asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that Kenya has become a net exporter of capital instead of an importer, and that the Kenya Government is unable to provide direct employment to counter increasing unemployment because of the growing shortage of capital; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this situation.

So far as private capital is concerned I am sure that the vital need is that in Kenya the leaders of all races should co-operate in the creation of an atmosphere which is attractive to investors. I am of course aware of the present financial difficulties of the Kenya Government. Her Majesty's Government are prepared, if necessary, to afford further assistance and I am at present examining the position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the growing deterioration in the financial position of Kenya, the fall in public revenue and the withdrawal of capital from the colony, what cuts he proposes in Kenya's development plans for 1961 and 1962.

It is of course always necessary for colonial Governments to take their development programmes constantly under review in the light of changing financial circumstances. I can however assure my hon. Friend that, in my examination of the question whether further financial assistance from Her Majesty's Government is necessary I shall take into account the Kenya Government's essential needs for development as well as for current expenditure.

asked the Minister of Labour the average percentage of unemployment in Falmouth and Camborne-Redruth, respectively, for each of the years 1958, 1959, and 1960.

In Falmouth the average percentage of unemployment was 6·9 in 1958, 6·1 in 1959, and 6·5 in 1960; in the Camborne and Redruth area it was 6·0 in 1958, 5·8 in 1959 and 4·7 in 1960.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were registered as unemployed at his employment exchanges in Falmouth and Camborne-Redruth, respectively, at each monthly count since July, 1960; and what percentages these were of the numbers of insured persons.

The information is contained in the following table:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when he expects to receive the Pippard Report on Thames pollution.

I cannot say precisely when I shall receive the Report, but I understand that the Committee is at work on its final draft.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many planning appeals there have been in each of the last five years; and how many of these have been dealt with on the basis of written submissions.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the number of trained nurses per head of the population in each of the High Commission Territories.

There is one trained nurse per 12,300 people in Basutoland; one per 2,700 people in the Bechuanaland Protectorate; and one per 1,900 people in Swaziland.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many vacancies for trained nurses there are in each of the High Commission Territories.

There are 30 vacancies in Basutoland of which 4 are nursing sisters; 4 in the Bechuanaland Protectorate of which 2 are nursing sisters; and none in Swaziland.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many trained nurses there are in each of the High Commission Territories; how many of these are African and European, respectively; and how many Africans and Europeans, respectively, hold nursing posts of responsibility at the level of nursing sister or above.

There are 59 trained nurses in Basutoland of whom 10 are European; 110 in the Bechuanaland Protectorate of whom 20 are European; and 134 in Swaziland of whom 29 are European. The remainder are Africans. The numbers holding the post of Nursing Sister or above are: Basutoland—10 Europeans and 1 African; Bechuanaland Protectorate—20 Europeans and no Africans; Swaziland—29 Europeans and 4 Africans.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many hospital beds per head of the population there are in each of the High Commission Territories.

There is one hospital bed to 700 people in Basutoland; one to 350 people in the Bechuanaland Protectorate; and one to 400 people in Swaziland.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many doctors there are per head of the population in each of the High Commission Territories; and to what extent the public medical services are short of their establishment of doctors.

In Basutoland there is one doctor per 21,300 people and there are six vacancies for doctors in the Government Medical Service; in the Bechuanaland Protectorate there is one doctor per 14,500 people, and two vacancies; in Swaziland there is one doctor per 8,900 people, and no vacancies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, taking the internal purchasing value of the £ sterling as 20s. in October, 1951, it had declined to 18s. 7d. in December, 1952, and to 16s. 3d. in December, 1956; and what was the comparable figure for December, 1960.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much he estimates higher interest rates in the United Kingdom affected the net overseas earnings, or outgoings, on interest account of the United Kingdom in 1960. compared with 1959.

Available figures for payments of interest, profits and dividends as defined in Balance of Payments White Papers do not distinguish interest payments separately. It is estimated however that the fall of £23 million in estimated net receipts for interest, profits and dividends as a whole in the first nine months of 1960 as compared with the same period in 1959 was largely due to higher interest rates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that oil pipelines, in private occupation, are rateable; what is the total of contributions in aid of rates made in respect of oil pipelines maintained by the Government; and on what basis those contributions are computed.

I am aware that oil pipelines in private occupation are rateable.The total amount paid by way of contributions in lieu of rates to rating authorities in England and Wales and Scotland for the current rating year—1960–61—in respect of pipelines in the occupation of the Crown is £58,203.The rateable values on which these contributions are granted are agreed between the Treasury Valuer and the representatives of the local authorities concerned and are arrived at in conformity with the normal principles governing the valuation of property far rating purposes. Due allowance is made in those cases where the use now being made of a particular pipeline is very much less than that for which it was originally designed and no contributions are made in respect of pipelines which are unused.Payment is made to each rating authority concerned at the full current rate poundage on the agreed rateable values.

asked the Minister of Works how the production of bricks in 1960 compares with that in 1957; if he will give details of the action being taken to deal with the present shortcoming in brick production; and what are the prospects for 1961 in meeting an increasing demand for bricks.

Brick production in 1960 was the highest since the war and amounted to 7,284 million. The comparable figure for 1957 was 6,914 million. A number of new works have recently been opened and other brick-makers have increased, or plan to increase, their productive capacity. This should provide an additional 200 million bricks in 1961.

asked the Minister of Works the number of bricks held in stock by brickmakers at the latest convenient date in 1960; and the comparable figures for 1958.

Stocks held by brickmakers on 31st December were, in 1960, 161 millions and, in 1958, 349 millions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the concern arising from the rapidly increasing number of sewing machines being imported from countries with low wage standards, what action he has taken or proposes to take, in the matter.

Imports of domestic sewing machines from Japan and countries in the Soviet bloc are limited by quota. Machines imported from foreign countries, other than members of the E.F.T.A., carry a duty of 15 per cent. Imports from the Commonwealth and the Irish Republic are duty free.I met representatives of the British Association of Sewing Machine Manufacturers on 6th September, 1960. A reply was sent to the Association on 17th October, explaining why it was not possible to adopt a particular proposal made by them about discouraging imports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the action being taken to deal with the need for more reasonable standards of safety for electrical appliances and fittings; and when legislation on the subject will be introduced.

So far as British Standards for electrical appliances and fittings are concerned, I have no reason for thinking them to be unsatisfactory. As the hon. Member may be aware, the British Electrical Approvals Board is due to start approving appliances at the end of next month. In so far as the enforcement of new safety standards for electrical appliances and fittings may prove necessary, I would ask the hon. Member to await the outcome of the debate on the Consumer Protection Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what decisions have been

asked the Minister of Health when, and in what form, he intends to publish the official review on post-leucotomy cases.

Towards the end of March, in the series of "Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects".

asked the Minister of Health when the construction of the new hospital at Lindley, Huddersfield, will be completed.

I have completed my inquiries and I am satisfied that the scheme, as operated, does not constitute a contravention of the Hire Purchase Control.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state for the year, 1959 and 1960, respectively, and for the fourth quarter of those years, the total United Kingdom exports and re-exports to the United States of America and North America, respectively, and imports from United States of America and North America.

The following is the information:

Work is in progress on the first phase, but I cannot yet say when the hospital will be completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state in respect of each Scottish education authority how many uncertificated teachers are at present being employed.

On 3rd October, 1960, the latest date for which figures are available, the information asked for was as follows: