asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that at least twenty-five farmer British Prime Ministers no longer living are unrepresented by statues within the Palace of Westminster; and what action will be taken to rectify the matter, in accordance with custom.

Yes, Sir. In matters such as this I am guided by the wishes of the House.

Does not my right hon. Friend feel that it is a melancholy matter that so many distinguished British Prime Ministers of the past should be uncommemorated within the precincts of the Palace of Westminster? Will not he consult the Leader of the House, the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Party with a view to the establishment of a committee to look into the matter and rectify the situation?

I will certainly consider what my hon. Friend says, but the fact is that the Prime Ministers are all there. in busts. engravings, photographs, or oil paintings.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I am disappointed with the line which my hon. Friend has taken? Will the Minister firmly set his face against cluttering up this House with a lot of statues. Has he ever visited the Congress of the United States? If so, will he take warning from that fearful example?

In matters such as this, it is right that I should be guided by what the House wants, and if the House feels as my hon. Friend feels my answer is quite easy.

asked the Minister of Works if he will rearrange the statues in the Palace of Westminster, giving precedence of position to former Prime Ministers.

I would examine any specific suggestions, but the suitability of a statue for a particular position has also to be considered.

Will my right hon. Friend look at the Central Lobby where, out of four statues, only one is of a Prime Minister—and that is a Liberal Prime Minister? Is he aware that one of the statues there is of somebody who looks like the President of the M.C.C., while people like Pitt, Palmerston and Peel are tucked away upstairs? Will he look at this arrangement?

Yes. I will see what the Advisory Committee of the House on Works of Art feels about it.

asked the Minister of Works what was the original estimate for the building of the High Commissioner's house in Lagos.

asked the Minister of Works what subsequent alterations were made to the architect's design and scheme of decoration for the High Commissioner's residence at Lagos, as approved by the Royal Fine Art Commission and by him; at whose instance the alterations were made; whether they were approved by the architect of the building; and what additional cost to public funds was involved.

The design of the architect, Mr. Brett, for this house was approved by my Ministry and the Commonwealth Relations Office, and by the Royal Fine Art Commission, in 1958. In September, 1960, the High Commissioner saw the house which was nearly completed and I then asked my Chief Architect to visit Lagos with Mr. Brett. In the light of the report I received I decided to authorise work to remedy certain functional disadvantages which had become evident. This work was carried out in collaboration with Mr. Brett. The house was originally estimated to cost £80,000. The final cost is likely to be about £110,000. Of this, about £12,000 is due to the increased cost of building over the first estimate and £18,000 to additional work, including a swimming pool and new sitting-room to replace one adapted for the High Commissioner's study.

Is the Minister aware that I am grateful that he has made it clear that the architect did not approve of these alterations? Will he go a little further, and tell the House that these alterations and these changed decoration schemes were entirely the result of the intervention of the High Commissioner's wife? Might not the Minister have been more specific before the Recess in defending the distinguished architect of this building against charges made from the benches behind him?

I cannot for a moment accept what the hon. Member has said. The architect did agree that these structural alterations were necessary, and there was no question of his collaboration being at all unwilling. As for the credit due to the architect, I gave that fully before the Recess, in answer to Questions, and I will do so again. This is a fine building, and for its fineness the architect will get what credit an architect who has designed a fine building deserves. That being said, mistakes were made, in good faith, which might happen to anybody. I was faced with the situation as I found it, and I felt that I must deal with it as such, in accordance with my duty, and not in terms of a situation with which I should have liked to be faced.

asked the Minister of Works whether, in view of the criticism of the new High Commissioner's residence in Lagos, he will arrange for photographs of the building to he placed in the Library.

I will gladly place photographs in the Library as soon as the additional work has been completed.

asked the Minister of Works whether he has yet been able to arrange for Members of Parliament to have the benefit of the personal call system as in operation at many of the large London offices and hospitals; and whether he will make the necessary arrangements for a demonstration of this system to take place in the House of Commons

I am keeping this possibility under review, but I am not yet satisfied that there is a general demand for this facility.

Although I wish to pay a sincere tribute to the Serjeant at Arms and his messenger staff, is the Minister aware that it is virtually impossible for them to contact Members quickly, because there are so many rooms in the Palace of Westminster and they have such a long way to travel? With this personal call system it would be possible for Members to be contacted within seconds, wherever they may be in the Palace. As this system works in every other large establishment, it would surely be an ideal method for Members to receive notice of urgent telephone calls, if nothing else. Will the Minister reconsider the matter?

I am still not convinced that there is a demand for this service in the House. If there were I would naturally do my best to help.

Will the Minister try to hold an exhibition of the system here?

asked the Minister of Works for what purpose his Department bought Iver Grove, Buckinghamshire; what was the date of purchase; what was the cost; how much public money has been spent on this house since that date; when it was sold by his Department; for how much it was sold; and what was the net profit or loss to public funds.

asked the Minister of Works if he will make a statement on the sale by his Department of Iver Grove, Buckinghamshire, which was acquired on a compulsory order in 1957 with a view to its preservation and opening to the public and in respect of which over £40,000 of public money has been spent covering the installation of central heating and a modern kitchen; for how much the property has been sold; and under what conditions it will be open to the public.

On the advice of the Historic Buildings Council for England, my Department acquired Iver Grove by agreement in February, 1957, under the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act, 1953, in order to ensure its preservation. The purchase price was £2,700, and expenditure since then has been £37,500 on repairs and £850 on custody. An offer of £18,200 was accepted subject to contract on 11 th October, 1960, so that the net cost to public funds of preserving the building will be £22,850. The house and grounds will be open to the public by appointment.

Can my right hon. Friend explain to the House why it has been necessary to sell this property at a net loss to the taxpayers of no less than £22,000, according to his figures? Will he also confirm that the purchaser, for £18,000, is the Deputy Director-General of the National Coal Board—Mr. James Mitchell? Finally, will he say why he did not consult Mr. Clore and Mr. Cotton, who habitually make profits out of property deals, instead of incurring a hefty loss by his Department at the expense of British taxpayers?

I will answer what I think is the main point of my hon. Friend's supplementary question. The Historic Buildings Council considers that a grant representing the net cost of £22,850 would have been recommended if a private owner had satisfied it that such an amount was needed to preserve the property. It is a little misleading to consider the matter in terms of profit and loss alone, without reference to the object of the Act, which is to preserve houses of historic and outstanding architectural interest.

Is it not a fact that at the local public inquiry, in 1954, the Minister's Department was warned that if it took over this building it would be a costly white elephant? As it is costing about £20,000 in public money, is it not a costly way of going about the matter to buy this building for the public to go into it and then to provide that visits by the public can be made only by appointment and to a limited extent, and also to make people pay to get in? If the Minister does not consider that the sum of £22,000 is a lot of money, does not he agree that it is a lot of money to the Government, who think that £5,000 is a hefty sum to give, in the name of this nation, to the starving people in the Congo?

The Question concerns Iver Grove, and what we have been able to do, with the help of the Historic Buildings Council, to save an extremely beautiful house.

On a point of order. In view of the highly unsatisfactory Answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

On a point of order. I should also like to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the Answer, I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

How happy I could be with either, were t'other dear charmer away.

asked the Minister of Works what arrangements are being made to provide accommodation for the United Kingdom High Commissioner and his staff in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on the attainment of independence by that Colony.

With the help of the Sierra Leone Government, sites have been found for the construction of residences for the head of the United Kingdom Mission and his deputy. In the meanwhile arrangements for their temporary accommodation are Mug considered in consultation with the Sierra Leone Government. For the other staff, houses and flats are now being built, and there are plans for the necessary temporary accommodation for them also. The offices will be in a new office building of which one floor is being completed to the requirements of the Mission.

In view of the great importance of United Kingdom representation in Sierra Leone, can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the buildings to be provided will fully reflect their high importance?

Yes, I can give that assurance.

asked the Minister of works if he will publish the list of early industrial monuments which the outside experts, referred to in the 1959 Ancient Monuments Board's Report, recommended as worthy of preservation.

As stated by the Ancient Monuments Board the list is a growing one; it is not yet comprehensive nor are all the monuments on it necessarily recommended as worthy of preservation. To publish it now might, therefore, be misleading.

May I ask what steps the Ministry of Works is taking to see that this kind of preservation is urdertaken systematically? When is the Department really going to get down to it? Does the Minister think that two windmills in a year is a satisfactory rate of preservation of early industrial monuments?

As the hon. Gentleman knows—we have had this matter in Question and Answer between us before—there is a Committee sitting, and I think that he has agreed that when we get its report that will be a tremendous step forward. Meanwhile, I am prepared to consider using my existing powers to protect any outstanding examples of industrial monuments which may be in special danger.

asked the Minister of Works if he will recruit sufficient qualified staff to evaluate the list of early industrial monuments recommended to him for preservation.

Until I know the results of the survey of early industrial monuments by the Council for British Archaeology, I cannot assess the scale and nature of the problem. Meanwhile, it would be premature for me to consider the recruitment of special staff.

But is not it necessary to recruit at least one or two people with special knowledge in this matter if only to advise what should be done when the plan is adopted?

In this case I think it is better to wait.

asked the Minister of Works what additional accommodation he will provide to enable the National Gallery and the Tate Gallery to exhibit works in their collection which, due to lack of space, are not available to the public.

Work to provide three more exhibition rooms and a reference section at the National Gallery is nearing completion. An extension scheme for the Tate Gallery is being considered, but I cannot yet say when it may be possible to start work.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is rather ridiculous to spend public money on works of art designed for public exhibition and then not to exhibit them? Will he, therefore, try to expedite not only the case of the National Gallery but, in particular, the necessary provisions at the Tate Gallery as well?

Yes. I think the sooner we can get on with these schemes, the better.

Can the Minister say when a decision in principle is likely to be made about the extension scheme for the Tate Gallery?

No, I cannot. At the moment the chairman is away, but I hope to have a decision in principle very soon indeed.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will now make a further statement about his consultations with West Midland local authorities on Birmingham overspill; and, in particular, to what extent the site of the former Royal Ordnance factory at Swynnerton has been considered.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a further statement.

Is the Minister able to give any intimation of how long the talks will be going on? Does he realise that we want to see industrial development on the Swynnerton site, but that so far the confidential discussions have, as it were, cast a cloak over the site and that it is impossible to make progress with any other applications? Can he say when he will be able to say "Yes" or "No" about the Swynnerton site?

My concern is wider. I want to find the right solution for the overspill needs of Birmingham and the West Midlands. I have already mentioned that Dawley is a place which I have under consideration, but I think it would be a mistake for me to name any of the other places which also might be considered until final decisions are reached. I cannot forecast when that day will be, except to say that I should like it to be sooner rather than later.

Can the Minister say whether Mid-Wales and North Wales will be included in the discussions?

At the moment it is not a question of discussions but of my giving consideration to the whole problem of Birmingham and the West Midlands overspill, and in that consideration I am ruling out nothing.

Does the Minister remember that at one time it was thought that the overspill could be handled in part if the town of Congleton became one of the new towns? Will he give that further consideration?

I hope hon. Members will not press me to name particular places. If I do that, it evokes financial interests, and it seems to me far wiser that a Minister should not mention any places until we are in a position to reach a firm decision.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what use he will make of his planning powers to preserve the distinctive fundamental principles of the First Garden City, Letchworth.

I have already approved provisions for Letchworth in the Hertfordshire development plan which accord with the original purpose of the Garden City, as regards both the ultimate size of the town and the balance of industrial, housing and other development. I am confident that control over future development in the area will be exercised by the local planning authority with due regard to these objectives and to the special character of Letchworth, and in this I propose to support the authority.

Will the planning powers of the Minister make it possible for him to preserve the particular principle of Letchworth, which was that the profits from the undertaking should be devoted not to the shareholders but to the improvement of the Garden City? If his planning powers do not enable him to do that, will the right hon. Gentleman pay attention to the petition presented today by his hon. Friend the Member for Hitchin (Mr. Maddan) and ask the House to give him powers that would enable him to preserve that fundamental principle? Does not he agree that if, as now seems likely, the fundamental principle of Letchworth is set aside—and he allows that to happen—it will he a disgrace?

I regard Letchworth as a very important case. The planning powers possessed by the county planning authority and by myself are sufficient to control the use of the land. Regarding the other matter mentioned by the hon. Gentleman, it has been intimated to me that the Letchworth Urban District Council is considering the promotion of legislation, or the taking of other action to try to get a trust set up. I will certainly give careful attention to any proposal of that kind which is put before me, as I am sure will Parliament.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what decisions have now been reached in the consultations in respect of the suggested Thames flood barrage designed to avoid a repetition of the disastrous floods of 1953.

These consultations are not yet complete.

When I asked a Question in December, the hon. Gentleman stated that there had been a meeting in the previous week and that he hoped that the Minister would soon be aware of what was then decided. Is he now saying that no decision of any sort was made and that further meetings are to be held, or where are we? How much longer have we to wait for information about progress being made?

The hon. Gentleman is understandably impatient, but the fact of this complex matter is that there are a number of different interests to be reconciled and there is no commonly agreed solution which at this stage would allow the Government to force the pace

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware that the majority of representatives of downstream authorities at a meeting on 1st December expressed themselves as being unable to support the proposal for a Thames flood barrier until more technical information is supplied; and if he will now state what steps he is taking to provide this technical information.

The answer to the first part is "Yes, Sir". The Command Paper "Technical Possibilities of a Thames Flood Barrier" does suggest further study of certain problems before final decisions are taken. It seems prudent first to ask how far the bodies concerned with the proposal support it in principle, which is being done. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is consulting the two downstream River Boards; other consultations are to follow.

While thanking the Minister for his Answer, may I ask him to bear in mind the very real anxiety of some of the downstream authorities and, in particular, the fear that any improvement in the upper reaches of the river above the barrier can be achieved only at the expense of the downstream authorities and so add to their difficulties?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what reply he has made to the memorandum sent to him by the Town and Country Planning Association outlining the need for the completion of ten or twelve more new towns to be substantially completed by 1980; and whether he will make a statement.

The memorandum is concerned mainly with suggestions for securing better progress with town development, and I have let the Association know that I am studying these.

Does the Minister appreciate that when the authorities in Greater London have completed their present overspill schemes, all the indications are that the size of the problem will still be substantially as large as it was in 1944 when Abercrombie said that the London overspill population was more than I million? In view of this, will the Minister look urgently at the question of London's overspill and formulate plans for dealing with it?

As I have told the House, I am extremely anxious to get decisions taken—and the right decisions taken—to solve the overspill problems of the big cities, but this is a Question about a memorandum submitted to me by the Town and Country Planning Association. Quite frankly, I think it has exaggerated the size of the overspill problem. In saying that, I am not for one moment seeking to diminish the importance of overspill. I certainly assure the hon. Member that I want to do everything in my power to see that no important work is held up by delay in reaching decisions about where overspill shall go.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what method he is adopting to recruit additional inspectors to deal with the increased number of planning appeals; and what increase he proposes in the establishment.

In present circumstances the recruitment and training of additional inspectors is virtually a continuous process. Inspectors far established posts are recruited through competitions held at intervals by the Civil Service Commission; those for temporary posts by way of the Technical and Scientific Register of the Ministry of Labour. At the latest competition for additional inspectors fourteen people were successful and a further competition is to be held in the near future.

Can the Minister say how long it will be before we can hope for some reduction in the rather vexatious delays in these appeals? Can he also say what time he is aiming at achieving in this respect when establishment is completed?

I cannot forecast this, because it depends on the rate of growth of the number of appeals, and that no man can tell. My concern is steadily to build up the number of my inspectors, but in doing so I do not want to sacrifice quality for quantity.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what increased contributions will be payable by regulations under the National Insurance Act, 1959, by women in local government service who are over the age of 60 years on 1st April next; and by what amount their aggregate pensions will be increased on retirement.

The effect of the regulations which my right hon. Friend proposes to make on the total of contributions towards National Insurance and local government pensions made by women over 60 in local government service will vary, according to the level of pay, from a reduction of Is. 5d. a week to an increase of 2s. 6d. The regulations have no appreciable effect on aggregate pension.

Is it not clear from that reply that women between the ages of 60 and 63 on 1st April next who earn at least f15 a week will be called upon to pay an additional 2s. 6d. a week in contributions and still obtain no increased pension? Is it fair and equitable that such a comparatively heavy burden should be placed upon them at the end of their service?

Yes, but these women will get the opportunity to retire earlier than they would otherwise have done—at 60 instead of 65. In such a complex matter, which must affect all staff, it is impossible to get a unified scheme without everybody's position being slightly affected. In the worst case, women who have the advantage of being able to retire earlier may have to pay over three years a matter of £20 extra, but most women, of course, are benefiting by these regulations.

Does the Minister think it satisfactory to advise these women to retire at 60, having regard to the fact that their pensions are scaled down so heavily if they do so?

This is still a right which they did not have in the previous situation.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what increased weekly contributions will be payable by regulations under the National Insurance Act, 1959, after 1st April next by local government employees earning between £12 10s. and £13 per week for men and £11 and £12 for women, in order to earn the same aggregate benefits as they would be entitled to at present.

The regulations which my right hon. Friend proposes to make will affect the total contributions towards National Insurance and local government pensions at all levels of pay, from reductions of 2s. 3d. a week to increases of 8d. a week. For the levels of pay mentioned there will be increases of 2d. to 6d. for a man and Id. to 8d. for a woman.

Is it not clear from that reply that many local government employees will be called upon to pay up to Is. a week more to produce exactly the same benefits as they get at present? As cross-over points of £12 10s. and £11 respectively have been adopted in the case of the National Health Service, would it not be better for his right hon. Friend to agree to the same standard for local government employees?

The National Health Service has quite different considerations. In that case the Minister is to some extent the employer of the staff concerned. My right hon. Friend came into this complex matter only in order to secure uniformity for all staff in local government, and to do that it was essential that there should be some give and take. There was agreement between the staff and the employing authorities except for a very narrow gap, and my right hon. Friend had to take a decision to achieve uniformity.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will make a further statement on developments in the financial aspects of the flood situation in the West Country.

Contributions to flood relief funds in the West Country amount to £128,000, and continue to be received. Exchequer payments on account totalling £160,000 have been made to these funds. Payment of claims is proceeding steadily.

While thanking the Minister for that information, may I ask whether he can give any indication of the amount of the claims still outstanding?

No, Sir. Indeed, a few claims are still coming in.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement, following the talks between his Department and the various interests concerned, on the control over afforestation in the National Parks, either by voluntary agreement or by legislation.

My right hon. Friend hopes that these talks will be brought to a successful conclusion shortly and he will write to the hon. Member as soon as he can.

Again may I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for that Answer, in view of the fact that it has been seven months since the talks started? We hope that in any case the interests of the National Parks will be safeguarded.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that many families are being split up and children parted from their parents in Oxfordshire and elsewhere, in consequence of the evictions of tenants mainly from rented houses and tied cottages, and that in one district a child care officer has reported that about one-third of the children received into care were from families made homeless by evictions; and what administrative steps he proposes to take to relieve the hardship caused to these families.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and I have already advised all welfare and housing authorities, in a circular issued in 1959, about the arrangements which should be made to avoid or mitigate hardship to homeless families and so far as possible to keep the family together. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the circular.

In view of this very serious dislocation of family life—it is a serious matter—will the Minister tell the House whether he is prepared to do something about the revision of the Rent Act so that people may be protected from this kind of unhappy result for their families?

There are later Questions on the Order Paper about the Rent Act, but there are continuing difficulties which arise from eviction cases, most frequently of all through tenants having run up arrears of rent. In the case of Oxfordshire, I understand that the county council has made certain suggestions which the housing authorities are considering, but I do not believe there is any connection whatever between this Oxfordshire matter and the Rent Act.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action he proposes to take to amend the Rent Act, 1957, in the light of the Report of the inquiry of the Social Survey Division of the Central Office of Information; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if, following his official inquiry into the effects of the Rent Act, he will now re-examine the working of the Act with regard to decontrol taking place on a change of tenant.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action he will take arising from the Report of the social survey division of its Central Office of Information on the results of the 1957 Rent Act.

Nothing in the Report suggests that the Rent Act requires amendment.

In view of the facts and figures in the Report, the personal hardship and anxiety caused to many tenants by creeping decontrol, and increased rents—of which many examples have been given in this House, in the Press and to the Minister personally—if he will not do anything else, will the Minister at least consider empowering either rent tribunals or valuation courts to fix a fair rent for decontrolled tenants?

I understand that leave is to be sought tomorrow to introduce a Bill on this subject. I think we ought not to anticipate that.

Does not the inquiry reveal that creeping decontrol is hitting 320,000 families a year—even excluding Scotland—or roughly one in twelve of all such tenants? Does not this mean that the estimate made by the Government spokesman during the passage of the Rent Act was only one-third of the actual number of those who are being forced to seek houses at soaring rents and without security of tenure in the midst of a terrible housing shortage, thus being subjected to exploitation?

I do not quite understand what the hon. Member means by "creeping decontrol hitting 320,000 tenants a year", because in fact creeping decontrol takes place only when the tenant goes out and the landlord obtains vacant possession. What the Report says is that the average rent charged to a new tenant was, in 1959, between two and a half and three times gross value and the average rent charged to a decontrolled sitting tenant was actually below twice gross value. That undermines all that the Opposition have been saying about the Rent Act.

Does not the Report reveal a very serious situation, especially in London where gross exploitation is taking place and great misery is being caused to very large numbers of people? In those circumstances, does not the Minister now think that, in the light of later events, all the optimistic forecasts he made about the so-called beneficial results of the Rent Act have been completely falsified?

I cannot accept from the hon. Member that gross exploitation is taking place in London when, for some five months, London local authorities have been at liberty to make compulsory purchase orders wherever they thought that a landlord was seeking to impose an extortionate rent, thereby making it impossible for the tenant to live there, and yet only a handful of compulsory purchase orders have yet reached me. I entirely agree with the hon. Member that there is a serious housing situation in London and I shall continue to seek to tackle it.

Does the Minister notice that it appears from the Report that an alarmingly high proportion of landlords are ignoring the law in regard to information being given in rent books; that a considerable number of them are giving undertakings to carry out repairs which they are not honouring; that in a great many cases rents are being retained at the increased level despite the fact that the repairs which ought to have been done have not been carried out; and that in fact the Act is being enforced as regards those parts of it which might inconvenience landlords only to about two-thirds of its capacity? Is he not prepared to do anything about that?

There is a subsequent Question on the Order Paper about repairs. In answer to the hon Member's supplementary question, and without anticipating that Question, I should say that Parliament can determine what a person's rights are, but we can none of us compel him to claim them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if, following the Report of the inquiry into the working of the Rent Act, he is satisfied with the rate of necessary repairs being done by landlords; and if he will take steps to improve it.

The Report shows that, following the Rent Act, a great deal of necessary maintenance and repair work on controlled dwellings is being carried out. In so far as misunderstanding exists of the procedure laid down in the Act to protect the tenant's rights if repairs are not done, I am considering how best to give still further publicity to this procedure.

Since repairs requested by nearly half the controlled tenants have not been started or completed, and since the present procedure to compel landlords to do repairs takes nearly nine months, will the Minister consider halving this period? is he aware that many public health inspectors are finding that decontrolled tenants are frightened to apply to them for help lest their landlords give them notice to quit?

The Question relates to controlled tenants. I think that the Report shows that those tenants who have not sought to go through the statutory procedure but have made informal requests to their landlords have been even more successful than the others in getting the repairs done. Of course the statutory procedure is a complicated one; I quite grant that. It is necessary to make provision so that everybody shall know their rights and exercise them if they so wish.

Is the Minister aware that a great many landlords of decontrolled premises are refusing to grant new tenancies unless the tenant undertakes full liability for repairs? Is not that quite contrary to the Minister's intentions and does it not make some revision of the Rent Act a matter of urgent necessity?

I have already informed Parliament that the Government intend in this Session to introduce legislation to deal with that very point.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why he refused to grant a dispensation to nine council house tenants, who are councillors of Northampton, allowing them to vote on a proposal to sell by auction 33 acres of land which it had previously been intended to use for municipal housing.

It is most undesirable that councillors should vote on matters in which they have a pecuniary interest. In exceptional cases it must be allowed where otherwise difficulties would be caused in the transaction of the council's business; but there were no exceptional circumstances in this instance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me the logic of preventing council tenants from voting on whether additional land shall be used for building further houses when one would have thought that, as the people who already had houses, they were the one group of people in the borough who did not have an interest, whereas, on the other hand, he allows a builder, a solicitor, a director of a building company and a house agent, who all seem to have a very much more obvious interest, to vote on this matter?

I have followed meticulously the policy which was laid down in Circular 30, issued in 1956. In this case I am not quite sure whether the hon. and learned Gentleman appreciates that I was not asked my opinion whether a disability attached to these people. I was asked whether, assuming that they were disabled, I would give them a dispensation to vote. In the circumstances, and in accordance with the terms of that circular, it did not seem to me right or necessary to do so.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will expedite his approval of the plans submitted to him for the development of the west and south-west areas of Cwmbran New Town; and whether he will give assurances that the Cwmbran Development Corporation will not be wound up on reaching the original population target of 35,000.

I have asked the local authorities concerned for their comments on the plans, and I hope to receive these soon. Meanwhile I am examining the Development Corporation's programme and considering whether it should go on building after the population reaches 35,000.

In view of the fact that past delays and the Government's restrictions and hampering have already meant that in the coming year only 200 houses will be built in Cwmbran, will the Minister endeavour to expedite the decisions which he is anticipating? Does he appreciate that any premature winding up of the Cwmbran Development Corporation could result in considerable speculation in land in the west and southwest area, in view of the fact that there is considerable industrial development nearby? [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."] Will he therefore give a decision on this question of the target in order to prevent Cwmbran New Town from being affected by speculative plunderers as in nearby Newport?

I cannot accept any of the criticisms in the hon. Member's supplementary question. I should have thought that he wished me to consider any comments that the local authorities make on the Development Corporation's plan. When I receive those comments I will reach decisions as soon as possible. I recognise that the designated area of Cwmbran would hold a population of up to 55,000, and the question will have to be decided who is to do any building over and above 35,000.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps he is taking to strengthen the statistical staff of his Department.

There is no need to strengthen my present statistical staff.

Would the Minister look again at the Report of the Social Survey? Will he, in particular, reread page 21 of the Report, which contains serious criticism of the inaccuracy and inadequacy of his Ministry's statistics?

No, Sir. The 1956 estimates made by my Department showed that 5½ per cent. of all houses in the country came into a certain category. The 1959 sample survey showed that it was not 5½ per cent. but 24¾ per cent. The explanation is that those who did the 1956 investigation underestimated the extent to which houses with a single rating assessment were in divided occupation and also underestimated the extent to which owner-occupation had grown under a Conservative Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has arranged for the electorate of the British Cameroons to be informed, before the forthcoming plebiscite, as to the future of the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund money in their Territory.

Not explicitly, but the Colonial Development and Welfare Acts will of course cease to apply when the British Cameroons ceases to be a Trust Territory, as it will whatever the result of the plebiscite.

Would my right hon. Friend make sure the Cameroon electorate are made aware that £2¼ million have been spent in the last five years? Will he also tell the House how much money has been spent in recent years in the North Cameroons?

The figure is not particularly relevant to the plebiscite, but it is announced and people in the Cameroons are aware of these facts.

Rather than draw the attention of the population to the shortsightedness of the Administration, would it not be better for the present Minister to ask Parliament for powers so that the Colonial Development Corporation could go on investing new money in these Territories?

This is a question of ceasing to be a Trust Territory and either going in with the Cameroons Republic or Nigeria.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what public meetings have been held in Nyasaland without due notice having been given to the appropriate authorities; and what action has followed.

Five meetings without permit have been reported and investigated since 1st October, 1960. In two cases there have been convictions, two others are still under investigation and one has not been proceeded with.

Can my right hon. Friend say by which party these meetings were held?

If my hon. Friend tables a Question, I will certainly give him that information.

Does not this largely dispose of the charge that the administration in Nyasaland has been neglecting its duties?

It does dispose of that charge. Both the Administration and the police are carrying out their duties in difficult circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet considered the report of the committee on the training of Africans for senior civil service appointments in Nyasaland; and if he will publish this report or make a statement.

The report of the Localisation Committee—copies of which have been placed in the Library —has already been published in Nyasaland, and is now under consideration.

I do not know the terms of the Report, but is it proposed that Her Majesty's Government should make a financial contribution to this scheme and, if so, how much has my hon. Friend in mind?

This is under consideration. I think that in the Report my hon. Friend will find that the figure of £250,000 is mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the new Overseas Service air scheme includes proposals to enable wives of officials to travel home to see their children or children to travel out to their parents more frequently than has been possible in the past.

Yes, Sir. The intention is that the scheme should include provision for passages to enable children who are not living with their parents to visit them, or if this is not more expensive, to be visited by their mother once a year.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this decision, which removes, or at any rate partly removes, a long-standing grievance, will be very much welcomed, especially in the Caribbean area, where civil servants have had a long-felt grievance about this?

I am much obliged.

asked the Prime Minister when he expects to meet President Kennedy to discuss the policies of the Western Alliance, the calling of a Summit conference and the need to admit the People's Republic of China to the United Nations.

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has now made for a meeting with the President of the United States of America.

As I have said before, I look forward to early discussions with the President of the United States about all the international problems which confront us. But as President Kennedy has only just been inaugurated, it is too soon for firm plans yet to have been made.

Whilst we may welcome the change of mood in the United States, is not this a unique opportunity for the Prime Minister himself to take the initiative, particularly in relation to the United States' relations with China? Will the right hon. Gentleman press on the United States the wisdom of establishing more normal relations with China and, in particular, admitting China to the United Nations?

That is quite a large issue. The first thing which I have tried to answer is whether or when I shall have an opportunity of discussion with the President. I hope I shall have. The inauguration of President Kennedy took place only last Friday and it is too early to make an announcement on that matter.

In view of the uncertainty of the right hon. Gentleman's plans, will he consider in the meanwhile consulting with the Leader of the Opposition to get a report on the competence of the Kennedy administration, as compared with the staleness and mediocrity of his own?

I have had the great advantage of having seen all that on television.

While appreciating that it may be necessary for a little time to elapse before the President can see the Prime Minister and discuss with him the wide range of international questions which need to be discussed, is the Prime Minister aware that there is an urgent need for discussions on the economic situation? Will the Prime Minister arrange at least for official discussions to take place as soon as possible so that the policies on interest rates of the two countries can be brought into line?

All the time very close discussions are going on, but I will take note of what the right hon. Gentleman has said.

Will the Prime Minister bear in mind that China's great need is not a seat in the United Nations but food, oil and machinery—food, above all things? Will he use all the powers he has to persuade our American friends to send some of their surplus food to the starving millions of China?

That is another aspect of this problem. I fully agree that some of the practical problems are as important as the diplomatic ones.

asked the Prime Minister if he will now propose to the heads of Governments of the United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and France, the calling of an early Summit meeting to consider proposals for peace, disarmament, and the improvement of international relations.

I have nothing to add to the replies which I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes), on 8th November and to the hon. Member for Bosworth (Mr. Wyatt) on 20th December.

Will the Prime Minister say that, if he will not take this step now, he will in the very near future make such a proposal? While T appreciate President Kennedy's natural desire for private exchanges with other heads of State now, may I ask the Prime Minister also to bear in mind that the world is continuing to spend El million on armaments every quarter of an hour and that this is the most urgent question to be tackled? Will the Prime Minister, therefore, make this proposal to the other heads of State in the very near future?

These are all important questions. I am asked to bear them in mind. Alas, I think they are always in one's mind. The problem is what is the best method at this particular moment of time to make a forward advance. After the failure of the Summit Conference in Paris, the three Western Powers issued a statement that they were ready to take part in negotiations at any suitable time in the future. That remains the view of Her Majesty's Government and, I think, of the two other Western Powers.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now appoint a Minister of Space Research and Development.

No, Sir.

Does not the Prime Minister think that it is a crazy idea to have the Minister for Science at home pouring scorn on the practicability of a British space programme and the Minister of Aviation touring abroad trying to persuade other countries what a good idea it is? Would it not be much more sensible to have one Minister in charge instead of two Ministers taking different lines, and to get on with the job of providing a British communications satellite system with which we could make a great deal of money? We are at present losing the opportunity to make that money. Will not he get on with it?

That is exactly what we are trying to do—get on with it as rapidly as possible.

asked the Prime Minister what official communication he has had with Prime Minister Nehru concerning the return of the International Commission to Laos.

asked the Prime Minister what communications he has had from Mr. Nehru about the crisis in Laos.

Any communications which I might exchange with Mr. Nehru on such a subject would naturally be confidential.

While welcoming the efforts which the Government have made during the Recess to obtain the return of the International Commission to Laos, may I ask the Prime Minister to bear in mind that five weeks have already elapsed since the Government first committed themselves to this aim, and that unless progress is made in the next few days it might be worth seriously considering adopting the other method of seeking an international conference on this subject?

This is not an attempt to shuffle off the question, but I think it right to preserve the tradition that communications which pass between heads of Government are confidential. However, as the hon. Gentleman knows, there have been very close co-operation and discussion with all the Governments concerned and the Foreign Secretary has made a very great effort to try to reach a common agreement. We have now reached a further stage, of a proposal actually being made. We must wait to see the next step.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on this side of the House right hon. and hon. Members have been pressing for over twelve months for some constructive action to be taken about Laos? Is the Prime Minister further aware that the work of his predecessor has been undermined by intervention there? Will he prepare a White Paper for the House giving an intimation of information he has received from India about the intervention that has taken place in Laos?

I do not accept the two preliminary statements of the hon. Gentleman, but if it would be of any help to produce a White Paper, I am sure that my noble Friend will consider it. I should like to consider whether it could be a valuable addition to the knowledge that the House and the country already have on this.

In view of the difficulty which has arisen regarding the recognition of the Government in Laos. can the Prime Minister say what reply has been received to the suggestion of Her Majesty's Government that the Commission should be accredited to the monarch and not to a Government?

A proposal has been put forward by Her Majesty's Government, and we must see what will be the next step that is likely to follow. I have no doubt that all these questions will, alas, be questions of dispute. One can only hope that we get on and try to get some measure by which a ceasefire or stand-still or some other arrangement can be made to improve the situation.

Has no reply yet been received?

Does the hon. Member mean a reply from the Russian Government?

I asked whether a reply had been received from Laos regarding the proposal that the Commission should be accredited to the monarch rather than to a Government.

That matter is still under negotiation.