asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a letter from the hon. Member for Chigwell, posted in Central London before mid-day and postmarked 12.45 p.m. on 14th April, 1961, was not received by the member of the Chigwell Urban District Council to whom it was addressed at his home in Chigwell until the morning of 17th April, 1961, whereas another letter, posted at the same time, from the hon. Member for Chigwell to a member of the Essex County Council, addressed to her at her home in Little Laver, Harlow, Essex, was received by her on 15th April, 1961; and what action he is taking to improve these services.

The letter for Chigwell should have been delivered, like the letter for Harlow, on 15th April. I am sorry this did not happen. If my hon. Friend will let me have the envelope I will have inquiry made as to the cause of the delay.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is his intention to provide a restaurant at the top of the Radio Tower in Central London, since this would be a unique addition to London's amenities.

Yes. I have always felt that a public restaurant in the Tower would be a great attraction to the public, and, after further examination, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works and I have decided that it will be possible to include a restaurant without jeopardising the time-table for completion of the scheme as a whole.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what has been done to secure the release of Mr. Peter Hopkirk, who was arrested in Havana, and of other British subjects and Commonwealth citizens detained in Cuba; and whether he will make a statement about measures taken to protect British and other Commonwealth lives, persons and property.

Her Majesty's Ambassador has made repeated attempts to secure the release of Mr. Hopkirk and other British subjects who have been arrested in Cuba. He is in close touch with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as a result of his efforts already five person have been released.Arrangements are in hand for the evacuation, if it should prove necessary, of those members of the British community who might wish to take advantage of advice to leave. However, it has not so far been thought necessary for such advice to be given. Evacuation would probably be by civilian, sea or air transport, and would of course require co-operation of the Cuban authorities. Early in the emergency all British and Commonwealth subjects in Cuba were advised by radio to keep in touch with the nearest consular official.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what resolutions on the subject of Cuba were voted on at the United Nations General Assembly; which delegations voted in favour and against each resolution and which abstained; and how the United Kingdom delegate voted in each case.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the replies I gave in the House this afternoon to the hon. Members for Leeds East (Mr. Healey), Ashfield (Mr. Warbey) and South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes).

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is an industrial dispute at the British Road Services, Parcels Section, Head Office; what is the cause of this dispute; what action he is taking to resolve it; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. I understand that there is an unofficial strike by 13 wages clerks in support of their claims to higher gradings. The employer and the union concerned have agreed to procedures for settling such questions. These procedures have not yet been fully used, and in the circumstances, it would not be proper for me to intervene.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now make a further statement about the Merseyside ship repairing dispute.

The district committee of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions on behalf of a number of unions have now asked for an increase in the district incentive bonus and their representatives met the Employers' Association on 21st April. The meeting was adjourned for further consultations. I understand that there are prospects of it being resumed shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ship repair workers are unemployed in the ports of Cardiff and Barry; how many of these have been unemployed for over four weeks; and what percentage of the labour force this represents.

At 10th April, 1961, 226 workpeople whose last employment was in the shipbuilding and ship repairing industry were registered as unemployed at the five employment exchanges in the Cardiff and Barry area. This represents 7·9 per cent. of the estimated number of employees in the industry in this area. I regret that figures of duration of unemployment are not available for separate industries, but the rate of unemployment for all industries in this area is 1·9 per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the number, and pro portion, of people unemployed in Wales at the latest convenient date; and what where the comparable number, and pro portion, a year previously.

24,102 and 2·5 per cent. on 10th April compared with 27,701 and 2·9 per cent. in April, 1960.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers, and pro portions, of people unemployed in Barry and in south-east Glamorgan, respectively, at the latest convenient date; and how these figures compare with those for a year previously.

On 10th April, 1961, there were 400 registered unemployed in Barry and 2,266 in the Cardiff, Bute Docks Penarth and Llantwit Major area, compared with 542 and 3,016 respectively in April, 1960. Percentage rates cannot be calculated for the two areas separately; for the combined area the rates were 1·9 per cent. in April, 1961 and 2·5 per cent. a year earlier.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of unemployed in the seven crofting counties and the percentage of registered workers in the area this represented, in April 1951, 1955, 1959, 1960, and 1961, respectively.

Following is the information required:

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether he will make available to the Kingston upon Hull Corporation the tidal level information obtained by him about the harbour at Exmouth, for use in flood prevention schemes for the River Hull.

Yes. The Hydrographer of the Navy will be pleased to arrange for the information to be given to the Corporation if they will apply to him explaining their requirements.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what arrangements he proposes to make to provide naval whalers and other sailing boats on permanent loan to Admiralty qualified Sea Scout units.

The requirements of the Sea Cadet Corps and the Naval Sections of the Combined Cadet Force must take priority and I am afraid that at the moment they are taking all our surplus boats. We have, however, sold to the Sea Scouts for nominal sums a large number of boats, which are not quite up to naval standards.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he will give the total cost to date of the Royal Yacht "Britannia", including the initial capital cost, the cost of refits, maintenance and modifications, the cost of wages, running costs and all other charges for which his Department is responsible.

Since the decision was taken, on 4th October, 1951, to build H.M. Yacht "Britannia," her total cost has been about £4¾ million.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what proposals he has for allocating Admiralty vessels needing refit to Cardiff and Barry in the near future.

We have no proposals at present for allocating Admiralty vessels for refit to Cardiff and Barry. Our procedure is to invite competitive tenders for work of this kind, if we are unable to arrange for it to be carried out in one of the Royal Dockyards. Two Cardiff firms were recently included in an invitation to tender for the refit of two Royal Fleet Auxiliaries. They were unsuccessful in one case; the tenders for the other ship closed last night. It is likely that there will be other opportunities in the next few months.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether there were any exceptional circumstances which caused H.M.S. "Finwhale" to be holed when at sea recently.

The damage was confined to a light aluminium casing designed for use by the crew as a gangway and had no effect on H.M.S. "Finwhale's" operational efficiency. The circumstances were exceptional in that the "Finwhale" would normally have submerged in the heavy weather conditions encountered but, on this occasion, she had to proceed on the surface at speed to meet the requirements of the exercise in which she was taking part.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many serving soldiers were found employment as clerks in the Royal Army Service Corps from 30th June, 1960, to the end of last year; and how many men were recruited during that period for training in clerical grades.

Between 30th June and 31st December, 1960, 50 men were recruited as Regulars into the Royal Army Service Corps for training as clerks. Of this intake 40 were posted after recruit training to clerical duties.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of public anxiety over the accidents which are caused by the slipping of lorry loads; how many such accidents have taken place during the last 12 months; and whether he is satisfied that the present regulations are adequate and fully enforced.

In 1958, the latest year for which information is available, the police reported that a shifting, defective or excessive load was a contributory factor in 353 accidents involving goods vehicles. The present regulations as to safe loading and the securing of loads are in my view adequate except, perhaps, in so far as an inadequately secured load may cause danger to someone on the vehicle. I have circulated for comment a proposal to strengthen the law on this. Enforcement of the law is a matter for the police.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the traffic hold-up due to a large load in Chepstow on Friday, 14th April; how long the traffic dislocation lasted; and what steps were taken to restore the traffic flow to normal.

A girder 110 ft. long stuck in Beaufort Square from 2.45 p.m. till 8.30 p.m. blocking the east-bound stream of traffic through Chepstow. As the obstruction could not be cleared without heavy lifting gear the east-bound traffic was diverted through other streets where signal-line working held up traffic.I am informed by the Chief Constable that the police were only notified of the movement of this girder as it left the Fairfield Engineering Works, thirteen minutes before it stuck. They were not asked for, and had no opportunity to provide, an escort.The movement of loads of this length will require special authority from my Department when the proposed new controls on the movement of abnormal loads are introduced.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the French Government have yet responded to the invitation from Her Majesty's Government for an inter-Governmental discussion on the Channel Tunnel; and whether he will make it clear to the French Government that the invitation still stands.

As I said in reply to Questions on 11th April, we are in close touch with the French Government. I can say no more than that at present.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the fact that Bradshaw's railway guide is ceasing publication, he will issue a general direction to the British Transport Commission to publish a comprehensive national timetable of public transport services by rail and road.

No. I do not think that this would be a suitable subject for a direction.

asked the Minister of Transport what financial provision has been made for the Worcester Northern Link Road.

I shall include this scheme in my roads programme as soon as possible but I cannot give a firm date for this yet.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the reason for the delay in the making of the order establishing the line of the Worcester Northern Link Road in view of the fact that the period for objections expired on 24th September last.

It has taken some time to consider the representations of all the persons affected by the second draft Order but I shall be announcing my decision shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has for building new roads in Somerset.

The extension of the Birmingham-Bristol motorway southwards to East Brent is the only proposal

asked the Minister of Transport if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT his proposals for expenditure on classified roads by counties during each of the next three years.

All counties are likely to receive grants for some smaller schemes, i.e., those costing less than £100,000; but my divisional road engineers have not yet been able in all cases to determine their distribution.As for schemes costing more than £100,000, the following table gives the information my hon. Friend seeks. These figures, of course, exclude proposed expenditure in county boroughs, the County of London, and areas covered by conurbation highway committees.

asked the Minister of Transport why he has refused to allow a halt sign at the junction of Berrylands Road and King Charles Roard, Surbiton.

"Halt" signs are authorised only where the view of traffic on the major road, from the minor road, is so restricted that it is necessary for all drivers on the minor road to stop. This criterion is not met at the junction of Berrylands Road and King Charles Road.The Surbiton Council are to improve the sight lines at the junction.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that construction work on the Doncaster by-pass is likely to be held up because of a shortage of cement in that area; and what steps he will take to ensure that this important work is not impeded for this reason.

There have been some difficulties in obtaining enough cement for these works, but on my latest information I do not expect the completion of the works to be delayed on that account. I am, however, watching the supply position closely.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what consultations he has had with the Minister of Science regarding research into marine nuclear propulsion;(2) whether he will now make a statement concerning the decision about the construction of a nuclear-powered ship.

I hope to make a statement shortly on the application of nuclear power to merchant shipping. I am in constant touch with my noble Friend the Minister for Science regarding research in this field.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now announce the composition of the Committee of inquiry into the shipping services between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Yes. The following have accepted my invitation to serve on this Committee:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware of the growing concern in Pembroke Dock regarding the need for new industry in the area following the closure of Messrs. R. S. Hayes; and what steps he is taking to encourage it.

Yes. As the hon. Member is aware, work is in hand to provide an advance factory at Pembroke Dock. The area is also constantly recommended to firms seeking new industrial sites.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the recent instances of disobedience in Lincoln prison.

On 18th April six prisoners sat down during exercise. All got up when ordered to do so, except one who was punished by the Governor. Next day one prisoner sat down on exercise and four leant against a wall. All five refused to resume exercise and were punished by the Visiting Committee. No rational explanation of this behaviour has been found. The prison has been quiet since.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has yet considered the application for the exhumation of an infant's body, buried at Titchfield, Hampshire, recently, after a mistake at the General Hospital, Southampton, over the identity of the bodies of two deceased infants; and if the application will be granted.

My licence under Section 25 of the Burial Act, 1857, was issued yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that Command Paper No. 9081, 1954, Memorandum on the Mau Mau Oaths Ceremonies, is unobtainable at Romford Public Library; why this library was not included in the list of public libraries to which the Command Paper was circulated; and if he will supply one forthwith on request.

Copies of this document were sent to central and county libraries with in many cases (including the Essex County Library) enough copies for distribution to the larger branches. If the county library cannot meet the requirements of its branch at Romford, I will, of course, see what I can do to help.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many small farm business plans and field husbandry grants have been approved in Berkshire; and what was the total amount of grants involved.

One hundred and twenty-five farm business plans had been approved in Berkshire under the Small Farmer Scheme up to 3lst March, 1961. The sum total of grants which these plans will earn when completed cannot be given exactly but is estimated at about £100,000, of which approximately two-thirds would be for field husbandry operations. Most of the plans include work which will attract one or more field husbandry grants, but it would involve a disproportionate amount of time and labour to obtain a figure for the number of individual payments.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farm improvement schemes have been approved in Berkshire; and what was the average amount of grant.

Up to the end of March, 1961, 984 applications under the Farm Improvement Scheme had then been approved in Berkshire at a total estimated gross cost of £948,949. The average grant commitment on each approval is therefore about £320.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements have been made with the Federal German Government as a result of his talks with Federal German Ministers in Bonn in March, 1961, for the advance repayment of the outstanding sum of £67,500,000 under the Agreement for the Settlement of the United Kingdom Government's Claim in respect of Post-war Economic Assistance to Germany.

During my discussions with Federal German Ministers in Bonn last month it was agreed that advance repayment should be made in full of the outstanding amount of £67½ million under the Agreement of 27th February, 1953, for the Settlement of the United Kingdom Government's Claim in respect of Post-War Economic Assistance to Germany (Cmnd. 627). An Exchange of Notes between the two Governments was signed in Bonn yesterday, which provided for the repayment to be made as soon as possible under arrangements to be made between the Bank of England and the Deutsche Bundesbank.Repayment of the sum of £67½ million will be made in a day of two:

asked the Minister of Defence how many redundant Service married quarters have been offered to local authorities; how many have been accepted; and on what terms.

During the last four years 467 redundant Service married quarters in the United Kingdom have been offered to local authorities. 230 of these have been accepted and a number are still under consideration by the local authorities. Redundant married quarters are sold to local authorities at their current market value.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why British aircraft have been, are being, and are to be used to fly United Nations Forces to Katanga; and at what cost to public funds.

United Nations forces have been flown to Katanga on two occasions. On 1st April about 80 Malayan troops were flown from Malaya. Between 17th and 20th April about 1,000 Indian troops were flown from Dar-es-Salaam. These flights were undertaken at the request of the United Nations who are bearing the cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet submitted to the National Joint Council modified proposals for an improvement in teachers' salary scales; and if he will make a statement.

I have today sent to the National Joint Council for their comments my proposals for new salary scales for Scottish teachers employed by education authorities.The proposals provide for increases at both the minimum and the maximum, and also for the shortening, of all scales in varying measure. In particular, they will improve the pay and prospects of the more highly qualified teachers and are designed to encourage the recruitment to the profession of both honours and ordinary graduates. Thus the honours graduate scale is increased from £780–1,400 to £830–1,600 and is shortened from 17 to 10 increments; the scale for ordinary graduates is increased from £630–1,100 to £680–1,225 and is shortened from 17 to 12 increments; and the scale for non-graduate primary teachers is increased from £545–1,000 to £560–1,040 and is shortened from 19 to 14 increments.These figures relate to basic scales. Varying increases are also proposed in the responsibility allowances which are paid to 27 per cent. of all teachers.Since the proposed improvements in salary which I have sent to the National Joint Council differ in amount for each grade of teacher, it is a little misleading to express them in terms of an average percentage, but the cost of my proposals, including the shortening of scales, represents an increase of about £4·6 million or some 12½ per cent. on the present salary bill.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what conclusions he has reached upon the case referred to him by the hon. Member for St. Helens about a St. Helens man in receipt of National Assistance.

I am not aware of the hon. Member having referred any such case to my right hon. Friend. If the hon. Member will let me know what he has in mind, I will gladly consider it.