asked the Secretary of State for Air what savings will be effected in 1963–64 and in subsequent years by the disbanding of the Thor missile squadrons.

£1·5 million in 1963–64, leading to full savings of £4–5 million in subsequent years.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when it is intended to dismantle and remove the Thor missiles from the base at North Pickenham, Norfolk; when the Royal Air Force will vacate the site; and if he will state the future use of this base.

On present plans the Thor missiles at North Pickenham will be dismantled and removed by the end of this year. As there will then be no further Royal Air Force requirement for the station arrangements will be made for its disposal under the normal procedure.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in the future, it is intended to use the V-bomber force in a tactical capacity.

The V-bomber force will continue to provide the British strategic nuclear deterrent as explained in my Air Estimates Memorandum. Valiant squadrons will continue to be assigned to SACEUR in the tactical rôle in accordance with the arrangements which have already been in force for some years. The force can, of course, be used either with nuclear or conventional weapons for a wide variety of tasks.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement on the provision of Blue Steel for Bomber Command.

Blue Steel is now in operational service with Vulcans of Bomber Command and Victor aircraft will be equipped with it later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will bring up to date the details of the Royal Air Force Transport Force contained in the Memorandum to the Air Estimates, 1961–62, Cmnd. 1292, and also set out the aircraft ordered for this force together with the estimated delivery dates.

Up to date figures are 23 Britannias, 11 Comets, 48 Hastings, 28 Beverleys, 12 Valettas, 30 Argosies, 12 Pioneers, 27 Twin Pioneers, 4 Pembrokes, 26 Whirlwinds, 10 Sycamores and 18 Belvederes. As to future orders and deliveries, I would refer the hon. Member to the information given in this year's Air Estimates Memorandum.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what was the cost of the Vulcan Mk. II jet bomber of 617 Squadron which carried the Blue Steel supersonic flying bomb at a demonstration flight on 14th February; what was the cost of the missiles it carried; what it cost to train the various members of the bomber's crew; and what is their weekly pay.

A Vulcan Mk. II bomber costs about £1 million. It would not be in the public interest to quote the cost of the Blue Steel missile. Specialist training for a Vulcan bomber crew of 5 costs about £190,000 and their weekly pay would total about £140, excluding allowances and other benefits.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received respecting placing of lighting standards on kerbs; and whether he will take steps to see that all lighting standards are placed on the inner side of footpaths.

Very few. It is normal practice to place lighting columns clear of carriageways and in new installations the columns are now usually placed at the back of the footpath if possible. This is the practice my right hon. Friend follows for trunk roads, to which alone his powers extend.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that adequate roads are built to towns like Bridport, recently cut off except by rail for many days, before their branch lines are closed.

This is one of the matters to which my right hon. Friend will pay special attention when considering whether to consent to the closure of a branch line.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has now considered the views of the highway authorities on the proposal about the future of Marlow Bridge; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, and we are about to put to them revised proposals which I trust will be fully acceptable. Before doing so we have consulted the various interested bodies, as my right hon. Friend promised in his reply to my hon. Friend on 7th March, 1962.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of local concern about the proposal of Northumberland County Council to demolish residential and commercial property in High Street, Gosforth, with a residual life of 50 years; and whether, in view of local concern about the expense involved and the depreciation of property values, he will re-align the A.1 road so as to by-pass the centre of Gosforth and avoid destruction of the shopping centre.

We have no plans for diverting the present road. These town redevelopment proposals have been put forward by the County Council for local discussion. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government told the hon. Member on 5th February, there will be opportunities for objections to be heard before any decision is taken on the proposals if submitted.

asked the Minister of Transport when he now estimates that this country will have 1,000 miles of motorway.

It is still our aim to complete 1,000 miles of motorway by the early 1970s. I cannot be more precise at this stage.

asked the Minister of Transport what kind and number of snow clearing machines are available for the counties of Wales and Monmouthshire for trunk roads; how many were manufactured during the last 10 years; and if he is satisfied that up-to-date machinery is available to meet abnormal falls of snow outside the motorways.

In maintaining trunk roads as agent authorities county councils rely primarily on their own plant and vehicles but these are supplemented by Ministry-owned plant. I am circulating below the information asked for. The present resources are adequate for clearing trunk roads in normal winters but recent abnormal weather produced great difficulties in Wales and Monmouthshire, as elsewhere. It is not always possible to provide for abnormal conditions but we are reviewing our experience this winter to see how far we can improve our arrangements.

Main equipment owned by counties—302 snow ploughs; 6 snow blowers.

Ministry owned plant—45 (35) snow ploughs; 82 (7) salt or grit spreading trailers.

The number of Ministry vehicles over 10 years old is shown in brackets.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will issue a circular to all local authorities advising them to prepare plans to deal effectively in future cold spells with the clearing of snow-blocked roads.

I am having a review made of experience in dealing with snow and ice on highways during the last few weeks to see what improvements can be made for the future. We will consider, in the light of this review, whether it is necessary to give any further advice to local authorities to supplement the technical guidance given to them last autumn. I should hope, however, that all local authorities will review their arrangements in the light of this year's experience.

asked the Minister of Transport what plan he has for the development of the section of the A.19 road between Sheraton Road End and Cold Hesledon in County Durham.

I have at present no plans beyond those mentioned in the Answer of 28th November to my right hon. Friend and the right hon. Member. The possibility of further accelerating the road programme in the North-East generally is however now being considered in the light of the review which my noble Friend the Lord President of the Council is carrying out.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the present position relating to the Leicestershire portion of the London-Yorkshire motorway; and what special provisions he has made for the immediate speeding up of the construction of this road and the roads leading to it, particularly in view of the unemployment situation.

Twenty-six miles of this motorway are already under construction or due to start very shortly. Tenders have just been received for advance bridgeworks at the crossing of the River Trent, and we are about to invite tenders for the remaining 12½ miles of roadworks in Leicestershire. Such improvements as are required on the roads leading to the motorway are either under way or are being prepared as fast as is practicable.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has to speed up the construction of the Eastern Bypass at Cardiff.

asked the Minister of Transport what reply he has made to the Cardiff City Council asking him to give permission for work to go ahead on the the building of Eastern Avenue, Cardiff, in view of Her Majesty's Government's decision to authorise further road schemes.

For a scheme of this size, there is a great deal of preparatory work which is bound to take a substantial time. Discussions are proceeding between my department and the Cardiff City Council on the layout of the scheme and we are awaiting the council's recommendations. These must precede the making of the further Orders needed, the acquisiton of land and rehousing. When the construction work will start is difficult to say at this stage, but I am sure that the right thing is to get ahead with essential preparations. I am replying to this effect to the city council.

asked the Minister of Transport to what extent it is his policy to encourage the use of reflectorised material for lane-markings, particularly at hazards on rural trunk and classified roads.

I do not at present recommend the use of reflectorised material alone for lane markings on roads of high traffic importance because it is less satisfactory in wet weather than reflective road studs, or "cats eyes". The Committee on Traffic Signs under Sir Walter Worboys is, however, considering the whole question of road markings and I await its recommendations.

asked the Minister of Transport to what extent he is encouraging the use of reflectorised material to mark the edge of the carriageways on trunk and classified rural roads; and whether, on the latter, the use of this material qualifies for the appropriate grant if used.

I recognise the need for better marking of the edge of carriageways on rural roads, but there is a need for further experiment before we can decide which is the most satisfactory marking. Any approved marking would qualify for grant.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he has taken to resolve the situation arising from the unwillingness of the Corporation of London to give permission to the borough of Leyton to dig trial holes on Epping Forest land in respect of a proposed roundabout thoroughfare at the Green Man Junction, Leyton.

My officials have discussed this problem with the City officials and I am glad to say that permission to dig bore holes has now been granted.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that parking of cars has now been permitted outside No. 1 Bridge Street during meetings of the National Economic Development Council, whereas previously members of the public, Members' of Parliament secretaries and others engaged on Parliamentary duties had been prohibited from parking there, if he will take steps to permit car parking in this area.

I understand that the police did not object to parking in Bridge Street on a recent Sunday, when traffic conditions were quiet. Parking is not prohibited by regulation on Sundays but the laws relating to obstruction apply. I do not feel able to alter the waiting restrictions between 8.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. on weekdays, when traffic is busy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the dangerous structure of the bridge over the Dutch River at Rawcliffe; and whether he will hasten the building of a new bridge capable of carrying bus traffic.

This bridge is owned by the British Waterways Board and carries a Class III road for which the West Riding County Council are the highway authority. It is designed to carry loads up to 5 tons and an Order made under the Road Traffic Acts prohibits its use by heavier vehicles. It would be for the county council to initiate a scheme for its replacement by a bridge suitable for heavier loads.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he intends to make an order under Section 11 (1) of the Road Traffic Acts 1960 and 1962, increasing the permitted speed through Kempsey, Worcestershire, to 40 miles an hour.

I have given public notice of this intention. I am now considering the objections received.

asked the Minister of Transport what he is doing to tidy up and keep in order the strips of land on the north side of Talgarth Road, London, which were acquired under compulsory powers by his Department.

This land was acquired by the London County Council for their part of the Cromwell Road Extension. They are responsible for it and I understand that plans for its development are well advanced. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Secretary has already stated in another place that I should be willing to pay grant towards the cost of laying out any small remnants of land that cannot be developed and are thrown into the highway.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will investigate the traffic conditions at Hillingdon Circus, Western Avenue, Middlesex, in order to provide better facilities for pedestrians.

I arranged for traffic conditions at this junction to be investigated recently. Various possible measures to help pedestrians are now being considered.

asked the Minister of Transport what advice he gives, under the Road Traffic Acts, to local authorities seeking powers to ban the parking of heavy road vehicles in residential streets.

Local authorities have power under the Road Traffic Act, 1960, to do this on roads outside the London Traffic Area without reference to me. This is essentially a local problem and I have not thought it necessary to give them general advice on the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport why sanction has been refused for the construction of a dual carriageway on the ring road between Durham Road and Northern Avenue. Stockton-on-Tees, when the need for it has been accepted in principle, the local authority is anxious to proceed, and the work would provide relief to high and growing unemployment.

This scheme is among those which I have specially brought forward in the road programme to help employment in the North East. A single carriageway will be adequate for the traffic for some years. I am anxious for work to begin as soon as possible and I am awaiting engineering details for a single carriageway scheme from the Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he proposes to take to reduce personal injury in road accidents from broken glass.

This matter is already controlled by the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations. These require all motor vehicles to have safety glass for the windscreen and other front facing windows, and those registered after 1958 to have it for all windows of passenger vehicles and for windows beside the driver in goods vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will include in his published statistics the make and type of vehicle involved in road accidents.

No. I am not satisfied that the publication of this information would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Transport what tests he intends to introduce, in the interests of road safety, to assess whether or not a driver can see the road clearly when driving a vehicle in the hours of darkness with side and rear lights only.

We would not favour any tests which might encourage drivers, however good their vision, to rely on the use only of sidelights where street lighting is inferior or does not exist. In such conditions by far the best safeguard is the use of dipped headlights, and we encourage this at every possible opportunity.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the rising potential danger of sulphur pollution from public service and other vehicles powered by diesel engines which discharge their exhaust gases at ground level, he will take steps to ensure that diesel fuels should not contain more than a prescribed maximum sulphur content.

No. According to the evidence available to me the amount of sulphur in the atmosphere derived from diesel vehicles is small in comparison with that derived from domestic and industrial fires and no effects on health have yet been demonstrated. The sulphur content of diesel fuel for road vehicles in this country has been substantially reduced in recent years with a view to increasing engine life. Any further reduction would increase the price of the fuel appreciably.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the number of persons now awaiting driving tests, and the fact that the delay will affect the ability of the motor car industry to dispose of their output, he will now evolve some special arrangements to obtain the necessary temporary staff to deal with the situation.

No. Recruitment of temporary staff would only interfere with the recruitment of about 100 additional examiners which the Civil Service Commissioners now have in hand for us, and with the training of these examiners. It would not increase the rate at which new examiners become available to conduct tests.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the postponements of driving tests caused by the recent bad weather, he will arrange for tests to be conducted on Sundays.

No. This would impose an unreasonable additional strain on my Examiners. Moreover, the volume of traffic on Sundays is generally insufficient for a proper and adequate test to be conducted.

asked the Minister of Transport, in how many cases the result of courts of inquiry held under the Highways Act, 1959, have still to be announced; and how many of these have been outstanding for more than three, six, nine, or 12 months, respectively.

Out of a total of 90 inquiries held under the Highways Act, 1959, decisions are outstanding in 29 cases. The answer to the second part of the Question is 5, 3, 1 and 1.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce compulsory annual tests of roadworthiness for Commercial vehicles.

Goods vehicles under 30 cwt. unladen weight which are six years old or more already come within the scheme for annual roadworthiness tests. I am now considering what measures are desirable in relation to heavier vehicles. All goods vehicles are subject to inspection by my staff of vehicle examiners.

asked the Minister of Transport what facilities are available for training graduate students in highway and traffic engineering; and whether he is satisfied that they are adequate for present and anticipated needs.

When my Department made inquiries just over a year ago there were post-graduate courses in highway and traffic engineering at the Universities of Birmingham, Durham and London, and at the Royal College of Science and Technology, Glasgow. In the time available it has not been possible to find out whether any additional courses are being provided in this academic year. I am assured that the universities can provide post-graduate training for more engineers as they come forward; the need is to stimulate the demand.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give a general direction to the London Board to take its base-load power supplies from the Central Electricity Generating Board and to install only cheap stand-by plant for security purposes in order to reduce atmospheric pollution in the London area.

No. This is not an appropriate subject for a general direction. We are satisfied, in any case, as are the London Transport Board and their consultants, that the safe and efficient operation of London Transport's deep tube system requires an independent source of supply.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give a general direction to the Railways Board to complete expeditiously their schemes for the reconstruction and improvement of railway stations.

No. This is not an appropriate matter for a general direction.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction to the Railways Board to examine the comparable costs, revenue and practical working problems of maintaining two classes of passenger travel on the railway systems and of introducing one class with selective travel facilities made available between points and on services where a clear demand, economic operating and profitable revenue can be achieved.

No. This is a matter of management for which the Railways Board is entirely responsible.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the importance railways have proved to the life of the nation in the severe weather conditions, he will take steps to provide that no railway branch line may be closed except under the authority of a Statutory Instrument subject either to affirmative or negative procedure in Parliament.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will reconsider his policy on the closure of certain railway lines in view of experience gained this winter, when railways were the only means of access to some towns and villages.

The Transport Act, 1962, lays down the procedure to be followed in effecting railway closures. When considering whether to consent to a particular passenger closure, I shall examine all relevant information.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction to the Railways Board that the modernisation programme should include vacuum brake fitting of all revenue earning rolling stock within the next five years.

No. This is a matter on which any initiative should come from the management.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction to the British Railways Board not to withdraw any express trains from service until such time as the Board's review of the railways has been completed.

No. This is a matter of management for which the British Railways Board is responsible.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to receive from the Railways Board its report on the future size and shape of railways; and if he will publish the report in full.

I hope to receive the proposals shortly and to be able to make a statement about publication soon thereafter.

asked the Minister of Transport what conditions he made when authorising the closure of the Brecon to Moat Lane railway line regarding the provision of alternative road services between these places; what representations he has received from the St. Harmon, Radnorshire, parish council regarding these conditional requirements; and what reply he has sent.

I accepted the recommendation of the Transport Users Consultative Committee for Wales and Monmouthshire that the proposal to withdraw passenger services from the Brecon to Moat Lane railway line should be approved on condition that certain bus services were provided.The recent severe weather has prevented the alternative bus service from reaching the St. Harmon area, and the Parish Council have protested against the refusal to reopen the line in these circumstances. I shall reply to their letter very soon and will send the hon. Member a copy of this letter.

asked the Minister of Transport what practical training facilities exist for engineering staffs and seagoing personnel who will operate nuclear reactors in merchant ships.

When it is certain that British nuclear-powered merchant vessels are likely to come into service, I shall first take expert advice with regard to the operating requirements for the types of reactor which we have in mind. Thereafter the necessary regulations will be made, and the training facilities will be made available, in consultation with representatives of the bodies concerned, including employers and trade unions.

asked the Minister of Transport what considerations have led him to change his policy on the development of a nuclear-powered ship.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Portsmouth, West (Brigadier Clarke) on 15th February.

asked the Minister of Transport what consultations he has now had with the shipping and shipbuilding industries about the arrangements for building the first British nuclear ship, and the type of reactor to be employed in it.

I have had a meeting with the Chairman of the General Council of British Shipping and the President of the Shipbuilding Conference.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he is putting before the shipping industry concerning the construction and financing of a nuclear-propelled vessel; and, in view of his decision last year not to proceed with such a project, what steps he is taking to ensure that the new design is economically and technically sound; and whether he will make a statement.

I have no specific proposals to put to the shipping and shipbuilding industries at this stage. We have made the latest technical information available to them, and have asked for their reactions. As for the second part of the Question, technical soundness and estimates of cost are continually under assessment as development proceeds.

asked the Minister of Transport what is his policy with regard to the development of Tees Port.

My policy is to encourage the development of any port, including Tees Port, where this is justified by the requirements of trade and industry.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has now received from the Cunard Company regarding Government assistance for the building of a new trans-Atlantic passenger liner.

I have had a preliminary discussion with Cunard about their latest assessment of prospects on the North Atlantic, but I have no statement to make at present.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give a general direction to the Docks Board that they should improve the capacity of the ports serving the iron and steel industry.

I do not consider that such an exercise of my powers is either desirable or indeed necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the result of his consideration with the General Council of British Shipping about the use of flags of convenience.

I am in constant touch with the General Council of British Shipping on many subjects. But flags of convenience have not recently been discussed.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of unemployed persons in the Bilston, Coseley and Sedgley districts of Staffordshire on the latest available date; how many were 18 years of age and under; what were the corresponding figures for the previous year; and what factors have caused the increase.

The main increases in unemployment were in construction, non-electrical engineering and the metal industries. The following are the unemployment figures, including those temporarily stopped, for the Bilston Employment Exchange area, which includes Coseley, and the Dudley Employment Exchange area, which includes Sedgley:

		12th February, 1962		11th February, 1963
—		Total	Under 18	Total	Under 18
Bilston	…	662	22	1,426	114
Dudley	…	717	14	2,652	86

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the Shipbuilding Industry Working Party.

The Working Party on Industrial Relations in the Shipbuilding Industry has met seven times under the chairmanship of a senior official of my Department. Consideration has been given to plans for securing greater efficiency in the use of manpower and to arrangements for joint consultation at national and yard level. I am glad to say that progress is being made.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men, women and youths were recorded as being without work in each of the employment exchanges in Middlesex, on the latest date available; and how these figures compare with those twelve months ago.

NUMBER OF PEOPLE REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED IN MIDDLESEX
Employment Exchange Area		11th February, 1963					12th February, 1962
		Men	Women	Boys	Girls	Total	Men	Women	Boys	Girls	Total
Acton	…	449	76	16	7	548	242	79	7	7	335
Brentford	…	373	66	14	10	463	217	51	7	5	280
Ealing	…	797	205	36	26	1,064	395	120	25	8	548
Enfield	…	869	75	37	17	998	293	42	8	1	344
Feltham	…	290	58	17	13	378	141	43	17	11	212
Finchley	…	478	42	29	9	558	204	33	15	3	255
Harrow	…	1,205	234	94	26	1,559	484	171	52	17	724
Hayes	…	280	44	42	16	382	120	29	21	4	174
Hendon	…	479	91	74	29	673	297	83	27	8	415
Hounslow	…	431	71	20	10	532	283	52	20	8	363
Mill Hill	…	393	39	—	—	432	179	25	—	—	204
Ruislip	…	289	47	13	12	361	113	25	9	6	153
Southall	…	425	68	30	15	538	325	70	24	9	428
Staines	…	531	94	51	17	693	166	73	10	15	264
Tottenham	…	1,918	353	112	39	2,422	885	338	38	16	1,277
Uxbridge	…	494	33	42	16	585	124	34	21	9	188
Wembley	…	440	108	13	11	572	270	86	4	9	369
Willesden	…	2,207	628	72	34	2,941	1,137	542	39	45	1,763
Wood Green	…	1,260	321	45	24	1,650	527	265	30	24	846

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of unemployed persons in Wolverhampton on the latest available date; how many were 18 years of age and under; what were the corresponding figures for the previous year; and what factors have caused the increase.

On 11th February, 1963, 4,350 people, of whom 301 were under 18 years of age, were registered as unemployed at the Wolverhampton Employment Exchange, compared with 2,247 and 121 on 12th February, 1962. Two-thirds of the increase was in the construction industry. Most of these were temporarily stopped.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the abnormal volume of unemployment and consequent hardship in the area served by the Norwich Employment Exchange; and, in view of the absence of alternative employment in this area, if he will take special steps to alleviate hardship and provide employment.

I am aware of the increase over the last year, but more than half of this was amongst workers temporarily stopped who can be expected to return

The following is the information:to work as soon as the weather conditions improve.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present increase of registered unemployed, respectively, of men, women and young persons, in the borough of Leyton compared with a year ago; what are the main avocations of those unemployed; how many are temporarily unemployed; what percentage this represents; and to what extent the unemployment is due to prolonged adverse climatic conditions.

Figures are available only for the Leyton Employment Exchange area, in which the Borough of Leyton is situated. Between 12th February, 1962, and 11th February, 1963, the numbers of men, women and those under 18 registered as unemployed increased by 1,439, 126 and 63, respectively. Most of the unemployed are labourers or were last employed in the building or furniture trades. The number of temporarily stopped is 639 or 22 per cent. of the total unemployed. About half the increase in unemployment is thought to be due to the recent weather.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will publish a list of areas to the south of the North-East where unemployment exceeds 9 per cent. of the insured workers.

Yes. The following is the table:

AREAS IN REGIONS TO THE SOUTH OF THE NORTH-EAST WHERE THE RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT (INCLUDING THE TEMPORARILY STOPPED) EXCEEDED 9 PER CENT ON 11TH FEBRUARY, 1963.
Note: Places which form a travel-to-work area are bracketed.
Region	Employment Exchange Area
London & South Eastern	Herne Bay
	Whitstable
	Margate
	Sheerness
Eastern & Southern	Attleborough
	Aylsham
	North Walsham
	Clacton-on-Sea
	Cromer
	Downham Market
	Ely
	Swaffham
South Western	Brixham
	Camelford
	Falmouth
	Gunnislake
	Ilfracombe
	Penzance
Midlands	Bed worth
	Leominster
	Kington
Yorkshire & Lincolnshire	Bridlington
	Thorne
North Western	Hoylake
	Neston
	Up Holland
Wales	Amlwch
	Beaumaris
	Holyhead
	Llangefni
	Bangor
	Bethesda
	Caernarvon
	Penygroes
	Caerphilly
	Senghenydd
	Cardigan
	Corwen
	Llangollen
	Ferndale
	Tonypandy
	Treorchy
	Knighton
	Llandrindod Wells
	Lampeter
	Llandyssul
	Llandeilo
	Llandovery
	Milford Haven
	Monmouth
	Newtown
	Pembroke Dock
	Porthcawl
	Pontyclun
	Tonyrefail
	Portmadoc
	Pwllheli

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number and percentage of registered unemployed in the Stornoway area at the most recent count, and the number in each of the Islands of Barra, North and South Uist and Benbecula.

On 11th February, 1,668 or 30·1 per cent. and 117, 107, 170 and 36, respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that on 21st February his Department announced that the unemployed figure had risen by 63,257 to 878,356, and on 22nd February an announcement was made that the figure had actually risen to 932,939; what was the reason for this discrepancy; and whether he will make a statement.

There was no discrepancy and no correction. On 21st February my Department issued the usual announcement about the numbers unemployed on 11th February. This said, quite correctly, that the number "registered as unemployed in Great Britain" was 878,356; it also gave the separate figure for Northern Ireland of 54,583—a figure supplied by the Ministry of Labour and National Insurance for that country. The announcement was in the form which has been used for very many years.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of unemployed persons within the City of Stoke-on-Trent on the latest available date; what were the corresponding figures for 1960, 1961 and 1962; what factors have caused the increase; and if he will give the same information for the North Staffordshire area.

There were 5,927 workers registered as unemployed in the City of Stoke-on-Trent at 11th February; comparative figures for February, 1960, 1961 and 1962 were 3,322, 1,977 and 2,257 respectively; nearly two-thirds of the increase in unemployment between February, 1962, and February, 1963, was in construction, mainly due to the severe weather; about one-fifth of the increase was in the clay industries mainly pottery—and there were smaller increases in a wide number of other industries. Corresponding figures for the rest of North Staffordshire were 3,358, at 11th February, and 1,540, 1,044 and 1,105 respectively at the earlier dates; more than half of the increase over the past year was in construction; there was a fairly substantial increase in the clay industries and small increases in many other industries.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of hosiery workers registered as unemployed at the Sutton-in-Ashfield employment exchange on the latest date for which figures are available; and what was the number so registered 12 months earlier.

166 on 11th February, 1963, compared with 44 twelve months earlier.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of unemployed persons registered at the Sutton-in-Ashfield Employment Exchange at the latest date for which figures are available; and what was the number so registered 12 months earlier.

1,056 people on 11th February, 1963, compared with 433 twelve months earlier.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of hosiery workers registered as unemployed at employment exchanges in the Midlands region on the latest date for which figures are available; and what was the number so registered 12 and 24 months earlier.

At 14th January, 1963. 2,179 people whose last employment was in the hosiery and other knitted goods industry were unemployed in the Midlands region. The comparable figures for 12 and 24 months earlier are 857 and 831 respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour what provision his Department makes in its scheme of allowances to mature trainees in its training centres to cover costs unavoidably incurred in pursuing their course, such as text-books and examination fees.

At Government Training Centres and Residential Training Colleges text books are supplied on loan to trainees in those training trades where they are considered necessary for the proper completion of training and there is no need for trainees to buy their own. At Technical and Commercial Colleges trainees receive an allowance to cover the reasonable cost of text books and stationery. Examination fees are paid by my Department where the passing of an examination is necessary for obtaining employment in the training trade.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the amount of public money that has been spent over the years 1960, 1961 and 1962, to eradicate American tingle in the oyster beds of this country.

There has been no direct expenditure on eradication, but through the research work of the Ministry's Fisheries Laboratory, we have been able to tender helpful advice to oyster men on lessening damage to beds.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what concessions on Danish exports of agricultural products to the British market are being requested by the Danish Government as a condition of further tariff reductions in the European Free Trade Association; and what action Her Majesty's Government proposes to take to meet this request.

At their recent meeting the E.F.T.A. Ministers instructed the Permanent Representatives to prepare a detailed programme for speedier elimination of the remaining tariffs on industrial goods. Trade in agricultural products is also to be discussed, and Ministers will meet again in May to consider and decide upon the proposals prepared by the Permanent Representatives. In the meantime I cannot predict the outcome of our talks with Denmark.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will publish a further White Paper to explain the defence policy of Her Majesty's Government.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason) and to my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Williams) on Monday, 25th February.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether he will name the ships approved for disposal by scrapping and mentioned on page 37 of Command Paper No. 1936.

The names of the ships approved during 1962–63 for scrapping are:—

• Cruiser—H.M.S. "Bermuda".
• Destroyers—H.M. Ships "Jutland", "Vigo", "Cheviot", "Concord", "Obedient" and "Battleaxe".
• Frigates—H.M. Ships "Crane", "Ulysses" and "Guardian".
• Submarines—H.M. Submarines "Scotsman", "Tally Ho" and "Explorer".
• Controlled Minelayer—H.M.S. "Linnet".
• Coastal Minelayer—H.M.S. "Miner IV".
• Fast Minelayer—H.M.S. "Ariadne".

asked the Secretary of State for War why the 4th Independent Parachute Brigade Group Field Ambulance, T.A., is being moved from Birmingham; how many volunteers will no longer be able to utilise the training they have received; how many years of voluntary service will be lost by this decision; and what has been the cost of training the men of this unit.

The hon. Member was informed by letter on the 20th February of the reasons for this decision.The Parachute Engineer Squadron in Birmingham can accept as many volunteers as are suitable and willing to transfer. In addition, special arrangements have been made for up to ten noncommissioned officers and men to remain members of the Royal Army Medical Corps (T.A.) for about a year. I therefore expect the net loss of volunteers to be small. The average annual cost of a member of a unit of this sort is about £300. This figure does not however include the cost of providing aircraft for parachute training, which I regret cannot be readily identified.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a further statement in regard to the pension payable to a colonel's widow.

I regret that in reply to my hon. Friend's Question on the 13th February I said that the pension of a colonel's widow, with two children, who lost her husband on the 4th November, 1958, would be £684 18s. 10d., assuming that he retired in 1958 with maximum service. The correct figure is £647 4s. 10d.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers above the rank of brigadier are now serving; and how this compares with a year ago.

118 officers above the rank of brigadier are now serving in the Army. The number serving a year ago was also 118.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what progress has been made by official research into an organic moderated reactor for marine purposes.

Since 1961 no research sponsored by the Government has been carried out on an organic moderated reactor for marine purposes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what official research is being conducted into protective shielding of nuclear-powered vessels.

Work is being done on the most economic form of structural shielding to prevent damage to the reactor in the event of collision. These collision-barriers, which absorb the energy of the striking ship, are the subject of experimental work at the Naval Construction Research Establishment. A number of models have been made, some have been tested, and further tests are in progress. Designs are also being prepared to ensure that the reactor does not suffer damage in the event of the ship grounding. Nuclear shielding to give protection against ionising radiation follows the principles and methods adopted for land-based stations, but a special study has been commissioned to adapt these to the ship.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what precautionary measures are being taken to protect the public against an increase of Strontium 90 in diet.

Levels of strontium 90 remain well below the limits prescribed by the Medical Research Council. Nevertheless, as a long-term precaution, the Government have decided to set up an experimental pilot plant to examine the problems in the removal of strontium 90 from milk by an ion-exchange process. The Agricultural Research Council have accordingly arranged for a pilot plant to be designed and constructed at the National Institute for Research in Dairying at Shinfield, near Reading. Advantage will be taken of the results of the experimental work already conducted in the U.S.A.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how soon the Advisory Committee on Servicemen's Parliamentary candidatures will meet; how many individual applications for release have so far been referred to this committee; if its hearings will be open to the Press and public; and if he will take an early opportunity of reporting to Parliament on the results of this experiment.

The Advisory Committee intends to meet for the first time on Friday. Twenty persons have so far indicated their intention to submit applications, and all these will be referred to the Committee as soon as received. The Committee will meet in private. I will report to the House on the work of the Committee as soon as I usefully can.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide members of the Advisory Committee on Servicemen's Parliamentary candidatures with copies of HANSARD, Volume 672, Numbers 59 and 60.

This has already been done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has made further appointments to the Advisory Committee on Service Candidates since the announcement of the first names.

I am glad to say that further invitations to serve on the Committee have been accepted by Mr. Helenus Milmo, Q.C., Sir Allan Noble and Lord Shackleton.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Statement on Defence, 1963, contains only limited reference to Her Majesty's Government's policy on civil defence.

The Statement on Defence, 1963, follows the usual practice of including a short report on progress in carrying out the Government's civil defence policy.

asked the Minister of Aviation when he expects that the project study for the P.1154 will be completed.

By the end of next month.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many appeals were lodged by hospital boards of management against the valuation by the Treasury Valuer of hospital houses in Scotland between November, 1961, and now; and what was the outcome of these appeals.

Between 6th November 1961, and now 932 representations were received. Of the 377 received before that date 337 were still outstanding, making a total of 1,269 representations not dealt with at 6th November, 1961. The final outcome of these representations was as follows:

Existing valuations confirmed	…	965
Existing valuations increased	…	5
Existing valuations reduced	…	299
		1,269

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of the production of the latest Defence White Paper.

£2,563.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in drafting his Budget statement, he will bear in mind that the recommendations of Professor Jack's Committee on Rural Bus Services have not yet been implemented and that operators of unremunerative rural bus services still have to bear a tax on fuel oil amounting to a rate of 275 per cent.

The Committee on Rural Bus Services did not recommend a change in the tax on fuel, but I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on 12th February to the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what contributions have been made by the Development Commission, set up by the Development and Road Improvement Funds Acts of 1909 and 1910, to assist the provision of adequate public transport facilities in the rural areas of Great Britain.

The Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, removed the power to make advances from the Development Fund for the improvement of rural transport facilities; but in 1958, on the recommendation of the Development Commissioners, a special grant of £373 was made to the Northumberland Rural Community Council in aid of expenditure directly incurred by the Council on a factual inquiry undertaken during 1957, with the agreement of the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, into rural transport problems in mid-Northumberland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Intergovernmental Committee which was set up to work out the constitutional arrangements and safeguards under which North Borneo and Sarawak will join the new Federation of Malaysia has completed its work; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The Committee's Report is being published today in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Jesselton and has been published here as a Command Paper. The Report will be considered by the Legislatures of North Borneo and Sarawak in the next few weeks.

asked the Minister of Education (1) how much of the £55 million school building programme for 1964–65 is allocated for the reorganisation of all-age schools;(2) how much of the £55 million school building programme for 1964–65 is allocated to meet requirements for new places;(3) what provision is made for primary schools in the 1964–65 school building programme;

Estimated costs of new projects so far included in the major school building programme for 1964–65 may be analysed as follows:

£ million
——	Primary	Secondary	Total
New school places	12·8	12·0	24·8
Reorganisation of all-age schools	—	9·9	9·9
Improvements and replacements	0·6	6·8*	7·4
	13·4	28·7	42·1†
*This includes improvements in science facilities.
†The difference between this figure and £55 million, the minimum estimated cost of projects to be started in 1964–65, is due to a number of factors: some reserve is kept back for contingencies; the details of all authorities' programmes are not yet finally settled; and authorisations for earlier programmes have allowed for the fact that not all work authorised will start in the year in question.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why he is permitting land formerly part of Hornchurch Royal Air Force station to be developed privately in view of the need of land for housing by the Hornchurch Urban District Council.

I have not yet made any decision relating to this land. Three planning applications which were referred to me recently by the Essex County Council are now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how much of the increase in the Dorset county rate poundage for 1963 is due to the effect of the recent re-valuation of property in Dorset, or to other causes not due to increased expenditure by Dorset County; and what proportion of the total increase is represented by the increase due to the causes above mentioned, as opposed to the county's increased expenditure.

I understand that the county rate for 1963–64 is 7s. 9d. in the £ as compared with 18s. 8d. for 1962–63 and that the council estimate that the additional amount required in rates is equivalent to an increase of 2s. 5d. in the £ on 1962–63 values. The best estimate I can make is that about 8d. of this increase, or 28 per cent. is attributable to reductions in the county's percentage of rate-deficiency grant and share of general grants as a result of revaluation.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will withdraw Steel Economy Bulletin No. 1, which was issued by his Department in 1952, in view of the fact that constructional steel is no longer in short supply.

I welcome the opportunity to make it clear that in so far as this Bulletin was issued at a time when there was an acute shortage of steel it is no longer relevant to present conditions. Designers should feel free to pay full attention to the possibilities of the use of steel-work in construction.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will give a provisional forecast about the prospects for summer herring fishing in the Minch waters.

The annual Scottish herring forecast will be published shortly. I am advised that prospects for the Minch summer fishery are better than for some years past, mainly because of the entry into the fishery of the good 1960 year class.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many betting shop licences have been applied for in Scotland under the Betting and Gaming Act; how many have been granted; how many of the applications were granted only after appeal;

—	Number of Applications	Applications Granted by Licensing Court	Applications Granted on Appeal	Applications Rejected by Licensing Court	Rejections by Licensing Court Confirmed on Appeal
1st March, 1961 to 31st May, 1961:
New Licences	1,680	1,502	19	178	12
1st June, 1961 to31stMay, 1962:
New Licences	674	529	26	110	18
Renewals	1,654	1,524		35
Detailed figures are contained in the reports laid before the House in 1961 and 1962.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give a provisional forecast about availability and size of haddock in the Isle of Lewis area this year.

I am advised that the haddock of the north-west of Scotland consist mostly of fish migrating from the North Sea after they first reach maturity. There was a succession of poor broods in the years immediately preceding 1961 and the better 1961 year class, which should begin to enter the North Sea fishery this year, is not likely to appear in strength off the north-west coast this year. Accordingly the availability and size of haddock in the Isle of Lewis area this year are likely to be much the same as in the last year or two.

Year			City of Stoke-on-Trent		North Staffordshire (including Stoke-on-Trent)
			Number of Schemes	Estimated Employment	Number of Schemes	Estimated Employment
1960	…	…	27	453	19	516
1961	…	…	18	238	10	1,476
1962	…	…	9	112	11	415

Over a third of the schemes were for expansion in the Bricks, Pottery Glass and Cement group of industries; the remainder were spread over a wide range of industries, in particular Engineering,

The available figures relating to betting office licences are:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the number of approaches his Department received during the years 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1963, respectively, to erect new industrial establishments or extensions within the City of Stoke-on-Trent, and North Staffordshire, respectively, giving the type of production proposed, the numbers that would have been employed and the number of extensions and new concerns allowed within the same areas.

The numbers of industrial development certificates issued and the jobs likely to arise in the three years ended 31st December, 1962, were:Metal Manufacture, Textiles and Food and Drink Industries. I regret that the other information asked for by the hon. Member is not readily available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if it is still the policy of Her Majesty's Government to encourage London-based firms to move to Bletchley; and what are the limits as to the number of firms, and number of men, who might be so transferred from London to Bletchley.

No. The number of jobs in prospect from industrial projects already approved and still to be completed in Bletchley is likely to be adequate for the needs of the present overspill scheme. I shall, however, keep the situation under review.