asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a full list of contributions which Her Majesty's Government have made to local relief funds for the alleviation of distress resulting from the recent flood disasters; and if he will make a statement.

I am, as requested, circulating the list in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Exchequer payments on account amounting to over £600,000 have been made to 22 local flood relief funds. I understand that most of the claims have now been settled and paid.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many local government officers serve on the employers' side of national negotiating committees to recommend pay awards for local government officers.

My right hon. Friend has no responsibility for these appointments.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has considered the report of the town plan inquiry for the Easington area in County Durham; and what conclusions he has reached.

I have not yet finished considering the report of the inquiry into the proposed town map, but I will announce my conclusions as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the total estimated capital cost involved in slum clearance schemes submitted to his Department by the Oldham Corporation for the twelve months to the most recent convenient date for computation; and how much of this has received approval and authority to proceed up to date.

During 1960 the Oldham Corporation submitted to me three compulsory purchase orders for slum clearance. A preliminary estimate of the cost of acquiring the land was upwards of £35,000. I can make no estimate of the cost of clearance and redevelopment. One order has been confirmed. The other two are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs by what number of houses construction has fallen behind the target in the last five years in the new town of Peterlee.

There is no fixed target, but I hoped that about 650 more houses would have been completed at Peterlee over the five years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what bodies he has consulted concerning the implementation of the proposals of the Mackintosh Committee on the Reform of the Law of Intestate Succession.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) on Tuesday, 7th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prescriptions which included exultation of flowers were prescribed under the National Health Service in Scotland during 1960.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what areas in Lanarkshire are under-doctored, and to what extent.

The areas in Lanarkshire listed by the Scottish Medical Practices Committee as requiring additional family doctors under the National Health Service are those of Coatbridge and Shotts. The Commitee have not indicated to what extent those areas are regarded by them as under-doctored. There are, however, in the Coatbridge area 21 doctors on the medical list, with an average of about 2,600 patients, and in the Shotts are four doctors, with an average of about 2,800. The average for Lanarkshire is about 2,300, and for Scotland as a whole just under 2,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many uncertificated teachers are at present employed, respectively, in junior and senior secondary schools in Lanarkshire; and what proportion of the total teachers employed in these two types of schools each of these figures represents.

At the last count on 3rd October the numbers were 126 and 25, representing 13 per cent. and 3·4 per cent. of the respective staffs.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many uncertificated teachers have been employed in Calderhead Junior Secondary School, Shotts, during the past five years; how many uncertificated teachers are at present employed in this school; and what proportion this is of the whole.

The information asked for in the first part of the Question is not immediately available, but I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as I obtain it. Nine uncertificated teachers—41 per cent. of the staff—are at present employed in the school.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many uncertificated teachers are employed in primary schools, junior secondary schools and senior secondary schools, respectively, in Lanarkshire; and what academic subjects are taught by such teachers.

At the last count on 3rd October the numbers were 58, 126 and 25, respectively, plus 71 visiting teachers of whom 19 were employed in primary and 52 in secondary departments. The following table shows the subjects taught by the teachers employed in secondary departments:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the recognised teaching establishment for each local education authority in Scotland; what is the actual number of teachers in posts in each authority; what is the deficit; how many of those engaged as teachers at present have reached retiring age; and what is the total number of uncertificated teachers presently employed by each authority, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of recent incidents caused by crowds attending football matches, as a result of which

The information is as follows:several people were injured or endangered; what representations he has received from the local authorities concerning their powers to lay down crowd control measures; what reports he has

My right hon. Friend has received a report on the circumstances in which three persons were injured in the crowd at a football match at Glasgow on 1st March, and he has asked for a report on the incidents which took place at a match in Edinburgh on 15th March. He has received no representations from local authorities about these incidents. My right hon. Friend does not think that the report that he has received calls for action on his part but, as indicated, he is awaiting a further report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has reached a decision concerning the proposed closure of the Secondary Department of Moray House College of Education.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend the Joint Under Secretary of State for Scotland gave in the House today to the hon. Member for Leith (Mr. Hoy).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further progress has been made in the implementation of the provisions of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act, 1960.

Since the beginning of this year the Act has been in operation to the extent necessary to enable patients to enter any hospital for the treatment of mental disorders without any formality. I shall shortly call on local authorities to submit proposals for the provision of their services under the Act, in the light of a recent report from the Scottish Health Services Council and of other guidance which will be issued when consultations with the local authority associations are complete.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to take the method of delivering the deterrent outside the scope of inter-Service jealousies, he will consider charging the cost of maintaining the deterrent to the Ministry of Defence rather than to any of the Defence Service Estimates.

No. Practical questions apart, I do not accept the implication of the Question.

asked the Prime Minister why the Prime Minister of Sierra Leone was not invited to the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference.

It would not have been appropriate for Sierra Leone to be represented at a meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers before she had attained her independence and been admitted to full membership of the Commonwealth. I am sure that we all welcome the agreement of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers to the admission of an independent Sierra Leone to the Commonwealth.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that all industries which produce goods subject to a high rate of Purchase Tax suffer considerable difficulties with production planning and sales in the first three months of the calendar year owing to the tendencies of buyers to delay purchasing in the hope that the high rate of tax will be reduced in the Budget; and whether he will discuss with representative trade organisations how contemplated adjustments of tax rates could be achieved with minimum dislocation in trade and revenue.

I am aware of the views of representative trade organisations on these matters, and I do not think that the suggested discussions would add to that knowledge.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is still the policy of Her Majesty's Government as expressed on 2nd June, 1960, not to make a 12½ per cent. reduction of Purchase Tax on motor cars because of their view that this would stimulate the home demand beyond what the industry could meet.

In framing my Budget I will take account of all relevant considerations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the approximate percentage of Income Tax payers who are also ratepayers.

No direct information is available, but possibly about two-thirds of all individual Income Tax payers are also householders and would thus either pay rates as such or pay an inclusive rent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, since hot money is an embarrassment to Governments who receive it, because of its sudden out-flow when economic difficulties arise, if he will consult with the Governments in Washington, Amsterdam, Zurich and Bonn, about the possibility of reaching an agreed definition of hot money, and the adoption of a common policy to pay no interest on such temporary deposits, and so reduce the attraction for idle international funds to flow from one centre to another; if he will take further steps to secure a common policy of low interest money rates in these centres; and if he will make a statement.

I think that the answers to my hon. Friend's previous Questions on 22nd November and 15th December last year and 28th February this year have made clear the difficulties of adopting the sort of policy he has in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the increase of £12,750,000 in the Estimates for the universities is intended to cover the increase in expenditure due to rising costs and increasing number of students; and to what extent it is intended to cover new developments in the Scottish universities and the Royal College of Science and Technology.

About £1·3 million of the increase to which the hon. Member refers is in respect of non-recurrent or capital grants and about £11·4 million in respect of recurrent grants. Of the £11·4 million nearly £8·5 million arises because, as explained in Appendix I of the Schedule to the Estimate, recurrent grant payments covering 14 months are to be made in 1961–62. The remaining sum of approaching £3 million is for all the universities, including the Scottish universities and the Royal College of Science and Technology, and is available to cover expansion of student numbers, other new developments, and any increases in costs other than those arising from approved increases in academic salaries, which are being met in full from the Exchequer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost in revenue of extending to Surtax the present Income Tax earned income relief, and of setting off personal allowances in full instead of the excess over £140 at present.

About £48 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what increases are now required in the amounts for relief for National Insurance contributions in the Third Schedule to the Finance Act, 1960, to bring them into line with the contribution payable from April next.

The Question whether any change is desirable in the tax relief to be given for National Insurance contributions and, if so, what it should be, is one which I am considering in connection with my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the current rates of Purchase Tax on the various types of floor coverings, including carpets and linoleum.

I would refer the hon. Member to Group 9 of the Tax Schedule, which he will find reproduced on page 20 of Customs and Excise Notice No. 78, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of Crown leases in the borough of Woolwich granted by the Crown Estate Commissioners.

The number of leases now current is 2,912.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the German Democratic Republic wanted to place a £40-£50 million order for a steel plant with British firms, and that the firms were anxious to sign this contract but were unable to secure the support of the Export Credits Guarantee Department; whether he will ascertain the reason for this; and whether he will make a statement.

I understand that discussions on this project between the East German authorities and a United Kingdom firm are continuing. I should not wish to comment further on business which is still under negotition.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what factors he takes into account in deciding whether to authorise the building of an advance factory in a particular locality.

In deciding how many advance factories to build and where to build them, the main factors taken into account are the needs of particular areas for this exceptional inducement to attract industrialists and the prospects of success.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the withdrawal of South Africa from the Commonwealth will affect the Commonwealth preference enjoyed by the exports of South Africa to the United Kingdom.

No. The bilateral Agreement concluded after the Ottawa Conference in 1932, which governs our obligations to South Africa in this matter, will be unaffected by the changed status of South Africa.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what is the percentage increase or decrease in the number of scientific staff as compared with clerical staff, and what is the turnover in junior personnel, in the Atomic Energy Authority during recent years.

I am informed by the Atomic Energy Authority that since the beginning of 1957 the scientific staff of the Authority has increased by 60·5 per cent. and the clerical staff by 57·5 per cent. The wastage in both the clerical classes and the Junior Scientific Class has been about 12 per cent. annually in recent years.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what percentage of the staff at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston, were non-scientific and scientific personnel, respectively, in 1955, 1957, and 1960.

I am informed by the Atomic Energy Authority that the non-industrial staff at Aldermaston were divided between scientific and non-scientific personnel as follows:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what are his proposals for improving the position of British optical astronomy and radio astronomy by ensuring adequate resources and scientific personnel.

Both optical and radio astronomy in this country are being extensively re-equipped. The Isaac Newton 98 inch telescope, to be constructed for the Royal Greenwich Observatory, will provide additional research facilities for optical astronomers in this country; and a grant to the Radcliffe Observatory in South Africa with its existing 74 inch telescope, and the merger of the Cape of Good Hope Observatory with the Royal Greenwich Observatory, will enable astronomers to have improved use of large optical telescopes in both hemispheres. In radio astronomy, radio telescopes have been constructed at Jodrell Bank and Cambridge, and the United Kingdom is in the forefront of scientific and technological advance. Training of astronomers is now provided at nine British Universities and summer vacation courses for students at the Royal Greenwich Observatory are attracting recruits to the profession.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether Her Majesty's Government will now join with the other countries concerned to make representations to the South African Government about the future conduct of that Government in South-West Africa, pursuant to the resolution of the United Nations Trusteeship Committee on 13th March.

Whilst Her Majesty's Government have sympathy with the purpose of this resolution, they have explained that they do not believe that it is on the right lines in its approach to this intractable problem.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, following the decision about South Africa's association with the Commonwealth, he will review the general instructions given to British representatives at the United Nations.

The general instructions given to the United Kingdom Representatives at the United Nations are kept under regular review.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how much Argentine beef was purchased for the Royal Navy last year: and what was the estimated saving in cost compared with the purchase of home-produced meat.

The Admiralty specifies acceptable sources of meat supplies for the Navy; Argentina is one of these sources. The amount to be supplied from any source is, subject to quality control by the Admiralty, left to the contractor. I regret, therefore, that the information required is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how much Argentine beef was purchased for the Royal Air Force last year; and what was the estimated saving in cost compared with the purchase of home-produced meat.

The War Office buy our beef for us and I cannot add anything useful to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War has given to the similar question addressed to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many civilians and how many Service men are now employed at Aston Down Aerodrome; how many have left on posting during the last year; how many have left not to other employment; how many will be retained; and for how long they will be retained.

No service personnel are employed at R.A.F. Aston Down at present, but there are 19 civilians, 11 of whom are on detachment from the Central Flying School at Little Rissington. They are likely to be required indefinitely. Since 1st March, 1960, 186 civilians and seven Service men have gone to other units, and 192 civilians have retired, resigned or been discharged.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many hangars at Aston Down have become, or will become, redundant; what proposals he has for their future use; and how many hangars he will retain for service use.

Of the nineteen hangars, eighteen will not be needed for Service use. Eight will shortly be offered for sale for removal, and we hope to let the remaining ten for storage purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how often Aston Down Aerodrome will be used for flying training on the average in each month during 1961, 1962, and 1963; what types of aeroplane will use it; and how much night flying will be involved.

During 1961, 1962 and 1963, it is expected that Aston Down will be used for flying training for an average of 18 days each month by Jet Provost aircraft. It is not at present intended to use the airfield for night flying.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies up to what date annual increments were paid to Mr. D. C. Hill, an officer in the Colonial Service, whose appointment was terminated on the grounds of inefficiency.

I understand that Mr. Hill received the normal annual increments due in respect of his service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there was any communication with the late Lieut.-Colonel Wills before his firearms, which had been handed for safe keeping, by order, to the Royal Irish Constabulary and for which the United Kingdom Government gave a receipt, were destroyed or transferred to another Government.

Steps were taken to communicate with known owners of surrendered firearms, but no records now exist to show what happened in any particular case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much Argentine beef was purchased for prisons last year; and what was the estimated saving in cost compared with the purchase of home-produced meat.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Education how much Argentine beef was purchased for school meals in State schools last year; and what was the estimated saving in cost compared with the purchase of home-produced meat.

I regret that this information is not available. Local education authorities are responsible for running the meals service and my Department does not give advice about the proportion of imported meat which should be purchased. It is unlikely that the records kept by local education authorities would specify how much was from the Argentine.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women whose last employment was at Aston Down Aerodrome remain unemployed.

From inquiries which I have made, four men and no women are still registered as unemployed.

asked the Secretary of State for War how much Argentine beef was purchased for the Army last year; and what was the estimated saving in cost compared with the purchase of home-produced meat.

I regret that the information is not available. Provided the beef comes from approved countries of origin (of which the Argentine is one), the source of particular consignments is not recorded.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will cause the microphones in the Chamber of the House of Commons to be either more efficiently sited or increased in number in order to avoid the frequent inaudibility which results from their present siting.

No. I am satisfied that the present siting of microphones is efficient and their number adequate, but if the hon. Member will let me know what particular point he has in mind I will be glad to look into it.