asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now announce plans for the provision of more school places in Aden.

The Aden State Government's development plan for 1960–64 provided for approximately £550,000 to be spent on primary, intermediate and secondary schools, which increased the number of school places from 15,548 to 24,138.After the 1st April, 1964, the responsibility for expenditure on educational development in Aden will rest with the Government of the Federation of South Arabia which, I understand, has plans for further increases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further sum of colonial development and welfare moneys he has allocated to the British Virgin Islands, in accordance with the Commonwealth Development Act.

A further £150,000 has been allocated to the British Virgin Islands. This, together with the unspent balance of the previous allocation, will make a total of £248,000 available for expenditure over the three year period 1963–66.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps will be taken to increase the representative element in the legislative and executive councils of the Hong Kong Government.

We are always ready to consider ways and means of increasing local representation within the present constitutional arrangements. But I have no statement to make at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what additional facilities have been provided during the past two years for travelling by air, sea and land from Great Britain to Malta.

The provision of transport facilities between Great Britain and Malta is not the responsibility of Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provision, further to the establishment of machinery for assisting migrants from Malta to this and other countries, Her Majesty's Government has made for dealing with the problem of unemployment in Malta, which has increased by 30 per cent. during the past three years.

This is the responsibility, in the first instance, of the Malta Government. The British Government are giving substantial financial assistance towards economic development and in particular the promotion of tourism and new industries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the present Prime Minister of Malta represents only 42 per cent. of the electorate; and if he will therefore confer with the leaders of the opposition parties in Malta before the plans for independence of the island are made final.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes), Wednesbury (Mr. Stonehouse), and Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) and to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the length of the border between Bechuanaland and Northern Rhodesia.

In the absence of a detailed survey, it is not possible to say with certainty. Four countries meet at the confluence of the Chobe and Zambesi rivers and there is evidence to suggest that the boundaries of all four meet at one point.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans have been made for afforestation in Basutoland.

Basutoland is unsuitable for large-scale afforestation but small plantations have been created in the course of anti-erosion work and to supply fuel and poles. Approximately 3½million trees were planted between 1959 and 1961, the last three years for which figures are available.

asked the Secretary of Slate for the Colonies what action is being taken to investigate the diamond resources of Basutoland; what was the diamond production of the Colony in each of the last three years; what are the terms of the agreement of 1955 between the Paramount Chief and Colonel J. Scott; and what revenue has been derived from the activities of Colonel Scott over the last three years.

Overseas Geological Surveys have recently carried out a survey of Basutoland. An interim report suggests that while small scale operations are likely to continue to be productive no dramatic developments are to be expected. Diamond production was 1677 carats (£30,300) in 1961; 4521 carats (£94,166) in 1962;and 5046 carats (£70,653) in 1963.An agreement made in 1955 with the Paramount Chief gave Colonel J. Scott prospecting rights throughout Basutoland for payments of £200 a month and royalties at a rate not exceeding 10 per cent. of sale value. Further conditions in the agreement laid down the terms which would be applicable in the event of the discovery of Alluvial diamonds or of a diamond pipe. The revenue derived from Colonel Scott's activities over the last three years was approximately £8,300.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the terms upon which the United States of America have been permitted to establish a tracking station in the Seychelles; and, in view of the interest of the residents of the Seychelles, if he will publish the treaty governing the establishment of this station.

The precise terms are still under negotiation with the United States Government. As soon as they are settled the agreement will be published in the Treaty Series in the usual way.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is proposed to undertake a census of the Bechuanaland Protectorate.

During the first half of 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many cases in 1963 in Nyasaland of breach of the peace or of using insulting language arose from the accused not being in possession of Malawi Congress Party membership cards; and how many of these cases were subsequently dismissed.

I am seeking the information required for the Nyasaland Government and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is received.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what lead his Department is giving in the application of prefabrication techniques to housing construction.

We are arranging a contract to build 2,000 houses for the Services, using industrialised techniques. We are erecting, under a pilot scheme at Long Marston, Warwickshire, other houses for the Army in a new steel-framed type of construction suitable for the smaller builder. We are also to build 370 houses for the Army at Catterick as part of the first annual programme for the 5M system of construction which my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Housing and Local Government, is developing. We have other measures under consideration designed to stimulate industrialised building.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many contractors tendered for the permanent housing scheme at Little Aden; to which firm the contract was given; whether its tender was the lowest submitted; and if he is satisfied that £2 million for 314 houses and flats, without any land costs, is the best that could be achieved.

The construction of permanent housing at Little Aden has been part of two separate phases of the work there. The tender for Phase I, which included 16 houses, was let to Consolidated Contractors Co. Ltd., a Middle East firm, who were the lowest of six tenderers. Phase II included 298 houses and flats. The contract was let to Humphreys Ltd., a British firm, the lowest of seven tenderers. I am satisfied that the cost was the best that could be achieved.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what security requirements are laid down for persons applying for employment over seas in his Department; and if he will make a statement.

It would not be in the public interest to disclose this.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works (1) on what grounds the dinner of the London Municipal Society on 20th November was considered to be of an official character;(2) whether he is aware that four official cars with four drivers were used for a total of 5 hours, 4½ hours, 4 hours, 4 hours, respectively, on 20th November to take four members of the Government to and from a party political dinner connected with the winding-up of the London Municipal Society; and whether he will issue instructions that official cars should not be used for party political purposes of this kind.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works, on what grounds the dinner given by the London Municipal Society on 20th November was treated by Her Majesty's Government as an occasion of an official character.

The dinner of the London Municipal Society on 20th November was not a party political occasion and the four Members of the Government who attended and used their official cars were invited as Ministers.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps are being taken to prevent the Puritan Chapel at Bramhope from becoming derelict; and if he will take steps to ensure that some authority is made responsible for the restoration and maintenance of this ancient building before it is too late.

We are prepared to make a very substantial grant to enable the Chapel to be repaired, provided that steps are taken to ensure that it is properly maintained in the future. We have urged the County Council of the West Riding of Yorkshire to assume responsibility for maintenance.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will make a statement on the response to date by shipbuilders, the building industry, and potential clients to the establishment of the inquiry centre at Glasgow in connection with the use of shipyards for the purpose of manufacturing building components.

Thirteen shipyards have approached the Glasgow inquiry centre, and have been put in touch with builders and others, in all parts of the United Kingdom, who might be able to use their facilities. This has led to some invitations to shipyards to tender for joinery, light metal work and similar products.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he is aware that contracts for Government building let to Messrs. Bovis Ltd. allow for an excessive margin of profit; and if he will publish details of these contracts.

No. I am not aware of anything of the kind.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Treasury what action he has taken as a result of the recommendation of the Feilden Report on Engineering Design, that the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research should explore the means of providing financial support for the production of engineering textbooks.

Paragraph 144 (i) of the Report of the Feilden Committee recommended that the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research should explore the means of providing facilities and financial support for conferences of teachers of engineering in universities and technical colleges. The Committee suggested that these conferences might among other things promote the production of text books. I understand that this recommendation is to be discussed at the next Annual Conference of Professors of Engineering in April, 1964.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Treasury whether he will make a statement on the progress of work at the Meat Research Institute.

The Architect's plans for the building of the new Institute have been approved and working drawings are being prepared: it is hoped that building will start in late 1964 for completion in 1966.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will refer applications by water undertakers for consent to impound water in Wales to the Welsh Water Advisory Commit tee until the machinery of the Water Resources Act becomes effective.

No, but when I am considering applications, the committee's report on the Water Resources of Wales will be borne in mind.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when the Report of the Committee on Depopulation in Mid-Wales will be published.

I am not yet able to give a firm publication date. Arrangements for the printing of the report are being pressed forward as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what new legislation Her Majesty's Government propose to introduce during the present Session of Parliament in order to speed up the development of the proposed new town at Washington, County Durham.

None. The New Towns Acts are quite adequate.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many inquiries under the Town and Country Planning Acts have been held in the rural district of Godstone since January 1961;and in how many cases he has overruled the decisions of the district council.

44 appeal inquiries under the Town and Country Planning Acts have been held in the rural district of Godstone since January 1961. In 5 cases the decision given overruled the local planning authority on the planning merits of the case. In 4 further cases a temporary use was permitted in order to avoid hardship and in 2 cases enforcement notices were quashed on legal grounds.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when he expects to give his approval to the Beverley town map; whether he proposes to hold a town map inquiry; and if he will delete the provision for an internal relief road.

The town map for Beverley has not yet been formally submitted for approval. Its submission should be deferred until a detailed examination of the road problems has been completed; work on this is proceeding. I understand that the original proposal for an internal relief road has been abandoned.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will now announce his decisions on the proposals of the Local Government Commission for Coventry, Northampton, Stoke-on-Trent and Tamworth.

Yes. I am writing today to the local authorities concerned to inform them that I have decided to accept without modification the proposals for the extension of Northampton county borough and for the transfer of parts of Tamworth rural district to Staffordshire. I also intend to accept, subject to modification, the proposals for the extension of Coventry and Stoke-on-Trent county boroughs. Copies of my decision letters have been placed in the library.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will introduce legislation to postpone the operation of the London Government Act, 1963, until after the meeting of a new Parliament.

No.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether, in view of the Government's policy of developing friendship with the East European countries, he will issue a circular encouraging local authorities to arrange for exchange visits of councillors, local authority representatives and school children to those countries; and if he will seek powers to make financial grants towards these projects.

Local authorities generally know the value of contact with their counterparts abroad and have suitable financial powers for this purpose. My right hon. Friend does not think that any action is required on his part.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware of the difficulties confronting local authorities in areas which suffered severe bombing and which still have many bombed sites where refuse and rubbish accumulate, thereby causing disease and danger to nearby inhabitants and children; and whether he will introduce legislation to enable local authorities to fence in these sites and charge the costs to the landowners or to claim reimbursement for looking after these sites by making them vacant areas.

My right hon. Friend does not think further legislation is needed. Local authorities already have wide powers under the War Damaged Sites Act, 1949,the Highways Act, 1959, the Public Health Act, 1961, and the Town and Country Planning Act, 1962, to deal with bombed sites which are dangerous or unsightly. Under some of these powers the cost of the remedial works falls on the landowner.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action he has taken, or intends to take, to inform local authorities that fixed, oil-drip fire heaters which have been approved by his Department qualify for grants under the Clean Air Act in the same way as heaters produced by the manufacturers of certain types of coal, gas and electrical appliances.

Advice about the eligibility of fixed oil heaters for grant will be included in a circular which my Department is about to issue to local authorities in England and Wales. I will send a copy to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when the South-East Development Plan will be published; and what counties it will include.

The area covered includes the counties lying to the south east of a line drawn from the Wash to Dorset. It will be some weeks yet before I can give a date for publication.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if, in view of the special housing problems of some areas, he will introduce legislation to enable the local authorities to retain in use for a further period temporary bungalows erected on public open spaces and still in good habitable condition.

The powers to erect houses on public open spaces were given in 1945 as a temporary expedient to meet immediate post-war difficulties. The intention has always been that the land should revert to use as public open space as soon as possible. I would be reluctant to contemplate general legislation to extend the temporary period beyond 1965, when the present powers expire, but I will, of course, consider carefully any representations which the few local authorities concerned may make.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why only 237,247 houses were completed up till October, 1963, as compared with 249,284 houses for a similar period in 1962.

:The fall in the number of houses completed in 1963 up to the end of October has been entirely due to the bad weather conditions experienced in the first quarter of the year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the pass mark in the open examination for clerical assistants in the Civil Service was not the same for London, New castle and Glasgow; what were the pass marks for each of these centres in the two most recent examinations; and what would be the number of additional Glasgow entrants who would have been considered to have passed had they entered from London or Newcastle.

The pass mark was the same throughout the country. In London all who passed the last two examinations for which figures are available were offered local vacancies but in Newcastle and Glasgow there were not enough such vacancies for all who passed and places were offered in order of merit. The remaining candidates who passed were offered appointments in London.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will include both recurring and capital expenditure in his proposed White Paper on the estimated cost of the Government's programme up to 1968; and whether he will also include the future costs of defence.

We are considering this.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations have been made to him by members of the general council of the National Economic Development Council suggesting that recent wage settlements in excess of 3½ per cent. are inconsistent with the policies for economic expansion hitherto outlined in National Economic Development Council reports; and if he will make a statement.

The National Economic Development Council discussed at its meeting on 4th December the implications of recent pay settlements for the achievement of our growth target, and the general problem of bringing the rate of growth of incomes and of national productivity into line. The Council will resume its discussion early in January.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if, in view of the position of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, its value to the cultural life of the country, and its work in fostering good will overseas, he will increase his grant to the Arts Council by a sufficient amount, earmarked for this purpose, to guarantee the continued existence of the orchestra;(2) if, in view of the position of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, its value to the cultural life of the country and work in fostering good will overseas, and the need to ensure the continued existence of the orchestra, he will introduce legislation to establish it as a State orchestra.

It would be contrary to the long-established traditions of this country to create a State orchestra, and I do not think it would be right to accord the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra a status different from that of other symphony orchestras. Nor would I think it desirable to interfere with the freedom of the Arts Council in the detailed allocation of their grant, which has already been fixed until 1966.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Offfcial Report details of the figures shown in Table 41 of the National Income Blue Book 1963 for local authorities, other borrowing, net, for the years 1952 to 1962, divided into gross and net figures for borrowing, by issues of stock, by mortgages, by temporary borrowing for up to three months, and by temporary borrowing for more than three months up to 12 months, respectively.

I regret that detailed information for the whole period is not available. Quarterly statistics of local authorities' gross and net borrowing by type and by period to maturity have been collected from the beginning of 1961, however, and are published each month in "Financial Statistics". In addition, information about the composition of loan debt outstanding at the end of the financial year has been collected for 1955 and for each year from 1958. These figures have been published in articles in "Economic Trends" in January 1960, February 1961 and January 1962, and for 1962 and 1963, in the November 1963 issue of "Financial Statistics".

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the white envelopes, size nine inches by six inches, supplied for the use of Members, disintegrate in the post; and if he will arrange for some stronger envelopes in this size to be substituted for the white ones.

These envelopes have been supplied for the use of Members for a number of years without any complaint. If the hon. Member will let me have further information about the failure to which he refers I will see that the matter is investigated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Inland Revenue allow the expense incurred in the purchase of trading stamps as wholly a business expense and therefore allowable as a claim against Income Tax.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Stamford (Mr. K. Lewis) on Tuesday, 3rd December.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what decision he has taken with regard to the recommendation in the Tenth Report of the Reviewing Committee on the export of works of art that there should be a fund of £1,000,000 made available to finance special grants for objects of art within the ambit of the export control.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer which my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary gave to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stross) on 3rd December.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he has referred the recent wage increase awards of a little over 3½per cent. per annum to Ford and Vauxhall workers to the National Incomes Commission.

The reasons which led the Government to refer to the National Incomes Commission the recent settlement in the engineering industry, requesting the Commission to take account of other recent settlements in the engineering industries, were fully described by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his reply to the hon. Member for Esher (Sir W. Robson Brown) on 4th December.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent increases in the salaries of the judiciary fall within the terms of the incomes policy of Her Majesty's Government.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to an identical question by the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Willis) on 5th December, 1963.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to control profits and dividends in furtherance of the Government's policy of limiting increases in wages and prices.

While we have always made it clear that any acceptable incomes policy must apply in an appropriate manner to other forms of income as well as to wages and salaries, it is clear that statutory control of profits and dividends would do enormous damage to the economy, even if it were practicable. The National Economic Development Council will be discussing the whole subject at a special meeting in January.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in Hansard a list of the categories of persons, for whom his Department is financially responsible, who have received increases in their wages and salaries above the Government's recommended 3 per cent.-3½ per cent.; when these categories received their previous increases; what was the amount of such increases for each of the calendar years since 1957;and whether he will refer these recent increases to the National Incomes Commission.

No. A disproportionate expenditure of time and labour would be required to produce this information. Nor would the increases in wages and salaries in the late fifties seem to have much relevance to the 3–3½ per cent. recommended in my right hon. Friend's Budget Speech last April, except to demonstrate the need for the Government's incomes policy.

asked the Minister of Defence what methods he proposes to use to prepare defence policies upon a nationally agreed basis.

Defence policy is not a subject upon which unanimity seems likely. Public debate in the House of Commons provides the best forum for discussion.

asked the Prime Minister what action is being taken to co-ordinate the work of Ministers in keeping down prices and rents.

The work of Ministers is fully co-ordinated in this as in other fields.

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of the Minister for Science in St. Marylebone on 2nd December, regarding proposals for dealing with the shortages of university places, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

I am not aware that my right hon. and learned Friend made any specific reference in this speech to proposals for dealing with the shortage of university places.

asked the Prime Minister to what extent it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to allow freely negotiated wage and salary settlements to be cancelled, reduced, or held in abeyance by Ministerial actions.

The Government's policy was set out in Command Paper 1626 and was subsequently clearly stated by my right hon. Friend the Member for Bromley (Mr. Macmillan) in a debate in this House on 26th July last year. Since then it has been explained by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and by other Ministers on a number of occasions.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will publish the statistics relating to the capacity provided and traffic carried on services licensed by the Air Transport Licensing Board, which he calls for for the statistical purposes of his Department.

These statistics are included in those published each month in summary form by my Department. Plans are in hand to supplement them by quarterly publication of more detailed statistics derived from the returns made jointly to the Air Transport Licensing Board and the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Aviation what was the cost of the Corbett Report; and who paid for it.

:The costs, including those of the three management consultant firms which were associated with Mr. Corbett, amounted to £22,258. These costs were borne by the Ministry of Aviation.

asked the Minister of Aviation what reports he has received from the Air Transport Licensing Board relating to representations regarding the route planning of British Overseas Airways Corporation services that have been raised with the Board under Section 4 of the Civil Aviation (Licensing) Act 1960.

None. Nor have any representations on this subject been received by the Air Transport Licensing Board.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will take steps to extinguish that part of the British Overseas Airways Corporation's accumulated deficit which arises from the Corporation's investment in Kuwait Airways.

No. The treatment of the Corporation's accumulated deficit will be considered as a whole in the light of the plan for the Corporation's future operations which I am asking Sir Giles Guthrie to prepare.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will rescind Scandinavian Air Services rights through Prestwick.

:These rights are currently the subject of consultation with the Scandinavian Government.

asked the Minister of Aviation (1) if he will issue a general direction to British European Airways and the British Overseas Airways Corporation to establish a jointly owned subsidiary to provide catering facilities for the two Corporations;

No. These are matters for the management of the Corporations.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what progress has been made in each of the committees examining the detailed arrangements for the dissolution of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

The Committee established by the Victoria Falls Conference to make recommendations to Governments as to the detailed arrangements required for the orderly dissolution of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland are nearing the end of their work. Their recommendations have been considered and, where appropriate, embodied in the Order in Council providing for the dissolution of the Federation which has now been laid on the Table.

asked the Prime Minister what proposals he has for the presentation of gifts by the Government and by this House to make the attainment of independence by Kenya on 12th December.

The whole House will, I feel sure, wish to send warm congratulations to Kenya on her forthcoming independence with best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of her people. Her Majesty's Government will propose that the House should offer to the House of Representatives of Kenya the gift of a book-case containing constitutional and parliamentary works of reference. Her Majesty's Government for their part, have decided to offer a gift of a silver table centrepiece to the Government of Kenya to commemorate Kenya's attainment of independence.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty by what authority a photograph of Her Majesty's Nuclear Submarine "Valiant" was made available to the press on some date before 3rd December; and if he will investigate whether a breach of security was involved.

I assume my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the photograph which appeared in the national press on 3rd December. Permission to publish the photograph was given by the Admiralty on the evening preceding the launch. No breach of security was involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what negotiations are in hand concerning the termination of Britain's protective rôle in the Maldive Islands.

When my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State was in the Maldives in September, the Maldivian Prime Minister expressed the desire that the Maldive Islands should become a fully independent, sovereign state, on the understanding that the Agreement between the British and Maldivian Governments, by which we are afforded facilities in Addu Atoll, would be confirmed and that no defence facilities would be accorded in the Maldives to any other country. My right hon. Friend assured Mr. Nasir that the British Government would give his proposals sympathetic consideration. We are now doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what part the British Government is playing in the internal dispute between the government of the Maldive Islands and the people of Addu Atoll.

In letters exchanged between the British and Maldivian Governments in February, 1960, and published in a White Paper (Cmnd. 948), the British Government re-affirmed their desire and concern to promote an early reconciliation between the Maldivian Government and the inhabitants of Addu Atoll, whose inhabitants had been in revolt since January, 1959. The British Government assured the Maldivian Government that they recognised no other government within the Maldive Islands and gave the further assurance that they would do all they could to bring about conditions which would enable the authority of the Maldivian Government to be restored peacefully in Addu Atoll.The British Government have for a long time been trying to create suitable conditions for restoration of the authority of the Maldivian Government in Addu Atoll. When my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State visited Male in September he and the Maldivian Prime Minister agreed that the time was now ripe to do this. My right hon. Friend undertook that the British Government would take such steps as might be necessary to re-establish that authority by the end of this year. To facilitate the smooth implementation of this decision the Maldivian Government agreed to grant an unqualified pardon and indemnity to all the inhabitants of Addu Atoll in respect of acts connected with the revolt in the Atoll.The British Government have sucessfully fulfilled the undertaking my right hon. Friend gave Mr. Nasir in September. The Maldivian Government's authority is now acknowledged throughout Addu and the Adduans have asked the Maldivian Government to send officials to exercise it. But they have not yet done so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the Resolution of the 52nd Conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union on the subject of the earthquake disaster at Skopje; and what action has been taken by Her Majesty's Government to relieve the sufferings of the victims.

Yes. The action taken by Her Majesty's Government to relieve the sufferings of the people of Skopje has consisted of:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government propose to take to mark the fifteenth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and whether he will make a statement.

Her Majesty's Government were among the most active participants in the formulation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Although the Declaration has no binding legal force, it has acquired great moral authority, which Her Majesty's Government, for their part, will do all in their power to support.The 10th December has annually been observed as Human Rights Day. Its observance in this country has been regarded by Her Majesty's Government as mainly a matter for voluntary bodies. On this fifteenth anniversary, however, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education is sending a personal message to schools commending the commemoration of the anniversary and pointing out its significance from the British point of view. My right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary has called the attention of colonial Governors to the Declaration in connection with the anniversary. My right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General has authorised the use of a special postage stamp cancellation for the two weeks leading up to this anniversary, designed to remind people of the significance of this occasion. The Central Office of Information have issued a revised version of a pamphlet on the whole subject of Human Rights in the United Kingdom which was specially written for this kind of celebration and which will receive wide distribution. A copy of this pamphlet is in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of Stale for Industry, Trade and Regional Development how many industrial development certificates were issued for Wales during the current year; and how many of these were issued for areas not scheduled under the Local Employment Act, 1960.

Between 1st January and 30th November, 1963, 78 industrial development certificates (for a total of about 1·5 million square feet) were issued for Wales; 62 of these (for a total of about 1·2 million square feet) were issued for areas not listed as development districts under the Local Employment Act, 1960.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether he will make a statement on the Financial Secretary to the Treasury's recent visit to Japan as Minister of State at the Board of Trade.

Yes. While in Japan, the former Minister of State had discussions with Japanese Ministers during which he emphasised the need to avoid a credit race. He discussed our arrangements for exchanging information about export credit guarantees with other major exporting countries except Japan, and suggested that it ought to be possible to have a similar arrangement with Japan. As a first step, he offered to invite officials to visit the Export Credits Guarantee Department to see how the exchange of information worked. His suggestion was welcomed and I hope that the visit will be made shortly.The Minister also discussed the subject of export subsidies. He explained Her Majesty's Government's concern at a number of schemes in the field of taxation appearing to involve special advantages for exporters which were being canvassed in the Japanese press as substitutes for the present scheme of tax exemption for export income due to expire in March, 1964. He was assured that the Japanese Government were well aware of the international aspects of the matter. The Japanese Foreign Minister confirmed that the Japanese Government would not take any measures after the abolition of the present scheme which would be disapproved by the Contracting Parties to the G.A.T.T.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what grants and loans were given by the British Government to Southern Rhodesia in each of the last ten years; and for what purposes they were given.

The following loans have been made available to Southern Rhodesia from British Government sources during this period:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police cadets there are in the Metropolitan Police force, giving separate figures for males and females.

There were 716 male cadets in the Metropolitan Police Cadet Corps on 8th December, 1963, There are no girl cadets.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that training facilities for child-care officers will be available for the 200 candidates qualifying in 1964; and what steps are being taken to expand the facilities in subsequent years.

:The training facilities will be sufficient for 1964. Arrangements are being made with universities and other educational institutions for a progressive increase in training facilities over the period up to 1968.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the increasing dangers in the window-cleaning trade as a result of the design of modern office buildings; if he is satisfied that his regulations make adequate safeguards, both by way of harness and in the design of the buildings themselves; and if he will give the accident rate amongst these workers during each of the last three years.

I am aware of the dangers which could arise for window cleaners as a result of modern trends in the design of multi-story buildings. My powers to make regulations on safety under the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963, relate only to persons working in premises to which the Act applies. Statistics of accidents for this class of workers are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the rate and numbers of unemployed for each of the exchange areas in the counties of Monmouth and Glamorgan at the last count.

The following is the information:

asked the Minister of Health how many of the 100 additional maternity beds promised nearly two years ago for the Greater London area have now been provided.

Seventy-seven; 25 more are being built now. The programme has been increased, and tenders are out for a further 25.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he is aware of the present traffic congestion in Glasgow, and of the problem that will arise in the future from the increase of traffic; what consultations he has had with the Corporation on this subject; and what action he is taking to relieve traffic congestion in the City;(2) in view of the effects of the Beeching Report proposals and those of the Buchanan Report, if he will consider the desirability of co-ordinating the passenger traffic facilities of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley area by the creation of a Glasgow and Clyde Valley Regional Passenger Transport Board, as at present being considered by the Glasgow Corporation.

Arrangements for a survey of the transportation problems arising in the City and the surrounding areas are being discussed between Glasgow Corporation, the transport operators, the Ministry of Transport and my Department; and the discussions will shortly be extended to include the neighbouring local authorities. My right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport, tells me that he would regard any suggestion of a Regional Passenger Transport Board as premature.Questions of present traffic congestion in Glasgow are a matter for the Corporation who are the responsible highway authority; the hon. Member will be aware that an experimental scheme for a one-way working in certain of the principal streets has recently been introduced.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the dissatisfaction in Glasgow regarding the allocation of houses in Balcarries Avenue, if he will rescind his decision to permit members of the Glasgow Corporation, who are themselves tenants of the Corporation, voting on matters concerning council house allocations and rents.

No. The corporation as a whole resolved to apply for the removal of the disability of those members affected, and bearing in mind that refusal of the application might lead to the adoption of a policy to which the majority of the council were opposed, I felt obliged to remove the disability.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total sum paid by Glasgow Corporation in respect of fees and expenses to Sir William Halcrow and Partners, consulting engineers for the Clyde Tunnel project.

I am informed that the corporation has so far paid Sir William Halcrow and Partners £307,400 for their services on the Clyde Tunnel scheme. The scheme, however, is not yet complete and some payments have still to be made.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation by what criterion a distinction is drawn between officers in the service of the Northern Rhodesian Government granted expatriate status and officers who are denied this status.

In the public service of Northern Rhodesia, the distinction between officers who are recognised as expatriates and those who are not so recognised has significance mainly because recognition is one of the qualifications for eligibility to be designated under the Overseas Service Aid Scheme Agreement between the United Kingdom and Northern Rhodesia Governments and thus become entitled to the benefits of the Scheme.In order to be recognised as an expatriate for Overseas Service Aid Scheme purposes an officer's circumstances are judged by reference to the following definition which has been agreed between the United Kingdom and Northern Rhodesia Governments after consultations with Staff Association representatives:"I.An officer in the Public Service of the Government of Northern Rhodesia on the 1st November, 1961,

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the number of proceedings that have been brought and results secured under Section 16 of the Road Traffic Act, 1960, Abandoned vehicles, in the last full year for which figures are available.

I have been asked to reply.In 1962 there were 1,268 prosecutions in England and Wales for offences against Section 16 of the Road Traffic Act, 1960. I regret that the number of convictions could not be ascertained without a disproportionate amount of work; but this information will be available for 1964 and subsequently, thanks to the introduction of a computer.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the number of prosecutions that have been brought and convictions secured under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act, 1962, Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight, in the last full year for which figures are available.

I have been asked to reply.Figures for offences under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act, 1962, which came into force on 1st November, 1962, will be included in a miscellaneous group of "other offences" in the Return of Offences relating to Motor Vehicles for 1963, but arrangements have been made for them to appear separately in the return for 1964.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will publish a list of those proposed closures of railway services in respect of which he has now received recommendations from the various transport users' consultative committees; if he will publish an up-to-date version of such a list each week; and if he will give an assurance that he will not make his decision on each case until adequate time has been given for representations to be made to him.

I have before me reports on hardship under Section 56(9) of the Transport Act, 1962, for the proposals listed below.The consultative committee's normal practice is to issue a notice to the Press when they have submitted their report to me. I do not therefore think that any regular statement on my part is necessary.In view of the statutory procedure involved these reports on hardship are reaching me approximately four months after the date when the proposal was first advertised under Section 56. This should provide ample time for bodies to make representations to me on other aspects of the proposals.Following is the list:

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give an assurance that, when considering recommendations from transport users' consultative committees regarding proposed closures of railway passenger services, he will seek the views of representatives of the railway employees concerned before making his decision.

Under the machinery of consultation established by agreement between the Railways Board and its staff, the Board informs the staff representatives of each passenger closure proposal before publishing the statutory notice and gives them the opportunity of expressing their views. This is the right way to consult the staff on a matter of management, and it would not be appropriate for me to seek the views of railway employees direct.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received from the Bletchley Urban District Council relating to the proposed closure of the Bletchley-Buckingham railway passenger service, on which he has received a recommendation from the transport users' consultative committee; what reply he has made; and when it was sent.

The council asked me on 28th November to receive a deputation. My Department had already explained to the council that any representations about passenger closures on matters which are outside the scope of the area transport users consultative committee can more conveniently be put to me in writing. The council has been asked today to submit its representations about the Bletchley-Buckingham proposals in this way.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in the interests of safety, he will make regulations to prevent lorries from using the third or fast lane or three-lane motorways to overtake other slower moving vehicles.

:The blocking of the fast lane by slow overtaking vehicles is bad driving and dangerous. I condemn this practice unreservedly. Lorry drivers are not the only offenders. But I am not at present satisfied that the best way to improve matters is by regulations although I will keep this idea under review. Meanwhile I am considering what more can be done to bring home to drivers their responsibility to observe the rules of motorway behaviour which are contained in the Highway Code and to which continuous publicity has been devoted.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will require motorists to fit mud flaps to the rear wheels of their cars.

No. Flexible mud flaps do not provide a satisfactory answer to the problem of mud and spray. The Road Research Laboratory has planned a programme and constructed equipment for research into this problem.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to discourage the overloading of underpowered heavy vehicles and to encourage the use of fully-powered vehicles, if necessary by differential rates of licence dues.

A minimum power to weight ratio is one of the standards now being considered in working out a scheme for prescribing an authorised gross weight for every goods vehicle.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now able to announce the results of the speed limit imposed at week-ends last summer; and whether he will make a statement.

The 700miles of selected trunk roads on which the 50 m.p.h. speed limit was imposed between Whitsun and mid-September showed a reduction of 29 per cent. in accidents and 26 per cent. in casualties compared with 1959. Comparable roads on which a speed limit was not imposed showed reductions of only 16 per cent. and 15 per cent. respectively. There was a significant reduction in traffic speeds on the roads with the speed limit.The general speed limit which was in force for five weekends starting on 26th July produced an inconclusive result over the period as a whole, although at the first weekend there was a significant fall in speeds, and a 10 per cent. fall in the casualty rate compared with 1962.As part of the special efforts needed to reduce accidents over Christmas, I have decided to impose a speed limit of 50 m.p.h. on all roads in England and Wales which have no permanent speed limit, except motorways, during the hours of darkness from the evening of Monday, 23rd December to the morning of Friday, 27th December.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents reported to the police occurred on the North Cray Road, Sidcup, during the past year.

Thirteen.

asked the Minister of Transport what improvements have been made to the Yorkshire portion of the A.1 during the present year; and what improvements are planned for 1964.

Improvement of the following sections has been completed this year or is now in progress:

Boroughbridge by-pass.

Between Brotherton by-pass and Micklefield by-pass.

Between Aberford by-pass and Wetherby by-pass.

Darlington by-pass (southern end).