asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in planting the proposed extra acreage in the New Forest, and in fencing off main roads to prevent cattle and ponies straying on to the roads.

Of the extra 5,000 acres authorised by the New Forest Act, 1949, the Forestry Commission have planted 1,864 acres. I understand that detailed proposals for fencing the only trunk road through the forest are being examined by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport in conjunction with the other interested parties.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he took to assist the Milk Marketing Board to overcome the problems created by the recent freeze-up in the south-west of England; and to what extent any assistance offered was utilised.

My officials in the south-west have been in constant touch with the regional officers of the Milk Marketing Board and they will continue to give them all the help they can.I should like to pay tribute to the farmers and others through whose hard work and determination the milk has been getting through in spite of the appalling conditions.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will instruct the British representatives at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation conference to state that Her Majesty's Government will not restore any form of compulsory military service nor increase the defence budget.

No.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will state the location and total area of land in the County of Surrey at present held by the Admiralty, the War Department and the Air Ministry, respectively; and what is the total acreage so held in the United Kingdom.

As the answer is somewhat lengthy and contains such detail, I am writing to the hon. Member giving the information requested.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will now give an estimate of the total cost of the development of Blue Steel; what consideration has been given to the further development of Blue Steel, especially regarding a longer range; what would be the estimated development cost; and whether the present Vulcan bomber force would be able to carry and deliver it, bearing in mind that greater range and accuracy will require heavier and longer weapons.

The answer to the first part of the Question is about £60 million. For the rest, perhaps the hon. Member would await the debate arranged for next week.

asked the Minister of Defence if warheads fabricated for Sky-bolt can be easily adapted for use on a Polaris type missile.

No such warheads have been fabricated.

asked the Minister of Defence whether his Department have depended entirely upon the American Government's Defence Department's assessment of the Skybolt missile's chances of success before deciding to abandon use of the missile; and what reports he received from his own experts working on the Skybolt project, as to whether this missile could be successfully developed and produced.

The decision to abandon the development of the Skybolt missile was a United States decision. The prospect of continuing this development alone or on a fifty-fity basis with the United States who were not prepared to buy any of the missiles was not, in the view of Her Majesty's Government, an attractive one, especially in view of the great difficulty of monitoring so complex a project from thousands of miles away.

asked the Minister of Defence what consultations he held with the British aircraft industry on the practicability of building a British Skybolt replacement, on their capacity to produce such a missile, and on the estimated cost; and if he will make a statement.

This is a subject on which a great deal of information is available to the Government and my colleague the Minister of Aviation is in close day to day contact with the industry. There is no doubt about the capacity of the aircraft and electronic industries to build highly sophisticated weapons. To design, develop and produce a substitute for Skybolt would however take a long time and cost a lot of money.

asked the Minister of Defence if instructions have been sent by Her Majesty's Government for all technologists and servicemen working on the development of the Skybolt missile in the United States of America to return home; and what reports he has received from the British personnel working on Skybolt in America on whether the recent Skybolt test succeeded or not.

Arrangements are in train for the return home of the personnel concerned as soon as practicable.I have received a technical report about the test referred to which confirms the official statement made by the American authorities.

asked the Minister of Defence why he refused the American offer jointly to produce and share costs of the Skybolt missile.

The Americans did not offer to join in the production of Skybolt, though they did offer to pay a share of the remaining development costs.

asked the Minister of Defence how many Royal Air Force personnel have been working in the United States of America in conjunction with United States Air Force personnel and missile workers of the Douglas Aircraft Company; when the first detachment of Royal Air Force personnel was despatched to work on the development of the Skybolt missile in the United States of America; what periodic despatches he received from the senior officer of the Royal Air Force detachment working on the Skybolt missile in the United States of America on progress of the missile's development; and what has been the total cost to the Exchequer of maintaining Royal Air Force personnel and families in the United States of America to watch the Skybolt missile's development and assess the needs for structural alterations on Royal Air Force V bombers.

Twenty-eight officers and 48 airmen have been working in the U.S.A. on duties connected with the Skybolt project; the first detachment was despatched in October, 1960. Detailed reports on the project were received here regularly. The total cost to the Exchequer to date of maintaining the R.A.F. personnel and their families in the U.S.A. has been approximately £250,000.

asked the Minister of Defence what Government scientific personnel, engineers and rocket scientists have been stationed with, or have periodically visited, the Douglas Aircraft Company, United States of America, in relation to the Skybolt missile programme, giving the dates of their visits and whether they submitted reports; to what extent he asked for, and received, reports of the Skybolt missile development from the Douglas Aircraft Company; whether his department have been in continuous touch with the Defence Department of the United States of America regarding the development of the Skybolt missile; and at what stage his Department was warned of the missile's difficulties.

In addition to Royal Air Force personnel, a team of 13 scientists and engineers was stationed in the U.S.A. as part of the United States Air Force project development organisation; three of these were stationed with the Douglas Aircraft Company. Fifty-three other specialists made periodic visits to the U.S.A. and reports were made as appropriate.Reports from the Douglas Aircraft Company were requested and received from the United States Air Force. In addition to monthly progress reports numerous reports on specific aspects were received.My Department was in touch frequently with the U.S. Department of Defense about the project and was kept fully informed throughout the project of problems as and when they arose. A resident liaison officer was appointed in Washington for this purpose and his services were supplemented by visits to the U.S.A. by senior officials.

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent work has been carried out fabricating warheads for the Skybolt missile; and if he will give an estimate of the cost of these operations.

None.

asked the Minister of Defence what estimate he made of the cost to his Department of producing the Skybolt missile in a joint development programme with the United States of America, as suggested by them.

One of the main reasons why the United States Government decided to cancel the development of Skybolt was that there were uncertainties about the cost and time-scale of the programme. In the circumstances, I am not prepared to venture an estimate of what the cost to the country of a joint development programme would have been.

asked the Minister of Defence what progress has been made with the negotiations with the United States of America on the provision of Skybolt to the United Kingdom.

The question no longer arises since it was made clear in the Bahamas statement that the United States Government has decided to abandon plans for developing and producing the Skybolt missile.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will now make a statement on the agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States of America relating to the provision of Sky-bolt and other air defences.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the statements which will be made in the course of next week's debate.

asked the Minister of Defence on what terms was the Hound Dog missile offered by the United States of America to him during the Nassau talks; why the offer was refused; and what were the technical difficulties involved.

For sale on terms to be negotiated. Major modification of aircraft would have been required leading to high cost, long delay and a short life for the missile.

asked the Minister of Defence whether a decision has yet been taken to build Polaris submarines.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Defence how long he estimates it will take for Great Britain to build one Polaris submarine, and a fleet of 10, respectively; whether it is possible to convert and redesignate the nuclear submarines, "Dreadnought" and "Valiant", as Polaris missile vessels and to convert the third nuclear submarine, now on order, to become a Polaris-carrying vessel; and when this is likely to be ready for service.

The answer depends on a number of factors and assumptions which are currently under consideration. I am not yet in a position to give the estimates requested.

asked the Minister of Defence what studies have been carried out on the problems of the building techniques involved in converting hunter-killer submarines to Polaris submarines.

The Admiralty are conducting studies of the many problems involved in carrying through a programme of building Polaris submarines: these include the possibility of converting present hunter-killer submarine designs to the Polaris rôle.

asked the Minister of Defence what survey has been made by his Department of the shipyards and facilities available for the building of Polaris-type submarines; and how many shipyards and companies have sufficient technical knowledge and staff to build these vessels.

The Admiralty already have a substantial appreciation of the potential for building submarines including Polaris type submarines in British shipyards and are carrying out a detailed investigation into the many problems which would be involved.With regard to the second part of the question, it is to be expected that any shipyard engaged in the building and fitting out of Polaris type submarines would need to acquire new technical knowledge and to strengthen its staff. Nevertheless, we are fully confident of our ability to build these submarines in the United Kingdom and in good time.

asked the Minister of Defence if it is his intention, in the development of a multilateral Polaris deterrent force, to standardise British Polaris submarines on American lines; to what extent his department will be dependent upon the United States of America for designs of Polaris submarines before building can commence; and what consideration has been given to building a British fleet of Polaris-type submarines distinctly different in size and carrying capacity to the American type.

These are matters which are under consideration following the Nassau agreement. American help and advice have already brought the Admiralty to a point at which they are no longer dependent on the U.S. Navy for the design of nuclear submarines. There are obvious advantages in keeping to proven design in order to minimise the difficulties of development and to secure early delivery.

asked the Minister of Defence what will be the operational rôle of the British nuclear force within the new concept of the multilateral North Atlantic Treaty Organisation defence strategy; to what extent within the multilateral Western defence force Great Britain will have independence on communications, particularly to the projected Polaris submarine fleet; and whether the British Polaris submarine fleet will have complete independence on selection of targets and patrols.

All British nuclear forces subscribed to N.A.T.O. will be targetted in accordance with N.A.T.O. strategy. Her Majesty's Government, however, have the right to use British nuclear weapons for any purpose if they decide that supreme national interests are at stake. Communications and targeting plans will allow for this dual rôle.

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent it is his intention, in view of the recent decision to accept American Polaris missiles in place of Skybolt, to order a slow-down in production of Vulcan bombers.

Not at all.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will state the future role of the Royal Air Force V-bomber force within the new concept of a multilateral defence strategy which is mainly dependent upon Polaris submarines.

The V-bomber force, which will be suitably strengthened, will continue to contribute to a strategic deterrent until the Polaris submarines are available. The offer of V-bombers to N.A.T.O. is similarly designed to strengthen the alliance while at the same time preserving our own final independence of action.

asked the Minister of Defence whether it is his intention to reorganise the three Services to have closer liaison and co-ordination of operational rôles within the new defence planning centred around Polaris submarines; and what consideration he is giving to the gradual merger of the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy to meet British and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation defence requirements of the future.

Arrangements already exist for co-ordination of operational rôles between the Services and I do not foresee that the decision to introduce Polaris submarines will of itself require major re-organisation of the three Services. The Royal Air Force will continue to have a vital and world-wide rôle.

asked the Minister of Defence what estimate his Department has made, giving the figures, of the costs of extending Blue Steel, producing Skybolt, or building a fleet of ten Polaris submarines.

No simple comparison between these alternatives is possible, and I would ask the hon. Member to await the debate which is to take place next week.

asked the Minister of Defence (1) whether he has discussed with any European Powers the possibility of joint research and production of Blue Streak as a nuclear missile launcher;(2) whether he has had discussions with the German Ministry of Defence regarding joint research and developments in rocketry with a view to producing a European nuclear missile launching system.

No.

asked the Minister of Defence whether it is his intention to place the Nassau British-American Agreement before the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Powers for debate; and to what extent his North Atlantic Treaty Organisation military partners have been fully informed as to his recent decisions.

N.A.T.O. have already been informed about the Nassau Agreement and are now considering its implications for the Alliance.

asked the Minister of Defence, within the Nassau agreement, what rights he has retained to use, independently of the United States of America, British nuclear weapons against conventionally-armed powers; and to what extent the use of the British fleet of Polaris-type submarines fitted with American-produced missiles will be subject to an American veto.

Under the Nassau Agreement Her Majesty's Government have an absolute right to use British nuclear weapons for any purpose if they decide that supreme national interests are at stake. This decision is for Her Majesty's Government alone.

asked the Minister of Defence, within the Nassau Agreement, what joint United Kingdom-American political control is visualised over the use of Polaris missiles; and to what extent the British Polaris fleet of submarines will be dependent upon America for support facilities.

British Polaris missiles will be under national control whenever Her Majesty's Government decide that the supreme national interests so require. In other circumstances, they will be under the political control of N.A.T.O. Some American support facilities may be used but nothing will be done which could interfere in any way with these control arrangements.

asked the Minister of Defence what gap is visualised between the end of the deterrent credibility of the Royal Air Force bomber force and the introduction of operational Polaris submarines.

No gap is visualised, though there will be a period in which the V-bomber/Blue Steel combination as at present planned will become more vulnerable to enemy counter-measures. The Government intend to take measures to improve the capability of the V-bomber force in this period.

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent his decision to accept and build Polaris submarines in place of Skybolt purchases will affect the build-up of conventional forces in the British Army of the Rhine.

There is no change in the plans for the British Army of the Rhine.

asked the Minister of Defence what arrangements are being made with the American Government regarding the training of Polaris crews, testing weapons, and understanding communication systems.

These are matters on which discussions are taking place.

asked the Minister of Defence whether it will be necessary for further testing of nuclear devices to perfect a nuclear warhead for a Polaris missile.

A nuclear warhead can be made available for the Polaris missile without further testing. Whether further testing would be desirable for the development of future types of warhead depends on detailed studies which are not yet complete.

asked the Minister of Defence whether the credibility of Polaris will still be effective by the time a British Polaris submarine fleet has been built.

In my judgment and on all the advice I have, yes and for many years thereafter.

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent the Royal Air Force V-bomber force is dependent upon United States warning systems and target information.

The V-bomber force is not dependent upon the United States warning system or target information save in the sense that both the U.S. and U.K. forces share information from Fylingdales and indeed from their other sources.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he has been informed of the recent development stage of the Pandora missile by the aircraft industry; and if he has now considered if this missile is to be required by the Royal Air Force.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aviation.

asked the Minister of Defence what has been the expenditure by Her Majesty's Government on military research and development during the year 1961–62.

The expenditure was £245·7 million as shown in the Annual Report of the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy published on 15th January, 1963.

asked the Minister of Defence whether the Bahamas agreement for the supply of Polaris missiles to Great Britain also covers the supply of guidance systems and associated equipment.

Detailed arrangements are being negotiated under the Bahamas agreement to cover the supply of all the equipment of this nature that we shall require.

asked the Minister of Defence what will be the long-term rôle of Bomber Command in the defence structure.

Bomber Command, armed with V-bombers and supplemented later with the TSR.2, will continue to provide the British strategic deterrent until the Polaris submarines are in service in the late 1960s when it will form part of our nuclear striking force.

asked the Minister of Defence if he has made an assessment of the cost, in terms both of money and the diversion of scientific and technical manpowers, of equipping the armed forces with British designed and manufactured nuclear weapons of the continuing effectiveness necessary to provide Great Britain with an independent deterrent.

Various projects for wholly British-manufactured deterrent weapon systems have been considered. In the view of Her Majesty's Government the Polaris system is to be preferred on grounds both of time scale and of cost, as well as of its proven capacity.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will ask the Meteorological Office to publish now for the remainder of 1963 their long-range forecasts of periods of severe fog, snow, ice and extreme bad weather, so that precautions can be taken by the public services and others to minimise inconvenience and expense to the public in such periods.

No. Exceptionally severe weather conditions cannot be reliably forecast more than a day or two in advance.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT his Department's recent statements on V-bomber exercises over United States territory; and if he will make a statement showing how many such exercises have been carried out in the last four years, giving dates and estimates of success.

The only United States air defence exercise in which Royal Air Force V-bombers took part was held in October, 1961. It is not in the public, interest to disclose the results of such exercises.As to the first part of the Question, I am circulating a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.Following is the statement:

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is now able to make a statement on the future orders of the Belfast freighter for the Royal Air Force.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what decision has been taken regarding the future of O.R.351.

We have not yet finished our consideration of the future of O.R.351.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will now give details of the phased dismantling of Thor missiles in this country; and whether any are to be held for use in peaceful space exploration purposes.

The dismantling of the Thor missiles will begin in the spring and should be completed this year. None will be held for space exploration.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans have been agreed for improving road communications in the North-East and in particular those mentioned in the proposals of the Northumberland County Council.

My right hon. Friend explained our road plans for the North-East in the Answer he gave on 27th November last to my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. P. Williams). In consultation with his colleagues concerned, my right hon. Friend will be considering the possibility of further road developments in the light of the discussions Which my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord President will be having with the Northumberland County Council and other local authorities in the North-East.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress is being made in studies of chain-link fencing supported by wire ropes as barriers for arresting or deflecting vehicles running on the middle strip between dual carriageways.

This is one of a number of studies being conducted by the Road Research Laboratory into the relative merits of various types of safety barrier. Progress has been hampered by bad weather and the studies are not yet complete.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the extent of traffic dislocation and how many road accidents in the Metropolitan Police area were attributed to the failure of street lighting in abnormally bad weather conditions, due to outs in the electricity supply.

Too many other unusual factors have been at work for it to be possible to assess the effects of failures of street lighting alone.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the route of A.1 from Newcastle to Edinburgh has yet been decided upon.

There are no plans to make any substantial alteration of the present route. Improvements will be made mainly along or near the existing line of the road. A number of by-passes are planned and those for Alnwick and Morpeth are included in my trunk roads programme.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give details and dates of the initiation of all planned major road schemes in the counties of Durham and Northumberland.

The following schemes costing more than £100,000 each are included in my road programme:

—	Estimated Cost	Proposed Starting Date
	£
Co. Durham
Motorways
A1 Darlington-Durham Motorway	20,000,000	Work in progress on Darlington By-pass
Trunk Roads
A. 19 Shotton By-pass	100,000	1963–64
A.19 Sheraton By-pass	120,000	1963–64
A. 184 Wardley-White Mare Pool Improvement	650,000	*
Classified Roads
Tyne Tunnel (with Northumberland)	12,600,000	In progress
Seaham Level Crossings	110,000	In progress
Darlington Inner Ring Road (Stage I)	470,000	1963–64
Durham City Relief Road (Stage I)	790,000	1963–64
Sunderland Inner Ring Road (Stage I)	450,000	1963–64
Stockton Ring Road (North-West)	210,000	1963–64
A. 177 Hare & Hounds—Holdforth Improvement	160,000	1963–64
A. 1055 White Mare Pool—Hadrian Road	500,000	1963–64
A.695 Scotswood Bridge (with Newcastle)	2,000,000	1963–64
South Shields, John Reid Road	500,000	1963–64
Gateshead, A.1/East-West Link	860,000	1965–66
Northumberland
Trunk Roads
A.1 Alnwick By-pass	850,000	*
A. 1 Morpeth By-pass	1,250,000	*
A.69 Haydon Bridge	190,000	*
Classified Roads
A. 1068 Warkworth Bridge	140,000	In progress
Newcastle, Pilgrim St. Roundabout and Underpass	1,250,000	In progress
Newcastle, Inner Ring Road	5,000,000	1963–64
Newcastle, A.1/Grandstand Road Junction	350,000	1964–65
Newcastle-Tynemouth Coast Road	2,500,000	1963–64
* Starting date not yet settled, but scheme is included in my trunk road programme for the next four years.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has accepted the proposals of the British Transport Commission for increasing the pensions of railway superannuitants.

Yes, and my right hon. Friend has put them to the new Boards.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his Departmental Committee examining the practicability of a Channel tunnel or Channel bridge has yet completed its investigations and reported to him; and what delay there will be between the receipt of the report and the announcement of Government policy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet received the Anglo-French Governmental report on a Channel link; and whether he will make a statement.

The joint Anglo-French official study is not yet complete but it is making good progress. Until we have the official findings I cannot forecast how long Governments will take to consider them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the breakdown of the Common Market negotiations, he will now take further steps to make a Channel link as soon as possible with France in order to stimulate the cheaper flow of goods both from this country to the Continent and from Europe to the United Kingdom.

I do not accept the implications of the first part of my hon. Friend's Question. As to a Channel link, decisions must await consultation with the French Government, after we know the findings of the joint Anglo-French official study which is now in progress.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has given any directions to the Transport Holding Company under Section 29 (4) of the Transport Act, 1962, as to the conduct of their business.

I have given formal directions to the Transport Holding Company in the following terms:

"The Minister of Transport (hereinafter referred to as 'the Minister'} in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by Section 29 (4) of the Transport Act 1962 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act') hereby gives the following directions to the Transport Holding Company (hereinafter referred to as 'the Holding Company'):—

1. The Holding Company shall exercise their control over Star Bodies (B.T.C.) Ltd., Bristol Commercial Vehicles Ltd., and Eastern Coach Works Ltd., so as to ensure that the productive capacity of any of these companies shall not exceed the productive capacity of that company as at 1st January 1963.2.—(1) The Holding Company shall exercise their control over each of their subsidiaries so as to ensure that the subsidiary in question does not except with the consent of the Minister—

asked the Minister of Transport how many road accidents in the first six months of 1962 were attributed to the shattering of windscreens prior to impact.

There are no statistics for the country as a whole. However, such information as is available does not suggest that this is a significant cause of accidents.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were registered as unemployed in the borough of Barking, Essex, on 31st December, in the years 1950, 1961, and 1962.

Figures are available only for the day of the count of the numbers unemployed. On 10th December, 1962, there were 389 persons registered as unemployed at Barking Employment Exchange, in whose area the Borough of Barking is mainly situated, compared with 196 in December, 1950, and 261 in December, 1961.

asked the Minister of Labour how many apprenticeships were available in or near the borough of Barking, Essex, for boys who left school in Barking in 1962; what percentage of school-leavers are now apprenticed; what percentage are unemployed or in temporary jobs; and what steps he is taking to encourage employers in this neighbourhood to make more apprenticeships available.

121 or 17 per cent. of boys in Barking who entered employment in 1962 obtained apprenticeships in or within travelling distance of the borough. 10·8 per cent. of the boy Christmas leavers, but no Easter or summer leavers were still registered for employment on 14th January. Figures are not available of those in temporary jobs. In addition to those obtaining apprenticeships, 42·4 per cent. of Barking boys in 1962 entered employment with training lasting at least a year, a proportion much higher than the national and regional percentages and the 1961 Barking figure. I shall continue to urge industry to increase training opportunities of all kinds.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consult the Minister of Education with a view to encouraging safety measures in technical colleges where the first introduction to machinery takes place and safety habits may be inculcated.

I keep closely in touch with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Education on this important matter, and I am pleased to say that the advice and assistance of H.M. Inspectors of Factories on safety matters is increasingly being sought by college authorities.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement about the extent of unemployment of school leavers in Sunderland.

On 14th January, 296 of the 739 Christmas leavers, and 41 of the 2,469 Summer and Easter leavers were still registered at the Sunderland County Borough Youth Employment Office. The Youth Employment Service is doing all it can to help them find suitable employment.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons on the disabled register in Sunderland are unemployed; and what percentage this is of the persons on the register.

On 14th January 467 registered disabled persons were unemployed, representing 16·3 per cent. of all persons registered as disabled.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of workers discharged as redundant in the Northern region in each of the last five years.

Comprehensive figures are not available, but the following is a table showing estimated redundancies in manufacturing industries and mining.

Estimated number of workers in manufacturing industries and mining discharged as redundant in Northern Region:
Year					Number
1958	…	…	…	…	17,100
1959	…	…	…	…	17,200
1960	…	…	…	…	16,700
1961	…	…	…	…	12,100
1962	…	…	…	…	20,500

GATESHEAD AND FELLING EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES
—		Numbers Unemployed					Percentage of Unemployment
		Men	Boys	Women	Girls	Total	Males	Females	Total
14th January, 1963	…	3,264	291	391	97	4,043	8·8	2·5	6·7
15th January, 1962	…	1,600	195	255	49	2,099	4·4	1·5	3·5
Note: These estimates are based on reports received by employment Exchanges from employers. They cover most substantial redundancies but not individual dismissals; on the other hand, they include not only permanent redundancies, but also workers discharged but subsequently re-engaged, especially in shipbuilding and shiprepairing.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on his recent Ministerial talks in Brussels on Great Britain's application to join the European Economic Community.

My right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal will be making a statement tomorrow.

asked the Lord Privy Seal, in the light of the decisions taken at the Bahamas meetings, what is now the policy of Her Majesty's Government

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of unemployed in the Northern region at the latest convenient date as compared with the year 1951; and what percentage increase this represents over the 1951 figure.

64,851 at 10th December, 1962, compared with 29,360 at 10th December, 1951, a percentage increase of 120·9 per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of persons, male and female, and persons under 18 years of age, male and female, respectively, registered as unemployed at the latest convenient date in the Gateshead employment area, together with the percentage rate of unemployment for the total, and the percentage rate for male and female, respectively, and the comparable figures for 12 months earlier.

The following is the information required:on the subject of the German manufacture, possession, or control of nuclear weapons.

There has been no change in Her Majesty's Government's policy.

asked the Lord Privy Seal to make available in the Vote Office copies of the official document of the European Economic Commission entitled Memorandum of the Commission on the Action Programme for the Second Stage, Com. (62) 300, published in Brussels on 24th October, 1962.

Copies of the European Commission's Action Programme were placed in the Vote Office on the 23rd November, 1962.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will take steps at the United Nations to have referred to the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion the question of an interpretation of the meaning and application of self-determination as proclaimed in the United Nations Charter.

No.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the total value of the contribution pledged by the Government to the World Food Programme organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation; what form this aid will take; and whether the Government intend to increase the scale of their contribution, in co-operation with other Governments, if experience indicates that the programme could operate successfully on a bigger scale.

Her Majesty's Government have pledged a total contribution of the equivalent of 5 million dollars over a period of three years. Half of our contribution will be in kind and half in cash for shipping services. As the World Food Programme only began operations on 1st January this year, it is too early to consider the expansion of the programme.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is yet in a position to give details of the final settlement of the incident involving the Scottish trawler "Red Crusader" in May 1961.

Her Majesty's Government and the Danish Government have now completed their consultation about the Report of the Commission of Enquiry into the incidents affecting the Scottish trawler "Red Crusader" at the end of May 1961. In their desire to remove a source of disagreement between them, the two Governments have decided that the incident should be settled by a mutual waiver of all claims and charges arising out of the incident. These waivers enter into effect forthwith. The owners of the trawler have concurred in this settlement.As a result, Skipper Wood and the "Red Crusader" are free to enter Danish waters without fear of arrest in relation to the events of May, 1961, and the owners' claim for compensation has been dropped. The two Governments consider that the incident can now be considered closed, though without prejudice to the views on points of law maintained by each Government.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement about the progress of negotiations with the Danish and Faroese Governments on fishing limits.

Her Majesty's Government and the Danish Government have exchanged views on this matter and it is hoped that discussions will take place soon.

asked the Minister of Aviation how soon the work on the modifications of the Vulcan bombers designed to take the Skybolt missile will cease; and what will have been the total estimated cost of such work.

Instructions to the contractor to terminate that part of the work not now required have already been given. The cost has still to be negotiated.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how many ships, including fleet auxiliaries, serving in any capacity in the Royal Navy are less than five years old; how many are more than five years but less than ten years old; how many are more than ten and less than fifteen years old; how many are more than fifteen years old; and if he

Class					Age
					Under 5 years	5 years and under 10 years	10 years and under 15 years	15 years and over
Aircraft Carriers	…	…	…	…	1	2	1	1
Commando Ships	…	…	…	…	—	2	—	—
Cruisers	…	…	…	…	3	—	—	4
G.M. Destroyer	…	…	…	…	1	—	—	—
Destroyer/Frigate	…	…	…		19	22	6	65
Escorts	…	…	…
Submarines	…	…	…	…	15	1	3	28
Other War Vessels	…	…	…	…	30	167	—	29
Depot Ships	…	…	…		—	4	3	40
Replenishment Ships	…	…	…
Support Ships	…	…	…
Other Ships	…	…	…	…	5	1	4	52
Totals	…	…	…	…	74	199	17	219
Of the major war vessels shown above 3 carriers, 2 commando ships, 21 escorts and 16 submarines have had modernisations, equipping them to "as new standards". A notable example is H.M.S. VICTORIOUS which was first completed in 1941, but almost entirely re-built in 1957.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Jamaica.

During my visit to Jamaica I had a most valuable exchange of views with the Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet. I also had the opportunity of a talk with the Leader of the Opposition and many other leading personalities.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what help Her Majesty's Government will give to the British teams who competed in the Empire and Commonwealth Games at Perth in meeting the deficit between the income from the appeals and their actual expenditure.

I am glad to say that the appeals for these Games have resulted

As at 1st January, 1963, the position was as follows:in a total revenue which has come very close to the overall expenditure. This is a most gratifying result.There is a deficit, however, estimated to be approximately £7,000 and as a special case Her Majesty's Government have agreed, subject to the approval of Parliament, to make a contribution to the administrative expenses of the Council for England for the Games for the purposes of the British team as a whole to meet this deficit.The House will be asked in due course to vote the necessary supplementary estimate. In the meantime, if necessary, an advance will be sought from the Civil Contingencies Fund.

asked the Minister of Education what was the number of full-time staff and part-time staff, respectively, in technical colleges in 1961–62

On 31st March, 1962, 22,531 teachers were in full-time service in grant-aided major establishments for further education other than art establishments, compared with 19,976 teachers one year earlier. On 1st February, 1961 (the latest date for which figures are available), 52,435 teachers were in part-time service in these establishments.

asked the Minister of Education what was the number of children awaiting places in special schools at the latest available date.

The new figures for January, 1963, will be available before the end of March and I will send them to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Education if he will state the number of men's, women's and mixed training colleges, respectively, with no graduate mathematics lecturer and more than one mathematics lecturer, respectively.

The following table provides the information for 1962–63:

			(1)	(2)	(3)
			Total number of general colleges	No. of colleges with no graduates lecturing in physical science (physics and chemistry)	No. of colleges with no graduates lecturing in biology
Men's colleges	…	…	14	1	1
Women's colleges	…	…	60	41	18
Mixed colleges	…	…	49	19	10
Total	…	…	123	61	29

asked the Minister of Education what plans he has for the rebuilding of slum-schools.

Current building programmes include many projects for the replacement or improvement of old schools, mainly secondary schools. This follows from the policy set out in the 1958 White Paper for the years 1960–65. I am not yet ready to make a statement on my plans beyond this period.

asked the Minister of Education if he will state the number of men's, women's and mixed training colleges, respectively, with no graduate physical science lecturer and no graduate biological lecturer, respectively.

The information in the specific terms requested is given in the following table. But only four of the colleges included in columns (2) and (3) are without graduates lecturing in "natural science" or "general science", which normally includes biology and some physics and chemistry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many students at universities in England, in Wales and in Scotland during the past five years have left without taking their degrees, showing those leaving in their first, second and third years, respectively, and the proportion these numbers bear to the total intake of students at these universities.

The information available on the numbers of university students leaving without taking a degree is to be found in paragraphs 50, 51 and 52 of the University Grants Committee's Returns from Universities and University Colleges, 1960–61 (Cmnd, 1855).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the maximum pensions payable to persons retiring on 31st December, 1962, after 40 years' pensionable service from London posts in the Civil Service grades of postman, clerical officer, executive officer, senior executive officer and principal, and the corresponding pensions payable from 1st January, 1963, including the increases under the various Pensions (Increase) Acts up to that date, to

£
—		1947	1952	1956	1957	1958	1959
Postman	…	246	254	270	281	290	298
Clerical Officer	…	358	350	365	372	383	399
Executive Officer	…	489	487	502	519	536	563
Senior Executive Officer	…	722	744	757	783	811	865
Principal	…	892	935	949	983	1,018	1,103

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the invention by Dr. Peter Bothwell of a new type of ambulance designed to make journeys easier and safer for patients, the full development of which is being held up because of the refusal of Her Majesty's Government of the necessary research grant; and if he will make a statement.

I can trace no request for a Government grant.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many local authorities have declined to assist ex-Service men in obtaining housing accommodation in their areas, by refusing to implement his Department's circular of 1955 which asked that they should be given consideration.

The pensions of civil servants retiring after 40 years' service from London posts in these grades on 31st December, 1962, are:

			£
Postman	…	…	303
Clerical Officer	…	…	425
Executive Officer	…	…	595
Senior Executive Officer	…	…	968
Principal	…	…	1,241

Figures for 31st December in earlier years are not readily available; the current pensions payable from 1st January, 1963, including payments under the Pensions (Increase) Acts, to persons aged 70 or over who retired from these grades on 31st March in 1947, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1959 are:

Out of 1,467 authorities, only 30 were unable to adopt the recommendations of the circular; 96 adopted them in part; the remainder adopted them completely.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what further steps he proposes to take to ensure that ex-Service men have a reasonable chance of obtaining accommodation in areas where they have found work.

As the great majority of local authorities carry out the recommendation of the Ministry's circular of 1955 I do not consider that any further general advice is necessary. In the case of the relatively few local authorities who do not comply either in whole or in part I am satisfied that there are genuine reasons to account for this.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will make a statement about the success or otherwise of the market trials of the new smokeless fuel which is being produced at Birch Coppice Colliery; and what is the anticipated annual production of this fuel.

I am informed by the National Coal Board that the market trials have been very successful. Production at Birch Coppice should be at a rate of 50,000 tons per annum as from the autumn. The quantity would be substantially increased when the proposed full-scale plant comes into operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to curb the increase in the number of betting shops now being provided.

No. Under the Betting and Gaming Act, 1960, the power to grant or renew betting office licences lies with the licensing courts, which have power to refuse applications on the ground that the grant or renewal of a licence would be inexpedient having regard to the demand in the locality and to the number of offices available to meet it. I have no proposals in mind for amending legislation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentages of total United Kingdom exports and imports were represented by exports to, and imports from, the Commonwealth, respectively, in 1938, 1961, and 1962.

The following is the information:

PERCENTAGE OF UNITED KINGDOM TRADE WITH THE COMMONWEALTH
—			Total Exports including re-exports	Imports
			per cent.	per cent.
1938	…	…	32·0	34·4
1961	…	…	34·1	31·4
1962	…	…	30·7	31·1
* The coverage of the Commonwealth is as defined in the 1962 Trade and Navigation Accounts but excluding Kuwait.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the increasing unemployment in Scotland, and the fact that the Local Employment Act is insufficient to solve the problem, what other proposals he now has to remedy the position.

I am confident that the various measures taken by the Chancellor in recent months will benefit Scotland both directly and indirectly. My part in combating unemployment is the vigorous use of my powers under the Local Employment Act.In view of the very great amount of assistance for Scotland already provided under the Act I cannot accept that it is inadequate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent he estimates the difficulties of attracting industry to Scotland in sufficient quantities to salve the unemployment problem are due to the inadequacies of the transport system.

The distances involved can be a discouragement to manufacturers in the South and Midlands, who contemplate siting a new factory in Scotland, though the relative importance of transport costs depends on the nature and cost structure of the product in question. But the transport system as such, which seems to be generally well regarded by industrialists, causes me no difficulty in my efforts to attract industry to Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state his present plans to attract new industries to the various districts in Scotland where unemployment now exists; when those plans will be put into operation; and what are the principal districts concerned.

My right hon. Friend proposes to continue to make vigorous use of his powers under the Local Employment Act to encourage the introduction of new industry into the development districts in Scotland. I am sending the hon. and learned Member a list of these districts.