asked the Minister of Defence what plans he has to maintain an independent British nuclear deterrent by means of ballistic missiles.

I have been asked to reply.We plan to give the V-Bomber force an increased stand-off capacity by the use of the Skybolt missile.

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent he plans to continue the use of Singapore as a base for nuclear weapons.

I have been asked to reply.It is the practice not to confirm or deny the presence of nuclear weapons at particular places.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the relatives of Private J. Raybone, 23785290, in Lady-wood, Birmingham, were not informed until 20th October of the fact that he was known to be missing from Queens-hill Camp, Hong Kong, since 19th June last; what efforts have been made to trace this soldier; and what information he has about the reasons for his absence.

Except for soldiers under the age of 18, there are no regulations about informing relatives in this sort of case. It is left to the discretion of commanding officers.Private Raybone was apprehended on 9th December. I regret that I cannot at this stage disclose details of the reason for his absence, as the case is

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will hold an inquiry into the Dartmoor exercise when eight boy soldiers of the Junior Leaders' Regiment, Royal Corps of Signals, were miss ing for two days in hazardous weather conditions.

I have, of course, already received a full report about this matter.All junior leader units include adventure training in their courses.This particular establishment, sited as it is on the edge of Dartmoor, naturally uses the moor for its training.The incident on 7th December occurred during an outward bound type of competition, which is held every term and consists of a night patrol across country by compass. The ground and the course of about eight miles were well known to those taking part, and there had also been prior reconnaissance by day and night. All boys took part except those in their first term, Sixty patrols each consisting of six junior leaders found their way from different places to a given finishing point. Each patrol was equipped with a bivouac tent and sleeping bag and the orders were that if the patrol got lost they were to use the tent and wait until light.Hot meals were provided before the start and also at the finishing point.The weather forecast obtained immediately before the exercise was favourable. Half an hour after the last party left, snow showers began and several boys decided to camp for the night.By dawn fourteen boys had not reported in. Fog and mist hampered search parties and by the end of the following day eight boys were still missing. A more intensive search with aircraft and helicopters took place on the next day, 9th December, and all the boys were found that morning.One boy who was suffering from exposure was admitted to hospital but discharged on the following day and all the boys are now fit.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what results beneficial to recruitment into air training schools he expects to achieve as a result of the symposium held recently at the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell.

This conference was attended by a wide range of persons with experience in education and youth work. It enabled the Royal Air Force to present a firsthand account of their needs in the matter of pilots and navigators. The subsequent discussion was of great value in highlighting the factors considered to weigh most heavily with young men considering a flying career in the R.A.F.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet completed his study of the Plowden Report on the Control of Public Expenditure; and what steps he intends to take to ensure that farm subsidies and grants go to those who need them most, in accordance with one of the Committee's recommendations.

I have read with interest the Report on the Control of Public Expenditure which Lord Plowden and his colleagues produced. As regards the second part of the Question, I do not interpret the Committee's recommendations in that way. The object of these subsidies and grants is to ensure a stable and efficient industry, and they are directed where they are needed to that end.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will prohibit the entry into Scotland of all Charollais bulls and their semen until the recent outbreak of disease in the imported bulls has been dealt with.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number and names of the local authorities in Scotland who have not yet made improvement grants for housing purposes.

The only authorities who have not yet made either a standard or a discretionary improvement grant are four town councils of small burghs. The town councils of one large burgh and eight small burghs have not made any discretionary grants. One county council and 41 town councils of small burghs have made no standard grants.Following are the names of the authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what evidence his representative based his statement to the Public Accounts Committee on 9th February, 1961, that the average rate of earnings in Scotland is about 5 per cent. to 6 per cent. less than it is in England.

The Accounting Officer informs me that he had in mind the Census of Production and P.A.Y.E. returns. The reference to 5 or 6 per cent. was in terms of a 1956 report, and study of more recent figures suggests that a further estimate now would be at least 8 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland from which local authorities or organisations he has received protests against the provisions of the Housing (Scotland) Bill; and what was the nature of his replies.

I have received representations from the Association of County Councils, Edinburgh and Glasgow Corporations, the Town Councils of Lochgelly and Kilwinning, the Scottish Land Owners Federation, and the Mussel-burgh Joint Committee of Trade Unions and the Labour Party, while hon. Members have forwarded to me representations from the Town Council of Arbroath and the Angus Burghs Association. I have noted the representations from Glasgow and Kilwinning and am considering those from the Association of County Councils; reasoned replies have been sent to the others.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the Farm Improvement Grant administered by his Department has been spent so far on work relating to the storage of grain.

It is estimated that approximately £190,000 has been paid in grant for this type of improvement under the Farm Improvement Scheme in Scotland. This represents about seven per cent. of the total grants paid.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what sums were paid out by his Department in ploughing grants to farmers in each county in Scotland during 1960–61.

The following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital has 136 beds to deal with a population of 156,000 people, and that more patients are allocated per bed in West Fife than anywhere else in Scotland; and what steps he intends to take to improve this position.

The West Fife Hospitals Board of Management controls 594 hospital beds of which 244 are acute beds. The people of West Fife also make use of Bridge of Earn Hospital and hospitals in Edinburgh. The pressure on the beds in the Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital will be relieved to some extent when the second extension to the Kirkcaldy Hospital is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that 1,000 men, women and children are awaiting admission to the Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital; and whether he will announce plans to expand hospital accommodation.

The present waiting list is not a good indication of long-term need. The recent appointment of an additional consultant will help to deal with the 500 persons awaiting ear, nose or throat operations, many of them minor, while the major extension to the Victoria Hospital at Kirkcaldy will, when completed, help to relieve the pressure on surgical beds.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will take action to improve the physiotherapy department of the Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital;(2) what plans he has for providing a new central department for drugs and dressings instead of leaving the Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital dependent on another hospital for its pharmacy.

The Regional Hospital Board are at present unable to undertake either of the developments to which the hon. Member refers. They take the view that other improvements within the Region are more urgent, and must take priority.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make plans for a new modern general hospital for Dunfermline and West Fife, to be started as soon as possible.

I am afraid there is no prospect of a start being made on such a project in the near future. The expansion of general hospital accommodation in the Dunfermline area will have to yield priority to more pressing needs elsewhere in the County of Fife and in the region.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the difficulties in siting lay-bys on the Epping New Road, A.11; and whether he is in a position to make a statement on his further discussions with the Conservators of Epping Forest about sites between Buckhurst Hill and the Wake Arms.

The problem is to reconcile the need for lay-bys with the Conservators' statutory responsibility for safeguarding the peaceful and rural atmosphere of the Forest. The recent discussions have not overcome this difficulty. I am now considering what action I should take.

asked the Minister of Transport how many toll bridges there are on classified and unclassified roads, respectively, in England and Wales.

There are 17 toll bridges on classified roads in England and Wales, and 13 toll bridges on unclassified roads, including three private bridges.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the dangerous traffic conditions persisting during the widening of the A.34 road at Sandleford, near Newbury, and the construction of a roundabout, if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that no more time is lost in completing the work, including adequate sign posting and lighting; why it was considered necessary to alter the road junction which was made only recently; and what will be the total cost of this scheme.

No time will be lost in completing this work. It consists of a roundabout and widening of the carriageway to 24 feet, over a distance of 1,300 yards. Adequate signposting and lighting will be provided.The junction built some nine years ago is not satisfactory for the heavy volume of traffic now using A.34.The scheme is estimated to cost £23,000.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will arrange for the northern end of Redbridge Lane East, Ilford, to be made open to two-way traffic as far as Inglehurst Gardens for the period between now and Christmas, for the convenience of shoppers coming to the area by car.

I understand that the one-way working in Redbridge Lane East is a temporary measure connected with the reconstruction of the road. It it entirely the responsibility of the highway authority, Ilford Borough Council.

asked the Minister of Transport in how many cases in the past year the Transport Users' Consultative Committees have rejected proposals made by British Railways for the withdrawal of services; and in how many cases he has given the British Transport Commission a direction following representations made to him by the Central Transport Consultative Committee.

During 1961 Area Transport Users' Consultative Committees have rejected or modified five proposals for closing lines and seven for closing stations. In one of these cases the Central Committee did not endorse the Area Committee's decision. I have not given any directions to the Commission.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the damage being done financially to small ports owing to the continuing contraction of the coastwise shipping fleet; and if he will now take steps to remedy the position.

The traffic of small ports varies with changing circumstances, as does the traffic of the larger ports, but as regards coastal shipping I have nothing to add at present to the reply which I gave my hon. Friend on 15th November.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will undertake any financial commitment in respect of the Cunard Company's new proposals to build a replacement of the "Queen Mary".

I have not yet received any new proposals from the Cunard Company. Until then no question of any such provision or commitment can arise.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered using the National Gallery site, formerly Hamptons, Pall Mall East, as a temporary Christmas car-park, to relieve congestion in central London.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Works yesterday explained the position in reply to my hon. Friend's Questions. I do not think that this site is essential as a Christmas car-park.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what arrangements he has now made with the Federal German Government about the cost of British forces in Germany.

Exploratory talks took place in Bonn between United Kingdom and German officials from 27th to 29th November. We hope to have further talks shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour how many people are now employed by the steel industry; and how many of these are on short-time.

Separate figures are not available for the steel industry alone. At the end of October, 485,100 persons were employed in the iron and steel industries taken together. The estimated number of operatives on short-time in the week ended 28th October was 18,700.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has given consideration to the request of the Blyth, Ashington and Mid-Northumberland Disablement Advisory Committee for the setting up of a training centre for handicapped persons in the Cramlington area.

As I told the hon. Member for Morpeth (Mr. Owen) on 11th December, 1961, I have just considered this request, and have concluded that I would not be justified in setting up another Government training centre.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the percentage increases and decreases of unemployment in each region at 13th November, 1961, as compared with figures of unemployment at 16th October, 1961.

Following is the information:

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on his plans to extend and develop schemes of apprenticeship and training in the Northern region.

The Northern region should continue to share in the general development of apprenticeship and training schemes which the Government are encouraging. The proportion of boys entering apprenticeships in the region is higher than the national average and has increased from 40 per cent. in 1960 to 42·5 per cent. in the first ten months of this year.

asked the Minister of Aviation when he expects to be able to make a statement about the licensing of hovercraft for the carrying of goods and passengers.

The characteristics and commercial application of these craft have not yet been established. The manner in which their use may need to be regulated is under consideration.Meanwhile, my right hon. Friend will, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, continue to issue permits to fly under the Air Navigation Order, which will enable development work and operational trials to proceed under proper safety conditions.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what is the average time taken to acquaint naval officers' widows of their pensions; and what measures his Department will undertake to reduce delays in payment.

137 officers' widows were granted pensions in the six months ended 30th November, 1961. The average time lapsing between receipt by the Admiralty of completed pension application forms from these widows and the posting of letters acquainting them of their entitlement was ten days. The average time elapsing between notification to the Admiralty of the officers' deaths and the receipt of the completed application forms was 21 days.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what was the number of houses built by the North Eastern Housing Association in Cumberland, and the number for the Ennerdale Rural District Council. to 31st October, 1961.

Information is readily available only up to 31st July, 1961. 5,970 houses had then been built by the North Eastern Housing Association in Cumberland, and 1,971 in Ennerdale Rural District.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will arrange for his Department to provide claimants with particulars of the computation of payments made by way of subsidy in respect of subsidence affecting council houses.

The scale of additional subsidy in respect of dwellings built on sites liable to mining subsidence will be set out in the Circular on the Housing Act, 1961, to be sent to local authorities early in the New Year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what was the amount of special subsidy received by the North Eastern Housing Association for 1958, 1959, 1960, and to the latest available date in 1961.

I assume that by special subsidies the hon. Member means the subsidies paid directly to the Association in respect of war-time houses. The amount in each of the calendar years is question was £10,237.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what was the amount of ordinary subsidy received by the North Eastern Housing Association for the first 10 months of 1958, 1959, 1960, and 1961.

Under the ordinary arrangements in respect of houses built by a housing association in conjunction with a local authority, the Exchequer subsidies are paid to the local authority who are required to pay the Association by way of annual grant an amount not less than the Exchequer subsidy. The Department's records do not show the amounts and dates of the Association's receipts. The Exchequer payments to the local authorities in respect of the Association's houses are as under:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will enable grants to be paid to householders for installing special grates to burn smokeless fuels in advance of that area being scheduled as part of a clean air scheme.

My right hon. Friend thinks it would be wrong to make this change, which would require legislation. It would mean paying grant to a householder who was under no enforceable obligation to burn smokeless fuel.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what consideration he is giving to the planning aspects of the problem of off-street parking in residential districts in outer Greater London, especially in connection with the development of the older type of large houses into flats.

A survey of parking needs in older residential areas has just been completed, and the information obtained is now being examined.