asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arms trading licences were issued by his Department, at the latest stated date; on what criteria these are issued to applicants; and whether he will list those who hold such licences.

My right hon. Friend has no authority to issue arms trading licences, and there is no record in my Department of firearms dealers.Under the Firearms Acts 1937 and 1965 firearms dealers must be registered with chief officers of police who may impose conditions designed to prevent thefts of firearms and ammunition. Chief officers may refuse registration if they are satisfied that the business in question would endanger public safety or the peace; and the courts may prohibit the registration of persons convicted of certain offences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why an instruction has been issued to the Metropolitan Police that, as evasion of the payment of the road fund licence is now so prevalent, no action should be taken against those evading this form of taxation.

The Commissioner informs me that no such instruction has been issued.Under the Vehicles (Excise) Act 1962, it is for the appropriate county or county borough council to institute proceedings and the police may do so only with their consent. The Metropolitan Police report cases that come to their attention to the appropriate local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in the period from January to March 1966, how many prosecutions were initiated by the Metropolitan Police against persons using road vehicles without a current road fund licence; what results were achieved; and how these figures compare with the same period in 1965.

For the reason I have given in reply to my hon. Friend's previous Question, no proceedings for this offence were undertaken by the Metropolitan Police during either period. During the period December 1965 to February 1966 particulars of 29,656 apparently unlicensed vehicles seen on the road by the Metropolitan Police were reported to the appropriate licensing authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take to control more effectively the distribution and consumption of addictive drugs.

Narcotic drugs are closely controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1965 and the Dangerous Drugs Regulations, which reflect the requirements of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, to which the United Kingdom is a party. I am studying the adequacy of these controls in the light of the recommendations of the Interdepartmental Committee on Drug Addiction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recommendations he will make concerning women jurors following the Morris Report on the Reorganisation of Juries.

The Government intend to introduce legislation on the lines proposed by the Morris Committee. This will have the effect, amongst other things, of greatly increasing the number of women qualified for jury service.

asked the Secretry of State for the Home Department whether he will make regulations to make it impossible for animals bred and reared in this country for purposes of research to be exported to other countries where they will not have the protection of adequate legislation against cruelty.

My right hon. Friend doubts whether it would be possible to operate a system of control along the lines suggested.

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

The inquiries which the Lord Advocate is making have not yet been completed. It would not be right to prejudice any possible proceedings by publishing the report at this time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state in respect of total financial assistance to firms in the North-East development districts for the year ending 31st March, 1966, the average capital commitment for each job expected to be created.

The average amount of assistance for each job was £484. This is based on the total assistance of all forms offered by the Board of Trade under the Local Employment Acts for the period and area in question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state for the year ended 31st March, 1966, the number of approvals given for the building of factories and extensions in the North-East development districts giving the area and the estimated employment and cost.

188 industrial development certificates were issued for new buildings, extensions, and conversions to industrial use covering an area of 4,853,000 square feet and estimated by the applicants to provide additional employment for about 16,700 people. No comparable figures of cost are collected.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state for the year ended 31st March 1966 the number of loans and grants under section 4 of the Local Employment Act 1960 made to firms in development districts in the North-East, the number of applica- tions rejected and the number still under consideration.

The information requested is as follows:

	Year ended 31st March, 1966 Number
Offers made and accepted	23
Offers made and declined	4
Applications rejected	16
Applications under consideration at end of year	35

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will undertake a review of the regulations governing the import of carbon-black, with a view to making compulsory the use of modern containers.

I have no evidence that the recommendations on this subject in the International Code on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods are unsatisfactory or that the standards of packing are unsafe.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will withdraw the benefits of Commonwealth Tariffs Preference from South African exports to the United Kingdom, in view of the withdrawal of South Africa from the Commonwealth in 1961.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate has been made of the additional cost to Great Britain of the rise in the price of Zambian copper.

The Zambian copper companies have announced that they will sell their copper at the London Metal Exchange prices for three months forward delivery. The cost of this change to our import bill therefore depends upon the Exchange prices. On the basis of current prices the additional cost of imports of copper from Zambia in 1966 would be about £17 million. Our total import bill for copper will depend also upon action which may be taken by other producers. But the increase in the cost of copper previously bought at lower producer prices will be partially offset by savings in the cost of copper normally imported at Exchange prices because these prices have fallen as a result of the change in the policy of the Zambian companies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the report of the Monopolies Commission on the supply and processing of colour films.

The Report was published this morning. The Commission have found monopoly conditions, as defined in the legislation, in the supply of colour film, and in the processing of certain types of film.On supply, the Commission concluded that Kodak's monopoly position was not, as such, against the public interest, but they criticised Kodak's pricing policy, in relation both to selling prices and to retail margins. They concluded that Kodak's profits on its colour film business were too high, and that there was scope for prices to be reduced. They also criticised Kodak's policy of confining the retail distribution of colour film to certain appointed outlets.On processing, the Commission criticised the standard practice of a number of firms of requiring certain films to be sold at prices which included a charge for processing.By way of remedies, the Commission recommended that the import duty on colour film should be abolished; that significant cuts should be made in Kodak's prices; that retailers' discounts should be reduced; and that Kodak should make their film available without discrimination. The Commission also recommended modifications to the system of selling film process-paid.The Commission have conducted a thorough and useful investigation. I accept their general conclusions, and the principle of their recommendations on Kodak's prices and distribution policies, and on the process-paid system.The Commission's recommendation on the import duty carries great weight as an expression of the consumer interest, but does not in itself cover all the considerations to which the Board of Trade must, under the Import Duties Act 1958, have regard. Before coming to a final conclusion on this recommendation, therefore, I am putting in hand an immediate review of the duty on colour film, which will permit interested parties to make representations. I hope that this review will be completed within a period of three months.My Department will now discuss the implementation of the other recommendations with Kodak and the other parties concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the Geddes Report on Shipbuilding.

The Government accept the recommendation in this Report that those concerned in the industry should be allowed until the end of June to consider the Report as a whole and to let us know their views before final decisions are taken about the form of any Government assistance. In the meantime I am closely in touch with both sides of the industry. When the Report was published my right hon. Friend made it clear that the Government welcomed the Report as providing a constructive basis for studying the action required to secure the industry's future, and would be prepared to play their part, broadly along the lines indicated in the Report, in promoting the changes proposed, if the others were prepared to play theirs.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of his circular requesting the aid of teachers in the event of nuclear war, if he will make arrangements for teachers to view the film, "The War Game", so that they may be better acquainted with the type of situation in which their help is sought.

This is best left to individual decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how far the number of students admitted to the Scottish universities in 1964 and 1965 has fallen behind the estimated number of places required in the Robbins Report; if it is anticipated that the gap between numbers admitted and places required will widen in October 1966; and how these figures for 1964, 1965 and estimates for 1966 compare with the numbers admitted and the estimated requirements according to the Robbins Report for the English universities.

The total number of full-time students at universities in Scotland (including the Heriot Watt College) in 1964, provisional figures for 1965 and Universities' estimates for 1966, compare with the projections of total places required in the Robbins Report as follows:

		Robbins Report Projections
October, 1964	26,200	26,200
October, 1965	28,300	29,300
October, 1966	31,300	31,500

The Robbins Committee did not make separate projections for the universities in England. Corresponding figures for universities in England and Wales (including Colleges of Advanced Technology) are:—

		Robbins Report Projections
October, 1964	127,000	130,100
October, 1965	140,500	143,900
October, 1966	157,700	155,400

It will be noted that the comparison shows an improvement as between 1965 and 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy towards the provision of facilities such as play centres, nursery schools or kindergartens for the pre-school child; and if he will seek to encourage voluntary organisations to help in this matter on the lines of the New Zealand scheme which over a number of years has proved to be of great benefit to a large number of children.

My right hon. Friend welcomes proposals to establish new nursery schools and classes in suitable existing accommodation where they will enable more married women teachers with young children to return to teaching, but he cannot withdraw all the restrictions without diverting teachers from primary schools.I am also pleased to note the growth in the number of pre-school play-groups in this country, which I understand are similar to those in New Zealand. My right hon. Friend has recently offered a grant of £3,000 per annum for three years to the National Association of Pre-School Play-groups towards their headquarters expenses, which include the salary of a national adviser.

asked the Postmaster-General what would be the cost of hire of a land line capable of bringing British television to the Osnabrück area of Germany for the use of British and allied troops in the British Army of the Rhine.

Before I could give the hon. and learned Gentleman an accurate estimate of the cost I should, of course, have to consult the French and German authorities. Before doing this, I shall need some more information about the facility he has in mind, and I will write to him about this.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the earliest date for the completion of a by-pass for Banbury; and if she will make a statement.

This scheme will be considered, with other urgent schemes, for a place in the next extension of the trunk road programme. It could not be started before about 1970 at the earliest.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has now been made in the construction of the Victoria Line; and what length of rail has so far been laid.

London Transport inform me that 21½ of the 25 miles of running tunnels have been completed, and about 75 per cent. of all the civil engineering work. Little rail has so far been laid; the main work on this is due to start this autumn.The estimated date of late 1968 for opening the first section of the line still stands.

asked the Minister of Transport what further discussions she has had with London Transport concerning their regulations relating to lost property.

London Transport has submitted proposals for the revision of its Lost Property Regulations. My right hon. Friend is considering them in the light of the arrangements made for dealing with lost property by public transport operators generally.

asked the Minister of Transport what further powers she will take to enable local authorities to deal more expeditiously with the nuisance of motor cars left abandoned in the streets of London.

Local authorities have powers to remove immediately from a street any vehicle they consider to be abandoned and after six weeks to dispose of it. I believe these powers to be adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the safety precautions before demonstrations are given by the Royal Signals motorcyclist team; and if he will make a statement.

On 12th April there was an accident in which a soldier was injured during rehearsals by the Royal Signals Motor Cycle Display Team. The commanding officer has ordered an inquiry and until this has been completed this item will not be performed again.If the inquiry shows that changes are desirable in the interests of safety, they will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances special fire-fighting and breathing equipment is required at radar stations, such as Neatishead; and in how many cases it is kept on the spot.

Special fire-fighting and breathing equipment is provided at all radar stations which have no windows and where means of access is limited.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the review of the regulations relating to commutation of service pensions is expected to be concluded; and whether he intends to bring the regulations applicable to ex-other ranks into line with those for ex-officers.

The review is proceeding as quickly as possible, but I cannot say when it will be concluded or what the, outcome will be.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on the meeting of the European Launcher Development Organisation on 27th April.

No. The meeting of Ministers of the E.L.D.O. Member States was convened for the three days 26th to 28th April and is, therefore, still continuing. I cannot anticipate the outcome.

asked the Minister of Health what action he has taken to implement the recommendation of the Brain Committee on drugs.

The treatment facilities are under review, and the Government have decided to accept the recommendation to set up an advisory committee on the whole problem of drug addiction. Consideration is still being given to the Committee's other main recommendations, which require legislation.

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements are made, or can be made, to provide four-seater invalid cars for paraplegics with families, on payment by the paraplegic of the difference between the cost of the four-seater and that of the single-seater invalid car to which he is at present entitled free of charge.

My right hon. Friend has no powers to make such arrangements.

asked the Minister of Health whether, apart from the 30-bed ward due to be completed in 1968 to accommodate patients being moved from Niethrop Hospital, there are any proposals to complete the building of new wards or a new hospital at the Horton Hospital. Banbury, by 1970.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the publication of the Review of the Hospital Plan.

asked the Prime Minister if he will introduce legislation to provide judicial machinery whereby a Member's complaints against Ministers on matters of fact can be evaluated.

No.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government on what date the Rent Registration Service was set up in Brighton.

My right hon. Friend appointed 28th March, 1966, as the date on which Part II of the Rent Act 1965, providing for the registration of fair rents for regulated tenancies, should come into operation in Brighton.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many cases have been heard by the Brighton Rent Registration Service; and with what results.

The rent officers for the Brighton registration area have eight cases before them. No determinations have yet been made.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why he continues to confirm smoke control orders under the Clean Air Act 1956 when there is evidence of shortage of smokeless fuel.

Before confirming a smoke control order my right hon. Friend requires an assurance from the local authority that it is satisfied, after consultation with the fuel producers and suppliers, that supplies of smokeless fuels will, by the time the order comes into operation, be sufficient to meet the demand in the area covered by the order.Confirmation has not recently had to be withheld on the grounds that this assurance has been lacking.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the constitution of the task force designed to deal with the problem of redundant disabled miners in South Wales; how many times they have met; and what proposals have been made.

The Panel set up by the Welsh Economic Council in January to examine industrial and employment problems consists of five members of the Council. Its Chairman is Mr. M. W. Rosser. It has held five formal meetings and I am expecting a report from it on the employment problems of South Wales shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will introduce the scheme for the eradication of brucellosis.

I am unable to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Sir A. V. Harvey) on 2nd March. I shall make a statement when a decision is made.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if the Government will make a contribution to the Feed the Minds Campaign.

A. MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Terriotry		Date of Independence(a) or Creation(b)		Constitutional Status on Independence		Remarks
India	…	15.8.47(a)	…	Monarchy	…	Became a Republic 26.1.50
Pakistan	…	15.8.47(a)	…	Monarchy	…	Became a Republic 23.3.56
Ceylon	…	4.2.48(a)	…	Monarchy	…	Excluding Maldive Islands
Ghana (formerly Gold Cost)	…	6.3.57(a)	…	Monarchy	…	Together with British Togoland Mandate. Became a Republic 1.7.60
Federation of Nigeria	…	1.10.60(a)	…	Monarchy	…	Northern Portion of British Cameroons added 1.6.61. Southern Portion joined Cameroon Republic outside the Commonwealth 1.10.61. Became a Federal Republic 1.10.63
Cyprus	…	16.8.60(a)	…	Republic	…	Became a Member of commonwealth on 13.3.61
Sierra Leone	…	27.4.61(a)	…	Monarchy	…
Jamaica	…	6.8.62(a)	…	Monarchy	…
Trinidad and Tobago	…	31.8.62(a)	…	Monarchy	…
Uganda	…	9.10.62(a)	…	Monarchy	…	Her Majesty ceased to be Head of State 9.10.63
Malaysia (incorporating the Federation of Malaya, North Borneo (now Sabah), Sarawak and singapore).		16.9.63(b)	…	An elected Monarchy from amongst State Rulers		The Federation of Malaya became independent on 31.8.57
See also singapore.
Kenya	…	12.12.63(a)	…	Monarchy	…	Became a Republic 12.12.64
Tanzania (incorporating Tranganyika Zanzibar)	…	26.4.64(b)	…	Republic	…	Tanganyika became independent as a Monarchy on 9.12.61 and became a Republic 9.12.62; Zanzibar became independent as a Sultanate on 10.12.63; both as Members of the Commonwealth
Malawi (formerly Nyasaland)	…	6.7.64(a)	…	Monarchy	…	To become a Republic on 6.7.66
Malta	…	21.9.64(a)	…	Monarchy
Zambia (formerly Northern Rhodesia)	…	24.10.64(a)	…	Republic
Gambia	…	18.2.65(a)	…	Monarchy
Singapore	…	9.8.65(a)	…	Republic	…	Separated from Malaysia

No. I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in reply to the hon. Member for Banff (Mr. Baker), on 15th December, 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will publish a table to show those countries which, in 1945, were within the British Commonwealth or administered by the Colonial Office, and which since have received new constitutions giving them independence or republican status either within or outside the Commonwealth, and the dates on which those new constitutions came into operation.

I give below the information requested: