asked the Minister of Works what urgent action he will take to prevent further damage to and destruction of ancient monuments under his care, and to repair recent damage to a section of the Wansdyke, near Marlborough; and why he permitted the total destruction, by bulldozer, of a barrow on Morgan's Hill.

The incident affecting the Wansdyke is in the hands of solicitors, and it would not be proper for me to make a statement about it at present.

The Minister will be aware that Wiltshire contains a larger number of these ancient monuments, especially barrows, than any other part of the country. They are a very important part of our archaeological heritage. A great many of them are rapidly disappearing, and in two or three years' time they may be entirely destroyed. Will the Minister have a careful look at this matter and perhaps consider, when the weather is better, coming to Wiltshire and looking at some of these places on the spot?

I have been to Wiltshire and looked at similar monuments, but I shall be very pleased to take advantage of the hon. Member's invitation.

asked the Minister of Works if he will give details of the grants made since the beginning of this year under Part I of the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act, 1953, for the preservation of industrial monuments or industrial buildings of historic interest.

Grants towards the cost of repairs have been offered, under these powers, for two windmills—Mount Pleasant Mill, Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire, and Pakenham Tower Mill, Suffolk.

Does not the Minister's Answer indicate that more action is required? How far has the Council of British Archaeology gone with regard to the Staffordshire pilot scheme and how far has the Ancient Monuments Board gone in making an interim recommendation as the Committee suggested in its 1959 Report?

The hon. Gentleman has gone a little wide of his original Question. As he knows, the Council of British Archaeology has undertaken a pilot survey of ancient monuments which will be a great help when it is completed.

asked the Minister of Works what steps have been taken by his Department since the last reports of the Ancient Monuments Boards to improve liaison with the military authorities.

Since the reference to this subject by the Ancient Monuments Board for England in its Annual Report for 1959, my Department has discussed with the War Office improved arrangements for avoiding damage to ancient monuments in military training areas. Units are regularly warned to avoid these monuments, which are normally marked on the spot by special signs. Details of barrows and other earthworks are also provided in unit information rooms, and methods of identifying the monuments are included in map-reading courses. The Ancient Monuments Board has expressed general satisfaction with these arrangements. I am keeping the matter under review.

asked the Minister of Works when he will improve the standard of lighting for engineers and workmen who have to work underground in the Palace of Westminster.

I have no reason to believe that the standard of lighting is inadequate. I am willing to look into any specific complaint if the hon. Member will let me have details.

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, but may I ask whether he is aware that the lighting system is just about as ancient as the Palace of Westminster? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I saw these engineers at work? Cannot he suggest to those responsible that headlamps should be provided so that these men may have their hands free when they are underground? Instead of having to carry heavy, old-fashioned, antiquated lamps, which give a poor light, could not these men carry lights on their heads, so that their hands may be free?

I am grateful to the hon. Member for his suggestion; but I must tell him that there has been no complaint about inadequate lighting, through Whitley Council channels or by individual workers.

There may not have been any complaints, but is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that anyone who has had experience of working underground would agree that the present system of lighting is abominable and shocking?

asked the Minister of Works what steps he is taking to give effect to the recommendations contained in the fifth Report of the Select Committee on Estimates of last Session for giving greater publicity to, and improving the amenities available to the public at, ancient monument sites.

For some time, my Department has been paying special attention to the presentation of ancient monuments in my care, including publicity for the monuments and the improvement of amenities for visitors. An Ancient Monuments Presentation Committee now meets regularly under the Chairmanship of my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, to determine how best to give effect to this policy. This Committee is studying the recommendations of the Select Committee on Estimates on these subjects, and will advise me how to give effect to them.

I welcome that Answer. May we take it that some action will be taken before next summer so that, as the Select Committee recommended, the public can get greater benefit from these ancient monuments and the Treasury more revenue?

Yes, Sir. I am sure that the hon. Member may take it as certain that during next summer we shall see the fruits of what we have been trying to do and what has been recommended. Indeed, there was evidence to this effect last summer, largely due to the efforts of my hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Sir H. Nicholls) when he was Parliamentary Secretary. There is now a chance for the public, and for hon. Members, to obtain 7s. 6d. season tickets which are being offered complete with Christmas cards. I hope that the hon. Member has taken advantage of this; if not, I hope that he will, even though it be only in time for the New Year.

asked the Minister of Works whether he has considered the Fifth Report from the Select Committee on Estimates of last Session relating to the working out of a common programme by him and the Minister of Housing and Local Government for systematic survey of the nation's inheritance of buildings of historic, architectural and archaeological interest; and what steps he is taking in the matter.

I am considering this recommendation in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Minister of Housing and Local Government.

Does not the Minister agree that it is rather absurd that there should be this overlapping between his Department, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the Royal Commission? Does not he agree, as the Select Committee recommended, that these kindred processes of listing, scheduling and recording ought to be undertaken as one service, otherwise work is being duplicated in one area while other areas are completely neglected?

I have no doubt that there is a great deal in what the hon. Member says. We are looking at this matter.

In the light of an earlier Question, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend is satisfied not only that the descriptions of ancient monuments ranging from earthworks to ancient castles are scheduled but that a continuous watch is kept on them? For example, on the question of the destruction of earth-works, are the owners reminded at regular intervals that they have this responsibility to the nation?

I will look into the point raised by my hon. Friend about the regularity of the reminders.

As a former Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry who took a great interest in these problems, may I ask whether the Minister does not feel, despite the dedicated service given to this kind of problem by the officials of the Ministry of Works, that all of us who have studied this matter owe a deep debt of gratitude to the Select Committee on Estimates, and particularly to my hon. Friend the Member for Widnes (Mr. MacColl) who presided over the inquiry and put the whole thing on a much more imaginative plane than has been done by the Ministry?

I am sorry about the "sting" in the tail of that supplementary question. There is a good deal in the first part with which I would agree.

On a paint of order, Mr. Speaker. Arising out of this Answer, and in order to give the House a chance to discuss the matter, I wish to give notice that after the Christmas Recess I shall try to raise the whole of this issue on the Adjournment.

I think that such notice has to relate to a specific Answer to a Question, otherwise we shall run into trouble.

May I then give notice arising out of the Answer to my Question, No. 4?

asked the Minister of Works if he will take steps to acquire the freehold of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

I understand that the Opera House is not in the market for sale at present and the question does not therefore arise.

Would not the noble Lord agree that the present leasehold arrangements are wholly unsatisfactory from the point of view of the Covent Garden trustees and most uneconomic from the point of view of his Department and the Treasury? Is he aware that a year ago the previous Chancellor said that he would consider this matter seriously? Will the right hon. Gentleman have a talk with his right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to see whether he can do a bit better this year? After all, there must be methods of acquiring this freehold whether it is in the market or not?

There may be possible methods of acquiring it, but whether they would be right or desirable methods to adopt is another matter. I will certainly look into the point made by the hon. Member vis-à-vis the Chancellor.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will take steps to refund the Norwegian Government the sum incurred by them in lighting the Christmas tree given by them to the people of London.

I am glad to have this opportunity of correcting a misunderstanding. It was the specific wish of the City of Oslo that it should bear the whole cost of its generous gift including the lighting. There is therefore no question of a refund. The Chairman of the London Electricity Board has undertaken to supply current free of charge for lighting the tree this year and in future years.

I am very glad to hear this. I am glad that this was a misapprehension. First, is the Minister aware that he has shaken my life-long and touching faith in the veracity of London newspapers? Secondly will the noble Lord ask his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister once again to express on behalf of all of us our thanks to this generous nation which was our ally in time of war and is our friend at all times?

I will gladly do so, and I am sure that the whole House will welcome what the hon. Gentleman has said.

asked the Minister of Works in how many cases since 1st January, 1955, his Department has taken over land, works or underground storage, which was already under requisition, and the basis on which compensation has been calculated.

I assume that by "taken over" the right hon. Member is referring to acquisition both by agreement and under compulsory powers.

In cases where compulsory powers have been used and the legislation provides compensation on the basis of a willing buyer and a willing seller, does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is great injustice, since where a property has been held under requisition obviously its value is a great deal less when the Ministry uses compulsory powers than if it had been released, if only for a nominal period? Will he look into that again and see whether an amendment to the legislation is necessary?

Strictly speaking, I think I am right in saying that any criticism of the basis of compensation ought to be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, but I shall certainly pass on to my right hon. Friend what the right hon. Member has said.

asked the Minister of Works in how many cases where the premises of a productive concern, other than in agriculture, have been requisitioned for war purposes the Government have now acquired them on a permanent basis with the use of compulsory powers; and what basis has been used for compensating the undertaking concerned for loss of trade.

In the short time available I can give information only in respect of requisitions and purchases carried out by my Department on its own behalf.

Does not that reinforce what I have said to the right hon. Gentleman about the need for an amendment of the legislation? If I give him details of certain cases where, on the face of it, there is great injustice, will he look at them with a view to the possible introduction of compensation? Is he aware that when a farm or a factory is taken over it is possible to set up business elsewhere, but in some cases where his Department has taken action it has meant the virtual extinction of a productive enterprise which by its nature cannot be transferred elsewhere?

I should be much obliged if the right hon. Member would let me have details of some of the examples of which he is thinking. I shall see if I can help.

asked the Minister of Works if he will make a statement on the future of Swansea Castle.

Yes, Sir. The owners of Swansea Castle, The Castle and Central Cinemas, Limited, have offered this important monument as a gift to the State and I have accepted their offer. Certain urgent first-aid repairs have already been carried out and we shall now proceed with a planned programme of clearance and permanent preservation work which will take some years.

asked the Minister of Works what experience of designing buildings in the tropics the architect had who was appointed to design the residence of the High Commissioner in Lagos.

None, Sir.

In view of the adverse criticism that has been made about this building, and in view of the fact that some of the finest examples of contemporary architecture are in Nigeria, designed by a well-known British architect, does not my right hon. Friend agree that a most unfortunate choice was made?

No, I do not think it fair to say that. I should be very reluctant to agree with the proposition that one should necessarily or always choose an architect who has done something in that particular locality. Architects of high quality such as Mr. Lionel Brett are, I believe, capable of imaginative work even in areas with which they are not familiar.

Could my right hon. Friend say whether the £110,000, which I understand will be the total cost, covers everything, including furniture? What was the original estimate?

The answer to the first part of that supplementary question is "Yes," but I will check it. If my hon. Friend will put down a Question about the last part, I will answer it.

Is it not a pity that this was done in this way, since in Ibadan there is a wonderful example of British architecture which shows real imagination? Why could not the same people do this in Lagos?

Of course, that is an arguable view. I do not dispute that, but equally I suggest to the right hon. Member that my previous Answer provides an arguable point.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what progress has been made in the consultations with respect to the suggested Thames flood barrage.

My right hon. Friend recently asked the local authorities and other statutory bodies most directly concerned for their views on certain aspects of the Thames flood barrier project. He hopes to have these very shortly.

While thanking the Parliamentary Secretary for that reply, may I ask if he appreciates that a request was made at the beginning of May? Is he not aware that many people whose homes and lives are in jeopardy when there are serious floods are very worried about the lack of a sense of urgency in this matter? Is it not disgraceful that, although the Waverley Committee reported and suggested this form of barrier in 1953, we are almost on the threshold of 1961 and it is still a talking point? When is it to come to fruition, if ever?

This is a very complex matter. There was a meeting last week of all the interested bodies, the results of which will be reported to my right hon. Friend almost immediately.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that a contributory cause of successful burglaries is the failure to provide in otherwise sound premises proper locks and other precautions against illegal entry; and whether he will consider issuing a circular to all planning authorities urging them to make it a prerequisite of consent for building that the advice of the Crime Prevention Department of the police should be complied with.

No, Sir. A condition of the kind suggested could not be regarded as proper to planning control.

Is the Minister aware that the public are becoming alarmed at the degree to which occupiers of premises are contributing to crime, and that the police regard some of the locks and precautions almost as an invitation to entry, providing considerable temptation, especially to youths, to start on a career of crime? Is it right that public money should be wasted because of contributory negligence on the part of banks and others who are not taking proper precautions to safeguard their premises?

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said, this is more a matter for co-operation between owners of premises and the police. Planning powers and land use control powers are not suitable for this sort of thing.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the police are very concerned about the lack of co-operation? Who is responsible for getting that co-operation? Surely the Government must take some steps in this matter?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware of the concern felt by residents of Cheshire in view of the fact that a large number of applications to build on what may be green belt territory in Cheshire are being received by county authorities and that it is expected that this year the figure will be up by 25 per cent.; and whether, in view of the confusion, he will come to an early decision on the green belt proposals for Cheshire.

I am aware of the concern felt by some residents in the part of Cheshire south of Manchester. Cheshire County Council sent in some time ago a sketch plan showing a green belt in this area, and it was encouraged to submit proposals for including it in its county development plan. I am awaiting these proposals, which, I understand, I am shortly to receive from the council. In the meantime, it is applying in the area concerned the development control policy appropriate to a green belt.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that more and more of these applications to build on what might be green belt territory are pouring into county authorities in ever-increasing quantities all over the country? Would he agree that the longer these decisions are delayed the more our green belts will be destroyed?

I am very anxious indeed to get decisions taken on the green belt, but I am sure that my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that there is no question here of my delaying a decision. There will be nothing before me until Cheshire County Council submits its proposals to me, which I hope it will shortly do.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will appoint a committee to investigate the extent to which local authorities have used their powers to promote recreation and entertainment and the ways in which they have done so, with a view to publishing a report and its recommendations.

My right hon. Friend has no reason to think that local authorities do not make good use of these powers.

Is it not generally agreed that more help should be given from public funds to the arts and the promotion of recreation and sport? Is it not also a fact that very few local authorities have used to the full their powers under the Local Government Act? Does the Minister know the extent to which local authorities have used those powers? Could not such a committee show valuable experience gained by some local authorities which would encourage others to use these powers?

As to capital expenditure by local authorities, this has been rising for several years. As to entertainment provided through the rates, both the need and provision vary greatly from locality to locality. On the whole subject, I think this is a question for the Minister of Education.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what representations he has received regarding damage to clothing and ill-effects on health resulting from dust containing sulphuric acid believed to have emanated from the power station at Bromborough, Cheshire; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent this pollution of the atmosphere.

A number of representations have been made to my right hon. Friend about the effects of acid smut emissions from this power station. The frequency of this type of emission at oil-fired power stations has been considerably reduced since power stations were brought under the Alkali Act in 1958, but the problem has not yet been fully solved. The Alkali Inspectorate is treating research and experiment in this field as a matter of importance and urgency.

While I gladly acknowledge the efforts of the Alkali Inspectorate and of the officers of the Generating Board, nevertheless may I ask my hon. Friend to impress upon all concerned the necessity for finding a remedy for what is a serious and irritating nuisance to people who live near this power station?

I accept that and I assure my hon. Friend that research is being pressed on with by several teams all the time.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister far Welsh Affairs why he rejected the recommendation of his inspector with regard to the appeal by Mrs. K. G. N. Bagley, Basingstoke, File No. 1908/40620/108.

For the reasons stated in the decision letter on Mrs. Bagley's appeal, a copy of which was sent to my hon. Friend on 1st December.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for sending me a copy of the said letter, may I ask whether he realises that he has refused this appeal on grounds which are explicitly denied in his inspector's report, and that his inspector has seen the site and the right hon. Gentleman has not? Will not my right hon. Friend, therefore, reconsider the matter and, possibly, spend a few hours of the Christmas Recess wandering with me through the beautiful village of Upton Grey?

I have no authority to reconsider or review a decision I have taken on an appeal case. This was the second appeal. The first appeal was dismissed. It is true that on the second occasion my inspector—who is there to advise me but not to determine the issue—advised that the appeal should be allowed. However, it did not seem to me that there were sufficient grounds for altering the decision which I had reached on the first appeal.

On a point of order. I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what consideration has been given by his Department to the proposal for a crematorium in the Orpington district; whether he is aware that objections were expressed at a meeting convened by the Kent County Council on 31st October; and whether he will cause a public inquiry to be held.

No proposal is before us, but the Orpington Urban District Council has been told that, if planning permission is obtained, my right hon. Friend will be prepared to entertain an application under Section 1 of the Cremation Act, 1952. He knows that objections have been made and has asked the Kent County Council to tell him its views before taking a decision. He will then consider whether this is a case on which he should decide the planning issues himself after a public inquiry.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is yet in a position to announce his decision about the site at Bowlacre, Hyde, for the proposed College of Further Education.

The decision has now been reached and a copy of the decision letter sent to the hon. Member.

I thank the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what further consideration has been given to the proposals for reorganising local government in the London area.

Consideration of these proposals is proceeding along the lines indicated in the reply which I gave to a Question by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Surrey, East (Mr. Doughty) on 11th November.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us some idea of the time programme for the implementation of these proposals?

In my Answer on 11th November I said:

"It is proposed to invite local authorities and other bodies principally concerned with the broad local government issues to put forward their views within the next three months."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 11th November, 1960; Vol. 629, c. 86.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is now prepared to authorise the London County Council to grant planning permission for the new headquarters of the Royal College of Physicians on the east side of Regent's Park.

Yes, sir.

I thank the Minister for giving us the opportunity to see the model in the Upper Waiting Hall last week. May I ask him to accept the congratulations of hon. Members on this side of the House for approving a design which is brilliant and imaginative and blends very well with its surroundings?

I am glad that I am giving so much satisfaction during my last Question day before Christmas.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of workers who both by reason of low income and the nature of their work require housing at a reasonable rent in the London area.

The factors suggested in the Question are so indefinite that I do not think any useful estimate could be based on them.

Is it not completely irresponsible for the Minister to allow private rents to soar, while curtailing council building for general needs, without this vital information? Is he aware that in Wood Green, which is typical, there are far too many, essential low-paid workers chasing too few low-rented homes? What does he intend to do about it, because this is a direct result of his policy?

This is not a direct result of my policy. I am quite well aware that there are more people wishing to live in the London area than there is room for. Nevertheless, the kind of estimates for which the hon. Lady asks in her Question would really be of no value, because phrases such as "low income", "reasonable rent" and so forth, are not capable of exact definition.

Does the Minister remember that he is always advising people who have rent difficulties in London that they should move out of London? How can he possibly know whether that is sensible advice unless he has formed some idea of how many people there are who have to live in London?

I should have thought that it would be extremely helpful to those people who have to live in London if I advised those who need not to move out.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will revise the special subsidies for housing on expensive sites and housing for elderly people to meet the increased cost of housing land.

I do not think such a revision is needed. There is already a separate subsidy for expensive sites, in addition to any subsidy for the dwellings erected on them. This expensive site subsidy is payable in all appropriate cases and varies according to the cost of the site, not according to the purpose for which the dwellings are to be used.

Is the Minister aware that he has admitted the need for subsidies for elderly persons' houses, in particular, and since he has admitted that need, is it not reasonable that these subsidies should be increased commensurate with the phenomenal increase in the price of land over the last twelve months? Is he also aware that there is considerable uncertainty on the part of local authorities about what the present ceiling of the expensive site subsidy is?

I do not understand why there should be any doubt in the minds of local authorities. There is no ceiling, except in one narrow class of cases. This expensive site subsidy varies according to the price of the land and, therefore, takes account of any increase in that price.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what survey he has made of land allocated for house building in the London region; and with what result.

The London and Greater London local planning authorities are readily co-operating with my Department in a survey of the land available for residential development in the area surrounded by the Metropolitan Green Belt, and in existing towns situated within the Green Belt. The object is to ensure the maximum use of land which is, or can be made, available for building.

Am I right in supposing that land in this area which has been allocated for house building, but not yet built on, amounts to sufficient to meet the needs of the next two or three years? What is likely to happen after that? Further, am I right in thinking that a good deal of this land is now owned by companies which intend to build on it at some subsequent date? What will be the position of people who want to build their own houses to their own design?

I am not quite sure what area the hon. Member is referring to, because here we have to consider not only the land on the inner side of the Green Belt but land on the outer side. I entirely agree that there is anything but unlimited building land available on the inner side of the Green Belt and, therefore, it is the more urgent that local authorities should follow up the suggestions I made in the Circular about encouraging conversions, redevelopment of older areas, review of densities, and so forth.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs approximately how many properties used for domestic accommodation in the Metropolitan Police area or in the County of London have been or are being demolished for replacement by office or business buildings; approximately how many persons have been affected by this; and what information he has regarding the extent to which the price of land for house building purposes has risen during the past five years in either of those two areas in consequence of such demolition, or for other reasons.

Although figures are not available, I have no reason to think that any large-scale demolition of residential buildings to make way for offices has taken place in the County of London since 1955, when the Development Plan was approved. I have given, and will continue to give, my support to the policy of the local planning authority to preserve residential uses, wherever possible, and to curb excessive office building. I am now considering certain amendments to the County Development Plan which have been put to me with the purpose of strengthening this policy still further. I have no evidence that land in the County of London has increased in price as the result of the demolition of houses for office development.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman secure the information for which I ask in my Question? He cannot very well make judgments as to the future unless he has the information. It is very difficult for some of us to get the information we desire from him, because in reference to a previous Question from this side he argued that it was of too ambiguous a character, whilst he is now refusing to answer my Question because it is apparently too explicit.

So little of this has been going on that I do not think it would justify the immense trouble involved in getting statistics from every local authority concerned. It is much more practical to proceed by way of getting on with the consideration of the review of the County of London Development Plan, which will include consideration of certain amendments for strengthening the retention of residential use still further.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether, in view of the failure of the Peterlee Corporation to reach its annual target of housing construction in 1959 and in the present year, the difficulty experienced through the failure of the principal contractor to meet his liabilities and the claim of some creditors that they were requested to supply the contractors with materials by representatives of the Corporation, he will institute an inquiry into the relations between the Corporation and the contractor and the reasons why the housing target will not be reached.

The core of the trouble at Peterlee is that a firm which put in the lowest tenders and was awarded certain house-building contracts has gone into liquidation. The supply of materials to the firm was a normal commercial transaction. I know of nothing that would justify me in holding an inquiry into these matters.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable disquiet in Peterlee and the adjoining area because of the curtailment of the housing programme, and that various allegations have been made about the transactions undertaken between representatives of the Corporation and the contractor referred to? Is there not something to be said for conducting a Departmental inquiry—not necessarily of a public character to begin with, unless something transpires which ought to be reported — in the interests of all concerned?

I hope that if the right hon. Gentleman hears allegations of that character he will deny them. There is no truth in them whatever. A difficult situation has arisen here, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, through this firm having gone into liquidation before it completed its house-building contracts. I can certainly say that the special object of the Development Corporation and myself is to get those contracts completed as quickly as possible. I am seriously concerned lest a bad break in the completion of houses should occur.

When we are faced with a situation in which a contractor incurs liabilities of between £450,000 and £600,000, surely it is a matter for some inquiry?

The liabilities that a particular firm incurs when it is carrying out a public contract are not, in my submission, necessarily a subject for a public inquiry, or an inquiry of any sort. It is a matter between the contractor and the creditors. The firm is now in liquidation and no doubt all these matters are being pursued.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will introduce legislation to ensure that local housing authorities shall normally charge the full economic rent for council houses, and that rent relief should be given only to those who genuinely need it and only for so long as they need it.

I agree entirely with my hon. Friend that council rents should be subsidised only to the extent that the tenants need subsidy. The policies of the Government have been directed, with considerable success, to persuading local authorities to adopt an increasingly realistic attitude to rents. I do not think, however, that it would be right to legislate so as to take away from them their ultimate responsibility for their rent policy.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for part of his Answer, may I ask him whether he can advance one reason to justify a citizen who is not genuinely in need of it having his rent subsidised by the ratepayers and taxpayers at large? If local authorities will not respond to his encouragement to remedy this flagrant injustice, is it not high time that legislation was contemplated?

I certainly have a very open mind about this, but I can assure my hon. Friend that an increasing number of local authorities are doing the sensible thing and establishing some kind of differential rent scheme. However, it would be extremely difficult to determine by legislation rents which local authorities should charge all over the country.

The hon. Member for Hertfordshire, South-West (Mr. Longden) thanked the Minister for one part of his Answer. May I take the unusual course of thanking the right hon. Gentleman for the other half of it? Is he aware that in most cases the citizens in the areas concerned are better judges of what is a fair rent policy, in view of the difficulties imposed on them by the Minister, than is the hon. Gentleman?

I hope that they will be very good judges at the next council elections.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what plans he has for speeding up housing, in view of the difficulties, particularly in north London boroughs, now confronting old people, newly-married people, and people living in overcrowded accommodation.

My information is that most local authorities, in north London boroughs as elsewhere, are pressing ahead with house building as quickly as they can. They are limited by the present high level of demand on all sections of the building industry, and the keen competition for technical staff.

Is the Minister aware of the tremendous difficulties facing Members of Parliament like myself who receive scores of appeals from old people, newly-married couples and people living in overcrowded conditions to do something about this? Does he not think that it is time for drastic action, by which I mean taking over land, directing building away from office building, and so on, to solve a problem which is causing more delinquency than anything else? Drastic action is required.

The first initiative in taking over land compulsorily rests with the local authority concerned. The borough council in the constituency which the hon. Gentleman represents has a programme of 200 houses for this year; but, so far as I can see, I fear that the council will fall short of it. That is not my responsibility. It is the council's.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will take powers to enable him to enforce decisions of local rent tribunals in cases where landlords have refused to accept such decisions and have threatened to evict tenants who refuse to pay higher rents than those permitted by the tribunals.

Local authorities already have powers to institute proceedings where an offence under the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Act, 1946, has been committed. I do not think that further legislation is required.

Is the Minister aware that, although the Question is in the plural, it applies to only one case, namely, Regent Court in Sheffield, where I understand that the legal situation is very peculiar indeed? It is controlled property and the rent tribunal has fixed the rents only for the few tenants who do not come under the control arrangements. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for six months the landlords have refused to accept any rents and are now threatening to evict the tenants who have offered the rents because they will not pay the price demanded by the landlords? In those circumstances, does he suggest that only the local authorities can take action?

I was simply referring to Section 10 of the Act, which provides that no proceedings shall be instituted otherwise than by the local authority. If the Sheffield City Council considers that it has a good case and that the Act is being infringed, it is open to it to institute proceedings.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that the assurance given to the hon. Member for Orpington on 28th July, 1959, in a copy of a letter sent by him to the Kent County Council on 20th May, 1959, that the building of Royal Air Force officers' married quarters at Biggin Hill would not be carried out without consultation with the local planning authority has not been complied with; what action he now proposes to take in the matter; and if he will make a statement.

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air that owing to a mistake the Air Ministry did not consult the Kent County Council as had been promised, and that a letter of apology was sent to the County Planning Officer on 7th September. I do not see that there is any action I can take in the circumstances.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet received a report from the Commonwealth Study Group about the problems of future Commonwealth membership by the smaller colonial dependencies.

Yes, Sir. The Study Group has submitted its report to the Governments of all the member countries of the Commonwealth.

Is it my right hon. Friend's view that as the smaller dependencies move towards independence they should be accepted as full members of the Commonwealth, or has he in mind some form of regionalisation of the Commonwealth?

This is a report confidentially prepared for the next meeting of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers. I prefer not to say anything more about it until that meeting has taken place.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will propose to the President-Elect of the United States of America that steps should now be taken to initiate a meeting between the heads of Government of the United States of America, Russia and Great Britain.

No doubt when the new Administration in the United States takes office there will be a wide exchange of views with them which will cover such matters. It would not be appropriate for me to say more at the moment.

Will the Prime Minister bear in mind when he begins his next exercise in Summitry that we shall not get any lasting benefit from a Summit Meeting now unless the Chinese are included? Will he exercise his best endeavours to that end?

That is a point to be considered. I notice that the Question omits to mention the French Government, perhaps by accident. France is one of the four Powers responsible for the settlement of the German question and must take part in any discussions of this kind.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about the progress of the constitutional conference on the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

The Federal Constitutional Review Conference opened on 5th December and, after eleven meetings, adjourned on 17th December. It will reconvene on a date in the New Year to be decided by the five Governments in the light of the progress made at the talks on the constitutions of Southern Rhodesia and Northern Rhodesia.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it is still his intention to do everything possible to work for the maintenance of a federal structure?

Yes, Sir. We believe that the aims of the Federation, as founded, were sound and valuable, and that they remain so. The purpose of the Conference is to examine how far those aims have been realised, and what changes, if any, should be made in the future, but I hope that I may be allowed to say that the Conference, with all its difficulties, has done a most valuable work, and I feel that, at the end, the interchange of personal relations and discussions, not only in the full meetings but in private, have contributed something towards the ultimate solution of this very complicated question.

Is the Prime Minister aware that there will be general support for the procedure under which the resumption of the Federal Conference depends to some extent on the progress made in the two Territorial Conferences? May I ask him whether any progress has been made, or any proposals put forward in relation to an extended franchise or representation for the Africans in the Federal Assembly? Until that is done, is it not extremely unwise to make speeches about holding the Federation together by force? Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that no British troops will be committed to such a foolish enterprise?

I think that it would be much wiser to proceed, as we generally agreed at the end of the Conference, with the two territorial negotiations and discussions. If those make great progress—and I have hopes of it—we are then in a very much better position, if and when the Conference reconvenes, to take up such questions as the general franchise and the powers as between the Federation and the parts. I think that the course we have followed in all the difficulties is, on the whole, the right one.

Is the Prime Minister aware that I subscribe to what he says but, in that case, is it not doubly stupid to make speeches about using force in the Federation?

Of course, all kinds of speeches and all kinds of statements are made by people at different times. What we have tried to do is to bring together the greatest amount of agreement, and I think that we have had some success in that respect.

Is it not clear from what the Prime Minister himself has said that any prospect of progress in the Federal Conference is really dependent on prior agreement on constitutional advance in Northern Rhodesia and Southern Rhodesia? Does he anticipate that there will be such discussions on constitutional advance in the Federation itself before the Conference resumes? Secondly, in view of its immense importance, are Her Majesty's Government to be represented at the discussions on constitutional advance in Southern Rhodesia?

With regard to the second part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations is to answer a Question on Southern Rhodesia tomorrow, and I prefer to leave it to him. With regard to the first part of his supplementary question, we feel that the Federal Conference and the Territorial Conferences are very closely inter-related. The next step is the one we decided on; first, to make what progress we can in the two Territorial Conferences and then, in the light of that, to discuss the reconvening of the other Conference, or other negotiations that might take place in regard to the Federal question.

Can the Prime Minister say what kind of progress he is expecting in the Territorial Conferences? How much progress has there to be before the other talks begin—or has he not been able to discover quite how they are proceeding?

I do not think that if I went beyond what I have said I would be helping what we hope to do.

asked the Prime Minister if he will now give the composition and terms of reference of the Committee which is to inquire into higher education.

I am happy to say that Professor Lord Robbins has found it possible to accept the chairmanship of the Committee.

"To review the pattern of full-time higher education in Great Britain and in the light of national needs and resources to advise Her Majesty's Government on what principles its long-term development should be based. In particular, to advise, in the light of these principles, whether there should be any changes in that pattern, whether any new types of institution are desirable and whether any modifications should be made in the present arrangements for planning and co-ordinating the development of the various types of institution."

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Labour Party first asked for this inquiry in 1953, and has been asking for it at intervals ever since; and that we are, therefore, delighted that Her Majesty's Government have at last caught up with us? In considering the composition of the Committee, will the right hon. Gentleman take into account the consumers—in other words, the students—and see that they also have some representation?

I will consider that. Naturally, I am very tempted to the position taken by the hon. Lady, but I think that, on the whole, I would prefer to leave the student question. What we have to do is to get a very broad representation, and in doing so, we have tried to deal with all the various possible groups that ought to be considered.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will discuss with Senator Kennedy, at their forthcoming meeting, the extent to which British firms are partly or wholly owned by United States interests, and the consequent effect on British industry and Anglo-American relations.

No meeting with Mr. Kennedy has yet been arranged. If, as I hope, such a meeting takes place, I will bear this matter in mind, should it seem worth while to discuss it.

Although the Prime Minister no doubt thinks it very funny—[HON. MEMBERS: "No—we do."],—is he not aware that quite apart from the Ford affair, which was not so significant to our economy, there is, for example, the American-owned Standard Telephone Company, which is the largest single supplier in the ring that supplies telephones to the Post Office, and that it is thought by many concerned in the industries connected with telecommunications that that firm is now advising Her Majesty's Government not to have their own communications satellite system, but to wait for the Americans to provide the equipment—so that the Americans can make all the money out of it, and we shall lose a great deal? Will the Prime Minister look into that?

This is a question of the free interchange of capital. On the whole, I think that the fact that there is a free movement of capital is a sign of a progressive economy in the world, and a good thing, and if we in this country were to be examined as to our capital investments all over the world—including the United States—we might find ourselves embarking on a very perilous journey if we were to question them.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the official discussions concerning closer co-operation between the European Common Market and the European Free Trade Association.

We have taken part in a number of informal and exploratory talks with interested Governments during recent months. In particular, following my visit to Bonn and discussions there with Chancellor Adenauer in August, we have had two rounds of exploratory talks with the German Government, designed to see whether a basis for more formal negotiations can be found. These talks have made useful progress. For the reasons given by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal on 4th November, I hope that the House will not expect me to say more about the results of these talks. Europe cannot risk another attempt to reach agreement which ends in failure; and, for the present, I am sure that we are all agreed that we should continue to explore the possibilities patiently in confidential discussions.

While agreeing to some extent with the latter part of the right hon. Gentleman's remarks, may I ask whether he will agree, now that the six months' grace we were offered in June runs out in a week's time, that the House deserves a little more information than that about the general form that discussions are taking. In particular, can he tell the House whether there is any truth in the reports that we are discussing an arrangement under which the Six and the Seven would have a common external tariff, and that, so far, no insuperable technical objection has been offered to this type of approach?

I am grateful for what the hon. Gentleman says. I know that he realises the difficulty and complication—and even delicacy—of these discussions. I think that it would be unwise for me to comment on any particular proposal, because the result might be just what we did not want to happen. I would, therefore, prefer to assure the hon. Gentleman that we are pressing forward with these discussions, and still hope that we shall reach a point at which a useful negotiation, as apart from exploratory discussion, can be entertained.

May I ask the Prime Minister to clarify the actual direction of Government policy in Europe? Is it to make an association with the Six, or to get Britain's entry into it? There is some confusion about this, because paragraph 38 of the agricultural White Paper issued yesterday says:

"The Government … would not favour an unconditional entry into the Community"?

We have had debates on this at considerable length, and I think the positions of the Government and the Opposition on the matter have been very close together. We want to see a European Community develop on sound lines, but we have the problem of the Commonwealth, we have our agriculural problem, and we have our commitments to the Seven. What we are working for, therefore, is something, whether it be the whole solution or a partial solution, which tends to maximise, the trade of Europe and not to reduce it.

Will the Prime Minister say whether the conversations which he said are taking place are of a multilateral character, or are they simply between representatives of Great Britain and France and Germany?

At present, they are bilateral in character in each case.

Will the Prime Minister give an answer to the main question? Granted that negotiations with the Six must, of course, take place under the Treaty of Rome, do the Government want to go into the Common Market if the negotiations are successful? He is always talking about interdependence and saying how splendid it is, but he always refuses to do anything particular about it.

We have repeatedly declared that, although the difficulties, which are well known to the House, prevent us from acceding to the Treaty of Rome as it now stands, we do not regard the problems raised as insuperable and we believe that they can, with good will, be overcome.

May we take it that our partners in the Seven are being kept informed of these talks, and will the Prime Minister say with what other countries the bilateral talks are taking place?

We have, of course, very carefully informed our partners at every stage, at meetings on other subjects which have provided an opportunity and, of course, through the ordinary diplomatic channels. We carefully do that. There have been these discussions primarily with the Germans because they were to try to work out some scheme with us, and we have had discussions also, as I think the Lord Privy Seal said, with the Italians and some preliminary discussions with the French.