asked the Minister of Defense what length of radar warning of missiles, launched from submarines in the North Sea against V-bomber bases in Britain, is assumed as the basis of British defense measures; and whether this is sufficient to allow V-bombers to act as a second-strike weapon.

What radar warning we could get would depend on a number of variables such as how far away the submarines were and the trajectory of the missiles. We are aware of the difficulties to which the hon. Member refers, and I can assure him they cannot prevent retaliatory action by the V-bombers in the event of a nuclear attack on this country.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what proportion of the work of refit and modernisation of warships, fleet auxiliaries and other ships belonging to the Royal Navy is now being dealt with by the Royal Dockyards, and by commercial shipyards, respectively.

The proportion of refit and modernisation work in commercial yards at present is approximately 7 per cent. of the total.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how many new warships are at present under construction in the Royal Dockyards; and how many more will be laid down in the course of the next year.

Two "Oberon" class submarines and two "Leander" class frigates are at present under construction in the Royal Dockyards. It is intended that one of the three "Leander" class frigates of the 1963–64 programme will go to Devonport subject to the quotation of an acceptable price.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what is the naval and civilian complement, respectively, for the aerodrome at Lee-on-Solent; and for what duties are the two members of the Women's Royal Naval Service shown in the scheme of complement.

The airfield at Lee-on-Solent is operated by civilian contract. The aircraft—a communications squadron—are, with the exception of the Admiral's personal flight, maintained by a complement of 39 Admiralty civilians. Six ratings are provided in complement for the maintenance of the Admiral's personal flight, and one for general ground duties.In addition to the normal complement of H.M.S. "Ariel", two W.R.N.S. air mechanics are serving there temporarily on normal naval duties, pending their allocation elsewhere.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty for what purposes and for how long the V.I.P. helicopter at Lee-on-Solent was loaned to Southern Television; what fee was paid for its use; and what action was taken to ensure that, in the event of an accident, no claim was made on public funds.

On two occasions this year helicopters from Lee-on-Solent have carried Southern Television representatives.Firstly, on 8th May a Whirlwind with a naval cameraman on board was flown to H.M. Submarine "Grampus" at sea to photograph a winching operation. There was a spare seat available in this helicopter and in the interests of publicity the spare seat was given to a Southern Television cameraman. There was no extra cost because the helicopter was on naval duty, and no charge was made. The Southern Television representative was given a ticket which made it quite clear that in the event of an accident no claim could be made on public funds.Secondly, a representative of Southern Television engaged in filming the Portsmouth area for the programme "Day by Day" was carried on a 40-minute flight in a Whirlwind on the 29th May. He was given the form of ticket which I have referred to above.In accordance with normal practice, when publicity advantages accrue to the Royal Navy, no charge was made having regard also to the continuation flying training value for the pilot.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the reasons why the V.I.P. helicopter at Lee-on-Solent is used as a taxi for trips to H.M.S. "Vernon", Portsmouth; what is the cost of these trips; and why normal road transport is not used for this purpose.

There is no air taxi service operated between Lee-on-Solent and H.M.S. "Vernon". There have, however, been four helicopter flights this year between H.M.S. "Vernon" and more distant destinations, including a rendezvous at sea.

asked the Secretary of State for War into which regiments and corps, grammar school boys are not commissioned; and what are the governing considerations.

Grammar school boys may be commissioned into any regiments or corps.

asked the Secretary of State for War why he has refused to back-date the disability pension of Mr. Sloan of Newcastle to 27th May. 1935, when he first applied for a pension, in view of his statement in a letter to the hon. Member for Central Newcastle that Mr. Sloan's condition was aggravated by his Army service.

A disability pension is intended for the current maintenance of a pensioner. If a claim for such a pension is established after a soldier's discharge the pension is normally paid from the date of the claim; and this was done in the case of Mr. Sloan

asked the Secretary of State for War what special tests are given to officers, non-commissioned officers and other ranks before they are allocated to duties directly concerned with guided missiles.

Officers, non-commissioned officers and other ranks are allocated to duties concerned with guided weapons in accordance with the requirements of the Service, their particular aptitudes and their personal preference. There are no special tests.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the recent incidents at 36th Guided Missile Regiment, British Army of the Rhine.

On the night of 8th June, 1963, there was a disturbance in a dance hall in Duisburg. It is alleged that a warrant officer, two non-commissioned officers and a soldier who tried to stop the disturbance were attacked. The civil police were called in to help and seven soldiers were arrested. They are being held in arrest until investigations are completed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now make a statement on the inquiry conducted into Major Cory's court martial.

I regret that the inquiry which my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor and I are conducting into the case of Major Cory is not yet complete, and I am therefore not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the efforts made by the Department of Speech Education and Speech Therapy of Aberdeen Corporation to teach the value of drama, clear articulation, fluency and self-confidence in speech, despite the absence of appropriate examinations and the emphasis on written as distinct from spoken English; and if he will support their efforts by authorising O level tests in spoken English in the schools under his jurisdiction.

Yes, and I greatly welcome efforts of this sort to improve the standard of spoken English in the schools, but I do not think it would be practicable to try to test this in the examination for the Scottish Certificate of Education.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the limited medical services which Caithness and Sutherland enjoy, he will now authorise the payment of fares to and from distant hospitals where patients have to go for treatment, or alternatively provide motor transport from door to door and return.

No. Under existing arrangements payment of travelling expenses can be made where hardship is shown. Where an ambulance is required on medical grounds, transport is already provided at no cost to the patient. For long distances, journeys by train with ambulances at each end are usually arranged, but ambulance transport from door to door is provided where there is medical need.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what his specific proposals are to remedy the shortage of good quality calves in Scotland.

I am not aware of any general shortage. The Government are encouraging in a number of ways the raising of calves suitable for beef, and specifically by means of the hill cow subsidy and the calf subsidy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate the stages over which in the next eight years it is intended to provide dual carriageways on the Glasgow-Greenock section of the trunk road A.8.

The Renfrew and Paisley bypass, which I hope to authorise before 1967, will replace 5¼ miles of the present trunk road. The remaining 7½ miles to Port Glasgow boundary, including a bypass of Bishopton, will probably be dealt with in two schemes, but I cannot yet say when these will be authorised.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to increase the supply of trained chiropodists.

The number of students in the two schools of chiropody in Scotland which run courses leading to recognised qualifications is rising. I do not think that any special steps are necessary at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many operations were carried out in 1962 in Scottish hospitals; how many patients suffered from post-operative sepsis; and how many patients died from causes attributable to this.

This information is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what new steps he will take to co-ordinate Government policy in order to provide further employment for development districts in Scotland.

Co-ordination of Government policy in this field is already secured by the existing arrangements for consultation between the Ministers and Departments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision is made in the estimation of hospital running costs for the replacement of furniture and equipment, and for the upkeep of accommodation.

Allocations are not made to regional hospital boards separately for individual items of revenue expenditure. It is estimated that in 1963–64 about £4 million will be spent on the replacement of furniture and equipment and on the upkeep of buildings.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hospital beds were available and fully staffed in December, 1962; and how many are expected to be available in December. 1963, for surgical, medical, obstetric and

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will appoint a small committee to inquire into conditions and standards of hygiene in operating theatres in Scottish hospitals.

No. I do not think that a committee would serve a useful purpose. Guidance has been given to hospital authorities as to the standards that should be observed. Forty-four new theatres have been built since 1948 and others have been improved.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will ensure that new hospitals built in Scotland will contain an isolation block for patients suffering from staphylococcal infection.

I am circulating the information below. Statistics are not collected at December so that while estimated figures for 31st December, 1963, are given, the actual figures for 1962 are as at 30th September.

All new hospitals will contain adequate provision for isolating patients suffering from infective conditions; the precise form of this accommodation will vary according to the needs of each hospital.

asked the Minister of Transport when he hopes to make a statement on the need to improve rural transport; and whether, as the result of the surveys he has recently conducted, he now proposes to implement the main recommendations of the Jack Committee Report.

I cannot make any statement on rural transport until I have studied the results of the special studies being made on my behalf. The analysis of the fieldwork of these is not yet complete.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will announce the Government's policy regarding the building of a Channel link.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made by the Anglo-French Joint Parliamentary Committee in preparing a report to the French and British Governments about the Channel Tunnel; whether he expects to make a statement before the Summer Recess; what further consideration he has given to the procedure to be followed after the report is in his hands; and to what extent this report will be treated as confidential.

The Anglo-French Official Group are in the process of completing the English and French texts for the joint report. On the procedure to be followed when I have the report and on the eventual policy to be adopted, I cannot yet add anything to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Sir W. Teeling) on 3rd April this year.

asked the Minister of Transport how many A and B licences have been revoked in the Northern Area in the last five years; and how many A and B licences have been revoked or suspended in the rest of the country in the same period.

In the five years up to 30th September, 1962, there were 16 revocations and 15 suspensions in the Northern Area; and 41 revocations and 145 suspensions in the rest of the country.

asked the Minister of Transport what modification he has made in his policy of employing former mobile traffic control police officers as traffic and driving examiners; and for what reasons.

None. Driving and traffic examiners are recruited through open competitions conducted by the Civil Service Commission, who select those applicants with the necessary qualifications who appear most suited for the posts. No preference is given to any category of applicant, but an appreciable number of former police officers apply for these posts, and many have been successful. There has been no change in this policy.

asked the Minister of Transport what special provisions he has made for co-ordinating road and rail transport for the movement of livestock.

I am not aware of the need for any such special provisions on my part.

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of construction of a bridge across the Humber near Barton-on-Humber, including in the estimate the necessary approach roads from Booth ferry Road on the Yorkshire side to and from Brigg Road on the Lincolnshire side.

The Humber Bridge Board would be the highway authority for this project. They estimated in 1959 that a high-level bridge and its approach roads would cost about £16 million. I understand the Board is preparing an up-to-date estimate.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that by the end of this year the completion of motorways will have averaged not more than 60 miles a year since the first length was opened to traffic, if he will indicate in detail the steps he proposes to take to complete 1,000 miles by the early 1970's.

The funds devoted to the road programme and to motorways in it have been substantially increased each year. We shall complete a further 62½ miles of M.6 and the remaining 13 miles of the Medway motorway this year. Within my current 5-year programme, which gives priority to work on the motorways included in my five major projects, construction is under way on the Severn Bridge, Chiswick-Langley, and Newport bypass sections of M.4 on the River Trent Structures and Crick-Mark-field section of M.1, on the Preston-Lancaster section ofM.6, and on the Darlington and Port Talbot bypasses. Work is also expected to start shortly on the Midland Link motorway, on further sections of M.4 in Wales and Gloucestershire, on the extensions of M.1 northwards and into London, and on a further length of M.5. Other schemes are included in the current 5-year plan and projected for the years to follow. It is too early to give details as these will largely depend on progress with the statutory processes and the exact funds provided by Parliament each year.

asked the Minister of Transport why he disagrees with the recommendations of the Berkshire County Council and the Windsor Rural District Council as to the type of pedestrian crossing required in Straight Road, Old Windsor; and when he expects to make a decision, in view of the heavy traffic on this road.

I have explained my reasons in a letter sent to my hon. Friend yesterday. I now understand that there is a possibility that a small scheme to widen part of Straight Road and to install central refuges, and so facilitate crossing of the road, will be carried out in the current financial year.

asked the Minister of Transport how much of the increased cost of the M.6 is due to the difficulties encountered at Waltons Wood.

About £600,000.

asked the Minister of Transport why the difficulties arising from unstable ground at Waltons Wood, encountered in the construction of the M.6, were not foreseen; and why a more thorough geological survey had not been undertaken.

Because of the nature of the ground at Waltons Wood a more detailed soil survey than usual was made, including extra boreholes, and additional precautions were embodied in the motorway design. Difficulties during construction revealed the need for further detailed investigation and extra work, but it would be uneconomic to carry out investigations on this scale as a matter of routine during preliminary surveys.

asked the Minister of Labour how many apprentices will become redundant with the closure of Barry and Staines linoleum factory in Kirkcaldy in July; and what proposals he has for completing their training.

Eight. Seven have been placed with other employers to continue their training. The remaining apprentice has had several offers but has not yet been placed.

asked the Lord Privy Seal on how many days the Committee of Eighteen Nations on Disarmament have met in Geneva during 1963; on what day they last adjourned; and when it is proposed that they should re-assemble.

The Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament held fifty-two meetings this year. It adjourned its last session on Friday, 21st June and is due to reconvene on 30th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps he intends to take to remove the cause of the complaints, sent to him by the hon. Member for Don Valley, from residents of the village of Blaxton regarding the disturbance of rest and the annoyance caused by jet aircraft flying low over their houses.

I greatly regret the disturbance caused to the residents of Blaxton. The village is very near the V-bomber base at Finningley and aircraft inevitably fly low over it when using the airfield. The disturbance on the night of 11th–12th June was caused by a combination of circumstances about which I shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the

The following is the information:

asked the First Secretary of State if he is yet in a position to state the personnel and terms of reference of the Committee of Inquiry which he proposes to set up under the chairmanship of Lord Heyworth into the question of research in the social sciences; and in what way its terms of reference will apply to Scotland as distinct from England, having regard to the differences in law, nomenclature and otherwise between Scotland and England.

In my right hon. Friend's absence, I have been asked to reply.As already announced, the Chairman of the Committee will be Lord Heyworth. The other members will be:Mr. Noel Annan.Professor C. F. Carter.Professor Sir Austin Bradford Hill.Dame Mary Smieton.Professor Charles Wilson.The terms of reference are:"To review the research at present being done in the field of social studies in Government Departments, Universities and other institutions, and to advise whether changes are needed in the arrangements for supporting and co-ordinating this research."It is the intention that the Committee's investigation should cover social studies in Scotland as well as in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on whose instructions Dr. Stephen Ward was prevented from identifying portraits painted by him while on remand in Brixton Prison; and what is the reason for the refusal;(2) what are the regulations governing the business relations of persons on remand in Her Majesty's prisons.

Prison standing orders provide that a prisoner may not conduct his business from prison. Dr. Ward's literary agent brought to Brixton Prison a number of sketches by Dr. Ward and also a number of photographs, and sought permission for Dr. Ward to identify them with a view to their publication, with captions, in a book. In accordance with the standing order to which I have referred, permission was refused.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the action which has been taken by the Metropolitan Police in respect of an organisation calling itself Direct Action for Abortion Law Reform.

Inquiries are being made with a view to establishing the identity of the authors and distributors of a pamphlet purporting to be issued by this organisation.

asked the Minister of Power what changes are envisaged in the nuclear power programme for the Central Electricity Generating Board; and what is the anticipated effect upon the consortia engaged in the present programme.

No changes are envisaged.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will list the promotions to senior appointments carrying salaries over £2,650 per annum, which have been made in his Department since 1st April; and how many of these promotions were of staff previously employed in the Ministry of Works, the War Office, Admiralty and Air Ministry, respectively.

Four such promotions have been made since 1st April. They include three former members of the Ministry of Public Building and Works: a principal promoted to assistant secretary, a statistician to chief statistician, a superintending architect to assistant chief architect. One former member of the War Department staff has been promoted from senior architect to superintending architect.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many staff of the grade of senior mechanical and electrical engineer, and above, stationed at Chessington have been posted from there since 1st April, 1963, or are now under notice of posting.

One officer in the directing grade was posted, on an exchange basis, on 1st April, 1963. One officer in the superintending grade is under notice to move on 1st July, 1963. In addition, it is planned to move two officers in the senior grade at an early date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the pre- ference on bananas, which was maintained until 30th September, 1963, for the former Southern Cameroons, is to be terminated on that date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state Her Majesty's Government's intentions concerning the continuation of the preference on bananas imported from West Cameroon after 30th September next.

When announcing on 26th June, 1962, the decision to name West Cameroon as part of the preference area my right hon. Friend said that it was the Government's present intention that this arrangement should not be maintained beyond 30th September. 1963.This matter has now been most carefully reviewed and the Government have decided that West Cameroon should not remain in the preference area after 30th September. A draft Order in Council under Section 2(5) of the Import Duties Act, 1958, which, if approved, would give effect to this decision, will shortly be laid before each House of Parliament