asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will appoint a working party to consider the reform of the system of public control of London taxis.

A review of the Conditions of Fitness for the construction of London taxis has recently been carried out by a technical advisory committee appointed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, who is the licensing authority. My right hon. Friend is not persuaded that any further inquiry into the system of public control of London taxis is necessary at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were killed, and how many seriously injured, on pedestrian crossings in the Metropolitan Police area in the year 1961; and, arising out of these accidents, how many prosecutions were instituted by the police for dangerous driving and for failure to observe the Pedestrian Crossing Place Regulations, respectively.

During 1961, 64 persons were killed and 552 seriously injured on pedestrian crossings in the Metropolitan Police District. The records do not show how many prosecutions arose out of these accidents, but during the year there were 5,380 prosecutions in the area for failure by drivers of motor vehicles to observe pedestrian crossing regulations, and 11,700 prosecutions for dangerous and careless driving.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of murders, including capital murders and manslaughter separately, since the Homicide Act became law; and if he will state the number of murders that were committed during the comparable period before the passing of the Homicide Act.

The number of murders known to the police in England and Wales from 21st March, 1957, when the Homicide Act came into force, to the end of 1961, excluding offences originally recorded as murder but later found not to be murder, was 661. Of these, 111 have been recorded as capital and 550 as non-capital murders. The total for the corresponding period before the Act came into force was 671.The figures for the two periods are not strictly comparable because the Act changed the definition of murder. The principal change was the introduction of the defence of diminished responsibility. 128 offences originally recorded as murder during the period from 21st March, 1957, to the end of 1961 have been reduced to manslaughter on that ground.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of crimes of violence against the person and the number of sexual offences, including rape, for the year 1961; and what percentage of these offences was committed by juvenile offenders.

17,601 indictable offences of violence against the person and 20,404 indictable sexual offences, including 503 offences of rape, were known to the police in 1961 in England and Wales.The ages of the persons committing these offences are not known, but in 1961 15 per cent. of the persons convicted of indictable offences of violence against the person and 19 per cent. of those convicted of indictable sexual offences were under seventeen.

asked the Minister of Education to what extent his programme of staff allocations to secondary schools for 1962–63 will compel certain schools to reduce their teaching staffs in circumstances where their classes are already oversized; and if he will issue amending instructions to substitute limitation on increases for reduction of staffs in such circumstances.

My right hon. Friend does not allocate staff to particular types of schools. Each local education authority is responsible for deciding how best, within its quota, to use the teachers at its disposal.

asked the Minister of Education if he will reconsider his decision to reduce expenditure on school projects in Leyton from an estimated £40,500 to an estimated £3,800, in view of the increase which has taken place in the school population since the original cuts were made in the school-building programme in 1959–60 and 1960–61, as well as that which has occurred since the recent decision.

My right hon. Friend is satisfied that within the limits of the resources available for minor works, the Essex Authority has had its fair share. Within this share the authority decides how much is available for Leyton projects.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to implement the proposals contained in the Beloe Report; when the examination suggested in that Report is likely to become operative; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer my right hon. Friend gave him on 24th May.

asked the Minister of Education (1) whether he will now give full details, with dates, of his plans for extending technical education in West Middlesex;(2) whether he will now give dates when building works will start on Uxbridge Technical College, and when it will be completed.

I am informed that, with the help of new minor building projects and the hiring of accommodation, the Authority hopes to pro- vide for up to 6,500 additional day release students in West Middlesex next September. As for major projects, about 500 new places should be ready at Ealing Technical College by the same date. Building work for the Uxbridge Technical College is expected to start this summer and should be completed by September, 1964. It is hoped to have some of the accommodation ready for use by September, 1963. The first instalment of new buildings for the Isleworth Polytechnic at a cost of £250,000 is included in the 1963–64 programme. The plans for the Brunel C.A.T. and the plans under consideration for West Middlesex from 1964–65 onwards were outlined in my right hon. Friend's Answer to my hon. Friend's Question on 7th February last.I am sending my hon. Friend a letter giving further details.

asked the Minister of Education whether he expects that a sufficient supply of teachers will be available for his programme of technical education in West Middlesex.

I understand that recruitment has been encouraging and is still rising and that the Authority does not foresee any serious difficulties except perhaps for a few senior posts in some engineering subjects.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what expenditure has taken place under the Local Employment Act, 1960, in the promotion of new industries in The Hartlepools to the latest convenient date.

The Board of Trade have offered assistance of £128,000 under the Local Employment Act to projects in The Hartlepools up to the end of May, 1962. Of this total, over £62,000 has so far been advanced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, as the result of further consideration, he intends to impose an anti-dumping duty on Polish shell eggs coming into this country; and if he will make a statement.

I am satisfied that a margin of dumping is involved in the price at which Polish shell eggs are being sold. Imports have, however, been at a much lower level than during the comparable period last year and are now declining. The total quantity of Polish eggs likely to be imported during the year represents between only 1 and 2 per cent. of estimated total commercial supplies on the market. On the evidence of the scale of imports so far and of their likely future level, I do not consider that they could exercise a significant influence on the average price for the year; they could not therefore reasonably be regarded as threatening material injury to the British producers.As regards the application in respect of imports of frozen egg from China and Poland, no appreciable quantity of frozen egg from China is expected in the immediate future, and I have no evidence as to the prices at which any imports of Chinese frozen eggs may be imported and, consequently, no grounds for assuming that they will be sold at dumped prices. As regards Polish frozen egg imports, very little has arrived so far and, according to my latest information, Polish imports during the year will be considerably less than half the quantity originally anticipated by the applicants. Even if imports at the level I am envisaging were to be sold at dumped prices, I am satisfied that the possible effect on the Egg Marketing Board's average selling price for the egg year would not be such as to threaten or cause material injury to British egg producers.I have accordingly decided to reject both the applications. If, later in the year, the Egg Marketing Board can provide

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the bridge at Downham West, Norfolk, is now in a precarious condition; and if he will give immediate priority to building a new bridge to replace it.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will provide distinctive marks that can be discerned by blind persons on pavements at the ends of pedestrian crossings.

While I have every wish to help the blind, I doubt whether the need for such a special marking, even supposing it were effective, would justify the alteration of pavements at all pedestrian crossings.In any case, I think that blind persons would normally be well advised to seek the help of others when crossing the road, even at pedestrian crossings.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the objections of the Shipbuilding Conference to the Government's proposals to make to foreign shipbuilders grants and loans for the building of British ships in competition with British shipbuilders; if he is aware of the difficulties caused by such proposals to British shipbuilders because foreign shipbuilders have governmental subsidies and lower wage rates; and if, before implementing those proposals, he will hold a conference representative of British shipbuilders to consider all the relevant facts of the situation.

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 how many of the ship-repairing yards in this country where oil tankers are repaired possess facilities for cleaning and reclaiming oil from the waste sludge.

I understand that seven major land-based tank-cleaning units run by ship repairers have these facilities. Two of these are owned jointly by a number of firms; all, I understand, are available for use by other firms in their area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what volume of production of cotton yarn, cotton cloth

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what have been the acreages of old orchards on which grubbing-up grants have been paid in the past five years, setting out the information county by county; and what was the cost per county per year.

pursuant to his reply[OFFICIAL REPORT, 30th May, 1962; Vol 660, c. 137], supplied the following information:Figures of production for the years in question are not available, but the fallowing percentages based on total exports by value show the changes which have taken place in Hong Kong's trade.

Since April, 1960, grants have been available under the Horticulture Improvement Scheme specifically for grubbing up orchards. In the year 1960–61 136 applications involving orchard grubbing were approved in England and Wales at a total cost estimated at £51,820 on which grant would be £17,273 and in 1961–62, 243 applications at a total estimated cost of £81,792 on which grant would be £27,264. I regret that detailed figures on a county and acreage basis are not obtainable without a disproportionate amount of work.During the past five years applications for grants under the Farm Improvement Scheme, the Marginal Production Scheme and the Ploughing Grants Scheme have included a number for the reclamation of waste land involving in some cases the grubbing of derelict orchards, but I am afraid that the work involved in extracting the separate figures would not be justified.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when he received the town map of Kettering for modification or approval; what further information he requires for the purpose; and whether he will give an estimate of when he proposes to announce his decision.

The town map was submitted in July, 1960. The information I require is almost complete and I expect shortly to publish my proposed modifications. The timing of my final decision will depend on whether there are objections to these, necessitating a further inquiry.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has now received replies from all the local authority associations concerning works schemes under Section 7 of the Coast Protection Act, 1949, about which he recently had discussions with them; to what extent the replies propose that no more works schemes should be initiated; if he will take steps to abolish existing schemes forthwith; and if he will ensure that no further schemes operate in the future.

I have now received the views of all the local authority associations. All are in favour of the abandonment of the works scheme procedure. I shall shortly be advising the coast protection authorities on what should be done about particular schemes.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will now state when he expects to receive the Report of the Committee on Broadcasting.

I received the Report on 5th June and expect to have it published on the 27th June.I cannot yet give a date for the publication of the evidence which the Committee will associate with this Report, but this will be done as soon as practicable.I should like to take this opportunity of expressing the Government's sense of appreciation to Sir Harry Pilkington and the members of his Committee for the immense public service they have rendered. The Government recognises the exceptional measure of effort which the completion of their arduous and important task has entailed.

asked the Postmaster-General what were the towns in the United Kingdom for whom his Department applied for frequencies to be allocated for local broadcasting at the European Conference on Very High Frequency and Ultra High Frequency broadcasting at Stockholm in 1961; and which applications were agreed to by the Conference.

Frequency provision was sought for 142 towns, or groups of adjacent towns, having populations totalling 50,000 or more. In the event, the Conference decided to plan only for the higher-powered broadcasting stations, and as a result, only 75 of these towns figured in the Conference list. I will give my hon. Friend further details if he wishes.I should emphasise that the inclusion of United Kingdom broadcasting stations in the Conference Plans does not carry with it the obligation to establish such stations, nor does the inclusion of stations in frequency bands, not at present available in the United Kingdom for broadcasting, necessarily imply that those bands will become available for broadcasting. In brief, the Stockholm Agreement has not committed the United Kingdom irrevocably to follow any particular pattern for the development of broadcasting services, but permits considerable freedom of action for such services to develop in accordance with whatever policy may eventually be decided by the Government.

asked the Minister of Power by what percentage the price of electricity is being increased in the South-Eastern Region and what are the reasons for such increase at the present time.

Prices charged for electricity are the responsibility of the Board, but I understand that the increase is on average about 12 per cent. I have asked the Chairman of the Board to write to my hon. Friend giving the reasons for the recently announced increase in the Board's tariffs.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what were the levels of fall-out for radiocarbon and radioiodine, respectively, immediately following the Russian tests; and what are the levels at the present time.

The quantity of carbon from nuclear tests cannot be directly monitored because it is indistinguishable from that which occurs naturally. As stated in the reply to the hon. Member's Question on 8th May, it is estimated that it is small compared with that occurring naturally.Levels of iodine 131 in milk during the weeks following the Russian tests were given in the Agricultural Research Council Radiobiological Laboratory's Report on Radioactivity in Diet (A.R.C. R.L.6) published on the 7th February, 1962. No iodine 131 has been detected in any samples of milk collected between 29th May and 2nd June.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he is now able to make a statement about the rates of awards to be made in the forthcoming academic year by the research councils to postgraduate students in science and technology.

My noble Friend is aware of the need for an early announcement. Unfortunately, it is not possible to make a statement to the House before it adjourns for the Whit-sun Recess, but these rates will be announced very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children entered the first year of a senior secondary course in the years 1938, 1948, 1958, and 1961; what were the figures for each education authority; and what were the percentages which these figures represented of the children promoted.

As the Answer involves a long and detailed table of figures, I have sent the particulars to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which education authorities have made provision in separate schools for pupils who intend to take the Ordinary-Level examination.

Arrangements vary from area to area, but I am not aware of any authority which has made provision for these pupils in schools that do not also provide other types of certificate and non-certificate courses.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children taking a junior secondary course remained at school for six months and for one year, respectively, after their statutory leaving date in the years 1948, 1951, 1958, and 1961, giving figures for each education authority.

I am having this information extracted, so far as it is available, and I shall let the hon. Lady have it as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the amount of capital investment in schools in East Kilbride since the New Town Development Corporation was formed: and what proportion this represents of the capital investment in schools of Lanarkshire Education Authority over the same period.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the amount of capital investment in schools in Glenrothes since the New Town

Since the Corporation was formed in 1947 the capital investment on schools for the town up to 31st March, 1962, amounted to £1·6 million. This represents 13·8 per cent. of the capital investment on Lanarkshire schools for the same period.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will issue a list of schemes in the road programme costing over £100,000, which were started in the year ended 31st March, 1962, with the present estimated completion date and total cost of each.

The following is a list of the schemes referred to:Development Corporation was formed; and what proportion this represents of the capital investment in schools of Fife Education Authority over the same period.

Since the Corporation was formed in 1948, the capital investment on schools for the town up to 31st March, 1962, amounted to £1·3 million. This represents 15·7 per cent. of the capital investment on Fife schools for the same period.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children are receiving part-time education in Scotland; and what are the figures for each education authority.

Glasgow is the only area in, which class hours are at present curtailed. The numbers affected on 25th May were as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when work is likely to start on the new hospital projects in the Isle of Skye.

The 24-bed extension at the Mackinnon Memorial Hospital, Broadford is already under construction and work on the new hospital at Portree is expected to begin in the spring of 1963.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when work is expected to restart on the Sligachan-Sconser road in the Isle of Skye.

I understand that Inverness County Council have recently re-advertised the contract for the Sligachan-Sconser scheme, and that tenders are due to be received shortly. The work should be resumed towards the end of July or early in August.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will treat as urgent the request from Inverness County Council for financial assistance this year with the proposed water scheme in the south end of South Uist in view of the inadequate, inaccessible and contaminated nature of the only sources at present available for human and livestock needs.

Details of this scheme are being cleared as quickly as possible so that there should be no delay in making a start if the County Council decide to proceed with it this year. The Council already know that the scheme will earn grant under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what rehearsals he is preparing for his plans for the removal, under the threat of nuclear attack, of the population of Scottish island areas in which British or North Atlantic Treaty Organisation targets are situated; to what extent constant local availability of sea and air transport for this purpose is provided; and what are the reception areas for those concerned.

Dispersal plans relate to certain densely populated areas and do not provide for movement from the islands.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what estimate has been made of the total costs of the construction of the Hunterston nuclear power station; how this will be paid for; and who will be responsible for payment;(2) whether he will institute an inquiry into the construction of the Hunterston nuclear power station, and its estimated and eventual costs; on whose advice the construction and costs were based; and what services the Atomic Energy Authority has rendered in respect of this project.

The original estimate of £37½ million based on the General Electric Company's tender, was subject to adjustments on certain heads specified in the contract. The final price depends on the outcome of current negotiations for the settlement of these adjustments. The price will be met by the Board in the usual way, partly from internal resources and partly from capital loans. The design was prepared by the Company. The services rendered by the Atomic Energy Authority were described by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary for Science, in reply to the hon. Member on 4th June. The Board have kept me informed about progress and I do not consider there is any need to institute an inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what new arrangements have been made at Kyle Ferry for dealing with the increasing number of vehicles during the summer tourist season.

The slipways at both sides were improved last year; a parking area was provided at Kyle; and an additional ferry—making four in all—was brought into service.I understand that the British Transport Commission are satisfied that these increased facilities were quite adequate for the traffic last year and that no further improvements are at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to make a statement about the future of Mallaig Harbour.

This matter is being examined by my Department in consultation with the British Transport Commission, David MacBrayne Ltd., Inverness County Council and others immediately concerned. The results of these discussions should be available shortly and I shall consider them urgently in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what new arrangements have been made for carrying vehicles by ferry from Mallaig to Armadale in Skye; and whether he is satisfied that these arrangements are adequate to cope with the increasing number of vehicles wishing to cross during the tourist season.

Messrs. David MacBrayne Limited have proposed to introduce a vehicle ferry service between Mallaig and Armadale, and also at two other crossings on the West Coast, using specially designed ships each capable of carrying 50 cars, which should be adequate for the needs of the tourist season at these points. These proposals are now under consideration but final decisions cannot be taken until tenders for the ships have been received and considered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now publish the Report of the inquiry into the theft from the National Gallery of Goya's portrait of the first Duke of Wellington.

The Report, abridged to remove information which might compromise the future security of the National Gallery if it became common knowledge, together with a statement by the Government and certain comments by the Trustees of the National Gallery, is being published today.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many courts martial have been held at Hilden Army Camp, near Dusseldorf, in the last six months; and if he will inquire into conditions at the camp.

In addition to those involved in the cases which are the subject of current public interest, there have been five district courts martial concerning four soldiers on charges of absence without leave and one on a charge of desertion.I am considering the extent to which an inquiry into conditions at Hilden Camp is necessary.