asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what is the cost per annum to the latest convenient date of the age allowance for pensioners who suffer from war disability and are over 65 years of age; and what would be the additional annual cost of extending this age allowance from the present 40 per cent. to all war disabled at the age of 65 years.

The annual cost of the age allowance for disabled war pensioners at 31st December, 1963, was just under £1½ million. The extra cost of extending the allowance, at the rate of 5s. a week, to pensioners whose disablement is assessed at less than 40 per cent. would be over £1 million a year.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance in view of the cases, details of which he has received, of the unemployed man, and of the war-disabled man and wife who live on £3 18s. a week after paying rent, in both of which cases the National Assistance Board has refused to pay full rent allowance of £2 15s. per week, and of the facts that many people exist on less than the minimum National Assistance Board scale and that rents of houses decontrolled under the Rent Act are increasing, if he will amend his regulations to take account of this situation.

No. As I told the hon. Member on 20th April, the Board is required to provide such allowance for rent as is reasonable in the circumstances, and I do not think it could properly be required to do more. I am writing to the hon. Member about the cases he sent me.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what was the lowest, highest and the average amount paid on account of rent to the recipients of weekly allowances by the National Assistance Board in the years 1949, 1959, and 1963, respectively.

The following table sets out the available information, which cannot be given in precisely the form the right hon. Gentleman would like:

Year	Number of house holders receiving assistance grants	Number paying rent of less than 3s.	Number paying rent of 50s. or more	Average rent
				s.	d.
1949*
1959	1,354,000	11,000	18,000	19	7
1963	1,563,000	5,000	78,000	25	10
* Not available.

"Rent" means the weekly amount of rent and rates, and for owner-occupied property the weekly amount of rates and an allowance for insurance, repairs and any mortgage interest, abated in either case, where appropriate, by the proceeds (less expenses) of any subletting. The table excludes people living rent free.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will introduce legislation to enable those persons who have been discharged from employment as a result of disabilities caused by their work and who have been unable to keen up their National Insurance contributions to draw the normal retirement pension at the age of 65 years.

No. There is already provision under which contributions can be credited during incapacity for work or registered unemployment.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance, in view of the increases in the cost of living, and the financial effect of the Budget on retired persons, if he will take steps to increase retirement pensions.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply today to the hon. Members for West Ham, North (Mr. A. Lewis), Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) and Brixton (Mr. Lipton).

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many persons in receipt of benefits under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act had their benefits supplemented by allowances or grants from the National Assistance Board in the year 1963; and what was the average amount paid during that period to those in receipt of weekly allowances.

In December, 1963, 2,315 people whose sole or main benefit was paid under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Acts were receiving supplementary grants from the National Assistance Board. I am afraid that the rest of the information asked for by the right hon. Gentleman is not available.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what estimate he has made of the amounts by which the injury and disablement benefits under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Acts could be increased if the £16 million added to the Industrial Injuries Fund in the year ended 31st March 1963 were used to finance the cost of increased benefits.

£16 million would support in perpetuity about 8d. a week on the rate of injury benefit with proportionate increases in other industrial injuries benefits. But the use of current surpluses to finance benefit increases would be inconsistent with the actuarial basis of the scheme whereby the surpluses in early years are used to build up a fund, so that the interest can cover the expected excess of expenditure over income from contributions and the Exchequer when the scheme reaches maturity.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take immediate steps to launch an intensive national campaign for public education regarding the causes and treatment of cancer.

The smoking and health education campaign deals with the causal connection between cigarette smoking and lung cancer; and the advice given in 1953 to local health authorities about local cancer education campaigns will be reviewed in the light of the Report of the Joint Committee on Health Education which is to be published shortly.

asked the Minister of Health if he will require more informative labelling of drugs dispensed to patients.

There are legal requirements as to the labelling of drugs supplied otherwise than on prescription, and these requirements are being reviewed. With regard to drugs supplied on prescription, the view has always been taken that the doctor should decide, in the interests of the patient, what information should appear on the label.

asked the Minister of Health what is the average weekly cost of medical prescriptions to people on sickness benefit and retirement pension; and if he will introduce legislation to enable such people to recover their expenses on medical prescriptions.

I regret that the information is not available. Arrangements already exist for reimbursing prescription charges in cases of hardship.

asked the Minister of Health why he did not invite representatives from the College of General Practitioners to serve on the working party on general practice.

Members of the Working Party were not appointed as representatives of any organisations but two doctors suggested by the College are in fact included.

asked the Minister of Health if he will instruct the Fraser Committee not to consider an item of service system of payment for general practitioners, as an alternative to the capitation system.

No. I think it right that the Working Party should be free to consider any matter within its terms of reference.

asked the Minister of Health what is the estimated number of alcoholics in England and Wales; how many have been so designated as receiving or recommended for treatment during 1963; what arrangement exists between the National Health Service and approved private institutions for co-operation in dealing with alcoholics; and what research has been undertaken within his Department in order to determine the best therapeutic treatment for this affliction.

No reliable estimate of the total number of alcoholics or of the number receiving treatment in 1963 is available; the number of admissions to hospitals in 1962 for the treatment of alcoholism and alcoholic psychosis is estimated at 3,600; hospital authorities have been advised to co-operate in after-care with Alcoholics Anonymous; the Ministry does not undertake clinical research directly.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of his policy on the private prescription of contraceptive tablets for National Health Service patients, he will extend this practice to cover demands by patients for vitamin pills, tonics, etc.

The recent statement about oral contraceptives merely clarified the effect of the regulations regarding prescribing. These regulations apply to all drugs.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet agreed the scale of royalties payable to the patentees for the following drugs supplied under Section 46 of the Patents Act, 1949, namely, chlorothiazide, chloramphenicol, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, and tetracycline; and what are the scales in each case.

The use of Section 46 of the Patents Act, 1949 having been challenged in the Courts, negotiations about royalties have been deferred. No royalties are, however, payable under present circumstances in respect of chloramphenicol.

asked the Minister of Health what is his estimate of births in the United Kingdom for the year 1964.

The present official forecast for live births in the United Kingdom during 1964 is 1,004 thousand.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet reached a decision on the recommendations made by the Lycett Green Committee.

Yes. I have decided to set up a National Staff Committee, and am making the necessary preparations.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the only all-night chemist service in the Greater Manchester area is to be closed; and if he will make a statement on the maintenance of such services.

Yes, but because of other arrangements an all-night dispensing service is not essential.

asked the Minister of Health what progress is being made in recruiting and training staff for local authority mental health hostels.

The total non-domestic staff has trebled in the last two years. Most staff, when appointed, already have some relevant training or experience. One special training course has been held by the National Association for Mental Health and. I understand others are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects the new mental hospital to be constructed in the West Riding; and if the site for the hospital has been finalised.

A start is planned within the next five years on land adjacent to Stanley Royd Hospital, Wakefield.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied with the standard of food for patients in mental hospitals.

I would refer my noble Friend to my hon. Friend's reply of 15th April to my hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle (Dr. D. Johnson).

asked the Minister of Health how many hospitals which cater for children coming within the purview of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board have implemented Recommendation 20 in relation to visiting of the Platt Committee's Report on the Welfare of Children in Hospital.

On my latest information, 21.

asked the Minister of Health what is the present time-table in respect of new hospital buildings in the North East Metropolitan Region.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the Second Review of the Hospital Plan.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what provision is to be made for the continuance of treatment of dock casualties in the event of the closure of both Bootle and Liverpool Stanley Hospitals; if he is aware of the need for such provision in the dock area of Merseyside's seven-mile waterfront; and what representations he has received from medical men in the Liverpool area regarding the proposed closures;(2) when it is proposed to close down the Liverpool Stanley Hospital; what alternative provision is to be made in place of the present services this hospital now provides; and if he will maintain Stanley Hospital on efficient standards until such time as adequate alternative arrangements have been made.

The Hospital Plan envisages the closure of both the Bootle and Liverpool Stanley Hospitals but no final decisions have been made; we are aware of the need for efficient services for the treatment of accidents in the dock area and the intention is to improve on them; my right hon. Friend has not received any such representations but the Board of Governors are discussing their proposals for closing the Liverpool Stanley Hospital with local interests.

asked the Minister of Health what representations he has received from the superior of the religious order responsible for Lourdes Hospital, Liverpool, and the Providence Hospital, St. Helens, Lancashire; and if he will maintain and extend the present contractual arrangements between such hospitals and regional boards.

I have received representations that any additional beds provided by the Order in connection with a nurse training scheme should be added to the existing contract between the Order and the Liverpool Regional Hospital Board; contractual arrangements are made by Boards only where they are necessary to provide a service to meet all reasonable requirements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in the forthcoming negotiations regarding the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement, he will take steps to ensure that he leaves himself more free than at present to adjust the guaranteed price of British sugar from British farms so as to make the British crop more remunerative though still restricted in size by the capacity of existing factories.

The provisions of the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement do not determine the price of sugar beet grown in Britain; this is fixed in the light of the Annual Review carried out under the 1947 and 1957 Agriculture Acts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food if he is aware that a pork sausage, recently purchased in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was found on analysis to contain only 46·9 per cent. of meat content; and what action he is taking to establish a minimum standard of meat content in both pork and beef sausages.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the facts stated. There is difficulty in devising a fully satisfactory set of statutory standards. The meat contents which applied during the control period have been accepted as good manufacturing practice and have been the basis of successful prosecutions under Section 2 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, by some food and drugs authorities. My right hon. friend therefore does not propose to lay down standards.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the extent of his shareholding as trustee for universities and colleges in the company called Allied Iron-founders; and if he is satisfied with the continuation of this holding in view of the company's recent contribution to Conservative Party funds.

Under the Universities and College Estates Act, 1925, I hold the proceeds of land transactions by certain universities and colleges who may ask me to invest these moneys for them in authorised trustee securities. It is for the bodies concerned to obtain proper advice on their investments and I then act in accordance with their instructions without influencing their choice.The extent and continuation of individual shareholdings are matters for the bodies concerned and it would not be appropriate for me to disclose the one or to comment upon the other.However, I understand that the Board of Trade records show me as holding 7,680 ordinary shares in Allied Ironfounders.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the grave disquiet amongst poultry breeders and egg producers over the Eastwood project which aims at controlling 12,000,000 laying birds and 20 per cent. of the egg market; what discussion he has had with the National Farmers' Union, and the British Egg Marketing Board, on the effects of these developments on the economy of the industry; what have been the results; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware of this project. The Farmers' Unions and British Egg Marketing Board have informed me that they will wish jointly to place before me their views on production trends in the egg industry, of which the entry of very large producers is one aspect. I have undertaken to consider whatever proposals may be made, and cannot make a statement at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the actual price received by producers of tuberculin tested milk in 1955–56 and what is the difference between this price and that to be received by milk producers as a result of the present price review.

The average ex-farm price received by wholesale producers of Tuberculin Tested milk in England and Wales in 1955–56 was just over 3s. 1½d. a gallon. It is expected that this year the price will work out at about 3s. 0½d. a gallon; this price would have been about 3d. a gallon higher but for the increase of over 20 per cent. in total milk production which has taken place since 1955–56.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make available details of costs increases in dairy farming between 1955–56 and the current year.

Wage rates, rent levels and the cost of other goods and services used in dairying have increased since 1955–56, though prices of concentrated feedingstuffs have declined somewhat. The efficiency of milk production has, however, improved during this period and the average cost per gallon, as shown by samples of about 500 herds in the National Investigation into the Economics of Milk Production in England and Wales, declined from an average of 29·0d. per gallon in the two years 1955–56 to 1956–57 to an average of 27·8d. per gallon in the two years 1960–61 and 1961–62, the latest period for which figures are available.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he has taken, by the operation of his powers regarding registration under the Trading Representations (Disabled Persons) Act, 1958, to prevent door-to-door salesmen from offering goods purported to be made by the local blind and disabled.

Applications for registration from traders wishing to engage in door-to-door sales and to represent that the sale of their goods benefits blind or other disabled persons are closely examined in order to ensure that such representations can reasonably and pro-

		Numbers unemployed in the Gateshead and Felling Employment Exchange areas				Numbers unemployed in the Northern Region
		Men	Boys	Women	Girls	Men	Boys	Women	Girls
13th April, 1964	…	1,656	167	295	25	32,905	3,153	9,292	1,685
April, 1963	…	2,406	334	349	173	49,000	4,568	10,908	2,947
April, 1962	…	1,593	50	330	14	33,337	1,720	8,588	956
April, 1961	…	1,201	61	268	19	22,033	1,581	7,479	883
April, 1960	…	1,485	179	350	105	27,748	1,925	8,971	952
Percentage change between 1960 and 1964		+12	-7	-16	-76	-19	+64	+4	+77
Percentage change between 1961 and 1964		+38	+174	+10	+32	+49	+99	+24	+91
Percentage change between 1962 and 1964		+4	+234	-11	+79	-1	+83	+8	+76
Percentage change between 1963 and 1964		-31	-50	-16	-86	-33	-31	-15	-43
There were on 8th April 8,348 unfilled vacancies notified to Employment Exchanges in the Northern Region including 370 at Gateshead and Felling.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of school leavers registered for first employment at the Gateshead Youth Employment Office at April, 1964; and what is the estimated number of school leavers who have taken up full-time further educa-

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons male and female, and persons under 18 years of age, male and female, respectively, were registered as unemployed at the April, 1964, count in Gateshead employment area, and the northern region; what were the comparable figures for each of the years 1960 to 1963; what was the percentage increase or decrease between each of the years 1960 to 1963 and 1964; and what was the number of unfilled vacancies at the latest convenient date for Gateshead and the northern region.

The following, is the information requested:tional courses and who are not included in the number of registered unemployed for April, 1964.

On 13th April, 88 boys and girls were registered for first employment at the Gateshead Youth Employment Office. 21 Easter school leavers are known to have taken up full-time further educational courses; they are not included in the registered unemployed.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of disabled persons on the employment roll of the Remploy factory in the years 1951 to 1963, which was situated in Dalmuir, but recently transferred to Anniesland in Glasgow; and to what extent the new factory will increase opportunities for the employment of disabled and industrially-injured persons.

The number of severely disabled persons employed in April of each year was as follows:

1951	39	1958	26
1952	41	1959	26
1953	37	1960	27
1954	36	1961	25
1955	35	1962	33
1956	28	1963	34
1957	27

The recent change in trade and premises should enable the factory ultimately to employ up to 100 severely disabled workers and it is Remploy's intention to build the labour force up to this figure as quickly as they can. As a first step eleven more people are being engaged in the next few weeks.

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled persons are on the register in the burgh of Clydebank and Kirkintilloch.

Information is only available for Employment Exchange areas. On 16th April, 1963, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 1,388 persons on the Register of Disabled Persons at Clydebank Employment Exchange and 241 persons at Kirkintilloch Employment Exchange. 176 and 40 respectively were registered as unemployed on 16th March, 1964, of whom 23 and 7 were registered as unlikely to obtain employment except under sheltered conditions.

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled persons registered in Clydebank and Kirkintilloch are employed by Remploy Limited.

Thirteen from Clydebank and none from Kirkintilloch.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the dispute, officially recognised by the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, between members of this union and Messrs. Decorwall, Wallpaper Manufacturers Ltd. Retail Division; and what action he is taking, following the refusal of the firm to meet the conciliation officers of his Department as requested by the union to bring the dispute to an agreed end.

This dispute arises from the dismissal of a union member employed as a shop manager in Coventry. My officers discussed the situation with a representative of the company last week. He told them that the company considered that the dismissal was justified and that the employee concerned had been informed of the company's reasons. The company is not prepared to meet the trade union. In these circumstances, I can do nothing to help bring about a settlement.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of persons registered as being employed in the district served by the Worcester employment exchange on 31st October, 1951, and 31st December, 1963.

Figures are available for the mid-year only. The estimated number of employees in employment in Worcester Employment Exchange area was 39,600 at mid-1951 and 45,300 at mid-1963.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reports he has received from the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the amounts contributed to the voluntary Cyprus Fund, set up under the Security Council Resolution of 4th March, by member Governments, by non-governmental organisations and by private individuals, respectively.

We have not had any reports from the Secretary-General about the amounts that have been contributed to the voluntary fund. But according to a United Nations Press release of 31st March, $5,189,000 had been contributed up to then Since that date further contributions have come in and I understand that the fund now stands at about $5,400,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what estimate was made of the strength of the Egyptian forces in the Yemen at the time of the arrival of the United Nations observers; and what is the estimated strength of the Egyptian forces there today.

I am not aware of any estimate by the United Nations observers of Egyptian strength in the Yemen at the time of their arrival last year. Figures issued by the United Nations suggested a total of 30,000 or more at the beginning of last month, including reinforcements since January. We believe that the increase in numbers has continued, and unofficial estimates published recently speak of 35,000 to 40,000 men.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, as co-chairman of the Geneva Conference, he will make a further statement on the situation in Laos.

Her Majesty's Government have been endeavouring, in co-operation with other Governments concerned, to promote the effective re-establishment of the Government of National Union in Laos which would include representatives of all three political parties under the leadership of Prince Souvanna Phouma. An important step towards this end was taken on 21st April, when the Laotian leaders who had visited the King of Laos at Luang Prabang announced the King's ruling that the Government of National Union was the only constitutional Government and was still in existence with Prince Souvanna Phouma as Prime Minister. Unfortunately the Revolutionary Committee of Right Wing army officers, whose coup d'etat on 19th April caused the present crisis, do not yet seem prepared to co-operate fully in implementing the decision taken at the meeting between the King and political leaders. Her Majesty's Government earnestly hope that the Revolutionary Committee will speedily adapt their views to those of other Laotian leaders and to the general concensus of international opinion that a tripartite Coalition Government under Prince Souvanna Phouma offers the best solution to the problems of Laos in conformity with the spirit of the 1962 Geneva Agreement. The situation in Vientiane and elsewhere in Laos has remained quiet. There has so far been no resumption of fighting and no threat to the safety of British subjects.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will investigate the causes and circumstances of the arrest in South Africa of a British citizen, Mr. Sydney Kitching, about whom information has been supplied to his Department by the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme; and if he will use his good offices in rendering him such aid as is necessary in the preparation for his defence.

Mr. Sydney Kitching went to South Africa from this country in his early twenties and resided there for 16 years. According to my information, he acquired South African citizenship and thus became a dual national. I am informed that he was arrested by the South African authorities and is being held under the provisions of the General Law Amendment Act of 1963, the so-called "Ninety Day Act".Since Mr. Kitching appears to be a South African national, Her Majesty's Government have no

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what proposals he has at the present time for new legislation regulating building; and whether it is intended to introduce such legislation during the current session.

I am considering the recommendations of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee that the legislation regulating building should be amended and extended, but it would not be possible to introduce a Bill during the current session.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what were the numbers of employees engaged in new industrial building construction in the London and South-East Region and in Scotland, respectively, at the latest available date.

It is estimated that in January of this year 13,000 operatives were engaged in new industrial building work in Scotland. No comparable figure is available for London and the South-East.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will list the public contractors in Scotland who have been asked to tender for work in connection with the Polaris bases at Faslane and Coulport.

33 Scottish firms on the Ministry's approved list have been invited to tender so far, some more than once, for contracts at these sites, in accordance with the Ministry's normal procedure for selective tendering. I regret that I cannot publish the names of those invited to tender as this would make it impossible to operate such a tendering procedure. I intend however, in future, once a contract has been let that all tenderers will normally be supplied with the names of the other tenderers.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he has yet received the Report of the Committee on the Placing and Management of Contracts for Building and Civil Engineering Work; and if he will make a statement.

The Committee's report will be on sale tomorrow but copies are now available in the Vote Office. I should like to record my thanks to Sir Harold Banwell and his colleagues for their valuable report.I have studied together the reports of this Committee and of the Working Party on Building and Civil Engineering Procedure in Scotland, which was published in February. While there are proposals which will require consultation with the interests concerned, the Government is in general agreement with the main lines of both reports.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works when the National Building Agency will be in a position to give advice about building; and what procedure should be followed by those desiring to have such advice.

The Chairman informs me that the Agency is now ready to receive requests for advice. Until 18th May applications should be made to the Agency's temporary offices at Room 1601, Thames House (South), Millbank, London, S.W.1, and thereafter to the new permanent offices at 35–38 Portman Square, London, W.1.

asked the Minister of Public Buiding and Works what were the reasons for the increase in expenditure or grace and favour residencies from £24,913 in 1961–62 to £81,334 in 1962–63; on which such residencies this increase was concentrated; and what is the estimated total for the year 1963–64.

The increase in expenditure was due mainly to work and services to prepare Apartment 1A, Kensing ton Palace for re-occupation. This accounted for £59,000 of the expenditure in 1962–63. The estimated total net expenditure on Grace and Favour residences for 1963–64 is £31,000.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works when the new building regulations will be submitted for the approval of Parliament.

I hope to lay the Regulations before Parliament later in the summer.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will publish in HANSARD a table showing how many compulsory purchase orders

METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCILS—PART III AND PART V HOUSING ACT 1957: COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDERS
		1959 Submitted	Confirmed	1960 Submitted	Confirmed	1961 Submitted	Confirmed	1962 Submitted	Confirmed	1963 Submitted	Confirmed	Not yet decided
City of London	…	1	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Battersea	…	10	10	5	4	3	3	2	2	6	5	—
Bermondsey	…	1	1	1	1	—	—	1	1	—	—	—
Bethnal Green	…	1	1	1	1	1	1	3	3	13	8	5
Camberwell	…	40	40	10	8	10	10	7	6	7	4	2
Chelsea	…	2	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	1	—
Deptford	…	1	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Finsbury	…	4	4	—	—	—	—	1	1	1	1	—
Fulham	…	6	5	1	1	10	5	6	3	3	—	3
Greenwich	…	5	4	—	—	3	3	2	2	4	—	4
Hackney	…	13	12	4	3	5	3	4	4	4	—	4
Hammersmith	…	9	9	3	3	2	1	1	1	1	—	1
Hampstead	…	2	2	1	1	2	2	2	2	—	—	—
Holborn	…	3	3	2	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Islington	…	1	1	5	5	8	8	12	12	7	3	4
Kensington	…	6	6	3	3	—	—	1	1	3	—	3
Lambeth	…	1	1	3	3	—	—	5	3	6	1	4
Lewisham	…	6	6	1	1	—	—	1	1	2	1	1
Paddington	…	2	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Poplar	…	5	5	2	2	2	2	1	1	3	1	2
St. Marylebone	…	5	4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
St. Pancras	…	2	1	2	2	—	—	2	2	11	4	6
Shoreditch	…	3	3	4	4	1	1	2	2	2	1	1
Southwark	…	2	2	1	1	2	2	1	1	3	—	3
Stepney	…	3	3	1	—	4	1	2	2	4	2	1
Stoke Newington	…	3	3	3	3	2	2	—	—	2	1	1
Wandsworth	…	20	20	2	2	16	13	9	6	14	5	8
Westminster	…	3	2	2	1	—	—	2	2	1	—	—
Woolwich	…	4	4	5	5	9	9	2	2	5	1	4
TOTALS	…	164	158	62	56	80	66	69	60	104	39	57
Notes
1. Numbers in the "confirmed" columns are related to those orders submitted in the relevant calendar year whether they were confirmed during that year or subsequently.
2. Confirmed orders include those confirmed with modifications.
3. Included in the total orders submitted in 1959 are 109 in respect of requisitioned houses. Of these 108 were confirmed. In 1960, eight orders in respect of requisitioned houses were submitted and eight were confirmed. No further such Orders were submitted after 1960.

Yes. The following table shows the number of orders submitted in these years by metropolitan borough councils which were made under Housing Act powers, since these are by far the most numerous. If the hon. Member has in mind orders for other purposes than housing, and will let me know, I will do my best to provide the information.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will state the number of houses that have been completed in the areas covered by the Worcester City Council, the borough of Droitwich and the Droitwich Rural District Council between 1st January, 1962 and 31st December, 1963.

The following are the figures of houses completed for local authorities and private owners—

Worcester City	729
Droitwich Borough	122
Droitwich Rural District	198

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what were the average loan charge, the average interest charge and the average rent, all stated in weekly terms, for a council house in 1951 and 1963, respectively, in Gateshead.

Following is the information. The figures for interest charges and total debt charges have been obtained by dividing the total interest and loan charges met from the Housing Revenue Account (which include payments on shops, garages, etc.), by the number of houses owned by the Council at the end of the financial year.

——	Loan Charges		Interest Charges		Rents
	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
1950–51	13	11	9	5	8	5
1962–63	27	3	21	3	21	5

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what were the average loan charge, the average interest charge and the average rent, all stated in weekly terms, for a council house in 1951 and 1963, respectively, in the non-county borough of Whitehaven and the Ennerdale Rural Council.

Following is the information. The figures for interest charges and total loan charges have been s obtained by dividing the total interest and loan charges met from the Housing Revenue Account, (which include payments on shops, garages, and other property besides houses) by the number of houses owned by each authority at the end of each financial year.

——	Loan Charges		Interest Charges		Rent
	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
Whitehaven B.C.:
1950–51	11	9	8	4	9	9
1962–63	21	1	15	4	21	2
Ennerdale R.D.C.:
1950–51	14	2	11	2	9	6
1962–63	21	3	15	4	17	1

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many houses have been built by Morpeth Borough Council during the last 12 years; how many have been improved during this period; and what plans they have for future developments.

The council has completed 438 dwellings in the 12 years endinig 31st March, 1964. Separate figures for improvements in the same period are not available, but since 1949 grants have been approved for 110 dwellings, including six council houses.The council proposes to build 16 dwellings in 1964 and a tender for these has been accepted.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (1) when he intends to approve the Hampshire coastal green belt, on which an inquiry was held in 1959;(2) what effect the provisions of Command Paper No. 2308 will have on the green belt proposals for Hampshire.

I cannot give a decision on these green belt proposals until the possibility of expansion in the South Hampshire area has been examined and further considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will request the Secretary-General of the United Nations to pay out of the voluntary Cyprus Fund established under paragraph six of the 4th March Resolution of the Security Council a United Nations supplementary allowance to British and other contingents serving under United Nations command in Cyprus, in order to bring their total emoluments up to a common standard.

No. Each national contingent is being paid in accordance with its own pay code. As I have explained to the House, the world-wide responsibilities of our own Forces preclude the payment of special allowances for particular duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware of the concern of Merseysiders for the future of H.M.S. "Starling" which, under the command of the late Captain F. J. Walker, R.N., set sail from Bottle out into the Atlantic in the hunt for Grand Admiral Doenitz' U-Boats and returned again to the port of Bootle; and if he will consider representations from the County Borough of Bootle with a view to H.M.S. "Starling" returning to Bootle as a Royal Naval Mersey Museum or Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve drill ship or for other maritime educational purposes.

Representations have been made from various sources that H.M.S. "Starling" should be preserved. Two ship has already had equipment removed in preparation for scrapping, and the cost of restoring her to her war-time state would probably be heavy. I regret that neither this cost nor the cost of subsequent maintenance could be borne by the Defence Vote.We would, however, be ready to consider any offers from Merseyside for her purchase.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the present composition of the Shipping Defence Advisory Committee; how many times this committee has met over the last two years; and whether he will make its report available for the information of hon. Members.

The Shipping Defence Advisory Committee is under the Chairmanship of the Vice Chief of Naval Staff and is composed of representatives of the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Transport, the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom, the Shipbuilding Conference and Lloyd's. As has been the practice for some time, the Committee has met once in each of the last two years. I regret to say that I cannot depart from the usual practice of not disclosing proceedings of standing committees dealing with confidential business.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies whether Her Majesty's Government will make a contribution to relieve distress caused by the recent cyclone in East Pakistan.

As a result of a cyclone which hit the Narail and Magura subdivisions of Jessore district of East Pakistan on 11th April, some 300 people were killed, many more injured and there was extensive damage. I am sure that the House will wish to join with me in expressing our sincere sympathy to the people of East Pakistan.As a practical indication of sympathy Her Majesty's Government have offered a token gift of £2,500 for the purchase of clothing to relieve distress.Parliament will be asked, in due course, to approve a Supplementary Estimate. In the meantime an advance has been made from the Civil Contingencies Fund.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now selected a reactor for marine application after his appraisal of the Padmore Study Group Report.

No. The Government are still considering the Group's report.

asked the Minister of Tranport if he will give an analysis of the road accidents in Willesden and in neighbouring boroughs in each of the past three years, specifying the type of accident in each borough, the number and age of the casualties involved, and the number of accidents attributed to the driving of vehicles while under the influence of alcoholic drinks.

We are analysing our records to obtain as much as possible of the information, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Transport how many road sites in the borough of Willesden his department has investigated during the past year and is currently investigating with a view to reducing the number of motor accidents in the area and making the borough safer for pedestrians; and where these sites are located.

About 15. I will send my hon. Friend details of the sites.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that the M.1 is scheduled to be extended to Staples Corner at the intersection of the North Circular Road and the Edgware Road, what plans his Department has for providing for the movement of the additional traffic into London and for moving traffic destined for the west of England from this point.

The route for traffic continuing into London will be via the North Circular Road, the 3-level flyover at Brent Cross and A.41. Comprehensive plans are well advanced for the improvement of this route to a point south of Swiss Cottage: over 1 mile of it is already dual carriageway. Traffic to the west of England from Staples Corner will be able to use the North Circular Road, which is being progressively improved, and A.40 or M.4. The D Ring Road, for which a preliminary survey is now under way, will later provide a more direct route, enabling this traffic to avoid Staples Corner altogether.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the proposed closure of the Shoreham-Horsham branch railway line.

I have now received the report of the Transport Users Consultative Committee on hardship. The Committee has made a very careful assessment of the effect of closure on users. I shall give my decision when I have carefully studied its report and all the other effects of the proposed closure.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many school places were provided in the areas covered by the Worcester City Council, the Borough of Droitwich Council, and the Droitwich Rural District Council between 1st January, 1951, and 31st December, 1963.

6,015 new school places.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to open a retail branch of Her Majesty's Stationery Office in Leeds to meet the needs of the many regional headquarters of commercial organisations and of higher educational institutions which at present experience delay in obtaining Government Reports and White Papers.

The demand for Government publications in Leeds is not sufficient to warrant the opening of a retail branch of the Stationery Office. However, two of the principal booksellers in Leeds are official agents of the Stationery Office, with whom no less than 17 other retailers in Leeds also maintain accounts for Government publications.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what loans are held by Ashington Urban District Council, Northumberland; and what rate of interest has been charged, with the amounts paid on such loans, over the period 1951 to 1963;(2) what loans have been taken up by Morpeth Borough Council, Northumberland; what interest is charged; and how much interest has been paid per year, during the period 1951 to 1963.

I regret that I do not have detailed information as to the terms of borrowing of boroughs or urban districts. I understand, however, that it can be obtained from the authority concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many accidents have been notified to his Department as occurring on the A.75 route within one mile of Twynholm village; how many resulted in fatal and non-fatal injuries, respectively; and when he expects to authorise a bypass round this village.

In the four years 1960–63, nine accidents involving injury were reported. There was one fatality (1960) and eight cases of slight injury. An Order fixing the line of a by-pass was made in 1952 but I cannot say when its construction is likely to be authorised.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of nursery schools in each education authority's area; and what is the number of children enrolled.

The information is given in the following table:

EDUCATION AUTHORITY NURSERY SCHOOLS AND CLASSES (15TH JANUARY, 1963)
Education Authority	Number of Nursery Schools	Number of pupils in these schools
Counties:
Aberdeen	1	50
Angus	—	—
Argyll	—	—
Ayr	5	370
Banff	—	—
Berwick	—	—
Bute	—	—
Caithness	—	—
Clackmannan	—	—
Dumfries	2	80
Dunbarton	—	—
East Lothian	—	—
Fife	5	278
Inverness	—	—
Kincardine	—	—
Kirkcudbright	—	—
Lanark	2	89
Midlothian	—	—
Moray and Nairn	1	75
Orkney	—	—
Peebles	—	—
Perth and Kinross	1	33
Renfrew	1	48
Ross and Cromarty	—	—
Roxburgh	—	—
Selkirk	—	—
Stirling	1	36
Sutherland	—	—
West Lothian	—	—
Wigtown	—	—
Zetland	—	—
Burghs:
Aberdeen	4	310
Dundee	8	399
Edinburgh	14	882
Glasgow	41	1,892
Total (Scotland)	86	4,542

There are also attached to primary schools 37 nursery classes with 964 pupils.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will give a list of the firms to which his Department is giving assistance or support in respect of the British exhibitions to be held in Peking in June and November, 1964, sponsored by the British Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Sino-British Trade Council, respectively.

The Board of Trade is providing no financial assistance to individual exhibitors in either exhibition. As I explained in my Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne) on 24th March, our Chargé d'Affaires in Peking has been instructed to give individual exhibitors at the June exhibition the support and help they need, but I have no record of which firms have sought his help. He will of course be prepared similarly to help exhibitors at the November exhibition.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the reason for the persistent delays in letter and parcel delivery in the Llanidloes area of Montgomeryshire; and what steps he is taking to remedy the matter.

My inquiries have not brought to light any recent instances of persistent delay to mail in the Llanidloes area: I am keeping the position under review and if the hon. Member will let me have details of any delays which come to his notice I shall gladly look into them.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the widespread protests at the decision to remove the Post Office Savings Bank head office to Glasgow, and of the concern of many people for more regional autonomy and development, he will change the character of the Post Office Savings Bank organisation by having regional savings bank headquarters in Scotland and in Wales and others in different regions in England.

No.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the number of telephone subscribers during each of the past five years in the Carrickfergus area of County Antrim, and the percentage increase or decrease for each year as compared with the preceding one; and if he will estimate the likely increase in subscribers in this area during the period ending in 1970.

The numbers of telephone subscribers on Carrickfergus exchange during each of the past five years were as follows:

• At 31st March, 1959—461.
• At 31st March, 1960—491, an increase of 6·5 per cent.
• At 31st March, 1961—515, an increase of 4·9 per cent.
• At 31st March, 1962—557, an increase of 8·2 per cent.
• At 31st March, 1963—583, an increase of 4·7 per cent.
• At 31st March, 1964—643, an increase of 10·3 per cent.

I estimate that by 1970 the number of subscribers will be about 1,000.