asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many countries receive British films for television transmission; and if the quantity of British films now available allows for more than one hour's showing weekly by those television stations.

The official Information Services supply television material regularly to 44 countries and occasionally to nine more. The amount supplied varies according to the territory. But the average allows for transmission of a little more than an hour a week. This is in addition to overseas sales by the B.B.C. and I.T.V.

Is there a demand for this material which we are not now meeting, and, if so, is there any means by which we can increase the supply?

There is a considerable demand which, in general, we are meeting, but the demand is rising and we are increasing the resources which are available for it.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps are being taken to encourage the establishment of television stations in British territories; and what technical or financial assistance has been given to such countries to help them establish a television service.

In Colonial Territories—and I assume this is what my hon. Friend means by British territories—my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary advises on television development generally, and my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General on frequencies and similar matters. The B.B.C. gives valuable help including technical advice.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that television is an outstandingly successful means of distributing information and strengthening educational facilities in areas where the communication of ideas is difficult? Would he not, therefore, consider that more money should be spent or more resources made available to, strengthen these services? Does he think that if more money were made available to him he could use it profitably in this way?

Important though television is, there are, of course, great tracts of the world in which sound broadcasting is the most appropriate medium. I do, of course, agree in general that we must seek to secure the showing of British material overseas, but, as my hon. Friend will recall, I dealt with that point in my former Answer.

Do not the remarks of the hon. Member for Wycombe (Mr. John Hall) bear out what I have asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to do—to press ahead with subsidising the B.B.C.'s television transcription service and also to enable the C.O.I. to run its own film unit to provide specially geared television material to overseas countries?

I assume that when the hon. Gentleman speaks of the transcription service he is referring to television material. I would refer him to what I said before, that money is available for the purchase of suitable material both from the B.B.C. and from independent television companies.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster by what method interpreters and guides are recruited for accompanying official visitors to this country.

Escorting officers are recruited after interview from applicants on the appropriate Ministry of Labour register, or responding to public advertisement. In general, interpretation is supplied by Departmental officers.

Would the Chancellor agree that often the strongest impression left upon the mind of an official visitor to this country is the personality of his interpreter or guide? Has not the time come to raise the status of these important people and to take a little more care than indicated by his Answer in their selection and training?

I agree with the hon. Gentleman's main point. I have seen a good deal of these escorting and interpreting officers, and I confess that I have been impressed with their quality and efficiency, but I will consider the second general point the hon. Member raises.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what specialised training courses are undergone by information officers before their first appointment overseas.

Training courses for information officers have been organised by Departments concerned and by the Central Office of Information at intervals during the past two years. Arrangements have recently been made for revised courses, improved in the light of experience, to begin in January. These will be more frequent and will contain a higher proportion of pratcical instruction in newspaper offices, agencies and so on.

Quite apart from the practical instruction, is sufficient done in the ideological sphere? For example, are these information officers specially trained in the differences between the Soviet, Egyptian and Chinese anti-colonial propaganda? Will they be trained in this, and, if so, where and for how long?

In general, I believe that to be the case, but I will send the hon. Member the proposed course which is to start on 1st January. I will be glad to receive any observations which he may have about it.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what pamphlets relating to the British way of life will be published by the Central Office of Information during the next month.

As the answer includes a list of 24 publications, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, would not it be useful to have a pamphlet setting out the extent to which housing is no longer a national problem, in view of the many official statements to that effect without supporting evidence? Or does the C.O.I. not publish works of fiction?

I suspected, rightly it seems, that the hon. Member was not in search of information but of a little personal publicity.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which British daily newspapers are distributed overseas at Government expense.

With permission, I will circulate the list of 25 titles in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to co-ordinate information about a Polaris base in Scotland, and to ensure that this information is widely distributed throughout the United States of America.

The facts and arguments about the facilities for the Polaris submarines have been stated in Parliament and accordingly reported in the output of the official overseas information services distributed in America and elsewhere.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the opposition to Polaris is much more clamant outside Parliament than inside? Will he take steps to see to it that American citizens are adequately informed about the opposition of such bodies as the Scottish Trades Union Congress and of the protest of such eminent Church of Scotland dignitaries as the Very Rev. Sir George MacCleod and the Minister of St. Giles' Cathedral?

There are many observers in this country who can faithfully report the picture, as they see it, across the water—and they do.

Why should not the right hon. Gentleman convey to the United States, through official information resources, what has happened in Scotland recently, such as the huge demonstrations and the protest made not only by trade unionists and Labour people but by churches? Why should not the American public be informed of these issues?

But these things are faithfully and fully recorded in the American Press.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board to refrain from further increases in the price of coal, while surplus stocks exist.

No, Sir. The Board's prices must continue to depend on its financial position.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also consider the case of the British Motor Corporation, which is similarly placed? The corporation has huge stocks and yet its prices are going up.

No, Sir. The British Motor Corporation is not a responsibility of mine.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that, in general, when a trading concern has surplus stocks, lower and not increased prices will sell them? Would he not also agree that the recent increase in the price of coal, made when Parliament was in recess, has not only caused hardship but has priced coal out of the market in favour of fuel oil?

If the National Coal Board had reduced the price of coal in stock, it would have had the effect that any extra coal bought from its stocks would have been replaced from current production. The effect on the stock position would not, therefore, have been very great.

asked the Minister of Power what action has been taken to ensure that a satisfactory flow of household coal is maintained to south-east London and north-west Kent during the winter months, in view of the unsatisfactory situation experienced last winter when coal which left Midland collieries early in December was not received by the merchants until February.

asked the Minister of Power (1) what discussions he has had with the British Transport Commission concerning the conveyance of adequate supplies of domestic coal; and whether he will make a statement;

The British Transport Commission and the National Coal Board are making special arrangements, and diverting some traffic to the roads, in order to deal with the winter coal demand. The two industries are in constant touch, and I understand that British Railways are now moving about 200,000 tons of coal a week more than last year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that it is enough, bearing in mind that coal left the Midlands on 4th December last year but did not get into south-east London until the first week of February? Does he appreciate that we must have a much better performance this year, because the Parliamentary Secretary said on Thursday that coal stocks were lower because of the high buying during the summer? Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that everything is being done?

I am aware of the difficulties of last year to which the hon. Member has drawn attention, but British Railways are moving a great deal more coal this year. Deliveries to the Metropolis in October last made possible a very large increase in the amount of coal delivered to consumers, and at the same time allowed coal merchants to add to their stocks. Lastly, arrangements have been reached between the British Transport Commission and the National Coal Board to enable quite a lot of coal to be moved by road to the power stations, thus freeing facilities for the movement of other coal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that coal merchants in the Metropolis are very short of supplies, particularly of certain grades of fuel for smokeless zones? In the event of a cold snap, a number of households will be completely out of supplies. Will he consider an emergency plan for the transport of coal in special circumstances?

The British Transport Commission and the National Coal Board are holding weekly meetings to review the position. There is consultation not only at headquarters but also at divisional level. All these consultations are being held to meet the kind of difficulties which the hon. Gentleman has in mind.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I am already receiving complaints from constituents about the difficulty of getting coal supplies and that they find it difficult to understand this in view of the National Coal Board's experiences in getting rid of its stocks? Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the arrangements to which he has referred are working?

The position is as I have stated it. If merchants in my hon. Friend's constituency are having difficulty, he will no doubt take the opportunity of putting them in touch with the National Coal Board.

If there should be a shortage of smokeless fuel, what arrangements will be made to see that people in smokeless zones will be able to use other fuels?

A smokeless zone is not approved unless it is clear that there is an adequate stock of smokeless fuel to enable it to exist. I hope, therefore, that the position which the right hon. Gentleman suggests will not arise.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board to ensure an adequate supply of domestic house coal of the right size and quality during the coming winter.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bilston (Mr. R. Edwards) on 17th November.

I have not that answer here. Is my right hon. Friend aware that it is not merely a question of transport? One of the reasons for the shortage of large house coal is the fact that it is not being mined. Does not he think it rather ridiculous that we as a nation are contracting this industry because it is producing too much of an unwanted commodity and not enough of a commodity which is required?

My hon. Friend is aware of some of the difficulties. The National Coal Board is taking steps to increase the percentage of large coal produced at present. But I do not think I should leave the House in doubt that the house coal position, because of the increase in mechanisation, will be more difficult this year than in previous years.

I fully follow what the right hon. Gentleman said about greater mechanisation resulting in more small coal, but when I was in Coventry the other night I found people furious because a pit in the area which had a good record and was not mechanised and was producing plenty of large household coal was being threatened with closure. Will the right hon. Gentleman look into that?

I will draw the attention of the National Coal Board to the hon. Member's remarks.

asked the Minister of Power what steps he is taking to ensure adequate supplies of boiler fuel for domestic purposes during the winter.

Total stocks of boiler fuel for domestic purposes are at about the same level as this time last year. Although there may be shortages of some types, such as anthracite, from time to time in particular places, there are abundant supplies of coke, which is the most important boiler fuel, and I do not think any special steps are called for.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that much of this coke is of an inferior quality and not acceptable to householders? Will he, therefore, take steps to improve not only quantity but quality?

It is not for me to improve quality. The Question asks about taking steps to ensure adequate supplies, but I do not know the type of coal to which the hon. Member is referring. If he will write to me, I will make inquiries on his behalf.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some smokeless fuel is being sold at a rate of 22s. a cwt., which seems a little excessive?

I do not think that that is covered by the Question.

asked the Minister of Power when he intends to act upon the recommendations of the Report of the Domestic Coal Consumers' Council, that in the interests of the consumer, coal be sold in accordance with the National Coal Board grouping and that coke be stored under cover to prevent its being sold with an excessive moisture content.

I have told the trade that the best way of dealing with these matters is for the trade itself to work out a scheme in co-operation with the producers, and I hope to receive proposals from them accordingly.

asked the Minister of Power to what extent, expressed as a percentage, the National Coal Board and the Gas Council, respectively, are able to meet the annual cost of replacement of plant out of their own resources.

Between vesting date and 1959, the National Coal Board provided from internal resources about 45 per cent. and the gas boards, taken together, about 37 per cent. of their expenditure on fixed assets. Over the period 1959 to 1965, both industries expect the ratio to average about 70 per cent.

If this refers to replacement of plant, the figures prior to the immediate present were a matter of some concern. Can my right hon. Friend indicate whether the financial position of the Board and the Council is improving as regards replacement of plant?

The ratio in the answer is expressed by reference to total fixed investment, but, for reasons which my hon. Friend knows, it is difficult to distinguish between replacement and new investments in these industries. I ask him to remember that both these industries have carried out programmes of major reconstruction which have made it extremely difficult for them in the past to achieve a higher rate of self-financing than the figures I have mentioned.

asked the Minister of Power what has been the annual cost to the Government of the bulk storage of oil for the years 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, and the estimated cost for 1960.

In round figures, the cost to my Department was £3½ million in 1956–57; and £2½ million, £7½ million and £7 million in the three succeeding years. The Estimate provision for 1960–61 is about £3 million.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that members of the National Union of Mineworkers and the National Coal Board are greatly disturbed about discrimination between a nationalised industry and private enterprise? Does he not think that the Government should give a nationalised industry, which has a tremendous amount of stock at present, the same consideration in respect of the expenses of those stocks which private industry receives for the bulk storage of oil?

No, Sir. If the hon. Member is referring to discrimination in the sense of comparing the oil stocks and the coal stocks, then the two are in no way comparable, because the oil stocks are held as a strategic reserve and the coal stocks exist for entirely other purposes.

asked the Minister of Power what steps are being taken to ensure that there is no danger to gas consumers in the Forest of Dean whose supply was affected by a fractured gas main consequent upon a recent accident on the River Severn; how many people are still affected by this fracture; and if he will make a statement.

Over 6,000 consumers were suddenly deprived of gas by the accident on 25th October. The South Western Gas Board arranged for emergency supplies of bottled gas, and the loan of appliances to burn it, in schools and hospitals within 48 hours and in over 3,000 other premises within nine days. Special bridging arrangements and the purging of affected mains enabled town gas supplies to be restored on 8th November and extended without accident by 12th November to all consumers affected.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we in the Forest of Dean are very conscious of the debt which we owe to the South West Gas Board for the way it dealt with this situation? Is he aware that the board dealt with it almost as a war-time emergency and did a wonderful job of work and all that possibly could be done in the circumstances? Will he convey to the officials of the board the appreciation of my constituents for the way they handled this situation?

I appreciate the hon. Member's remarks and I will see that they are conveyed to the board.

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps he is taking to expedite the traffic of incoming passengers at London Airport.

A new passenger building for long distance traffic is being constructed. Plans are being prepared for an extension to the Domestic Section of the existing short-haul building and for alterations of the layout of the International Arrivals Section to speed the flow of passengers. In addition the transfer of some traffic from London to Gatwick is being discussed with the airlines.

Will my hon. Friend say when the intercontinental centre will be completed and when the improved facilities will be available for domestic traffic, since present facilities are now very overcrowded?

The first part of the long haul building should be in use in the late summer of 1961 and the remainder early in 1962. I do not think that I can give any precise dates about modifications which are being made in the short-haul building.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will state the reasons for the proposed increase in landing fees at London Airport.

Landing fees at all State-operated civil aerodromes in the United Kingdom are to be increased by broadly one-third as a step towards making them self-supporting.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the consequences of this step will be that other countries will follow suit and air landing charges all over the world will increase? Will he seriously consider handing over the operation of London Airport to a body similar to the Port of London Authority so that it can try to break even?

Two questions are involved. One is who should run the aerodrome, which is a separate question which one could try to answer in a debate some other time. However, I am certain that airlines have to pay their own terminal charges. We cannot make them part of the Welfare State, and even if they are to be run by a Port of London Authority they must make both ends meet.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it would much more satisfactory to run it on the lines of Manchester Airport at Ringway, which, I understand, is both efficient and economic?

There are various points of view about every airport, and I do not want to be drawn into commenting on every one, but I think that that is rather a different question.

The right hon. Gentleman is new to this post, but will he agree that the Opposition have urged that the airport should be self-supporting? Does he not agree that there is no reason why the Government, directly or indirectly, should subsidise British or any other airlines?

I am very happy to see this atmosphere of happy accord between us.

Will my right hon. Friend tell me why the landing charges at London Airport are among the highest in the world?

I do not believe that they are. It depends on how the cash is collected. Many airports charge for petrol—they make a sort of special levy on petrol. If I were charging a levy on the petrol sold at London Airport, I should do quite well. There are various ways of charging, and if all the methods are compared, I think that it will be found that the charges at London are not higher than those at major airports.

asked the Minister of Aviation what advice he has received from the Air Traffic Control Advisory Committee on the need for a system of unified air traffic control in Europe or in Western Europe.

The Civil Aircraft Control Advisory Committee has not advised me specifically on the subject of air traffic control in Europe. I hope, however, to sign next month the Euro-control Convention setting up an international body for the control of upper air space.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Guild of Air Pilots submitted a paper on this problem of unified air control to the Civil Aircraft Committee, of which the Guild is a member, on 19th September, 1959, and that that paper wandered through the Air Traffic Control Board to the Minister's office and last month was finally returned to the Air Traffic Control Advisory Committee, without anything having been done other than to adorn the paper with various comments? In view of the increasing congestion in the air, can the right hon. Gentleman not try to shorten some of those procedures?

This and the Air Traffic Control Board are valuable bodies, and I am in broad agreement about the advice which has been given. I think that there is full agreement that what is wanted is an integrated civil and military control system. This is a suitable system for the United Kingdom, so I think that we all agree, and I will do my best to further those ends.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will now state the nature and extent of the financial support given to the aircraft industry in respect of the DH121, the Argosy, the VC10, and the Super VC10.

The financial support is of the nature indicated by my predecessor on 15th February last. The detailed terms are under discussion with the firms concerned.

Can the Minister say when we shall be able to have a picture of the details and the amount of Government support, the terms on which it is being given and whether there will be Government participation in any profit which may arise from this support? How long will it be before the contracts are settled?

The right hon. Gentleman served with great distinction at the Ministry of Supply. He knows the difficulties one is in in these matters. If I were to disclose all these details, it would make the whole business of putting these contracts out more complicated, and certainly more expensive, in future. I think we had better stick to the system we have always had, that we state support in round figures without going into details in particular contracts.

When can we get some information about this? Is the Minister aware that on 11th July his predecessor told me that some of the information which I am seeking would be given to the House as soon as the contracts were signed? I am asking when these contracts are likely to be signed and when we shall get the information, or is he telling us that we cannot get the information at all?

I would not go as far as saying that the right hon. Gentleman will not get any information, but I think it would be wrong to give the details of these contracts. I do not think the right hon. Gentleman when he was Minister of Supply ever gave details of contracts of this character. We have the round figure, which is £9·4 million in the 1960–61 Estimates, for assistance for the development and proving of transport aircraft, and I might be able to give some indication of the type of assistance given, but certainly not the details.

When?

As and when these various negotiations are concluded. I would not like to be tied to a specific date.

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps he proposes to take to reach agreement between his Department and the Airlines Operators' Committee over the procedure to be adopted in meeting his request for the filling in and collection of cards by arriving and departing long-distance passengers.

The scheme is still under consideration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House some information about this? Are all long-distance passengers involved? Will they all, British or otherwise, have to fill up a questionnaire of ten or eleven questions when they arrive and when they leave the country? If so, is it really necessary? Will it not be an awful nuisance and not worth while?

At the moment, I feel that these considerations are in some sense hypothetical, because until the Order in Council is made there is no such scheme. Until I have to deal with that scheme, I am not really so bothered about the difficulties of putting it into operation.

Has not the scheme been discussed with the Airline Operators Association on two occasions and no agreement reached? One understands why. What will happen? Will the Minister and the Government consider whether any such scheme is necessary at all?

The necessity for the scheme is not a matter for my Department. If it were introduced, some discussions would take place, but the broad view, as I understand it, is that the airlines do not like it.

Is it not a fact that the Board of Trade requested these forms to be brought in? Will my right hon. Friend, as the Minister of Aviation, resist it to the hilt and try to simplify travel as much as possible? Will he bear in mind that a few years ago when passengers had to fill in forms showing where they had spent the last fourteen nights they gave ridiculous answers?

I will certainly call the views of my hon. and gallant Friend to the attention of my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on the future development of Prestwick Airport.

The development is proceeding as planned. The extension of the main runway was completed in June in time for the big jets. The new control tower will be ready next summer. The contract for the first part of the new terminal apron and taxiway will be placed within a few weeks and a contract for the new airport terminal building will be placed next spring.

Does the Minister appreciate that this very costly development at Prestwick should be borne in mind when he is considering the proper use of this as an international airport? To develop the international airport as we are doing here and at the same time to deny the proper air linkage with centres of population within the country is really a bit ridiculous. Will he ask B.E.A. to get busy on the question of providing proper feeder services for Prestwick right away?

I have a feeling that we entered into this last week when answering questions on the subject, but meanwhile I am sure that the hon. Gentleman realises that these developments are necessary for the completion of this great international airport.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the total inadequacy of passenger accommodation at Prestwick, particularly in regard to jet passengers coming from Canada destined for London who are cooped up in aircraft for half an hour because there is nowhere else in Prestwick for them?

Certainly the starting of a new terminal building will make a great contribution to that.

Is the Minister aware that we are only entering into this business, we have not finished it? If it is important for strong reasons that we should concentrate on internal traffic at Renfrew, does he realise that it is as far from Prestwick to Renfrew as it is from Renfrew to Prestwick, and that we should try to consider those passengers travelling to London in the Ayrshire section so that they may have feeder services to London along with international air transport passengers?

I will certainly bear all these considerations very fully in mind.

asked the Minister of Aviation what progress has been made by research into the problem of reducing aircraft noise: and if he will make a statement.

In addition to the development of suppressors for fitment to existing jet engines, means are being sought of reducing the noise at source by improvements in engine design. Research on this problem will continue, but I cannot promise that full solutions will quickly be found.

Will my right hon. Friend see that instructions to aircraft operators and to flying clubs are strictly enforced to ensure that unnecessary noise is avoided and that flights over built-up areas are limited to the minimum, especially on Sundays?

I am sure that my hon. Friend is right to place full attention and importance on the question of fulfilling the rules laid down for the operation of aircraft.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether it is intended to continue with the plans for extending the main runway at Birmingham Airport, in view of the recent development of jet-propelled vertical take-off aircraft.

My right hon. Friend has so far received no proposals from the Birmingham Corporation, who own and operate the airport.

Is my hon. Friend aware that residents in Marston Green and the neighbouring housing estates are strongly opposed to what they believe to be an extension of Birmingham Airport near to the built-up area and that the main runway is already dangerously near to the houses in Elmdon Lane? Is he also aware that plans for the extension of the airport may be obsolete in view of the development of vertical take-off aircraft?

I was not aware of these matters, which were not referred to in the Question. As I indicated, this is really a matter in the first instance for the corporation which owns and operates the airport. As far as vertical take-off aircraft are concerned, I would not have thought that they had reached the stage of development where this was a relevant factor in considering the length of the runways.

asked the Minister of Aviation to what extent, expressed as a percentage, the British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways, respectively, are able to meet the annual cost of replacement of aircraft out of their own resources.

Over the four years 1958–59 to 1961–62 the B.O.A.C. expects to have met from its own resources 85 per cent. of the cost of replacing, as distinct from expanding, its fleet, and B.E.A. expects to have met 100 per cent.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will state the functions and purpose of the Civil Aircraft Control Advisory Committee.

This Committee, on which all civil aviation interests are represented, was set up to consider major aircraft control problems and to give advice upon them to my Department.

Is it not also the case that this Committee was asked to look at the major problems of air traffic control and to give advice to the Minister? Does it not appear, from the results, that it has looked at this problem for a very long time but has so far given no advice?

I think that that would be a wrong estimate of its work. It has done useful work, as has also the Air Traffic Control Board which has military as well as civil advisers on it, which I think is very important. I value these bodies, and I think that they will be a help to me in solving what is a very big and difficult problem.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to receive the report of the follow-up review being made by his Department on cases of leucotomy which was initiated by one of his predecessors in December, 1955.

This review has just been completed.

I thank my right hon. Friend and his Department for successfully concluding what has apparently been a very long effort. I hope that the review will be as valuable as many of us expect.

Could not the Minister be a little more forthcoming, in view of the disastrous effect upon personality of this operation? We have waited for many years for the result. In those circumstances, could not he make a statement, which might be reported in the medical press, as to whether this operation is regarded favourably or not?

Not until I have been able to consider the results of the review.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that drug manufacturers include in their manufacturing expenses such promotion expenses as continental holidays offered as prizes to pharmacists; and to what extent he takes into account such expenses in approving the costs of new drugs prescribed within the National Health Service.

I am aware of one recent instance of this, but am told that the firm concerned does not intend to use this type of sales promotion in future. The costs of new drugs prescribed within the National Health Service are not subject to my approval.

Does not the Minister agree that this type of advertising, which was indulged in by AsproNicholas in trying to introduce a new antibiotic, can only reflect adversely on the pharmaceutical industry as a whole? Will he do everything in his power, by persuasion, to see that it does not happen again?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Health why the average time for approving loans to group practices is four and a half months; and if he will take steps to shorten this period.

The committee needs this time to study the proposed arrangements and plans, to visit the groups and to get agreement to any modifications necessary.

I am aware of the very important work being done by this committee, and most general practitioners would agree upon the necessity for checking that a group practice is not merely a partnership, but will the Minister do what he can to bring down the maximum time to somewhere near the average of four and a half months?

Yes, but it has to be borne in mind that part of the time may well be spent by the doctors concerned in considering the proposals put to them by the committee.

Is the Minister aware that his Ministry is anxious to encourage group practices? I cannot agree that responsible men take four and a half months to decide upon certain proposals made by his Ministry, and if he allows them to wait for four and a half months it discourages rather than encourages group practices. Will he reconsider this period?

The proposals are not made by my Ministry but by the committee concerned, but I have no reason to suppose that this lapse of time is discouraging applications for group practice. It is very important that the proposals should be properly considered, both by the committee and by the doctors concerned.

asked the Minister of Health what was the maximum loan granted per doctor in a group practice receiving loans from the fund established for that purpose.

Two thousand, five hundred pounds.

Will the Minister resist any pressure that may arise to reduce this sum of £2,500 in order that there shall be more smaller loans? Will he consult his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer with a view to raising the amount of money available for this very important project?

That is the maximum. The committee has discretion to lend larger sums in particular cases.

Is it the Minister or the medical profession that decides the aggregate amount of money available to this committee in a year, since a Written Answer the Minister gave me recently indicated that this amount of money has been absorbed in about half the year in respect of the three years to which he referred, and it should be much greater if we are to encourage group practice?

Since that time, as I think the hon. Member is aware, the amount available has been increased. The work which is going on also refers to the allocation for the coming year.

asked the Minister of Health what reports he has received of ill-effects on health resulting from dust containing sulphuric acid, believed to emanate from the power station at Bromborough, Cheshire; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has had a letter from my hon. Friend and another from three residents. I am informed that the local authority is investigating the effects of this dust, including its effects on health. Any question of controlling its emission would be for my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Housing and Local Government.

I recognise that the responsibility of my hon. Friend's Department is rather limited in this matter. Nevertheless, I would ask her to keep a close watch on this situation, in view of the genuine local anxiety that exists as to the possible effects on health of these emissions of sulphuric dust?

In reply to our inquiries, the local Medical Officer of Health for Bebington and Bromborough told us that measures taken earlier this year by the Generating Board to reduce the emission of this dust have not been entirely successful. He stated that there is possibly some evidence of resulting skin irritation, but he does not accept that there is evidence of ulceration of the mouth and nose, blisters and sore throats, as my hon. Friend stated in his letter to my right hon. Friend. Nevertheless, I am sure that my right hon. Friend would wish to assure my hon. Friend that he will keep in touch with the medical officer of health.

In view of the high incidence of chest complaints in the country, can the hon. Lady say how strong is the liaison between her Department and the Alkali Inspectorate of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government?

That is really another question, but, as I implied in my Answer to the Question, responsibility for action rests with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, and where there is a health aspect it is dealt with through the local medical officer of health.

asked the Minister of Health why he is unable to promise legislation in this Session to establish a national council for social work training, the urgent need for which has been accepted; and what new arrangements for training social workers in the health and welfare services he intends to make pending legislation.

I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Education, about the early provision of courses on the lines recommended in the Younghusband Report. These need not await the establishment of a National Council.

I am very glad to have the information asked for in the second part of my Question, but the Minister has not answered the first part. Is he aware that eighteen months have elapsed since this report was published? If he is not able to introduce legislation in the present Session, it will be another eighteen months before the council can be set up. Since the Mental Health Act cannot be implemented, so far as local authorities are concerned, until this council is set up, will he get a move on?

I am anxious to get moving on this, but I do not believe that the fact that a council has not yet been established is delaying practical measures to get training going as widely as possible, but I am concentrating on both.

asked the Minister of Health what reforms have taken place at the Rampton Mental Hospital during the past two years; what reforms are contemplated, or under consideration; and when the present practice requiring men and women patients to be in bed by 7.30 p.m. to suit the convenience of the staffing arrangements is to be changed, in the best interests of the patients, until a later hour.

Since the answer to the first part of the Question is long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I hope that a later bedtime for male patients can be introduced from 1st January; the same will be done on the female side as soon as recruitment permits.

I should like to thank the Minister for what he has done, and hope for the best in what I read in the report. Is he aware that parents who have been travelling for many years to Rampton to see long-term patients are deeply appreciative of the splendid reforms which have taken place in the last year? They are appreciated very much, both in respect of the patients and the care and welfare visitors themselves receive. Will the right hon. Gentleman thank his staff and the superintendent for those reforms?

indicated assent.

Can the Minister say how long he intends to keep the women in bed?

That depends upon the rate of recruitment—but it will be no longer than I can help.

To ask the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of unemployed registered at the Barking Employment Exchange, Essex, at the latest convenient date; and if he will give the figures for the corresponding dates in 1948, 1950, 1955, and 1959.

Mr. Speaker, in order to save time I will take a Written Answer.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the disagreement between the management and staff of the Derby Trustee Savings Bank concerning salaries and the ban now taking place on all overtime; and if he will take steps to effect an early settlement of this dispute.

I am aware of the difficulties referred to by the hon. and learned Member. My right hon. Friend has already made the services of the officers of the Ministry available to help bring about a settlement.

Could the hon. Gentleman say when this offer was made to bring the two parties together, having regard to the length of time that this dispute has been proceeding?

I am afraid I cannot give the hon. and learned Member the exact date. Both parties to the dispute have been seen by the officers of the Ministry, and our officers are at present discussing the employees' difficulties with the officials of the union with a view to finding how best they can help resolve the matter.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the problem seems to be that while the union is very anxious to negotiate with the bank, the bank management is saying that it cannot negotiate with the union locally because of the existence of some national body, and the national body is saying that it cannot negotiate because this is a matter of reference to local banks? Will the Minister see the bank authorities and see what can be done to get them into a frame of mind to meet the union.

As I have said, our officials have seen both sides, bath the union representatives and also the bank representatives.

I apologise for repeating this. That is not the problem. The union is anxious for a meeting and it is the bank which is refusing it. In a letter to me today, the chairman said that he cannot negotiate. On the other hand, the national body says it cannot negotiate and the problem, therefore, is wholly on the employers' side. Will the hon. Gentleman get the officials to see the bank again to persuade it to enter negotiations?

My right hon. Friend will take note of what the right hon. Member says.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will introduce legislation to amend the Public Health Act, 1936, with a view to increasing the washing facilities in cafés and restaurants.

There are practical difficulties about this. My right hon. Friend will bear the suggestion in mind, but he cannot hold out any prospect of legislation in the near future.

In considering this, will the Minister bear in mind that facilities for washing and also toilet facilities in cafés and restaurants, particularly of the small variety, are quite inadequate? Is he aware that the municipal authorities are anxious to have this legislation?

My right hon. Friend has already had representations from the hon. Member for Derbyshire, South-East (Mr. Jackson) as well as those from the hon. Member, and he will certainly bear those points in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that many of the components of the vehicles made by Fords of Dagenham are manufactured in Lincoln; and whether he will make a statement on the proposed acquisition by a foreign company of a large number of the shares of this company.

I am aware that some of the components of vehicles made by Fords of Dagenham are manufactured in Lincoln. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my statement after Questions today. The statement also covers the question of vehicle components.