asked the Minister of Aviation whether he proposes to place an order for the Short Brothers and Harland Belfast in addition to the ten already ordered; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he is aware of the necessity to make a decision regarding further orders of the Belfast freighter, and the need within the Royal Air Force for more of this type of aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

The current order for ten Belfasts for the Royal Air Force is expected to be adequate to meet the defence needs at present foreseen, and it is unlikely that the Government will order any more. Proposals for developing modified versions of the Belfast have been submitted by Messrs. Short Brothers and Harland and these, along with proposals from other aircraft companies, are under consideration in connection with a requirement for an aircraft to replace the Beverley and Hastings.

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps he proposes to ensure adequate air services to the Highland and Islands of Scotland.

The Corporation's recent application for a subsidy is now being considered, but I am not yet ready to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will ask Mr. John Corbett to include in his report to him on the steps to be taken to put the British Overseas Airways Corporation on a sound commercial basis an estimate of the extent to which the establishment of an organisation and methods department within the Corporation could contribute towards economy and efficiency in the air services.

I am grateful for suggestions and will pass them to Mr. Corbett, but I must leave him free to write his report in the way he thinks best. I should add that the British Overseas Airways Corporation has had an organisation and methods department for a number of years.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether complete agreement has now been reached on the development of an Anglo-French supersonic airliner; and, in view of his recent discussions with his French counterpart, if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with the French Minister of Public Works and Transport regarding the joint talks on the proposed Anglo-French supersonic airliner.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on the results of his discussion with the French Minister of Public Works and Transport about the building of an Anglo-French mach 2·2 supersonic airliner.

At my meeting in Paris last week with M. Dusseaulx, the French Minister of Public Works, Transport and Tourism, we discussed the financial, administrative and technical aspects of the proposed joint development and production by our two countries of a supersonic airliner.

asked the Minister of Aviation what progress is being made on the de Havilland Trident; and when this aircraft is likely to be put into commercial production, in view of the fact that its stall characteristics and landing gear do not meet with the requirements of overseas markets.

Progress on the Trident is satisfactory. The aircraft is already in commercial production. First deliveries to British European Airways should be made ahead of schedule and work is in progress on the first export order. A considerable amount of test flying has already been carried out and has shown that slow speed handling and stall characteristics are entirely satisfactory. There is no question of the landing gear not fully meeting the requirements of operators.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will consider the issue of a supplementary pension book of the nominal value of 1s. per week, so as to allow pensioners in need of permanent medical attention to obtain medical supplies free, so obviating delay in reimbursement.

No. Pensioners who have a weekly assistance supplement—and therefore a supplementary order-book—can already obtain reimbursement at the post office. For those who are not eligible for a regular weekly supplement but who are known to need frequent help with prescription charges the National Assistance Board already has arrangements for speedy reimbursement.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what is the weekly cost of an insurance stamp for a widow, receiving a pension at the 10s. rate, when she is employed and when she is not employed, respectively, to enable her to keep in benefit for retirement pension.

The flat-rate contribution for a widow who is not entitled to widow's benefit, other than the 10s. basic pension, is the same as for a single woman, namely 16s. a week if she is employed—and not contracted out of the graduated scheme—of which she herself pays 8s. 8d. If she is a non-employed person she pays a contribution of 8s. 9d. a week.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department is now able to publish an analysis of the numbers of admissions to mental hospitals under Sections 25, 26 and 29 of the Mental Health Act, respectively.

The numbers to 30th April, 1961, were published in the Ministry's Annual Report for that year.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the anxiety created by the fact that patients in National Health Service hospitals are being subjected to scientific experimental procedures of a dangerous character without their full awareness of that fact; and if he will take steps to ensure that in all such cases full explanations are made to the patient of the nature of the procedure to which he is being subjected and his consent obtained to it.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson) on 5th November.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the overcrowding in mental hospitals in the North-East; and what action he is taking to improve the position.

Yes. The ten year plan provides for about 850 more psychiatric beds in the Newcastle Region and forecasts a reduction of more than a third in the number of patients in mental hospitals.

asked the Minister of Health what representations he has received from the Wolverhampton, Bilston and District Trades Council on the subject of increased maternity accommodation in the Wolverhampton, Bilston, Coseley and Sedgley areas; and what was the nature of his reply.

I understand that the hon. Member was sent a copy of the representations. I am sending him a copy of my reply.

asked the Minister of Health how long the Turnbull Ward of the Royal Hamadryad Hospital and a ward of St. David's Hospital have been closed because of a shortage of nursing staff; and when it is expected that they will be re-opened.

The Turnbull Ward was closed at the end of August because sickness among nursing staff coincided with annual leave. It will be re-opened when staff are back.The ward at St. David's was closed in January, 1961, and no date for re-opening has been fixed. Present staff there is not less than when the ward was in use, but is more effectively deployed.

asked the Minister of Health why he rejected the recommendation of the Leeds Regional Hospital Board with regard to the building of a general hospital at Menston in place of the hospitals and clinics at Otley, Ilkley, Horsforth and Middleton which will be ultimately closed.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the disadvantages and concern caused to the inhabitants of Airedale and Wharfedale by the closing of hospitals and maternity homes in Horsforth, Ilkley, Otley and Middleton; and if he will again consider the recommendation of the Leeds Regional Hospital Board that a general hospital should be built at Menston in Wharfedale.

Developments at Leeds and Bradford are expected to make the necessary provision eventually. Mean- while there will be major improvements at Otley. My right hon. Friend is aware that local concern has been expressed and he will take it into consideration with the Board.

asked the Minister of Health whether he accepts the recommendations made to him by the subcommittee of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee of the Central Health Services Council, of which Sir Harry Platt was chairman; and whether he will make a statement.

I shall shortly be issuing a memorandum to hospital authorities commending the sub-committee's report generally as a basis for planning the development of the accident and emergency services, and giving advice on particular recommendations.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state he numbers of subnormal and severely subnormal children awaiting admission to hospital in each region, at the latest date for which figures are available, and the corresponding figures for the previous year.

The following is the information, based on returns from local health authorities:

SUBNORMAL AND SEVERELY SUBNORMAL CHILDREN UNDER AGE 16 AWAITING ADMISSION TO HOSPITAL
Region		At 31.12.61	At 31.12.60
Newcastle	…	175	174
Leeds	…	112	114
Sheffield	…	283	285
East Anglian	…	157	171
North West Metropolitan	…	218	219
North East Metropolitan	…	165	216
South East Metropolitan	…	220	282
South West Metropolitan	…	116	159
Oxford	…	87	95
South Western	…	121	174
Birmingham	…	262	291
Manchester	…	218	280
Liverpool	…	139	158
Wessex	…	117	116
Wales	…	108	116
Total	…	2,498	2,850

asked the Minister of Health how many accidents to persons caused by fireworks were treated in hospitals this year; and whether he will make a statement.

Hospital authorities were asked for returns, and I will send the figures to the hon. Member when complete.

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of hospital expenditure is represented by drugs; and what percentage is spent on laundry.

About 3 per cent. (ingredients only), and 3 per cent.

asked the Minister of Health how many manufacturers of proprietary drugs have been informed of quality deficiencies as a result of his Department's testing scheme during 1962.

None; this is not the purpose of the scheme.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the drug podophyllum could have the same effect as thalidomide if taken by pregnant women; and what steps he is taking to warn doctors and the public of the dangers of its use under these circumstances.

I am not so advised.

asked the Minister of Health when the Liverpool Corporation can expect a decision from his Department on the amount of weekly rent to be charged to general practitioners who have agreed to use the new health centre in Mill Street, Liverpool.

My right hon. Friend will determine the disagreement between the Corporation and the Executive Council as soon as possible after the parties have made their final submissions.

asked the Minister of Health if he has completed his consideration of the report on the fluoridation of water to prevent dental decay in children; and if he will make a statement.

Not yet.

asked the Minister of Health how many anti-smoking clinics have been set up since the publication of the Report of the Royal College of Physicians on Lung Cancer; and if he will make a statement as to the success of these clinics.

I know of five such. It is much too soon to evaluate results.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the unemployment figures for Barnsley and district to the most recent date; how this compares with twelve months ago; and what steps he is taking to reduce the unemployment in this area.

1,922 on 15th October, 1962, compared with 1,289 on 16th October, 1961. Our local officers are doing all they can to help them to find other work.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are registered as unemployed at the Dartford Employment Exchange; for what lengths of time they have been registered; and how these figures compare with those of a year ago.

At 15th October 283 persons were registered as unemployed at the Dartford Employment Exchange and Youth Employment Office, compared with 170 at 16th October, 1961. The following table shows the duration of unemployment for the wholly unemployed:

ANALYSIS OF WORKERS REGISTERED AS WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED AT DARTFORD EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OFFICE
Duration of unemployment			15th October, 1962			11th September, 1961
			Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total
Up to 4 weeks	…	…	129	27	156	52	26	78
4 to 8 weeks	…	…	34	10	44	19	12	31
8 to 13 weeks	…	…	21	4	25	5	4	9
13 to 26 weeks	…	…	15	3	18	10	4	14
26 to 52 weeks	…	…	14	3	17	20	2	22
52 weeks and over	…	…	18	2	20	12	2	14
Total	…	…	231	49	280	118	50	168
NOTE.—No comparable analysis of duration of unemployment is available for October, 1961 owing to a change in the dates of compilation of these figures.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make further funds available to the British Academy, so that the archaeological salvage work sponsored by it on sites in Egypt and the Sudan shortly to be submerged permanently beneath the Nile may be continued.

Yes. The work which the British Academy was enabled to sponsor with the help of the special grant of £20,000 announced by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 29th July, 1960, has proved successful beyond all expectation. The opportunity has now arisen to continue the work for three more years, including the current year, in the area to be submerged, provided that the necessary funds are available. We have agreed, subject to the approval of Parliament, to make a special grant not exceeding £25,000 for this purpose. A Supplementary Estimate for the first instalment of £5,000 will be laid before Parliament as soon as possible and meanwhile the money will be advanced from the Civil Contingencies Fund.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the cost of the Income Tax age exemption provisions and the associated marginal relief for the years 1957–58 and 1961–62.

About £1½ million for 1957–58 and £4 million for 1961–62.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the cost of the Income Tax age relief on unearned incomes and the associated marginal relief, respectively, for the years 1925–26, 1947–48, 1952–53, 1957–58, and 1962–63.

The cost of age relief and marginal age relief was estimated to be about £150,000 for 1925–26; it was not estimated for 1947–48, and for the last three years the estimates are:

£ million
—		Age Relief	Marginal age Relief	Total
1952–53	…	2	1½	3½
1957–58	…	4¼	1¾	6
1962–63	…	8	1½	9½

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the cost of Income Tax age relief and the associated marginal relief in 1962–63 relates to married and single tax payers respectively, with total incomes in the ranges £500 or less or £501–600, £601–700, £701–800, £801–1,000 and over £1,000; and by how much tax payers in each of these groups are affected by the relief.

Of the estimated total cost of £9½ million, £7½ million relates to single persons and £2 million to married couples. There is not enough information on which to estimate the division of these costs between the ranges of income.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would have been the additional cost of the Income Tax age exemption provisions for 1957–58 and 1962–63 if the provisions for age relief on unearned income had not applied in those years.

About £½ million and £2¼ million, respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has considered the proposal of the Horticultural Marketing Council made to him to raise £300,000 a year by a levy of £2 a holding from growers, £2 a shop from retailers and a graduated levy based on turnover from wholesalers; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Sydney Irving) and my hon. Friend the Member for St. Albans (Mr. Goodhew) on 5th November.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will relax all restrictions on the import of livestock into this country from the continent of Europe.

No. There is a general prohibition upon the importation of live ruminating animals and swine from most parts of the world, including the whole of Europe, because of the danger from foot and mouth disease and other animal diseases. We must safeguard the health of our own livestock and we could not contemplate any relaxation which would place them in jeopardy.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many aeroplanes are comprised in the Queen's Flight; what was their capital cost; what was the current expenditure on salaries, fuel, maintenance, etc., for 1961–62; and what is the estimated expenditure for 1962–63.

There are seven aircraft in the Queen's Flight and their initial capital cost was £530,000. Running costs in the financial year 1961–62 were £264,000 and in the present financial year are expected to be £314,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will expedite the construction of the advance factory to be sited at Portmadoc, Caernarvonshire; whether he will consider increasing the size of the proposed factory in view of the extensive area which it is to serve; and if he will take steps to ensure that local contractors, labour and materials are used in its construction.

A site has been found, preparations are being made to go out to tender, and work on the construction of the factory will start as soon as possible after bids have been received. The Board of Trade will consider any proposal from a prospective tenant to increase the size of the factory, as was done in the case of the advance factory at Pembroke Dock. Local contractors will be invited to tender for the construction of the factory.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consideration he is giving to the employment needs of the Borough of Pwllheli and the Lleyn Rural District, in Caernarvonshire.

The advance factory to be built by the Board of Trade at Portmadoc is a start which I hope will lead to further developments in that part of Caernarvonshire. The Board will continue its efforts to bring the area to the notice of industrialists. The Minister of State for Welsh Affairs, accompanied by officials from the Board of Trade, is meeting representatives from the Borough of Pwllheli and the District Council of Lleyn early next month to discuss their problems.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will discontinue the practice of granting discharges to members of the Armed Forces wishing to contest Parliamentary elections; and whether he will take such steps as may be necessary to enable such candidates to contest elections while on special leave for that purpose, as was done in 1945, and not to be discharged unless elected.

I am considering the solution proposed by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Defence whether Her Majesty's Government have any plans for further underground tests.

Yes. By arrangement between the United Kingdom and the United States an underground scientific experiment was carried out last March in Nevada in the development of

	Road		Scheme	Mileage	Position
A.74	Glasgow-Gretna	…	Hamilton Bypass	14.84	Draft scheme published. Negotiations with affected parties continuing.
A.74/80	New Link	…	Maryville-Mollinsburn.	6.3	Investigations proceeding.
A.9	Edinburgh-Stirling	…	Polmont and Falkirk Bypass.	5.8	Line investigated. Consultation with appropriate authorities continuing. Draft scheme to be published in 1963.
A.8	Edinburgh-Glasgow	…	Harthill Bypass	5.08	Draft scheme published. Negotiations with affected parties continuing.
A.8	Edinburgh-Glasgow	…	West of Newhouse-West of Harthill.	6.2	Investigations into line nearly complete.
A.8	Edinburgh-Glasgow	…	East of Harthill-Dechmont.	7.8	Line investigated. Necessary consultation proceeding. No final decision taken on motorway construction.
No Special Road Scheme has been made and no tenders have been invited.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of salmon caught by all methods, including net and coble, fixed engines and drift-nets, for 1961 and for 1962 up to 15th September.

Fishermen are not obliged to make returns of salmon and grilse

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state in respect of Scotland, giving the mileage in respect of each, those motorways or lengths of motorway for which no line had yet been proposed, for which a draft scheme had been published, for which a scheme had been made, and for which tenders had been invited, respectively, on 31st October.

The position at 31st October on the motorway proposals included in the Scottish trunk road plans from mid-1962 to mid-1967 is as follows:caught by drift-net but it is estimated that in 1961 the catch for Scotland and the Tweed was about 28,000 salmon and grilse and in 1962 up to 15th September, when this method of fishing was prohibited, about 115,000.The total catch of salmon and grilse by other methods in Scottish rivers, including the Tweed, in 1961 was 327,692 made up as follows:

—				Rod and Line	Net and Coble	Fixed Engines	Total
Salmon	…	…	…	46,703	71,269	56,863	174,835
Grilse	…	…	…	6,245	70,554	76,058	152,857
				52,948	141,823	132,921	327,692

Corresponding figures for 1962 are not yet available because the majority of annual returns from which they are derived have not yet been received.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when the report of the Council for Wales on the Welsh language will be available.

I understand that the Council hopes to submit the report to me by the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the outcome of the consultation with the Electoral Advisory Conference regarding the conduct of the count at Parliamentary elections, to which reference was made in the statement of 29th March last.

The Electoral Advisory Conference, the membership of which includes the national agents of the political parties as well as representative returning officers, has considered what guidance might usefully be given to returning officers on the question of admission to the count at Parliamentary elections, including the admission of representatives of the Press and of broadcasting. The recommendations made by the Conference, to whose members I am grateful, have been embodied in a memorandum of guidance which is being issued to returning officers today. Copies of the memorandum are being placed in the Library of the House.