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Written Answers

Volume 671: debated on Thursday 7 February 1963

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Written Answers To Questions

Thursday, 7th February, 1963

Home Department

Royal Commission On The Press (Report)

7.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to issue a White Paper on the Report of the Royal Commission on the Press.

This Report is being studied by the Government, but I am not yet in a position to say when it will be possible to make a statement.

Dartmoor Prison (Disturbances)

28.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has now completed his study of the reports from the Prison Commissioners on the disturbances which occurred in Dartmoor Prison on Tuesday, 11th December; and if he will make a full statement on this matter.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 14th December to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Tavistock (Sir H. Studholme). As a result of the Governor's further investigations, some prisoners have been charged with offences against the Prison Rules, and their cases are being dealt with by the Board of Visitors.

Crimes Of Violence (Compensation For Victims)

29.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how soon he expects to introduce legislation providing for compensation, by the State and by those convicted of crimes of violence and of fraud, to the victims of these crimes.

I am closely considering the question of compensation for victims of crimes of violence, but am not yet in a position to make a statement. There are no proposals before me for compensation in respect of other crimes.

Prisoners (Work)

30.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in the consideration of the problem of enabling prisoners to earn adequate wages for work done while they are serving their sentences, thus to contribute, in appropriate cases, to compensation for the victims of their crimes and also to leave prison with some money saved and with fully stamped National Insurance cards.

Valuable experience is being obtained from the prison hostel scheme, in which prisoners who go out to work for outside employers receive ordinary wages from which deductions are made for National Insurance contributions and the maintenance of the prisoner and his dependants. In the prisons themselves, I am sure that the first priority is to improve the productivity of prison industries on the lines recommended by my Advisory Council in its report on "Work for Prisoners", published in August, 1961. I attach great importance to this; and it is regrettable that progress has been hampered by the steep increase in the prison population.

Carlisle State Management Scheme

31.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his intention that the Carlisle State Management Scheme will subscribe to the provisions of the Contracts of Employment sill.

Employees of the Carlisle State Management Scheme are Crown servants. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour has in mind to make a statement at the appropriate time explaining the position of Crown servants under the Contracts of Employment Bill.

West African Immigrants

32.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports he has received concerning the circumcision of female infants amongst West African immigrants to this country; and if he will take steps in the Metropolitan Police area to suppress this illegal practice.

The Commissioner of Police informs my right hon. Friend that he has no knowledge of this practice being carried on in London; and my right hon. Friend has had no other reports on the matter.

Jamaicans (Entry Certificates)

33.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of confusion in Jamaica as to whether the United Kingdom High Commissioner's Office has authority to issue fully valid entry permits for Jamaicans coming to Great Britain; whether immigration officers at British ports accept such permits without questioning them; and whether he will make a statement to clarify the position.

No. I know of only one case concerning a Jamaican in which any difficulty arose, and this occurred over four months ago. An apology was made on my behalf to the person concerned. The purpose of the entry certificate scheme is of course to reduce questioning at the port of arrival to the minimum, and immigration officers are aware of this.

Commonwealth Citizens (Deportation Orders)

35.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recommendations for the deportation of Commonwealth citizens he has received since the passing of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962; and how many orders for deportation he has made.

Up to 1st February, 498 recommendations had been made by the courts; 37 of these were quashed on appeal. I have considered 306 recommendations and made deportation orders in 166 cases, 108 of these being citizens of the Irish Republic. 155 cases await my consideration; among these, appeals are pending in 30 cases.

41.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 56 Commonwealth and Irish Republic immigrants convicted of living on immoral earnings in the Metropolitan Police district betwen 1st July, 1962 and 19th January 1963 have been recommended for deportation; and in how many cases such recommendations have been confirmed by him.

The answer to the first part of the Question is eight. In four cases deportation orders have been made, and in one case I decided not to make an order. Three cases remain to be considered, in one of which leave to appeal to the divisional court is being sought.

Explosives Act, 1875

36.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the procedure under the Explosives Act so as to ensure that adequate public notice is given to members of the public defining the sites in respect to which liability to prosecution under the Act arises.

Section 77 of the Explosives Act, 1875, requires the occupier of premises where explosives are manufactured or stored to post up in some conspicuous place or places a notice or notices warning all persons of their liability to penalties for entering the land occupied by them without permission. I do not think that it is possible to be more specific in a statutory provision, but I have asked the Inspectors of Explosives to inquire into the arrangements made during the course of their inspections.

Game (Close Season)

37 and 43.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will take steps to extend the season for shooting cock pheasants only, for a short period, in view of the fact that shooting has been impossible in January in many districts owing to the weather, and that too many cock pheasants will do damage to agriculture;(2) whether, in the interests of agriculture, he will allow magistrates reasonable discretion if landowners, gamekeepers or authorised persons apply for an extension of time to kill off surplus cock pheasants, where shooting has been impossible owing to snow, in view of the fact that this was an old custom with other game.

The close season for game is fixed by the Game Laws, and my right hon. Friend has no power to alter it or to give directions to the courts in relation to the enforcement of the laws. The shooting of game during the close season is lawful only where my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has served a notice under the Agriculture Act, 1947, requiring a person to kill and take birds in order to prevent damage.

Cardiff Prison

38.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young persons committed to Borstal are still awaiting transfer from Cardiff Prison; how many cells in Cardiff Prison contain three prisoners each; and what modernisation of this prison is envisaged.

On 4th February, five inmates were awaiting transfer to Borstal. Seventy-one out of a total of 285 cells had three occupants. Work has started on the conversion of part of the prison into a remand centre at an estimated cost of£175,000. A new kitchen, laundry and bath-house are to be started in 1963–64.

Child Care Services, Wales

39.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many psychiatric social workers are employed on child-care services in the thirteen counties of Wales; and if he will make a statement.

The employment of child care staff is the responsibility of the county and county borough councils concerned. My right hon. Friend understands, however, that no psychiatric social workers are employed in that capacity by children authorities in Wales.

Commonwealth Countries

42.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to prevent the organisation of, and raising of funds for, groups whose object is to overthrow the established Governments in Commonwealth countries.

I am not aware of a need for such legislation at the present time. If my hon. Friend has any particular group in mind and will let me know, I will have further inquiry made.

Children's Homes

44.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to secure the inspection by a Government Department of those children's homes which are not subject to the provisions of child protection legislation.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a similar Question by her on 19th November.

Remand Centre, Risley

45.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects that the remand centre at Risley will be open for use.

This is the largest single project under construction in the prison building programme; the best forecast that I can make at this stage is July, 1964.

Domestic Oil Heaters

46.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider introducing legislation to prevent the public sale of paraffin heaters of the drip feed variety, unless each model has satisfied an inspector, appointed either by his Department or by a local authority, that it does not emit an unsafe percentage of carbon monoxide.

My right hon. Friend understands that all domestic oil heaters now manufactured in this country comply with the British Standard specification, which contains a requirement that the issue into the atmosphere of carbon monoxide shall not exceed a level which is harmless. He is not aware that any accidents have been caused as a result of this standard being ignored.

Criminal Justice Act, 1961, And Streatfeild Committee's Recommendations

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to bring into operation the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act, 1961, relating to the treatment of young offenders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he is making to give effect to the recommendations in Part B of the Streatfeild Report about the preparation of reports on accused persons.

I have decided to make an order bringing into operation on 1st August Sections 1 to 7 inclusive, Section 25, and certain consequential provisions of the Criminal Justice Act, 1961. The main reforms made by the introduction of these provisions will be the abolition of sentences of imprisonment for offenders under the age of seventeen, coupled with the lowering of the minimum age of eligibility for a sentence of borstal training to fifteen: the substantial elimination, save in the case of serious or repeated offences, of sentences of medium-term imprisonment for offenders aged seventeen and under twenty-one, and their replacement by sentences of borstal training: and the provision of regular reports to Parliament on approved schools, remand homes and attendance centres. The implementation of these provisions also represents a further step towards the eventual abolition of short sentences of imprisonment for offenders under twenty-one.It is clearly desirable that the administrative arrangements to give effect to the recommendations in Part B of the Streatfeild Report, about the preparation of reports to assist the courts in passing sentence, should take full account of the provisions of the 1961 Act and should come into operation on the same date. The arrangements to give effect to this part of the Streatfeild Committee's recommendations will therefore be brought into operation on 1st August, instead of the date previously announced.

Civil Defence

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many volunteers are engaged in civil defence in this country.

About 600,000 men and women are now in voluntary services concerned with the civil defence of Great Britain. The figures on 31st December, 1962, were:

Civil Defence Corps328,451
Industrial Civil Defence Service181,377
Auxiliary Fire Service16,883
National Hopital Service Reserve73,717
Royal Observer Corps16,378
616,806
These figures do not include a large number of members of the Women's Voluntary Service for Civil Defence who are not enrolled in the Civil Defence Corps.

Paraffin Heaters

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths have taken place during the 12-month period ended 31st January 1963 as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning from paraffin heaters of the drip feed variety.

Rhodesia And Nyasaland

Health Services

54.

asked the First Secretary of State to what extent the Federal Government of Rhodesia and Nyasaland have been obstructed in their efforts to prevent the spread of leprosy, poliomyelitis and smallpox in Nyasaland; and what progress has been made in combating these diseases since the territorial election in 1961.

I am aware of difficulties that have occurred over the operation of health services in Nyasaland, but I can only deal with questions on this subject which are in terms directly related to my responsibilities.

Nyasaland (Withdrawal From Federation)

52.

asked the First Secretary of State whether any further undertaking was given to the leader of the Malawi Congress Party during his recent visit to Central Africa concerning the secession of Nyasaland from the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

I agreed with Dr. Banda the machinery to work out the arrangements for Nyasland's withdrawal, to which I shall be referring in my statement after Questions.

55.

asked the First Secretary of State what discussions he has had with the Nyasaland Government on the effect of secession upon the level of services hitherto provided by the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland; what study he has made of how the annual Federal subsidy of about£5,000,000 could be made good; and whether he will make a statement on the economic future of Nyasaland.

The transfer to Nyasaland of services hitherto provided by the Federal Government is an important element in the range of administrative and financial problems arising from the decision to allow Nyasaland to withdraw from the Federation. I have said that the consequences of withdrawal are serious and substantial and that the Nyasaland Government are ready to adopt policies to minimise them; but I cannot usefully make any statement until those consequences have been examined and negotiated in detail between the Governments concerned.

Maldive Islands

Negotiations

59.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what progress has been made in the negotiations for a settlement between the Maldivian Government and Suvadive Republic; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to report beyond what was stated in the reply given to the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. G. M. Thomson) on 21st December.

Education

Teacher Training College, Stafford

60.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the unsatisfactory living conditions at the teacher training college at Nelson Hall, Stafford; and if he will take steps to bring about immediate improvements.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the complaints that have been made about the heating arrangements during the present cold spell. He will be replying as soon as he can to the hon. Member's letter of 28th January about these complaints.

Educational Building Programme

61.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will make a further statement on the school building programme for 1964–65.

I hope to make a statement on the size of the 1964–65 major educational building programme early next week.

Teacher Training College Places

62.

asked the Minister of Education what proportion of the recently announced increase in teacher training college places will be for day students.

We need to achieve the largest possible increases in the numbers both of day students and of students living in lodgings, but until the new programme has been worked out college by college, by right hon. Friend cannot say what proportion of the total they will form.

Training Colleges (Specialist Service Courses)

63.

asked the Minister of Education how many first-year students at training colleges are taking specialist science courses, including courses in rural science; and what are the numbers estimated for each of the following years to 1970–71.

About 430 students entered these courses in 1962–63. It is not yet possible to give estimates for future years but my right hon. Friend has recently asked the colleges with special facilities for such courses to aim to make the greatest possible use of them and he will keep the numbers under review.

asked the Minister of Education what provision is being made to increase the facilities for students taking specialist science courses at training colleges.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given this afternoon to his other Question about specialist science courses.

Psychiatric Social Workers, Wales

asked the Minister of Education how many psychiatric social workers are employed in the education services in the thirteen counties of Wales; and if he will make a statement.

At 31st December, 1961, six psychiatric social workers, employed either by local education authorities or the regional hospital boards, were engaged in the education services of the Welsh counties. Figures for 1962 will be available in March.

Housing

Housing Associations

64.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage the formation of housing associations.

Publicity material has been issued; the organisation of the National Federation of Housing Societies has been strengthened; local authorities have been asked to increase their efforts to foster housing association work and, under the Housing Act 1961, a fund of£25 million for Exchequer loans to housing associations has been established.In the result over 100 new associations were formed in 1962. This is considerably more than in recent years.

65.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what sums of money have been disbursed from the£25 million set aside for loans to housing associations under the Housing Act, 1961.

By 5th February advances of£191,537 had been made towards the cost of schemes for which the ultimate Exchequer commitment will be about£1,200,000. Further schemes involving loans of about£1,100,000 have been agreed but the first advances on them have not yet been called for.

National Finance

Richard Thomas And Baldwin

66.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how Richard Thomas and Baldwin, in view of their overdraft of£9 million disclosed in their last accounts, propose to raise the further£9 million necessary to make a cash offer for the Whitehead Iron and Steel Company.

The amount necessary to finance the purchase by Richard Thomas and Baldwin of shares in the Whitehead Iron and Steel Company is being advanced so far as necessary by the Iron and Steel Holding and Realisation Agency. As my hon. Friend knows, the Agency is at present the sole shareholder in Richard Thomas and Baldwin. The exact amount which will be required, being dependent on the response made to the offer by Messrs. Richard Thomas and Baldwin, is not yet known.

Vassall Tribunal (Cost)

67.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the estimated cost of the proceedings of the Vassall Tribunal up to 31st January.

Approximately£24,000. This includes not only expenditure directly incurred but also apportioned costs in respect of the services given by the Judges, my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General and officials employed on the work of the Tribunal.

Coal

Deep-Mined Output

68.

asked the Minister fo Power if he will give the output of deep-mined coal in 1962 compared with 1961, and the overall number of miners employed in the same periods.

The deep-mined output of the National Coal Board was 187·6 million tons in 1962 and 179·6 million tons in 1961. The average number of miners employed was 550,870 in 1962 and 570,500 in 1961.

Ministry Of Power

Pipe-Lines (Proposals)

70.

asked the Minister of Power when he expects to announce his decision on the applications of pipeline companies for permission to build a pipe-line connecting Thames-side with the Midlands and Merseyside.

Electricity, Gas And Water Pipes

71.

asked the Minister of Power whether he is aware that because pipes for electricity, gas and water are sometimes identical in size and colour, accidents occur to workmen engaged on repair work; and whether he will seek power to lay down regulations to ensure that in future such pipes are readily distinguishable from each other.

Accidents of this kind normally occur before the cables and pipes are uncovered so that to make them readily distinguishable after they have been uncovered would not help.

Gas

Wales Gas Board (Capital Investment)

asked the Minister of Power what restrictions he placed on the proposed capital investment programmes of the Wales Gas Board for each of the last 10 years.

In five of the years, the final authorisation to the Board was below its advance estimate, but in all but one of those years the outturn of expenditure was less than the authorisation.

Malta

Baileys (Malta) Limited

73.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the numbers of men employed in the yard at Bailey's, Malta, Limited, on the repair of ships, vessels and small craft in each of the years 1960, 1961, and 1962, respectively; and what proportion of those numbers was engaged upon such repair work for the Admiralty.

I am not able to give figures for the three years, but I understand that at the beginning of this year the total number of men directly employed on the repair of ships was approximately 2,600 and that of these about 2,000 were engaged on Admiralty work.

74.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent he estimates there will be a diminution of employment in the dockyard of Bailey's, Malta, Limited, in the event of the deferment in sending Admiralty ships, vessels and small craft for repair there being continued until the end of the present year; and whether he intends to arrange for other employment to be provided.

The withdrawal of new Admiralty work from the dockyard is a temporary measure only.

British Honduras

Capital City

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made so far towards the construction of the new capital city of British Honduras.

A team of consultants is preparing a plan which will, I hope, be available by May next for consideration by the British Honduras Government and Her Majesty's Government.

Cayman Islands

Medical Practitioners

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many qualified medical practitioners are now serving in each of the Cayman Islands.

There are two qualified medical practitioners at present, both on Grand Cayman. A third, who had been serving on Cayman Brac, resigned last December. Efforts are being made to recruit a replacement.

Ministry Of Defence

National Defence Problems

75.

asked the Minister of Defence whether Her Majesty's Government will now institute an independent inquiry, similar to the Esher and Salisbury Committees, into the problems of national defence, including the desirability, cost and form of a British nuclear deterrent and the size and nature of the conventional forces necessary to fulfil Great Britain's world-wide commitments and to make an adequate contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Ministry Of Aviation

Air Licensing Board

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will give the names and qualifications of the members of the Air Licensing Board Committee examining the development of air freight between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the number and dates of meetings which have been held.

The task is being carried out in the ordinary course of its business

NORTHERN IRELAND ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL AVIATION
Original Date of AppointmentExpiry of Current Appointment
Wing Commander Preston, O.B.E., A.F.C. (Chairman)23rd January, 196122nd January, 1964
Air Marshal Sir George Beamish, K.C.B., C.B.E.1st September, 196122nd January, 1964
Dr. W. F. Bryson, M.B.E., D.L.23rd January, 196122nd January, 1964
Councillor S. R. Cochrane, J.P.1st September, 196122nd January, 1964
Lieutenant-Colonel A. J. Christie, C.B.E., D.L.23rd January, 196122nd January, 1964
Mr. Max Eitel23rd January, 196122nd January, 1964
Mr. G. Martin Johnston23rd January, 196122nd January, 1964
Mr. N. Kennedy, J.P.23rd January, 196122nd January, 1964
Sir Graham Larmor23rd January, 196122nd January, 1965
Sir Basil McFarland, Bt., C.B.E., H.M.L.23rd January, 196122nd January, 1965
Mr. J. P. Mackie, C.B.E.23rd January, 196122nd January, 1965
Alderman C. F. Milligan23rd January, 196122nd January, 1964
Mr. T. W. Price23rd January, 196122nd January, 1964
Mr. D. H. Stevenson23rd January, 196122nd January, 1964

Employment

Slough

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of unemployed persons and vacancies, respectively, registered at the Slough Employment Exchange in January, 1963, December, 1962, and January, 1962.

by the Board and its staff who are fully qualified to deal with it. The names of Board members are as follows:

  • Mr. D. T. Jack, C.B.E. (Chairman).
  • Mr. J. J. Taylor, O.B.E. (Deputy Chairman)
  • Professor R. G. D. Allen, C.B.E.
  • Mr. F. C. Bagnall, C.B.E.
  • Mr. E. Baldry, O.B.E., F.C.A.
  • Mr. C. P. Harvey, Q.C.
  • Sir Friston How, C.B.
  • Mr. W. P. James, O.B.E.
  • Mr. A. H. Wilson, C.B., C.B.E.

Northern Ireland Advisory Committee For Civil Aviation

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will give the names of the members of the Northern Ireland Civil Aviation Committee, together with the date of their appointment and the duration of each term of appointment.

The information asked for is as follows:

NUMBER OF PERSONS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AND UNFILLED VACANCIES AT SLOUGH EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OFFICE
Unemployment
DateNumber
14th January, 19631,168
10th December, 1962543
15th January, 1962475
Vacancies
DateNumber
9th January, 1963491
5ith December, 1962481
10th January, 1962530

Government Training Centres (Allowances)

asked the Minister of Labour what are the current maintenance allowance rates paid to local

WEEKLY RATES OF ALLOWANCES IN GOVERNMENT TRAINING CENTRES
Payable from 6th September, 1962 to men.
Payable from 3rd April, 1961 to women.
Age and domestic responsibilitiesLiving at homeLiving in lodgings* (or hostel) arranged by or on behalf of the Ministry
(1)(2)(3)
ManWomanManWoman
£s.£s.£s.£s.
I. Aged 21 and over:
Without wife or dependant7104155030
Maintaining one dependent child under 1681051575415
Maintaining two or more dependent children under 16810657555
With wife or maintaining adult dependant(s)8106575515
With wife (or maintaining adult dependant(s)), and maintaining one dependent child under 16906158565
With wife (or maintaining adult dependant(s)) and maintaining two or more dependent children under 16907585615
II. Under age 21:
Without wife or dependants—
Aged 20604154030
Aged 196031640212
Aged 1850353527
Aged 174021921522
Aged 163521425118
Aged 1521521020115
With wife or other dependant(s)Married men under 21 years of age, and single men aged 19 and 20 and women aged 19 who maintain dependants, are paid allowances appropriate to persons aged 21 and over. Persons under 19 (other than married men) who have dependants should ask at their nearest Employment Exchange for details of the allowances payable.
*Men in lodgings receive a further allowance for lodging and part board, i.e., all meals except the mid-day meal from Monday to Saturday inclusive.

Note

At all Government Training Centres, mid-day meals are provided, 10s. 0d. a week towards the cost is deducted from the rates of allowances in columns (2) and (3) above.

United Arab Republic

British Owners Of Property (Grants)

asked the Lord Privy Seal what progress has been made towards the distribution of the sums being made available to alleviate certain forms of hardship among British owners of property in the United Arab Republic.

and non-local non-resident trainees and resident trainees, respectively, at his training centres; and on what date these rates were introduced.

Following is the information:Government proposed to make available a sum of£2,500,000 for compassionate grants to relieve cases of comparative hardship among British owners of property which they were obliged, as a result of the events of October, 1956, to abandon in Egypt and which has since been immobilised so that they cannot use it or derive any benefit from it. I explained that this sum would also be used to assist in meeting certain kinds of claims arising out of those events which have not hitherto been eligible for compensation out of the funds available for distribution by the Foreign Compensation Commission.It was further proposed that a sum of up to£500,000 should be provided for grants to assist with the payment of agents' fees and expenses incurred in negotiating the release of desequestrated property and the transfer of assets.An independent Committee was to be set up to investigate the cases of hardship referred to above. This Committee, which will be known as the Egyptian Grants Committee, has now been constituted, under the Chairmanship of Sir Hugh Ellis-Rees, K.C.M.G., C.B. The Committee will also examine applications for grants towards agents' fees; and will make recommendations to my noble Friend the Foreign Secretary on the sums to be disbursed out of bath these allocations.Applications for grants out of the£2½million fund must be made before 1st July, 1963. Applications for assistance towards the payment of agents' fees and expenses should be made as soon as possible. In either case the applications should be addressed to The Secretary, Egyptian Grants Committee, Charles House, 5–11 Lower Regent Street, London, S.W.1.

Trade And Commerce

Wheat (Exports To West Germany)

asked the President of the Board of Trade what tariff was levied on British-grown wheat imported into West Germany in the six months to the last convenient date.

I am informed that British-grown wheat recently imported into West Germany has been free of levy.

Pensions And National Insurance

National Assistance (Rents)

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what is the procedure under which rents may be paid by the National Assistance Board direct to the landlord, or to the town council, in cases of abuse.

I understand that the Board have powers and are prepared in exceptional cases to make payment direct to a third party where necessary to protect the interests of the tenant. If the hon. Member has a particular case or cases in mind, perhaps he would communicate with me or with the Chairman of the Board.

British Army

Army Lorries (Accidents)

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Army lorry drivers have been killed during the last 12 months; how many Army personnel and civilians have been killed by Army lorry drivers during the same period; and what is the estimated total cost to his Department of compensation, property and vehicles as a result of these deaths and accidents.

Ten Army lorry drivers were killed in the United Kingdom in the twelve months of 1962.In the same period thirty-two other troops and civilians were killed in accidents involving Army lorries in this country. I cannot estimate the cost to my Department of compensation or of damage done to property and vehicles resulting from these deaths and accidents since in many cases claims have either not yet been formulated, or are still being considered or are

sub judice.

I regret that similar information for deaths and accidents occurring in Commands overseas is not readily available but I will write to the hon. Gentleman when I have obtained it.

Recruitment

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT, particulars of recruiting for the Regular Army, male adults only, for the years 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1962, broken down to cover the recruiting centres and Commands set out in his Written Reply on 10th November, 1961,

REGULAR RECRUITING (MALE ADULT) DIRECT FROM CIVIL LIFE
FOR THE YEARS 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961 AND 1962
Recruiting Centre195719581959196019611962
Brighton460419290343452552
Cambridge17615211994161187
Canterbury169216130ClosedClosedClosed
Chatham323294298402402608
Ipswich244251165131201262
Norwich204196157142189247
St. Albans238349271240285526
Southend270268214170234387
Eastern Command Total2,0842,1451,6441,5221,9242,769
Bradford388357243220342384
Carlisle207153156128162215
Darlington237384384283347451
Derby354489319282266408
Huddersfield174303228176230281
Hull398410255226234281
Leeds798971647479594614
Leicester453475212230295430
Lincoln354428299288315394
Middlesbrough272372316268417556
Newcastle472633580507611728
Northampton204210145174293324
Nottingham582753651554514560
Sheffield8241,066981667740793
South Shields227338345320323384
York177173163150176172
Northern Command Total6,1217,5155,9244,9525,8596,975
Aberdeen238257183181225249
Dumfries133134155191181261
Dundee388519520403411557
Edinburgh878827709595558684
Glasgow1,0881,1971,2201,0451,1151,316
Inverness1671371208487104
Scottish Command Total2,8923,0712,9072,4992,5773,171
Bournemouth421359263192200242
Bristol342390399381430489
Channel Isles536247326452
Devonport133161130136169225
Exeter251239199237228230
Gloucester264241240194193201
Oxford97876469122125
Portsmouth315326295265245303
Reading367309252277314418
Redruth7182935485101
Salisbury148156130158251259
Southampton235293236212181234
Southern Command Total2,6972,7052,3482,2132,4822,879

to a related question by the hon. Member for Dudley.

Recruiting Centre195719581959196019611962
Birmingham751873698642987949
Blackburn145207180143199Closed
Cardiff407528501396462739
Chester287427342405516585
Coventry203226197203250261
Kings way375525341295312374
Liverpool9701,2049507353,0511,128
Manchester8391,0399798111,1081,486
Pontypridd16S323228184222Closed
Preston255276247225259642
Shrewsbury1079391119175206
Swansea205238152148216216
Wolverhampton435345271224262451
Worcester1441301366911591
Wrexham138220180114191229
Western Command Total5,4296,6545,4934,7136,3257,357
Central London6196065696948751,102
Acton/Wembley387381266225367482
Blackheath379386302258368440
Croydon/Norbury402408302261326344
Kentish Town287355278239399450
Surbiton342230189137174249
Wanstead/Forest Gate346388240183344340
London District Total2,7622,7542,1461,9972,8533,407
Belfast4771,0261,0608311,0051,035
Omagh137246299211202243
Northern Ireland District Total6141,2721,3591,0421,2071,278
TOTAL22,59926,11621,82118,93823,22727,836