asked the Minister of Transport what is his policy regarding a European Highway Code to codify detailed traffic rules, as agreed at the European Road Safety Conference.

Though it might not be practicable for the United Kingdom to change all its rules to continental practice, a unified code of traffic rules would have advantages. I am, therefore, seeking to arrange for the United Kingdom to be associated with the work of the Restricted Group of Experts constituted under the European Conference of Ministers of Transport who are preparing the European Highway Code.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give the estimated ton-mileage of freight worked by the railways and on the road for the year 1961; and if he will state the last year for which the ton-mileages so worked by rail and road were approximately equal.

In 1961 British Railways' freight train traffic amounted to 17,600 million ton miles and it is estimated than the ton-mileage worked by road about 50 per cent. more than by rail In 1957 the ton-mileages carried by road and by rail were roughly equal.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is satisfied that at all terminal points in the United Kingdom where tankers unload, efficient facilities are available for ships to clean out their tanks; and if he will make a statement.

Facilities are adequate at oil terminals in the United Kingdom for tankers requiring to clean out their tanks. They are provided by the oil companies, ship repairers and port authorities, and they are fully equal to the best provided in other countries.

asked the Minister of Transport how many berths are unoccupied on the Clyde shipyards; and what steps he proposes taking to assist the Clyde shipyards.

At the end of May, 1962, 48 berths were unoccupied in the Clyde shipyards, but as was pointed out in reply to a similar Question by the hon. Member on 14th February last, this is not a true measure of idle capacity. We have no proposals in mind for special assistance to Clyde shipyards.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the number of certificates of officers of the merchant service and fishing fleet, respectively, which have been cancelled or suspended by courts of formal investigation hold under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, during the years 1960 and 1961, respectively; and. in the ease of suspension, what was the period of such suspension.

During 1960 one officer of the merchant service had his certificate suspended for two years; five officers of the fishing fleet had their certificates suspended, three for two years, one for eighteen months and one for one year. No certificates were cancelled. During 1961 four officers of the merchant service had their certificates suspended, one for eighteen months, one for one year, one for six months and one for three months: two officers of the fishing fleet had their certificates suspended, both for one year. No certificates were cancelled.

asked the Minister of Transport by what date he anticipates that it should be possible for all commercial road traffic to be able to reach a motorway within 25 miles of any starting or stopping point.

Our target is to complete 1,000 miles of motorway by the early 1970s. The motorway programme will be determined by the needs of traffic. I do not, however, accept that it is necessarily desirable or economic to provide possible access to a motorway within 25 miles of any starting or stopping points in the country.

asked the Minister of Transport what reply he has sent to the representations made to him by the Islington Borough Council rejecting his proposals to establish a lorry route through the Borough of Islington, and pointing out that an increase in heavy vehicles through the borough, particularly St. Paul's Road, Clephane Road and Englefield Road, is likely to create accident black spots, and will hamper the council's efforts to reduce road accidents.

I have not yet replied to the Islington Borough Council. Their representations, and the many others I have received, are being studied.

asked the Minister of Transport why the lowest tender for the county road section of the Staines bypass was not accepted last January; and why the company which put in the lowest tender in January was not allowed to tender again when the job was re-advertised in May.

The acceptance of tenders for classified road works is a matter for the local highway authority; in this case the decision not to accept the original tender or to allow the firm concerned to tender a second time was made by the Middlesex County Council.

asked the Minister of Transport what traffic census he has taken on the two lane sections of the A.30 and A.303 on Saturdays during the summer months; and what figures were obtained.

A traffic census was taken between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. on a Saturday in August, 1961, at selected points on the two-lane sections of the trunk roads A.303 and A.30. The figures, for both directions, are:

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will arrange for a model of the three-level flyover which is to be built at Brent Cross, Hendon, to be shown to hon. Members of this House.

Yes. With the agreement of the House authorities I have arranged for this model and also models of the Severn Bridge, the Chiswick-Langley Viaduct and the Bushey Road-Burlington Road Flyover on the Kingston by-pass to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall from 9th to 13th July.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will reconsider the proposal to construct a roundabout at the junction of the Derby Inner Ring Road and Friar Gate in order to preserve as far as possible the architectural merits of this ancient street.

I regret that the proposed roundabout will affect some buildings of arcihtectural merit or historical interest. The Derby County Borough Council have designed the Inner Ring, Road on the basis of traffic control by roundabouts at main intersections. I believe that this is the best means in all the circumstances of providing for the traffic flaw at this junction but any objections to compulsory purchase orders for the land required will be carefully considered.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to enable Her Majesty's Government to ensure that in future railway finance adequate pensions for railway super annuitants will be given a high priority.

Responsibility for pensions of railway superannuitants lies primarily with the British Transport Commission. Under the Transport Bill this responsibility would be transferred to its successors. The British Railways Boar would therefore have to consider the priority to be given to this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make new regulations to ensure that compensation is paid, by increased pensions or otherwise, to employees of the British Transport Commission who are approaching pension age and who can only remain in railway service if they agree to work in another area.

No. The provision to be made for employees of the British Transport Commission who become redundant otherwise than as a direct result of statutory reorganisation is covered by agreements negotiated from time to time by the Commission with the unions concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has for enabling the subsidisation of local railway services out of rates.

None.

asked the Minister of Labour how many jobs have been lost in Scotland in the first six months of this year; and what are the comparable figures for each of the other Regions.

I estimate that about 13,400 workers were discharged as redundant in Scotland during this period. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing comparable figures for other parts of the country. The figures given do not necessarily represent the numbers who became unemployed since they include workers transferred by their employers to other jobs.The following is the table:

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of persons registered on the Disabled Persons Register of the Oldham and Failsworth employment area who were totally unemployed at the most recent available date; and what percentage of these have been unemployed for a period exceeding 12 weeks.

On 18th June, 276 registered disabled persons were unemployed, of whom 177, or some 64 per cent., had been unemployed for more than twelve weeks. The hon. Gentleman would like to know that in the last twelve months my disablement resettlement have found jobs in ordinary industry for 190 unemployed disabled persons, and will continue to make every effort to find work for those still unemployed.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of disabled persons now in full time employment by Remploy Limited of Oldham; and whether he will now make a statement on plans for providing in Oldham additional employment for disabled persons disqualified from normal industrial work.

Fifty-five. There are no plans for expanding Remploy's facilities in Oldham.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consult the Minister of Education with a view to promoting courses in technical colleges for shop stewards, similar to the course recently started at the Luton College of Technology.

Yes. I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Education and my National Joint Advisory Council about the promotion of such courses.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the cost of the United Nations operation in the Congo to date; which nations are in arrears with their special contributions; and for what amounts they are in arrears.

The total cost of the United Nations operation in the Congo to the end of June is approximately$240 million. The most recent figures available show that, on 31st May, sixty-six countries wore in arrears in their contributions for 1960 or 1961, or both years, to a total of$51½ million. The list of countries in arrears is published, together with the amounts, in United Nations document ST/ADM/SER. B/159, which is available in the Library of the House.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when it is expected to end the United Nations campaign in the Congo and in Katanga; and what estimate has been made of the total cost of the operation.

Her Majesty's Government hope that a national reconciliation may be effected which will enable the United Nations to withdraw its forces in due course from the Congo. It is estimated that the cost of the United Nations operation in the Congo (O.N.U.C.) to the end of June is approximately 240 million dollars. No accurate calculation can be made, since some countries which have provided troops or services to O.N.U.C. have not yet submitted detailed accounts.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many United Nations troops are now in the Congo; how many are in Katanga; and how these figures compare with 12 months ago.

United Nations troops now in the Congo total some 17,000, of whom 8,000 are in Katanga. The comparable figures a year ago were 22,000 and 3,000.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on his recent official discussions in Europe.

In addition to the formal Ministerial meeting in Brussels, about which I informed the House on 2nd July, I have visited a number of European capitals for informal discussions with the Ministers responsible for the negotiations. These discussions were, of course, confidential.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how the British delegate to the General Assembly of the United Nations voted on the resolution recommending a new constitutional conference in Southern Rhodesia; and how many delegations voted in favour of the resolution, how many voted against, and how many abstained.

As we wished to demonstrate in the strongest possible way our disapproval not only of the resolution itself but of the whole proceedings, the British representative did not participate in the vote on the resolution, which was adopted by 73 votes for and one against, with 27 abstentions. These abstentions showed that we were by no means alone in our view of the proceedings.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what restrictions are now placed on the use of arms provided from British sources to the Government of Portugal to ensure that they are not used in Angola or Mozambique.

There has been no change in the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the export of arms to Portugtal and the Portuguese overseas territories since the statement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in reply to Questions on 27th June, 1961.

asked the Lord Privy Seal, in view of the slow progress being made in the repatriation of the assets of British subjects under the terms of the Anglo-Egyptian Financial Agreement, he will make Government loans of up to £5,000 available to those whose assets in Egypt are still blocked.

Her Majesty's Government are well aware of the seriousness of this problem, and, as the House will know, have taken it up with the Government of the United Arab Republic. They do not consider that a system of loans such as that suggested by my hon. Friend would be the best solution to the problem; but they are actively examining other ways of settling outstanding problems under the Financial Agreement, including that of the repatriation of British assets up to £E5,000 per individual. An announcement will be made to the House as soon as any settlement is reached.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what proposals he has made to the Government of Thailand for payment by them to meet the British Government expenditure incurred by stationing a squadron of the Royal Air Force in that country.

None.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if it is still Her Majesty's Government's policy to recognise the off-shore islands round the Chinese coast as part of the territory of the People's Republic of China.

I have nothing to add to my hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Ashfield (Mr. Warbey) yesterday.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, following the latest discussions at Brussels, he will now state the minimum safeguards for agriculture on which Her Majesty's Government will insist in its negotiations with the Common Market.

The position of Her Majesty's Government remains as set out in my statement to the European Economic Community of 10th October.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the uncertainties arising from the Common Market negotiations, whether he will give advice to farmers on which products they could concentrate most profitably.

It is not possible or right for the Government to give general advice to individual farmers as to what lines of production they should concentrate on, owing to wide variations of soil, size and type of farm throughout the country. Farmers are, of course, guided by the price determinations made after each Annual Review. Should we join the Common Market, the changes that would be necessary to conform with the development of a common agricultural policy would be made gradually over a period of years, so giving farmers the opportunity to plan ahead.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will take steps to protect minors in the Armed Services from the attentions of salesmen of hire purchase goods who exercise undue pressure; and if he will take steps to limit and control the present uncontrolled entry of these salesmen to Her Majesty's service establishments.

I am satisfied that my right hon. Friends the Service Ministers, who are aware that it is against the best interests of young Service men to be granted excessive credit facilities, have power to control the entry of tradesmen into Service establishments and are prepared to use it if necessary. Undesirable practices by tradesmen would constitute good grounds for withholding permission to trade in such establishments.

asked the Minister of Defence why the present rate of long service pension for able-seamen, private and aircraftmen, after 22 years' service, was fixed at £2 7s. 8d.; and by how much this is below National Assistance and unemployment and sickness benefit and retirement pensions.

In 1958, the Government accepted a recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Recruiting that £2 4s. was the correct weekly rate of pension for an able-seaman, private or aircraftman after 22 years' service. They also accepted a recommendation that pay and pensions should be reviewed biennially from 1960.The review carried out in 1962 showed that an increase to £2 11s. 4d. was justified. In the circumstances obtaining at the time, however, the Government decided to pay the increases in two equal instalments; in the case of the 22-year long-service pension for the able-seaman, this produced a weekly rate of £2 7s. 8d. during the financial year commencing on 1st April, 1962.The Table below shows the extent to which the long-service pension rate falls below National Assistance scale rates, unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, and retirement pension. The Service pension is, of course, solely a reward for service and is to be distinguished from payments under the social services.

asked the Secretary of State for War what reductions have been made in the numbers of guardsmen occupied in the guarding of Buckingham Palace during the last five years.

Until October, 1959, the Buckingham Palace Detachment of the Queen's Guard consisted of 30 all ranks, of whom 24 were Guardsmen, reduced to 21 all ranks, including 15 Guardsmen, when the Court was not in residence. Since that date it has consisted of 21 all ranks throughout the year.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many married soldiers in the Cameronians in the British Army of the Rhine are without reasonable housing accommodation; and if he will arrange for those without such housing accommodation to be discharged and to return home if they so desire.

Three officers and twenty other ranks of the Cameronians are not accompanied by their families in Germany; in addition there are 61 families in Germany occupying private accommodation or hotels. I cannot agree to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the lack of entertainment facilities for troops of the British Army of the Rhine in advanced stations, outside the barracks, after normal training facilities have been completed; and whether he will take some action to improve the situation.

I am aware that facilities are lacking outside barracks in Germany for the sort of entertainment and off duty occupations which soldiers enjoy at home. But as well as the amenities provided by local towns, there are A.K.C. cinemas, and clubs sponsored by the Council of Voluntary Welfare Work. On half days, weekends and holidays such amenities as sailing, canoeing and cycling are available, and visits are arranged to places of interest in Germany, Holland, Belgium and Denmark. Skiing is available in the winter, and the Winterberg Leave Centre is open throughout the year. Travel concessions enable soldiers to enjoy these amenities at low cost.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the num- ber of live entertainment shows in the British Army of the Rhine, excluding those put on by the services themselves. during the past 12 months.

No War Office sponsored live entertainment shows have been sent from the United Kingdom to the British Army of the Rhine during the past twelve months. It was found in recent years that attendances did not justify their continuance. I am, however, reconsidering the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present total annual cost to the National Exchequer of the British Army of the Rhine and of other armed forces, excluding air forces, stationed in Germany and of the maintenance and accommodation of their relatives living in Germany; and what is the total present contribution from German sources.

The cost in 1962–63 of maintaining British troops in the British Army of the Rhine is estimated at some £89 million. This figure covers the pay and allowances of troops and civilians; the cost of works services, hirings, travel and the local purchase of stores and supplies, etc., but does not include the value of stores and supplies provided from United Kingdom stocks, the value of which cannot readily be ascertained. The cost of maintaining and accommodating families cannot be separately identified but the £89 million includes about £4·4 million, for the hire and maintenance of married quarters. No direct contribution to these costs is made from German sources. The only other Armed Forces in Germany for which I am responsible are those in Berlin and in accordance with the Allied "Declaration on Berlin" of 26th May, 1952 (Cmnd. 8564), expenditure on supplies and services for the British Army in Berlin is met without charge to United Kingdom funds.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers serving with the British Army of the Rhine were tried by court-martial during 1961 for offences which would have been tried in civil courts had the offences taken place in Great Britain.

In Great Britain discretion is vested in the chief officers of police to decide, after consultation with the military authorities, by whom any particular offender should be tried for an offence of a civil nature. Certain broad principles are laid down and guidance thereon is set out in paragraph 734 of Queen's Regulations, 1961.It is however, probable that a large proportion of the 512 charges of a civil nature dealt with, under the terms of the Bonn Convention, at courts martial in the British Army of the Rhine in 1961 and on which convictions were obtained would have been dealt with by the civil authorities in Great Britain had the offences been committed there.

asked the Secretary of State for War what number of soldiers serving with the British Army of the Rhine have been convicted of offences after trial by court-martial during each of the first years preceding 1962.

The following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for War, what were the nature of the offences committed by soldiers serving with the British Army of the Rhine who were convicted after trial by court-martial during the year 1961.

The following information is taken from courts-martial of 803 soldiers whose proceedings were received in the Judge Advocate General's office in 1961.

asked the Secretary of State for War what action he is taking to improve accommodation for wives and families of other ranks in the British Army of the Rhine for whom married quarters are not now available.

The problem of accommodation for families can only be solved by the intensive programme of building which is now in progress. This should work off existing waiting lists over the next two years or so. In the meantime I have taken a number of temporary measures to alleviate the shortfall. Special allowances have been made for up to 1,300 families to be accommodated in hotels. 200 specially constructed caravans have been provided at sites throughout the British Army of the Rhine. A number of barrack blocks are to be converted into temporary flats.

asked the Secretary of State for War, if he will publish in HANSARD a table of figures giving the numbers of other ranks and officers on the waiting list for housing accommodation in the British Army of the Rhine; how long, on average, each group have to wait before being accommodated; and what was the number of flats and houses allocated to officers and other ranks during the past 12 months.

294 officers and 5,019 other ranks are on the waiting list for housing accommodation in the British Army of the Rhine, of whom 220 officers and 2,869 other ranks already have their families in Germany. The period for which any officer or other rank has to wait varies greatly according to the circumstances of the individual family, since quarters are allocated on a system of points awarded for service, rank, separation, number of children and other factors. About 500 quarters were allocated to officers during the last twelve months and 2,000 to other ranks.

asked the Secretary of State for war why the midnight curfew on the British Army of the Rhine applies only to unmarried men.

This instruction applies to unmarried private soldiers, and also to those who are married but who are not accompanied by their wives. It would be undesirable to apply it as a general rule to soldiers who are accompanied by their wives at their duty stations and who do not therefore live in barracks.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange for filmed television shows in the English language to be made available to troops in the British Army of the Rhine.

I recognise the amenity value of a television service for our troops in the British Army of the Rhine, and the possibility of arranging one has from time to time been reviewed. I have recently been looking at the situation once again. There are many difficulties so I cannot commit myself as to the likely result.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that there are many types of jobs which could be undertaken by female labour in the British Army of the Rhine, thus reducing the number of military men for other services, reducing the number of officers and reducing costs to the British taxpayer; and whether he will take action along these lines.

The recent recruiting in the W.R.A.C. will, I hope, enable me to provide more work for them in the British Army of the Rhine, but as the majority of units in B.A.O.R. are operational, women cannot be employed. Civilians, both men and women, are already employed to the greatest possible extent.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the curfew in the British Army of the Rhine does not apply to officers: and whether he will ensure that all Service men, irrespective of rank, are treated alike so far as these matters are concerned.

Regulations about attendance in barracks in off duty hours have never applied to officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War on how many occasions during the past two years the General Officer Commanding the British Army of the Rhine has held open meetings with the troops to discuss their welfare conditions and general grievances.

The Commander in Chief of the British Army of the Rhine frequently visits units to conduct inspections, supervise training, attend parades, and witness sporting and other activities. On these occasions he has had numerous informal meetings with both individual soldiers and groups.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the complaints of other ranks in the British Army of the Rhine of lack of facilities for enjoyment in the evenings when off duty, outside the barracks or camps; and whether he will arrange for British types of public houses to be made available for the troops in the British Army of the Rhine.

As regards the first part of the Question, I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to his Question No. 72 on today's Order Paper. I will certainly consider the proposal which the hon. Gentleman makes in the second part of his Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to improve the arrangements for notifying the Press of impending courts-martial.

I would refer the hon. Lady to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence to the hon. Member for Greenwich (Mr. Marsh) on Tuesday, 26th June, 1962.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date, and by what means, he is disposing of the storage depot at Madeley in the rural district of Newcastle-under-Lyme; and if he will take steps to ensure that the site will be used for the provision of light industry.

No date has been fixed for the disposal of this depot, but as soon as its use by the War Department is ended it will be disposed of in accordance with usual practice. The nature of the use to which this site may then be put will be determined by the planning authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many cases of lung cancer were diagnosed in members of the armed forces, both male and female, in each of the last ten years; what was the numbers of deaths; what were the numbers in each yearly age group; and if he will make a statement.

The following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for War when he will hold the proposed mobilisation exercise.

The main part of the exercise will take place at the weekend on 15th and 16th September.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now indicate which National Servicemen serving with the Royal Army Pay Corps Regimental Pay Office at Nunsfield Camp, Taunton, Somerset, will be required to serve an extra six months after their normal release date, and when they will be informed of their final release date.

One National Service man of the Army Catering Corps at present serving with the Regimental Pay Office at Taunton is to be retained under the Army Reserve Act, 1962, for an additional six months. He signed an acknowledgment of the notice on 20th June, and has submitted an appeal against retention. No National Service men of the Royal Army Pay Corps serving at this office will be retained. A Regimental instruction to that effect has already been published.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of Army privates who are being paid long service pensions worked out to two places of decimals and a basic rate of £1 3s. 7–50d. per week.

The answer to the first part of the Question is none. The number of those being paid pensions at a basic rate of £1 3s. 7½d. a week could not be calculated without a disproportionate effort.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the present weekly long service pension and terminal grant of a general and the basis on which the figures are calculated; and by how much this exceeds the amounts paid to a private.

The retired pay and pensions of all ranks is designed to give an appropriate reward for the rank obtained and service given. The weekly rate of retired pay of a general who has served a full career of 34 years in the Army is £53 13s. 2d., and his terminal grant (which is three times the annual rate of retired pay) is £8,400. It would in practice be rare to find a man with a comparable length of service who had not risen above the rank of private. But in such a case the weekly rate of service pension would be £6 1s. 4d., and the terminal grant would be £946 8s. 0d.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers from Scottish regiments were charged either before their commanding officers or before courts martial on charges of drunkenness or due to drunkenness in the last six months.

During the six months from October, 1961, to April, 1962, five soldiers from Scottish regiments were convicted by courts-martial for drunkenness, and one for unfitness to drive due to drink or drugs. Figures regarding charges dealt with by commanding officers are not readily available.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how many cases of lung cancer were diagnosed among personnel, both male and female, in the Royal Navy in each of the last ten years; what was the number of deaths; what were the numbers in each yearly age group; and if he will make a statement.

The following tables give the information:

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how many sons of officers and sons of ratings were admitted to the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, during 1959, 1960 and 1961, respectively.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he will state, in terms of the present value of money, the total sum spent in the most recent available 12 months' period, and in corresponding periods ended in 1955 and in 1948, on clothing for the Royal Navy, the percentages spent on clothing of wholly British manufacture, and the percentage spent on items predominantly manufactured from cotton textiles.

The total sum spent on clothing for the Navy during the financial year 1961–62 was £2 million. Comparable figures for 1947–48 and 1954–55 in terms of the present value of money are £1.6 million and £4.3 million, respectively. About 99 per cent. of these sums was spent on clothing of wholly British manufacture. The amount spent on items predominantly manufactured from cotton textiles in 1947–48 is not known, but in 1954–55 and 1961–62 it was 55 per cent.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the date and basis of the original pension for able-seamen of a half-penny per day per year of service, with a further halfpenny for each year's service as petty officer and a farthing for each year as leading seaman.

The operative date of the pension for seamen of 11d. a day for 22 years' service or a halfpenny per day per year of service was 1st October, 1917. Additions to the basic rate were available not only for service as petty officer and leading seaman but also for good conduct and for other reasons. This code prevailed only until the 1919 code was introduced.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the approximate number of able-seamen who are now drawing a pension of three-half-pennies per day pension per year of service, with one penny for each of three good conduct badges, two pennies for the good conduct medal and one penny for 22 years' good conduct, with a total pension of only £1 2s. 9d. per week after 25 years' service.

I regret this information is not available without making an examination of each of the 62,000 pension cases.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the number of chief petty officers and petty officers, Royal Navy, colour sergeants and sergeants, Royal Marines, respectively, and the total who are now drawing a basic pension for 22 years' service based on three half-pence per day for each year's service, with 6d. for three good conduct badges, the good conduct medal and complete good conduct service, and a half-penny for each year's service as petty officer and a farthing for each year as leading seaman.

The total number of senior ratings at present in the Royal Navy is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many civil servants, established or permanent, and temporary, respectively, were employed in the Scottish Department offices on 1st March, 1951, and 1st March, 1962, or the nearest available dates; and what was the total, respectively, of the salaries and wages paid on those dates.

On 1st April, 1951, the numbers of permanent and temporary non-industrial staff in my Departments were 3,825 and 1,280, respectively. In the year ending on 31st March, 1951, the total of the salaries and wages was about £2,517,000. I regret that it is not possible, without undue labour, to give separately the amounts paid to permanent and temporary staff. On 1st April, 1962, the numbers of staff were 4,917 permanent and 1,145 temporary. In the year ending on 31st March, 1962, the total of wages and salaries was about £6,462,000. Between 1951 and 1962 there were increases in the staffs of my Departments by reason of transfers of functions from other Ministries and from Regional Hospital Boards and some staffs, particularly prison and borstal staff, have required strengthening.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the inconvenience and strain caused to wives and families of Service men occupying the flats on the Maalla Mile, Aden, due to the fact that there are not lifts working, and that they have to climb and carry everything up to between 50 and 124 stairs; what is holding up the pro-

There are 39 blocks of flats in the Maalla Mile of which eight have no lift shafts. As regards the rest we have offered inducements to the landlords to install lifts as soon as possible. In four blocks the lifts are already working. In a further fifteen installation is in hand. The landlords of the remaining twelve are still in negotiation with the contractors. I cannot forecast when this work will be completed as the local capacity for the installation and maintenance of lifts is limited.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what special measures are being taken to protect Government property at the Royal Air Force Station at Chigwell from theft, damage and destruction.

We shall dispose of this property as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made. In the meantime we have engaged civilian caretakers, with previous experience of the station, to keep a 24 hour watch in cooperation with the local police.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many civil servants, established or permanent, and temporary, respectively, were employed in the Air Ministry on 1st March, 1951, and 1st March, 1962, or the nearest available dates; and what were the totals, respectively, of the salaries and wages paid on those dates.

Excluding staff recruited overseas, the number of non-industrial civil servants borne on Air Votes at 1st April, 1951, and 1st April, 1962, and the cost of their salaries and wages were as follows:viously filled by Royal Air Force personnel.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, how many cases of lung cancer were diagnosed among personnel, both male and female, in the Royal Air Force for each of the last ten years; what was the number of deaths; what were the numbers in each yearly age group; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the present total annual cost to the national Exchequer of the air force units of the British Army of the Rhine and of other air force units in Germany, and of the maintenance and accommodation of their relatives living in Germany; and what is the total present contribution from German sources.

Excluding stores and equipment supplied from the United Kingdom, for which separate figures are not maintained, the cost in 1962–63 of Royal Air Force units in Germany is estimated at £15–3 million. The cost of

The figures given below are for the 10 years 1951–1960. Those for 1961 are not yet available. During this period there was only one case of lung cancer among the Women's Services of the Royal Air Force, that of a nursing sister aged 40 who was invalided from the Service.The figures for Royal Air Force males are as follows:maintaining and accommodating relatives cannot be identified as most of it is met by heads of families from their pay and allowances. However, the £15·3 million includes about £300,000 to meet the net cost of hiring private accommodation for families and maintaining married quarters.The only German contribution is for local supplies and services for the Royal Air Force in Berlin which is estimated at £580,000 for 1962–63.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why the mother of the Oldham Royal Air Force sergeant, whose name has been supplied to him, was not informed of the death of her son in Cyprus until after his funeral; and when she was first supplied with full information as to the cause of death.

We keep a record of addresses of next of kin and of any other person an officer or airman has nominated to be informed in the event of his becoming a casualty. The sergeant in this case had not nominated anyone other than his wife and accordingly only she was informed of his death. The latter part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will state, in terms of the present value of money, the total sum spent in the most recent available 12 months' period, and in corresponding periods ended in 1955 and in 1948, on clothing for the Royal Air Force, the percentages spent on clothing of wholly British manufacture, and the percentage spent on items predominantly manufactured from cotton textiles.

£5·6 million, £5·5 million and £3·8 million in the financial years 1947–48, 1954–55 and 1961–62, respectively. Apart from negligible local expenditure by overseas units all the clothing bought in 1954–55 and 1961–62 was wholly of British manufacture. Although the detailed records are no longer available, the indications are that the same was also true for 1947–48. 39 par cent. of total expenditure in 1954–55 and 31 per cent. in 1961–62 was on items predominantly manufactured from cotton textiles. A comparable figure far 1947–48 is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when the Fylingdales early warning radar system was originally expected to be completed; when it is now expected to be completed; and how many strikes and other interruptions of work there have been since the work was started.

In spite of delays resulting from bad weather and labour disputes we still expect the station to become operational next year, as originally planned. Since the work began there have been 62 strikes and stoppages Which have lasted for one full day or more.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many courts-martial of Royal Air Force personnel have been held in Germany in each of the last five years.

The figures are:

asked the Secretary of State for Air haw many Royal Air Force personnel have been stationed in Germany in each of the last five years.

The total numbers of Royal Air Force personnel, including members of the Women's Royal Air Force and Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service, stationed in Germany on the 1st January in each of the last five years were:

asked the Minister of Aviation (1) if he is aware that the Handley Page Dart Herald can take all of the Army's five types of jeep; and how many types can be taken by the Avro 748 aircraft;(2) to what extent the fitting of the folding undercarriage will further delay the availability of the Avro 748 aircraft.

I am not sure what types of vehicle are covered by the expression "jeep"; but the military version of the Avro 748 can carry any of at least 14 different types of Army vehicle. There is no significant difference between its capability in this respect and that of the Herald, although the unrestricted headroom of the Avro cabin throughout its length offers some loading advantages by comparison with the Herald. The "kneeling" undercarriage which is being developed for the Avro aircraft to facilitate the loading of stores from vehicles is not expected to delay its availability to the Services.

asked the Minister of Health on how many occasions since the inception of the National Health Service a public inquiry has been held into the conduct of a voluntary member of a hospital authority; and which authorities were involved.

None specifically, so far as I know; but the official actions of members of hospital authorities may be at issue in any such inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now make a statement upon the Report of the Scott Committee, on the training and education of teachers of the mentally handicapped; and if he will publish the Report.

The Report will be published on 13th July. Before reaching decisions on its recommendations I shall consider the views of interested bodies with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of total Government current expenditure was devoted to servicing the National Debt in the years 1951, 1957 and 1961; and if he will state the average Bank Rate rate in each of those years.

The information is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish figures for the years 1951 to 1962 giving the size of the National Debt expressed as a percentage of the national income.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish figures for the years 1951 to 1962 giving the percentage of the National Debt accounted for in each year by marketable securities, national savings and floating debt, respectively.

The analysis of the National Debt is as follows:

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation which Commonwealth countries have been unable to take up offers of postgraduate scholarships in the United Kingdom for students of engineering and other professional subjects because they do not produce enough graduates in such subjects; and to what extent this difficulty can be met by the offer of undergraduate scholarships.

I have been asked to reply.This difficulty arises in some of the developing countries of the Commonwealth where there are insufficient local opportunities for the training of graduates in engineering and other professional subjects who can take advantage of the offer of post-graduate awards by Britain. It is being met so far as possible by giving the territories concerned the opportunity to include in their nominations for awards under the Commonwealth Scholarship Plan candidates who are well qualified for undergraduate studies in professional subjects. In the years 1960 to 1962 twenty such awards have been made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the reception of British Broadcasting Corporation television in Grimsby has recently been exceptionally poor; and what steps he proposes to take, whether by means of a booster or otherwise, to remedy this situation.

Reception on the lower channels of Band I of the B.B.C. television programme at this time of the year is subject to unavoidable interference from television stations on the Continent. I have approved the B.B.C.'s proposal to build a satellite TV station for Grimsby in Stage 3 of their satellite station scheme.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will combine into one letter the separate reminder letter and final notice sent out when telephone accounts are unpaid, so as to reduce clerical costs.

Yes. I am arranging for this change to be made for all accounts sent out after November next.