asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what holdings of United States securities are held by the Treasury or by Treasury nominees; and what percentage of these are securities obtained by Her Majesty's Government under the Defence Finance Regulations and the Financial Powers (U.S.A. Securities) Act, 1941;(2) what details have previously been published of United States securities held by the Treasury or by Treasury nominees; and what percentage is taken into account in the balance of monthly gold and dollar reserves.

These securities form part of the assets of the Exchange Equalisation Account. It is not the practice to publish details of that Account but the approximate value of the dollar portfolio is given in Balance of Payments White Papers. The value is not included in the figures of gold and currency reserves.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the revenue received for the year 1960–61 from tobacco duties under the following heads, namely, cigarettes, pipe tobacco, and cigars.

Virtually all the tobacco revenue comes from the duty charged on the raw leaf when it is withdrawn from bond, and does not vary according to the use to which the leaf may subsequently be put. But I understand that of the total weight of manufactured tobacco consumed in this country about 93 per cent. is accounted for by cigarettes (including hand-rolled), 6 per cent. by pipe tobacco and 1 per cent. by cigars and snuff.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the report on smoking by the Royal College of Physicians and the consequent demand that Her Majesty's Government should take steps to persuade smokers to abandon their habit and to dissuade nonsmokers from taking it up, what new sources of revenue he now has in mind to replace the £825 million produced last year by the tobacco tax; and if he will make a statement.

The question raised by my hon. Friend is a Budgetary matter on which I cannot now comment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will restore the percentage relationship which existed from 1953 to 1955, inclusive, between the pensions of widows of men of the Armed Forces and National Insurance retirement pensions in relation to the retail price index;(2) if he will restore the percentage relationship which existed between civil public pensions covered by the Pensions Increases Acts from 1953 to 1955, inclusive, and National Insurance retirement pensions in relation to the retail price index.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Oldbury and Halesowen (Mr. Moyle) on 15th March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the unproductive expenditure involved in the issue and counter-issue of brochures and other information by companies involved in take-over bids, if he will introduce legislation to ensure that such expenditure does not rank for tax purposes as business expenses.

I see no reason for legislation on this matter. Expenditure by a trader is allowed as a deduction for tax purposes only if it is incurred wholly and exclusively for the purposes of his trade and is not of a capital nature.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what request he has received from Courtaulds for consent to the capitalisation of £40 million of their capital profits in the form of an issue of loan stock to their stockholders at the rate of 10s. per £1 share; and what action he proposes to take.

As has been announced by the company, Treasury consent was sought and has been given for the issue of redeemable stock.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the National Economic Development Council have terms of reference which enable the members to consider reasons for the rise in the cost of living and the relation between the cost of living to wages and profits.

It is open to the Council to consider any subject which they think relevant to the economic performance of the nation and in particular to its rate of sound growth.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now state what arrangements are being made by the National Economic Development Council to consult suitable representatives of science and technology to advise as to the extent to which science and technology can be used more effectively in developing the economic potential of the country.

I am not yet in a position to add to the answer given on 13th February.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the obstacles to a progressive increase in home production of four to six per cent. in the next three years; and whether he has a plan to make such increases possible.

The most serious obstacle to sound economic growth in this country is that our competitive position in international trade has not been strong enough. An increase of four to six per cent. per annum in home production, unless accompanied by a corresponding increase in exports, might only worsen our balance of payments problem. The Government's policies, including in particular its incomes policy, are intended to make us more competitive. Futhermore, examination of the obstacles to quicker growth will be one of the main functions of the National Economic Development Council.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of Inland Revenue office cleaners in Cardiff who will be dismissed when the contract cleaners begin to operate; what is the number of these office cleaners who have been employed in the service of his Department for five years or longer; and how much money he estimates he will save in his Cardiff offices by this change of policy.

The present arrangements for contract cleaning in the Inland Revenue offices in Cardiff will give rise to no dismissals, and will produce an immediate saving of about £650 a year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why there is to be an issue of new and revised £5 notes.

Responsibility for this matter lies with the Bank of England.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is taking or proposes to take to overcome the shortage of teaching staff in universities and to retain the existing staff.

The teaching staffs of universities have in fact been increasing fast, and I would expect this increase to continue with the assurance of rapid university expansion provided by the very large increase in grants which the Government have just announced.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking as a result of the report of the committee set up to investigate the loss of the Goya painting.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he intends to publish the report on the theft of the Goya portrait from the National Gallery.

The Government are considering this report, and I am not yet able to name a date for publication. A statement will be made at the time it is published.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the subject of university building in Scotland; and what replies he has sent.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what requests he has received from the University Grants Committee for a larger allocation of funds in respect of university building in Scotland; and what reply he has sent.

Capital allocations for university development are fixed on a Great Britain basis, following advice from the University Grants Committee. Requests of the kind alluded to in the Question would thus not arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer Whether he will appoint a committee, the membership of which will include university vice-chancellors, to inquire into means of providing more detailed information to Parliament on university matters.

The U.G.C. already provide a great deal of information, for instance through their annual returns, and I shall shortly be laying before the House their report on the universities during the years 1957 to 1961. I have no doubt that the committee under Lord Robbins which is reviewing the future pattern of higher education in this country, and has a distinguished academic membership, will include this question of information in their deliberations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will inquire into the reasons for the delay in paying to Mr. Ernest Hatton, of Tamworth, two postwar credits, details of which have been sent to him, in respect of which repayment was requested last October.

Payment has now been authorised in this case. I regret the delay and I have written to the hon. Member about it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much his long-term grants are below the figure recommended by the University Grants Committee for the expansion of universities to meet the growing number of applicants for admission.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the Government has departed from the recommendations of the University Grants Committee for the recurrent grants for the next quinquennium and for the salaries of university teaching staffs.

It has always been the practice not to disclose the advice given by the University Grants Committee on these matters.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received since his recent announcement about salary increases for university staffs; and what replies he has sent.

Twenty-one. Most of them have been received in the last few days, and replies will be sent shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what date he expects to fulfil his promise to review academic salaries to university staffs beyond the 3 per cent. increase now offered.

I have nothing at present to add to the statement on this matter by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary on 14th March, which was made in the context of the Government's policy on incomes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of medical schools: what is the estimated number of doctors who will qualify from them each year; and what plans he has to increase the number of such schools.

Twenty-six. There are no present plans to increase their number. In the year ended 31st July last a total of 1,844 students obtained a first registrable medical degree.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the recent criticism from Germany of the 6 per cent. Bank Rate in the United Kingdom, and because of the harm it has done to the building industry and the heavy financial burden it has put on local authorities, if he will reduce it immediately to 5 per cent.; and what are the arguments against reducing it further.

The level of Bank Rate has to be determined after taking account of many factors, both internal and external, including the level of similar rates in other countries. It was after a broad review of all these considerations that my right hon. Friend approved the two recent moves which have brought Bank Rate to 5 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements have now been made with the West German Federal Government on the occupation costs of British forces.

I made a full statement to the House on Monday last about our recent negotiations with the Federal German Government about stationing costs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the serious incident at West Bromwich on 6th February involving the transportation of dangerous substances, and the resultant injury and damage, he will now introduce regulations specifically controlling such transportation.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on 28th February and 15th March to Questions by the hon. Member for Oldham, East (Mr. Mapp) and the right hon. Member for West Bromwich (Mr. Dugdale).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children who have not committed any criminal offence are now in approved schools.

On 31st January, 1962, there were in approved schools in England and Wales, 3,557 children who, at the date of their committal, were under 14, and 4,766 young persons who, at the date of their committal, were aged 14 and under 17. Of the children, 362 were committed to approved schools for reasons other than the commission of a criminal offence; and of these 218 had not previously been found guilty of any such offence. The corresponding figures for young persons were 826 and 588 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that fire damage in Great Britain for the last 10 months of 1961 was estimated at £33 million and that, according to information issued by his Department, fires in private residences occurred at the rate of 95,000 in one year; and whether he will bring to the attention of private householders the availability of inexpensive fire extinguishers now on the market, and the desirability of each household maintaining such an extinguisher.

Brigades are called out to deal with about 25,000 fires a year in private houses in England and Wales. Information and advice about fire protection in the home is provided in Government publicity, by fire authorities and by other bodies. I am considering whether the advice issued by the Government should include information about fire extinguishers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations have been made to him by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on the subject of medical experiments on animals; and whether he will make a statement.

I have had no representations from the Society on this subject since I received a deputation in May last year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he has now considered the case of Mr. David Day, details of which have been sent to him, whose baby daughter died while he was serving a sentence in Horfield Prison as a civil prisoner for debt and who, owing to the prison rules at present in force, could not be granted temporary release to attend his child's funeral; and if he will make a statement;(2) whether he will take immediate steps to make new prison rules so that a person committed to prison for a civil offence, who is otherwise law-abiding, shall be allowed the privilege, already available to a felon, of temporary release.

I have considered this case and have given instructions for the preparation of an amendment to the Prison Rules which will make civil prisoners eligible for parole.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recommendations he has received from the Departmental Committee appointed three years ago to deal with the proper marking of vehicles, or containers on vehicles, which contain dangerous or inflammable liquids or gases; and what action he has now taken to implement these recommendations.

A list of substances and a provisional scheme of marking has been drawn up in consultation with the transport and chemical industries. I now propose to seek the views of the local authority associations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many West Indian migrants have applied to join the Metropolitan Police Force in the past 12 months; how many applications were rejected; and what reasons were given for rejection.

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, who is responsible for appointments to the Metropolitan Police Force, that in the last twelve months eight West Indians applied to join the force, but that none of them was accepted. In accordance with the normal practice, no specific reasons were given to the applicants, who were not thought to have the qualifications required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that probation officers and ex-police officers are eligible for service on juries; and what steps he will take to amend the position so that no person who may be called upon for public service at any time, or who is aware of the legal procedure used for inquiring into the character of an accused person, shall be called for jury service.

As I indicated in reply to a Question by the hon. Member on 1st February last, any changes in the law would require very careful consideration, and I can hold out no prospect of early legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been prosecuted under the Litter Act, 1958, in the Metropolitan Police district in the twelve months up to the most recent convenient date.

The number of persons prosecuted in 1960 was 42, of whom 34 were convicted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will implement the findings of the Departmental Committee on the probation service; and if he will make a statement.

I welcome the report and share the Committee's appreciation of the part that the probation service has to play in the penal system. The Committee's recommendations, some of which could be implemented only by legislation, will, however, require careful study before I can announce conclusions on them. As regards the increases of salary recommended by the Committee, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 16th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Bridgwater (Sir G. Wills).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what conditions those persons who were recently convicted under the Official Secrets Act of offences committed in connection with the march to Wethers-field are held in prison; and what privileges they receive.

They are held under the same conditions and treated in the same way as any other prisoners convicted of criminal offences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he contemplates any increase in the fees payable under the British Nationality Acts.

It has been decided to increase the fees payable by persons who apply after 1st April for naturalisation or for registration. The main changes are that the fee for a certificate of naturalisation granted to an alien will be £25 instead of £20, and the fee for the registration of an alien wife of a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies will be £1 10s. instead of £1. Corresponding changes will be made in the fees chargeable for the naturalisation of British Protected Persons, the registration of minor children and certain other formalities in relation to the loss or acquisition of citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies under the British Nationality Acts. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing all the changes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the trapping of wild birds still continues on an extensive scale; and what steps he proposes to take to tighten up the present law on the subject.

The Protection of Birds Act, 1954, prohibits trapping except for the use of cage traps either by authorised persons to take birds listed in the Second Schedule or for the purpose of taking birds for ringing or examination before release. I have no evidence of any abuse of these provisions or of an increase in illegal trapping.

asked the Attorney-General what is the procedure for the appointment of commissioners of Income Tax; and what precautions are taken to ensure that the commissioners are representative of all classes of the community.

I assume that the Question refers to the appointment of General Commissioners of Income Tax. Since 1st January, 1960, the authority to appoint General Commissioners of Income Tax has been vested in my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, though in a few Divisions appointments may also be made by the magistrates for the area. To assist him in discharging this duty my noble Friend has set up Advisory Committees throughout the country, similar to those which advise him on the selection of candidates for appointment as Justices of the Peace. When appointing General Commissioners, my noble Friend's primary concern is to find persons of integrity, discretion and impartiality who also have some experience of the manner in which the Income Tax operates and the way in which it can affect the taxpayer. Subject to these overriding considerations, he bears in mind the desirability of including among the General Commissioners persons from different sections of the taxpaying community.

asked the Attorney-Genera] whether he is satisfied that the present list of commissioners of Income Tax for the county borough of Oldham is fair and representative of all classes of taxpayers within the county borough; and if he will make a statement.

All the General Commissioners of Income Tax who serve in the Oldham area have held office since before January, 1960, when my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor became responsible for their appointment and, as no vacancy has occurred since that time, he has not had occasion to consider the composition of this tribunal. My noble Friend is satisfied that all the present General Commissioners are well qualified for the work and that they discharge their duties competently and fairly.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations to which countries now independent within the Commonwealth Her Majesty's Government provides financial aid.

• India,
• Pakistan,
• Ceylon,
• Ghana,
• Malaya,
• Nigeria,
• Cyprus,
• Sierra Leone,
• Tanganyika.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement about the conversion of Marlborough House for the Commonwealth Economic Consultative Council and other Commonwealth purposes.

As announced by the Prime Minister on 17th February, 1959, Her Majesty the Queen has generously placed Marlborough House at the disposal of the British Government as a centre for meetings of representatives of Commonwealth Governments. Office accommodation has been provided for the Commonwealth Economic Committee, the Commonwealth Education Liaison Unit and the Association of Universities of the British Commonwealth. The work of adapting and modernising the building is now nearly completed and Her Majesty will pay a visit on 28th March. After that date Marlborough House will be available for meetings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he proposes to take to implement the Government's special responsibilities towards those who have farmed under the European Agricultural Settlement Board in Kenya.

I have received representations from the Association of Settlement Board Farmers in Kenya, which I am having examined.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now consider adjourning the Kenya Constitutional Conference with a view to re-assembly at a later date in Nairobi.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he has taken or is taking to implement the pledges given to non-designated civil servants in Colonial Number 306 and Command Paper Number 1193 in respect of those now serving in East African territories.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Arundel and Shoreham (Captain Kerby) on 21st February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many refugees have entered Uganda from Ruanda-Urundi; why they have done so; to what ethnic groups they belong; and what provision is being made for their reception.

The total number of refugees from Ruanda-Urundi who have entered Uganda is about 30,000. I understand that they are leaving Ruanda because of fears for life and property arising from political and tribal disputes. Refugees from the Bahutu and Batutsi tribes have entered Uganda in about equal numbers. I am informed that the Uganda Government is providing relief for those in need, and is trying to resettle as many of the refugees as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is now the position regarding the Report of the Commission set up to investigate the lost counties question in Uganda.

The Report of the Commission on the Lost Counties has now been submitted to the Prime Minister, and is being considered. It is not yet possible to say when the Report will be published.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what answer he has sent to the letter addressed to him on 17th February about the treatment of refugees in Basutoland over the signature of Mr. J. Molofi and 14 other refugees from the Union of South Africa.

The letter in question, addressed to the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, was referred to the High Commissioner for Basutoland, the Bechuanaland Protectorate, and Swaziland, in accordance with Colonial Regulation No. 169 which lays down the procedure for dealing with correspondence received direct from residents in a Colony. I understand, however, that the signatories, after issuing to the Press a copy of their letter, requested an interview with the Government Secretary, Basutoland, and on being informed of the policy of the Basutoland Government, told the Government Secretary that they would not have petitioned had they known this beforehand.

asked the Minister of Education what steps are being taken to implement the Younghusband Report, and provide training courses, full-time and part-time, for local authority welfare officers seeking the National Certificate of Social Work Training; and whether he will make a statement.

Two-year courses on the lines recommended in the Young-husband Report started last September at Colleges of Further Education in London, Birmingham and Liverpool. Four more colleges will start similar courses next September. It will be for the Training Council proposed in the Bill at present before Parliament to consider what arrangements should be made for part-time courses.

asked the Minister of Education on what date the temporary buildings at Barnby Dun primary school, in the Don Valley, were brought into use for educational purposes; to what use they had been put before that date; and when they are to be replaced by a permanent structure.

The local education authority tell me that these buildings were in use at another school for some time before being moved to the Barnby Dun school in 1932. They are believed to have been used originally by the Army. Their replacement is being considered by the authority as part of the minor works programme for 1963–64.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will make a statement on the results achieved in the 12 months since the launching of his campaign to encourage married women to return to teaching.

Reports from authorities show that 4,661 married women returned to teaching in the 12 months since the launching of the campaign. Of these 2,752 were appointed to full-time posts and 1,909 to part-time posts. 644 were graduates and 4,017 were non-graduates.

asked the Minister of Education what was the number of children awaiting places in special schools at the latest available date.

In January last, 13,800, of whom about 10,500 were educationally sub-normal.

asked the Minister of Education which local education authorities in Wales have made reductions in their services for the next financial year; and what steps he is taking to enable them to maintain their existing provisions without placing an undue burden on the local rates.

No authority in Wales has notified me of any reductions, but I understand that the Carmarthenshire Local Education Authority propose to dismiss 65 temporary teachers in their primary and secondary schools from the end of this month.The total would then be three above the authority's quota for January, 1963, which is the main factor determining the number of teachers to be employed.

asked the Minister of Education (1) what was the expenditure of each local education authority in 1960–61 on teachers' salaries, loan charges, and the acquisition of land, respectively; and what percentages each of these costs comprised of the total educational expenditure of each authority;(2) what amount was expended by local education authorities in 1960–61 on university awards, other further education awards and maintenance allowances for secondary school children, respectively; and what percentages these expenditures formed of the total education expenditure of each authority.

I have written to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he proposes to table the Order amending the Potato Marketing Scheme for approval by the House.

I hope to lay soon a schedule of the amendments to the Scheme that require Parliamentary approval.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to bring new industry or stimulate existing industry in Clackmannanshire to compensate for the loss of jobs for school leavers caused by the closing of Glenochie pit.

I am continuing to draw industrialists' attention to Clackmannanshire as a possible location, although I must give priority to the needs of the development districts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange to publish in the Board of Trade Journal a statement of views of the National Association of British Manufacturers, as submitted to him by that body, on the subject of fiscal incentives for British exporters, having regard to the views of the Federation of British Industries on that topic which have already been printed in the Board of Trade Journal.

Extracts from the F.B.I. Report were published in the Journal because it was thought that the subject matter was of general interest to the industrial and trading community. The fact of publication carried no implication that the Board of Trade necessarily endorsed the views expressed in the Report.It would not be in accordance with practice to publish comment on the Report in the Journal. If the N.A.B.M. produces a report of its own, surveying the problem in the same comprehensive way as the F.B.I. has done, I shall be glad to consider whether it would be appropriate to publish extracts from it in the Journal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what recent action he has taken towards increasing East-West trade.

As the hon. Member is aware, our trade with Eastern Area countries is the subject of annual bilateral negotiations. These have been conducted so as to provide opportunities for a steady expansion of trade. In addition, my Department and commercial officers abroad have, as always, been helping British exporters to take advantage of these opportunities.

asked the Minister of Health in what form he proposes to publish particulars of the compensation arrangements for officers made redundant in consequence of the reorganisation of the Hospital Service under Command Paper No. 1604.

By hospital memorandum. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Health what representations he has received from the staff organisations within the National Health Service on the question of compensation arrangements for officers made redundant in consequence of the reorganisation of the Hospital Service under Command Paper No. 1604.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 12th March to the hon. Member for Greenock (Dr. Dickson Mabon).

asked the Minister of Health which regional hospital boards employ chartered librarians to collect material relating to hospital administration, building and engineering; and what facilities are available in his Department for doing the same work.

I am making inquiries of regional hospital boards and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Power, having regard to the withdrawal of the Gas (Underground Storage) Chilcomb Bill and his full examination of the general problem of underground gas storage, whether he will state the names of the chairman and members of the committee of inquiry; whether hearings are to be public or private; and what are their terms of reference; what witnesses may be called; what will be the scope and procedure for the inquiry; when the inquiry will commence; in what form the committee's report will be published; and whether he will now make a detailed statement on all these matters.

This examination will be carried out initially by my Department and other Departments concerned. I shall then decide the extent and form of my approach to outside interests on the technical and other issues raised by the development of underground storage.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what decision he has reached on the question whether an order should be made derating houses in particular localities for the purposes of rating valuation lists coming into force in April, 1963.

I have decided that no derating order is needed, either in general or for particular localities, and this is explained in a White Paper, Revaluation for Rates in 1963 (Cmnd. 1663), copies of which have been placed in the Vote Office today.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science when the main recommendations of the Ashby Report on the value of post-graduate training awards are likely to be implemented.

The recommendations of the Ashby Report are at present under consideration and I hope an announcement will be made shortly.

asked the Lord Privy Seal on how many occasions in the past twelve months he has been informed by the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation of decisions or recommendations on matters which are outside the field of military security.

Her Majesty's Government are a party to all decisions taken in the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Decisions are taken on the basis of unanimity and are preceded by full and frank discussion between members of the Alliance. There is thus no question of Her Majesty's Government being "informed" by the Council of recommendations or decisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new jobs have been created in the areas receiving Glasgow overspill; and how many are in prospect.

In the last three years 7,500 new jobs have been created in the overspill receiving areas, 4,900 in the new towns and 2,600 in local authority receiving areas. Firms which are now established or are building factories in these areas expect to provide an additional 22,000 jobs over the next five years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many authorities are providing houses under the overspill arrangements; and how many people have been rehoused by them.

Fifteen local authorities and the three new town corporations are currently providing overspill houses. In the last three years they have between them rehoused 4,131 Glasgow families. The total number of people included in these families is estimated at about 15,000.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation whether he will set up special machinery to deal with the economic and social needs of unsponsored students coming to this country from overseas.

The British Council provides welfare services for all bona fide overseas students in Britain and offers certain additional services to students who are recommended or sponsored by their own Governments. It is an advantage for students to have such recommendation which can be obtained either in their own countries or in Britain and I accept the view of the Departments concerned and of the Council that it would be inappropriate to provide special machinery for dealing with unsponsored students.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the estimated cost of trunk road improvement schemes, costing over £100,000 each, which are considered necessary to make the system adequate for the traffic expected within the foreseeable future, but which are not included in the announced list of schemes for the next four to five years, which are estimated to cost some £120 millions.

It would be misleading to attempt any such estimate in terms of present-day costs.While my plans for the improvement of the trunk road system aim at making it adequate for the traffic expected within the foreseeable future, the rate at which the work can be undertaken must depend on what proportion of our national resources can be devoted to this purpose. This will change from time to time according to the prevailing economic circumstances.