asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what steps he is taking to meet the need for more camping and caravan sites, as outlined in Command Paper No. 2928.

My right hon. Friend he Minister of Housing and Local Government has written to selected planning authorities drawing their attention to the need for more transit camping and caravan sites and indicating possible areas for action. The Bill which will be introduced to give effect to the proposals in he White Paper will provide for a 75 per cent. grant for the creation of such sites in special cases.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what proposals he has to supply all Ministers and Junior Ministers with free-of-charge housing, furniture and other incidental emoluments.

None.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works on which days the new apartments in Admiralty House will be open for public view; and whether a charge for admission will be made.

It is not proposed to open these apartments to the public.

asked the Minister of Health how many occasions he met and discussed with Miss Cheesman and the hon. Member for West Ham, North, her alleged mistreatment in hospital, referred to in communications sent to him on 28th January, before sending his reply on 25th May to the hon. Member for West Ham, North; and what expert advice he sought on this case before sending his reply.

My reply was based on the best medical advice which I could obtain. The full medical case history is available, and the documents sent to me by my hon. Friend set out Miss Cheesman's complaints clearly and in great detail. I saw no need to arrange discussions or to make the appointment suggested.

asked the Minister of Health what was the nature of the inquiry which he held into the alleged mistreatment in hospital complained of by Miss Joan Cheesman; and who was the independent person he appointed to conduct this inquiry.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his Question this afternoon.

asked the Minister of Health how many beds will be made available in the proposed new Bierley Hall geriatric hospital at Badford; what is the anticipated date for commencement of this hospital; and what is the estimated time for completion.

160. Negotiations with contractors are now taking place with a view to starting the scheme as soon as possible. The Regional Hospital Board is hoping for completion in about two years.

asked the Minister of Health what extra bed accommodation will be made available at Killingbeck Hospital, Leeds, when the new operating theatres are opened; and to what extent this will enable a speedier treatment of cases of open heart surgery.

The new operating theatre will allow the separation of open heart surgery from other chest surgery. No additional beds are being provided but greater use will be made of the existing beds, which cannot at present be used to full advantage.

asked the Minister of Health on what site the new district general hospital in Bradford, mentioned in the hospital building programme, will be built; how many beds will be provided in the first and second stages; how many beds are envisaged in the next state of further development; and whether the hospital will be completed at the third stage.

The Regional Hospital Board propose to build the new hospital on and adjacent to the site of St. Luke's Hospital and discussions are proceeding locally. The present proposal is to provide about 600 acute beds in the first and second phases, with supporting services, and about 250 acute beds in a third phase. It is proposed to add maternity and acute psychiatric beds later. This programme will be subject to review as planning progresses.

asked the Minister of Health how many thoracic surgeons operate in the United Leeds Hospitals Board area; how many operations they have performed during 1965 and to date in 1966; and what has been the ratio of amenity beds to private beds in relation to these operations.

Three thoracic surgeons, working a total of 14 sessions weekly, are employed by the Board of Governors of the United Leeds Hospitals, where 555 operations in thoracic surgery were performed in 1965 and 170 in the first five months of 1966. These figures include operations on amenity patients (5 and 2 respectively) and on private patients (26 and 8 respectively). They do not include operations performed in the Leeds area by thoracic surgeons under contract to the Leeds Regional Hospital Board.

asked the Minister of Health what provision will be made at the proposed new district hospital in Bradford for thoracic surgery cases; how many beds will be allocated; and what estimate he has made of the prospects of obtaining the services of thoracic surgeons.

The present proposal is to provide about 60 beds, with supporting services, but this will be reviewed as planning progresses. The availability of thoracic surgeons for new units will depend on the training of younger men in the next few years. Training is under continuous review.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of injurious baby nappy-rash have been reported to him, arising from the use of noxious substances in certain ointment on sale in the Hornchurch-Romford area; and what steps he intends to take.

I have no information other than a report in the British Medical Journal of 30th April of a case of Pink Disease diagnosed at Oldchurch Hospital and attributed to the use of dilute ammoniated mercury ointment. Under the Poisons Rules the retail sale of the ointment is restricted to pharmacies; if any further evidence suggests the need for a more stringent control of retail sale I would consider the desirability of bringing it to the attention of the Poisons Board.

asked the Minister of Labour for what purposes the Standard Industrial Classification was drawn up; and whether it was intended to distinguish between industries and services which are more or less important to the national economy.

The Standard Industrial Classification was prepared as a means of securing uniformity and comparability in the statistics published by Government Departments in the United Kingdom. It distinguishes 24 Orders, or major industrial groups, divided into 152 Minimum List Headings.This classification does not attempt to distinguish between industrial groups on the basis of their importance to the national economy.

asked the Minister of Labour whether dairies engaged in the collection of milk from farms, its pasteurisation, bottling and distribution to consumers, are included among manufacturing industries in the Standard Industrial Classification, or among the distributive trades; and what were the considerations which influenced his decision.

The distribution of milk to consumers is classified, under the Standard Industrial Classification, to retail distribution. The collection of milk from farms, its pasteurisation and bottling are activities that are regarded as ancillary to selling the milk to consumers and are therefore regarded as part of the distribution process.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is satisfied that an adequate number of inspectors have been appointed to see that the provisions of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963 are carried out; and if he will make a statement.

In most premises covered by the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act enforcement of the general and fire provisions is the responsibility of the local and fire authorities. Local authorities have authorised 4,721 inspectors to enforce the general provisions of the Act on a full or part-time basis. Enforcement of the fire provisions of the Act is for the most part carried out by the existing staff of the Fire Brigades. H.M. Factory Inspectorate are responsible for enforcement in Crown and local authority premises, railway premises and factory offices. Forty-two additional posts have been authorised for work in connection with the Act.In spite of the staffing problems which have had to be faced a useful start has been made in the work of enforcing the Act. My report on the operation of the Act in 1965 will be presented to Parliament in the autumn.

asked the Minister of Labour what estimate he has made as to the effect of the proposed payroll tax on employment in the slate industry in Wales.

As announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 25th May, the extractive industries as a whole are to receive refund of the tax. This will include the slate industry in Wales.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state his plans for dealing with the situation created by the interim Report of the Commission he appointed to inquire into the report on the shipping strike.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I have made today.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement on the extension by the Greater London Council of the Crossness Sewerage Works, in view of the proposed development of the adjacent Woolwich-Erith marsh area for high-density housing.

I am arranging a meeting with the Greater London Council, together with representatives of Greenwich and Bexley London Borough Councils, to discuss the future of the Crossness works.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what response he has received from local authorities and hospital authorities regarding the introduction of amenities to aid access for disabled people, who are forced to use wheelchairs for propulsion, in the plans for new buildings and in existing buildings.

I refer my hon. Friend to the replies given by my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and Minister of Housing and Local Government on 27th May to the hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will publish a schedule showing the amount of the rate-product deduction factor by authorities, giving amounts in each case 1 or the most recent convenient period.

The information is as follows., being in respect of the first estimate of general grant for the year 1966–67.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to assist the provision of swimming baths and tuition in the science and art of swimming during the present summer for people living in the poorer districts of Great Britain's cities, towns and villages.

All concerned in government, in local authorities and in the voluntary bodies are well aware of the need to improve facilities and tuition for swimming, but, of course, there must be some limitation on capital and other expenditure at present. The powers of local authorities are already adequate.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will publish figures showing the total of rent increases imposed by local housing authorities for 1964–65 and 1965–66.

I estimate that the average rent of local authority dwellings in England and Wales, excluding rates and charges for services, rose in the years ended April 1965 and April 1966 by about Is. 11d. and 2s. 10d. per week respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are being made by the fire authorities to advise the boating public of safety recommendations contained in the fire prevention note numbered 11966 (England and Wales) and Note 2/1966 (Scotland) on fire precautions in pleasure craft; and whether he will consider commissioning a short film for use on television on fire prevention on pleasure craft.

Such arrangements are for individual fire authorities to determine in the light of local circumstances. The note has been sent to organisations representing boat-builders and boat-hirers, and my right hon. Friend is arranging for it to be placed on sale to the public through Her Majesty's Stationery Office. My right hon. Friend will certainly consider the suggestion about a film.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will receive the report of the committee of inquiry into the complaint lodged by the Western Egg Pasteurising Company of Camelford.

I cannot say, but as soon as the report is received the Committee's conclusions will be published in accordance with Section 19 (4) of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1958.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what prospect there is of finding an equally effective and economical method of controlling moles other than by using strychnine; and if he is satisfied that sufficient care is being taken when using this poison not to offend against the Protection of Animals Acts, thus risking injury or death to domestic animals and wild birds.

Research on mole control continues, but no satisfactory substitute for strychnine has been found. My Department strictly controls the issue of permits for the purchase of strychnine for killing moles. Permits are issued only to persons who can show that they need the poison and know how to use it, and every permit is accompanied by a statement of the recommendations for the safe use of strychnine for mole destruction. I am satisfied that the recommendations offer the most practical safeguard for the protection of other species and that they are followed

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Farm Business Recording Scheme will be extended as promised in the 1966 Annual Review White Paper.

The Farm Business Recording Scheme will be extended to the whole of England and Wales on 1st September, 1966.

asked the Minister of Aviation what opportunities were offered to British electronics manufacturers to tender for the contract for the Concord flight instrumentation system before this was awarded to Radiation Incorporated, of Florida, United States of America.

Twelve British manufacturers were invited to tender for the supply of the magnetic flight test recording system for the prototype and preproduction Concord aircraft. The contract was awarded to the Guided Weapons Division of the British Aircraft Corporation, and only a part of the work will be carried out in the U.S.A. under subcontract by Radiation Incorporated.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he will announce his decision concerning the future use of Greenham Common Airfield.

The future of this airfield is still under consideration. I am writing to the hon. Member on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many general list officers on release from active service in the Royal Navy had age and medically unfit, respectively, placed against their names in the daily returns of appointments during the year 1965–66.

One hundred and twenty-one and twenty-six respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many general list officers were released from the Royal Navy during the year 1965–66.

Three hundred and thirteen.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give comparable figures for re-engagement rates for the year 1965–66 to those quoted in the Defence Review of this year for the Army, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Marines, and the Royal Navy, respectively.

In the case of the Army there is no change.As a result of an unexpected upsurge in re-engagements in the first quarter of 1966, the figure for the Royal Air Force over the year 1965–66 as a whole was 72 per cent. of what was needed.The figures for the Royal Navy were 46 per cent. of the men who completed an initial 12 year engagement, and 23 per cent. of the men who completed an initial 9 year engagement. For the Royal Marines the figures were 50 per cent. and 20 per cent. respectively. We wanted 65 per cent of the 12-year men and 50 per cent. of the 9-year men.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the Royal Air Force No. 2 band is still based at Singapore; and what is its annual cost of maintenance at that base.

Yes. The annual cost of maintaining it there is about £90,000, covering pay, allowances, clothing, movements, accommodation, food and instruments.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider setting up an inquiry into the present conditions of service in the Royal Navy, with a view to increasing recruiting and re-engagement rates to an acceptable level.

No, because we constantly review and improve conditions of service in ways designed to attract and keep the men we need.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what caused the delay in the ordering and supply of the C130 Hercules and Phantom F4 aircraft for the Royal Air Force; what was the total cost of the delay; and what steps have been taken to ensure that it does not occur again.

I am not aware of any delays of this nature.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the reason for the differentiation between officers and ratings in the types of chamber pots issued by the Admiralty; and what is the difference in cost between the types provided.

This distinction has not applied since the war, though some of the pre-war models may still be found from time to time, possibly in museums.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking, arising from information supplied to him by the hon. Member for Willesden, East, regarding the British Nazi Party's recruitment of members from among serving guardsmen.

Although soldiers are forbidden to take an active part in political activities, membership of any political party is not in itself an offence. I have no evidence that any significant number of guardsmen have joined fascist organisations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will increase the export rebate of l4 per cent. for radio and television to 2 per cent.

No. There is no statistical justification for this at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give in estimate of the value of United Kingdom exports in 1965 financed by economic grants to countries overseas and inter-Government loans as set out In tables 14 and 17 of Command Paper No. 2966.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer he received to a similar Question on 17th May from my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Board of Trade. The corresponding figure for 1965 is £54 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a breakdown of the £278 million of net United Kingdom Government military expenditure overseas on current account during the calendar year 1965 by countries, and of the £176 million of net United Kingdom Government other expenditure overseas on current account during the calendar year 1965, by countries and categories of expenditure.

The breakdown is as follows:

asked the Minister of Technology if he will list the computers being used for scientific purposes in various Government departments and establishments, showing the date of installation, the name of manufacturer,

Pursuant to my reply of 26th May [OFFICIAL REPORT; Vol. 729, c. 143] the following computers are being used in Government Departments for research and development work, mathematical and statistical applications and technical training:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all the computers being used by Government departments, showing the date of installation, name of manufacture, type of computer and function for which it is used.

Pursuant to my reply of 26th May [OFFICIAL REPORT; Vol. 729, c. 143]the following computers are being used for administrative work in Government Departments:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the computers on order by Government departments, showing the date on which the order was placed, the estimated date of delivery, name of manufacturer, type

Further to my reply of 26th May [OFFICIAL REPORT; Vol. 729, c. 143] the following computers are on order for administrative work in Government Departments:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a breakdown of the £52 million of United Kingdom Government transfers in 1965 in the form of subscriptions and contributions to international organisations.

The breakdown is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications to hold gold coins under the Exchange Control (Gold Coins Exemption) Order 1966 have been received so far by the Bank of England; how many of these applications have been granted; and how many refused.

Up to 12th June, 1,230, 934 and 265 respectively; the remainder have not yet been examined.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will relieve voluntary society children's homes from the effects of the Selective Employment Tax, in view of the fact that similar homes run by local authorities are to be exempted.

I am in consultation with the National Council of Social Service and the Churches Main Committee on the way in which charitable organisations could be relieved from the effects of the tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give consideration to the representations against the proposed Selective Employment Tax from the Grimsby and Cleethorpes branch of the Retail Newsagents' and the Hairdressers' Federation, respectively, sent to him by the hon. Member for Louth, especially as it affects part-time workers; if he will amend his proposals on the lines they suggest; and if he will make a statement.

I have considered these representations. I shall watch the effects of the tax on the employment of part-timers, but I cannot make any concession this year.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development to which overseas Governments representations have been made regarding delay in forwarding tax assessments in respect of ex colonial civil servants now resident in United Kingdom.

Ghana and Ceylon. Ghana assessments were sent out early in March, and, according to information which I have recently received, all Ceylon assessments have now been sent. If the hon. Member has a particular case of difficulty in mind, he may care to write to me.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether mail order agents will be liable for the Selective Employment Tax.

Not unless, exceptionally, they are employed under a contract of service.

asked the Minister of Power whether he is aware that many houses in Norfolk and Suffolk still have old-fashioned earthing systems to their electrical installations, and that this is a source of danger; and if he will take steps to bring this to the attention of the public.

Yes. The provision of a proper earth is the responsibility of the consumer. The Eastern Electricity Board have issued safety leaflets to consumers stressing the need for effective earthing arrangements and offering advice. I do not think that any further steps are needed at present.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give an assurance that a proper proportion of orders for pipes for the natural gas strikes in the North Sea will be placed with firms in central Scotland.

Placing orders for pipes is a matter for the Gas Council and the licensees concerned; but the increased demand is expected to lead to suitable Scottish capacity being fully employed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the amount of capital invested in fixed assets by the South of Scotland Electricity Board and the North of Scotland Hydro-Electricity Board in each of the last ten years.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the amount of Exchequer advances made to both of the Scottish electricity boards in each of the last ten years.

The gross Exchequer advances were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the maximum resale price fixed by both of the Scottish electricity boards in each of the last five years.

Maximum resale prices of electricity for domestic purposes were first fixed by the Scottish Electricity Boards on 1st July, 1965. These prices, which still apply, are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will define the areas of Scotland for which he has set housing targets and if he will list these targets for 1966.

I have not set any housing targets for particular areas of Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the fact that a 40-acre site at Llandegai, intended for industrial development, has been acquired by the Caernarvonshire County Council, what steps are being taken to make this known to industrialists.

The land at Llandegai is being brought to the attention of all suitable firms interested in a location in North-West Wales.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of slate exports from Wales during the years 1964 and 1965.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish as a White Paper the S.I.G.M.A. report commissioned by the Geddes Committee of inquiry into the shipbuilding industry.

This study of the world market for ships has been made available to the shipbuilding industry on a confidential basis as recommended by the Geddes Committee. I do not consider that wider circulation would be desirable at the present time.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what steps she proposes to take to strengthen the law against noisy street vehicles, including motor cycles and power-assisted bicycles;(2) what equipment and standards exist to enable evidence to be produced to support court proceedings against excessive levels of noise from street vehicles.

The British Standards Institution has published a Standard for meters for measuring noise from motor vehicles and several manufacturers make meters complying with it. These meters indicate the level of noise made by a passing vehicle in decibel units. Evidence that a vehicle had been shown by a noise meter to have produced a certain number of decibels could be presented in support of court proceedings, but it would be for the Court to determine what weight should be given to such evidence and whether or not the noise made by the vehicle had been excessive in the particular circumstances of the case.But in order to reduce uncertainty and to strengthen the law my right hon. Friend hopes to make regulations prescribing the actual maximum noise levels which it will be an offence for various classes of motor vehicles, including motor cycles and power-assisted bicycles, to exceed when used on a road.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is aware of the public concern following the slip in the east road end of the Crindau Tunnel at Newport resulting in a further setback to the completion date; what steps he is taking to remedy the situation, in view of the imminent opening of the Severn Bridge; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is aware of the slip at the east end of the Crindau Tunnel on the Newport by-pass, which has caused five families to be evacuated; what is being done to prevent a recurrence; and if he will make a statement.

A rockfall on 26th May in the eastern end of the westbound tunnel led to subsidence. Although no serious damage had yet occurred, it was considered advisable to provide alternative accommodation for the occupants of six houses until the tunnelling operations are completed.The Government have offered either to purchase the houses at market value or to repair or pay compensation for all damage done. The owners will also be compensated for disturbance which will include the additional expenses necessarily incurred while occupying temporary alternative accommodation and storing their furniture.The geological difficulties are appreciated and appropriate working methods have been adopted. Completion of the tunnel involves virtually no risk to any other property.The delay caused by the fall was largely made up by working over Whitsun but, because of earlier difficulties, the whole of the by-pass is not now expected to be ready until next spring, although some stretches of it should be in use this autumn.