asked the Minister of Transport when work will be commenced on the Crick-Doncaster By-Pass Special Road Scheme.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 26th October to the hon. Members for Leicester, North-West (Mr. Janner) and Huddersfield, West (Mr. Wade).

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to ascertain the value of the land on the approaches to the contemplated Severn Bridge on both sides of the river; and what action he proposes to take to obtain a proportion of this increased value towards the cost of the construction of the bridge.

The value of the land required for the construction of the approach roads will, of course, be ascertained during the negotiations for acquisition. Where only part of a holding is to be acquired, then any increase or decrease in the value of the remainder that is attributable to the scheme will be taken into account when assessing the statutory compensation.We have no power to take a proportion of any increase in the value of holdings of which no part is taken for road schemes.

asked the Minister of Transport on what evidence he has reached the conclusion that speed is not a major cause of accidents.

The evidence available does not point to a simple and clear relationship between speed and accidents. There is, however, evidence that in any given set of circumstances an increase of speed makes accidents more likely and also more severe. The risk of an accident occurring depends, among other factors, on the character of the road and the density of traffic on it, and speed is only one of many factors which have to be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now introduce a minimum speed limit on clearways.

No. I do not think a minimum speed limit would be desirable. One of its effects would be to drive heavy and other slow moving traffic on to less suitable roads.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered a proposal submitted by Hayes and Harlington Urban District Council that white stop lines should be marked three yards on each side of pedestrian crossings so as to reduce the danger of accidents and give greater confidence to walkers; and what reply he has sent.

Yes. The council's attention has been drawn to paragraph 23 of the Highway Code and to the rule which prohibits parking on the approach to pedestrian crossings. We are not satisfied that the council's proposal would in fact lead to greater safety.

asked the Minister of Transport when he gave his approval to the proposal of the Westminster City Council for the erection of parking meters on both sides of Jermyn Street.

My right hon. Friend made the Parking Places (Westminster) (No. 1) Order, 1960, on 19th August last.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents to vehicles or pedestrians have occurred on A.27 between the Portsmouth boundary and the Hamble River since he last quoted figures on this road in reply to a Parliamentary Question last Session; and how many deaths, how many injuries, and how many damaged vehicles have resulted from these accidents.

In the period 24th July to 19th December this year, there have been 114 accidents which caused damage only and 64 accidents in which persons were injured—2 persons killed, 21 seriously injured and 49 slightly injured—on the A.27 between the Portsmouth boundary and the Hamble River. I regret that I have no information about the number of vehicles damaged.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals there are for providing two-level intersections between the end of M.1 and Finchley Road.

I have published a draft Order under Section 9 of the Highways Act containing my proposals for a grade separated junction at the intersections of Colindeep Lane and A.41. I am also seeking the informal observations of the

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has recently received from the Chamber of Shipping and other British shipping organisations on the need for Government action to help the industry.

None.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the importance of this matter to the north of Scotland, and in view of the Government's promises to encourage trade, industry, and employment there, why Her Majesty's Government are not prepared to support the proposal in the

asked the Minister of Transport to give, expressed in vehicle-miles, the rates for fatal acidents, injury accidents, for fatalities and persons injured, respectively, for the M.1, M.10 and M.45 route and for all-purpose rural roads.

The following is the information for M.1, M.10 and M.45:report from Aberdeen Harbour Commissioners that the replacement of Nos. 2 and 3 pontoon docks at Aberdeen, the absence of which is increasing unemployment there, should be entirely financed out of public funds.

Her Majesty's Government do not accept the views expressed in the report about the need for replacement of the largest pontoon dock at a cost of £500,000. Nor do they consider that the conditions laid down in the Local Employment Act, 1960, would permit the cost of dock No. 2 being entirely financed from Government funds.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the prospects for shipbuilding, marine engineering, and allied industries in Northumberland and County Durham in 1961.

Next year will be a difficult one for these industries, but of the most important areas concerned the North-East Coast seems as well placed as any.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to issue a comprehensive White Paper on British railways.

The White Paper "Re-organisation of the Nationalised Transport Undertakings" (Cmnd. 1248) was presented to Parliament and issued yesterday.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has yet made a decision about holding a wider inquiry into the causes leading to a withdrawal of the electrified rail services in the Glasgow area.

Not yet.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can yet make a further statement about the proposed major survey of London traffic.

I shall endorse the decision the London County Council took yesterday to appoint Messrs. Freeman, Fox and Partners to advise on the form and organisation of this major traffic survey. This firm which is in association with Engineering Services Corporation, an American firm with its British office at Basildon, will later be appointed to undertake the survey itself provided that a mutually acceptable basis of remuneration can be agreed when the precise scope of the survey has been ascertained.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is yet in a position to report the findings of the traffic census held some months ago on A.27 between Portchester and Fareham.

The agent authority the Hampshire County Council is still engaged on its analysis of the results of this census.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take powers to control the movement of motor-boats on waterways and to ensure reasonable access on equal terms to all waterways by all users including anglers, sailing enthusiasts and motor-boat enthusiasts.

No. Authorities responsible for waterways normally have powers enabling them to control the use of and access to their waterways. I am aware, however, that in some cases there are special difficulties and I am considering these with my colleagues.

asked the Minister of Transport what consideration he has given to the memorandum, sent to him recently on the subject of safety standards for boats, particularly arising from a recent case at Shoreham, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Maidstone; what reply he will send and if he will make a statement.

The memorandum has not yet reached me, but I will deal with it as soon as I receive it.

asked the Prime Minister why he will not inform Dr. Adenauer that Her Majesty's Government will not agree to granting to West German troops bases, training facilities, and barrack room accommodation in Great Britain.

I have been asked to reply.The Federal German Government are our allies in N.A.T.O. and Her Majesty's Government are therefore prepared to assist by providing depôts and training facilities in this country if studies by the N.A.T.O. authorities and ourselves reveal that this is a practical and sensible requirement in the interests of the alliance.

asked the Prime Minister what proposals he has for improving Great Britain's relations with China; and whether he has been invited to visit Peking.

I have been asked to reply.We seek to improve our relations with China in all reasonable ways open to us. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No".

asked the Prime Minister what consultations he has had with the Prime Ministers of India and Ghana about concerted action in the United Nations regarding action in the Congo.

My consultations with other Commonwealth Prime Ministers are of necessity confidential. I can, however, assure the hon. Lady that we are in close and continuous touch with both the Prime Minister of India and the President of Ghana, as with other Commonwealth Governments, on this question.

asked the Minister of Defence what additional methods and measures have lately been adopted to increase recruitment to the Armed Forces of the Crown; and with what result.

Both in the Army and the Royal Air Force improvements are being made in the procedure for handling those who are considering joining and have not yet been attested.About a year ago I appointed Sir Frederic Hooper as my adviser on recruiting publicity. My right hon. Friends and I have been greatly helped by his advice and are considering further measures that have been proposed.Experimental television advertising campaigns on behalf of the Army have been carried out in three areas. The results which seem encouraging are now being analysed in detail.

asked the Minister of Defence what steps have been lately taken to recruit Commonwealth citizens from overseas to the Armed Forces of the Crown.

My right hon. Friends and I are making every effort to maximise recruiting for the Armed Forces. We make no distinction between British subjects born here and those born overseas.

asked the Minister of Defence whether when negotiating an agreement with the Federal Government of Germany for the granting of training facilities for West German troops in Great Britain, he will insist that such troops should not be under the control and command of former high ranking Nazi officers and others who served under Hitler in a senior capacity.

No. It is for the German authorities to decide whom to appoint to command their forces.

asked the Minister of Defence what facilities he is providing for German troops to train in Great Britain.

I have nothing to add to what I said in reply to the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) on 12th December.

asked the Minister of Defence how many of the countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation have used or applied to use training facilities in the United Kingdom for their troops; and what is Her Majesty's Government's policy with regard to such requests.

Formed units from N.A.T.O. forces have not yet used training facilities in this country, but many officers and other ranks from N.A.T.O. countries have attended courses here.It is Her Majesty's Government's policy, wherever they can, to meet requests for training facilities which are made by their allies and supported by the N.A.T.O. military authorities.

asked the Minister of Defence how much has been spent, and where, on military bases in Kenya; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the future of such bases.

About £4 million will have been spent on capital works for the Services in Kenya between 1st July, 1957, and 31st March, 1961, mainly at Kahawa, Gilgil and Eastleigh. These facilities are based on the current assessment of defence needs.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT and state the membership of all committees and working parties at present in session appointed by his Department.

Apart from bodies which have been set up to facilitate the transaction of internal or interdepartmental business, no committee or working party appointed by my Department is at present in session.

asked the Minister of Defence to make a further statement about a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation integrated air defence system.

The speed and range of modern aircraft are such that N.A.T.O. Europe now needs a unified air defence system and the North Atlantic Council has recently agreed that such a system should be set up. Under this system, the United Kingdom will form one of four N.A.T.O. air defence regions and thus Fighter Command will come under SACEUR's command. The scheme provides safeguards to protect the national interests of the N.A.T.O. nations taking part. Under these safeguards, national authorities retain the right to decide the size, composition, rôle and deployment of their air defence forces assigned to SACEUR.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what resolutions on Algeria came before the General Assembly of the United Nations; which were accepted and rejected; for which resolutions the British delegate voted; and which delegates voted in favour and against each, respectively, and which abstained.

The resolution to which my right hon. Friend referred in the House on 19th December was voted on in the plenary session of the General Assembly on 19th December. Certain amendments were proposed, but were not adopted. The paragraph in the resolution which called on the United Nations to conduct a referendum in Algeria failed even to obtain a simple majority. The resolution, with this paragraph excluded, was then put to the vote and adopted by 63 votes to 8 with 27 abstentions. The United Kingdom delegate abstained. The United Nations document showing how delegates voted will be placed in the Library as soon as possible.

asked the Lord Privy Seal in what respects the neutral situation in Laos, under the Geneva protocols has been qualified; and if he will make a statement.

When my right hon. Friend said on 23rd November that the neutral situation was itself qualified in certain respects, he was referring to the fact that under the Cease-Fire Agreement the French Government were entitled to retain 5,000 troops in Laos and two military establishments.The attitude of Her Majesty's Government to the present situation was fully explained by my noble Friend in his statement in Another Place on 19th December and by my right hon. Friend's replies to Questions on the same day.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what contributions Her Majesty's

As the Answer contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.Following is the information:

asked the Lord Privy Seal what amounts have been pledged for 1961 to the voluntary funds of the United Nations.

Since the Answer contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement about the investigations made by United Nations authorities into allegations of misconduct by United Nations troops.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on this subject on 7th December in answer to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Arundel and Shoreham (Captain Kerby).

asked the Lord Privy Seal, in view of the impossibility of the United Nations carrying out an impartial investigation into acts of violence committed by United Nations troops in the Congo, if he will now ask the International Court of Justice at The Hague to send a permanent commission to the Congo to carry out on-the-spot investigations of such incidents.

I cannot accept the suggestion that it is impossible for the United Nations to carry out an impartial investigation—should it be necessary—into acts of the United Nations troops in the Congo. I do not think that it would be either practicable or helpful to the United Nations in their difficult task in the Congo to suggest that the International Court of Justice should intervene in this matter. Although the Court is empowered by Article 50 of its Statute to set up a commission of inquiry for the purpose of obtaining information in connection with the adjudication of a dispute or other legal proceedings before it, the establishment of a permanent investigating commission of the kind proposed would not be within the proper functions of the Court.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what resolutions on South-West Africa were voted on at the General Assembly of the United Nations on 18th December; haw the British delegate voted on each; and which delegates voted for and against each resolution and which abstained.

Of the six resolutions to which my right hon. Friend referred in his answer to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) on 15th December, the United Kingdom delegate voted in plenary for one resolution and abstained on five. As the Answer to the last part of the Question is rather long, I shall place an account of the voting in the Library.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what arrangements he proposes to make at the forthcoming British Trade Fair in Moscow to present the British way of life to the Soviet people.

This will be essentially a trade fair. Visitors will, however, be able to gather quite a lot about life in this country from the commercial exhibits themselves and the British Government exhibit illustrating our Scientific and technological achievements.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that some insurance companies and certain other British claimants, Whose property has been liquidated or Egyptianised, are unable to establish their claims against the Egyptian Compensation Fund in the United Kingdom; and what action he proposes to take to assist these claimants.

An Order in Council was made by Her Majesty today amending the Foreign Compensation (Egypt) (Determination and Registration of Claims) Order, 1959 (S.I. 1959, No. 625) so as to facilitate the establishment of such claims where formal evidence of sale of the property cannot be obtained. The Amending Order will be laid before the House on 30th December and will come into operation on 2nd January.

asked the Minister of Labour how many retired regular officers aged 50 to 60 at the date of registration with his Department since June, 1957, have failed to obtain employment within a reasonable period; and what percentage this is of the total number of retired regular officers within that age group.

I regret that this information is not available. The number of retired regular officers from all three Services aged 46 or over who have been registered as unemployed for more than six months was 258 on 30th September, 1960. This is the lowest figure since 31st December, 1958, when statistics of unemployed officers by age groups began to be kept and should be viewed against the background of 15,238 regular officers of all ages Who retired from the three Services between 1st January, 1958, and 30th September, 1960. On this latter date, 719 were registered as unemployed.

asked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed persons in the Aberkenfig, Tondu and Brynmenyn districts were registering at the Bridgend Employment Exchange at the latest convenient date; and whether he will now reopen a part-time exchange at Aberkenfig.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 31 on 16th December. To the second part, I do not feel that present conditions justify the re-opening of a part-time exchange in Aberkenfig.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a further statement on legislation to provide for safety, health and welfare in premises covered by the Report of the Gowers Committee.

I am about to start consultations with interested organisations on the form of the proposed legislation, which will apply to shops—including catering establishments open to the public—offices and railway premises.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the need to resist inflation, he will state the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to automatic implementation of the recommendations of independent tribunals appointed to adjudicate between increases in wages claimed by employees and the amounts offered by employers.

Claims for wage increases which are not settled by agreement between employers and trade unions are referred to arbitration only if both parties agree to this. In these circumstances, it is in the Government's view right that both parties should be prepared to accept arbitration awards and I am glad to say that this is in fact, the general practice.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were unemployed in Swindon at the latest date for which figures are available.

Seven hundred and three on 12th December.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he is taking to bring to an end the industrial dispute at Caterpillar Tractor, Limited, Tannochside, Lanarkshire, which began on 2nd November.

My officers discussed this dispute with the parties immediately the strike started and had a joint meeting with them on 11th November. It was not possible to reconcile the difference which arose from the dismissal of two employees.I am informed that proposals which would have formed a basis for a return to work were agreed earlier this month by the employer and representatives of

asked the Minister of Labour what has been, for industry as a whole and for the nationalised industries separately, the average increase in wages and in earnings, respectively, for the years 1957–58, 1958–59, and 1959–60.

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given to the need for combining a protein test for milk with a butterfat test; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend and his colleagues are awaiting the comments of representative organisations on the report of the Cook Committee before reaching any conclusions about the criteria to be used for testing milk for compositional quality.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has now reached a decision regarding the issue of an order prohibiting the importation of wilt tolerant varieties to the West Midlands area except under special licence.

The Department have discussed with scientific experts whether it would be desirable to control the movement of wilt tolerant varieties of hops. The technical advice is conflicting and my right hon. Friend is doubtful whether an Order prohibiting movement except under licence would be efficacious but he has not yet reached a decision.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is now in a position to make a further statement about progressive verticillium wilt.

As a result of the outbreaks of the disease in the West Midlands this year, extra diagnostic facilities are to be provided at the Efford Experimental Station in time for next season. Arrangements are also being made for the practical testing of a quicker method of diagnosis, but it will be some time before the success or otherwise of this method can be determined.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which counties have now approved the system of spraying sheep instead of the annual dipping formerly required universally to eliminate sheep scab; and if he will give advice about the desirability of this more economical practice to the Disease of Animals Committees of all county councils.

The Sheep Scab Order enables local authorities to make regulations requiring periodical dipping of sheep in their areas. It is within the discretion of the authorities whether they make such regulations or not. The Order gives no power to approve spraying as an alternative, and I could not recommend spraying as a method of control of sheep scab under field conditions in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the continuation of grant and loans under the White Fish and Herring Industries Acts of 1953 and 1957.

The White Fish Authority has now reached the limit of expenditure on grants and will shortly reach the limit on loans. An order under the Sea Fish Industry Act, 1959, to make a further sum of £2 million available for grants was laid and a Bill to enable further loans to be made was presented to Parliament on 21st December.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it has yet been discovered how foot-and-mouth disease came to Middleton of Rora, Longside, North Collielaw, Peterhead, Stoneygate, Hatton, and Chapel-hall, Elton; and whether he will take further action to remedy the defects of his present Regulations.

Investigations so far have shown no direct link betwen these outbreaks and others in the present series.If my hon. Friend will let me know what defects in the present Regulations he has in mind, I will write to him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the repeated serious outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Aberdeenshire, he will instruct his veterinary officers forthwith to impose an immediate standstill for at least three weeks in every instance where a case is suspected by a qualified veterinary surgeon, even if it cannot be diagnosed with certainty.

No. Immediate standstill is imposed where our veterinary officers suspect foot-and-mouth disease, even if it cannot be diagnosed with certainty. I will write fully my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he proposes to discontinue the fertiliser subsidy.

No. I consider that it fulfils a useful purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will arrange to publish the annual and biennial reports on Crown Colonies within twelve months of the end of the period reported upon, in order that such reports may be of contemporary interest.

Every effort is made to publish these reports as soon as possible after the year to which they refer. We are dependent, of course, on Colonial Governments for the early dispatch of their reports to the United Kingdom.More than half the reports in any one year are printed locally and not in this country, and given the pressure on staff overseas and on local printing facilities and the time taken to ship reports to the United Kingdom, I think Governments do as well as can reasonably be expected. I would be loth to interfere with these arrangements because there is also considerable pressure on printing facilities in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the recommendations contained in the Dalgleish Report to deal with unemployment in Kenya.

The Dalgleish Report and a Sessional Paper on Unemployment by the Kenya Government were published on 14th December, and I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library.As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member on 25th October, I wish to await the report of the debate in Kenya on this question before making a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the incidence of venereal disease in Kenya among Europeans, Asians, and Africans, respectively.

I regret that the figures requested cannot be accurately calculated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if a commission of inquiry is now being appointed by the Governor of Fiji to report on the sugar industry.

Yes. I am sure that the House will be glad to know that Sir Malcolm Trustram Eve, Bart., G.B.E., M.C., T.D., Q.C., has been appointed as Chairman. I have no doubt that he will enjoy the fullest co-operation and trust of all those concerned in the industry. Sir Malcolm will be aided by two Commissioners, Mr. C. J. M. Bennett, F.C.A., of Barton Mayhew & Co., and Mr. I. S. Wheatley of the Colonial Office. The Commission will start work in January.The Commission's terms of reference are:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will ask the Government of Malta for an early decision on the granting of family allowances.

No. The reasons why a decision has been deferred were explained in the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on 24th November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what conversations have taken place with Messrs. Bailey over the take-over of the shipbuilding and repairing yards in Malta; and when he expects to reach finality with them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, when a start will be made with the development scheme for Malta Dockyard.

I informed the House on 7th July that talks with the company about their revised development plan for the Malta dockyard had been prolonged by the necessity of dealing with certain other issues relating to the operation of the financial agreement, which provides for Her Majesty's Government's contribution to the conversion plan. The discussion of these issues has been protracted, but I am glad to say that it has now been brought to a successful conclusion. The agreement reached some time ago between Her Majesty's Government and the company that the board should be expanded can now be implemented. Sir Richard Yeabsley and Mr. Hanning Philipps have at the request of Her Majesty's Government accepted invitations from the chairman and board of Bailey (Malta) Limited to join their board. Mr. Lawrence Robson has also been invited to join the board and Her Majesty's Government welcome his appointment.Her Majesty's Government and the company hope that rapid progress can now be made with the settlement of questions which have had to remain in abeyance. In particular we are most anxious to bring to an early conclusion discussions on the development plan so that major conversion work can then go ahead at the dockyard without further delay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements he proposes for the provision of financial assistance to St. Lucia, in the Windward Islands, following damage caused by a hurricane in July this year.

I informed the House on 8th November that Her Majesty's Government are making a grant of $B.W.I. 1 million for the relief programme in St. Lucia. A Supplementary Estimate to provide the sum required in the current financial year will be laid before the House in due course. In the meantime advances will be made from the Civil Contingencies Fund as necessary.

asked the Minister of Aviation if, in view of the constant increase in air traffic and the recent disasters in New York, Munich, and elsewhere, he will initiate a special review of the arrangements for air traffic control at all British airports, especially in foggy conditions; and if he will re-examine the possibility of bringing all movements of aircraft, military as well as civil, under a single controlling authority.

No. As these arrangements are kept under constant review, no special inquiry is necessary. I am satisfied that for the United Kingdom an integrated civil and military control system is the right solution.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will now announce the details of the Britannic air freighter contract which Her Majesty's Government are placing with Short Brothers and Harland in Northern Ireland.

asked the Minister of Aviation when he will be in a position to announce the signing of the Britannic contract.

I am pleased to say that a contract has been placed for the production of 10 Britannic freighter aircraft for the Royal Air Force. They are due to come into service in 1964, and will be a valuable addition to Transport Command's strategic airlift resources.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air has decided that the aircraft, hitherto known as the Britannic, shall be named "Belfast" in service with the Royal Air Force. The manufacturers also intend to use this name for the civil version.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty his policy regarding refits of ships in the reserve fleet at West Hartlepool.

Refits of ships in the reserve fleet at West Hartlepool, as elsewhere in the United Kingdom, are carried out, as far as possible, in the Royal Dockyards. The remainder is put out to tender in the locality in which the ship is based, wherever this is practicable.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT and state the membership of all committees and working parties now in session appointed by his Department.

Committees appointed by the Admiralty, other than Committees consisting only of officials, are as follows:ADMIRALTY COMMITTEES WITH NON-GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES1.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how long negotiations with regard to charges in Malta Dockyard have been proceeding with Messrs. Baileys; and when he expects a final settlement to be reached which will enable a full capacity of commercial work to be accepted by the dockyard.

Negotiations on charges, which had been in progress since August, were concluded on 7th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT and state the membership of all committees and working parties at present in session appointed by his Department.

Committees appointed by the Air Ministry, other than committees consisting solely of officials, are as follows:

Air Cader Council—31 members, including 23 non-official members representing the Air Cadet organisation and other interested bodies.

Scottish Air Cadet Council—22 members including 16 non-official members representing the Air Cadet organisation in Scotland and other interested bodies.

The Welfare and Sports Committees of the Air Cadet Council and the Scottish Air Cadet Council—The membership of these Committees is drawn from the Cadet Councils.

Chaplains Committee of the Air Cadet Council—15 members including 12 non-official members drawn from among the chaplains to the Air Training Corps.

Chaplains Committee of the Scottish Air Cadet Council—11 members including 10 nonofficial members drawn from the Churches in Scotland and from among the chaplains of the Scottish wings of the Air Training Corps.

Air Advisory Committee (Auxiliary and Reserve Forces)—14 members including 8 non-official members who are all senior retired officers.

Royal Air Force Advisory Board on Chaplaincy Services—8 members including 6 nonofficial members representing the Churches.

Education Advisory Committee for the Royal Air Force—17 members including 11 nonofficial members from universities, professional associations, other educational establishments and industry.

Flying Personnel Research Committee—12 members including 6 non-official members from universities and the medical profession.

The Flying Personnel Research Committee has sub-committees on Vision, Otology, Physiology, Psychology and Space Medicine whose membership is drawn from the main committee supplemented by official and nonofficial experts.

Medical Advisory Board—5 members including 4 non-official members drawn from the medical profession.

Meteorological Committee—5 members all of whom are non-official members.

Meteorological Research Committee—13 members including 8 non-official members from universities and other scientific establishments.

Sub-Committee I—Instruments and Physical Sub-Committee—23 members including 6 from universities and other scientific establishments.

Sub-Committee II—Synoptic, Dynamical and Climatological—19 members including 7 non-official members drawn from universities and other scientific establishments.

Sub-Committee III—Research Grants Sub-Committee—5 members including 3 nonofficial members drawn from universities.

Advisory Committee on Meteorology for Scotland—11 members including 7 non-official members drawn from universities and other scientific bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what decision has been taken as to the future use of Methwold Airfield in Norfolk.

Methwold is being retained as a reserve airfield. The possibility of using part of the airfield land for military housing is under examination.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will make an announcement about the body to administer the Diploma in Art and Design recommended in the recently published First Report of the National Advisory Council on Art Education.

Yes. I am glad to say that Sir John Summerson, Curator of Sir John Soane's Museum, has accepted my invitation to be Chairman of the National Council for Awards in Art and Design. The members will be appointed as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Education, in view of the forms of punishment imposed on mentally backward and maladjusted children at the Widdicombe House School, near Kingsbridge, Devon, what action he proposes to take to deal with the situaton.

I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he is aware that, taking the internal purchasing value of the £ sterling at 20s. in October, 1951, it had declined to 18s. 9d. in November, 1952 and to 16s. 3d. in November, 1956; and what was the comparative figure for November, 1960.

Yes, on the basis of the retail price index. The comparable figure for November, 1960, is 15s.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is yet in a position to make any further statement about the possibility of introducing amending legislation to enable the trustees of the Tate Gallery to lend pictures for other than public exhibition.

I find that there are considerable difficulties in the way of the suggestion which my hon. Friend put forward on the 29th November, c. 182. Before the passing of the National Gallery and Tate Gallery Act, the Tate had several pictures on loan to various Service Colleges, including Cranwell, which had fourteen. These loans were made on the Trustees' own authority. After the Act was passed defining the Tate Gallery's powers to loan, however, they decided to withdraw the Service loans which the Act did not cover.An additional complication in the case of "The Lament for Icarus" is that it is a Chantrey purchase; and the Chantrey Trustees have said that they would prefer pictures bought from the Chantrey Bequest not to be lent for other than public exhibition.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has completed his consideration of the memorial submitted by the Sheriffs-Substitute Association requesting a review of their financial status.

Yes. After a review of responsibilities in the judicial field the Government have decided that the salaries of the lower judiciary in Scotland should be improved with effect from 1st January, 1961. The new salaries will be as follows:

asked the Minister fo Health when he will arrange to restart the National Health Service Chiropody Service in Swindon.

The provision of the chiropody service in Swindon is the responsibility of the local health authority. I understand that the service had to be suspended because the chiropodist resigned and a replacement could not be obtained immediately. Applications are being considered and the service will restart as soon as a suitable chiropodist can be appointed.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state in the OFFICIAL REPORT the membership of all committees and working parties at present in session appointed by his Department.

The full membership of the Central Health Services Council and the Standing Advisory Committees set up under Section 2 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, and of their committees and sub-committees is published in the Council's annual report, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. There are the following other committees, of which I am sending my hon. Friend the details of membership:

• National Consultative Council on the Recruitment of Nurses and Midwives.
• National Medical Manpower Committee.
• Dental Manpower Committee.
• Advisory Council for Management Efficiency.
• Advisory Committee on Health and Welfare of Handicapped Persons.
• Food Hygiene Advisory Council.
• Committee on Medical and Nutritional Aspects of Food Policy.
• Standing Advisory Committee on Artificial Limbs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the remand home waiting period in the County of London and elsewhere is often two or three months; and if he will make arrangements to take time spent in remand homes into account in arranging the home leave of girls committed to approved schools.

Nearly 80 per cent. of boys are admitted to approved schools within one month after committal; but some boys and most girls may have a waiting period of up to two months or more. In deciding when to allow a girl home leave, I understand that the managers may take into account any period previously spent in a remand home. I am considering whether there is any guidance I can usefully give to managers on this matter in the present circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to state in the OFFICIAL REPORT the membership of all committees and working parties at present in session appointed by his Department.

The committees and working parties, other than standing advisory bodies and those consisting only of officials, are as follows:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs to state in the OFFICIAL REPORT the membership of all committees and working parties at present in session appointed by his Department.

A list of the main committees and sub-committees which advise me has already been published in Appendix XVIII of the Department's Annual Report presented to Parliament in June. 1960.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how much it would cost the National Insurance Fund if the conditions governing the payment of further increments to married women who attain the age of 60 years after their husband's retirement was to be altered so as to enable them to benefit from any increased pension their busbands may have earned by continuing work after the age of 65 years.

If what my hon. Friend has in mind is that married men deferring retirement beyond age 65 would be able to earn increments for their wives whatever their ages, the cost would grow ultimately to about £6 million a year.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance, to what extent, under his regulations, an insured person can contract out of schemes other than the graded pension scheme in the 1959 Act; whether those who contract out under this Act qualify for all other benefits including the flat rate pension; and how much will be contributed to national insurance after the National Insurance Bill, 1960, becomes an Act by those who have contracted out of the graded pension scheme and those who have not, respectively.

I am afraid I am not clear what the hon. Member has in mind in the first part of his Question. Contracting out under the provisions of the National Insurance Act, 1959, does not affect title to flat rate benefits (including flat rate retirement pension) for which the necessary flat rate contributions have been or will be paid. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Government Actuary's Report on the National Insurance Bill, 1960.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether the £137 million given as the cost of graded pensions in the year 1991–92 in Table IV of Command Paper No. 1197 is entirely related to those who have not contracted out.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to state the numbers of people presently employed at the National Insurance offices at Leigh, Atherton, and Tyldesley, respectively, and the numbers who will be employed at each office after the proposed establishment of caller officers at Atherton and Tyldesley; and what will be the net saving in salaries and wages, and in rents.

The following table shows the number of staff.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to state the annual cost in salaries, wages and rents, respectively, for operating and staffing the Pensions and National Insurance offices at Leigh, Atherton, and Tyldesley, respectively, and the value of the pension and insurance benefits paid out by each of these offices in the last three years to the last convenient date.

The annual costs, in salaries and wages, of staffing the local offices at Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley are £40,300, £13,900 and £12,800 respectively. It is contrary to practice to give details of rents paid or asked for Government offices. To do so, would, for obvious reasons, not be in the public interest.No separate figures are kept of pensions and insurance benefits paid by individual offices.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what is the total cost, including wages and salaries, office accommodation, and overheads, of administering pensions and National Insurance at Leigh, Atherton, and Tyldesley; what percentage relationship this bears to the total benefits paid in the area; and how these figures compare with those of other National Insurance offices in towns of similar size.

The total cost of administering Pensions and National Insurance at Leigh, Atherton, and Tyldesley is about £80,000. No separate figures are kept of pensions and insurance benefits paid in particular areas.

asked the Postmaster-General what consideration he has given to the establishment of a Commonwealth telecommunications satellite system as against a global telephone cable costing £100 million; in particular, how the capacities, flexibility of use and cost compare; and if he will make a statement.

It is too early to be sure about the part that satellite communications could take in the future development of the Commonwealth telecommunications system, or to attempt a comparison between the capacity, flexibility and cost of a satellite system and a telephone cable system, but the potentialities of satellites for intra-Commonwealth telecommunications are being carefully studied. The evidence so far suggests that cable and satellite systems are likely to be complementary rather than competitive.

asked the Postmaster-General what provision will be made in the new quarterly accounts from the Dartford Exchange for a separation between local and trunk calls; and what arrangements he makes for checking the accuracy of such accounts.

At Dartford, as at all exchanges with subscriber trunk dialling facilities, all calls dialled by the subscriber are charged in units of time. All such calls are recorded on the same meters, and charges for the local and trunk calls are not shown separately in the accounts. The meters are extremely reliable and are regularly tested.The charges for local or trunk calls connected by telephone operators will be shown separately in the new accounts.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider reducing the broadcasting licence fee for those who are born deaf and dumb.

I am sorry that I cannot make this concession.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the study of export markets recently undertaken by the National Advisory Council for the motor manufacturing industry.

The study has been put in hand and will be completed as quickly as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent proceedings have been instituted by the Crown or any other person under Section 24 (7) of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1956; against whom such proceedings were brought; and with what result.

Proceedings under section 24 (7) of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1956, have been instituted by the Crown in one case. In the Chancery Court on 25th July, 1958, the Board of Trade obtained satisfactory undertakings from officers of the Northern Council of Grocers' Associations. I am not aware of any proceedings under this Section having been brought by any other person.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the increase of grey cotton cloth imports from non-Commonwealth sources in 1959, as compared with 1958, were for re-export.

Total imports of grey cotton cloth, and the amounts of these imports destined for re-export after processing, from non-Commonwealth sources in 1958 and 1959 were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for War, if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT and state the membership of all committees and working parties now in session appointed by his Department.

Details of the Committees appointed by the War Office are as follows: