asked the Lord Privy Seal whether Her Majesty's Government will recommend the exclusion from the United Nations Organisation of States, whose governments practise or condone, chattel slavery.

No. In the opinion of Her Majesty's Government, the most effective way of combating slavery at the present time is to stimulate universal accession to both the Slavery Convention of 1926 and the 1956 Supplementary Slavery Convention and the carrying out by all States of the provisions of these Conventions.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what steps the United Nations have taken to ensure that voters in the forthcoming plebiscite in the South Cameroons understand the implications of their vote and what action those who want independence from either Nigeria or the Kamerun Republic should take.

At its meeting last summer, the United Nations Trusteeship Council asked the United Kingdom to ensure that the implications of the choices of the plebiscite were clarified before the vote. We have done our best to achieve this.Separate independence is not one of the choices in the plebiscite.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on the recent discussion at the United Nations General Assembly on the resumption of the Ten-Power Disarmament Conference.

Various proposals have been made relating to the resumption of negotiations but no resolution on this has yet come to a vote. My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make a fuller statement when the present phase of discussion at the United Nations has come to an end.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether Her Majesty's Government will instruct their delegates to the General Assembly of the United Nations to propose that the General Assembly shall ask the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion as to whether the Chinese seat in the United Nations should be given to the Government of Formosa or to the Government of Pekin.

No.

asked the Lord Privy Seal, in view of the fact that the British wives of those who are serving with the Queen's Own Nigeria Regiment in the Congo have received no mail from their husbands since these troops left Nigeria a month ago, and in view of the shortcomings of the present mail services handled by the United Nations, if he will make representations to the United Nations administration in the Congo regarding the need for immediate action to remedy this situation, such as organising a direct mail service to and from these units through Tanganyika.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for bringing this matter to my notice. The military personnel in question are in the service of the Government of Nigeria, who. I am sure, will take such measures as are necessary over matters concerned with the welfare of these people and their families. I am asking my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations to arrange for the matter to be brought to the notice of the Nigerian Government.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a further statement on official British action in support of United Nations activities in the Congo.

asked the Lord Privy Seal, in view of the recent transport restrictions imposed by the Congolese authorities, to what extent it continues to be the policy of Her Majesty's Government to support United Nations action in the Congo; and whether he will make a statement.

From the outset Her Majesty's Government have given full support to the United Nations effort in the Congo. We still think this presents the best hope of helping the Congolese people find a satisfactory solution to their present difficulties. Our representatives in New York and Leopoldville are constantly in touch with the United Nations authorities over the latest developments that have taken place in the Congo.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the latest estimate of the United Nations Organisation's expenditure on the former Belgian Congo; how much has been spent to the nearest convenient date; what contributions have been made by the member tSates, respectively; and what proportion of the expenditure is devoted to Katanga, Kasai, and the rest of the former Belgian Congo, respectively.

The latest estimate of the cost of the United Nations Military and Civilian Operations in the Congo (O.N.U.C.) for the period July-December, 1960, is $60 million. It is given under administrative sub-heads in document A/C.5/836, as revised by A/4580, both of which are in the Library of the House. No information is available on expenditure by regions.The General Assembly is now discussing the financing of O.N.U.C., a quarter of whose costs represent reimbursement to Governments for airlifts. Her Majesty's Government have waived their air-lift costs of $·52 million, the United States have similarly waived $10·3 million, Canada $·65 million and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 5,207,000 roubles. It is expected that the General Assembly will decide to put the remainder of the costs, some $48 million, on to the Regular Budget, which is financed by the assessed contributions of Member States, and at the same time will invite voluntary contributions to lessen the burden on those with the least capacity to pay; the United States have announced that they will contribute $3½–$4 million for the latter purpose.In addition to the funds required to finance the United Nations operations in the Congo, a United Nations voluntary fund of $100 million for financial assistance to the Congo budget has received contributions and pledges as shown below. Disbursements from it for 1960 are not known.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO $100 MILLION VOLUNTARY FUND
(a) Paid	($ million equivalent)
United Kingdom	3·0
United States	5·0
New Zealand	0·280
	8·280
(b) Pledged
Australia	0·75
Cambodia	0·002
Canada	1·0
Denmark	0·6
Haiti	0·002
Liberia	0·25
Morocco	0·04
Netherlands	1·0
Sweden	1·39
Tunisia	0·01
	5·044
Total	13·324

asked the Lord Privy Seal the present strength, situation, and composition of the United Nations forces in the former Belgian Congo, including those in Katanga shown separately.

The most recent information which has been issued about the distribution and composition of the United Nations force is that given in the Annex to the second report of the Secretary-General's Special Representative in the Congo, A/4557, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. The present total strength of the United Nations force in the Congo is approximately 18,500 men.

asked the Lord Privy Seal Her Majesty's Government's policy with regard to the project announced by General Norstad for a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation nuclear force.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the proposals recently made by General Norstad at the Conference of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Parliamentarians.

General Norstad's speech to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Parliamentarians made no specific proposals. It did, however, deal with a number of very important matters which require prolonged and careful consideration. There will be an opportunity to discuss them during the defence debate tomorrow.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the number of refugees who have arrived in West Berlin during each month of the present year.

The total number of arrivals during the year, up to and including November, was 131,832. The following are the figures:

January, 1960	5,642
February, 1960	6,254
March, 1960	9,661
April, 1960	13,712
May, 1960	14,698
June, 1960	12,664
July, 1960	12,468
August, 1960	16,264
September, 1960	14,876
October, 1960	14,157
November, 1960	11,436
Total	131,832

asked the Lord Privy Seal what progress was made in the recent official Anglo-German discussions towards a solution of the economic division of Europe.

We have made useful progress in these discussions. However, as my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal told the House on 4th November. the talks were informal and confidential and I cannot give any details.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what change in the procedure of the Allied Travel Bureau in Berlin is now contemplated owing to the removal of restrictions on the free passage of freight and passengers.

None. As my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal stated on 23rd November, the illegal East German requirement that citizens of the Federal Republic must obtain a permit to enter the Soviet Sector of Berlin is still in force.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will propose that the next meeting of the Council of Western European Union should be attended by the Heads of Government in order that urgent attention should be given to the recent recommendations of the Assembly concerning the relations between this country and the European Economic Community.

The Council of Western European Union meets at Ministerial level about once a quarter, the next Ministerial meeting being due to take place in February or March next year. The hon. Gentleman's suggestion will certainly be borne in mind.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what further study has been made of the proposal for limited arms zones, to which attention was drawn in the joint communiqué of the Prime Minister and Mr. Khrushchev in January, 1959.

I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the communiqué issued in Moscow after the Prime Minister's visit in March, 1959. Proposals which would have led to progress in this matter were made in the Western Peace Plan presented at the Foreign Ministers' Conference in May of that year. We still stand by those proposals.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations have been made to the United States of America regarding the intervention of United States citizens and United States-sponsored committees and other bodies in the internal affairs of African or other territories for which Her Majesty's Government is responsible.

None. A number of American organisations are offering valuable co-operation by supplementing and complementing our own efforts to develop these territories. I am sure the House will agree with me that such assistance from the United States is most welcome.

asked the Minister of Labour how many, and what percentage of, female workers are unemployed in the County Borough of St. Helens.

Seven hundred and twenty-six, representing 4·3 per cent., at 14th November, 1960.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has been informed of the proposed closing of a locomotive works at Stockton-on-Tees; and what action he is taking to place the men who will be unemployed in suitable alternative employment in the Tees-side area.

Yes. My local officers have already started to register the workers affected so that there will be the minimum delay in finding them suitable employment.

asked the Minister of Labour what approach he has received from the teaching profession for representation upon the Industrial Training Council; and what action he has taken.

None. My right hon. Friend is not responsible for the composition of the Industrial Training Council which has been established by industry.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the consultations he is having in relation to the payment of wages by cheque under the Payment of Wages Act, 1960; whether the National Union of Bank Employees has been included in these consultations; and when the Order giving effect to the relevant part of the Act is to be made.

I am not having consultations on this subject. I propose to wait until we have had experience of the working of the provisions in the Payment of Wages Act which came into operation at the beginning of this month before doing so.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on the foot-and-mouth disease position; and when he hopes to be able to relax the restrictions in livestock movements imposed over wide areas in recent weeks.

From midnight, 1st December, to midnight yesterday there have been nineteen outbreaks in the present series out of a total of 227. The number of outbreaks notified has steadily decreased. All controlled area restrictions in England were removed on 11th December. Infected area restrictions remain but are being reduced as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount of grant he has made to each of the county councils in Wales in respect of unclassified and unadopted roads under the Agriculture (Improvement of Road) Act, 1955, and the mileage involved.

The table below sets out the required information. I regret that separate figures are not readily available for county councils as distinct from other highway authorities in the eligible counties. The bulk of the work is, of course, being done by the county councils.

AGRICULTURE (IMPROVEMENT OF ROADS) ACT, 1955
Grant Payments in Wales and Monmouthshire to 30th September, 1960
County	Grants paid for unclassified and unadopted roads (including payments on account)	Estimated mileage involved
Brecon	37,374	15
Caernarvon	55,991	22
Cardigan	50,542	20
Carmarthen	24,492	10
Denbigh	25,222	10
Flint	18,167	7
Glamorgan	23,704	9
Merioneth	76,220	30
Monmouth	9,499	4
Montgomery	20,602	8
Pembroke	25,179	10
Radnor	44,558	18
TOTALS	411,550	163

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement showing the number of officers and workers employed at Redesdale, Northumberland, under the Forestry Commissioners, during the respective years, 1950, 1954, 1958, and 1960.

The following numbers of forest workers and local supervisors of forester or equivalent grade were employed at Redesdale Forest:

	Forest Workers	Supervisors
1950	44	2
1954	56	5
1958	77	5
1960	60	6

In addition, two district officers and one assistant engineer were concerned, among their other responsibilities, with the management of the forest.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many welfare officers are employed in the service of the Forestry Commission: and in what areas they are so employed.

Local officers are responsible for the welfare of the industrial staff under their supervision. Since the industrial workers are widely scattered throughout Great Britain, a specialised welfare service would require a disproportionately large staff to be as effective as the present arrangements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many houses under the control of the Forestry Commission at Byrness, Northumberland, are at present unlet; and whether he will make a statement on the reasons for employees leaving.

Nine houses are vacant at Byrness Village. The former tenants' reasons for leaving are a private matter and it would be wrong for me to disclose them.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the amount in value of escheats to the Crown within the Duchy for want of legal heirs or successors during the twelve months computed to the most recent convenient date; and what amount has been granted to claimants ex gratia.

The amount received by Her Majesty in right of the Duchy of Lancaster in the twelve months to 29th September, 1960, from the estates of persons dying in Lancashire intestate and without known kin was £36,589. Ex gratia payments to claimants amounted to £3,875.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many Service widows are drawing special education grants for their children and what steps are being taken to notify them of the increased grant.

About 7,600. Those widows found eligible for an increased grant on review will be notified individually in due course. No application will be necessary, but publicity will be given so that a claim can also be made by any widow who has not received notification but considers herself eligible for an increase.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will give consideration to finalising 1939–45 war pensions as was done under the 1921 Act in respect of 1914–18 pensions.

No. I do not think this would be in the interests of war pensioners, nor have I any reason to believe that it would be acceptable to ex-Service opinion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many retired members of the police force, and how many widows, are drawing pensions; and when it is proposed these shall be increased.

On the last date for which figures are available 43,788 ex-members of police forces in England and Wales and 17,519 widows were drawing police pensions. It is not intended to introduce a further pensions increase measure at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that newspapers are publishing names and addresses of minors who are criminally assaulted, thereby occasioning additional distress to the victims and their families; and if he will, therefore, introduce legislation to prohibit the publication of such details.

If the hon. Member has in mind reports of court proceedings, Section 39 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, gives the court a discretion to direct that no particulars calculated to lead to the identification of a child or young person involved in court proceedings relating to a sexual offence shall be published. The courts sometimes ask the Press not to publish the names of older victims of such offences and I believe that the Press is generally willing to respect such requests, but I should not feel justified in introducing legislation to prohibit publication in all cases where the victim is under 21.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will apply for the allocation to the Royal Navy of at least two of the five United States submarines armed with Lockheed Polaris missiles which the United States Government is to put at the disposal of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

The United States have given advance notice of their intention to make certain proposals about the allocation to N.A.T.O. Command of Polaris submarines. The proposals have not, however, been formally made and until this has been done it would be premature to assume that the terms would include the allocation of any of these submarines to the navies of other N.A.T.O. nations.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will make a statement about plans to offer training bases to German troops in Great Britain, including the names of the proposed sites; and whether the training will be with missiles.

Her Majesty's Government have said that they are willing to consider whether they can meet any reasonable request for the provision of logistic and training facilities in the United Kingdom that may be put to them by the Federal Republic of Germany—or any other member of N.A.T.O.—and which is supported by the N.A.T.O. military authorities. The Federal Republic has expressed general interest in the offer but has so far made no specific requests.

asked the Minister of Transport how many prosecutions have been undertaken in Wales by his

NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS TAKEN AND CONVICTIONS SECURED IN WALES IN RESPECT OF DEFECTIVE COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND EXCESSIVE WORKING HOURS DURING THE LICENSING YEARS ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER (GOODS VEHICLES) AND 31ST MARCH (PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES) FOR 1956–1960 RESPECTIVELY
Licensing Year			Defective Vehicles				Excessive Hours
			Goods		Public Service		Goods Vehicles		Public Service Vehicles
			Prosecutions	Convictions	Prosecutions	Convictions	Prosecutions	Convictions	Prosecutions	Convictions
1956	…	…	447	432	4	3	74	74	—	—
1957	…	…	317	304	16	16	—*	—	—	—
1958	…	…	320	305	12	12	24	6	—	—
1959	…	…	355	345	4	2	544	378	—	—
1960	…	…	354	339	2	2	172	163	—	—
* NOTE: Enforcement activities between December, 1956, and May, 1957, were suspended while traffic examiners were employed on fuel rationing.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will indicate the number of advisory staff and administrative staff, respectively, in his Department dealing separately with road and railway matters, excluding in both cases the personnel engaged on safety arrangements.

The figures are:

	(a)	(b)
	Roads	Railways
Administrative Staff	31	12
Professional and Technical Staff	352	1
Executive and Clerical Staff	681	28
TOTAL	1,064	41

The staff shown in column (

asked the Minister of Transport what are the

The following is the information:comparative accident rates of provisional licence holders on motor bicycles, motor cycle and sidecar combinations, and bubble cars, respectively.

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will recommend the adherence of the United Kingdom to the Convention for the Standardisation of Road Signals and Signs.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Dorset, West (Mr. Wingfield Digby) on 30th November.

asked the Minister of Transport what would be the estimated cost to the British Transport Commission if supplementary assistance was authorised for railway superannuitants up to the basis of the present National Insurance pension and the estimated cost based on the increased pension operative in April next year.

I am informed by the British Transport Commission that the estimated annual costs would be about £350,000 and £600,000 respectively.

asked the Minister of Aviation what progress is being made in the provision of recording apparatus for use in civil and military planes.

A number of recording devices are available and are already employed on appropriate occasions in both civil and military aircraft, particularly during flight testing.In addition, the Ministry of Aviation proposes shortly to issue tenders for the development of equipment to record and preserve essential data in the event of an aircraft accident. The specification has been drawn up in consultation with the Air Registration Board and civil users and should be suitable for both civil and military aircraft.

asked the Minister of Aviation what financial contribution was asked for from the French Government as its share in the joint development and use of Blue Streak as a satellite launcher; and what reply he has received.

Discussions with the French Government are still in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the main provisions of the Deportation Proclamation of the Swaziland Protectorate Government; what circumstances make it necessary to enact it; and when a copy will be available in the Library.

A Deportation Proclamation for Swaziland has not yet been promulgated. A draft is at present before the Swazi National Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a further statement on the United Kingdom's gift to Nigeria to commemorate independence.

The gift is now ready for despatch. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State said on 28th July, it consists of table silver which could be used on formal State occasions. Arrangements have been made for the gift to be on display in the Upper Waiting Hall from today until Friday, 16th December. I will arrange for photographs of this gift to be placed in the Library in due course.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will investigate the difficulties and hardships of shopkeepers trading in the vicinity of housing development schemes who suffer loss of business during the process of redevelopment, with a view to introducing legislation to meet such hardships.

Under Section 63 (2) of the Housing Act, 1957, local authorities already have power, subject to certain conditions, to make discretionary allowances to relieve hardship suffered by shopkeepers whose trade is seriously reduced by slum clearance and redevelopment operations in the neighbourhood. In Circular 41/59, issued in July, 1959, I drew the attention of local authorities afresh to this provision.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the existence of common water pipes and the urgent necessity for the provision of separate service pipes to each householder, if he will introduce legislation giving him powers to authorise grants, on a similar basis to improvement grants, towards an owner's expense in laying a separate service pipe.

I am not aware of this as a general problem, but I am ready to consider any representations that may be made to me by the associations of local authorities.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will indicate, as at the latest convenient date, the estimated number of habitable houses and unfit houses separately in the areas of each of the local authorities having a long-term slum clearance problem; and if he will indicate for each area the estimated number of houses that will be cleared by October, 1964, at the present rate of progress.

I do not possess all the data necessary to provide the estimate asked for in the first part of the Question. But most of the information can be derived from Cmd. 9593 of 1955, entitled "Slum Clearance (England and Wales)", from the Housing Returns published quarterly since the beginning of that year, and from the Answer I gave to the hon. Member on 22nd November. As to the second part of the Question, I do not think that an estimate such as is asked for would be of practical use, as the future rate of progress in slum clearance between now and October 1964 will bear no necessary relation to the present rate; it will depend upon future action.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will list the shortages of technical staff in those local authorities with a heavy burden of slum clearance work; and if he will consult with them in order to ascertain what additional assistance is necessary to overcome their problem within the next five years.

I do not have this information in detail. But it is common knowledge that to a varying extent many authorities are handicapped by shortage of technical staffs, particularly architects.As regards the last part of the Question, it is generally realised that the main hope for an improvement in the staffing position must lie in a lessening of the competition for the services of the qualified men available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether the plans for the proposed new building for the headquarters of the Royal College of Physicians, on the east side of Regent's Park, have been approved by him.

This proposal has been referred to me by the London County Council because it constitutes a departure from the approved development plan, in which this area is allocated for residential use. It involves the demolition of Someries House, which was originally designed by Nash as an adult orphanage, but little remains of his design; it has been extensively altered and is now used as Government offices. In 1946 the Gorrell Committee reported that this building could and should be demolished. This view was accepted by the Crown Estate Commissioners, who decided to choose a skilled developer, advised by an architect acceptable to them, to redevelop the site in harmony with the surrounding Nash buildings and Terraces.The scheme of redevelopment has been prepared by Messrs. Denys Lasdun and Partners for the Royal College of Physicians. The Royal Fine Art Commission say that it is well satisfied with the design: it feels that it would be acceptable as a neighbour to the Regency Buildings which are to be preserved. The Crown Estate Commissioners have given their consent to the plans. It is intended that all the trees on the western boundary facing Regent's Park shall be retained. The St. Pancras Borough Council has no objection, subject to questions of access and the London County Council is disposed to grant planning permission. Before I authorise it to do so, I have arranged for a small model of the building and its setting to be exhibited in the Upper Waiting Hall from tomorrow for one week, so that hon. Members may have the chance to see the design for this important proposed building and its relationship to the Nash Terraces.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the incidence of a chest condition known as Farmers' Lung; what steps are being taken for its prevention; and whether he is satisfied that sufficient information is available in hilly districts to enable sufferers to obtain early treatment.

Farmers' Lung is not a disease, but a condition occurring in farm workers and others. Treatment depends on the finding in each case. I am advised that adequate facilities for diagnosis and treatment are available under the National Health Service.

asked the Minister of Health how many general practitioners were employed exclusively in the National Health Service, and exclusively in private practice, in 1950, 1955, and today, respectively.

I regret that these figures are not available.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the shortage of staff in the institutions which cater for mental defectives from Barnsley and district; and what plans he has to overcome this problem.

The hospital chiefly concerned is St. Catherine's, Doncaster. The number of female staff is up to establishment and of male staff only six below establishment, but there is a shortage of fully qualified nurses. The prospects of recruiting further male staff by local advertisement are better than they were, and my right hon. Friend does not think that any special action by him is required.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the list of urgent cases of mental defectives awaiting entry to institutions and hospitals from Barnsley is on the increase; and what are his plans for reducing this list by allocating to Barnsley and district other hospitals for their admission.

The list fluctuates; it is now 10, compared with 9 a year ago and 11 a year earlier. Patients from Barnsley are admitted to hospitals in other parts of the region, according to relative urgency, but there are longer waiting lists elsewhere and my right hon. Friend would not be justified in asking the regional hospital board to allocate accommodation specially to meet the needs of Barnsley.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board is having sufficient moneys allocated to it for the purpose of housing and caring for mental defectives in its region; and if he will make a statement.

The Sheffield Regional Hospital Board receives its share of the capital available for hospital building generally. As regards hospitals for the mentally subnormal, they are now inviting tenders for a scheme to provide an additional 156 beds at Balderton Hospital, Newark, and will shortly be doing so for a scheme to provide 140 beds at Aston Hall Hospital, near Derby. The regional hospital board also has proposals for major extensions to hospitals at Sheffield and Chesterfield and smaller extensions elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the Prestwick By-pass to be open to traffic.

The contract for this scheme requires that it should be completed by the end of July, 1961. The contractor has, however, been making excellent progress and I expect that it will be possible to open the road to traffic early in February.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what percentage of babies was born in hospital in Lanarkshire during the years 1956. 1957. 1958 and 1959;(2) how many hospital beds are still required in Lanarkshire to meet the recommendations of the Montgomery Report that 70 per cent. of all babies should be born in hospital.

The following are the percentages of births to mothers resident in Lanarkshire which took place in hospitals and nursing homes:

1956	1957	1958	1959
60	60	64	65

To meet the recommendations of the Montgomery Report about 130 additional obstetric and ante-natal beds are needed in Lanarkshire; 70 of these will be provided when the new Bellshill Maternity Hospital opens next year and a scheme for additional maternity beds at the Alexander Hospital, Coatbridge, is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths, per 1,000 live births, were recorded in Lanarkshire for the years 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1959.

The number of deaths of infants aged under 1 year per 1,000 live births in Lanarkshire—excluding Glasgow—for the years 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1959 were 32, 31, 31 and 33 respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state for each year from 1939 to 1959 the amount by which the receipts of the Patent Office exceeded or fell short of the cost of running the office, excluding the Library and the Industrial Property Department.

From 1939 to 1952 there was no accounting in respect of work done for the Patent Office by certain other Departments and the total cost of running the Patent Office in these years is not known. From 1953 onwards the total receipts and outgoings were as follows:

—	Total Receipts	Total Expenditure	Deficit
	£	£	£
1953	981,269	1,261,053	279,784
1954	1,035,435	1,328,384	292,949
1955	1,287,813	1,479,983	192,170
1956	1,500,269	1,572,344	72,075
1957	1,518,219	1,833,132	314,913
1958	1,587,807	1,854,549	266,742
1959	1,690,253	2,090,291	400,038

These figures cannot readily be broken down to show the cost of the Library and Industrial Property Department separately. However, in 1958 it was calculated that the cost of the Library, the Industrial Property Department and other services not properly chargeable to fees was £195,000 leaving a deficit of £72,000.Costs have recently risen sharply and it is estimated that in 1960–61 the costs properly chargeable to fees will be £1,686,000. The income from fees is estimated at £1,554,000, leaving a deficit of £132,000.