asked the President of the Board of Trade if his proposed legislation will make provision for standardisation of package sizes of liquid detergents, milk from vending machines, and other packaged foodstuffs.

No. The Weights and Measures Act, 1963 already requires many prepacked foodstuffs to be sold only in fixed quantities and there is power to add further foodstuffs and other commodities. Milk from vending machines must be sold either in standard quantities or at the price of 6d. in other quantities which must be indicated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that no rare and important antiques are leaving the country under the bulk export system; and if he will make a statement.

The bulk licensing system does not permit the export of important antiques without special scrutiny. I am not aware of any abuse.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what additional dollar expenditure will fall on Great Britain as a result of measures affecting Rhodesian tobacco.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Down, North (Mr. Currie) on 30th November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the need to encourage exports, he will reconsider the charges made by his Department to British firms leasing space from the Board of Trade at international trade fairs.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Answer which my right hon. Friend gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Swansea, West (Mr. Alan Williams) about the improved assistance which the Government will provide to exhibitors at trade fairs overseas. At those international trade fairs where the Board of Trade provides a Pavilion for British exhibitors the charges made are carefully reviewed in relation to each event and cover only part of the cost.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will press the Polish Government to increase the quota for the purchase of British print-machinery.

The Anglo-Polish Trade Arrangement does not include a specific quota for exports of British printing machinery, but this machinery is one of a number of items for which the Polish authorities have undertaken in the Trade Arrangement, to provide import facilities.The British delegation which is at present in Warsaw to discuss trade arrangements for 1966 will press the Poles to increase their purchases of British goods in general, including printing machinery.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he has had with industry at national, regional, and local levels on the staggering of holidays; and whether he will now make a statement.

I have kept in touch with the discussions on this subject in the local employment committees of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated value of United Kingdom exports for the electronics and computer industries at the most recent convenient date; and what share of these figures, respectively, represent sales of United Kingdom companies and sales of United Kingdom subsidiaries of overseas companies.

£105 million in the first ten months of this year. I regret that I have insufficient information to answer the second part of the Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he has given to the representations based on the survey published by the Manchester Consumer Group on the services and facilities that garages provide for motorists, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make representations to the Consumer Council to undertake a study of this matter.

I have seen this survey, but have received no representations about it. The Consumer Council is an independent body and it is for it to decide what questions to study.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has now completed the supply of information from the Government to the inquiry being conducted by the Confederation of British Industry into the relationship between overseas investment and exports from Great Britain.

We are continuing to supply information as need arises. This, of course, does not include what is confidential.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why August Bank Holiday 1968 is to be held on 2nd September instead of 26th August.

Because 2nd September will be nearer to the end of August.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to prevent restrictive practices in services such as that by which members of one travel agents' association seek to prevent their members employing agents belonging to another travel agents' association.

No. The Monopolies and Mergers Act, 1965, already empowers me to refer to the Monopolies Commission restrictive practices in the _provision of services where I see a case for doing so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek in the forthcoming negotiations at Geneva to safeguard the textile imports position of Hong Kong in the British market.

I shall certainly try to ensure that any arrangements resulting from these negotiations are equitable to Hong Kong.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further progress has been made with the plan to build a national exhibition centre at Crystal Palace.

As I informed the House on 23rd June, following the recommendation of the Crystal Palace site by the Confederation of British industry, I invited the Greater London Council to undertake a feasibility study. T understand that work on this study is proceeding well, and I look forward to receiving their report by the end of the year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what assistance he intends to give to Scottish industrialists to enable the new tinplate mill valued at £20 million to be sited in a Scottish development district; and if he will make a statement.

I have not received an application for assistance under the Local Employment Acts for a tinplate mill in Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the quantities of eggs imported from all overseas countries during the 12 months ended 31st October 1965.

Yes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will restrict the imports of pig meat from countries in Eastern Europe, in view of the damage this is causing to the economy of British farming.

No. Imports of bacon from these countries are already governed by the Bacon Market Sharing Understanding and imports of other pig meat products are subject to quota.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which region attracts most holidaymakers; and what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to cater for them.

The South-West. Catering for the needs of holidaymakers is primarily the responsibility of the holiday trades and the local authorities; but Government Departments and organisations supported by the Government, particularly the British Travel Association, do help and have been able to encourage rising standards.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what official reports he has received of a Rhodesian boycott of British shipping; and to what extent such a boycott will affect the United Kingdom's balance of trade and payments.

None. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what additional steps he will take to clear derelict sites, especially those in development districts in coal mining areas.

Powers are already available in the Local Employment Acts under which local authorities in development districts can apply for grants for clearing derelict land where this is likely to lead to the provision of employment. I have recently extended the development districts to cover further coal mining areas. I hope that the local authorities will take full advantage of these powers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to complete his inquiries into the affairs of the Livestock Marketing Company Limited, which were first brought to the attention of his Department in April 1964.

Inquiries into the affairs of Livestock Marketing Co. Ltd. and associated companies have been completed and developments can be expected shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take to protect consumers in their homes and reputable traders against fraudulent or unfair trading practices by visiting itinerant salesmen.

As I said on 4th November, I am at present considering the Consumer Council's proposals for controlling doorstep sales. I shall also consider any representations made by trade associations and other interested bodies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many British trade fairs or British trade weeks have been held so far in the United States of America in 1965; and how many are planned for 1966.

British industries have taken part in eight trade fairs in the U.S.A. during 1965, and twenty-eight department store promotions of British goods have been supported by the Board of Trade. The numbers of both types of events next year are expected to be about the same.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, what consideration he has given to setting up a development board to co-ordinate and encourage development in mid-Wales; and what decision he has reached.

I am naturally concerned to do everything possible to encourage development in mid-Wales. It is my policy, however, to undertake this by close co-operation with the local authorities in the area and with the Mid-Wales Industrial Development Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he will make a statement on the independent iron ore ports of South Wales.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has authorised the Port Talbot harbour scheme. Richard Thomas and Baldwins have not yet submitted their proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will refuse to approve proposals for comprehensive reorganisation of education unless adequate attention is given to raising the standards of present primary education facilities.

It is the Government's policy that secondary education should be reorganised on comprehensive lines and I consider authorities' proposals to this end on their merits. It is not my policy that reorganisation should be implemented at the expense of primary school building.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied with the progress in the study of comprehensive education, as applied to Norfolk, in response to his circular on the subject to Norfolk County Council.

Local education authorities have been asked to submit reorganisation plans by July, 1966, and at this stage there is no question of my being satisfied with their progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provision has been made by Norfolk County Council for the representation of teachers' views during the consideration of comprehensive education as applied to the county.

I emphasised the importance of consultation with teachers in Circular 10/65, but the method and timing of such consultation are for each local education authority to decide.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware that a salary adjustment claim for university teachers was submitted to the University Grants Committee in January, 1965, and that no reply has been received; and when an answer to the claim may be expected.

The University Grants Committee informed me in April that the Association of University Teachers had simultaneously put forward a salary adjustment claim and asked for new machinery to review the salaries of university teachers. I have had to consider these proposals in the light of the Government's prices and incomes policy. I have now arranged with the Universities Grant Committee to meet representatives both of the Association of University Teachers and of the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals very shortly to discuss them. I cannot at this stage say when an answer to the claim may be expected.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware of the need for the provision of the new Marple High Lane County Primary School; and when it is expected that construction will commence.

Yes. I understand that this project, which is in the Cheshire authority's current major building programme, has been delayed by sewerage problems. The authority recently sub

NUMBER OF TEACHERS COMPLETING COURSES AT COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND LEAVING SERVICE IN MAINTAINED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Academic Years	1959–60		1960–61		1961–62†
	Men	Women	Men	Women	Men	Women
Number of students successfully completing course at College of Education*	3,500	10,100	4,000	10,400	2,000	2,900
Estimated number who had left service in maintained primary and secondary schools by 31.3.1964‡	500	3,600	500	2,800	140	500

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from parents and teachers on the General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level examinations; and what replies he has sent.

I have since 31st August, 1965, received seven letters on the subject, the majority being from parents making representations about their children's failure to secure Ordinary level passes. Except for two recent letters, about which I am still inquiring, they have received replies which pointed out that responsibility for the marking rests with the examining body concerned and not with me.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many of those who qualified at teacher training colleges in 1960 to 1964, respectively, have since left the teaching profession.

I cannot give an exact answer to the Question in the form it is put but I will, with permission, publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the best estimate I can make.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to reduce the maximum term of imprisonment which may be imposed by the courts for non-payment of small fines.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to reduce the maximum term of imprisonment which may be imposed by courts for the non-payment of small fines.

Yes, when a suitable opportunity for legislation occurs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what action he is taking to improve prison conditions, and particularly to abolish the use of chamber pots and the practice of slopping out.

The prison building programme provides for the construction of new prisons suitable for modern methods of treatment and for a wide variety of improvements in existing prisons. My right hon. and learned Friend is particularly anxious to improve night sanitation. This is not at present practicable in existing closed prisons. We are, however, seeking a solution of the problem in prisons that are now being designed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made towards the introduction of a parole scheme for prisoners; and when he anticipates that it will be possible to introduce such a scheme.

My right hon. and learned Friend hopes to make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prisoners are now living in hostels and working for outside employers; what is the average weekly amount earned by these prisoners; how this sum is allocated for maintenance in the hostels, compulsory savings, National Insurance, or other purposes; to what extent the hostel scheme represents a net saving of public funds; to what extent it has resulted in a higher proportion of ex-prisoners whose rehabilitation is found to be lasting, as compared with other ex-prisoners; and if he will extend the scheme substantially.

About 220 prisoners. Precise averages are not available but most of the men earn between £10 and £15 a week. A typical married man earning £13 a week pays about £5 10s. 0d. to his family, £3 5s. 6d. for board and lodging in the hostel, £1 for daily fares and expenses and 13s. 8d. National Insurance contribution. He is allowed between £1 and £1 10s. 0d. pocket money and saves about £1 a week. The net saving to public funds cannot be reliably assessed. Research into the scheme is in progress. Provisional conclusions suggest that the scheme significantly reduces the likelihood of reconviction. My right hon. and learned Friend is very anxious to extend the scheme and plans for this are in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foot patrol policemen in England and Wales are equipped with two-way radio communication; to what extent there is delay in such radio sets being obtained; and what is the cause of the delay.

Some 1,400 portable two-way radio sets are in use by the police in England and Wales. There has been some delay in obtaining some types of sets and their associated equipment, but 1,000 personal sets ordered this year are being issued to police forces as fast as they are received and tested. More portable two-way sets are on order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he issued a circular to justices of the peace detailing their powers of deportation under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962; and why he officially asked the hon. Member for Wandsworth, Putney, not to show this circular to a constituent who may be affected by it.

The circular to which my hon. Friend refers was issued on 30th May, 1962, in accordance with the usual practice of drawing the attention of clerks to justices to the content of new legislation which imposes new duties on the courts. I indicated to my hon. Friend in correspondence that Home Office circulars to the courts are not intended or usually appropriate for general distribution; I expressed the hope that my hon. Friend would understand the position, but as the circular in question is not confidential it is open to my hon. Friend to show it to a constituent if he thinks fit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he made to the British Broadcasting Corporation about the film, "The War Game"; and if he will make a statement.

None. The British Broadcasting Corporation have made it clear that their decision not to show the film was not the result of outside pressure of any kind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he made to the British Broadcasting Corporation concerning the Civil Defence film called "The War Game"; and why he exerted pressure to prevent its showing to the public.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have given today to a Question by my right hon. Friend the Member for Derby, South.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the security arrangements at Durham Prison.

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the Answer which I gave on 25th November to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) and the right hon. Member for Berwick and East Lothian (Sir W. Anstruther-Gray).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to require manufacturers of electrical appliances to obtain a certificate of safety from a competent authority before being permitted to offer such appliances for sale.

Most manufacturers of electrical goods are careful to comply with the recommendations contained in the appropriate British Standards, and many participate in the voluntary approvals scheme run by the British Electrical Approvals Board for Domestic Appliances. Manufacturers are usually prompt to take remedial action if defects in particular appliances are brought to their attention, and my right hon. and learned Friend is always prepared, where necessary, to consider making regulations under the Consumer Protection Act.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he is satisfied that the National Board for Prices and Incomes is not overworked owing to the number of price and wage increases referred to it; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is confident that the Board can deal satisfactorily with its task.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs why he did not discuss with industry the composition of the list of items to which the early warning system is to be applied, before publishing the list in the White Paper, Command Paper No. 2808.

It was clearly essential in publishing the White Paper to give an indication of the scope of the non-statutory arrangements for early warning of price increases drawn up in discussion with the T.U.C. and the C.B.I. As paragraph 6 of the White Paper makes clear the list of items is provisional. Consultations with the individual industries concerned, as envisaged in the White Paper, are now proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what assistance, including financial assistance, will be given to Rhodesians wishing to come to the United Kingdom as political refugees; and if political asylum will be granted to those requesting it.

Any British High Commission, Embassy or Consulate will be prepared to consider on its merits an application for assistance, including financial assistance, from a Rhodesian citizen whether or not he is also a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies. As to political asylum I would refer my hon. Friend to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in the course of his statement on 12th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will give details of the assurances he has given to the Indian Government in connection with the recent incidents instigated by the Chinese along the Sino-Indian border.

We have noted reports of incidents and are watching the situation closely. We deplore any Chinese action which aggravates the difficult situation along the Sino-Indian border and thus prejudices the maintenance of peace and stability in the area. The British Government have on many occasions made it clear that, if India were attacked by a foreign power, they would be ready, at the request of the Government of India, to consult with them about means to help India to resist such aggression. The Prime Minister recently reaffirmed this in his speech at the Guildhall on 15th November.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what financial contribution has been made from public funds for the advancement of education in Southern Rhodesia in each financial year since 1961.

The following sums have been disbursed:

U.K. Financial Year		Grants (for the University College)	Loan (for African Education)	Total
		£	£	£
1961–62	…	186,866	—	186,866
1962–63	…	163,018	355,000	518,018
1963–64	…	196,668	—	196,668
1964–65	…	379,914	—	379,914

We have also spent some small sums on technical assistance to the University College, and on Commonwealth Scholars and teacher trainers from Rhodesia under the Commonwealth Educational Cooperation Scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he proposes to take to replace the loss of Rhodesian sugar imports.

None. Imports of sugar from Southern Rhodesia represented about 2 per cent. of our total sugar imports in the 12 months ending 31st October, 1965. There is a world surplus of sugar and there will be no difficulty in replacing these quantities from other suppliers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to protect the consumer in the event of the bakers' union refusing to stop their lightning strikes while the National Board for Prices and Incomes examines their case.

It would be inappropriate for me to make any statement on this matter while negotiations for a settlement of the dispute are still going on.

asked the Minister of Transport, how the waiting period for learner drivers before a test in Berwickshire and East Lothian, respectively, compares with the average period of 16 weeks throughout Scotland.

On average 15 and 16 weeks respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has now received from local authorities requesting legislation to be introduced to permit them to make some financial contribution to non-local authority transport undertakers in consideration of travel concessions being granted to special classes of persons, particularly old-age pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

I have received a number of such representations, but I cannot add to the Answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Heywood and Royton (Mr. Barnett) on 27th October.

asked the Minister of Transport, if he will now introduce legislation to allow a person to accompany a pedestrian-controlled electric pushchair without having to be in possession of a current driving licence.

I regret that there is no early prospect of Government legislation to give effect to this proposal.

asked the Minister of Transport, what consultations he held with the Ford Motor Company on safety before their introduction of a car for sale in Great Britain capable of more than 150 miles per hour.

None. The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations prescribe the safety requirements with which cars must comply and the Ford Motor Company had no need to consult my Department.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress is being made for traffic signals and bus lay-bys at Mile Oak crossroads near Tamworth, Staffordshire, in view of the present dangerous situation at that point.

Quotations have been sought by the Staffordshire County Council for the signal equipment, and estimates are being prepared for the necessary road works, which include provision of bus-bays.It is hoped to start on the scheme as soon as a satisfactory lay-out can be agreed.

asked the Minister of Transport when he proposes to publish the order prohibiting vehicular traffic at French Avenue and Allton Avenue, Mile Oak, near Tamworth.

I have received an application from the Staffordshire County Council for confirmation of this order, but I cannot consider it until certain statutory requirements have been followed. I understand the council is taking immediate steps on this.

asked the Minister of Transport what road schemes in Derbyshire have been delayed in connection with the recent proposals for reducing immediate capital commitments; whether he will give an assurance that none of these will be delayed for more than six months; and whether he will give revised starting dates for each.

Details of schemes costing over £25,000 and the revised target starting dates are given below. A prompt start on the new dates depends in some cases on satisfactory progress on land acquisition and other preparatory work.

• A.38—Staffordshire County Boundary to Mickleover Link—April, 1966.
• A.444—Improvement at Cadley Hill—March, 1966.
• A.610—Bull Aqueduct, Ambergate—March, 1966.
• New Link road to A.6 south of Duffield—June, 1966.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that the Local Government Boundary Commission have not yet published their proposals for the South-East Lancashire and the Merseyside Special Review Areas, although these proposals were promised some weeks ago; what is the cause of this delay in publication; when the proposals will be published; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that draft proposals for the two special review areas will be published in the middle of December. The Commission assure me that there has been no delay in publication. They explained when they issued their draft proposals for the North- Western General review area in October that those proposals were being published first to spread the load of printing and distribution.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has yet completed his consultations with the local authorities about the date of transfer of Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield to the Commission for the New Towns.

Yes. After considering fully and sympathetically the representations of the Hatfield Rural District Council in favour of further planned expansion, I have reached the conclusion that they are not practicable. I have decided, therefore, to transfer the property of the two development corporations to the Commission for the New Towns as from 1st April next. The development corporations, the local authorities and the Commission have been so informed.I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the devotion and enthusiasm with which the development corporations and their staffs have carried out their task over the past 17 years.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he intends to postpone the rating revaluation due in 1968.

The Government have decided with regret that, in view of the shortage of valuers and the increasing commitments of the Valuation Office, it will be necessary to abandon the quinquennial revaluation due in 1968.Legislation for this purpose will be included in the local government finance Bill to be introduced early next year. At the same time the House will be asked, in the interests of fairness among ratepayers, to give statutory recognition to the established practice whereby new or amended assessments made during the currency of a valuation list are on the basis of "tone of the list". This will apply to all alterations in pursuance of proposals made after today.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in what circumstances the Procurator Fiscal, Glasgow, applied for a warrant to arrest Gerald Donnelly, of Reading, and to arrange for his transfer in custody to Glasgow.

The Lord Advocate informs me that Mr. Donnelly was charged with driving a motor car at a speed of 55 m.p.h. on a restricted road in Glasgow. The police were subsequently unable to trace him at the London address that he gave and the Procurator Fiscal's office applied for a warrant for his apprehension. This was granted by the Sheriff and was executed by the police.There is a standing instruction by the Lord Advocate that only in the most abnormal cases should resort be made to apprehension and that before this step is taken every effort must be made to trace the accused person and to afford him an opportunity to answer the citation. The Lord Advocate regrets that in this case the instruction was not observed. On hearing of what had happened the Procurator Fiscal took immediate steps to remind all members of his staff of the necessity of adhering to the instruction.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the extension of the pier at Lochinver has yet been authorised, in view of the present activity at this port and the likely increase in demand for landing facilities there by fishing boats from the Moray Firth.

I have asked Sutherland County Council for further information which I require before I can reach a decision on their plan to extend the pier at Culag, Lochinver.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the threatened strike on 9th December by the Scottish Schoolmasters' Association and the Young Teachers' Action Committee; as this action would affect 900 schools, whether he will take steps to avert the strike; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, when he will announce a decision on increases in the salaries of Scottish teachers, in view of the expressed intention of some teachers to take strike action again in support of their claims.

I have seen reports in the Press that certain groups of teachers intend to strike on 9th December.On 26th November the Scottish Joint Council for Teachers' Salaries sent me their recommendations for salary increases to have effect from 1st April, 1966. I am urgently considering these recommendations and I shall make known the Government's decision on them as soon as I can.I greatly regret that some members of the profession should see fit to resort to strike action both while salary negotiations are taking place and before the Government have had time to consider the recommendations. Such irresponsible action can have no possible effect except to deprive children of their schooling.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the cause of the mildew now spreading over the picture in the Palace of Westminster of the plucking of the red and white roses in Old Temple Gardens; and whether he will take steps to arrest its advance.

The cause is not known, but I am arranging for the picture to be examined. This picture was successfully treated for a similar trouble forty-five years ago and until now has given no further trouble.

asked the Minister of Health what was the amount paid, during the most recent convenient period of 12 months, to the National Health Service by those who make use of pay beds in hospitals.

In England and Wales, £5,373,000 during the year ending 31st March, 1965.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources, what criteria the proposed Land Commission will use in deciding whether land may be needed for development and therefore can be bought by agreement under the proposals contained in Command Paper No. 2771.

The Commission will have regard to a number of factors such as national and regional policies and the views of local planning authorities.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources, whether under the proposals contained in Command Paper No. 2771 a person who owns his house under crownhold tenure will only be able to sell it to the Land Commission at a price no higher than he originally paid for it, irrespective of what happens to house prices generally.

No. A person holding a crownhold house direct from the Land Commission on concessionary terms will receive on resale to the Commission the market value at that time less the concession. A person selling a crownhold house to a housing association or other body will receive whatever is appropriate under the rules of the body.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether he will publish another White Paper explaining in detail the interaction between the levy proposed in Command Paper No. 2771 and the Capital Gains Tax as it affects land transactions.

No. Details of the proposed arrangements must await the Finance Bill, but in the meantime my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer or I will be happy to answer any general inquiries the hon. Member cares to send to us.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources how many branch offices of the proposed Land Commission he estimates will be required in Great Britain; and where they will be situated.

Eleven; in addition to the headquarters office in Newcastle.Plans have been, or are being, made to earmark accommodation for regional offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Croydon, Cumbernauld, Ipswich, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading and Salford.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the rights of individuals are fully safeguarded under the proposals contained in Command Paper No. 2771 for introducing a more rapid compulsory purchase procedure.

Any compulsory purchase order to which objection is maintained will need to be confirmed by a Minister who must first consider the representations of the objector.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources how he proposes to finance the activities of the Land Commission in its early years; and what estimate he has made of the total amount of money required in each of the first three years to enable it to function in accordance with his proposals in Command Paper No. 2771.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the introduction of the Bill.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources if it is the inten- tion of Her Majesty's Government to charge levy on value attributable to material development against the developer who has acquired land or minerals since the White Paper on the Land Commission was published and before the appointed date.

Yes, if the development is started after the appointed day.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (1) how many people registered as disabled are in receipt of National Assistance, sick benefit, and industrial injury benefit, respectively;(2) how many men registered as disabled and drawing National Assistance in December, 1964 were affected by the wage stop; what proportion of the total affected by the wage stop this was; and what was the average reduction in the assistance they would otherwise have been entitled to.

I regret this information is not available.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give instructions that no letters carrying the Rhodesian stamps celebrating the illegal declaration of independence on 11th November will be delivered to addresses in this country; and if he will ensure that the Rhodesian people are so informed.

Yes. I have issued instructions that no stamps issued to commemorate the illegal seizure of power by the Smith regime in Rhodesia will be accepted by the Post Office and letters bearing them will be liable to a surcharge in this country at the same rate as if they were unstamped. This decision should be clearly understood in Rhodesia. The stamps in question have no postal value or validity whatsoever.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to site the Inland Revenue Automatic Data Processing Centre at York, in view of the fact that many personnel concerned have indicated their preference for York as a centre instead of Thornaby-on-Tees.

The Inland Revenue are aware of the views of certain staff now in the southern part of the area to be served by this Centre, but there are a number of serious disadvantages in siting it in York and the interests of other staff have to be considered as well.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the result of the preferences made by the members of the Inland Revenue departments in Yorkshire concerned with the siting of the Automatic Data Processing Centre.

This Centre is to take over the P.A.Y.E. work of tax districts in Northumberland and Durham as well as in Yorkshire and the siting must have regard to the convenience of all the staff in this area.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to amend Section 260 of the Customs and Excise Act 1952 to remove the tariff on importing bone dicalcium phosphate, as this is used for agricultural purposes in the preparation of essential fertilisation.

Amending Section 260 would not be the appropriate way, but I cannot in any event hold out any hope of removing this tariff.