asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to ensure that Great Britain's relative share of East-West trade will not diminish during the present Common Market negotiations.

In our annual negotiations with eastern area countries it is our aim to secure opportunities for a steady expansion of trade. In addition, the Board of Trade, and commercial officers abroad, as always, help British exporters to take advantage of these opportunities.As to the state of the Common Market negotiations, I have nothing to add to the statements made by my right hon. Friends during the course of the debate last week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will invite Russia and Western European nations to send delegates to a European Conference in London or elsewhere to devise practical means for increasing between them trade and industrial expansion.

No. My right hon. Friend is not satisfied that a conference on the lines proposed would lead to an increase in trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to ensure that the opportunity caused by the ending of the Brussels negotiations is not lost, he will now invite East European governments to enter into longer term trade agreements with this country.

No. Our present Five Year Agreement with the U.S.S.R. and Three Year Agreements with East European countries provide a satisfactory framework for the development of our trade with these countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Her Majesty's Government will introduce legislation to ensure that mergers, affecting the ownership of a substantial part of an industry and involving the possible closure of factories and consequent unemployment, do not take effect until the national interest has been considered by an impartial body and the consent of his Department obtained.

This is one of the matters which my right hon. Friend is considering in the review of policy and legislation on monopolies and restrictive practices about which he has informed the House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the recent growth of Chinese trade with Commonwealth countries, he will invite suitable Commonwealth representatives to be associated with his forthcoming discussions with the Chinese Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade in order to explore the scope for increased two-way trade.

No. Trade between the People's Republic of China and the countries of the Commonwealth is a matter for the Governments concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, how many civil servants are employed in his Department now, compared with 10 years ago.

7,918 on 1st January. 1963: 8,005 on 1st January, 1953.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much has been spent on capital improvements in his Department in the last 10 years, with a view to saving manpower and increasing efficiency.

In the last 10 years £267,000 has been spent on the purchase of office machinery in the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many companies were refused Industrial Development Certificates for Bolton in 1962.

In 1962 one application for industrial development in Bolton was refused. I understand that the company concerned has taken over existing premises elsewhere in Lancashire outside a development district.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of British exports of textile machinery to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, China and Eastern Europe in 1962; and what proportion this represents of total British exports of this type of machinery.

The value of United Kingdom exports of textile machinery to these countries in 1962 was £7·1 million. This represented 11·4 per cent. of total exports of this type of machinery.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the Steel Works Plant Association to increase quotas of imports from Poland, Roumania and other countries of the Eastern area and to extend the period of credit cover to make it possible for these countries to place more of their orders for rolling mill equipment, other steel plant, and engineering equipment with British firms; and what reply he has sent.

My right hon. Friend has been asked to meet representatives of this Association to consider ways in which the steel works plant industry might be assisted in increasing its export trade generally, including trade with Eastern Europe. He has arranged to meet them on 1st March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the prospects for orders for ships and engineering equipment for ships from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, China and the South-East Asian countries; to what extent British firms enter tenders when such contracts are put out to tender; what finance facilities are offered by Her Majesty's Government for obtaining such orders; and to what extent they are used by British firms.

My right hon. Friend understands that several British yards have received inquiries from the Soviet authorities and that a number of tenders have been submitted. He hopes that they will be successful.A Chinese delegation visited British yards last year but has, so far as I am aware, not asked for tenders. As regards South-East Asia, I understand that a contract has just been signed in London for a large off-shore tin dredger for Indonesia; and that there have been inquiries from Thailand.The facilities of the Export Credits Guarantee Department are available and are normally used by British shipyards when tendering in these, as in other markets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to announce a further deal with Russia involving the construction and sale of ships; and on what terms such a deal might be concluded.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that unemployment has doubled in Slough during the last months, what steps he is taking to reduce it.

The increase in unemployment in Slough in the last months has been caused mainly by the rise in unemployment of workers in the construction industry. The numbers should decrease when the weather improves. My right hon. Friend would not be justified in taking any special steps in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the addition to the costs of manufacture in United Kingdom of solid resin resulting from the import duty of 33⅓ per cent, on phthalic anhydride, if he will take steps to assist the export trade by granting full drawback of this duty on exports.

My right hon. Friend is prepared to consider an application for a drawback scheme in accordance with the provisions of Section 9 of the Import Duties Act, 1958.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of British exports of pulp, paper and board-making machinery to the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in 1961 and to the latest convenient date in 1962; what proportion this represents of total British exports of this type of machinery in each of the two years; and what steps he is taking to improve the credit terms covering exports to these markets in order that British manufacturers can meet foreign competition.

The value of United Kingdom exports of pulp, paper and board-making machinery to the Soviet bloc in 1961 and 1962 was £3·8 million and £8 million, respectively. This represented 29 per cent. and 42 per cent. of total United Kingdom exports of this type of machinery in these years. The present facilities offered by the Export Credits Guarantee Department, which take full account of officially-backed credit from other countries, should enable British manufacturers to offer competitive terms in these, as in other, markets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now grant an open general licence for the export of non-ferrous scrap metals for a trial period of six months.

No: but I have made an open general licence for certain types of copper and copper alloy scrap valid from a further three months from 5th March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the percentage of unemployed in Accrington is now 5·3; and whether he will schedule Accrington as a development district.

My right hon. Friend is aware that the total number of registered unemployed in Accrington in January, including those temporarily stopped, represented a rate of 5·4 per cent. But the rate of wholly unemployed in January at 3·3 per cent. was well below the levels prevailing in development districts. He would not be justified in adding Accrington to the list of those areas eligible for assistance under the Local Employment Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make an interim report on the degree of success of National Productivity Year.

National Productivity Year has still about nine months to run. My right hon. Friend understands that more than 1,500 events have already been held or arranged, and he would like to congratulate all those concerned on the progress being made and on the interest and response throughout industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what encouragement he is giving to British interests to invest in Tunisia.

The normal facilities for British investment outside the sterling area are available in Tunisia.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the total United Kingdom adverse balance of trade with Canada over the last 10 years; and for how much of this loss the United Kingdom had to provide dollars.

This figure can be obtained from Account IV of the Trade and Navigation Accounts covering this period. It is not possible to say how a balance with any single country has been financed; but in the conditions of convertibility prevailing today, the adverse balance in this case could have been met by an increase in Canada's sterling holdings, by a drawing on the United Kingdom's reserves, or by a combination of the two.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will revoke the industrial development certificate granted to John Heathcoat & Co. Ltd. for development at Tiverton, where there is full employment, in view of the fact that there is unemployment elsewhere in Devon.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new jobs have resulted from the operation of the Local Employment Act in the Western Isles constituency in the last six months; what is the number of people, registered as unemployed, and available to employers seeking labour in the islands; and what is his estimate of the number of new jobs which will be created as a result of his further efforts to promote industrial activity in the area.

During the last six months the Board of Trade has offered assistance to one project in the Stornoway Employment Exchange area, which covers the greater part of the hon. Member's constituency. I cannot give the number of jobs estimated to arise, since to do so would disclose details of an industrial business. At the December count there were 1,481 people wholly unemployed in the area. My right hon. Friend cannot estimate how many jobs are likely to arise from unknown future projects, but he will, of course, continue to encourage the introduction and expansion of projects to create employment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many industrial development certificates were issued for developments in Scotland during 1962; and how much additional employment will be provided.

121, giving estimated employment of over 9,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent British imports of Italian machines for making seamless hose have increased in the past three years.

Separate details of imports of machines for making seamless hose are not available. In the years 1960, 1961 and 1962 imports from Italy of "Hosiery and other knitting machines—circular, complete", which include machines for making seamless hose, were valued at £261,610, £736,469 and £883,410 respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans his Department has for bringing about such expansion as will produce employment for the 518 young people who are unemployed in the Don Valley area.

My right hon. Friend will be glad to encourage suitable industrial development in this area by firms which could not go to the areas of high unemployment where the need for additional employment is greatest.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many factories within the Scottish industrial estates are unoccupied at present.

Six.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps he proposes to take to ensure adequate employment in the areas served by the Weston-super-Mare Employment Exchange;(2) what steps he proposes to take to ensure that adequate work is obtained for Government-owned factories at present leased by Henlys (Weston-super-Mare) Limited and Westland Aircraft Limited.

As my hon. Friend is aware, my right hon. Friend's first responsibility is to encourage employment in the development districts. Nevertheless, he is prepared to give favourable consideration to suitable industrial development in Weston-super-Mare for projects that cannot go to development districts. I understand that my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Aviation, is already dealing with the question of the Old Mixon factory now occupied by Henlys (Weston-super-Mare) Limited, and Westland Aircraft Limited.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that owing to lack of orders, Messrs. Faraday Electronics Ltd., of Sheerness, have notified employees that 200 will be discharged next month; and whether, in view of this and the high rate of unemployment already existing on Sheppey, he will include it on the list of development districts.

My right hon. Friend has heard with regret that Messrs. Faraday Electronics intend to discharge a number of employees next month. While he realises that unemployment remains high in Sheppey, in view of the prospects of additional employment from industrial development in the area, he would not be justified in restoring it to the list of development districts. My right hon. Friend will, however, be glad to see further suitable development there which is privately financed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will assist the furniture trade by reducing the deposit required for the public to obtain furniture by hire purchase.

As my right hon. Friend said in reply to my hon. Friends the Members for Wycombe (Mr. John Hall) and Cardiff, North (Mr. Box) on 24th January and 1st February, he has decided to assist the furniture industry by permitting "Add-to" agreements to be made without payment of a further deposit. He does not consider that on economic grounds there is at present a case for reducing the deposit in other cases.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Board of Trade regional offices are equipped to give advice to industrialists who wish to export to Japan.

Yes. The Board of Trade's regional offices are equipped to give advice on exporting to all markets, including Japan.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will set up a committee to consider the causes which prevent the free flow and normal development of international trade, thus causing unemployment, with a view to removing them.

No. My right hon. Friend appreciates the point of the Question but does not consider that an examination such as the hon. Member suggests would be fruitful. It will continue to be the policy of Her Majesty's Government to work internationally for the expansion of trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the maximum period of insurance offered by the Export Credits Guarantee Department to manufacturers of capital equipment wishing to export to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Eastern Europe.

These countries are treated in the same way as any other market in respect of the length of credit which may be insured. The normal maximum is five years after delivery. Longer periods can only be considered in special circumstances, as when a foreign competitor is offering longer terms with official support, or when a project meets the strict criteria which govern applications for financial guarantees.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the inquiries from Russia for new ships and large steel tubes which would help to reduce the number of unemployed in the United Kingdom; and if he will take steps to arrange for a reciprocal and expanding trade agreement, particularly in these two commodities, to the mutual advantage of both countries.

Yes. My right hon. Friend is aware of some inquiries.As regards the second part of the Question, our Five Year Trade Agreement with the Soviet Union provides a framework within which trade has expanded. Exports of ships and steel tubes can take place under Article III of this Agreement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will introduce the necessary statutory instruments to remove United Kingdom tariffs which are at present imposed on any raw materials or semi-manufactured products;(2) whether he will consider making a provisional unilateral reduction in tariffs on industrial goods, in order to bring those duties which are above the level of the European Common Market tariff down to that level.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to two similar Questions on 12th February by my hon. Friend the Member for Cleveland (Mr. Proudfoot).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress is being made in the erection of an advance factory at Cumnock, Ayrshire; and when he anticipates it will be working.

Plans for this factory are well advanced and building work will start shortly; it should be completed by the end of this year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consideration he is giving to the addition of Gateshead to the schedule under the Local Employment Act, 1960, in view of the 6·7 per cent. rate of total unemployment and the rate of 8·8 per cent. of men unemployed.

The rate of wholly unemployed in the Gateshead and Felling group of employment exchange areas was 5·4 per cent. in January, but has averaged 3·5 per cent. for the past 12 months. There are over 1,000 jobs in prospect in the area, and I should not be justified in adding it at present to the list of development districts. I shall, however, continue to watch the position.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many industrial development certificates were issued for Wales since March, 1962; and how many of these certificates were issued for the scheduled areas in Wales under the Local Employment Act, 1960.

From 1st March, 1962 to 31st December, 1962, industrial development certificates issued for Wales totalled 57 of which 8 were for development district locations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will reduce to nil the import duty of 30 per cent. on rearview mirrors for motor vehicles;(2) if he will reduce to nil the import duty of 20 per cent. on false beards;(3) if he will reduce to nil the import duty of 10 per cent. on human hair;(4) if he will reduce to nil the import duty of 42 per cent. on sunshades;(5) if he will reduce to nil the import duty of 20 per cent. on riding crops;(6) if he will reduce to nil the import duty of 20 per cent. on rubber bathing caps.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of his staff are allocated to duties directly connected with the operation of the Local Employment Act.

Apart from typists and other common services, 290 staff are directly concerned with this work.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why an industrial development certificate was granted recently for the building of a potato crisp factory in Corby, Northants, an area with a much smaller percentage rate of unemployment than any development district; and what were the reasons which caused him to grant the certificate after originally refusing it.

This case illustrates how the control exercised by means of industrial development certificates can be used to obtain projects for the development districts. My right hon. Friend approved the development for Corby in return for two projects that the company concerned, the Golden Wonder Crisp Company Ltd., has undertaken to carry out in development districts. The first of these, at Broxburn in West Lothian, will be completed at the same time as the Corby project, and the other in South Wales a year later. When the proposed developments are completed, four out of the company's five factories will be located outside the Midlands and the South-East.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will initiate discussions for constitutional changes in Brunei to enable a majority of elected members of the Legislature to become responsible for government.

This is an internal matter for the Sultan and the Government of Brunei. The Brunei Government stated on 27th January that, before the recent revolt, it was the intention of the Government to proceed towards a more liberal constitution. On 7th February the Sultan stated that he intended as soon as possible to restore representative institutions. I am satisfied, therefore, that he has the considerations raised by the hon. Member very much in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply he has sent to the petition from the Senior Civil Servants' Association of Kenya on behalf of non-designated women officers.

The Civil Servants' Association was informed last September through the Governor that the women officers in question cannot be designated under the Overseas Service Aid Scheme since they do not satisfy the criteria set out in Clause 1 of the Overseas Service (Kenya) Agreement, 1961.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on whose authority Mr. Lim Shee Ping, travelling on a Malayan passport to Tanganyika, was removed from the aircraft and detained at Nairobi; and why this was done.

Lim Shee Ping was not removed from the aircraft at Nairobi. After he had disembarked his passport was withdrawn at the request of the Malayan Government, and he was detained at the airport as a prohibited immigrant under the Kenya Immigration Ordinance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to improve steamer services to the Seychelles.

As an experiment the British India Line has this year re-routed its ships to carry more passengers from various parts of Africa to Seychelles. The experiment is being studied carefully with a view to future policy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will report on the progress of the Swaziland Constitutional Conference.

I have nothing to add to to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) on 13th February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals for constitutional advance he has for the New Hebrides; and what discussions he has had with the French Government on this topic.

No such proposals have as yet been formulated or discussed with the French Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals he has received from the French Government that the New Hebrides should have associated overseas territory status within the European Economic Community.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to train Africans for the administrative services in Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland.

In Basutoland, the Civil Service Training Committee composed of both official and non-officials, whose establishment was envisaged in the reply to a Question of 3rd August 1961, by the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall), was established in September, 1961, to supervise existing plans for service training and to prepare and implement a report on their expansion. The Committee is serviced by a training section established at the same time with C.D. and W. assistance. The Report referred to was submitted to the Basutoland Executive Council for inclusion in the new development programme. It entails the continuation of newly created Departmental Training Officer posts, expansion of technical administrative and professional training both in Basutoland and elsewhere and greatly increased provision of scholarships for school leavers. All expatriate officers are required to give "on the job training" to their Basotho colleagues.In the Bechuanaland Protectorate localisation of the Administrative Service is dependent on two sources of appointment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress is being made in relation to the transfer of Francistown to the Bechuanaland Government; and when the transfer is likely to be completed.

There are no plans to transfer Francistown to the Bechuanaland Government. Local government is already in the hands of the Francistown and Tati Town township authorities, both of which are largely elected bodies. All land in the Francistown township is privately owned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the assertion of the Jordan delegate in the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly on 12th December, 1962, that while slavery was forbidden in the independent Arab States it was practised in the Arabian British Protectorates; and what steps have been taken to refute this allegation.

I am aware of the assertion by the Jordan delegate. The position in the Protectorate was described to the House by my right hon. Friend, the Leader of the House on 18th May, 1961, in answer to a Question by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made with the preparation of plans for a new capital for British Honduras.

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Abertillery (Mr. L1. Williams) on 7th February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give an assurance that he will not seek to amend the Malta Constitution in such a way as to diminish or prevent the right of any individual or body corporate in Malta from having the benefit of the safeguards at present provided by section 10 of the Constitution relating to deprivation of property without compensation.

I presume the hon. Member is referring to the situation that has arisen in the Malta Dockyard and I would draw his attention to Section 14 of the Malta Dockyard (Temporary Provision) Act, 1963, which gives access to the courts of Malta to any persons who claims compensation on the grounds that there has been a compulsory acquisition while the dockyard is being administered by the Council of Administration. A copy of the Act is being placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the volume of commercial work has increased in the dockyards in Malta since they were transferred to Bailey (Malta) Limited in 1959.

There has certainly been a significant increase. I am unable to give the figures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to revise the franchise in the Colony of Aden with a view to holding elections.

I am inquiring through the High Commissioner the intentions of the Aden Government, whose responsibility this is.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will reintroduce a postal service between the north-west of England and addresses in London and the southern counties, so that there may be reasonable certainty of the delivery of letters on the morning following posting.

I am sorry that, owing to the recent bad weather, the postal services between the North-West and London and the southern counties have not been working as well as they should in normal circumstances. We have done everything we can to maintain a reasonable service, and we shall try to get things back to normal as quickly as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General if a decision has yet been made to launch a British communications satellite programme.

Research and development work is of course going on, and exploratory discussions have been held with the United States and European administrations following the Commonwealth Conference on Satellite Communications held in London last spring. Our future policy is currently being considered and I hope that broad policy decisions will soon be taken.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the annual cost of mail deliveries on the mainland of Shetland.

Delivery from post offices on the mainland of Shetland to the addressees costs about £40,000.

asked the Postmaster-General how much it costs to produce postage stamps in Great Britain; how much is realised by the sales of them; and if he will give similar figures for the distinctive postage stamps for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Last year the cost of production of all postage stamps was about £250,000 and sales were about £105 million. Included in these figures are approximately £5,000 and £3½ million respectively for the distinctive stamps in Scotland and £1,000 and £¾ million respectively for the distinctive stamps in Northern Ireland.

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the fact that there are two television services giving an overall national service, and a third pending which will give similar coverage, what is his policy regarding the coverage to be given by future services; to what extent they will be required to give overall coverage; and to what extent it is proposed that more flexible use should be made of the many new frequencies becoming available on the very high frequency band, by permitting cover on a basis of majority of population.

I assume that my right hon. Friend has in mind that some frequencies might eventually be used to give some parts of the country a greater number of services than now envisaged. I will bear this idea in mind, but I cannot decide on the right coverage for possible fourth and subsequent television programmes until it has been decided what sort of services those are to be.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science whether he will set up an institute of industrial microbiology, within easy range of Edinburgh University, in view of the fact that so much of the British microbiological and allied expertise is already concentrated in the area.

No. My noble Friend is advised that an industrial microbiology team is best able to do effective work either in university laboratories or in those research institutions whose work is concerned with particular fields of industry where microbiological techniques might be applied.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what research he is conducting into the detection of pneumoconiosis.

Research into ways of improving established methods of detecting pneumoconiosis, such as tests of lung function and chest X-rays, is being undertaken by the Medical Research Council's Pneumoconiosis Research Unit as part of an extensive programme of research on diseases of the lungs due to airborne dusts.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science when he expects the Road Research Laboratory to complete its studies of various types of safety barrier.

The results of recently completed tests on three types of safety barriers are now being analysed and the Laboratory expects to issue a report within the next few months. Tests on three other types of barrier have been delayed by the recent bad weather and it is too soon to say when it will be possible to issue a report on these.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science how much was spent in 1962 on official research into the causation of emotional sickness.

The term "emotional sickness" has no precise medical significance, but conditions to which the term might be attached are studied within general programmes of research on mental illness. Figures for the Medical Research Council's expenditure in this field were given in my reply to the hon. Member for Carlisle (Dr. D. Johnson) on 25th January.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he is satisfied that mental health research in general, and research into the problem of schizophrenia in particular, is not being hampered by shortage of finance and the lack of adequate research facilities.

My reply of 25th January to the hon. Member for Carlisle (Dr. D. Johnson) showed that the expenditure of the Medical Research Council on mental health has increased considerably in recent years. My noble Friend is satisfied that the Council is taking every opportunity to promote new and promising lines of study in this field.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what approaches have been made to Her Majesty's Government for the supply of plutonium by the United Kingdom or through Euratom, to France.

The Euratom Supply Agency, acting on behalf of the French Atomic Energy Commission, is negotiating to buy from the Atomic Energy Authority the plutonium needed to make the first charge for the experimental fast reactor which the French are building in association with Euratom. A contract for the sale of the first half of the charge is expected to be signed shortly. The material will be supplied under the Co-operation Agreement of 1959 between the United Kingdom and Euratom which contains guarantees that it will not be used for military purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why Her Majesty's Government have not given consideration to the introduction of more uniform and consistent accounting methods, periods and classifications, required for company reports, the reports of public bodies, taxation, and statistical purposes, by the Treasury, the Board of Inland Revenue, the Board of Trade and other Government Departments, in view of the simplification and opportunities for increased efficiency this would provide inside and outside Government.

The implication in the Question that these points have not been considered by the Government is incorrect. Uniform accounting methods would no doubt simplify the collection of statistics but it is necessary to consider other aspects as well. Circumstances vary so widely between businesses that no one basis of accounting is equally suitable for all types of business, nor even for all undertakings within a particular trade or industry. The imposition of any single standard would therefore have serious drawbacks for individual firms. If all businesses had to make up their accounts for the same financial year there would be a very heavy peak load for accountants and auditors, and this would result in delays in the publication of accounts. So far as public bodies are concerned, there is already a good deal of uniformity in the accounts of the nationalised industries and consideration is being given to the possibility of making further improvements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider making supplementary arrangements for the remission of Income Tax, Surtax and Estate Duty up to certain limits on contributions to charity and church funds.

My right hon. Friend will consider this suggestion along with other suggestions for changes in the taxation system which he is receiving.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what ad valorem percentage duty would have to be charged on imported solutions of alkyd resins in order to produce the same revenue as if 2s. 9d. per gallon duty were charged on the white spirit content alone, assuming that the average hydro carbon oil content of imported consignments is 36·2 per cent. and that the specific gravity of the oil is 0·79 and what is the actual rate of duty charged.

As the hon. Member has not stated a value for his hypothetical imported alkyd resin solutions, I regret that I cannot assess the hypothetical rate of duty which he requires. The actual current rate is 5½ per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further consideration has been given to the siting in Durham of the additional premises required for the Royal Mint.

Consideration of the need for additional premises for the Royal Mint must await decisions on the recommendations in the Report of Lord Halsbury's Committee. I hope that this Report will be available by the Summer Recess.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the total expenditure, in 1961–62 and 1962–63, respectively, on all forms of betting, gaming and gambling in the United Kingdom, including pools, horse and greyhound racing, bets in betting shops, fixed-odds betting, chemin-defer, faro, and bingo; and whether he will publish detailed figures in an appropriate form.

In 1961–62, the turnover was £92·1 million on football and similar pools, £61·4 million on dog racecourse totalisators and £32·9 million on horserace totalisators. There is no firm basis for estimating the turnover on other forms of betting and gaming.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that the introduction of the Purchase Tax Consolidation Bill does not indicate that he has concluded his main reforms in this field of taxation.

The object of a Consolidation Bill is to consolidate the existing law on a subject, and the introduction of such a Bill has no bearing either way on the possibility of future legislation on that subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that Her Majesty's Stationery Office uses better gum on House of Commons envelopes.

The gum used on House of Commons envelopes is of the same high quality as that used in 1958 when the Select Committee on Publications and Debates Reports stated that the quality of the gumming was

"in every way as good as the best commercial products and properly used should give every satisfaction".

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average annual revenue during the last three financial years from the purchase tax on cartridges.

I regret that this information is not available, since traders are not required to furnish information about the goods to which their tax payments relate. It is therefore not as a rule possible to say what is the yield of tax from specialised articles.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he is giving to the raising of the income limit for dependent relative allowance, in view of the proposed national retirement pension increases.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Horncastle (Sir J. Maitland) on 4th February.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he is giving to raising the age exemption limit for Income Tax purposes, in view of the proposed national retirement pension increases.

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion but I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the importance of commercial and educational stationery to commerce and education; and if he will consider reducing Purchase Tax on it when drafting his Budget.

I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget decisions.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what schemes for the clearance of derelict sites in development districts are now being carried out under the Local Employment Act; and what further schemes he proposes to start.

Four schemes have been completed by local authorities in development districts and one has started. In addition 13 schemes have been approved for the authorities concerned to carry out. I would repeat, what I have stated in the House on several occasions, that my right hon. Friend and I would welcome the submission of more schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an interdepartmental committee of inquiry to investigate the difficulties arising out of the recent severe weather and, having regard to the experience of other countries, to suggest how the difficulties can be minimised in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a committee to investigate the effects of the harsh weather of the last seven weeks upon the life of the nation, and to recommend what steps should be taken to minimise loss and damage if similar weather occurs in future years.

I would refer hon. Members to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on 31st January.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the areas which still have licensing planning committees under the Licensing Act, 1953, he has taken off the list in the last three months.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a further statement about the appointment of the Departmental Committee on jury service.

I am glad to be able to inform the House that Lord Morris of Borth-y-Gest has accepted my invitation to serve as Chairman of a Committee with the following terms of reference:

"To inquire into the law and practice in England and Wales regarding the qualifications for, exemptions from, and conditions of jury service, and related matters; and to make recommendations".

asked the Minister of Health how many invalid tricycles are on issue to paraplegic miners in Nottinghamshire; and how many are in the Mansfield division.

asked the Minister of Health how many invalid tricycles are now on issue to paraplegic miners in the Bolsover area.

asked the Minister of Health how many invalid tricycles are now on issue to paraplegic miners in the Rather Valley division.

asked the Minister of Health how many invalid tricycles are now on issue to paraplegic miners in the Chester-le-Street area.

asked the Minister of Health how many invalid tricycles are now on issue to paraplegic miners in the Consett division.

asked the Minister of Health how many invalid tricycles are now on issue to paraplegic miners in the Don Valley area.

asked the Minister of Health how many invalid tricycles are now on issue to paraplegic miners in Durham; and how many are in the Blaydon area.

asked the Minister of Health how many invalid tricycles are now on issue to paraplegic miners in the Houghton-le-Spring division.

asked the Minister of Health how many invalid tricycles are now on issue to paraplegic miners in Derbyshire; and how many are in the North-East division.

asked the Minister of Health how many invalid tricycles are now on issue to paraplegic miners in the Hemsworth division.

asked the Minister of Health how many invalid tricycles are now on issue to paraplegic miners; how many are in Yorkshire; and how many are in the Dearne Valley area.

asked the Minister of Health how many invalid tricycles are now on issue to paraplegic miners; and how many of these are located in Wales.

asked the Minister of Health how many invalid tricycles are now on issue to paraplegic miners in the Durham Parliamentary division.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health how many juveniles aged 15 to 18 years are employed in the National Health Service; and what proportion attend day-release classes.

I regret this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health how many two-seater cars have been issued to replace single-seater tricycles issued to disabled Service men; and how many remain to be so treated.

1,463; thirty-five.

asked the Minister of Health what proposals he has for relieving the pressure on hospital beds by providing more welfare homes for old people, at present in hospital geriatric wards but who are only in need of some nursing care.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the plans for the development of the local authority health and welfare services, which I shall be laying before Parliament later in the Session.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many civil servants are employed in his Department now, compared with 10 years ago.

The figures are as follow:

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how much has been spent on capital improvements in his Department in the last 10 years, with a view to saving manpower and increasing efficiency.

£163,000 have been spent on office machinery for the Ministry of Public Building and Works in the last 10 years. An automatic data processing system is to be installed shortly at an estimated cost of £670,000, including expenditure on equipment and planning, £245,000 of this have already been spent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total amount of home-grown barley sold and delivered between 1st July and 31st October, 1962.

According to the returns which the Ministry receives from registered buyers of barley, the figure for England and Wales was about 1,133,000 tons.