asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will summarise the factors he is taking into account when considering whether or not to reintroduce the bonus system on grey squirrels' tails; and what other methods he is considering for the stricter control of this pest, in view of the recent increase in their number.

Fluctuations in the population of this pest are caused mainly by variations in the food supplies and weather. The recent increase in numbers in some areas was mainly due to the good seed year of 1960 and the open winter of 1960–61. It is expected that the relatively poor seed year of 1961 will reduce the numbers that survive the coming winter. There is no evidence that a bonus could reduce the total numbers decisively or permanently.We are satisfied that the best method is to concentrate on destroying squirrels in the places where they cause damage. I am glad to note that the Timber Growers' Organisation are launching next year a campaign against the grey squirrel, including a survey to identify the areas in which damage is serious. The Forestry Commission are cooperating with the Organisation, for example by holding trapping demonstrations and by building up stocks of traps for sale to landowners needing them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what investigations have been carried out by his Department in connection with the cultivation and development of sea foods other than fish.

No investigations have been carried out by the Department into sea foods other than fish or shellfish.Edible sea weed is eaten in certain parts of the United Kingdom, but the natural supply, which is only partially exploited, is considerable and there is no cultivation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has now considered the Report of the Cook Committee on the Compositional Quality of Milk in the United Kingdom; and whether he will make a statement.

The main point to which the Report of the Cook Committee drew attention was the decline in the solids-not-fat (S.N.F.) content of milk in England and Wales over the past 30 years or so. Although the decline has been small, the Government agree that it is desirable to maintain, and if possible to improve, the compositional quality of such an important article of food. I am glad to say that the Milk Marketing Boards and the distributive trade have endorsed this view.The Government accept the Committee's recommendation that compositional quality can best be maintained and improved by paying the milk producer according to the compositional quality of his milk. Discussions are at present proceeding on the detailed operation of differential payment schemes to take account of the need to maintain s.n.f. levels.The Committee also recommended that, in due course, consideration should be given to' introducing minimum legal standards for fat and s.n.f. in lieu of the present presumptive standards. This may be desirable at a later stage but we think it best to await an improvement in compositional quality resulting from the operation of the new differential payment schemes.The Government agree with the recommendation that the use of the Hortvet test should be accepted in legal proceedings as proof of the presence or absence of added water in milk. A number of technical points have to be worked out, but when these are resolved the necessary legislation will be proceeded with at the first suitable opportunity.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are considering whether some body, such as the Cook Committee recommended, should be appointed to keep Ministers informed of developments affecting milk composition and to advise them when action appears desirable. I am informed that in Northern Ireland existing arrangements for this purpose are considered adequate.

asked the Minister of Aviation what yearly profit or loss to the British Overseas Airways Corporation is expected to accrue as a result of the new operating agreement between the British Overseas Airways Corporation and Air Ceylon.

The decision was a matter for the commercial judgment of the British Overseas Airways Corporation who do not consider it would be in their interest to disclose figures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will specify the number and nature of the changes since 1st July, 1961, in the emergency legislation operating in Kenya.

pursuant to Mr. Maudling's reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 9th November, 1961; Vol. 648, c. 84] supplied the following additional information:No regulations have been made under local security legislation in Kenya since 1st July, 1961, but since that date 13 Curfew Orders have been imposed under the Public Order Ordinance, mainly in the Meru district, all of which have now expired.

asked the Postmaster-General what were the unforeseen circumstances which resulted in there being inadequate cable and equipment supply at Shenstone, Staffordshire, resulting in the inability of his Department to give the required telephone services to private subscribers and commercial undertakings.

The original overspill plan provided for Shenstone to be a residential area. About a year ago, a few warehouses were proposed, but these have turned out to be busy distribution centres, with heavy telephone traffic. These developments have considerably altered the telephone requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to provide that no persons will be called for jury service unless they have been domiciled in this country for at least 12 years.

I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind, but I cannot hold out any prospect of early legislation dealing with qualification for jury service.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that an accident in which several children were injured, two of them seriously, occurred near the junction of Fairway and Carlton Avenue West, Wembley, on 29th November; and if he will now approve the proposal made by Wembley Borough Council last year that one of these two roads should be classified as a major road and that halt signs should be erected on the other.

I am aware of this unfortunate accident. I told the highway authority in 1960 that I did not consider "HALT" signs necessary at this junction, as the sight lines are good. I suggested instead "SLOW—MAJOR ROAD AHEAD" signs with appropriate carriageway markings. These do not need my approval. I still consider them desirable, even though I understand that the lighting at the junction has been improved meanwhile.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to announce a decision on the route of the southern section of the Chester Ring Road.

I have made an Order under the Highways Act to establish the route. Notice of this is appearing today in the London Gazette and local newspapers. I am afraid it will be a few years yet before construction can begin.

asked the Minister of Health what would be the cost of supplying a sterile syringe service to all general practitioners in England and Wales within the National Health Service.

I regret I can make no reliable estimate.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if, when reviewing the outer boundary of the proposed Greater London area as one of the detailed matters upon which he proposes to consult local authorities, he will take into consideration the anxiety of many residents of ancient towns which lie on the extreme borders of the area proposed by the Royal Commission at the possibility of becoming part of Greater London.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what action he is taking to include the affliction known as farmers' lung in the category of industrial diseases.

Although this condition is not a prescribed disease for industrial injuries purposes the provisions of the Industrial Injuries Scheme already enable benefit to be paid to persons suffering disablement from farmers' lung. My right hon. Friend is aware that this condition has recently been the subject of medical inquiry and is keeping the situation under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the names, location and net rateable value of the private fee-paying schools in Scotland to which he makes a grant, which are regarded as charitable, in accordance with the Income Tax Acts.

The rateable value of grant-aided secondary schools is as stated in the following table. The interpretation of the Income Tax Acts is not a matter for me, but I understand that most of these schools have been recognised as charities by the Inland Revenue Department.