asked the Minister of Public Building and Works why, for the second year in succession, the grass surrounding the statue standing between Westminster Hall and Parliament Square has been badly burned by the excessive application of weedkiller to the gravel paths.

I regret that the instructions issued following my hon. Friend's Question last year were not followed. The grass is recovering quite rapidly. We will do our best to avoid a recurrence of the damage.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will publish in HANSARD a table of figures giving the actual or percentage rise or fall since October, 1951, in the cost of all materials used by his Department in work connected with house or office building.

No separate figures are available of materials used by my Ministry in connection with its house and office building work. It is fair to assume that the cost of materials used in this work has risen by the same amount as the average cost of building materials. The overall percentage increase for materials used in construction between October, 1951, and May, 1964, was 25 per cent.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what information is in the possession of his Department on the shortage of building material including copper tubing and plumbing material; and what is the effect on the employment of building workers and the hold-up of housing development.

My Ministry has investigated a number of reports of shortages and I am discussing the situation with the producers where necessary. There are difficulties over bricks and there have been some cases of housing projects being delayed. Delivery dates for some other materials are lengthening but so far I have no evidence of serious delays in building work.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works why he has authorised a large outdoor advertising display on the Hampton site adjoining the National Gallery; what will be the duration of the display; what revenues will be derived from it; and whether these will be assigned to improvements to the National Gallery.

The advertising display has been arranged by the lessees of the site with our approval and that of the Westminster City Council, and the current lease of the site runs to January, 1965. The rent for the site as a whole covers the advertising display. The revenue is credited to the Ministry's Votes as some return on the capital cost of the site.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what proposals he now has for raising the pensions of widows who receive only ten shillings.

My right hon. Friend has nothing to add to the statement of the Government's views on this matter in the debate on 30th January last on the recent Measure which improved the provisions for widows under the National Insurance scheme.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance, taking October, 1951, as being equal to 100, what has been the annual percentage increase to date in all forms of National Insurance benefits; and how these increases compare with the percentage increases in rents, food, wages, salaries, profits, dividends and the national average wage level over the same period.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance, if he will now introduce legislation to amend the Industrial Injuries Acts in order to take account of the increasing numbers of persons in heavy industries who gradually become disabled through injury by process of a number of small yet not officially recognised injuries which have not qualified for disability payments; and if he will make a statement.

The answer is given in the following table:

No. I have no information that confirms the hon. Member's statement about the numbers of persons in heavy industries who suffer injury by process. This problem was very fully considered in 1955 by a Departmental Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. F. W. Beney, Q.C. The Committee did not recommend any change in the scheme's provisions in this respect. The matter is discussed in paragraphs 51 to 56 of the Committee's report (Cmd. 9548).

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what was the nature of the representations he received on 9th June about the rule which limits the earnings of pensioners; and from which organisation they are received.

I can trace no such representation.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what representations he has recently received to abolish the earnings rule in respect of widows and widowed mothers; and what was the nature of his replies.

I would refer the hon. Lady to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. A. Lewis) on 15th June.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to newspaper advertisements of a protein lotion, made from cows' blood, for temporarily removing wrinkles; if he is aware that the United States Food and Drug Administration has seized supplies of this lotion on the ground that it is a drug, not a cosmetic; and what steps were taken to test it pharmaceutically before it was marketed in England.

The answer to the first two parts of the Question is: "Yes". I have no information about such tests.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied with the standards of cleanliness observed in the handling of food at the main London area markets; and if he will make a statement.

The responsibility of ensuring proper conditions of food hygiene at markets lies with the appropriate local authorities and I am satisfied that surveillance through them is the best practicable method of safeguarding the public health. I am already in consultation with the representatives of local authorities and other interested parties about improvements in the Regulations applying to markets.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that the regulations to safeguard health in the handling of meat at Smithfield Market are being carried out; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply today, to my hon. Friend the Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Dudley Smith.)

asked the Minister of Health if he will give details of the measures he has taken and plans to take arising from his review of the system of import of food for human consumption, in order to prevent disease and epidemics in Great Britain, indicating the measures and plans in relation to particular named places and regions.

When the review is completed I will inform the hon. and learned Member.

asked the Minister of Health what study he has made of the advances made in the United States of America for the early discovery and treatment of cancer; what steps Her Majesty's Government has taken to introduce a similar system in the National Health Service; and what contribution Her Majesty's Government has made to voluntary organisations to deal with this matter.

Officers of the Ministry have visited other countries, including the United States of America, to keep in touch with work there. More generally, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Wythen-shawe (Mrs. Hill) on 1st May. The answer to the last part of the Question is "None". Nearly all the work is done under the National Health Service.

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take following the publication of the British Medical Association's report on accidents in the home, a copy of which has been sent to him.

My right hon. Friend is considering this report, in consultation with his right hon. Friends.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities now add fluoride to their water supply; and what proportion this represents of the total number.

Fluoride is now added by three statutory water undertakers to the water supplied to the whole or a part of the areas of 12 of the 148 local health authorities in England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to make available for National Health Service patients a transistorised hearing aid capable of meeting the needs of those for whom the present range of Medresco aids is inadequate.

Trials are being arranged of an aid to meet the needs of this minority of people but I cannot say when a new aid is likely to be available until these trials have been completed and their results considered.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons in Barnsley and district are awaiting operations for hernia; what progress is being made to lower this waiting list; and what is the average waiting time.

21. The number of patients treated per month for hernia has been increased recently. The average waiting time for non-urgent general surgery is about four months. There is no waiting list for urgent cases.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the percentage rise or fall in all hospital charges and prescription charges from October, 1951, to date; and what has been the percentage increase in prices, as against quantities used, of the drugs used in the National Health Service over the same period and on the same basis of calculation.

Since their introduction, prescription charges, including those payable by hospital out-patients, have been increased by about 250 per cent. Charges for elastic hosiery and for appliances supplied through hospitals have remained generally unchanged though the charges for certain dentures and glasses; supplied by hospitals have increased by amounts varying from 10 per cent. to 100 per cent. The information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available in the exact form requested, but the net ingredient cost per prescription dispensed has increased over the same period by over 200 per cent.

asked the Minister of Health why the Whitley Council agreement made on 17th March, 1964, to operate retrospectively from 1st January, 1964, on salary increases and revised grading structures for dental technicians in the hospital service has not been implemented.

I understand that details of the agreement are still being discussed by the Whitley Council. There is to be a meeting on Wednesday.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that 100 patients could be discharged from the Whitchurch Mental Hospital, Cardiff, but that there is no home for them to live in; and whether he will take steps to provide hostel accommodation for these patients, so that the pressure for admittance of needy cases may be reduced.

I am aware that there are patients in this hospital who could be cared for in residential homes. Such patients are already accepted in the City Council's homes, the number of which is being increased.

asked the Minister of Health what suggestions he has made or is about to make to the Hull A Group Hospital Management Committee for alleviating the acute shortage of physiotherapists in Hull; and if he will make a statement.

The suggestions made through the Regional Hospital Board include a further approach to State-registered physiotherapists living locally with the offer of suitable part-time work, the running of refresher courses, drawing the vacancies at Hull to the attention of applicants for posts in the region, and fostering links with local schools to attract school leavers to the profession. I am sorry to say these measures have so far not resulted in any improvement.

asked the Minister of Health what steps have been taken to provide for the recruitment and training of potential catering officers in hospitals.

I have recently announced details of a new scheme for the recruitment and training of potential catering officers. It is open to persons already employed in the hospital service and to persons from technical and domestic science colleges with the required qualifications. The first course will start in August. The scheme supplements the arrangements already provided by King Edward's Hospital Fund.

asked the Minister of Health in what circumstances he is prepared to authorise the sale of land owned by hospital boards by means other than by public auction.

I am willing to consider this, at the district valuer's valuation, if doing so will make a major contribution towards the solution of a public problem.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will reconsider the instructions given by his Department that the land belonging to the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital in School Lane, Welwyn, should be sold by public auction and arrange for it to be leased to the Welwyn Rural District Council for the purpose of erecting houses for elderly persons.

No. This land is surplus to hospital requirements and my proper course is to sell it. The auction has been arranged and I understand that a number of potential purchasers are interested in the land.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make an annual monetary grant to the Livestock Export Council of Great Britain.

No. The Government already assist the Livestock Export Council in various ways. We advise on veterinary problems; we seek out and pass on information of overseas interest in British livestock; the Board of Trade's Export Services are available at home and overseas; Export Credits Guarantee Department is able and willing to cover livestock export trade, and we assist with trade fairs and exhibitions overseas.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total, including grant, invested by farmers in the East Riding of Yorkshire under the farm improvement grant scheme since these grants were first introduced.

The total amount, including grant, invested by applicants in the East Riding of Yorkshire under the Farm Improvement Scheme, i.e. the estimated cost of approved work, from the inception of the Scheme to the end of May, 1964, is £4,505,404.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what have been the yearly totals of farm improvement grants paid out in the East Riding of Yorkshire since these grants were first introduced.

The total grant paid under the Farm Improvement Scheme to applicants in the East Riding since the inception of the Scheme to the end of May, 1964, was £1,187,468, and the total amount, including grant, invested by applicants (i.e. the total estimated cost of approved work) was £4,505,404. The total annual payments of grant were as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farms there are in the East Riding of Yorkshire; and how many of these have received farm improvement grants in respect of one, two, three, or more schemes, respectively, since these grants were first introduced.

On 4th June, 1963, the number of agricultural holdings of 1¼ acres and over in the East Riding was 5,714, many of which would not qualify for grant under the Farm Improvement Scheme. It is not possible, without undue expenditure of time and labour, to provide figures in the precise form my hon. Friend has asked for, but up to the end of May, 1964, my Department had approved 5,068 improvements on 2,136 holdings in the East Riding, which means that 2,932 were second or subsequent applications.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has now received the views of the local authority associations and interested parties as to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Common Land other than that of registration; and if he will make a statement as to progress with regard to legislation.

Yes, I have received the views of the organisations concerned. I am not yet able to add to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Lewisham, South (Mr. C. Johnson) on 9th December, 1963.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are taken to ensure that all cans of imported corned beef have been cooled in chlorinated water; and whether he will give an assurance that there are no supplies in stock or likely to be distributed which have not been so treated.

Under the Imported Food Regulations, no meat or meat products may be imported unless they are accompanied by an official certificate, given by the Government of the exporting country, showing that all necessary precautions for the prevention of danger to public health were taken in the dressing, preparation and packing.The essential thing is not that cooling water should be chlorinated but that it should be clean. For instance, if potable water were used for the cooling process, chlorination would clearly be unnecessary. Accordingly the Answer to the second part of the Question is, "No". My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland, and the Minister of Health, made statements on 2nd June and 11th June respectively about such supplies as they thought it advisable should be withdrawn for the time being.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why vegetable prices have increased by 5 per cent. during the last four months; and why the price of eggs, cheese and milk has increased by 4 per cent. during the same period.

The rise in the price index for vegetables between January and April has been purely seasonal and less than usual for this period. The index for milk, cheese and eggs rose by only about 1 per cent. over the same four months.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much carcase meat was recently imported into Great Britain from the United States of America; what was the cost; in what currency it was paid for; and on how many occasions during the past 10 years meat has been imported from the United States of America.

Official figures for imports are available only till the end of April, but I understand that the quantity imported for exhibition purposes last week was under 5 tons of chilled beef. I have no information about the costs or payment arrangements involved.Annual imports of carcase meat from the U.S.A. have varied over the last ten years between 20 and 4,200 tons, and total 8,479 tons, all of it frozen. It is not possible to say how many separate importations these figures represent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will introduce legislation to ensure that all tinned food contains the date of tinning and the latest date when the contents should be consumed.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery) on 8th June.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will indicate the average earnings level for the latest available

asked the Minister of Labour (1) what is the number of males and females registered as unemployed in the Parliamentary constituency of Cleveland;(2) what is the number of males and females registered as unemployed in the Parliamentary constituency of Hartlepools;(3) what is the number of registered unemployed in employment exchanges

I regret the information is not available for areas smaller than regions. The average earnings of adult male workers in the North Western Region in October, 1963, were 324s. 8d.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if he will state the numbers of notified vacancies at employment exchanges in Wales, Glamorgan, and Barry, respectively, at the latest convenient date; and how these figures compare with those for a year ago;(2) if he will state the numbers of persons registered as unemployed at the last convenient date for Wales, Glamorgan, and the borough of Barry, respectively; how these figures compare with those for a year ago; and what proportional changes have occurred.

Following is the information:in the Hexham Parliamentary constituency, giving males and females, respectively;(4) what is the number of males and females registered as unemployed in the Parliamentary constituency of Tyne-mouth;(5) what is the number of males and females registered as unemployed in the Parliamentary constituency of Sunderland, South;

I regret that figures are not available for Parliamentary constituencies. The following table gives the information in respect of employment exchanges whose areas lie wholly or mainly within the constituency boundaries.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total number of employees at the Ford Plant, Dagenham, at the end of the first week in April, May and June, 1964, respectively.

I regret that the information I have is collected under the Statistics of Trade Act, 1947, and is therefore confidential.

asked the Minister of Labour what consultations he has with the National Assistance Board when applicants for grants under the Resettlement Transfer Scheme are in receipt of National Assistance at the time of their application.

None.

asked the Minister of Labour how many school leavers this year in Middlesbrough have failed to get employment.

On 15th June, 26 boys and girls out of 550 who left school at Easter this year, and 4 who have left since then, were registered for first employment at the Middlesbrough Youth Employment Office.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of registered unemployed persons previously engaged in building and construction work, shipbuilding, engineering and coalmining in employment exchanges in the Durham and Northumberland area.

Following is the information:NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAMNumber of unemployed persons whose last employment was in the construction, shipbuilding and ship-repairing, engineering and coalmining industries.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the increases in the Index of Retail Prices in the services group and nationalised industries, since October, 1951; and what was the increase for manufactured goods during the same period and for the remainder of the index list, respectively.

The increases in the Index of Retail Prices in the services group and in nationalised industries between October, 1951, and May, 1964, were about 60 per cent. and about 95 per cent., respectively. The increase in the index for the clothing and footwear, household durable goods and miscellaneous goods groups, taken together, was about 18 per cent., while the increase for all groups other than these three groups was about 59 per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent rent, rates, National Insurance contributions, food and transport formed the basis of the cost-of-living index figure in October' 1951; and to what extent these items have risen for each year up to April 1964.

The weight allocated to rent, rates, food and transport in the Interim Index of Retail Prices between June, 1947, and January, 1952, was 458, out of 1,000. National Insurance contributions are not included among the items priced.Percentage rises in the average level of rents, rates, food prices and transport charges between October, 1951, and each of the years 1952 to 1963 and April 1964 were as follows:—

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will publish in HANSARD a table of figures giving the percentage rise or fall in the Index of Retail Prices since October, 1951, taking that month as representing 100; and to what extent these percentage increases or decreases have been affected by fluctuations in prices in industries in public ownership and private ownership, respectively.

The industries in public ownership, comprising the coal, coke, gas, electricity and railway industries, London Transport Board- postage, telephone, etc. and broadcasting services provide a weighting of about 8 per cent. of the index during the period covered by the following table:

asked the Minister of Labour what progress he has made in setting up the Construction Industry Training Board.

The following have accepted my invitation to become members of the board:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in order to end the present variations in the rates of pay and allowances drawn by troops from different nations serving under United Nations command in Cyprus, he will now make representations to the Secretary-General of the United Nations with a view to establishing uniform rates for this and other joint operations.

It has never been the practice of the United Nations to attempt to equalise the pay and allowances of the different national contingents taking part in an operation. So far as I am aware, no real difficulty has arisen as a consequence of this, during the years in which various United Nations operations have been conducted. However, I am naturally willing to have this matter discussed with the Secretary-General. It will be borne in mind that the Cyprus operation is financed, so far as the United Nations is concerned, by voluntary contributions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which countries in the world treat as an offence the possession by foreign tourists of amphetamine drugs for their personal use and prescribed for them by a qualified medical practitioner in their country of origin; and what steps are taken to warn British subjects travelling abroad about such matters.

No information is available to answer the first part of the question. As to the second part, no special steps are taken to warn British subjects travelling abroad.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why, in the June issue of the Foreign Office list of Diplomatic Representatives, Southern Rhodesia is put down as an independent country.

The names of the High Commissioner for Southern Rhodesia and his staff in London have been included in the London Diplomatic List because they enjoy diplomatic privilege by virtue of the Diplomatic Immunities (Commonwealth countries and the Republic of Ireland) Act of 1952.Inclusion in this List has no constitutional significance.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why Southern Rhodesia is included in the Foreign Office London Diplomatic List of accredited diplomatists of foreign and independent Commonwealth Governments.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer which I gave today to the right hon. Gentleman, the Member for Middlesbrough, East (Mr. Bottomley).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, as co-chairman of the Geneva Conference 1954, (1) what investigations have been made by the International Control Commission for Vietnam into the allegations, made officially to the co-chairman and to the Commission by the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, that toxic chemicals have been employed in the course of hostilities in the southern zone of Vietnam, that armed incursions have been made into the northern zone from outside, and that the air space and territorial waters of the northern zone have been violated; and what reports have been submitted to him by the Control Commission on these matters;(2) what reports have been submitted to him, as co-chairman of the Geneva Conference 1954, by the International Commission for Supervision and Control in Vietnam, since the Commission's Special Report of June 1962; and when the reports will be published.

I have received no reports since the Commission's Special Report of 1962 and have not been officially notified of the nature of the questions at present under investigation by the Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether people resident in the Channel Islands who were victims of Nazi persecution will be eligible for compensation under the recent Anglo-German agreement; and whether near relatives of those who died of such treatment will receive compensation.

Yes, provided they satisfy the criteria for eligibility that will shortly be made available to the public.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has received from the French Ministry of Health regarding the dumping of fluoroacetamide poisonous chemical waste in the English Channel in 40 gallon metal drums marked, Made in England, which were caught in French fishermen's nets off Finisterre; whether these drums formed part of the poisoned Kentish soil compound which was to have been deposited in 2,000 fathoms over the Atlantic Shelf; to what extent the off-loading of these poison drums at sea was officially supervised: and if he will make a statement.

No representations on this subject have been received from the French Ministry of Health. The French Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture requested Her Majesty's Embassy at Paris to arrange for a British expert to inspect some drums trawled up by French fishermen which it was thought might be of British origin.An expert of the Ministry of Transport visited Britanny on 16th June. He reported on 17th June that none of the drums he inspected could have formed part of the consignments of poisoned soil or industrial waste from Smarden because the method of packaging was entirely different.I understand that the drums examined contained only oil, sand, gravel and fibrous waste. There is no evidence that they were dumped from British vessels, but we are giving further assistance to the French authorities in seeking to determine the origin of the contents of the drums.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made with construction on the A.74; what work has still to be done; and when he expects the work to be completed.

On the 81-mile route from Maryville, near Glasgow, to the Border approximately 37 miles of dual carriageways are complete, 29 miles under construction and 15 miles not yet started. Seven miles now under construction should be opened this summer, another eight miles by next spring and the rest in 1966. Ten of the remaining 15 miles should be finished by the end of 1967 and the rest by 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of uncertificated teachers in Scottish schools during 1963; what was the number at the latest convenient date; how many of them had university degrees or had acquired other qualifications since leaving school; how many completed the requisite training at colleges of education during 1963 in order to obtain a teacher's certificate; and what encouragement and facilities are offered to uncertificated teachers to obtain a teacher's certificate.

The number of uncertificated teachers in whole-time employment in public and grant-aided schools at 7th October, 1963, the latest date for which details are available, was 2,425. Of these, 348, including 59 graduates, had been trained as teachers outside Scotland; 238 were graduates who had not been trained; 376 held passes in degree courses; and 1,051 had acquired other qualifications appropriate to the subjects they were teaching.Information about the number of uncertificated teachers who completed teacher-training courses at colleges of education in 1963 is not readily available.In July, 1963, I drew the attention of all uncertificated teachers to the possibility of their obtaining financial assistance under the Special Recruitment Scheme to complete any training necessary for certification in Scotland. This Scheme provides free tuition and maintenance for the student and his dependants during the whole course of training, including any preliminary training which may be necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pupils in Scottish public schools in 1964 left at the age of 15; how many remained at school after 15; how many of those who left at 15 completed a three-year secondary course; how many school leavers completed a five-year secondary course; and how many who left after the age of 15 did not complete a five-year secondary course.

The figures for 1964 will not be available until later this year. In 1963, 54,700 pupils left on attaining the leaving age; and 27,400 at a later age. Thirty thousand had completed a three-year secondary course and 9,900 had completed a five-year secondary course. Of those continuing beyond the leaving age 15,300 did not complete a five-year secondary course.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for each year from 1951 to 1963, inclusive, the estimate of the net loss of population from Scotland due to migration; and what was the total loss in that period.

The total estimated net loss of population from Scotland due to migration over the period mid-1951 to mid-1963 was 345,100. The figures for individual years are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many major schemes have now been completed under the Hospital Plan for Scotland 1962; and how many new or substantially remodelled hospitals or other major schemes have now been commenced.

Of the 60 schemes listed in the Hospital Plan for Scotland published in January, 1962, 24 have started and six have been completed. Eighteen new or substantially remodelled hospitals are under construction, and three other major projects, i.e. extensions to existing hospitals, are in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complete potato harvesters have been at work in Scotland in 1963, 1962, and 1961, respectively.

There were 744 complete potato harvesters in Scotland in February, 1964, and 187 in February, 1961. Figures for the intervening years 1962 and 1963 are not available.

asked the Minister of Transport how many people, by sexes and duties, respectively, were employed by British Railways during each of the last 10 years in England and Scotland, respectively.

The British Railways Board tell me that the comparative figures for which the hon. Member has asked are not readily available. They have supplied the following figures which I trust will be found helpful. The overall figures for British Railways are further broken down by duties in the Annual Reports. I understand the Board would be able to supply the hon. Member, if he wishes, with a similar breakdown by duties for the Scottish Region.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will undertake research into an effective means of checking the noise level of motor vehicles' exhaust systems, with a view to reducing the excessive noise of present-day traffic.

Equipment has been developed which is effective for measuring the noise of a vehicle on the road. I am now considering how best to reinforce the present Regulations about excessive noise from motor vehicles in accordance with the recommendations made by the Wilson Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport what official research is being undertaken into methods of limiting fumes both from diesel and petrol-driven vehicles; and what were the results of the nation-wide smoke check on 8th April.

No official research is being undertaken into means of reducing such fumes; this can best be done by the engine manufacturers, who fully appreciate the need for it. The measurement of smoke from diesel engine exhaust gases has been under investigation by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.The number of vehicles found making too much smoke during the roadside check on 8th April was nearly 3,000 out of a total of 25,570 which were observed. Prohibition notices were issued for 2,068 vehicles, 107 of which became subject to immediate prohibition.

asked the Minister of Transport which areas of Great Britain have been selected for experiments by specially appointed teams to test out practical solutions for the rural bus problem; on what lines these teams are working; what progress they have made; and when they expect to make their final recommendations.

Local consultations are in progress in all the four areas mentioned in my reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 11th March. I am awaiting any further proposals from local authorities before considering additional areas.The teams are examining local transport facilities and needs and are considering realistically what improvements may be called for and how best they can be secured. Where need is shown, first priority will be given to ideas for practical experiments which can be carried out right away with the co-operation and agreement of all concerned within the present legal framework The time the investigations take will depend on the ways in which it may be proposed to experiment in each area. The House will be informed when conclusions are reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what consideration he is giving to the possibility of merging the Turks and Caicos Islands with the Bahamas.

Exploratory talks on this subject are due to start in Nassau on 23rd June between representatives of the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands and ourselves.

asked the Minister of Aviation how many claims for damage caused by aircraft breaking the sound barrier have been lodged with his Department; and what amount of money is involved over the last 12 months.

During the period 1st June, 1963, to 31st May, 1964, 26 claims for damage believed to have been caused by sonic booms were received. The amount of money expected to be paid in the settlement of these claims is approximately £600.

asked the Minister of Aviation on what dates, and at what times and places, aircraft for which his Department are responsible have broken the sound barrier whilst flying over the North Riding of Yorkshire during the past 12 weeks.

asked the Minister of Aviation on what dates, and at what times and places, aircraft for which his Department are responsible have broken the sound barrier whilst flying over the County of Northumberland during the past 12 weeks.

The dates and times were:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what has been the cost of the military intervention of Her Majesty's Forces in British Guiana in the last three years; and what is the current monthly expenditure over and above what it would cost to maintain the same number of troops in the United Kingdom;(2) what is the total number of Her Majesty's Forces now stationed in British Guiana.

About 1,100. As I have said in reply to similar Questions in the past, it is not possible to give a meaningful figure for the cost of operations of this sort conducted by standing forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether there will be a requirement for the services for the Tigercat missile, designed by Short Brothers and Harland.

A possible use for this weapon by the Royal Air Force is at present under consideration but no decision has yet been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children, aged up to the limit of compulsory education, are attending schools in Batley and Morley, respectively; and how many above that age are receiving full-time education in each of the two boroughs.

The table below shows the number of pupils in Batley and Morley schools, in January, 1963:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children, leaving primary schools in the summer of 1963, proceeded to grammar schools, and how many proceeded to secondary modern schools in Batley and Morley, respectively.

I understand from the local education authority that, of 530 pupils who left primary schools in Batley, 397 went to secondary modern and 133 to grammar schools. The corresponding figures for Morley were 356 to modern and 138 to grammar schools, a total of 494. The grammar school figures include a small number of pupils who went to independent schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many maintained secondary schools there are whose classroom accommodation is less than 200 square feet for the first 10 pupils and 15 square feet per pupil thereafter, as recommended by the 1959 Statutory Instrument No. 890, in relation to students on the roll; and what the figures are in respect of the school which has the least accommodation per pupil.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the up-to-date total of grants made by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to the Wool Industries Research Association.

The total of grants paid by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to the Wool Industries Research Association since its formation in 1918 is £1,265,200.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will introduce legislation to alter the law relating to the audit of justices' clerks' accounts and the responsibility for making good deficiencies as suggested to him by the Central Council of the Magistrates' Courts Committees.

I cannot at present add to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend's Question on 12th June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nationals of Cyprus have migrated to the United Kingdom during each of the past 10 years.

Accurate figures are available only since 1st July, 1962, when Part I of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act came into force. Figures relating to persons holding Cyprus passports are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what are the figures for aid under the Local Employment Acts 1960 and 1963 up till 30th April, 1964, for Scotland, England and Wales, under the headings of total aid, the number of projects, and jobs potential.

The following are the figures of total assistance offered under Sections 2, 3 and 4 of the Local Employment Act 1960 and Sections 1 and 2 of the Local Employment Act 1963, excluding offers declined or in abeyance, up to 30th April, 1964:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the experiment on Customs patrol cars is now complete; and whether the two motor cycle patrols in Northumberland will have cars before next winter.

The experiments on patrol cars for Customs' coast preventive men are not yet complete. As was explained on 10th March in reply to an earlier question by the hon. Member, the experiments are expected to be completed about the beginning of next year. When the results are known, I will let the hon. Member know whether the two patrols in Northumberland are to have cars instead of motor cycles.