asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action he proposes to take to allow the travel expenses of local authority members, within its boundary, to be reimbursed, as requested by the recent Annual Conference of the Association of Municipal Corporations.

I hope to make a statement later in the Session about this and other suggestions for amending the law relating to expenses and allowances payable to members of local authorities.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what attempts have been made to save the Ivanhoe Bath building at Ashby-de-la-Zouch and find a use for it.

This is primarily a matter for the county council, as local planning authority, and my right hon. Friend understands that with the district council they are exploring possible ways of saving this interesting building. He has asked to be kept informed.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what guidance he has issued to local authorities in order to minimise the risk of attacks upon employees who are required to carry large sums of money between banks and offices.

None. The measures to be taken to minimise such risks vary with the circumstances, but I understand that the chief constable for the area concerned will always be prepared to give advice to local authorities and other organisations on the best measures in the local conditions.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what proposals he has for dealing with hard cases arising under the Private Street Works Act, 1892.

My right hon. Friend awaits the comments of the local authority associations on a draft circular on this subject. As soon as it is issued I will send my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what consultations he has had with local authority associations about amending the Local Government Act, 1933, to enable the establishment of single parish councils for groups of parishes each having a population of over 300; and when he intends to introduce legislation to this effect.

I have sought the views of the local authority associations concerned on this and other matters connected with rural parishes. If it is finally decided that legislation is necessary, the subject would appear suitable for inclusion in the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which I have foreshadowed, though not for this Session.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if, when amending the law for rating and valuation, he will exclude from liability for rates sports grounds used for amateur sport.

My hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate the contents of the proposed Bill.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if, in view of the overspill difficulties of Middlesex, he will now make financial assistance available for a Middlesex new town.

The county council has 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 whether he will introduce legislation to prevent existing theatres being pulled down without other theatres being placed on the sites, or as part of their redevelopment.

No. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that a reasonable measure of control can be exercised through the existing planning enactments.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will state the areas, together with the number of houses for slum clearance, in the Gateshead borough which were inspected, represented, and await inquiry and confirmation of orders.

Compulsory purchase orders submitted by the Gateshead County Borough Council in respect of two slum clearance areas are at present before me. A decision will be issued shortly on one of these, and the other awaits public inquiry, which has been arranged for 13th December. The first of these orders covers 194 properties and the second 234.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when he anticipates introducing legislation to completely decontrol all rent-controlled property.

As the hon. Member will be well aware, the Government have stated that they will take no further action to decontrol rents in this Parliament.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state his proposals for a new Summit meeting; how far these proposals were discussed and agreed during his recent conversations with other Heads of State; and what differences of opinion still exist.

I have stated publicly that, if we can have a Summit Conference, both for the problem of Berlin and Germany and for other purposes, and if the Presidents of the United States and of France agree, I am all for it. I have also expressed the hope that such a Conference may take place during 1961.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a comprehensive statement on the subjects discussed and agreements reached during his recent conversations with President Eisenhower in the United States of America.

No. My conversations with President Eisenhower were confidential.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consult with representatives of the two major political parties in Parliament to consider methods of surmounting the present difficulties of arranging commercial and agricultural contracts with East Germany.

No. My right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal gave a full explanation of the position in his speech last week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the passport of Mr. Oginga Odinga, a Member of the Kenya Legislative Council, has been impounded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds the passports of Mr. Odinga, a member of the Kenya Legislative Council, and of Mr. Ochwada, deputy secretary-general of the Kenya African National Union, have been seized.

It is not the practice of Governments to give their reasons for action of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his discussions with the Kabaka of Buganda, on the arrangements for the forthcoming elections and the appointment of the Relationships Commission.

The hon. Member will have seen the reply to the first part of his Question which I gave him on 27th October. On the second part, the registration of voters is now complete and I understand that polling will take place in February or March next year. The terms of reference of the Relationships Commission form Appendix I of my despatch of 14th September to the Governor of Uganda, a copy of which is in the Library. I hope to make an announcement about the Relationships Commission in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much has been spent on the tourist industry in Malta in the past two years; and with what result.

I have asked the Governor for this information. When I have it I shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if the terms of reference to the Blood Commission were intended to include self-government.

I would refer the Hon. Member to my statement to the House on 27th July describing the framework within which the Commission will be making its recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that one of the members of the Blood Commission on Malta has resigned; and if he intends to fill the vacant position.

I would refer the hon. Member to my Written Reply of yesterday's date to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to make a statement on the future arrangements for the Colonial Development Corporation.

Following the debate in this House on 7th July, I have been in close consultation with the Corporation on the many complicated issues involved. These consultations are progressing and, as soon as they have been completed, I will make a further statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what help is being made available to those islands of the Federation of the West Indies which suffered damage in the recent hurricane.

There have been two hurricanes in The West Indies this year. Damage from the first was confined to St. Lucia in the Windward Islands and Her Majesty's Government are making a grant of $BWI. 1 million for the relief programme. The second affected a number of small islands in the Leewards and the Federal Government are proposing to approach Her Majesty's Government for comprehensive financial assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is proposed to hold the conference for the review of the Constitution of Northern Rhodesia; and who will be represented.

I have nothing at present to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. Stonehouse) on 25th October.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present position with regard to the application for an anti-dumping duty on starches imported into this country from West Germany.

As announced on 16th September, the German manufacturers concerned have agreed to raise their prices to eliminate the dumping. The Board of Trade is, therefore, taking no further action on the application.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the expansion of the new town of Glenrothes, he will now approve the proposal that an additional county councillor should be elected to represent the town.

After consideration of this proposal and of the objections which I have received against it, I have decided to refer it to public local inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the provision of a fourth new town to accommodate Glasgow overspill.

Detailed studies of a number of areas as possible locations for a fourth new town are at present in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to introduce legislation to amend the law of succession.

As the hon. Member is aware, there was not time to introduce a Bill on succession in the last Session of Parliament, and, in view of the claims of other measures in the Government's programme, I can give no undertaking to do so during the current session.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he intends to make during the Session to modernise the law relating to succession.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have today given to the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will take steps to list the telephone numbers of county court offices in the telephone directory.

Outside London the majority of county courts already have their telephone numbers listed in the telephone directory. Although the telephone numbers of courts in London are at present withheld, my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor is considering a proposal to publish them for a trial period of one year. If the proposal is put into effect, he will review the position at the end of that period.

asked the Attorney-General what steps were taken, previous to the decision to institute a prosecution against Penguin Books Limited, in connection with the publication of "Lady Chatterley's Lover", to obtain the opinion of experts as to the literary or artistic merits of the book, with a view to ascertaining whether a defence on the grounds afforded by Section 4 (1) of the Obscene Publications Act, 1959, could be established or negatived; and what opinions were received as a result.

It is not the practice to disclose particulars of inquiries made on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions with a view to the institution of criminal proceedings.

asked the Attorney-General why Her Majesty's Government decided to prosecute Penguin Publications Limited; why they decided not to appeal against the court's decision on the "Lady Chatterley's Lover" case; and what is the approximate cost to public of this case.

No decisions were taken by Her Majesty's Government in respect of this prosecution. Proceedings were instituted by the Director of Public Prosecutions because in his opinion the evidence available disclosed a prima facie case of an offence against the Obscene Publications Act, 1959; no appeal is being brought against the court's decision because no appeal lies against an acquittal on the verdict of a jury; the cost of the prosecution to public funds is £278 is.

asked the Attorney-General why the Crown prosecuted Penguin Books Limited, for the publication of "Lady Chatterley's Lover"; and what were the total costs.

Proceedings were instituted by the Director of Public Prosecutions because in his opinion the evidence available disclosed a prima fade case of an offence against the Obscene Publications Act, 1959; the prosecution's costs amounted to £1,131 17s. 3d.

asked the Attorney General if he will bring to the attention of the Director of Public Prosecutions the obscene libel published in the eighth paragraph of the article by Mr. Wayland Young in the issue of the Guardian newspaper of 4th November.

No.

asked the Lord Privy Seal why the United Kingdom representative was instructed to vote against the admission of Communist China in the recent United Nations debate on the subject.

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend said on this subject during the debate on 4th November.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what response Her Majesty's Government propose to make to Mr. Hammarskjoeld's appeal for contributions to the $100 millions special fund which he has established in accordance with the resolution passed by the Special Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations on 20th September to enable the United Nations to assist the Congo to restore and maintain its essential public services.

Mr. Hammarskjoeld has been informed that, subject to Parliamentary approval, Her Majesty's Government will make an immediate contribution of the sterling equivalent of $3 million. Parliament will be asked in due course to vote the money by means of a supplementary estimate to the Foreign Office Grants and Services vote. In the meantime an advance is being obtained from the Civil Contingencies Fund.Mr. Hammarskjoeld has also been informed that, on the assumption that a further examination of the requirements will show that a further contribution would be appropriate, and that other countries are doing their share, Her Majesty's Government undertake to make, in the early spring of next year, a further contribution of not less than the sterling equivalent of $2 million; again, of course, subject to Parliamentary approval.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the arrangements for political control of tactical nuclear weapons supplied to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces in Germany; and, in particular, who may give authority for the firing of nuclear weapons held by the British Army of the Rhine.

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence stated to the House on 4th November, initiation of the use of tactical nuclear weapons by forces assigned to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, in Germany or elsewhere in his command, requires a specific order from SACEUR. This of course applies to B.A.O.R. SACEUR'S decision to use nuclear weapons is, as he has frequently confirmed, subject to his obtaining political authorisation. SACEUR has also confirmed his recognition that all North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces under his command, conventional and nuclear, are controlled ultimately by a higher political authority, the N.A.T.O. Council and its member Governments.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation with respect to the command of military forces in Northern Europe.

None.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the serious flooding at Chandlers Ford, in the borough of Eastleigh, on Sunday, 9th October, and Friday, 28th October, and the continuing threat of a recurrence; and whether he will consult the Hampshire River Board with a view to preventing a recurrence.

The flooding at Chandlers Ford was due, I understand, to the flow of water on the days in question being too great for the culverting of a subsidiary watercourse through an urban area. The Hampshire River Board has no power to undertake works on this watercourse, but the Land Drainage Bill now before Parliament would enable the borough council concerned to undertake the necessary improvement, and this work would, if approved, be eligible for grant aid.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the serious flooding in the parish of Eling on Sunday, 9th October; and whether he will consult with the Hampshire River Board with a view to preventing a recurrence.

I understand that the Hampshire River Board is to consider possible alleviation work at Eling. But the board informs me that, under certain conditions of tide, it is impossible to prevent some flooding.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as representing the Minister for Science, what arrangements are being made to provide for further research on the metabolic diseases of sheep and cattle, and on the general subject of meat, in accordance with the recommendations of the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy.

Every effort is made, as opportunity offers and suitable staff can be recruited, to extend the research on the metabolic diseases of sheep and cattle which is in progress at a number of stations supported by the Agricultural Research Council. This includes direct research and, in addition, much of the basic research undertaken at the Council's stations on the physiology of sheep and cattle, which is potentially important in elucidating the causes of these metabolic diseases. The Council arranges conferences of those engaged in research in particular fields at which progress can be assessed and future lines of work suggested; two such conferences have beer held on acetonaemia and hypomagnesaemia, and future ones are being arranged. Suitable proposals for work at University Departments are also supported by means of grants.Proposals for establishing a Meat Research Institute are being considered. Research on meat is already in progress at the Low Temperature Research Station and elsewhere; the Council also gives support to suitable projects which are submitted to it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as representing the Minister for Science, what steps he is taking to provide for further research Oil the storage of fruit.

The Agricultural Research Council is at present considering how the research effort on the storage of fruit can most profitably be increased. Research on this subject has been in progress for a number of years at the Ditton Laboratory, Maidstone. Fruit raised under different cultural and manurial practices, on experimental plots at the adjacent East Mailing Research Station, is subjected to different conditions of storage, and the amount of deterioration is assessed. With changing techniques of orchard management, new problems are continually arising, particularly in connection with chemical changes occurring in fruit during storage. In addition to research on fruit in storage, field experiments are in progress at the Long Ashton Research Station on the bringing of fruit into store in as healthy a condition as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will authorise the scheme to provide for a second river crossing in Newport.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the congestion in the centre of Newport, he will approve the Newport Corporation's plans for a new bridge at George Street.

If Parliament approves the Bill which the Newport Corporation will be laying before them this Session, I would hope to consider the Corporation's scheme for a grant in 1961–62.

asked the Minister of Education, as representing the Minister for Science, what action is being taken to improve seismological stations in view of the comments made in paragraph 67 of the Annual Report of the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy.

As is stated in paragraph 70 of the Report of the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy for 1959–60, recommendations for expanding seismological facilities at the Universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh were communicated by the Chairman of the Council to the Universities concerned. The implementation of these recommendations is a matter in the first instance for the Universities.

asked the Minister of Education, as representing the Minister for Science, what steps are being taken to expand the regional information services of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

The possibility of establishing centres in addition to the existing centres at Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester and Newcastle is at present under active consideration. At the same time, new arrangements are being negotiated for the existing centres which have hitherto been supported by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research from Conditional Aid funds. All these proposals depend on the sharing of costs between the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and industry.

asked the Minister of Education, as representing the Minister for Science, why there is considerable delay in testing new products for fire resistance at the Fire Research Station, Boreham Wood; to what extent this is attributable to the preparations being made for the opening of a new wing; and whether he will ensure that the products presented to the Research Station are dealt with more expeditiously.

Recent delays have been due to a welcome increase in the number of applications from industry coupled with difficulty in recruiting qualified staff. Efforts are being made to recruit the additional staff required to increase the rate of testing within the available facilities. The time required has not been significantly increased by preparations for the opening of the new building.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will give lists of the county grammar and county secondary modern schools in Cornwall, stating the years in which each was built.

I am inquiring whether this information can be supplied without undue research and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Education whether he has yet made a decision on the proposal of the Essex County Council for regional status for the South-East and South-West Essex Technical Colleges.

A few points remain to be decided in connection with my general review of regional colleges. Until this has been done, it will not be possible to reach conclusions about individual colleges. I will inform my hon. Friend of the outcome as soon as I can.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what financial contribution the three British High Commission Territories are making to the Decimilisation Board of South Africa as their share of the cost in their change over to the Rand cent Republican decimal coinage system, which these three British Territories are adopting on 14th February, 1961.

None. But they will bear the cost of certain compensation Liabilities arising in the Territories out of the change-over.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether it is with his authority and approval that the three British High Commission Territories of Basutoland, Swaziland and Bechuanaland are adopting, on 14th February, 1961, the new Union of South Africa Republican decimal coinage system.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he is aware that ritual murder and witchcraft have increased in Basutoland since the Protectorate was accorded its present measure of self-government; and if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the findings of the Maseru Court in the recent examination of Chief Matlere Lerotholi, his brother, and four other Basutos accused of the ritual murder of the herd boy Kaizer on 29th May, 1959.

My information does not bear out the suggestion made in the first part of the Question. As regards the second part of the Question, the case to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers to is still sub judice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the report by the General Secretary of the Civil Service Clerical Association, a copy of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Arundel and Shoreham, to the effect that the Treasury has ignored reorganisation plans put forward by the Association, which would have allowed a saving of 10 per cent. on staff; what plans he has to effect a financial saving through a reduction of staff; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The Association has proposed a reallocation of work between clerical assistants and clerical officers, to be accompanied by increased pay for both grades. The cost of giving more pay would, in their view, be offset by the staff savings which they assert would result from reallocation of work. In 1957, when these proposals were first considered, the Treasury was unable to accept the conclusions reached by the Association. The matter is, however, now in course of re-examination. More generally, staff complements are kept under constant review.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if, in view of the coloured documentary film taken of the State Opening of Parliament, soon to be distributed throughout the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, he will make it possible for Her Majesty's Stationery Office to produce a brief explanation of the proceedings, together with their historical significance, including an explanation of the meaning of the Cap of Maintenance and the Sword of State.

Consideration is being given by the Foreign Office, Commonwealth Relations Office and Colonial Office, the sponsors of the official colour film of the State Opening of Parliament, to the preparation on their behalf by the Central Office of Information of an illustrated booklet on the subjects suggested by the hon. Member, for distribution

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the incidence of Income Tax in 1954–55 and 1959–60, respectively, on married and single men with incomes of £500, £1,000, £2,000, and £5,000 respectively.

The figures are as follows: