asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement concerning the steps being taken by the Government to establish a National Space Launching Programme.

This subject is under consideration by the Government and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Aviation when Middleton St. George is expected to become a civil operational airport.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. W. T. Rodgers) on 8th July.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on the further evidence relating to the slush trials carried out by the Royal Aircraft Establishment on an Elizabethan aircraft, and their relation to the circumstances of the Munich accident in February, 1958.

The report and analysis of results are now in final form and should be available for the technical circulation given to such Royal Aircraft Establishment reports, about the middle of August. I will send my hon. Friend a copy and copies will be sent to those directly concerned.The results of the trials have been communicated to the German authorities so that they may consider the effect of the information on the findings of their original inquiry into the Munich accident.

asked the Minister of Aviation when he expects work on design and construction, respectively, of the HS681, which is being placed with Short Bros, and Harland, to commence.

The design of jigs and tools should start towards the end of this year; manufacture should start in 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies whether measures have now been agreed with the Kenya Government to deal with the problem of the remaining European mixed farms which are outside the present land settlement programme; and if he will state the numbers of Europeans concerned and the financial backing provided for purchasing their farms if this proves necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies (1) what additional financial assistance is now to be given to assist the resettlement of British farmers now in Kenya who are considered to be compassionate cases;(2) if he will now make a statement on additional financial assistance to Kenya to finance phase 2 of the Million Acre Resettlement Scheme;(3) what financial assistance Great Britain is now to give towards the Resettlement Scheme in the Ol Kalou salient in Kenya.

The British Government have decided to provide funds to enable the land in the Ol Kalou salient to be purchased. The precise arrangements are being discussed and will be announced shortly.With regard to the remaining European mixed farms I have not yet completed my consideration of the Kenya Government's proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies whether he will continue to provide loans to India and Pakistan on the easier terms which he announced in the House on 17th July, 1963.

Yes. At recent meetings of the aid Consortia held under the aegis of the World Bank we undertook to make available additional aid amounting to £30 million to India and £8 million to Pakistan for the year 1964–65. This aid will be in the form of loans under Section 3 of the Export Guarantees Act, 1949. The repayment of these loans, as of the loans to which I referred last July, will be over a period of 25 years including a grace period of seven years in which no repayments of principal will be required. As last year, we have agreed also to waive interest during the first seven years of the loans.The cost of the waiver of interest will be borne on the Commonwealth Grants and Loans Vote. Payments will be made from that Vote to the Acquisition of Guaranteed Securities Fund—which is administered by the Export Credits Guarantee Department—in order to recompense the Fund for the interest waived. Parliament will be asked in due course to approve a Supplementary Estimate in respect of the current financial year. Meanwhile, if necessary, advances will be obtained from the Civil Contingencies Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he will initiate discussions with the Northern Rhodesia Government on a further financial loan in order to finance adequate compensation for non-designated European civil servants.

No. I have had no request for such assistance from the Northern Rhodesia Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what costs in connection with the dissolution of the Central African Federation, in addition to the undertaking to contribute towards any actuarial deficit in the Pension Fund, Her Majesty's Government have agreed to meet.

The British Government have agreed with the territorial Governments to meet 40 per cent. of the "dissolution costs account", which covers the payment of certain terminal benefits to ex-Federal Civil Servants. The account is expected to total approximately £2·5 million. The House will be asked in due course to vote the necessary estimates; in the meantime an advance to meet urgent expenditure will be sought from the Civil Contingencies Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies, in view of the absence of any Bechuanaland newspaper, if he will establish a Government information bulletin for Bechuanaland on a more frequent basis than the present monthly bulletin.

The Government newsletter is now published weekly and there are daily 10-minute news broadcasts in Tswana and in English.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what consultations took place between Her Majesty's Government and representatives of interested organisations in Hong Kong before deciding not to seek reparations from Japan for war damage under Section 14A of the San Francisco Treaty.

There were no consultations between Her Majesty's Government and representatives of interested organisations in Hong Kong. The decision was taken after consultation and with the agreement of the Hong Kong Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies, what reparations have been paid by Japan to Hong Kong nationals; and how many claims are still outstanding.

The Allied Powers by Article 14(b) of the Treaty of Peace with Japan waived, with certain exceptions, all reparations claims of the Allied Powers and their nationals arising out of any actions taken by Japan and its nationals in the course of the prosecution of the war.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies in respect of each of the High Commission territories, how many Africans obtained O level matriculation or its equivalent last year; and what steps he is taking to provide additional educational help to increase the number attaining this level of qualification.

O level or equivalent passes in 1963 were obtained by Africans as follows:

Territory
Basutoland	…	…	…	22
Bechuanaland	…	…	…	12
Swaziland	…	…	…	16

All territorial development plans include assistance for education from Colonial Development and Welfare funds. A U.N.E.S.C.O. team has recently visited the High Commission Territories and will make recommendations for the development of education in them. Plans will be reconsidered in the light of its report.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what additional financial assistance he is arranging to give Basutoland to meet the extra costs involved in the new timetable of constitutional advance now agreed, particularly in respect of training local civil servants and manning and housing the proposed new Parliament.

I am examining with the Basutoland Government proposals for extending the present programme for localisation and ways in which expenditure on this and other matters connected with the new Constitution can be met.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what changes Her Majesty's Government propose to make in Great Britain's treaty relations with the Federated States of South Arabia.

As part of the process of transferring authority to the Federation of South Arabia, the British Government have agreed to a request by the Federal Government that the 1959 Treaty of Friendship and Protection between the United Kingdom and the Federation should be amended so as to restrict the Federation's obligations under Article V to the acceptance of British advice on matters concerning external affairs, defence and the Federal public service. The British Government have also agreed to modify similarly the treaties with any Member States of the Federation which so request.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average strength of the fire party on duty at Royal Air Force stations, not being master airfields, at weekends; and whether they are capable of operating the aircraft fire tender in case of emergency.

At those Royal Air Force stations which are not fully manned at weekends the fire party normally consists of 6 persons, most of whom are not fully trained firemen. Their duty is to deal with fires in buildings. For an effective airfield fire and crash service personnel must be both fully trained and at readiness on the runway.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many duty officers, on average, remain on duty at Royal Air Force Stations, not being master airfields, at weekends; if a constant lookout is kept; and whether duty officers are capable of controlling incoming light aircraft by the use of lamp signals if required.

At those Royal Air Force stations which are not fully manned at weekends there is usually one station duty officer. He has no responsibilities for air traffic control and is not necessarily conversant with control procedures.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the total cost to Her Majesty's Government of cancelling the Polaris programme and of the number of firms who would be involved in cancelled sub-contracts for each vessel.

No such estimate has been made. But I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 15th July (HANSARD, Column 1200) to my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucestershire, Stroud (Mr. Kershaw).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the approximate cost of converting a partially built nuclear Polaris submarine to the pure hunter-killer rôle.

No such estimate has been made, as it is not the policy of Her Majesty's Government to convert these submarines in the way mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the fact that parts of its subject matter were wartime secrets of M.I.9, whether the manuscript of the book, "A Taste of Freedom", by Robert Jackson, was submitted to his Department and passed for security clearance; and if he will make a statement.

No. In November, 1962, the author submitted an article which he said he intended for publication in three instalments in a newspaper, and he was told that there was no objection on security grounds to its publication. This article has been extensively drawn on for one of the chapters in this book.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action has been taken by his Department to organise tests for the European Athletics Diploma on the basis of the Resolution of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 23rd October, 1963; and if he will make a statement.

—			Size of Classes
			1–30	31–40	41–45	46–50	Total
Number of pupils in primary school classes			2,926	4,531	721	141	8,319
Percentage	…	…	35·2	54·5	8·6	1·7	100·0
Number of pupils in secondary school classes
Modern	…	…	2,449	1,433	—	—	3,882
Grammar	…	…	1,109	291	—	—	1,400
Technical	…	…	538	31	—	—	569
Total	…	…	4,096	1,755	—	—	5,851
Percentage	…	…	70·0	30·0	—	—	100·0
All pupils (Primary and Secondary)		…	7,022	6,286	721	141	14,170
Percentage	…	…	49·5	44·4	5·1	1·0	100·0

Of 15 secondary schools in the Division all but one (Sheppey Technical High School for Girls) had one or more classes with more than 30 pupils. None had classes over 40.Of 53 primary schools, 26 had no classes with more than 30 pupils, 20 schools had classes with more than 30 but no classes with more than 40 pupils, and seven schools had classes with more than 40 pupils, as follows:

The proposal referred to is still being given consideration and my right hon. and learned Friend regrets that at the moment he can make no further statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children in the Faversham constituency at the end of the summer term were being taught in classes with more than 30 and with more than 40 pupils, respectively, and in which schools; and of the latter classes, how many children there were in each.

The following table shows the size of classes in the North-East Kent (Faversham) Educational Division, in January, 1964, and the number of pupils in them:Schools with classes between 41 and 45 pupils:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware of the concern felt by the people of West Ham and the Education Committee of the County Borough of West Ham at his decision to cut the council's school-building programme; what programme was envisaged by the council between the present time and 1968; what programme he has allowed; and whether he will agree to meet a deputation from the Education Committee to discuss this matter.

My right hon. and learned Friend is aware of local concern, but for the reason he gave in his reply to the hon. Member for Faversham (Mr. Boston) yesterday he cannot accept the description of the non-selection of projects as cuts in the programme. The West Ham Local Education Authority submitted projects worth £586,000 for 1965–66, £615,000 for 1966–67 and £338,000 for 1967–68. Programmes for the first two years have so far been announced: £51,000 for 1965–66 and £64,000 for 1966–67. He will consider any request the Authority might make that a deputation should be received.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research is proceeding within the Atomic Energy Authority or elsewhere in the United Kingdom on nuclear reactors which may eventually provide a practicable means of propulsion for aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

None. At the present stage in the development of nuclear reactors they do not appear to offer a practicable means for aircraft propulsion.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of temporary teachers and what is their proportion to other teachers in Salford schools; what is the annual turnover of teachers in Salford schools; and how these rates compare with the national average.

Of 984 full-time teachers in Salford primary and secondary schools, in February, 1964, 97 (9·9 per cent) were temporary and 10 (1·0 per cent.) occasional teachers. The corresponding percentages for England and Wales were 1·5 per cent. and 0·7 per cent. The annual wastage of qualified full-time teachers in maintained primary and secondary schools in Salford has, in the three-year period 1961–64 been an average of 13 per cent. for men and 22 per cent. for women teachers. There are no figures available to show what the average has been for the other 145 local education authorities in England and Wales. The national average wastage figures for the last three-year period, for which calculations have been completed, 1959–62 (4 per cent. for men and 10 per cent. for women teachers), do not afford a fair comparison as they exclude the considerable movement of teachers between individual authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers would be required to reduce Salford school classes to their proper size.

Seventy-nine in primary and 130 in secondary schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the ages of Salford primary schools; and which of them are without dining rooms, auditoriums, or proper playing fields.

This information is not available and it would take the local authority some time to prepare it.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware of the overcrowding in the Kent county primary schools at Queensborough and at Halfway, Sheerness; what steps he proposes to take so that this overcrowding can be overcome; and when he expects this overcrowding to be ended.

My right hon. and learned Friend is aware that there is pressure on these schools. He understands that the local education authority are taking immediate steps to provide additional accommodation as part of their minor works programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware of the cramped conditions at the Sittingbourne, East, secondary school for girls; and whether he will restore cuts imposed upon the Kent County Council's major building programme, so that the proposed rebuilding of the school can take place.

My right hon. and learned Friend is aware of conditions at the school. He is unable to add the rebuilding project to the Major Building Programmes already announced for Kent for 1965–66 and 1966–67, but it will be considered for inclusion in the 1967–68 programme. On the subject of "cuts" in building programmes I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. and learned Friend's Answer to his Question yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many general certificate of education courses are being provided in Sunderland next September; and at which schools they will be provided.

I understand from the local education authority that it cannot give precise information. The matter is at the head teacher's discretion and depends partly on the demand. The following schools at present run G.C.E. courses:

• Monkwearmouth County Secondary School.
• Hylton Red House County Secondary School.
• Castle View County Secondary School.
• Fulwell County Secondary School for Girls.
• Bede County Secondary Grammar School for Boys.
• Bede County Secondary Grammar School for Girls.
• Southmoor County Technical School for Boys.
• West Park County Technical School for Girls.
• St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Secondary School.
• St. Mary's Roman Catholic Secondary School.

In addition the following schools are hoping to offer G.C.E. courses in September:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will introduce legislation to allow universities and other bodies recipient of public money for the construction of new buildings to supplement these moneys from private resources, thus enabling them to produce buildings which are of a higher standard and better appearance than those which are purely functional and utilitarian.

I see no grounds for altering the existing practice by which Exchequer Grants are normally available only for buildings designed within approved cost limits. This matter was carefully considered by Sir Arthur Rucker in his Report on university building procedures, and is further discussed by the University Grants Committee at paragraphs 368–72 of their recent report on university development (Cmnd. 2267) to which I would refer my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the four Governments with which Her Majesty's Government have special arrangements for an extension of diplomatic immunities are also signatories of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations; and whether, on ratification by the United Kingdom, he will utilise to the full those provisions of the Convention which permit reciprocal action in case of abuse, thereby making it practicable to terminate at an early date the special arrangements referred to, thus bringing this country's diplomatic practice into line with that of the other 80 countries who have signed the Convention.

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations has been signed by all the four countries with which the United Kingdom has special arrangements guaranteeing the maintenance at the present level of the immunity and inviolability accorded to the staffs of their diplomatic missions in London and to the staffs of Her Majesty's diplomatic missions in the capitals of those countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has studied the recent evidence sent to him by the hon. and learned Member for Stoke Newington and Hackney, North, regarding the supply of arms and military equipment to the United Arab Republic, which is further increasing the arms race in the Middle East; and what action he is taking on this matter under the Tripartite Declaration of 1950.

I have studied this evidence. Having done so, I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Chig-well (Mr. Biggs-Davison) and the hon. Gentleman the Member for Leicester, North-West (Sir B. Janner) on 20th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what has been the reply of the Hungarian Government to Her Majesty's Government concerning Hungarian debts to this country; and what steps he is taking to see that discussions are now reopened.

The Hungarians have indicated that they would be prepared to reopen discussions based on the offer of settlement that they made in 1956. We are in the process of consulting the Council of Foreign Bondholders. In the light of these consultations, we will consider what the next step should be.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on how many occasions the International Supervisory Commission for Vietnam has referred questions to the members of the 1954 Geneva Conference in accordance with Clause 13 of the Final Declaration; and on how many of these occasions has either of the co-chairmen arranged for the members of the Conference to consult one another, as provided in this Clause.

The information asked for is not immediately available. I am seeking it, and I will write to the hon. Member when it is available.

asked the Minister of Health when he intends to announce his conclusions on the reviews of hospital medical staffing conducted by hospital boards following the recommendations of the Platt Working Party; and if he will make a statement.

The reports of Boards on medical staffing in hospitals over a period of five years have been examined in consultation with representatives of the profession. They showed a total demand for 23,910 doctors—in terms of the equivalent of whole-time staff—compared with 18,717 at the time of the reviews.Because Boards' assessments of needs for consultant posts varied and because they proposed a total number of posts which exceeded the number of doctors now qualified or expected to qualify for consultant responsibility, it has been necessary to find a standard for approval of new posts. My right hon. Friend has agreed with the profession's representatives a method of allocating consultant posts to Boards for the period under review, and they will shortly be informed of the allocations. They will be asked to proceed with the reviews for the personal upgrading of senior hospital medical officers who now hold special allowances and occupy posts approved as consultant posts.My right hon. Friend is considering with the profession's representatives the extent to which it would be practicable to increase the number of senior registrars and so the supply of consultants for the future.My right hon. Friend has agreed with the profession that the new intermediate grade of medical assistant, which the Working Party on Medical Staffing Structure in the Hospital Service recommended, should be introduced and the terms and conditions of service for this grade have been agreed by the Medical Whitley Council. This new grade will offer a career of responsibility under consultant supervision and will strengthen the medical staffing of hospitals at the intermediate level which cannot fully depend on doctors in training.

asked the Minister of Health whether the incinerator at Farnborough Hospital conforms with British Standard 3316.

MID-GLAMORGAN HOSPITAL MANAGENENT COMMITTEE—OUT-PATIENTS WAITING LISTS
Speciality					Percent. increase or decrease compared with:—
					31st March, 1964	30th September, 1963	31st March, 1963	30th September, 1962
General Medicine	…	…	…	…	214	-30	+23	+61
Dermatology	…	…	…	…	19	-86	-37	-81
Paediatrics	…	…	…	…	*72	+20	+26	-14
Neurology	…	…	…	…	4	-33	+ 33	-80
General Surgery	…	…	…	…	495	-7	+24	+ 50
Ear, Nose and Throat	…	…	…	…	344	-48	-68	-64
Traumatic and Orthopaedic Surgery				…	471	-36	-48	-51
Ophthalmology	…	…	…	…	152	-28	—	-23
Urology	…	…	…	…	30	+ 36	+ 3	-3
Gynaecology	…	…	…	…	202	-30	+ 20	-29
Dentistry	…	…	…	…	7	—	—	+ 133
Mental Illness	…	…	…	…	44	-30	-24	-34
Diseases of Chest	…	…	…	…	72	+ 18	-23	+ 16
Chronic Sick	…	…	…	…	3	—	—	—
Neurosurgery	…	…	…	…	1	—	—	—
TOTALS	…	…	…	…	2,130	-31	-32	-34
* As as 28th July, 1964.

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take on the annual report of the Mid-Glamorgan Hospital Management Committee so far as the need for additional accommodation for the treatment of chronic sick patients in the Port Talbot and Neath area is concerned.

The long-term hospital plans for this area are set out in Cmnd. Paper 1604 and two subsequent revisions. In the meantime the Welsh Hospital

Yes, in all substantial respects. The hospital management committee has asked a firm of consulting engineers to investigate the alleged nuisance to neighbouring properties

asked the Minister of Health what are the waiting lists at the last convenient date for various classes of out-patients in hospitals in the mid-Glamorgan area; and what percentage changes there have been compared with the position six months, 12 months, and 18 months previously.

Following is the information:Board is considering some improvement by means of a reallocation of beds within the group.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the dissatisfaction among building maintenance workers employed in North-West hospitals with their present wages, and that, in the Manchester United Hospitals, work study experts have after examination recommended an incentive scheme based on increased efficiency; and if he will now give North-West hospitals the power to negotiate such a scheme, as requested by Manchester representatives of the National Federation of Building Trade Operatives.

I understand that the question of incentive bonus schemes in hospital maintenance work is under consideration by the Ancillary Staffs Whitley Council.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there are no facilities for artificial limb fitting or repairs to artificial limbs in Carlisle, with the result that those who are in need of these services are compelled to travel at their own expense to the Appliance Centre at Newcastle-upon-Tyne; and whether he will make arrangements for such a centre to be established in Carlisle in order to make appropriate provision for the limbless in Carlisle and Cumberland.

The establishment of a full-time centre in Carlisle would not be justified, but I have been examining the practicability of making some other arrangements there.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that whereas prior to 1948 limbless people in Carlisle who attended the Appliance Centre at Newcastle were provided with a free travelling warrant plus facilities for claiming subsistence for loss of earnings for their day's attendance these benefits do not now exist; and if he will take steps to re-establish them forthwith, in view of the fact that the present return fare of 15s. 9d. from Carlisle to Newcastle is a heavy burden on disabled people in addition to their day's loss of work.

Before 1948 limbless people attending centres were virtually all war pensioners. Facilities for obtaining travel warrants and claiming subsistence are still available to them. National Health Service patients attending the centre may apply to the National Assistance Board for assistance with travelling expenses if payment would involve hardship.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of households in England and Wales at the latest convenient date; how this compared with the number of dwellings; and by what proportion these numbers have increased in the last 12 months to the latest convenient date.

The latest available count of households in England and Wales is 14,640,897 present at the 1961 Census of Population. The number of occupied and vacant dwellings at the 1961 Census was 14,646,089.My right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government has estimated that at mid-year 1964 the total number of dwellings in England and Wales was 15·3 million and the number of households 15·1 million. The proportionate increase in dwellings and households in the twelve months to mid-year 1964 is estimated to have been 1·5 per cent. for dwellings and nearly 1 per cent. for households.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in spite of the fact that many authorities now regard cancer of the cervix as a preventable disease, almost 2,500 women die annually from it; and if he will make a statement on the progress of his plans for routine examination to ensure this death rate is considerably reduced.

Yes. I would refer the hon. Member to my answers to the hon. Members for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mrs. Hill) and Dearne Valley (Mr. Wainwright) on 30th April and 4th May.

asked the Minister of Health what consideration he has now given to the case of Mr. Kirby, an optician, details of which have been submitted to him; and whether he will make a statement.

I am writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give further details of the arrangements which have been made for sharing the cost of the provision of the new dry dock in Belfast between the Imperial and Northern Ireland Governments.

The detailed arrangements for the financing of the dock cannot be settled before tenders are received and considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the amount of compensation and ex-gratia payments made to the five men pardoned in the Challenor case.

Applications for ex-gratia payment of compensation have been received from two of the men. These are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now state the terms of reference of the inquiry to be set up under the Police Act, 1964, concerning Detective-Sergeant Challenor.

When I informed the House on 2nd July of my intention to set up this inquiry, I also announced that the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis had at my request invited Mr. Norman Goodchild, the Chief Constable of Wolverhampton, to undertake an inquiry into fresh allegations of corruption. I said that I would take Mr. Goodchild's report into account in determining the terms of reference for the inquiry.I am informed that Mr. Goodchild's report cannot be completed for some time. I have therefore decided that the terms of reference of the inquiry should initially be: "To inquire into the circumstances in which it was possible for Detective Sergeant Challenor to continue on duty at a time when he appears to have been affected by the onset of mental illness.Mr. A. E. James, Q.C., the Recorder of Derby, has agreed to undertake this inquiry. He will be assisted by Commander W. J. A. Willis, C.B.E., M.V.O., C.G.M., lately one of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary, as an assessor.The inquiry will have statutory powers under Section 32 of the Police Act, 1964, which comes into operation tomorrow, to summon witnesses and to take evidence on oath. I intend to give directions under this Section that it shall sit in public so far as its present terms of reference are concerned. If, in the light of Mr. Goodchild's report, it becomes necessary to refer further matters to the inquiry, I shall consider, when doing so, whether it should continue to sit in public when considering them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the report of the committee of inquiry, appointed in May, 1963, concerning the supply of living animals for experimental purposes, may be expected.

The Committee on Experiments on Animals hopes to be in a position to submit its Report by the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what amount of money was lost due to wages thefts in the county of Durham and the Metropolitan District of London, respectively, in the last 12 months.

Between 1st July, 1963, and 30th June, 1964, wages amounting to £110,296 were stolen in transit in the Metropolitan Police District. I understand that during the same period there were no similar thefts in the County of Durham.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for West Ham, North can expect an answer to his communication sent to him on 15th June, concerning the evasion of the payment of Road Fund licences.

A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 28th July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will review the regulations governing the distribution by medical representatives of samples of drugs coming under Schedules S.1 and S.4a, in view of the danger of large quantities of sample drugs being diverted into illicit channels.

The Poisons Rules require that a record shall be kept of the supply to a doctor of a commercial sample of a substance included in Schedule 1 to the Rules. The Code of Marketing Practice for Medical Specialities of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry further requires that samples of products which are restricted by law to supply on prescription, as are all substances listed in Schedule 4a to the Rules, must not be sent to doctors except in response to their instructions. I am not aware of any danger of such samples of drugs being diverted into illicit channels, but if the hon. Member has any evidence of such a danger I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of purple heart tablets and similar drugs coming under Schedules S.1 and S.4a which are recorded as having been handed to doctors by medical representatives as free samples in the most recent convenient month.

This information could be obtained only by asking all suppliers to furnish extracts from their records for a particular month. I do not think that the work involved would be justified. I am informed by the manufacturers of Drinamyl ("purple heart") tablets that they withdrew all supplies of this drug from their representatives in April, 1963.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many successful prosecutions there were in 1963 for causing or permitting vehicles to emit an unnecessary or excessive amount of noxious or offensive gases.

Provisional figures shown that in England and Wales during 1963 there were 2,867 prosecutions under the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations for the unlawful emission of smoke, etc. It is not known how many of these were successful.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will be ready to introduce legislation to review the Cremation Regulations, especially an amendment which would give coroners authority to issue a certificate of cremation subject to the agreement of the parties concerned that no circumstances existed which would be likely to require further examination of the body.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 28th July to a Question by the hon. Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Holt).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further consideration he has given to the recommendation of his Advisory Council on the Treatment of Offenders that National Assistance, where it is due, should be paid to a prisoner before he is discharged so that when he leaves the institution he has sufficient money to meet immediate contingencies; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I intend to introduce on 1st October an arrangement by which a prisoner who has served a sentence of over three months, or a prisoner who cannot reach an office of the National Assistance Board on the day of discharge, will be eligible, where appropriate, to receive at the prison a payment of up to £4 to enable him to meet his immediate needs. These payments will be made by the prison authorities and not by the National Assistance Board; they will be made only to prisoners who are in need of such help and the Board will take them into account when considering any requests for further assistance. Provision will be made in a Supplementary Estimate to be presented in due course. Advances will be sought from the Civil Contingencies Fund to meet any payments requiring to be made in the meantime.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to remit the case of Mr. Hinds, following his petition, to the Court of Criminal Appeal; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend: o the statement I made yesterday in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Leeds, South-East (Miss Bacon).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Lionel William King has not been given particulars in regard to the assessor who will be considering his claim for compensation, the steps which he should take in acquainting the assessor of the details of his claim, and the probable period which will elapse before a decision is made; and why an interim payment to Mr. King has been refused, unless he undertakes to adhere to the recommendation of the assessor.

The solicitors acting for Mr. King have been informed of the procedure for seeking ex gratia payments, and I am awaiting a detailed claim from them. His Honour W. K. Carter, Q.C., has agreed to act as the independent assessor who will advise me on the claim, which will be determined as quickly as possible. In accordance with normal practice, it will be a condition of any ex gratia payment that Mr. King should forgo any claim arising out of his arrest, prosecution and imprisonment. I could not make an interim payment except on this understanding.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will consider giving a salary to Forestry Commissioners.

The Chairman of the Forestry Commissioners receives a salary in respect of his services. The time occupied by unpaid Commissioners on Commmission business amounts on average to some 30 days a year. In present circumstances, I think it right that their emoluments should be restricted to travelling and subsistence expenses.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many schemes have been approved, and what is the total amount paid to farmers in Wiltshire, under the Farm Improvement and Small Farmers Schemes.

Up to 30th June, 1964, 434 farm business plans had been approved under the Small Farmer Scheme, and £240,556 had been paid in grant. I regret that, without undue expenditure of time and labour, figures for the Farm Improvement Scheme can be given only for the Ministry's local Division, which covers both Wiltshire and Gloucestershire; up to 30th June, 1964, 7,523 applications had been approved in the two counties at a total estimated cost of £7,868,603, and £2,099,257 had so far been paid in grant.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the general anxiety of the horticultural industry at the fact that while Her Majesty's Government is providing under the Agriculture and Horticulture Act 1964, sums to improve production it has left open the extent to which the industry might be affected adversely by imports; and what long-term steps he is now taking to prevent this.

I am not aware that there is any general anxiety in the industry. As I pointed out in a statement in the House on 27th November last, the effect of the substantial aid to reduce costs of production and improve marketing for which the Act now provides should enable the horticultural industry the better to compete with imports. To this extent its dependence on the tariff would be reduced, but I made it clear that a period of some four years would be needed before reductions in tariffs on products sensitive to overseas competition could be considered. I also said that, in considering possible tariff reductions, as well as any safeguards that may be necessary against abnormal competition from imports, the Government would take the views of the industry fully into account.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now introduce legislation to provide for the humane slaughter of poultry.

My Department and that of the Secretary of State for Scotland have been in touch with Animal Welfare interests on this subject for some time. The Secretary of State and I are now satisfied that the technical problems have been sufficiently explored to warrant proposals for legislation being formally discussed. We therefore propose to issue proposals accordingly, and to invite all interested parties to comment on them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will introduce legislation to empower him to supervise the slaughter of seals in the Wash and elsewhere, in view of the distress caused to residents and holidaymakers.

I am not at present satisfied that it would be practicable to legislate along the lines suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs on how many occasions at public inquiries into boundaries between 1930 and 1939 compared with 1958 to 1964, under the 1929 and 1933 Local Government Acts, the county council involved gave evidence or testified at the commencement of the inquiry or at a later stage in the inquiry; and on what occasions the county council involved declined to give evidence or take part in the proceedings of the inquiry.

I regret that the information sought in relation to public inquiries held between 1930 and 1939 is not available. Generally speaking, however, county councils appear to have taken part in the pre-war county review inquiries, though practice in regard to witnesses varied a good deal. At some inquiries witnesses were called to give evidence about particular matters though rarely about all the objections which were the subject of the inquiry. At other inquiries no witnesses appeared. Between 1958 and 1964 there have been three inquiries into orders made by county councils under Section 141 of the Local Government Act, 1933. These dealt with minor matters. The county councils presented their case. The inquiry into objections to the county review proposals of Salop County Council which is now in progress is the first of its kind and is being held in accordance with the Local Government Act, 1958.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will set up an independent body to inquire into the methods used for the disposal of coastal towns sewage, and the extent to which such coastal local authorities treat their sewage, especially in cases where sewage is pumped or emptied into the sea.

My right hon. Friend does not think that an inquiry on these lines is necessary. As I said in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Mr. Blackburn) on 20th July, an investigation into ways of improving the design and siting of sewage outfalls is already being carried out.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what representations he has received concerning Kent, and in particular the Isle of Sheppey, to amend the proposals in the South-East Study and White Paper; what is his policy on these representations; when he will announce a final decision about an amended South-East plan; and when action will be taken to implement it.

The Kent County Council and 11 other authorities in the county have sent my right hon. Friend comments on the Study. These comments will be taken into account before final decisions are taken and discussions will be held with the authorities as necessary. He hopes that final decisions will be taken by about the turn of the year; the date of implementation of particular proposals will have to be decided in the light of local factors and of the phasing of the whole programme.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the cause of the sewer-like smell which rises from the River Thames; if he will take action to eliminate it; and if he will report his findings to this House.

I am not aware of any recent complaint about smell from the Thames, but if the hon. Member will send me particulars of what he has in mind I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will undertake to introduce legislation to cover day nursery matrons and nursery staff by the provisions of the Local Government Superannuation Act, 1937; and if he will make a statement.

Day nursery matrons and nursery staff employed by local authorities are already covered by the Local Government Superannuation Act, 1937. A proposal by the Royal College of Nursing that the Act should be amended to accord to these grades an earlier age of retirement has, at my right hon. Friend's suggestion, been put by the College to the local authority associations for their views. I understand that the associations are still considering it.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has decided to proceed with the proposals for the expansion of Stevenage New Town.

I intend to take the next step in the statutory procedure—the publication of a draft designation amendment order—shortly. The proposed extension area will be the same as that on which I have consulted the local authorities. A period will be allowed for formal objections and a public local inquiry held by an independent inspector will be held in the late autumn of this year which will enable differing opinions on the matter to be fully tested.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (1) whether a firm order has yet been placed for a fume arrestment plant at the works of Ideal-Standard Limited in Hull; when such plant is expected to be installed; whether it will deal with air pollution from all hot blast cupolas at the works; to what extent it will be experimental in nature; and if he will make a statement;(2) what steps have been taken so far this year by the Chief Alkali Inspectorate to hasten the elimination of pollution from the hot blast cupolas of Ideal-Standard Limited in Hull.

The new plant, a firm order for which is expected to be given within a week and which should be installed and operating within 15 to 18 months, is designed to deal with emissions from only one of the three pairs of hot blast cupolas. This is a major and costly pioneering experiment, and it would be unwise to order arrestment plant for the remaining two pairs until the effectiveness and reliability of this type of plant has been proved on the first pair. During 1964 the Alkali Inspectorate has continued to help the company in considering the technical problems involved, has approved the final design of the new plant and has impressed on the company the need for the plant to be ordered quickly.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that in the year 1952–53 the county borough of West Ham had advances of £615,222 from the Consolidated Loans Fund, that to date they have paid a total of £271,103 in interest charges and although they have reduced the capital sum borrowed by £56,475, they paid in 1963–64 £27,465 in interest charges as against £19,761 in 1953–54; and what was the reason for this.

The operation of the council's consolidated loans fund is not a matter for my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that much new housing development is now being given Town and Country Planning approval without local residents, who are most affected by this approval, being aware that such approval has been given; what steps he will now take to ensure that major applications are adequately advertised, before being considered by the appropriate authorities; and whether he will make a statement.

Under Article 14 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order, 1963, every local planning authority is required to keep a register of all planning applications made to them and the decisions given. Section 19(5) of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1962, requires that every such register shall be available for inspection by the public at all reasonable hours.In Circular No. 21/61 dated 17th May, 1961, the attention of local planning authorities was drawn to the desirability of arranging for publicity to be given to certain planning applications. I think that though it remains, of course, a matter for their discretion major proposals are normally advertised. Of course the question what constitutes a major proposal is inevitably a matter of opinion, but I do not think that any further advice from my right hon. Friend is needed.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that in the year 1953–54 the county borough of West Ham had an outstanding debt charge at the commencement of the year of £3,895,000, that the average rate of interest charged on this debt was 3·212 per cent. making a total of £125,100, that this debt had increased to £18,189,000 in 1963–64 at an average rate of interest of 4·865 per cent. with a total interest charge of £884,900, and that this amount would have been reduced to £584,200 if the interest rates had remained at 3·212 per cent.; and whether he will therefore increase housing subsidies to compensate for these increases.

The Government have said that, on the assumption that proper rents are charged, subject to rebates for those who need them, they will see that local authorities receive whatever subsidies they need to carry through their housing responsibilities. The present review of subsidies takes into account all aspects of local housing finance, of which loan interest is one element.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what information he has about housing development in the Mount Bank Road area of Sheffield; whether he is aware that the residents object to the proposed development, and that building work has commenced on this site without these objections being heard; and if he will now order a public inquiry and hold up further construction until such inquiry has been held.

My right hon. Friend has no information about housing development in the Mount Bank Road area of Sheffield. Two applications for development on the north side of Moor Bank Road have been referred to him. Both proposals, though contrary to the provisions of the development plan, related to the same class of development as that already existing on both sides of Moor Bank Road and in both instances planning permission was authorised. He has recently been made aware of objecttions in respect of one of these proposals, namely, the development of the site opposite to Nos. 39–47 Moor Bank Road.Although clearance of this site is now taking place, construction of the dwellings cannot commence until the council has approved the detailed plans. My right hon. Friend is requesting the council to take into account all the objections which have been made to the proposal before it issues a decision. He would not feel justified in ordering a public inquiry to be held.

asked the honourable Member for Holland-with-Boston, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, why the refreshment department ran out of bacon early in the small hours of Thursday 30th July when a late sitting was probable.

It is regretted that in the course of a working day whose duration was unprecedented in the current Session, the interval of half an hour in which bacon was unprocurable in the Members' Cafeteria should have been coterminous with the period when the hon. Member desired to refresh himself with that comestible.

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled persons have been taken on at Remploy in the years 1963 and 1964 to date; and what are the prospects for further extensions to Remploy in Hartlepool.

Throughout the country Remploy engaged 826 severely disabled persons during 1963 and have engaged 500 so far this year. At West Hartlepool no severely disabled persons have been taken on by Remploy so far this year. Three were engaged during 1963. Additional workers will be engaged at West Hartlepool as and when trading conditions permit.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the high rate of juvenile unemployment in Scotland, he will appoint a small committee to examine ways of alleviating the economic difficulties of these young people and of extending their employment opportunities.

The employment situation among young people in Scotland is already kept under regular review by my Department in consultation with others concerned, and by the Scottish Advisory Committee of my National Youth Employment Council. The Central Training Council has also decided to set up a special Committee for Scotland which will deal with the implementation and operation of the Industrial Training Act as it affects Scotland. I shall, of course, keep in close touch with their activities, but it would clearly not be right to set up any further body at this stage.

asked the Minister of Labour how many people were registered as unemployed in the Cowdenbeath Employment Exchange area at the last count.

One thousand three hundred and twenty-four.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the ratio of boys under 18 years of age registered as wholly unemployed in the Cowdenbeath Employment Exchange area, at the latest convenient date, to the number of unfilled vacancies.

At the July count there were 102 wholly unemployed boys and 13 unfilled vacancies for boys in the Cowdenbeath Youth Employment Office area.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement about televising and broadcasting the State Opening of the first Session of the new Parliament.

Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to give Her consent to a proposal, which has the support of the Government and of the Opposition, that the State Opening of Parliament this year should be televised and broadcast.The arrangements, which are being concerted with the Lord Great Chamberlain, will be similar to those made for televising the ceremony in 1958.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what is the number of retired people of 70 years and over; how many of these are currently in receipt of some form of supplementary pension; what would be the estimated cost of increasing their supplements by 10s. a week and by £1 per week; and what would be the cost of making similar increases for all retirement pensioners of 70 years and over.

There are about 3½ million retirement pensioners over 70. To increase their pensions by 10s. or £1 a week—or by the appropriate lesser amount for a wife with a pension on her husband's insurance—would cost the National Insurance Fund about £84 million or £168 million a year respectively. The only supplementary pensions about which information is available are those paid by the National Assistance Board. There are rather more than three-quarters of a million of these in payment to retirement pensioner households whose head is aged 70 or over. To increase them by 10s. or £1 a week, with appropriate additions for married couples where the wife was a pensioner over 70, would cost over £21 million or over £42 million a year respectively.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many people in the Faversham constituency are in receipt of the retirement pension.

I regret that statistics relating to the numbers of retirement pensioners are not available for particular areas.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many retirement pensioners, non-contributory old-age pensioners, and other persons were receiving National Assistance grants on 30th June, 1964, in Gateshead.

The County Borough of Gateshead is served by two offices of the National Assistance Board which between them also serve a considerable area extending beyond it. This area includes the Urban Districts of Felling and Washington. The numbers of retirement pensioners, non-contributory pensioners and other persons receiving National Assistance grants from these two offices at the end of June were 5,603, 144 and 4,301 respectively.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance why, in view of the fact that he is able to give general information about applications for National Assistance in the Faversham constituency, information is not available to him about applications for National Assistance from retirement pensioners there.

The record of the number of applications for assistance received in a particular office of the Board does not distinguish between different categories of case.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the approximate cost of paying pensions direct into the insured's bank account when so requested; and if he will prepare a scheme for doing this whereby this sum would be deducted from the benefit.

The additional costs incurred in paying pensions direct into bank accounts would depend, among other things, on the numbers availing themselves of this method of payment. In any event, my right hon. Friend has no power to make deductions from benefits for administrative expenses.

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects the building of the joint television and very high frequency sound broadcasting station at Belmont to be completed.

The B.B.C. and the I.T.A. hope to bring their television stations at Belmont into service by about the end of next year. The B.B.C. hopes to complete its V.H.F. sound station there soon afterwards.

asked the Postmaster-General What improvements have occurred in television reception of B.B.C. I in Blackpool since the introduction of the Band III transmitting station at Winter Hill.

I understand that the B.B.C.'s Band III station at Winter Hill gives good reception in Blackpool provided a suitable Channel 12 aerial is installed.

asked the Postmaster-General what proportion of telephone calls dialled within the nine Post Office regions failed to connect first time due to the fault of the Post Office in the months ended 31st May and 30th June, 1964.

The figures for the individual regions are as follows:

Region	Month ending
	31st May, 1964	30th June, 1964
Home Counties	3·0	2·2
London	3·9	3·4
Midland	2·3	2·5
North Eastern	1·9	2·8
Northern Ireland	1·5	1·1
North Western	3·0	2·2
Scotland	2·1	2·3
South Western.	1·4	1·5
Wales and Border Counties	2·1	1·9

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will make a statement indicating the estimated loss in revenue, and additional expenditure incurred by his Department, arising from the differing forms of industrial action recently taken by the postmen.

I will make some estimates and write to the hon. Gentleman in due course.

asked the Postmaster-General when the transfer of the Dollis Hill Research Station to Martlesham, Suffolk, will take place; and whether the Dollis Hill site will be retained for any other purpose.

The move will probably start about 1968, but will take some time to complete. It is too early to say what will happen to the Dollis Hill site.

asked the Minister of Power if he will name the applicants for North Sea gas licences.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Willesden, East (Mr. Skeet) on 22nd July.

asked the Minister of Power what position Mr. C. H. de Peyer holds in his Department.

None: he retired a year ago.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he is aware that brick manufacturers in the Faversham constituency are unable to increase output further; and what effect this and other regional shortages of bricks will have over the next 12 months on the building programme.

Over the country as a whole brickmakers are taking steps to increase productivity, and where local brickworks cannot increase supplies builders should be able to draw upon other sources. Although there may be temporary and local delays in the delivery of bricks, I do not believe that shortage of bricks will have any significant effect upon the building programme.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will give details of the heraldry in the Members' Tea Room.

I cannot provide these details in the time available but I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will publish an explanatory leaflet giving details of all the heraldry in the Palace of Westminster.

I will consider this suggestion and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out in table form, for each region of Scotland, the mileage of motorways constructed up to the latest convenient date; the amount spent on new roads in the last financial year; and the estimated completion programme for further motorways and new roads, including mileage and estimated cost.

Scotland is not divided into regions for this purpose. No motorway is yet in use, but I expect about 80 miles to be open by 1974. During 1963–64 the Exchequer spent about £15 million on new construction and major improvements in Scotland, including £369,000 on the first stages of the motorway programme. During the five years 1965–70, Exchequer expenditure on new construction and major improvements is expected to amount to £122·6 million. It is not possible at present to forecast the mileage this will represent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the annual cost of screening all women in Scotland over the age of 40 years once every five years for possible cancer of the cervix, based on the assumption of the Office of Health Economics that the cytological examination of a cervical smear would cost about 10s.

On the basis suggested by the hon. Member, the average annual cost would be about £117,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much he is planning to spend on publicity to persuade women in the relevant age groups to come forward for examination for possible cancer of the cervix.

Provision of adequate facilities for examination must precede general publicity. I am at present considering recommendations for the development of an exfoliative cytology service which I have just received from the Standing Cancer Committee of the Scottish Health Services Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of new cases of cancer of the cervix he would expect to be detected annually by a fully staffed and equipped service.

There is as yet insufficient experience to enable a reliable estimate to be formed of the number of cases that would be brought to light by a comprehensive service.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for extending the work of chest clinics to help sufferers from chronic bronchitis.

The reduced incidence of tuberculosis has enabled chest clinics to devote more time to the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of chronic bronchitis. I have brought to the attention of hospital authorities a comprehensive report on bronchitis prepared by the Standing Medical Advisory Committee and the service available for the treatment of chronic bronchitis is steadily improving.