asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation if he will give an assurance that men and women equally will be eligible to become designated officers under the Overseas Aid Scheme.

Yes. Some hundred of women have already been designated under the scheme, and in those countries where the principle of equal pay for expatriate men and women officers did not previously apply, we have operated the scheme so as to introduce it.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation if he will invite Commonwealth and other ex-colonial Governments to submit to his Department through appropriate channels proposals or suggestions for the types of service his Department can most effectively provide.

I intend on 12th April to lay before the House a White Paper setting out the objectives of my Department in regard to technical co-operation and the directions in which this country can best give such aid. No special invitation to the Governments of underdeveloped countries to submit requests is necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what corrective action he proposes to take in view of the failure of a number of large private companies to comply with his request for continued restraint in profits and dividends.

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan) on 13th February.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy for bringing personal incomes derived from interst payments into a more realistic relationship with increases in national production.

The rate of interest at any given time is the product of the various forces operating in the markets for capital, and incomes derived from interest payments generally reflect past rates of interest even more than current rates. If the movements in total wages and salaries, profits and dividends can be kept in due relationship with the growth of production, the success of the Government's incomes policy is unlikely to be jeopardised by variations in the amount of interest payments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage increase or decrease in the National Debt between 1951 and 1961; what was the percentage increase or decrease in the interest payments on the National Debt during this period; and whether he will state the amount of the National Debt per head of the working population in 1961.

Over the ten years in question the National Debt increased by a fraction under 9 per cent. Interest upon it increased by 82·6 per cent. but the increase in interest met from revenue is 38·5 per cent. At the end of March last year the National Debt amounted to £1,124 per head of the working population.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, although his 10 per cent. surcharge on Purchase Tax imposed last July increased prices of many articles by fractions of a 1d., many firms increased the price of such articles to the consumer by 1d., 2d., 3d., or more per item, some details of which have been sent to him; and, in view of the fact that this is contrary to the Government's policy of keeping prices down, whether he will order an investigation into all items carrying Purchase Tax to see to what extent the 10 per cent. surcharge was exceeded by manufacturers with a view to introducing legislation to require these extra charges to be remitted in toto to the Treasury.

No. In general, traders treated the surcharge like any other addition to their costs and I have seen no evidence that the situation was exploited in the way suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what authority provisions are set out in the application form for Premium Savings Bonds limiting the right to be included in the draw for prizes in the event of the death of the holder; and whether he will take steps to abolish such limitation.

By the authority of the Treasury, in exercise of its powers under Section 1 of the National Loans Act, 1939. I am considering, with my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General, whether anything more shall be done to meet the type of case the hon. and learned Gentleman has in mind, having regard to the administrative costs and legal difficulties involved.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the net financial benefit accruing from the agreement on defence and other costs with the Federal German Republic; and what will be the exact amount to be contributed by the Federal German Republic towards the cost of maintaining the British forces in Germany.

The Federal German Government have undertaken to spend DM 600 million (about £54 million) in relief of the United Kingdom balance of payments in each of the two years beginning 1st April, 1962, and 1st April, 1963. This represents about three-quarters of the foreign exchange outgoings on the British forces stationed in Germany; it does not involve a contribution towards the budgetary cost. The bulk of the German expenditure will be on military items (principally arms purchases). As I explained to the House on 19th March, the net gain to the balance of payments will be less than the gross figure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average amount of the floating Government debt in the years 1945 to 1950 and in the years 1956 to 1961; and what was the average rate of interest in each case.

The figures are set out in the table below.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he proposes to publish in a White Paper, as in previous years, the numbers of registered disabled persons in Government employment.

The Government have decided that publication for the future in the Ministry of Labour Gazette will be sufficient, and the figures relating to October, 1961, will appear in the issue of the Gazette for April.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what help Her Majesty's Government propose to afford in the provision of additional or improved hotel accommodation to encourage an increasing number of tourists to visit this country; and in what form it is to be given.

None.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the urgent need to increase exports, he will consider the acquisition of a site for a permanent exhibition of British industrial achievements, along lines similar to those in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Exhibition of Economic Achievement.

No. There are many facilities in an economy like ours for displaying industrial achievement and progress including for example, individual fairs and exhibitions, which are more effective than a permanent exhibition.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department is available for information and advice on East-West trade to British importers and exporters and to the foreign trade offices of the countries concerned.

Yes. The services of the Board of Trade are available to all British traders and to foreign trade organisations of all countries with whom we have diplomatic relations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the value and number of Russian tractors imported in the first quarter of 1962, and the value of parts in the same period.

Figures are not yet available for March but imports recorded in January and February are nil.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he has yet received information from the professional bodies about the practice of landlords in relation to renewals of leases and sales of freeholds; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if the representatives of the professional bodies concerned with land and property have yet given him the information he has sought from them about the practice of landlords in relation to renewals of long leases and sales of the freehold; and if he will now state the proposals of Her Majesty's Government for dealing with this social problem.

I have not yet received reports from all the bodies whom I have asked to assist me. Until I have done so, I cannot make any further statement.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what are his latest estimates of the numbers and proportions of owner-occupiers of dwellings in England and Wales, respectively.

I estimate that in mid-1960 the number of owner-occupied dwellings in England and Wales was 6 million (or approximately 41 per cent of the total) and was increasing at about 250,000 a year. I cannot give figures for England and Wales separately.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many unfit houses have been closed in Wales since the resumption of the slum-clearance drive; and how many he expects to be closed during 1962.

Between 1st January, 1955, and 31st December, 1961, 13,346 unfit houses were closed or demolished in Wales. I have no way of estimating the number that will be closed or demolished this year since the initiative rests with the local authorities, but I hope it will be more than the 2,811 dealt with last year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will take steps to enable local authorities to purchase vacant houses for renting to homeless tenants; and whether he will introduce legislation to enable Government subsidies to be granted for such purchases.

Local authorities already have adequate powers to buy vacant houses. As to the second part of the Question, the answer is "No."

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why, in giving his decision on the appeal by Mr. G. Thomas against the rejection of his application for planning permission for the erection of a bungalow on land at Dormston, near Inkberrow, Worcestershire, he overrode the views of the local planning committee of Pershore Rural District Council, the county planning authority, the architects' advisory panel and the report of his inspector who conducted the local inquiry, that the bungalow as designed would injure the character of its rural surroundings.

I did not consider that the objections to the novel design of a bungalow to be built on a cul-de-sac on the outskirts of a village were strong enough to justify refusing permission.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will introduce legislation requiring local authorities to give priority to British-born citizens, who have been waiting for long periods for a council house, over recently arrived immigrants who have voluntarily caused overcrowding in slum properties and houses unfit for human habitation; and if he will make a statement.

No. The selection of tenants is best left to the good sense of local authorities and their assessment of the housing needs of those concerned.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what will be the total cost to the Exchequer of housing subsidies for 1962–63; what will be the total contribution of local authorities for council housing for 1962–63; and what is now the total number of council units of accommodation in England and Wales and the number of families affected.

In 1962–63, the net cost to the Exchequer of subsidies in England and Wales towards the construction of council houses is estimated at £66,953,000. I have no information about the contribution which local authorities propose to make during that year; in 1960–61, contributions from the rates totalled about £19 million. At 31st December last, local housing authorities owned 3,438,000 dwellings, and, although I have no figures, the number of families in occupation was probably about the same.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the fact that many county councils, county borough, and borough councils have now expressed their opposition to Her Majesty's Government's proposals for local government reform, if he will postpone a final decision on these matters until after the next General Election.

No.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what plans (he is making to have a survey made of the water requirements and potentialities of North Lincolnshire, and, in particular, of the rural district of Brigg.

I have no reason to think that the responsible water undertakers are not well aware of the needs and potentialities in these areas, or that any special survey by my Department is necessary.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what was the total amount of interest charges paid by local authorities in each of the years from 1951, and in 1962 to the latest convenient date.

The following table shows fine interest charges paid by local authorities in the years from 1951 to the latest convenient date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a statement about the Kenya Constitutional Conference.

As the Conference is still continuing, I do not propose to make a statement at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to encourage educational advance in Zanzibar, with particular regard to ensuring a more representative distribution of public service appointments among the various races.

Primary and secondary education facilities in Zanzibar are being increased by the building of a secondary school in Pemba and by the provision of additional primary schools and accommodation for teachers, but the extent of the expansion is limited by the capacity of the Zanzibar budget to meet additional recurrent costs. The increased provision of funds for higher education in East Africa will also benefit Zanzibar. In accordance with the agreed policy of increasing the local element in the public service as quickly as possible, Zanzibari subjects are given an absolute preference in appointments to the public service, but no distinction of race is observed between Zanzibari subjects.

asked the Minister of Works to what extent the existing structure is being preserved in the reconstruction of 1A Kensington Palace.

Some brick vaulting in the basement, plaster which has perished, and timbers affected by rot, are being removed. The rest of the structure, including external and internal brick walls, windows, roof, chimney stacks, and the Wren staircase, is being retained and made good where necessary.

asked the Minister of Works what building contracts allocated by his Department are being carried out on a cost-plus basis.

My Ministry placed nearly 9,000 works contracts in 1960 and over 9,000 in 1961 of an aggregate value of £23 million and £26 million respectively. Of those for 1960 fifty contracts over £3,000 in value were prime cost contracts, totalling less than £2 million; for 1961 the comparable figure was fifty-two prime cost contracts, totalling less than £1 million. The figures for 1960 include the contract for Downing Street and the Treasury building.

asked the Post-master-General how many applicants for telephones are on the waiting list in Stalybridge, Hyde, Dukinfield, Longden-dale and Tintwistle, respectively.

The figures are: Stalybridge 6: Hyde 73: Dukinfield 28: Longdendale 1: and Tintwistle 1. In addition the numbers of applications under inquiry or in course of being met are 21, 51, 6, 9 and 2 respectively.During the past 12 months nearly 500 telephones were installed in these areas.

asked the Postmaster-General how many individual domestic telephone subscribers there were at the latest convenient date in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively; and how these figures compare with the figures for 1952.

On the 1st January, 1962, there were 2,640,000 domestic telephone subscribers in England, 294,000 in Scotland and 102,000 in Wales, increases on the figures for 1952 of 74 per cent., 81 per cent and 110 per cent., respectively.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on postal deliveries to industrial firms in areas which work on Bank Holidays.

My right hon. Friend is sorry he cannot yet make a statement about our intentions in this matter; but he will get into touch with the hon. Member as soon as he has definite information for him.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider the issue of a specially designed greetings telegram for the purpose of conveying official greetings messages to persons attaining the age of 100 years and for persons celebrating their golden wedding.

My right hon. Friend sees some difficulty about providing a special greetings form, but he will certainly consider the hon. Member's suggestion and write to him as soon as he can.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, whether he is aware that the agreement between the Government and manufacturers and other interests for restrictions on the use of toxic dressings and pesticides has proved ineffective as a safeguard for the smaller birds; and what further steps he proposes to take to protect birds and other wild life from the harmful effect of these chemicals.

There has been a notable improvement this year and very few deaths of wild birds, whether large or small have been reported to the Agricultural Departments so far. On the evidence to date the agreed restrictions on certain cereal seed dressings are proving generally effective. No further steps are contemplated at the moment, but a close watch is being kept on the situation and the whole position will be reviewed after the end of the season in consultation with the chemical industry, with wild life societies and other interests concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled persons are registered at employment exchanges in the Faversham constituency; and how many of these have been unemployed for six months or longer.

On 19th March, 93 registered disabled persons were unemployed. Information about duration of unemployment is obtained twice a year, in June and December. 100 registered disabled persons were unemployed on 11th December, 1961, of whom 33 had been unemployed for six months or more.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he will ask the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to refer the question of lipstick dyes and their possible effects on health to the British Industrial Biological Research Association for examination.

This research association plans to include in its programme basic research to establish whether a hazard exists from the colouring matters used in lipsticks. It now operates an information service which is available to members of the research association.

asked the Minister of Transport why the improvement of the trunk road at Stickney, Lincolnshire, has been delayed; and if a foot path will be provided on the east side of the road southwards from Horbling Lane.

The acquisition of the land needed to enable work to be started on the schemes for the improvement of A.16 at Stickney has proved difficult. There has been a number of objections to the draft compulsory purchase orders. To meet the wishes of objectors as far as practicable we have been making every effort to reduce the land requirements.I hope that a meeting to be held with them shortly will enable agreement to be reached. A footpath on the east side of the A.16 south of Horbling Lane can then be provided.