asked the Minister of Overseas Development when the salaries of pensionable members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service serving in the Seychelles will be revised to bring them into line with the present high cost of living.

I am in consultation with the Governor and am not yet able to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will make a statement about British aid for the proposed Tanzania-Zambia railway.

The British and Canadian Governments have concluded an agreement with the Intergovernmental Ministerial Committee set up by the Governments of Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Zambia, under which a combined engineering and economic feasibility study of a Zambia-East Africa rail link will be carried out by British and Canadian firms of consultants.The cost of this study will be £167,000. £92,000 of this will be paid by the Government of Canada and £75,000 will be paid by my Department.The survey is expected to take six months to complete.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how much financial assistance was given to Jamaica in the last financial year; and how much will be given in the current year.

In the financial year 1964–65 Her Majesty's Government disbursed £374,000 to Jamaica in grants equivalent to the balance at the date of independence of Colonial Development and Welfare money already allocated. In the same period £1·25 million was advanced in loans to the Commonwealth Development Corporation for investment in housing projects there.In the current financial year provision exists for the grant of a further £117,000 in respect of the unspent Colonial Development and Welfare balance. Her Majesty's Government has also agreed to convert into a grant the sum of £565,500 which was lent to the Jamaican Government under the Colonial Development and Welfare Acts towards the construction of the Mona Reservoir. In addition £400,000 has been advanced to the Commonwealth Development Corporation for investment in transport projects; and a supplementary capital sanction for £1 million for housing projects has recently been given.The above figures exclude British technical assistance for Jamaica, and financial assistance to the University of the West Indies which, although partly based in Jamaica, serves the needs of a number of Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what procedure has been arranged for the purchase by the Kenya Government of farms in Kenya owned by British subjects who are unable to continue farming on account of age, illness and on other compassionate grounds; and what steps the relatives of these farmers in this country can take to ensure the earliest posible purchase of the farms.

Applicants, who should be citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, should apply to the British High Commission in Nairobi. If they qualify as a farm compassionate case in the light of the considerations set out in my written reply of 26th October to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall), the Kenya Government are provided with the necessary funds to enable them to make an offer of purchase for the farm.As will be clear from my reply there is normally little which a relative in this country can do to assist.

asked the Minister of Technology what plans he has for encouraging the speed up of automation in British industry.

As was announced on 13th November, I have approved a proposal by the National Research Development Corporation to invest with Elliott Automation Limited in the development and installation of computer based automation systems. My Department is also working on a campaign, linked with our industrial liaison centres, to spread throughout industry up-to-date information about the economics and technology of low-cost automation. Many other activities of my Department will be making a contribution to the spread of automation.

asked the Minister of Technology what action he proposes to take to provide information and advice on advanced technology and industrial matters to industry and educational authorities.

Increasing the flow of technological information and advice between my right hon. Friend's Department, educational institutions and industry is one of the principal functions of the industrial liaison centres and the regional organisation of the Ministry of Technology which has recently been expanded and strengthened. In addition, much is already being done by scientific and technical publications, exhibitions and conferences.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number, and nature, of the research projects now being carried out in Atomic Energy Authority establishments which are neither directly or indirectly connected with atomic energy, the establishments in which this work is being carried out, the number of research workers involved and the likely cost in the current year; what are the percentage and amount of the research and development effort going on atomic energy projects in the Atomic Energy Authority as distinct from other projects; and what plans for such research exist for the future.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Technology what has been the effect on computer programming of recent power cuts; and what is the estimated consequent loss of productivity by industry.

The loss of computer time in the Government sector has been negligible. My right hon. Friend is not able to give estimates of the loss of computer time in industry or of its effects.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will use the resources under his control for the production of types of machine tools which at present can only be obtained from abroad.

No. The resources under my control are for research and development. Whilst it would not be economic for this country to try to be entirely self-sufficient, I look to the industry, wherever desirable, to develop and produce replacements for machines that now have to be imported. If, despite the support which my Department is prepared to give, British manufacturers fail to meet the needs of the country then I shall consider asking Parliament to grant me the necessary powers to undertake manufacture.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will take steps to use the staff and work of Doun

No. The use of a specialised atomic energy research establishment would not be the best way of promoting developments in the machine tool industry either generally or in a particular area.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of machine tool development and research projects and contracts that his Department is directly or indirectly sponsoring, the number of people involved, and the likely cost of each project in the current year; and what plans for such research and development exist for the future.

My right hon. Friend is circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT information about 16 existing projects and contracts. A number of other projects are already under consideration, and he hopes that the industry will play its part by producing further imaginative ideas for new machine tools.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will give a breakdown of the £6,500,000 which his Department has cost in the last 12 months.

The main items are £4½ million on research stations, just under £2 million on grants for industrial research to research associations and other bodies and some £650,000 in respect of the Ministry's headquarters. The gross cost is reduced by appropriations in aid of about £850,000.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will give an estimate of the cost of his Department for the next 12 months.

The Estimate of the cost of my Department in the year 1965–66 is published in Class IV, Vote 18, on pages 99 to 104 of the Civil Estimates, 1965–66. That for 1966–67 will be presented to the House in due course.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the administrative cost of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority; and what steps he takes to ensure that the costing of uranium fuelling in advanced gas-cooled reactors is a correct reflection of the true costs.

The expenses of the Atomic Energy Authority are met from the Atomic Energy Vote. The Parliamentary grant on this Vote for the current year is approximately £29½ million of which just over £29·1 million represent payments to the Authority.The Authority, like the nationalised industries, quotes prices for its uranium fuel which are calculated to cover full costs and, in addition, to earn a surplus towards financing future capital requirements.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the approximate division of the proceeds of sales in the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's civil trading account for the year ended 31st March, 1965, as between fuel elements for civil reactors, electricity, radioactive isotopes, and miscellaneous products, respectively.

The approximate division of the £35 million shown as proceeds of sales in the U.K.A.E.A's. civil trading account for the year ended 31st March, 1965, as between various products is:

asked the Minister of Technology what is the trading profit of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's civil trading activities as a percentage of relevant turnover and capital employed for the years 1963–64 and 1964–65.

The trading profit of the U.K.A.E.A's. civil trading activities expressed as a percentage of relevant turnover and capital employed for the years 1963–64 and 1964–65 was

asked the Minister of Technology if he will initiate research into the problems of the manufacture of short-wave wireless transmitters suitable for use in coastal waters, with a view to British manufacture of a product capable of operation by life-saving organisations and others at a reasonable cost.

I understand that the problems which the hon. Member has in mind relate to the frequency bands which can be allocated and the permitted design tolerances. I am in touch with my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General about this and am considering whether there is any action which my Department can usefully take.

asked the Minister of Technology how many, and what value, of the 19 British computers ordered by Government Departments since October, 1964, refer to machines for which inquiries had begun and tenders had been sought before October, 1964, respectively.

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer that negotiations had begun in the case of 12 computers at a cost of £4·1 million, of which tenders had been sought for 9 computers at a cost of £3·4 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further consideration he has given to the possibility of moving Government Departments, research centres and adjuncts of either to Northern Ireland.

My hon. Friend told the hon. Member on 22nd December, 1964, that in selecting locations for Government establishments which are being moved we would, as far as practicable, give special consideration to the claims of areas, including Northern Ireland, which need additional employment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why it is proposed, in legislation to create a Parliamentary Commissioner, that his jurisdiction should apply to Northern Ireland only for a limited number of matters.

It is proposed that the Parliamentary Commissioner should look into complaints about matters controlled by Her Majesty's Government in Westminster and make reports to this House. It would not be appropriate for him to report here on matters controlled by Her Majesty's Government in Northern Ireland, which is responsible to the Northern Ireland Parliament.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will explain the discrepancy between his estimated saving of £300 million by the imports surcharge and his revised estimate of £150 to £200 million; and if he will give a breakdown as between countries or areas.

The original estimate that the import charge would save imports at an annual rate approaching £300 million was largely speculative and was based on a rate of 15 per cent. The range of £150 million to £200 million reflects the reduction in the rate of the charge to 10 per cent. No answer to the second part of the Question is possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revenue has been received to date from the imposition of the surcharge on newsprint; and if he will give figures to show the effect which the surcharge has had in reducing imports of newsprint.

£3·7 million at 30th October. The quantity of newsprint imported in the first nine months of 1964 was 512,000 tons, and the figure for the corresponding period of 1965 was 454,000 tons.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what projects in Kent of the value of £1,000 or more relating to schools, hospitals, housing and roads have been delayed as a result of the recent curb on public expenditure.

Housing, schools and hospitals were exempted from the arrangements for deferring capital expenditure projects. The following is a list of road projects in Kent to the value of £25,000 or more which have been deferred. Information about smaller projects is not readily available centrally.Road schemes in Kent over £25,000 which were planned to begin in the period to January, 1966 but which have been deferred for six months are shown below:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of delays in settling claims under the export rebate scheme; what are the reasons for these delays; and what action he is taking to remedy them.

This scheme has in general worked very well but there have been delays, and I am sorry they have happened. They have been caused by misunderstandings by claimants, inadequate evidence of entitlement to payment, and staff shortages in the Customs Department. The difficulties are being progressively reduced.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in commemoration of the Battle of Hastings, he will mint in 1966 pennies and halfpennies of a suitable size to meet modern usage.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will amend the Regulations relating to the payment of post-war credits so as to provide that persons who hold such credits and who receive sickness or injury benefit or National Assistance benefit for a continuous period of six weeks, will be entitled to cash them.

No. I think we should continue to limit the hardship categories to those who are suffering long-term hardship.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the value of the post-war credits at present held by the Treasury.

£224 million. There is also accrued interest of £36 million at 31st October, 1965.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce a rebate in the motor vehicle licence duty for vehicles of improved design which do not throw up spray in wet weather.

I regret this is not feasible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he intends to take to ensure the continued availability of investment allowances in respect of hotel equipment.

I cannot anticipate the statement of the Government's intentions concerning incentives for investment and modernisation, which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on 9th November would be the subject of a White Paper to be published in the near future.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what figure has been included in respect of housing subsidies for 1966–67 in the public sector expenditure review.

Figures for expenditure on housing subsidies will be published in the 1966–67 Estimates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to redeem at par War Loan still in the ownership of persons who bought this stock up to and including 1946.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether products landed in the United Kingdom as an outcome of the drilling operations in the North Sea will be treated for the purposes of tax, customs and excise duties as though the product had been obtained from drilling in Great Britain.

I assume the Question relates to import and revenue duties levied by Customs and Excise. On hydrocarbon oils, with a minor exception the rates of duty are the same whether the oil is obtained from drilling in Great Britain or the North Sea. There is no import or revenue duty on natural gas classified as methane.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what low financial charges may be offered in respect of exports by the joint stock banks with his authority.

Interest and other charges by the banks are a matter between the banks and their customers, but by agreement, they now charge a fixed 5½ per cent. a year for a wide area of credit guaranteed by E.C.G.D., and negotiations are continuing on the new E.C.G.D. facilities to support short-term export finance at bank rate, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 27th July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what average number of hours daily constitutes the serviceable time of computers in use for office purposes operated by all Government Departments.

12·6 hours, excluding time spent on maintenance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will set up a special branch of the Inland Revenue to deal with the examination of returns of capital gains.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that the Government will not alter the present exemption from fuel tax of feed-stocks used for the manufacture of gas, in view of the current Government policy on phasing the retirement of coal carbonisation plants.

I would refer the right hon. Member to the Answer that my hon. Friend gave on 2nd November to the hon. Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. McNair-Wilson).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will seek to amend the Income Tax Acts to provide exemption from Income Tax of meal allowances to commercial travellers.

In general a meal allowance to a commercial traveller which does no more than cover the extra cost of his meals while travelling on duty is not liable to Income Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what purchases of computers and tabulators have been made by Government Departments and by boards of nationalised industries in the United Kingdom since October, 1964; how many have been purchased from International Computers and Tabulators Limited; and how many were manufactured in Belfast.

Since October, 1964, 24 computers have been ordered for Government Departments including the G.P.O., of which 4 were supplied by International Computers & Tabulators Ltd. Information about tabulators, most of which are hired, cannot be provided without disproportionate expense. Figures for nationalised industries are not available.I understand that I.C.T.'s factory in Belfast does not manufacture either tabulators or complete computers.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will give separate percentage figures for dwellings at present under construction for local authorities and owner-occupiers, respectively, which are employing industrialised building methods.

On 30th September, 1965, 17·8 per cent. of dwellings under construction for local authorities and new towns in England and Wales were being built by industrialised methods. My right hon. Friend has no comparable figures for the private sector, but the numbers are very small.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is his policy on the preservation of trees in urban squares in relation to the requirements of underground car-parks.

I am bound to consider every proposal on its merits. But my general policy, where such a car park is acceptable on other grounds, is to ensure that the trees and appearance of the site are preserved as far as possible.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he is taking to reduce the damage to local amenities resulting from his approval of a large-scale development at New Ash Green in the Kent Green Belt; and whether, in view of the cost to ratepayers in the neighbourhood of the large-scale sewerage works necessitated by the development, he will make additional grants available so that those concerned will not suffer financial hardship as well as loss of amenity.

There need be no damage to the local amenities, nor is there any reason why the ratepayers in the neighbourhood should suffer financial hardship as a result of my permission for a new village at New Ash Green. Expenditure on sewerage will be taken into account for rate deficiency grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make arrangements to ensure that hardship is not caused to those living in this country who are now receiving pensions from the Southern Rhodesia Local Authority Joint Widows and Orphans Fund.

No action has been taken by the British Government to interfere with pensions paid to residents in this country from the Southern Rhodesia Local Authority Joint Widows and Orphans Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (1) whether, in view of the fact that approximately 90 per cent. or more of the African workers on Rhodesian tobacco farms have come from Zambia, Malawi, and elsewhere to get employment not available in their own countries, he will compensate those persons who are now to be forced out of employment through the ban on tobacco purchases;(2) whether he is aware that for every worker employed on corn cultivation 10 must be employed on tobacco culture over the same acreage; and what plans he has to help the large numbers of African workers who will be thrown out of work by the ban on Rhodesian tobacco purchases.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in his warning statement of 29th April, the responsibility for the consequences of an illegal declaration of independence must lie squarely on those who took that step. We are seeking to help all sections of the community, not least the Africans, by a speedy return to constitutional Government. Our aim is quick and effective action to minimise the adverse effects on individuals and the country at large.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will take steps to grant compensation to private, as well as Government doctors in Rhodesia for the loss of their practices arising from disturbances in Rhodesia.

Private persons are not at present included in the study now being made of ways of helping loyal Rhodesian public servants.

asked the Minister of Power in view of the fact that "Bingo while you work" schemes are to be introduced in collieries in England in an attempt to reduce absenteeism, which has reached serious proportions, if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the National Coal Board not to extend it to other collieries; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give details of the conditions included in the authorisation to minimise disturbance and inconvenience to local residents in the opencast mining of the Coldrife site, Broomhill, in the county of Northumberland.

The conditions will be attached to the planning direction which will be given as soon as discussions with other departments are completed. The National Coal Board will in due course make available for inspection locally a copy of the direction and conditions, and send a copy to the local planning authority.

asked the Minister of Power how much of the £30 million likely to be spent in the North and Irish Seas on drilling for oil and gas will be spent in the Irish Sea, and how much of this sum is likely to be spent in the North-West of England and in North Wales, respectively.

I could not state how much is likely to be spent on drilling in the Irish Sea without disclosing information about the working obligations contained in an individual licence, which are confidential.

asked the Minister of Power, whether he will publish an explanatory pamphlet about underground gas storage when Part II of the Gas Act, 1965, comes into force.

Yes. Part II of the Gas Act comes into force tomorrow, 1st December, and I am then issuing a pamphlet which explains, in question and answer form, how gas is stored underground and the main provisions of this part of the Act. I will place copies of the pamphlet in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what has been the total cost of housing, roads and other services in Caithness provided in association with the Dounreay experimental establishment.

At least £6 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many directional signs based on the recommendations of the Worboys Committee are to be erected in Scotland; and at what cost.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many new police stations have been postponed by the Government's economic measures; and if he will make a statement.

Four new police stations scheduled to be started before May, 1966 have been deferred in response to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement on 27th July. I am satisfied that operational efficiency will not be seriously affected. The details are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the increase in the number and value of prescriptions issued in Scotland since the abolition of prescription charges.

In the period from 1st February to 31st August, 1965, the latest for which complete information is available, chemists in Scotland dispensed 2,418,000 more prescriptions than in the corresponding months of 1964, an increase of 19 per cent. The cost rose by £1,520,000 or about 24 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will announce membership of the Consultative Council of the Highlands and Islands Development Board.

When I have received and considered nominations which I have sought from the local authorities and other interests concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to ensure that Members of Parliament within the seven crofting counties are kept informed of major plans approved by the Highlands and Islands Development Board.

As required by statute, the Board's Annual Report will include a summary of any proposals submitted by it to the Secretary of State. In addition, the Board has made clear its intention of giving the fullest possible publicity to its activities.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the latest test of a component of a nuclear warhead was conducted by or on behalf of Her Majesty's Government.

10th September.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the present method of Exchequer support for the pig industry; and if he will make a statement.

I am satisfied that the present method is sound in principle, and it is generally accepted as such by the industry. Changes in detail are matters for consideration at each Annual Review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the low level and declining profitability of pig farming; what steps he will take to improve profitability; and if he will make a statement.

Because forecast production has been high, producers' returns have been reduced under the flexible guarantee arrangements. The latest forecast, however, showed a fall, and, if this trend continues, there will be a corresponding restoration of the price reductions made under the flexible guarantee. As a consequence of the very big increase in pig marketings this year, average market prices have been considerably lower, and the cost of the guarantee is likely to be heavy. The profitability of pig production, along with all other relevant factors, including Exchequer cost, will be taken into account at the coming Annual Review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the current royalties per ton of phosphate rock mined on Ocean Island due to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands dependency, arising from the Canberra conference of the British Phosphate Commission.

Payment of 23s. (Australian) per ton of phosphates exported from Ocean Island is at present made to the Government of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony. Proposals for changes in this rate were discussed at a conference of officials in Canberra in May, 1965, convened by the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, in which the British Phosphates Commission did not take part. These proposals are still under consideration by the three Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, what plans are being considered for the construction of an airfield on the Seychelles.

Her Majesty's Government have agreed to meet the cost of building a civil airfield in Seychelles to provide a link with the Indian and African mainlands. A survey will be made as soon as possible as a necessary preliminary to going to tender.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, whether he will make public that part of the North-West Study Group's report which referred to Cumberland and Westmorland.

Yes. We shall shortly circulate it to hon. Members representing the area and to the local authorities and other bodies concerned; and we shall release it to the Press at the same time.

asked the Minister of Health what estimate he has made of the yield in 1969–70 of the charges currently payable by patients under the National Health Service and of the probable additional cost to the Service that would result from the abolition of such charges.

The estimated yield from charges in 1969–70 for the health and welfare services is £68 million of which about £40 million refers to the National Health Service. No estimate has been made of the probable additional cost that would result from their abolition.

asked the Minister of Health what is the reason for the difference, in Table 20.2 of the National Plan, of £69 million between the gross and net expenditure on the health and welfare services that are planned or foreseen for 1969–70.

As the Table shows the difference of £69 million represents income from charges to patients, etc. in accordance with current policies. This includes, in addition to the dental and optical charges, payments by hospital patients for private and amenity beds, etc., a small amount of miscellaneous hospital income and charges made for local health and welfare services.

asked the Minister of Health what is the reason for the difference, in Table 20.2 of the National Plan, of £21 million between the 1964–65 and 1965–66 assessment of the difference between the gross and the net expenditure on the health and welfare services.

The 1964–65 figure takes account of income from prescription charges; there is no income from this source in 1965–66, but some increase in income from other charges.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what regulations he proposes to make as to the amount of money chief constables may allow for the expenditure by police officers for the purposes of obtaining information which could result in improving the administration of justice; and what maximum sum he proposes in this regard.

My right hon. and learned Friend is satisfied that proper arrangements are made, and he does not consider that regulations are required or would be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will now publish the first report of the Probation Research Project which was set up in 1962, including a description of the pilot study carried out in Middlesex, in view of his answer to the hon. Member for Runcorn on 12th April, 1965 that he hoped to publish this report soon.

It is expected that this report will be published early in February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in how many cases of persons found guilty of shoplifting in each of the last five years disproportionate expenditure on gambling was a predominating factor.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he is satisfied that the regulations governing-chemical tankers containing highly dangerous loads are being enforced; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend has no reason for supposing that the regulations governing the conveyance by road of petroleum spirit and carbon disulphide, made under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act, 1928, are not properly enforced. His Standing Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances is at present considering the possibility of extending the regulations to a much wider range of dangerous substances. Road tank wagons carrying dangerous substances are subject, in common with all other vehicles, to the general law relating to the construction and use of motor vehicles.

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage of family incomes is estimated to be devoted to gambling of all types in each of the Registrar General's social groups.

There is no information available on gambling expenditure classified by the Registrar General's social groups. However, for all households in the country in 1964 it is estimated from the Family Expenditure Survey that the average net household expenditure on gambling—i.e. payments less winnings— was about three-quarters of 1 per cent. of household income. This estimate is based on a small survey and therefore has a margin of error.

asked the Minister of Labour how many adult male persons are registered as disabled in England and Wales; what percentage of the total adult male labour force this represents; and how many of these were unemployed on the latest returns.

510,532 men aged 18 and over were registered under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Acts of 1944 and 1958 at employment exchanges in England and Wales on 19th April, 1965, the latest date for which information is available. This represented 4 per cent. of the estimated numbers of male employees in that age group in England and Wales. At 11th October, 1965, there were 35,154 disabled males registered as unemployed in England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Labour how many adult male persons are currently registered as disabled at the Doncaster Employment Exchange; what percentage this represents of the total adult male labour force registered at that exchange; and how many of these are at present unemployed.

2,910 men aged 18 years and over were registered under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Acts of 1944 and 1958 at Doncaster Employment Exchange on 19th April, 1965, the latest date for which information is available, this represented 5 per cent. of the estimated numbers of male employees in that age group in the area. At 8th November, 1965, there were 216 disabled men aged 18 and over registered as unemployed at Doncaster.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the duration of the period of unemployment of adult male disabled persons currently registered as unemployed at the Doncaster Employment Exchange.

Analyses by age and length of current spell of unemployment

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (1) how many people receiving National Assistance are chronically sick, and how many disabled, in hospitals or homes, or at home, repectively;(2) how many disabled or chronically sick people do not receive any State financial help.

In December, 1964, people under pensionable age receiving National Assistance included 281,000 who were incapable of work because of sickness or disability 268,000 were living at home, and 13,000 in homes or hospitals. The National Assistance Board's statistics do not however distinguish the chronically sick or disabled in these categories. I have no information as to the numbers of disabled or chronically sick people not receiving any State financial help.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many people applying in each of the last five years for National Assistance were found to need help as a result of disproportionate expenditure on gambling; and what percentage of the total relative annual applications this represents.

I regret that the information desired by my hon. Friend is not available.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the growing practice by commercial firms of posting unsolicited goods to householders for which the recipient is called upon to pay if the goods are not returned within a relatively short period; and whether he will seek to amend the law so as to make it illegal to send such goods.

I am aware of the practice. As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade said on 10th December, 1964, the recipient is under no obligation either to pay for or return goods which he has not ordered. He need only keep them until the sender collects them. Post Office legislation does not, therefore, seem necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now publish the report on the Rolls Razor affair.

The report of the inspectors appointed by the Board of Trade to investigate the affairs of Rolls Razor Ltd. is expected shortly. A decision about its publication will be made as soon as possible after its receipt.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the pit closures in West Cumberland in the near future, whereby 1,100 men will be affected, what new industries he expects to be established there within the next 12 months or so.

Industrial developments already approved for West Cumberland, including the building of three Board of Trade factories, should provide some 1,500 jobs for men in the next 12 months.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what the estimated cost in dollars per annum would be for the purchase abroad of an equivalent quantity of Virginian tobacco to that purchased in the past 12 months from Southern Rhodesia.

It is estimated that the additional cost of replacing our Rhodesian imports from dollar sources would be relatively small.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has received the result of an analysis of traffic by the Northamptonshire County Council on the A.6 at Rushden, Northamptonshire; and if he has reached a decision regarding the proposed by-pass.

Northamptonshire County Council conducted a supplementary origin and destination traffic survey in Rushden in July. I hope to receive the results soon. Meanwhile the route of the by-pass shown on the town map will be continue to be protected.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to start work on the improvement to the A.66 road at Crackenthorpe in Westmorland, which has been delayed as a result of the Government's recent economic measures.

In May, 1966.

asked the Minister of Transport what road improvement schemes in Sussex are to be delayed as a result of the recent proposals for reducing capital commitments; whether he will give an assurance that none of these schemes will be delayed for more than six months; and what will be the revised starting dates of each scheme.

Schemes of major improvement costing over £25,000 which were scheduled to be started in the six-month period up to 31st January, 1966, but have been deferred are shown below with the expected new starting date. The working of the deferment arrangements is kept under review in the light of the prospective economic situation.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents have occurred involving pedestrians and other road users at the Belmont Bridge section of Wellington Road North, Stockport, in the past five years; and what steps he proposes to take to improve the conditons in which pedestrians can cross in safety, in view of the peculiar features of this stretch of roadway and the volume of traffic.

From 1st January, 1961, to 25th November, 1965, there were 14 accidents involving pedestrians on a 150-yard section of this road, of which three were fatal, and 19 accidents involving other road users, of which four involved slight injury. The road is the responsibility of the Stockport County Borough Council as highway authority; it has improved the street lighting near the pedestrian crossing on Belmont Bridge and has recently installed a flashing beacon on a refuge in the middle of the crossing. My divisional road engineer will examine with the Council whether anything more can be done to improve pedestrian safety here; when I have received his report I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport what were the total number of accidents that occurred on the A.6, A.7, and A.74 roads during the past 12 months, and the number of persons killed and seriously injured, respectively.

Figures for the A.6A.7-A.74 trunk route through Cumberland are readily available for the first eight months only of this year. They are:

asked the Minister of Transport how many heavy-vehicle licences were issued in 1950, 1960, and 1964; and how many vehicle examiners there were in 1950, 1960, and 1964.

The number of excise licences current for general goods vehicles over 1½ tons unladen weight at the end of the years 1950, 1960 and 1964 was respectively 511,325; 585,431; 640,500. The number of vehicle examiners in post throughout the Ministry's traffic areas at the end of these years was 231, 278 and 335.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that in the present Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations the expression "illuminated area", in relation to a lamp, is defined as the area of the orthogonal projection on a vertical plane at right-angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle of that part of the lamp through which the light is emitted; and if, in the new regulations he is preparing, he will define the expression in simpler terms.

This is a technical definition, the need for which was reviewed when the Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations, 1965, were being drafted, but it was not found possible to phrase the requirement in simpler terms. I understand that the definition is readily understood by the vehicle manufacturers who are mainly concerned with its application.