulations amending the transitional Regulations of 1948 so as to enable those contributions which can still be accepted for the last contribution year of the old scheme—the 1947–48 year—to count for retirement pension. This should go much of the way towards meeting the difficulty which my right hon. and learned Friend has in mind.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if, in view of the circumstances of Mrs. W. C. Fletcher, of 8, Trentham Avenue, Willenhall, details of whom have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Wednesbury, he will consider the payment of a widow's pension to this lady.

As I have explained in my letter of 20th June to the hon. Member, the conditions for a widow's pension are not satisfied in this case and my right hon. Frind has no power to do what he suggests.

asked the Minister of Power, having regard to capital investment in the public sector next year being retained at this year's level, what his estimate is of the consequent effect upon the production and productivity of the coal, gas and electricity nationalised industries.

The investment programmes of the nationalised fuel and power industries are being reviewed in the light of the Chancellor's general policy statement about holding total public sector investment in 1961–62 to the level of 1960–61. The review has not yet been completed.

asked the Minister of Power what is the tonnage and inventory value of undistributed coal and coke stocks at 22nd July, 1960, or nearest convenient date; and how these are being financed.

On 9th July the National Coal Board's undistributed stocks were about 35 million tons of coal and 5 million tons of coke. These stocks were valued at a little over£135 million and are financed by Exchequer advances.

asked the Minister of Power whether, before any change is made in the structure of the nationalised coal industry, he will present the plan to the House.

Any change which needs legislation will naturally come before the House. I shall also keep the House informed about any other changes that may be of significance.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will make a statement on a British space research programme; and what decision has been made about the use of Blue Streak for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Aviation when he proposes to announce Her Majesty's Government's proposals for sponsoring a British space programme.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he has yet reached a decision regarding the Government's space programme.

The Government have been studying the scientific, technological, commercial and other benefits which might be derived through space research, together with the cost in money and resources.The results of these studies are being communicated to the Australian Government, with a view to discussing with them fully all aspects of the problem. A Minister will go to Canberra for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he can now make a statement about the support he is prepared to give for research and development on supersonic civil aircraft.

As the House knows, the principal airframe and aero-engine groups were asked last year to make a general assessment of the feasibility of developing a supersonic airliner.

asked the Minister of Aviation what facilities exist for Customs clearance of private aircraft owners not in possession of radio for entering or leaving this country via south-eastern England on any week day after 6 p.m.; and what steps he proposes to take to increase them.

Facilities are available at Southend airport subject to prior permission of the airport authority. In the summer months facilities are also available until 8 p.m. at Shoreham by prior permission.The Standing Joint Committee on Private and Club Flying is considering this difficult problem and I will write to my hon. Friend when I have received and considered the Committee's advice.

asked the Minister of Aviation how many telephone lines there are on which the public can call Nutts Corner Airport; and if he will arrange for additional lines to be installed to serve the airport.

There are eight lines and I have no evidence that any increase is necessary for normal requirements. If my hon. Friend has heard of any difficulty, apart from the abnormal situation during the recent seamen's strike, perhaps he will let me have particulars.

asked the Minister of Aviation what other designs for transport aircraft were submitted when the Britannic design was accepted; in what way the Britannic was superior to the others; why no contract has yet been signed for the purchase of this aircraft; and whether he now proposes to conclude such a contract.

In addition to the Britannic, new designs proposed by A. V. Roe and Blackburns and freighter versions of the Vickers V.C. 10 and the Handley Page Victor were considered for adoption by R.A.F. Transport Command as a strategic freighter.The Britannic was chosen primarily on military grounds to meet the military requirements, in particular that of an ability to carry especially heavy and bulky loads. In addition, it was the Government's view that the aircraft would be of interest to civil operators.My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary explained to the House in the Adjournment Debate on 4th May last the reasons why the contract negotiations have been somewhat protracted. It is my expectation that the contract will be placed soon. An interim contract has been placed in order to obviate any delay in the programme.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the progress in England and Wales with schemes for combining residential accommodation under Part III of the National Assistance Act, 1948, with the provision of specially designed local authority built small houses or flats for elderly people who require only limited supervision, with special reference to the granting of loan sanction for such schemes submitted by the Essex County Council in the financial years 1958–59, 1959–60 and 1960–61.

Welfare and housing authorities are showing increasing interest in the carrying out of joint schemes such as my hon. Friend has in mind and a number have already collaborated for this purpose. Consideration is being given, with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, to the sending of a joint circular giving guidance to local authorities on this and other matters relating to accommodation and services for old people. In the last three financial years loan sanction has been issued or promised to the Essex County Council for nine new homes. Special housing for old people is being provided in proximity to three of these homes by the housing authorities.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent new ambulances are equipped internally in accordance with standards laid down by his Department; whether the practical experience of ambulance workers is taken into account in the provision and design of such equipment; and whether qualified industrial designers are employed for this purpose.

My information is that most local health authorities have equipped their ambulances in accordance with guidance given by the Ministry following the advice of a Working Party half of whose members had practical experience of ambulance work; and all authorities have the advice of their own ambulance staff to draw on. While I do not know the extent to which manufacturers employ qualified industrial designers, I understand that they maintain contact with ambulance authorities and carry out considerable research in the design of equipment.

asked the Minister of Health how many psychiatric social workers and mental welfare officers are available in The Hartlepools.

The Hartlepools Hospital Management Committee has the part-time services of a psychiatric social worker. West Hartlepool County Borough Council employs one whole-time and three part-time mental welfare officers. In the Borough of Hartlepool the services of a mental welfare officer, employed by Durham County Council to serve this and another county district, are available.

asked the Minister of Health what steps are to be taken to accelerate the poliomyelitis vaccination programme for expectant mothers.

With the co-operation of general practitioners, local health authorities are continuously encouraging expectant mothers to come forward for vaccination; and we seek to reinforce their efforts by appropriate publicity methods and as suitable opportunities arise.

asked the Minister of Health what steps have been taken to test the Russian vaccine for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

No steps have been taken in this country because the advice of the Medical Research Council is that there is not sufficient evidence that this vaccine is of any benefit; there is therefore no reason to believe that the vaccine is worthy of intensive study or clinical trial.

asked the Minister of Health whether any notification was issued to the group practice at Chase-town, near Lichfield, Staffordshire, as to the date by which applications for loans should have been made to the Group Practice Loans Committee, for consideration with the 1960–61 programme.

No. I understand that the Group Practice Loans Committee considers applications for loans as they are received in the light of the funds likely to be available at the time when the loan will be required.

asked the Minister of Health what consideration he has given to the proposal made at the Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference held at Warsaw in 1959, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South, that a World Health Year should be held; and if he will support the proposal that it shall be held during the year 1962–63.

A proposal to hold an International Health Year was referred for consideration to the World Health Organisation by the United Nations General Assembly in 1958. Her Majesty's Government were not opposed to it in principle but it did not receive general support at the World Health Assembly which resolved at its last session to recommend that the holding of such a Year should be postponed. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of this Resolution.

asked the Minister of Health what resolutions concerning the Whitley Health Service machinery have been communicated to him from the National and Local Government Officers' Association's 1960 Conference; and what action he is taking in the matter.

None.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give further information regarding the impact of Salk vaccine upon paralytic poliomyelitis in the years 1958 and 1959 by stating the number of children, aged 15 years and under, who received the first injection, the percentage of these who returned for a second injection, and the percentage of the latter who returned for a third injection.

By the end of 1958, 7,083,000 children had received at least one injection and 96 per cent. of these had at that date also received their second injection. By the end of 1959, the corresponding figures were 9,580,000 and over 99 per cent.Figures of third injections are not available for children separately; but 86 per cent. of those persons who by 31st October, 1959, had had their second dose had by 30th June, 1960, had their third.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state approximately what percentage of those children, aged 15 years and under, who have been given the first injection of Salk vaccine against paralytic poliomyelitis, has returned for further injections.

As at 30th June, 1960, over 99 per cent.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the schedule of accommodation recently approved by him for major developments at Ilford and Barking hospitals; to what extent he anticipates these developments will relieve the shortage of beds available for people living in the Borough of Ilford; and what time-table is envisaged for putting the plans into operation.

These developments will provide some 280 additional beds, together with new casualty, out-patient, X-ray and physiotherapy departments, new pathological laboratories, operating theatre suites, kitchens, dining-rooms and staff accommodation. The scheme takes full account of the present shortage of beds in the area, including the Borough of Ilford. The plans are at too early a stage for firm dates to be forecast.

asked the Minister of Health what negotiations or discussions are taking place regarding the disposal of the site of Charing Cross Hospital.

None. It has not yet been decided how the timetable for building the new hospital might be phased, nor at What stage of rebuilding the hospital would be able to relinquish the site in the Strand.

asked the Minister of Health whether arrangements have now been made for hole-in-the-heart operations to take place in the United Kingdom under the National Health Service.

Yes. This treatment is already available at a number of hospitals throughout this country.

asked the Minister of Health what plans he has in mind for the redevelopment for hospital purposes of the site of the Western Fever Hospital in Fulham.

No proposals have been put before the Department, but I understand that the South West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board intends within the next 18 months to renovate three empty wards at this hospital to provide about 100 geriatric beds.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement for the guidance of the people in the area on the proposed development, coordination, and extension of the hospital facilities in the north Staffordshire area; and when it is expected that the new out-patient's department building and facilities will be in operation.

Planning is in progress on three large schemes which are to be built in the vicinity of the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary and the City General Hospital. These are an accident department, ward block and operating theatre suite; a central out-patient department; and a maternity unit. It is hoped that building work an the first of these schemes will begin next spring and should then be completed in 1963. Sketch plans of the central out-patient department have been prepared but it is too early to be able to say when the building will be completed.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Minister for Science, what was the amount spent in 1958 and 1959 on medical research into the causes of arthritis and rheumatism; and what future plans he has for enlarging this research work.

The Medical Research Council's total expenditure on research into the causes of arthritis and rheumatism amounted to approximately£37,000 in 1958 and£46,000 in 1959. The Council's programme of research on rheumatic diseases has expanded considerably in the last two years and support will be given to new investigations whenever the opportunity occurs. In addition to the work done by the Medical Research Council research is undertaken at National Health Service hospitals and in university medical departments. In these and other institutions some research is also supported mainly or entirely by voluntary organisations such as the Empire Rheumatism Council. Figures for the cost of these research activities are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Depart-

			Age of child or young person in years
Period of remand			9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	Total
Less than one week	…	…	—	—	—	3	5	3	4	3	18
One week	…	…	—	—	—	1	—	—	3	6	10
Two weeks	…	…	—	—	1	5	16	12	18	9	61
Three weeks	…	…	1	—	—	2	2	6	9	12	32
Totals	…	…	1	—	1	11	23	21	34	30	121

Of the children and young persons remanded during that period, 116 were remanded by metropolitan juvenile courts or by justices sitting at the places where thaw courts were held, as follows:

Chelsea	…	…	13
East London	…	…	19
Lambeth	…	…	20
Marylebone	…	…	12
North London	…	…	16
South-East London	…	…	14
South-West London	…	…	22

and five were remanded by the following courts outside the metropolitan magistrates' courts area:

Croydon	…	…	…	1
East Grinstead	…	…	…	1
Hampstead	…	…	…	1
Willesden	…	…	…	2

It has not been possible in the time available to ascertain which of these children and young persons were remanded before a finding of guilt. The period for which a magistrates' court may remand in custody a person who has not been found guilty of an offence is in general restricted by section 105 (4) of the Magistrates' Courts Act, 1952, to eight clear days.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will place an easily distinguished letter box in a ment how many children, and of what ages, have been remanded by juvenile courts before conviction to the Stamford House Remand Home, Shepherd's Bush, during the last four weeks; by which courts they were so remanded; and for what periods.

The particulars of children and young persons remanded to Stamford House remand home during the four weeks ended 20th July, 1960, are as follow:prominent position in the departure and arrival lobby at London Airport, North.

I agree that the three boxes at present in this building are not very conspicuous, and I am sorry if this has caused inconvenience. I am seeing what can be done to improve matters quickly and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General how many new individual telephone service lines have been supplied to subscribers in the Borough of Wembley in the last twelve months; and how many applicants are still waiting for the service.

In the last twelve months, 1,152 exclusive lines and 88 shared lines were supplied in the Borough. One hundred and thirty-five applications for transfer to exclusive service are outstanding.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of general practice vacancies in the area of the Glasgow Executive Council in the last two years; how many were advertised; how many of those advertised contained the information that the practice may be divided between two or more suitable practitioners; and how many were split up and given to practitioners already on the executive council's list.

Forty-six vacancies occurred in the two years ending 31st March, 1960. Ten were advertised, five of these on the basis that the practice might be divided between two or more suitable practitioners. In the event these five practices were split up and given to practitioners already on the Glasgow list.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of petrol-filling stations now in use in the City of Glasgow, the number it is proposed to build, and the number of applications still to be considered.

According to my information there are 324 petrol-filling stations which retail petrol in the City of Glasgow; it is proposed to build seven; and the number of applications still to be considered is eight.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes taking to reform the present system of payment to dentists working within the Health Act, whereby some of them are able by dishonest means to earn exceptionally high salaries.

The Royal Commission on the Remuneration of Doctors and Dentists had no doubt that the items of service method of payment should continue, but it recommended the setting up of a Dental Rates Study Group to fix timings and determine gross fees. These and the other recommendations in the Commission's Report are being discussed with the British Dental Association. While I believe that the system of payment can be improved on these lines, I have no evidence that dishonesty occurs to any material extent or that the Regulations governing the General Dental Service in Scotland do not contain adequate safeguards to prevent abuse.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consideration is being given by the Fiji Government to the Burns Commission Report on the Colony's problems; and when he expects to be able to make a statement of policy regarding its recommendations.

Decisions on many of the minor recommendations in the Report have been reached. But on the major issues, notably the proposals for the reorganisation of land and the future of the Fijian Administration, the Government of Fiji wishes to allow ample time to obtain the considered views of the general public, of Members of the Legislative Council, and, on those matters affecting particularly Fijian rights and interests, of the Fijian authorities and people.The Fijian Affairs Board has already spent much time in studying and discussing the Report. It is to be considered by Provincial Councils at special meetings this month, by the Council of Chiefs in August and by the Legislative Council in September or October. In the meantime, a Development Plan based on the recommendations in the Report is being prepared. In these circumstances, I do not expect to be able to make a statement until later in the year when I have received and considered the recommendations of the Government of Fiji on the major issues.

asked the Minister of Education, as representing the Minister for Science, what has been the cost to date of experiments conducted to develop thermonuclear power in Zeta I and Zeta II, respectively; what progress is being made; and what are the prospects of thermonuclear power being successfully developed for peaceful purposes.

Capital and operating expenditure on Zeta I and its modifications up to June, 1960, have totalled about£2,600,000 including£460,000 for design studies and development work for Zeta II and other future systems. No capital expenditure has been incurred on Zeta 11 because the design studies and development work, together with experience on Zeta I, have shown the necessity for an Intermediate Current Stability Experiment (I.C.S.E.) for plasma stability studies. This is now in active preparation.Thermonuclear research work is reviewed in the Authority's Sixth Annual Report.Although it is uncertain at this stage whether thermonuclear research will lead to economical power production, the rewards of success would be so great that the Government consider that the present programme is fully justified.

asked the Minister of Education if he will ensure that instruction is provided in teacher training colleges to equip future teachers to teach their pupils the elementary conceptions involved in personal savings through National Savings, insurance and other forms of investment, including investment in public companies quoted on the Stock Exchange.

Training Colleges are themselves responsible for content of the courses they provide, subject to the supervision of the Institutes of Education. I have no doubt that students who are to each children of the right age for understanding these concepts receive the necessary tuition in the course of their Studies of mathematics or commercial subjects.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will arrange for the publication of an explanatory memorandum to accompany the next Finance Bill, and express such, conceptions as are best expressed as mathematical formula: in that way in the memorandum.

No. My right hon. Friend has a rood deal of sympathy with my hon. Friend's suggestion, but in view of the many difficulties he could not undertake to publish a memorandum. As regards the second part of the Question. I am not sure what my hon. Friend has in mind, but I shall be glad to look at any examples which he may care to send me.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in moving civil servants to offices outside London to minimise congestion

Since the last war, rather more than 27,000 civil servants who would previously have been in London have been accommodated elsewhere. It is planned to move another 3,300 as soon as their new accommodation is ready.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what increases in the numbers of office workers employed in central London, and what movement of employers of office workers to places outside London, have taken place in recent years.

My right hon. Friend regrets that no exact figures are available. A comparison of the results of the 1961 Census with those of the 1951 Census should enable an assessment to be made of the increase in office workers in central London; meanwhile, it is estimated that total employment in central London has been growing at an annual rate of 15–20,000 in recent years, and it is known that offices account for over half the total employment. Local planning authorities are receiving an increasing number of applications for permission to build office blocks in the suburbs and beyond.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware that the Forehoe and Henstead Rural District Council has not yet started the constructional work necessary to provide a piped water supply to the village of Welborne, Norfolk, which he approved on 4th December, 1959; and if he will inquire into the reasons for this delay.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the delay, which is caused by a slight alteration to the scheme as approved. The alteration involves a main being laid in the rural district of Mitford and Launditch. In accordance with the Public Health Act, 1936, this proposal has been advertised locally. If objections are received from the Mitford and Launditch Rural District Council or from any owner or occupier of land directly affected, a local inquiry will be necessary before the scheme can proceed.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) which are the principal points of road traffic congestion on the route between the City and Ilford Broadway via Aldgate, Mile End, Bow, Stratford and Forest Gate; at what times of day during the week and at the week-ends the congestion is worst at each point; what is the average delay; what works are planned to relieve congestion at each point; and when completion is expected in each case;(2) which are the principal points of road traffic congestion in the route be tween the City and Newbury Park station, Ilford, via Hackney Marshes and Gants Hill; at what times of day during the week and at week-ends the congestion is worst at each point; what is the average delay; what works are planned to relieve congestion at each point; and when completion is expected in each case.

The London Traffic Management Unit is undertaking a series of studies of routes radiating from the centre of London, including the two between the City and parts of Ilford referred to in my hon. Friend's Questions. I am writing to give him the preliminary data for which he has asked and will keep him informed of the measures proposed as a result of these studies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the surplus English potato crop in 1959, what consideration has been given to the control of supplies of new potatoes from foreign countries.

It would be contrary to the Government's general commercial policy to reimpose restrictions on imports of new potatoes.