asked the Secretary of State for Air how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in the Department.

Of the juveniles employed in non-industrial posts, 271 attend day release classes. This is slightly under one half. The corresponding figures for juveniles in industrial grades are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will arrange for printed copies of the Order in Council on the new Royal Air Force pensions increases to be placed in the Vote Office for the use of hon. Members.

Copies of the Queen's Order will be placed in the Vote Office in due course.

asked the Attorney-General whether Her Majesty's Government have now considered the Report by a Committee of Justice, presided over by Sir John Wyatt, on The Citizen and the Administration and, in particular, the Committee's recommendation for the appointment of a Parliamentary Commissioner to investigate grievances against Government Departments; and what conclusions they have reached.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Oral Answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle (Dr. D. Johnson) on 8th November.

asked the Minister of Aviation how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in his Department.

Eight hundred and seventy-three juveniles under 18 years of age are attending day release classes. This is about 88 per cent. of the total number of juveniles in the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in his Department.

There are 17 boys and girls attending day release classes. This represents 85 per cent. of the total number of juveniles employed.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in the Department.

Nine boys and nine girls, representing a proportion of 72 per cent.

asked the Minister of Education how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in the Department.

All the boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years employed in my Department attend day release classes. The numbers are 5 boys and 28 girls.

asked the Minister of Education how many summer school leavers in the Blyth constituency have returned to school because of the lack of available jobs.

Seventeen.

asked the Minister of Education if he will arrange a supply of teaching materials for the English language, including popular and illustrated books, to Hungary through the medium of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

No request of this kind has been made by the Hungarian Government, but I understand that under the current Anglo-Hungarian Cultural Programme, provision exists for both sides to make presentations of books and the British Council is including in its presentations to Hungarian universities, books on the teaching of the English language.

asked the Minister of Health what response he has had to Circular No. 18 of 1953, urging local authorities to start cancer education schemes concerning accessible cancers; and What further action he is taking in this matter.

92 local health authorities approached the Central Council for Health Education for advice and the Council subsequently circulated advice to all authorities. I expect further guidance in due course from the Joint Committee on Health Education set up by the Health Services Councils.

asked the Minister of Health how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in the Department.

19 boys and 55 girls are on day release courses, and arrangements are being made for one boy and 5 girls; 3 girls are on full time courses; these represent 77 per cent. of the total under 18.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to make a statement about the future of Dartmoor Prison.

I hope to be able to make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in the Department.

It is a general condition of service for all staff of the Home Office and Prison Commission who have not reached the age of 18 to attend day release classes. In the London offices of the Home Office and Prison Commission, there are seventy-one young people under 18 employed, and all attend glasses under arrangements made by the Civil Service Council for Further Education. At offices outside London, arrangements are made locally with the regional secretaries of the Civil Service Council for Further Education.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to have detailed information from hospitals about the causes of injuries from fireworks on Guy Fawkes Day; when he proposes to take such steps to stop such injuries; and what progress he has so far made in discussions on this subject with the manufacturers.

As regards the first part of the Question, it is hoped that the returns from the hospitals will be received before the end of this month. The analysis will be carried out as quickly as possible. As regards the other parts of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answers given on 8th November to Questions by the hon. Members for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) and Bishop Auckland (Mr. Boyden).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the reply he has made to the submissions of the United Ratepayers' and Residents' Campaign made in a letter to the Prime Minister of 10th October and the enclosed resolution.

I did not reply to the letter addressed to my right hon. Friend. My reply to a similar letter addressed to me was as follows19th October, 1962. Thank you for your letter of 13th October informing me of the terms of the resolution adopted by a meeting of the various bodies listed at the head of your notepaper on 29th September. There was a full inquiry into the rating system 5 years ago. Since then rates have, it is true, increased—but taxpayer's contributions to them have kept pace. More than half the cost of local services, including education, is paid for by the taxpayer. Since then also industry has lost its 75 per cent. derating, and from next April will be bearing a much increased share of the net rate burden—to the relief of householders. It would be easy to promise another inquiry. Any Minister in my position, aware as he is bound to be of the unpopularity of rates in some quarters, would be only too pleased if any practicable alternative were in prospect. But it would not be honest of me to pretend that any such prospect exists—nor to support an inquiry which would in my view only be able to go over old ideas which have been rejected for good reasons time and again. You rightly recognise that one of the only ways to cut rates would be to transfer some of the obligations of local authorities to the central government. Two results would follow. Taxes would be raised; and local government would bitterly resent the removal of yet more of their much attenuated responsibilities. This is not just a question of the attitude of local councillors: it affects the standing and quality of local government—whose integrity and calibre is vital to the daily life of the citizen. I am deeply concerned to look for ways in which rates can be lessened as a burden—but I do not believe that there are panaceas or alternatives which a new enquiry at the moment could find. The proposal that Schedule A income tax for owner-occupiers should be abolished forthwith is a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I note that a copy of the resolution has been forwarded to him.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in his Department.

Forty-one juveniles in the Department are attending day release classes, 15 are about to start, and 12 are undergoing full-time vocational training in the Department. Together these form about four-fifths of the total.

asked the Minister of Labour how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in the Department.

On 1st July, 1962, there were 207 officers under the age of 18 in the Ministry of Labour who were attending day release classes. This was 79 per cent. of those of this age in the Department at that time.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in the Department.

The total number of boys and girls in the Foreign Office under 18 years who are currently attending day release classes is 29. This is 78 per cent. of the total number of juveniles in the Department.

asked the Minister of Labour whether unemployment benefit will be paid to those former Ford employees in Dagenham who have received no notice of re-employment or a notice of re-employment at an indefinite date in the future.

I have been asked to reply. I understand that claims by Ford employees involved in the recent stoppage of work at Dagenham have not yet been decided by the independent adjudicating authorities, but I will write to the hon. Member as soon as the outcome is known.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in the Department.

As attendance at educational institutions under the part-time day release scheme normally ceases at age 18 and those reaching that age may only continue to the end of the

ATTENDANCE AT DAY RELEASE CLASSES Boys Girls 15 to 17 18 15 to 17 18 Currently attending … 432 55 1,335 127 Not yet attending but arrangements made … 13 — 26 — Arrangements not yet finalised … 43 — 216 — Totals … 488 55 1,577 127

The number of young people currently attending is, for the 15 to 17 age group, 81 per cent. of the number employed in that age group, or 95 per cent. if those who have not yet entered on their courses or for whom arrangements have not yet been finalised are included. Far those aged 18 the number attending is 10 per cent. of the number employed.

asked the Postmaster-General when he will announce Her Majesty's Government's decisions regarding cigarette advertising on commercial television, following the Royal College of Physicians recommendations eight months ago.

The present position, as my hon. Friend, the Assistant Postmaster-General, informed the House on 10th July, 1962, is that rules are now in operation which restrict cigarette advertising on independent television until after about 9 p.m., and which ban certain methods of cigarette advertising.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will amend the regulations governing the issue and surrender of wireless receiving licences so as to permit rebates to be made in respect of unexpired periods of such licences.

current term—or exceptionally to the end of the academic year—the figures are given separately for juveniles aged 15 to 17 and for those aged 18. The figures are as follows:

I am afraid that I cannot agree to do as my hon. Friend suggests. The payment of rebates on surrender of unexpired licences would mean, in effect, varying the licence charge to suit a wide range of individual circumstances. Since there are more than 15½ million licence-holders, it would be impracticable to do this.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will arrange to issue quarterly and half-yearly wireless receiving licences at appropriately reduced fees.

I have considered my hon. Friend's proposal with sympathy, and I am sorry that I am unable to agree to the issue of wireless licences quarterly and half-yearly, since this would add unduly to the cost of collecting the revenue, and less revenue would be collected. Both the increased costs and the loss of revenue would have to be made good by art increase in licence fees.

asked the Postmaster-General how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes: and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in the Department.

This year's figures are not yet available, but last year's annual return (late November) showed 10,509 out of 16,237 juveniles (65 per cent.).

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in connection with the national campaign for the preservation of historical monuments to be organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in 1963, he will consider issuing special stamps or a series of stamps relating to the campaign.

No.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will put Ilford on the map of the Directory Area on page 5007 of the Outer London, Essex, Telephone Directory.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in the Department.

90 boys and 59 girls, aged 15 to 18, in the Ministry of Public Building and Works are currently attending day release classes. These 149 boys and girls form 79.2 per cent. of total number of juveniles in the Department.

asked the Minister of Power how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in his Department.

26 young people aged under 18 are employed in the Ministry of Power. 23 attend day release classes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science when Her Majesty's Government propose to ratify the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Convention on Third-Party Liability in the field of nuclear energy.

Although the Nuclear Installations (Licensing and Insurance) Act, 1959, covers many of the provisions of the O.E.C.D. Convention referred to by the hon. Member, amending legislation will be needed before the United Kingdom can ratify the Convention.

So far, only two O.E.C.D. countries, Spain and Turkey, have ratified. Meanwhile, a draft Convention supplementing the O.E.C.D. Convention is under discussion between a number of the signatories, including the United Kingdom.

In addition, discussions are proceeding under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency with the object of concluding a Convention on similar lines to the O.E.C.D. Convention but having world-wide rather than regional application.

If all this further work can be concluded next year, as seems possible, amending legislation will be prepared to cover the whole field.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the light of the Report of the Annan Committee on the Teaching of Russian, he will finance a Chair of Russian at at least one Scottish university.

The recommendations of the Annan Committee are primarily concerned with the teaching of Russian in schools and establishments of further education, but in any event the founding of chairs is a matter for the Universities themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to require local authorities to give higher priority on their housing lists to war widows.

No. The selection of tenants for local authority houses is, I am sure, best left to the authorities themselves to settle in the light of all the circumstances of particular applicants.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes: and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in the Department.

There are 178 boys and girls between 15 and 18 years of age in my departments who are currently attending day release classes. This forms just over 95 per cent. of the total number of juveniles in the departments.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the result of the investigation into the movement of grey seals from Orkney and their effects upon salmon fishing; and what are the figures for the numbers of salmon caught in Northern Scottish rivers this year.

I understand that tagging experiments have shown that Orkney seals penetrate as far south as Fife Ness and that the investigations so far carried out have established that grey seals harm salmon fishing by damaging nets, by damaging or releasing their catch and generally by consuming salmon as well as other fish. The evidence at present available does not however enable the extent of the harm done to be fully assessed. As the statutory returns of salmon caught in the 1962 season have not yet been received, I cannot give the figures asked for by the right hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland by what authority grey seals were moved under Government arrangements by helicopter from Orkney; at whose expense this was done; and if he will give an assurance that helicopters are always available for the carriage of hospital patients when requested and that they have priority over such uses.

I understand that seals were recently conveyed by helicopter from an island in Orkney to Hatston airport by arrangement between the Grey Seals Research Officer of the Nature Conservancy and the Fleet Air Arm. The operation was undertaken by the Fleet Air Arm as a useful training exercise. The Grey Seals Research Officer has a permit from me to kill seals in Orkney and to take a limited number of live seals but otherwise I have no responsibility in the matter.

As regards the last part of the Question, Services' helicopters provide for the transport of hospital patients in emergency, subject only to the needs of their primary task of search and rescue for the Armed Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many young grey seals are to be slaughtered in Orkney this year during the breeding season; and to whom licences have been issued.

The Consultative Committee, which is supervising research on grey seals and fisheries has recommended that the breeding population in Orkney should be reduced by one quarter in a period of five years and that this year 750 pups should be killed. Permits to kill grey seals in specified areas in Orkney for the current season have accordingly been issued to six seal hunters resident there. The Grey Seals Research Officer has also been given a permit to kill seals for the purpose of obtaining anatomical specimens required for research.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in the Department.

Seventeen out of the eighteen boys and girls aged 15–18 years employed in the Department of Technical Co-operation are attending day release classes. This represents nearly 95 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in the Department.

233 boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years, representing 95 per cent of the staff of my Department in this age group, are at present attending day continuation classes under day release arrangements.

It is my policy to ensure that all juvenile staff in the Board of Trade attend these classes. Exceptions are made only to meet abnormal circumstances.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has for erecting factories in South Ayrshire in the areas where increased unemployment is likely as a result of pit closures.

I announced on 26th July that an advance factory would be built in Ayrshire. A suitable site has been found in the area of Cumnock and new Cumnock, and I hope that negotiations for its purchase will shortly be concluded.

asked the Minister of Transport how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in his Department.

There are 147 boys and girls 15 to 18 years of age in my Department currently attending day release classes. This forms about 85 per cent. of the total number of juveniles in my Department.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) how many vehicles proceed southward down the Archway Road, N.19, and turn to the west along Junction Road on a normal day; and how many of these are during the morning and evening peak periods, respectively;

(2) how many vehicles proceed westward along St. John's Way, N.19, and continue along Junction Road during a normal day; and how many of these are during the morning and evening peak periods, respectively.

(3) how many vehicles proceed northward up Holloway Road, N.19, and then Archway Road on a normal day; and how many of these are during the morning and evening peak periods, respectively;

(4) how many vehicles proceed southward down Highgate Hill, N.19, and then west along Junction Road on a normal day; and how many of these are during the morning and evening peak periods, respectively.

(5) how many vehicles proceed north ward up Holloway Road, N.19, and then

Question Direction of Travel Average number of vehicles (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) Morning peak period (8 a.m. to 9 a.m.) Evening peak period (5 p.m. to 6 p.m.) 13 Southwards down Archway Road into Junction Road … … … … … … 2,400 200 130 14 Westwards in St. John's Way into Junction Road 2,600 240 120 15 Northwards in Holloway Road into Archway Road … … … … … … 4,000 360 490 16 Southwards down Highgate Hill into Junction Road … … … … … … 550 50 50 17 Northwards in Holloway Road into Highgate Hill … … … … … … 3,100 190 380

asked the Minister of Transport if he will publish figures showing the number of accidents, fatal and otherwise, which have occurred in Eastern Avenue. Ilford, between Gants Hill and Ley Street before and after the closing of the gaps in the central reser-

ACCIDENTS ON EASTERN AVENUE, ILFORD BETWEEN GANTS HILL ROUNDABOUT AND SPRINGFIELD DRIVE BEFORE AND AFTER THE CLOSING OF GAPS IN THE CENTRAL RESERVATION Period Fatal accidents Other personal injury accidents Total personal injury accidents 5th February, 1959 to 4th February, 1960 … 1 27 28 5th February, 1960 to 4th February, 1961 … 1 16 17 5th February, 1961 to 4th February, 1962 … — 30 30 NOTE: The gaps were closed on 5th February, 1960.

ACCIDENTS ON WOODFORD AVENUE AND SOUTHEND ROAD BETWEEN GANTS HILL ROUNDABOUT AND CHIGWELL ROAD BETWEEN 1ST AUGUST, 1959 AND 31ST JULY, 1962 Period All personal injury Accidents Personal injury accidents involving use of gaps in the central reservation Fatal Other Total Fatal Other Total 1st August, 1959 to 31st July, 1960 … … 3 44 47 — 10 10 1st August, 1960 to 31st July, 1961 … … 5 46 51 2 12 14 1st August, 1961 to 31st July, 1962 … … 3 46 49 — 13 13

how many of these are during the morning and evening peak periods, respectively.

The following are the figures.

vation; and if he will give figures of accidents, fatal and otherwise, between Gants Hill and Chigwell Road, on Woodford Avenue, and Southend Road, indicating how many were caused by the use of gaps in the central reservation.

The following are the figures:

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to receive from Messrs. Brian Colquhoun and Partners their report on the project for a flyover crossing at Gants Hill.

I expect to receive the consulting engineers' report in the late summer or early autumn of 1963.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement about his plans for relieving traffic congestion at Gants Hill Roundabout, Ilford; what steps he is taking to ensure that local residents whose property may be disturbed are fully informed of their rights to compensation at the earliest possible date; and at what stage he intends holding discussions with the Ilford Borough Council.

Improvement of the Gants Hill roundabout at Ilford will require a flyover. I have appointed Messrs. Brian Colquhoun and Partners as consulting engineers and their report is not expected until late summer or early autumn of next year. I shall not be able to make a statement on my plans until the consulting engineers' report has been studied. Particulars of property affected must await the preparation of detailed plans, and this will not be before 1964. The local authorities concerned will be consulted when the consulting engineers' report is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in the Department.

Approximately 1,000, representing slightly more than 50 per cent. of the total number of juveniles in my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange for printed copies of the Royal Warrant dealing with the new Army pensions increases to be placed in the Vote Office for the use of hon. Members.

Yes, in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many boys and girls aged 15 to 18 years in his Department are currently attending day release classes; and what proportion this forms of the total number of juveniles in the Department.

In Her Majesty's Treasury there are 22 boys and girls aged between 15 and 18 who attend day release classes—representing 41.5 per cent of the total number in this age group employed in the Department.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have been taken to accept Godrevy Farm, Cornwall, in satisfaction of Estate Duty; and if he will make a statement.

In 1959 the executors of the late Mr. D. W. Thomas offered Godrevy Farm to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue in part satisfaction of Estate Duty. The property has now been accepted by the Commissioners at a cost to the National Land Fund of £5,050, and has been transferred to the National Trust.

The farm covers about 111 acres of the headland which forms the northern arm of St. Ives Bay. Its transfer to the National Trust consolidates the Trust's property in the area, which is visited by people from Camborne and Redruth and by summer tourists, and ensures the preservation of this unspoilt stretch of coast.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many legal actions were instituted in 1961 for the recovery of Income Tax; how many of such actions were successful; how many failed; what was the cost of such actions; how much cash they recovered; and in how many cases successful defendants were repaid their costs.

2,530 writs were issued in 1961 for the recovery of Income Tax. In nearly half these cases the tax was paid before judgment. None of the actions failed, but a very few of them may have been discontinued to remedy some technical flaw as a preliminary to starting the action afresh: in such cases the Inland Revenue is liable to pay any necessary or proper costs incurred in the discontinued action.

In addition local proceedings for the recovery of Income Tax were taken in about 46,000 cases.

I regret that the other information requested is not available.