asked the Minister of Works whether he will take steps to preserve the Old Manor House, Deal, Kent, and convert it for modern use.

The Deal Corporation have inquired whether, if they were to acquire this building, I would make a grant towards the cost of repairs. This application is being considered by the Historic Buildings Council for England, and I must await their recommendation before deciding whether I can help.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will ensure that, in the areas of administrative counties, applications for planning permission made by members of area planning committees, committees of councils of county districts, and other bodies having delegated planning powers, shall be considered by the local planning authority itself and not by any other body of which the applicant is himself a member.

I think that it should be sufficient to rely upon the law governing the conduct of members having a pecuniary interest in a matter which comes before the local authority or committee to which they belong.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will ensure that all schemes for the delegation of planning powers shall include a provision whereby applications which, in the opinion of the local planning authority, are likely to result, if granted, in the capital appreciation of the land concerned beyond a specified minimum, shall be reserved for determination by the local planning authority.

The classes of application to he reserved for determination by the local planning authority should, in my view, be decided by reference to their significance for the proper planning of the area rather than to the appreciation which would result from the grant of permission.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will give a list of planning cases in which he has intervened during the past year because of their national importance.

Two hundred and thirty planning applications were "called-in" during 1960 for decision by me instead of by the local planning authority, though not all of them because they had national importance. National importance is a matter of degree, and I regret I could not undertake to list these applications by reference to it.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs in how many planning appeals during the past year he has concurred with the advice of his inspectors; and in how many he has differed.

In 1960 I accepted the recommendations of my inspectors in 4,461 cases and differed from them in 337. In some of these latter cases the difference was in matters of detail only.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs to what extent the costs of protecting coasts against erosion are met by Exchequer grants; and how much was so paid by the Exchequer during the last financial year to local authorities.

The rate of grant varies with local circumstances, but the average for the last three years was some 60 per cent. of the approved cost. In the last financial year, just over £800,000 was paid to authorities in England and Wales. The above figures take no account of grant-aided works by river boards, some of which also protect the coasts.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps have been taken to accept chattels at Penrhyn Castle, Bangor, in settlement of Estate Duty; and if he will make a statement.

Penrhyn Castle and grounds, near Bangor, were offered to the State in settlement of duty payable on the estate of the 4th Baron Penrhyn. They were accepted in 1951 by the Treasury, and were transferred to the National Trust at a cost of £40,000. A major part of the contents of Penrhyn Castle were subsequently offered in the same way. These have now been accepted for transfer to the National Trust, at a cost to the National Land Fund of a further £10,500.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the unsatisfactory position revealed by recent cases before the courts which have excluded local authorities from appealing under Section 275 (1) of the Highways Act, 1959, as being persons aggrieved, what steps he proposes to take to introduce amending legislation.

The extension of rights of appeal in this way was considered by the Committee on the Consolidation of Highway Law, which however did not propose amendment of the law. Since then I have not had sufficient evidence to justify an amendment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about the visit of the recent delegation from the British Virgin Islands.

The delegation visited London at the end of November for discussions on the planning and financing of the Colony's development programme, budgetary assistance for 1961 and other matters affecting the local economy.Although my right hon. Friend was not able to accede to the request they put forward for a supplementary allocation of colonial development and welfare funds at this stage, it was possible to approve, subject to the provision of funds by Parliament, a block grant in aid of administration of £212,526 for the year 1961.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the restoration of elected government in Malta.

My right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the development plan for Malta Dockyard.

The Board of Bailey (Malta) Limited approved a revised plan on 11th January and has submitted it to Her Majesty's Government. Discussions with the company on the plan are starting this week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent he co-operated in the conference recently held at Princeton, United States of America, on the educational needs of East Africa, at which his Department was represented; if he will circulate the recommendations of the conference in the OFFICIAL REPORT and place a copy of the proceedings in the Library of the House; and if he will state the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the recommendations.

This conference was privately sponsored by the American Council on Education under a grant from the Carnegie Corporation; but the representatives of my Department who took part in it did so with my full approval. As the conference was informal, it has been agreed that the proceedings will not be published, but the text of the communiqué issued at its conclusion is given below. I am satisfied that the conference served a very useful purpose and will prove to have been of assistance both to East African Governments and to all those organisations, public and private, in this country and in the United States of America who are seeking to help the educational progress of East Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many vehicles were requisitioned during the sugar dispute in Fiji; to which races they belonged; and what was the total amount of compensation given to owners of vehicles.

Seventy-eight vehicles were requisitioned. Fifty-eight were owned by Indians, 16 by Europeans and four by other races. The total compensation paid is estimated at approximately £8,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the total military expenditure during the sugar dispute in Fiji.

The total estimated expenditure on the Fiji military forces occasioned by the sugar dispute was approximately £13,500 sterling.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has arranged for the electorate of the South Cameroons to be informed, before the forthcoming plebiscite, as to the future of Imperial Preference in relation to their products.

Yes, they are being told that the Southern Cameroons would, by joining Nigeria, remain in the Commonwealth and be entitled to the present preferential treatment on exports.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will publish the statements that have been, or are being, made for the benefit of the Cameroon electorate, so that they can judge from the facts given by the United Kingdom, as Trust Authority, whether it is better for the Cameroon people to vote for union with Nigeria or with the Cameroon Republic.

I am obtaining copies of the statements which have been published. I will send a copy to the hon. Member and put another in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy of the Report of the Joint Working Party set up by him to plan the provision of a pontoon dock for Aberdeen; if he will now state the nature of the financial complexities referred to in a letter from him to the honourable and learned Member for Aberdeen, North; and what steps have been taken to resolve those complexities.

A copy of the Report of the Joint Working Party, which was set up, not by my right hon. Friend but by the Aberdeen Harbour Commissioners, has been placed in the Library. At a meeting in Aberdeen in November, officials of the interested Departments, including my right hon. Friend's Department, discussed the issues involved with representatives of the Working Party, who are now Ito provide a supplementary report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many accidents, fatal and otherwise, have occurred on Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, since it was created as a by-pass of the city of Aberdeen.

Anderson Drive is a classified road and a recommended ring route. From 1st October, 1955, up to 14th January, 1961, there have been 128 accidents causing personal injury; these involved six fatalities and 155 other injuries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities operate direct labour schemes; and whether he will enumerate the controls exercised over them by his Department.

I know of nine local authorities that do a significant amount of capital work by direct labour, mainly schools, house building, roads and water supply works. Many more have works departments or direct labour departments engaged mainly on maintenance. My right hon. Friend's approval must be obtained to proposals which involve Exchequer assistance and any estimate by a direct labour department submitted to him for approval is subjected to the same examination as a tender from a private contractor would be. Proposals to borrow for direct labour buildings and plant, like other applications by local authorities to borrow, also require my right hon. Friend's consent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will state the number of beds available for elderly and chronic sick patients in the respective hospitals of the East Fife Hospitals Board of Management area on the latest convenient date;(2) What provision of beds he plans to have available for elderly and chronic sick patients, in the East Fife Hospitals Board of Management area as at 31st March in the years 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1965.

The beds available for the elderly and chronic sick in East Fife hospitals at 31st December, 1960. were 48 at the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, 32 at Cameron Hospital, Windygates, and 13 at Methilhaven. On present plans, the total number of beds will rise from 93 now to 118 in 1963 and to 224 in 1965. There will be a slight temporary drop in 1962 of three beds, due to a reorganisation which involves the transfer of the unit at Cameron Hospital to Glenlomond.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what part his Department is taking in Commonwealth Technical Training Week.

While the central organisation of the "Week" in the United Kingdom is being undertaken by the City and Guilds of London Institute, a Scottish Committee for the "Week" has

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether as an impartial investigation into the ordinary statutory housing subsidy was made by an impartial working party, he will arrange for such an impartial investigation to be made into the method of calculating the remote area grant before changes are made, in view of the fact that the present method has been in operation for over 20 years.

The Working Party, which undertook certain studies before the last revision of subsidies, was concerned only with establishing certain facts about housing finance. There is no need for similar studies in relation to the method of calculating remote area subsidy, where the facts are well-known and the new method—on which there have been full discussions with representatives of the local authorities concerned—is designed only to give more precise effect to existing statutory provisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what amounts have been paid from public funds to the Scottish Milk Marketing Board during each of the last five financial years.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement about his conversations with leaders of the Trades Union Congress on Friday, 13th January, 1961, and, in particular, about the further consideration being given by him to the effects of the credit squeeze.

This meeting took place at the request of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress, and there was an exchange of views about the current economic situation. It is not customary to give a detailed account of such meetings.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions have been instituted during the current year by the Customs and Excise Department for the illegal importation into this country of lighters from Eire; whether he is aware that the number of Japanese lighters imported into Eire during the first six months of 1960 amounted to 689,988; and whether he is taking any special steps to ensure that the restrictions imposed by the United Kingdom on the importation of lighters from Japan is not being evaded by the routeing of such lighters through Eire.

There have been no prosecutions for licensing irregularities. The figure quoted in the second part of the Question is approximately correct; it includes sets of parts imported for assembly into complete lighters in the Irish Republic. As to the last part of the Question, all lighters imported into the United Kingdom are subject to Customs control for both revenue and import licensing purposes. If my hon. Friend has any evidence of illegal importations I should be grateful if he would let me have the details for investigation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he anticipates he will receive a report from the University Grants Committee giving recommendations for new universities.

On the advice of the University Grants Committee, my predecessor agreed in April, 1960, to support the establishment of new university institutions at Norwich and York. I expect to make a statement at an early date about provision for university expansion over and above that under the £60 million building programme for 1960 to 1963 already authorised. Shortly thereafter the University Grants Committee will be advising me on whether some part of the new building programme should be devoted to assisting the foundation of new university institutions in addition to those at Norwich and York.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take powers to prohibit the publication in the Press of the life stories of criminals and their associates.

No. While some of the material published may be open to objection, I am not convinced that this is a matter which can be dealt with by legislation.

asked the Minister of Defence on what date the Defence White Paper for 1961 will be published.

I am not yet ready to announce the precise date for the publication of the Defence White Paper.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will make a statement about the financial arrangements for the further development of the airport for the north-east.

Representatives of the local authorities concerned, whom I met on 20th December, 1960, have made proposals for sharing the cost of developing the airport at Newcastle.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what facilities there are in each of the High Commission Territories for training nurses; and to what extent the qualifications are recognised in the United Kingdom.

There are facilities for training nurses in the High Commission Territories at three Government hospitals and six Mission hospitals. The qualifications obtained are not generally recognised in the United Kingdom, but applications from individual nurses for recognition are considered on their merits by the General Nursing Council.

asked the Minister of Education, what part his Department is playing in Commonwealth Technical Training Week.

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary sits on the United Kingdom Committee for the Week and my Department is in regular contact about the detailed arrangements with the City and Guilds of London Institute which provides the central secretariat.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to paragraphs 119 and 120 of the First Report of the Council on Tribunals; and what steps he has taken to enable members of the Council to attend the hearings of the National Health Service Tribunal, and the National Heath Service Executive Councils and their Service Committees as of right, in recognition of their special position.

Yes, I will consider this point when the Regulations governing the procedure of these bodies are next amended; meanwhile members of the Council are given every facility to attend hearings.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the fact that, among childhood diseases, bronchitis and pneumonia now present the greatest threat to the life of babies, whether he will issue advice to mothers during the winter months on the practical steps to be taken by households to minimise these risks.

Advice on the care of children's health, including special reference to bronchitis and pneumonia, is widely distributed by my Department and regularly used by women's and other journals.

asked the Minister of Health upon what grounds he refused permission to install refrigeration equipment in the operating theatres at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Plans for these theatres have not yet reached the stage when my decision is required. Meanwhile I am re-examining the policy.

asked the Minister of Health what would be the estimated cost of installing refrigeration plant in the various operating theatres at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

About £15,000 for the six new operating theatres proposed.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Minister for Science, whether he will take steps to ascertain to what extent workers, who are by their occupation exposed to high concentrations of traffic fumes, especially the exhaust products of petrol and diesel vehicles, are particularly vulnerable to bronchitis.

Research is already being done on this problem. The Medical Research Council has in hand studies on the physical and chemical characteristics of pollutants, including exhaust fumes, and on the significance of polluted air in relation to chronic bronchitis. Studies recently made by London Transport do not indicate that men working in diesel bus garages, where high concentrations of exhaust fumes may be expected. are particularly vulnerable to bronchitis.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the final cost of the construction of the M.1 motorway; and what further costs have been incurred to date for modifications and for repairs.

The actual final cost of the construction works will not be known until the settlement of accounts with the contractor for the motorway is completed, but is likely to be of the order of £21 million.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether his attention has been drawn to Section 121 of the First Report of the Council on Tribunals; and what steps he has taken to ensure that members of the Council, in recognition of their special duties, are enabled to retire with members of the National Insurance Local Tribunals while they consider their decision.

The answer to the first part of the question is "Yes", and to the second "None". As my hon. Friend will be aware, however, since May 1958 these tribunals have normally sat in public. It is, of course, open to members of the Council on Tribunals to attend these sittings, and I understand that they have, in fact, done so.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the high incidence of bronchitis among postmen working out of doors in winter months, he will consult the Minister of Health with a view to issuing advice to employees on how to minimise the risks of incurring this disease.

Yes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received the Eleventh Annual Report and Statement of Accounts of the National Research Development Corporation.

Yes. As required by Sections 4 (5) and 10 (5) of the Development of Inventions Act, 1948, I have arranged for these documents to be laid before the House. The Report discusses the difficulty of obtaining from the balance sheet a realistic picture of the financial position of the Corporation. I have, therefore, asked them to consider with my Department the possibility of devising some means of ascertaining more readily what the true position is, and in particular of assessing the Corporation's ability to commence payment of interest on the monies advanced to them.

asked the Prime Minister if he is in a position to make a statement on the membership of the Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education.

I am not yet in a position to add to the reply which gave to the hon. Lady the Member for Flint, East (Mrs. White) on 20th December last.