asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the fact that over £118 million of public money has been expended on the development of forestry in this country, what specific steps are being taken by the Government to encourage the expansion of the chipboard industry in this country, with a view to absorbing the rapidly increasing output of forest thinnings and reducing the large import bill for chipboard and other similar building and furniture boards.

The Forestry Commission encourages the expansion of the chipboard and other timber using industries, by giving advice and information on the availability and location of supplies of home grown timber. The Forest Products Research Laboratory is co-operating with the British Chipboard Manufacturers Association in research on manufacturing processes. The rate at which home grown timber using industries as a whole have in fact expanded over the last few years is encouraging.

In view of the growing economic importance of this matter, would my right hon. Friend consider convening at the earliest possible date a top-level conference of all the interests concerned to try and find a solution?

If that would be helpful, I will, of course, consider it. I think that my hon. and gallant Friend might like to know how the consumption of home-grown timber by the paper-pulp and the board manufacturing industries has expanded. In 1955 there were 2·5 million hoppus feet taken; in 1958 there were 5 million; in 1960 there were 10 million, and we estimate that by 1963 that figure will be up to 16 million, so it is progressively expanding very satisfactorily.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the pace at which investigations are being con ducted as to the possibility of danger arising from the use of toxic chemicals for agricultural purposes; when he now expects the report of the study group to be completed; and if he will make a further statement.

Much research is being done into the effects of toxic chemicals on human and animal life and on crops. Before any chemical is cleared for use in agriculture, thorough investigations are carried out on it. The Research Study Group was set up to see what further research may be necessary into the effects of these chemicals. Its report is expected this summer.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is a matter of great public concern and that farmers, seed merchants and all concerned are anxious to know which, if any, of the seed dressings in use are dangerous? Is he also aware that analysts have identified substantial quantities of dangerous chemicals in the flesh of game birds found dead and considerable quantities in game birds found alive but stupefied and which could possibly be used for human consumption? Is my right hon. Friend still further aware that great quantities of seed will be dressed in the near future for sowing this autumn, and will he see that the matter is treated as one of extreme urgency?

I am well aware of the concern which is felt, and I share it very much myself. I am hoping that this report will be forthcoming soon—it will certainly be forthcoming this summer—and before that we shall, of course, be getting the report of the survey on the question of birds to which my hon. Friend referred and which comes up in the next Question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he is at present undertaking into the desirability or otherwise of using dieldrin, aldrin and heptachlor in dressings for spring-grown grain; and what restrictions he intends to put upon the use of these chemicals in agriculture.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the continuing disquiet at the increasing destruction of wild bird life as a result of the use of poisonous seed dressings and toxic sprays; and whether he will take urgent action to deal with the problem before the autumn planting.

I share the concern felt about the reported casualties to wild life from certain seed dressings. Research work has established the value of dieldrin, aldrin and heptachlor in the control of serious insect pests such as wireworm and wheat bulb-fly. Present research is directed at studying their effects on wild life and their long-term effects on the general soil fauna. A nation-wide survey is being carried out this spring of reported cases of unusual deaths among birds. Decisions on whether restrictions are necessary on the use of these chemicals will be taken when the results of the survey, including analytical evidence, are known and have been reviewed at a meeting later this month with all interested organisations including the bird preservation societies.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. Does he appreciate that the deaths of thousands of birds and small animals this spring provided a very disturbing commentary on the present situation? Can he say whether, as a result of the survey and the meeting which he proposes to hold, it will be possible to bring in regulations, if they are considered necessary, before the autumn sowing takes place?

This survey arose out of a meeting which was held last autumn, as the hon. Lady will remember, with all the interested societies. At that meeting it was agreed that we should move forward on two lines. One was to set about an educative programme to ensure that merchants and farmers were aware of the inherent risks involved in an unnecessary use of these chemicals. The second was that this spring—and this is what is going on now—a survey would be made. I think that the hon. Lady will agree that it would be best to await the results of the survey which, in the nature of things, cannot be completed until the end of this month, because there are still the after-effects of the spring sowings to be considered. Of course, it will be my intention to proceed as quickly as possible once the report of the survey has been received at the end of this month.

Has consideration been given to the difference between liquid dressings and dust dressings, as in Scotland it is thought that liquid dressings, which stay in the grain, are more dangerous than dust dressings which may be blown off grain left on the surface?

Yes, Sir. That is one of the matters which is being considered.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the point about the timing which was made by my hon. Friend the Member for Wood Green (Mrs. Butler)? What is important is that we should know before the autumn comes.

Yes, Sir. At the same time as we are awaiting the survey on the spring dressings we have to consider the effect of autumn sown corn on wild life. That is not necessarily the same as with the spring sowing.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, notwithstanding what he said, the fact remains that in some parts of the country whole species of birds and animals are probably being exterminated for ever? Is he further aware that he will not be forgiven by posterity, nor by this generation, if any complacency should lead to a recurrence of what has happened in this spring in another sowing season?

I assure my hon. Friend that there is no question of complacency. All I am saying is that before we decide what should be done we must see the results of this survey which, serious as I think it will be, will not go to the extent of showing extermination of certain types of birds, as my hon. Friend suggested. But in saying that I do not in any way underrate the importance of this matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further study he is making of the advantages to both the grower and the consumer of horticultural produce of the system of co-operative clock auctions which has been used in the Netherlands for eighty years and which is now being applied and developed in France and Germany.

It is for producers and traders handling horticultural produce to take the initiative in working out the most satisfactory method of conducting sales. Much interest is being shown in the Dutch auction system by many sections of the horticultural industry, and I understand that an announcement about the setting up of an experimental auction is to be made later today. My Department will be glad to give any advice and help it can.

Does the Minister realise that the costs of the Dutch auction system—the clock auction system—are about 2 per cent. compared with 10 per cent. for auctions in most parts of this country? In view of the enormous advantages to both consumer and producer, will the Minister use some of the money which Parliament has voted to encourage the use by co-operatives of the Dutch system?

The advantages cost-wise of this system were undoubtedly one of the features which led the organisation concerned to reach the conclusion which I announced in my Answer. The only funds we have available to us by Statute at present are those which can be contributed to the Horticulture Marketing Council and beyond that at present I could not go; but I take the hon. Gentleman's point.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a comprehensive statement on the dispute arising from the present claims by Faroes fishermen in so far as they affect the British fishing industry, with special relation to Scottish fisheries.

We have had no approach from the Danish Government on this matter and I therefore have no statement to make.

Will the Minister realise that the urgency of this matter is emphasised by the shooting up within the last few days by a Danish gunboat of an Aberdeen fishing trawler? Will he realise the urgency before some tragic event occurs? Will he take steps to ensure that this longstanding dispute can be settled by non-violent means without shooting up Aberdeen trawlers, so that outstanding differences can be settled on the basis of law and justice rather than violence?

It is the hope of both sides of the House that these questions will be dealt with by peaceful methods. What has happened in this case is an alleged infringement of the existing arrangements by a trawler. It is not a question of a dispute between Governments about fishing limits or anything else, and no approach has been made by the Danish Government to Her Majesty's Government on this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations are being made to the United States Government regarding the duty at present imposed on the import of British books.

The United States Government have signed a U.N.E.S.C.O. Agreement on the import of educational materials, which includes provision for duty-free import of books. Legislation which would enable them to ratify and implement this Agreement is at present before Congress.

I thank the Minister for that reply. Will he bear in mind that the American Government is the only Western Government at present imposing any duties on books and that it is now two years since the American Government signed that U.N.E.S.C.O. Convention? Will the Government press the United States Government to introduce the necessary legislation quickly and get the necessary administrative steps taken to remove this barrier?

I do not think that we should do anything more now, as legislation is at present before Congress.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what regulations he has made regarding the import of coal and steel; and on what principles they are applied.

The general policy of Her Majesty's Government is to refrain from using import controls for the purpose of restricting imports. Coal and a few other limited categories of goods are nevetheless still controlled by import licensing. Steel is at present on open general licence from all sources.

Does that mean that the Government have not yet decided whether the Steel Company of Wales should be allowed to import coal from America? Is it not the case that steel is protected by a 10 per cent. tariff and that coal is not? Is it not, therefore, unreasonable to allow the import of coal to compete with British coal, unprotected by a tariff, whereas steel cannot be imported in the same way?

I should like the hon. Gentleman again to read what my right hon. Friend the Minister of Power said on 15th May. He said:

"Because of the importance of the issues involved, I do not expect to make an early statement about the Government's policy on coal imports."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 15th May, 1961; Vol. 640, c. 899.]

In making this decision, will the Government bear in mind that steel is protected by a 10 per cent. tariff? It is all very well to say that the National Coal Board can import steel if it likes, but it cannot do so on the same favourable terms as the Steel Company of Wales can import coal.

I regret that I do not quite follow the hon. Gentleman's reasoning but I will study in HANSARD what he has said.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of total United Kingdom exports to China in 1960 was of goods on which there was an embargo for shipment to that destination prior to May, 1957; and what was the value represented by these exports.

The figures requested are not available because items, the export of which to China was formerly embargoed, are in many cases contained in statistical groupings with items not formerly embargoed.

Is it not the case that since the differential embargo on China was removed, exports of steel, for example, have risen from £740,000 to £5 million worth and that the increase in non-ferrous metals has been from £60,000 to £9 million? Does the right hon. Gentleman recollect that in the recent debate on East-West trade he said:

"When the China list was brought into line with the Russian bloc list, it did not lead to a great upsurge in trade with China in items which had been previously banned?"—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 24th April, 1961; Vol. 520, c. 97.]

In the debate I was speaking in general terms about Anglo-Chinese trade. I was aware, of course, that there had been a considerable increase in the export of copper rods, for example, and in other goods which had been banned, as well as a certain increase in steel, but, speaking generally, trade has steadily and uniformly increased.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the continued decline of the cinema trade, the importance of maintaining British film production, the dominating positions of the two major circuits, and the need to counteract monopolistic tendencies in the industry, he will convene a representative conference of persons engaged in the production, distribution, renting, and exhibition of films to discuss the establishment of an additional and effective national circuit of cinemas which would offer producers, independent exhibitors and the public a greater variety of choice.

No, Sir. Should my right hon. Friend be asked by the representative organisations in the industry to convene a conference he will of course consider the request.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are very few representative organisations left in the industry and that, if it goes on being streamlined any further, there will be only one? Is he aware of the considerable problem which now exists in that, because of the closure of cinemas and the rationalisation of the cinema trade, a handful of men can kill any film produced by the simple method of refusing it a circuit booking? Does he not know of the complaints by producers about this more or less monopolistic state of affairs and has he no responsibility to do something about it?

There is a substantial degree of competition between the two circuits, for a start. Despite the decline in the number of cinemas, British film production has remained at about the present level for some time, so that plenty of British films are being produced and are being successfully shown.

asked the President of the Board of Trade with regard to the notice in the Export Service Bulletin of 10th April about tenders invited by the Ports Railways Transport Department of Portuguese East Africa, why there was a delay of three weeks in supplying his Department's list of forty firms willing to submit tenders on behalf of British manufacturers; whether he is aware that the list included firms not in a position to submit tenders; and whether he will ensure that full and early details are given to inquiries about matters of such importance to United Kingdom export trade.

My Department has special arrangements for dealing with inquiries about tenders which normally work entirely satisfactorily and expeditiously. The delay in this particular case, which I greatly regret, was due to an unfortunate series of human errors.

Is my right Hon. Friend aware that, as a result of this delay, large export orders may have been lost? Is he further aware that this is not the only incident of its kind which has happened, and will he look into the matter?

I am very sorry that this error occurred and we are doing our best to ensure that it will not happen again. The firm concerned could have helped us by sending its request to the address given in the particular issue of the Export Services Bulletin instead of to our regional office. However, we are taking steps to ensure that mistakes of this kind do not, so far as is humanly possible, recur.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many industrial sites are now available for factory building in the area of the Bishop Auckland Urban District Council.

Four.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these sites include the three discussed by Bishop Auckland Council with the Parliamentary Secretary when he visited Durham in December, 1960?

The four sites were West Auckland, Fylands Bridge, Tindale Crescent, and the Co-operative Bakery site.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me about the Auckland Park site and whether it has been surveyed satisfactorily?

I shall have to look into that and let the hon. Member know.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals have been submitted to him since the passing of the Local Employment Act for the improvement of industrial sites within the area of the Bishop Auckland Urban District Council.

None, Sir.

Is not this a comment on the misleading promises which the Government made when the Local Employment Bill was being discussed? Many of us were under the impression at that time that a great deal of activity would take place in cases where there is a great deal of industrial filth left about on sites? Could not the right hon. Gentleman take the initiative with the local council and with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government with a view to putting some of these sites right?

The Bishop Auckland Urban District Council has not made any application to the Government, but we should be very glad to consider any applications which are submitted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an assurance that South African Nationals who are British civil servants will be able to continue their employment without being compelled to apply for British nationality.

Yes, for the time being; but their ultimate position will depend on whatever changes may be made in the British Nationality Act, 1948, or by other legislation, to deal with the situation arising from the Union of South Africa becoming a Republic outside the Commonwealth.

While I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his general remarks, may I point out that it is important that these very few people should be given an assurance that they may continue safely in their employment? In reply my hon. Friend said that ultimately it will depend on changes that may be made, but these people need an assurance that their jobs are safe.

I do not think that I can go beyond what I said in my original Answer. I think that is all the assurance one can give in present circumstances.

Is it not the case that we should expect primary loyalty to the United Kingdom?

I do not want to get too deeply involved in this. The point is that under present legislation aliens can be employed in the Civil Service only in a temporary capacity and subject to certain statutory limitations. Of course, we shall consider all these questions when considering what the ultimate position in connection with South Africa will be, but I do not think I can go beyond what I have said this afternoon.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for how much physical investment on account of capital development the nationalised industries were responsible in 1959 and 1960, respectively; and what proportion on average this bears to the total capital formation in industry in those years.

Gross fixed capital formation by the nationalised industries amounted to £794 million in 1959 and £800 million in 1960. These figures were respectively 31·5 per cent. and 29·0 per cent of the gross fixed capital formation in those years in industry in the United Kingdom.

Is my hon. Friend satisfied with the returns we are getting from the large amount of capital employed in nationalised industries? Can he say how it compares with that employed in private industry? Is not one of the causes of the lack of growth or poor growth in the economy the lack of productivity of the capital employed in nationalised industries?

Of course, my hon. Friend will know the proposals in the recently published White Paper on the economic and financial obligations of the nationalised industries, which are de- signed to reduce the risk that those industries might absorb too much of our investment resources. On the other hand, in view of the latter part of his Question, it is a fact that growth in these basic industries, which minister to other sectors of the economy, must be adequate for that purpose. What we are trying to ensure is that the proportion is right.

Do not the figures given by the Minister suggest that one cause of the lack of growth in British industry is that investment in private industry has not come up to the record of that in public industry in recent years?

I would not accept that. I should have thought that in productive investment British industry had a good record last year and the prospects for this year are also very good.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions his power has been used during the past five years to increase or decrease Purchase Tax by Order between Budgets.

Sixteen; thirteen of the Orders were for additions to the exempt list of essential drugs and medicines.

Would the hon. Gentleman say how these powers will now be related to the new powers being taken in regard to all forms of Customs and Excise duties in periods between Budgets?

The existing power to which the hon. Member's Question referred has been used only either for dealing with the exempt list of essential drugs and medicines, or for clearing anomalies of classification, whereas the power which the Chancellor seeks in Clause 8 of the Finance Bill is for an entirely different purpose. I gather, Mr. Speaker, that we are likely to be considering that later today.

Ought not these powers to alter Purchase Tax to be taken more frequently than sixteen times in the last five years? Before every Budget there is a hold-up in the selling of goods while people are considering whether Purchase Tax is to be altered. Should not these alterations take the public unawares and be made not at Budget time?

That, I think, raises a wider question. It has certainly been considered by my right hon. and learned Friend and his predecessors on a number of occasions, but they have reached the conclusion that, generally speaking, it is better to make any changes in Purchase Tax of a specific nature at Budget time. Consequently, the power referred to in the Question has been used only for dealing with anomalies or with this special case of the exempt list of essential drugs and medicines.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the £25 million required to expand existing universities in Scotland to meet the estimated demand for new places by 1970 has been approved.

Of the new building programmes for the period 1962–65 which my right hon. Friend announced on 25th January the University Grants Committee has to date allocated about £9·3 million to the five Scottish institutions.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that, even if we get the £25 million which is suggested to extend Glasgow, Edinburgh, St. Andrews and Aberdeen Universities to their full capacity as proposed, Scotland in 1970 will still be nearly 2,000 university places short of the estimated demand? Is that what the Chancellor is planning for? Would not the hon. Gentleman ask him to reconsider this matter?

I am told that, so far as can be foreseen at present, the programmes which my right hon. and learned Friend has already announced or the Scottish universities and also for the Royal College of Science and Technology in Glasgow—

That is not a university.

No, but also for the Royal College of Science and Technology—will accommodate the increased number of students which will be coming forward in this decade.

On a point of order. In view of the exceptionally inaccurate information—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order."]—contained in that reply, and my dissatisfaction with it, and the dissatisfaction—

I have repeatedly asked hon. Members in giving notice not to make speeches but to adhere to the formula.

I realise that I have not yet got the Adjournment. I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visits by inspectors were carried out during the year 1960 under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876; and how many people held licences to experiment on animals during that period.

During 1960 the inspectors made 1,506 visits to the 528 places registered for experiments under the Act; 6,872 people held licences, but of these 1,989 performed no experiments during the year.

Does my right hon. Friend consider that five inspectors are sufficient to carry out this work in view of the fact that, I understand, more than 3 million separate experiments were carried out in 1960?

My right hon. Friend has just authorised the appointment of an additional inspector. The purpose of the inspectorate is not to supervise each and every experiment, but to ensure that those who carry out the experiments understand their responsibilities. This, I believe, has in fact happened.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will, as a matter of urgency, appoint a small fact-finding committee to examine the question of immigration from the Commonwealth.

I do not think the appointment of such a committee is called for as adequate factual information is already available.

In view of the increasing gravity and complexity of this problem, with immigrants flooding into this country from every quarter of the Commonwealth in ever-increasing numbers, does not my right hon. Friend consider that there is urgent need for an impartial assessment of the position as a prelude to positive Government action?

I think that we have published in HANSARD nearly all the figures which are up to date and which are rightly described by my hon. Friend as causing a certain degree of anxiety and consideration. I do not think that a committee could produce many more facts for the consideration of the Government than we have been able to give the House.

Is it not strange that hon. Members opposite always raise the question of immigration from the Commonwealth? Can it be that they are more concerned about the colour of the immigrants than the numbers of those coming in?

I think that we all agree that if there is to be anything done on these lines in this very difficult situation it would have to be quite regardless of the question of colour.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that 95 per cent. of the inhabitants of the Commonwealth coming to this country are coloured and that any legislation introduced must appear to apply to coloured people in these circumstances?

I think what is important is that to preserve absolute rectitude on this it should not be designed to deal specifically with the question of colour.

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that every time his hon. Friends ask a Question about this matter it tends to increase the flow of immigrants from the West Indies, anxious to get here before restrictions are imposed? Could he not ask his hon. Friends to stop asking such a flood of Questions?

I cannot restrict the number of my hon. Friends or hon. Members opposite asking what Questions they wish to ask. I think that we must be a little careful about the encouragement of further numbers of immigrants at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of estimates now being made that the number of immigrants may reach 150,000 this year, he will arrange for controls requiring a deposit of the return fare from immigrants on arrival.

The issues raised by immigration from the Commonwealth are under constant study by Her Majesty's Government, but I have no further statement to make at present.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that, while of course a great many immigrants are doing a very good job in this country, a large number of cases have been brought to my attention recently of immigrants who come here and, for some reason or other, cannot get a job and therefore go on to National Assistance? Will he take that point into consideration when considering whether they ought to deposit the return fare?

I shall certainly take that into consideration. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour keeps me fully informed about the degree of unemployment existing among immigrants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Hungarian nationals have left the United Kingdom to return to their home land; and what is the total number of young people and adults who have been refused permission by him to return to Hungary; and if he will make a statement.

Some 2,000 Hungarians who came here as refugees in 1956 have returned home. I know of only one case—that of a child of 14 who was made a ward of court last September—in which permission to leave this country was refused.

May I appeal to the Minister to remove any obstructions placed in the path of those people who wish to return home?

There is no obstruction placed by Her Majesty's Government. The case of a ward of court was a refusal by the court. It is for the Hungarian Government themselves to grant travel documents which will enable people to return to Hungary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to give the figures of crimes of violence against the person committed by juveniles during 1960 in the same form as set out in Appendix C of the Barry Report on Corporal Punishment.

In 1960, 1,540 boys and 43 girls under the age of 17 were found guilty of offences of the kinds included in Appendix C.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that that is an increase of about 14 per cent. over 1959 and that these figures of the increase in crimes of violence are causing much concern in the country at present?

I think that my hon. Friend's calculation was not quite accurate. These figures are, of course, extremely disturbing. My right hon. Friend has already dealt with this in previous speeches.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why a visa was refused to Captain Galvao.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state why, when Captain Galvao was invited to visit Great Britain, he was refused a visa by the British Consul in Sao Paulo.

My right hon. Friend decided, after consultation with my noble Friend the Foreign Secretary, that it would be undesirable to allow Captain Galvao to visit this country.

Why is the traditional policy of allowing free entry to political refugees being changed in this case? Why did the Home Secretary allow General Delgado in while keeping his associate Captain Galvao out?

There is no question of a change in our traditional policy in this case, but I should tell the House that it has never been our tradition to allow foreigners to come here to advocate insurrection against our allies, which is what Captain Galvao apparently wishes to do.

Does not the refusal of a visa to this man to land here in fact constitute an act of mercy, because, if he had been able to come into the country, Her Majesty's Government, in discharge of their international obligations, would have had to arrest him on a charge of murder on the High Seas?

There is indeed an extradition treaty between this country and Portugal.

Is the Minister aware that he has not yet given the reasons why a visa was refused to Captain Galvao? Is he further aware that Captain Galvao held a high position under Dr. Salazar, and that because of his courage in exposing the criminal conduct of the colonial system in Angola he lost his post? Even the Argentine Embassy gave him asylum in Portugal, and Brazil has done the same. Why has this country fallen behind on what it did for Garibaldi many years ago?

We can only judge his future intentions—that is, what he would do if he came here—by his recent activities, and I would remind the House that in the recent episode of the seizing of the "Santa Maria" by the armed group which he led there was a loss of life and wounding of the members of the crew who were unarmed and engaged in their lawful duties. We are also entitled to bear in mind the circumstances in which he wishes to come, namely, the fact that he wishes to give lectures, and by whom those lectures are sponsored.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman explain constitutionally exactly what the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has to do with this matter? Is not the discretion whether visas should be granted or not granted the personal discretion of the Home Secretary? Further, may I point out that, if it were really the case that we never grant a visa to any alien who has been engaged in insurrection against his Government, not a single Hungarian refugee could have come here in the last four years?

That supplementary question raises a number of questions, but I think that the principal ones to answer are these. First, it is true that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has a discretion for the issue of visas, but when the issue of a visa might affect relations with a friendly foreign Power, it is right that be should consult my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

May we be told what this gentleman intends to do which Garibaldi was not allowed to do in previous days in this country, or indeed many refugees from Hitler?

I think that the right hon. Gentleman's recollection of history will tell him that there is a considerable difference between the Portugal of today, which is a member of N.A.T.O., and the Italy of Garibaldi's time.

rose—

Order. We must get on with Questions.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why he has been unable to reply to matters raised in a letter from the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford, dated 30th November, 1960, referring to the case of Mr. Henry Scudder, now serving a sentence of nine years' imprisonment;

The hon. Member has sent me on several occasions, beginning last November, material for consideration on behalf of this prisoner. As I informed him, I asked the Commissioner of Police to have inquiries made into the representations, and I am at present considering a report and other material on this case. I regret that I have so far been unable to send the hon. Member a final reply, but I hope to do so shortly.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the intense dissatisfaction felt by the mother, by the wife, and by other near relatives of this man? Can the right hon. Gentleman deny that I received no message at all from him, except a card, in reply to my letter of 30th November, until I wrote to him at the end of March? Did he not say at the end of March that a full inquiry had been held by the Commissioner, and that he was inquiring into the position? Does he not appreciate that this is now June, and that if it goes on like this the man will have served his nine years' sentence before anything is done? Can the right hon. Gentleman hurry matters?

I will certainly do my best to accelerate the procedure, but the case is very complicated and a great variety of inquiries have had to be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations to what extent United Kingdom official representatives in the Union of South Africa participated in the ceremonies setting up the Republic of South Africa.

The British Ambassador, in company with the diplomatic representatives of other countries, attended the ceremonies in Pretoria connected with the installation in office of the new State President.

asked the Minister of Education if he will put forward proposals to the European Ministers of Education, meeting under the auspices of the Council of Europe, for the production of more reliable comparative statistics about educational progress in European countries.

I accept the need to improve international statistics on education, and my Department will continue to co-operate with agencies, such as U.N.E.S.C.O. and O.E.C.D., which are aiming to provide more reliable figures.

Is the right hon. Gentleman putting forward definite proposals? Is he aware that whenever he quotes statistics from U.N.E.S.C.O. which are favourable to his record, apparently that is all right, but whenever we quote statistics from U.N.E.S.C.O. which are unfavourable to his record the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education says that they are unreliable? Can he do something urgently about this?

I am not aware of that. It is true that it is very hard to make accurate comparisons between one country and another, but I think that as time goes on we may get things better.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we are all very disturbed by a comparison made by my hon. Friend during a recent debate arising from figures he obtained from U.N.E.S.C.O.? Will the right hon. Gentleman assure us that his Department will do all it can the whole time to see that these disturbing figures are brought to our attention?

We have recently had a visit from the chief statistician of U.N.E.S.C.O. I hope that that may bring good results.

asked the Minister of Education what recent representations Her Majesty's Government has made to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation regarding the preservation of the Temples and Colossi at Abu Simbel.

None, Sir. The United kingdom is represented by Professor Emery on the U.A.R. Consultative Committee, which has been considering two alternative plans for the protection of the Abu Simbel Temples; and Sir Mortimer Wheeler is the British member of the International Action Committee of U.N.E.S.C.O. which is due to meet in Paris at the end of June.

Could not the British Government take more positive action in this matter in view of its importance for the future?

We are assisting diggings, which is I think perhaps the best thing we can do.