asked the Minister of Transport what was the original target date for the completion of road improvements to Hyde Park Corner, north-south Hyde Park carriageway, and Marble Arch; and when they are now expected to be completed.

The contract date for the whole scheme is September this year and the works are expected to be completed by then. There are no target dates for the separate sections of the scheme which are brought into use as soon as they are ready.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the total net receipts from parking meters to date.

The administration of parking meter schemes, including the collection of meter charges, is the responsibility of the local authorities concerned. I understand that the net receipts in London up to 31st December, 1961, were about £216,000, subject to tax. We have received no figures for schemes outside London.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents involving pedestrians have occurred between the airport entrance at Lulsgate and Potters Hill on A.38 during the last convenient period.

In 1961 there were nine personal injury accidents in which pedestrians were involved. In these accidents two pedestrians were killed, one seriously injured and one slightly injured.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he proposes to take to safeguard the lives of schoolchildren crossing the A.38 road between Lulsgate and Potter's Hill in Somerset.

As the measures already taken to make this road safer have not proved adequate, we are considering urgently with the county council what more can be done.

asked the Minister of Transport how the share of available funds allocated to Denbighshire for improvements on classified roads compares with other counties in North Wales.

Denbighshire's share of the rolling programme for the three years 1961–4 represents 33 per cent. of the allocation for the four counties of North Wales.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now indicate what plans he has to improve the A.483 road between Wrexham and Newbridge pending the construction of the 10-mile by-pass; and when these plans will be completed.

We hope within the next year to carry out small schemes at Ruabon, Afon Goch and Rhostyllen. The widening at Johnstown is now completed.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to reach a decision about the provision of a pedestrian crossing in Church Road, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, application for which was made by the Buckinghamshire County Council on 13th October, 1961.

The Buckinghamshire County Council were informed on 29th September, 1961, that we did not think the provision of a pedestrian crossing at this site was justified. Subsequently the council made a formal application. After considering this carefully we have told the council that we cannot agree to a pedestrian crossing.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has for the extension of the M.1 northwards to Manchester.

From a point near the present northern terminal of the M.1 another motorway, the M.6 will run northwestwards, through the Midlands to Lancashire, passing about 10 miles to the west of Manchester. Seventy-eight miles of this between Dunston in Staffordshire and Preston in Lancashire is already under construction and should be completed in the Autumn of 1963. The statutory processes for the section between Dunston and the M.1 are being completed as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement about his future programme of major trunk road improvements.

Following is a statement of the trunk road improvement schemes which I hope to authorise during the next four to five years. This programme has been drawn up as a result of a careful review of what is needed to make the trunk road system adequate for the traffic expected within the foreseeable future. In determining which schemes should be undertaken in the immediate future, priority has been given to those routes carrying the heaviest volumes of industrial and commercial traffic.The actual date of starting work on the schemes will depend on the completion of the necessary statutory processes and the availability of funds. This programme is in addition to my plans for the motorway network, details of which I have already given.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the total number of road accidents, including those which did not involve physical injury, which took place between the foot of Rumney Hill, Cardiff and St. Mellons, during each of the last five years; if he is aware of the need to make this road safer for use by both pedestrians and drivers; and what steps he is taking to that end.

The number of accidents reported to the police was as follows:

—		Damage only	Personal injury	Total
1957	…	26	30	56
1958	…	42	35	77
1959	…	61	40	101
1960	…	63	42	105
1961	…	55	34	89

The responsibility for improving this road rests with the highway authority, the Cardiff County Borough Council. It proposes to construct a dual carriageway on the section between Wentloog Road and Mount Pleasant towards which I am prepared to make a grant in the coming financial year. Proposals for other improvement schemes will be considered as funds permit.Offset double white lines were laid on Rumney Hill early last year, with one descending and two ascending lanes. A similar arrangement of double white lines has lately been marked experimentally on a quartermile length of St. Mellons Hill, at the extreme easterly end of the stretch of road to which the hon. Member refers. Both of these have resulted in a substantial improvement in traffic flow.I have suggested to the Cardiff City Council that there should be a uniform speed limit of 40 m.p.h. from Claremont Avenue in Cardiff, to Fowler's Garage on the north eastern side of St. Mellons. At present this length is subject partly to a 30 m.p.h. limit and partly to no limit.I have also authorised grant for the provision of traffic light signals at New Road junction.

asked the Minister of Transport what parts of the £50 million to be spent during the next six or seven years on roads approaching South Wales and in South Wales, excluding the Severn Bridge and its approaches, will be spent on trunk roads and motorways in South Wales and Monmouthshire, on grants for classified road works in this area, and on trunk roads and motorways in England, excluding Monmouthshire or the approaches to South Wales and Monmouthshire, respectively.

The total of commitments referred to includes some £30 million for trunk road and motorway schemes in South Wales and Monmouthshire and some £6 million for grants towards classified road schemes. This is in addition to the Severn Bridge. Nothing is included for schemes in England.

asked the Minister of Transport what part of the £50 million which is to be spent during the next six years on roads approaching South Wales and in South Wales relates to expenditure on the Severn Bridge and its approaches.

The figure of £50 million includes about £16 million for the Severn Bridge scheme, including land costs. The scheme covers the Almondsbury to Crick section of the London to South Wales Motorway, with bridges over the rivers Severn and Wye and eight miles of approach roads.

asked the Minister of Transport if the contract for the widening of the bridge at Wadebridge has yet been placed; and when the work will commence.

I hope to place the contract in the next few days. Work will start shortly afterwards.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents occurred on roundabouts outside restricted areas on the A.1 in 1961.

In 1961, 112 accidents involving personal injury occurred at roundabouts in unrestricted areas on the Great North Road between London and Newcastle; 41 of these were in Yorkshire.

asked the Minister of Transport how many shipbuilding berths are unoccupied in Scottish shipyards; and what steps he is taking to get these idle resources put to use.

At the end of 1961 some sixty berths were vacant in Scottish shipyards, but this is not a true measure of idle capacity because modern techniques have diminished the number of berths needed for a given output. We do not plan any specific Government action on the lines suggested in the Question.

asked the Minister of Transport how many more people are unemployed in the shipbuilding and marine engineering industry now than in January, 1961; whether the figures for Tyneside show an increase or decrease over this period; and whether he anticipates an improvement of the situation in 1962.

In the United Kingdom 3,393 more persons were registered as unemployed in shipbuilding, ship repairing and marine engineering in January, 1962, than in January, 1961. For the Tyne, the figure is 211.Output in the present year will be to a large extent governed by orders already booked, and I do not think much improvement this year is likely.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the increasing danger to pedestrians seeking to cross the road in newly appointed one-way streets where three or four lines of fast traffic are permissible; and what steps he proposes to take to provide crossings in such streets as Pall Mall and Tottenham Court Road.

No. The pedestrian casualty figures have not increased with one-way schemes. During the first six months of the Tottenham Court Road scheme, pedestrian casualties were 30 per cent. lower than in the same six months of the previous year.One extra crossing place is to be provided in Pall Mall, one in Tottenham Court Road and one in High Holborn.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement concerning the operation of the agreement between himself and the Motor Insurers' Bureau, setting out, for a period covering a number of years, the number of claims made against the Bureau, the number of claims admitted, the nature of claims refused and the total annual amounts paid to claimants.

The agreement provides a source of compensation for third-parties, as defined in the Road Traffic Act, 1960, injured through the negligence of motorists using their vehicles outside the terms of their insurance policies or with no insurance at all. It works very well. No claim which falls within the terms of the agreement is refused. If payment becomes due because the vehicle is used outside the terms of the policy, the insurer who issued the policy handles the case under a domestic agreement between the Bureau and the insurers. Records of such cases are not available. The Bureau itself handles cases where no policy exists. Figures relating to these cases only would not therefore indicate the general beneficial effect of the agreement.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will initiate negotiations with the Motor Insurers' Bureau for a revised agreement between himself and the Bureau which would not make it a condition precedent to the Bureau's liability that the claimant shall have obtained a judgment against the other party concerned.

No. The Road Traffic Act requires drivers' liabilities, as defined by the Act, to be covered by insurance. The present Agreement with the Bureau safeguards injured third parties if a driver is not insured. But in all third-party cases liability must be proved before any question of compensation can arise. This is a general principle of law, and we should not be prepared to change it in the particular case of road accidents.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider reviewing the qualifications for holders of farmers' goods vehicle licences to enable them to include nurserymen and flower growers.

No. The Vehicles (Excise) Act, 1949, provides that persons engaged in agriculture are entitled to vehicle licences at concession rates. Although market gardeners growing fruit and vegetables are regarded as being in the category of persons so engaged, we are not satisfied that any alteration is justified in the long-established arrangement under which nurserymen and flower growers do not qualify for this concession.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the incidence of serious road accidents involving heavy lorries, he will introduce legislation to provide for regular inspection and high standards of maintenance of all commercial road vehicles.

The powers provided under Sections 183 and 184 of the Road Traffic Act, 1960, are sufficient for the purposes which the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation allowing taxis to ply for hire on any route they choose, thereby allowing to members of the public a free choice between alternative forms of conveyance to and from their work.

I assume my hon. Friend's Question arises from the case, concerning the grounds on which road service licences are issued, about which we recently exchanged letters. I do not think that it would be right to change the law which—in return for their considerable public obligations—gives bus operators certain compensating advantages.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of its accident record, he will consider imposing a 50 m.p.h. speed limit on the Kingston By-Pass.

We are considering re-imposing a 50 m.p.h. speed limit on this and other trunk roads at week-ends during this summer as in 1961. But I do not think we would be justified in going further than this at this stage.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will correct the anomaly whereby the maximum weight of invalid carriages is greater, for licensing purposes, than that allowed for obtaining an invalid's driving licence.

We propose in the near future to review the present 5 cwt. limitation on invalid carriages in order to determine whether for certain purposes, including the grant of driving licences, it could be raised to 6 cwt.

asked the Minister of Transport what arrangements had been made to ensure that, in planning the re-organisation of the railways, due regard is paid to the need to preserve the principal monuments of the railway age in order to prevent the recurrence of such losses as the demolition of the Euston Arch.

None. These buildings and monuments are subject to the appropriate provisions in the Town and Country Planning legislation and ancient monuments legislation for the protection of historic buildings and ancient monuments. There is no reason to make special provision for railway monuments.

asked the Minister of Transport what road improvements he plans in view of the proposal to close the Bournemouth-Templecombe-Bath railway line to passenger traffic.

No proposals for the closing of the line to passenger traffic have been put forward.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is satisfied that his powers are adequate to enable action to be taken to mitigate foaming on rivers that are navigable and used by the British Waterways; and if he will make a statement.

No. My right hon. Friend has power to confirm byelaws made by navigation authorities, but their powers cannot be regarded as either adequate or appropriate for dealing with the problem of foaming on rivers.

asked the Minister of Transport what British observers have been present during the maiden voyage of the first nuclear-powered merchant ship "Savannah".

The "Savannah" has not yet made her first voyage under nuclear power. She was recently moved from Camden, New Jersey, to Yorktown, Virginia, under conventional auxiliary power. No United Kingdom observers were on board.

asked the Minister of Transport how many women were prosecuted and brought before magistrates' courts in 1959, 1960 and 1961 for offences in and on the port and harbour areas of this country; and what was the chief offence with which they were charged.

In 1960 220 women and in 1961 377 are known to have been prosecuted by dock police forces for offences in port areas. Comparable figures for 1959 are not available. The main offences were trespass and illegal boarding of ships. No figures are available for prosecutions brought by other police forces for offences in port areas.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will give details of United Nations Conventions or agreements for which he United Kingdom has voted but which Her Majesty's Government have not yet ratified.

Full details in answer to this Question are now being compiled and I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to continue indefinitely the purchase of United Nations Bonds as a permanent method of financing the organisation.

No. Her Majesty's Government regard the Bond Issue as a once-for-all measure. We should not wish to see it become a precedent for the future financing of the organisation.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will consult the Secretary-General of the United Nations to ascertain what qualifications are necessary for posts of responsibility in the service of the United Nations.

The general requirements for the employment of United Nations staff are stated in Article 101 of the Charter. The paramount consideration is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, due regard being paid to geographical representation. There does not appear to be any need to consult the Secretary-General on this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the latest figures of unemployment in the Cleveland division.

2,070 at 15th January.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are gainfully employed in the Cleveland area.

It is estimated that there were about 54,300 insured employees in employment in the Cleveland division at end-May 1960, the latest date for which figures are available. Figures of gainfully employed persons, which include employers and self-employed, are available only for Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers of unemployed persons in mid-January, 1962, mid-December, 1961, and mid-January, 1961, respectively.

The number of registered unemployed in Great Britain on 15th January, 1962, was 461,036(2·0 per cent.). This compares with 389,409 on 11th December, 1961 (1·7 per cent.) and 418,899 on 16th January, 1961 (1·9 per cent.).

asked the Minister of Labour how many jobs were lost in manufacturing industries in Scotland in 1961.

Approximately 13,000 workers were discharged as redundant from manufacturing industries but the net reduction in the numbers employed in these industries was about 4,000.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will give an assurance that no nuclear bases will be established in Cyprus without the full approval of the Cypriot Government.

For some years we have based in Cyprus, in support of CENTC), bomber aircraft which are capable of delivering nuclear weapons. The aircraft are deployed in one of the Sovereign Base Areas and no question of seeking approval arises.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will consider amalgamating the hospital services in the three defence Services in order to reduce the number of nurses, physiotherapists, remedial gymnasts, and pharmacists required for the Forces.

There is already close co-ordination of the hospital services of the Armed Forces and after study I do not think that amalgamating them would significantly reduce the numbers of hospital staffs required.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will consider setting up a single medical service for the three defence services in order to economise in medical and dental manpower.

The possibility of amalgamating the medical services of the Armed Forces into a single unit has been considered on a number of occasions in the past and has always been rejected. I am not satisfied that such an amalgamation would be in the interests either of economy or of efficiency.

asked the Minister of Defence by what date all trooping by sea is likely to terminate

I hope to take a decision about the future of the trooping fleet when current studies on the strategic need for troopships are complete.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he has now considered in detail the recommendations of the Zuckerman Committee on Defence Research and Development; and what action he proposes to take.

I have been considering the Committee's recommendations but am not yet ready to make a statement on their detailed implications. A good deal of consultation with other Departments is necessary and this is under way.

asked the Minister of Defence what arrangements are being made to resume nuclear tests on Christmas Island.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on Thursday last.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the extent of the damage to H.M.S. "Eagle"; and by what it was caused.

A substantial number of electric light and heating circuits were damaged. Investigations into the cause are still proceeding.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what proportion of industrial staff in the foul. Royal Dockyards in the United Kingdom reported for duty on Monday, 5th February, the day of the one-day strike.

88 per cent. reported for duty and a further 4 per cent. were on approved leave or sick leave, so that only 8 per cent. of the industrial staff in the four home yards were on strike. Allowing for leave and sick leave 85 per cent. reported for duty at Chatham, 92 per cent. at Devonport, 981 per cent. at Portsmouth and 76 per cent. at Rosyth.

asked the Secretary of State for War what were the total numbers of military personnel, with the exception of bandsmen, taking part in the Aldershot show for each of the years 1959 to 1961, inclusive.

490, 740. and 490 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for War what were the numbers of full-scale rehearsals which were held in preparation for the Aldershot District Queen's Birthday parades for each of the years 1955 to 1961, inclusive.

In each of these years there have been two band rehearsals, a preliminary rehearsal and a dress rehearsal with all troops taking part, in addition of course to many unit practices and rehearsals.

asked the Secretary of State fox Air if he will grant permission for a delegation from the Parliament of Cyprus to visit Royal Air Forces installations in the area of Ayia Napa, near Famagusta, for purposes of investigation.

It is not the practice for delegations from other Parliaments to conduct investigations at Royal Air Force establishments.

asked the Secretary of State far Scotland how many health centres have been built in Scotland since the inauguration of the National Health Service Act.

Two. The first, at Sight-hill, Edinburgh, was opened in 1953 and the second, at Stranraer, in 1955. A third, at Cumbernauld, is under construction.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for the full utilisation of the water resources of central Scotland.

The primary task of the reconstituted Scottish Water Advisory Committee is to advise on the organisation of water supply and distribution best adapted to meet present and future needs in central Scotland. Furthermore a Working Party, which includes representatives of the local water authorities primarily concerned, has under consideration the provision of additional sources of water supply for central Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made with the proposal to replace the chain ferry at Erskine by a high level bridge across the River Clyde; when construction is likely to begin; and when the project is likely to be completed.

I have now completed my study of the traffic census report prepared jointly by the Dunbarton and Renfrew County Councils and I hope to discuss its contents with them and with the Clyde Navigation Trust very soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the amount of Exchequer Equalisation Grant paid to each local authority during the last financial year; and what this figure represented as a percentage of each local authority's expenditure for the same year.

The grants paid in the last financial year (1960–61) included balances in respect of previous years. The estimated grants in respect of 1960–61, which are partly payable in later years, are given for each local authority in Scotland in the table below, together with the percentage which the grant bears to the relevant local expenditure in 1960–61.

—	Amount	Percentage of Relevant Local Expenditure
	£	Per cent.
LARGE BURGHS
ABERDEEN	161,867	4·2
AIRDRIE	238,742	34·1
ARBROATH	108,051	33·2
AYR	454	0·1
CLYDEBANK	292,658	26·8
COATBRIDGE	380,379	36·1
DUMBARTON	110,012	21·4
DUMFRIES	94,729	18·6
DUNDEE	188,951	5·9
DUNFERMLINE	222,823	24·7
EDINBURGH	—	—
FALKIRK	77,392	11·2
GLASGOW	—	—
GREENOCK	315,104	23·6
HAMILTON	195,561	25·5
INVERNESS	28,277	5·6
KILMARNOCK	93,078	9·8
KIRKCALDY	207,331	19·4
MOTHERWELL AND WISHAW	251,036	19·1
PAISLEY	302,715	18·2
PERTH	70,471	10·1
PORT GLASGOW	158,347	41·2
RUTHERGLEN	96,636	18·7
STIRLING	46,717	9·2
COUNTIES
ABERDEEN
Landward	760,605	51·8
Ballater	—	—
Ellon	3,595	18·0
Fraserburgh	48,952	31·0
Huntly	18,538	30·2
Inverurie	20,928	32·5
Kintore	4,041	38·8
Oldmeldrum	4,045	29·3
Peterhead	75,441	39·7
Rosehearty	7,803	50·9
Turriff	12,298	31·0
ANGUS
Landward	255,846	45·0
Brechin	34,831	27·8
Carnoustie	3,323	3·8
Forfar	31,475	17·1
Kirriemuir	11,303	22·3
Monifieth	8,289	16·5
Montrose	46,429	27·1
ARGYLL
Landward	288,393	48·8
Campbeltown	49,517	40·9
Dunoon	24,823	13·3
Inveraray	3,310	32·2

—		Amount	Percentage of Relevant Local Expenditure
		£	Per cent.
Lochgilphead	…	10,170	42·8
Oban	…	22,415	17·6
Tobermory	…	5,258	42·3
AYR
Landward	…	506,313	24·8
Ardrossan	…	18,262	11·0
Cumnock	…	28,034	28·8
Darvel	…	8,370	19·7
Galston	…	24,173	43·5
Girvan	…	21,360	22·0
Irvine	…	69,436	27·9
Kilwinning	…	42,127	39·7
Largs	…	—	—
Maybole	…	36,155	460
Newmilns	…	19,618	34·2
Prestwick	…	24,982	15·0
Saltcoats	…	81,913	34·8
Stevenston	…	80,277	43·5
Stewarton	…	17,896	35·4
Troon	…	9,545	6·6
BANFF
Landward	…	220,090	65·4
Aberchirder	…	8,670	62·6
Aberlour	…	9,774	60·2
Banff Burgh	…	16,607	30·3
Buckie	…	66,346	46·2
Cullen	…	11,406	49·2
Dufftown	…	12,811	53·9
Findochty	…	14,531	62·5
Keith	…	34,153	46·2
Macduff	…	24,359	46·8
Portknockie	…	13,843	64·6
Portsoy	…	15,570	53·7
BERWICK
Landward	…	161,321	56·0
Coldstream	…	7,392	31·5
Duns	…	9,282	28·0
Eyemouth	…	13,896	38·8
Lauder	…	3,657	41·5
BUTE
Landward	…	8,891	12·3
Millport	…	—	—
Rothesay	…	—	—
CAITHNESS
Landward	…	110,200	57·0
Thurso	…	49,017	36·7
Wick	…	67,781	50·7
CLACKMANNAN
Landward	…	64,704	20·0
Alloa	…	31,089	10·7
Alva	…	33,155	40·3
Dollar	…	7,462	24·2
Tillicoultry	…	28,380	36·8
DUMFRIES
Landward	…	244,840	31·7
Annan	…	29,484	26·8
Langholm	…	11,550	32·9
Lochmaben	…	7,924	44·5
Lockerbie	…	4,859	11·8
Moffat	…	4,223	11·8
Sanquhar	…	17,119	42·3
DUNBARTON
Landward	…	245,743	20·7
Bearsden	…	—	—
Cove	…	—	—
Helensburgh	…	—	—

—	Amount	Percentage of Relevant Local Expenditure
	£	Per cent.
Kirkintilloch	116,795	40·3
Milngavie	14,434	9·5
EAST LOTHIAN
Landward	96,077	25·3
Cockenzie	15,271	31·9
Dunbar	2,482	4·4
East Linton	3,115	22·9
Haddington	8,111	11·5
North Berwick	—	—
Prestonpans	17,062	40·4
Tranent	38,582	39·7
FIFE
Landward	687,238	32·5
Auchtermuchty	7,473	30·6
Buckhaven	122,636	38·8
Burntisland	8,946	7·8
Cowdenbeath	85,861	40·5
Crail	4,586	25·2
Culross	4,078	45·0
Cupar	8,401	11·2
Elie and Earlsferry	—	—
Falkland	3,249	21·9
Inverkeithing	22,555	30·7
Kilrenny, etc.	13,898	35·0
Kinghorn	9,559	25·8
Ladybank	6,072	35·1
Leslie	18,599	31·7
Leven	22,194	15·3
Lochgelly	70,372	43·7
Markinch	—	—
Newburgh	10,863	31·8
Newport-on-Tay	—	—
Pittenweem	7,281	35·3
St. Andrews	—	—
St. Monance	8,295	43·0
Tayport	14,581	32·2
INVERNESS
Landward	586,612	56·1
Fort William	18,774	28·1
Kingussie	5,219	28·7
KINCARDINE
Landward	139,821	57·2
Banchory	3,771	12·0
Inverbervie	4,358	31·5
Laurencekirk	5,877	33·6
Stonehaven	17,966	26·4
KINROSS
Landward	23,168	37·1
Kinross	15,726	43·7
KIRKCUDBRIGHT
Landward	161,829	54·4
Castle Douglas	16,991	30·5
Dalbeattie	30,725	54·7
Gatehouse	7,645	53·7
Kirkcudbright Burgh	16,094	39·4
New Galloway	1,209	31·2
LANARK
Landward	1,254,402	21·4
Biggar	4,680	20·2
Lanark Burgh	36,370	25·1
MIDLOTHIAN
Landward	289,012	25·4
Bonnyrigg	27,738	26·8
Dalkeith	35,111	22·6
Loanhead	33,102	38·9

—	Amount	Percentage of Relevant Local Expenditure
	£	Per cent.
Musselburgh	78,128	25·4
Penicuik	26,141	25·7
MORAY
Landward	105,347	44·6
Burghead	8,737	61·5
Elgin	26,344	14·4
Forres	18,084	30·6
Grantown-on-Spey	594	3·3
Lossiemouth	31,399	49·6
Rothes	3,378	26·7
NAIRN
Landward	23,384	50·1
Nairn	14,197	19·6
ORKNEY
Landward	171,106	85·5
Kirkwall	28,383	37·4
Stromness	12,993	53·2
PEEBLES
Landward	—	—
Innerleithen	9,939	21·0
Peebles Burgh	12,288	12·4
PERTH
Landward	276,308	34·4
Aberfeldy	2,132	9·5
Abernethy	4,407	47·4
Alyth	11,503	39·5
Auchterarder	13,899	36·4
Blairgowrie	32,128	38·3
Callander	2,262	8·8
Coupar-Angus	11,411	36·8
Crieff	13,212	15·3
Doune	4,591	35·6
Dunblane	7,935	18·3
Pitlochry	3,406	9·0
RENFREW
Landward	7,552	0·6
Barrhead	61,107	28·1
Gourock	3,869	2·7
Johnstone	125,545	37·6
Renfrew Burgh	—	—
ROSS AND CROMARTY
Landward	604,978	75·3
Cromarty Burgh	5,393	45·2
Dingwall	18,896	27·7
Fortrose	4,409	25·8
Invergordon	—	—
Stornoway	25,437	25·9
Tain	8,525	24·2
ROXBURGH
Landward	141,700	48·6
Hawick	75,916	29·2
Jedburgh	19,951	25·2
Kelso	6,262	9·5
Melrose	4,891	14·7
SELKIRK
Landward	19,279	43·0
Galashiels	29,439	13·4
Selkirk Burgh	24,249	24·5
STIRLING
Landward	547,476	28·3
Bridge of Allan	1,515	2·6
Denny and Dunipace	52,143	37·9
Grangemouth	—	—
Kilsyth	79,648	47·6

—	Amount	Percentage of Relevant Local Expenditure
	£	Per cent
SUTHERLAND
Landward	287,911	75·5
Dornoch	15,207	61·0
WEST LOTHIAN
Landward	333,445	35·5
Armadale	42,370	33·5
Bathgate	46,484	22·5
Bo'ness	55,925	33·9
Linlithgow	14,377	22·7
Queensferry	2,436	5·4
Whitburn	51,986	44·5
WIGTOWN
Landward	148,900	55·6
Newton Stewart	9,107	25·9
Stranraer	66,724	37·4
Whithorn	9,590	54·1
Wigtown Burgh	12,268	57·8
ZETLAND
Landward	239,269	86·8
Lerwick	53,251	40·2
TOTAL SCOTLAND	16,387,481	17·4

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what time on Monday, 5th February, Knightsbridge ceased to be restricted to one-way traffic; what notice of this change was given to the public; and what arrangements were made for police co-operation in opening Knightsbridge to two-way traffic.

The restriction ceased at 9 p.m. The timing was governed by traffic conditions, and advance notice would not have been practicable. The arrangements were made by the police.

asked the Minister of Health which was the manufacturer of the general anaesthetic referred to in paragraphs 41–43 of the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General on the Civil Appropriation Accounts, 1960–61, by how much the price has now been reduced; from what date it was reduced; what is the estimated saving in the current year and in 1962–63; and what has been the total expenditure on this item since its introduction to the hospital service in 1956.

Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd. (Pharmaceutical Division). The price has been reduced by rather more than 10 per cent. as from 1st February, 1962. The savings in the current financial year may amount to nearly £10,000 and in 1962–63 to about £60,000. A figure for the total expenditure since 1956 is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the proposed new meat research centre will deal with all kinds of meat including beef, mutton, lamb, pork, canned meat, bacon and ham, poultry, game and rabbits.

I have been asked to reply.The proposed meat research centre will be concerned with both fresh and manufactured meat from cattle, sheep and pigs and other kinds of meat if that seems desirable.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will make a statement on the progress of his negotiations for the establishment of a European Space Launcher Organisation; and when a final conclusion may be expected.

A Convention to establish a European Launcher Development Organisation has been prepared for signature and is now being printed. I hope that it will have been signed by a number of countries by the end of this month. Meanwhile interested countries have set up an informal group to coordinate work on the different aspects of the proposed programme and to plan arrangements for setting up the organisation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science whether he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations for the establishment of a European Space Research Organisation; and when a final conclusion may be expected.

The negotiations are being conducted in the Preparatory Commission, whose functions were described in my Answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason) on 16th May, 1961. Satisfactory progress has been made and it is hoped that the work will be concluded within the next few months.

asked the Minister of Education what plans he has for the next five years for the replacement of old school buildings in the Don Valley division.

I have included five primary and two secondary schools for the Don Valley in the West Riding authority's building programmes from 1960–63. The authority has submitted proposals for its 1963–65 programmes for the replacement or remodelling of a further four secondary schools in the area. These proposals are now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Education what are the shortages of fully qualified teaching staff in the Don Valley division, giving the schools affected and the numbers separately.

Vacancies not permanently filled by qualified teachers number 35 in primary schools, 57 in secondary modern schools and 3 in grammar schools. All but 10 of these are filled by part-time, uncertificated, temporary and supply teachers of whom 63 are qualified teachers.

asked the Minister of Education how many uncertificated teachers are employed in the Don Valley division; and to which schools they are attached.

Twelve in primary schools and one in a secondary modern school.

asked the Minister of Education what action has been taken pursuant to the White Paper on Technical Education published in January, 1961.

The White Paper proposals called for action by local education authorities, technical colleges, employers and examining bodies. Already the whole pattern of part-time courses in engineering has been approved. Most of the old preparatory courses for 15-year olds have been discontinued and replaced by a new general engineering course. This course and an important new engineering technician course started last autumn. Agreement has been reached on the common Ordinary National Certificate and Diploma courses in engineering which win form a basis for later specialisation, for example in mechanical, electrical, chemical or aeronautical engineering. This is a great step forward which will benefit the largest single group of day release students. Discussions are going on about possible new courses in mining, textiles and applied science.

asked the Minister of Education which of the recommendations of the McMeeking Report on further education for commerce have been implemented; and what steps are being taken with regard to the other recommendations.

The Government accepted the McMeeking Report and commended it to the local education authorities and other interests concerned. Good progress has been made in implementing the recommendations. In particular, the system of national awards in commerce has been completely reorganised. There has been a wide response from employers and students to the courses already introduced. Over 400 part-time courses leading to the new Ordinary and Higher National Certificates and over 100 full-time Ordinary National Diploma courses were offered in England and Wales this session.Most of the leading commercial professional bodies have signified their willingness to grant exemption from certain of their own examination requirements to holders of the new awards. The courses can be arranged so that students can specialise in particular fields such as sales and marketing and the export trade, and they offer ample opportunity for the study of commercially useful foreign languages. Commercial sandwich courses leading to the Higher National Diploma in Business Studies, an award which approaches a pass degree in standard, are to start in colleges and departments of commerce next September, and the National Advisory Council on Education for Industry and Commerce are looking into the possibility of establishing further advanced sandwich and full-time courses in Business Studies at honours degree level. To meet the expanding demand the provision of accommodation and equipment for commercial education has been given a prominent place in current building programmes, and day release to attend commercial courses is growing though not as rapidly as I would like.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will appoint a committee to consider the place of grant-aided nursery schools in the education service.

Not at present, but I am considering the whole position in the light of continuing shortage of teachers for primary schools.

asked the Minister of Education which recommendations of the Albemarle Report he has implemented; which recommendations he has not implemented; and what steps he is taking to implement those recommendations.

I have implemented, either wholly or with modifications, the following recommendations set out in chapter 10 of the Albemarle Report:—1, 2, 3, 12, 17, 20, 23, 29, 30, 31, 34, 36, 37. Alternative arrangements have been made to give effect to the intention behind recommendations 21 and 24.

asked the Minister of Education what was the number of full-time staff in technical colleges in 1960–61; what was the number of part-time staff; and how these figures compare with the increase called for in that year by the Willis Jackson Report published in 1957.

There were 19,847 full-time and 52,435 part-time technical teachers in 1960–61. The targets in the Willis Jackson Report were respectively 18,615 and 46,939.

asked the Minister of Education which recommendations of the Crowther Report he has implemented; and what steps he is taking regarding each of the other recommendations which he has not yet implemented.

This Report has had a profound influence on educational thinking both within my Department and in schools, colleges, and local authority offices throughout the country. The Government's attitude to the raising of the school leaving age and the introduction of county colleges was made clear in the debate on the Report in March, 1960. The Report has already borne fruit in new policies for teacher supply, secondary school examinations, school leaving dates, and the development of the youth service and further education. At the same time, the Council's views have led to a widespread and continuing re-assessment by the schools and colleges of further education of their curricula and methods.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will arrange for the scale model of the Bank of England building which is to be erected in Bristol to be placed on exhibition in Bristol so that it can be seen by interested members of the public.

The new building is the responsibility of the Bank of England. I will, however, see that this suggestion is passed to them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will propose an enlargement of the Thames Flood Barrier Committee so as to include two engineers from local authorities whose interests are likely to be adversely affected.

No. This is a small Committee set up to guide further work by the consulting engineers for the barrier project on certain technical problems and is adequately representative for this limited task. Local authorities and others whose interests are likely to be affected will be consulted before any decision is taken to construct a Thames flood barrier.