asked the Minister of Health, in view of the increasing parking difficulties of disabled drivers, what progress has been made with the proposal to provide a badge to be displayed by disabled drivers to help them and to assist the police in using their discretion in dealing with traffic problems where disabled persons are concerned.

I hope the local authority associations will be able to agree such a scheme shortly.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the cost to the National Health Service of prescriptions specifying drugs by standard names and of prescriptions specifying drugs by proprietary names, respectively, in each of the past five years.

The total cost to the Echequer of prescriptions dispensed by chemists in England and Wales is estimated approximately as follows:

——			Prescriptions specifying drugs by standard names	Prescriptions specifying drugs by proprietary names
			£m.	£m.
1956	…	…	16·6	30·8
1957	…	…	13·2	34·8
1958	…	…	13·9	38·6
1959	…	…	13·9	45·2
1960	…	…	14·1	50·7

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on the form of treatment for multiple sclerosis suggested by Dr. Paul Le Gac, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Knutsford; and what advice he is giving to National Health Service doctors following inquiries for such treatment by their patients.

It is not for me to pronounce on forms of treatment or to advise doctors on the treatment of their patients.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of nurses employed full time and part time, respectively, in the National Health Service.

The numbers of nursing and midwifery staff in National Health Service Hospitals in England and Wales at 30th September, 1960, were:

Trained nurses
Whole-time	…	54,392
Part-time	…	14,349
Student nurses	…	54,075
Enrolled assistant nurses
Whole-time	…	10,146
Part-time	…	6,174
Pupil assistant nurses
Whole-time	…	5,777
Part-time	…	58
Other nursing staff
Whole-time	…	27,331
Part-time	…	22,134
Midwives
Whole-time	…	5,693
Part-time	…	1,528
Pupil midwives	…	4,647
Totals
Whole-time	…	162,061
Part-time	…	44,243

In the health services provided by local health authorities 14,826 whole-time and 6,051 part-time nurses and midwives were employed at the end of 1959.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the numbers of Section 4 beds and Section 5 beds, respectively, on the latest date for which figures are available, and the comparable figures for 1951, 1955 and 1958.

Following is the information for England and Wales.Beds designated at end of year:

——			Section 4	Section 5
1951	…	…	6,030	5,960
1955	…	…	5,997	5,763
1958	…	…	5,449	5,743
1959	…	…	5,425	5,759

asked the Minister of Health what was the cost in salaries of the 334,334 non-medical staff employed by hospital management committees in 1949 and of the 415,016 persons similarly employed in 1959.

About £100 million and £230 million.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement about the hospital to be built at Northwick Park.

The North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board is planning a new district hospital. After consultation with my noble Friend the Minister for Science, I have agreed to a proposal that the National Clinical Research Centre, which is was announced in December, 1959, was to be set up by the Medical Research Council, shall be located on the same site and built in conjunction with the district hospital. Besides providing beds for the needs of the district, the new hospital will be designed to include a group of clinical units of up to 200 beds for the special investigation of patients and for specialised forms of treatment.

asked the Minister of Labour what estimate he has made of the number of jobs lost in Scotland during 1960 as the result of closures and contractions in industrial undertakings other than manufacturing concerns and in manufacturing industries, respectively.

About 10,250 workers were discharged as redundant in manufacturing industry, but in the same period there was a net increase of about 16,000 in employment. I have insufficient information on which to base an estimate for non-manufacturing industry.

asked the Minister of Labour what estimate he has made of the number of jobs that will be lost in Scotland in 1961 as the result of closures and contractions in industrial undertakings.

Although some 1,750 workers in manufacturing industry were discharged as redundant in the first two months of 1961, there was a small net increase in employment during January. I have insufficient information on which to base a precise estimate for the rest of the year, but I have every reason to expect that additional employment substantially in excess of any further redundancy will accrue.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of persons in employment and unemployed, respectively, in Scotland in each of the past ten years.

Boys under 18 in Employment*				Number registered as Unemployed
			Thousands
End May, 1951	…	…	85·4	18th June, 1951	…	…	716
End May, 1952	…	…	85·4	16th June, 1952	…	…	1,364
End May, 1953	…	…	85·2	15th June, 1953	…	…	1,024
End May, 1954	…	…	87·2	14th June, 1954	…	…	1,125
End May, 1955 (a)	…	…	83·5	13th June, 1955	…	…	1,114
(b)	…	…	84·1
End May, 1956	…	…	84·3	11th June, 1956	…	…	929
End May, 1957	…	…	81·2	17th June, 1957	…	…	975
End May, 1958	…	…	80·4	16th June, 1958	…	…	2,148
End May, 1959	…	…	77·9	15th June, 1959	…	…	2,928
End May, 1960	…	…	81·5	13th June, 1960	…	…	2,023

1. The employment figures are based on an annual count of National Insurance cards exchanged. From 1955 the figures have been adjusted so that they reflect more closely the numbers actually working in the area, i.e. they include workers employed in the area whose National Insurance cards were exchanged elsewhere. To facilitate comparisons, figures for 1955 are given on both bases, (

asked the Minister of Labour upon what date Terence E. Rosario, of 7 Balcarras Road, Rossington, near Doncaster, was medically examined to ascertain his fitness for National Service; and upon what date he was called up.

Mr. Rosario was medically examined on 14th April, 1958. He claimed to be of Portuguese nationality and while this claim was being investigated he joined the Merchant Navy. Call-up action was accordingly suspended until he left the Merchant Navy when he was medically.

The following table gives the information required:

		Scotland
		Employees in Employment	Registered as Unemployed
End May,—
1951	…	2,066,000	42,310
1952	…	2,046,000	68,511
1953	…	2,063,000	56,556
1954	…	2,089,000	51,491
1955(a)	…	2,099,000	47319
1955(b)	…	2,112,000
1956	…	2,122,000	46,497
1957	…	2,119,000	49,246
1958	…	2,075,000	75,956
1959	…	2,067,000	85,311
1960	…	2,090,000	69,543

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of boys under 18 years in employment and unemployed, respectively, in Scotland in each of the past ten years.

The information is given in the following table:examined again on 15th September, 1960. On 1st November an enlistment notice was issued which required him to report on 17th November, 1960.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the increase in total numbers and percentage of youths employed as apprentices in Dundee at mid-1960 over mid-1957.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the increase in total numbers and percentage of youths employed as apprentices in Dunbartonshire at mid-1960 over mid-1957.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the increase in total numbers and percentage of youths employed as apprentices in Fifeshire at mid-1960 over mid-1957.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the increase in total numbers and percentage of youths employed as apprentices in Stirling and Clackmannanshire at mid-1960 over mid-1957.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the increase in total numbers and percentage of youths employed as apprentices in Edinburgh at mid-1960 over mid-1957.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the increase in total numbers and percentage of youths employed as apprentices in Lanarkshire at mid-1960 over mid-1957.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the increase in total numbers and percentage of youths employed as apprentices in Glasgow at mid-1960 over mid-1957.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the increase in total numbers and percentage of youths employed as apprentices in Scotland at mid-1960 over mid-1957.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the increase in total numbers and percentages of youths employed as apprentices in Renfrewshire at mid-1960 over mid-1957.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the increase in total numbers and percentage of youths employed as apprentices in Aberdeen at mid-1960 over mid-1957.

Figures are not available for areas within Scotland.Although figures for Scotland are available for the yearly intake of new apprentices, there are no statistics showing the total numbers and percentages of apprentices.In Scotland, 10,733 boys—33.3 per cent. of all boys under 18 entering employment—started work as apprentices or learners in 1960. In 1957, the figure was 10,565 (33.6 per cent.).

asked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers of employees in the steel-making industry of Lanarkshire at mid-1957, 1958, 1959, and 1960, showing separately, men, boys under 18 years of age, and women and girls.

Owing to the amount of work involved in extracting the figures, it has not been possible to provide an Answer today, but I will publish the information, so far as it is available, in the OFFICIAL REPORT, within a few days.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the ratio of wholly unemployed boys of 18 years of age and under to the number of notified unfilled vacancies for boys in Scotland and the Midlands, respectively, at the latest convenient date.

At mid-February, 1961, for every 100 wholly unemployed boys under 18, there were 67 unfilled vacancies in Scotland and 1,242 in the Midlands.This is an improvement compared with a year ago when the ratios were 30 and 1,548 per 100 in Scotland and the Midlands respectively and the improvement in the general employment situation is expected to continue.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the proposed closure by Imperial Chemical Industries Limited of its Glasnant factory at Swansea which will affect the livelihood of 636 persons employed there; and what steps he is taking to find alternative employment for these people.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to ensure immediate alternative employment for persons whose jobs will cease due to the transfer by Lightning Zip Fastners Ltd. of production from Glasnant Works, Waunallwydd, Swansea, to its Birmingham plant; and what steps will be taken to encourage an alternative industry to open in the neighbourhood as a replacement.

I am aware of the proposed closure. I am very hopeful that my local office will be able to find other work for the redundant men and women without substantial difficulty. I understand that another firm has already offered to engage the women workers as they become redundant. There are a large number of jobs in prospect in the area.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that, despite substantial unemployment among dock workers, the National Dock Labour Board is continuing to recruit new entrants to the industry; how many workers in the Royal group of docks were unemployed at the latest convenient date; and if he will make a statement.

The administration of the Dock Labour Scheme is the responsibility of the National Dock Labour Board.I understand from the Board that there was today a shortage of labour in the Royal Group and dock workers had to be brought in from other parts of the Port. The Board's recruitment policy must take into account the average demand for dock labour over the whole year and, although there has been from time to time a surplus of labour in the Port of London during the winter, there was a shortage in the Port last year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why farm ditch improvement schemes, such as the scheme drawn up two years ago for Onneley, near Crewe, cannot be carried out by his Department.

The Department no longer has the organisation in Cheshire and Staffordshire to do this work. There are, however, sufficient private contractors in the area to meet local requirements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many workers have left the land in the County of Northumberland during the period 1951–61; and why this has happened.

On 4th December, 1960, there were 6,729 fewer regular whole-time agricultural workers on agricultural holdings in Northumberland than on 4th December, 1951. This is a reduction of 21 per cent. compared with 28 per cent. for England and Wales as a whole.The main reasons for this reduction are probably the increasing mechanisation and efficiency of the industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the concern of the British bacon industry about its future, particularly in view of its inability to compete with substantial foreign imports whilst having to obtain its own raw material from a limited and fluctuating supply dependent on the market for fresh pork and manufactured pork products; and when he anticipates it will be possible to bring forward a plan to ensure the maintenance of a reasonably sized and efficient bacon industry in this country.

I have recently had discussions with representatives of the bacon curing industry about their difficulties and have considered certain proposals they made in connection with the guarantee arrangements for pigs. I hope to make a statement on Thursday about the Annual Review determinations.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what increases he proposes to introduce in the rates of retirement pensions for persons living in the Channel Islands who were formerly resident in the United Kingdom.

None.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance, why under his Regulations, old-age pensioners who leave the United Kingdom for the Union of South Africa prior to the dates of the increases in pensions are denied these increases.

The provisions governing the payment abroad of the increased rates of pension which come into force next month are the same as those which have been made on previous increases from 1946 onwards and the policy on which they are based has not changed. The position in South Africa does not differ from that in other countries where the position has not been modified by a reciprocal agreement.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (1) how much of the allocation for the payment of benefits in justifiable claims by his Department was not cashed by the recipients in the years 1955, 1957 and 1959;(2) how many claims which were allowed for maternity benefit were not cashed by recipients in the years 1955, 1957 and 1959.

While I am afraid that precise statistical information is not available, I can say that the amounts involved are small.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the estimated taxation revenue from all classes of motor vehicles and mechanically-propelled cycles, including petrol and oil duty, Purchase Tax, motor vehicles' tax and driving licences, in respect of the year 1960–61; and what was the total public expenditure on roads.

£645 million and £202 million respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement concerning the present duties of the office of Economic Adviser to the Government; what was the salary payable in 1947; what is the present salary; and for what period Professor A. K. Cairncross has been appointed.

It is the duty of the Economic Adviser to the Government to keep under review the main trends of economic events and to advise Ministers, primarily through the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the formulation of the Government's economic policy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost would be to the national Revenue if the statutory repairs allowance were doubled for all owner-occupied residential property.

About £13 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost would be to the national Revenue if the first £15 of net annual value on owner-occupied residential property were exempt from taxation.

In the region of £20 to £25 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total product to the national Revenue of Schedule A tax in 1959–60 from owner-occupiers, other rented private property, and commercial and industrial property, respectively.

Table 33 of the 103rd Report of the Board of Inland Revenue shows that the net produce of assessments under Schedule A made in 1958–59 was £103 million. This figure cannot be split between owner-occupiers, rents from private property, and commercial and industrial property. The figure for 1959–60 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is satisfied with the Regulations under which an overseas Government is empowered to retain in the Colonial Service on extended probation, without the approval of the Secretary of State, an officer whose appointment it has recommended should be terminated and not extended.

As I informed the hon and gallant Member on 3rd June, 1960, I. am satisfied with the Colonial Regulation concerning probationary service.

asked the Secretary ofState for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to make spitting in the street a punishable offence.

A number of local authorities have made byelaws prohibiting spitting on paved footways. I do not think that further legislation is needed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what methods are used by his immigration officers at British air and sea ports to ascertain whether aliens are entering the United Kingdom in order to avail themselves specifically of free medical treatment under the National Health Service: and how many foreigners were refused permission to enter the United Kingdom on these grounds in 1960.

Where an immigration officer has any reason to suppose that an alien is coming to this country for free medical attention, he normally arranges for an examination by a medical inspector appointed under the Aliens Order. In 1960 nine foreigners were refused leave to land because their sole object was to obtain free medical treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is now the total number of juvenile courts; what percentage of these sit in premises originally designed as courthouses; and what percentage sat is such premises in 1950.

There are about 1,000 juvenile courts in England and Wales. I regret that the other information for which my hon. Friend asks is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many registered clubs, licensed to sell intoxicants, there were in England and Wales, respectively, in 1951 and 1959 respectively.

The number of registered clubs in existence in England and Wales at the end of June, 1951 and 1959 were as follows:

			England (excluding Monmouthshire)	Wales and Monmouthshire
1951	…	…	18,462	1,049
1959	…	…	21,885	1,347

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the letter dated 2nd February, 1961, from the Aberdeen and District branch of the British Diabetic Association requesting him to authorise two packs of medical items to be classed as one item for National Health Service charges; and what reply he has sent.

Neither my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Health, nor I can trace having received such a letter from the Aberdeen and District Branch of the British Diabetic Association. I am, however, sending the hon. and learned Member a copy of a letter which my right hon. Friend had sent to the headquarters of the British Diabetic Association on 8th March which deals with the suggestion contained in this Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many registered clubs, licensed to sell intoxicants, there were in Scotland in 1951 and 1959, respectively.

Nine hundred and forty-four certificates of registeration in respect of clubs were granted or renewed under the Licensing (Scotland) Acts in 1951; and 1,245 in 1959.

asked the Minister of Education what plans have been made for the setting up of a farm institute in Herefordshire; and how much it will cost.

I understand that the local education authority is giving consideration to the reorganisation of agricultural education in the county as a whole but that no firm plans have yet been formulated.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many communications he has received from individuals and organisations, respectively; in Wales protesting against Clause 6 of the Licensing Bill.

Since the publication of the licensing Bill I have had 282 letters from individuals and 519 resolutions from organisations objecting in some form or other to any amendment of the law relating to the Sunday closing of public houses in Wales and Monmouthshire.

asked the Minister of Power what is the scale on which the Regent Oil Company has recently dismissed as redundant its senior executives; and to what extent this policy controverts the undertakings given by the company, and repeated by Her Majesty's Government, when this company was taken over by United States oil interests.

When the purchase of the Trinidad Oil Company by the Texas Company was approved, the employment of people in this country by the Regent Oil Company was outside the scope of the undertakings given.

asked the Minister of Transport what information he has now obtained from census of traffic and other sources, on the burden of traffic on A.27 within the Fareham urban district; and what are the figures of growth of total traffic and of commercial traffic, separately, between 1938, 1951, and 1960, both as totals and expressed as percentages.

The analysis of the results of the survey held last year has not yet been completed; details of the growth of traffic between 1951 and 1960 are therefore not yet available. I am having inquiries made about the growth of traffic between 1938 and 1951, and I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport what proportion of the traffic entering and leaving Fareham to the east, north, and west, has Gosport as its origin or destination.

The analysis of the results of the survey held last year has not yet been completed by the agent authority, Hampshire County Council.