asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether he will make a statement about the work of the European Free Trade Association's Economic Development Committee.

The function of this Committee is to promote economic development co-operation among Member States. At its first meeting in November it made arrangements for Members to exchange information about their experience in regional development and techniques of financing industry. Work was also set in hand on several projects to assist the development of the Portuguese economy. Finland has asked for advice on certain matters, including export promotion.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development, in view of the repeated failure to find an occupant for the vacant Salt Saltaire factory at Carlisle Road, Airdrie, if he will acquire this factory with a view to letting to a suitable occupant.

I would consider trying to acquire this factory if a specific proposal to lease it were put to the Board of Trade: but it is not suitable for purchase as an advance factory.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what facilities exist in his Department for encouraging British firms to export industrial motors; and what proposals he has to assist Associated Electrical Industries, Ltd. to export fractional horse-power motors produced in their Coventry works.

The whole range of Government export services is available. I am sure that Associated Electrical Industries Ltd. are fully alive to the possibilities of exporting fractional horse-power motors, and we are always ready to discuss any particular problems with them.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development how many industrialists have made firm commitments in the last nine months to develop in Scotland; how many jobs are likely to result; and to what extent the new jobs will offset the number to be lost.

158 commitments, which are estimated to provide jobs for some 14,600 people. I cannot say how many jobs will be lost.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development how many United States firms have entered into firm commitments for new industrial development in Scotland over the last three months.

None. But the Board of Trade have had seven inquiries from American firms during this period about setting up in Scotland. Two of the firms have visited sites.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development when the advance factory at Strathleven Industrial Estate will be completed.

I expect that the advance factory on the Vale of Leven industrial estate will be available for occupation in March.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what new industries have been established in Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven with Government assistance since 1951; how many persons they employ; and what new industries he hopes to have established in these areas in the next 12 months.

Excluding expansions of existing firms, two new projects have been established in the area with Government assistance since 1951. I cannot disclose the labour returns of individual firms. The Board of Trade will continue its efforts to attract new industry to the area, but I cannot forecast the result.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether, in his forthcoming legislation affecting resale price maintenance, he will include special provision to safeguard the public against excessive charges by retailers for spare parts, such as those for motor cars.

No. I cannot anticipate the Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what is the annual value, to the last convenient date, of retail goods sold with and without being subject to resale price maintenance, respectively; and, in the case of the former, what is the average retailer's margin.

In the year ended September, 1963, retail sales of goods subject and not subject to resale price maintenance were, broadly, £5,000 million and £8,000 million, respectively. It is not possible for me to ascertain the average retail margin on the whole field of goods subject to resale price maintenance.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what deputations he has received in favour of the continuance of individual resale price maintenance; and what replies he gave to their representatives.

I have received one official deputation, from the Resale Price Maintenance Co-ordinating Committee. I undertook to consider what they said.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development how many communications on the subject he has received once his announcement of Her Majesty's Government's intention of abolishing the system of resale price maintenance; what proportion of these communications was in favour of abolition; and what proportion was against.

About 600. Those from traders—about three quarters of the total—were mostly opposed to abolition of resale price maintenance. Those from other members of the public were mainly in favour of the Government's proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether, in connection with the drafting of the new resale price maintenance legislation, he well take into account the desirability of allowing the owner of a product identified by his trade mark or brand name, to stop distributors from making misrepresentations about it, or using it as a loss-leader.

In drafting the Bill, I am taking account of all relevant considerations, and I have noted the points raised by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what action he proposes to take to bring alternative industry to the Falmouth district.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development, in view of the unemployment in Falmouth and the surrounding district, what steps he proposes to take in the immediate future to alleviate the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what proposals he has to deal with the continued industrial depression at Falmouth.

I am considering the problems of the Falmouth area, which I saw for myself on my recent visit to the South-West. In the meantime, assistance under the Local Employment Acts is available to new projects there.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development how many applications have been received from firms in the last six months for assistance in establishing themselves in the Falmouth district; and how many firms have established themselves there in that time.

No applications for assistance have been received in the last six months from firms wishing to establish themselves in the Falmouth area, but one application is under consideration from a firm already established there. No firms have established themselves in Falmouth in the last six months.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development how many applications he has received in northeast Scotland for Board of Trade Advisory Committee assistance in the last five years, and from whom; how many applications were granted; and how many are still pending.

Since 1st April, 1960, when the Board of Trade's Advisory Committee came into existence, 39 firm and eligible applications have been received for projects in the Buckie/Peterhead and Aberdeen Employment Exchange Areas. The names of the applicants are confidential. Eleven applications have been approved and 19 rejected. Nine are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development, if he will take legislative if he will take legislative power to prevent the continued concentration of office employment in the south-east of England.

The Government took a number of measures last year to discourage the undue concentration of office employment in Central London. These are set out in the White Paper London—Employment: Housing: Land. They must now be given time to work.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what discussions he has recently had with industry and commerce on the question of the concentration of office development in South-East England.

None. The Location of Offices Bureau, which was set up by the Government last year, has the specific task of discussing with industry and commerce the possibility of moving office employment out of Central London.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what new measures he is considering to prevent the undue growth of office employment in the south-east of England.

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Craigton (Mr. Millan) today.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what representations he has received about the effect on trade, industry, and employment of Scotland of the plans for closures of railways there; how many such representations he has received; and what replies he has sent.

I have received representations from three sources which have been assured that their views have been put before the Minister of Transport and will be taken into account when decisions are reached on particular closures.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will make a statement on the assistance given to the consortium for the building of the Durgapur plant in India; and whether help was sought for quotations for other steel works plant.

A British Government loan of £15 million was made in 1958 to cover part of the foreign exchange cost for the building of Durgapur steel-works by a British consortium and a further loan of £22 million was made in 1962 for the extension of these works by British manufacturers. Steelworks plant manufacturers have sought help from the Export Credits Guarantee Department in quoting for major projects in other countries. The Department hasing steelworks contracts to a value already issued financial guarantees cover- exceeding £30 million in all and is currently offering further guarantees for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development on how many occasions his Department has rejected the advice of the Cinematograph Films Council in the last five years; what were the subjects involved; and why he has rejected it in the case of the future of the British Lion Company.

The Council's advice on an issue of policy has not been followed on two occasions in the last five years. I explained to the House on Tuesday evening why I could not follow their advice on British Lion.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what action he proposes to take to implement the recommendations of the Consumer Council with respect to guarantees given by manufacturers; and if he will seek to amend the Sale of Goods Act to prevent retailers from contracting out of their liabilities.

In considering the amendment of the Sale of Goods Act, I shall take the Consumer Council's views fully into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will take steps to see that Her Majesty's Government are represented at future meetings of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Special Committees for Industry by people with a practical experience of the industries concerned.

No. These are inter-Governmental bodies. British official representatives are however supported by industrial advisers when this is judged necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will investigate the circumstances under which Messrs. Fendars Ltd. are misleading consumers by fraudulent advertisements for cigarette vending machines.

My Department informed this company last September of a change in the law which would, as from the 10th October, bring sales schemes of this kind within the scope of the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act, 1958. I understand that the company thereafter ceased to put out advertisements relating to their particular scheme, but if my hon. Friend has evidence to the contrary I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he is aware of the views of the Clerk to the West Riding County Council, details of which have been sent to him, on the need for industrial development in the West Riding areas of persistent high unemployment such as Thorne; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this problem in these districts.

I am aware that some parts of the West Riding, including Thorne, do not fully share in the general prosperity of the county as a whole. Subject to the overriding priority which must be given to the development districts, I shall continue to give sympathetic consideration to applications for suitable new industrial development in these areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development by what authority the firm of Intor Limited, of Bexleyheath, Kent, exported 20,000 Lee Enfield rifles and a large quantity of ammunition to the Yemen without a licence.

The only authority for the export of arms and ammunition is a valid licence issued by the Board of Trade under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1963; no licences have been issued in recent years for rifles and ammunition destined for the Yemen.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development it what discussions he has had recently with the United States Government on the request they have made to Her Majesty's Government to join them in imposing an embargo on trade with Cuba.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development to what extent industrial development has been permitted in the London area without an industrial development certificate being obtained where planning permission for industrial building has already been given.

I do not know the extent, but I believe it to be small. A development of this kind can occur only when an industrialist who has been granted an I.D.C. and received planning permission does not use it and the land passes to somebody else. As planning permission enures for the benefit of the land, the new occupant would not need a fresh industrial development certificate.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development, in view of the facts that one of the major reasons for high prices and the high cost of living is the high first cost charge made by a number of manufacturers for their products, and that the Monopolies Commission have supplied evidence to this effect, if, before introducing legislation to abolish resale price maintenance, he will take legislative action to control manufacturers' prices.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development, in view of the facts that in the first quarter of 1963 imports were running ahead of exports at the rate of £36 million per month, by the second quarter this had increased to £47 million, the third quarter to £53 million and by the final quarter the deficit was averaging £60 million per month, and that the trade deficit for 1963 was £588 million compared with £538 million in 1962, what action he proposes to take to reverse this trend.

A sharp rise in exports is to be expected during a period of rapid economic expansion. The important point is that exports should continue to rise steadily so that over a period the trade account contributes to maintaining the balance of payments in equilibrium. The Government's policies are designed to secure this. The deficit quoted by the hon. Member is, of course, vastly greater than the visible trade deficit in the balance of payments, which amounted to £28 million in the first nine months of last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development how many definite commitments have been made by firms to develop in the Ayrshire development districts over the last nine months; and what is his estimate of the number of jobs involved.

Ten; to provide an estimated additional employment of over 900.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether he will make a statement on the preparatory discussions regarding tariff cuts which have been taking place in Geneva; and what proposals Her Majesty's Government has for overcoming the problems of tariff disparities.

A sub-Committee of the Trade Negotiations Committee of the G.A.T.T. has been considering certain new proposals of the European Economic Community. There will be further meetings, in which we shall continue to do all we can to secure a satisfactory basis for the forthcoming negotiations.

asked the Minister of Power what information he has sought, for the purposes of the inquiry he has ordered, into the cost of laying a cable underground in the area near Bagnall, Staffordshire, to avoid having the pylons on the skyline in the village of Bagnall and regarding the difference this would make in the cost of the project in this small section of the Rugeley Whitfield Electricity Supply Scheme.

None; the Central Electricity Generating Board must provide any necessary information at the inquiry.

asked the Minister of Power what consultations he had with the Central Electricity Generating Board concerning their recent decision to increase the price of electricity supplied in bulk; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on the 30th January to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Box).

asked the Minister of Power, in granting his approval to the general programme of capital development of the Central Electricity Generating Board, what information he was given as to when in 1964 he might expect their report on the need for a new power station to be built in the County of Durham.

asked the Minister of Power how much, on average, it costs per mile to lay underground cable and overhead cable, respectively, for electricity supplies.

The costs vary widely according to the voltage. I am circulating a table of comparative costs in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

None; but the Central Electricity Generating Board expects to reconsider the question of a power station in Durham towards the end of this year.

asked the Minister of Power, in the exercise of his powers to approve the capital plans of Boards, what information he has as to the capital cost per kilowatt of providing electric power by the medium atomic power, hydro-electric stations, coal and oil, respectively, and the capital cost per kilowatt equivalent of providing power by traditional gasworks, and by reforming oil by-products from oil refineries in the process of manufacturing petrol.

The capital costs of a typical generating station to be commissioned within the next five years are: atomic powered £97 per kilowatt; coal-fired £34 per kilowatt and oilfired £32 per kilowatt, The Boards whose capital investment programmes I approve have no proposals for hydro-electric stations. Gas production in continuous vertical retorts costs in capital £48 per kilowatt equivalent and in oil reforming plants £8. The figures are not strictly comparable because electricity generating capacity must be sufficient to meet peak demands as they arise while gas can be stored.

asked the Minister of Power whether he is satisfied with the present state of the law by which home prices of iron and steel continue to be fixed by the Iron and Steel Board; and if he will make a statement.

The Iron and Steel Board has explained the way in which it exercises its power to fix maximum prices in its annual reports: I see no reason for amending legislation at the moment.

asked the Minister of Power if he is aware that there is 10 to 12 weeks' delay in the delivery of some smokeless fuels in the Sedgley area of Staffordshire; and what steps he is taking to ensure supplies are adequate in future in smoke control zones in this area.

I am not aware of any general shortage of suitable fuels in this area. Complaints about specific shortages should be addressed to the suppliers. Problems about future supplies for smoke-control zones should be dealt with by co-operation between local authorities and fuel suppliers as envisaged in the recent White Paper, Command 2231.

asked the Minister of Power, in view of the increase in the incidence of pneumoconiosis, if he will set up an additional medical examining board at Leeds General Infirmary.

The establishment of medical examining boards does not come within my responsibility. I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance that the establishment of a further pneumoconiosis medical board for miners in the Leeds area would not be justified on the present incidence of claims.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will institute an inqury into the causes of epidermophytosis among mineworkers; what information he has from the National Coal Board on the incidence of this disease; and if he make a statement.

This disease is not reportable and the incidence among mineworkers or elsewhere is not known. The National Coal Board Medical Service and others are seeking a specific remedy. Until this is found the best method of control is by meticulous attention to hygiene. The National Coal Board encourage this at their pithead baths.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give the figures of fatal accidents underground in the Yorkshire coalfield for each of the past 10 years; and what percentage these figures are of the total manpower employed underground in each year.

asked the Minister of Power, if he will give the figures of reportable accidents underground in the Yorkshire coalfield for each of the past 10 years which necessitated more than three days off work; and what percentage these figures are of the total manpower employed underground in each year.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give the figures of fatal accidents on the surface in the Yorkshire coalfield for each of the past 10 years; and what percentage these figures represent of the manpower employed on the surface in each year.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give the figures of reportable accidents on the surface in the Yorkshire coalfield for each of the past 10 years which necessitated more than three days off work; and what percentage these figures represent of the manpower employed on the surface in each year.

asked the Minister of Power what is the nature of the inquiry now being held into accident causation in the Yorkshire coalfield by the Chief Inspector of Mines; to what extent it is connected with the recent increase in fatalities; when he expects the inquiry to be completed; and if he will publish the findings and recommendations.

The Chief Inspector of Mines is analysing the accident reports made to him by his Inspectors to see if they suggest any further action which could be taken. Such analyses are made continuously, but particular consideration is being given at present to reports of accidents in the Yorkshire coalfield. There will be no formal report, but the Divisional Inspector of Mines will be publishing his Annual Report for 1963 within the next two or three months. I have already promised to write to the hon. Member and I hope to do so very shortly.

asked the Minister of Power what research is at present being conducted both by his Department and the National Coal Board on accident causation and prevention; what sums

The following is the information asked for:are annually being spent; and if he will make a statement.

The Safety in Mines Research Establishment is carrying out a comprehensive programme of research into mining hazards and the means of preventing them. Safety is also an important objective of the work carried out at the National Coal Board's research and engineering establishments. Full accounts of the work are given in the Annual Reports of these Establishments, of which I am sending the hon. Member copies. The direct cost of the Safety in Mines Research Establishment is about £500,000 in the current financial year and that of the relevant research in the Board's current programme is about £300,000. My right hon. Friend keeps these programmes under review with the help of the Safety in Mines Research Advisory Board.

asked the Minister of Education for what percentage of children in each of the Welsh education authorities, respectively, provision is made for secondary grammar education to be available.

The following is the information:

asked the Minister of Education whether he will undertake a survey in Wales of the different experiments being undertaken by education authorities in the field of secondary education, and publish the results of his inquiries.

My right hon. Friend, through information received from H.M. Inspectors and local education authorities, is kept informed of such experiments without the need to undertake a special survey.

asked the Minister of Education, in view of the need to provide more school places, if he will now make a statement on the recommendations of the Newsom Committee regarding the raising of the school leaving age.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement my right hon. Friend made in this House on 27th January.

asked the Minister of Education what pre-war proposals for new schools in Essex, approved by the local education authority of the day, still remain to be carried out.

This information is not available in my Department. To obtain it would involve special inquiries which would be unduly expensive in time and manpower.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now take the necessary steps to apply the provisions of shops legislation to mobile shops.

I have no legislation specifically directed to mobile shops in view at present. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. W. Clark) about shops legislation generally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to discover a system whereby persons guilty of vandalism and other forms of destruction can be usefully employed as an alternative to imprisonment, until they have earned sufficient money to pay for the damage committed.

The courts already have limited powers to order payment of compensation by offenders who remain at liberty. The extension of the principle of reparation raises difficult questions which, as the White Paper on Penal Practice in a Changing Society (Cmnd. 645) pointed out, must really be considered in the context of a general re-examination of penal policy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in discussions with manufacturers on the question of flammable materials.

My plan was first to communicate with the relevant trade associations and other bodies concerned about the practicability of effective action by means of regulations under the Consumer Protection Act, 1961, and then, as soon as they had had time to reply, to arrange a meeting with them in order to consider the possible scope and form of regulations in detail. This meeting is taking place today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the danger of explosions occurring at coin-in-the-slot launderettes, whether he will introduce legislation requiring them to be staffed in opening hours.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has arranged for an investigation under the Boiler Explosions Act, 1882, to be made into two explosions of gas boilers last month at launderettes in London. I will consider the matter further when I have the results of this investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to make illegal the manufacture and possession of tablets containing amphetamine derivatives and compounds unless these incorporate a proportion of ipecacuanha, or other emetic, sufficient to operate if any quantity is taken above that of a medical prescription.

I understand that the addition of an emetic in sufficient quantity to serve a useful purpose might make such tablets unsuitable for legitimate medical use. I will, however, give further consideration to the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the recent Vatican Council recommendation that the date of Easter should be fixed, he will introduce legislation to fix it in this country in the middle of April.

The Easter Act, 1928, provides that Easter Day shall be the first Sunday after the second Saturday in April. The Act does not come into operation until a date to be fixed by Order in Council, and this would need to be preceded by agreement among the Churches.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is now the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the prevention of racial discrimination and incitement to racial hatred.

Her Majesty's Government deplore and condemn any form of discrimination on grounds of race, colour or religion. They believe that the complete eradication of discriminatory practices can come about only through the education of public opinion, not by changes in the law. They have considered carefully and sympathetically the possible forms which legislation against racial or other discrimination might take, and are convinced that it would not be practicable to draft legislation which would be effective and enforceable. The reasons stated by the then Lord Chancellor in debate in another place on 14th May, 1962, remain equally valid today.The Public Order Act, 1963, which came into force on 31st July last, strengthened the deterrent powers of the law for dealing with racial attacks, and no further powers have since been shown to be necessary. But as I have said before, should there be a clear need for further powers, the Government would not hesitate to come to Parliament for them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy with regard to the erection of warning sirens in residential areas.

Sirens are situated to give effective warning to the population in emergency. Wherever practicable they are mounted on buildings, but where there is no suitable building in the vicinity of siren sites they are erected on poles or lattice masts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet received a further Report of the Commonwealth Immigrants Advisory Council; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. I have received the Second Report of the Advisory Council, the major part of which concerns the education of immigrant children, and it is being published this afternoon. The Council recommends that a Government grant should be made to finance the appointment by a voluntary committee of an Advisory Officer, whose responsibility it would be to consult local authorities and voluntary bodies interested in the welfare of Commonwealth immigrants and to collect and circulate information. The Government accept this recommendation, and the necessary provision is being made in Estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what assistance Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are proposing to give Her Majesty's Government in Kenya and the Governments of Uganda and Tanganyika in the achievement of closer co-operation for the common defence, security and welfare of East Africa.

This matter must await the consultations with the three East African Governments which, as I informed the House on the 27th January, I propose to have at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation have been asked to supply military forces for the proposed operations in Cyprus; and which non-members have been similarly asked.

We have kept all our N.A.T.O. allies fully informed of the proposals put to the Government of Cyprus, including both Greek and Turkish elements, and have asked them to consider contributing to the proposed force if this is agreed upon with the Cypriots themselves. We have not approached Governments which are not members of N.A.T.O.

asked the Minister of Transport how many railway lines have so far been closed under the Beeching Report; and between which stations.

I understand from the Railways Board that, of the services listed in Appendix 2 to the Board's report The Reshaping of British Railways, the following three passenger services have been withdrawn:Harrogate-Wetherby-Cross Gates.Wetherby-Church Fenton.Newcastle-upon-Tyne-Washington.

asked the Minister of Transport what proportion of road users, other than drivers of cars or riders of motor cycles, who have been involved in road accidents in the 12 months to the last convenient date are estimated to have consumed too much alcohol before being so involved.

The figures below show for the twelve months ended 31st October, 1963, the proportion of riders and drivers (other than motorists or motor cyclists) involved in fatal or serious accidents who were charged with a Drink Offence under the Road Traffic Acts, or would have been so charged had they not been killed or seriously injured. My hon. Friend will be aware from the answers he has received to previous Questions that these figures understate the proportion of cases in which drink was a contributory factor.

asked the Prime Minister what reply he is making to the official proposal of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for the physical destruction of bomber aircraft.

My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs indicated in Geneva on 30th January that we considered proposals on this subject suitable for discussion in the Disarmament Conference. I hope these proposals will bring closer the time when a start can be made on the physical destruction of armaments but the Soviet representative told the Press that his proposal means the destruction of all bomber aircraft by all countries and this is quite unrealistic.

asked the Prime Minister which Minister is in charge of Her Majesty's Government's part in the negotiations for a settlement in Cyprus.

My right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary is primarily responsible for these negotiations, but my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is necessarily concerned with a wide range of diplomatic activity related to the Cyprus problem.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order that the electorate may be fully informed on all matters concerning national affairs, he will take steps to ensure that all political parties contesting the forthcoming General Election should declare to the Registrar General all information concerning their membership, income, donations and investments.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if he will issue instructions to Government Departments which have been the subject of criticism in the reports to Parliament of the Comptroller and Auditor General not to order independent inquiries in a manner which prejudices speedy and full investigation by the Public Accounts Committee.

I do not think that any such instructions are needed. If the hon. Member has in mind the inquiry announced on 24th January, this will in no way prejudice investigation by the Public Accounts Committee.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the observations of the Court of Appeal on Crown Privilege, in Merricks and Another v. Nott-Bower and Others, he will issue appropriate instructions to Ministers on this matter.

The implications of the judgments in this case will be studied as soon as complete reports of them are available.

asked the Prime Minister what are the regulations governing the attendance of civil servants accompanying Ministers at party political committee meetings of Members of Parliament.

It is well understood that no civil servant is asked to be in attendance on a Minister on a party occasion.

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how wages in Her Majesty's Dockyards compare today and will compare in April, 1964, with wages in 1950, giving craftsmen and labourers separately.

The following table gives the comparisons in basic wage rates of craftsmen and unskilled labourers in Her Majesty's Dockyards during the periods in question:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the tuberculosis eradication policy has resulted in a reduction in the number of carcases found to be affected with tuberculosis; and to what extent tuberculosis in animals is still a public health problem.

The number of carcases found to be affected with tuberculosis has fallen dramatically and many Medical Officers of Health have made special mention of this in their annual reports. In some local authority districts a whole year has passed without tuberculosis being found in a single bovine carcase. In the 1940's it was common for 20 per cent. of adult cattle slaughtered to be affected. By 1957, the annual reports of Medical Officers of Health in England and Wales recorded an improvement to a level of only 7·3 per cent. of the carcases inspected. The records of adult cattle killed at 40 representative slaughterhouses in the year ending 30th June, 1963, including some un-attested cattle from the Irish Republic and some reactors to the tuberculin test, show only 0·3 per cent. of carcases found to be affected. I understand that the records in Scotland show a similar trend.This great improvement is undoubtedly due to the tuberculosis eradication scheme and it is a source of great satisfaction that tuberculosis of animals is no longer the significant public health problem that it so recently was.

asked the Minister of Health how many psychologists are employed in the National Health Service in the area served by the South-West Regional Hospital Board; how many are employed in the service nationally; and how many additional psychologists would need to be recruited to bring the service up to full strength.

Seven on 30th September, 1963. On 30th September, 1962 (the latest date for which national figures are available) the equivalent of 198 full-time psychologists were employed in hospitals in England and Wales. Information about vacancies is not recorded centrally.

asked the Minister of Health what proposals he has for restoring the salary differential, agreed in 1951, between psychologists employed in the National Health Service and Civil Service, respectively.

This is a matter for the Whitley Council, but my right hon. Friend has under consideration the position reached in the negotiations.

asked the Minister of Health if he will require the Registrar General to publish statistics showing the numbers of children by ages, as stated in divorce petitions.

I do not know of any widespread demand for this information.

asked the Minister of Health if he will amend the Census form so as to enable broken families to be enumerated and classified.

No.

asked the Postmaster-General what, at the time of costing, was the average percentage profit earned by the most efficient firms for exchange equipment and telephone apparatus under the Bulk Supply Agreements.

The prices allowed average profit margins on cost of 8¼ and 10½, per cent. respectively to the most efficient firms.

asked the Minister of Labour what representations he has received from the Association of Cinematograph, Television and Allied Technicians requesting him to use his good offices in regard to their claim for recognition by the British Broadcasting Corporation, following the recommendation of paragraph 670 of the Pilkington Committee that the rule on recognition be interpreted liberally; and what reply he has sent.

The Association has not asked for the assistance of my Department in connection with its claim for recognition by the British Broadcasting Corporation, though it did make a reference to the matter in correspondence about a dispute with the Corporation concerning the salary of one of its members.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons, registered at Stornoway, have taken employment on the mainland in 1962 and in 1963.

During 1963, 489 persons registered at Stornoway took up employment on the mainland. I regret that figures for 1962 are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the widespread damage caused to grain crops of crofters on his estate in North Uist by wild geese; and if he will now permit shooting and disposal of the geese by the crofters concerned or by persons authorised by him.

No complaints have been received recently by my departments, but if the hon. Member cares to send me any information in his possession I shall be glad to consider the matter further.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many employees in the Stornoway area are now attending day-release classes.

Eleven.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what economic development committees for individual industries have been set up by the National Economic Development Council; and what were their terms of reference.

Meetings preliminary to the setting up of economic development committees are currently being held with the following industries:

Chemicals; chocolate and sugar confectionery; distribution; electrical engineering; electronics; machine tools; mechanical engineering; paper and board; wool textiles.