asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that home-produced softwood pit-wood is finding adequate and satisfactory outlets in this country; and if he will make a statement.

Since 1950 the total consumption of softwood pit-wood in England and Wales has fallen by 41 per cent. but the consumption of the homegrown material has actually risen by nearly 28 per cent., which is satisfactory. Imports are still considerable but there is room for the home-grown product to secure the larger share of the market. There are other outlets for this material, such as boards and pulp, which are expected to continue to expand.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many bulls of native British breeds have been purchased by Government Departments since 1st January, 1961; which breeds were chosen; and what was the average price for each breed.

My Department and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland are the main purchasers and have together bought 47 bulls of British breeds this year, namely:

asked the Minister of Aviation if he is aware that, despite an assurance given to Parliament in March, 1955, that the ten Douglas DC 7C airliners ordered by the British Overseas Airways Corporation would be sold for dollars when Britannias were delivered, these aircraft remain unsold; and, in view of this undertaking and the importance of dollars to the exchange reserves of the United Kingdom, if he will consult with the Corporation to ascertain the present situation regarding such sales, whilst there is still a demand for such second-hand aircraft in the United States of America.

The aircraft have not so far been sold because the Government decided in 1958, when Parliament was informed, and on a further review in 1960, that the balance of advantage to the British aviation industry lay in allowing the British Overseas Airways Corporation to keep them in revenue-earning service. With the exception of the two converted for all freight work, the aircraft are now being withdrawn from service altogether and will be sold by the Corporation to the best advantage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many members of the Overseas Civil Service have been appointed to the six senior posts in his Department in the last decade.

One.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mr. A. E. Goddard, of Cardiff, has been waiting a year for the settlement of his claim against the Cardiff United Hospital Board for compensation due to illness contracted whilst working in its employ; and when Mr. Goddard may expect a settlement of his claim.

I understand that Mr. Goddard commenced legal proceedings against the Cardiff Hospital Management Committee last May.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received any recommendation from the National Joint Council for a further increase in the salaries of Scottish teachers; and if he will make a statement.

On 22nd Nevember the National Joint Council represented to me that from 1st January, 1962, when the proposals of the Burnham Committee will come into operation in England and Wales, an overall comparison of the salaries of Scottish teachers with those of English teachers would be unfavourable to the Scottish teachers and in particular that teachers on Scales V and VI would be at a disadvantage as compared with those on the nearest equivalent scales in England and Wales. It accordingly recommended increases of £10 at each point of Scales V and VI and the extension of the maxima of these scales by two increments of £30.I have not found it possible to accept this recommendation. The reply sent on my behalf to the Council today is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in preparing the proposed capital gains tax legislation, he will have regard to the danger that entrepot trade will move to the Continent if Baltic commodity concerns are so taxed on their stocks held here.

I have noted my hon. Friend's representations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage of wages paid by employers for National Insurance, excluding National Health charges and the Industrial Injuries Act, in the financial year 1960–61; what will be the approximate cost in percentage of wages in 1961–62; and what was the percentage return in tax relief which employers received in 1960–61 on such contributions.

Employers' contributions to the National Insurance Fund in 1960–61 represented 2·6 per cent. of the total wages and salaries in Great Britain. The corresponding figure for 1961–62 is expected to be about 3·1 per cent. If employers who carry on a trade or business were prohibited from deducting their National Insurance contributions in respect of their employees as an ordinary business expense for tax purposes and if other employers were denied relief on their contributions the extra yield of tax would be 35 per cent. of their contributions.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many holders of the Victoria Cross, received for valour during the 1939–45 war, came from the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Colonies and the Commonwealth, respectively.

Details of the countries of origin of individual holders are not available. Their division between national forces was as follows:

asked the Minister of Works whether he will state the number of English civil engineering firms presently carrying out Government contracts in Scotland, and the total estimated cost of such jobs.

Four English civil engineering contractors are carrying out in Scotland contracts let by Government Departments to an estimated value of £5·1 million.