asked the Lord Privy Seal what statement was made by the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom in the Security Council on 15th June on the question of Kashmir.

The following is the reply:SIR PATRICK DEAN'S STATEMENT IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON JUNE 15, 1962.When the Security Council last met in May to discuss the India-Pakistan question, my delegation expected that an interval for reflection on the facts then placed before it would be useful before we met again, in order to consider further what this Council might do to discharge its responsibilities and to help towards a solution of the Kashmir dispute. In the six weeks that have passed the whole question has been under active consideration by members of the Council and I trust that at the end of our meetings we shall be able to reach a helpful and constructive conclusion.The situation in Kashmir has shown no signs of improvement since we last met. On the other hand, both India and Pakistan have held faithfully to their assurances that they do not contemplate the use of force or of measures outside the scope of the Charter of the United Nations to alter or terminate the present state of affairs. To this extent we can say that at least the situation is no worse and that the apprehensions that were expressed before the meeting of this Council in February have, in the event, happily proved unfounded. This encourages us to believe not only that a solution to the dispute is possible, but that the Governments of India and Pakistan will, without recourse to arms, pursue paths which lead to a final solution of this long-standing problem. In December, 1956 Her Majesty's Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations gave to the United Kingdom Parliament the following statement of British policy on the Kashmir problem: "Her Majesty's Government have always hoped that the dispute would be settled by agreement between the two countries. That is still their hope. Meanwhile, Her Majesty's Government will continue to support efforts to reach agreement which would give effect to the resolutions of the United Nations". This remains Her Majesty's Government's policy: we are still convinced that a solution can only emerge from constructive and sincere negotiations between the Governments of India and Pakistan.Until the India-Pakistan question was raised once more at the Security Council this winter, four years had passed since the last substantive discussion of the matter in this Council. It was the hope of the United Kingdom Government throughout that period, as indeed before, that the two parties would take advantage of this break in international discussion in order to hold negotiations privately which might at least have opened the way to a mutually acceptable solution. We were encouraged in this hope by the settlement since October, 1958, of many of the other difficult and complicated matters in dispute between India and Pakistan and by the fact that the leaders of both countries had met from time to time in the course of this period and had, we understood, discussed the problem of Kashmir. This process of reconciliation culminated in the signing, in the autumn of 1961, by President Ayub and Mr. Nehru of an agreement about the use of the waters of the Indus River Basin. This problem, a matter of vital importance to the economies of both India and Pakistan, was felt at one time to be well-nigh insoluble. But with statesmanship, good will and the assistance of the President of the World Bank, Mr. Eugene Black, a solution was found. This development seemed to us proof of the desire of the Governments of Pakistan and of India to remove all those obstacles which had prevented a full understanding between them. We have still no doubt that desire persists but, much to our regret, it has not so far proved possible to find a basis for the settlement of the Kashmir question which would be agreeable to both parties.This continued disagreement between two member countries of the Commonwealth, for both of whom the United Kingdom has friendship and respect based on long years of the closest association, causes my delegation great concern and distress. There are perhaps no two countries in the world that have so many things in common, so many reasons for continued co-operation and amity, as have India and Pakistan. These stretch long into the past and will continue far into the future despite the present difficulties and differences. Both countries are devoting themselves to the economic advance of their peoples: it is no less than tragic that any part of their energies and resources should be diverted to this sterile and arid political dispute. Anything which the Security Council can do to avoid the prolongation of this unhappy state of affairs should be welcome to the two parties, to their fellow members of the Commonwealth and to the world community as a whole.This leads me to the question how the Security Council can help at the present moment. As to this, Mr. President, my delegation finds itself in general sympathy and agreement with the considerations advanced this morning in the persuasive statement of the distinguished representative of the United States. As I mentioned earlier, our view is that this dispute can only be settled by negotiation between the parties. Neither the Security Council nor any other outside body is in a position to dictate a solution. Nevertheless the Security Council certainly cannot wash its hands of this affair. The past history of discussion before it and its previous decisions make this impossible. We have the clear duty to formulate a view. Furthermore, I believe that the Security council can have a positive and helpful rôle to play. The absence of any progress over the last four years has disappointed our hopes that fruitful negotiations would take place without some form of friendly outside intervention. The Security Council may be able to help by acting as a catalyst and in preparing the ground for negotiation. The Council should consider whether there is not some procedure which it might recommend with a view to clearing the air and removing the obstacles, in order to bring about a negotiation in the most hopeful circumstances. We naturally hope that any such procedure as may be suggested as the upshot of our discussions here would be welcome to the Governments of both India and Pakistan and would be accepted by them in the same friendly spirit as it is offered. The United Kingdom Government is encouraged by the precedent of the Indus Waters to think that a procedure roughly analogous-that is to say by the two parties availing themselves, to the extent that this might be useful, of the good offices of some third party acceptable to both of them-might lead the way to the solution that I am sure is desired by all.We hope, therefore, that further discussion at this current session will not become too embedded in the past history of the case. My delegation has deliberately not entered into the rights and wrongs, or the merits and demerits of the dispute. We have our views, but we do not feel that it would be helpful to the prospects of solution to utter them at this stage, it is not by the laying of blame but by the good will of those most closely concerned that success in resolving this dispute will come. We therefore most earnestly ask that the Government of India and Pakistan and the members of this Council consider the matter in the light of future prospects of solution rather than of past histories of disagreements and disputes.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what further action Her Majesty's Government are recommending to the United Nations to achieve a settlement in the Congo.

My noble Friend the Foreign Secretary recently told the Acting Secretary-General of the United Nations that in Her Majesty's Government's view the deteriorating economic situation of the Congo makes it vital that a reconciliation between Katanga and the rest of the country should be achieved without delay. He stressed the importance which Her Majesty's Government attached to the use of peaceful methods to achieve a solution in order to avoid further damage to the country. Her Majesty's Representatives have also spoken in this sense to the Central Congolese Government and to the Katanga Provincial authorities. U Thant said that these views accorded with his own.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how the representatives of Commonwealth Governments voted in the General Assembly on the following resolutions, namely, that the inscription of the Rhodesian item be decided by a simple majority, and that the item be inscribed and on the resolution tabled by the 16 Member States on 16th June.

On the motion that the inscription of the Southern Rhodesian item be decided by a simple rather than a two-thirds majority, eight Commonwealth Governments voted for; four (including the United Kingdom) against; and one abstained. On the motion that the item then be inscribed, nine Commonwealth Governments voted for; three (including the United Kingdom) against; and one abstained. On the sixteen-Power resolution, nine Commonwealth Governments voted for, and three abstained. The United Kingdom did not participate in the vote.The following are the full details:On the motion that the inscription of the Southern Rhodesian item be decided by a simple majority, the Commonwealth voted as follows:

asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the Portuguese Government, and what instructions have been given to Her Majesty's representatives at the United Nations, to bring about compliance with the United Nations General Assembly's Resolution of 30th January, in view of the continuing disregard of this resolution by the Government of Portugal.

As my right hon. Friend told the House on 21st May, the Portuguese Government are very well aware of our views on the questions raised in the General Assembly Resolution of 30th January.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the statement in Paragraph 12 of the Special Report of the International Commission for Vietnam that the Commission has, since December, 1961, been persistently denied the right to control and inspect in South Vietnam, he will invite the Soviet Co-Chairman to join with him in insisting upon the restoration of the powers and duties of the Commission under the Geneva Agreements.

We have suggested to the Soviet Government in a Note of 14th June that the Co-Chairman should invite both North and South to return to a policy of co-operation with the International Control Commission. The Soviet Government did not, however, respond to this suggestion.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what steps he proposes to take to call the attention of the parties to the Geneva Agreements to the violation, by the South Vietnam authorities, of Articles 16, 17 and 19 of the Agreement on Vietnam, as recorded in the Special Report of the International Commission, and to induce those authorities to return to the observance of the Agreement.

We have circulated the Report to those members of the Geneva Conference to whom we normally send such documents. We presume that the Soviet Co-Chairman will have circulated it to the others.

asked the Lord Privy Seal why Her Majesty's Government have not asked the Government of Thailand to contribute to the cost of maintaining the Royal Air Force squadron in Thailand.

Because the squadron costs little more in Thailand than it would on normal duties in Singapore.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what reply he has sent to the representations sent to him by the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom in regard to British troops being sent to Thailand without the prior approval of Parliament.

This letter was addressed to my noble Friend the Secretary of State. I regret that due to an oversight no reply was sent, but one has now been dispatched in which the attitude of Her Majesty's Government was explained along the lines made clear in the foreign affairs debate on 24th May.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the recent visit of President Tubman has been associated with dis- cussions on co-operation with ox assistance to the Republic of Liberia in respect of economic, political or military matters.

My noble Friend held discussions on 11th July with the Liberian Under-Secretary of State. There was a short exchange of views on general political matters. The question of British investment in Liberia and the supply of technical assistance was also raised; it was agreed that further discussions should be held with the appropriate Government departments.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement regarding the continuing high wholesale price for potatoes; and what information he has about recent levels of retail prices.

Supplies on the market have been light due to the effect on the new potato crop of late frosts and the long dry spell. At the beginning of this week wholesale prices were mainly in the range of 46s. to 54s. a cwt. Retail prices were generally round about 7d. to 9d. a lb. Both wholesale and retail prices of course vary considerably depending on variety and quality and on the level of supplies in the district concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the light of the experience of 1962, what plans he is making to avoid a potato famine in 1963; and if he will make a statement.

It will not be until the late autumn, after much of the main crop has been lifted, that we shall be able to tell what is the yield and keeping quality of this year's crop. But from the beginning of the season I shall be watching carefully the level of supplies and trends in prices so as to judge at the earliest moment whether imports will be needed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the factual and statistical basis on which the Lincolnshire River Board based their decision to raise their licence for coarse fish from 3s. to 10s.

My right hon. Friend has not yet received for his approval any proposals for revised licence duties from the river board. We therefore have no information as to the factual and statistical basis on which they may rest their case.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent imports of bacon and other pig meat have been reduced in view of the current increase in home supplies; and how the cost of price guarantees to home producers since 1st April compares with a year ago.

During the five months from January to May of this year, imports of bacon were 10 per cent. up on January to May last year when they were affected by the strikes in Denmark and at the London Docks, but they were slightly lower than in the same period in 1960. There has been a slight increase in imports of pork this year, representing in all some 4 per cent. of our total pork supplies.The cost of the guarantee to home producers from 1st April to the end of June this year was £137 million compared to £7·6 million in the same period last year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he proposes to introduce legislation for the control of swine fever.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has now fixed a date for the implementation of the scheme for the slaughter and compensation of pigs infected by swine fever.

As I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Torrington (Mr. P. Browne) on 7th December last, the introduction of a compulsory slaughter policy for swine fever had to be deferred until early in 1963. It is too soon for me to give the exact date on which the slaughter policy will be introduced, but I can confirm that it is still my intention that we should make a start on this early in the New Year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a statement on future policy on fowl pest following the Report of the Plant Committee.

I have accepted the Committee's advice that slaughter is unlikely to eradicate the disease and that the Exchequer cannot go on indefinitely bearing the heavy cost of compensation for slaughter, simply as a means of keeping the disease under control. But I have consulted the industry since the Report was published on 29th March, and I accept their view that it would be unlikely that vaccine would be used sufficiently widely to control the disease, if, as proposed by the Committee, slaughter with full compensation were to continue at the expense of the industry.I have therefore decided to subsidise the price of vaccine for two years, and to discontinue at the end of the present financial year the present policy of slaughter with compensation at Exchequer expense, except for the rare per-acute form of the disease. This arrangement will not apply to Scotland where the present slaughter policy and movement restrictions will continue, and vaccination will be allowed but not subsidised. I should like to thank the Plant Committee for their investigations and the industry for the spirit in which they have met my suggestions.The cost of the present slaughter policy is now running at a rate of up to £10 million a year. As a result of the new policy there will be virtually no further compensation after the end of this financial year, except in Scotland, whilst the charge on the Exchequer for vaccine should be less than £1 million a year for two further years, at the end of which it will cease.

asked the Minister of Defence what progress has been made in the consideration being given to the centralising of the medical supplies and personnel of all the services.

This matter has, I understand, been considered over a long period. I will give it my attention as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Defence what is the cost to the taxpayers of the United Kingdom of the maintenance of the British Army of the Rhine; and what contribution is made towards it by the West German Government.

£89 million, to which no direct contribution is made.

asked the Minister of Defence how many civil servants, established or permanent and temporary, respectively, were employed in Ministry of Defence departments on 1st March, 1951, and 1st March, 1962, or the nearest available dates; and what was the total respectively of their salaries and wages as paid on those dates.

The figures for civil servants employed by the Ministry of Defence as at 1st April in each of the two years are:

(a) 1951
(i) Established	…	…	495
(ii) Unestablished	…	…	527
(b) 1962
(i) Established	…	…	663
(ii) Unestablished	…	…	412

The cost of salaries and wages for the year ending 31st March, 1951, was £537,700; and for the year ending 31st March, 1962, £1,350,500. I regret that it is not possible to give separately the amounts paid to permanent and temporary staff.

asked the Minister of Defence if it is now the intention of Her

Staff Category		1st April, 1951		1st April, 1962
		Established or Permanent	Temporary or Hired	Established or Permanent	Temporary or Hired
Non-Industrial	…	18,728	14,471	25.365	7,675
Industrial	…	29,081	106,475	33,303	71,124
Royal Fleet Auxiliary	…	1,067*	3,279	1,497*	2,308
Totals	…	48,876	124,225	60,165	81,107
* Pensionable Personnel—on Company Service Contract.
The cost of salaries and wages was of the order of £55m. in 1950–51 and £101m. in 1961–62.

This is the present intention.

asked the Minister of Defence what reports he has received from the Government of the United States of America, pursuant to the Anglo-American agreements for exchange of information on defence and nuclear matters, regarding the studies made by the United States Department of Defence of the number of casualties that would be suffered if Western cities and Western military targets, respectively, were the subject of full-scale attack in the course of a war between the Union of Soviet Republics and the North Atlantic Alliance.

I am aware of this study by the Government of the United States, but I do not feel called upon to comment on it.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how many civil servants, established or permanent and temporary, respectively, were employed in Admiralty Departments on 1st March, 1951, and 1st March, 1962, or the nearest available dates; and what was the total respectively of their salaries and wages as paid on those dates.

The following is the information:

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that a married couple with three children and paying more than 20s. a week rent will, if unemployed, receive £9 8s. weekly, whereas a married man with two children employed on full time in Portsmouth Dockyard can get less than this figure; and if he will now take steps to ensure that the minimum rate of pay for an employed dockyard worker is not less than the comparable unemployment benefit.

The standard unemployment benefit rate for a married man with three children is £6 9s.The minimum timework rate for adult unskilled labourers in Portsmouth Dockyard is £8 7s. l0d. plus a time working allowance of 6s. a week. There are also good opportunities for overtime and payment-by-results which in most cases increase earnings beyond the minimum figure. Negotiations are proceeding with the trades unions concerned on a claim for an increased rate.I assume that the figure of £9 8s. to which my hon. Friend refers is taken from an example quoted in the Explanatory Memorandum on the draft National Assistance Regulations which, when approved, will operate from 24th September next. It is an amount to which a married man with three children of particular ages and a specific rent commitment of 28s. a week would normally be entitled: it includes family allowances and unemployment benefit and National Assistance payments.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how many boys at Greenwich Hospital School have their fees paid in full by local education authorities; how many have them paid partly by local education authorities and partly by parents; how many have them paid wholly by parents; and how many have them remitted or reduced.

At the end of the spring term, 1962, there were 638 boys eligible to pay fees of £33 6s. 8d. a term. Ninety-five had their fees paid in full by local education authorities; 96 had fees paid partly by local education authorities and partly by parents; 93 had their fees paid wholly by parents; 63 had fees remitted or reduced. In addition, there were 291 parents paying full fees but entitled to claim all of these through Education Allowance from the Royal Navy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the introduction of some scheme of financial incentives to encourage military personnel in all overseas stations to learn the language of the country in which they are stationed.

Facilities for learning the local language are already available through R.A.E.C. and they include instruction by local teachers. Troops are given every encouragement to take advantage of the arrangements without cost to themselves and financial awards are already made for three progressive levels of proficiency.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the number of National Service men who have now been notified that they will have to serve for an additional six months; how many of them are married; and how many have one child, two children, and three or more children, respectively.

9,121 National Service men have received notice of retention for an additional six months; our records show that of these 2,962 are married, 550 with one child, 67 with two children, and two with three or more.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many German troops are stationed in this country; if he will make a statement about their accommodation and facilities; and whether he will arrange for the German troops in Great Britain to return to West Germany and the British troops in Germany to return to Great Britain.

Between June and October this year, a total of about 2,500 Federal German troops are practising tank firing at Castlemartin, though not more than about 400 troops will be here at any one time. Their accommodation and facilities, whose costs are entirely borne by the Federal German Government, are generally similar to those available to British troops which have used the Castlemartin range. These arrangements are beneficial to the N.A.T.O. alliance and I do not intend to alter them.

asked the Secretary of State for War what consultations he is having with General Norstad and the West German military authorities on the current level of the British forces in Germany.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many times ammunition has been found during the last two years on the grounds of Gwernyfed Secondary School, Breconshire, and adjoining farms; whether he will make arrangements to test this ground for further buried live ammunition; and if he will issue a statement of clearance in respect of both places.

Reports of unexploded missiles in this area have been received twice in the last two years, and on each occasion searches have been carried out; the second was extensive, and as it has just been completed I do not consider it necessary to make a further search now. It is normal practice after these searches to report to the owner what has been done. I would emphasise, however, that we can never be certain that a search has completely cleared the ground, and some small hazard must inevitably remain. The Under-Secretary of State explained the general problem in reply to the Adjournment debate on 26th February, 1959.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that no guide-book exists to help tourists to follow the Changing of the Guard ceremony; and whether he will arrange for such a guide to be published.

Such information is available in at least one commercially published guide book. I shall be pleased to send my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps foe has taken to ensure that the production of the F.N. rifle is not concentrated in one factory.

As my predecessor explained in a Written Reply to the right hon. Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson) on 4th May, 1960, the Army's estimated future requirement of small arms on the completion of re-equipment with the F.N. rifle will not justify maintaining capacity for production in addition to that of the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what delays are being caused in the work of the High Court of Justiciary and the Court of Session as a result of vacancies on the bench.

The number of judges is at present 15 compared with the statutory maximum of 16, but I understand that there is no delay in the disposal of civil cases by a judge of first instance or in the work of the High Court of Justiciary. Increasing work in the Court of Session has, however, necessitated the withdrawal of Inner House judges in order to take cases in the Outer House, and because of the vacancy on the bench, this has caused difficulty in manning the Second Division in the Inner House. The result is that a number of cases are awaiting hearing in the Inner House.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what experiments are being carried out in breeding fish and lobsters; and what study he is making of alternatives to the present orders relating to berried lobsters.

Experiments in the breeding and rearing of fish including herring, plaice and oysters but not lobsters are being carried out by scientists of the fisheries department and the Scottish Marine Biological Association. The order relating to berried lobsters is at present being reviewed in its application to Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest information about stocks of lobsters around the coasts of Scotland and", in particular, around Orkney and Shetland.

Landings of lobsters in most districts in Scotland including Orkney and Shetland have improved in recent years and overall landings in 1961 reached a record total of just over £500,000 in value. I understand there is no evidence of over-fishing, but scientists in my Department are keeping the position under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement concerning his recent meeting with representatives from the Scottish Trades Union Congress and the Scottish Council (Development and Industry).

This was a meeting with representatives of the Scottish Council, of which the Scottish Trades Union Congress is a constituent member. A fairly lengthy statement was made immediately after the meeting, which I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT.MEETING WITH SCOTTISH COUNCIL (DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRY) 12TH JULY, 1962The Secretary of State for Scotland, who was accompanied by the Parliamentary Secretaries to the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Labour, congratulated the Scottish Council on the production of a thoughtful and balanced memorandum which had helped to bring into focus important elements of Scotland's present economic problem. Mr. Maclay said that he would place the main points made by the deputation before his colleagues in the Government and would get in touch with the Council again if it deemed that a further meeting would prove useful.The Secretary of State said he had been most interested in the Council's figures about expansion of employment by over 80,000 during the two years to July, 1961, in some fields, with a net increase of some 30,000 after allowing for contraction in other fields. He remarked that it was of considerable interest to note their estimate that established Scottish enterprises were responsible for 80 per cent, of the expansion, since the criticism was sometimes heard that Scottish industrialists did not do enough themselves for Scotland. The Secretary of State said he entirely agreed with the Council's view that the picture during this period was not that of an economy rushing down-hill to disaster, but reflected vigorous efforts made by all sections of the community to produce new industrial growth sufficient to outweigh the inevitable decline in some of the older established industries.The Secretary of State said he had noted most carefully the Council's figures for July, 1961, to June, 1962, estimating that new jobs created at 20,000 would probably be 5,000 less than those disappearing. He pointed out that the present time was one of a relatively little new expansion or movement on the part of industry—particularly male-employing industry —and he emphasised that the most profitable course was to prepare to take immediate advantage of the more favourable climate for expansion as soon as this appeared.Regarding the review of the Scottish mining industry announced on Wednesday by the National Coal Board, Mr. Maclay pointed out, while 20,000 men might lose their present jobs by 1966, the N.C.B. expects that new jobs and other vacancies in the expanding Scottish pits will total 30,000 in the same period. The N.C.B. will therefore be able to offer jobs elsewhere in Scotland to most of those who would be displaced. Replying to a request that the closing of pits might be delayed until other jobs are being provided, the Secretary of State said no useful purpose would be served by Scottish collieries toiling to produce coal in excess of what could be sold. Such coal would merely have to be stored above ground where it would deteriorate, aggravate the future supply position, and run up stockpiling costs. This would only postpone the date when we could hope to have a fully efficient and economic mining industry in Scotland. The Government's task was to see that the greatest number of additional employment opportunities were available for those miners who could not be re-absorbed in their own industry, and to ensure that adequate training or re-training facilities were provided.Mr. Maclay reminded the deputation of the Government measures announced in the House the previous day—the acquiring of new sites in Scotland for industry, building of advance factories, and improvements in training allowances. He reassured the deputation that the Board of Trade would continue to operate a tough policy in issuing Industrial Development Certificates in the south. The Board of Trade, he said, would continue to refuse certificates for any project which could reasonably be steered to a development district.The Secretary of State pointed out that regarding inducements for industrialists to go to Scotland, during the two years ending March, 1962, the Board of Trade offered assistance—excluding offer that had been declined—to 126 projects in Scotland for an amount of £41·4 million estimated to provide 28,900 extra jobs. This worked out at an average Government contribution per job of £1,400 the actual figure in individual cases being sometimes less but sometimes considerably mow. The ability to tailor the offer to the needs of each particular case was part of the strength of the present inducement system. The interest rate charged had been five or five and a half per cent., and in over half the cases interest had been waived for initial periods.On a proposal by the Council that, as a measure having immediate effect, the rate of capital investment in construction works should be stepped up, Mr. Maclay said that at the height of the 1961 building season the building and construction industries (especially the large firms) were employed at practically full capacity, and there was good reason to believe that the high level of output would be maintained and possibly even exceeded this year. Thus any expansion in the public works programme had to be carefully gauged in relation to the capacity available in the industry, and this may be nearing the limit in some areas.On the question of rail closures the Secretary of State reassured the deputation that he entirely accepted that hardship to the travelling public should be avoided, and that the provisions contained in the Transport Bill would be adequate to ensure this.The Secretary of State gave the strongest assurances to the deputation that the Government were fully aware of the changing needs of the Scottish economy and the human problems involved. They welcomed the co-operation of the Council and the invaluable work they were doing to secure the change and growth which are essential for Scotland's future and which it is the Government's policy to do everything in their power to promote.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he will now make improvement grants available for the installation of slatted floors for store and feeding cattle.

This question is under consideration, but I am not yet able to make any announcement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, when exercising his responsibility in connection with planning permission, he will pay more attention to the provision of football fields in housing schemes, and to the need to ensure that gardens are of a workable size.

Planning permission for housing schemes is, with only rare exceptions, a matter for local planning authorities. Their attention has recently been drawn to the need for making adequate provision in their development plans for public playing fields, and local housing authorities have been given general guidance on the provision and layout of gardens.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to expedite a statement of Her Majesty's Government's intentions concerning the recommendations of the Toothill Committee, in view of recent developments in the economic situation.

This is one of the matters which will be dealt with during tomorrow's debate on industry and employment in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects work to start on the Micklefield improvement scheme on the A.1 road, which was scheduled for April last; and what is the cause of the delay.

Work began on 2nd July on the construction of dual-carriageways between Brotherton and Micklefield. Unexpected difficulties in acquiring some of the land prevented an earlier start.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the dangerous traffic bottleneck at Ferrybridge on the A.1 road; and what plans he has for a new bridge there.

Preparatory work is already well in hand on a by-pass of Ferrybridge, including a new river bridge. This scheme has high priority and will be started as soon as all the necessary statutory procedures and the engineering design have been completed.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is now in a position to make a statement on the parking of lorries in residential streets of the London and Greater London area; and if he will make a statement on his future policy over this public nuisance.

My Working Party is still discussing this complex problem with the local authorities and other bodies primarily concerned. They are concentrating first on trying to find a practical solution to the particular problem in Bermondsey. A solution there should help in showing the way to deal with similar problems elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total mileage of motorways open on 1st January, 1962, and on 30th June, 1962; and how many miles in total were under construction on each of the above dates.

The total mileage of motorways open on 1st January, 1962, was 148 and this remained unchanged on 30th June, 1962. A further 42½ miles are, however, to be opened within the next three weeks. One hundred and forty-six miles of motorway were under construction on 1st January, 1962, and 147¾ on 30th June, 1962. I hope to award contracts for a further 49½ miles before the end of the year.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that no length of motorway has been opened for nearly a year, and that by the end of 1963 the average length of motorway opened annually since 1958 will be only 50 miles, what lengths of motorway he now proposes to authorise in the near future and what proposals he has for speeding completion of the proposed network.

I am going ahead with motorway construction as fast as statutory procedures and the availability of funds permit. A further 42½ miles of

	Estimated Completion Date		Estimated Total Cost (including land) £
Motorways
M.4—Chiswick-Langley (Viaduct Structure) (London-South Wales Motorway)	September, 1964	…	5,065,000*
M.4—Severn Bridge (Superstructure) (London-South Wales Motorway)	December, 1966	…	6,500,000
A.48 (M)—Port Talbot By-pass (First section preliminary work)	December, 1962	…	352,000*
Trunk Roads
A.5—Witherley to Royal Red Gate Inn, Warwickshire	Late 1962	…	129,000
A.5—Atherstone By-pass, Warwickshire: Part II: Roadworks	Spring, 1964	…	511,680
A.23—Railway Bridge to Hooley Lane, Redhill, Surrey	Spring, 1963	…	146,000
A.38—Whitfield to Falfield, Gloucestershire	Late 1963	…	179,000
A.39—Barnstaple Bridge widening, Devon	Autumn, 1963	…	282,000
A.39—Wadebridge Bridge widening, Cornwall	Autumn, 1963	…	233,000
A.40—Islip Turn to Waterstock Crossroads, Oxfordshire	Late 1964	…	1,101,000

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has requested the Essex County Council to ensure the removal of the caravans and sundry animals belonging to evicted gypsies and other travellers from the verge of the main London to Southend road within a few feet of the vehicles using the road; and, in view of the danger to the evicted persons and to motorists, what steps he has taken to deal with the situation and to see it does not happen again.

On one or two occasions in recent months caravans which encamped on the verges of this road have been moved on by the police at the request either of the Essex County Council or of my divisional road engineer. Similar action will be taken in future if the need arises.

asked the Minister of Transport what schemes under the road programme costing over £100,000 were started in the six months ended 30th June, 1962; and what are the estimated completion dates and total cost of each.

These schemes are:

asked the Minister of Transport how many new films on Road Safety his Department has made in the last three years; and what are his plans for the future.

My Department, through the Central Office of Information, has made 63 road safety films in the last three years. These films, up to 2 minutes in length, are produced mainly for free showing on television. 16 mm prints of the films, in groups, can be obtained from the Film Library, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. A further 17 films are in various stages of production, including a 10-minute colour film for child cyclists.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now give favourable consideration to the addition to his programme of a motorway link from Leeds northwards to the A.1.

Traffic from Leeds northwards to the A.1 goes by way of the A.58 trunk road. This is to be improved when a place can be found for it in the road programme. I have no evidence that a motorway would be justified on foreseeable traffic volumes along this route.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the Seventh Report from the Estimates Committee for Session 1961–62, on the subject of classified road; and whether he will make a statement.

; I have studied with interest the Report of the Select Committee. It will, of course, be some time before I will be in a position to let the Committee have my detailed comments on their Report and recommendations, but I can say now that a number of their recommendations are entirely in line with proposals which the Ministry has itself been formulating. I am grateful to the Committee for the care with which they have examined these important problems.On some points action is already in hand. As the Committee were informed at the outset of their enquiry, we have been reviewing the grant system and proposals for revision and simplification will shortly be put to the local authorities as a basis for discussion. Moreover, following the large increase in road expenditure, approved some two years ago, a three-year rolling programme for classified roads was put into operation in April 1961, and all local authorities were informed accordingly. Whether it would be practicable here and now to extend the programme to five years, as the Committee propose, is a matter I shall want to consider but I agree that this should be our aim.As recently as 1955–56 total central government expenditure on new construction and major improvements on classified roads was as low as £4·2 million. With so little money available it was necessary to maintain a high degree of central control of projects in order to ensure that the limited money available was spent to the best advantage in the light of national priorities. With some £24½ million now available from central funds for major improvements on classified roads and with the more extensive experience we now have, a considerable relaxation of this central control is possible.A major change in grant arrangements on the lines I have indicated will inevit-aibly take time to effect and will require legislation. My Ministry has therefore also been considering ways in which present controls could be revised in advance of a new grant system.Discussions will continue to this end with the local authorities.At the same time it must be remembered that on classified road projects my department pays grants which in the aggregate and in many oases individually amount to a considerable sum. This money is voted by Parliament and has to be accounted for to Parliament. I shall, therefore, have to consider with care how far, in the words of the Committee, "a simpler system of control would be compatible with the Ministry's accountability to Parliament". The proceedings of the Public Accounts Committee show the very close interest that Committee rightly takes in effective supervision by my Department of the very large sums of money now being spent out of the Ministry's Votes.Finally, I welcome the Committee's Recommendation that the Ministry should review the use made of engineering staff at Headquarters and in Divisions. Much thought has already been given to this subject in my Department and it is my intention to set up a committee under the Chairmanship of a Deputy Secretary in my Ministry and including members from outside the department, to examine this problem.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in the interests of road safety, he will consult the London Transport Board with a view to allowing blind persons to be accompanied by their guide dogs on public transport.

I know that the London Transport Executive is as anxious as any of us to help the blind. But in certain circumstances there can be real practical difficulties in having even highly trained guide dogs on buses, particularly in the rush hour. I think it right therefore to leave ultimate discretion to the conductors, who will I am sure use it helpfully and wisely according to the circumstances. L.T.E. only last month particularly reminded staff having this discretion of the difficulties of the blind.

asked the Minister of Transport what will be the effect on road traffic of the works proposed at Westminster Underground Station; and to what extent the convenience of the public will be affected by them.

The tunnel at Westminster Station is to be enlarged so that the platforms may be extended at an adequate width for the full length of eight-car trains. At the present time, the end car of each eight-car train is in the tunnel when the train is stationary, and the platforms are to be lengthened not only to reduce congestion on the platforms but also to make it easier for passengers to get on and off the end cars. Powers to carry out the work were granted by Parliament in the British Transport Commission Act, 1960.Work is expected to begin in August and to last about a year.It will involve digging up part of Victoria Embankment and, under the Act, the British Transport Commission can do this only by arrangement with the Westminster City Council, who are the highway authority. Plans have been agreed which will ensure that at all times an adequate footway will be maintained and room will be available for two lanes of traffic in either direction. The central island will be removed and a temporary barrier substituted. The police and my traffic advisers are satisfied with these arrangements. I shall watch their effects carefully.Some of the work will inevitably be noisy, and the effect of this may be felt in nearby offices, including the old St. Stephen's Club premises now used by Members and by the National Economic Development Council. The noise should not however be more than is normal with road or building works, and special construction methods will be used to avoid percussion pile driving. Most of the work will have to be done outside normal working hours to avoid interference with trains.I am assured that the Commission will take all practicable steps to keep noise and inconvenience to the minimum consistent with the efficient completion of this necessary work.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers of insured persons in employment registered at the Paisley employment exchange during the month of June in each of the years from 1952 to 1962, inclusive.

The following is the reply:

ESTIMATED NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN EMPLOYMENT IN THE PAISLEY TRAVEL-TO-WORK AREA.*
Date				Number
June, 1952	…	…	…	72,300
June, 1953	…	…	…	71,700
June, 1954	…	…	…	74,100
June, 1955	…	…	…	73,000
June, 1956	…	…	…	73,100
June, 1957	…	…	…	72,300
June, 1958	…	…	…	68,400
June, 1959	…	…	…	68,200
June, 1960	…	…	…	68,100
June, 1961	…	…	…	68,700
June, 1962	…	…	Not yet available
* Including Johnstone and Renfrew

asked the Minister of Labour how many skilled engineering workers were registered as unemployed in Scotland at the latest available date; and what is the number of suitable vacancies for such workers in Scotland.

At mid-June there were 2,934 wholly unemployed engineering craftsmen in Scotland and 645 vacancies notified for these categories.

asked the Minister of Labour how many jobs have been lost in Scotland in the two years of the operation of the Local Employment Act; and how many new jobs, exclusive of those in the pipeline, have been provided.

The only comprehensive figures are those of workers in employment which are not yet available for the whole period. Between mid-1960 and mid-1961 the number of workers in employment in Scotland rose by 12,000, increases of 37,000 in some industries and services being partially offset by decreases of 25,000 in others.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the public concern in Glamorgan at the lowered standard of staffing in Glamorgan schools; if he will review the situation; and what steps he will take to improve the standard.

Glamorgan have been asked to accept no more than their fair share of the special difficulties arising this year from the interruption of the output from teacher training colleges as a consequence of lengthening the period of training to three years. No limit has been placed upon the number of part-time teachers or married women returning to teaching whom authorities may employ outside their quota. I hope the Glamorgan Education Authority will take full advantage of this freedom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many newspapers and periodicals have been licensed in Aden for distribution to employees of the refinery; and why the application of the Petroleum Workers Union for a licence for such a paper has been refused.

The management of the B.P. refinery are authorised to publish one weekly and one six-monthly magazine in English as well as one weekly and one six-monthly magazine in Arabic for their employees. As regards the second part of the Question, it is not the practice of the Aden Government to specify the reasons for withholding a newspaper licence.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that the experimental scheme for training dental auxiliaries will provide a basis for alleviating the shortage of dentists, bearing in mind that only 58 students continued their studies into the second year; and what further measures he proposes to improve the position.

Only two students out of 60 discontinued their studies during the first two-year course. The experiment is not yet completed.

asked the Minister of Health what is the ratio of dentists to population considered necessary to provide comprehensive dental service for the community; and how many practising dentists would be required at the present time to achieve that ratio.

I know of no basis on which this ratio could be calculated.

asked the Minister of Health what is the average incidence of dental caries in the child and adult population, respectively; and for what proportion of the population in each of the groups partial and full dentures are required or fitted, according to the most recent information.

I regret the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will hold a public inquiry before making the proposed Order under Sections 40 and 50 of the Water Act, 1945, altering the scale of charges for water supplied by the Metropolitan Water Board, by measure, from 1s. 2d. per thousand gallons to 2s. 6d. per thousand gallons.

If I receive an objection from any person appearing to be affected by the Board's proposals and that objection is not withdrawn, I am required by statute to hold a local inquiry.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what was the total of interest payments, as distinct from the total loan charges, made by local authorities in England and Wales in 1959–60 in respect of the loan debt outstanding for housing and education, respectively.

The figures are as follows:

		Total interest payments for the financial year 1959–60 by local authorities in England and Wales
			£,000
Housing	…	…	140,047
Education	…	…	26,737

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further representations he has received concerning the implementation of the Morison Committee's recommendations on the salary of the Probation Service; whether he has yet received a report from the Joint Negotiating Committee; and whether he will make a statement.

A number of representations have been received, principally from individual probation officers, but no further communication has been received from the Joint Negotiating Committee since they recommended an immediate salary increase of 10 per cent. In reply to the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the speech of my hon, and learned Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the debate on the Adjournment on Monday last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the possible casualties in the United Kingdom in the event of nuclear war.

No estimate that could be made would be reliable.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how much the National Assistance scales for a married couple, and for a single person, have been increased since October, 1959; and by how much it would have been necessary to increase these scales to keep pace with the increase in the cost of living.

The current National Assistance scale rates for a married couple and a single householder are higher than those in force in October, 1959, by, respectively, 5s. and 3s. 6d., and the proposed new rates are higher by, respectively, 10s. 6d. and 7s. 6d. To give the same real value as then, the sums required, on the basis of the Index of Retail Prices, are 8s. 5d. and 5s., respectively.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will now state the results of his examination of the general problem of underground storage of gas and the procedures which should be followed.

The first stage of the examination has now been completed. The Government have reached the conclusion that in certain circumstances the storage of gas in natural rock reservoirs would be safe and practicable, that it would assist the economic use of plant and that we should provide the opportunity for its development here. The Government have decided that this should be done by public legislation, which would provide a framework of control for this form of storage. I am now about to consult outside interests on the form this legislation should take.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the total imports of wire for weaving purposes and imports of wire suitable for weaving.

I regret that wire suitable for weaving purposes is not separately distinguished in the trade statistics.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total amount of woven wire products in quantity and value imported into the United Kingdom;(2)what are the principal sources of importations of woven wire imports into the United Kingdom;(3)what are the total amounts of exports of woven wire products from the United Kingdom, and the sources of exportation.

The following is the information in respect of those woven wire products which are distinguished

UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS
	—	1961		Jan.-Apr., 1962
		Sq. ft.	£	Sq. ft.	£
Woven wire cloth, gauze, fabric, screening, sieving lawn or meshing, square and rectangular mesh (excluding paper-machine (fourdrinier) wires)
Of iron or steel	Canada	45,648	30,580	12,787	3,205
	Western Germany	333,113	24,671	11,503	2,531
	Irish Republic	17,827	7,344	9,165	3,738
	France	526,658	15,004	131,556	3,782
	Liechtenstein	32,674	10,427	19,123	6,119
	U.S.A	15,727	7,633	18	620
	All other Countries	25,235	5,346	3,590	2,289
	TOTAL	996,882	101,005	187,742	22,284
Of non-ferrous metals		[Not separately distinguished]

UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS
	—	1961		Jan.-Apr., 1962
		Sq. ft.	£	Sq. ft.	£
Woven wire cloth, gauze, fabric, screening, sieving lawn or meshing, square and rectangular mesh (excluding paper-machine (fourdrinier) wires)
Of iron or steel	Canada	168,456	30,157	31,396	6,322
	Sierra Leone	35,213	11,060	7,257	3,392
	Irish Republic	56,570	7,641	49,572	7,010
	Ghana	81,190	10,271	16,131	3,817
	South Africa	83,030	22,188	5,870	1,845
	Tanganyika	31,539	12,352	1,410	141
	India	22,359	11,786	18,376	3,769
	Malaya Federation	19,213	10,720	15,468	4,695
	Australia	25,329	11,782	17,959	7,735
	New Zealand	45,409	13,316	16,625	4,273
	All other Countries	1,105,213	117,112	274,224	35,847
	Total	1,673,521	258,385	454,288	78,846
Of non-ferrous metals	South Africa	70,924	13,816	29,810	6,006
	India	28,285	13,333	17,515	6,259
	Australia	17,050	5,893	8,099	932
	New Zealand	38,020	11,873	7,129	1,940
	Canada	78,405	9,673	11,245	1,732
	Irish Republic	17,247	5,040	2,076	1,263
	Belgium	52,546	9,217	29,465	5,204
	Egypt	171,632	9,135	—	—
	Iran	59,833	6,248	3,420	1,125
	Venezuela	73,168	9,803	24,820	3,309
	All other Countries	428,361	68,578	145,163	24,692
	Total	1.035,471	162,609	278,742	52,462