asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inquiries he is making into the future of the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

As my hon. Friend is aware, certain changes in the law affecting the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme were made by the Licensing Act, 1961. My right hon. Friend has no further proposals to make at present, but he is continuing to keep the working of the Scheme under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations have been made to him about the lack of accommodation in remand homes, detention centres and approved schools in Lancashire and surrounding areas; and what steps he is taking in the matter with a view to averting a total breakdown in the administration of justice in the areas in question.

I have received representations from a number of sources, including the Liverpool justices. While I do not accept that there is a possibility of a total breakdown in the administration of justice in this area, I appreciate the difficulties caused by shortage of accommodation; and the following are details of the vigorous action which is being taken to meet these difficulties:

A senior detention centre for 100 boys at Buckley Hall was made available to courts in the area in October last, and a junior centre for 75 boys is being built. In the North West local authorities with whom I have been in close consultation, have provided in the last ten months 43 additional remand home places for boys, an increase of nearly 30 per cent. A further 15 places will be provided shortly at the Liverpool boys' remand home and the Cheshire County Council are seeking suitable premises for a new boys' remand home. Means of increasing places for girls are under consideration. Thirty-nine additional places in boys' approved schools became available in the North West last year, 11 have become available so far this year, and I hope that another 70 will become available before the end of the year. 40 of them in a new school which will double its capacity as soon as new buildings can be provided. Negotiations are proceeding for 3 further boys' schools in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many of the 512 establishments licensed under the Cruelty to Animals Act experiments take place on dogs, cats, rabbits and monkeys; and how many such experiments took place in 1961.

The annual Return of Experiments on Living Animals gives the numbers of experiments performed on dogs and cats. No separate figures are kept of experiments on rabbits and monkeys; nor is information available showing the numbers of registered places in which experiments on the different animals are performed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that immigrants into this country for the first four months of 1962 numbered 52,990, against 31,840 and 9,360 for the similar period of 1960, and that unemployment and underemployment amongst British workers is growing, especially on Merseyside, in Scotland and in the North-East, why the Commonwealth Immigrants Act is not to be implemented immediately, in order to safeguard British people's jobs; and if he will make a statement.

In view of the time required to make arrangements for the issue of employment vouchers and entry certificates, it would not have been practicable to bring the control of immigration from the Commonwealth under Part I of the Act into effect at any earlier date than 1st July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the average rate of pay for probation officers in October, 1951; and, taking the £ sterling as having a purchasing value of 20s., by how much each year to date this average salary would need to have been increased to maintain the purchasing value of October, 1951.

The figures requested in the last part of the Question are given below. It is not possible to state the average salary of probation officers in October, 1951. The figures are therefore based on the maximum annual salary, £590, for a man officer in the basic grade in October, 1951.Following are the figures:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that during the past twelve months the £ sterling has depreciated in purchasing power by 1s. ld. and that probation officers would need an increase of at least 5 per cent. to restore the purchasing value of their salaries of a year ago; and, as this would not be taking into account of the fall in the purchasing value of the £ sterling prior to May, 1961, whether he will recommend a 5 per cent. increase to the salaries of probation officers.

I am aware of the position. As regards the last part of the hon. Member's Question, I would refer him to the reply which I gave today to the hon. Members for Southampton, Itchen (Dr. King), Salford, West (Mr. C. Royle) and Islington, East (Mr. Fletcher).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in view of the rejection of his salary proposals by the National Association of Probation Officers, if he will reconsider his decision not to examine the wider claims of the service before 1st January, 1963.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to Questions by the hon. Members for Southampton, Itchen (Dr. King), Salford, West (Mr. C. Royle) and Islington, East (Mr. Fletcher).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is proposed to leave intact, under the proposed Greater London local government reorganisation, the present administration and area of the Metropolitan Police Force within Essex.

The question whether any alteration in the boundary of the Metropolitan Police District will be necessary as a result of the proposed reorganisation of local government in Greater London is under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (Central African Office) when the Northern Rhodesia Government are to set up the Judicial Service Commission recommended in the Report of the Profession (Entry and Training) Committee published in December, 1961; and what will be the Commission's composition and functions.

The Government of Northern Rhodesia proposes to establish a Judicial Service Commission in the near future, and I am discussing the details of this proposal with the Governor. The present suggestion is that the Commission might comprise the Chief Justice, as Chairman, the Attorney-General, the Chairman of the Public Services Commission and one or two other persons. The functions of the Commission would be to advise the Governor in respect of the appointment and discipline of magistrates and certain officers connected with the courts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (Central African Office) if he will make a statement on the results of Her Majesty's Government's inquiry into the Copperbelt dispute in Northern Rhodesia; and what action will now be taken to improve the conditions of the mineworkers.

The Commission appointed by the Government of Northern Rhodesia is still sitting, and I cannot anticipate its findings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (Central African Office) what financial assistance has been offered by the United Kingdom Government to the Federal Government of Rhodesia and Nyasaland for the development of African primary and secondary education.

African primary and secondary education is a territorial responsibility.Since 1st April, 1953, Colonial Development and Welfare grants made for this purpose to the Governments of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland total £962,560 and £894,342 respectively. In addition some expenditure upon African education will derive from Exchequer Loans, of which £1 million and £1l million have been issued respectively so far.In regard to Southern Rhodesia, I am glad to say that Her Majesty's Government have offered to make available for African education a loan of £355,000 from Colonial Development and Welfare Funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations when arrangements will be finalised with the Ghana Government to obtain payment of compensation by Ghana to those officers and other ranks of the British Army who were dismissed without adequate notice from service with the Ghanaian forces.

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War told my hon. Friend last week, this subject is under discussion with the Ghana Government. It will be for them to consider what compensation they will pay and we hope that a fair settlement will be reached.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will state the number of recognised courses at technical schools and technical colleges, excluding mining, in which the basic and relevant legal requirements of the Factories Act in relation to safety, health and welfare are taught, and in which the students sit examination; and if he will give details of such courses.

Technical schools and colleges aim to develop safe habits of work and a knowledge of relevant safety precautions. A good number of technical college courses include instruction in the statutory requirements, but precise details are not available in my Department. Last September I sent an administrative memorandum to all local education authorities and technical colleges, emphasising the importance of safety training as an integral part of teaching. I am sending a copy to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Education what alterations are proposed in grants to students for the coming session.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will make a statement on the provisions regarding grants to students for 1962–63.

New rates of grants to students for the coming session will be announced as soon as the consultations with the local authority associations which are now going on have been completed.

asked the Minister of Education if he will publish the Report of the National Advisory Council on the Training and Supply of Teachers on the future pattern of the education and training of teachers.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Education when he expects to receive the recommendations of the National Advisory Council on the Training and Supply of Teachers about the immediate steps which might be taken to alleviate the grave shortage of teachers; and if he has advised the Council to expedite the presentation of its recommendations.

The Chairman has already told me that he will let me have the Council's views as soon as possible. A special Committee of the Council is urgently at work on emergency proposals.

asked the Minister of Education what was the number of part-time teachers in service at the latest available date.

In February, 1962, there were about 19,400 part-time teachers in service in maintained primary and secondary schools (excluding nursery and special schools), of whom 2,900 were men and 16,500 women.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that during the past twelve months the purchasing value of the £ sterling has fallen by 1s. 1d.; and to what extent his Department's expenditure on education would have to be increased to ensure that same relative spending power as one year ago.

On the basis stated my Department's expenditure last year would need to be increased by £5.63 million to secure the same spending power this year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will investigate why engineering orders for the first quarter of 1962 were 13 per cent. less than in 1961; in view of the importance of engineering products to the United Kingdom export trade, what estimate he has made of the extent to which high prices are responsible; what effect he estimates the present demand for higher wages and shorter hours will have on employment in the industry; and if he will make a statement.

The reasons why new engineering orders have fallen since 1961 are not in serious doubt and no special investigation is required. There has been little change in the price of our engineering goods since the first quarter of last year and I am satisfied that in general they are fully competitive. It is not possible to estimate the effect that higher wages and shorter hours would have on employment in the industry, but I am glad to have the opportunity to emphasise the crucial importance to the industry as well as in the national interest of keeping our exports competitive.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to encourage the production of second feature films.

I propose to raise by a quarter the scale of payments from the British Film Fund to the producers of low-cost films, but to retain the existing upper limit to the amount payable on the increased scale on each film. The necessary Statutory Instrument will be laid before Parliament shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the data upon which the deputation from the Association of British Chemical Manufacturers, whom he recently saw, asserted that foreign chemical dumping was harming and hampering the growth of British industry; if he is proposing new anti-dumping legislation based on the Canadian system as re- quested by some members of the industry; and if he will make a statement.

The recent meeting between officials of the Board of Trade and representatives of the chemical industry was one of the frequent ex- changes of views which are held with various industries about questions of the day. Dumping was one of the questions discussed. I am not at present considering any proposals for seeking amendment of the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to make it an offence to sell coin of the realm for more than its face value.

No.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, following representations made to him by the hon. Member for Torquay, he will now con- sider making an Order under the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1940, to vary the provisions of Section 23 (9).

No. I have taken note of my hon. Friend's representations but I cannot consider making such an Order.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to increases in charges, fees, etc., for which Government Departments are responsible; to what extent such in- creases are required to be limited to 2½ per cent.; and what authority is required to sanction an increase beyond 2½ per cent.

The general principle is that Government Departments should normally charge at least the full cost of all services provided. Exceptions are sometimes made to this rule, notably where it seems appropriate for the service to be financed by the taxpayer rather than by the user of the service. The implication of the general principle is of course that, if costs rise, charges and fees should rise correspondingly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the amount of tax obtained in a full financial year if a tax on personal wealth were to be introduced in the following categories, namely ½ per cent. tax on all personal wealth of £50,000 to £100,000, 1 per cent. tax on all personal wealth of over £100,000 to £200,000, 2 per cent. tax on all personal wealth of £200,000 to £300,000, 3 per cent. tax on all personal wealth of £300,000 to £400,000, and 4 per cent. tax on all personal wealth of over £400,000.

Approximately £150 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, notwithstanding his present policy in regard to wages, the £ sterling is now worth 1s. ld. less in purchasing power than a year ago; and whether he will now amend his 2½ per cent. suggested wage increase maximum to 5 per cent.

This would simply perpetuate the inflationary spiral which it is the purpose of the Government's incomes policy to stop. The only sound basis for an increase in the general level of incomes is a sustained rise in the rate of growth of national production.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement about Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, which is being offered to the nation in lieu of death duties.

The executors of the late Mrs. M. F. Christie have recently offered Brownsea Island to the Inland Revenue in part settlement of Estate Duty. Brownsea Island is a well-known beauty spot and an area of great importance to naturalists comprising some 500 acres in the middle of Poole Harbour. It is of historical interest in that the late Lord Baden Powell held the first Boy Scout camp there in 1907. The Government have agreed in principle to accept, at a valuation of £110,000, the offer of the island which has now been made; the necessary legal formalities for the transfer of ownership are being put in hand.Subject to these being satisfactorily completed, it is the Treasury's intention to direct that the island shall be given to the National Trust. The Trust has readily accepted our provisional offer of Brownsea, and I understand that it intends forthwith to launch an appeal for funds to enable it to meet the substantial expense involved in maintaining and improving the amenities of the island for the benefit of the public.I know that all Members and the public at large will be as gratified as Her Majesty's Government that it now seems probable that we shall secure the preservation of this island in the hands of the National Trust. The Trust is planning to undertake as soon as possible the work needed to make the island accessible to the public and will be arranging for the preservation of the wild life on the island. The Nature Conservancy, which has been anxious about the island's future for some time, has warmly welcomed the arrangements proposed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the future of Karasuk territory, presently administered by Uganda, although de jure a part of Kenya;(2) how he proposes to maintain road communications between the Kitale and Lodwar Districts of Kenya after independence is granted to Uganda, as the present highway between them runs through Karasuk, presently administered by Uganda.

The future of the Karasuk is under discussion between the Governments of Kenya and Uganda. The question of maintaining road communications between the Kitale and Lodwar Districts of Kenya after Uganda has achieved independence is also being considered.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the large number of Indian and Pakistani immigrants Who develop tuberculosis very soon after their arrival in this country, he will introduce regulations to ensure that all immigrants should have an X-ray examination of the chest at the port of entry to the United Kingdom.

The power exists to require Commonwealth immigrants to undergo X-ray examination, and the extent to which it should be used is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that during the past twelve months the £ sterling has depreciated by 1s. 1d.; and to what extent housing subsidies and financial grants to local authorities would have to be increased to compensate for this fall in the purchasing value of the £ sterling.

Grants are not related to retail prices but are adjusted as necessary. Housing subsidies were increased by the Act of 1961 and may now be as high as £40 per house if the tests are satisfied. Increase orders have been made for general grant. The percentage grants adjust themselves automatically.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many National Service men he intends to retain for an additional six months; what is the number, among those who have completed their two years' service, who will be called up for extended service; and when the proposed scheme will begin.

The good progress of regular recruiting has enabled me to retain considerably fewer than the 15,000 National Service men whom I told the House might be required under the terms of the Army Reserve Act. The total number will in fact be just over 9,000, of whom only 1,100 will be required from outside B.A.O.R. Instructions for the retention of these men have already been issued and most of them will by now have been warned. The recall of part-time National Service men does not at present arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to provide adequate accommodation in Malaya for Service men and their families.

The review of our commitments set out in the Statement on Defence 1962 (Cmnd. 1639) has meant holding up some building projects in Malaya. Other work, including the building of married quarters, is proceeding without interruption.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Service men, officers and other ranks, respectively, are without Service accommodation in Malaya; and how many families there are in this country waiting to join their husbands.

Of the 2,054 Army families in Malaya, only 27 officers and 178 other ranks are without Service accommodation. Another 184 families are waiting in this country to join their husbands in Malaya.

asked the Secretary of State for War what measures he has in mind to solve the shortage of Service men's accommodation in Terendak Camp, Malaya, as soon as possible.

The building of a new cantonment in Terendak to house the Commonwealth Brigade Group was begun in 1958, and all single accommodation, apart from that for the Field Ambulance, has been completed. 786 married quarters have already been built, and I expect the remaining 122 to be finished early next year. There are also about 250 hirings in the vicinity.