asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the referendum recently held on the proposed Constitution for Swaziland.

There was no ballot paper putting precise questions. Voters were asked to choose between pictures of a lion and a reindeer. The result was an overwhelming majority of voters for the lion. I interpret this result as a clear demonstration of confidence in the person and the office of the Ngwenyama, about which we had no doubt. The Ngwenyama-in-Council, has, since the referendum, advised the Swazis to register for the elections under the new Constitution.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the method he has described is the usual one of conducting voting in Africa, and has been done under British jurisdiction? Is he aware that of a total male population of 125,000 in Swaziland, 122,000 voted against his right hon. Friend's constitutional proposals and only 154 voted for them? Would he, therefore, ask his right hon. Friend to alter these proposals?

The voting was very large, as hon. Friend says, but as the Swazi National Council has itself said that this referendum was not meant to fight the new Constitution I hope, if I may say so, that my hon. Friend does not intend to be more royal than the king—literally. Now that the Ngwenyama has agreed to contest the elections under our system in the new Constitution, questions about the referendum are, with respect, a little academic.

Is the hon. Member aware that despite his rather colourful way of describing the referendum, we on this side support his interpretation, and hope that he will proceed in carrying through the constitutional changes proposed?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether, in the light of the consultations which he has had with the Government of Nyasaland, he will now take steps to amend the Nyasaland Constitution to provide only for a common roll on which all can vote.

Since so few Europeans availed themselves of their right to register on the special European roll, it has been decided by general agreement that the special roll seats should be reduced from five to three. Europeans who do not wish to register on the special roll will be permitted to register on the general roll.

I welcome this freedom of choice for the Europeans, but would not my right hon. Friend agree that the introduction of a purely racial roll into Nyasaland at this stage is a somewhat retrograde step? How long does he think that it is likely to last, and can he explain to the House why 814 Europeans should be represented in this way in Nyasaland when 60,000 Europeans are not so represented in Kenya?

I do not think that there is any connection between Nyasaland and Kenya. As for the other matters, the original arrangements were made by agreement, and the amendment that is now proposed has also been generally agreed. I think that it is not a bad sign for the future that they are developing their institutions in this way.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that a White Paper was laid in the British Guiana Legislature on 27th January, taking issue with his statement at the Constitutional Conference that British Guiana was insolvent; if he is satisfied that no change will be necessary in his announced plans for British Guiana; and if he will make a statement.

My statement was in accord with the assessment of Ministers of the British Guiana Government who informed the Colonial Office in October that they expected there would be a deficit on their recurrent budget for both the calendar years 1963 and 1964, and that they would probably need to ask the British Government for assistance in bridging the gap.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really insist that it is only a slight improvement? Is it not regrettable that a statement should have been made which will affect the investment situation in British Guiana, and cannot the right hon. Gentleman now correct this in a generous way so as to increase the possibilities of investment in the territory? Also, may I ask him to answer the second part of my Question about whether a change will be neces sary in the announced plans for British Guiana?

If the hon. Gentleman will look at my reply, he will see that I did answer the second part of his Question. The statement I made was, as I have already explained to the House, based on in formation given by Dr. Jagan and by his Finance Minister, and corroborated by an independent expert—

Mr. Jacobs?

Yes, Mr. Jacobs. My statement at the conference was not challenged at the time by any of the Ministers of other representatives from British Guiana. What I have tried to do is to give the House the plain facts. It is not for me to make propaganda for investment, or to try to discourage people front investing. People must judge from the facts.

Is it not a fact that the Estimates were cut by over 5 million dollars and certain posts have not been filled, which has helped to make the situation easier at the present time, and that is the reason why the Government's predictions were rather different from what happened?

As I said, expenditure did not cone up to what had been planned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many of the persons now detained in Aden are members of the Aden Trades Union Congress or leading officials of individual trades unions; how many are known to be leading Members of the People's Socialist Party of Aden; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many members of the executive council of the Aden Trades Union Congress are now in detention in Aden.

The answer is "None".

If the Minister had answered the Question yesterday, the Answer would have been "Some". Is it not a bit slick to answer a Question of this kind in that way, when the latter part of it asks the right hon. Gentleman to make a statement? Is the Minister aware that everyone on both sides of the House, I think, will be glad to know that, at long last, after two months, British subjects are being released from gaol in Aden? Having regard to their release, can it now be assumed that there is no guilt attached to these people and, if so, is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to consider some form of compensation to those who have been detained?

I am glad that the hon. Gentleman did at some stage in his long supplementary question express pleasure that these people had been released. At the beginning, I thought that he was disappointed by my Answer—

Really.

or, at least, disappointed that I had not the opportunity to give him an answer yesterday.

Can the Minister say whether, at the murder trial which will arise out of the bomb incident at the airport, any evidence will be submitted that either the Aden T.U.C. or the P.S.P. was in any way collectively involved? If that is not so, is it not clear that the mass arrests have turned out to be a colossal mistake calculated to do damage to trade union organisation in Aden and liable to be detrimental to a rapid and fair solution of Aden's constitutional problems?

I certainly do not endorse the right hon. Gentleman's last allegations. His first question was most extraordinary—to ask me in advance what evidence would be produced at a murder trial. I am sure that, on reflection, he will not expect me to answer that.

Does not the Secretary of State feel that he was a little less than fair to the House in the form of his Answer? Would it not have been better to tell the House that the detainees referred to in the Ques tion were released yesterday, a fact that we all welcome? Is he now saying that the Government abandon the charges of conspiracy which were made by Ministers in this House? Further, will the right hon. Gentleman use the release of these detainees to try to make a start on a new chapter in Aden and make effective constitutional progress with a new franchise and new elections?

That is a much wider question. I appeal to you, Mr. Speaker—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—yes, indeed—it was your wish that Ministers should reply with brevity and accuracy, and that is what I did.

What a get-out.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will appoint a judicial inquiry into the present state of emergency in Aden and the Protectorates, and into the operation of Federation in that territory as at present constituted.

No, Sir.

How long is the state of emergency likely to last, and is it possible that some other people will be detained within a short time? Does not the Secretary of State recognise that some really serious problems arise out of the present Federation and possible subsequent independence, about which he knows my views, and will he try to avoid some of the mistakes we have made in the past in connection with federations by sending out a judicial inquiry so that, at the appropriate time. we may be able to institute federation in this part of the world and, possibly, independence emerging in a propor way?

I should like to study the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. I cannot see that a judicial inquiry into the present state of emergency in Aden—

And the Federation. Read the Question.

and the Protectorates—

And the Federation.

No, it does not mention the Federation.

Yes, it does.

It refers to the operation of Federation in the territory. I cannot see that this is a suitable subject for inquiry of that kind; it is a matter for Government policy and for the House of Commons, not for roaming investigations.

The Minister is very "smart-Aleck" today. Why?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements the Hong Kong Government have made to obtain a piped supply of fresh river water to augment the Colony's water supply; and for how many hours per day the water supply is expected to be available to the public during the next dry season.

The Chinese Government have recently indicated their intention to undertake a scheme for bringing water from the East River to their reservoir at Shum Chun. This will make increased supplies from the reservoir available to Hong Kong. Technical discussions are now taking place.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the great inconvenience which has been caused to the people of Hong Kong by the restriction of water supply? Will he treat this as a matter of the utmost urgency and make sure that the increased supply is available by the next dry season?

I am glad that the hon. Gentleman has raised the matter. It has been a very serious problem and supplies have been very restricted, as he knows, due to the low rainfall, but the Hong Kong Government are taking very urgent action both in the short term and in the long term, by constructing new reservoirs and so on, and I hope that the situation may soon be eased.

Does my hon. Friend agree that all sections of the population of Hong Kong have faced this difficulty with great cheerfulness, discipline and courage, and will he do his best to see that their plight is remedied as soon as possible?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. What he says is perfectly true. I must be frank with the House and say that the supplies from the source I mentioned in my Answer are not, I regret to say, likely to be available by the beginning of the next dry season.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies approximately how many of Chinese race have left Hong Kong for immigration to the United Kingdom during each of the past five years; what arrangements exist in Hong Kong for the assistance, guidance and control of such immigrants; and whether they must possess a valid Commonwealth passport to enable them to emigrate from Hong Kong to the United Kingdom or any Commonwealth countries willing for them to enter.

As the reply to the first part of the Question involves a tabular statement I am circulating it with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does the information state how many of these are British Chinese and how many are non-British Chinese? Can he also say how many are coming to this country to open restaurants, as some have done in my constituency? Does the statement also include information regarding the numbers of those refused entry?

The information certainly breaks the figures down to specify British and alien Chinese. That is why the statement is rather long. I do not think I have figures of those coming to restaurants in this country but I will ascertain them from the Governor and let the hon. Gentleman know later. Broadly speaking, the figures, excluding students, in the past five years seem to have varied between 1,000 and 2,000 a year. In addition there have been about 2,000 students.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much land has been released for sale for development in Hong Kong for the latest convenient period compared with the comparable period last year; and what has been the movement in the average price obtained for leases.

4·2 million sq. ft. were sold for private development by public auction and tender in 1963, compared with 4·4 million sq. ft. in 1962.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the rate at which the Government release the supply of land undoubtedly determines the price of development? The supply of land is extremely scarce and it is disturbing to see that the volume released has fallen. Should not the Hong Kong Government be initiating more ambitious development schemes?

I do not think that there is any particular significance in the figures. The land is allocated for housing, and so on, which the hon. Gentleman no doubt has in mind, as and when it becomes available. There has been no recent reduction in Government housing schemes. Indeed, they are really being increased.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply he has made to the suggestion by the Prime Minister of Malta that he should arbitrate on constitutional matters in dispute between the political parties in the legislature.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to hold a Genera] Election or a referendum in Malta.

I am in the course of having talks in London with the Prime Minister of Malta about constitutional and other related matters. I will inform the House as soon as possible of oar conclusions.

I appreciate the position of the right hon. Gentleman but ultimately there will be a decision in favour either of a referendum or an election. Will he secure that in the event there is not the spiritual intimidation of the Maltese people which was practised by the hierarchy at the last election and which is so contrary to the spirit of the Pope?

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will not want me to anticipate the substance of my discussions.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recall that last July he announced that Malta was to get independence by 31st May this year? Surely this means introducing a constitution and holding either a referendum or an election within a very short time. Will he see to it that he speeds these things up and ensures that, under the Constitution, fair elections are held?

I am only too well aware of all these things.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further financial assistance he proposes to give to Malta to assist with the development plan and to absorb the increasing numbers being discharged by the defence forces.

The Government of Malta have recently drawn up a development plan for the years 1964 to 1969. This is now being studied.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that, although industrialisation of Malta is proceeding satisfactorily, the number of jobs created will not equal the number of people discharged by Her Majesty's Forces? Could he say whether the British Government will contribute generously to the five-year plan he has just mentioned?

Financial talks with the Government of Malta are due to begin shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what broadcasting facilities exist in Malta; what authority controls the broadcasting of political speeches; and if he will take steps to ensure fair treatment between the political parties in this respect.

There are sound and television services which are controlled by the Malta Broadcasting Authority. This matter is governed by a law of the Malta Parliament, which requires impartiality to be observed on matters of political controversy.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Maltese Labour Party does not receive equality of treatment? Would he take steps to see that it has a fair opportunity to present its case?

I do not think I would like to go into that controversy in reply to a supplementary question, however. There are quite a number of arguments on both sides.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in view of the concern expressed by the Premiers of Barbados and British Guiana, supported by other Caribbean Commonwealth countries, that Regulations affecting their air services have been made without previous consultation with the territorial Governments, what consultations he is now having with these Governments.

The Regulations, made by the Minister of Aviation under the Civil Aviation (Licensing) Act, 1960, do not affect the current air services of British Guiana or Barbados. No representations Lave been received from the Premier of British Guiana. A full explanation of the effect of these Regulations has been sent to Barbados.

Does this mean that, when the recent Caribbean summit conference passed a resolution protesting about the Regulations being made without consultation with Barbados and British Guiana, all the leaders in the Caribbean—representing Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados and British Guiana—were wholly misinformed on this matter? If that is so, is this not a blunder for which an apology is due?

They must have been misinformed. The truth is that Barbados has no airline and that British Guiana certainly has not an airline capable of operating into the United Kingdom, so can only assume that the four countries concerned, when they discussed this in Kingston, must have been under a misconception about the Regulations.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that it would have been wiser to have held consultations initially so that there could be no misunderstanding? Will he assure us that there will be no attempt by the vested interests to corner the markets which may be damaging to these territories?

The Colonial Governments were notified in advance about these Regulations. It was not intended to consult because the Act of Parliament under which they were made was passed after full consultation with the Governments of the dependent territories. There was, therefore, no question of consultation about the Regulations.

Let us get this clear. The complaint is that the Regulations become effective in dependent territories, thus limiting the landings of commercial airliners in those territories. If that is so, should not the Government have consulted Barbados about the type of plane and airline to be allowed to land there? Should not consultations have been held before the Regulations were made?

I do not think so. The former Regulations took care of all Commonwealth and foreign countries. They excepted Colonial Territories. The new Regulations bring them into line. This was done because there was evasion of Regulations passed by this House, so my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aviation had to act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he has accepted the main findings of Dr. Carleen O'Loughlin's economic survey of the proposed new Eastern Caribbean Federation, particularly in respect of capital needs; and what offers of new capital assistance he has made in consequence of this survey.

The British Government accept Dr. O'Loughlin's Report as a useful examination of what these territories might need to make them self-supporting. We hope shortly to be in a position to discuss with the Governments concerned how far the British Government may be able to help them if they wish to implement the findings of the survey.

Can the hon. Gentleman clear up the position? Is it in respect of the annual financial assistance or the capital assistance that there is at present disagreement between Her Majesty's Government and these territories on the road towards federation? Secondly, if, as we understand Dr. O'Loughlin's Report, something like £100 million in capital will be needed to put this area on its feet within 10 or 12 years, what sort of figure is the British Government offering towards that total?

There are two reasons why this is being held up. The hon. Gentleman is right in thinking that it is capital rather than recurrent expenditure that is the difficulty. The main reasons are that there is still a difference of opinion between the various islands on the question of federation and the powers which ought to be entrusted to a federal Government. The second reason is, quite frankly, as the hon. Gentleman said, money. It is a very large sum of money that is being asked for over 10 years and even a very large sum over the first three years, and we cannot treat the Eastern Caribbean as a special case to the detriment of other territories. I cannot rob Peter to pay Paul and we have only a certain amount of cash—that is the difficulty.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how long the economic survey prepared by Dr. O'Loughlin has been in the hands of the Government?

I think about six or nine months. I should like to check on that before I give the right hon. Gentleman a particular answer, but I shall let him know.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what schools in Bechuanaland are to be closed in the programme for centralisation of secondary education; and why this decision has been taken before the visit of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Mission on Education which is to visit the Protectorate later this year.

One secondary school is to be closed. Two are to be developed as higher primary schools. The organisation of secondary education is part of the development plan for the Protectorate. At present provision exists for one new secondary school and the improvement of two others. Implementation of the remainder of the plan will be kept fluid pending advice of the U.N.E.S.C.O. mission and the provision of further funds.

How can it possibly make sense to have made this decision and then invited the U.N.E.S.C.O. mission to advise on it afterwards? Surely the decision should have been postponed until after its advice had been received? Very grave disquiet has been expressed by educationists in Bechuanaland about this proposal.

I do not think so. We are just making a limited start because the U.N.E.S.C.O. mission unfortunately took a very long time to materialise. It was first requested in January last year and it is not yet in Bechuanaland, so we thought that we had better get on a bit.

Supposing the mission recommends that this secondary school be reopened, will that be possible?

As advised by our education experts, we think that the steps we have taken are fairly safe and that the U.N.E.S.C.O. mission will not recommend otherwise.

Will the proposed changes increase the provision of secondary education in Bechuanaland? There is anxiety that schools should be faced with closure at a time when the need for secondary education is very great.

I understand the hon. Gentleman's anxiety. This is really a scheme for the centralisation of secondary education in six schools in order to provide better facilities and teaching. This is really a case of reculer pour mieux saucer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will place in the Library of the House a report of the Commission appointed to inquire into public works irregularities in St. Vincent; and what action he is taking in the light of the findings of the commission.

Yes, Sir. A Commission of Inquiry, appointed last year in the Colony of St. Vincent, reported that Mrs. Joshua, Member without portfolio of the Executive Council, had improperly interfered with the Public Works Department, in a manner which resulted in serious financial irregularities.

Is the Minister aware that I think there will be general acceptance on both sides of the House of that Answer? Can he tell the House whether there are any legal proceedings pending against Mrs. Joshua, and whether there are any powers to call for a general election to allow the people of this island to make up their own minds about the Government?

At the moment I am concerned with the more limited objective. I hope that what I have done will result in Mrs. Joshua seeing the wisdom of resigning, and that she will relieve me of considering such other measures as are open to me.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works, whether he is aware of the shortage of low-priced bricks in the Birmingham area; and what action he is taking to remedy this.

I am not aware of any serious shortage of bricks in the Birmingham area, although some types of low-priced bricks must he ordered well in advance.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the need is to build houses for £12 to £14 per week men? Would he not agree that it will be exceedingly difficult for the Government to attain this building target unless adequate supplies of building materials are assured?

Yes, Sir. If my hon. Friend has any particulars that he would like to bring to my notice, I shall be very glad to look into them.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the approximate number of civil servants working in the block which includes the Foreign Office and the Home Office; and how many he estimates will be housed there if the whole area is rebuilt.

There are about 2,000 office staff of the Home Office, Foreign Office and Commonwealth Relations Office in this building at present. Until a scheme has been drawn up I cannot say precisely how many could be accommodated in a new building on this site. My aim is to bring together all the staff of the Foreign Office and Commonwealth Relations Office, at present numbering over 3,000 who must for efficient working be under one roof and who are now accommodated in the main building and 10 other buildings scattered around the central area of London.

As efficiency seems to be the justification for interfering with quite a pleasant skyline, would it not be necessary to be quite sure that a very large number of people could be housed there—if it is wise to bring more civil servants into Whitehall?

No, I do not think that it is wise to make provision for further, unnecessary staff.

Will the Minister tell his hon. Friend how many people this building was supposed to house when it was built, and will he indicate the degree of overcrowding there, which is far beyond anything ever envisaged in the Shops and Offices Act?

I cannot give the figure of how many it was supposed to accommodate in the beginning, but it was certainly very much less than the 1,900 there at present.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will postpone his decision, announced on 28th January, to transfer the accounts division of his Department from London to Hastings.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what were the considerations that led to his decision to transfer the accounts division of his Department to Hastings; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what administrative problems he expects to arise from his decision to transfer the accounts division of his Department to Hastings.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what savings he estimates will acrue from his decision to transfer the accounts division of his Department to Hastings.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works which other localities he considered before deciding to transfer the accounts division of his Department to Hastings.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works which areas of Scotland he considered before deciding to transfer the accounts division of his Department to Hastings.

I have decided to move the accounts division of my Ministry to Hastings as one of my Ministry's contributions to the dispersal of staff from London. The accounts division is an integral part of the Ministry's headquarters so that for operational reasons it has to be within about one to one and a half hours travelling time from London.

Is that the sort of example that the Government ought to set to the private sector?

Yes, Sir.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman's policy has been determined according to the wishes of his staff, that they would like to live in a convenient place near to London, despite the reiterated policy from other members of the Government that they will use this particular power to reduce congestion in areas such as the South-East and to help other parts of the country? Is it not the case of some "old boy" network operating here?

No, Sir, to both supplementary questions.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the reasons why it would be impossible to take it further than one and a half hour's distance? Does he not think that this decision is scandalous?

I have explained the answer to that already.

Am I right in thinking that the reason the right hon. Gentleman gave was that it had to be within one and a half hour's distance of headquarters? Is not that a good reason for changing the headquarters? Would it not be a grand idea to have the headquarters in Glasgow, where there is a seaside resort within 30 miles of Glasgow at Ayr, and thereby he could save the deposit of the Tory candidate?

There is, of course, an office of the Ministry in Scotland which is adequate for that purpose.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be a little more specific about the operational reasons for making the office only one and a half hour's journey from London? Is he not aware that that is precisely the kind of argument used by private industry, and it is very important that the Government should give an example? if there are good reasons for this, the Government should be very forthcoming about them and let the House and private enterprise know them.

That is a very sensible question. The reason is that members of the accounts division are very frequently called to London, often at short notice, to deal with matters. The accounts division is an integral part of the headquarters division. We had some experience of this when the accounts office was at Rhyl during the war and just after, and this proved highly unsatisfactory.

The Minister said that the new branch had to be a one and a half hour's journey from London. Is he aware that quite a large part of central Scotland is only an hour's flight from London? What reason can he give for the complete and callous disregard of the possibility of siting this office in Scotland?

I should not like to rely on always being able to make the journey in that time. It must be borne in mind that this is only a part of the action which my Ministry is taking to help dispersal. The proposals I have made for decentralising more work to Scotland and Wales and other regions will assist further in dispersal.

Do I understand from the Minister that these civil servants in his Department were asked in which place they would prefer to work? If that is the case, is this a new principle which the Government have established? Is it applied to the workers generally? Are they to be asked where they prefer to work, and will the Government agree to what they want?

After consultation and discussion, there seemed to be three places which could make out a fair case for having a share of workers from London—Hastings, Swindon and Margate. In those circumstances, since they all had a case, we consulted the staff. I think that that is good staff relations.

In view of the completely unsatisfactory nature of those replies, I beg to give notice that I will try to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what are his intentions for the future use of the Board Room at the Admiralty.

It is proposed that the Board Room should remain in use for conference purposes in the Admiralty Building with which it is historically associated.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that this very attractive room has many historic associations and that it would be a pity if an appropriate use could not be found for it? I am not sure that low-level conferences will necessarily be the right answer. Does my right hon. Friend mean that the new Admiralty Board will meet there, or that the Defence Council will meet there?

The Admiralty will continue in occupation for some years, and if in time an agreeable proposal is made for transferring this Board Room we shall certainly consider it.

Is the Minister aware that the sentiments expressed by the hon. Member for Dorset, West (Mr. Wingfield Digby) will be echoed by many of my hon. Friends? This is an historically most interesting and architecturally extremely valuable room and it must not be allowed to degenerate into an ordinary conference room. Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that the accoutrements of this room, including the wind indicator, will be retained as an historic memento?

I am not sure what is meant by the reference to the room degenerating into an ordinary conference room. Apart from that, I appreciate that this is a room of very great historic interest. I am in close touch with my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty to ensure that we make the best arrangements possible in all the circumstances.

As it may well be that the tenure by the Navy Board, as we shall have to call the Admiralty after 1st April, may be only temporary, will my right hon. Friend consider transferring this historic room to a worthy permanent site, such as within the Royal Naval College at Greenwich, so greatly associated with the Royal Navy?

I am certainly prepared to consider that and any other suggestion.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will give an assurance that public works expenditure will be maintained or expanded at a steady rate, in view of current anxiety in the building materials industry regarding the difficulties of planning under conditions where demand is alternately expanded and contracted.

Public expenditure on construction is increasing steadily and as the White Paper on "Public Expenditure in 1963–64 and 1967–68" shows, the intention is that this trend should be maintained.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that with the growth of the use of prefabricated buildings the manufacturers of traditional building materials have reason for anxiety? Will he give some reassurance on this issue?

As I have said on a number of occasions, the achievement of the expanding programme of construction will entail an increased use of all available resources.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what proportion of current building contracts are using a substantial amount of industrialised components fabricated off the site; and how the proportion compares with 1962 or other convenient date.

I cannot give the information in the form requested, but I am satisfied that the use of industrialised components fabricated off the site is growing steadily, especially in contracts for public authorities. Industrialised systems were used for about 15 per cent. of all new schools in 1962–63 and this proportion is likely to increase in 1964–65. Such systems are also likely to be used in 1964–65 for about 10 per cent. of new local authority houses and about 45 per cent. of new local authority flats.

I welcome that trend. Is not there a danger of over-emphasising industrial building and the increased output of the industry? Is it not much more important to improve site conditions for the workers and to recruit an extra labour force? What success is attending the right hon. Gentleman's activities in that regard?

In all Ministry contracts employing more than 100 men I provide for minimum standards of site amenity which I hope will set the standards for other people to follow. These matters are important. We want to see the expansion of all sides of the building industry and all aspects of it and not just industrialised building.

What is being done to increase the number of building workers?

Over a period of years, more men may become available, but, broadly speaking, we must aim at achieving our programmes by increased efficiency with roughly the same labour force as we now have.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what evidence he has of the adoption by building contractors of the recommendations contained in the pamphlet Winter Building issued by his Deparmtment.

Many of the recommendations were already the practice of progressive firms, and reports which we have been receiving show that an increasing number of other firms now appreciate the advantages of continuity of working.

What is the present state of progress in making contracts in such a way that contractors are obliged to hurry on with building? The Parliamentary Secretary will recollect that this question was left open in the Winter Building pamphlet. What is the present situation?

My right hon. Friend has said that he is considering this question.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary seized of the idea that, despite what his Tight hon. Friend says, the building industry needs a far greater labour force if it is to fulfil all the priorities of the present Government, let alone the greatly expanded priorities of the next?

This Question is related to winter building.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that some building firms use inclement weather clauses in contracts as a method of escaping responsibility for the capital investment which would enable them to continue through the winter?

As my right hon. Friend has said on another occasion, this is a matter which we are examining. The Banwell Committee is examining contractual procedures and will also be considering matters of that kind.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what progress has been made during the last year with regard to the provision of better facilities for building in bad weather; and to what extent building operations this winter have been facilitated by the introduction of more scientific methods.

The main needs are protection for the operatives and protection for the work. We have given a lead in Ministry contracts by requiring improved welfare facilities on building sites. The industry has made considerable advances in the protection of work in progress. Building operations have so far been little hampered by weather this winter.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works (1) what percentage of the total manufactures used by his Department in Scotland during the period 1960 to 1963 was purchased in Scotland;

About 3 per cent. of the furniture purchased by the Ministry in the three financial years ending March, 1963, came from firms in Scotland. I regret I cannot say what proportion of total manufactures used by the Ministry in Scotland was purchased there.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that that is a shocking reply when Scotland has twice the rate of unemployment of the rest of the United Kingdom and yet only 3 per cent. of the furniture used by his Ministry comes from Scotland? Were Scottish firms asked to tender? Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the standard of furniture production in Scotland is recognised throughout the United Kingdom as being of an exceptionally high quality and that furniture firms in Beith in my constituency are household names? Did they have an equal chance to tender and so procure work for that area which is listed as a development district?

Scottish firms, of course, have equal opportunities for tendering, and Scotland shares in the general arrangements to help development districts. With furnishing, as opposed to furniture, about 43 per cent. of the floor coverings produced for the Ministry in the three financial years which ended March, 1963, came from Scotland.

Am I to understand that Hastings will now share in the greater expansion of the hon. Gentleman's Ministry and that more orders will come from Hastings?

I do not think that Hastings comes into the subject of the supply of furniture.