asked the Postmaster-General what system he is adopting for hearing appeals by individual Post Office Savings Bank staff against being moved to Glasgow; and if he will make a statement.

I have already said that I intend to set up special machinery to examine any special or personal domestic difficulties which members of the staff may put forward. It would, however, be premature to create a detailed system until I know how many volunteers there will be. When that stage is reached, I hope we shall have the advantage of consultation with the staff associations. As I have assured the House, the Post Office will do all it can to see that no avoidable hardship arises.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will issue instructions that letters insufficiently or wrongly addressed shall be sealed when returned to the sender.

Undeliverable letters returned to the sender are sent in sealed covers; and I do not think re-sealing the letters themselves would achieve the purpose the hon. Member has in mind. I am explaining the position in more detail to the hon. Member in my reply to the letter which he has sent to me.

asked the Postmaster-General why he decided, on the grounds of obsolescence, to withdraw the Houses of Parliament pictorial air mail letter and substitute for it four-hundred-year-old Shakespeare scenes; and, in view of the fact that the Houses of Parliament pictorial was much liked, if he will now re-introduce it and make it a permanent pictorial irrespective of changes contemplated for the future.

The Houses of Parliament pictorial Air Letter form was one of a pair—the other was of the Tower of London—which were put on sale in post offices in London from August 1963 to March 1964 as an experiment only to test the market for this kind of postal stationery. Public reaction was sufficiently encouraging to suggest a further venture in this field and the Shakespeare Festival seemed an appropriate theme. The Shakespeare Air Letter forms were issued on a country-wide basis, and will provide us with further experience on which to base a decision about the future of pictorial Air Letter forms. In reaching that decision we shall bear the hon. Member's comments in mind.

asked the Postmaster-General what restrictions he will place in his proposed legislation on the supplies of radio equipment to offshore broadcasting ships.

I would refer the hon. Member to my statement today.

asked the Postmaster-General what proportion of telephone calls dialled within each of the nine Post Office regions failed to connect first time due to the fault of the Post Office in the months ended 30th September, 1963, and 31st March, 1964, respectively.

The figures for the individual regions are as follows:—

asked the Postmaster General in which areas, and to what extent, the programme of conversion to subscriber trunk dialling has been delayed by the inability of equipment manufacturers to meet delivery dates and the inability of contractors to complete the installation of equipment by the required date, respectively; and if he will make a statement.

The programme of conversion to subscriber trunk dialling is large and complex, and it is not possible to discriminate between the causes of variations in individual cases. Taken as a whole the programme is proceeding satisfactorily. I am glad to say that the forecast made in Post Office Prospects 1963–64 (Cmnd. 1972)—that two-fifths of the country's subscribers would have trunk dialling facilities by March, 1964 was in fact exceeded; the actual percentage was 43 per cent.

asked the Postmaster-General how many subscribers in Brookmans Park have to share their telephone lines with others; and whether, when the planned cable relief is completed, all subscribers in Brookmans Park will have exclusive lines.

307 of the 1,168 subscribers in Brookmans Park have shared telephone lines. I am sorry that I cannot say when it will be possible to offer all subscribers in Brookmans Park a free choice of exclusive or shared service. As I said in the White Paper on "The Inland Telephone Service in an Expanding Economy" (Cmnd. 2211), shared service must continue in the short term if my aim to abolish the waiting list for telephones by March, 1966, is to be achieved.

asked the Postmaster-General when the proposed telephone cable relief which is being planned for the Brookmans Park area will be undertaken; and when it is expected that the work will be completed.

The cable relief scheme at Brookmans Park is already in progress and is expected to be complete in October of this year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs to what extent the recommendations of Command Paper No. 2308, South-East England, coincide with existing administrative regional arrangements.

Most of the Departments which are concerned with the South East Study use regional boundaries which correspond closely to the boundary of the area covered by the Study.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what adaptations he is making to existing planning machinery in order to implement the expansion envisaged in the South East Study.

The Government's intentions are explained in paragraph 19 of the White Paper "South East England".

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what interim measures were adopted, following the visit by one of his Department's inspectors, with the object of preventing the increasing public nuisance caused to residents of Brentford and Chiswick by the operation of a faulty sewerage works on the Richmond side of the River Thames; and what progress is being made with the other improvements.

The inspector suggested that the board might clear the sludge drying beds more quickly and that sodium nitrate should be more extensively used to suppress smell. My right hon. Friend understands these steps have been taken. The permanent improvements in hand should be completed by the end of the year, but their first effects should be felt by the end of July.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will state the present position regarding the survey of rights of way in the East Riding of Yorkshire; and whether he is proposing new legislation to overcome the present difficulties.

The East Riding County Council has published a draft map and is considering objections to it. My right hon. Friend is not proposing new legislation, but there is no reason why this should hold up progress with the survey.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (1) on what basis he made the calculation that 270,000 people from Scotland and north-east England are expected to move to south-east England between now and 1981; and how many of the 270,000 he estimates will come from Scotland;(2) how many overseas immigrants he expects to come into the South-East Region of England between now and 1981; and on what basis he made his calculations.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to a Question from the hon. Member for Lambeth, Brixton (Mr. Lipton).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether, in view of the increasing number of deaths resulting from fires in multi-occupied houses, he will recommend local authorities in the more vulnerable areas to insist on the provision of adequate fire escapes or, as a temporary measure, the installation of flexible metal ladders at convenient points.

The current Housing Bill will improve local authorities' powers to require the provision of means of escape from fire in houses in multiple occupation. When the Bill is enacted my right hon. Friend will be issuing advice to local authorities on its implementation, and in this connection will bear my hon. Friend's suggestions in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what progress has been made towards implementing an alternative arrangement to the nationalisation of the two privately owned electricity supply companies recommended by the Hong Kong Electricity Supply Commission in January, 1960; and if he will make a statement.

It has been decided to introduce legislation as soon as possible for the purpose of imposing control on the tariffs and dividends of the two supply companies. In return the companies will be granted certain rights which they do not hold at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what are the origins, objectives and extent of the obligations of the United Kingdom to the Federation of South Arabia; and if he will make a statement.

Britain's obligations to the Federation, which derive from the Treaty of 11th February, 1959, are to conduct the Federation's external relations in consultation with the Federal Government; to protect the Federation and assist in maintaining internal security; to provide advice and aid in its social, economic and political development; and to assist in the maintenance of Federal defence and security forces. Our aim is to help the Federation progress towards independence.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies, in view of the deteriorating political situation in Aden and in the South Arabian Federation, what steps he is now taking to eliminate the internal stresses and strains which have developed among the staff of Her Majesty's High Commissioner, Sir K. Trevaskis, details of which have been submitted to him twice by the hon. Member for Arundel and Shoreham, and which are prejudicing the efficiency of the High Commission.

I am satisfied that the High Commission is performing its difficult task with the utmost efficiency. I am sorry that my hon. and gallant Friend should seek to create a contrary impression. The two letters he wrote me were concerned with one individual case of an official who has asked to be moved to another territory.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he will make a statement on his talks with the Prime Minister of Malta.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, East (Dr. Bray) and the hon. Member for Barking (Mr. Driberg).

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what agreement has been reached with the Litunga of Barotseland regarding his country's association with Northern Rhodesia.

The agreement has been published as a White Paper (Cmnd. No. 2366).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that between 1952 and 1962 food prices rose by 32·5 per cent. and that the major part of this increase came in 1952–56 as a result of the Government's decision to abolish food subsidies; and whether he will now restore these subsidies.

The reasons which led to the ending of food subsidies ten years ago are still valid and our existing open market arrangements ensure that food prices are lower here than in most other industrial countries. Over the ten years referred to, wages and retirement pensions have risen much faster than the price of food.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he will ensure that due prominence will be given at the Forestry Exhibition at Blackbushe to exhibits demonstrating forestry in England as a business, yielding a return on capital invested, and publicising the advice available from the Forestry Commission staff on improved management techniques and modern accountancy methods;(2) whether he will ensure that due prominence at the Forestry Exhibition at Blackbushe will be given to exhibits encouraging the adoption by both foresters and timber merchants of modern methods of handling, converting and seasoning home-grown timber, so demonstrating to timber users its suitability for many purposes for which imported material costing foreign currency is often specified.

The whole exhibition is directed towards these purposes in general, and the specific subjects referred to will be illustrated as far as possible. Modern methods of handling and converting timber will be covered by the Forestry Commission's exhibit and by a number of machinery manufacturers' exhibits; an exhibit by the Timber Research and Development Association will illustrate the suitability of home-grown timber for house-building; and seasoning will be illustrated by the exhibit of the Forest Products Research Laboratory. This type of exhibition does not readily lend itself to demonstrating forestry as a business or to publicising the advice available on management and accountancy, but a number of Forestry Commission staff will be available to advise inquirers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to maintain the production of British Wiltshire bacon.

The Bacon Market Sharing Understanding which came into operation on 1st April, 1964, is designed to provide more stable prices for bacon than in the past, and the flexible guarantee is designed to promote stability in pig production. The "middle-band of the flexible guarantee was raised following this year's Annual Review to take account of the Government's undertaking to use its best endeavours to keep U.K. bacon production at levels specified in the Understanding. These measures should help to provide conditions favourable to the economic operation of our bacon industry.Nevertheless, as indicated in paragraph 50 of Cmnd. 2315, the Government is to examine with the interests concerned whether further provisions are necessary to influence or regulate U.K. bacon production at the levels specified in the Understanding. This examination is proceeding, but conclusions cannot be expected until we have more experience of the working of the Understanding. It is not intended that the examination should distinguish between different types of bacon production in the U.K.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will investigate the development of value analysis techniques in the United States of America, which it is claimed drastically reduce costs, with special relevance to the field of defence contracting; and if he will make a statement with regard to its possible use in this country.

My colleagues in the Ministry of Defence and I are already investigating the application of value analysis to defence contracts. Several major companies already apply the technique and my right hon. Friend has written to the aircraft and electronics industries generally recommending its wider use.

asked the Minister of Health how many outbreaks of typhoid fever in the last three years have been attributed to contaminated corned beef; if he is satisfied that present methods of inspection are adequate safeguards of the public health; what further steps he proposes to take; and if he will make a statement.

Three in England and Wales. I am satisfied that the surveillance exercised by local authorities provides the best practicable safeguards to the public health.

asked the Minister of Health what estimate he has formed, in terms of increased annual intake of students into the medical schools, of the future medical staffing requirements of the National Health Service.

I am considering what the figure should be in consultation with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the name, membership and terms of reference of the committee that is advising him on medical manpower requirements; when the committee was set up; and when he expects it to report.

There is no such committee. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Durham (Mr. Grey) on 18th November last.

asked the Minister of Health whether car expenses claimed individually by general practitioners belonging to a partnership are included in the Inland Revenue Returns for the calculation of the General Practitioner Expenses Pool though they are not reflected in the accounts of the partnership.

The figures of expenses supplied are those allowed as deductions for tax purposes. They therefore include both a partner's share of expenses borne jointly and any expenses he bears personally, provided these are admitted for Income Tax purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost and benefits of changing to a demical currency system.

An estimate of the cost was given in the Halsbury Report. The Halsbury Committee described the benefits as "incapable of measurement", but they would clearly be appreciable, although diffused throughout the economy and spread over a considerable period of time.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on the conduct of military operations in the Federation of South Arabia.

Since my statement to the House on 11th May the second phase of the operations against rebel tribesmen in the Radfan area of the South Arabian Federation has continued. British and Federal forces, taking advantage of the high peaks captured earlier, have cleared additional areas in the neighbourhood of the Wadi Dhubsan. A reconnaissance in strength has also been carried out from the south of the Radfan territory. These actions are part of the overall plan of quick thrusts from different directions aimed at keeping the dissidents on the move.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out in detail the arrangements made in the area of South Arabia for making appropriate political advice available to commanders of British forces.

Political advice is given as appropriate either by the British High Commissioner or by a Political Officer appointed to Middle East Command by the Foreign Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what decisions have been taken to reduce the intake of Commonwealth and overseas students into British medical schools in the forthcoming academic year.

The admission of students is the responsibility of the university institution concerned. So far as I am aware, no decision has been taken to reduce the intake of medical students from overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many unfilled places there were in British medical schools, and where they were, at the latest date for which figures are available.

The First Report of the University Central Council on Admissions shows the number of vacant places in medicine unfilled on 15th October, 1963, as five.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in advance of the creation of new management colleges at London and Manchester, he will take steps to provide grants for selected executives from industry to attend special courses in management teaching techniques which he will provide at already established universities.

The initiative for the introduction of any university course lies with the university concerned, and I am sure that the universities are aware of the importance of these studies. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State explained in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Mr. Maude) on 23rd March, there is a special course in management teaching techniques at the Regent Street Polytechnic, and suitably qualified persons from industry are eligible for local education authority grants to attend it if they intend to take up management teaching in technical colleges, or universities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Committee appointed by him to inquire into the present control of experiments on living animals held its first meeting; how many meetings have been held since; and when he expects to receive the Committee's recommendations on any changes that are desirable in the law or its administration.

The Committee on Experiments on Animals was appointed on 24th May, 1963, and held its first meeting on 25th June. It has held 19 meetings since then and has made a number of visits to experimental laboratories. It hopes to be in a position to submit its report by the end of this year.

asked the Minister of Power if he will seek the views of the National Union of Mineworkers, who are concerned about the matter, with a view to issuing a general direction, in the public interest, to the National Coal Board to halt the practice of allowing outside contractors into the coal mines to do work such as painting, rail-laying for wagons, driving underground drifts and the installation of machinery; and if he will make a statement.

No. I do not think a general direction would be appropriate. It is open to the National Union of Mineworkers to make its views known to the Board through the established machinery within the industry.

asked the Minister of Power how many gas-making plants are now in production making gas from a feedstock other than coal; and how many more, of what total capacity, which are expected to come into operation during the next five years, have been envisaged in the proposals made to him by the gas industry.

Sixty-three plants to make gas from feedstocks other than coal were in service or being commissioned on 1st April, 1964, with a total capacity of 615 million cubic feet per day. The proposals contained in the gas industry's current programmes of capital development envisage the addition by 1st April, 1969, of a further 75 such plants with a total capacity of about 2,400 million cubic feet per day.

asked the Minister of Power what annual tonnage of coal has been displaced as a result of the gas industry's policy of switching to feedstocks other than coal; and what estimate he has made of the annual displacement in five years time.

In each of the past five years the gas industry used about 22 million tons of coal: the greater use of other feedstocks for gas-making has therefore not yet led to any significant displacement of coal. It is estimated that the use of coal for gas-making will have declined to 14 million tons in 1968–69.

asked the Minister of Power what is the average cost per useful therm of gas produced from light oil distillates and by conventional coal carbonisation methods, respectively.

The cost of making gas by conventional carbonisation varies widely, but the average cost at a number of representative plants is 11½d. a therm. This includes an average of just over 1d. a therm for capital charges on existing plant; on rebuilt plant capital charges would be at least 2d. a therm, and on new plant about 5d. a therm. Estimated costs of production for light distillate reforming plant now on order lie between 7d. and 8½d. a therm, including capital charges.

asked the Minister of Power what estimate he has made of the average price per ton at which coal would require to be made available to the gas industry in order to produce gas at prices competitive with gas produced from light oil distillates.

Such an estimate could only be made in relation to a particular project. Some of the factors on which it would depend are the relative capital and operating costs of the plant, the load factors at which they are to operate and the prices that can be realised for coke and other by-products. Gas pressure, purity and toxicity would also have to be considered.

asked the Minister of Power what research is being conducted, or is planned, by the Central Electricity Generating Board on the transmission of power at voltages higher than 400 kv.

The Board is continuing to study the economies of transmission of power at higher voltages, and is doing some research on overhead A.C. transmission up to 800 kV. including work on power losses, radio interference and the performance of insulators.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps he is taking to promote more efficient management of the building process.

My Ministry has been doing a great deal, both formally and informally, to disseminate knowledge of the best management techniques and to encourage their use. It has recently recruited additional staff for this purpose, including engineers, architects, quantity surveyors and builders. This staff, along with officers from other Government building Departments is now attending an intensive course of special training organised by a firm of management consultants.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to be able to announce his decision about the proposed flyover at Gants Hill or alternative solution to the traffic problem on that part of Eastern Avenue.

This complex junction present difficulties and a number of alternative schemes are being studied. I am considering the issues involved in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government and a decision will be announced as soon as possible. But it would be wrong to rush it.

asked the Minister of Transport when the London to Dover A.2 road is to be improved between Brenley Corner and Dover; and when the village of Bridge is likely to be by-passed.

I cannot say when schemes on this length of A.2 can be found a place in the road programme. I am considering what other measures might be taken meanwhile to improve conditions through the village.