asked the President of the Board of Trade what legislative action, pending the Report of the Molony Committee on Consumer Protection, he proposes to take to protect the public from misleading advertising.

None.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what examination has been made by his Department of the export and economic problems that would be involved if arms exports from Great Britain were discontinued.

None.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the nature of his reply to the joint communication from the Durham County Planning Authority and the Crook and Willington Urban District Council, dated 13th February, 1962, concerning the erection of an advance factory in this development district.

I am not at present planning to put up any advance factories, but if I decide to put up any more the claims of Crook and Willington will certainly be considered. A reply in this sense is being sent to the local authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will amend the regulations governing applications for compulsory licences under Section 41 of the Patents Act, 1949, in such a way as to prevent patent-holders, through the imposition of a time limit, from delaying for long periods the hearing of opposed applications.

No. Both parties must be given adequate opportunity to prepare their cases and submit their evidence and counter-evidence and this needs time, particularly if one party is abroad. An arbitrary overall time limit, unless a very long one, might work unjustly on one or other party.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take in consequence of the result of the bid by Imperial Chemical Industries Limited for the share capital of Courtaulds Limited, and of the decision of the former company to make its offer unconditional in respect of the 37½ per cent. of the ordinary capital of the latter company; and whether he will make a statement.

The outcome of the I.C.I. bid for Courtaulds does not call for any action by me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress is being made in his general review of monopolies and restrictive practices; and what proposals he has for the introduction of further legislation on the subject.

As I told the House on 30th January, my Department is undertaking a comprehensive review of policy and legislation on monopolies and restrictive practices. Until this review is complete I cannot say whether further legislation is necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the controversy aroused by the Imperial Chemical Industries bid to take over Courtaulds, and the new situation arising from this bid, if he will establish a committee to investigate the whole system of take-over bids, especially when quasi-monopolies and other restrictive practices are involved affecting the public interest, and to report quickly what further steps should be taken to protect the public interest; and if he will make a statement.

No. The comprehensive review of policy and legislation on monopolies and restrictive practices now being undertaken in my Department covers the broad policy aspects of this subject, whilst, as I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills) on 5th March, the Jenkins Committee has been asked to consider, in relation to take-over bids, the duties of directors and the rights of shareholders. I do not think it would assist matters to set up a third body for the purpose suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what recommendations have been made by his Department to business men exhibiting at, and attending, the forthcoming Leipzig Fair concerning the Government's policy on trade with East Germany.

I assume this Question refers to the Fair just concluded in Leipzig. I made no recommendations to business men on this subject but I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by the Lord Prvy Seal to a Question on 19th February on attendance at, and participation in, the Leipzig Fair.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what is the number of British firms the export of whose products is limited by trading restrictions agreed by Her Majesty's Government with the Government of the United States of America;(2) if he will state the number of British workers employed in factories affected by the United States Government regulations restricting the countries to which the products of these factories may be exported.

It is not possible to tell how many British firms, or British subsidiaries of American firms, or workers in such firms, are affected by the internationally agreed strategic controls or the United States controls on exports to the Sino-Soviet bloc.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect the pay pause has had upon British exports.

The object of the pay pause was to halt the increase in costs of production and thereby to improve our competitive position in world markets. There is good reason to believe that this has been happening, though it takes time for changes in the trend of costs to work through fully to prices and trade. We are certainly now in a better position to take advantage of the opportunities which increasing world trade should open up.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated loss of revenue if a special tax allowance of £100 per annum were given to gravely disabled taxpayers, as defined by the Royal Commission on the Taxation of Profits and Income.

I regret that I cannot give a precise figure but, if an allowance were confined within the strict limitations of the Royal Commission's proposal, the cost would probably be small.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the position of public service pensioners, having regard to the increase in the cost of living since the passing of the Pensions Increase Act. 1959.

This matter is kept constantly under review, but my right hon. Friend does not consider that the time has come for a further increase at the general taxpayer's expense.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average amount of rates payable in large cities in 1951 and 1961; to what extent expenditure by local authorities has increased during the past three years as a result of the increased Bank Rate; and, in view of the burden this places upon local authorities, if he will take steps to reduce the Bank Rate and at the same time examine the need for reorganising the financing of municipalities.

The average rate per head paid in county boroughs in England and Wales was £7 7s. in 1951 and £16 4s. in 1961, due mainly to greatly increased expenditure on education. The hon. Member will be aware that Bank Rate was reduced again last week. The effect of this and earlier changes in Bank Rate on local authority expenditure cannot be quantified but I do not believe that it necessitates a reorganisation of municipal financing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has studied the resolution passed by the Goole Borough Council calling for the abolition of the fuel oil tax which has been sent to him; and what reply he has sent.

I have acknowledged receipt of this resolution, which has been noted. I cannot, of course, make any further comment at this time of year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has yet resolved the financial difficulties regarding the siting of an oil refinery near Pwllcrochan, Pembrokeshire.

I am hopeful that a satisfactory settlement will be reached very shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the 31,671 students admitted to first degree courses in October, 1961, were full time; how many were part time; and what were the numbers of full-time and part-time students, respectively, who came from overseas.

All 31,671 were full time; the precise number of these from overseas is not yet known. No statistics in respect of admissions to part-time study are available, but in the academic year 1960–61 about 2,400 part-time students were studying for first degree and first diploma courses.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the Report of the Committee set up to investigate the loss of the Goya portrait from the National Gallery.

The Government hope to be able to publish in due course the greater part of the report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the percentage rise in real terms in wages and salary earnings and in ordinary dividends, respectively, since 1938.

Complete figures for 1961 are not yet available, but between 1938 and 1960 total wages and salaries rose by 384 per cent. and total gross ordinary dividends by 190 per cent. The latter figure has been adjusted to exclude dividends paid in 1938 by companies subsequently nationalised. The corresponding increases, allowing for changes in the purchasing power of the pound as measured by the consumers' price index, were 71 per cent. for wages and salaries and 2 per cent. for ordinary dividends.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local authorities have formed, or have indicated that they are in the process of forming, home safety committees since the Home Office Circular no. 124/ 1961 regarding the Home Safety Act, 1961, was issued on the 24th July, 1961.

I regret that this information is not available. I am however informed that since the circular was issued 19 local authorities and 24 local home safety committees have become subscribers to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the present instructions to the Metropolitan Police about the desirability of calling police doctors to give evidence in cases of driving under the influence of drink; and whether, in view of the failure to call medical evidence in recent cases, he proposes to issue any new instruction on the subject.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a Question by the hon. and learned Member for West Ham, South (Mr. Elwyn Jones) on 15th February. The Commissioner of Police now has these instructions under urgent review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the recent change in public opinion, and particularly the change of attitude amongst judges, he will now review the provisions of the Homicide Act, 1957, relating to capital punishment.

I shall certainly look into any evidence which the hon. Member submits to me, but it is only fair to say that I see no prospect of early legislation on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will appoint a committee of inquiry into the present system of choosing jurors, with special reference to means of increasing the numbers of women jurors.

Any committee of inquiry into the method of choosing jurors would necessarily have to consider many other issues, as well as the possibility of increasing the number of women qualified to serve as jurors, and I have no statement to make at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the annual rate of expenditure on all forms of advertising by his Department in the Press, on television, and in cinemas, respectively.

Display advertising in the press is undertaken by and on behalf of my Department to encourage recruitment to the police, prison and civil defence services. The estimated expenditure in the current financial year is £180,000. No expenditure is incurred on cinema or television advertising time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions leading to conviction in England and Wales, and how many prosecutions in the Metropolitan district of London, there have been in the last ten years, for selling tobacco to children under the age of 16 years, whether for their own or for another's consumption.

Following are the numbers of persons convicted of offences under Section 7 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933:

—			England and Wales	Metropolitan Police District
1951	…	…	24	4
1952	…	…	48	4
1953	…	…	39	4
1954	…	…	61	5
1955	…	…	44	5
1956	…	…	66	4
1957	…	…	76	8
1958	…	…	90	7
1959	…	…	86	4
1960	…	…	54	7

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the report into the inquiry on the explosion that took place recently in West Bromwich; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that a report of the first stage of the investigation, dealing with the loading of the vehicle and events prior to the explosion, should be available in the near future. Assessment of the nature and probable cause of the explosion entails detailed inquiry, including experimental tests, and I regret that it is not possible to forecast when a comprehensive report may be ready.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to prohibit youths under the age of 21 years from having in their possession any air weapon in a public place after dark.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces in the country are now below normal strength; what is the minimum height prescribed; and if he will make a statement.

Most police forces in England and Wales have vacancies. but good progress is being made with recruitment, and out of 125 forces only eleven, including the Metropolitan Police Force, are more than 10 per cent. below their present authorised establishments. The Police Regulations provide that a candidate for appointment as a constable must, save for special reasons approved by the Secretary of State, be at least 5 feet 8 inches tall in the case of a man and 5 feet 4 inches tall in the case of a woman. In many forces, a higher minimum is prescribed by the appointing authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the report of the Departmental Committee on the Probation Service will be published.

Copies of the Report are now in the Vote Office. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I would like to take this opportunity of expressing our appreciation of the Committee's valuable work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he has imposed a ban upon the export of eight categories of cotton cloth from Hong Kong to the United States of America.

The Government of Hong Kong announced on the 2nd March that it had ceased to issue export licences for the time being in view of a request from the United States Government, under the short-term G.A.T.T. Cotton Textile Arrangements, that exports of these items should be restrained, as they were considered, in the view of the United States Government, to be disrupting the American market.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now able to make a statement on the moving of the administrative capital of the Bechuanaland Protectorate.

Yes. As the House was informed on 29th June, it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government that the capital of the Bechuanaland Protectorate—now at Mafeking in the Republic of South Africa—should be moved into the Protectorate as soon as circumstances permit. Since then the Legislative Council of the Protectorate has passed by an overwhelming majority a motion that Gaberones should be the site of the new capital. This Motion is supported by the High Commissioner.Her Majesty's Government recognise that this proposal could contribute substantially to the political, social and economic development of the Bechuanaland Protectorate and to the welfare of all its people and have now decided that planning should proceed and estimates of cost be prepared on the assumption that Gaberones should be the site of the new capital. Final approval for the transfer must however wait until full and detailed information on the exact source of the water supply is available. This is at present under examination and results may be expected shortly.I take this opportunity of expressing our gratitude to the people of Mafeking for their hospitality in accommodating the Headquarters for so many years. It will be the intention of the administration in planning for the move so to phase matters as to reduce to the minimum any adverse impact on the inhabitants of that town. I do not believe that this need involve any delay in the actual move.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether present stocks of potatoes in this country are sufficient to meet demand; and what steps he will take if a substantial deficiency appears likely.

Information I have just received on stocks of potatoes still on farms indicates that home supplies will not by themselves meet all requirements throughout the remainder of the season. My right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, is therefore announcing today that imports of main crop potatoes will now be admitted under open individual licence for as long as is necessary.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what new measures he proposes to take to limit office development in congested areas and to steer new offices to areas where there is an inadequate range of work.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay) on 12th December.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why the general grant to Bristol has been reduced by more than £250,000, in view of the fact that the expenditure of the authority increased by more than £1,000,000 last year.

On latest figures the grant for 1961–62 was £130,000 more than that for 1960–61, and the grant for 1962–63 £156,000 more than that for 1961–62. The grants for both the later years are subject to increase if the House approves the order now before it and the further increase order to be made later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the estimated cost of paying to Polish ex-regular soldiers, who fought in the Second World War and have since elected to remain in this country, military pensions on the same basis as those paid to British ex-soldiers.

None of the Polish ex-soldiers resident in this country has the service needed to qualify for a Service pension under the conditions which apply to British ex-soldiers. I cannot estimate the cost of awarding pensions based on service with the former Polish Government, because I have not complete records of that service.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will publish in HANSARD the last fifty slogans or phrases which public and private bodies have been given permission to use in franking their mail.

I am sending this information to the hon. Member today.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if the Norwegian Terne anti-submarine weapon has been evaluated by the Royal Navy; and if he will consider fitting this weapon in place of depth charges in small naval craft such as seaward defence boats.

The Terne has been demonstrated to the Royal Navy by a ship of the Royal Norwegian Navy, and information about its performance is being studied. Consideration will be given to fitting it in appropriate ships of the Royal Navy.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what economies have been effected by the re-equipping of the Hong Kong minesweeping squadron; what is the future of the vessels formerly employed in local patrols in this area; and if he is satisfied that three vessels can effectively perform the function of six of a smaller type.

This is not an economy measure, but part of the process of redeploying the minesweeper forces in the Far East to greater advantage referred to by my noble Friend in his Explanatory Statement on the Navy Estimates.The six inshore minesweepers now at Hong Kong are to be paid off into reserve on the Far East Station. The three coastal minesweepers which will replace them are better equipped to perform the rather special duties of the Hong Kong minesweeping squadron.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he proposes to take to make widely known in all schools the findings of the Royal College of Physicians on smoking and its connection with lung cancer, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular which has been sent to local education authorities, and would draw his attention to my reply last Monday to my hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge (Mr. Hornby).

asked the Minister of Education whether he will cause to be distributed to all senior forms in schools a summary of the report of the Royal College of Physicians on smoking.

I am arranging for the salient features of the Report to be included in the publicity material that is being prepared for use by local education authorities.

asked the Minister of Education, in view of the sharp increase in the number of Commonwealth immigrants into this country, which rose from 120 in the month of January, 1960, to 2,940 in 1961 and 10,800 in 1962, what steps he is taking to meet the special problems in schools that this immigration is causing; how far it is aggravated by the inability of an increasing number of immigrants to speak English; and if he will make a statement.

The schools are continuing to absorb the children of Commonwealth immigrants. In cases of language difficulty local education authorities arrange for extra tuition in special classes, and where necessary their teacher quotas have been adjusted. I believe that both authorities and teachers are making a very good job of this problem and that local arrangements are working well.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware of the concern in this country regarding the implementation of the Slavery Conventions of 1926 and 1956; and whether he will ask the appropriate section of the United Nations Organisation to examine complaints of infringements of these Conventions.

I am aware of the concern that has been expressed. Her Majesty's Government have demonstrated that they share this concern by their initiatives last year in the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly of the United Nations, when we appealed to member States to become parties to the Slavery Convention and to co-operate in carrying out its terms.No machinery has been set up to implement the provisions of the Convention or to examine infringement of its terms and the second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Prime Minister what steps he is taking to revise the constitution of the Central African Federation to preserve the economic advantages of some form of alliance among its member States while giving greater emphasis to African aspirations in its political structure.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. du Cann) on 8th March.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation whether he will make a statement about his plans in the field of technical education and training.

I am setting up a Council for Technical Education and Training for Overseas Countries, with a chairman from industry, to focus and intensify the British effort, non-governmental as well as governmental, in this important field. The Council, which will begin its work early in April, will have the following terms of reference:

To give advice and expert assistance to H.M.G. and others as may be required with a view to promoting technical and commercial education and training for developing countries, and for this purpose, inter alia:

(a) to furnish advice and information and to promote contacts between those concerned with such education and training in the United Kingdom and in developing countries;

(b) to promote and where appropriate to undertake the recruitment of staff for service overseas in this field; and

(c) to facilitate the training and education in the United Kingdom of trainees, teachers and others from developing countries.

Its composition will be as follows:Mr. F. J. Pedler, M.A. (Chairman)—Director of Unilever and Joint Managing Director of The United Africa Company.Mr. A. P. Blair, M.A.—Formerly adviser to Shell International on career development, recruitment and educational projects.Mr. G. Bosworth, M.A., M.I.E.E., A.M.I.Mech.E., F.R.S.A., A.R.Ae.S., Director of Group Personnel Services, English Electric Co. Ltd.Sir Christopher Cox, K.C.M.G.—Education Adviser, D.T.C.Miss I. S. Gibson, O.B.E., J.P., B.Sc.—Principal, Glasgow and West of Scotland College of Domestic Science.Mr. E. M. Hyde-Clarke, D.Sc.—Director, Overseas Employers' Federation.Sir Willis Jackson, D.Phil., D.Sc., Hon.S.C.G.I., M.I.E.E., M.I.Mech.E., F.R.S.—Professor of Electrical Engineering, Imperial College of Science and Technology.Mr. J. C. Jones, C.B.E., B.Sc., A.M.I.C.E., M.I.Mech.E.—Technical Education Adviser, D.T.C.Major-General C. Lloyd, C.B., C.B.E., T.D., B.Sc., F.Inst.P.—Director-General, City and Guilds of London Institute.Mr. J. Marsh—Director, British Institute of Management.Mr. J. P. Martin-Bates, M.A.—Principal, Administrative Staff College, Henley-on-Thames.Mr. J. A. R. Pimlott, C.B., B.Litt., B.A.—Under-Secretary, Further Education Branch. Ministry of Education.Dr. J. E. Richardson, C.B.E., Ph.D., B.Eng., M.I.E.E., A.M.I.Mech.E.—Principal, The Polytechnic, Regent Street.Mr. C. J. Ritchie, O.B.E.—Home Division. British Council.Dr. E. A. Thompson, M.A. (Com.), B.Sc. (Econ.), Ph.D., M.I.I.A.—Principal, Scottish College of Commerce, Glasgow.Mr. P. Trench, O.B.E., T.D., B.Sc., F.I.O.B—Director, National Federation of Building Trades Employers.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the number of level crossings on trunk roads.

There are at present 124 level crossings on trunk roads in England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will list the classified road schemes, together with the grant for each, which he hopes to authorise in the financial years 1961–62 to 1963–64 inclusive in London and the other conurbations.

Yes. The schemes costing over £100,000 which are at present included in the programme for the Administrative County of London area and the other conurbations are listed below. Schemes for 1962–63 and 1963–64 in the South-East Lancashire and West Riding conurbations and for 1963–64 in the Tyneside conurbation have not yet

MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW CONSTRUCTION ON CLASSIFIED ROADS IN ENGLAND AND WALES
SCHEMES COSTING OVER £100,000, 1961–62 TO 1963–64
Highway Authority			Scheme				Grant £
THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNTY OF LONDON
1961–62
L.C.C.	…	…	Old Street/City Road	…	…	…	2,167,000
L.C.C.	…	…	Euston Road	…	…	…	1,702,500
L.C.C.	…	…	Gardiners Corner	…	…	…	966,000
L.C.C.	…	…	Kingsway Tunnel	…	…	…	761,500
L.C.C.	…	…	A.200: Dockhead By-pass, Bermondsey	…	…	…	384,500
L.C.C.	…	…	Eastern Avenue Extension	…	…	…	112,500
L.C.C.	…	…	A.306: Roehampton Lane improvement	…	…	…	439,500
L.C.C.	…	…	Holloway Road, Islington	…	…	…	201,000
City of London	…	…	Blackfriars Bridge Underpass	…	…	…	2,400,000
City of London	…	…	Aldgate High Street-Gardiners Corner	…	…	…	375,000
City of London	…	…	Cannon Street Railway Bridge	…	…	…	298,000
1962–63
L.C.C.	…	…	Harrow Road/Marylebone Road	…	…	…	3,771,000
L.C.C.	…	…	Finchley Road	…	…	…	2,812,500
L.C.C.	…	…	Bow Bridge Intersection	…	…	…	1,402,500
1963–64
L.C.C.	…	…	Westway to Holland Park Avenue	…	…	…	4,410,000
L.C.C.	…	…	Vauxhall Cross	…	…	…	1,987,000
L.C.C.	…	…	Marylebone Road	…	…	…	472,500

WEST MIDLANDS CONURBATION
1961–62
Birmingham C.B.C.	…	Inner Ring Road, Section I, Part III, Holloway Circus Underpass	904,500
Birmingham C.B.C.	…	Inner Ring Road, Section III, Part I, Masshouse Circus Underpass	839,000
Birmingham C.B.C.	…	A.47: The Parkway Nechells	587,500
Birmingham C.B.C.	…	A.34: Six Ways, Aston Underpass	530,500
Smethwick C.B.C	…	A.457: Oldbury Road, Chatwin Street to Nine Leasowes	100,000
West Bromwich C.B.C.	…	A.4041: Newton Road, Widening and New Bridges over River and Railway	222,000
Wolverhampton C.B.C.	…	B.4160: Lower Stafford Street	77,000
Worcestershire C.C.	…	A.491: Bromsgrove-Stourbridge, Widening	1,082,000

1962–63
Birmingham C.B.C.	…	Inner Ring Road, Colmore Circus	1,102,000
Birmingham C.B.C.	…	Inner Ring Road, Great Charles Street to Ringway	307,000
Birmingham C.B.C.	…	A.38: Rubery By-Pass Flyover	435,500
Dudley C.B.C.	…	A.461: Station Bridge and Birmingham Road	107,000
Staffordshire C.C.	…	A.461: Lichfield-Aldridge	225,000
Staffordshire C.C.	…	A.454: Portobello By-Pass	262,500
Staffordshire C.C.	…	A.34/A.452: Queslett Road	192,000
Wolverhampton C.B.C.	…	A.449: Penn Road	151,000
Worcestershire C.C.	…	A.461/A.4036: Hagley Road	188,000
Worcestershire C.C.	…	Halesowen By-Pass	240,000

1963–64
Birmingham C.B.C.	…	Hockley Hill Flyover	900,000
Birmingham C.B.C.	…	Inner Ring Road, Section III, Part II, Masshouse Circus Underpass	2,100,000
Staffordshire C.C.	…	Bosty Lane	54,000
Wolverhampton C.B.C.	…	Inner Ring Road, Section III, Salop Street-Waterloo Road	922,500
Worcestershire C.C.	…	A.459: Bromsgrove to Halesowen.	105,000
(Programmes subject to revision).