asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what stocks of corned beef have been cooled in unchiorinated water; and whether he will require all future consignments of corned beef to be cooled in chlorinated water before acceptance.

A proportion of the Government's stocks held for defence purposes was purchased before chlorination of cooling water became a widespread practice. Records are not kept on the basis of whether chlorinated water was used. What matters is not whether the water is chlorinated, but whether it is hygienic. Accordingly, the Answer to the second part of the Question is, yes, whenever necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantities of corned beef were imported from International Packers factory, Industria Argentina Establishment 1A, without being cooled in chlorinated water.

I regret that I am unable to give this figure.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much corned beef has been imported into the United Kingdom in the last five years; how much of this came from the Argentine; what is the weight of corned beef in the tins most usually imported from the Argentine; and how many tins of corned beef would represent a ton of corned beef imported from the Argentine.

The following is the information:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the increasing importance of additives in food production today; what arrangements he is making for keeping their use under review; and if he will make a statement.

My predecessors and I have hitherto been advised on the use of food additives by a Sub-Committee of the Food Standards Committee through the parent body.In view of the increasing importance of these substances I have arranged the setting up of a Food Additives and Contaminants Committee from which I may obtain advice directly on such subjects.The Chairman of the new Committee will be Professor R. A. Morton, at present Chairman of the Additives Sub-Committee of the Food Standards Committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) in response to what specific supply or demand features in the world sugar market the price of United Kingdom refiner's sugar fell by 6s. 6d. per cwt. on 21st May, 1964;(2) in response to what specific supply or demand features in the world sugar market the price of United Kingdom refiner's sugar rose by 2s. 7½d. per cwt. on 25th May, 1964;(3) in response to what specific supply or demand features in the world sugar market the price of United Kingdom refiner's sugar fell by 2s. 7½d. per cwt. on 26th May, 1964.

The movements in the ex-refinery price of sugar on the dates mentioned were caused by similar movements in the world price of raw sugar. I am unable to say with any certainty what specific supply or demand features in the world sugar market gave rise in turn to these latter movements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of United Kingdom sugar requirements during the past two months came from stable contract sources at home and in the Commonwealth.

It is not possible to provide the figure requested by my hon. Friend for the months of April and May this year. For the year 1963, 83¾ per cent. of United Kingdom requirements came from stable contract sources (home production and supplies under the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement and the South African Sugar Agreement); for the year 1962, the figure was 92½ per cent.

asked the Minister of Aviation what was the cost of the new civil airport terminal at Aider-grove in County Antrim; and if he will list and identify the various sums spent on alterations and improvements since the opening date.

Approximately £900,000; a precise figure cannot yet be given as settlement of all bills has not yet been completed.The following alterations and improvements have been authorised since the new airport opened on 26th September, 1963:

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies on what grounds Her Majesty's Government has authorised the payment of a subvention to the deposed Sultan of Zanzibar.

We did so because we considered it appropriate in all the circumstances, past and present.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies when the person suspected of throwing a bomb at Aden Airport last December will be placed on trial.

This man is detained under Emergency Regulations. He was previously charged with murder and committed for trial. But owing to the subsequent disappearance of the principal witness for the prosecution it was not possible to proceed with the trial.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what contribution Her Majesty's Government is making to the funds being raised to help the refugees fleeing from the recent fighting in Laos.

There are a great number of refugees in various camps, most of which are outside Vientiane, and Her Majesty's Government have decided to make available up to £5,000 for purchase of necessities and generally to relieve distress among the refugees.Parliament will in due course be asked to vote that amount by means of a Supplementary Estimate. In the meantime, an advance will be obtained from the Civil Contingencies Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many children, boys and girls, respectively, under 14 years of age and over 14 but under 17 years of age, respectively, were found guilty of indictable offences before the courts of England and Wales in 1963;(2) how many children, boys and girls, respectively, under 14 years of age and over 14 but under 17 years of age, respectively, were found guilty of non-indictable offences before the courts of England and Wales in 1963;(3) how many persons being young adults, over the age of 17 years but under the age of 21 years, were found guilty of indictable and non-indictable offences, respectively, before the courts of England and Wales in 1963.

I regret that this information is not yet available. When it is I will send it to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend the Justices Clerks (Accounts) Regulations, 1953, to provide that in future the whole of the accounts of justices' clerks shall be audited by the treasurers of the local authorities concerned, as suggested to him by the Central Council of the Magistrates' Courts Committees; and if he will make a statement.

Legislation would be necessary to alter the law relating to the audit of justices' clerks' accounts and the responsibility for making good deficiencies. The problems involved have already received careful study and will be further considered in consultation with those concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development when the marking regulations under the Weights and Measures Act, 1963, are now expected to be made.

Next month, I hope.

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage reduction there has been in the number of persons employed in the linoleum industry in Kirkcaldy since January, 1963; and what has been the percentage increase of the persons employed in the same industry in Staines in the same period.

The latest figures available relate to mid-1963 and to the areas of the Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes (formerly Leslie) Employment Exchanges and the Greater London area. The numbers of employees in employment in the linoleum industry in these areas fell by 15·8 per cent. and 27·8 per cent. respectively between mid-1962 and mid-1963.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the scale of equipment laid down for the radio and television servicing course at the Government Training Centre at Leicester.

The scale of equipment for the radio, television and electronics servicing course at Leicester is to the standard laid down for all adult classes in this trade at Government Training Centres. The classes are equipped to provide training to the standard of the City and Guilds of London Institute intermediate examination. The equipment, comprising hand and bench tools and machines, signal generators, test equipment and receivers, is to a scale that has been approved as adequate for the purpose by the examining body.

asked the Postmaster-General under whose authority non-broadcasting stations operate in the medium-wave broadcasting band; and whether agreement to operate such stations was obtained from the international broadcasting authorities.

The band of frequencies from 525 to 1605 kilocycles per second is allocated on an internationally agreed basis to the medium wave broadcasting services. The use of a frequency for the operation of a non-broadcasting station in this band in the United Kingdom requires Government authority. International agreement to operate such a station would not be required unless interference would be caused to the services of another Administration.

asked the Postmaster-General how many non-broadcasting stations are transmitting in the medium-wave broadcasting band in the United Kingdom; and if he will state the nature of these stations, the power of the transmitters, and the frequencies on which they operate.

In the United Kingdom there are seven non-broadcasting stations which have been assigned frequencies in the medium-wave broadcasting band. All of them are concerned with aeronautical radionavigation and their powers range from 3 watts to 25 watts. The frequencies on which they operate are 534, 543·5, 597·5, 669·5, 723·5, 732·5 and 797 kilocycles per second.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to have the medium-wave broadcasting band cleared for its proper function.

The presence of a non-broadcasting usage in the medium-wave broadcasting band is kept under periodic review. Having regard to the very low power, and the frequencies used, there is no possibility to my knowledge of interference with the reception of B.B.C. stations or with the reception in the United Kingdom of Continental broadcasting stations.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will ensure that before he gives sanction to major dock schemes in the Bristol Channel there is

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works when he expects to start the building of the new post office and Ministry of Labour offices on the site on the west side of High Street, Cowdenbeath; and whether he is aware that delay in completing this work in the town's main shopping centre detracts from the amenity of the High Street and creates an unfavourable impression on anyone contemplating setting up industry in Cowdenbeath.

A contract for this building has now been let and I expect work to start next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for 1946 and for each year from 1951 to 1963, inclusive, the number of cases of tuberculosis notified, the number of patients with tuberculosis admitted to hospital, and the number of deaths from cancer, respectively.

The information is as follows. The 1963 figures for tuberculosis are still provisional.a full investigation by the Hydraulic Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

My decision on any particular project will naturally be taken after full consideration of all relevant factors, including the possible effect of the scheme on the régime of the Bristol Channel.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the proposal for alleviating hardship, contained in the report made to him by the Transport Users' Consultative Committee on the proposed closure of the Leeds (Central)—Castleford (Central)—Pontefract line for passenger services.

As it has said in its public statement, the Yorkshire Transport Users' Consultative Committee has reported that it has examined the alternative services which are expected to be available if the closure took place. It found that hardship would be involved where a change of bus was necessary; this would apply in particular to certain travel from Thorpe Village and Stanley. The Committee has made proposals for alleviating such hardship. I am considering these proposals.

asked the Minister of Transport when the Committee of Inquiry set up to investigate the question of requiring goods vehicles to carry plates showing their maximum authorised gross weights are likely to complete their investigation, and to report.

Outline proposals from the Committee will reach me very soon. I shall then consider what should be done to bring a plating scheme into operation.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in the review of the construction and use regulations regarding commercial vehicles in order to allow them to be built to maximum dimensions and gross weights, more in accord with continental standards; and if an early report will be made.

I am considering the representations made by the organisations consulted on 26th March and I hope to publish amending regulations shortly.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why there is no open competitive examinations for appointment as officers of Customs and Excise this autumn; and what method of recruitment to these posts is now being adopted.

Recruitment to this grade has temporarily ceased, primarily because the number of officers who will be retiring in the near future is negligible. Open competitions will be resumed as soon as the need for recruitment revives.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the £ sterling has diminished in value compared with July, 1962.

Taking the purchasing power of the £ sterling as 20s. in July, 1952, the comparable value for April, 1964, the latest date available, was 15s. 2d. This estimate is based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for calendar years, adjusted by movements in the Retail Price Index for the months at the beginning and end of the period.