asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science (1) if he will give details of the Government's financial support to the Civil Engineering Research Council:(2) what proposals he has for encouraging research into civil engineering.

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has given help and advice in the formation of the Civil Engineering Research Council and the Secretary of the Department is a member of the Council. No application for grant aid has yet been received from the Council, but the Department itself is already making 19 scientific research grants totalling £61,000 to 11 different universities and colleges for civil engineering research.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he will state the name and number of international research organisations in which there is United Kingdom participation.

I have set out below a list of 58 international organisations in which staff employed by the Research Councils, the Atomic Energy Authority, or the Office of the Minister for Science participate, and which co-ordinate scientific research or have their own research programmes. There are also a considerable number of international societies, congresses and symposia attended by this staff.

• Association International pour le Calcul Analogique.
• British Commonwealth Scientific Committee.
• Commonwealth Aeronautical Advisory Research Council.
• Commonwealth and Overseas Fire Services Association.
• East African Council for Medical Research.
• European Association for Exploration Geophysicists.
• European Committee for Concrete.
• European Nuclear Energy Agency.
• European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).
• Preparatory Commission for European Space Research Organisation.
• Food and Agriculture Organisation.
• Informal Study Group on Domestic Heating.
• Institute of Aerospace Sciences.
• International Advisory Committee for Rarefied Aerodynamics.
• International ALGOL Committee (Computing Processes).
• International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering.
• International Association for Hydraulics Research.
• International Association for Shell Structures.
• International Association of Navigational Congresses.
• International Atomic Energy Agency.
• International Bureau of Weights and Measures.
• International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis.
• International Committee of Chemists of the Customs Co-operation Council.
• International Commission on Illumination.
• International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage
• International Commission on Radiological Protection.
• International Committee on Concretes for Large Dams.
• International Committee on Mental Retardation
• International Committee on Wear Testing of Floors.
• International Conference on a Single Convention for Narcotic Drugs— Technical Committee.
• International Congress on Metallic Corrosion.
• International Council for Building Research.
• International Council of Museums.
• International Council for Scientific Unions (and over a dozen specialized International Unions under I C.S.U.).
• International Federation for Re-stressing.
• International Geological Congress.
• International Institute of Refrigeration.
• International Oreanisation for Standardisation.
• International Palaeontological Union.
• International Road Federation.
• International Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering.
• International Telecommunications Union.
• International Towing Tank Conference.
• International Union Against Cancer.
• International Union Against Tuberculosis.
• International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
• International Union of Testing and Research Laboratories for Materials and Structures.
• International Wildfowl Research Bureau
• North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
• O.E.E.C. /O.E C.D
• Permanent International Association of Road Congresses.
• Standing Advisory Committee on Medical Research in the British Caribbean.
• U N.E.S.C.O.
• United Nations.
• West African Council for Medical Research.
• World Touring and Automobile Association.
• World Power Conference.
• World Health Organisation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what is the number of staff now employed in the office of the Minister for Science; and what proposals there are for increasing the number of scientific personnel.

Fifty-nine. No proposals for an immediate increase are at present under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science (1) if he will now estimate the number of science graduates who have left the United Kingdom during the last five years to engage in research activities in the Commonwealth;(2) if he will now estimate the number of science graduates who have left the United Kingdom during the last five years to engage in research activities in foreign countries.

Records of the migration of scientists are available only by certain long sea routes. The total number of scientists who have left the United Kingdom over the five years 1956 to 1960 is estimated at 4,500 including students from overseas returning home after training. It is not possible to distinguish those travelling to the Commonwealth, nor those who propose to engage in research activities, from others.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he will estimate the number of overseas science graduates who have entered the United Kingdom to engage in research activities.

It is estimated that the total numbers of qualified scientists who have entered the United Kingdom in the years 1956–1960, inclusive, were about 200, 225, 475, 600 and 500 respectively. The corresponding numbers of technologists were about 400, 400, 750, 825 and 675. It is not possible to state how many were United Kingdom nationals returning from overseas nor what the intentions of immigrants were as regards employment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what arrangements he makes for consultation with the inter-Departmental Scientific Panel which advises Her Majesty's Government on scientific manpower and organisational problems.

No formal arrangements for consultation are necessary as the Chairman of the Panel is the Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The terms of reference of the Panel do not go beyond the Government Scientific Service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what research is being carried out by his Department on the teaching of mathematics; and what consultations he has had with the Minister of Education on the subject.

None.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science whether he will make a statement on the study, supported by Her Majesty's Government, of the regional distribution of lymphosarcoma in children in Africa; and whether any surveys of the type being carried out by the British Empire Cancer Campaign on the association between cancer and the environment are conducted by any other organisation supported by Her Majesty's Government.

The results of a study of the geographical distribution of lymphosarcoma in Africa, being undertaken at Makerere College, Uganda, have raised the possibility of a specific agent being responsible for the disease. Further studies are being undertaken to ascertain whether or not this is so. In the United Kingdom the Medical Research Council are also investigating cancer incidence in relationship to the environment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science how the volume of research work now being done by the Atomic Energy Authority in support of Magnox reactors compares with that being undertaken a year ago; to what extent work of this nature is now being undertaken by the industrial consortia under arrangements agreed with the Atomic Energy Authority; and what agreement has been made with the Central Electricity Generating Board for more of this type of work to be done by the Board.

I am informed by the Atomic Energy Authority that their research and development work in support of the Magnox reactors is at about the same level as a year ago. The Authority are collaborating with the consortia in research and development work on the steels used for pressure vessels. Central Electricity Generating Board work is primarily concerned with the operation and economic ultilisation of their reactors.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what types of research work previously done by the Atomic Energy Authority themselves in support of the advanced gas-cooled reactor are now being placed with industry on contract; and to what extent this has increased in the past year.

I am informed by the Atomic Energy Authority that they are making increasing use of industry in research on materials for fuel elements and the construction of reactors. Contracts have also been placed for stress investigations into advance designs of pressure vessels. The value of this work placed with industry has increased by 50 per cent. in the last year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he is aware of the progress report of the Road Injuries Research Group, showing the relation between vehicle design and injuries; what assistance is given to this work; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes, I have read this report. The work of the Road Injuries Research Group is financed by a grant from the Automobile Association, but the direction of the Group is undertaken, in an honorary capacity, by the director of the Medical Research Council's Industrial Injuries and Burns Research Unit and the clinical director of the Birmingham Accident Hospital. Similar work is being undertaken by the Road Research Laboratory.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science whether a decision has yet been reached regarding the establishment of a research council with central responsibilities.

I understand that my hon. Friend is referring to the possibility of establishing a research council with central responsibilities in the field of natural resources. The Advisory Council on Scientific Policy have set up a Special Committee to look into this matter and will report to my noble Friend in due course.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what progress has been made since October, 1960, in the development of conducting, insulating, magnetic, and structural materials capable of withstanding very high temperatures.

Work on the development of new materials and research into their properties is carried out by industrial firms, the Atomic Energy Authority, universities and Government laboratories. New laboratories are being set up both at the National Physical Laboratory and at the National Engineering Laboratory for work on the properties of materials suitable for use at high temperatures.

asked the Minister of Works what progress is being made with a comprehensive scheme to preserve industrial monuments.

I am awaiting the completion of the survey of industrial monuments which is being undertaken by the Staffordshire County Council in collaboration with the Council for British Archæology. I hope that the results of the pilot survey in Staffordshire will give me some indication of the size and nature of the problem and how best to tackle it.

asked the Minister of Works what is the annual cost to Her Majesty's Government, including the amortisation of the leasehold purchase price, of the Empress State Building at Earl's Court; by how much this building will increase or decrease the area of accommodation taken up by those Departments transferred to it; and whether the occupation of this building will increase or decrease the numbers of civil servants travelling daily to central London.

The occupation of the Empress State Building will increase the total area now occupied by the Departments to be transferred to it by 1 per cent. In view of its situation it should decrease the number of civil servants travelling daily to central London. It is not Government policy to publish details of commercial transactions such as leases.

asked the Minister of Works whether he has been asked by the owner for technical advice concerning the maintenance of Battle Abbey.

No. I am satisfied that Battle Abbey is properly maintained by its owners who take pride in their property and have not needed to seek my advice.

asked the Minister of Works what action he has taken to ensure an adequate supply of attractively presented guide books for tourists interested in visiting ancient monuments and other buildings open to the public, for which he is responsible; and if he will make a statement.

For many years the Ministry has produced excellent guides to the monuments in its charge. With the very large increase in attendances during the last few years, now running at 6¾ million a year, there has arisen a demand far guides of a more popular nature. These are now being provided. The four latest, for our castles at Conway, Caernarvon, Beaumaris and Harlech, have recently been put on sale.

asked the Minister of Works why he will not permit the parking of cars on the Horse Guards Parade.

I am unwilling to allow general parking over the whole of the Horse Guards Parade because this would spoil the appearance of this very attractive area and would make the surface of the centre of the Parade unsuitable for ceremonial use.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the continued delay in the rebuilding of the Bernhard Baron Pavilion in Regent's Park; and if he will now give an assurance that this Pavilion will be rebuilt to be available for use by the beginning of the ensuing football season.

The planning stages of this project have taken longer than expected. They are now well advanced, but the earliest date by which I could expect completion of the work, subject to the availability of funds, is about the end of 1963.

asked the Minister of Works what cuts in his spending have been agreed on or are contemplated following the decision of Her Majesty's Government to pursue a general curtailment of public expenditure.

Work has begun on the preparation of my Ministry's estimates for next year but no decisions have yet been reached.

asked the Minister of Works what measures he is taking permanently to preserve Black Carts and Great Chesters on the Roman Wall.

The Black Carts and Great Chesters sections of the Roman Wall are in private ownership and their owners have not so far offered me guardianship of them. My Department has done some "first-aid" work to them at public expense, and for the time being they are reasonably secure. I intend, however, to keep them under observation so that, if renewed deterioration seems likely, I can consider what further action should be taken.

asked the Minister of Works when he proposes to increase his inspectorate for ancient monuments so that the programme of scheduling can be accelerated.

I shall shortly be reviewing the staffing of the Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments, and will take this consideration into account.

asked the Minister of Works what safeguards he is adopting to ensure that tearooms and other public facilities, for which he is responsible, in or near ancient monuments are in keeping with the character of the historical sites.

Questions of providing facilities of this kind at ancient monuments for which my right hon. Friend is responsible are considered by a Committee under my Chairmanship on which the Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments and the Chief Architect are represented. One of the principles which my right hon. Friend has laid down is that nothing should be done which is archæologically or æsthetically objectionable.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will take powers to control the placing of advertisements on cars and taxi-cabs plying for hire.

No.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether, in view of the increased and increasing financial difficulties of local authorities, he will now set up an official body to inquire into the question, with particular reference to the feasibility of a local income tax.

I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member by my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Scottish Office in reply to a similar Question on 20th June.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has now considered the report of the inquiry into the planning scheme proposed by the Durham County Council for the Easington area; and what action he intends to take.

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, the issues that have arisen from the county council's proposals for the Easington area are very controversial, and many people are deeply concerned in them. These matters are not capable of quick and easy settlement, but I hope to reach some conclusions before long.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what progress has been made with the installation of a new sinter plant and electrical precipitators at the Guest Keen works in Cardiff with a view to reducing the grit and dust nuisance caused to the residents of Splott, Cardiff; and if he will make a statement on the general position.

Plans for a new sinter plant have not yet been submitted to the Alkali Inspectorate. The first stage in erecting electrical precipitators for open hearth furnaces should be completed in a few months and should produce an improvement; the second stage should be completed in the spring of 1962.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when he will announce his decision on the recommendations contained in Sir Frederick Armer's Report on the Oxford roads inquiry.

I regret I see no possibility of announcing my decision on the Oxford roads inquiry before the Recess.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware of the imminent building of several hundred new houses for a new mining community at Knottingley; and whether he will convene a conference of the appropriate bodies in order to ensure that all vital local services are adequate for their increased functions.

I am aware that the Knottingley Urban District Council has agreed to build 1,200 houses for miners over the next four years. But I have no reason to believe that any conference is required in order to ensure provision of the necessary local services.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is yet in a position to make a full and detailed statement as to the compensation to be paid to the owner, skipper and crew of the Scottish fishing vessel which on 9th October, 1960, was seized by his fishery vessel "Minna" for the loss caused to them by the prosecution against them which in May, 1961, was abandoned by his Department.

As I have previously informed the hon. and learned Member, no claim for compensation in respect of legal expenses could be admitted. The skipper's claim for compensation for damage to his gear has now been investigated and I am advised that there is no liability against the Department, and the claim has therefore been refused.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now set up a departmental inquiry into the numbers and operations during each of the last 10 years of foreign trawlers in British waters, the damage done by them to fish stocks in those waters, and the losses suffered as a consequence by the British fishing industry and consumers of fish.

No, I do not think that such an inquiry would add anything useful to the information we already have.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he received a letter from Kirkcaldy Town Council regarding the lack of uniformity of valuation throughout Scotland, the consequent withdrawal of Exchequer Equalisation Grant from Kirkcaldy, and the inadequacy of the General Grant: what was the nature of his reply; and what action he will take in the matter.

I have received two letters from the Town Clerk of Kirkcaldy about revaluation for rating and the exchequer equalisation and general grants. They reached me on 10th and 12th July, respectively. I am circulating below a copy of my reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.17th July, 1961.Dear Sir,I am writing on behalf of the Secretary of State to reply to your letter of 7th July in which you ask him to meet a deputation to your further letter of the 11th July conveying a protest by your Town Council against the withdrawal of Exchequer Equalisation Grant as a result of the revaluation and against the small increase in the General Grant payable for 1961–62.Mr. Maclay appreciates the concern felt by local authorities in Fife and in several other areas where substantial increases in valuation are likely to result in the withdrawal or reduction of equalisation grant and in higher apportionments of joint expenditure. As you will appreciate, he has no authority to intervene in the machinery of valuation as laid down in the Valuation (Scotland) Acts. It was, however, to be expected that the increase in valuation would vary widely as between different areas having regard to the different levels of valuation that have obtained in the past and the varying periods that have elapsed since different properties were last revalued. The machinery for valuation of course includes provision for appeals, and the Secretary of State has no doubt that any local authority which considers that the intentions of the Valuation and Rating (Scotland) Act, 1956, have not been adequately carried out in its area could properly consider lodging appeals or complaints about the rateable values of properties within the area. As you know, the last day for lodging appeals is the 31st July, but appeals may be lodged

asked the Secretary of State for. Scotland what protests he has received from the Scottish Medical Laboratory technicians at the continuing delay by the management side of the Whitley Council in their request for revaluation of the salaries of medical laboratory technicians.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dunfermline Burghs (Dr. A. Thompson) on 17th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state, in connection with the proposed new general hospital for Dundee, the date on which the Government announced its inclusion in their building programme, the date on which the architect was appointed, the date on which building operations are now expected to begin, and the date on which it is estimated the first patients will receive treatment.

A decision in principle to build this hospital was announced in 1955; the architect was appointed in 1956 and detailed work on plans began in 1959; building is expected to begin in 1963 or 1964; the building period cannot yet be reliably estimated, but is unlikely to be less than five to six years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the estimated cost of the proposed new general hospital for Dundee when it was originally included in the Government's programme; and what is the estimated cost of the present plans.

The present estimated cost of the hospital and medical school together is about £9 million. No firm estimate for this project could be made at the stage when it was first announced, when the requirements had not been worked out in detail and there was no up-to-date experience to indicate the likely cost of a project of this nature.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give a breakdown of the sum of £682 million advanced to the nationalised industries from 1st April, 1960, to 31st August, 1961, together with the per contra items where these advances are net figures, and the same for the advances of £450 million estimated to be the maximum required for the ensuing 12 months.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a breakdown of the aggregate sum referred to in the Exchequer Advances (Limit) Order, 1961, showing what limit is proposed in the case of each nationalised industry or undertaking.

The Exchequer Advances (Limit) Order does not provide for a limit on the advances to individual industries. Moreover, figures of advances for July and August, 1961, are not yet available. I am, however, circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of advances to the industries concerned for the period April, 1960, to June, 1961, and of their estimated drawings of £480 million in the period September, 1961, to August, 1962. The Order provides for an increase in the Exchequer lending limit which is less than £480 million because advances by the end of August, 1961, are expected to be less than the existing limit of £2,050 million.

Exchequer advances to the Nationalised Industries under Section 42 of the Finance Act, 1956
£ million
Nationalised Industry	Out-turn	Estimated Advances
	April, 1960—June, 1961	September, 1961—August, 1962
Electricity Council	224	215
North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board	11	16
South of Scotland Electricity Board	25	23
Gas Council	24	20
British Transport Commission	172	139
British Overseas Airways Corporation	43	40
British European Airways Corporation	25	27
Total	524	480

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the continuing pressure on sterling, what further steps he proposes to take to safeguard the value of the £ sterling; and if he will make a statement.

I shall be making a statement to the House on 25th July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has yet received from the Arts Council the proposals for assisting the provincial theatres for which he has asked.

Proposals have been received but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has noted the 94th Report of Her Majesty's Civil Service Commission for the year ended 31st March, 1960, concerning scientific, professional and technical classes; and what are his proposals for encouraging the recruitment of scientific officers.

Yes. To some extent the shortfall in the recruitment of scientists to the Scientific Civil Service is a product of the general shortage of scientific manpower in the country as a whole. Various measures for encouraging the recruitment of scientific officers are under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make proposals.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many sociologists are employed in Government research organisations.

There is no sociological class in the Civil Service, and it is not easy to define sociological work. But two officials at the Warren Spring Laboratory of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and two at the Road Research Laboratory are engaged on sociological research. There are other pockets of research work of a sociological nature carried out in the research units of some other Government Departments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, when considering the imposition of increased duties under Clause 8 of the Finance Bill, he will take account of the Imperial Preference system under which duties are calculated on a different basis from that applicable to other countries.

The Bill provides that any surcharge introduced would be a flat percentage of the amount of duty otherwise actually payable whether at the full rate or at the preferential rate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what projects, surveys or researches the Development Commission has in hand at the moment; when he expects the reports; and whether he will make a statement.

Most of the work of the Development Commission is directed towards either the strengthening of the rural economy or the development or improvement of the fisheries. In 1961–62 £528,779 is provisionally allocated for rural economy and £860,171 for fisheries and oceanography, mainly for research purposes. Recipients of assistance from the Development Fund are required to submit annual reports to the Commission on their work. If the hon. Member would like details of any particular project now being carried out with assistance from the Fund I should be glad to arrange for him to receive them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what cuts he proposes to make in the school building programme as part of his proposed curtailment of public investment generally.

Any changes in public investment have still to be announced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps Her Majesty's Government are considering with a view to making the United Kingdom more attractive to tourism; and what action will be taken to co-ordinate such steps.

The British Travel and Holidays Association, with financial support from the Government, is constantly seeking ways of encouraging the private and local interests with whom the initiative in improving the attractions for visitors to this country mainly rests. It is my right hon. Friend's responsibility to see that full consideration is given by the responsible Departments to any proposals requiring action by the Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that sales of British computing machines are not being developed in British markets and that such development as exists is in respect of American machines in preference to British machines; and what steps he is taking to assist their recovery.

While exports of electronic computers fell back in the first quarter of this year, the industry has achieved a steady expansion of exports over recent years and should continue Ito do so in spite of competition from the United States.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the approximate annual production in the United Kingdom of machines for the automatic sale of food, drinks and other commodities; What was the number exported and the number imported in the last 12 months, and what was their respective value; and what action his Department takes to ensure the accuracy of these machines.

Sales of vending machines in 1958 by manufacturing firms employing 25 persons or more were about 40,000 machines valued at £1,239,000. Figures of imports and exports are not available. The law already gives the consumers the same protection against being given short weight or measure through vending machines as in the case of other sales but it is proposed in the Weights and Measures (No. 2) Bill that the Board of Trade should be given specific powers to regulate sales through these machines.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether applications from firms with a large and potentially growing export trade are given special consideration by his Department if they wish to obtain industrial development certificates to enable them to expand their factories and plant within the reasonable proximity of their existing premises; and what is the general policy of his Department in connection with the granting of such certificates when the withholding of them may affect adversely the increase of exports by the firms concerned.

In determining an application for an industrial development certificate, all the circumstances are fully taken into account, including the company's export trade. At the same time, we have to have regard to the needs of the development districts for additional employment and to the wider effects on the national economy of unrestricted expansion in areas of labour shortage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many industrial development certificates have been issued since the enactment of the Local Employment Act, 1960, and for the last three months, respectively; and for which regions these certificates were granted.

The provisional figures, by standard regions, are as follows:

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES ISSUED NUMBERS
Standard Region	1st April, 1960 to 30th June, 1961	1st April 1961 to 30th June, 1961
Northern	186	52
East and West Ridings	306	56
North Midland	279	68
Eastern	320	66
London and South Eastern	508	99
Southern	220	41
South Western	209	34
Wales	157	34
Midland	391	78
North Western	445	79
Scotland	181	33
Great Britain	3,202	640

asked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the Governments of the Common Market countries about film quotas and subsidies in Western Europe and about co-operative ventures in film production between European producers, since the date of the signing of the Treaty of Rome.

Discussions have taken place with these and other Governments on a multilateral basis within the framework of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation. In addition, there have been bilateral discussions with the Governments of France, Italy and Western Germany.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the shortage of dressings for hospitals following the reorganisation of the cotton industry, what representations he has made to the industry to remedy the shortage.

With the help of the industry and the Cotton Board, this shortage has now largely been overcome.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the average cost per item of prescriptions dispensed in each month of 1961 for which figures are available.

The information requested is as follows:—

			England and Wales
			Average cost per item
			s.	d.
January, 1961	…	…	7	4·39
February, 1961	…	…	7	5·47
March, 1961	…	…	7	11·19

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local authorities have so far implemented the national award of the Whitley Council, dated 18th April, for a 48-hour week for local fire services; and whether Huddersfield Borough Council have implemented the award.

The answer to the first part of the question is that I do not have any current information on this matter. The responsibility for fixing hours of duty in the Fire Service rests primarily with the fire authorities acting in accordance with agreements reached on the National Joint Council for Local Authorities Fire Brigades. The answer to the second part of the Question is that I understand that the Huddersfield Borough Council have this matter under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many vacancies for male assistant governors of prisons have been filled since 1st January, 1961; and how many men appointed were prison officers;(2) how many vacancies for female assistant governors of prisons have been filled since 1st January, 1961; and how many women appointed were prison officers.(3) how many assistant governors of prisons were appointed during 1959 and 1960, respectively; and how many of these men and women were serving prison officers.(4) if, when he is filling the 22 recently advertised vacancies for assistant governors of prisons, he will promote to a majority of these posts men from the lower ranks of the Prison Service.

There are two classes of assistant governor: Class I and Class II. Class II is the normal recruitment grade, vacancies in which are filled by two methods of entry. The first is confined to established prison officers for whom a staff course is held each year for selected candidates. When the number of such officers is not sufficient to fill the vacancies existing, the balance is made up by selection following an open competition held by the Civil Service Commission. This year the balance is expected to be about 22.In 1959, 15 newly appointed Assistant Governors Class II took up duty, of whom 4 were members of the prison officer class. In 1960 the corresponding figures were 32 and 13. Since 1st January, 1961, 18 newly appointed male Assistant Governors Class II have taken up duty, 5 of whom were members of the prison officer class. One woman Assistant Governor Class II, not a member of the prison officer class, has taken up duty since that date, and 4 women, one of whom is a member of the prison officer class, have accepted offers of appointment but none of them as yet has taken up duty.Appointments to Assistant Governor Class I are by promotion from Assistant Governor Class II and from the higher grades of the prison officer class. Since 1st January, 1961, 8 officers have been appointed Assistant Governor Class I, one of them being promoted from chief officer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many governors of prisons there are in the Prison Service; and how many of them have served at least 10 years as prison officers;

There are 5 prison commissioners, 9 assistant commissioners and 81 governors, including wardens of detention centres.No commissioner has been a prison officer. One assistant commissioner and 13 governors have been prison officers, 10 of whom served 10 years or more as prison officers.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will now give details about British research into satellite communications.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply made by my hon. Friend the Assistant Postmaster-General on 2nd May to the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Peart). Work has begun on the construction of a ground station in Cornwall for joint experiments with the Americans in satellite communications across the Atlantic.

asked the Minister of Power what are his proposals to improve research in coal technology.

Research into all aspects of coal technology is undertaken by the fuel and power industries and other organisations. In recent years the National Coal Board in particular has substantially expanded its research and development effort. The Board is ready to increase it further if new possibilities of economic promise can be identified. I am most anxious that research and development should make the greatest possible contributions to the progress of the coal industry. I keep this under review with the industries and with my Advisory Council on Research and Development.

asked the Minister of Power when he received the letter from Kirkcaldy Town Council protesting against the proposal to allow the importation of United States coal to this country; what reply he sent; and what action he proposes to take.

The letter was forwarded to me by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. I received it last Friday. The Council was told on 14th July that its protest had been noted. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade gave to the hon. Member for Ebbw Vale (Mr. M. Foot) on 4th July.

asked the Minister of Education what are his proposals to increase the supply of technicians for the application and development of British scientific research.

The White Paper "Better Opportunities in Technical Education" published earlier this year contained proposals for introducing, as a complement to the training required in industry, a major reconstruction of the system of courses for technicians and others in technical colleges. Some of the new-type courses for technicians are already operating, other courses will start in September, and further courses will be introduced as soon as practicable.

asked the Minister of Education how many nursery schools there are now in Wales; and how many there were in each of the preceding five years.

Forty in January last. In each of the previous three years the number was 40. In 1957 and 1956 it was 39.

asked the Minister of Education how many children in Somerset sat for entry to grammar schools at the age of 13 years; and how many were admitted in the last year for which these figures are available.

I understand that this yeas the Somerset local education authority received 724 applications for late transfer to grammar schools and eight were accepted.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will now give details about the Anglo-French-West German programme for space research.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will give details of Britain's financial contribution to the proposed Anglo-French-West German space programme.

The Anglo/French proposals which the Federal Republic of Germany have accepted in principle were outlined in the reply given on 6th February, 1961. Details of the programme and of the financial arrangements will have to be worked out when it is known which other countries intend to participate in the proposed European Launcher Development Organisation.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he plans to develop more satellite launching ranges, other than Woomera, to help launch sufficient orbiting satellites to give an adequate worldwide communication system.

No. Until the characteristics of a communications system are established, it is not possible to say what satellite launching ranges would be required.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what is his current programme of research into oceanography.

The current programme of research being carried out by the Admiralty and the National Institute of Oceanography covers a wide study of the physical properties of the oceans, and of marine biology with special emphasis on oceanic waters. The programme is concerted with the work of other countries. Grants are also made to universities for research in oceanography. I am circulating a list of the main studies in the OFFICIAL REPORT.The facilities available for ocean-going research will be improved next year with completion of the new research ship recently ordered in replacement of R.R.S. "Discovery II".

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Kikuyu were dispossessed of their land because of Mau Mau activities; how many have since had the land restored to them; and if he will publish lists of the persons in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 18th May, 1961; Vol. 640, c. 151] supplied the following information:Because of their involvement in Mau Mau activities 3,579 Kikuyu, Embu and Meru were dispossessed of their land by virtue of Confiscation Orders made under section 3 (1) (

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men purchased their release from the Army in each month of this year; and what was the length of service to the credit of the men who purchased their release.

The following are the figures:

—	Total	First 3 months	After first 3 months
January, 1961	262	159	103
February, 1961	277	184	93
March, 1961	306	171	135
April, 1961	318	176	142
May, 1961	318	184	134

In order to put these figures into perspective, the following is a table showing percentages based on the average strength of the Army during each month:

—	Total (percentage of average strength)	Under 3 months (percentage of intake)	Over 3 months (percentage of average strength)
January, 1961	·201	10·4	·08
February, 1961	·212	11·7	·072
March, 1961	·233	12·1	·104
April, 1961	·241	12·2	·109
May, 1961	·241	12·2	·103

asked the Minister of Labour when he now expects to make the Ionising Radiations (Sealed Sources) Regulations, in view of his decision to issue a new statutory draft of these Regulations in place of the one issued on 29th April.

A second statutory draft of these Regulations was published on 7th July. If I receive no objections to the revised draft, I intend to make the Regulations on 31st July.