asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what representations he has received from local authorities on the continual increases in the prices of building materials; and what reply he sent.

Fife County Council wrote to me at the same time as they wrote to my hon. Friend. The reply they received was similar in content to that sent to my hon. Friend on 31st May.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how much was spent on grace and favour homes in 1965–66; what is the estimate for 1966–67; and if he will give the details for specific apartments.

I will write to the hon. Member giving details.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what plans he has to establish a new body to appraise industrialised building systems.

None.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how much has been spent by the building and construction industry on research in each of the past five years; what these sums represent as a proportion of the total investment in the industry in those years; and how this expenditure compares with the amount spent on research in other major industries.

Information is not available for each of the past five years, but on the basis of a special inquiry made in 1964 it is estimated that in that year the construction industry itself spent about £2·5 million on research. This would be the equivalent of 0·3 per cent, of the gross output or investment in the industry in that year.This proportion is significantly lower than the amount spent on research on other major industries. The national average for all industries is about 2·7 per cent.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what proportions of the amounts spent by the building and construction industry on research in each of the past five years have been devoted to research into bad weather building techniques.

Many manufacturers, contractors and others carry out research and development into new building materials and techniques, which will reduce interruptions caused by bad weather but it is not possible to separate this particular element from other objectives of the same research. More widespread application of known techniques is a major problem facing the industry.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works why the provisional estimate for the reconstruction of the Stable Yard at St. James's Palace as offices for the Royal Household has increased from £72,000 to £100,000; when he expects the work to be completed; how much office space will be provided; and for which officials of the Household.

This is a difficult work of reconstruction of an old building. It is now clear that reconstruction on the lines proposed would cost a great deal more than the provisional estimates. I cannot be certain at this stage, but present indications are that the cost may be at least £130,000-£140,000.Work has not yet started. The plans provide for a total area of about 13,500 square feet of which about 5,250 square feet are office space for the Lord Chamberlain's Office, the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps and the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether, in the light of representations made by the hon. Member for Wokingham, she will amend Form BF111P to make it clear that in no circumstances can a claim for sickness benefit on behalf of dependants be made later than six months from the start of the illness, however good the cause of the delay.

All the relevant forms and particularly the medical certificate on which a claim is first made contain a clear warning about the need to claim promptly. Mention of the overall six months' time limit without detailed qualification could be very misleading. The matter will, however, be kept under review.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she is aware that the war pension life certificate in its new postcard form is a source of distress to those who are unable to post the cards themselves; and, in view of the confidential information that is required to be given, if she will change the form to a letter card.

The new form of certificate is very much simpler and more convenient for pensioners than the one it replaced. I am not aware that it has caused distress but if the hon. Member has any evidence of this my right hon. Friend would be very glad to consider it.

asked the Minister of Health how many registered drug addicts were receiving treatment at the most recent date for which figures are available; and what was the corresponding figure in 1965 and 1964, respectively.

There is no system of registration of drug addicts in this country, but in 1964 the number of admissions of patients to National Health Service psychiatric hospitals and units for treatment for dependence upon drugs was 1,138; the figure for 1965 will be available shortly. I have no figures for other hospital patients or patients of general practitioners.

asked the Minister of Health how many disabled persons are provided with a single-seater motor tricycle; what is the total cost to public funds; how many disabled persons have voluntarily given up their right to the tricycle; and what financial benefits they have received in lieu and at what cost.

About 16,000 tricycles are on issue; the annual cost of maintenance is about £875,000; the cost of provision and replacement in 1965–66 was £750,000; over the last five years, about 2,500 persons entitled to tricycles have received instead a grant for the conversion of the controls of a private car; the average annual cost of such grants over this period was £33,000.

asked the Minister of Health when he has arranged to meet the officers of the Disablement Income Group to discuss ways and means of dealing with the problems affecting those disabled who are covered by this association.

There has been some correspondence between this Group and my Department, but no such meeting has been requested or arranged.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now publish up-to-date information on the results of fluoridation in the study areas of Watford and Anglesey after 10 years of fluoridation.

I hope to publish further results when dental examinations after 10 years of fluoridation have been completed and analysed, but this cannot be for some time yet.

asked the Minister of Health what British kidney machines are being developed; how many are to be produced for use in the patient's home; when these will be available; how much each will cost; and whether the machines will be available under the National Health Service.

There are four British systems, of which two may be suitable for use in patients' homes. Home dialysis presents special problems, including the continuing dependence of the patient on a hospital based unit, which it is important to evaluate before commending its widespread extension. A pilot study is in progress in London, another will start shortly in the North of England and I should be willing to consider others if they would be of value. Pending the results of these trials no decisions can be made on the types or quantities of equipment that might be required, but equipment would be available under the National Health Service if it were decided that facilities for home treatment should be extended.

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he will state the number of non-Commonwealth immigrants now resident in Bedford, classified according to their country of origin;(2) what estimate he has made of the number of Commonwealth immigrants now resident in Bedford, classified according to their country of origin.

I regret that this information will not be available until we have the results of the 1966 Sample Census next spring. The latest figures are those published from the 1961 Census, in Table 10 in the County Report on Bedfordshire.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is in negotiation with the appropriate authority for the establishment of a university degree course in nursing; and what universities are concerned.

No; but my right hon. Friend has approved a scheme starting in October to combine nurse training at St. George's Hospital with a degree course in an appropriate subject at Battersea, and I understand that several other hospitals are discussing similar combined schemes with Universities.

asked the Minister of Health how many establishments under the National Health Service are available for the treatment of drug addiction.

Treatment was given at about 160 hospitals in 1965.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has now been made in establishing specialist cardiac units to reduce mortality from coronary heart disease; and if he will make a statement.

Acute coronary care centres are already established in a number of district general hospitals. A working party is evaluating this type of care by establishing co-ordinated trials.

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he will issue instructions to all hospitals that when the state registration examination falls on the day off allocated to the examinee, she shall be given another day's leave to compensate;(2) if he will issue instrutcions to all hospitals that nurses who, at the culmination of three years' training, sit for the examination for state registration, shall not, at the end of the five hours such examinations take, go straight on to ward duty;(3) if he will issue instructions to all hospitals that after sitting for five hours in examination to become state registered, nurses shall not be asked to go go on night duty within 24 hours.

The organisation of nursing duty rotas is a matter for hospital authorities, but I understand it is normal practice for time spent on this examination to be regarded as time on duty. I feel sure that nurses would only be asked to undertake day or night duty immediately following final examinations in those exceptional cases where the need to maintain essential services to the patients left no alternative. I should be glad to investigate any individual case of difficulty which may be brought to my notice.

asked the Minister of Labour how many working days have been lost through strikes, official and unofficial, respectively, in 1966 to the latest convenient date; and what were the numbers in each of the past five years for the same period.

Certain stoppages are known to have been official, but it is not known whether the remainder were official.The number of days lost in all stoppages in progress and the number of days lost in stoppages known to be official in the first five months of each of the years 1961 to 1966 were:

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of Her Majesty's Government's policy of encouraging a higher level of employment among women, whether he will accept the recommendation of the National Union of Students' report on Women and Higher Education that his Department and the National Economic Development Council should review the present employment pattern of women and its relevance to education and training.

My Department is already in close touch with the National Economic Development Council about manpower policies necessary for the implementation of the National Plan. One of these policies is directed towards facilitating the employment of more women who may wish to enter, or return to gainful employment and to encourage their employment in the most productive manner possible.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated gross wages per week of seamen including their free food, duty free tobacco and drink, and other side benefits; and by how much these have risen in the last five years.

For rates of pay in recent years I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Geoffrey Wilson) on 17th June. I cannot give estimates of the value of benefits in kind.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will institute an inquiry to assess the safety factors arising from the increase, in the building and construction industries, of labour-only organisations.

This is one of the subjects which is being covered in a special investigation into construction accidents which is being carried out by members of Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate on selected sites in the Midlands, and which I expect to be completed during the autumn of this year. The investigation was planned in agreement with my Joint Advisory Committee on Safety and Health in the Construction Industries and the results will be referred to the Committee for consideration.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what action he is taking to secure greater public access to open country, particularly in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and in the Abbeystead Moors in the Forest of Bowland area of outstanding beauty.

Responsibility for arranging for public access to open country rests in the first place with the local planning authorities. My right hon. Friend, the Minister of Housing and Local Government, and I will be glad to consider any proposals the local planning authorities may put to us for the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Abbeystead Moors.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what estimate he has made of the cost of a hydrographic survey of The Wash area with gravity-coring of the seabed, current gauging and seismic investigations with tests of samples, prior to a feasibility study of a possible barrage; and what length of time would be involved.

This work would form an integral part of a feasibility study of a Wash Barrage and it would be wrong to embark on it except as part of a comprehensive investigation. The report on the Water Resources of the Great Ouse Basin suggested a five-year programme of investigations which, with the preparation of designs and estimates, would cost about £1,500,000. The items listed by my hon. Friend, together with other related soil investigations, including boreholes, would account for about two-thirds of the sum and would take between two and three years to carry out.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of houses to be completed in Scotland in 1966.

Between 35,000 and 40,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the capital value of schools, further education colleges, and other similar local authority educational projects on which building will be started in 1966.

£29 million in the financial year 1966–67. This total is made up of school projects amounting to £19·1 million, further education (including college of education) projects £9·1 million, and informal further education projects £0·8 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received asking that fishing for shell fish be made a licensed industry; and what reply he has made.

My Department received one representation from the Pittenweem Fishermen's Association, that fishing for shellfish by part-time shellfish catchers be restricted by licensing or other means in order to protect the livelihood of full-time fishermen. My Department's reply pointed out that the proposal seemed inappropriate as fishing was traditionally regarded as a suitable part-time occupation, particularly in certain areas, and that there is not normally a bar to persons engaging in employment in a part-time capacity.

asked the Secretary ot State for Scotland in how many primary schools in Fife the lavatories are situated in a separate outside building; and if he will list the names and locations of such schools.

Detailed information of this kind is not maintained centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made with the jetty at Brevig, Isle of Lewis.

I have been considering this matter in the light of recent developments in the fishing industry in this area and my officials will be discussing it with the county council at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made with extension of water supply to the townships of Minish and Blashval in North Uist.

I have approved the contract documents and drawings for this scheme and the way is clear for the county council to invite tenders.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Isle of Barra will have a full electricity supply service; and whether any part or parts of the island or the Isle of Vatersay is to be excluded.

This is a matter for the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board to decide, but I understand that the Isles of Barra and Vatersay should have a full electricity supply by the end of 1967. The only part of these islands which will not be connected is in the south of Barra where the one dwelling is too distant from the supply line.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether, in the interests of economy, he will change the deputy high commissions in Nigeria into consulates.

We are at present engaged in reviewing the structure of our representation in Nigeria, and we hope that as a result of this review, we shall be able to make significant overall economies. The question of changing the titles of our posts outside Lagos in Nigeria is a separate one with no direct bearing on the cost of the posts.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many rent assessment committee decisions have been reached, and of these how many raised, confirmed or reduced the rent determined by the rent officer; if he is aware that more revisions have been in the landlord's than in the tenant's favour; and if he is satisfied with the operation of the Rent Act in this regard.

81 applications for registration of rent had been decided by Rent Assessment Committees up to 11th June. The rent officer's determination was reduced in 10, confirmed in 25 and increased in 46 of these. But the significant comparison is with the original rent which was reduced in 64 of these cases, confirmed in 5 and increased in 12. On the last part of the question, my right hon. Friend has no reason to doubt that the Act is operating as intended.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he proposes to take to offset the effect of the Selective Employment Tax on the elderly and the disabled.

I would refer the hon. Member to Clause 6 of the Selective Employment Payments Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has for compensating those disabled or retired persons who suffer loss of income through loss of employment owing to the Selective Employment Tax.

I would refer the hon. Member to what my right, hon. Friend said on the Second Reading of the Finance Bill. [OFFICIAL REPORT, 26th May, 1966; Vol. 729, c. 657.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received concerning the impact of the proposed Selective Employment Tax upon disabled employers of home help; and what proposals he has to offset the hardship which this will create.

The precise number is not available. In answer to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to Clause 6 of the Selective Employment Payments Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish as a White Paper that part of the Bank for International Settlements' recent annual report which refers to sterling and Great Britain's economic position.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what additional restrictions on personal spending in the United Kingdom the French Government has demanded as the price of helping to restore sterling through further international loans; if he proposes to impose such checks on personal consumption; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to what I said in the House on 14th June.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what new conditions the international bankers have proposed to him as the price of renewing the £350 million bankers' loan which was granted in September, 1965 and is soon due for renewal; and if he will make a statement.

None. I have nothing to add to the statement I made in the House on 14th June.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will revive the pre-1931 procedure of posting in the entrance hall of the Bank of England every day about 4 p.m. the exact amount of the change in the gold reserve during that day, and so prevent the present mistrust of the monthly figure; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the Bank for International Settlements' opinion, expressed in its recent annual report, that the root of Great Britain's economic troubles lies in successive Government expenditure, if he will impose a 10 per cent, cut in every spending Department's programme, leaving to each Minister how that cut shall be applied, in order to avoid having to continue to seek help from overseas bankers; and if he will make a statement.

No. Public expenditure has been already brought under firm control on the basis set out in Cmnd. 2915.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what principles his Department imposes Purchase Tax on miniature decorations; why the incidence of the tax results in a Distinguished Service Order with bar costing more than a Distinguished Flying Cross; and if he will revise the regulations so that the higher the decoration the lower the rate of tax.

Miniatures of decorations awarded by the Sovereign are exempt from Purchase Tax.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to stocks of edible oils and fats in this country at the present time, expressed in terms of the number of weeks' normal usage/consumption.

Full information on stocks of edible oils and fats is not readily available. From inquiries made of the trade, it appears that there has been no unusual rundown of stocks generally over the past few weeks and the position at present is not unsatisfactory.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the estimate of £38,300,000 for deficiency payments in respect of pigs for the current fatstock year is now realistic; and if he will give a revised estimate.

The cost of deficiency payments on pigs in 1966–67 is likely to be less than was expected when the original estimate was prepared, but it is too early yet to give a revised figure.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will carry out the recommendation of the Economic Development Committee for the Movement of Exports that an inquiry should be held into the origin and destination of goods for air freight; and if he will publish the findings of such an inquiry.

I doubt whether this can effectively be dealt with in relation to air freight by itself. I am consulting other Departments which also have an interest in this type of information.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will set out the figures for recruitment to the forces for 1966 to the latest convenient date, and the figures for 1965, showing the numbers of men and women enlisted and types of engagement.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has for increasing expenditure on barrack accommodation in Bahrein.

Plans are in hand to make provision for the additional forces which we shall be deploying in Bahrein.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs to what extent the terms of reference of the Economic Development Committee on Electronics are parallel to those of the Technical Advisory Committee on Electronics.

These Committees do different jobs. The first is concerned with the economic efficiency and progress of the industry, the second advises the Minister of Technology on technical projects and the resources needed for them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek to set up a psychiatric research unit to study convicted criminals in order to investigate the causes and thus help to prevent the commission of future crimes.

A considerable amount of research is already being done by psychiatrists and psychologists into the causes of delinquency, and where appropriate Home Office support is given by means of research grants and the provision of facilities. My right hon. Friend is not convinced that he should at present institute a new unit specialising in this aspect of criminological research.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instruction is given by the Metropolitan Police to prospective school crossing patrols in the Metropolitan area.

Newly appointed school crossing patrols receive detailed instruction from the Metropolitan Police on all aspects of their duties and powers.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what consultations he normally has with appropriate British trade associations concerning the conditions upon which Her Majesty's Government make financial grants or credits to overseas territories; whether these conditions normally include a requirement that the grant or credit should be used as far as possible in the United Kingdom; and if he will include the Association of Crane Makers in future consultations of this nature.

I do not myself have direct consultation with these bodies, but there is, of course, close consultation with those Government Departments responsible for our trade interests. I am sure that the Ministers concerned are ready to receive representations from trade associations on any aspects of aid policy affecting their special field of interest and I am myself prepared to do so if necessary. A large part of our aid is, of course, tied to the purchase of British goods and services.

asked the Minister of Power by what amount he proposes to revise the figure of 1·5 million tons coal equivalent contained in the National Plan (Table 11.1) as a likely inland fuel demand in the United Kingdom by 1970 for natural gas.

I cannot at present add to the reply 1 gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Palmer) and the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd) on 24th May.

asked the Minister of Power what in formation he has regarding the quantitative and qualitative chemical composition of North Sea gas discovered; and if he will make a statement.

The gas so far discovered in the North Sea contains a very high proportion of methane. More detailed information is reported to me by the licensees but it is confidential.

asked the Minister of Technology what other studies are expected to follow the study of the Scottish iron founding industry.

The Ministry's Scottish Office expects to follow its current study of the Scottish iron founding industry with studies of the steel castings and non-ferrous casting industries in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Technology when he expects to complete the study now being made of the Scottish iron founding industry; and if he will publish the conclusions of this study.

It is expected that this Will be completed towards the end of 1966. As it is being undertaken for the Scottish Economic Planning Council, publication of the conclusions will in the first instance be for the Council to consider in consultation with the industry and appropriate Government departments.

asked the Minister of Technology what assistance from public funds is at present being given to research into the linear electric motor; and what Government help he proposes to make available for this purpose in future.

My Department is not at present carrying out or supporting research or development in this field though I am prepared to consider proposals put to me. I am informed, however, that the Science Research Council is providing grants totalling some £44,000 to three universities. In addition British Rail and the Electricity Council are doing work from their own resources.

asked the Minister of Technology if the terms of reference of the Technical Advisory Committee on Electronics will enable it to recommend on the desirability or otherwise of a merger of all or part of the activities of International Computers and Tabulators and English Electric-Leo-Marconi.

No.

asked the Minister of Technology how many members of the Technical Advisory Committee on Electronics are also members of the Economic Development Committee on Electronics.

Two members of the Technical Advisory Committee on Electronics are also members of the Economic Development Committee on Electronics.

asked the Minister of Technology what formal arrangements exist for liaison between the Technical Advisory Committee on Electronics and the Economic Development Committee on Electronics.

The Technical Advisory Committee on Electronics is a standing departmental committee of my Department, who will provide liaison with the Economic Development Committee on Electronics.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the number of the staff of her Department currently, compared with the corresponding period in 1964 and 1965.

7.598 now. In 1964 there were 7,942 and in 1965, 7,087.

asked the Minister of Transport if she has received the views of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on the Road Haulage Association's statement of 8th June 1966; and if she will make a statement.

Yes. I received the Board's memorandum on 17th June. It confirms the opinion the First Secretary and I had formed that the Road Haulage Association's statement of 8th June was inconsistent in important respects with the Board's earlier reports.The Road Haulage Association's statement called for immediate negotiations for increased road haulage charges. I am, therefore, grateful for the expedition with which the Board dealt with this matter.The Board's memorandum, together with my statement on it, was issued on 17th June, and copies have been placed in the library of the House.

asked the Minister of Transport how many persons have a driving licence without having passed a driving test.

This information is not available. But since all new drivers must pass the test to obtain a full driving licence, the number of licence holders who have not passed the test is steadily falling.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will encourage the authorities in charge of the Dartford Tunnel to issue season tickets, in order to bring the Dartford Tunnel in line with the Mersey Tunnel, where these tickets have been issued for some time.

No. It is for each authority to assess local circumstances and initiate the proposals best suited to them. The Dartford Tunnel Joint Committee already give a discount on books of pre-paid tickets.

asked the Minister of Transport what revision of the British Standard for materials used for road traffic signs is being undertaken; and when the revision will be completed.

I understand that the British Standards Institution is revising British Standard 873—" The Construction of Road Traffic Signs and Internally Illuminated Bollards". My right hon. Friend cannot say when this will be completed. Meanwhile, with their agreement, she has issued guiding notes on the requirements for the construction and the erection of traffic signs.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the National Union of Students' report on Women and Higher Education, a copy of which has been sent to him, what steps his Department proposes to take to increase the opportunities and prospects for day release of young women in employment.

Courses in technical colleges are available equally to both sexes, and there are many different types of course of special interest to women. Local education authorities have been encouraged to make a special effort to increase the number of girls on day release in co-operation with employers.The recommendations of the industrial training boards, which include education members are likely to lead to a general increase in day release numbers, and women are likely to be the main beneficiaries in those industries which by tradition employ a high proportion of women. It is the Government's policy that the proposals of industrial training boards will normally be approved only if the boards make it a condition of grants to employers that day release is provided for young people in occupations requiring a substantial amount of training.Suitable opportunities will be taken to publicise courses in technical colleges which may be of special interest to women in the new Departmental publication ' On Course.