asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement about constitutional development in Rhodesia.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement about Rhodesia.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on his plans for dealing with the problems in Rhodesia now facing Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement about the constitutional talks with Rhodesia.

The House will not expect me to add to the detailed statement which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made yesterday afternoon.

My right hon. Friend the Attorney-General and I have reported to the Prime Minister on our further discussions with Rhodesian Ministers this last weekend.

While welcoming the right hon. Gentleman back from his arduous journey, may I ask whether it is not a fact that the Rhodesian Government have made further concessions towards the difficulties referred to by the Prime Minister yesterday and, in view of this, can he say when we are likely to reach agreement on the terms of the Royal Commission? If it has not been reached yet, can he say when it is likely to be reached?

The Attorney-General and I brought back a document which showed differences of opinion between both sides. The Rhodesian Government and our own Government will be considering these matters. As soon as a decision has been made by our Government we will be in consultation with the Rhodesian Government.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many hon. Members of this House who visit that country and, indeed, work there have the deepest misgivings about the capacity and the possibility of white people handing over political power voluntarily to African peoples? Can he say what Mr. Smith and his colleagues are doing in the way of the further advancement of the African peoples to fit them for this purpose particularly in the fields of education and the Civil Service?

What has been done by the Rhodesian Government is on record. As my hon. Friend will know, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Overseas Development went with the Prime Minister's mission and suggested ways in which, if the British Government could be helpful, we were willing to do so.

I do not want to press the right hon. Gentleman to say more than he wishes to say at this stage, but, as the views of the rest of the Commonwealth are important in this matter, would he care to make an assessment to the House of the sort of reaction to the Royal Commission proposals which he and the Prime Minister encountered in the African countries on their way home?

Yes. The Prime Minister himself went to the West African countries and put the proposals before them. They understood the problem and listened sympathetically, and I have no doubt in due course will make their views generally known. I can speak more authoritatively on the case of those in the East, and I can say without any doubt that all of them, although not enthusiastic about the Royal Commission, were willing to try anything as long as success would follow, but with this proviso that independence ought not to come before majority rule.

Whatever may be the outcome of the activities of the Secretary of State and of the Prime Minister in Rhodesia, does my right hon. Friend realise that all lovers of democracy will congratulate him and the Prime Minister on their efforts to maintain solidarity in the British Commonwealth of nations which is one of the greatest instruments for peace in the world?

I thank my hon. and learned Friend very much indeed for those remarks.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will state the details of the terms offered to the Southern Rhodesia Government in February, 1965, as the minimum required before independence could be discussed.

No detailed terms were offered in my talks with Mr. Smith last February. A possible line of negotiation was opened, which the Government have subsequently conducted on the basis of the five essential principles of which the House is aware.

Is my right hon. Friend now saving categorically that there were no terms offered at that time, confidentially or otherwise, or that, if they were offered, they differed in no respect whatever from the five principles on which we are now acting?

Yes, Sir; that is the position.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what increase or decrease in staff there was in the Department under his control in the period 16th October, 1964 to 15th October, 1965; and what increase or decrease he anticipates in the period up to 15th April, 1966.

The staff of the Commonwealth Relations Office on 16th October, 1964, was 867 and on the 15th October, 1965, 438. The decrease of 429 is explained mainly by the amalgamation on 1st January, 1965, of the administrative departments of the Commonwealth Relations Office, which numbered 395, with those of the Foreign Office.

In the period up to 15th April, 1966, no significant change is foreseen in the staff of the Commonwealth Relations Office.

How much work has been taken off the hon. Gentleman's Department by the new Commonwealth Secretariat, and what decrease in staff is likely to result?

We do not visualise that any work will be taken away from the Commonwealth Relations Office by the Commonwealth Secretariat, and there will be no decrease in staff on that account.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what are the present activities of the Commonwealth Secretariat; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Gosport and Fareham (Dr. Bennett) given on 27th October. It will inevitably take time for the staff now being assembled to develop the full activities envisaged in the Agreed Memorandum.

The Secretary-General attended the Commonwealth Finance Ministers' meeting in Jamaica in September, and part of the Commonwealth Medical Conference in Edinburgh in October.

He has been developing contacts with the British and other Commonwealth Governments and various Commonwealth organisations. At the request of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, he assisted in the processing of Singapore's application for Commonwealth membership.

I understand that the Secretary-General is planning to visit certain other Commonwealth countries shortly for discussions.

Could the hon. Gentleman give any details of the staff and the Commonwealth countries from which they come?

Yes, Sir. In addition to the Secretary-General, two deputy secretaries have been appointed and three other senior staff out of art agreed strength of 11. Of an agreed strength of 24 junior staff, eight have been appointed. As to the nationalities of the staff, the six senior staff are from Australia, Canada, Ceylon, Ghana, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Of the eight junior staff, three are from the United Kingdom, two from Nigeria, one from Australia, one from Jamaica and one from Ceylon.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what assistance is given by British officers to British emigrants wishing to return from Australia; and if he will make a statement.

The British High Commissioner in Australia has no general authority to repatriate destitute United Kingdom citizens at public expense. The social services in Australia, including unemployment and sickness payments, are comparable with those obtainable in the United Kingdom. In a small number of exceptional compassionate cases I have obtained Treasury approval to repatriate.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there are cases of Scots families actually being stranded in Australia due to the shortage of employment prospects, on the one hand, or lack of housing, on the other? Does he know that these people are now writing to Members of Parliament to guide and advise them on how soon they can be returned to the United Kingdom? Have we no officers, advisory or otherwise, who could assist these emigrants in this respect?

I understand my hon. Friend's very proper concern in this matter. The Australian Federal and State authorities are invariably co-operative in helping us to investigate the difficulties of United Kingdom citizens when these are brought to our notice. United Kingdom citizens in Australia have the right of access to the British High Commissioner when they are in difficulties, and, as my hon. Friend knows, our High Commission has offices in all the State capitals, in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what extra expenditure will be incurred through Singapore becoming an independent State and no longer part of Malaysia.

I do not envisage any significant extra expenditure as a result of the separation of Singapore from Malaysia.

Many will regret the divorce of Singapore from Malaysia, but does the right hon. Gentleman envisage any increase in aid to the two countries over all?

No. The question of aid is always considered on its merits at the time, but I think that most of the Commonwealth nations are aware that the British economy today is in a state which makes further aid very difficult to give.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement on the effect on British interests of the independence of Singapore and the recent changes in the Federation of Malaysia.

Since my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has answered two Question from the hon. Member last week on defence aspects, this statement is confined to British interests in other fields. In the industrial and commercial fields new tariffs have been imposed by the Malaysian and Singapore Governments on trade between their countries; however, discussions are proceeding between them on co-operation in economic matters and, if satisfactory agreements are reached, adverse effects on British interests are unlikely. The recent changes have had no effect on the welfare of citizens of the United Kingdom living and working in the two countries. The British Government continues to be in the closest and most friendly relations with both Governments. Hon. Members will have welcomed the announcement by the Commonwealth Secretariat on 16th October of Singapore's admission as a member of the Commonwealth.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement about the part played by Her Majesty's Government in the negotiations between India and Pakistan and the prospects for a settlement of the dispute over Kashmir.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 26th October to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall). I have nothing further to add to that reply.

As regards the Kashmir dispute, the hon. Member will be aware that the Security Council agreed in its resolution of 20th September to consider "the political problem underlying the present conflict". We must await the outcome of current discussions in New York in which Britain will, of course, continue to play a full part.

Has the right hon. Gentleman himself any proposals for improving our relations with India and Pakistan, which, in the case of India, are probably worse now than they have been for 20 years? If an improvement can be achieved, does the right hon. Gentleman think that, sooner or later, a British or Commonwealth mediation initiative would be acceptable and helpful in reaching a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir problem?

I express my gratitude to the hon. Gentleman for making suggestions of this kind to me personally after his return from India. I repeat what I said then. The matter is in the hands of the United Nations at present and we must leave it there, but these other proposals are not out of our minds.

Will the right hon. Gentleman realise that the Kashmir question has been before the United Nations 134 times in the last 18 years and, unless some entirely new approach can be brought to bear on it, there seems to be no possibility of any solution to the problem at all? Will he give his attention to that matter?

The Security Council has reaffirmed its intention to consider this matter, and we had better leave it there.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what will be the duties of the Special Representative in East and Central Africa; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what are to be the new duties of Mr. Malcolm MacDonald; and whether he will make a statement.

As stated in the official announcement made on 28th October, Mr. MacDonald's duties as Special Representative will be to concern himself with major matters affecting Britain's relations with two or more of the countries in East and Central Africa to which his responsibilities extend.

In view of the longstanding African hostility to any British initiative coming out of Kenya, will the Secretary of State consider setting up the Special Representative's office outside Kenya?

I recognise my hon. Friend's great experience as a result of his service in East Africa, and I shall bear his suggestion in mind.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House of the attitude of Uganda to this appointment, as Uganda was not mentioned in the statement to which he referred?

The Prime Minister of Uganda is of the opinion that the best way of conducting negotiations between the two countries is direct through the High Commissioners resident in both countries.

As regards the other countries, excluding Uganda, may we take it that there will still be direct contact with Her Majesty's Government and the High Commissioner in the territory concerned?

Yes, that is the intention. It is hoped that Mr. MacDonald will have a roving commission. There are so many matters of common interest in East Africa that it was thought advisable to try to co-ordinate them in the best interests of this country and the other countries.

asked the Minister of Power what increase or decrease in staff there was in the Department under his control in the period 16th October, 1964, to 15th October, 1965; and what increase or decrease he anticipates in the period up to 15th April, 1966.

An increase of 41 between 16th October, 1964, and 15th October, 1965. A further increase of 16 is expected by 15th April, 1966.

May I congratulate the Minister on not increasing the size of his Department as fast as he thought he would six months ago?

asked the Minister of Power if he will make a further statement on the implementation of his proposals to relieve social and economic hardship consequent on the acceleration of the closure of uneconomic coal mines.

asked the Minister of Power when he will publish a White Paper on the coal industry.

I have been having discussions with the industry and I expect to make a further statement in the White Paper on the Finances of the Coal Industry. I hope that this will be available on Thursday, 4th November.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that an undue proportion of these uneconomic pits are in Scotland, and, therefore, would he give an assurance that the phasing of the closures will be such as to reduce to the minimum, if not eliminate, the social and economic hardships which will inevitably result?

Yes, Sir. I think that my hon. Friend will see that there is quite a combined operation on this matter between myself and a number of my right hon. Friends to make sure that as these pits are phased out we get new building development, new housing where there is a need by a receiving area to have men, and that in every way we ensure that there will be the very minimum of hardship to everybody.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that we on this side look forward with interest to the publication of this White Paper, because it will serve to enlighten us on the fuel policy White Paper already published? Can he perhaps also let us know whether it will do something to blow away the cobwebs surrounding the reorganisation of the National Coal Board?

I am always pleased to enlighten the hon. Member. Perhaps we had better wait until Thursday. We go into considerable detail about the future of the coalfields.

asked the Minister of Power how many pits are scheduled for closure within the next two years.

The scheduling of individual closures is a matter for the National Coal Board after consultation with the Unions and I am asking the Chairman to write to the right hon. Member.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask whether he can say how many of the pits are in Scotland and whether he is satisfied that the men displaced will be able to find mining employment in Scotland and not have to travel south to England?

I could not give the right hon. Gentleman any further information yet. The National Coal Board itself will be making statements about this. I cannot guarantee that this will simply be a matter of transferring every miner to another pit, but there is a very great amount of redeployment going on within the industry. As I told my hon. Friend just now, wherever it is a case of not being able to absorb men within the coal industry, we shall make every possible endeavour to ensure that there is suitable employment elsewhere.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there will be a minimum period of two years' notice of closures so that the Board of Trade has a reasonable opportunity to provide advance factories and so on?

I said earlier that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, other Members of the Government and myself are working closely together as a team on this matter. We shall be looking at it continuously. It will not be just one review. During the whole period there will be very close co-ordination between the Departments concerned.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will use his powers under section 3(1) of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946, to give a general direction to the National Coal Board not to mine under industrial premises in such a way as to cause subsidence of the premises.

No, Sir. It is for the National Coal Board to decide what methods of working should be adopted in particular circumstances to prevent or reduce damage from mining subsidence.

But is my hon. Friend aware that manufacturers of precision machinery in places like Coventry are greatly concerned about the possible dangers to their equipment arising from such operations? Is he further aware that the inquiry procedure for objectors under the Town and Country Planning Acts is both lengthy and costly? In these circumstances, will he do something to simplify the procedure in order to protect the interests of the manufacturers and workers involved?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the extraction system in Coventry has been specially planned by the National Coal Board's experts to give the maximum protection to surface interests. As he is also aware, there is appropriate provision in the Coalmining Subsidence Act, 1957, for the Board to pay compensation for damage caused by subsidence to land, buildings, structures and surface lines and pipes.

asked the Minister of Power if he will introduce legislation to protect the interests of industrial undertakings whose plants are damaged by subsidence due to mining operations.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ellis Smith) on 26th May.

But is my hon. Friend aware that under the Coalmining Subsidence Act, 1957, it is extremely difficult for manufacturers to initiate proceedings because it may involve them in heavy claims for compensation from the National Coal Board itself. In these circumstances, will he not re-examine the Act in order to strike a proper and up-to-date balance between the interests of the manufacturing industries and the coal industry itself?

With regard to a proper balance, my hon. Friend will be aware that the 1957 Act represented a broad compromise between surface and underground interests and made the National Coal Board liable in the ways that I have set out. If he has any new matter to raise, perhaps he will let me know in due course.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development (1) whether the members of the mission which is inquiring into secondary education in the South Pacific will visit educational establishments in the Australian Trust Territories in this area;

(2) whether she will approach the Australian Government concerning a visit to educational establishments in Papua and New Guinea by the mission which is inquiring into secondary education in the South Pacific.

The exploratory mission to which the hon. Member refers is to inquire into not secondary but postsecondary education. We are consulting the Australian Government, which is represented on the mission, to find out whether they would think it helpful for one of the members to visit Papua and New Guinea.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will issue for publication in the national Press monthly figures of the net inflow of personal savings in National Savings, Post Office and trustee savings banks, building societies and other media of institutional saving; and if he will use all media available to him to explain the uses to which these moneys are put and their effect on the country's financial stability.

These figures are available in "Financial Statistics", published monthly by the Central Statistical Office. In addition, figures for National Savings are released each week by the National Savings Committee. My right hon. Friend continues at all appropriate opportunities to stress the importance of savings.

Will not the Financial Secretary agree that the average member of the public has no idea of the serious implications for his standard of living inherent in the current economic position of the country? Personal savings are one voluntary way of limiting personal consumption, but most people see no connection between personal savings and the national interest. Ought not these facts to be brought to the homes of the people in language which they can easily understand?

The hon. Gentleman must not read his question, and it should be shorter.

I hope that the people to whom the hon. Gentleman is referring will have read the extensive accounts of my right hon. Friend's speech on Saturday at Ayr.

Would not the hon. and learned Gentleman agree that one of the greatest influences upon savings is confidence in the economy of the country? Would he also agree that a drop in national savings must be a reflection of that confidence?

I have no doubt that the improvement in the confidence which has been very marked recently will reflect itself in future in the level of national savings.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what net increase or decrease took place in savings invested through the National Savings Movement in the first nine months of 1965; and what the comparable figures were for the first nine months of 1964 and 1963.

An increase of £95 million, £296 million and £257 million respectively.

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that this very serious and alarming fall in the net increase in national savings shows that the public share his lack of confidence in the First Secretary's ability to establish an effective prices and incomes policy, and if, as the Chancellor said in Hamilton, the choice is between more savings and more taxation, can we look forward to another savage and miserable Budget?

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will not pursue too far his efforts to create artificial rifts here in order to conceal the real rifts on his own side of the House. The short answer is that personal savings as a whole over all fields are running at much the same level as they were a year ago. Indeed, in the first quarter they were slightly down, but in the second quarter they were well up.

Would the right hon. Gentleman confirm that all forms of national savings are down on the comparable period a year ago, and can he also say, because there is, of course, an element of switching in this, how much of that he estimates is due to the amounts put into building societies, local authorities and other forms of saving?

Not without notice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount raised by way of taxation and Customs and Excise duties in the year 1964–65; and what percentage increase in total revenue he anticipates will be collected in the current year.

£7,431 million and 10 per cent. respectively.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that this means that the average family will be paying about 24s. per week directly or indirectly in increased taxation this year? How does he hope for a stable and go-ahead economy when enterprise and initiative are stifled by high taxation?

I am concious that, under the Conservative Government, the total increase in revenue was nearly 60 per cent.

Does the right hon. Gentleman still stand by the Prime Minister's promise that during the life of this Parliament taxation would not be increased? Can we look forward to a 10 per cent. reduction in taxation?

The undertaking related to a five-year Parliament. If this Parliament goes for five years—and judging by their present state the Opposition hope that it will—I have no doubt that the undertaking will be carried out.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the recent proposal from the Italian Government that sterling balances might be converted into claims on the International Monetary Fund.

A proposal was made in very general terms by Signor Colombo during the recent meeting of the International Monetary Fund as one of several courses which might be pursued in order to maintain the volume of international liquidity. I would certainly agree with Signor Colombo about the current need to maintain liquidity and the need to do so will form a central part of the forthcoming discussions in the Group of Ten and the I.M.F.

Can the right hon. Gentleman be a little more forthcoming about this? Does not he agree that this proposal, which apparently provided for the repayment of any balances which might be handed to the I.M.F. over an indefinite period as surpluses were accrued by this country, is an attractive proposal from our point of view?

I thought that my original Answer was designed to show that I was not ready to be forthcoming on this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the facts that confidence has been restored in sterling, that there is now no possibility of devaluation, and that overseas hot money adds nothing permanently to Great Britain's economic stability, if he will now reduce the Bank Rate; and if he will make a statement.

I can make no statement about future changes in Bank Rate.

Is the Chancellor aware that some small traders who are worst hit by a high Bank Rate are having to pay up to 15 per cent. for loans? Does not he think that the present rate has lasted long enough? Why not bring it down?

I can only repeat my original Answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he approved the forthcoming issue of £500 million 6 per cent. Exchequer Stock 1970 at 99 per cent.; to what extent his policy is a continuance of the high Bank Rate for an indefinite period; if he will take steps to carry out a cheaper money policy; and if he will make a statement.

The terms of this stock issue were fixed in the light of current market conditions.

Does this mean that we are to have a high Bank Rate for ever? Will the right hon. Gentleman go down as the patron saint of the Shylocks and moneylenders?

The hon. Gentleman knows that it is not the custom to make statements about the Bank Rate and I do not propose to break that custom.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will seek to make it compulsory for all lifts in new multi-storey office blocks and flats to carry an internal telephone or alarm system.

My right hon. Friend does not think that this is necessary. There is a British Standard for electric lifts. To comply with it passenger lifts must carry a telephone or alarm system operative from the lift car. If my hon. Friend has in mind any case in which the British Standard is not being met perhaps he would send details to me, if the new building is a block of flats, or to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour if it is a block of offices.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this has caused a great deal of anguish to many old people, some of whom are afraid of using lifts in multi-storey flats? Recently, a number of office workers in Manchester were forced to stay more than an hour in a lift before help was called. Does not my hon. Friend believe that the time is ripe to enforce this standard in all multi-storey offices and flats?

If my hon. Friend will send me details of cases that he has in mind, I will be glad to look into them. I am advised that the British Standard is, by and large, strictly observed and we have had no complaints before.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement on the public inquiry into Manchester's draft water order; and if he will introduce the order at the earliest opportunity.

I have nothing to add to the Answer given in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris) on 29th October.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the statement is awaited with considerable eagerness and some anxiety by Manchester people and also by those in authorities supplied by Manchester? Will he bear in mind that hon. Members who visited the installation in the Lake District recently were impressed by Manchester's case and by the fact that nothing that Manchester intends to do will interfere with the amenities in that area?

I take note of that point. The inspector's report was received by my Department early last month. We will reach a decision as quickly as the report can be properly considered.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is just as much anxiety in the Lake District as in Manchester about this matter?

I take note of that as well.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is his estimate of the number of rents which will be decreased and increased, respectively, as the result of the Rent Bill, with separate figures in respect of the Greater London Council area; and how these figures are calculated.

My right hon. Friend has not attempted to make such estimates.

Then can the Joint Parliamentary Secretary say why he himself, on 3rd July at Hounslow, made the statement that 300,000 houses in the Greater London area alone would receive a reduction of rent as a result of the new Rent Bill?

The Question on the Order Paper related to my right hon. Friend and not to me. I will give the right hon. Gentleman my reason for the estimate. In England and Wales alone, there are 800,000 unfurnished tenancies decontrolled, mainly as a result of the Tory Rent Act. Most of those in the Greater London area will, in my view—to which I am entitled—benefit under the Rent Bill.

Does it follow that the right hon. Gentleman the Minister of Housing and Local Government is not prepared to take responsibility for a statement which, in the circumstances, most of us will regard as propaganda based on no factual basis?

In my speech I expressed a personal point of view based on figures, known also to the right hon. Gentleman, of 800,000 unfurnished tenancies now decontrolled. I do not propose to be trapped on this issue. History will show who is right—the right hon. Gentleman or myself.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what are the increases above the numbers completed in 1964 which he proposes to secure by 1970 in the number of houses completed by local authorities, private landlords, housing associations and owner-occupiers, respectively; what are the percentage increases involved; and what overall increase over the 1964 figure he now intends to secure in 1965.

My right hon. Friend expects some 380,000 to 390,000 houses to be completed in Great Britain in 1965, compared with 374,000 last year. The Government intend that by 1970 the rate of house building should reach half a million a year in the United Kingdom—including about 12,000 in Northern Ireland. It is too soon to predict the rate of annual increase and the division between the different components of the private and public sectors. These are matters which my right hon. Friend hopes can be settled, following consultation with the interests concerned, in the regular reviews forming part of the housing plan the Government are seeking to evolve. As far as the public sector is concerned the Government have concluded that public authorities should be producing somewhere near 250,000 houses in 1970 in the United Kingdom.

Do not these figures for 1965 show that, despite the Government's claim, between 10,000 and 20,000 houses fewer will be completed this year than my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, North-East (Sir K. Joseph) had left plans for under his own programme?

And left no bricks.

Is it not an odd way to get to 500,000 houses in 1970 by failing to reach the planned total of 400,000 in 1965?

My right hon. Friend, our Department and I are willing to challenge the party opposite on our housing records when we go to the polls.

Is it not the case that, last time there was a major economic crisis, the party opposite made deliberate cuts in housing whereas the present Government have speeded the housing drive up?

Yes, Sir. In addition, public authorities this year have been given a forward increased programme which will show itself in 1966, when they will build a great many more houses than they built under the last Administration.

While welcoming the Government's increased house-building drive for this year, may I ask the hon. Gentleman when the National Housing Plan will be published? Of the 250,000 houses he expects the local authorities to be building in 1970, how many will be for replacement purposes?

I cannot give the hon. Gentleman that last figure. My right hon. Friend hopes to issue a White Paper some time in November, but discussions are going on at the moment with the building societies and the construction industry. I hope that, shortly after the White Paper, my right hon. Friend will be able to make a further statement on the consultations he is having—consultations which, I would have thought, both sides of the House would welcome rather than the party opposite hoping that they will fail.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an assurance that he will not increase the toll charge on the Forth Road Bridge; and if he will make a statement.

The Forth Road Bridge Order 1958 empowers my right hon. Friend to revise the tolls after the bridge has been open for 12 months; my right hon. Friend intends to discuss the matter with the Joint Board.

As 12 months have elapsed and as the charge of 2s. 6d. has been readily accepted, by and large, by the users of the bridge, will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he and his Department will make every endeavour to see that the toll is not increased?

It is very difficult to give that assurance until all the facts have been completely examined. That is the reason why the matter ought to be discussed with the Joint Board and that is why we are still proceeding with that stage.

Will my hon. Friend give an assurance that the toll will be abolished, especially as a large proportion of the coal mines scheduled for closure under the Government's new fuel plan will be on the north side of the bridge, so that the continued imposition of the toll might have an adverse effect on the economic development of that area?

It is difficult to anticipate the abolition of the toll until the matter has been fully discussed. It is worth saying to my hon. Friend that development in this industrial area of Fife has gone ahead and that, while these factors must be taken into consideration, it is not considered that the existence of the toll has deferred or in any way inhibited economic development.

How does the hon. Gentleman reconcile the Government's present attitude with the statement in the pre-election pamphlet, "Signposts for Scotland", that the imposition of any toll on this bridge was indefensible?

It is a matter for great regret that the hon. Gentleman persists in misreading manifestos of all parties, including his own. The fact is that the Labour Party manifesto did not say that. Even though my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) might have wished otherwise, it said that if industrial development was inhibited, tolls would be abolished.

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that the imposition of a toll on the Forth Road Bridge conflicts with the Government's policy of regional development? In view of the large amount of motorway being built in England and the very small amount being built in Scotland, will he give an assurance that he will consider the suggestion of his hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) and abolish tolls altogether?

There is no evidence that what the hon. Gentleman said in his first question is correct, but we are certainly willing to look at that. We always give considerable preference to suggestions by my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West in this matter, but the Government have noted with concern that the Liberal Party has gone on record as being in favour of tolls not only on bridges but on roads.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek to extend the powers of local authorities under Part 1 of the 1960 Local Employment Act beyond the expiry date of March, 1967.

My right hon. Friend is currently considering the form of the legislation which will be required to extend and amend Part I of the Act.

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Will he explain a little further whether this will help local authorities with the programmes which will be in train by the time Part I is expended.

Yes, Sir. I think that my hon. Friend is referring to Sections 5 and 7 of the Act about the clearing of derelict land and the improvement of basic services. I can give the assurance that my right hon. Friend will seek powers in the new legislation to honour commitments which were made under those Sections, and I feel sure that the House will give him those powers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take in respect of the new recommendations on doorstep sales put to him by the Consumer Council.

I am studying the recommendations.

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Will he bear in mind that, every day that goes by, there are thousands of housewives in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and other parts of the North-East who are being twisted by these slick door-to-door salesmen? Will he therefore do his utmost to treat this as a matter of urgency?

Yes, Sir. However, I think that my hon. Friend and other hon. Members will agree that the recommendations have very weighty implications and will require very careful consideration.

Will my hon. Friend consider wider circulation of the Consumer Council leaflet on how to say "No" to a door-to-door salesman? That would be valuable to housewives.

Yes, Sir. I agree that that may be one of the best ways of dealing with this problem at present. The more publicity we give to that publication the better and we will certainly consider with the Consumer Council how to improve its circulation.