asked the Secretary of State for War how much is being spent and has been spent in providing hospitals and accommodation for the British Army contingent recently sent to the British Cameroons; and how long these facilities will be required by the Army.

The accommodation which has been provided for the British Army contingent in the British Cameroons cost £389,000, of which £58,000 was on hospitals, and £26,000 on medical reception stations. The facilities will be required as long as British troops remain in the country.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the circulation among warrant officers and non-commissioned officers in 35 Corps Engineer Regiment, of a memorandum indicating that attendance at church services is compulsory; by what authority this memorandum was circulated; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, I have seen a copy of this memorandum. It was written on the personal initiative of the regimental sergeant major. In this memorandum he drew attention to a number of shortcomings in the standards of warrant officers and non-commissioned officers in his regiment. He was, I consider, perfectly within his rights to do this. I know that this warrant officer, who has a first rate record, now realises that it was not within his authority to order their attendance at church services, since Queen's Regulations already make it plain that no one in the Army should be ordered to attend a religious service with the exception of ceremonial parades of national or local importance of which the religious service forms a part.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what is the cost per head per annum of providing services for the Army Cadet Force and the Combined Cadet Force;(2) what percentage of members of the Army Cadet Force and the Combined Cadet Force undertake regular engagements in the Army.

The cost per head of the Army Cadet Force and that part of the Combined Cadet Force for which I am responsible is estimated this year at £22 and £10 respectively. There are no exact statistics to show what percentage of members of these cadet forces enlist in the Army, but about 16 per cent. of adult recruits and 33 per cent. of boys enlisting into junior leader units and Army apprentices schools have been in the Army Cadet Force. 78 per cent. of the cadets at Sandhurst have been in the Combined Cadet Force.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many recruits completed three months' training and were posted to regiments and corps during the six months ended 30th April, 1961;(2) what is his estimate of the average number of recruits needed to complete initial training and be posted to regiments and corps each month to achieve a Regular army of 165,000 men by 1st January, 1963.

During the six months ending 30th April, 1961, 11,329 recruits completed three months' service, and were available for posting to units as required. In order to reach the target, we need about 10 per cent. more recruits from civil life than we got in 1960, other factors remaining unchanged.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many recruits entered the Army Catering Corps Training Camp in the first four months of 1960 and 1961, respectively; and what percentage purchased their discharge, or were discharged for other reasons, before completing three months' service:(2) how many recruits were sent home on unpaid leave pending discharge before completing two months' service during the first four months of 1961.

150 recruits entered the Army Catering Corps Training Centre in the first four months of 1960, and 10·7 per cent. of them were subsequently discharged before completing three months service. Comparable figures for 1961 are 232 and 6·9 per cent., respectively. No recruits were sent home on unpaid leave pending discharge, before completing two months' service, during the first four months of 1961.

asked the Secretary of State for War how the number of recruits enlisted in 1959 and since, who have bought themselves out within the first three months, compares with discharge by purchase in the other two services.

The following is the information:

Year	Enlisted		Discharged by purchase
	Army	Air Force	Army	Air Force
1959	17,245	9,985	2,019	254
1960	14,564	7,741	2,027	312
1961 (1st quarter)	4,525	1,695	514	151

NOTE:In the Royal Navy there is no comparable provision to discharge by purchase within three months of enlistment.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many entries he has had from Nigeria and Ghana into the Regular Army in 1960 and 1961 to date.

The number of people still in the Army who were enlisted between the 1st January, 1960, and the 31st April, 1961, from Nigeria were 2 men and 1 woman, and from Ghana nil.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers and other ranks from Ghana and Nigeria are undergoing training in the United Kingdom by arrangement.

There are 23 officers, 11 officer cadets, and 25 other ranks from Ghana, and 12 officers, 23 officer cadets, and 7 other ranks from Nigeria at present on courses in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) in what way the 1st Grenadier Guards was built up to a strength of just over 700 all ranks;(2) if all battalions of the Brigade of Guards are up to full strength in both men and equipment, and able to fill at short notice a combatant infantry rôle.

The 1st Grenadier Guards had to be reduced in strength before it went to the Cameroons. Postings within the regiment were reorganised to ensure that everyone going to the Cameroons had at least six months left to serve. All the battalions of the Brigade of Guards are at a strength adequate for their duties, and they can all if necessary fulfil a combatant infantry rôle at short notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War what reply he has sent to the letter sent to him by the coroner for the county of Brecon following the rider which a jury added to their verdict upon the death of a lady living in an isolated farm in the Sennybridge district during the course of military exercises on the 23rd April last; and whether he will make a statement.

I have written to the coroner, informing him that I will certainly comply with the suggestions made by the jury in their rider in so far as this is not already our practice, and that I am issuing instructions to this effect.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange for the guard and ceremonial duties at the Royal Palaces and elsewhere to be divided equally between units of the three services.

No. It is a traditional privilege of the Household Brigade to mount guard on the Royal Palaces in London and at Windsor Castle. There are precedents for other units mounting guard on special occasions. All three Services perform other ceremonial duties for the Sovereign.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British officers passed the recent entrance examination to the Staff College; and how this compares with previous results.

The following is the information:

Year	Candidates	Qualified for Selection	Percentage
1958	561	148	26·4
1959	752	224	29·8
1960	868	355	40·9
1961	784	317	40·0

NOTE:This examination is for the Staff College, Camberley and the Technical Staff Course at the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham, for both of which candidates may enter the same papers. It is not therefore practicable to distinguish the results in respect of the Staff College alone.

asked the Minister of Transport how much money by way of grant was available to the Devon county authority during the financial year 1960–61 for road improvements.

£203,000. In addition, £697,000 was paid as classification grant for maintenance and minor improvements.

asked the Minister of Transport why a 50 miles-per-hour speed limit was imposed upon certain roads in Somerset over the Whitsun holiday.

This speed limit forms part of an extended experiment being carried out this year on many lengths of trunk road throughout the country. Results of a similar experiment last summer were encouraging but not conclusive. I therefore decided to impose the 50 m.p.h. limit on fifteen weekends this year, including Whitsun, to help me assess its full value.

asked the Minister of Transport what is now the line of the proposed Potteries D Road passing through Porthill, Newcastle-under-Lyme; and if he will give an approximate date for its construction.

The line of the Potteries D road in Newcastle-under-Lyme is defined in the Staffordshire Development Plan for planning purposes. When the necessary preliminary work has been completed, I shall publish a draft Order under Section 7 of the Highways Act, 1959, to establish the line as a trunk road. I cannot yet give a date for construction because it is likely to be several years before the necessary Statutory Orders, land acquisition and engineering design work are completed. But I intend to include this scheme in my trunk road programme as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in discussions with the Dagenham Council on unilateral parking in certain roads.

I understand that the local authority expects shortly to request me to apply unilateral parking control in several roads in Dagenham. Its request will receive careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the form of the investigation which he has ordered into the night parking of heavy commercial vehicles in residential streets; and whether he will invite the appropriate local authorities to submit evidence on this matter.

My Department is making the investigation, in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police. Its object is to establish the facts and seek practical solutions to the problem. Studies in Bermondsey and Lambeth have already been started in consultation with officials of the two councils. Other areas will be considered in due course and the London County Council and other affected councils and bodies will be consulted.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation to make it compulsory for all drivers of heavy vehicles to pass his Department's driving test before holding a licence to drive, irrespective of any licence they may hold in countries abroad.

No; such legislation would be contrary to our obligations under the International Convention on Motor Traffic of 1926 and the Convention on Road and Motor Transport of 1949.

asked the Minister of Transport how many drivers per 10,000 of those who have never taken his Department's driving test because they obtained licences before it was instituted, were involved in accidents in 1960; and how this figure compares with that for drivers who have passed the test.

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has designed a new oil filter which is much more efficient than those at present in use on cargo-ships and oil-tankers and which would help to keep beaches clean; if he will, as a preliminary to securing mutual agreement to use these filters by the 12 countries who have signed the International Convention on Oil Pollution, make it compulsory for this machine to be fitted on British vessels; and if he will make a statement.

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research have undertaken a programme of research on the separation of oil from water at my right hon. Friend's request and I am aware of the pebble bed filter which they are now developing. It has not yet been developed beyond the laboratory scale. Under the present requirements the separators which must be fitted in United Kingdom ships which use bunker fuel tanks for ballast water must leave no more than 50 parts of oil in one million parts of the treated water.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now make a statement on the building of a nuclear-powered ship for commercial purposes.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he will now make a statement on the award of a contract for the building of a nuclear-powered merchant ship;(2) whether he will make a further statement on the building of a nuclear-propelled ship for commercial use.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement. I hope to be able to do so shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he has taken pursuant to the recommendation about credits in the Report of the Sub-Committee of the Shipbuilding Advisory Committee.

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade announced last month further improvement in the services of the Export Credits Guarantee Department. These are intended to help shipbuilders and other exporters and are therefore relevant to the recommendation to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of Transport when the Rochdale Committee on Docks will commence its work; and whether the port of Goole will be included in its inquiry.

The Rochdale Committee has started its work and has already held three meetings. I understand that the major ports selected initially by the Committee for the purposes of its inquiry do not include Goole, but that the Committee may, in the light of experience, decide at a later stage to extend its inquiries to other ports.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to announce his decision about the building of the Victoria-Walthamstow line.

As I explained in the answers I gave on 19th April, with the railways in their present state, the new Chairman of the B.T.C. will have to make his assessment of the situation on the railways as a whole and the Victoria line will be considered in that context. In these circumstances, I cannot add to the reply I gave on that occasion to the hon. Member for Islington, East (Mr Fletcher).

asked the Minister of Transport what representations his Department has lately received from the Association of Scientific Workers, or other bodies about the proposed Victoria underground line.

My Department has received no representations from the Association of Scientific Workers about the proposed Victoria underground line. No formal representations have been made to me recently by other bodies.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will install a telephone kiosk at Redlands Road, Penarth, Glamorgan, in view of the demand for this facility by nearby residents.

There is a telephone kiosk at the junction of Redlands Road and Hastings Avenue which is not very much used, and we should not feel justified in providing another one in the same locality.

asked the Post master-General if he is aware that additional telephone kiosks are needed on the Llanrumney Estate, Cardiff, for the convenience of residents; and if he will have a fresh survey made and install new kiosks.

We propose to provide a new kiosk in or near Barnstaple Road, making 11 in all on this estate. We believe that this number will meet present requirements, but we will keep the position under review.

asked the Postmaster-General why he has not accepted the offer of an alternative site for a telephone box at Wetherden Hill, Burwash, Sussex, as a result of which there will be in that community no telephone facilities available throughout 24 hours each day nearer than two miles away.

We are grateful to the owner for the offer of the alternative site, and we are sorry that a misunderstanding has arisen. There is no question of withdrawing 24-hour telephone facilities from the neighbourhood, and, unless a more advantageous one can be found quickly, the kiosk will be moved to the suggested site.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the basic cost of installing and maintaining an answering machine which is rented out to doctors by his Department at a charge of £40 per annum; and when it is intended to reduce this charge.

I estimated the annual cost of supplying and maintaining an answering machine at £26 a year. This is a relatively new facility, and I am now considering the possibility of reducing the present rental charge.

asked the Postmaster-General how the strength of signals of broadcasting in the British Broadcasting Corporation's overseas service received in Africa and Asia compares with that of Moscow Radio and Cairo Radio.

In many parts of Africa and Asia the British Broadcasting Corporation's signal is at times as good as or better than that from Moscow Radio or Cairo Radio, though the latter are able at some times and in some areas to give a stronger signal because they are operating from a better geographical position for such areas.

asked the Lord Privy Seal to what extent Her Majesty's Government is contributing skim milk powder and egg powder to United Nations Agencies for distribution to needy children and other needy persons in underdeveloped countries.

Her Majesty's Government's contributions to United Nations Agencies are given in cash without any conditions attached and in freely usable currencies. They do not contribute in kind.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the Foreign Secretary's recent discussions in Lisbon and Madrid.

My noble Friend only returns to this country this afternoon and it is therefore a little early to say anything about his visits. Moreover, his discussions with the Portuguese and Spanish Foreign Ministers were confidential and it would not be in accordance with normal practice to disclose any detailed information about them.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of President Tshombe's illness, he will renew his efforts to secure through the United Nations his release and repatriation; and what reasons Mr. Hammarskjöld has given Her Majesty's Government for his failure to persuade the Congolese authorities to respond to the representations made on the Katanga President's behalf.

As I told my honourable Friend in answer to his Question of 17th May, the United Nations authorities have informed us that they were trying to ensure that Mr. Tshombe is accorded proper treatment, and I understand that they have made representations to the Congolese Government in this sense. The House will, however, be aware that it has been announced that Mr. Tshombe will be subjected to trial or internment for a limited period under Congolese law and the matter is therefore one of internal Congolese jurisdiction.We are naturally concerned that Mr. Tshombe should be properly treated, and I understand that the reports of the United Nations and Red Cross doctors who saw Mr. Tshombe at Coquilhatville show that suggestions that Mr. Tshombe was gravely ill were greatly exaggerated, if not actually untrue. Mr. Tshombe has now been transferred to Leopoldville and I have received a report from Her Majesty's Ambassador there saying that on arrival he seemed to be relaxed and more like his usual self. He showed no trace whatever of injury.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what was the nature of his official conversations with Mr. Arthur Schlesinger on Cuba during his recent visit to London.

I did not meet Mr. Schlesinger during his recent visit but he had an unofficial talk with my right hon. Friend the Minister of State. The details of this conversation are confidential.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will furnish a list of the amendments made since 1954 to the revised Brussels Treaty in so far as they provide for relaxations of the restrictions on the manufacture of armaments by the German Federal Republic.

Article II of Protocol No. III of the Revised Brussels Treaty provides that the Treaty restrictions on the manufacture of armaments by the Federal Republic (except for those relating to atomic, biological or chemical weapons) may be amended by a resolution of the Council of the Western European Union passed by a two-thirds majority, if the competent Supreme Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation recommends such amendment in accordance with the needs of the armed forces.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any decision has been reached by the Council of the Western European Union in respect of the limits on the size of warships built in the Federal Republic of Germany.

On 24th May the Council of Western European Union adopted an amendment to Annex III of Protocol No. III of the Revised Brussels Treaty which will permit the Federal Republic of Germany to manufacture eight destroyers of up to six thousand tons displacement to be equipped with tactical missiles for sea combat, and also auxiliary ships of the same tonnage. The Council also approved an amendment to the same Annex removing the prohibition on the manufacture by the Federal Republic of influence mines. SACEUR has given his prior recommendation to both these amendments, which come into immediate effect. The full texts will be published in the Treaty Series and presented to Parliament in the usual way.These amendments have been approved under the terms of Article II of Protocol No. III of the Revised Brussels Treaty. This provides that the Treaty restrictions on the manufacture of armaments by the Federal Republic (except for those relating to atomic, biological or chemical weapons) may be amended by a resolution of the Council of Western European Union passed by a two-thirds majority, if the competent Supreme Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation recommends such amendment in accordance with the needs of the armed forces.The restrictions in the Revised Brussels Treaty on German armaments manufacture (other than the manufacture of atomic, biological and chemical weapons) tare not immutable: they have been revised from time to time to meet the defence needs of the North Atlantic Alliance, and in the light of development in the design of modern weapons. The need to do this was foreseen at the time of the Paris Agreements which made the Federal Republic a free and independent member of the Western alliance; and the revised Brussels Treaty incorporates a specific procedure for this purpose. Her Majesty's Government support the amendments which have just entered into force, which will enable the Federal Republic to meet agreed North Atlantic Treaty Organisation planning requirements, and contribute more effectively to Western naval defence. All operational ships of the Federal German navy are committed to the North Atlantic-Treaty Organisation.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what aid is to be given by the United Kingdom to Latin America; and why.

Her Majesty's Government make substantial contributions to international organisations which provide assistance to Latin America. These include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, its affiliates the International Development Association and the International Finance Corporation, and the United Nations Special Fund and the Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance. In addition questions relating to the provision of financial assistance to Latin America are dealt with on their merits and in the light of our very heavy commitments within the Commonwealth. For example, as has been recently announced the United Kingdom will, subject to the approval of Parliament, be participating to the extent of a loan of two and a half million pounds in a plan for alleviating the heavy burden of Brazilian liabilities to Western Europe.As I told the House on 18th May, I believe there is great work for the West to do in helping these countries in order to win the challenge which comes from co-existence.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how many troops "Tiger" class cruisers have the capacity to carry and land in a combined operation.

The "Tiger" class cruisers have the cruiser's traditional capability to carry and land troops. The number which could be accommodated varies with the distances and time scale of particular operations but it may be taken as roughly equivalent to battalion strength.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether plans have been

1952	1953	1954	1955	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960
2,656	2,240	*Not available	*Not available	1,384	2,594	2,190	2,860	3,787
* Record prior to the 1956 do not always provide details of the number of sheep involved in each reported case of theft.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reduction has recently been made in the number of uniformed men in the Kenya Police, and for what reasons; and if the Governor is fully satisfied that the strength of the police is sufficient in the present circumstances of Kenya to maintain order and apprehend law-breakers.

The Kenya Colony Estimates for 1961–62 provides for a reduction of 545 posts in the uniformed branches of the Kenya Police Force. Of this number, 83 posts have been required to police the Royal Naval Armaments Depot, Mtongwe, which from 1st July, 1961, will be the task of the new Admiralty Police Force in Kenya. 100 posts are accounted for by a reduction in the number of recruits under training, which has been made possible by a slowing

Yes. Virtually all warships are capable of transporting troops to an operational area in times of need.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he has any proposals for the creation of an additional Commando Marine Force.

As has already been announced by my noble Friend, a Fifth Royal Marine Commando will start to form in September.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many sheep were reported stolen in Kenya in each of the years 1952 to 1960, inclusive.

The following is the information required.down of wastage. 117 posts in the lower grades of the Inspectorate which have been unfilled for some time have been abolished.The remaining 245 posts represent an actual reduction in manpower and constitute a contribution towards the general economies in public services which the present financial situation in Kenya requires. To the extent of 197 of these posts, this has been achieved by reductions in the non-commissioned officer cadres; in consequence of the improved quality of constables, it has been possible to effect a reduction in the ratio of non-commissioned officers to constables.The Governor is satisfied that the strength of the Force during the next financial year will be sufficient to maintain order and to ensure that the present level of police efficiency will be maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what help has been offered by the United Kingdom to the Government of Pakistan to relieve distress caused by the recent cyclone in East Pakistan.

Her Majesty's Government were grieved to learn of the loss of life and material destruction caused by the further cyclone in East Pakistan on 9th May. This has been a serious setback to East Pakistan's economy, which was recovering with difficulty from the two cyclone disasters of last October. I am sure that the House will wish to join with me in expressing our sincere sympathy to the people of Pakistan.As a practical sign of sympathy Her Majesty's Government have provided One Lakh of Rupees. At the suggestion of the Pakistan authorities the money is being used to build two primary schools, a large number of which were destroyed in the three cyclones. These two new schools will be of solid construction and will be capable of being used as community shelters in the event of any future cyclones.The House will be asked, in due course, to vote the necessary supplementary Estimate. In the meantime an advance is being made from the Civil Contingencies Fund.

asked the Minister of Defence what was the average strength of British personnel in the Regular armed forces, including British troops on the Indian Establishment, during the period 1929 to 1938; and how this compares with the present target for an all-Regular force.

The average strength for the period 1929 to 1938 was 321,600. This was made up of 92,200 in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, 194,700 in the Army (including British troops on the Indian Establishment) and 34,700 in the Royal Air Force. The present target for an all-Regular force is of the order of 88,000 for the Royal Navy, 165,000 to about 180,000 for the Army and 135,000 for the Royal Air Force, a total of 388,000 to about 403,000. These figures exclude boys and women.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have been taken to accept Clevedon Court, Somerset, in settlement of estate duty; and if he will make a statement.

Clevedon Court, Somerset, and 11 acres of the grounds surrounding it were offered to the State in 1956 in settlement of duty payable on the estate of Sir Ambrose Elton, Bt. This whole property has now been accepted by the Treasury and has been transferred to the National Trust at a cost to the National Land Fund of £7,000. Clevedon Court is one of the few surviving early 14th-century manor houses. Before formal acceptance by the Treasury and transfer to the National Trust could take place considerable repairs and alterations were necessary. The repairs were undertaken with the help of grants totalling £22,592 made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works under the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act, 1953, and the works have now been completed. I understand that the National Trust intend to open Clevedon Court to the public forthwith.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, with particular regard to Circular No. 436 which he issued in May last year, what further action he proposes to improve youth service provision in Scotland over the next few years.

I have today issued a circular to education authorities setting out my proposals for giving further assistance to youth service. I hope that this circular will give additional impetus to the expansion and development of youth service provision urged in Circular No. 436 of 16th May, 1960. Copies of the new circular have been sent to national voluntary youth organisations.The circular announces that grants for capital purposes will for the next three years be available to local voluntary youth organisations instead of as hitherto only to the national headquarters of such bodies. Up to £50,000 will be provided annually for this purpose during the current year and the following two years. The grants will be offered towards the cost of capital projects promoted by local voluntary youth organisations and assisted by education authorities. The rate of grant will be up to 50 per cent. of the approved cost of particular projects subject to a maximum grant of £6,000 and on condition that the education authority concerned is also willing to give a grant of at least one half of the amount of grant made available by my Department. A memorandum giving detailed information about conditions of grant and the procedure for applying will be issued shortly.In this circular I have also announced increased grant-aid for headquarters of national youth organisations, made suggestions about a youth service building programme by education authorities and asked education authorities to inform me of the outcome of the review of youth service provision which Circular No. 436 requested them to undertake.