asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what proportion of total expenditure on the overseas information services is attributable to the British Council, the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Central Office of Information and to overseas departments, respectively.

The proportions are 32 per cent., 35 per cent., 13 per cent., and 20 per cent., respectively, of the total provisions for overseas information.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what staff he has taken over from other Departments; and what special staff he has recruited in order to form the section which will be concerned with advice and information on economic and other development in colonial and similar areas.

87 administrative and advisory staff (of whom 31 are past members of one of the Overseas Services), 155 executive staff and 306 ancillary staff have been taken over. With a few exceptions the staff were all previously employed in the Foreign Office, the Commonwealth Relations Office, the Colonial Office or the Ministry of Labour on the work which has been transferred with them.I have not recruited any special staff for the purpose of advising on economic development generally, but many members of the staff of the Department are concerned with the provision of advice on natural resources and other special aspects of development. I am now considering how the Department's ability to help with advice on the economic aspects of development can be strengthened.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the approximate amount of United Kingdom investment in the Crown Colony of Hong Kong; and what are the figures of annual exports to the United States of America from Hong Kong.

I regret that figures of the total amount of United Kingdom capital invested in the Crown Colony of Hong Kong are not available; the annual amount of direct investment by the United Kingdom in Hong Kong is of the order of £1–2 million a year net. Figures of the annual amount of other private investment are not available. The value of Hong Kong's exports to the U.S.A. was £37 million in 1959 and £48 million in 1960.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the approximate amount of United Kingdom investment in Malaya and Singapore.

I regret that figures of the total amount of United Kingdom capital invested in the Federation of Malaya and in the State of Singapore are not available; the annual amount of private investment (net of disinvestment) is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that in applying the assurance given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 3rd August, 1961, in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Finchley, the special commissioners of the Inland Revenue are regarding a material increase in turnover and profits as a change in circumstances entitling them to take Surtax action under Section 245 of the Income Tax Act, 1952, notwithstanding that the same proportion of profits has been distributed as was accepted as reasonable for past years; and what instructions he proposes to give to implement the original assurance and clarify the position.

As I indicated on 3rd August, there has been no change in the Special Commissioners' policy on Surtax directions. If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind, I will have it looked into if he will send me the particulars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the policy of the Government towards the adoption of decimal currency and the metric system of measurement is dependent on entry of the United Kingdom into the Common Market.

The possibility of our changing over to a decimal currency system or a metric system of measurement does not depend on our joining the Common Market. Although we are considering these important questions independently, we shall certainly bear in mind that the decimal coinage and metric group includes the countries of the European Economic Community.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the letter of the then Chancellor of the Exchequer dated 30th June, 1932, appealing to holders of £5 per cent. War Loan, 1929–47, to convert their loans on patriotic grounds together with the announcement reducing the rate of interest.

These documents were published in the OFFICIAL REPORT for 12th November, 1959, cols. 583–589, in answer to a Question my my hon. Friend the Member for Wycombe (Mr. John Hall).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the receipts for petrol tax for the last financial year.

The total receipts of hydrocarbon oil duty in the financial year 1960–61 were £409 million, of which about £280 million was in respect of motor spirit used in road vehicles.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many civil servants who have been employed in an unestablished quasi-permanent capacity since 1919 in a post recognised as established, have on subsequent establishment been allowed to count their unestablished service for superannuation as service in the capacity of a civil servant as defined by Section 12 of the Superannuation Act, 1887.

I regret that this information is not available and could only be obtained by a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what would be the estimated cost of increasing the maxi mum credit terms offered by the Export Credits Guarantee Department to 90 per cent, of the value.

My right hon. Friend is not entirely clear what the hon. Member has in mind. E.C.G.D.'s normal percentages of cover are 85 for the main buyer risks and 90 or 95 for the political risks. A reliable estimate of the cost of increasing the percentage for buyer risks cannot be made because the past is not a guide for the future. The primary purpose of the lower percentage paid on these risks is to ensure that the exporter retains a real interest in the transaction and it would not be in the interests of prudent underwriting to increase this percentage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further steps he is taking to divert new industries into those development areas where there are to be pit closures.

My right hon. Friend will continue his efforts to steer new industry to development districts, including those where there are to be pit closures.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the next meeting is to take place between the representatives of the Irish Republic and the United Kingdom regarding tariffs; and whether the importation of shirts will be included in these discussions.

It is hoped that there will be discussions before the end of the year about a further list of tariff items for review by the Irish Republican authorities in accordance with the Trade Agreement of 1960. My right hon. Friend will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new jobs have been provided in Fife in the last 12 months; how many more he expects in the forthcoming year; and how many have been lost, or are likely to be lost, in mining and other industries in the same periods.

About 100 jobs have been provided in Fife in the last twelve months from new building for which industrial development certificates are required. Over 1,300 new jobs are now in prospect from new building and other developments, but it is not possible to say how many of these will arise in the next year. I understand that in the last twelve months about 270 jobs have been lost in the mining industry and about 350 in other industries. I regret that I cannot give an estimate of the number of jobs likely to be lost in the forthcoming year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has examined the resolution of the Blyth and District Trades Council regarding the attraction of new industries to their area; and what reply he has sent.

A reply was sent to the Blyth and District Trades Council on 10th November; I am arranging for a copy to be sent to the hon. Member. My right hon. Friend has assured the Trades Council that he would be pleased to see suitable new industry going to the district, but that priority must be given to development districts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals have been made by Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for expanding trade between the two countries; and in what commodities.

During his talks with the Soviet Government in June, my right hon. Friend's predecessor proposed that the total value of trade subject to quota should be doubled in 1962. It was agreed that both sides should aim at the maximum possible increase, and negotiations are expected to begin shortly. In addition, the Soviet authorities asked that facilities should be granted for the import of Soviet oil into this country and my right hon. Friend explained why this was not possible in present circumstances. They further suggested that trade as a whole could be increased if British firms concluded long-term contracts with the Soviet authorities. My right hon. Friend undertook to ascertain the views of the industries concerned on this suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications have been received for industrial development certificates from industrial concerns in the city of Coventry; and how many have been granted.

Since 1st April, 1960, when the Local Employment Act came into operation, there have been 26 applications for industrial development certificates in Coventry, of which 22 were approved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total British trade with East Germany for the first eight months of 1961.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Trade and Navigation Accounts which show that in the first eight months of 1961, United Kingdom imports from East Germany amounted to £4,909,000. United Kingdom exports amounted to £5,548,000 and United Kingdom re-exports to £1,583,000.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what is the latest estimate of the amount of radioactive iodine in the thyroid glands of babies under two years old.

This is not a significant statistic. The important considerations are the concentration of radioactive iodine in milk and the radiation dose to the thyroid gland in infants under one year, over any period of 12 months. For these infants, the acceptable dose to the thyroid gland over any period of a year is estimated to be about one rem, and the levels of radioactivity observed so far in milk from the areas with the highest concentration would not give rise to an average thyroid dose over a period of a year exceeding 0·2 rem.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he will give details of the variation of fall-out in different regions of the United Kingdom.

The Atomic Energy Authority monitor the radioactivity of air and rain at a number of sampling stations in the United Kingdom and overseas. The results of the measurements made, which show such local variations as exist, are published in full annually. The latest report, which covered the period up to the end of August, 1961, was published on 1st November.The Agricultural Research Council measure the levels of radioactivity in milk and other foodstuffs in various regions of the United Kingdom and have published the results at six-monthly intervals. Recently they have published weekly statements of levels of radio-iodine in milk, of which the latest was issued on 8th November.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science whether he has received the report of the Committee on the Management and Control of Research and Development.

The Committee has submitted its Report, which is now being printed and should be available by the end of the year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have now come to a decision concerning the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Local Government in Greater London.

I cannot yet add to the answer I gave to the Question by my hon. Friend on 8th November.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when the Boundary Commission's Report on Tyneside will be presented.

The Local Government Commission hope to make known their draft proposals for Tyneside early in the New Year. They will then confer with the local authorities before sending me their final report. I cannot yet say when that stage will be reached.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs in view of the increasing difficulties connected with obtaining houses, if he will make a statement about the rate of progress this year in new completions of houses and flats; how he anticipates the figures for 1961 will compare with 1960; and what are the prospects for 1962.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement I made on the points he raised in my speech in the House on 6th November.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware of the increase in the number of home less families in London, mainly due to the operation of the Rent Act, 1957; and if he will state his proposals to deal with this situation.

I have already discussed with the London County Council what action they, as housing authority, could take. It is the London County Council who have the power, the responsibility and the financial resources to tackle this problem, and I have promised my full support within my powers. As to the hon. Gentleman's assertion as to the main cause, the hon. Member would do well to await the outcome of a special investigation which the County Council have undertaken in order to discover the causes of the recent increase in homelessness in London.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware of the anxieties of those owner-occupiers of leasehold houses whose leases are shortly to terminate; what representations he has received on this matter; and what steps he intends to take to relieve the anxiety and probable resultant hardship if no action is taken.

I am aware that there is concern about this problem, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a further statement on Government policy for Kenya, following his recent talks with representatives of political parties.

I recently reviewed the political situation in Kenya with the Governor and, as a result, I issued a statement, which I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT.During subsequent talks with a delegation from the Kenya African National Union, I have reaffirmed my desire to see Kenya progress constitutionally in accordance with the procedure set out in that statement.

asked the Minister of Works if he will state the amount of compensation received from the United States Government in respect of damage done to the Bernhard Baron Pavilion in Regent's Park as a result of the crashing of a United States Transport Dakota on the Pavilion in 1943.

The aircraft which crashed on the Pavilion in 1943 was operated by the Royal Air Force and manned by an R.A.F. crew. No question of the payment of compensation by the United States Government therefore arises.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will make a further statement on the proposal to remove the museum from the Banqueting Hall, Whitehall.

My negotiations with the Royal United Service Institution about the future of their museum are continuing and I will make a statement to the House as soon as they are completed.

asked the Minister of Works how many visitors to the Tower of London paid to see the Crown Jewels during the period May to September this year; how this number compares with 1957; and whether he is satisfied with the present arrangements for viewing these jewels.

394,018 visitors paid to see the Crown Jewels during the period May to September, 1961; 420,870 paid to see them during the same period in 1957. I am not satisfied with the present arrangements for viewing the Jewels. Plans for a new Jewel House have reached an advanced stage, but I fear there is little hope of being able to include provision for this in the Estimates at present.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will consult the Advisory Committee on Works of Art in the House of Commons with a view to attaching plates to the pictures, which have recently been hung in the vicinity of the Interview Rooms, indicating that these are drawings depicting buildings which it was proposed might be built as part of the Palace of Westminster but which were never actually constructed.

There are framed notices giving this information at each end of the Interview Room floor, one near the Attendants' Room, and one near the north Telephone Room. The Advisory Committee on Works of Art will be asked at their next meeting whether they consider further notices are needed.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) how the increased price of telegrams has increased redundancy in the Telegraph Department to date; what representations he has received on the subject from staff associations; and how he has dealt with such representations;(2) how the number of telegrams and the amount of money received for them since the increased charges were put in force compare with the corresponding period in the previous year in Scotland, England and Wales, respectively.

The last increase in the charge for inland public telegrams was made in August, 1954. The traffic has continued to decline since then, and the staff has been reduced. Staff redundancy has been handled in co-operation with the Staff Associations, and there is no serious problem at present. The details sought of revenue and traffic are not available, but the total revenue from inland public telegrams in 1954–55 was £41 million, compared with £3·2 million in 1960–61. The number of telegrams sent in 1954–55 was 25·7 million, and was 13·5 million in 1960–61.

asked the Minister of Power what estimate he has made, in the course of the negotiations concerning the United Kingdom's membership of the European Economic Community, of the effect upon the British oil industry of the existing trade agreements affecting members of the Community, with particular reference to the recent agreement concluded between the Governments of Italy and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

The British oil industry has major trading interests in Common Market countries in supplying, refining and marketing oil. The existing trade agreements between some Member countries of the European Economic Community and the U.S.S.R., unlike that of the United Kingdom, include arrangements for imports of Russian oil. The increase in such imports in recent years has had a significant effect on the oil market and hence on the interests of British companies. In its negotiations with the Community, Her Majesty's Government will take account of this and all other factors bearing on the future development of British oil interests.

asked the Secretary of State for War what were the results of the negotiations for the purchase of arms conducted by the military mission from Spain; and whether permission was granted for the purchase of military vehicles still on the secret list which the military mission were allowed to inspect at the Army Fighting Vehicles Development Establishment at Chobham, Surrey.

A purchasing mission from Spain recently discussed the sale of vehicles with British firms, but no orders have so far been placed. No special facilities were requested or granted to this mission to inspect vehicles still on the secret list.

asked the Secretary of State for War if in future he will give a break-down of recruiting figures, listing those enlisted in the United Kingdom and those abroad.

I have been asked to reply.No. This would give a misleading impression because in the majority of cases men from overseas are recruited in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many of the 23 officers with the rank of second secretary and above who are listed in the Commonwealth Relations Office list for 1961 as serving in the British High Commission in Nigeria have previously served in British Colonial Territories in Africa; and what are their ranks.

One counsellor, three first secretaries and one second secretary.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations which of the following officers listed in the Commonwealth Relations Office list for 1961 as serving in the British High Commission in Ghana, namely, the High Commissioner, the Deputy High Commissioner, three first secretaries, two second secretaries, the director and deputy director of United Kingdom Information Services and the information officer, have previously served in British Colonial Territories in Africa.

None.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now publish the report of the technical inquiry into the possibilities of televising the proceedings of Parliament.

No. As I told the House last year, I do not think that the technical requirements would do more than cause some inconvenience.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission that they should, in considering the design of new buildings and equipment, under the reorganisation plans, seek the help of the Council of Industrial Design.

No. This is a matter for the Commission. I understand that where appropriate they consult the Royal Fine Art Commission in architectural matters of major importance. They are in close touch with the Council of Industrial Design over the design of equipment.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total Government expenditure on roads for the last financial year.

The total for England and Wales was £84,782,000. The details of this expenditure can be found in my Report on Roads in England and Wales, 1960–61, House of Commons Paper No. 321 (1960–61 Session).

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the number of psychiatric social workers employed full-time in 1951, in 1959, and in the last year for which figures are available.

The figures for the Hospital Service in England and Wales on 31st December were:

asked the Minister of Health what is the estimated annual revenue, based on the most recent figures available, from prescription charges, dental treatment charges, spectacle charges, denture charges, and charges for other appliances, respectively.

The latest estimates for the current year (England and Wales), "based on experience to date, are as follows:

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance why people who have qualified for the old-age pension and received it in this country do not, under his regulations, get any increases of pension that take place after they leave Britain to go to countries not in the Commonwealth.

Because, in the absence of a reciprocal agreement with the country in which the retirement pensioner is now residing, it would not be fair to contributors and taxpayers in this country to give an uncovenanted addition to the pension to persons not now living here.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will make provision to enable retirement pensioners living abroad to receive increases in the pension granted after they have left the country; and what estimate he has made of the additional cost of such provision.

No. Two million pounds a year.