asked the Minister of Power whether he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to electricity supply boards to provide compensation to farmers who suffer losses due to electricity supply failure.

No. Boards must be free to decide each case on its merits.

asked the Minister of Power what research is being undertaken into the difficulties which have been encountered in the commissioning and operation of steam turbo-alternators of 200 megawatts and above.

Considerable research is in progress concerning the operation of very large turbo-alternators. The difficulties encountered on 200 megawatt machines have been overcome and work is in hand on the larger units.

asked the Minister of Power if he will make a further statement about the information he has received on the negotiations which have been undertaken between the Gas Council and Dutch authorities, with a view to the importation of natural gas from the Netherlands into the United Kingdom.

No. I cannot add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne) on 18th June.

asked the Minister of Power whether the Steel Board has undertaken the first of the regular triennial reviews of the extent of home ore reserves, as recommended by its special committee, and with what result.

Yes. The results are now before the Board's special committee and will be published in due course.

asked the Minister of Power whether, in view of the low costs of producing home iron ore, the fact that it is inadequately used, and the lack of progress towards the achievement of a consumption of 32 million tons in 1970 expected by the Home Ore Committee and accepted by the Steel Board, he will have a committee set up to assess the relative costs of using home and foreign iron ore, respectively, in the light of past experience and future prospects.

The Iron and Steel Board reconvened its special committee on home ore in May 1964 to review its previous conclusions and recommendations. I understand that the committee is studying the particular question suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Power what information he has as to the capacity of the oil refineries now under construction in this country; and what is the coal equivalent of the fuel oil to be produced.

The capacity now under construction will be able to distill 10 million tons of crude oil a year and, depending on the type of oil processed, to supply between 6 and 8 million tons of coal equivalent of fuel oil.

asked the Minister of Power what estimate he has made of the effect on the coal industry of the increase in the supplies of fuel oil from new refinery development, and of the amount of the investment in the publicly-owned coal industry which will be rendered abortive as a result.

The main effect of this development will be to replace imported oil products with home-produced ones. Its effect on coal cannot be isolated from that of oil competition generally.

asked the Minister of Power to what extent he seeks to secure that oil refineries produce as much of their output as possible in the form of lighter fractions for transport, thereby minimising the production of residual fuel oil which is supplementing indigenous coal, of which the nation has abundant supplies and reserves, and is inflicting serious financial strain on a basic industry in this country.

It is certainly in the national interest that the output of home refineries in the lighter products which are not generally in competition with coal should be sufficient to cover home requirements, but the balancing of refinery operations between these and other products is a matter for the companies.

asked the Minister of Power if he will issue a general direction, in the public interest, to the National Coal Board to withdraw advertisements offering cheap coal for sale in those areas where supplies cannot be made available.

No. I know of no shortages of house coal, but if the hon. Member has any particular difficulties in mind I would, of course, ask the National Coal Board to look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether he is satisfied that import tariffs and quota arrangements are now such as will secure a position in the United Kingdom which will provide for the cotton industry fair competitive conditions, allowing for growth and stability of employment; and if he will make a statement.

I am satisfied that the arrangements we have made for the regulation of imports of cotton textiles—together with the faster expansion of the domestic economy—have contributed to the steady and significant improvement which has taken place in the cotton industry over the past months. The arrangements under which certain overseas suppliers restrain exports to the United Kingdom run out at the end of 1965.I am seeing the Cotton Board next week about proposals it has made for protection of the cotton industry after this time. The arrangements to operate after the end of next year can only be settled after consultation with various interested parties, including major suppliers in the Commonwealth. The Government are well aware that the United Kingdom already imports from developing countries a higher proportion of the cotton textiles she uses than any other major industrialised country. They consider that the arrangements to operate after 1965 should provide as clear as possible a basis on which our own producers, and other suppliers of cotton textiles to the British market, can make their plans.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether he is satisfied that the present policy of the Export Credits Guarantee Department for guaranteeing export credits for India and Pakistan is adequate to ensure that United Kingdom exports to these two countries keep pace with those of the United Kingdom's competitors.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether the examination now being conducted by the North-West Study Group into the suggested Morecambe Bay and Solway barrage schemes will include a full technical and economic investigation of these projects.

Yes, if the Group's preliminary assessment of these schemes shows that expenditure on a fuller investigation would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will set up an inquiry into the extent and content of training and education carried on by industry in the field of day release.

No. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science is already in touch with both sides of industry and with the education service on the steps to be taken to implement the Henniker-Heaton Report on day release.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what timetable he has drawn up in connection with the projected regional study of the future industrial and economic development of the East and West Ridings; and when he expects to publish the report.

Preliminary work has already started. Otherwise I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's statement on 4th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will now make a statement on the steps he will take to ensure fairness as between pay-television operators and cinema exhibitors in respect of contributions to film production; and when he will introduce legislation for the purpose.

I would refer the hon. Member to the speech which my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary made on 9th July when the House considered an amendment to the films levy Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry Trade and Regional Development if he will now make a statement on measures to deal with monopolistic practices in the cinema trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what consideration he has now given to the Report of the Cinematograph Films Council; and whether he will make a statement on the future of the industry.

The allegations of abuse of a monopoly position and the Cinematograph Films Council's recommendation that, if it were practicable, a larger measure of competition in film exhibition would be advantageous are receiving close attention. I will make a statement on them as soon as my consultations and my consideration of the important and difficult issues that arise have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he is satisfied that graphite moderated nuclear reactors for electricity generation can be sold abroad at competitive prices; and if he will make a statement.

The competitiveness of different types of reactor depends on such factors as—capital and running costs and suitability for local conditions. I think there should be reasonable prospects for the sale abroad of graphite moderated reactors.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what estimate he has made of the number of British tourists who go to Rumania each year.

None. Information of this kind is not available for Rumania.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development how many people spent holidays abroad in 1950 and 1963, respectively.

The British Travel and Holidays Association estimates that about 4½ million British residents took holidays abroad in 1963. No information is available for 1950, but the comparable figure for 1951 was about 1½ million. These estimates are based on sample surveys in these years.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what estimate he has made of the number of British tourists who go to Yugoslavia each year.

None. Information of this kind is not available for Yugoslavia.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether he will seek to ensure that the inquiry into the circumstances under which £1,750,000 of Government money was lent to the North British Locomotive Company Limited in 1959 and subsequent developments leading to its liquidation will be fully independent; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware of no reasons to justify the holding of an inquiry of any sort.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps have been taken to soundproof the new Bulstrode Girls School, Hounslow, against aircraft noise.

No proposal about soundproofing has been put to me by the local education authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress he has to report on the setting up of new negotiating machinery for teachers' salaries.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) on 2nd July.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many overcrowded classes there are in primary and secondary schools, respectively, in the county of Staffordshire; and what were the comparable figures in 1951–52.

The table below shows the number and percentage of primary classes over 40 and secondary classes over 30 in maintained schools in Staffordshire, in January of the years 1953 and 1963.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many new schools have been completed in Dorset since 1951; and what has been the total cost.

Sixteen new primary schools and 14 new secondary schools, including first instalments, have been completed since 1951 at a total cost of £2,775,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has for changes in the arrangements for the remission of school meals charges.

In consultation with the local authority associations, I have prepared a national income scale. This will replace the individual scales of the local education authorities and will ensure uniformity of treatment throughout the country. I shall be issuing a circular next week giving full details of the new scale.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to restrict the circumstances under which a person may be sent to prison in default of paying fines, for non-payment of maintenance allowances, or for debt.

I doubt whether there is scope for adding to the restrictions already imposed by the Magistrates' Courts Act, 1952.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inquiries are being made to ensure that all persons who may have been convicted on evidence by Detective-Sergeant Challenor in the last 18 months have an opportunity for their cases to be reviewed.

It is open to any such person to make representations to me or to the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. Whether or not representations have been made, particulars of all convictions since July, 1962, which, after careful search, can be identified as having depended wholly or partly on the evidence of Detective-Sergeant Challenor are being placed before Mr. Goodchild, Chief Constable of Wolverhampton, for the purpose of the inquiry of which I informed the House on 2nd July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what action has been taken to counter gangsters' illegal activities in the protection and blackmail racket in the East End of London, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North; and if he will make a statement;(2) what report he has received from the Commissioner of Police into the investigations carried out by Detective Chief Superintendent Fred Gerrard, head of No. 3 District Criminal Investigation Department, into activities of a team of East End gangsters connected with the protection racket, blackmail, and other illegal activities; whether he will publish the report; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports he has received from the Metropolitan Police about the intimidation in the form of protection money extorted from club owners in the West End of London; and what action he is taking.

The investigation of alleged criminal activities and the taking of appropriate action in connection therewith are matters for the Commissioner of Police, who submits cases as necessary to the Director of Public Prosecutions. He also keeps me informed about the seriousness and incidence of various types of crime in the Metropolis, including the types mentioned. It would not be in the public interest to disclose the progress of particular inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, before taking any final decision about disciplinary action against the two prison officers who were in charge of Kenneth de Courcy when he escaped, he will order a full and independent investigation into the circumstances in which the prisoner was given exceptional privileges.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of his admission that a grave error of judgment in his Department led to the escape of the prisoner K. de Courcy, and that this man should not have been allowed to visit his solicitors' office while his appeal was before the High Court, he will cancel the reprimand administered to the two prison officers who were ordered to escort de Courcy on this occasion, and thus, without their knowledge, to take part in an unlawful act.

I explained in my answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Barking (Mr. Driberg) on 9th July the reason why it was decided to grant facilities to this prisoner for consultation with his legal advisers at their office. The circumstances in which these facilities were, in error, continued after the hearing of his appeal had started have already formed the subject of an inquiry on behalf of the Court of Criminal Appeal, and a full explanation and apology were given on my behalf in open court, and accepted. The Court instructed its officers to assist my Department in the preparation of instructions designed to ensure that the correct procedure in regard to appellants whose appeals are being heard by the Court is always followed in future.The disciplinary charge against the two prison officers to whose custody the prisoner was entrusted at the time of the escape was solely concerned with their duty to keep in their custody and within their sight a prisoner whom they were instructed to escort. On this, under the discipline code for prison officers, an award of a reprimand has been made by the prison governor. Under that code they now have a right of appeal to me. If they exercise this right of appeal I will take into account all the circumstances of the case before coming to any decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reply he has made to the request from the Council on Tribunals for a report on the procedure adopted by the tribunal considering the appeals of Police Constables Bourne and MacLennan; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library of the House.

The Secretary of the Council on Tribunals sought the comments of my Department on representations made to the Council about the procedure followed on these disciplinary appeals under the Police (Appeals) Acts, 1927 and 1943. The representations pointed out that a member of the public concerned in the alleged disciplinary offences was not called to give evidence at the inquiry which I ordered: that the inquiry was held in private: and that no reasons were given for the decision taken.The Council have been informed that under Rule 8 of the Police (Appeals) Rules 1943 (S.I. 1943, No. 473) the inquiry was conducted by way of a rehearing of the disciplinary charge, and it was accordingly for the appellant and respondent to decide what evidence they should call in support of their respective cases. A tribunal holding an inquiry into a disciplinary appeal has power to subpoena witnesses, and this power is normally exercised only on the application of the appellant or respondent.In this case the tribunal sat in private in accordance with Rule 7 of the same Rules. I have undertaken to consider whether any consequential amendment of this Rule is required when, after the forthcoming review of the Police (Discipline) Regulations, these regulations have been amended to entitle a complainant to be present at a police disciplinary hearing.In accordance with Section 2(3) of the Police (Appeals) Act, 1927, a copy of the tribunal's report was sent to the appellants and respondent with my decision on the appeals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action the Metropolitan Police have taken to arrest and charge the persons concerned in physically assaulting the constituents of the hon. Member for West Ham, North, on 20th April, 1964, details of which have been supplied to him.

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that despite extensive inquiries the persons responsible for the alleged assault on the hon. Member's constituents on 20th April have not yet been identified. Warrants have, however, been granted on description for their arrest for an offence against Section 47 of the Offences against the Person Act, 1861.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet completed his re-investigation into matters affecting prisoner T. Brett, as a result of the correspondence supplied to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, and the discussions which he has had with the hon. Member; and whether he will make a statement.

I have carefully considered all the points raised by the hon. Member, to whom I am writing more fully, but I have found no grounds for recommending any interference with Brett's conviction or for referring his case to the Court of Criminal Appeal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the percentage of dependants among Commonwealth immigrants has increased or decreased; and to what causes he attributes this change.

In the period January-May 1964, 18,989 Commonwealth citizens subject to immigration control were admitted to take up residence, of whom 11,710, or 61·5 per cent., were dependants. In the eighteen months July 1962–December 1963, 78,620 were admitted to take up residence, of whom 35,066, or 44·6 per cent., were dependants. The number of dependants either accompanying or coming to join the head of the household has increased in recent months, and the number of immigrants arriving with Ministry of Labour vouchers has fallen.

asked the Minister of Transport what reply he has sent to the letter to him from the General Secretary of the National Federation of Old Age Pensioners Associations asking him to give facilities to the Bill introduced by the hon. Member for Newcastle, Central, to amend the Public Service Vehicles (Travel Concessions) Act, 1955.

I have sent the hon. Member a copy of the reply.

asked the Minister of Transport if, with a view to preventing the use of re-cut tyres on treads already worn out, he will amend the Construction and Use Regulations so as to require the use of tyres with a minimum thickness of rubber on the tread or a minimum number of ply.

No. Such a regulation would be extremely difficult to enforce. I am, however, seeking powers under the Consumer Protection Act, 1961, to regulate the sale of re-cut tyres.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is now able to decide on the line of the Esher bypass; and when work on the bypass is likely to begin.

I hope that it will be possible to publish a draft Order for the line of the bypass later this year. But at this stage I cannot say when work is likely to begin.

asked the Minister of Transport to what axle weight motorways and new roads are being designed.

The standard of design and construction of motorways and new roads is not determined by vehicle axle weight but by the total volume of heavy commercial vehicles which it is estimated will use the road.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arms Her Majesty's Government are currently supplying to Roumania.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many individuals below the rank of diplomatic agent, attached to the missions in London of the four foreign Governments with whom Her Majesty's Government have special reciprocal arrangements, will in future possess personal immunity and inviolability of residence in excess of that allowed to their rank under the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations; and what is the nature of their present employment in the missions concerned.

There are at present 161 individuals in the ranks indicated, together with 80 wives, to whom these reciprocal arrangements guarantee the maintenance of immunity and inviolability at the present level. These individuals are employed in the administrative and technical services of the Missions of the countries concerned, or as domestic servants.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that there will now be five universities with a probable sixth sited in or near central Scotland, two of which will be devoted largely to technological studies, and, in view of these developments, if he will ensure that the pending new foundation will be located in Inverness so that the academic. social, and industrial progress of Scotland will be promoted on a national, and not regional, basis.

In considering the University Grants Committee's recommendation on the location of the new university, the Government are giving due weight to all the relevant factors.

asked the Postmaster-General by what authority a notice concerning the Post Office dispute was displayed at Mount Pleasant on 13th July; if he is aware that the notice is expressed in threatening and provocative terms; at how many other offices this notice has been displayed; and if he will stop its further distribution and withdraw it forthwith.

The notice was displayed on the authority of Post Office Headquarters. I do not accept that its terms are threatening or provocative. It informed the staff that they would not be paid while on strike and that for the day of the strike the privilege of taking paid sick leave without a medical certificate would be withdrawn. In the interests of the staff it also reminded them of certain standing provisions relating to their employment. Notices in much the same terms were put up at other offices likely to be affected by the strike planned for today.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a White Paper giving particulars of the countries, including members of the Commonwealth, which since 1952 have sought to purchase arms and equipment, including warships from the United Kingdom, and which have not been accorded the requisite permission by Her Majesty's Government.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the average wages in Her Majesty's Dockyards in July 1964, July 1963, and July 1951, giving skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled separately.

The figures for Her Majesty's Dockyards as a whole, relating to April in the years mentioned, are shown in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the average wages in Her Majesty's Dockyards in July 1946 and July 1950, giving skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled separately.

I regret that the figures for 1946 are no longer available. The average weekly earnings of adult males in Her Majesty's Dockyards in October 1950 were £6 17s. 0d. for an average working week of 46·9 hours.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the sites of Cambridge barracks and Red Barracks in Woolwich will be released for housing purposes.

I anticipate that Red barracks can be released in 1966. There is a continuing requirement for Cambridge barracks until the permanent accommodation for Woolwich Garrison units has been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the rebuilding of the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich, to be completed.

I have been asked to reply. This project will be carried out in three phases, the last of which is due to be completed towards the end of 1967.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action he has taken, or proposes to take, on the progress reports of the Standing Technical Committee on Synthetic Detergents.

The work of the Committee has brought about a great increase in the use of detergent material that is easily broken down in sewage purification. The action called for in the last report of the Committee was the testing of the commercial feasibility of certain new materials. I understand that these tests are being carried out.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will make a statement on the future use of the land to be released at Hendon Airfield.

Officers of the Hendon Borough Council, the Middlesex County Council and the London County Council have been considering the future use of the land to be released at Hendon airfield. These authorities are being recommended to accept that the land to be released should be developed as a primarily residential community, with its own local shopping, community facilities, open space and schools, land being reserved as necessary for certain other educational purposes.It is suggested, and my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Defence and the Minister of Public Building and Works accept, that a consultant should be employed to prepare a comprehensive layout plan for both the civilian community and the service housing on the airfield site. Officers of the local authorities and of my right hon. Friend's departments will continue to collaborate in working out details of the proposals.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (1) if he will institute an inquiry into the causes of depopulation, over the last hundred years, in the following Welsh counties, namely, Anglesey, Merioneth, Montgomery, Radnor, Brecon, Cardigan, and Pembroke, with a view to remedial action;(2) if he will institute an inquiry into the causes of depopulation, over the last fifty years, in Merthyr Tydfil and the Rhondda Valley, respectively, with a view to remedial action.

If the hon. Member would write to me explaining the kind of inquiry he has in mind, I shall be prepared to consider whether such enquiries would serve a useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Health when the revised plan of the local authorities in England and Wales for their health and welfare services will be published.

On Tuesday, 21st July.