asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what consideration he has given to the housing difficulties of tenants displaced by private schemes of redevelopment; and whether he will introduce legislation to place a requirement on owners to provide such tenants with accommodation in the new scheme before planning permission is given.

Redevelopment of old property is in the public interest, and I am afraid that the hon. Member's suggestion would discourage it.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware of the increasing hardship being caused to tenants in Islington and elsewhere as a result of the growing pressure for accommodation and the continuing shortage of houses in overcrowded boroughs; and if he will take steps to stop any further decontrol under the Rent Acts.

I am well aware of the housing situation in London, but to suspend the decontrol provisions of the Rent Act would only reduce the amount of accommodation to let.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what will now be the total cost of a house for which the tender price is £1,950, on the basis of 7 per cent. interest rates payable over sixty years.

£8,324. The question is irrelevant to council houses, as most local authorities do not raise loans for periods of sixty years, and where they do, they are not charged interest at 7 per cent.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is now in a position to make a statement about the application of the Kirkby Urban District Council for permission to begin house building operations in the area designated for that purpose.

I am still not in a position to announce a decision on this application, which gave rise to objections at the public inquiry, but I intend to do so as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will state the total amount advanced to building societies under the provisions of the House Purchase and Housing Act, 1959, the amount now outstanding, the rates of interest charged and the net loss or gain to the Exchequer.

The total amount advanced to date is about £56 million, of which the amount outstanding is about £55 million. The rate of interest charged has varied between 5 and 6 per cent., but I cannot estimate the net gain or loss to the Exchequer.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what estimate he has made of the effects of the 2 per cent. Bank Rate increase on council house rents and building programmes and on the number of houses built for sale.

It is impossible to make a general estimate that would have any validity, since the effects are bound to vary according to local circumstances.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will give an estimate of the extent to which public investment in housing in Wales in 1962–63 will be affected by the Government's new economic proposals.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave this afternoon to Questions by the hon. Members for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler), Pontefract (Mr. Sylvester) and West Ham, North (Mr. A. Lewis).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what review he is making of the total housing needs of the Middlesex conurbation so that adequate arrangements for overspill can be made in good time.

In consultation with the planning authorities concerned an up-to-date estimate of overspill from Greater London, including Middlesex, is being prepared. This will take account of the county reports on the 1961 census when these are available, natural growth of population, slum clearance programmes, availability of land, and other factors.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs on what date objections to Moss Bank Road Clearance Order, Widnes, were received; on what date the inquiry was held; and on what date the decision was given.

17th Novmber, 1960; 17th January, 1961; 27th July, 1961.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when a decision can be expected on the appeal to him in respect of an application for planning consent for the change of two rooms on the first floor of 55, London Road, Horsham, originally submitted on 1st November, 1960.

My right hon. Friend's decision on the appeal was issued on 26th July.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware of the burden placed on the Middlesex County Council by the rising cost of land needed for the health, education and welfare services; and what special financial assistance he will give to this council.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware of the burden place on the Middlesex County Council by the rising cost of land needed for the health, education and welfare services; and what special financial assistance he will give to this council.

I am not envisaging any special financial assistance to the Middlesex County Council, but the ordinary working of grant arrangements will bring this under consideration.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware of the difficulty, in the redevelopment of town and city centres, which is caused by the rising cost of land; and whether he will introduce legislation to give financial assistance to local authorities to acquire land for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware of the difficulty, in the redevelopment of town and city centres, which is caused by the rising cost of land; and Whether he will introduce legislation to give financial assistance to local authorities to acquire land for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware of the difficulty, in the redevelopment of town and city centres, which is caused by the rising cost of land; and whether he will introduce legislation to give financial assistance to local authorities to acquire land for this purpose.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to a Question by the hon. Member for Wood Green (Mrs. Butler) on 30th May.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs in which of the services provided by local government desirable proposals will be postponed or abandoned in accordance with Her Majesty's Government's new economic policy; and whether he will give examples of such proposals.

The Government are asking local authorities to consider what expenditures in all services can reasonably be avoided or postponed without damage to essentials. The decision will depend on local circumstances, but the Chancellor gave one general example—the postponement of the proposed increased expenditure which the Wolfenden Committee suggested.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has been informed of the proposed purchase by the London County Council of sites in Lambeth, Islington and Woolwich for purposes connected with the education and welfare services; and what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds.

No. Purchases by agreement can be made without reference to any Minister.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is his estimate of the acreage of land in proportion to population which will be available for playing fields to the people of Middlesbrough when all building development provided for in the town plan is complete; and how this will compare with his estimate of a desirable provision of playing fields in urban areas generally.

The amount of public open space existing in 1953 was 349 acres, equivalent to 2·3 acres per thousand of the population. It was proposed in the development plan to raise this by 1,971 to about 5 acres per thousand by allocating a further 380 acres.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when he expects to issue the report of the sub- committee of the Central Advisory Water Committee which is examining the methods of charging for water.

The sub-committee hopes to submit its report about the end of the year, and my right hon. Friend will then arrange for its publication.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what investigations have taken place to discover the degree of toxicity in synthetic detergent foam blown on to grasslands or crops grazed by cattle; and whether he is aware of the effect on grass of the deposit of such foam.

I am not aware of anything toxic in the foam from synthetic detergents, or anything which would harm grazing cattle. There has been extensive research and experiment into these matters in the U.S.A., and the results seem to admit of no doubt.That does not mean that the foam from this source is not a nuisance, and indeed my Standing Technical Committee is doing all that it can to see how detergents can be improved from this point of view. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of its latest progress report.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that manufacturers include in synthetic detergents a foam stabilising substance which is responsible for nuisance in domestic plumbing, sewage works, rivers and canals receiving treated sewage, and users of such waterways; and, in view of the damage caused, if he will consult with manufacturers with a view to banning their use.

My Standing Technical Committee on Synthetic Detergents expressed the view, in its Second Progress Report, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend, that it was unlikely that any significant quantities of foam stabilisers would normally be present in treated effluents or river water. There have been few cases of nuisance in domestic plumbing, and these have been remedied with little difficulty. In these circumstances, I see no cause for taking the special action suggested.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will now make a further statement about the floods of last autumn and winter, and about future arrangements for dealing with floods.

The Government have been reviewing the effects of the floods of last autumn and winter, and various proposals arising therefrom.What proved for many areas to be the wettest autumn of the century led to widespread flooding and much distress. In the special circumstances, the Government undertook to supplement to whatever extent was necessary the locally administered relief funds which were started.In the result, assessed claims on the several funds will exceed £1 million. Towards this, voluntary contributions provided some £230,000, and the Exchequer will find the balance.While the Government thought it right on this exceptional occasion to provide Exchequer assistance, it must not be assumed that this will be done whenever future flooding occurs. Public authorities will press on with preventive measures, within the available resources, although it is impossible to guarantee that there will never be flooding anywhere in future. Everyone who may have property at risk should in ordinary prudence take his own precautions and should consider the importance of insuring.The standard forms of householders' policies covering the contents of private dwellings already include the risk of flood, and fire policies also can be extended to include this risk; but cover has not readily been granted in areas subject to recurrent flooding. In the light of demand created by recent experience, insurance companies and Lloyd's have assured the Government that they will in future be prepared, on request, to provide cover against flood on modest terms for the contents of all dwellings, irrespective of their situation, so long as they are permanently occupied—normally as an extension of a fire or householder's policy. In addition, insurers will make flood cover more generally available than hitherto in the case of buildings of permanently occupied dwellings and the buildings and contents of premises of small traders where business is carried on throughout the year. I understand that full publicity will be given to these wider facilities, and it is in the interests of everyone to avail themselves of them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what grant he has made in each of the past five years for making up private streets for adoption within the Orpington urban district; what mileage has been made up; and what is the current programme.

I regret that the full information desired by my hon. Friend is not readily available. Loan sanctions for private street works in the last five years have been as follows:

				£
1956	…	…	…	100,724
1957	…	…	…	78,383
1958	…	…	…	73,653
1959	…	…	…	198,916
1960	…	…	…	39,717
1961 to date	…	…	…	29,140

In the period 1st April, 1956, to 31st December, 1959, the mileage made up was 8·3.In connection with the examination of the working of the private street works arrangements a year ago, the council said that they intended in the next ten years to make up 200 streets with a mileage of 36½.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, whether he will make a statement about the designation of the Broads as a National Park.

The primary responsibility for the designation of National Parks rests with the National Parks Commission. It has studied the question carefully and has advised me that in its view the unique character of the Broads makes them in no way comparable in type with the other areas which, in conformity with the general requirements laid down in the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, it has selected and designated as National Parks. It has therefore come to the conclusion that designation under that Act would not be appropriate. I concur.In these circumstances, I have agreed with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport that he will now, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and myself, proceed to consider the views of the Great Yarmouth Port and Haven Commissioners, the East Suffolk and Norfolk Rivers Board, and other local bodies about the future of the Broads.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will make a statement about membership of the Commission for the New Towns.

I am pleased to say that Sir Duncan Anderson has agreed to accept appointment as Chairman of the Commission. Sir Duncan was until recently Chairman of the Federal Power Board of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, responsible for the construction of the Kariba project.I am also happy to say that General Sir Nevil Brownjohn and Mr. Henry Wells, at the present time Chairmen of the Crawley and Hemel Hempstead Development Corporations respectively, have agreed to accept appointment as members of the Commission. This will secure continuity with the corporations of the two first towns to be taken over.The appointments cannot be made before 1st October, the date on which the Commission comes into being. Before that date I shall be announcing one or two further appointments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many doctors will be required within the next ten years to meet the medical needs of the Gambia.

Any precise forecast is impracticable. There are at present twelve doctors in the Gambia and I would expect requirements to grow.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about the conclusions of his discussions with the delegation from Gambia.

The Conference, which concluded its formal discussions on 27th July, reached agreement on the introduction of new constitutional instruments which would bring into effect a high degree of internal self-government in the Gambia.I propose shortly to lay the Report of the Conference before the House as a Command Paper.Following is the text of a communiqué issued by the Conference:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what fears have been expressed to him by people in Tanganyika and Kenya ha hey are o be required to forfeit their British nationality.

No representations on this subject have been received from residents in Tanganyika, but during recent discussions here with the Kenya Farmers' delegation anxieties of this kind were expressed and I know that these anxieties are shared by a number of people in Kenya. I fully understand their concern. Nevertheless, as I explained to the delegation, the question of citizenship is normally one which is dealt with when a territory is approaching full independence. I think it would be premature to try to resolve this issue in Kenya now.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who will be the members of the special economic mission to visit the smaller islands of the West Indies Federation; when they are starting work; and to what extent the Governments of these territories have already been consulted in recent years in preparation of plans for their respective economic development.

The mission began work in Trinidad on 21st July. It consists of my senior economic adviser, Mr. P. Selwyn; one United States official, Mr. Green; and two Canadian officials, Mr. Miller and Mr. Doherty. They will be accompanied in a consultative capacity by the senior economist of the Federal Government, Mr. Dowdy. The Territorial Governments are responsible for preparing and executing their own development plans; but Her Majesty's Government and the Federal Government give advice as required and are normally consulted on their financial implications.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now make a statement on the progress achieved at the recent meeting with the West Indies citrus delegation.

The discussions to which the hon. Member refers are taking place with the Ministry of Health, with regard to a contract for the sale of West Indian concentrated orange juice in 1961–62. My right hon. Friend has been in touch with the Minister of Health during the course of these negotiations, which are not yet concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he has decided to take with regard to the Kenya Legislative Council's request for the amendment of the Kenya (Constitution) Order in Council so as to remove the ineligibility for election to the Legislature of convicted criminals sentenced to more than two years' imprisonment; and whether he will make a statement.

The resolution in the Kenya legislature is of general application and recommends the amendment of the provisions of Section 28 (2) (b) of the Kenya (Constitution) Order in Council. I have considered this and studied the record of the debate, but on the information available to me have no proposal for amending the provisions in question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in the consideration of the representations made to him by the Clerical and Allied Civil Servants Association of Kenya in respect of its members of Indian origin and compensation for possible termination of their careers.

I have nothing at present to add to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. D. Foot) on 20th July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply he has made to the request by Mr. Julius Nyerere for the withdrawal of Portuguese consular representation in Tanganyika.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Barking (Mr. Driberg) on 28th July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply he has received from the Government of Tanganyika to the improved proposals for economic development which he put to them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a reply from the Tanganyika Government to his latest proposals for economic aid for Tanganyika.

This matter is still being considered by the Tanganyika Government and ourselves. The Governor is now in the United Kingdom to discuss the possibilities with me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reports he has received of political parties in Northern Rhodesia or Nyasaland recruiting unofficial police forces; and what measures have been taken to prevent this interference with the functions of the Protectorate Police.

None, although in both territories there have been reports of supporters of political parties styling themselves "police" when acting as stewards at political meetings. Any attempt to usurp police functions is being carefully watched, and where necessary legal action will be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that, at a rally organised by the United National Independence Party at Kapembwa in Northern Rhodesia on 17th July, the police opened fire without warning, killing eight and injuring 16 persons; if he will set up an independent commission of inquiry on the causes and circumstances of this tragedy and the action to be taken to prevent any recurrence; and if he will state the compensation to be paid to the relatives of the victims.

No. This report is completely without foundation. The Governor informs me that an unauthorised meeting at Kapembwa on 17th July was dispersed by the police without the use of tear gas or batons. No one was killed or injured.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures are being taken in Northern Rhodesia to meet the civil disobedience campaign initiated by the United National Independence Party.

Recent incidents do not amount to a civil disobedience campaign and no special measures have been introduced although police activity has been intensified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will arrange to bring up to date the colonial publications of 1948, 1949, 1950, and 1951, details of which have been notified to him.

The publications referred to are five introductory booklets on groups of Territories which were dependent at the date of publication, and two general booklets on Colonial Territories which were issued as part of a Publicity campaign launched in 1948. These publications were last reissued in 1955–56 It would be inappropriate now to publish revised editions when so many of the Territories with which they deal have become independent or are about to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many political refugees have sought refuge in Uganda from the Sudan since August, 1955; how many have been returned at the request of the Sudanese Government; and for what reasons their return has been allowed.

About 5,000 refugees entered Uganda from the Sudan in 1955, though not all of these were political refugees. Some came because of economic difficulties. About another 100 arrived in 1956 Only one of these refugees has been compulsorily returned to the Sudan. He was accused of murder and attempted murder. One political refugee arrived in September, 1957, and a further ten have crossed the border since December, 1960. None of these has been returned to the Sudan.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in connection with the implementation of the Probation of Offenders Act in Malta, the Governor will invite a member of the Home Office Probation Inspectorate to visit Malta to advise on the establishment of the probation service; and if, in particular, in connection with the appointment of senior officers in the service, only persons who have had specific probation training will be appointed.

Such a visit is not considered necessary as a probation service has been established and a principal probation officer and five probation officers have been appointed, all of whom have received specialised training in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that his delay in making a statement dealing with the criticisms of the Report of the Fleck Committee of Inquiry into the fishing industry made in the Herring Industry Board Report for 1960 and in announcing his policy regarding the matter specified in those criticisms is prejudicial to the fishing industry; and if he will now announce his plans.

A White Paper about the Government's proposals on the United Kingdom fishing industry as a whole is being laid before Parliament today.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an estimate of the number of sound film projectors at present available in Scottish schools.

On 1st April of this year there were 905 sound projectors available for use in education authority schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many miles of roadway the 40 miles-per-hour limit is now operating in each of the four cities and in each county, in Scotland.

The 40 m.p.h. speed limit is in operation on some 9½ miles of roads in Aberdeen, Dundee and the Counties of Lanark and Clackmannan. Proposals affecting about 30 miles in Edinburgh and a number of counties are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that the National Museum of Antiquities in Scotland has adequate powers to loan exhibits to other museums; and if he will consult with the trustees with a view to improving the arrangements for such loans.

The powers of the Trustees to lend objects held by the Museum are contained in subsection 2 (1) (d) of the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland Act, 1954, and I am satisfied that they are adequate. As regards the second part of the Question, I have no reason to believe that the arrangements made by the Trustees in connection with loans are not satisfactory. If, however, my hon. Friend has any particular difficulty in mind, I shall be glad to bring it to the notice of the Trustees.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that the National Museum of Antiquities has sufficient space adequately to exhibit its collection, particularly that part of it relating to Orkney and Shetland; and if he will make a statement.

The National Museum is short of space in its present building. Nevertheless, the Trustees keep a high proportion of their collection on permanent exhibition, and a prominent place is given to objects from Orkney and Shetland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Church of Scotland regarding the increased charges on prescriptions; and if he will state the nature of his reply.

I am aware that the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland discussed this subject, but I have received no representations from it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that damage caused by drift-net fishing for salmon in Scotland still continues to inflict loss; and if he will now state in detail the steps he and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, have taken, and plan to take in future, to stop this damage.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the widespread and growing concern felt at the rapid expansion of drift netting for salmon off the Scottish coast which is causing damage to established salmon fisheries and will affect salmon stocks; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this problem.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that substantial capital sums are still being expended on fitting out more boats for drift netting for salmon, thereby increasing the threat to breeding stocks; and if, in view of the urgency of the situation, he will now make a statement of policy.

Yes, I am aware that the drift-net fishing for salmon which has recently developed off the Tweed and other parts of the Scottish coast has given rise to concern and is causing considerable damage to existing salmon fisheries, and may endanger salmon stocks. A Bill is therefore being prepared of which the main provisions would be a prohibition of drift-net fishing for salmon which would apply, in the first instance, round the coast of Scotland, including that part of the English coast from the Scottish Border to Holy Island, both inside and outside territorial waters, and a power to extend the prohibition to areas outside territorial waters round England and Wales should this prove necessary. The traditional drift-net fishing for salmon inside territorial waters off England and Wales would be allowed to continue as at present subject to licence from river boards. The proposed prohibition would be reinforced by a ban on landings in Great Britain of salmon caught by drift net except from boats holding river board licences.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what extra interest charges will fall to be met by local authorities in Scotland as a result of the decision to increase the Bank Rate; and what action he is taking to prevent increases in local rates as a result of this action.

Changes in the Bank Rate have only an indirect effect on the rates at which local authorities borrow and, as interest rates will vary depending on the ptriod of loans, it is not possible to estimate the amount of extra interest charges which may be payable. No doubt the effect on their rates will be one of the factors that individual local authorities will take into account when deciding what capital schemes they might appropriately postpone in present circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which local authority schemes will be cut or postponed as a result of the decision announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government and I are meeting representatives of the local authority associations this afternoon to discuss the restraint of public expenditure in order to relieve the overload on the economy, and my Departments will be issuing circulars to local authorities later this week. Within the general policy which will then be explained the local authorities will have considerable discretion to decide which of their projects should be postponed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent he expects public investment in housing in Scotland in 1962–63 will be affected by the recent decision of Her Majesty's Government regarding the economic situation.

Unless Scottish authorities seek to go ahead faster with their housing operations than present indications suggest, I do not think there will be any need to hold them back. Nor do I expect that it will be necessary for the Scottish Special Housing Association or the New Towns Corporations to defer any major schemes on which they would otherwise have embarked.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent he expects the present hospital building programme and those plans announced for 1962–63 up to 1964–65 to be modified in the light of the recent decision of Her Majesty's Government regarding the economic situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what effect Her Majesty's Government's financial proposals will have on the hospital building programme in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the present building of maternity accommodation in Glasgow will be affected by the recent proposals of Her Majesty's Government.

The buildings now under construction will proceed, and I do not expect that any projects due to start in 1962–63 will have to be postponed. Later years are still under consideration. I do not expect that the maternity hospital programme in Glasgow will be affected.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what instructions he has given chemists as regards the dispensing of prescriptions the retail cost of which is less than 2s.

The general practice in such cases is to supply the item at the retail price, and I have made it clear to chemists that this is the course they are expected to follow.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the problem of Glasgow's overspill will be affected by the decision of Her Majesty's Government regarding the economic situation.

I am confident that effect can be given to the measures that have been announced without curtailing the planned provision for Glasgow overspill.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the progress and development of new towns in Scotland, including the recently announced fourth new town, will be affected by the recent decision of Her Majesty's Government regarding the economic situation.

I would refer the hon. Member to what was said on the subject by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 26th July. Preparation for designating the fourth new town will proceed as already announced, and I have arranged to meet the local authorities concerned on 8th September.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what delays will be caused in the school building programme as a result of the proposed rephasing

The most urgent work will proceed without any delay, but the start of some less urgent work will have to be deferred for periods which it is not yet possible to forecast.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what effect Her Majesty's Government's recent measures involving postponement or abandonment of desirable proposals by local authorities will have upon Glasgow Education Authority's programme of new school building, modernisation of old schools, and provision of new junior and technical colleges.

It is unlikely that projects to provide for increased school rolls, new housing schemes or technical education will be affected, but among projects for the modernisation of old school buildings priority will have to be given to those which effect improvements of the kind most urgently needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has made to the request of Kilmarnock Town Council to meet him to discuss the appointment of a chief constable.

I have pointed out to the Council that the matter has been exhaustively considered in previous correspondence and discussions and have said that I see no useful purpose in receiving a further deputation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the date of the last inspection by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, Scotland, of the Kilmarnock Burgh Police Force.

The date was 10th February, 1960.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has approved the Western Regional Hospital Board's proposal that the building of the maternity unit at the Samaritan Hospital should proceed as planned.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what specification is proposed for the second vessel under consideration for the North Isles of Orkney service; and when he expects to place the order.

These matters are both under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the recent dental survey in Dundee showed, in the age group concerned, dental work requiring to be done; and what plans he has for expanding the facilities for dental treatment amongst Dundee children.

While the recent dental health education campaign in Dundee was not designed to ascertain the amount of dental work requiring to be done, it included a survey of the teeth of children aged 5 and 6 which revealed a high incidence of decay. Improved treatment services throughout Scotland depend mainly on the supply of dentists, and Dundee will share in the increasing number at present being trained.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the numbers of full-time and part-time officers of the administrative staff of the National Health Service in Scotland; what are the natures of their duties; and what are their respective salaries.

I am sending the hon. Member a statement of the duties and salary ranges of the 500 officers at present employed in administrative posts by National Health Service bodies in Scotland. Of the total, 465 are whole-time and 35 part-time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to announce the starting date for the proposed extensions to the Dundee Dental Hospital and School; what increase in students will be accommodated; and what is the estimated cost.

This project is expected to start in 1963. The annual intake of students will be increased to fifty. No reliable estimate of cost can be made until sketch plans have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has given to the letter from the Third District Council of Lanarkshire, dated 13th July, on the effects of the closure of factories in Lanarkshire on the employment of people living in the Third District.

I have sent the hon. Lady a copy of my reply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered the proposals, regarding assistance to sterling, made by M. Monnet's action committee, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland; and if he will propose to the Governments concerned the establishment of a European Reserve Fund for this purpose.

I have seen the proposals referred to by the hon. Member. They relate to action by the Members of the European Economic Community, and it would clearly not be appropriate at this time for me to take any initiative in the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in the light of the Betting and Gaming Act,

Since 1st January, 1955, there have been 129 arbitrations relating to non-industrial Civil Servants before the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal and 27 relating to industrial Civil Servants before the Industrial Court. As the position taken up by the parties at arbitration may be influenced by tactical considerations, the following analysis of the outcome of these arbitrations cannot be taken as a precise indication of the success or failure of either side during this period.
		Claim rejected or Official Side offer awarded	Staff Side Claim awarded in Full	Award between the position of the two Sides as stated to the Tribunal	No Award made
Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal	…	33	13	82	1
Industrial Court	…	19	4	4	—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in HANSARD a table of figures giving the quarterly rise or fall since 1951 in the

My right hon. and learned Friend's pre-Budget review of taxation in general will, of course, include the betting duties and I will bear in mind the particular considerations my hon. and gallant Friend has raised.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claims to arbitration of all kinds involving Government servants and employees of nationalised industries have been considered since 1955; how many have been successful; and if he will circulate details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I am circulating the information relating to Civil Servants in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I regret that the information relating to employees of the nationalised industries cannot be obtained in the time available.cost of living, industrial production, exports, imports, terms of trade, military expenditure, balance of payments, taxation and the purchasing value of the £ sterling, using as the basis 1951 being equal to 100 and the £ sterling then having a purchasing value of 20s.

STATISTICS FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM
1951 = 100
			Index of retail prices	Purchasing power of £ (derived from Col 1)	Index of Production	Import Prices	Export Prices	Terms of trade	Balance of payments (on current account) (£m.) (a)	Military defence (b)	Taxation (b) (Central Government and local authorities)
			(1)	(2)
1951	…	…	100	100	100	100	100	100	—	100	100
1952	…	1	107	94	100	102	106	96	—	—	—
		2	109	91	96	100	106	94	—	—	—
		3	110	91	96	97	105	92	—	—	—
		4	111	90	99	93	103	90	—	133	105
1953	…	1	112	90	100	92	102	90	—	—	—
		2	113	88	101	90	100	90	—	—	—
		3	113	89	104	89	100	89	—	—	—
		4	113	89	107	88	100	88	—	140	106
1954	…	1	113	89	107	87	100	87	—	—	—
		2	114	88	109	88	100	88	—	—	—
		3	116	87	111	89	100	89	—	—	—
		4	116	86	112	90	100	90	—	138	110
1955	…	1	117	85	113	92	100	92	—	—	—
		2	119	84	114	91	101	90	—	—	—
		3	120	83	116	91	102	89	—	—	—
		4	123	81	118	92	103	89	—	135	117
1956	…	1	124	81	116	93	104	89	—	—	—
		2	126	79	116	93	105	89	—	—	—
		3	126	79	115	92	106	87	—	—	—
		4	127	79	116	95	107	89	—	144	122
1957	…	1	128	78	117	98	109	90	—	—	—
		2	129	77	118	98	110	89	—	—	—
		3	131	76	119	94	111	85	—	—	—
		4	133	75	117	91	111	82	—	138	130
1958	…	1	133	75	117	88	110	80	+117	—	—
		2	135	74	116	87	110	79	+81	—	—
		3	134	75	116	87	109	80	+77	—	—
		4	135	74	117	87	109	80	+16	136	135
1959	…	1	136	74	118	86	109	79	+15	—	—
		2	135	74	122	85	109	78	+72	—	—
		3	134	74	124	86	108	80	+6	—	—
		4	135	74	129	89	110	81	-42	136	140
1960	…	1	135	74	131	88	111	79	-37	—	—
		2	136	73	132	87	111	78	-42	—	—
		3	136	73	132	87	111	78	-148	—	—
		4	138	73	132	87	111	78	-117	(c)	(c)
(a) Figures for years before 1958 are not yet available on the revised balance of payments basis.
(b) Quarterly figures are not available.
(c) Not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has yet completed his consideration of proposals for

Following is the Answer:a National Disaster Fund to make payments in cases of national disaster.

The Government have considered the various proposals that have been made. They have come to the conclusion that the extended arrangements for private insurance, referred to in the Minister of Housing's statement to Parliament today, are a much better alternative than a compulsory insurance fund; and that the establishment of a permanent charitable fund, supported by Exchequer money, is neither practicable nor desirable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in which occupational group there has been the highest percentage of unemployment in the Northern Region throughout the period 1956–61; and what Government action is proposed to reduce this figure during the next five years.

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that the information requested in the first part of the Question is available for industries only, and not for occupational groups. The highest percentage of unemployment in the Northern Region among industries at present is in the construction industry. As regards the second part, I hope that all occupational groups will benefit from the jobs in prospect.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the building of a factory at Knighton, Radnorshire; and whether he will indicate a date by which the project will be completed.

Site investigation and the preparation of plans are proceeding. It is too early to forecast when this factory will be completed, but all concerned are aware of the need to avoid unnecessary delay.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total capital investment in factory buildings on Scottish industrial estates; and what is the annual income from rents for these factories.

At 31st March, 1960, the value of the Board of Trade's industrial property in Scotland was £22,349,166; income from rents in 1959–60 was £1,111,645.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the rents determined by the Inland Revenue Valuation Department for Scottish industrial estate factories are substantially in excess of the net annual values as determined by the local assessors appointed under the Valuation and Rating (Scotland) Act, 1956; and whether, to remove suspicion of bias against industrial estate tenants, he will invite the Inland Revenue Valuation Department to reconsider the rents fixed for these factories.

My right hon. Friend is aware that some current rents of Board of Trade factories in Scotland are in excess of net annual values determined by local assessors, but many rents under existing leases are lower. He therefore sees no reason to ask that the rents should be reconsidered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimate of jobs in prospect for the next twelve months, in the north-east.

The number of jobs which have been quoted to the hon. Member and other Members as in prospect for the North-East reflects the estimates of the firms concerned of the employment which they expect to provide. It will be three or four years before these jobs all accrue, and I cannot say how many will be provided in the next twelve months. Nevertheless many of these firms are now recruiting labour, and work has started on factory building for others.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that the 21,000 jobs in prospect in the North-East will not be affected by the new financial restrictions.

My right hon. Friend cannot guarantee that these jobs will materialise exactly as at present forecast. The Government will, of course, continue to use vigorously their powers under the Local Employment Act. The assistance already offered to firms will in no way be affected by the Chancellor's measures.

asked the President of the Board of Trade of the 7,500 jobs in prospect for Government financed factories in the North-East, administered by the Industrial Estates Management Corporation for England, how many are designated for skilled workers.

Precise figures are not available.

asked the Minister of Works when a second lift to all floors is to be erected to meet the needs of Members on the Committee Room and Upper Committee floors of the Palace of Westminster.

In present circumstances funds could not be provided for such work and I regret that I cannot say when this is likely to be possible.

asked the Minister of Works, in view of the increasing number of parties of visitors to the Houses of Parliament, many of whom travel considerable distances by coach or train, if he will examine the possibility of providing an easily accessible supply of cold drinking water, in order to satisfy the needs of such visitors.

An adequate and easily accessibly supply of drinking water is provided by the drinking fountain on the north side of Old Palace Yard.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to safeguard the secrecy of voting in the forthcoming Tomato and Cucumber Marketing Board revocation poll.

The conduct of the poll, in accordance with the provisions of the Scheme, is a matter for the Board. I understand that in practice the Board send out ballot papers which on completion can be stamped and put in a pillar box immediately. I hope all registered producers will do so.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is yet in a position to make an announcement about the Government's proposals arising out of the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Fishing Industry.

A White Paper about the Government's proposals on the United Kingdom fishing industry as a whole is being laid before Parliament today.

asked the Minister of Education if he will state the amount of the cuts in the minor works programme proposed by Her Majesty's Government.

The allocations for the current year amounted to £16·5 million. These will be superseded by new allocations covering the remainder of this year and the whole of 1962–63 totalling £16·0 million.

asked the Minister of Education what consideration was given to future recruitment of teachers for primary and secondary schools, in view of the official announcement on the question of their salaries.

The proposals which I have made to the Burnham Committee for an increase of £42 million allow for substantial rises in the salaries of primary and secondary school teachers, and I had particularly in mind the need to attract high-quality entrants to the profession.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will shorten the time taken by passport control to clear passengers at Newcastle.

I am in communication with my hon. Friend about this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange a safety exhibition with special emphasis on fire accident prevention to be held in the Palace of Westminster.

Yes. An exhibition provided by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the Fire Protection Association has been arranged to take place in the Upper Waiting Hall during the week beginning 27th November.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the new connection charges, he will consider introducing special terms in country districts where these charges will bear most heavily on would-be subscribers.

The new arrangements are designed to help subscribers in country districts. Subscribers on long lines will in future pay the standard rental instead of a special rental based on the mileage from the exchange. The once-for-all connection charge in such cases, where new construction is required, will on average be the equivalent of 2½ years of the rental previously payable.I am sorry I could not justify differential charges for other subscribers in country districts.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will seek to amend the new postmen's wage agreement in order to ensure that auxiliary postmen's wages are not reduced.

As my hon. Friend will be aware from correspondence he has already had with me auxiliary postmen are paid the same hourly wage rate as full-time postmen. I will write to him as regards the particular point he now raises.

asked the Postmaster General what consultations he has had under Section 4 (4) of the Television Act, 1954, regarding the amount of time given to advertising on Independent Television, and in particular to the amount of time proposed to be given to advertising, including advertising magazines, between 9.50 p.m. and 11.20 p.m. on Saturday evenings.

None.

asked the Minister of Transport, how many road accidents in the twelve months to the last convenient date led to conviction for driving a motor vehicle under the influence of drink or drugs; and in how many of these cases human beings sustained injuries.

I regret that the information is available only for road accidents involving death or serious injury, and not for those involving slight personal injury or damage only. During 1960 there were 419 fatal and serious road accidents as a result of which a driver or rider of a motor vehicle was charged with a drink offence under the Road Traffic Acts, or would have been so charged had he not been killed or seriously injured. Comparable figures are not available for the number of convictions obtained.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether the Sea Venom aircraft that crashed and caught fire on taking off from Yeovilton recently was fuelled with kerosene, or with wide-out gasolene or similar volatile liquid.

The aircraft was fuelled with aviation turbine fuel—a kerosene.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) by what authority the convening officer at the trial of Lieutenant-Colonel H. R. Sandford by general court martial at Quetta, India, in 1934, cancelled an adjournment which had been granted by the court on an application by counsel for the accused officer;(2) what steps have been taken by his Department to verify from the Calcutta High Court the evidence alleged to have been given by the witness Batukh Singh at the trial of Lieutenant-Colonel H. R. Sandford by general court martial at Quetta, India, in 1934, regarding certain attachment orders; and why these attachment orders, which were submitted to the court in evidence, were not attached to the proceedings;(3) why the proceedings of the trial of Lieutenant-Colonel H. R. Sandford by general court martial at Quetta, India, in 1934, were retained at Headquarters Western Command, India, for at least five weeks after the promulgation of the sentence on 5th March, 1934; why two exhibits were detached and replaced by copies dated 12th April, 1934; and what was the date on which the proceedings were received at the War Office;(4) whether the typewritten document now in the custody of the Judge Advocate General is the original proceedings of the trial of Lieutenant-Colonel H. R. Sandford by general court martial at Quetta, India, in 1934.

I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Gentleman by my predecessor on the 11th November, 1959.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange for a copy of the memorandum regarding the case of Lieutenant-Colonel H. R. Sandford, who was tried by general court martial at Quetta, India, in 1934, which was submitted in 1938 to the Secretary of State for War by the late Major-General Sir Wyndham Childs, a former Adjutant General to the Forces, to be placed in the Members' library.

I cannot see that this would serve any useful purpose.