asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give figures for the latest convenient period showing the rise or fall of trade between Great Britain and the Balkan countries since 1951; to what extent Great Britain's trade has risen or fallen over the same period with Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria; whether the trade agreements are based upon a complete balancing factor or arranged in such a way as to leave an adverse balance; and whether he will make a statement.

The figures are shown in the table below. With regard to the last two parts of the Question, the only bilateral trade agreements are with Bulgaria and Roumania. These do not aim to achieve a balance of trade but rather to achieve as high a level of trade as possible in both directions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many jobs have been provided by approved projects under the Local Employment Act in the county of Northumberland; and whether he will make a statement.

About 250 jobs should accrue from the two approved projects to which my hon. Friend referred in his Answer to the hon. Member on 7th March. In addition to these, there are about 3,000 new jobs in prospect in the county of Northumberland as a whole.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation to effect compulsory registration of motor vehicles subject to hire purchase contracts.

I understand that the great bulk of hire purchase transactions are already registered on a voluntary basis, but I am studying the situation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now make a full statement with regard to the arrangements made for his stand at the British Exhibition to be held in Moscow in May, 1961; and what special facilities his Department has agreed upon in order to enable and encourage the maximum number of British people to attend.

The Board of Trade exhibit in the British Trade Fair in Moscow will occupy about 10,000 sq. ft. and will illustrate various aspects of British scientific and technological achievements including medical research; new developments in aircraft and air control systems; nuclear power; man-made molecules; television and radio telescopes. No special facilities have been arranged to enable people to attend the fair.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of his responsibilities regarding trade quotas affecting exports and imports, what information he has concerning the trade arrangements made by the Federation of British Industries with the Chamber of Foreign Trade of the German Democratic Republic, the fixing of quotas of imports and exports between the two organizations, and the financial extent of such trade agreements; what limits or restrictions are imposed by his department on increasing these quotas; what are the financial limits of such trade agreements; and with what other countries or organisations the Federation of British Industries has signed such trade agreements with the knowledge and consent of his department.

The unofficial Trade Arrangement between the Federation of British Industries and the East German Chamber of Foreign Trade was signed on the 20th January, 1959, and has been renewed annually by exchange of letters. Under it, lists of goods to be exchanged between the two countries are agreed and both parties undertake to use their best endeavours to secure that any necessary import licences are issued, on application, to importers in the respective countries; both parties also undertake to inform each other after consultation with their respective competent authorities if the arrangement can and will be put into operation. The Arrangement concerning trade in 1961 was concluded on the 28th February, 1961, and envisages U.K. exports to East Germany of quota and non-quota goods, totalling ³8.4 million and East German exports of quota and non-quota goods to the U.K., totalling ³9.1 million. Increases in quotas for U.K. imports and East German imports are a matter for negotiation between the two parties. In the national interest my Department place certain limits on imports from East Germany within which the F.B.I. negotiate and, on the other hand, there is the known policy of the East Germans to restrict their imports to essentials. Details of finally agreed quotas on both sides have been published.The Federation of British Industries have no other trade arrangements of this kind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the product to the national revenue of the Betting Duty for the year 1959–60 from pools run by sports clubs and commercial firms, respectively.

Approximately ³1 million and ³30 million, respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated yield in the current financial year of Purchase Tax on safety footwear specially designed to prevent or reduce the effects of industrial injuries.

Traders are not required to make separate returns of tax paid on individual types of articles and the information is therefore not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance he proposes to give to the London County Council regarding continued reservation of the South Bank site for a national theatre, in the light of his recent decision.

It is not for the Government to give guidance to the L.C.C. on this matter, but they will continue to keep in close touch with them about it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the several amounts of loss to the revenue would be if Income Tax age exemption limits were raised from ³275 to ³300 for a single person, from ³440 to ³480 for a married person, respectively, and if the limit for small incomes relief were raised from ³300 to ³325.

To increase the age exemption limits and the limit for small income relief as suggested would cost ³3¼ million and ³½ million, respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost in revenue would be if he raised the three-tier children allowances for Income Tax from ³100 to ³110, ³125 to ³140, and ³150 to ³170, respectively.

About ³23 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what portion per centum of total national revenue is being raised from Purchase Tax in the current financial year 1960–61; how that figure compares with that in the immediate preceding year; and to what extent the reduction of Purchase Tax rates respectively in the Finance Acts, 1957 and 1958, caused a commensurate reduction in the total revenue yield of Purchase Tax, in the year immediately following such reductions.

The Budget estimate of ³535 million for receipts of Purchase Tax in 1960–61 represented 8.9 per cent of the total estimated revenue. This was also the proportion of total revenue in 1959–60 represented by receipts of Purchase Tax. The Budget estimates of the net cost to the Exchequer of the 1957 and 1958 Purchase Tax changes, for the financial year in which they were introduced, were ³18 million and ³30 million, respectively. It is not possible to say to what extent actual yields were affected by these changes to the exclusion of other factors.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much per centum total Purchase Tax revenue is expected to increase during 1960–61 compared with 1959–60.

About 6¾ per cent. on the basis of the 1960 Budget estimate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that United Kingdom production and exports are declining in comparison with many other countries, while the cost of living is rising in comparison with many other countries; what action he proposes to take to remedy this; and if he will make a statement.

I do not fully accept the hon. Member's comparisons, but he will not in any event expect me to anticipate the assessment of our economic position which my right hon. and learned Friend will be making on April 17th.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many boys in the boys' section of the Wormwood Scrubs Prison are sleeping three in a cell.

On the night of 21st March there were 162 boys so accommodated in Wormwood Scrubs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will enable Mr. J. Skehan, a prisoner at Parkhurst, Isle of Wight, to have such legal aid and other facilities as are necessary to pursue his claim for negligence against the solicitor responsible for his defence; and whether he will make a statement concerning Mr. Skehan's affidavit submitted to him by the hon. Member for Cardiff, West.

As regards the first part of the Question, I am prepared to allow Skehan to consult a solicitor, or to apply for legal aid, in connection with his proposed action against his former solicitor. As regards the second part of the Question, the affidavit which the hon. Member submitted to my noble and learned Friend, the Lord Chancellor, and to me, has not disclosed any new point which would justify reconsideration of this prisoner's case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, why his Department has briefed journalists to report that Her Majesty's Government's plans for civil defence could save the lives of 45 million people in case of an attack on the United Kingdom by megaton bombs.

My Department has not briefed journalists in the sense suggested by the right hon. Member. It is always ready to supply journalists with factual information on these subjects, but it is for them to draw their conclusions in anything they write.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many handicapped refugees and their families were accepted by the official mission which recently visited Germany and Austria; and what is the total number of refugees accepted by the United Kingdom as a result of World Refugee Year.

390 refugees were accepted by the recent mission. This brings the total number of refugees accepted as a result of World Refugee Year to more than 1100.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents have been reported in the Metropolitan Police area during the last six months involving vehicles parked without lights.

I am making inquiries and will write to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, of those who have been released during the last ten years from sentences of life imprisonment, how many were released before serving 10 years, 20 years, and 30 years of their sentence, respectively; and how many people are still serving sentences imposed more than 30 years ago.

One hundred and six persons serving sentences of life imprisonment were released on licence during the period of ten years from 1951 to 1960. Eighty-eight of these had been detained for periods of less than ten years, 17 for periods of ten years or more but less than 20 years, and one for a period of 20 years. There are no persons still serving sentences of life imprisonment imposed more than 30 years ago.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether it is the intention of the United Kingdom Government to mark the occasion of Sierra Leone's independence by a gift.

Yes. We are making a presentation of table silver bearing the Sierra Leone coat of arms, which could be used on formal State occasions. Arrangements have been made for the silver to be on display in the Upper Waiting Hall from 11th to 14th April. I will see that photographs of it are placed in the Library in due course. The silver will be presented to the Sierra Leone Government at the Independence celebrations.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what requests he has received from co-operative societies in Basutoland for help in obtaining credit facilities.

The Basutoland Administration have asked for a loan to finance an agricultural credit scheme through the co-operative movement and to provide loans to co-operative societies for building and other construction. ³80,000 has been made available for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he proposes to take to improve the teaching of mathematics in primary and secondary schools.

Her Majesty's Inspectors are always examining ways of improving the teaching of mathematics, and giving advice to the schools. A variety of courses are available for serving teachers of mathematics, many of which are organised by or with the help of H.M. Inspectors. I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave him on 16th March about increasing the supply of well-qualified teachers of mathematics.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he proposes to take to improve the school science curriculum in both the primary and secondary schools.

Teachers' organisations, examining bodies and others are constantly studying ways of improving the school science curricula and syllabuses. H.M. Inspectors play a full part in this work, and the hon. Member will know that a pamphlet will be published by the Ministry later this year on the teaching of science in primary schools to follow the one already published for secondary schools.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will make a further statement on experiments with a full-time induction period of one month as in instruction to further education.

A report by the National Advisory Council on Education in Industry and Commerce which deals with this, and other matters is at present under consideration by my Department.

asked the Minister of Education what is the number of students at present taking sandwich courses in England and Wales.

In October, 1960, the latest date for which information is available, 8,681 students were enrolled in sandwich courses in grant aided establishments of further education in England and Wales. The total enrolment for the session is likely to be substantially higher, since many courses begin later than October.

asked the Minister of Education (1) how many teachers of mathematics and science subjects in direct grant schools do not possess a university degree;(2) how many teachers of mathematics and science in maintained secondary schools do not possess a university degree.

The statistics collected by my Department relate to the qualifications which teachers hold and not to the subjects which they teach in school. I am therefore unable to provide the hon. Member with the information for which he asks.

asked the Minister of Education if he will give an estimate of net wastage or net recruitment of teachers of mathematics and science subjects in direct grant schools during the school year 1959–60.

Between 31st March, 1959, and 31st March, 1960, the number of teachers in direct grant grammar schools whose first stated degree subject was mathematics or science increased by 105.

asked the Minister of Education if he will give an estimate of the net wastage or net recruitment of teachers of mathematics and science subjects in maintained schools during 1959–60.

Between 31st March, 1959, and 31st March, 1960, the numbers of teachers in maintained schools whose first stated degree subject was mathematics or science increased by 801.

asked the Minister of Education if he will state the number of teachers of mathematics and science, respectively, in direct grant schools at the most convenient recent date.

On 31st March, 1960, there were in direct grant grammar schools 1,220 teachers whose first stated degree subject was mathematics or science.

asked the Minister of Education if he will state the number of teachers of mathematics and of science subjects, respectively, in maintained schools at the most convenient recent date.

On 31st March, 1960, there were in maintained schools 13,837 teachers whose first stated degree subject was mathematics or science.

asked the Minister of Education if he will give the average number of children taking school meals in Wales in 1950, 1955, 1960, and at the latest convenient date.

188,700 in October, 1950, 190,737 in October, 1955, and 197,322 in October, 1960.

asked the Minister of Education if he will give the number of schools in Wales where meals are served without any ancillary staff being available to assist the teachers.

According to information received from local education authorities some 2,000 schools in Wales are without supervisory help. Of this number, some 400 are secondary schools, where such help is not normally needed.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in his forthcoming talks with President Kennedy, he will seek to increase and improve joint naval and other security measures.

I have been asked to reply.I am sure that the hon. Member will not expect me to speculate publicly about the subjects which will be included in my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's forthcoming talks with President Kennedy. But my right hon. Friend has already said that he expects the talks to cover all the essential problems which confront us.

asked the Prime Minister what steps he intends to take to improve naval security in Scotland, in view of recent disclosures.

I have been asked to reply.I have no reason to believe that naval security in Scotland is deficient, but, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced in his statement on 23rd March, all Admiralty establishments have been directed to review the operation of their security systems.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his recent talks with the Prime Minister of Greece; and to what extent these discussions concerned the possibility of increasing trade between Great Britain and Greece.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's talks with the Greek Prime Minister were confidential discussions between friends and allies. As will be seen from the joint communiqué issued on 15th February, the talks covered a wide range of subjects of common interest, including the international situation, disarmament and commercial and cultural exchanges between our two countries. In the words of the communiqué, "the Prime Ministers … undertook to continue the study of methods to increase trade between the two countries".

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now appoint a Secretary of State for Welsh Affairs, with a separate Department and with headquarters in the Principality of Wales.

I have been asked to reply.No. The arguments were set out in my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's letter to the then Chairman of the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire on 11th December, 1957. The text of this letter was published as a White Paper. In view of the striking advance that has taken place in the prosperity and general well-being of Wales since then under our present arrangements, my right hon. Friend sees no need to change them.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state the names of the delegates from the United Kingdom Parliament to the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe.

I have been asked to reply.The Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe will be meeting in Strasbourg from 24th to 29th April. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has appointed eighteen delegates from the Parliament of the United Kingdom. These delegates are appointed for one year and will take part in the committee work of the Consultative Assembly. The delegation this year, as last, will consist of ten Members of the Conservative Party, seven Members of the Labour Party, and one representative of the Liberal Party. My right hon. Friend has also appointed a number of substitute delegates.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give details of the steps he took to consult the Government of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland about his constitutional proposals for Northern Rhodesia, having regard to the obligation of Her Majesty's Government, before reaching a decision on any proposed change in the Northern Rhodesia Constitution, to give the Federal Government the opportunity to comment and to take into account any representations therefrom; and what length of time was allowed to the Federal Government for this purpose.

Communications between Prime Ministers being confidential, I have nothing to add to the replies which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made to the hon. Member's Question of 2nd March, and to the Questions of the hon. Members for Bosworth (Mr. Wyatt) and Wednesbury (Mr. Stone-house) on 23rd March.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a detailed report on the investigations undertaken under the auspices of his Department into the migrations of fish, especially in the waters usually fished by British fishermen.

Research into migratory movements of fish is a normal part of the studies of commercial fish stocks by the scientists of the Department and of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland. These studies which cover herring, cod, whiting, plaice and certain other species will continue. The United Kingdom has also taken a leading part in the co-operative investigations into the migration of the herring sponsored by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average market price of a ton of home-killed beef last year exclusive of subsidy paid to the producer.

During the year ended 26th March, 1961, the average market price of a ton of home-killed beef, excluding subsidy, is estimated at ³259 10s.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of his Department's houses were without tenants at the latest convenient date; how many have been empty for over six months; what is the longest period a house has been untenanted; where the empty houses are situated; and, in view of the shortage of houses, what is to be done with them.

In general quarters are only empty on a change of occupant, when they are being modernised, or when we are getting rid of them. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman with details as soon as possible.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what is the number of houses belonging to his Department without tenants at the latest convenient date; how many have been empty for over six months; what is the longest period a house has been without a tenant; where the empty houses are situated; and what it is proposed to do with them.

At present 97 houses are without tenants; five of these have been vacant for over six months; the longest period is eight months. The houses are at Dale and Kete in Pembrokeshire, Risley, Lancashire, and at Chatham, Kent. We are examining how many of the quarters can be used for the Navy or other Government Departments; any not used would be let or sold.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what progress is being made in the construction of the nuclear-propelled submarine "Dreadnought"; how its building programme will compare with the construction of "Nautilus" in two and a quarter years in the United States of America; and what investigations are taking place to see whether the building programmes of nuclear submarines and other naval vessels can be speeded up.

Reasonable progress is being made in the construction of H.M.S. "Dreadnought", which was ordered in February, 1957, and the keel of which was laid in June, 1959. It is our constant concern to achieve the earliest possible completion, compatible with economic and other considerations. About half the labour force actually employed in the "Dreadnought" is now working on a three-shift basis.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty, in view of the laxity in the hoisting and lowering the flag signals on the Victoria Pier in Portsmouth Harbour entrance, denoting the movement of vessels leaving the Camber, and the fact that the leaving of these flags hoisted all day nullifies their value and gives rise to unnecessary apprehension or to disregard, if he will consult with the local authorities with a view to instituting a comprehensive system of simple signals for Portsmouth Harbour as a whole, to be shown at Fort Blockhouse, on lines similar to those in use at Southampton.

We have been in touch for some time with the Portsmouth Corporation, who are primarily concerned with the display of these signals. We shall continue these consultations, although I cannot give and undertaking at this stage about the adoption of a particular system.

asked the Attorney-General when legal aid is to be available for domestic proceedings in the magistrates' courts and at quarter sessions.

My noble friend the Lord Chancellor has made an order making legal aid available for those proceedings with effect from the 8th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many houses under the control of his Department were without tenants at the latest convenient date; how many have been empty for over six months; what is the longest period any house has been without a tenant; where the empty houses are situated; and what it is proposed to do with them.

On 1st January, 1961. 161 of the 35,000 married quarters and hirings held by the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom were without tenants as a result of being surplus to our requirements. 33 houses had been empty for over six months including six for 21 monthsThe unoccupied surplus houses are at Usworth (Durham), Crosslaw (Lancashire), Penrhos (Caernarvonshire), Hooton Park (Cheshire), Altrincham (Cheshire), Harpur Hill (Derbyshire), and Silloth and Kirkbride (Cumberland). They will either be transferred to other Government Departments or sold. In most cases negotiations are already in progress.In addition, 713 married quarters and hirings were empty on the same date for administrative reasons, such as furnishing or refurnishing, repairs or decoration, or the normal interval between tenancies.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement about the future of the Scottish Aerodromes Board.

The new Scottish Advisory Committee on Civil Aviation has been set up to advise me on aerodrome as well as air services questions in Scotland. There is therefore no necessity for a separate Scottish Aerodromes Board. I should like to express my appreciation of the valuable advice that the Board has given to my predecessors and to me.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he is yet able to make a statement with regard to the new chairman of the Air Transport Licensing Board.

Yes. I have invited Professor D. T. Jack, C.B.E., J.P., David Dale Professor of Economics, University of Durham, to become Chairman of the Air Transport Licensing Board, and I am very glad to say that he has accepted. He will begin work in his post on 1st April.

asked the Minister of Health on what date work will begin on the new out-patients' department at Orsett Hospital, Essex.

It started on 27th March.

asked the Minister of Health why the increase in salaries for nurses agreed in the Whitley Council on 10th January has not yet been implemented.

The scales were promulgated early in March. They have been implemented by most hospital authorities and will shortly be so by all. Information regarding other employing authorities is not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what new measures have been taken over the past year to abate the cement dust nuisance at West Thurrock.

The Alkali Inspectorate have paid close attention to the performance and maintenance of existing precipitators, and are discussing with the industry further remedial measures.

asked the Minister of Transport when the Ilford Borough Council may expect to receive the grant required for traffic control signals in connection with its Ilford Broadway and Ley Street Improvement Scheme.

Within the next few days.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will sanction the opening of a temporary post office in Waterson Road, Chadwell-St.-Mary, Essex.

No. I am sorry, but I do not consider that enough use would be made of such an office to justify its provision. A stamp licence has, however, been issued to one of the shops in Waterson Road.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, of the numbers of apparent murders made known to the police from 1951 to 1960, how many cases involved the murder of more than one person, how many were proceeded against on a charge of murder, how many were proceeded against on a lesser charge, and how many were acquitted, in each year.

The available information is shown in the tables below:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish figures showing the numbers in each of their respective yearly age groups of the 241 certificated teachers over 70 years of age still recently being employed as teachers.

The following is the information available:Age distribution of certificated teachers over age 70 who were employed at 3rd October, 1960, in education authority schools in Scotland.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will give particulars of the foreign troops participating in the fighting in Laos, stating their number, branch of the service and country of origin.

There is evidence that several hundred military technicians and advisers from North Vietnam are assisting the Pathet Lao, both in base and forward areas, including gunners and wireless operators. The Royal Laotian Army has enlisted a number of foreign nationals as volunteers, most of whom are, however, residents of the country. Precise figures and details of how foreigners are being used are not available.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will now make a further statement regarding the position of British subjects who are one time Sudan Government pensioners.

I have nothing to add to the Answers I gave the House on 10th and 22nd February and on 13th, 20th and 29th March.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will give the necessary instructions to the British delegates to the Assembly of the United Nations to press for a discussion on Sir Leslie Munro's report on the situation in Hungary.

The Hungarian question has been inscribed with United Kingdom support on the agenda of the current session of the United Nations General Assembly. When the item is taken by the General Assembly Sir Leslie Munro's report, which has already been circulated in the United Nations, will be available for discussion. I see no need therefore to instruct the United Kingdom delegation in the sense suggested by the hon. Gentleman.