asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will reduce the sentence of imprisonment passed on two airmen for their activities on behalf of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Chapman) yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will announce his decision on the findings of the Commission on the Northern Frontier District of Kenya.

The following statement was made in Nairobi today:

"The Report of the Kenya Constitutional Conference of 1962 envisaged the appointment of a Commission to ascertain public opinion in the N.F.D. regarding the future of this area, in the light of the likely course of constitutional development of Kenya. It was stated that a decision on the Commission's finding would be taken by Her Majesty's Government before the introduction of the new Constitution in Kenya.

The Commission presented its report last December and Her Majesty's Government have considered its conclusions. They have also noted the statement in the Report of the Kenya Regional Boundaries Commission that, had their terms of reference not restricted them to providing six regions, they would have considered it right to create an additional region, comprising the Eastern part of the N.F.D., which is almost exclusively occupied by Somali and kindred peoples.

The Colonial Secretary has discussed this matter fully with the Governor of Kenya and with Ministers in Nairobi. He has also received two delegations, one representing those elements in the N.F.D. who advocate secession to the Somali Republic and others representing those who wish to remain part of Kenya.

Her Majesty's Government have now decided that as part of the constitutional arrangements for internal self-government in Kenya, the predominantly Somali area referred to in the Report of the Regional Boundaries Commission (comprising constituencies 20–24 inclusive (see footnote below)) should be formed into a separate Seventh Region enjoying a status equal to that of the other regions in Kenya.

The creation of the new region will give to its inhabitants greater freedom in the management of their own affairs and more effective means of safeguarding their interest and maintaining their way of life.

Footnote.—These constituencies embrace Mandera and Wajir Districts, together with the Adjuran area of Moyale District and Garissa district, less the areas occupied by the Riverine people and Orma."

asked the Minister of Education what action he proposes to take to regulate the growing practice of visits by professional photographers to schools.

None. This is a matter for the school authorities to decide.

asked the Minister of Health what reports are still to be published containing information collected in the Census of Population 1961; and if he will state the dates on which these reports can be expected.

The following are the Reports to be published and the dates when it is hoped to publish them:The series of County Reports March, 1963—April, 1964

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the A.26 at Aldergrove, which was stopped up on 10th February, 1942, has remained so stopped up to the present date.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the estimated area which will be required for the proposed new route of the A.26 at Aldergrove.

I regret that I am not in a position to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend's Question on 22nd February.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what will be the extra cost to Manchester of development in the towns of Macclesfield, Winsford and Crewe, instead of being allocated new town development by a development corporation as is being accorded other overcrowded cities.

Liverpool, Birmingham and London as well as Manchester are all meeting part of their overspill needs through town development schemes. No precise comparison of cost is possible since the terms of the agreements vary widely.As my hon. Friend will be aware I announced on 19th February, I am investigating the possibility of finding a site for development on the scale of a new town to help Manchester.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many flats, houses and bungalows have been built by the Bournemouth Borough Council in each of the last three years.

In 1960 the council completed 110 dwellings (92 flats and 18 houses); in 1961, 133 dwellings (117 flats and 16 bungalows); and in 1962, 116 flats.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what plans have been submitted by the Bournemouth Borough Council for speeding up the construction of new houses, bungalows and flats designed in particular to meet the needs of elderly people and young families.

During the current year the council propose to put 200 dwellings into contract: this compares with 166 in 1962 and 116 in 1961. Fourteen of the first 135 dwellings will be designed to meet the needs of elderly people. The remaining 121 will be for rehousing families from prefabricated dwellings and unfit houses, and for the relief of overcrowding.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the number of applicants waiting for council accommodation in the borough of Bournemouth.

I am informed that at the beginning of this year the number of applicants on the council's waiting list was 1,028.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when the Final Report of the Welsh Local Government Boundary Commission is to be published.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when the report of the Local Government Commission for Wales will be published.

The Commission's Report and recommendations will be published on Monday. Copies will be available that day in the Vote Office and copies of the large scale maps will be placed in the Library. I have sent copies of the Report and recommendations to the local authorities and other bodies concerned, informing them that any representations on the Commission's proposals should be sent to me by the end of June. I shall later arrange public inquiries to hear objections as necessary.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement on financial assistance to local authorities who, as a contribution to the creation of employment in those areas while unemployment was heavy, initiated schemes costing up to £15,000 in response to the appeal of Her Majesty's Government.

The whole question of the assistance to be given to the areas of high unemployment is, as the hon. Member knows, under consideration by the Government. Meanwhile I do not think that very much is to be gained by considering these minor schemes in isolation.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent the difference in the February, 1952, figure of unemployment in the Gateshead and Felling employment exchange area and the February, 1963, figure is due to the effects of the recent severe weather on the construction industry.

I estimate that about half the increase in unemployment between these dates was among workers last employed in the construction industry. On 11th February, 1963, such workers numbered 1,548 out of a total of 4,318 unemployed; this was 876 more than in December, 1962, and a large part of the increase is attributable to the severe weather.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will make the necessary arrangements to ensure that disabled persons other than war disabled persons should have a family car.

I have been asked to reply. No.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what sums of money are allocated by the Medical Research Council to research on cardiovascular diseases; and what proportion of total deaths in this country is attributable to cardiovascular diseases.

Two of the Council's establishments are wholly engaged on research on cardiovascular disease, and this subject also forms part of the wider programme of a number of other Medical Research Council units and is supported under their scheme of research grants. In addition, a large amount of basic research is being undertaken by the Council which may well throw light on specific problems in this field. In the circumstances, it is not possible to provide an estimate of expenditure.I understand that, during the 10 years 1952–61, an average of 51 per cent. of all deaths in this country were attributable to the range of diseases covered by this heading. The 1962 figure is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport, if he has approved the rebuilding of the railway bridge over Sheffield Road, Creswell; and if, in the interests of road safety, the present height and width will be adequately increased.

This bridge is owned by the British Railways Board and it proposes to reconstruct its superstructure. My approval is not required. The road under the bridge is a Class I road for which the Derbyshire County Council is the highway authority. It would be for it to initiate and neogtiate with the Board any scheme for widening the road under the bridge and for increasing the headroom. I understand that the County Council does not consider that such a scheme would be justified as in its view the present road will be adequate for many years to come.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give details of the expenditure incurred in snow clearance by each of the county councils in Wales during December, 1962, and January and February, 1963.

I have nothing to add to the Answer my hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Dorset, West (Mr. Wingfield Digby) and Worcester (Mr. Walker) and the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 6th March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what commodities at present liable to import duty within the provisions of the Import Duties Act, 1958, owe their continued inclusion to key industry considerations operating in accordance with the Safeguarding of Industries Act, 1921; and if he will give the amount of protective duty and principal countries of origin in each case.

Before the Import Duties Act, 1958, become law, there were more than 7,000 items, mainly chemicals, liable to key industry duty. The duties on these items were maintained at the same rates as were applicable under the Safeguarding of Industries Act, 1921. Without disproportionate time and effort, it would be impossible to give the details requested.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has been consulted by the National Film Finance Corporation regarding changes in its shareholding in British Lion Films Ltd.; and what arrangements now exist between the Corporation and the Minority Shareholders in that company.

Following the receivership of the old British Lion Company, British Lion Films Ltd. was formed in 1955 with a capital of £600,000 provided by the National Film Finance Corporation. After consultations which they have recently had with my right hon. Friend, the Corporation and the minority shareholders have agreed, subject to the consent of the court, to carry out a scheme of capital reduction and reorganisation. This will result in the Corporation's receiving cash and realisable securities to an approximate total value of £591,000. The Corporation and the present minority shareholders will then, on an equal basis, each hold half of the capital and of the shareholders' votes. Alterations will be made to the Articles of Association of the company in order to ensure that no significant change in the ownership or management of British Lion or Shepperton Studios Limited can take place without the Corporation's concurrence.Arrangements between the Corporation and the five minority shareholders, who are also directors of the Company, rest on an Agreement of November, 1961. This stabilised the relationship between the Corporation and the present management and secured the exclusive services of the latter until early 1964. At that time failing any other agreed arrangements, a series of purchase options will apply providing for the acquisition by one party from the other of its interest in the company at an independent valuation, the price being the fair value of the shares on the basis of a sale as between a willing buyer and a willing seller of the entire issued share capital of the company on the open market. This valuation would disregard any right the company might have to set off for tax purposes against future profits losses made by it and its predecessor in business. The Corporation would have the first option to buy. If this option is not exercised, the present management would be entitled either to acquire the Corporation's interest or to require it to acquire theirs; in either case the Company's right to set off losses against profits for tax purposes would be extinguished.