asked the Minister of Health why there has been delay in considering the pay award of medical laboratory technicians in the National Health Service.

asked the Minister of Health what pay award he is making to medical laboratory technicians in the hospital service to bring their conditions of service into line with the scientific Civil Service.

I understand that there is now a claim before the relevant Whitley Council, but I can give no indication of the outcome.

asked the Minister of Health in what way the work of medical laboratory technicians in the National Health Service differs from similar grades in the scientific Civil Service.

This is a matter for the relevant Whitley Council, which has it under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health how many vacancies remain unfilled in the different grades of medical laboratory technicians in the hospital service.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of industrial growth and population movements in the area, he will bring forward phase two of the building programme of the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport; and whether it is intended, as part of phase two, to provide for a total of 710 beds.

These are among the matters to be considered in preparing the ten-year building programme.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent the hospital-building programme in Wales for 1962–63 will be curtailed by the Government's new economic proposals.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of today to the hon. Members for St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson) and Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler).

asked the Minister of Health how many patients at the Star-cross and Calderstones mental hospitals who have been reclassified from being compulsorily detained to informal patients have been at these hospitals for over 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively; and what is the longest period that a patient now reclassified as informal has been compulsorily detained in a mental hospital.

The cumulative totals are 943, 758 and 471 at Starcross and 1,220, 979 and 755 at Calderstones. The answer to the second part of the question is 46 years.

asked the Minister of Health how many of the 1,040 patients at the Starcross and of the 1,323 patients at the Calderstones mental hospitals who are now classified as informal patients could leave these hospitals if suitable homes or hostels could be found for them.

I regret I can offer no estimate.

asked the Minister of Health how many ambulance authorities are now equipped throughout with radio-controlled ambulances; what is the estimated saving in the time taken to get to the scene of an accident where this has been done; and how many local authorities have still to make this change.

One hundred and twenty authorities out of 146 use radio control to a greater or less extent. No estimate can be made of the saving in time.

asked the Minister of Health what consideration he has given to the possibility of disqualifying non-residents from free or preferential facilities under the National Health Service other than medical treatment.

Non-residents have no such entitlement. I am considering how misuse can best be minimised.

asked the Minister of Health what is the average annual cost of providing free medical treatment and appliances to overseas visitors from non-reciprocating countries; and what he estimates would be the annual cost to the Exchequer of granting similar free facilities to British old-age pensioners.

I would refer the hon. Member to my replies to my hon. Friend the Member for Cheadle (Mr. Shepherd) today and to the hon. Member for Islington, South-West (Mr. A. Evans) on 28th November.

asked the Minister of Health (1) when he expects to complete the membership of the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine; and whether he will make a statement;(2) when he intends to establish statutory registration facilities for members of the chiropody profession; and whether he will make a statement.

The Council came into being on 1st July and met on 14th July. It is its duty to appoint the Chiropodists Board.

asked the Minister of Health (1) when he expects the Chiropodists Board to be set up under the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act; and what is the reason for the delay;(2) whether the membership of the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine is now complete; and if he will publish the members' names.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply today to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. G. Thomas). The membership of the Council is as follows:

• Sir Sydney Littlewood (Chairman).
• Professor Roland Barnes, F.R.C.S.
• Miss M. J. Bishop, C.B.E., M.A.
• Mr. T. Brown.
• Professor J. McClure Browne, F.R.C.O.G., F.R.C.S.(Ed.).
• Dr. H. A. Burt, F.R.C.P.
• Mrs. G. Buxton, C.B.E., J.P.
• Dr. J. D. Cameron, M.D., P.R.C.P.(Ed.).
• Dr. G. A. Clarke, C.B., V.R.D., M.D.
• Dr. J. 0. F. Davies, M.D.(Lond.), D.P.H.
• Lord Kenyon, LL.D., D.L., J.P.
• Sir Graham Rowlandson, M.B.E., J.P., F.C.A.
• Professor D. W. Smithers, F.F.R.
• Mrs. C. J. Tudhope, M.A., LL.B.

asked the Minister of Health when he received the written protest against increased prescription charges from the St. Helens, Lancashire, Local Executive Council; what was the nature of his reply; and what action he proposes to take in response to this protest.

On 30th March. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of my reply.

asked the Minister of Health what representations he has received from the Manchester Local Executive Council regarding the increased National Health charges; and what was the nature of his reply.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the representations and of my reply.

asked the Minister of Health what reply he proposes to make to the protest sent to him by the Essex Local Executive Council about the increased National Health Service charges.

The Council has sent no protest to me.

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take in response to the protest sent to him by the Coventry Local Executive Council with regard to the increased National Health Service Charges.

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take in response to the protest sent to him by the Salford Local Executive Council with regard to the increased National Health Service charges.

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take in response to the protest sent to him by the Warrington Local Executive Council with regard to the increased National Health Service charges.

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take in response to the protest sent to him by the West Ham Local Executive Council with regard to the increased National Health Service charges.

None.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent the increase in the incidence of gonorrhoea is attributable to the increase in immigration since 1952.

About half.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he will consider having a make-up pack for diabetic patients, who have regular prescriptions to be issued under one single heading, so as to alleviate the burden which now falls upon such patients who are charged for every item;(2) what kind of diabetic patients are allowed composite packs; and what items are included in such packs under one prescription charge.

A urine sugar analysis set, containing a test tube, dropper, 36 diagnostic tablets, a colour chart, instruction sheet and analysis record, is prescribable as one item.A more comprehensive pack for diabetic patients has not been found practicable; but two types of insulin prescribed at the same time count as one item.

asked the Minister of Health how many people were on the waiting lists for beds in hospitals under the jurisdiction of the West Cornwall Hospital Management Committee at the end of each quarter, 1959, 1960 and 1961.

The waiting lists were as follows:

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider having an independent inquiry into the salary structure of occupational therapists and orthoptists and into certain conditions affecting or affected by it.

I think the present negotiating machinery is appropriate for settling the pay and conditions of members of these professions employed in the National Health Service.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, in order to end the deadlock in the nuclear tests talks at Geneva, he will propose that the control be exercised by two of the three parties to the proposed inspection control organisation.

I do not think that the Soviet proposal, even if modified in the manner suggested by the hon. Gentleman, is compatible with speedy and effective administration of agreed controls. The terms of the Treaty and the decisions of the Control Commission should in our view be executed by impartial servants of an international organisation rather than by representatives of divergent national or political interests.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether there has yet been any improvement in the Spanish restrictions at the Gibraltar frontier.

I have nothing at present to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave the hon. Gentleman on 28th June.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will arrange for the Consul-General in Luanda to visit Leopoldville in order to meet leaders of the Union of Angolan Peoples to inform himself on all aspects of the present disturbances in Angola in preparing his reports to Her Majesty's Government.

No.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when he expects to receive the report of the United Nations Sub-Committee on Angola.

I understand that the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Angola has just submitted a further interim progress report to the President of the Security Council. As soon as I have received this report I will place a copy in the Library.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will now make available the information sent to him by the British Consul-General in Luanda on the situation in Angola.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will now make available the information he has received as a result of the Consul-General's inquiries concerning the situation in Angola.

I would refer the hon. Gentlemen to my remarks about Her Majesty's Consul-General's report in the debate this afternoon.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will instruct the military and air attachés from the British Embassy in Lisbon to include in their report from Angola as full an account as possible of the nature of the arms in use or held in reserve by the Portuguese forces there.

The purpose of Her Majesty's Consul-General's visits was to gain as much information as possible, commensurate with the requirements of military security, about the situation in Northern Angola and report back.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what attempts were made by the Consul-General in Luanda, between 15th March and the end of June, to visit the areas of disturbance in Northern Angola; and what attitude was taken by the Portuguese authorities towards these attempts.

None. There were obvious difficulties about visiting an area where fighting was going on, particularly in the early stages of the revolt.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a further statement on the discussion at the Security Council on Kuwait and on the present situation on the Iraq-Kuwait border.

There has been no further discussion on Kuwait at the Security Council since my hon. Friend the Minister of State answered a Question by the right hon. and learned Gentleman on 10th July.The present situation on the Iraq-Kuwait border is quiet.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish the text of the communication he received from the Ruler of Kuwait asking for military help from Great Britain, and of his reply.

The Ruler and Her Majesty's Government were in consultation after the speech by the Iraqi Prime Minister on 25th June. This was in accordance with paragraph (c) of the Exchange of Notes of 19th June. The Ruler's formal request for military assistance was made on 30th June. Below is a translation of his Note.The Political Resident made an oral reply early on the morning of 1st July on behalf of Her Majesty's Government when he told the Ruler what forces Her Majesty's Government were sending in response to his appeal.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will join the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics co-chairman in requesting the Vietnam International Control Commission to take the initiative in implementing the Geneva Agreement by proposing that all military aid to both North and South Vietnam be ended, that trade, postal and cultural relations between the two territories be restored, and that free elections for a united Parliament be held under the supervision of the nations participating in the Control Commission.

No. The functions of the International Commission for Supervision and Control in Vietnam are defined by the Geneva Agreements of 1954 and such initiatives do not fall within the Commission's competence.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he has yet received the eleventh report of the International Control Commission on Vietnam; and what evidence that report contains of the extent to which United States troops attached to the military aid and advisory group are now accompanying South Vietnamese troops on active service.

The eleventh interim report has not yet been received.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations he has received as co-chairman of the Geneva Conference about the application of the Geneva Agreement of 1954 to the problem of subversive activities in South Vietnam.

My noble Friend has received two telegrams from the North Vietnamese authorities calling for a reversal of the recent decision of the International Commission for Supervision and Control to investigate acts of subversion in Vietnam.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what report has been received from the International Control Commission in Vietnam regarding the military aid given by the Government of the United States of America to the South Vietnam Government.

With the exception of the eleventh interim report, which has not yet been received, all the Reports of the International Commission for Supervision and Control in Vietnam have been published and will be available to the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on his recent conversations with the Sultan of Muscat.

The visit of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman to London is a private one and no substantive discussions have taken place with him.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what total sum has now been paid by the Foreign Compensation Commission against claims of property and assets of British nationals taken over by the Egyptian Government; and what is the number and estimated value of the claims still outstanding.

Up to 26th July the Foreign Compensation Commission had paid out £6,275,552 in respect of Egyptianisation claims and £388,198 in respect of losses and damage to sequestrated property, making a total of £6,663,750. These figures are net, after deduction of £416,735 in respect of ex gratia loans.The number of claims awaiting assessment by the Commission amounted on 26th July, to 435 in respect of Egyptianisation and 471 in respect of sequestration losses, the respective sums claimed being £35,695,149 and £2,045,996.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will give an assurance that, when considering future applications by rulers of British-protected States for the transfer of prisoners to British territory to serve their sentences, he will require as a condition of such consideration that a transcript of the proceedings of their trial be made available for publication in the United Kingdom.

No.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is now in a position to make a statement about compensation to the three Bahraini citizens unlawfully detained in St. Helena.

I will make a statement on this matter as soon as possible.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what communication he has received from the United States Government regarding partial mobilisation of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces.

None; unless the hon. Gentleman intends to refer generally to measures that it might be necessary to take in the context of the Berlin situation. We have of course been in communication with the United States Government in this connection, and the hon. Gentleman will be aware that Her Majesty's Government have welcomed the statement made by President Kennedy on 25th July about the measures being taken by the United States Government to meet the dangers that at present confront us.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what response he will make to Mr. Khrushchev's recent proposal for the control of armaments and forces in Western Europe.

I have seen reports of a speech by Mr. Khrushchev to graduates from a Soviet military academy, but no such official proposals have been made by him.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a further statement about the detention of Dr. Cecil Scott in Portugal; and what arrangements are being made for his release.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has received any further report from Her Majesty's Ambassador at Lisbon regarding the detention in prison of Dr. Cecil Scott.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a further statement about the arrest and imprisonment of Dr. Scott by the Portuguese authorities.

Further representations have been made to the Portuguese authorities. I am advised however that under Portuguese law a person can be held without being charged for a considerable time. Dr. Scott is being properly treated and was visited by his wife on 25th and 28th July.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will instruct Her Majesty's Government's representative at the United Nations to request an explanation of the harmful treatment of Mr. Thyssens, one of the Belgian advisers to the Katanga Government, at Elizabethville by a Swedish patrol of the United Nations Organisation military police.

Monsieur Thyssen is a Belgian citizen and any representations are a matter for the Belgian Government.

asked the Lord Privy Seal which United Kingdom and colonial subjects were recently deprived of their liberty in the Orientate Province of the former Belgian Congo; what representations have been made; and what satisfaction has been obtained.

There are eight British subjects amongst the party of missionaries whose movements have been restricted at Banjwade in the Orientale Province of the Congo. They are, Dr. and Mrs. Jenkinson and Dr. and Mrs. Sharpe and their three children. There is also one Canadian citizen. They have not been arrested, as was earlier reported, but the men have been confined to their houses whilst the local authorities conduct an inquiry which they wish to make. United Nations troops have joined Congolese military units in guarding the mission station until this inquiry has been completed. None of the missionaries has been ill-treated or molested and they are all reported to be in good health. Her Majesty's Ambassador in Leopoldville is in touch with the United Nations authorities there, who are following the situation closely.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what are the duties of, and what policy is laid down for, the United Nations forces at Kamina and elsewhere in Katanga; and, in view of the cost of these forces to the United Nations, when he expects them to complete their mission.

United Nations forces are stationed in the Katanga in pursuance of the Security Council's resolution of 21st February. The completion of the United Nations mission in the Congo depends of course upon the emergence of a stable and united Congo.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations he has made to the Soviet authorities in Berlin regarding the abduction from West Berlin of Herr Heinzbrandt, a West German trade union official, while attending a trade union conference.

None. But I will communicate with the hon. Gentleman if I receive evidence of abduction.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will hasten the decision on Her Majesty's Government's accession to the Convention on Genocide.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the urgency of the accession to the Covenant on Genocide, he will now take the necessary steps for that purpose.

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my hon. Friend on 5th July to the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West (Sir B. Janner).

asked the Lord Privy Seal what report has been received by the Security Council from Mr. Hammarskjoeld regarding his visit to Tunisia and his request to the French Government to visit Paris and to the French Commander at Bizerta to discuss with him the implementation of the Security Council resolution for the withdrawal of Tunisian and French troops to their previous positions.

The Secretary General made a statement to the Security Council on 28th July. The United Nations document containing the text of his statement will be placed in the Library as soon as it is received.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will propose to the forthcoming conference of Western Foreign Ministers that negotiations on Germany be re-opened with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Poland and Czechoslovakia on the basis of the mutual acceptance of a partially demilitarised zone in Central Europe as the essential pre-condition of any political settlement.

No. I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the explanation of our attitude on this question given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister of 15th June.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on the present budget position of the United Nations Organisation, in view of the failure of a number of member States to pay their contribution, stating which member States are in default.

The United Nations faces bankruptcy early in 1962. By then its cash deficit will be over 42 million dollars and this is the limit which can be covered by borrowing from all sources at present available to the Secretary-General. There are also outstanding obligations of over 50 million dollars. This situation is a result of the failure of many member Governments to pay their assessed contributions to the cost of peace and security operations in the Middle East and the Congo and to the regular budget. The list of defaulters is long and I would therefore draw the attention of the right hon. and learned Gentleman to the full monthly tables published by the United Nations Secretariat. The latest of these is dated 11th July and gives the position as at 30th June. A copy is in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will issue a further White Paper showing the progress being achieved under the auspices of the National Joint Advisory Council in removing practices impeding the full and efficient use of manpower.

This matter has been discussed in my National Joint Advisory Council, and I am now proposing a thorough study of the whole problem to follow up the work which was inaugurated by my predecessor who published the White Paper in February, 1959.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) what alternative employment will be provided for those workers who become redundant as the result of the proposed closure of the factory of Hollins and Company Limited, New-house;(2) what action he is taking to ensure that the workers recently declared redundant in North Lanarkshire will obtain alternative employment.

Arrangements have been made for advance registration of the redundant workers and my local officers are doing everything possible to find suitable alternative work for those registering. As regards the finding of a new occupant for the Hollins factory, perhaps the hon. Lady will await the reply of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to her Question on Thursday.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the proportions of insured workers who now work a six-day and a five-day week, respectively.

No precise figures are available, but as a very rough estimate, about half the working population is employed in industries in which a five-day week is the rule.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the percentages of boys in the Borough of Gateshead entering occupations in the engineering industry, retail distribution, and the building industry for the years ended 30th June, 1959, 1960 and 1961, respectively.

It is estimated that in the year ended 30th June, 1959, 33 per cent. of these boys entered the engineering industry, 16 per cent. retail distribution and 10 per cent. the building industry. In the following twelve months the percentages are estimated at 28, 23 and 10 respectively, and in the year ended 30th June, 1961, at 36, 12 and 11.It is emphasised that these percentages can only be estimates.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which automatic tide gauge on the River Hull is used when considering whether a flood warning should be issued; which authority owns this gauge; which official has charge of the gauge; to which authority he reports his observations of the gauge and other local flood factors prior to flooding in Hull; and which local official reports to the Central Forecasting Station at Dunstable.

The automatic tide gauges on the River Hull are not used in connection with flood warnings. Hull is not one of the ports at which tidal readings are taken for the official East Coast warning system and no information is passed to the Central Forecasting Office at Dunstable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the height above Ordnance datum Newlyn of the new wharves to be built on the River Humber and River Hull, respectively, for the development at Sammy's Point; how much freeboard is to be provided above the 20th March flood level; and whether the River Hull height is to be the new height for both banks of the river to ensure flood prevention throughout the five mile lengths within the city boundary.

I understand that the level of the new wharves at Sammy's Point is to be 18·50 feet above Ordnance datum Newlyn which is 2 ft. 6 ins. above the flood level of 20th March last. The River Board has not adopted a new height for the River Hull.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the recent warning which he issued on the use of Dieldrin, Aldrin and Heptachlor, he will make a statement on the use, as an alternative seed-dressing, of Kotol, which is based on the toxic chemical gamma B.H.C.

Seed dressings containing gamma BHC have been extensively used since the war to control wireworm and other insect pests, but I understand the manufacturers of Kotol do not recommend its use against wheat bulb fly. There is no evidence to suggest that gamma BHC has caused any appreciable casualties to wild life and its use in seed dressings was not therefore restricted under the recent arrangements affecting dieldrin, aldrin and heptachlor.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is yet able to make a further statement about swine fever.

Yes. We have had very useful discussions with the interests concerned and preparations are going ahead for the introduction of a compulsory slaughter policy for swine fever early in the new year. The exact date will be announced later.All diseased pigs and contacts will be slaughtered and destroyed or buried. Full value will be paid for all pigs slaughtered which show no evidence of swine fever and half value for those which are diseased at the time of slaughter.Infected premises will be cleansed, disinfected and kept under restriction for fourteen days before restocking is allowed.In order to keep the incidence of swine fever as low as possible infected area restrictions will be imposed where necessary, but in the case of isolated outbreaks the immediate premises only will be put under restrictions.Vaccination with crystal violet vaccine will be allowed in the earlier stages of the scheme, but policy on this point will have to be reconsidered in later stages.We will watch carefully the progress of this Scheme and our hope is that, in a few years, it will lead to the stamping out of swine fever in Great Britain.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will supply copies of all the British Broadcasting Corporation overseas news service news bulletins to the Library of the House of Commons.

I understand that on request the B.B.C. readily supplies hon. Members with copies of such Bulletins.

asked the Minister of Power, in view of the shortage of manpower in the mining industry, if he will discuss with the Service Ministers the desirability of limiting recruitment of young miners for the forces.

A miner who wants to join the Armed Forces should be free to do so, but as recruiting officers point out to volunteers, experienced miners are already doing important work and they should think carefully before enlisting.

asked the Minister of Power what steps he is taking to alleviate the shortage of open-fire smokeless fuel in the County Borough of Sunderland.

There is no general shortage of open-fire smokeless fuel in Sunderland at present. But the demand in the North-East of England is expected to grow and I am, therefore, discussing with the producers the possibilities of increasing local production and of importing supplies from other areas. I am also in close contact with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government about the new smoke control areas.

asked the Minister of Power what steps are being taken to ensure that there are adequate supplies of smokeless fuel available for winter stocking by residents in the St. John's Wood area of St. Marylebone.

It may sometimes be difficult to obtain particular types of smokeless fuel, but there are at present ample supplies of fuel to suit all kinds of domestic appliances. In their own interest I hope that consumers will buy fuel before the winter.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will take steps to ensure that, where a dispute exists between an electricity board and a consumer, on the cost of electrical service, the decision on the contribution which the board can charge shall be taken by him.

No. It is neither possible nor necessary for me to decide every dispute of this kind. The Electricity Acts, 1947 and 1957, enable a consumer to make representations to the consultative council in his area. If the consultative council does not think any action is necessary, the consumer can then put his case to the Electricity Council. I can intervene, by giving a direction to an area board, only if the Electricity Council makes representations to me after it has advised an electricity board to remedy a defect disclosed by a consumer's complaint.

asked the Attorney-General if he will recommend the appointment of an additional High Court judge having regard to the arrears in the Queen's Bench Division, the Court of Appeal and the Court of Criminal Appeal.

My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has considered the position carefully. He is not satisfied that in the present situation he would be justified in recommending the appointment of another High Court judge.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what arrangements have been made for official consultations with Mr. Mennen Williams, President Kennedy's Secretary for African Affairs, in connection with his present visit to British Commonwealth territories in Africa.

My hon. Friend, the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, who will be on a visit to the High Commission Territories when Mr. Williams visits them, hopes to have a discussion with him in Basutoland. I would add that Her Majesty's Government welcome Mr. Williams' visit to the High Commission Territories and the Acting High Commissioner will accord him every facility.In the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, where Mr. Williams will be visiting all three Territories, the arrangements are being made by the Federal Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to receive the report of the Departmental Committee appointed by the Treasury to consider the possibility of introducing decimal currency; and if he will make a statement.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this question, but will do so as soon as I can.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) in view of the fact that for 1959–60 recurrent grants paid to the Scottish universities, including the Glasgow Royal College of Technology, were at the average rate of £363 per student and recurrent grants paid to the universities of England and Wales were at the average rate of £423 per student, what were the main factors causing a lower assessment by the University Grants Committee of the requirements of the Scottish universities;

The responsibility for allocating recurrent grant between the universities rests with the University Grants Committee. I do not think it would be right to make public how the Committee reaches its decisions in particular cases. As I told the Hon. Member on 11th July, however, the allocations made by the University Grants Committee are not based on any fixed formula, but on its assessment of the requirements of the universities concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that searches are being made of citizens' hand and cycle bags in the street outside factories without grounds for suspicion of the individuals concerned; and if he will introduce legislation to prevent this.

I am aware of instances where the police have asked persons leaving factories, in which there is reason to suspect that pilfering has occurred, voluntarily to open bags or parcels. I see no ground for considering legislation.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when the report of the Local Government Commission for England and the East Midlands General Review Area will be published.

The Commission's Report and recommendations for this area will be published tomorrow. Copies will be available that clay in the Vote Office, and copies of the large scale maps will be placed in the Library. I am sending copies of the reports and recommendations to the local authorities and other bodies concerned, informing them that any representations on the Commission's proposals should be sent to me by the end of October. I shall later arrange public inquiries to hear objections.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what was the number of people in receipt of disablement benefit in 1960 who also received sickness benefit; and what was the cost of the sickness benefits payments.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what was the number of industrial injuries disablement benefits that were in payment during 1960; and what was the total amount paid for this purpose.

Figures for 1960 are not yet available, but it is estimated that the number of industrial injuries disablement benefits paid in the course of the year was of the order of 430–440,000, at a cost of about £27 million.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that in the English text of Articles 236 and 237 of the Treaty of Rome, dealing respectively with proposals for the revision of the Treaty and with applications for membership of the European Economic Community, the words "Modifications", "Amendments" and "Adaptations" are all translated as "Amendments"; and whether he has taken this phraseology into account on his assessment of the situation.

Yes. All three words imply the possibility that the Treaty as it now stands might in various circumstances, and by agreement of the States concerned, undergo some change. Whether and to what extent this might happen in a given set of circumstances would depend on the course of the negotiations envisaged in the Articles in question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the balance of payments between the United Kingdom and Canada for the years 1958, 1959 and 1960, respectively.

I have been asked to reply. It is not the practice to publish balance of payments accounts for the United Kingdom with individual overseas countries. Information about trade with Canada is available in the published Trade and Navigation Accounts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will discuss the unemployment position in Fife with the National Coal Board with a view to securing the establishment of new central workshops and a research laboratory at Cowdenbeath.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Power keeps me closely informed of any colliery closures planned by the National Coal Board so that, where redundancies are likely to occur in consequence, I can take these in account in administering the Local Employment Act. But it is for the National Coal Board to decide for itself where it wishes to establish its central workshops and research laboratories.

asked the Minister of Transport how many road accidents occurred in Cornwall in each month of 1959 and 1960; how many occurred in each month of 1961 up to the latest convenient date; and how many people

asked the Minister of Works what advice he received from the National Parks Commission about the future of Cholwichtown Stone Row in the Dartmoor National Park.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for War how widespread the practice is of withholding credit for holiday pay for the weeks a Territorial soldier is absent for the purpose of annual training; and what action he contemplates to counter such practices.

I am not aware that this practice is widespread. I have already this year made two public appeals to employers over this, and in general I believe their attitude is helpful to those of their employees who are

The figures are:members of the Territorial Army. But if the hon. Gentleman has any particular case in mind, I should be very glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now make a report on the progress made with the Army Savings Scheme since 7th March, 1961.

I am glad to report that this scheme which I announced in my Estimates speech will start in the autumn. The object is to enable soldiers to save on the most favourable terms for a home when they leave the Army. It will, I hope, remove for ever the feeling of insecurity about the future which has faced so many soldiers in the past.This is how it will work. All the building societies taking part will be of Trustee status. They will give special consideration to a loan for house purchase to any soldier saving under this scheme, provided the property he selects is suitable, and that he can produce a firm promise of employment in civil life. Each soldier will be able to select his building society from an approved list. There will be no minimum qualifying period, and his savings will be operated through his pay account. The other Services are also considering similar schemes.