asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what progress has been made in respect of the proposals for mitigating the nuisance caused by emissions from the Leicester Power Station.

As the load on the station is reduced in the warmer weather improvements will be made to the existing precipitators in the course of maintenance and overhaul. Major proposals for increasing the capacity of the precipitators are still being worked out with the contractors.

Is the Minister aware that I am getting constant complaints about the filthy conditions suffered by houses in my area and adjoining areas as a result of this shocking fall-out of grit? Is he relying on warmer weather coming to us? Why cannot he do something about it during the cold weather?

I do not think the hon. Member expects me to do anything about that. I can assure him that the district alkali inspector is in close touch with the management and local authority in this case. Substantial improvements are planned for the coming spring and summer and preliminary work has been already started upon them. He must appreciate that this is an old power station and this apparatus has to be tailor-made to power stations. That takes a long time.

In view of the very unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice that I propose to raise this matter as soon as possible on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when a decision will be reached on the development of the Monico site.

No fresh application for planning permission for the development of the Monico site has yet been made. Any such application will be for the London County Council's consideration as local planning authority in the first instance. I cannot therefore say when a decision will be reached.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is satisfied that Article 7 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order, 1959, lists all the necessary classes of development for prior advertisement; and if he will make a statement.

I think so. Moreover, quite apart from the statutory requirements, local planning authorities have been asked in Circular 21 of 1961 to review their arrangements for publicity for planning applications.

Is my hon. Friend aware that as Article 7 now stands it is quite possible for a local planning authority to authorise the erection of premises for heavy industry in a housing estate, adjacent to private houses, without the owners of those houses being aware that such an application is being considered? Surely that is not right?

I do not think this is a matter for Article 7. As my hon. Friend is aware, where the development is in conformity with the development plan publicity is already given and, where it is not, there is a procedure whereby if amenity is affected the matter is brought to the attention of my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps he is taking through the Alkali Inspectorate to prevent the emission of sulphur dioxide fumes.

In works registered under the Alkali Act in England and Wales the main problem is that of sulphur dioxide from major fuel combustion processes, for example at power stations. No practicable means of preventing sulphur dioxide emissions in such cases has yet been discovered. The Alkali Inspectorate's objective is therefore to secure the use of chimneys high enough to disperse the waste gases. This ensures that when the diluted emission reaches ground level the concentrations of sulphur oxides are below the threshold likely to cause harm.

As no way of preventing these emissions has yet been discovered, will the Joint Parliamentary Secretary take note of the recent statement by Dr. Lessing, a father figure in these matters, that more money should be spent on research into sulphur dioxide emissions? Could not the Government spend a few thousand pounds on that?

My right hon. Friend has had discussions with the gentleman whom the hon. Member has mentioned. I assure the hon. Member that the D.S.I.R. is currently experimenting in these matters and at the moment have a new dry process, but my information is that there is no sign of a breakthrough yet.

Has the hon. Gentleman noted that different heavy oils used for these purposes have different percentages of sulphur content and that the content in oil from the Middle East is particularly high? Would he consider whether some method of extracting a portion of the sulphur and putting a limit on the content in these oils could be achieved by regulations?

I understand that the supply of low sulphur oil is simply not adequate for the firing of all the oil-fired power stations, but this is a matter which has been considered and is being considered.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will make a statement on the problem of gypsies and other travellers in England and Wales resulting from the national survey; and what is being done to deal with this situation.

Since the surveys were made discussions have taken place with the county councils chiefly concerned and further progress has been made in deciding how many sites are needed and where they should be. My right hon. Friend and I hope to see several more sites available by next winter.

I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for that reply. While it can be accepted that some counties will be dragging their feet, will he say what his right hon. Friend is doing to see that counties that are dragging their feet are being forced to live up to their responsibilities?

The hon. Gentleman knows, I think, that we have no powers of enforcement, but I can assure him I am keeping a very close check on all the authorities concerned and, in the case of a very few laggards, I am doing my best to persuade them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the unsatisfactory situation for gypsies and other travellers within the boundaries of the Romsey and Stockbridge Rural District Council, what information he has received from the council regarding their proposals for dealing with this problem, in which many children are involved.

My right hon. Friend has received no information from the rural district council on this matter. I understand, however, that Hampshire County Council intends to establish hutted camps for gypsies and other travellers, and that it already has a site in mind for one of these camps, which will take people from the Romsey and Stockbridge rural district.

I thank the Hampshire County Council for what it is seeking to do, but is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a prominentlocal Conservative, who has spent over £500 trying to defend the interests of these people, says that they are being treated worse than animals? Does not he think it shocking that in Christian and democratic Britain the local rural district council can treat people as it has been doing for a long while? Would he not think that if we lived up to what we claim we should be in a much better position to criticise South Africa and other countries for the way in which they treat their outcasts?

As I have told the hon. Gentleman, I have had no information from the rural district council concerned, but I have been impressed with the particularly humane way in which the county council is intending to deal with this problem.

To ask the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, whether all local authorities have now removed turnstiles to lavatory accommodation; and if he will make a statement.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I ask what procedural redress is open to hon. Members like myself who tabled a Question almost identical with Question No. 11 on the Order Paper? I tabled my Question for 19th March. I withdrew it at the written request of the Parliamentary Secretary and on his written undertaking that he would inform me when he was ready to make a statement of Government policy so that I could table my Question again. Instead of honouring this pledge, he inspired the hon. Lady the Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) to table Question No. 11.

Would it suit the hon. Lady to seek guidance after Question Time so that we do not occupy the time now? I do not think that there is any hardship in that treatment.

Mr. Speaker, I wish that you give me the opportunity of explaining the matter, after Questions if you prefer it.

Certainly. We have the interests of other hon. Members to consider at the moment. I do not think that the hon. Lady suffers from not raising it now, compared with later.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he accepts the recommendations of the Sub-Committee on Water Charges set up by the Central Advisory Water Committee; and whether legislation will be introduced in the present Session of Parliament to deal with these matters.

My right hon. Friend is considering these recommendations and will make a statement in due course, but there is no prospect of legislation this session.

Since the report called attention to many anomalies, particularly in regard to commercial property, such as where shops are combined with flats, can the Minister hold out no hope of fairly immediate steps being taken to remove at least the worst injustices?

The difficulty here is that the report must be considered as a whole because some of the recommendations overlap. As soon as that has happened and my right hon. Friend has made a statement, a large part of the recommendations will no doubt be able to be put into effect by administrative action and need not wait for legislation. Legislation will be required in some cases.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether, in the light of statistical details now available, he still recommends local authorities, in accordance with his circular of 3rd December last, to proceed on the assumption that the general level of values in the new valuation lists will be maintained, despite the appeals that may be lodged against the new assessments.

The advice in the circular was:

"The possibility that new assessments will be challenged and reduced cannot be ignored in estimating the rate product for the purpose of making the rate. But the Minister would recommend local authorities to proceed on the assumption that the general level of values in the new lists will be maintained."

Does that answer reveal that this appeal procedure is going to be a solemn farce to millions of ratepapers who are thinking of appealing against their assessments? Why pretend that this appeal procedure is going to be of any value at all, if it is already known beforehand that it will not serve any useful purpose at all to the ratepayers?

The hon. Gentleman is permanently mischievous in his use of Question Time to mislead the public outside through the newspapers. In this case there is absolutely no reason to think that the appeal procedure will not, as always, be an effective safeguard for the citizen.

In order to prevent any inconsistency—

"Too long."

In order to prevent any inconsistency, will my right hon. Friend—[Interruption.] Perhaps my right hon. Friend will come a little nearer to me, then perhaps he will be able to hear. In order to prevent any inconsistency and so that no one shall be prejudiced by any appeals against valuation—[Interruption.]

Order. We will pass to the next Question.

On a point of order. In view of the completely unsatisfactory answer that I have just received, may I give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment?

That being the third time that notice has been given in the wrong form this afternoon, may I ask the House respectfully to adhere to the traditional formula?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will give details of the Committee set up to consider the impact of rates on different sections of the community; when he will ask it to report; and in what way help could be given in cases where the impact of new rates is likely to cause distress.

I recognise the urgency of the matter; but I cannot at present add anything to the reply which I gave my hon. Friend last Thursday.

While appreciating the Minister's courtesy in seeing a deputation and the fact that he has set up this Committee, does he agree that there are two problems; firstly, the long-term policy for rates as a whole and, secondly, some help for those who are in immediate distress because of this revaluation?

I think that we must first—and this affects both parts of my hon. Friends supplementary question—establish the facts, and that is what this Committee will do as urgently as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look again at the Committee's terms of reference? Is he not aware that it is quite impossible for real help to be given to ratepayers unless he looks at the question of shifting a great deal of the burden now placed upon them?

The terms of reference have not yet been settled. They are being discussed now with the local authority associations.

Will my right hon. Friend consider, when the facts have been found, using his powers set out in paragraph 15 of the White Paper "Revaluation for Rates"—Cmnd. 1663 last year—to assist areas which are especially hard hit?

I really cannot give my hon. Friend much encouragement. No case has come to the Government's notice of a shift of the burden, due to revaluation alone, that has come up anything near to the level where action was envisaged by the Government when they brought forward their White Paper.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that revaluation has worked out much as was expected and that, overall, this rating problem is a long-term one and not merely one of revaluation? In view of that—and I welcome the setting up of this Committee—will my right hon. Friend consider extending this to cover the whole aspect of the rating problem in regard to the long-term consequences?

If I wanted, as it were, to escape by setting up a committee to study all sorts of things which the Government already know about, I would do that. It seems to me that the Government know the trend of expenditure and that, therefore, what we need to know before formulating our future rating policy is the impact of rates as they are after revaluation on the individual ratepayer. That is why we are limiting this inquiry to that purpose.

While it is true that the amount paid in rates has not gone up, as a result of revaluation alone, by 30 per cent. or so in a whole area, is it not true that it has done so for a good many individuals in a great many areas? Is it not particularly that problem at which the Minister must look?

It is quite true that by putting all the rate valuations back on to a common and consistent basis—namely, current market values—the distortions that have crept in over the years, when different groups of ratepayers had different valuations and different amounts of derating, are getting ironed out. That is why I have set up this inquiry.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is satisfied with the response of the local authorities to the advice he gave them on the need for economy in framing their estimates for next year; and if he will make a statement.

It will be some time before a close estimate can be made of the increase in total rate call but such information as I have indicates that for local authorities as a whole the increase is not out of scale with the increases of recent years.

Has my right hon. Friend observed that Fareham Urban District Council has raised its rate by something like 5s. 3d. over and above the previous years on similar scales? Although much of this may be attributed by the council to the extra £100,000 claimed by the county, this demand is falling on a population almost entirely composed of pensioners and people on fixed incomes. Does not my right hon. Friend think, in view of the simmering revolt that is now already becoming apparent, some urgent action is needed by way of intervention to protect these people, such as either a measure of derating or some action by way of rate deficiency grant? [HON. MEMBERS "Too long."] My question was very short in view of the importance of the matter.

The effect of rates on the householder depends on a combination of a rising rate call and revaluation. It is to judge what that impact is and to see whether anything needs to be done in the future that the Government have set up the Committee of Inquiry which will be beginning its action urgently.

In view of what the right hon. Gentleman has said, will the inquiry also go into the general incidence of rates and the possibility of shifting the burden of rates from the original payer to other people?

The inquiry is only entitled to look at facts. It will be for the Government to judge whether any action is necessary.

Does my right hon. Friend's action imply that there is a chance of relief for these over-hard-pressed people should the findings of the inquiry establish that?

There can be no chance whatsoever of any result occurring this year, without any prejudice to what might happen in the future.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that the progressive removal from counties of large centres of urban population, with their high rateable value and economic services, is causing increasing hardship to country ratepayers; and if he will therefore refuse county borough status to towns which fall short of an average county in population.

Under the Local Government Act, 1958, I must consider any proposals for creating new county boroughs on their merits. Population is only one of a number of the considerations to be taken into account. But I can assure my hon. friend that I would not accept such a proposal without first satisfying myself as to the possible consequences to the county.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the inordinate rate burden now imposed on county districts where in some cases even elementary public services do not yet exist? How are they to be provided? What solution has he for the difficulties?

These are the areas that in most cases receive rate deficiency grant to help them, but I can repeat that no county borough will be created without the Government satisfying themselves of the effect on the county concerned.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how much money will accrue to the Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Council by the rerating of industry.

I estimate that industry in the city will pay about £199,000 more in rates in 1963–64 than they would have done had there been no revaluation or rerating and about £380,000 more than if the revaluation had been carried out but derating retained.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs which local authorities have been advised to refrain from prosecutions for the breach of smokeless zone regulations because of the unavailability of supplies of smokeless fuels; and which local authorities have applied for the suspension of smoke control orders for this reason.

A few local authorities have been so advised in response to informal telephone inquiries, but the details have not been recorded. My right hon. Friend has made suspension orders on the application of Dartford Borough Council and Northfleet Urban District Council. No other application is before him.

Is it not regrettable that a highly commendable scheme is falling into disrepute because of these actions? Would it not be better if no further smokeless zones were created until adequate supplies proved to be available throughout the country?

I do not think that we would wish to insure to the extent of underwriting the risks of a winter such as we have recently had. However, I think my hon. Friend will agree that smokeless zone regulations, like everything else, must be administrated with common sense; and I am satisfied that local authorities are doing so.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware that during the last 10 years 11,600 people in this country have been drowned; and if he will take steps to give publicity to the dangers of boating and swimming by inexperienced persons in the sea and in rivers.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the figures. Publicity on this subject is best undertaken by organisations such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, and we welcome its national water safety campaign.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that insufficient is being done? Does he know that one-third of the figures represent young people, boys and girls? Will not he have further consultations with the National Water Safety Campaign Committee and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents to ensure that more publicity—more than is being done now—is given to prevent the loss of life?

The local authorities concerned with beaches and rivers are very conscious of their responsibilities and are doing what they can, but we will certainly bear in mind the hon. Member's suggestion and consult with the people he has mentioned.

Does the hon. Gentleman not realise that insufficient is being done? Lives are being lost. Surely the Government should take over some of the responsibility and help local authorities and other organisations to reduce the number of lives lost through drowning?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has now been able to conclude arrangements for assistance to be granted to those buying pre-1919 houses through building societies.

I hope to make a statement on housing next month, and I would ask my hon. Friend to wait until then for an answer.

Will my right hon. Friend pay special attention to this question, which is important to a growing number of people?

Yes. Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say in what form he will make the statement? Will he make a statement, or shall we find a Question put down by one of his hon. Friends for a Written Answer?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will seek powers to enable him to put into full effect point 4 of the 12 Point Standard referred to in his Circular, 29/62.

Adequate powers already exist to enable an owner to obtain grant for putting in a hot water supply in his house for the first time. Grant is not, however, available towards the cost of replacement.

While I appreciate the difficulties that the Minister experiences in these cases, would he not agree, as he has indicated to me by correspondence, that there is a deficiency there? Would he be prepared to look at this matter with a view to ensuring that the stated target of the Government is achieved?

Yes, Sir. The difficulty is that under the standard grants the provisions do not allow for an apportionment where there is a supply of water for one of the points. Under the discretionary grants there is provision for apportionment. I can tell the hon. Gentleman that we intend to put right the defect in the standard grants as soon as the opportunity arises.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will now take steps to ensure that the minimum height of the rooms of all local authority houses of the future shall not be less than eight feet.

No, Sir.

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that this a rather disappointing reply? Is he not aware that the Government of which he is a member has promised to increase the standard of living to twice what it is today? If that is so, why is it that the Government are building houses to last sixty years and reducing the standards of building, and will he tell the House how many houses are being built with rooms 7ft. 6 ins. high and how many of these he intends to build in the future?

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman does not expect me to have the figures to hand? I can assure him that the difference between 7 ft. 6 ins. and 8ft. for a ceiling of a house does not represent a lowering of the standard of living. This is the standard that is adopted throughout the greater part of southern England. There are good reasons why this should be adopted as the standard, and particularly good reason why we should go for standardisation in the North.

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what was the nature of his reply to the letter of 13th March from Councillor J. O'Neil, of Bristol, with reference to his request for a stay of completion on the sale of 102 acres at Whitchurch Airport by the Bristol City Council which are required for the building of houses by the council; and, in view of the fact that this is the only large plot of land remaining for this purpose, and of the strong opposition within the council to the sale, if he will withhold permission for the development of this land until further information is available.

Councillor O'Neil was told that I cannot correspond with councillors on matters which have been the subject of a decision by the council as a whole. The council do not need my authority to dispose of this land and it is their responsibility to ensure that they have enough land for their housing programme.

Is the Minister aware that when the question of selling these 102 acres came before the Committee it was carried by one vote? Notice was given to rescind that immediately. It then came before the council of 104 members and it was carried by five votes and notice to rescind was given then. Is the Minister aware that quite shortly Labour will have a majority in the council of Bristol and that in this case the selling of this land is to prevent the Labour Party doing what they think is the right thing? They are selling it now to speculators who will charge extortionate ground rents which the people of Bristol will have to pay Cannot the Minister do something about it?

Be all that as it may, the decision is still up to the council.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will introduce legislation to enable local authorities to amend or abolish rent rebate schemes, if this is the wish of their citizens, without risk surcharge on councillors.

No, Sir. The risk of surcharge does not arise from abolition of the scheme as such but from reducing the rents of council tenants, at the expense of the ratepayers, without financial justification.

Does the Minister agree that the question whether there is financial justification or not is an arguable question, one of opinion, and that it is riot really suitable for investigation by the district auditor or the courts? What is in issue is the fair distribution of the cost of housing between council tenants and the whole body of citizens. Ought we not to create a situation in which the whole body of citizens can declare what they think is right and their view of the matter be put into effect?

Let us be clear about this. The Housing Act, 1957, requires local authorities to review their rents from time to time and make such changes, either of rents generally or of particular rents and rebates, if any, as circumstances may require. The courts have construed that obligation as a duty on authorities to hold the balance between ratepayers and council tenants. A surcharge might therefore be made if a council so amended its scheme that rents, apparently well within the means of tenants—in that they had been paying them for some time without difficulty—were reduced and a consequent deficit in the housing account had to be made up from the rates. It might then be the duty of the district auditor to make a surcharge, from which there would be the normal means of appeal.

The Minister says, "rents apparently well within the means of tenants". Apparently to whom? If a rent rebate scheme with certain scales of rents for tenants has been in force and is very heatedly discussed at a municipal election and a group of councillors are returned to power mainly because the citizens as a whole want those rents reduced, ought not the Minister then to have the power to reduce them and not be prevented from so doing against the wish of the citizens who have elected it by the action—

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, has a Private Member no protection against the inordinate loquacity of the Labour Front Bench?

Further to that point of order.

I do not think that it was a point of order. What happens is that everybody knows that it is a good thing to have short supplementary questions. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] Everybody knows that any effort to shorten them on an inquiry of that kind usually takes up still more time.

The fact is that a Statute does sometimes lay on authorities, as in this case, a duty to carry out action in a way that has to be judged by an outside person, in this case the district auditor.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister of Welsh Affiairs whether he will obtain information from local authorities as to the extent to which they use their powers to grant loans to persons wishing to buy their own homes; and what steps he will take to encourage them to make full use of these powers.

Most local authorities make use of these powers and figures of the total amounts lent are published quarterly in the Housing Return.

rose—

Oh, dear.

Is there any way in which hon. Members asking questions can be protected from the bombasts of the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Sir G. Nabarro)?

The hon. Gentleman is addressing me. I have nothing to add to what I said just now.

I am obliged, Mr. Speaker. Is the Minister satisfied that full use is being made of these powers and would he consider urging local authorities to make fuller use of them?

Twelve hundred out of 1,500 local authorities are using these powers, or did last year, lending a total sum of £84 million. While there may be some who could do more, I think that in general most local authorities are using these powers.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware that 30·5 per cent. of London dwellings have no bath, and 36·6 per cent. have no hot-water tap; and what action he is taking, within the limits of his responsibility, to remedy this state of affairs.

The figures quoted by the hon. Member relate not to dwellings but to households, 22·8 per cent. of which consist of single persons. Nevertheless, I recognise that a serious problem remains to be solved. In part this will be achieved by the measures for new housing outlined in the recent White Paper on London. As regards existing housing, I have been urging local authorities to step up the rate of improvement by intensive publicity and initiating schemes of area improvement. In addition, I am considering what further steps might be taken to get more improvements carried out with the aid of grant.

Does not this horrible state of affairs show up in all its grimness the failure of Tory housing policies since 1951? Does the right hon. Gentleman really think that in the short time left to him as Minister of Housing and Local Government he is going to effect any real improvement in this shocking state of affairs?

Improvement is going on the whole time, and since 1951 the shortage of accommodation for Londoners has been slashed by the Tory Government and greatly improved conditions for Londoners are available today, though we have a great deal further to go.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is his estimate of the number of essential workers with low incomes in the Greater London area who need council house accommodation to solve their housing problem; and what is the total number of council houses which have been built in the London area to meet this need.

I am unable to make any such estimate. But, in the recent White Paper, I estimated that about half a million new dwellings will be needed for Greater London—for all purposes—over the next ten years. The proposed survey of existing housing will provide further information about how housing needs in London are being met. There are at present about 520,000 council houses in Greater London.

If the Minister does not know how many workers have to live in London in order to keep its services and machinery going, is it not completely unfair and misleading to suggest that they can find accommodation in even a greatly increased stock of council houses? How can the right hon. Gentleman know this if he does not have the figures?

The hon. Lady fails to realise that rent-paying capacity is rising the whole while so that, therefore, the choice is open to more and more people. Secondly, the number of people who have to work in London will be and is being constantly altered both by economic factors and Government policy. Thus it would be possible to make only vague estimates of need. We know there is a real need and we are trying to go on filling it.

But, with respect, we do not know the difference between the workers who have to be here and those who can be moved out? That is the whole point.

We know that the workers who must be here want better housing; and that is why we are getting on with the job.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many towns from which branch lines are to be withdrawn under the railway reorganisation scheme have been considered by his Department as sites for new or expanded towns to take overspill and industry from congested conurbations.

I do not think it would be profitable to attempt to relate to the present proposals the very large number of towns which have been considered in this way. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport said in his statement to the House on 27th March, however, the Government will, in considering the proposals, pay special regard to the long-term requirements of particular areas, including those arising from planned movements of population and industry.

Since many of the towns on the list are eminently suitable for expansion, which would lead to a need and demand for rail, goods and passenger services, can the right hon. Gentleman say what continuing consultation there is between the various Departments on this question?

As the hon. Lady knows, my Department is preparing regional surveys on which the regional plans will be based. As a result of that, I am able to consult with my right hon. Friend about the implications for any towns involved in ample time before decisions are made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent he estimates the United Kingdom balance of payments is likely to improve in the next two years as a result of the breakdown of the Brussels negotiations.

I have no reason to think that our balance of payments would have deteriorated in the next two years if the Brussels negotiations had been successful. It follows that I do not look for an improvement as a result of the breakdown.

As the National Institute estimated a prospective improvement of between £70 million and £100 million a year, why cannot the Treasury make at least a similar estimate? Is this not the sort of thing the public is entitled to know?

Of course, we make our own estimates. I can only tell the right hon. Gentleman that the best estimate we can make is that we did not look for an improvement as a result of the breakdown, bearing in mind that his Question referred specifically—for reasons I can well understand—to the next two years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what contribution in lieu of rates was made last year to Dorset County Council on behalf of the installations and premises occupied by the Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force and of other Crown property; and to what extent this contribution will be increased to keep in step with the revaluation.

Approximately £215,000. The properties in question will be revalued in 1963–64, and contributions for that year will be paid on the new values.

Is my hon. Friend aware that practically the whole of the industry in Dorset is concentrated on Crown lands, such as Winfrith Heath, and that through the lack of private enterprise industry the rate burden has increased in Dorset county more than in any other administrative county on the mainland? For example, in the Wimborne and Cranbourne area, the increase has been as high as 56 per cent. Can my hon. Friend say whether in future Crown lands will bear their fair share of the county rate expenditure?

Yes. Crown lands will bear their share, and I recognise the importance of this matter to those people who live in Dorset. But, as I say, the revaluation has not yet taken place, but although it will take place in the next financial year contributions for that year will be paid on the new values.

Can the hon. Gentleman indicate what legislation he proposes to introduce to ensure that Crown lands do bear their fair proportion?

I do not think that any legislation is necessary. I know of no case in which it has been seriously suggested that Crown lands do not bear their proper proportion of rates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost, in the case of people over 65 years of age, of extending the Income Tax personal allowances for single people from £140 to £250, and for married people from £240 to £400.

The cost would be of the order of £60 million.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in my constituency, and elsewhere, there are a number of people living on very limited pensions and private savings who are very hard hit? Will he bear their case especially in mind?

Obviously, I cannot anticipate the Budget, but, even at this late hour, I shall take note of what my hon. Friend says.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent proposals have been made to him for compensating retailers for losses incurred on stocks held by them when Purchase Tax reductions are made; and what action he proposes to take.

The only specific proposal has been that the tax difference should be credited on deliveries in a period of one month up to the date of the reduction. Proposals on these lines were fully considered, and rejected, by the Hutton Committee in 1953. The answer to the second part of the Question is None, Sir.

Is it not quite unjust that retailers should continue to suffer losses in the way outlined in the Question? Is it not possible at least to have a limited scheme applicable to durable consumer goods, which can easily be traced through their serial numbers?

I do not think so. This is a very difficult problem, and when I was Economic Secretary I looked into it myself. The hon. Gentleman will recognise that the Hutton Committee, which considered it some years ago, was an independent committee and tried to find some way of solving the difficulty, but failed to do so.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this is a real problem, which hits people such as small chemists in villages quite hard? It seems most unjust that a very small village shopkeeper should lose, say, a couple of hundred £s because of administrative difficulties.

I recognise the hardship that is caused when Purchase Tax is reduced. On the other hand, I should point out to my hon. Friend that, as I understand it, the pharmacists' proposal was specifically considered by the Hutton Committee—which turned it down and advised against its adoption.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the consultations he has had following the presentations made to him by the hon. Member for Ripon on the fact that the 1963 valuation of the Leeds City Waterworks undertaking in the Wharfedale Rural District Council area is lower than the 1956 valuation in the parishes of Askwith, Blubberhouses, Fewston, Lindley, Newall, Timble Great and Weston.

As a result of the discussion which I had with my hon. Friend, I am making further inquiries. They are not yet complete. When they are, I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what special circumstances the cost of travelling to and from a place of employment is allowed tax relief.

In general, no tax relief is due for the cost of travelling to and from work. But there are special provisions in Section 159, Income Tax Act, 1952, under which a deduction of up to £10 a year can be claimed by an employee who incurs additional travelling expenses because his place of work or residence changed through circumstances connected with the war of 1939–45.

Is the Financial Secretary aware that millions of productive workers—those who produce the country's wealth—cannot claim a penny towards their travelling expenses between their homes and their places of employment? Is it not about time that this House respected those millions of people who are, in the main, helping to keep us in our jobs and paying us? Is it not time that we gave them the right to claim expenses?

I well remember debating this very matter at some length during the course of last year's Finance Bill, but I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would not expect me, 24 hours before the Budget, to debate it again now.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to provide more accountability to the House of Commons by the nationalised industries.

No, Sir. The Government are satisfied that present arrangements provide sufficient accountability.

Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that the nationalised industries, particularly the railways, have squandered thousands of pounds on capital ventures that have later been abandoned? Will he have investigations made into the preparation of railway sidings near Leeds, costing thousands of pounds, only for the scheme to be abandoned?

I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport would be only too pleased to consider the criticism that the hon. Gentleman has made.

Is the Financial Secretary aware that I cannot put the Question to the Minister of Transport?

But the hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that he is able to write to my right hon. Friend who, I am sure, would be happy to look into the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that the Index of Retail Prices rose by 2½ per cent. in 1962 against 4½ per cent., 2½ per cent. and nil in the three preceding years, to what extent it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to accept some degree of inflation as inevitable; what new steps are to be taken to control it; and if he will make a statement.

I would ask my hon. Friend to await my right hon. Friend's Budget statement tomorrow.

Is there any real hope—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—that the real savings of the most responsible section of our people will be safeguarded against further inflation?

The Question on the Order Paper raises major issues of economic and financial policy. My hon. Friend is a patient and understanding man and will hardly expect me to satisfy his request for a statement at this time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sum of money is derived from the Purchase Tax on replacement valves for radio sets and television sets, respectively.

Replacement valves supplied free under guarantee are not chargeable with Purchase Tax. The revenue from other replacement valves is currently about £1½ million a year, but I regret that it is not possible to divide this figure between radio and television sets.

Can my hon. Friend tell me why spare parts for these forms of equipment should be charged Purchase Tax when, for instance, sparking plugs and spare parts for cars are not so charged?

If my hon. Friend will put down a specific Question on that point, or will write to me, I will do my best to answer him.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what are the reasons for the delay in submitting the salary proposals for university teachers to the National Incomes Commission; when the submission is to be made; and what are the terms of reference.

The terms of reference for the review of remuneration of academic staff in universities and colleges of advanced technology were sent to the National Incomes Commission on 29th March and are published in full in today's issue of the London Gazette.

Will the hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that this reference, which, one might say, was made in the nick of time, will not result in any further delay in the implementation of the recommendations and that, for instance, they will not be held up to await the Report of the Robbins Committee? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the universities have already had a raw deal from Her Majesty's Government and that they are extremely anxious that there should be no further delay?

I cannot accept all that the hon. Lady says, but I realise, and the National Incomes Commission fully realises, the importance of completing the review with as much speed as is compatible with doing it thoroughly.

asked the Prime Minister if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the committees of inquiry into social and economic matters including pay, appointed during the five years since 1958, naming in each case the chairman of each commission or committee, the length of time it took to report, the total number of members and the number of Members of Parliament.

Yes, Sir.

Is the Prime Minister aware that a very considerable length of time elapses from the setting up of these commissions and their coming to decisions, and the time when the Government accept or refuse to accept those decisions? Will he say what he proposes to do about the jury system, which is accepted to be an anomaly? What does he propose to do between the time when the commission sits and when it comes to its findings in some way to remedy the situation that prevails?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will study the Answer, which is very long, and then put any particular questions on it to me in due course.