asked the Minister of Labour how many training development officers have now been appointed by the Industrial Training Council.

Nine posts have so far been created under the Industrial Training Council scheme and five appointments made.

asked the Minister of Labour how many new jobs he estimates will be created in the West of Scotland as the result of the establishment of a Polaris base at the Holy Loch.

Not more than 20.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of unemployed, male and female, at the latest convenient date, in the Dearne Valley area.

This area is included in that covered by employment exchanges and youth employment offices in Mex-borough and Wombwell where there were 362 males and 296 females unemployed on 14th November.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of unemployed young persons under 18 years of age, male and female, at the latest convenient date, in the Dearne Valley area.

On 14th November, 1960, 28 boys and 34 girls in the Dearne Valley area were registered as unemployed.

asked the Secretary of State for War what proposals he has for the production of a medium tank.

The new medium tank is now undergoing development trials. Preparations are being made for production, and orders have been placed for certain long-dated materials, jigs and tools.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) why the established custom, which existed under the former Minister of Supply, of joint consultation with representatives of employees engaged in Royal Ordnance factories has not been recognised by him;(2) in view of the large number of employees who have left the Royal Ordnance factory at Birtley, County Durham, why replacements are not being made.

These employees have not been replaced because the present volume of work at this factory does not justify fresh recruitment. There have been no changes in the arrangements for joint consultation in any of the Royal Ordnance factories since the War Office assumed responsibility for these establishments.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the general complaints that the present postal charges are too high; and if he will make a detailed statement on the cost of the transport and delivery of letters, indicating when the present postage rates will be reduced, and to what extent.

I am not aware of any general complaint that postal charges are too high. The cost of the Postal Service is shown in the Post Office Report and Commercial Accounts for 1959–1960 (Cmd. 1206). I have no statement to make about postage rates.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the number of automatic machines supplied to the post offices for inside and outside use to supply 3d. stamps, and the number now under construction for future use.

About 540 machines selling 3d. stamps have been supplied to post offices, mainly for outside use. Thirty more are about to be issued: and a further 1,800 are being manufactured.

asked the Postmaster-General how many residents in the town of Selby are now waiting far a telephone.

Nine.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants are waiting for telephones in the borough of Barry; and how this figure compares with the figure of 12 months ago.

The figures are 118 and 62, respectively. Additional cables are being provided and the majority of the waiting applicants will be connected within the next six months.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation requiring dogs to be kept on the leash when being exercised in public streets.

There is already provision in Section 220 of the Road Traffic Act, 1960, empowering local authorities to make orders designating roads in their areas where dogs must be kept on a lead. These orders are subject to my confirmation. I have so far confirmed 162 such orders.

asked the Minister of Transport how many dog control orders made by local authorities he has confirmed under Section 15 of the Road Traffic Act, 1956, and Section 220 of the Road Traffic Act, 1960; how many local authorities have submitted draft orders; how many of these have been supported by the police; and whether he is satisfied with the progress being made in making these orders.

I have confirmed 163 orders and have told 12 councils that I am prepared to confirm their orders when they are ready. Only one or two orders await decision. In almost all cases the police did not raise any objection. Draft orders are sent by local authorities to my local offices; I regret that in the time available it has not been possible to ascertain their number. It is for local authorities to decide on the need for orders, but there seems to me to be scope for many more.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the number of motor vehicles per road mile and the number of road accidents involving death or injury in each country for which such statistics are available to him.

The following table shows the numbers of motor vehicles per mile of road and numbers of fatal casualties, but comparable statistics of road accidents involving injury only cannot be given because of major differences in the definition and coverage of these statistics in different countries.

Country	Motor vehicles per mile of road	Fatal casualties
Great Britain	39·0	5,970
Belgium*	23·6	984
Denmark	15·5	620
France*	15·9	8,126
Federal Republic of Germany	47·4	11,703
Italy*	42·9	7,137
Luxembourg	32·8	82
Netherlands	66·3	1,604
Norway	12·0	269
Portugal	11·7	561
Sweden	13·8	942
Switzerland	22·9	1,112
Yugoslavia	2·2	783
U.S.A	19·6	37,800
* Because of a difference in definition the number of casualties in these countries compared with the other countries are understated, to a slight extent for France but probably appreciably so for Belgium and Italy.

SOURCE: The figures for European countries are based on information given in the United Nations publication "Statistics of Road Accidents in Europe, 1958"; those for the U.S.A. are from the publication "Accident Facts".

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to reduce the number of places on clearways where traffic can turn right and so cause obstruction and accidents.

Clearways have been selected as sections of road which have a reasonably good alignment and few intersections. On most clearways it would cause grave inconvenience to motorists to restrict right-hand turns. There is no reason to think that such turns cause undue obstruction or accidents on clearways.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce legislation to allow toll roads, in view of the impossibility of providing adequate new roads for increasing traffic despite proposed additional road expenditure.

No. I propose to await the conclusions of the study that is now being made into the question of tolls on future motorways.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give immediate consideration to the preparation of plans for the construction of a flyover at Gants Hill, Ilford.

The installation of traffic lights has improved conditions at Gants Hill. I regret that I cannot yet authorise the preparation of plans for a flyover at this junction.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he proposes to take both to reduce the size and numbers of traffic roundabouts and to substitute these wherever practical with flyovers.

It is not in general desirable to reduce the size of roundabouts because the traffic capacity of a roundabout is usually proportionate to its size As regards the numbers, it is my intention to provide flyovers in substitution for roundabouts at major traffic intersections where this is practicable and the volume of traffic is such as to justify the additional cost. Some roundabouts will, however, continue to be built where they offer the most suitable form of junction. In appropriate cases new roundabouts are so designed as to permit the conversion to a grade separated junction should this become necessary later.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) on what date the Borrowash by-pass was opened; on what date it was partially closed; and for what reason;(2) what was the cost of the Borrowash by-pass; what is the estimated cost of the repairs now in progress; and from what source they will be financed.

The by-pass was opened on 10th December, 1957. A temporary surface was provided initially to allow a period for consolidation before laying the final running surface. The by-pass was partially closed on 15th August last to enable this final surface to be laid. The cost of the surfacing (now almost completed) is £32,750, and is a charge to trunk road major improvement funds as part of the total cost of £334,600 for the by-pass.

asked the Minister of Transport in view of the two-hour limit notified at many official parking-places, and of the desirability and practice of motor car drivers leaving their cars at such parking places near suburban Underground and railway stations for several hours while they are at business in inner London, what consultations he has had with local authorities in order substantially to extend the waiting time allowed at those parking-places or to abolish any time limit.

As I informed the hon. Member on 27th January, local authorities have been consulted by the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee. Long-term street parking places for 82 cars have this month been authorised in West Ham, near Stratford Station. A pilof scheme for other long-term street parks is being prepared.

asked the Minister of Transport, in respect of each of the financial years 1955–56 to 1959–60, inclusive, what was the Exchequer expenditure on the road programme;

EXCHEQUER EXPENDITURE ON NEW CONSTRUCTION AND MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS
Year		Total Expenditure (£m.)			Expenditure on all works outstanding (£m.)
		England and Wales	Scotland	Total	England and Wales	Scotland	Total
1955–56*	…	8·7		8·7	5·7		5·7
1956–57	…	13·4	1·7	15·1	9·6	1·4	11·0
1957–58	…	23·6	2·9	26·5	17·6	2·7	20·3
1958–59	…	45·8	4·7	50·5	39·4	4·0	43·4
1959–60	…	55·7	8·1	63·8	47·8	6·8	54·6
* England and Wales and Scotland combined.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state, giving the mileage in respect of each, those motorways or lengths of motorways for which no line is yet proposed, a draft scheme has been published, a scheme has been made, tenders have been invited, a contract has been placed, which are under construction, and are in use, respectively, as at 31st October.

The following is the information requested:

The following is the Answer, the figures for Scotland having been provided by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland:

asked the Minister of Transport under what circumstances new roads are designed for three lines of traffic; and what proportion of new road mileage consists of roads with three lanes.

Roads are designed for three lanes of traffic where traffic studies show that this layout will be adequate and economic for many years to come. Normally this means that the traffic is likely to be too heavy to permit a free flow on a two-lane road but still insufficient to justify dual carriageways.On all-purpose trunk roads three-lane single carriageways have been or are being provided on approximately one-eighth of the total mileage of major schemes (including both widenings and new lengths of road) completed since 1955 or now under construction. If motorways are included in the total the proportion is approximately one-thirteenth. I regret that comparable figures for classified roads are not readily available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, since his attention was drawn by the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, East, to the danger to pedestrians as well as to motorists arising from the lack of a speed limit on one mile only of the road from Middlesbrough to Marton, no less than five fatal accidents have occurred on that road; whether he is also aware of the rapidly growing number of schoolchildren who use the road; and when he intends to impose a speed limit throughout the length of the road.

I was very sorry to learn of these accidents.I have just received from Middlesbrough County Borough Council an order which would impose a 40 m.p.h. speed limit. Subject to any objections which may be sent to me, I hope to be able to give my consent to the order in the near future.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the number of accidents and casualties at uncontrolled pedestrian crossings this year at the latest convenient date, the comparative figures for the same period in 1959, the number of pedestrian subways completed this year, and the number now under construction.

During the first six months of this year, 533 pedestrians were killed or seriously injured on uncontrolled pedestrian crossings; the corresponding figures for the same period last year was 447. The number of pedestrian subways completed so far this year is 30; there are 67 under construction.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has taken a decision regarding re-routing part of the South Circular Road via Chiswick Avenue, Chiswick Bridge and the Cromwell Road Extension; and if he will make a statement.

Consultations on this matter are still proceeding, but I hope to reach a decision soon.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the concern felt by the inhabitants of Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, over his decision to construct a junction at Holmes Chapel between the Birmingham—Preston motorway and the A54; whether he is aware that the east-west traffic from Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, Macclesfield and Congleton will have to pass through Holmes Chapel to join the motorway; and whether, before the work is commenced, he will again consult the local authorities about their proposal that the best approach road from the east would be by Twemlow Lane crossing the A50 to link up with Middlewich Road, Cranage.

Representations have been made recently by the parish council and some local inhabitants, although they raised no objections during the statutory objection period. The volume of traffic passing through Holmes Chapel to reach the junction is not expected to be heavy. The local proposals would not provide so satisfactory a junction unless extensive alterations of the existing main routes were also carried out. This would be very costly. Tenders will be invited shortly for construction of this length of motorway, and I could not accept the delay that would be involved in further statutory processes and land acquisition if these suggestions were adopted.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the result of the inquiries he made of the Chairman of the British Transport Commission about the provision of an adequate number of coal wagons in South Wales to avoid shortages to consumers.

I am informed that there is no shortage of mineral wagons in South Wales, and that coal traffic is moving freely. The Commission do not expect any difficulty in moving coal from South Wales during the winter unless there is prolonged bad weather or epidemics amongst the staff.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the concern expressed by the Stoke-on-Trent city coroner about the number of deaths in the city from congestive heart failure contributed to by silicosis, if he is satisfied with the medical facilities available there to those who suffer from pneumoconiosis; and what further action he will take to increase such facilities in order to reduce the suffering to a minimum.

I consider the existing facilities adequate.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the criticism of the conditions obtaining in the St. Nicholas Hospital, made by the Chairman of the Northumberland County Council, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Tyne-mouth; and whether he will ensure that finance is made available to the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board to improve the conditions under which patients are housed.

I have seen a Press report of a statement attributed to the chairman of the county council and relating to overcrowding in mental hospitals. At the end of September, 1960, St. Nicholas Hospital was overcrowded by 20·1 per cent., compared with 37·1 per cent. in 1955. Current developments in psychiatry should help to reduce overcrowding still more rapidly in future. An admission unit costing £264,605 was opened in 1957; over £98,000 was spent on other improvements in 1959–60 and a further £32,636 is being spent this year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when he hopes to lay before the House the results of his new examination of the evacuation problems of Great Britain.

As soon as is compatible with a thorough survey of the very difficult problems involved.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, if he will now announce the findings of the inquiry into the green belt in southern Hampshire.

I shall be writing to the Hampshire County Council within the next few days enclosing a list of the modifications I am proposing to make to the green belt, and asking that the list should be placed on deposit for public inspection.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the number of students from each of the territories under United Kingdom Administration who are studying technical or scientific subjects in the United Kingdom.

I attach a table. In addition to the numbers shown, many of the 1,150 students taking courses for the Ordinary and Advanced level examinations of the General Certificate of Education in the United Kingdom will

Territory*	Agriculture	Architecture, Building and Surveying	Dentistry	Engineering and Technology	Medicine and Pharmacy	Pure Science	Town Planning	Mining	Total
Aden	—	9	1	26	16	5	—	—	57
Bahamas	—	1	—	1	4	—	—	—	6
Bermuda	—	—	—	—	1	1	—	—	2
Brunei	—	—	—	4	—	—	—	—	4
Falklands	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	1
Fiji	—	2	—	—	2	—	—	—	4
Gambia	1	3	—	1	5	3	—	—	13
Gibraltar	—	—	—	1	4	1	—	—	6
Hong Kong	1	56	5	295	94	35	1	—	487
Kenya	25	18	5	91	105	34	1	—	279
Malta	7	3	3	8	12	9	—	—	42
Mauritius	2	6	3	17	54	27	—	—	109
North Borneo	—	—	—	2	—	—	—	—	2
Sarawak	—	3	—	1	3	—	—	—	7
Seychelles	—	—	1	1	2	1	—	—	5
Singapore	2	42	4	77	38	7	1	—	171
Sierra Leone	6	11	4	47	31	23	—	5	127
Tanganyika	5	25	—	30	52	—	—	1	113
Uganda	25	22	5	119	62	22	—	1	256
West Indies	18	54	12	121	193	65	1	6	470
Zanzibar	4	8	—	24	30	2	1	—	69
TOTALS	96	263	43	867	708	235	5	13	2,230
* Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland figures not included.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what is the number of students from each Commonwealth territory who are studying technical or scientific subjects in the United Kingdom.

Comprehensive statistics are not available to show the total number

——		Agriculture and Forestry	Dentistry	Medicine	Pure Science	Technology	Veterinary Science	Total
Australia	…	8	11	94	67	36	3	219
Canada	…	1	2	55	85	77	—	220
Ceylon	…	7	11	71	35	27	4	155
Ghana	…	23	20	121	16	28	8	216
India	…	28	8	161	205	659	6	1,067
Malaya	…	16	8	76	20	74	3	197
New Zealand	…	4	4	25	36	7	2	78
Nigeria	…	28	18	209	72	130	22	479
Pakistan	…	9	—	60	90	109	2	270
South Africa	…	5	27	70	61	56	5	224
TOTAL	…	129	109	942	687	1,203	55	3,125

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what have been the results of the gunnery trials of H.M.S. "Blake"; and whether troubles with the 6-inch turrets have been eliminated.

The results of H.M.S. "Blake's" recent pre-acceptance gunnery trials were satisfactory. As I informed my hon. Friend on 26th October, the sources of trouble in the 6-inch mountings of the Tiger "Class have been analysed and the necessary modifications are being undertaken as the opportunity occurs.

asked the Minister of Education whether he has yet received a report from the National Advisory Council on Art Education.

Yes. The First Report of the Council, appointed wider the Chairmanship of Sir William Cold-stream, has been published today. It makes unanimous recommendations for a new structure of advanced courses and a new high level qualification in art and industrial design under the control of an independent council. I should like to express our gratitude to the Council for their hard work.My right hon. Friend has accepted all the principal recommendations in the Report and has sent a circular to local education authorities stating his intention to set up the proposed council forthwith. I am sending a copy of the report and circular to my hon. Friend and am placing copies in the Library of the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in HANSARD a list of Members who have visited foreign countries, and the countries so visited, where Treasury funds have been used either wholly or in part to pay for such visits.

The position has not changed since my right hon. and learned Friend's predecessor replied to the bon. Member on 5th May, 1959.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when work will begin on the overhead bridge at Salsburgh.

Lanarkshire County Council, as my trunk road agents, have completed the design of the bridge and its details have been agreed by my technical advisers. The council hopes to invite tenders very shortly, and I hope that work will start by the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ensure that the 30 miles-per-hour speed limit is not altered on that part of the A.80 road which passes through Stepps.

As I explained in my letter of 18th November to the hon. Member, no change will be proposed in the speed limit status of this length of trunk road without careful consideration of all the circumstances and prior consultation with the county council. Any such change will require to be advertised and the public will have an opportunity to make representations.