asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to ensure that local valuation officers have information as to the ownership of dwelling-house property, as distinct from rateable occupation, when they undertake valuation for assessment purposes.

No; this information is not relevant to the determination of values for rating purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the loss in revenue if the starting point of Surtax on earned income were to be £6,000 per annum instead of £2,000 as at present.

About £60 million in a full year on the assumption that present Surtax rates on successive slices of earned income above £2,000 were charged on the corresponding slices of such income above £6,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the loss of revenue if no taxpayer was liable to pay more than three-quarters of his earned income by way of direct Income Tax and Surtax combined.

To reduce the top rate of Surtax on earned income to 7s. 3d., so that in no case did an extra £1 of earnings bear more than 15s. in tax, would cost about £7 million in a full year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the light of recent reports of the Select Committees on Estimates and Public Accounts, what steps he will take to eliminate the wastage of large sums of money and resources in the armaments programme.

I cannot accept the implications of the Question. Observations on the reports referred to by the hon. Member have been, or will be, made in the appropriate way.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken to decentralise the work of the tax offices in the United Kingdom.

This work is carried out in 689 offices throughout the United Kingdom. No steps towards further decentralisation are being taken at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax officers are at present claiming subsistence allowances on account of the fact that they are obliged to live away from home during the week.

About 200 out of a complement of 17,000.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the widespread concern at the way the price of land for house building has risen during the past few months, what consideration has been given to the matter; and, in view of the hardship this is causing, what action, legislative or otherwise, is to be taken to deal with the situation.

A circular, No. 37/60, was sent to all local authorities on 25th August advising them of the practical action they can take. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has considered a letter from the Goole Council regarding the effect of Government policy on the building of houses for general need, and on the implementation of their slum-clearance programme; and what reply he has sent.

Yes, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy of my reply to the council.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister of Welsh Affairs by what percentage rents have increased since the introduction of the Rent Act, 1957.

I would ask the hon. Member to await publication of the report of a sample survey.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action he has taken, in accordance with his statement on 26th July last, to deal with the swindlers in residential property in London.

On 18th August I issued a circular to local authorities in the Greater London area, inviting them, among other things, to consider compulsory purchase where tenants were in danger of being made homeless under threat of exorbitant rents.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if, in view of recent rent increases to tenants of property which has become decontrolled, he will now reconsider his decision not to give a further period of protection to tenants now safeguarded by the Landlord and Tenant (Temporary Provisions) Act, but who will lose their security of tenure before August, 1961.

No.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what has been the number of cases referred to him by hon. Members of demands for exorbitant rent from tenants in accommodation decontrolled by virtue of the Rent Act, 1957; and what action he has taken.

Hon. Members have forwarded 106 complaints since the beginning of this year; but it would be wrong to assume that the rent demands complained of were necessarily exorbitant I have replied giving the advice appropriate to the particular case; and in addition I have advised all local authorities in the Greater London area of the action open to them to help tenants who are in special difficulty.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what estimate his Department has made of overcrowding in London.

I have not asked local authorities in London to make an up-to-date report to me on overcrowding since the war, because their most urgent task in recent years has been to get on with slum clearance and redevelopment.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what criteria he employed when stating, in paragraph 6 of his Circular 45/60 to housing authorities in the Greater London area, that some landlords are trying to impose on their tenants terms which are quite unreasonable.

The statement referred to was based on evidence which I had received about particular cases. In making it, I had in mind such factors as the age, condition and general character of the property and the neighbourhood, the repairs liabilities and the gross value for rating. Each case has of course to be examined on its merits in the light of all the relevant facts and circumstances.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will expedite the procedure in connection with compulsory purchase orders, particularly where objections are lodged.

The law requires a minimum time to be given for the making of objections, and sometimes either the authority or the objectors or both ask for the date proposed for the inquiry to be postponed. Then all orders together with the objections must be thoroughly considered, to make sure that justice is done. But I am doing my best to expedite decision on all such cases.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if there is a ceiling to the amount of the total grant to be made available to local authorities for the compulsory purchase of properties where landlords are demanding exorbitant rents.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the effect on the rates of compulsory purchase orders made to prevent eviction of tenants, if he will indicate what new subsidy is now proposed for local authorities.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given today to the hon. Member for Willesden, West (Mr. Pavitt).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will take steps to encourage mutual ownership of housing accommodation by the formation of co-operative housing associations.

The co-operative form of housing association is a valuable one which brings substantial advantages to its members. The formation of cooperative associations depends largely on the initiative of those who are attracted by the idea of mutual ownership, but local authorities have powers to assist housing associations of all kinds, and the National Federation of Housing Societies will be glad to give advice on the facilities available and the appropriate procedure.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, what action, legislative or otherwise, he will take to prevent landlords from passing on to tenants the cost of exterior and major repairs to the buildings they occupy.

I have this matter under consideration.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many grants for installing baths, hot water and toilets have been made in the last 12 months to private landlords and owner-occupied houses, respectively; and what proportion this comprises of houses suited to these amenities in the two classes.

Figures distinguishing between the two classes of owners are available only from the beginning of this year. During the first nine months of the year the number of grants approved for all the standard amenities was 7,705 for landlords and 29,768 for owner-occupiers. I cannot answer the second part of the question, as I do not know how many houses are suitable for improvement.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps his Department is taking to promote good design in housing.

I am very anxious to encourage the highest standards in the layout and appearance of new housing, and I am starting a series of competitions for awards for good design. The first competition will cover groups of dwellings completed in the last five years. I intend to award medals and diplomas to the winning entries from each of four regions of England, and also from Wales.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is satisfied that the new Hilton Hotel, in Park Lane, will not affect the privacy of the grounds of Buckingham Palace; and if he will seek an assurance from the London County Council in this respect.

Any high building must affect the privacy of other property. This was taken into account when the plans for the Hilton Hotel were under consideration, but the Government decided that high buildings must be allowed in Park Lane provided that they were properly spaced and well designed; and concluded that the much modified plans produced after the first ones had been rejected satisfied these requirements.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the present situation in which many families are suffering distress from the flooding of their homes without receiving compensation, what consideration is being given by Her Majesty's Government to taking the necessary action on a national basis to ensure that everything possible is done to guard against floods, and, where the individual loss may be just as great when the circumstances are less dramatic, the victims are helped adequately and swiftly.

The effects of flooding vary widely from one area to another, and in the normal case the relief of distress caused by flooding of homes is primarily a local matter. Much is already being done in the areas where flooding has recently taken place.River boards are spending £6 million a year on schemes the bulk of which are for reducing flood risks in town and country, and as the White Paper on land drainage which was published last December indicated, the Government has under consideration legislation to increase the resources of the river boards and the powers of the local authorities in this matter.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has taken up with the local authority associations the importance of taking full advantage of the opportunities afforded by the law to deal with hard cases arising from the making up of private streets under the 1875 and the 1892 codes; and what guidance he has now given.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Welsh Affairs, following his departmental survey of present arrangements for making up private streets, what discussions he has had with local authority associations on this subject; and what guidance he will give to local authorities about the treatment of cases of hardship.

A draft circular has been shown to the local authority associations for comment. As soon as it is issued I will send copies to my hon. and gallant Friend and to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action he has taken, and what further action is contemplated, to ensure that the public have general access to the moorlands of Wadsworth, Widdop and Midgley, in the county of Yorkshire, in accordance with Part V of the National Parks Act.

My right hon. Friend has for some time been in consultation with the West Riding County Council about these and other moorlands. He will be sending a letter to the council in a few days and will supply a copy to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will now state his policy with regard to the creation of a new town which could cater for the overspill in Middlesex.

The county council have asked me to receive a deputation to discuss this and related matters. I would prefer to hear what is said by this deputation before making any further statement.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what has been the result of his further study into the question of the compulsory filling of marl-holes.

My right hon. Friend has given careful thought to this question and, as the hon. Gentleman is aware, he is still of the opinion that there is no need for further general legislation. The local authorities have various statutory powers under which they can acquire and reclaim derelict workings of this kind, and more can be done by stimulating co-operation between owners or derelict workings and owners of land containing supplies of filling material.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply has been given to the offer made to the Northern Rhodesian Government by Mr. Kenneth Kaunda, President of the United National Independence Party of Northern Rhodesia of free labour for rebuilding schools burnt down in the Luapula province.

The authorities have accepted offers of assistance towards the rebuilding of schools from members of the U.N.I.P. in the Luapula Province, as they have from other members of the public there.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action it is proposed to take in order to reduce the amount of malnutrition among children under five years of age in the Ndola Municipality.

The Health services of the Federal Government provide clinics for child welfare including the combating of malnutrition. The prevention of malnutrition is, of course, largely a problem of education, and in this field the Northern Rhodesia Government are supplementing the efforts of the Federal services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements are being made for a constitutional conference for Northern Rhodesia; and whether he will make a statement on the representation at such a conference.

As he announced on the 28th September, the Governor of Northern Rhodesia has invited leading representatives of political parties and of Chiefs in the territory to discuss with him individually their views on further political advance. He hoped that this would lead to an informal round table conference in the territory in preparation for a formal conference in London at the earliest practicable date. I am not yet able to make a statement about representation at such a conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to fill vacancies from within or without the Colonial Legal Service on the High Court Bench of Northern Rhodesia; and what proposals he has for the maintenance of continuity of that Bench.

I am considering the names of serving Legal and Judicial Officers for the one existing vacancy for a Judge, and the two prospective vacancies for Chief Justice and Judge. The Bench will continue to be reinforced as vacancies occur.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will publish the results of the sample census of the population of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate taken in November, 1959.

Reports on censuses taken in the Colonial Territories are published by the territory concerned. It is expected that the report of the census taken last year in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate will be published in the normal way. I am inquiring about the position and will write to the hon. Member when details are received

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Mr. Jomo Kenyatta, who has completed his prison sentence, is not allowed to receive unofficial visitors.

Under the terms of the restriction order made against Jonio Kenyatta on the recommendation of i he convicting court, visits are at the discretion of the District Commissioner of Lodwar. It has not been the practice to approve applications from the general public.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, what is the present position regarding unemployment in Kenya; and if he will make a statement on the recommendations contained in the Dalgleish Report.

The Dalgleish Report will be published early in November and the Kenya Government intend shortly after publication to initiate a debate in the Legislature on unemployment. I would like to await the report of that debate before making a statement myself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many prisoners, and from which countries of origin, are at present detained in British Colonies, under orders made under the Colonial Prisoners Removal Act, 1869. as extended by the Foreign Jurisdiction Acts, 1890 to 1913; and in which Colonies they are detained.

There are three prisoners from Bahrein detained in St. Helena under the Colonial Prisoners Removal Act, 1869, as applied in relation to Bahrein under the Foreign Jurisdiction Acts, 1890 and 1913. There is also one prisoner from Montserrat detained in Antigua under the Colonial Prisoners Removal Act, 1869. There are no other prisoners at present detained under the 1869 Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement explaining the origins of the present unrest in the sugar industry in Fiji and the outlook for the future.

The sale and purchase of cane since the 1950 crushing season has been governed by a 10-year agreement between the Colonial Sugar Refining Company and each individual grower which expired on the 31st May, 1960. In addition to the price clause under which the price paid for cane is determined in accordance with a scale which varies with sugar content and with the proceeds received from the sale of sugar, the Agreement included various provisions regarding varieties, cultivation, deductions for burnt cane, etc.2. In January 1959 the Company circulated to growers the draft of a new agreement for a further 10-year period beginning with the 1960 crushing season. This differed considerably from the previous agreement and was much more complicated. At present export prices the new price scale would give rather less to the grower than he obtained under the old agreement. Discussions took place between the Company and the Growers' associations during the latter part of 1959 at which the growers expressed strong opposition to the new proposals and were unable to accept the Company's explanation that, owing to rising costs and changing circumstances, 'the previous agreement had for some years provided such an inadequate return on its capital as to endanger the proper development of the industry.3. In November, 1959, the growers' representatives submitted to the Company an alternative draft agreement under which the growers would receive 70 per cent. of the sugar proceeds. This is greatly in excess of the proportion they received under the old agreement and was not acceptable to the Company. After negotiations had continued for some months the Company informed the growers in March, 1960, that owing to the very great increases in wages which have taken place in some local industries earlier this year they could no longer commit themselves to a 10-year agreement but would be prepared to enter into a 2-year agreement. This was not acceptable to the growers and no progress was made. The growers then decided not to plant any cane this year and threatened to refuse to cut their cane unless a satisfactory agreement were reached.Negotiations between the Company and the cane growers were resumed on 12th July. On 24th July the Company concluded an agreement with representatives of Kisan Sangh and Fijian growers but representatives of Maha Sangh and Vishal Krishak Sangh refused to accept this. A split has therefore occurred among the cane growers with members of Kisan Sangh and Fijians wishing to harvest cane but members of Maha Sangh refusing to do so on the terms offered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Economic Mission's Report on Mauritius and the Titmuss Report will be published.

The reports of both the Meade and the Titmuss Missions are being made to the Governor of Mauritius and the decision as to when they are published will therefore rest with the Government of Mauritius. Copies of the two reports are expected to be ready for submission to the Governor in September or early October.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about the Nyasaland Constitutional Conference

After a number of sessions at which the various groups have put forward their views, I have now indicated to the Conference the principles which in my view should guide its future work. There is nothing further which I can usefully say at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the membership and the terms of reference of the official committee on Nyasaland Education being set up under the chairmanship of Professor J. F. V. Phillips; and when the committee will begin its work.

The Committee's terms of reference are:(1) To examine the existing educational system, its administration, and the method of its financing.(2) To appraise the demands made on the educational system by the requirements of the Government and of the economy of the Protectorate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give details of the numbers, grades, and departmental duties of the staff being seconded and provided on a repayment basis to the administration of the Northern Cameroons by the Northern Regional Government of Nigeria; and to what extent this assistance will be adequate to keep the administration fully manned.

The Northern Region Government are providing staff to maintain existing services, but many of these will be on a part-time basis and I cannot therefore give detailed figures. I am confident that the administration will be adequately manned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give details of the numbers, grades, and departmental duties of the staff being lent by the Federal Government of Nigeria to the administration of the Southern Cameroons; and how far this assistance will be adequate to keep the administration fully manned.

As I informed the hon. Member on 26th July, I cannot at present say precisely what staff will be available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what troops are being sent to the trust territories of the Cameroons; when they will arrive; and for what purposes they are being sent.

The 1st Battalion The King's Own Border Regiment, with supporting units and a small R.A.F. detachment, will arrive in the Southern Cameroons on the 22nd September. Their purpose is to take over the defence and internal security duties at present performed by units of the Royal Nigerian Military Forces which will be withdrawn by the Nigerian Government before independence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on his recent discussions with the Finance Minister of the State of Singapore.

My noble Friend the Minister of State and I have had most useful and friendly discussions with Dr. Goh Keng Swee, the Minister for Finance, and a delegation from the State of Singapore. We were very glad to welcome them to LondonHer Majesty's Government recognise that the State of Singapore, whose population is amongst the youngest of any in the world, will undoubtedly require substantial help in financing a development programme on the scale necessary to enable the State to keep pace with the needs of its growing population. The discussions have shown that, on the assumption that maximum possible use is made for Singapore's own resources both internal and external during the first two years, the need for external finance is likely to be greater in the later stages of its new Five Year Plan than in the earlier years.The Singapore Government were anxious, in addition to obtaining financial assistance in respect of their armed farces, to make provision for the financing of the whole of the Five Year Plan. Her Majesty's Government are however unable, in view of the terms of the current Colonial Development and Welfare Act, to promise specific amounts of aid to Singapore's Development Plan beyond the period covered by that Act. In regard to the financing of the Plan, therefore, Her Majesty's Government have concentrated their attention on the earlier years and, taking into account also the request for assistance towards the cost of Singapore's armed forces, have undertaken now subject to Parliamentary authority as necessary, to provide the State of Singapore with grants and loans totalling £7·6 million, of which £2·6 million will be in the form of grants. The bulk of this assistance, namely £6 million, will be provided towards the financing of the Development Plan, including expenditure on the airport.Her Majesty's Government's assistance towards Singapore's armed forces will be by way of a contribution of £500,000 a year towards the recurrent cost of the Singapore Military Forces and of half the recurrent cost of the Singapore Division of the Malayan Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. This arrangement reflects Her Majesty's Government's recognition of the dual interest of both Governments in these forces. It will apply to the three years 1961–63 and will be reviewed at the end of that period.Her Majesty's Government recognise that further assistance is likely to be needed in the later years of the Development Plan, and I have informed Dr. Goh that, subject in due course to the approval of Parliament as may be necessary, it would be the intention of Her Majesty's Government to make a further contribution. In other words, the contribution of £6 million may be regarded as the first instalment of Her Majesty's Government's assistance towards Singapore's Five Year Development Plan. It has accordingly been agreed that further talks should be held at the beginning of 1963 to consider the progress made with the Plan, and the needs of the State of Singapore for further overseas finance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what Government grants have been made to Malta University during each of the past three years.

Grants were issued to the University by the Government of Malta as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now say when the constitution of the Seychelles will be amended to allow an unofficial majority on both the Legislative and Executive Councils.

I would refer the hon. Member to the despatch from the Governor of the Seychelles published in the Seychelles Government Gazette of the 10th November, 1959, and setting out his proposals for the present constitution. I am sending a copy of the despatch to the hon. Member and placing one in the Library of the House. In paragraph 11 the Governor said he believed that the constitution would be well suited to the needs of the Colony until such time as there should appear to be any widely supported and real desire for elected representatives to share the responsibilities of Government and to take a direct part in its day-to-day administration. I agree with the Governor. I shall be prepared to consider further advances in the direction indicated by the hon. Member when I am satisfied that the time is ripe for them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to reduce the wastage of whole-time police in the police forces in Scotland, particularly those who resign with less than 10 years' service, as disclosed by the Report of the Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland for 1959; and if he will make a statement.

Before deciding whether any additional steps should be taken to deal with the wastage of whole-time police officers, my right hon. Friend proposes to await the interim report of the Royal Commission on the Police, which is expected before the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to increase the amount of publicity given to encourage people, especially businessmen, to protect their own property, thus preventing the crime of theft, as is suggested by the Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland in his Annual Report.

The Government information services provide short films for use on television, some of which are available to police forces for showing in local cinemas. Advice and warnings about the prevention of crime are broadcast from time to time on B.B.C. sound services.These arrangements supplement the work of local police forces, who are continually developing the use of all appropriate means of publicity to educate the public to protect their own property.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received concerning the trading practices of the firm of Napier's Personal Credit, Ayr; whether he is aware that the activities of this firm are causing hardship and distress in many parts of Scotland; and whether he will consider the need for urgent action to deal with the matter.

My right hon. Friend has not received any recent representations, but my right hon. Friend the Lord Advocate has received representations from the hon. Member for Dunfermline Burghs (Dr. A. Thompson), and these are under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to alleviate the difficult trading position of the furniture manufacturing industry.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the effect on the furniture industry of the current hire-purchase restrictions. Those restrictions were necessary as part of the measures taken by the Government to preserve economic stability and they must be retained so long as is necessary for that purpose. I would add that sales by furniture manufacturers in the five months following the imposition of this control were in value slightly more than they were in the same period of 1959. I understand however that orders on hand at the end of September 1960 were down on those at the same date last year. We shall of course be watching this position.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what recent progress he has to report on the negotiations designed to bring to an end the division of Europe into two economic blocs caused by the existence of the European Free Trade Area and the European Common Market; and what specific proposals Her Majesty's Government have now put forward.

Following the Prime Minister's discussions with Dr. Adenauer in Bonn in August, the Lord Privy Seal has had exchanges of views with the Italian Government and more recently with the French Government. The Lord Privy Seal and I have also discussed this problem at the Commonwealth Economic Consultative Council and at the E.F.T.A. Council in Berne. No specific proposals have, however, been put forward by Her Majesty's Government.

asked the President et the Board of Trade what recent applications he has received for the abolition or reduction of the duty on imported borax; and if he will make a statement.

The Board of Trade announced in January last that they had under consideration applications for the removal of duty on refined borax. Their decision will be announced very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the first 20 British leading products in the export industry in order

Any such selection would necessarily be arbitrary since it would depend on how widely or narrowly the products were defined. The Trade and Navigation Accounts classify products within Divisions and the table below gives the information for those Divisions for which exports exceeded £50 million in 1959.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken to secure a tenant for the trading estate factory in Sunderland, previously occupied by the Bristol Aircraft Company and at present vacant.

A likely new tenant recently withdrew his interest in this factory, but we are continuing to seek another occupant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the need for new industry and a greater variety of employment in North Staffordshire, he will reconsider all applications made to his Department for acquisition of parts of the site of the former Royal Ordnance factory at Swynnerton.

I am always prepared to reconsider any application if new evidence: is available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the report of the committee under the chairmanship of Sir Steuart Mitchell considering the machine tool industry has yet been received; and whether it is intended to publish this.

The Sub-Committee has recently reported to the Machine Tool Advisory Council. The Report will be published.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Registrar of Companies is demanding, under threat of prosecution, annual returns in arrear that are eight years old; and why he insists on the delivery of this out of date information.

Companies are required by the Companies Act to deliver certain documents such as Annual Returns to the Registrar so that they may be available on the company's file for public inspection. It cannot be assumed that information relating to a past period will not be wanted on such a search and the statutory record of the company is incomplete without it. When a company fails to comply with its obligations under the Act, it is the duty of the Registrar to take steps to secure that the missing documents are supplied.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what recent request he has received for a compulsory levy upon the cutlery and stainless steel flatware industry for the purpose of financing scientific research in that industry.

I have received a request from the Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers Association for a compulsory levy on the cutlery industry under Section 9 of the Industrial Organisation and Development Act, 1947, to finance scientific research on behalf of that industry. I am satisfied that there is substantial support within the industry for such a levy and I hope to lay a draft Order before the House in the course of the next month.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he now proposes to make any changes in the list of development districts for which assistance under the Local Employment Act, 1960, is available.

I am proposing forthwith to add two small places to the list. They are Haswell in County Durham and Prudhoe in Northumberland. Both are heavily dependent on coal-mining. In Haswell a high rate of unemployment already exists, and in Prudhoe it is threatened by the impending closure of the West Wylam Colliery. I hope that this action will help to secure new industry for these places.I am not at present deleting any districts from the list, but in view of the encouraging progress that is being achieved there are a number of places which I shall be able to de-list in the near future if applications for assistance at present under consideration succeed. Meanwhile, to avoid further applications being frustrated and to concentrate our efforts on the remaining development districts and on Northern Ireland, I have decided that I should not be justified in accepting any more applications from the following places:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he now has to build further advance factories in development districts.

In March, 1959, the Government announced that as an experiment they proposed to build three advance factories in Holyhead, Speke and Coatbridge. For the first two, occupiers have been found.In the light of these facts, we have now decided to erect factories of about 25,000 sq. ft. at Pembroke Dock and of about 40,000 sq. ft. on the border of Jarrow and South Shields. In Scotland, we propose to take over seven of the fourteen buildings in the Admiralty depot at Carfin and to make two of the buildings, of about 26,500 sq. ft. each, ready for immediate industrial use; in addition, an advance factory of some 25,000 sq. ft. will be built elsewhere in Scotland, the exact location to be announced later.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of continuing anxiety in respect of the inadequate control of the sale of air-guns and similar weapons, particularly to young people; and whether he will now introduce legislation to deal with the position.

The existing law prohibits the sale or hire of a firearm of any kind, including an air weapon, to a person under the age of 17, and I have no evidence that there is any widespread failure to observe this provision. I am considering whether any additional controls over air weapons are needed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will explain the financial arrangements he has made with the Potato Marketing Board to provide growers with an outlet for the 1960 crop potatoes that are surplus to human requirements; and to what extent he anticipates that the price guarantee of £13 a ton will be effective.

The Government have agreed to meet two-thirds of the cost of a buying programme to be undertaken by the Board; the remaining one-third will be met by the Board from the deficiency payments which accrue to it under the guarantee arrangements.In so far as the average market price of potatoes sold for human consumption is less than the guaranteed price, the guarantee will be fully implemented by the payment of the appropriate amount of deficiency to the industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much crude retort house gas liquor was sold as a fertiliser for agriculture in North Staffordshire in 1959.

Fertiliser subsidy claims received from farmers in Staffordshire show that they bought about 3·8 million gallons of gas liquor in the year ending 30th June. 1959. The provisional figure for the year ending 30th June, 1960, is 4·65 million gallons. I regret that separate information for North Staffordshire could not be made available without disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what progress is being made in dealing with the prevention of flooding of the River Thames valley; and what are the prospects in this connection.

I have been asked to reply.The Thames Conservancy has constantly under review the alleviation of flooding in the valley of the non-tidal Thames, and has recently completed or initiated grant-aided works at Crawley, East Molesey and Esher, and Maidenhead. In the tidal reaches, the Kent and Essex River Boards have, since the East Coast floods of 1953, carried out several major grant-aided schemes to improve the defence works. The Ministry of Housing and Local Government, the Ministry of Transport and my Ministry are engaged in consultations with the interested authorities about the suggested Thames Flood Barrage.

asked the Lord Privy Seal why instructions were not given to the British delegate at the recent Assembly of the United Nations to vote for the admission of the Peking Government as a member.

The United Kingdom delegate voted first in the General Committee for continuation of the moratorium on discussion of Chinese representation, and secondly, in the General Assembly, for the adoption of the General Committee's recommendation. The question whether or not the Government of the People's Republic of China should be admitted to the United Nations was not the subject of the debate

asked the Lord Privy Seal what further representations have been, or are being, made to the Egyptian Government about the release of Mr. Zarb.

No opportunity has been lost to work for the release of Mr. Zarb, and to give him what help we can in the meantime through Her Majesty's Consul in Cairo. It would not be in Mr. Zarb's own interest to give details of the representations that have been made on his behalf at every level; but the House may rest assured that these efforts will continue.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will state the number of British properties in Egypt that have now been desequestrated; the number that remain to be desequestrated; and the number of persons that have now been permitted to take the allowance of £5,000 per head out of the country.

All British property under sequestration was desequestrated on 1st March, 1959, under Egyptian Proclamation No. 54. Application for the release of individual properties has, however, to be made to the Sequestrator-General in accordance with the procedure laid down in Annex B to the Anglo-Egyptian Financial Agreement signed on 28th February, 1959.By 18th October, 1960, 4,826 applications had been received by the Sequestrator-General of which 4,059 had so far been accepted as in order. By the same date 2,606 release agreements had been signed in respect of property owned by 2,328 private individuals and 278 companies.We know that some transfers under Article V (1) (

asked the Minister of Defence what has been the cost to date of maintaining troops in South Korea.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) on 4th May, 1960, by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for War and the Secretary of State for Air and by my hon. Friend the Civil Lord of the Admiralty. No significant extra costs have been incurred since the end of 1959.

asked the Minister of Education how many students receiving grants from public funds have been admitted to Oxford and Cambridge Universities in each of the last 15 years; and how many have been sent down in each year.

The following table shows the number of State Scholarships, including State Studentships, at Oxford

asked the Minister of Education how many new school places were provided between October, 1945, and October, 1951, and between October, 1951, and the most recent date. respectively.

The information for England and Wales is as follows:636,105 in the first period and 2,050,675 from November. 1951, to June. 1960.

asked the Minister of Education how many schools were completed in Sunderland between October, 1945, and October, 1951, and between October, 1951, and the most recent date, respectively.

Seven and twenty-one.

asked the Minister of Education what was the value of building work completed in Sunderland between October, 1945, and October, 1951, and between October. 1951, and the most recent date, respectively.

£709,945 and £2,355,613.

asked the Minister of Aviation when he intends to announce the placing of the final order for the Short Britannic freighter aeroplane; and how many aircraft Her Majesty's Government intend to order.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member and the hon. Member for Belfast, West (Mrs. McLaughlin) on 2nd May, 1960, except to say that the contract negotiations are in their final stage.

asked the Minister of Aviation what further plans he has for the future development of vertical take-off and landing aircraft based on the principles used in the successful development of the S.C.1.

The S.C.1 research programme is continuing, as planned, to provide the further experience we need on vertical take off and landing techniques for multi-engined V.T.O.L. aircraft, and autostabilisation and automatic control systems for V.T.O.L. aircraft generally. The possibility of using the multi-engine concept for V.T.O.L. in a future aircraft system is under examination.

asked the Minister of Health how many applications to the Group Practice Loans Sub-Committee are outstanding or have been rejected because the available funds are fully committed for the current year; what total amount they represent; at what point during each of the last three financial years the sub-committee's funds have become exhausted or fully committed; and, in the case of successful applications, what has been the average lapse of time between first application and approval.

The available funds are not yet fully committed; in the financial years 1957–58, 1958–59 and 1959–60, funds were fully committed four, five and a half, and six months respectively before the end of the year but the Committee continued to approve applications for loans during those months subject to the proviso that money might not be available until the beginning of the following year; the average lapse of time between the Committee receiving an application and approving it was four and a half months.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now received the report on action taken by hospital authorities to implement the recommendations of the Platt Report on Young Children in Hospital; what progress is revealed; and what further steps he will take to ensure that the policy of unrestricted visiting and the admission of mothers along with children under five is carried out.

Reports have been received from almost all hospital authorities and the rest are expected shortly. Those received show that the practice of accommodating mothers with their children is not yet widespread, mainly because facilities are lacking. Daily visiting is almost universal though unrestricted visiting is less frequent. Two counts of children in hospital are being taken at different periods this year, and I will decide what further steps are necessary when the resultant information has been collated.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were registered as unemployed in the city and county of Bristol at the last convenient date; what was the percentage rate of unemployment; and how this compares with the national rate.

On 10th October, there were 3,635 workers registered as unemployed, and on 5th October, 3,138 unfilled vacancies at local offices in the Bristol area. The percentage rate of unemployment was 1·5, the same as the national rate.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will introduce an immediate interim increase in the basic retirement and old age pensions in order to lessen the hardship which is felt most seriously by pensioners during the winter months.

My right hon. Friend has no statement to make on this matter.

asked the Minster of Transport when the North Ferriby by-pass will be opened.

I expect the by-pass to be opened to traffic next spring.

asked the Minister of Transport when a final decision will be made about the route of the proposed Beverley ring road; and whether he is aware that existing uncertainty has sterilised development in this area of the town for the past two years.

Our proposals for an Internal Relief Road in Beverley to relieve the present trunk road through the town will be included in the draft town map for Beverley. I understand that the East Riding County Council has not yet submitted the draft map to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce legislation to repeal the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.

No. This Act, as amended, regulates all aspects of merchant shipping, and is essential. The question whether certain provisions in the Act should be amended is now under consideration between the two sides of the industry.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many casualties occurred in the recent exercise conducted by the British Army of the Rhine; what was the cause of the fatalities and accidents; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the right hon. Member to the statement which I made in the House today on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men are at present employed as progress chasers in Royal Ordnance Factories; and in how many factories there exists a bonus incentive scheme for progress chasers related to productivity.

300 men are employed as progress chasers in Royal Ordnance Factories. No bonus incentive scheme for progress charsers exists in any of these factories.