asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that many boats built or bought with the aid of Government grants or loans for the purpose of white fish and herring fishing are not now being used for those activities, but are being used for drift netting for salmon, to the detriment of the legal salmon net fishing industry and the destruction of breeding stocks; and if he will take steps to prevent this.

It is true that a number of boats built with the aid of grants and loans have taken part in drift net fishing for salmon. I have, however, at present no powers to prevent fishing boats, whether grant-aided or not, being used for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when work is likely to start on the proposed new road from Kinlochmoidart to Inverailort; and how long it is estimated that it will take to complete this project.

Inverness County Council have received tenders for this scheme and are considering them. I cannot yet say when the scheme is likely to start; but I understand that, once work has started, it will probably take about three years to complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the recent acquisition by the National Galleries of Scotland of a painting by Gainsborough.

The Trustees of the National Galleries of Scotland learned recently that a painting by Gainsborough, "Rocky Mountain Valley with Sheep', was for sale. This picture is one of the finest of the large landscape compositions which Gainsborough painted towards the end of his life and would complete the representation in the Scottish national collection of the most important aspects of Gainsborough's work. The Trustees therefore decided to seek Exchequer help towards its purchase.The price of the picture is £55,000. The Trustees have raised £41,000 from their own resources, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer has agreed, subject to the approval of Parliament, to meet the balance by an Exchequer grant of £14,000. A Supplementry Estimate will be laid before the House in due course; in the meantime the money will be advanced from the Civil Contingencies Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why the ratio of general officers or equivalent to total strength of the Royal Air Force has risen from 1: 2,492 to 1: 1,380 in the last 10 years; and what is his policy in this regard.

The number of senior officers is determined by the responsibilities of the Royal Air Force rather than its total size.Although the force has decreased in size over the past 10 years, new operational and technical developments have, if anything, added to the responsibilities at the higher levels.There is also a continuing requirement for senior officers to serve in inter-Service and international appointments.My aim is to keep the number of high ranking posts to the minimum and they are kept under review to that end.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why the ratio of officers to other ranks in the Royal Air Force has risen from 1: 8·8 to 1: 5·3 in the last 10 years; and what is his policy in this regard.

The ratio of officers to airmen has risen mainly because of the growing complexity of aircraft and equipment and the need to maintain our forces at a high state of readiness.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the disturbance, and to certain incidents that have taken place during the last few months, caused by low-flying military aircraft in parts of Breconshire and Radnorshire; if he will take steps to stop such flying in these areas; and whether he will make a statement.

Both counties contain areas in which Royal Air Force aircraft may, with proper authority, practise the technique of low flying.I regret any disturbance this may cause but it is an essential part of a pilot's training.Low flying areas and routes are carefully chosen so that the minimum of disturbance is caused to the public and pilots are instructed to avoid flying over inhabited areas as far as possible.Unauthorised low flying is strictly forbidden.

asked the Minister of Defence how many officers of the three Armed Services, including the Indian Armed Services, retired since the end of the war; and how many officers of the three Armed Services, including the Indian Armed Services, over and under the age of 71 years, respectively, have commuted part of their retired pay since the end of the war.

It is estimated that about 54,000 officers have gone to re-tired nay since the end of the war. About 20,000 officers have commuted—all but about 100 being under the age of 71.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the meeting held with representatives of the Shipbuilding Conference on Monday, 4th June.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received from British shipbuilders relating to the new policy of giving grants and loans for fishing vessels built abroad; and what reply he has sent.

My right hon. Friend met the builders on 4th June to hear their representations on the Government's policy and to discuss its effects.He explained the procedures which the White Fish Authority and the Herring Industry Board would follow when an owner wished to build a vessel abroad with the help of a grant or loan. These procedures are designed to give British builders an equal chance to compete.He and the industry agreed to carry out certain detailed studies jointly.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the concern in British shipyards at the decision of Her Majesty's Government that fishing vessels built abroad will rank for grants and loans; and what prior consultations he had with the Shipping Conference or with its trawler builder members before deciding that fishing vessels built abroad will rank for grants and loans.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the concern in British shipyards, and he met the builders last Monday to discuss the effects with them.Shipbuilders were not consulted beforehand, but in reaching the decision the Government took their interests into account.

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate he has made of the number of fishing vessels in receipt of subsidy which will be constructed in foreign shipbuilding yards.

It is not possible for me to estimate the number of orders which fishermen will want to place abroad, but I should not expect it to be very large.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Committee which recently met in London discussed the question of the widescale pollution of the sea caused by tankers; and what methods of prevention were suggested or adopted.

Yes. The recent international Conference devoted much of its attention to the pollution of the sea caused by oil discharged from tankers.The Conference decided to extend the provisions of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, 1954, so as to cover all tankers down to 150 gross tons; it reviewed the existing anti-pollution practices adopted on tankers to which the Convention already applied, and it agreed that new tankers of 20,000 gross tons or more should be prohibited from discharging persistent oil into the sea except in exceptional circumstances. It also dealt with the question of discharge of oil by ships other than tankers.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to make it compulsory for all United Kingdom oil tankers and oil-burning vessels to install separating plant in order to prevent the pollution of the sea and beaches.

Dry cargo ships registered in the United Kingdom which use their bunker fuel tanks for ballast water are required to be fitted with oily water separators. Other classes of ships can avoid pollution without using separators. For example, in a tanker water that has been used for cleaning can be pumped into one tank and left to settle.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the discussions between the chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission and the representative of the British shipping lines have now resolved the dispute between these two bodies.

No, I think it will take a little time to work out a satisfactory solution.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce regulations to increase from 30 m.p.h. to 40 m.p.h. the speed to which pick-up trucks and cars pulling light trailers are at present restricted.

We are considering a general revision of vehicle speed limits, including proposals on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend. We hope to announce details shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the continued obstruction to traffic caused by long or excessively large loads carried by heavy vehicles; and whether he will take steps to ensure that all such loads are clearly indicated to oncoming drivers and that indicators are clearly observable from the rear.

Yes. My right hon. Friend hopes to lay before the House shortly after Whitsun regulations to give more stringent control over the movement and marking of long and wide loads.They will come into operation in the autumn.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the report of the Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways after his investigation of the accidents, caused by explosions and failures, on Glasgow's new electric train service and on the Eastern and Scottish Region new electric train services.

The Final Report of the Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways on the failures of multiple-unit electric trains on British Railways shows that all the fundamental difficulties, including those associated with the dual-voltage system, have been overcome; the faults have been eliminated or modifications are in hand. The multiple-units now in operation are functioning satisfactorily but, as explained in the report, the modifications to some of the units are of a major character and will take some time to complete.My right hon. Friend agrees with the Chief Inspecting Officer's conclusions that the dual-voltage system with automatic change-over was essential for the Glasgow and Eastern Region suburban services, and that some of the serious difficulties that arose might have been avoided had the Commission insisted on longer and more extensive trial running. These difficulties have now been resolved and the lessons learnt from hard experience are being applied to future development. A great measure of success has now been achieved: by the end of last month the multiple-units had run for some 28 million miles, and they are adding to this impressive score at a rate of 1½ million unit-miles a month. The second phase of the Glasgow suburban electrification south of the river was brought into use without incident on Sunday, 27th May.New types of equipment and new methods of control of electric traction are now on trial, and further research is in hand. My right hon. Friend has asked the Commission for their observations on the Chief Inspecting Officer's recommendation regarding even greater co-operation in research, and co-ordination of development. I have no doubt that industry will respond to their approaches.Finally I should like, on behalf of my right hon. Friend, to congratulate the Chief Inspecting Officer on bringing this difficult assignment to a successful conclusion.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is satisfied that Holloway Road under the railway bridge and Islington High Street at the Angel are wide enough to take the additional traffic which the proposed lorry route will bring; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The capacity of both roads will be increased by restrictions on waiting and loading of vehicles, by the rearrangement of bus stops, and, in the case of Holloway Road, by banning certain right-hand turns at nearby junctions.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can now state the approximate timetable for the construction and completion of the Eastern Avenue Extension through the Borough of Leyton; and what decision has been made in respect of other major roadway alterations and reorganisation affecting the borough.

No. We have made the Order for the Eastern Avenue Extension at a very early stage in order to give as long a period as possible for rehousing. The scheme is not in our present 5-year programme.I assume the second part of the question relates to the "Green Man" junction. My right hon. Friend is considering the objections which have been made to his draft Order and will announce his decision as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects work to be started and completed on the Chequers Lane roundabout in Dagenham.

I hope work will start in November and be completed six months later. It may, however, prove possible to incorporate a subway in the layout. If so, the work would take somewhat longer to complete but the final layout would be more satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give details of the mileage of unclassified roads which were upgraded to Class 3 in each of the counties of England and Wales in each year since 1957.

The figures are:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the concern for future youth employment in the Cwmbran New Town resulting from insufficient older people leaving employment to balance young entrants into industry; whether he has examined the effect on this problem of the bulge of school leavers in the area within the next two years; and whether he will consult the President of the Board of Trade with a view to attracting a clothing factory to the area to provide work for young women.

So far there has been no undue difficulty in finding employment for Cwmbran school leavers and I hope that this situation will continue. A report on future prospects is being prepared by the local committee set up in the area earlier this year and my right hon. Friend will bear in mind the hon. Member's suggestion when he discusses this report with his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to increase the number of apprenticeships available to boys and girls in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

The number of apprenticeships in Wales has risen substantially in recent years. In 1961 24 per cent. more boys and 33 per cent. more girls entered apprenticeships in Wales than in 1960, compared with corresponding increases for Great Britain of 11 per cent. and 3 per cent. Nevertheless, the proportion of young people obtaining apprenticeships in Wales is still less than in the rest of Great Britain. This is due at least in part to the nature of the local industry. The Government will continue to encourage industry to make more apprenticeships available. Their policy under the Local Employment Act of steering industrial expansion to areas in need of development should help to increase the opportunities of employment with training.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the fact that the total of unemployed fell between February and May this year by only 20,000 compared with 60,000 in previous years, and since then over 423,000 registered as out of work, with 109,000 fewer vacancies than a year ago and 108,000 more people wholly unemployed, and that eight people are seeking work for every five jobs which are offered, if he will restrict immediately further immigration until all United Kingdom citizens have got jobs; and if he will make a statement.

No. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 31st May by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of Commonwealth immigrants unemployed in the United Kingdom at the May, 1962, count, as compared with the corresponding date in 1961.

On 1st May, 1962, 34,802 Commonwealth immigrants were registered as unemployed in Great Britain. The number unemployed on 2nd May, 1961, was 15,082. Because of a change in the basis of the statistics, these figures are not strictly comparable.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of Commonwealth immigrants unemployed in the London and south-eastern and Midland areas, respectively, at the May, 1962, count, as compared with the corresponding date in 1961; and what percentages they are of the total unemployment in the said areas.

On 1st May, 1962, the numbers of unemployed Commonwealth immigrants were 14,278 and 10,590 for London and South Eastern and Midlands regions respectively; both figures represented 22·4 per cent. of the total adult unemployed registered in those regions. The figure in London and South Eastern Region for May, 1961, was 7,913, representing 17·1 per cent. of the total register. The area of the Midlands region has been considerably enlarged since May, 1961, and I cannot give comparable figures.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the fact that unofficial strikers do not receive strike pay from the trade unions, if he will intro duce legislation to deprive unofficial strikers of all welfare payments and the repayment of Pay-As-You-Earn; and if he will make a statement.

No. Strikers but not their dependants are normally disqualified from receiving National Assistance and they are also disqualified from receiving any unemployment benefit. The right of persons whose earnings cease to repayment of tax is inherent in the P.A.Y.E. system.

asked the Minister of Labour what reply he has sent to the request of the Secretary of the Variety Artistes' Federation to allow his Department's conciliation officer to meet the Wrestlers Promoters Association who are in dispute with the Variety Artistes' Federation and the Professional Wrestlers Association, regarding conditions of employment.

Our officers invited the Secretary of the Federation to discuss the matter raised in his letter. They have since also been in touch with the Promoters who have said that they are still unwilling to have a meeting with the union. This view has been conveyed to the Federation.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of employees in the steel-making industry in Lanarkshire at mid-1948 and mid-1961, respectively.

The figure for Lanarkshire, excluding the City of Glasgow, was 15,050 in mid-1961 and about 15,650 in mid-1948; the latter is an estimate which allows for changes in the Standard Industrial Classification.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many varieties of mammals are capable of developing rabies and of infecting other mammals; which are these mammals; and which of these varieties are at present subject to quarantine restrictions on entering the United Kingdom.

All mammals are susceptible to rabies and are capable of developing the disease if infected, but since the disease is usually transmitted by biting it is only likely to be passed on by animals which defend themselves or attack other animals in this way. The canine and feline species are the usual transmitters.In domestic animals the disease is most likely to occur in dogs and cats but it has been found in horses and cattle. In wild life it has been recorded in many animals including foxes, badgers, skunks, mongooses, raccoons and bats. These animals can infect other mammals, which accounts for the fact that the disease has been recorded in many different kinds of animals in some parts of the world. Over 100 different kinds of animals are subject to quarantine. These are listed in the following table:

African tiger-cat.	Fennec fox.
American red fox.	Fettered cat.
American tiger-cat.	Fishing cat.
Antarctic fox.	Fox.
Antarctic wolf.	Geoffroy's cat
Arctic fox.	Golden cat.
Ashy-jackal.	Golden jackal.
Argentine grey fox.	Grey fox.
Argentine wood-cat.	Guepard.
Azara's fox.	Hensel's cat.
Bay lynx.	Hoary fox.
Bengal fox.	Hunting leopard.
Black-backed jackal.	Hyena.
Black-footed cat.	Indian desert fox.
Black fox.	Indian Leopard-cat
Bob-cat.	Indian wild dog.
Brown hyena.	Indian wolf.
Bush dog.	Jackal.
Caffer cat.	Jaguar.
Canadian lynx.	Jaguarondi cat.
Cape hunting-dog.	Jungle cat.
Caracal lynx.	Kit fox.
Cat (domestic).	Kolson.
Cheetah.	Leopard.
Chita.	Libyan cat
Clouded leopard.	Lion.
Clouded tiger.	Long eared fox.
Colpeo fox.	Long-legged jackal.
Cougar.	Lynx.
Coyote.	Malay wild dog.
Crab-eating fox.	Maned wolf.
Cross-fox.	Manul.
Delalande's fox.	Marbled cat
Dhole.	Margay.
Dingo.	Marsh cat.
Dog (domestic).	Megallanic fox.
European wild cat.	Mountain-lion.
Eyra cat.	North African jackal

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the proposed increase of 20 per cent. in the price of meat.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Dodds) on 4th June.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what consideration has been given to the release of sites in the Chatham Command and to the development by the Admiralty of the frontages of Naval Establishments, or to leasing some of these frontages to the local authority or private developers, to provide housing, office, shop or other accommodation.

Since 1958 a total of 1,215 acres of Admiralty land in the Chatham area has been transferred to other Government Departments or sold; or is in process of being sold. I am not aware of any surplus frontage land at any Naval Establishments in the Chatham area which we shall be retaining.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the size of the site of the Royal Marine Barracks, Portsmouth, the amount of the built-up and unbuilt areas, respectively, the number of rooms used for residential and instructional purposes, respectively, the total number of rooms, and the total annual cost of the establishment.

The site of the Royal Marine Barracks, Portsmouth, comprises about 112 acres of which 41 acres are built up (including a housing estate of 7 acres) and 71 acres are used for the parade ground, playing fields, the rifle range, a radar site, St. Andrew's Church and a site for a new block for Wrens. The total number of rooms is about 516, of which 238 are used for residential purposes and about 68 for instructional purposes. The remainder are used for purposes of administration, storage, etc. The maintenance of the buildings and grounds costs about £83,100 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the recent incident in which three troopers of the Royal Horse Guards were handcuffed to their beds in barracks at Windsor for 7½ hours while awaiting court martial; how soon the building containing the guardroom at this barracks is to be replaced or modernised; and what other arrangements are to be made, meanwhile, for the secure custody of men awaiting trial.

These soldiers were in close arrest awaiting court martial on charges of absence and desertion. In the early hours of Sunday, 27th May, they forced the window bars of their cell and broke out. It was not possible to make good the security of the guard-room that day, and there was no other suitable place for their confinement. After their recapture, the prisoners were continuously supervised for the rest of that day; and for the night they each had one wrist handcuffed to the headrail of the bed. The following day, the window was repaired and these temporary measures ceased. As part of the rebuilding of the barracks, a new guard-room is being built and should be completed by the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that many young men who were called up for National Service are in financial difficulties due to the extension of their service for six months; and if he will speed up the decision in the Wallsend case, details of which have been sent to him, in which application has been made for release at the normal time because of abnormal and unexpected difficulties.

As I have explained to the House, 'in order to relieve the financial problems of retained National Service men I have decided that they should receive appropriate Regular rates of pay; in addition National Service grants are available to help special cases of difficulty. I am investigating the particular case to which the hon. Gentleman refers and will decide it as soon as all the facts have been ascertained.

asked the Minister of Aviation what is now his policy with regard to the provision, An the interest of safety, of rearward facing seats in United Kingdom registered aircraft; what was the last occasion that this matter was brought before the relevant International Aviation Organisation by United Kingdom representatives; and what was the result.

Operators may fit rearward facing seats, but there is insufficient evidence to justify making rearward facing seats mandatory on United Kingdom registered aircraft. A proposal for agreement on rearward facing seats was last raised by the United Kingdom with the International Civil Aviation Organisation in 1956. It was then rejected by a large majority and there has been no indication of a change of international opinion since.

asked the Minister of Aviation what action he is taking on the recommendations of the Toothill Committee with regard to the future control of Scottish airports.

I have received a number of comments from representative bodies in Scotland, including those of the Toothill Committee, on the proposals set out in the White Paper of August, 1961. I propose to visit Scotland in the near future to discuss these comments with the parties concerned.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on the international aspects of the British Overseas Airways Corporation's plans for future services.

As announced this afternoon, the British Overseas Airways Corporation and the Cunard Steamship Company Ltd., have decided that it would be in their mutual interest to pool their resources on certain trans-Atlantic air routes mainly between this country, the United States and the Caribbean. They have, therefore, set up a joint subsidiary company (B.O.A.C.-Cunard Ltd.) in the United Kingdom to the capital of which the British Overseas Airways Corporation will initially contribute 70 per cent. and Cunard 30 per cent. The British Overseas Airways Corporation consulted me before concluding their agreement and I informed them that the Government had no objection to the proposal which may well be of benefit to the British civil aviation effort in this important area.

asked the Minister of Education when the report of the Committee on the Teaching of Russian will be published; and if he will make a statement.

The report will be published tomorrow. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are most grateful to Mr. Annan, the Chairman of the Committee, and his colleagues for a very useful report.The Committee favours a great extension of the teaching of Russian. Many of its recommendations to this end need careful thought, and my right hon. Friend and I are considering them in consultation with the other interests concerned.

asked the Minister of Education what special steps he proposes to take to assist the local education authority to cope with the large increase in the school population arising out of the transfer of mineworkers from other areas into the Don Valley.

I understand that the authority are now considering what building projects may be needed to meet any increase in population in the Don Valley and I shall consider carefully any proposals they put to me.

asked the Minister of Education to what extent the minor buildings programme for 1963, and ensuing years, in the Don Valley area, will be affected by the sudden increase in the school population in the mining villages arising out of the transfer of families from other areas.

The West Riding Authority will be taking account of any special needs of the Don Valley when they let me know at the end of the month what minor works they wish to carry out in their area in 1963–64. I expect to settle authorities' minor works allocations in the autumn.

asked the Minister of Education, when new accommodation will replace the old army hut now being used for classrooms at Barnby Dun Primary School in the Don Valley area.

I have nothing to add to my reply of 22nd March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of Income Tax under Schedule A raised in the last financial year in Huddersfield districts Nos. 1 and 2.

I regret this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the upward trend in the number of people suffering from diabetes; and what his Department is doing to prevent people from contracting this disease.

There is no evidence of such a trend. I am advised that no method of prevention is known.

asked the Minister of Health how many inquiries he has received from the Northamptonshire Executive Council of the National Health Service for Forms E.C.25A; and when it is proposed to supply them

A requisition for these forms, sent by the Council at the beginning of April, failed to reach my Department. When this became known on 1st May the order was transmitted to Her Majesty's Stationery Office and has now been met by supplies sent on 1st June. The Executive Council had been able to fulfil immediate requirements in the meantime.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he proposes to make an order under Section 5 of the Rating and Valuation Act, 1961, exempting small moveable plant and machinery from rates.

Yes. I have invited a number of organisations representative of industry and of local government to comment on the draft of an order designed to implement the recommendations made in paragraph 40 of the Report of the Committee on the Rating of Plant and Machinery. I am also ready to consider representations from any other interested bodies. Copies of the draft may be obtained from my Department.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, how many county councils in England and Wales have not yet published definitive maps; and what action he is now taking to accelerate progress.

pursuant to his answer to a supplementary question by Mr. Lip-ton [OFFICIAL REPORT, 5th June, 1962; Vol. 661, c. 176] supplied the following list:

asked the Lord Privy Seal what reasons were given by the representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics at Geneva in repudiating the declaration against war propaganda which he had accepted only a few days previously at the Disarmament Conference in Geneva, and which the Conference proposed, to adopt formally and unanimously; what official communication he has received from the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

The reasons given were:

(i) an article by the West German Defence Minister, Herr Strauss;

(ii) alleged continuing West German revanchism;

(iii) action in Thailand by the United States and other states;

(iv) alleged pronouncements by United States statesmen about taking a nuclear initiative; and

(v) the publication of a book by a private citizen of the United States.

Her Majesty's Government have received no official communication from the Soviet Government on this matter.I have nothing further to add to what my hon. Friend told the House on 4th June and to my Written Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne) yesterday.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that attempts are being made by the Industrial Therapy Organisation in Bristol to rehabilitate mental patients and prepare them to take their place in industry and that the earnings regulations remove to some extent from these people the incentive to take advantage of this scheme; and if he will accordingly consider a system of graduated reductions from earnings, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Bristol, Central.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the praiseworthy aims of this Organisation and has already done all he can to help by treating patients working in the factory as entitled to training credits, thus relieving them of liability for insurance contributions. The sickness benefit earnings rule is merely a practical measure of the amount of work a person may do and still be treated as incapable of work; it has no relevance in a context in which people are capable of working full-time. The last part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Power whether, in view of the differing decisions in the cases of the Scottish Gas Board v. Fisher in the Paisley Sheriff Court in 1960, and the Scottish Gas Board v. MoIntosh in the Perth Sheriff Court in 1962, he will take steps to so amend the law regarding claims for loss and damage when gas meters are broken into as to make it clear that the consumer concerned will not be liable to pay, in view of the fact that he is only the custodian of the meter.

I am aware of these cases, but I do not consider that the amending legislation proposed by my hon. Friend is called for.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science how much money was spent on the Intermediate Current Stability Experiment; what results it yielded; and why it was ended.

This experiment was authorised, but before it could be started the Atomic Energy Authority announced, in September, 1960, that they were not proceeding with in because design studies showed that it would take more effort and resources than were justified. Certain contracts which had already been placed, to the value of about £800,000, were modified to provide equipment and valuable information for the programme of smaller experiments which have taken its place. The net cost of abandoning the experiment is now estimated to be about £20,000.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation whether he will now make a further statement on Her Majesty's Government's attitude to overseas service pensioners, in the light of the resolution of the House on 25th May, 1962.

Yes. After consulting my colleagues, I have set up an interdepartmental Working Party to study the whole problem of Colonial Service, Overseas Civil Service and Sudan Civil Service Pensions, including dependants' pensions. The Working Party will comprise representatives of the Overseas Departments and of the Treasury. I should make it clear that the setting up of this Working Party does not presuppose any change in the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the responsibility for overseas pensions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the average quantities for the years 1935 to 1938 inclusive, the total annual quantities for 1948, 1958, and 1959, the quarterly quantities in 1960 and 1961, and the monthly quantities to the latest available months in 1962, of imported agricultural products

United Kingdom Imports
		Butter	Cheese	Milk Powder	Cream Preserved	Evaporated or condensed milk*	Eggs in shell	Liquid eggs—whole
		Th. tons	Th. tons	Tons	Tons	Tons	Tons	Cwt.
1935–38 Average	…	478·6	140·8	14,054	1,734	85,312	166,900	—†
1948	…	272·6	157·4	16,291	Nil	32,216	106,700	1,024
1958	…	422·7	118·6	52,495	1,296	4,405	9,701	201
1959	…	400·7	136·3	89,228	2,352	10,387	8,215	389
1960 1st Quarter	…	117·4	45·6	21,658	482	2,751	2,829	40
2nd "	…	105·5	27·1	13,576	848	1,879	4,562	29
3rd "	…	80·5	28·0	8,251	2,043	2,920	5,238	104
4th "	…	101·9	30·8	13,379	1,037	1,919	10,338	54
1961 1st	…	123·9	35·0	17,933	1,636	2,210	7,136	31
2nd "	…	105·7	32·8	11,784	2,242	2,584	7,236	23
3rd "	…	89·9	27·9	6,237	2,155	2,611	4,070	18
4th "	…	103·7	38·9	14,284	1,932	2,415	7,346	3
1962 Jan.	…	43·0	13·6	8,159	280	850	1,377	4
Feb.	…	32·2	11·7	6,505	451	831	1,235	7
Mar.	…	45·4	13·6	6,940	722	654	1,257	12
Apr.	…	31·3	13·2	3,447	919	842	813	13
*Separate figures for evaporated milk are not available. The trade statistics do not indicate whether tinned or not.
† Separate figures for liquid eggs are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking on the Report of the Committee on Bankruptcy Law and Deeds of Arrangement, presented by the of each of the following: butter, cheese, milk powder, evaporated milk or cream, tinned liquid, eggs in shell, and liquid eggs.

I have been asked to reply.The following is the information:then President of the Board of Trade to Parliament in July, 1957.

The scope of the changes in the law which may be necessary is under consideration. The introduction of legislation must, however, be deferred until Parliamentary time is likely to be available.