asked the Minister of Education how many children were admitted to the infant classes of Wednesfield, Staffordshire, schools when the schools reopened after the summer recess; how far accommodation available fell short of local requirements; and what steps are being taken to ensure an adequate number of school places and of teaching staff.

Two hundred and seventy-eight children were admitted to infant classes in Wednesfield this term. Accommodation was available for all children of compulsory school age. New primary schools providing 2,000 places were approved some time ago, but some of these have been delayed by site diffi

asked the Minister of Education what is to be the increase in the building programme for the Youth Service in Essex in 1962–63.

The total Youth Service building programme for England and Wales has been increased from £3 million in 1960–62, to £4 million for 1962–63.

asked the Minister of Education the numbers of classes in primary and secondary schools of over 30, and over 40, pupils, respectively, in January, 1960; and how these figures compare with those for the previous two years.

The following table gives details for maintained primary and secondary schools (other than nursery and special schools):I shall shortly be asking all local education authorities to submit proposals for inclusion in the 1962–63 programme. Until I receive these proposals I cannot say what allocation will be given to any individual authority.

asked the Minister of Education whether he has now given further consideration to the question of dependants' grants for mature students at training colleges.

Yes. As from next September such grants will be available for all training college students whatever the length of their course, if they are over 25, or if they are over 21 and have regularly and substantially supported themselves for the two years immediately preceding their entry to the course. Meantime such grants will remain available for students over 25 taking shortened training courses.

asked the Minister of Education how many applicants possessing the necessary academic qualifications for teacher training have failed this autumn to secure admission to a training college.

According to provisional figures, about 2,400 such candidates were unsuccessful. Most of these had only the minimum academic qualifications and by no means all had the necessary personal qualities.

asked the Minister of Education how many applicants there have been for day training college places in courses starting in September, 1960; and how many suitable applicants have not been able to gain admission to a college.

About 350 candidates applied to the two-day training colleges and about 215 were accepted. Some of those who were not accepted may have been offered day places at other colleges. Provisional figures show that in 1960–61 there will be about 4,000 day students in training, compared with about 3,500 in 1959–60.

asked the Minister of Education, as representing the Minister for Science, when he expects to receive the report of the Committee on the Management and Control of Research and Development and whether it is his intention to publish it.

I understand that the Committee hopes to complete its report early in the New Year. As the hon. Member is aware, the Committee has been concerned with all forms of Government research, defence research as well as civil, and it is not possible to prejudge the question of publication.

asked the Minister of Education, as representing the Minister for Science, what plans the Government have for seismic research by the United Kingdom directed to improving methods of detection of nuclear explosions.

The Atomic Energy Authority is starting an immediate programme of seismic research which is estimated to cost about £350,000 over the next twelve months. The programme will include some chemical explosions but no nuclear explosions. It will help the United Kingdom to make a worthwhile contribution to the seismic research programme which we hope will be agreed on in the Geneva Conference on Nuclear Tests.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the consideration he has been able to give to the recommendations by the Committee on Consumer Protection on the need for more reasonable standards of safety for electrical appliances and fittings, what proposals he now has to deal with the present situation.

My right hon. Friend and his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department are considering the Committee's proposal for general enabling legislation in the light of the views of interested organisations some of which have only just been received.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make a decision about the removal of import duty on borax.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on the 25th October to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey).

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many jobs he expects to make available in the next 12 months in connection with his plans for the expansion of the motor industry.

The new projects announced by the "Big Five" in the motor industry are expected to provide some 41,000 jobs over the next four or five years. I am sure that the House will welcome that nearly all these jobs will be in Scotland, South Wales and Merseyside—areas which have had a long history of unemployment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress he has made with his investigation of the personal credit scheme operated by Messrs. Napiers of Ayr; what recent representations he has received concerning hardship caused by the trading practices of this firm; and what action he proposes to take.

Since 1st September my right hon. Friend has received two letters on this subject—one from the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. W. Hamilton) and the other from the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mr. T. Fraser). He understands that the Lord Advocate has decided to prosecute Messrs. Napiers for an alleged breach of the Hire Purchase and Credit Sale Agreements (Control) Order, 1960. In these circumstances the hon. Member will not expect me to comment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the continuing deterioration of the export trade, if he will give details of his recently announced new policy regarding export credits.

The changes which my right hon. Friend announced on 20th October, were two. In the first place the Government will be prepared to authorise the Export Credits Guarantee Department to insure credit on longer terms than the normal 5-year maximum in particular cases where this is necessary to allow a United Kingdom exporter to match terms offered by a foreign competitor with the backing of an export credit guarantee institution or equivalent official support. This facility will be available in a limited number of selected cases.Secondly, E.C.G.D. will in future be in a position to make available facilities for part-period cover; that is, in the case of certain contracts whose total period extends beyond five years' credit, the Department will be prepared to give cover in respect of the first five years if the exporter is prepared to take the balance beyond that period. This facility will be available rather more freely provided that it is clear that terms longer than five years are being offered by foreign suppliers.In addition my right hon. Friend announced at the beginning of this month that E.C.G.D. were bringing into operation a new policy for shipbuilders providing for substantially reduced premium rates made possible by linking insurance cover with the security of a ship's mortgageDocuments are being prepared to implement these policies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken to persuade Imperial Chemical Industries to divert to its factory at Tuckingmill, Camborne, one of its many industries to replace the safety fuse industry which is to be transferred to Scotland, in view of the hundreds of redundancies which will be involved under the present plans.

We are in close touch with the company, which is well aware of the situation. We have also sought to interest other suitable firms in the premises.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation to ensure that guarantors to hire-purchase agreements must sign such agreements in the presence of an executive of the firm concerned, at an office of the firm, where the obligations incurred can be suitably explained.

No. The Hire-Purchase Act, 1938, provides that the owner shall not be entitled to enforce any contract of guarantee unless the provisions of the Act have been complied with. These include a requirement that the cash price of the article, the terms of the agreement, and the restriction of the owner's right to recover the goods is contained in a note or memorandum to be signed by the hirer and by or on behalf of all other parties to the agreement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to require hire-purchase firms to devise a code of practice by which the credit-worthiness of clients can be ascertained by credit cards or other means before agreements are entered into, thereby preventing the incurring of excessive debts by clients who do not fully understand the obligations involved.

No. This proposal would mean a serious abridgement of the freedom of credit-seekers and credit-givers. It would involve far-reaching legislation which might well be very difficult to enforce.

asked the Prime Minister why he decided to attend the United Nations Assembly in New York.

Because I thought it right to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether, during his recent meetings with the President of the United States, he discussed the question of the admission of China into the United Nations; and why he instructed the British delegation to oppose the admission of that country into membership of the United Nations.

My discussions with President Eisenhower were confidential.With regard to the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member for Dagenham (Mr. Parker) on 25th of October by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his discussions with the Kabaka of Buganda and the present constitutional position of the Uganda Protectorate.

As the date for the registration of electors in Buganda was approaching and the Buganda Government were exhorting people not to register, I invited the Kabaka and his advisers to London to discuss, in particular, the attitude of the Buganda Government to the forthcoming elections. Discussions were held over a period of five weeks but were indeterminate. After the delegation returned to Uganda the Buganda Government revived its demand for secession and independence. Since there was clearly much misunderstanding over Her Majesty's Government's policy and particularly over the fact that the constitutional proposals for the Protectorate as a whole would not adversely affect Buganda's present special position, I authorised the issue of a statement on 17th October including an account of the London talks. I am circulating the text of this statement below. I am also placing in the Library a copy of my dispatch setting out the constitutional changes for the Protectorate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in growing sugar on a large scale in the Kilombero Valley, Tanganyika.

It was announced early in June that a consortium including the International Finance Corporation and the Colonial Development Corporation, together with Dutch concerns, had agreed to invest the equivalent of £2,300,000 in the Kilombero Sugar Company Limited. The total cost of the project was estimated at £3,210,000. The intention is that most of the remainder of the capital required will be provided by the issue of £700,000 convertible preferred shares in the company which will be offered for sale to Africans and other residents in East Africa. The Standard Bank of South Africa and the Colonial Development Corporation will underwrite the issue.The Kilombero Sugar Company plans to clear 7,000 acres. A sugar mill and refinery will be erected and production is expected to begin in 1962.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will take steps to compare the emoluments of High Court judges in Northern Rhodesia with those of High Court judges elsewhere in the Federation and in other Colonial Territories; and what revision of salaries and pensions is contemplated in the Territories for which he is responsible.

Salaries of High Court judges in Northern Rhodesia are higher than those in most dependent territories, including Nyasaland, but are I understand lower than those in Southern Rhodesia. The following is a list of such salaries:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a further statement on his discussions with the National Farmers' Union on the future of the agricultural industry.

As these discussions are still going on my right hon. Friend is not yet able to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will appoint a committee independent of his Department to inquire into the reliability of the information given him by the Dorset Agricultural Executive Committee as to the fulfilment by the landlord of Vimy Farm, Corscombe, Dorset, of his obligations to supply fixed equipment adequate for the economical management of the farm.

No, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend's predecessor gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Dorset, West (Mr. Wingfield Digby) on 5th May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the size of this year's apple crop; and if he will make a statement.

The latest estimates point to a record dessert apple crop in England and Wales of about 310,000 tons and a cooking apple crop of about 330,000 tons. With these abundant crops producers' prices have naturally been rather lower than in some recent years but there is a market for good quality well-packed apples.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made during the past six months in the production of dried food; what are the prospects of successfully treating chops, steaks, fruit and vegetables for easy storage and to render them suitable for the preparation of good, quick meals; and in what way his Department is co-operating in the experimental work.

No statistics are available about the commercial production of dried food during the past six months, but much interest has been shown by the food industry in the accelerated freeze drying process evolved at the Ministry's Research Establishment and Experimental Factory at Aberdeen. This process has been developed to a stage where fruit, vegetables and cuts of meat and fish, having been dehydrated for easy storage, can be quickly prepared for the table in a palatable and recognisable form. The work done by my Ministry's Aberdeen Establishment is well known to the food trade and the results are made freely available to all firms interested.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what major operations have taken place or are contemplated in order to avoid a repetition of the floods of 1953.

Immediately after the East Coast surge of 1953 the river boards concerned undertook restoration and improvement works costing £27½ million. Since then further tidal defence improvement schemes submitted by these boards and estimated to cost over £5 million, have been approved by the Ministry for grant at 85 per cent.In the same period schemes of coast protection estimated to cost about £10 million have been approved by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs for grant of about £6½ million.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware of the serious flooding of the River Test between Stockbridge and Romsey on Sunday, 9th October; and whether he will consult with the Hampshire River Board with a view to preventing a recurrence.

I have been asked to reply.I am aware of this flooding at Stockbridge and Romsey which has caused much inconvenience. I understand that the River Board is already investigating the reasons for the flooding and will consider, at a board meeting next week, what remedial works may be practicable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the tonnages of the export of Ware Potatoes from Northern Ireland in the months of October and November in the years 1957, 1958, and 1959, respectively.

I regret that figures are not available on a calendar month basis but exports of ware potatoes from Northern Ireland—including shipments to Great Britain—covering the nearest available period were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many attacks by prisoners on warders at Pentonville Prison occurred during the month of September; and what steps he is taking to increase the numbers of prison staff at Pentonville.

There were four attacks on prison officers in September, none of which was caused by shortage of staff. Pentonville staff is up to authorised strength.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the present ratio of prison officers to the daily average population in Pentonville Prison.

Approximately one officer to every eight prisoners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the accommodation available for prisoners and the present daily average population in Pentonville Prison.

There is accommodation available for 1,003 prisoners at Pentonville when used on the normal scale. During the last six months the average number of prisoners has been 1,263.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions have been given to traffic wardens relating to cars parked by doctors who are in the course of discharging their professional duties.

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police, under whose directions they act, that traffic wardens give such consideration as may be possible in cases in which cars parked in contravention of the parking regulations are believed to belong to doctors visiting patients.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in the review of registration of aliens in general, and the position of the Ukrainians in particular, which he undertook, on 16th February, to consider in relation to the general review.

My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to make a statement within the next few weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the disturbances in St. Pancras on 21st and 22nd September.

In the evening of 21st September a crowd gathered outside St. Pancras Town Hall, where a meeting of the Borough Council was being held. At first the crowd was orderly and good-humoured, but after some time a rowdy procession around the town hall began and when the marchers were stopped by the police they sat or lay down in the roadway and the shouting of offensive and inflammatory remarks became widespread. To prevent an attempt to force a mass entry into the town hall the demonstrators were cleared from the immediate vicinity by the police, and in the course of this operation eleven persons were arrested.On the morning of 22nd September police were present to prevent breaches of the peace while court orders for the possession of two flats occupied by tenants of the St. Pancras Borough Council were being enforced. No serious incident involving the police occurred during the evictions, but in the course of attempts made later in the day to force police cordons 16 persons were arrested.In the evening a procession of about 1,000 persons moved in the direction of the town hall. Many hooligans and other troublemakers joined the procession and attempts made by the organisers to bring it to a halt failed. The police barred the way to the town hall, and in action taken to disperse the demonstrators 37 persons were arrested and two members of the public and 16 police officers are known to have received injuries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what grounds the Poison Board have advised against legislation requiring manufacturers of poisonous liquid household preparations to print the antidote on the container label.

The proceedings of the Poisons Board are confidential. But for my part, I think that we should be careful to avoid giving currency to any idea that accidental poisoning can, in general, be treated by the use of an antidote without medical advice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average weekly cost of young offenders in prison, under Borstal training in detention centres, and in approved schools, respectively.

The average total weekly cost of detaining a boy or girl in an approved school in 1958–59 was £9 10s. 6d.Because of the different methods of financing capital expenditure, comparable figures for prisons, borstals and detention centres are not readily available. The average maintenance

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the failure rate of young offenders from Borstal training, detention centres, and approved schools, respectively, for the last three years for which figures are available; and how many offenders these figures represent.

The last three-year period for which approximately comparable figures for young offenders discharged from these establishments are available is that ending on 31st December, 1956, the figures for which are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average case load of probation officers in England and Wales; what proportion of these cases are young offenders from Borstals and approved schools on licence or under supervision; and what is the average annual cost to public funds of these offenders while on licence or under supervision.

On 31st December, 1959, the latest date for which figures are available, the average case loads of probation officers were: men, 64·9; women, 39·9. Cases from Borstals represented 6·8 per cent. and from approved schools 3·1 per cent. of the total case loads.I regret that the information asked for in the third part of the Question is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the recent unexplained diminution in the number of national newspapers in Great Britain; and if he will set up a Royal Commission to inquire whether this restriction on the publication of news and on the free expression of opinion is or is not contrary to the interests of Great Britain.

I am aware of the public interest and concern aroused by the recent discontinuance of the News Chronicle and the Star. I share the general regret, inasmuch as the expression in a free Press of all shades of opinion is a feature of our way of life that we all want to maintain. But the intervention of the Government in the affairs of the Press is not a thing to be undertaken lightly. I am not convinced that the situation calls for the appointment of a further Royal Commission. I am not clear what fresh recommendations such a body could make.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet received the report of his Advisory Committee on the Treatment of Offenders dealing with corporal and other forms of punishment; and whether he proposes to make the report public.

I hope to receive the report early in November. It will be published as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions have been given to traffic wardens and the police regarding the parking of cars bearing CD plates in restricted areas in the Metropolitan district.

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that no special instructions have been issued.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will impress upon the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis the undesirability of sending police dogs to political or trade union meetings.

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that it is not his policy to send dogs to political or trade union meetings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he is aware that many British business firms are losing substantial trade contracts from Eastern Germany due to the fact that East German businessmen are being prevented from travelling to this country to discuss these contracts by the refusal on the part of his Department to grant entry permits; and whether he will change this practice; (2) whether he will make a full statement as to why he refuses to grant entry permits to East Germans anxious to visit this country to place commercial contracts; and by what authority this action is taken.

I understand that the hon. Member has in mind the issue of visas by the British Visa Officer in Berlin to East Germans wishing to visit the United Kingdom. As Her Majesty's Government does not recognise passports issued by the East German régime, these visas are endorsed on temporary travel documents issued by the tripartite Allied Travel Office in Berlin. Such documents are being withheld from East Germans at the present moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what provisions were made by the United Kingdom High Commissioner during the recent emergency in the Union of South Africa to ensure that trials of British-protected persons were watched; and if he will make a statement.

Five Basuto were charged with public violence at Sharpeville on 21st March. The British High Commissioner arranged for those who were not already legally represented to be so represented at the expense of the Basutoland Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many persons normally resident in or natives of Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland are known to have undertaken contracts to work on farms within the Union of South Africa in each month since a state of emergency was proclaimed.

I have asked our High Commissioner to send me such figures as are available. When I receive them, will write to the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations to what extent representatives of the United Kingdom High Commissioner regularly visit farms within the Union of South Africa on which British-protected persons are known to be working, in order to ensure that conditions of employment, housing and payment are satisfactory; and on how many occasions since April, 1960, representations on such matters have been made to the appropriate authorities within the Union.

The High Commissioner has a standing arrangement with the Union Government whereby his officers may visit any farm in the Union on which Africans from the High Commission Territories are employed. It would not be practicable to make regular visits to these farms. The High Commissioner has had no occasion since April, 1960, to make representations to the Union authorities about the conditions of employment of Territories Africans on farms in the Union.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what reports he has received about shortages of food, especially grain, in the Bechuanaland Protectorate; to what extent people there are being forced to live on an inadequate diet; and what steps are being taken to relieve the situation.

Severe drought, combined with an embargo on cattle exports following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in certain districts, left some Africans with insufficient money to buy food and other necessities.Our High Commissioner immediately took steps to make funds available to relieve the situation.In addition certain other relief measures are being taken.Food has been provided for those in need in the worst hit areas, including meals for children.Public works schemes for roads and anti-erosion measures have been started, ahead of schedule, so as to provide employment.Certain veterinary restrictions have also been removed, which will allow the sale of some cattle.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what financial aid by Her Majesty's Government, and in what form, has been given to Ghana since independence.

Up to the beginning of the current financial year, Ghana has received from Her Majesty's Government capital aid of £350,000 for the Kumasi College of Technology, and technical assistance to the value of nearly £100,000. Much increased technical assistance is being given this year; and Her Majesty's Government have offered a loan of £5 million in connection with the Volta River project.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (1) if he will state, for the current year, the total net expenditure on education per African and European pupil, respectively, in Swaziland;(2) if he will state, for the current year, the capital expenditure on education per African and European pupil, respectively, in schools in Swaziland.

On the incomplete information now available for the current year, the total expenditure on education is about £6 per African and £70 per European pupil, while for capital expenditure the figures are £4 and £39 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether any help has been offered to the Government of Pakistan in connection with the recent cyclone in the neighbourhood of Chittagong.

Her Majesty's Government were deeply grieved to learn of the heavy loss of life and destruction caused by the tidal wave, following in the wake of the cyclone which struck the neigh bourhood of Chittagong in East Pakistan on 10th October I am sure that the House will wish to join me in expressing our deep sympathy with all who have suffered in this disaster.Her Majesty's Government have made a donation of a lakh of rupees towards the relief of distress.The House will be asked in due course to vote the necessary Supplementary Estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many of the persons recently arrested in Southern Rhodesia under the newly enacted Vagrancy Act were British-protected persons from Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia; and what steps are being taken by the High Commissioner and his staff to get in touch with such protected persons and to assist them in obtaining legal representation or in providing for the maintenance of their families.

I will obtain the information asked for as soon as possible and will send it to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, with a view to preventing the build-up of long convoys of traffic travelling at under 30 miles per hour on such roads as A.30 and A.303 during the summer months, he will arrange for short sections of three-line carriageways to be built at appropriate intervals on such roads.

Yes. This is already being done.On trunk and classified roads in England and Wales, 68 3-lane and 29 dual-carriageway passing lengths have been or are now being constructed. Sixty-eight more schemes are proposed for the next few years. On the trunk road from London to Penzance, which comprises A.30 and A.303, eleven passing lengths have been built or started and another seven are proposed. These schemes are from 400 yards to 2 miles in length; they do not include improvements covering longer distances.

asked the Minister of Transport the value of works under the road programme which it is estimated will be authorised in each of the years 1961–62 and 1962–63.

A provisional figure for both years together would be £190 million in England and Wales. The split between each year cannot be reliably made at this stage. This split would depend on the actual date at which particular works were authorised: and the two-year total itself could similarly be affected by, for example, the value of works which may be authorised towards the end of the current year.

asked the Minister of Transport what amount of the total proposed Government expenditure on the road programme in the years 1961–62 and 1962–63 be accounted for by the works outstanding at the end of the financial year 1960–61.

Works of major improvement authorised but not yet completed by the end of 1960–61 are estimated to account for a Government expenditure of £70 million in 1961–62 and £62 million in 1962–63. It is expected that several very large projects will be authorised between now and the end of the current financial year.

asked the Minister of Transport what information he has obtained from the recent traffic census on A.27 between Fareham and Portchester.

The information obtained from the recent traffic survey is still being analysed.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the reason for the delay in announcing the date of the public inquiry into the East Sussex County Council's proposals involving the acquisition of land and the closure of various side roads in Peacehaven; if he is aware that, pending a decision on this matter, the making up and construction of side roads urgently in need of repair and not directly involved in the scheme is held up; and if he will now announce where and when the inquiry will be held.

A "joint" public local inquiry is now being arranged into the Traffic Regulation Orders and to hear the objections to the compulsory purchase order made by the County Council. The date will be announced shortly. It has not been possible to arrange an inquiry sooner because the statutory period for objections to one of the compulsory purchase orders only expired on 25th October.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that the official school-leaving age is 15 years, whether he will introduce legislation to ensure that children can travel at half fare on public transport until they reach the age of 15 years.

No. The official school leaving age is not the decisive factor in the granting of half fare on public transport to children. This is a matter for the appropriate fare-fixing body in each case, except where a local authority already has power to charge half fare for children up to 15 years of age under the Public Service Vehicles (Travel Concessions) Act, 1955. On road passenger vehicles outside London there are already concessionary fares for children up to at least 15 years when travelling to and from school. On British Railways and on the rail services of the London Transport Executive educational season tickets for travel to school, college, etc., are available at one-half the adult rate for scholars up to the age of eighteen: they may also travel to and from educational establishments on London Transport Executive buses at half-fare.

asked the Minister of Transport what surveys have been made by the London Transport Management Unit of routes between Central London and Essex; and with what result.

The London Traffic Management Unit has completed a survey of the complex of streets round Aldgate, affecting a number of routes into Essex, and two large scale surveys are in progress of the routes from West Ham to Romford (A.11 and A.12) and from Hackney to Leytonstone (A.106).The highway authorities concerned are now considering proposals arising out of the Aldgate survey for one-way working and eliminating a troublesome right turn.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on the outcome of the discussions between his Department and the companies concerned on a supersonic airliner.

As a result of those discussions the Government have now selected the British Aircraft Corporation to undertake further work on a limited design study contract for a possible supersonic airliner project. A contract for this work is being negotiated with the Corporation. It will cover a period of about a year and cost £350,000.If such an aircraft were to be built there would be substantial advantages in carrying it out in co-operation with other countries. The British Aircraft Corporation is being asked as part of the contract to explore further with appropriate companies overseas the possibilities of collaboration with a view to the sharing of costs and the widening of the market for the product.

asked the Minister of Aviation what were the navigational aids fitted in the large jet aircraft which recently landed in error at Northolt under the impression that it was at London Airport; and, in particular, whether it was fitted with Decca navigator system.

I understand that the jet aircraft in question was equipped with instrument landing system, VOR automatic direction finding and LORAN, but not with Decca.

asked the Minister of Aviation how many jet flights took off from London Airport over the period August. September, 1960, on Runway 10R; how many of these flights were monitored; how many Pan American Airways and Trans World Airlines jet take-offs are included in these numbers; and how many of these were monitored.

During August and September, 1960, 484 jet flights took off from London Airport on runway 10R; 415 were monitored. The figures for Pan American Airways and Trans World Airlines included in this number are, respectively, 82 and 33, of which 71 and 27 were monitored.

asked the Minister of Aviation how many scheduled jet flights took off from London Airport between 23.00 and 07.00 hours over the period April-September, 1960; and how many passengers were carried on those flights.

The information for which the hon. Member asks will take some time to collect. I will let him have it as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Defence what provisions will be inserted in the proposed agreement with the United States of America about the feeder base at Gareloch to ensure prior consultation with the Prime Minister on the movements of the Polaris submarine.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Members for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun), Dunbartonshire, East (Mr. Bence), Greenock (Dr. Dickson Mabon) and Ashfield (Mr. Warbey).

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made in dealing with rheumatism; and what action is being taken to ensure that adequate research is available.

The specific causes of rheumatism have not yet been discovered but there is increasing knowledge of the methods of relieving the sufferers and limiting disability. With regard to research, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Feltham (Mr. Hunter) on 25th July. 1960.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made from the various experiments designed to cure the common cold; to what extent people can expect new aids to withstand colds this winter; and what official advice is available to the public to minimise the danger of infection or to get rid of it when so affected.

Investigations carried out during recent years under the auspices of the Medical Research Council into the causation of common colds have led to considerable advances in knowledge the possibilities of prophylaxis are being explored. Virus research at the Common Cold Research Unit and elsewhere has not resulted in the discovery of a specific remedy.Posters with advice to prevent the spread of colds are available from the Ministry of Health free of charge to local authorities and to industrial or commercial concerns. The Ministry also sponsors the making of filmlets on this subject for showing on television.

asked the Minister of Health what consideration is being given to the possibility of industrial mass vaccination against influenza on a national basis.

Vaccination against influenza is available under the National Health Service to any person whose doctor considers it desirable. My right hon. Friend is advised that there is at present no evidence suggesting that special arrangements for the mass vaccination of industrial workers are called for.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of an increasing tendency amongst local authorities to demand payment for the provision of home helps to those in receipt of National Assistance; and whether he will introduce legislation to prevent this.

My right hon. Friend is at present discussing this matter with the associations representing the local health authorities.

asked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken to publicise the facilities existing under the National Health Service for vaccination against poliomyelitis.

Continuous publicity is given by local health authorities to the facilities they provide and to the need for persons for whom vaccination is available to take advantage of these facilities. Medical practitioners also play an active part in encouraging patients to be vaccinated.The Ministry supply posters free of charge and sponsor the making of film-lets for showing on television, and we take every available opportunity of emphasising publicly that the large number of people who have not yet secured the protection available to them should do so without delay.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs the number of smokeless zones or smoke-control areas in operation; how many premises are involved; what plans there are in this respect in the near future; and in how many areas no action has been taken.

On 1st October, 1960, there were 296 smokeless zones or smoke control orders in operation in England and Wales, covering 255,974 premises, and 98 more smoke control orders covering 123,219 premises have been confirmed but were not yet in operation. The plans of local authorities in the black areas were summarised in the Command Paper entitled "Smoke Control (England and Wales)" published in July (Cmnd. 1113). Some 1,270 local authorities have not made smoke control orders, but most of these do not have a major problem of domestic smoke pollution.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what progress has been made in dealing with the pollution of the River Thames, and the stanch nuisance that has, for some years, affected the people in the Erith and surrounding areas.

Substantial improvements to several of the sewage disposal works discharging to the tidal river have been completed or are being carried out, and a number of industrial effluents have been improved. In particular, extensions to the London County Council's northern outfall works are now in full operation. There has been a reduction in the amount of sulphide in the river which must, I am advised, have reduced the nuisance the hon. Member is so rightly concerned about. I am continuing to keep a watch on the position.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the sudden and increasing redundancy in British industry which has created widespread unemployment among the newspaper, motor and other workers; and if he will set up an authoritative commission of inquiry to ascertain the reasons for this.

It is true that workers have recently been discharged by arms in the motor vehicle, newspaper, and other industries. Their numbers, however, are not large in relation to the numbers employed. Everything possible is being done to secure their reabsorption into employment. No advantage would be gained by appointing a commission of inquiry.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of boys and girls leaving school for employment after the summer holidays in the Gateshead district, the numbers placed in employment, and the numbers of unemployed; and what action he proposes to assist those in obtaining employment.

310 boys and 388 girls left schools in the Borough of Gateshead at the end of the summer term this year. On 10th October, 22 boys and one girl were still seeking employment. The Youth Employment Service is assisting them to obtain suitable employment.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to ensure speedy re-employment for the skilled workers rendered redundant by the closure of the News Chronicle and the Star.

As I explained in reply to the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. G. M. Thomson) yesterday, engagements of workers in the newspaper industry are normally arranged direct between employers and trade unions. My local offices in the London and Manchester areas will do all they can to help workers seeking other employment, and I have made special arrangements for the facilities we provide to be brought to the notice of those concerned.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement about the establishment of the Caribbean Organisation to replace the Caribbean Commission.

The Agreement for the establishment of the Caribbean Organisation was signed in Washington on 21st June, 1960, and the text laid before Parliament on 15th September. The new Organisation, which will have broadly the same objectives as the Caribbean Commission, will reflect the significant constitutional and economic changes which have taken place in the area since the Caribbean Commission was established by agreement between the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the Netherlands in 1946. Thus the members will be the Governments of the Caribbean territories themselves, the metropolitan Powers—except for France whose Caribbean territories are Departments of Metropolitan France—withdrawing to the position of observers. The Organisation will have its headquarters in Puerto Rico.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet received the Report of the Committee, under the chairmanship of Lord Guest, on the Scottish licensing law.

Yes. I have received the First Report of the Committee, which deals with the questions of Sunday drinking and permitted hours on week-days. It is now being printed and I shall arrange for it to be presented to Parliament and published in the near future. I should like to take this opportunity of thanking Lord Guest and the other members of the Committee for the thorough way in which they have dealt with these heads of their remit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, taking the internal purchasing value of the £ sterling at 20s. in October, 1951, it had declined to 18s. in September, 1954, and to 15s. 10d. in September, 1957; and what was the comparable figure for September, 1960.

Yes, on the basis of the retail price index. The comparable figure for September, 1960, is 15s. 2d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the annual overseas investment per head of population of the United Kingdom since 1951.

The estimated per capita figures of long-term investment abroad^* by the United Kingdom are given in the following table:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made with the establishment of the University of Essex; and whether he will make a statement.

No decision has yet been reached on whether there is a need for further new university institutions. The University Grants Committee, which advises the Government on university matters, is considering proposals for a University of Essex, together with proposals for new universities from a number of other localities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that many landlords are demanding, and receiving, excessive rents for decontrolled properties; and whether he will introduce a special excess property or rent tax for all moneys received by landlords above a stated figure, after allowing for actual expenditure on repairs and decorations by the recipients of these excess rents.

No. Rents are already fully taxed, subject to allowances for the landlord's liabilities in respect of maintenance, repairs insurance and management.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how the recent comparison was made with outside firms, as recommended by a Royal Commission in 1955, in relation to the executive class of the Civil Service; how leave and superannuation differences were assessed, and what were the unquantifiable outside benefits which were set against the differences; what proportion of the resulting salary increase represents a payment matching those undefined outside benefits; and what is the total annual amount of that proportion.

The Civil Service Pay Research Unit made a survey of comparable work in forty-four concerns in the public and private sectors and provided information on differences in leave and superannuation. These differences and unquantifiable benefits such as travel concessions, discount facilities, housing loans and long-service awards, were taken into account in the negotiations, but it is not possible to identify any of the resulting salary increases as matching the unquantifiable outside benefits.

asked the Minister of Works when and to whom Iver Grove, Buckinghamshire, was sold by his Department; how much it realised; and what provision is made for public access.

An offer of £18,200 from a private purchaser was accepted, subject to contract, on 11th October, 1960. The house and grounds will be open to the public by appointment.