asked the Secretary of State for War if he will review the sentences imposed on soldiers of the Cameronians stationed at Minden, Germany, in view of the provocation they have been subjected to by Germans; and what steps he proposes to take to protect British soldiers from intimidation.

My right hon. Friend does not intend to have a review made of the summary sentences ordered by the Commanding Officer of the Cameronians. I am sure the Commanding Officer took all the circumstances fully into consideration, and there was nothing to stop the men concerned from exercising their right to trial by court-martial; indeed one of them did so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 4264286 Warrant-Officer Second-Class T. W. Davis, Parachute Brigade, was seconded to the Imperial Ethiopian Navy as a commando instructor, and that during his three months' service he was not employed in this capacity, resulting in his resignation; and whether, in view of this treatment and breach of contract, he will take steps to ensure that Warrant-Officer Davis is indemnified against loss sustained in respect of himself and his family.

Yes. I have carefully considered this case and although I cannot exonerate Warrant Officer Davis from all responsibility for the breach of contract, I have arranged to make up his pay by an amount which, together with the advance he received from the Ethiopian Government, equals his normal United Kingdom rate of pay and allowances. In addition, an ex gratia payment from non-public funds will be made to cover his out of pocket expenses.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the recommendations of the Forth Road Bridge Joint Committee in respect of the proposed toll charges.

The Joint Board is required to submit its proposed schedule of toll charges to me not more than 12 months nor less than six months before the probable date of opening of the bridge.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the result of the diabetes survey carried out by the Forfar Town Council, in which the major part of the population of the town co-operated; and what steps he is taking to encourage other towns in Scotland to undertake similar surveys.

I understand that this survey was undertaken by local doctors on their own initiative, with some assistance from the hospital authorities, and I have seen the results that have been published. I am asking the Standing Medical Advisory Committee to consider whether it is desirable that local health authorities generally should undertake such surveys.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the provisional figures of livestock and crop acreages for Scotland arising from the June returns made by farmers.

I regret that the figures will not be available until about the middle of this month.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many economists are currently employed in the Scottish Office, what their qualifications are, and in what branch of economics they specialise.

Eleven officers with degrees in economics or agriculture are employed on work of an economic nature. Seven are concerned with agricultural economics, three with economic aspects of town and country planning, and one with statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his plans for the future status of Ruchill Hospital, Glasgow.

The present intention of the Western Regional Hospital Board is that Ruchill Hospital should continue as the main infectious diseases centre for Glasgow. It will also deal with the seasonal load of respiratory infections.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much of the £10 million technical education building programme, announced in 1956 in Command Paper No. 9703, was started before 31st March, 1961.

Work to the value of £8¼ million was started by that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the inquiry into compulsory wayleaves in connection with the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board's 275 kilovolt line from Loch Awe to Windyhill was begun; when the inquiry was concluded; when he received the report; and if he will now announce his decision.

The public inquiry was held in two parts, the first on 21st and 22nd September, 1961, and the second part from 20th November until 4th December, 1961. I have not yet received the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied that there will be sufficient electrical generating capacity in Scotland to meet industrial and domestic demand during the next five-year period without power cuts; and if he will make a statement.

If the high rate of growth of demand experienced in the last year or two continues, there could be some difficulty in meeting it at certain limited periods during the next few years. Both Scottish Electricity Boards have already taken action to minimise this risk.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received, and from whom, regarding the need for a regular public ferry service between the Isle of Vatersay and Barra; and whether, in the absence of proposals for such a service from the county council of Inverness-shire, he will now draw to their attention the assistance offered under the Highlands and Islands Shipping Services Act.

No representations have been received since the hon. Member was informed in February last that no proposals had been received. The Inverness county council I feel sure are fully aware of the assistance available under the Highlands and Islands Shipping Services Act, 1960.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland from what persons, or bodies, he has received representations regarding the proposal to construct a bridge or causeway between the Isle of Berneray and North Uist; and what was the nature of his reply.

The only representation we have received came from the hon. Member himself; and as he knows, my predecessor told him that the matter was one for consideration by Inverness County Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans the Herring Industry Board have prepared for the establishment of processing or part-processing of herring at Castlebay, Lochboisdale, or Scalpay, in the Western Isles, to provide the island fishermen with markets within economic reach of their fishing grounds and to save the cost and time taken in transporting the catches to mainland ports.

The Board do not consider that the small and spasmodic landings of herring to be expected at the places mentioned would justify the provision of processing plant. They have, however, established kippering and quick-freezing facilities at Stornoway and Mallaig and an oil and meal factory at Stornoway which are accessible from the Minch fishing grounds and in the Board's view provide adequate processing facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made with the construction of the homes for old people in Barra, the Uists and Harris, respectively; and when it is estimated the homes in each of those islands wil be ready for occupation.

Inverness County Council have just received my approval to their plans for a home at Tarbert, Harris. Because of site difficulties in Benbecula, the Council have now decided that a second home should be sited in South Uist instead. Plans for this home have not yet been submitted to me. I understand there is no proposal to build a home in Barra.I cannot yet say when the two homes are likely to be ready for occupation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland from what persons or bodies in Ross and Cromarty he has received, during the past five years, representations regarding the need for a swimming pool at the Nicholson Institute, Stornoway; and what proposals have been submitted to him by Ross and Cromarty County Council.

No representations from any source have been received nor have Ross and Cromarty Council submitted any proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has received for the establishment of a ferry service between Stornoway and Ullapool; and what assistance he is prepared to give for this project under the provisions of the Highlands and Islands Shipping Services Act, or otherwise.

Proposals for this project were submitted to my predecessor in 1960; but after discussions between my Department, the promoters and Ross and Cromarty County Council, and in the light of the information then available, the promoters were told in March last that in present circumstances there was no prospect of Government assistance. The County Council, who had withdrawn their original support, are, I understand, reconsidering the matter, but no new proposals have been submitted to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present state of the negotiations between the county council of Ross and Cromarty and his Department regarding the proposed marine works at Brevig, Isle of Lewis; what is the most recent estimated cost; and what are the nature and specification of the revised scheme.

As tenders received by the county council for the proposed work at Brevig considerably exceed the estimated cost of £20,000 on which they had been offered a grant of 75 per cent., the county council are now considering in consultation with my Department the alternatives of a landing pier reduced from the 100 feet originally proposed to 50 feet which is estimated to cost £25,000, or substituting for the Landing pier a stepped wall at an estimated cost of £24,200.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision is made for the teaching of instrumental music in day schools in the Islands of Lewis, Harris, each of the Uists, Benbecula and Barra, respectively; and with what instruments.

I am informed that the only provision at present is at the Nicholson Institute, Stornoway, where piano instruction is available for pupils preparing for the Scottish Certificate of Education examination in music.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what solution was reached at the meeting between the representatives of the Scottish Education Department and Ross and Cromarty Education Authority to the difficulties connected with the county school building programme.

As the Authority have not found it possible to obtain the additional architectural staff needed to carry out their revised school building programme work for the next three years, it was suggested to them to employ firms with experience in this field. It was also agreed to set up a joint working party of representatives of the County and of the Department to keep progress under close review and to avoid delays.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now received the views of local authorities on the recommendation in the report on remand homes by the Committee of the Scottish Advisory Council on Child Care.

Yes, and they are now being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Western Regional Hospital Board has submitted its plans for the new general practitioner maternity unit at Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride.

No plans have yet been prepared for this unit. There are prior demands which the Regional Board have to meet before it can be included in their building programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, when changes in regulations will be made to permit married serving men to occupy Service living accommodation without age qualification.

The present policy, which is common to all three Services, was reviewed as recently as 1960 and I do not propose to alter it.

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) when it is expected that the lifts, which were installed at Galleywood House, Maala Mile, Aden, 12 months ago are likely to be in use; (2) what are the special difficulties that prevent the working of the lifts in the service flats in Maala Mile, Aden, when they are completed and ready for service.

Four blocks of flats already have lifts working. The lifts in Galleywood House and in 6 other blocks will be brought into use when terms for their operation have been agreed with the landlords. We have made the landlords an offer which we hope will soon be accepted.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in building motorways, he will allow for the addition of extra traffic lanes in the future by starting with a wide central strip between the carriageways, part of which can later be turned into metalled road, if necessary.

The number of lanes initially provided on motorways is determined by the estimated future traffic needs. It would in general be wasteful, because of the high cost of bridges, embankments and cuttings, to provide for an extension of road capacity beyond that estimated to be needed in the foreseeable future. Where the need is foreseeable, such provision is made.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now specify a target date for the completion of the whole of the present Government motorway programme of 1,000 miles and forecast the likely completion dates of the main sections.

I aim to complete a 1,000 mile network of motorways by the early 1970's. I cannot be more precise at present.Completion dates of the main sections under construction or due to start shortly are:—

asked the Minister of Transport why, when calling for tenders for motorway construction, he does not take into consideration the cost of the future maintenance of the surface selected.

The specification now in use for motorway construction is, on present evidence, considered to give an equal expectation of life for the alternative forms of construction. The cost of future maintenance does not, therefore, need to be taken into account when considering tenders.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now accord a higher priority to improvement schemes on the A.30 and A.303 roads, in view of the high traffic density revealed throughout their length by the traffic census held in August, 1961.

The traffic census emphasised the high volume of holiday traffic on these roads. I am making as many improvements, including the important by-passes of Andover and Honiton, as the other, more urgent, demands upon the funds at my disposal will permit.

asked the Minister of Transport what reply he has made to the request for authorisation of the installation of traffic signals at the corner of Langley Road and London Road, Slough.

The Slough Borough Council were informed on 30th May, 1962, that we did not think the installation of traffic signals at this junction was justified. Moreover traffic conditions there should be eased when the Slough bypass is completed early next year.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he will sanction the carrying out of improvements to the A.449 road between Claines Lane and Hawford Bridge during the same period as the construction of the Worcester Northern Link Road Scheme.(2) what instructions he is giving the Worcestershire County Council regarding preparation of plans for the construction of the Ombersley bypass in accordance with the order made in 1955.

A number of important improvements are already being carried out on A.449 and I will authorise the preparatory work on these two schemes as soon as a firm place can be allocated to them in my forward programme. The funds available do not permit me to do everything at once.

asked the Minister of Transport what additional service area he intends to provide on the existing part of M1.

As I announced in the House on 22nd November last year, tenders were invited for the development of catering and other facilities at the Toddington site 4 miles north of the A.505 junction in Bedfordshire. A developer has now been appointed and I hope that this new service area will be opened as early as possible in 1963.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the provision of rose-bush divisions on motorways in general, and on the M.1 Motorway in particular.

The need for central barriers on motorways is under constant review. We expect to start some experimental work in the near future. The present width of central reserves would not permit the effective use for this purpose of rosa multiflora japonica, which I assume the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the faults which have led to the numerous repair works on the Ml, with their consequential endangering of traffic; what is tine cost of the repair works up to the present time; and what proportion of the cost has been incurred by the rigid reinforced concrete, and the other types of construction, respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport what guarantees were given by the contractors who built the Ml motorway regarding the surface durability; what has been the cost of repairs to date; what is the anticipated cost of repairs in progress and those repairs scheduled; and who is meeting these costs.

Damage to the flexible carriageways on Ml has been caused by water affecting the lower layer of asphalt and softening the top of the lean concrete base. The defects are almost wholly confined to the slow lanes where the stresses created by fast moving heavy commercial traffic proved to be much more severe than anything of which we had previous experience.Excluding normal maintenance, about £59,000 has been spent by my Department to date on the repair of this damage and a further £250,000 is likely to be necessary. No expenditure other than normal maintenance has been called for on the concrete carriageways.I am not aware that the repair works are a source of danger to traffic using the motorway.The responsibility of the contractors for the motorway was to build it according to the specification called for at the time of construction and to maintain it for 12 months.

asked the Minister of Transport when work will begin on the bypass through Stanford-le-Hope, Essex.

The Highway Authority tell me they do not expect to be able to start work for about eighteen months.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will make the money available for work to be commenced on improving the Yaxham Road, B.1135, at East Dereham, Norfolk.

No application for grant for such a scheme has so far been submitted to me by the Norfolk County Council, who are the Highway Authority.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the number of fatal accidents occurring at the junction of Colthrop Lane, Thatcham, with the Bath Road, A.4, he will ensure that the improvements planned are given high priority for completion in the coming year.

The preparation of the scheme is in its early stages and land will have to be acquired. I hope to be able to include it in my programme for 1964–65.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the present position with regard to the plan to link M.5 and M.6; and why a decision in this matter has been delayed for so many years.

The first draft scheme for this motorway was published in March, 1960, and included a section on viaduct over the railway through Old-bury. As I announced on 4th April in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Oldbury and Halesowen, detailed examination of the line had shown that it would involve substantial demolition of property and cause serious overshadowing; we were therefore investigating an alternative line to the West of the railway which seemed less likely to affect homes and property. The investigation is still proceeding but I hope to publish a revised draft scheme within the next few months.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made by his working party in discussions about the problem of parking lorries overnight in residential districts; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 18th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. D. Smith). I have nothing to add at present.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the road traffic accidents on the A.1 road between Ferry-hill and Chilton on Friday, 20th July and Wednesday, 25th July, he will call for a report from his divisional road engineer, with the object of taking action to mitigate such danger that may be due to the conditions of this stretch of road.

I am having inquiries made and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents have occurred in the last five years at the junction of Runnymede Road and Egham bypass.

During the five years ended on 30th June, 1962, fifteen personal injury accidents were reported to the police.

asked the Minister of Transport when the hon. Member for South Buckinghamshire may expect to receive a reply to his letter dated 7th June, 1962, relating to the construction of a pedestrian underpass at the French Horn, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire.

As I have informed my hon. Friend, I shall send a full reply as soon as I have received and considered my engineers' report. This, in turn, depends on a traffic census which the County Surveyor is undertaking. Till then, I do not know whether traffic signals or a subway would be the right answer.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has yet concluded his consultations with the local interests concerned about the future of Marlow Bridge; and if he will now announce his decision.

There have been two meetings recently with representatives of the County Councils who, as Highway Authorities, are primarily responsible. My officials on my behalf put forward suggestions which I hope will be helpful.When I have received and considered the further views of the Highway Authorities I should be able to consult with the other interested parties.

asked the Minister of Transport if dual carriageways will be provided on the whole of the Basingstoke bypass, in view of its present inadequacy for traffic.

A dual carriageway about half a mile long is being constructed crossing the old railway line near Viables Farm. But I cannot provide dual carriageways along the whole length of the bypass because there are other, more urgent demands upon the funds at my disposal. The Basingstoke Motorway, for which plans are now being prepared, will considerably relieve this bypass.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give the number of cars licensed for the latest year in each of the counties of Wales, including Monmouthshire: and what percentage this is of the population in each case.

The following are the figures:

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has for bypassing Conway; and when it is expected that work will start.

The line of a bypass for Conway has already been established by an Order. But I cannot say when I shall be able to include the scheme in my programme.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will announce the programming dates of the remaining sections of the M.5 northwards from Lydiate Ash to connect with M.6 at Great Barr.

The Scheme for the section of M.5 from Lydiate Ash to Quintan has been made. The Sideroad Orders, land acquisition and engineering preparation are in hand. If all goes well, it should be possible to start construction of this section next year. It will give better access from the M.5 to the Black Country and to central Birmingham. Northwards from Quintan to Great Barr, serious difficulties associated with the original proposal to carry the motorway through Oldbury on viaduct over the railway have made it necessary to consider a new line. It is hoped to advertise this in draft in the autumn. Until the statutory procedures are completed it is not possible to forecast when construction of this section will begin.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the position with regard to the improvement of trunk road A.6 over Shap.

Several minor improvement schemes are being undertaken including limited widening of the carriageway, provision of laybys and drainage. An improved running surface is being provided throughout.I am now considering the report of the Consulting Engineers on the proposed extension of the M.6 Motorway from Lancaster to Penrith. This will eventually supersede the A.6 as the main route to the North-West.

asked the Minister of Transport if, when considering alternative proposals to the Highgate Hill lorry route, he will make a study of the likelihood of heavy lorries stalling on the hill due to the steep gradient.

Yes. It has already been made.

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

On 1st April 1951 there were 4,845 permanent, and 1,401 temporary, non-industrial staff in the Minis- try of Transport. The corresponding figures on 1st April 1962 were 6,192 permanent and 1,064 temporary staff. The total of salaries and wages for the year preceding these two dates were £3,133,000 and £7,303,000 respectively.Our records do not show separately the amounts paid to permanent and temporary staff.The greater part of the increase of staff is accounted for by the recruitment of additional Driving Examiners to meet the greatly increased demand for driving tests.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will arrange for a study to be made of the future of all transport within an appropriate radius of 40 miles of Manchester to be carried out on the same basis as that for the Merseyside-Liverpool area, with a view to reducing congestion, giving the maximum public service, increasing transport facilities and revenue at the least cost of capital outlay and co-ordinating transport services at the minimum fares and costs.

I am studying the ways in which more comprehensive transport surveys might help with the complicated transport problems of the conurbations. Suggestions have already been put to me for a survey covering the Manchester area. I hope to form a view on them soon.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the inadequate rural bus services in South-West Scotland; and whether he will now make a statement on the implementation of the Jack Report.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the concern caused in rural areas by the proposed reduction in railway facilities; and if he will now make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy to ensure adequate transport arrangements in country districts following the Jack Report.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the difficulties caused to people in rural Lincolnshire by the proposed reduction in railway facilities, he will make a statement about alternative methods of transport following the Jack Report.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the increasing costs rural bus operators are having to bear for labour, fuel and licences, and the danger of the wholesale withdrawal of uneconomic rural bus services unless the operators can be safeguarded against financial loss, what action he will now take on the recommendations of the Jack Committee on Rural Bus Services.

I have been giving consideration to the problem of rural transport, and to the Report of the Jack Committee on Rural Bus Services. As the House knows, this is an intricate matter, for circumstances vary from case to case, and the most careful thought has not yet produced a generally acceptable solution.Where the closure of railway passenger lines or stations is concerned, I have power under the Transport Bill to require the Railways Board to provide and maintain alternative bus services where hardship would otherwise arise. I shall have the advice of the Area Transport Users' Consultative Committees in assessing any hardship involved.Essentially, the problem arises from the gradual reduction in public transport, including bus services, as fewer people use it. The relatively small numbers of people affected make the problem particularly intractable. But we should be dear that it is not due to any overall lack of transport. I therefore propose to put in hand detailed studies of passenger transport facilities in a few selected rural areas, and of how essential needs are being met at present. These studies will cover ways of using existing resources, whether public or private, more flexibility and to greater effect, so as to relieve any hardship which may be found to exist.I would hope to have the full assistance of the transport undertakings, local authorities, and local voluntary welfare organisations, and of all public bodies with transport resources in the areas selected, in making these studies and in carrying out any pilot experiments which it might seem desirable to undertake.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now make a statement on the recommendations of the Road Safety Conference held at Blackpool that motor cyclists who successfully pass the Royal Automobile Club or Automobile Association new schemes for learner motor cyclists, which requires 12 weeks' training, shall be automatically granted a full licence without have to pass other tests; and if he will make a statement.

My hon. Friend has no doubt in mind the query put to me at a recent Road Safety Officers Congress at Blackpool whether it would be possible to standardise the R.A.C./A.C.U. tests and to raise them to a level at which they could be accepted as equivalent to the ordinary Ministry driving test. This suggestion has its difficulties, one of which is that the present test often takes place off the roads or on roads which are lightly trafficked, but I am giving the proposal very careful examination.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals were made to him by the Mid-Wales Police Authority for land at Ship Street, Brecon; why his Department did not support the application; and if he will make a statement.

The Mid-Wales Police Authority have discussed with my Divisional Road Engineer and officers of the County Council proposals for police headquarters on land adjacent to a section of trunk road at Ship Street, Brecon, which we are widening. We have no objection in principle to the proposals, provided suitable arrangements for access can be agreed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet made his decision on the recommendation of the Transport Users' Consultative Committee for Scotland regarding the closure of the Edinburgh Circle line.

I wrote to the hon. Member on 30th July informing him that I had decided to accept that recommendation.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he now has for developing the inland waterways of the country in order to relieve the pressure of commercial traffic on the roads.

In general, the Bowes Committee of Inquiry into Inland Waterways did not accept suggestions made to them that diverting heavy commercial traffic to revitalised inland waterways would greatly diminish congestion on the roads. Some traffic may well, however, be attracted to the nationalised waterways as a result of the £6 million programme of necessary improvements now nearing completion. Further planning will be for the proposed new British Waterways Board.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has considered the advantages and disadvantages of requiring diesel-engined vehicles to be fitted with vertical exhaust pipes; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. In tests here and in the U.S.A. vertical exhaust pipes showed no advantages in reducing urban air pollution, and there were positive disadvantages. For example, many exhaust constituents, especially diesel oil smuts, are heavier than air; they are better blown out near the ground than into windows and onto the heads of passers-by. The shape of many vehicles also produces an air-flow when moving that would draw exhaust down at the rear in the face of following vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will refer to the appropriate consultative committees the question of why no first-aid equipment was carried on the 11.17 a.m. Darlington to King's Cross train on Monday, 16th July.

No, I am informed by the British Transport Commission that two first-aid cabinets were provided on this train.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will issue a general direction to the British Transport Commission to carry out an investigation into the most efficient and least costly methods of carrying coal by rail and canal direct from collieries to industrial users and coal storage centres.

No. This is a matter of management for which the British Transport Commission are responsible but they inform me that they are already engaged on an investigation of coal traffic movements which should provide this information.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission that they should apply the procedure laid down in the Transport Bill, now before Parliament, to deal with the closure of railway Lines after the report by the Central Transport Users' Consultative Committee on the closures proposed since the Bill was introduced.

No. Provision is made in the Seventh Schedule to the Transport Bill for arrangements covering the transitional period until the full new procedure comes into operation.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will ensure that in the reappraisal of British Railways to be made to him any proposals for passenger traffic or route abandonment will include the appropriate way and structures, excluding stations and buildings and sidings, and signalling costs expressed as a percentage of the total cost of each separate proposal.

In considering any proposals made to me by British Railways for the closure of passenger lines or stations, I expect to pay full regard to all relevant factors, including the estimated savings on the services to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minis-ter of Transport if he will give an assurance that under the Transport Act, 1962, the Tyneside Electric Railway will have the same protection against closure as that given to Scottish railways by the Secretary of State for Scotland.

If there should be any proposal to close these lines to passengers, the Area Transport Users Consultative Committee would examine objections and report to me on any hardship involved. My consent would be required, and I should have power to require the provision and maintenance of alternative services. This procedure under the new Act will apply to all proposed passenger closures whether in Scotland or elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he proposes to take on the recommendations made to him by the Central Transport Consultative Committee in respect of the former Great Central Line between Aylesbury and Sheffield Central.

I am still considering the Central Committee's recommendations.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the amount of new orders booked by British shipyards in the last 12 months; and what this represents as a proportion of the average annual output of British shipyards in recent years.

In the twelve months to 30th June, 1962, shipbuilders in the United Kingdom booked new orders totalling 690,000 gross tons. This represents about 54 per cent. of the average tonnage launched annually in recent years.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the prospects of British shipbuilding during the next two years, and what action he is taking.

The British shipbuilding industry has been actively improving its competitiveness. However, there is too much shipbuilding capacity in the world, and too many ships; and there seems little prospect of a return to the volume of orders that our yards were receiving in the first dozen years after the war. The Government is giving close partnership and support to the British shipping industry, on whose orders our shipbuilders mainly depend, and is keeping a watch on the employment situation in the shipbuilding areas.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations are being made to the French Government about the subsidies at present being supplied to their shipbuilding industry, in view of their effect on the United Kingdom shipbuilding industry.

The views of Her Majesty's Government on French shipbuilding subsidies have been made plain to the French authorities on a number of occasions both in discussion and in correspondence.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet received the Report of the Committee of Inquiry concerning the major ports of Great Britain.

Yes. Lord Rochdale presented me with the Committee's Report on Thursday, 26th July, and I am studying it. The Report has been sent to print and will be published towards the end of September.

asked the Minister of Labour how many draughtsmen were unemployed in the Southampton district at the latest convenient date; how many draughtsmen in this area have become unemployed within the last six months; and how many of those becoming unemployed within the last six months have found work as draughtsmen and in other occupations, respectively.

Twenty wholly unemployed draughtsmen were registered in the Southampton travel-to-work area at 18th June, eleven more than at 11th December, 1961. I regret that the information asked for in the last part of the Question is not readily available.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of unemployed persons over 50 years of age registered at his Department's employment exchanges at the latest convenient date; and what were the comparative figures for the same period in 1961.

The figure for July will be available shortly and I will send it to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether there is yet a scheme with the Cambrian woollen mill, Llanwrtyd Wells, Breconshire, to provide sheltered employment for severely disabled industrial workers in addition to ex-Servicemen; and which welfare committees in Wales make provision for such persons.

asked the Minister of Labour how many boys and girls were registered as unemployed at the latest convenient date at the Bridgend Youth Employment Office; and what was the comparable figure in 1961.

On 16th July, 1962, 73 boys and 139 girls were registered as unemployed at the Bridgend Youth Employment Office, as compared with 27 boys and 28 girls on 10th July, 1961. The latter figure included no summer school leavers. The figure for this year

Yes. Breconshire County Council has come to an agreement with the British Legion's Cambrian Factory at Llanwrtyd Wells for the provision of sheltered employment for severely disabled non ex-servicemen. Four are already in training. All local authorities in Wales have made provision for the sheltered employment of blind persons. Three (Cardiff County Borough Council, Glamorgan County Council and Swansea County Borough Council) are also providing sheltered employment for severely disabled sighted persons in workshops for the blind.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women, respectively, were registered as unemployed at the Bridgend, Maesteg, Pontycymmer, and Ogmore Vale employment exchanges at the latest convenient date, and what were the comparable figures for each of the years 1958 to 1961.

The following is the information required:includes 16 boys and 38 girls who have just left school.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated number of school-leavers in Kingston-upon-Hull at the end of the summer term; and whether he expects there to be any difficulty in finding them suitable employment.

About 3,000 boys and girls. I am glad to say that all the 1,464 Easter school leavers in Kingston-upon-Hull have already entered employment. It may take rather longer to place all the summer school leavers but the Youth Employment Service will make every effort to assist them.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers and the percentages of school-leavers between 1st April, 1962, and 30th June, 1962, or the nearest convenient dates, who

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will insist on necessary machinery aimed at establishing equality of wages as part of a treaty covering Great Britain's entry into the Common Market.

No. The European Commission have the duty of promoting close collaboration between member States in the social field and the machinery already provided for by the Treaty is adequate for this purpose.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when he will discuss with the British Chamber of Shipping their interests in the Common Market, and seek their views.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport is in close touch with the General Council of British Shipping and will continue to keep them informed of developments of interest to them.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what progress has been made in his discussions in Cairo on compensation to those whose property in Egypt

The figures for the period 1st April to 30th June, 1962, are as follows:was taken over by the Government of the United Arab Republic in 1956 and thereafter.

British subjects whose property in Egypt was "Egyptianized", or who have suffered loss on property while it was under sequestration, can claim against the Compensation Fund of twenty-seven and a half million pounds, which was duly paid by the United Arab Republic Government under the Financial Agreement of 1959, and which is being distributed by the Foreign Compensation Commission. Interim payments out of this Fund are at present being made on the scale laid down in the Order-in-Council of 27th November, 1961. British subjects whose property was sequestrated, but not Egyptianized, are able to obtain its release and return to them or to their agents under the provisions of the Financial Agreement of 1959 and, so far, 80 per cent. of the applications made have resulted in successful releases. It is hoped that the rate of release of the remaining properties will shortly be accelerated.Property affected by the nationalisation laws of July, 1961, is not covered by the 1959 Financial Agreement. The method of paying compensation for such property was laid down in the relevant laws.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what progress has been made by Her Majesty's Government in the negotiations with the Government of the United Arab Republic concerning compensation payments to British subjects for breach of contract and loss of pension rights; and to what extent Her Majesty's Government have discharged their own responsibilities in these respects.

I think that my hon. Friend has in mind the officials who were dismissed by the Egyptian Government in 1951. The question of the balance of compensation to be paid by the Government of the United Arab Republic is one of the matters under current discussion with the Government of the United Arab Republic, and I hope to be able to make an announcement before the House rises.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations have now been received from the Soviet Government with regard to the replacement of the troops of the three Western Governments in Berlin by troops of other States under the United Nations flag, and the international control of Berlin access routes.

Her Majesty's Government have received no such representations from the Soviet Government.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the situation in the Congo.

There have been no further incidents since the disturbances at the road block in Elisabethville on 17th July and the situation has in general remained calm.M. Adoula announced on 28th July that he had requested the United Nations to provide a team of jurists specialised in constitutional law, and including an African, to assist the Congolese Central Government in drawing up a new constitution. M. Tshombe, for his part, announced that Katanga was ready to send to Leopoldville its delegates to the Commissions which are to work out the practical aspects of the reintegration of Katanga into the Congo, as soon as the Central Government and the United Nations nominated their representatives. M. Tshombe also proposed the creation of a fifth commission, charged with the elaboration of a federal type constitution.The Acting Secretary-General of the United Nations has been keeping in close touch with the situation, and discussed it in New York on 24th July with the Congo Advisory Committee.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what discussions took place with the Tunisian Minister of Finance and Planning, during his recent official visit to this country, relating to the Tunisian Development Plan.

The Minister referred to this plan and explained that the Tunisian Government hoped that under the auspices of the International Bank, there would be formed an informal group of countries interested in assisting, either from public or private sources, the Tunisian Government Development Plan. He was told that whereas Her Majesty's Government for their part could enter into no financial commitments they would welcome its establishment and would follow with interest both the work of the group and the progress of the Development Plan.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is now the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the passing of nuclear weapons and nuclear information to other countries; and if he will support the proposal of the Government of India at the Geneva Conference that a declaration not to pass on such weapons or information should be part of a four-power agreement.

Her Majesty's Government supported the Irish Resolution passed unanimously by the General Assembly of the United Nations last December. This resolution calls upon all States to secure the conclusion of an international agreement containing provisions under which the nuclear states would undertake to refrain from relinquishing control of nuclear weapons and from transmitting the information necessary for their manufacture to States not possessing such weapons, and provisions under which States not possessing nuclear weapons would undertake not to manufacture or otherwise acquire control of such weapons. Her Majesty's Government continue to support this resolution and my noble Friend spoke, at the same meeting in Geneva as Mr. Krishna Menon, of the importance of reaching an agreement on non-dissemination.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on the Government's policy for the future of Short Bros and Harland of Belfast, following his visit to the firm on 30th and 31st July.

In the course of my visit to Belfast, I had discussions with the management of Short Bros, and Harland, with trade union representatives, and afterwards with Ministers and officials of the Northern Ireland Government. These discussions were most helpful to me. However, any statement on the Government's policy towards Shorts must await decisions on the relevant aircraft requirements. I am doing my best to ensure that these decisions are taken as early as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if he will introduce legislation to set a limit on the amount, appropriate to the services rendered, charged by undertakers for funeral expenses in Scotland.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the fact that many people have to travel away to work, he will schedule Bo'ness, West Lothian, as a development area.

No; but I shall continue to keep the employment situation in the area under review.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science why the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has granted £250,000 for the building of a nuclear reactor for research and training at the Imperial College field station near Virginia Water, in view of the offer made by Associated Electrical Industries to provide the required facilities at the Merlin research reactor recently built at Aldermaston Court only 25 miles distant, and in view of the fact that an experienced team of 40 scientists and assistants will now be disbanded and Merlin closed down.

The offer by A.E.I. to give their Merlin Reactor to Her Majesty's Government was much appreciated and was carefully considered. The offer was declined only after a thorough investigation by a specially appointed committee showed that Merlin was not a suitable type of reactor for the research and training needs of London University. Moreover, because it was designed to run at much higher power than the University needs, it would have been much more expensive to run.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he will give more details of the agreement concluded by the Atomic Energy Authority to manufacture package irradiation plants; and what are the export prospects for these plants.

It is not the practice of the Atomic Energy Authority to publish details of their commercial agreements. As regards the second part of the Question, the Authority stated in their last Annual Report that their licensees have high hopes of selling irradiation plant overseas.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what steps the Atomic Energy Authority is taking to attract more qualified scientists and engineers from universities.

I understand from the Authority that university students are encouraged to attend open days at some of their establishments, to see for themselves, and to discuss, the work going on there. Many of the Authority's staff give lectures to University Societies from time to time. The Authority also undertake a limited amount of factual advertising in journals read by undergraduates, describing the kind of work available in the Authority.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what measures are being taken by his Department to place more orders for stores, clothing and other requirements in the County of Durham and the north-east.

In accordance with standard Government practice, Admiralty orders are whenever practicable placed following competitive tendering, in which firms in the County of Durham and the north-east are given full opportunity to compete with other firms in the United Kingdom.In allocating the orders the tenders of any firms situated in Development Districts receive certain preferential treatment, but it is not possible to differentiate between one Development District and another.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has now received the views of the Welsh Joint Education Committee and the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire as to the establishment of an agricultural college at Aberystwyth; and Whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received the views of the Welsh Joint Education Committee on the proposal for a Welsh Agricultural College, but not as yet those of the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire. I understand that the Council proposes to submit its views very shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the need to look ahead in this field, what steps the Government are taking to plan long-term forestry policy.

When my predecessor made a statement to the House on 24th July, 1958, about forestry policy he said that the Government intended in five years' time to review, in the light of the national needs, the Forestry Commission's planting programmes for the years after 1968, and also the structure of grants to private woodland owners. As the first stage of this review a working party of officials is about to examine these two matters, taking into account the progress made with the Commission's current planting programme, and the likely future planting by private woodland owners.While the review is proceeding new steps by the Forestry Commission to acquire land will be confined to upland areas where afforestation is needed to provide employment and check depopulation, and elsewhere if the purchase of the land would help the management of existing Commission estates.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that at the Horden, County Durham, Secondary Modern Boys' School the teaching of science has been curtailed owing to no qualified teachers being available, that this will mean a reduction in the number of classes, and that four of the forms will have 40 pupils each; and what action he is taking to deal with this situation.

The Durham Local Education Authority tell me that they have just appointed a science graduate to replace the science teacher who left last term. The two largest classes next term will have 38 pupils and the rest will average 30 pupils.

asked the Minister of Health what financial contribution the United Kingdom makes to the work of the Cancer Research Section of the World Health Organisation.

The United Kingdom bears its share of the cost through its contribution to the Organisation's budget.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will give the total number of persons in receipt of National Assistance in the county borough of West Ham for a stated date in June, 1951, and June, 1962; how much National Assistance was paid to recipients in those weeks; and to what extent these amounts covered payment for rents in each instance.

The number of persons in receipt of weekly national assistance allowances in the County Borough of West Ham was 6,173 at 26th June, 1951, and 7,263 at 26th June, 1962. Information is not available in respect of the remainder of the Question.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will abolish the earnings rule now applied to widowed mothers receiving National Insurance pensions, thus giving exemption to these women in the same way as it is given to war widows and widowed mothers under the Industrial Injuries Act.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to my hon. Friend the Member for Moss Side on 2nd July. Provision for war widows and for widowed mothers under the Industrial Injuries Act is made on different principles from that made under the National Insurance Acts.