asked the First Secretary of State what is the policy of the Northern Rhodesian Government regarding freedom of the Press in that territory; and whether he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.Northern Rhodesia has a free Press and it is the policy of the Government to maintain this freedom. The Legislative Council of the territory recently debated and unanimously adopted a motion affirming its determination to maintain the freedom of the Press.

asked the First Secretary of State what arrangements have been made and expenditure incurred by the Northern Rhodesian Government on the relief of refugees who fled from the United Nations' forces in Katanga; and what assistance has been obtained from the United Nations.

I have been asked to reply.My hon. Friend was informed on 22nd January of the general arrangements made by the Northern Rhodesia Government for dealing with refugees. Expenditure is estimated at approximately £5,000. The Northern Rhodesia Government propose in due course to seek reimbursement from the United Nations through the Federal Government. United Nations military officers have fully cooperated with the officers of the Northern Rhodesia Government who have been engaged in persuading refugees to return to their homes.

asked the First Secretary of State (1) if he will give an assurance that the position of Federal civil servants will be considered and safeguarded in the talks on the proposed secession of Nyasaland;(2) if he will now state the extent of Nyasaland's portion of the Federal debt for which Her Majesty's Government will be responsible after secession.

I have been asked to reply.I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply on 5th February to the hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason) and the hon. Member for Dulwich (Mr. Roy Jenkins).

asked the First Secretary of State if he is aware that a family named Kapito in Mpezo Village, Nyasaland, has been politically intimidated; and what steps he proposes to take to restore political freedom to individuals in Nyasaland before independence is granted to that territory.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend is consulting the Governor of Nyasaland and will write to the hon. Member when he has the Governor's reply.

asked the Minister of Education whether he authorised the speech of Mr. D. Morrell, in charge of the curriculum study unit in his Department, on 24th October, 1962, to the Council of the National Foundation for Educational Research; and to what extent it is his policy that his Department should be the sole arbiters as to what the schools shall teach.

Mr. Morrell was authorised to make this speech. With regard to the second part of the Question, it is certainly not my policy to be the arbiter, let alone the sole arbiter, of the schools' curriculum, and there was nothing in Mr. Morrell's speech which could be interpreted in this way.

asked the Minister of Education if he will commission the National Foundation for Educational Research to conduct an objective study of the value of language laboratories.

No, not at present. Her Majesty's Inspectors on my behalf as well as many other people are watching this interesting development carefully, and I think it would be preferable to encourage further experiments before considering a commission of the kind the hon. Member has in mind. I already grant aid the Educational Foundation for Visual Aids which is one of the pioneers in language laboratories.

asked the Minister of Education why he has not approved more than one Youth Service building project in Newcastle-upon-Tyne for the year 1963–64.

In allocating the 1963–64 building programme my right hon. Friend has had to take account of the needs of differing areas and was able to authorise only one out of the three projects put forward for the area in addition to the four projects included in the programme for 1960–63.

asked the Minister of Education when the report of the Central Advisory Council for England on pupils of 13 to 16 years of age of average or less than average ability will be published.

The Council hopes that its report will be ready for publication next autumn.

asked the Minister of Education what recommendation about grants has been made to him by the Youth Service Development Council in relation to the Hertfordshire Association of Boys' Clubs; and what decision he has reached.

On the recommendation of the Youth Service Development Council I offered a grant to the Hertfordshire Association of Boys' Clubs to cover the salary of the manager of the Welwyn Garden City experimental workshop for a period of three years from September, 1961.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will make a statement following consideration of the letter of 1st February 1963, from the Crayford Urban District Council, objecting to the inadequate timetable of the circular of 10th January, 1963 sent to local authorities for submission of observations or details of various proposals in connection with the London Government Bill.

The timetable proposed by this Circular is consistent with the overall timetable provided for in the London Government Bill, and I do not accept that it is inadequate.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if, in view of representations made to him over a long period of time, he will introduce legislation to amend the Public Authorities (Allowances) Act, 1961, in order to allow subsistence allowances to be granted to all members of local authorities whose absence from home on official duty exceeds a certain period irrespective of the distance between the members' place of residence and point of duty.

No.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what was, at the latest convenient date, the total number of officers and other ranks, respectively, in the naval services who have current applications through their commanding officers for release to be a candidate at a parliamentary election and who are now awaiting a decision.

Fifteen naval ratings and Royal Marine other ranks. There are no current applications from officers.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how many Commonwealth and other overseas students are attending the Royal Naval College, Greenwich; what their nationalities are; and which courses they are taking.

There is a total of 35 students of 15 different nation- alities attending six different courses, the countries represented being:

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how many civilians are taking courses at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.

Twenty-nine in total. Twenty-seven are employees of the Admiralty and two of an Admiralty contractor.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how many civilians have been given temporary naval rank in order that they may attend courses at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.

Admiralty civilian constructors and electrical engineering officers regularly attend courses at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. During these courses they wear naval uniform as sub-lieutenants or lieutenants according to the type of course. At present there are 25 of these officers attending courses at Greenwich.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty (1) how many additional students could be taken in the degree course in electrical engineering at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich;(2) how many students are at present enrolled in the degree course in electrical engineering at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, in each year;(3) how many civilian students are being enrolled for the degree course in electrical engineering at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, in September, 1963.

Two students are in their first year, eleven in their second and twenty in their third. About a dozen additional students could be accepted each year on present plans. At least two or three probationary assistant electrical engineers from the Admiralty Ship Department will start this degree course in September. We are still investigating a scheme for offering places to other civilians.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty (1) how many students at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, are not fully security-cleared;(2) how many courses at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, include students who have not been fully security-cleared; and what subjects are being studied in these courses;(3) how many students who have not been fully security-cleared are at present taking courses in the department of electrical engineering at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich;(4) how many students who have not been fully security-cleared have taken part in courses in the department of electrical engineering, Royal Naval College, Greenwich, during the last three years;(5) what steps are taken in the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, to ensure that students who are not fully security-cleared do not have access to secret documents or equipment and are excluded from lectures involving secret matters.

All students at Greenwich are security cleared to the level required by the course which they are taking. All classified publications and equipment are kept under lock and key and are available only to students with the appropriate security clearance.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what was, at the latest convenient date, the total number of officers and other ranks, respectively, in the Royal Air Force who have applied through their commanding officers for release to be a candidate at a parliamentary election and who are now awaiting a decision.

At 12th February, 1963, we had received 34 applications since the announcement of the new rules by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 18th December. The applications were all from airmen. None is awaiting decision.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has given the Potato Marketing Board regarding the acreage of potatoes to be planted in 1963.

None. The Potato Marketing Board is, of course, familiar with the Government's general production objective on potatoes, which is that the acreage planted in the United Kingdom should be sufficient, given average yields, to provide an adequate supply of potatoes at reasonable prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tons of artificial fertilisers were supplied to the farming industry, and at what cost, in 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1962, respectively.

The United Kingdom figures, by Scheme years, are given in the table below. These are based on farmers' applications for contribution on subsidised fertilisers, and on estimated usage of potash, which is unsubsidised.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that several other European member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation have printed ration documents for use in a war emergency; and what plans he has to have such documents printed in this country.

I am aware that some European members of N.A.T.O. have taken this step. We regard it as a necessary adjunct of long-term planning for food defence, and my right hon. Friend has therefore arranged to have ration documents printed in the next financial year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many paid appointments to posts outside the Civil Service he has in his patronage; what is the nature of each appointment; and what salary is payable in each case.

There are 60 such appointments, some of which are made

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, during the discussions between the Iron and Steel Holding and Realisation Agency, and Iron and Steel Investment Limited, over the sale to the latter company of the nationalised plant of John Baker and Bessemer Limited, an indication was

The purchasers indicated at the time of the sale of the company that they had no present intention of taking any steps that would result in an early closure of this company.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the annual profits made by John Baker and Bessemer Company Limited of Swinton, near Rotherham for the years 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961 and for 1962, respectively.

Profits after depreciation but before taxation, as shown in the company's audited accounts, have been as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to receive the recommendations of the Halsbury Committee on decimal coinage; and how soon thereafter he will be able to announce his decision on the recommendations.

The Committee expects to finish taking evidence this month. It is difficult to estimate the time required for the preparation and printing of the Report; but I hope that it will be available before the Summer Recess. Until my right hon. Friend has seen the Report I am unable to say when it will be possible to announce any decisions on the recommendations made in it.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (1) what negotiations have taken place with the Government of Trinidad about their proposals that Her Majesty's Government should assist with the deficit which will be incurred by British West Indian Airways in maintaining services to the Leeward and Windward Islands; and what offer of such assistance has been made;(2) what negotiations have taken place with the Government of Trinidad about the £800,000 allegedly owed by British West Indian Airways for Viscount aircraft, now that the Trinidad Government have refused to accept this sum in an overall financial settlement on independence; and if he will make a statement on the present position.

The British Government were prepared, at the request of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, as part of a financial settlement, to buy from B.O.A.C. four Viscount aircraft which were on hire to British West Indian Airways, and to present them, free of cost, to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for B.W.I.A. Out of several suggestions made, this seemed to us the way in which we could best assist. As the House is aware, our offer for a financial settlement, including the gift of these aircraft, still stands. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago have made no alternative proposals as regards B.W.I.A. Meanwhile the hire of the aircraft remains a matter between the two airlines. It is, I understand, the subject of a longstanding contract freely negotiated between B.O.A.C. and B.W.I.A., which imposes on B.W.I.A. an obligation to make payments totalling some £800,000 over the next four years.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what deductions have been agreed with the Government of Trinidad from the sum of £600,000, for houses formerly used by Federal officials, in respect of the counterclaim for Trinidad advances to the Federal Government, rents and maintenance outstanding on property and other such matters set out in the 1963 Trinidad White Paper on this matter.

None. It is a matter for negotiation between the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the Interim Commissioner—though I may add that I understand that some of the counterclaims mentioned in the second Trinidad White Paper had not previously been notified to the Interim Commissioner.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what decision he has made, following the rejection by the Trinidad Government of the British offer of financial aid on independence, about the future of unspent balances of colonial development and welfare moneys attributable to capital development of the University of the West Indies in Trinidad.

My action is determined by the wording of the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, 1959. One effect of this Act is that, after the independence of Trinidad and Tobago, the British Government have no power to continue contributing funds to the University of the West Indies in respect of Trinidad's share of the agreed capital development programme. The contribution falls to be made by the independent Government of Trinidad and Tobago instead (and similarly by Jamaica)—though, if our proposed financial settlement had been accepted by the Trinidad Government, it would have been possible for us to reimburse them. We are at present in correspondence with the Governments of Jamaica and of Trinidad and Tobago, and with the University, upon this situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what arrangements exist to co-ordinate the Government's Commonwealth migration policy with its policy of Commonwealth economic development.

If my hon. Friend has some sort of formal machinery in mind the answer is: None. The two problems are not co-extensive. Our policy of economic development within the Commonwealth is concerned with all Commonwealth countries, whereas only a few Commonwealth countries seek immigrants from Britain.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will make a statement about the results of the consideration he undertook to give to the possibility of further provision for workmen's compensation old cases being dealt with out of the Industrial Injuries Fund.

Yes. I have now completed the review which I undertook to make of this difficult problem. It is proposed to double the present allowance of 32s. 6d. payable under the Workmen's Compensation and Benefit (Supplementation) Act, 1956, to the totally disabled old cases so as to bring the allowance together with maximum compensation for a married man up to the same level as the new 100 per cent. rate of industrial injuries disablement pension.

asked the Postmaster-General what damage has been done to the telephone service in Northern Ireland as a result of the recent severe weather; what steps are being taken to repair the damage; and if he will make a statement.

The recent snowstorms caused extensive damage and interruption to the telephone service in Northern Ireland. Over 5,400 subscribers' lines were reported out of order; for a time some exchanges were cut off, and at many others the power supplies were temporarily interrupted. By mid-day 13th February over 3,000 lines had been repaired. I should like to pay my tribute to the sympathetic understanding shown by the public, and also to all the staff who have striven so hard to keep the service going in such difficult circumstances.

asked the Minister of Power if he will state the percentage increase in the output per man shift in the coalmining industry for the last six months in 1962, in comparison with the same period of 1961.

Output per man shift in the last six months of 1962 was 7·4 per cent. higher than it was in the same period of 1961.

asked the Minister of Power if, following the discussions on coal distribution by the National Coal Board, the trade and the railways, he will take steps to nationalise all coal distribution, thereby enabling the streamlining and mechanising of coal sales and the elimination of exploitation by retailers in areas where coal is in short supply; and, in preparation for this, if he will issue a general direction to the National Coal Board to conduct a survey of national coal distribution, allied with an inquiry into distribution problems during the recent cold spell.

No. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his Question on 31st January.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science how many paid appointments to posts outside the Civil Service he has in his patronage; what is the nature of each appointment; and what salary is payable in each case.

My noble Friend the Minister for Science makes the following appointments:(a)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will seek the views of the Scottish universities on the need for amending the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889, with particular reference to the provision of statistics, the establishment of new Chairs, and methods of changing university curricula.

The matters covered by the Act will no doubt be considered when the Robbins Committee has reported. I do not think I could usefully consult the universities on these subjects meanwhile.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what new industrial projects are planned to commence during 1963 in the Gateshead and district employment area; and how many jobs are anticipated.

On present information, construction will start during 1963 on three new projects in the Gateshead Group of Employment Exchange Areas. I could not without disclosing confidential information state the number of jobs to which it is estimated that these projects will give rise.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will now state the date upon which the 1963 Defence White Paper will be published.

Wednesday, 20th February.

asked the Minister of Transport on what date the Boroughbridge bypass will be in use; and if the work is up to schedule.

Work has been held up by the recent bad weather, but I expect the bypass to be open to traffic by the late summer.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he intends to construct any roundabouts on the Darlington bypass.

There will be no roundabouts to be negotiated by through traffic on the Darlington bypass, but at the junctions with A.1 at Kneeton Corner and Aycliff and with A.68 slip roads will lead into roundabouts on those roads. There will also be a roundabout at the end of the spur road into Darlington at Blackwell Bridge.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is expected that the Darlington bypass will be completed; and what is the estimated cost.

Work on the three major bridges on the Darlington bypass is already in progress, and the road-works, tenders for which have been invited, should start in April. I expect the whole bypass to be completed some two years later. The total cost, including land, is estimated at some £6¾ million.

asked the Secretary of State for War what were the circumstances in which a guardsman at Chelsea Barracks was sentenced to 112 days' detention following a suicide attempt; and what steps he is taking to ensure that, in view, of the fact that attempted suicide is no longer an offence under the Suicide Act, no disciplinary proceedings are taken by the Army authorities against a Serviceman who has attempted suicide.

The guardsman in question was tried by District Court Martial on 14th January, 1963. He pleaded guilty to three charges of malingering, a term which includes action taken with the intention of rendering oneself unfit for service. He was sentenced to 112 days' detention, which was confirmed, and was promulgated on 26th January, 1963. As the soldier's right to submit an appeal petition under the Courts Martial (Appeal) Act. 1951, extends until 5th March, 1963, it would he improper for me to make any comment on the case at this stage. I confirm that attempted suicide is not a military offence.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was, at the latest convenient date, the total number of officers and other ranks, respectively, in the Army who have current applications through their commanding officers for release to be a candidate at a parliamentary election and who are now awaiting a decision.

There are no applications from officers awaiting a decision. The application of one other rank is at present under consideration.