asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what conclusions have been reached in respect of the recent discussions on financial and other problems arising from the projected Malaysian Federation.

I am at present having talks in London with Malayan and Singapore Ministers and with the Sultan of Brunei. When these are completed, I will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that the application of the Norman Cross Rural District Council for a sewerage scheme for the villages of Wansford, Stibbington, Waternewton and Elton is now several years old and

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will

Part of the scheme was approved in June; the complete information needed for the purpose having been received only in May. Final details of the other part were received only this week. They have been examined as a matter of urgency and a letter of approval has been sent to the local authority.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what amount has been spent on social amenities, and what proportion of its total expenditure is represented in each case, by each new town development corporation in England and Wales.

The following are the figures:announce his decision regarding the recommendations of the special sub-committee which reported to him on water charges.

:The report of the subcommittee is under consideration. My right hon. Friend intends to make a statement on its recommendations as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will make a statement on the local inquiry held on a compulsory purchase order affecting land adjoining the County Borough of Sunderland at Silksworth.

I cannot yet add to the Answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South on 18th June.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what representations he has had, similar to that from the borough ofLeyton, pressing for co-ordination of Government arrangements, in respect of difficulties arising from the extension of smokeless zones and the shortage of gas coke and similar fuels; what arrangements for co-ordinating decisions have now been made; and what recommendations he is giving to local authorities regarding the suspension or otherwise of plans to extend smokeless zones in view of the short supply of appropriate fuels.

:I am not aware of representations except from the Leyton Borough Council. As regards the second part of the Question, smoke control orders are not confirmed unless my right hon. Friend is assured by the Minister of Power that supplies of smokeless fuel will be adequate locally. As regards the third part of the Question, I would refer to the reply given on 24th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hallam.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to encourage local education authorities to increase the number of full-time first-year apprenticeship courses in their technical colleges.

:Local education authorities are well aware of my desire to encourage the development of these courses to the fullest practicable extent in co-operation with local industry, and, as stated in reply to Questions by the hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend the Member for Petersfield (Miss Quennell) on 2nd May, I look forward to a substantial expansion. The advice of my Department and H.M. Inspectorate is, of course, always available to authorities when required.

asked the Minister of Education how many boys and girls are expected to leave school at the end of the current term in the Aberavon division.

About 280 boys and 180 girls from the 10 scecondary and all-age schools in Port Talbot and Glyncorrwg, and about 90 boys and 90 girls from the 2 secondary schools in Porthcawl and Kenfig.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the reason for the delay in reaching a decision on the housing programme of the Easington Rural District Council for the village of Haswell in County Durham.

An amendment to the Easington town map was involved which called for a public local inquiry. I have recently, however, been able to tell the county council that I propose to approve its proposals without modificafion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in promoting the export of British cinematograph films to counries of the Communist bloc.

:Our trade arrangements with most Communist bloc countries include quotas for British films. The quotas in the latest arrangements, taken together, are 25 per cent. above those in the preceding arrangements. Where, as in the case of U.S.S.R., our film exports are not subject to quota, the industry is doing its best. But the difficulties of selling films to these countries are substantial and discouraging.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he proposes to make to Newcastle-under-Lyme Trades Council's recent letter to him on the need to encourage the production of non-flammable nightwear and to give guidance on the technique of rendering nightwear garments non-flammable.

I have written to the hon. Member enclosing a copy of the reply sent to the Trades Council's letter about this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what assistance is being given by Her Majesty's Government towards the development of marine hovercraft; and what further assistance is contemplated in the future.

The National Research Development Corporation, which is Government financed, is actively engaged in developing marine hovercraft in collaboration with commercial firms.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with a view to checking the growth of unemployment in areas of stable employment and low unemployment, he will take steps to prevent the diversion to scheduled areas of unemployment of work normally placed in those stable areas.

:No. My responsibility under the Local Employment Act is to encourage employment in districts where a high and persistent rate of unemployment exists or is expected.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fall in the value of the £ sterling and of the need to stimulate savings, he will take steps to increase the maximum holding allowed to investors in building societies.

There is no maximum holding prescribed for investors in building societies. If the hon. Member is referring to the figure of £5,000 which represents the limit on a holding by an individual in any one society in respect of the interest on which the society pays Income Tax at the composite rate, and not the standard rate, I am not aware that this limit is an impediment to savings.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the Bank of England recognises as prime bills of exchange those accepted by merchant bankers who are not members of the Accepting Houses Committee.

This is a matter within the day-to-day administration of the Bank of England for which they are responsible. I am informed, however, that it is a matter dependent on the standing of the particular merchant bank in question and the nature and volume of the bills offered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Bank of England is consulted by the Accepting Houses Committee when it receives an application for membership.

It was stated in evidence before the Radcliffe Committee on the working of the monetary system by the Chairman of the Accepting Houses Committee that before any new member was admitted there were private talks with the Bank of England; but also that the Committee were their"own masters" in whom they would elect.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many local authorities in England and Wales were liable to payment of Income Tax after set-off in 1960–61, 1961–62, and 1962–63, respectively; and what were the total liabilities.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated reduction in the Income Tax payments of local authorities in England and Wales in the financial year 1963–64 as the result of the abolition of Schedule A on properties owned and occupied by local authorities.

:I regret that information on which to base an estimate is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the Income Tax liabilities of the local authorities in England and Wales in respect of credit balances in the Housing Revenue Accounts in the financial years 1960–61, 1961–62, and 1962–63; what are the estimated liabilities in 1963–64; and what is the estimated liability after the abolition of Schedule A, in the financial year 1964–65.

:The Income Tax liability of local authorities is not based on whether or not they have a credit balance on Housing Revenue Accounts. If the hon. Member wishes information about the Income Tax paid, or to be paid, on the rents of local authority houses, I am afraid that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in Hansard details of the number of occasions during the past five years upon which persons arrested and awaiting trial on charges of living on immoral earnings have been kept in custody on remand for more than one week.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conclusions he has reached concerning a revision of the Cremation Act.

:The regulations made under the Cremation Act—but not the Act itself—are being reviewed. My right hon. Friend cannot at present say when revised regulations will be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now make a statement on the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of Her Majesty's subjects who have not been charged with any offence have been prevented by the police from leaving the realm during the present year and in each of the last preceding 10 years.

No separate statistics are kept relating to the number of persons taken into custody by the police while attempting to leave the country who are not subsequently charged with an offence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the offence which was held to justify the taking of Miss Rice-Davies into custody was made known to her at the time.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will institute an inquiry into the circumstances in which Miss Marilyn Rice-Davies was taken into custody by the police at London Airport on 16th June, 1963, and later released on bail, although no charge was made against her.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what reason or explanation the police gave to Miss Marilyn Rice-Davies for taking her into custody at London Airport on 16th June, 1963, and for detaining her in custody until 12.15 a.m. on 17th June, 1963;(2) in respect of what offence Miss Marilyn Rice-Davies was bailed under Section 38(2) of the Magistrates' Courts Act, 1952; and whether she was informed of the alleged offence.

The offence was suspected larceny of a television set and Miss Rice-Davies was so informed when she was detained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will acquaint Prisoner Edgecombe and Prisoner A. Gordon of Lord Denning's request that all persons in possession of papers, documents or evidence in connection with the Profumo affair should let him have these details, and enable them to submit the evidence in their possession to Lord Denning.

I am informed that Edgecombe and Gordon have already written to Lord Denning.

asked the First Secretary of State if he will make a statement on the conclusion of the Victoria Falls conference on the dissolution of the Federation of the Rhodesias and Nyasaland.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State will take an early opportunity of making a statement to the House after his return.

asked the First Secretary of State by what authority the Malawi police operate in Nyasaland.

I have been asked to reply.I assume my hon. Friend is referring to Dr. Banda's personal escort. This body doss not operate under any legislative authority and has no special immunity under the law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will place in the Library a copy of the draft constitution on independence which is now being considered by the Prime Minister of Malta and which is to be discussed in London shortly by representatives of the political parties of Malta and the British Government.

:This is a confidential document belonging to the Government of Malta and it would not be proper for me to make it public.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the branches in which there is a shortage of manpower, the number at present serving in each of these branches, and the number required to bring each branch up to its full complement.

Shortages of R.N. ratings are at present mainly in the Electrical, Supply and Secretariat, and in some Fleet Air Arm branches. On 31st March last the overall shortage in these branches was about 13 per cent., 3 per cent., and 4 per cent., respectively. The position in the Fleet Air Arm is showing a marked improvement. Shortages of R.N. officers at the same date were confined principally to the Electrical Engineering and Medical branches and amounted to about 15 per cent. and 10 per cent., respectively. It is not the practice to publish in detail the authorised numbers and strengths of the various branches of the Navy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what decision he has made about the proposed increase in the White Fish Authority levy.

I have today laid an Order before the House confirming the White Fish Authority (General Levy) (Amendment) Regulations 1962. The effect of this will be to raise the rate of general levy on all white fish from ½d. to 1d. per stone.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultation he had with the Potato Marketing Board before he extended the period under which French new potatoes were imported into this country.

None. The periods during which imports of new potatoes from various countries are prohibited by Orders under the Destructive Insects and Pests Acts are determined solely on plant health grounds. The

asked the Minister of Labour how many school leavers were unemployed in Gateshead at the latest convenient date; and what is the estimated number of school leavers at the next leaving date.

:Eighty-one school leavers were unemployed on 10th June. About 820 boys and girls are expected to leave school this summer.

asked the Minister of Labour in which industries pupils leaving school in 1962 in Scotland started working; and what were the numbers and proportions in each industry.

The following is the information requested:

asked the Minister of Labour how many school leavers began apprenticeships in the first four months of this year in Gateshead; and how many did so in the same period last year.

:Ninety-six boys and five girls, compared with 154 boys and three girls in 1962.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the estimated loss of jobs in the northern region and Gateshead, respectively, for 1962 and 1963 up to the latest convenient date; and what was the number of new jobs created for each area during the same periods.

Between mid-1961 and mid-1962 (the latest date for which these figures are available) the estimated number of employees in employment decreased by 3,400 in the Northern Region, and increased by 3,300 in Gateshead. Industrial development certificates issued in 1962 and during the first five months of 1963 were estimated to provide about 7,700 jobs and about 2,300 jobs respectively in the Northern Region, and a total of over 500 jobs in Gateshead.

asked the Minister of Health if he has now decided upon the future pattern of executive council administration in the Greater London area; and if he will make a statement.

Not yet.

asked the Minister of Health how many new towns in England and Wales have health centres; and by whom they were provided.

:Seven; one, at Peterlee, by the local health authority, five, at Harlow, by the Nuffield Provincial Hospitals Trust, and one, at Corby, by the Trust and the Oxford Regional Hospital Board.

asked the Minister of Health from which regional hospital boards and boards of governors he has received reports of their reviews of medical staffing; and when he expects to receive the remainder and to announce his conclusions.

I expect to have received reports by September from all authorities except two boards of governors. I cannot yet say when I shall be ready to announce conclusions.

asked the Minister of Power what is the weight of solid matter emitted into the atmosphere involved in burning in an open domestic fire operated under normal conditions in a properly fitted grate five tons of solid smokeless fuel such as Gloco or Sebrite.

Available evidence suggests that the amount lies between about 10 and 20 lb.

asked the Minister of Power, what is the weight of ash involved in burning in an open grate fire one ton of solid smokeless fuel such as Gloco or Sebrite.

:Something between 130 and 220 lb. per ton.

asked the Minister of Power to what extent the requirement in paragraph 19 of the White Paper on the Financial and Economic Obligations of the Nationalised Industries, to provide for revenue purposes adequate allocations to general reserve as a contribution towards capital development, is responsible in percentage terms for the increased charges of the inidividual electricity boards.

One of the reasons for the increase in the charges of the electricity boards is to enable them to meet the financial objectives agreed with the industry under paragraph 19 of the White Paper (Cmnd. 1337). I announced these objectives in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Guildford (Sir R. Nugent) on 28th March, 1962. These objectives, as a percentage return on average net assets over the period 1962–63 to 1966–67, are designed to cover depreciation and interest as well as to provide a balance of revenue to be used to finance development. I cannot say how much of the increased charges is specifically related to any particular part of the objectives.

asked the Minister of Power what, in terms of kilowatts sent out, is the present contribution of nuclear reactors of all types, including the Dounreay fast breeder reactor, to electricity generation capacity in Great Britain; and what is the planned total contribution for each of the years 1964 to 1970.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take in connection with the Second Report of the Committee on Scottish Licensing Law; and if he will make a statement.

:Before deciding what action should be taken on this Report, I propose to wait until there has been an opportunity to take account of public reaction and the views of those concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received the Report of the Scottish Water Advisory Committee on the organisation of water supplies in Central Scotland.

:Yes. The Report is being published this afternoon and for the convenience of hon. Members I have arranged to make copies available in the Vote Office. The Committee's main recommendations are that 53 separate local water authorities in the Counties of Dunbarton, Lanark, Stirling, West Lothian, Clackmannan, Fife and Kinross should be replaced by six new regional authorities, which will include the Cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and that a Water Development Board covering the whole area should be set up to develop major sources such as Loch Lomond. I accept the Committee'srecommendations in principle and I am writing to the authorities concerned asking them to let me know by the end of September whether they are prepared to enter into arrangements with the other authorities in their area to form the suggested regional boards. I am also sending copies of the Report to all other Scottish local water authorities