asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications have been received by the Board of Trade Advisory Committee from Merioneth under the Local Employment Act, 1960; how many have been approved; how many have been rejected; and how many are pending.

Two applications have been received from Blaenau Ffestiniog, which is the only development district in Merioneth. One of these has been rejected: the other is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to plan work for the surplus labour force following the completion of large-scale construction work in Blaenau Ffestiniog; and if he will make a statement.

Blaenau Ffestiniog is listed as a development district under the Local Employment Act, and any industry establishing itself there will be eligible for the benefits provided by this Act. The Board will continue to try to steer industry to this area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications from Fife for financial assistance under the Local Employment Act, 1960, have been made; how many have been accepted; how many have been refused; and what are the amounts of money involved.

Four applications have been received, of which two have been rejected; the other two are under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new jobs are likely to be available in the Cowdenbeath area in the next six months.

I am aware of about thirty new jobs which are likely to materialise from industrial building in the next six months. In addition, I understand that the National Coal Board will be recruiting.

asked the Minister of Works when Tretower Court, Breconshire, was transferred to his Department for systematic preservation and repair; what progress has been made; and when he expects to complete the work now in hand.

The greater part of Tretower Court was transferred to my Department in 1930 and the remainder in 1935.It was decided to restore much of the building to something like its original state, as only in this way could the medieval timber work in the roof and the panelling be preserved.Work on the north and south wings, and on the roof of the west wing, is complete. The remaining work, comprising the interior of the west wing and a small amount on the east wing, should be completed by 1965.

asked the Minister of Works if he will itemise the proposed expenditure of £13,265 on maintenance and repairs at the residential apartments of St. James's Palace.

The proposed expenditure comprises:

asked the Minister of Works if he will introduce legislation to increase the maximum fine of £5 for exceeding the 30 miles per hour speed limit in Richmond Park to that applicable for the same offence on the public highway, namely, £20 for the first conviction.

It is certainly undesirable that infringement of the speed limit regulations should carry lower maximum penalties in the Parks than outside. I am considering whether the case is not covered by Section 4 (1) of the Road Traffic Act, 1960.

asked the Prime Minister if he will take steps to invite Commonwealth Governments to join the European Free Trade Association.

The question of our commercial relations with the countries of the Commonwealth, the European Free Trade Association and the European Economic Community has of course been a subject of discussion for some time. While I hope and believe that progress can be made in bringing these systems into harmony, I do not believe that my hon. Friend's suggestion of an amalgamation between the European Free Trade Association and the Commonwealth systems is practicable, having regard to the very different economic circumstances of the various countries of the Commonwealth and those of the Association.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs which new town development corporations require persons wanting to buy new houses in their designated area to work in the new town; and whether he is aware of the objections aroused by this policy among many new town residents who work out side the designated areas and who have made a contribution to the community life of the new towns.

The Development Corporation of Harlow, Crawley and Bracknell apply restrictions to the sale of houses under their control, but not so rigidly as is suggested. For example, under a recent arrangement, corporation-built houses in Harlow may be sold to those who, although not working in the town, have lived there five years or longer. I am aware that there have been difficulties at times, but I think the general policy is reasonable.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many housing units have been completed in the new town of Bracknell; and what was the approximate number allocated to families from the County of Middlesex at the latest convenient date.

By 31st December last, the Bracknell Development Corporation had completed 4,229 dwellings and had housed 1,571 families from Middlesex.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps have been taken adequately to preserve Fawley Court, Buckinghamshire.

When Fawley Court was threatened with demolition in 1953 the then Minister made a building preservation order upon it, and this continues in force.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will state the reasons for the delay in giving his decision with regard to the proposed university site in the City of Norwich which was the subject of a local inquiry by his inspector in December last; and if he is aware that this period without a decision is hampering the voluntary work of the promotion committee and placing the project in jeopardy.

There was a divergence of views at the inquiry about the suitability of the site proposed for the university, and several other sites were suggested. It has necessarily taken time to weigh all the evidence and arguments put forward by the interested parties. However, I realise the urgency of the matter and hope to be able to announce my decision very shortly.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs upon what date the definitive map prepared by the Essex County Council under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949, was furnished to him.

The Essex County Council says it hopes to let me have copies of its definitive map by the middle of June.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether, in view of the desirability of showing public rights of way as shown in definitive maps prepared by county councils under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949, on ordnance survey one-inch maps as soon as possible, he will take steps to hasten the completion of the definitive map for the rural districts of Cranbrook and Tonbridge so as to enable Sheet 183, which is largely covered by the definitive map completed in 1958 by East Sussex, to be reprinted with authoritative information as to rights of way.

Premature publication of incomplete maps may cause uncertainty. The provisional map for the rural district of Cranbrook was published on 30th December last, and I am told that Kent County Council is now preparing the provisional map for the rural district of Tonbridge, so definitive maps for these areas should be coming along soon.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will issue a directive to local authorities to the effect that where land and buildings are purchased for the community's benefit they should not be resold to private individuals for the purpose of profit, contrary to the purposes for which he gave approval.

I have no power to issue such a directive, but in general local authorities have power to sell land and buildings only if these are surplus to the purposes for which they were acquired. My consent is required if they are to be sold at a price less than the best obtainable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a further statement on the situation in Kenya.

Ten of the twelve portfolios in the new Council of Ministers have now been filled, six by elected members of the Legislative Council, and four by officials.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now state what arrangements are being made for the transfer of the Southern Cameroons to the Cameroun Republic: what form of Government will be adopted for the Cameroons; what economic and fiscal arrangements will operate after the transfer; what provision is being made for the existing administrative and technical staffs and the administrative frame work of the Southern Cameroons; and whether the aid of the Colonial Development and Welfare and Colonial Development Corporation will come to an end.

In accordance with the recent United Nations Resolution there will have to be discussions between the United Kingdom as Administering Authority, the Cameroun Republic and the Southern Cameroons to settle the arrangements for unification. The two countries intend to join in a Federation but the detailed constitutional, economic and fiscal arrangements and the administrative framework have yet to be worked out. Colonial Development and Welfare assistance will cease because the Southern Cameroons as part of a foreign country will not be eligible for it. While the C.D.C. will not be able to undertake new schemes there, it will be able to continue its planned investment in the Cameroons Development Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the details of the request which he has received from the Fire Brigades Union asking for an independent inquiry into the conditions of service and salaries of their members in Scotland; and what reply he has made.

No such request has been received by me, but my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has received a letter from the National Association of Fire Officers and the Fire Brigades Union asking him to receive a deputation at which representatives of these two bodies could put the arguments for setting up an independent committee to inquire into the manpower position and remuneration of the Fire Service. He is considering this request.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest estimates of the shortage of geriatric beds in each of the hospital regions.

There is no generally accepted scale on which geriatric beds should be provided in the hospital service. I am aware, however, there is a need for considerable additional accommodation in four of the five regions. Three hundred additional beds were provided in 1960 and I know that the regional hospital boards have this problem very much in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of boys and men released from borstals and prisons in Scotland on licence who were supervised by probation officers and other agencies including the After Care Council, respectively, during each of the years 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1960.

All persons released on licence from penal institutions in Scotland are supervised by the After Care Council which, in nearly every case, arranges for a voluntary guardian to assist and befriend the released person. As occasion demands it requests the assistance of probation officers.The numbers under supervision during the years 1956–60 and the numbers for whom probation officers acted as voluntary guardians were:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many miles of class 1 roads had been reconstructed under the Crofter Counties Roads Scheme by 1955; and how many miles have been reconstructed in each year since then.

By the end of 1955–56 the reconstruction of 548 miles of road had been completed under the Crofter Counties programme. The mileage completed under the programme in each of the five financial years since then has been:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish figures showing the financial loss as a result of fire damage during each of the last 10 years in Scotland; what was the number of firemen killed while on duty during each of the last 10 years; and what was the number of firemen injured during each of those years.

No official figures are available of the financial loss incurred each year as a result of fire damage in Scotland. The number of fires in each fire area is, however, shown in the annual report of H.M. Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland published by H.M. Stationery Office.The numbers of firemen killed or injured at fires in Scotland are given in the annual statistical analysis of reports on fires attended by fire brigades in the United Kingdom. The statistical analyses are prepared by the Joint Fire Research Organisation and copies are in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the large number of appeals against new rating assessments which are being and are likely to be made, he will postpone for six months, until 30th April, 1962, the date by which all appeals have to be settled, so that ratepayers may be assured that there will be time for their professional advisers adequately to represent their interests and for all appeals to be heard.

There is as yet insufficient evidence of the volume of appeals to enable me to decide whether the last date for their disposal by Valuation Appeal Committees should be extended. I am, however, watching the position closely.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that some 15,000 salmon have been caught, and many other severely injured, by drift nets this season, and that this will have a damaging effect on the salmon fishings in Scottish rivers and estuaries in future years; and whether he will now consult with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food about introducing legislation to prohibit the sale in the United Kingdom, as well as the export, of salmon caught other than by traditional methods within the legal seasons.

I have had reports that a large number of salmon have been caught in the Tweed area by drift nets this year and that the practice has spread to some extent to other areas. I am aware that if this reached substantial proportions over a wide area it could be damaging to salmon stocks. I am therefore giving urgent consideration, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, to the question of what action is practicable and desirable.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the results of his experiments to prevent accidents to children arriving at and leaving school; and whether he now considers the application of waiting restrictions outside certain school entrances is desirable.

The experiment which started last June was not conclusive but it indicated that the "School Entrance" carriageway marking was partially successful in discouraging drivers from parking near school gates.On the advice of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee, an extension of the experiment, with a revised marking, started on 13th March.I shall await the advice of the Committee on the results of the extended experiment before deciding on the best method of dealing with the general problem.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will set up an expert committee to consider the problems arising from flag discrimination as a feature of world trade; and, before doing so, if he will consult the General Council of British Shipping as to the personnel and scope of that committee.

I am continuously in touch with the General Council of British Shipping about flag discrimination and I do not think that any special committee is required at present.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give details of the British proposals for a communications satellite research programme.

The Post Office is co-operating with other bodies in a wide-ranging programme. This covers orbits, altitudes and frequencies, and the design of the electronic equipment in the communication satellites themselves. The first requirement is a ground station for joint experiments with the Americans in satellite communications across the Atlantic.If the hon. Member would like further information on particular aspects of the programme and will let my right hon. Friend know, we will gladly try to supply it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number and average cost of farm improvement schemes carried out under the 1957 Act; how many schemes were for farms under 100 acres; and how many schemes concerned amalgamation of holdings.

In the United Kingdom at the end of March, 1961, 130,579 applications covering some 217,360 individual improvements has been approved at a total estimated cost of £88,884,480 representing £29,628,160 in terms of grant and at an average estimated gross cost of £681 per approved application (£227 in terms of grant). Because of the form in which the records are kept it is impracticable to say how many approved applications have been carried out in full. 109,611 improvements have been completed and grant of £17,868,478 paid including a small number of instalment payments for incomplete work.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will define the categories of farm improvement grants, and the average cost and number of grants in each class.

The categories of improvements eligible for grant under the Farm Improvement Scheme are prescribed in the Second Schedule to the Agriculture Act, 1957. In the United Kingdom the number of approved improvements, so categorised, and the average grant for each type of improvement, based on the estimated cost, as at 31st March, 1961, are as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the number of grants under the Horticulture Act, 1960, which have been approved involving the heating of hothouses by oil-firing methods.

The total number of applications involving the heating of glasshouses (or buildings used for growing mushrooms or rhubarb) approved under the Horticulture Improvement Scheme by the 31st March, 1961, was 380, of which 165 were concerned with hearting by oil-burning appliances.

asked the Postmaster-General how many prototypes of the new telephone kiosks are on order; when and where they will be on trial; for how long they will be tried; and when he will be placing orders for a substantial number to replace the antiquated kiosks now in use.

Six prototypes are on order, and I hope to have them by the end of the year. I shall be reviewing the position six months later. Until then I cannot say what orders will be placed, whether for new kiosks or for replacements. I have not yet decided on the localities for the trials, but these will include London.

asked the Minister of Health when the tenders for the second phase of Hensingham Hospital were opened and accepted; and when the hospital will be completed.

Tenders for the second phase were opened and accepted on 16th-17th January, 1957. That phase was completed in January, 1960, and the entire hospital should be finished in 1964

asked the Minister of Health what are the number of patients waiting for hospital treatment, excluding maternity treatment, in the area of the Whitehaven and Ennerdale Rural District Councils; and how many of these have been waiting for more than three months and more than six months, respectively.

The total waiting list (excluding maternity) from these areas is 365; of these 76 have been waiting for 3–6 months and 152 for 6 months or longer.

asked the Minister of Health how many paying patients are at present in the hospital at Whitehaven.

Two patients are in amenity beds; there are no private beds.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the number of persons taken from Bletchley to Aylesbury, Luton, Oxford or Northampton, for hospitalisation, either because of accident or disease, during 1960 or the nearest equivalent period.

I regret that total figures are not available; but a sample of one patient in ten of those admitted to hospital in the Oxford Region in 1959 showed that, of the 177 Bletchley cases in the sample, 125 went to Aylesbury, 49 to Northampton, and 3 to Oxford. A similar sample for the North West Metropolitan Region in 1958 (the latest year available) showed one Bletchley case admitted at Luton.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what matters are at present before his Advisory Council on the Treatment of Offenders.

There are three matters before the Council. The terms of reference are as follows:

"To review the arrangements for the organisation of statutory and voluntary aftercare for persons discharged from prisons, borstals, detention centres and approved schools; to consider whether any changes are necessary or desirable; and to make recommendations

To consider whether there is scope in this country for new methods of non-residential treatment of offenders under 21, with particular reference to the provision of training on the lines of that provided by the Citizen Training Centre in Boston, Massachusetts.

To review the working of the preventive detention system established by the Criminal Justice Act, 1948; and to report."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount, or the estimated amount, of chargeable earned income of individuals and the chargeable investment income of individuals for the years 1959–60, 1960–61 and 1961–62.

The provisionally estimated aggregate amounts of earned and investment income of individuals are given below. The figures exclude the incomes of individuals whose total income is less than the effective exemption limit of £180.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures, similar to those printed in the Financial Statement, showing the effect of his proposed Surtax changes on married taxpayers with one or two children aged 11 to 16, over 16, and in the case of married taxpayers with two children, the figures applicable where one child is under 11 and the other 11 to 16, where one is 11 to 16 and the other over 16, and where one is under 11 and the other over 16.

This would require the production of fourteen lengthy tables: and I am reluctant to impose this additional task on Inland Revenue. The amount of saving in Surtax due to the Budget changes for couples with the same income cannot differ by as much as £15 from the figure given in the Financial Statement for the case where the allowances are most nearly comparable to those in the examples given by the right hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state for the financial years 1938–39 and 1960–61 the total yield of Income Tax, excluding Surtax, and the total yield from National Insurance and National Health Service stamp contributions; and if he will state the estimated figures under these heads for the financial year 1961–62.

The information required is set out in the following table:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what reply he has made to the request of the Pirbright Research Institute for a grant of £100,000 for the development of an anti-foot-and-mouth disease vaccine.

The Governing Body of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Institute, Pirbright, have been authorised to negotiate an agreement with a pharmaceutical firm, the Wellcome Foundation, Ltd., for the production on a commercial scale at Pirbright of foot-and-mouth vaccines for sale abroad. The cost of the buildings required is estimated to amount to about £100,000 and will be eligible for grant-aid from public funds.