asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what proposals will be made by Her Majesty's Government at the Pledging Conference to be held in the autumn for the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance and the Special Fund; and whether they will invite other countries to join this country in building up these programmes to the level proposed by U Thant in 1960 in connection with the United Nations Development Decade.

Her Majesty's Government will be announcing an increase in their contributions to these Funds at the autumn Pledging Conference. Its size isRESEARCH WORKERS SUPPORTED BY DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION WORKING OVERSEAS

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation if he will give particulars of the distribution overseas of scientific research workers employed by his Department, or to whose employment his Department makes some contribution.

Of the 915 research workers overseas supplied by my Department 643 are in Africa; 142 in the West Indies and 108 in the Far East and Pacific.I give below tables showing this distribution in more detail both by area and function.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation how many overseas students were in full-time education in Great Britain in 1950 and in 1963; and, of these students, how many were from the developing countries.

In 1950 there were approximately 12,500 overseas students in full-time education in Britain. I regret that it is not possible to state how many came from the developing countries. In 1963 there were 64,320 students of whom 50,100 were from the developing countries.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation how many British teachers were serving in developing countries in January, 1963; and how many of them left Great Britain to serve developing countries during 1963.

At that time, there were about 2,600 teachers serving in developing countries who had been appointed under the auspices of Her Majesty's Government. I do not know the numbers serving under other auspices.During 1963, just over 1,300 teachers were appointed under the auspices of Her Majesty's Government, and we know of over 400 sent out by other bodies. In addition an unknown number will have been recruited direct by some of the developing countries.

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation if he will make a statement on the reception by the countries concerned of his recent announcement extending the areas to which low-priced books are available.

The extension of the Low-Priced Book Scheme to East and Central Africa has been well received by the educational authorities in the countries concerned. It is too early to say how well the books are selling.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to increase the staff of the University Grants Committee, in view of the delays now taking place in the approval of estimates and building plans for the universities.

A full review is in progress covering the organisation and complement of the University Grants Committee staff to ensure that these are adjusted to accord with the rapid increase in responsibilities of the Committee under the Government's plans announced last autumn. Meanwhile, as an interim measure, a number of immediate increases in staff have been approved and larger premises have been acquired. A deputy-chairman has been chosen and I intend very shortly to announce his name.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for increasing the staff of the University Grants Committee; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Edmonton (Mr. Albu) today.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many men and women students, respectively, in training colleges are specialising in mathematics.

About 2,000 men and 2,250 women are taking main courses in mathematics.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities allocate children between different types of secondary education in accordance with the will of the parents.

Many authorities offer parents a choice between different schools providing the same kind of education and in some parts of Leicestershire parents can choose whether or not their children should remain in a high school or transfer to a grammar school at age fourteen. Authorities generally do not allocate pupils to different types of secondary education to meet the wishes of parents but a number are proposing to introduce arrangements which will give parents more freedom of choice.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what procedures should be followed by parents of the 11-plus candidates for secondary education who wish to will the form of secondary education for their children.

The arrangements for giving effect to parents' choice of school vary from one authority to another. Parents whose children are due to take the 11-plus and who have any special problems should consult the head of their school or the chief education officer for their area.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what support is being given from Government funds to the development of specific, non-poisonous methods of the control of pests and weeds.

Research into nonpoisonous methods of controlling pests and weeds is being undertaken at a number of research institutes and units financed by the Agricultural Research Council or the Department of Technical Co-operation, and at universities with support from Government funds. These methods include the breeding of resistant varieties of crop plants and biological control as described in detail in Chapter V of the Report of the Council's Research Committee on Toxic Chemicals, which was published in February this year. The intensification of this research is being actively considered in the light of the Committee's recommendations.As this work is part of larger programmes of research undertaken by a number of institutions it is not possible to isolate its total cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what grounds a college, details of which have been sent to him by the honourable Member for Erith and Crayford, is entitled to advertise that it is registered by the Ministry of Education; and whether it is recognised as efficient by his Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps have been taken recently towards the setting up of the proposed Welsh Agricultural College at Aberystwyth; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is awaiting the recommendations of the Welsh Joint Education Committee, which is reviewing all full-time agricultural education below degree level in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many separate new school projects were under construction in England and Wales, respectively, at the latest convenient date; what is the aggregate cost; and how many school places they are designed to provide.

This school was finally registered pursuant to Part III of the Education Act 1944 and notice of registration was duly sent to the proprietor on 17th July, 1963.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many new schools were built and how many new school places were provided in the Blackley Parliamentary Division of Manchester between 1945 and 1951, between 1951 and 1959, and from 1959 to the latest convenient date.

Following is the information:

At 31st March, 1964, 911 major primary and secondary school projects were under construction in England and 47 in Wales, at a total cost of about £137 million. When completed they will provide 382,000 new school places.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the use of auxiliaries in schools for the many non-teaching tasks now performed by teachers.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the use of auxiliaries in schools and institutes of further education for non-teaching tasks.

The use of non-teaching staff for certain duties is a well-established practice both in schools and in further education and raises no issues of policy. I am awaiting the advice of my National Advisory Council on the Training and Supply of Teachers on the use of auxiliaries in the classroom in schools. I understand that some progress has now been made and that a draft report is to be considered at a further meeting in July.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state the percentage of children in grammar schools and in secondary modern schools in the County of Middlesex and in the London County Council area who stayed at school after the age of 15 in 1963–64; and if he will give the comparable percentages for 1953–54.

The earliest figures available are those in 1959. Between 1959 and 1963 the percentage of pupils in grammar schools who stayed after age 15 increased from 92 per cent. to 94 per cent. in London and from 95 per cent. to 97 per cent. in Middlesex. Secondary modern figures for London were 4 per cent. to 16 per cent. and for Middlesex 25 per cent. to 40 per cent. The secondary modern figures for London have little significance since the great majority of children are in comprehensive or other types of secondary school.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the new salary levels recommended by the National Incomes Commission for the universities, and accepted by Her Majesty's Government, will be reflected in the salaries of the staff of the Medical Research Council; and if he will give an undertaking that, when these salary increases take place, they will be not less than those recommended for university teachers.

Revised salary scales for the non-clinical scientific staff of the Medical Research Council, which are based on the comparable university scales, are being worked out. The new scales, which will be introduced as soon as possible, will be effective from 1st April, 1964, the same date as the university scales, and will be in line with those for comparable university staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the new agreement between the Atomic Energy Authority land Aktiebolaget Atomenergi of Sweden.

As the Atomic Energy Authority announced on 16th June, they have signed a contract with the Swedish atomic energy organisation, Aktiebolaget Atomenergi, for the supply of four plutonium-enriched fuel assemblies for the Agesta reactor. The supply of this material will be subject to the safeguards provided for in the agreement concluded last February between Sweden and the United Kingdom and laid as a Command Paper today. This extends to power reactors the 1957 Agreement for Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the establishment of a National Schools Council relating to curriculum and examinations.

The representative meeting which set up the Working Party on the Schools' Curricula and Examinations under the chairmanship of Sir John Lockwood met to consider the Working Party's Report on the 12th June. The recommendation that a Schools Council for the Curriculum and Examinations should be established was adopted unanimously and I was invited to take the steps necessary to establish the Council: I hope to do so in time for a first meeting in October. I am glad to say that Sir John Maud has accepted my invitation to be the Council's first Chairman.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the £4,400 grant made by his Department under the 1937 Physical Training and Recreation Act to the Budleigh Salterton Games Club in Devon is conditional upon the club's facilities being made available to all ratepayers and inhabitants in the area.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the names of the present members of the Scottish Universities Committee of the Privy Council under the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889.

The present members of the Committee are myself (as Lord President of the Council), the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Lord Justice General, the Lord Justice Clerk, the Lord Advocate, the Chancellors of the Universities of St. Andrews, Aberdeen and Edinburgh, two members of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council Lord Reid and Lord Keith of Avonholm, and four other members of the Privy Council appointed by Her Majesty, namely, Lord Thurso, Lord Strathclyde, the right hon. Arthur Woodburn and the right hon. Thomas Johnston, who is also a member in his capacity as Chancellor of Aberdeen University.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why the petition for the grant of a charter to the proposed University of Strathclyde was not referred to the Scottish Universities Committee of the Privy Council.

The powers and duties of this Committee are defined by the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889 and the Education (Scotland) Acts. The Committee has no jurisdiction in regard to the consideration of Petitions for the grant of Charters to new Universities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what criteria are demanded by the Summerson Committee before granting an educational institution the right to grant a diploma in art and design; and if he is satisfied that there are sufficient places available for suitable students.

On the criteria adopted, I would refer my hon. Friend to the First Report of the Summerson Council, a copy of which I am sending him. Last year there were 1,480 places, and 1,400 students were accepted as suitable for admission. This year there are likely to be at least 1,800 places. Results of this year's applications for entry are not yet available, but I do not at present expect that the number of places will prove to be insufficient for the suitable students applying.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress made on the expansion of the teacher training colleges.

This year there are 54,000 students in the teacher training colleges compared with 28,000 in 1957–58. This figure will rise to 60,000 next year. The current programme for a further expansion to provide for 80,000 students by 1970 is well advanced, and work at some colleges has already started. The new investment, amounting to £7 million over and above the resources already available for the improvement of the colleges, is being used both to encourage more intensive use of teaching accommodation and to improve provision for day and lodging students. This brings to £62 million the total investment authorised for building work on training colleges between 1959 and 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many mature students are at present taking a shortened one-year course at training colleges; and in how many colleges are these students studying.

This year 142 non-graduate students at 29 colleges have taken general courses of training shortened to one year and another 270 students at 16 colleges have taken special one-year courses for people with certain specialist qualifications. These student numbers include 102 and 143 mature students respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why fifteen of the leading scientists are leaving the extractions of metals group of the National Chemical Laboratory; why Dr. John Mitchell, the Laboratory Director resigned; and whether he will make a statement.

The decision to transfer 40 staff of all grades employed on work on the extraction of metals, from the National Chemical Laboratory to the Warren Spring Laboratory, both of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, followed from the Government's acceptance of a recommendation in the Report of the Committee on Technical Assistance for Overseas Geology and Mining under the chairmanship of Sir Frederick Brundrett. Of these 40, three junior members resigned before the announcement of the decision and one rather more senior has resigned since: eight have asked for transfer elsewhere. The Director of the N.C.L., Dr. John Mitchell, gave the Department no reason for his resignation, but it is understood that he disagreed with the decision to implement this recommendation of the Brundrett Committee. Whilst I greatly regret his decision I am satisfied that the national interest will best be served by arranging as the Brundrett Committee recommend for the work on extraction of metals hitherto carried out at the National Chemical Laboratory and that on mineral processing at the Warren Spring Laboratory to be integrated under the same research direction.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will now publish a full statement of the advice given by the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy on the proposal to establish a World Health Research Centre and on the advantages of Scotland as a possible site.

Yes. I give below the full text of the Advisory Council's advice on the proposal of the World Health Organisation to establish a large international research centre for biomedical research. The Council did not discuss the question of possible sites.Following is the text:WORLD HEALTH RESEARCH CENTRE

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has received the recommendations of the University Grants Committee on the siting of the new University in Scotland; and what decision he has reached.

The Government have now received the Committee's recommendations and as soon as they have studied them they will announce their decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take powers to offer rewards to members of the general public who come to the assistance of police constables in uniform who find themselves in difficulties while on duty; and if he will take powers to pay compensation to civilians injured when rendering such assistance.

It has long been the practice in appropriate cases for police authorities to reward meritorious acts by members of the public who go to the assistance of the police, and, with my approval, to make ex gratia payments to persons who suffer injury or loss in these circumstances. In addition, members of the public who suffer personal injury while assisting the police will, in certain circumstances, be eligible for awards under the Government scheme for compensating victims of crimes of violence. I believe that these arrangements are adequate and that further powers are not at present required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement about his communications with the chairman of British Railways concerning the employment of ex-prisoners.

I am most anxious to enlist the co-operation of all employers in providing employment for former prisoners and borstal inmates. With regard to British Railways, Dr. Beeching has assured me that applications for employment from such persons are considered on their merits in relation to such factors as their offences, the type of work concerned, the length of time since their conviction, and their subsequent record. He has promised to undertake to draw the attention of the British Railways management to my appeal that every possible chance should be given to a former offender who is trying to make good.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations have been made to his Department by people who have attained the age of twenty-one years prior to an election but are unable to vote; and what replies he has sent.

Since the canvass for the current register began last autumn, my right hon. Friend has received representations from 21 persons, either directly or through their Members of Parliament. In reply it has been explained the origin of the arrangements for "Y" voters and the problems which would be involved in making any change.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sittings of the Criminal Law Revision Committee have occurred; at what intervals and where they have sat; how many of these sittings have been in public; how many witnesses they have examined; and how many they plan to examine.

The Criminal Law Revision Committee has held thirty meetings, not counting informal meetings when some of the members have met to discuss particular questions.Intervals of meetings have varied according to the number and complexity of the subjects under reference at the time; but at present the Committee, which is considering three separate matters, is meeting at least once a week and will continue to do so until the Summer Recess. Meetings of the Committee involve the members in a great deal of preparatory work, and we are all very much indebted to the distinguished judges, practitioners and academic lawyers who are devoting so much of their time to the important work of criminal law reform.The Committee, which usually meets at the Home Office, does not hear formal evidence and does not sit in public; but memoranda from interested bodies and persons are taken into consideration. In addition persons having practical experience in the subjects under consideration are consulted from time to time on particular questions and are sometimes invited to attend meetings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the total number of university graduates who have joined the Metropolitan Police Force during the past 12 months.

From May, 1963, to April, 1964, inclusive, four university graduates joined the Metropolitan Police Force.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has now completed his study of the police report on men now serving sentences in which Detective-Sergeant Harold Challoner was involved; and if he will make a statement.

I am examining such cases in the light of the police report, but I am not at present in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that on Monday, 8th June, 1964, the honourable Member for West Ham, North, observed many vehicles being driven and parked on roads in the Metropolitan Police area without displaying the required road fund licences; and how many such cases were brought to the notice of the Metropolitan Police in the week ending 20th June, 1964.

My right hon. Friend has received and noted the hon. Member's letter of 15th June about the results of his observation of vehicles. During the week ended 20th June in the Metropolitan Police District 258 vehicles were reported for not exhibiting road fund licences, 750 vehicles for apparently having no road fund licence, and 140 vehicles for apparently having an out-of-date road fund licence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, among the proposals for electoral reform which he is considering, he will also consider amending the electoral law to ensure that, any candidate or elector may, on petition, have the right to examine the balance sheet of, and contributions made to, any political party contesting the forthcoming General Election.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a number of householders have been robbed by confidence tricksters organising false subscriptions for magazines; to what extent Scotland Yard have made investigations; and whether he will make a statement on the inquiries carried out by Detective-Superintendent S. Newman and others in connection with this matter.

A number of complaints about the activities of salesmen for magazine subscriptions have been received. I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that these are being investigated but that the necessary inquiries are inevitably complex and are likely to take some time to complete.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take the necessary steps to proclaim Thursday, 15th October, 1964, a national public holiday.

No.

asked the Minister of Power what assistance, financial and otherwise, Her Majesty's Government are giving to the project of boring for oil in the seas round Great Britain; how far these projects have advanced; and what effect they will have on British fishing grounds and the British fishing industry.

The Government are giving no financial assistance, but every encouragement, to these projects. In the North Sea many seismic and other surveys have been carried out and concerns interested in boring for oil and natural gas have been invited toapply for production licences by 20th July.Licensees will not be allowed to interfere unjustifiably with fishing or the conservation of the living resources of the sea, and I shall have in mind the interests of the fishing industry when giving consent for particular wells.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the Eastern Electricity Board, not to charge fees for pre-payment collection from meters designed to prevent theft when consumers are on holiday.

No. This is a matter for the discretion of the Board. I understand that they have a standard charge of 7s. 6d., but that they will make no charge where a special collection seems prudent in the light of local circumstances.

asked the Minister of Power what proposals have been made to him by the Central Electricity Generating Board on the need for a new coal-fired power station to be built in the County of Durham.

None.

asked the Minister of Power what is the megawatt output stipulated for the various types of nuclear power stations, tenders for which are now being invited, and on the cost of which the Government will decide the type to be adopted.

Under the Central Electricity Generating Board's specification, an advanced gas-cooled station at Dunganess would have an output capacity of about 920 MW. I understand the output of stations using alternative reactor systems may be somewhat larger. The Board have undertaken to ensure that tenders are judged on a comparable basis, and the results of the comparison will be reviewed by the Government in conjunction with the electricity supply industry and the Atomic Energy Authority.

asked the Minister of Power to what extent the specifications of the United States and British types of nuclear power stations, on which the consortia are now being invited to submit tenders, place the British type at a disadvantage when the Government has to decide which type to adopt.

The only specification issued by the Central Electricity Generating Board is for an advanced gas-cooled reactor station. The Board have stated that they would also be ready to consider tenders from British industry for water moderated reactor systems and these tenders would be expected to meet requirements of safety and performance comparable with those of the A.G.R. The Board have undertaken to ensure that tenders are judged on a comparable basis, and the results of the comparison will be reviewed by the Government in conjunction with the electricity supply industry and the Atomic Energy Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what is the latest estimate of the number of tourist visitors to Wales during 1963; and how many came from other parts of the United Kingdom and overseas, respectively.

Estimates issued by the British Travel and Holidays Association show that nearly 4½ million holidays were taken by British people in Wales during 1963. No information has been obtained to show the proportion coming from other parts of the United Kingdom. In 1960 the proportion was estimated at about 86 per cent. No estimates are yet available of the number of overseas visitors who stayed in Wales last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he is aware that Messrs. Parsons Marine Turbine Co. Ltd., Newcastle-upon-Tyne, have indicated their intention of closing down in October, 1964, and terminating the services of 229 men; and what new industry he proposes to introduce to replace this loss.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development, in view of the threat of closure of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne works of Parsons Marine Turbine Co. Ltd. later this year, what plans he is making to attract new industry into the area which would offer suitable employment for the men at this works.

My right hon. Friend is aware that, owing to a decline in marine steam turbine orders, this company intend to close down much of their Wall-send factory between now and next October. He understands that some of the workpeople affected will be transferred to other firms in the same industrial group.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will state the total amount spent on the construction of new factories, the number of factories constructed, and the number for whom employment was found, in each year between 1952 and the latest convenient date, respectively, for the City of Hull.

The available information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what action has been taken in the City of Stoke-on-Trent, and in North Staffordshire to carry out the proposed economic survey; who has been or will be consulted; what organisations have been asked to make contributions towards the study of economic needs and problems; in view of the specialised industries and the geographical area, if a separate report will be issued; and on what date it will be ready.

The West Midlands Study Group, as part of the current factfinding phase of their work, have consulted representatives of the Staffordshire County Council at Stafford and of the Stoke-on-Trent County Borough Council at Stoke. Discussions have also been held with Keele University. All District Councils in the Region have been invited to put forward information and views to the Study Group if they wish to do so. Further consultations, with the Regional Board for Industry, and with representatives of commerce and industry, are being arranged. The Group's first Report, which I expect next year, will deal with the West Midlands as a whole; a separate Report on North Staffordshire is not envisaged. As regards contributions from other organisations, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hereford (Mr. Gibson-Watt) on 12th March, 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what information he has of firms in Great Britain having more than 10 per cent. of their equity owned by overseas persons or companies; to what extent since October, 1951, foreigners have obtained a measure of control of British industries; and to what extent British firms are owned or controlled through 10 per cent. or more of their equity being in the hands of Americans, French, Germans, Italians, and Russians, respectively.

The only figures available relate to the net assets of non-financial companies in the United Kingdom. It is estimated that, at the end of 1962, 8 to 9 per cent. of these were owned by overseas residents, principally in the United States.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that young men at teacher-training colleges are obliged to pay their National Insurance contributions at the rate of 13s. a week throughout their three years' course of training, and that, unlike apprentices and others who are required to pay such contributions during their training because they are in receipt of earnings, students receive no pay; and if he will take steps to make credit grants to such non-earning students for the period of their training.

Young men and women at teacher-training colleges, like all those in full-time education, training or unpaid apprenticeship, are not obliged to pay National Insurance contributions as non-employed persons during their courses; they are credited with contributions up to the age of 18 and may thereafter pay voluntarily. To credit students over the age of 18 with contributions would mean subsidising the future benefits of such students out of contributions compulsorily paid by contributors generally.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will advise the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the state of Scottish housing.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local health authorities have auditory clinics as part of their child welfare services.

All local authorities make arrangements for the early ascertainment of deafness in children, and these arrangements may vary from area to area.I am unable to say without special inquiry how many local authorities have special audiology clinics for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children were discovered to be severely and partially deaf, respectively, during their first year at primary school, in the latest year for which figures are available.

In the routine school medical examinations of children aged five during the 1962–63 session six were recorded as being severely deaf, 119 as partially deaf, and 555 as slightly deaf. The figures do not distinguish children whose deafness had been previously discovered.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the latest acts of aggression against Malaysia by Indonesian forces, he will instruct the United Kingdom representative on the Security Council to bring the present situation to the attention of the Security Council under Article 35 of the Charter, as a threat to peace.

The Indonesian guerrillas are operating on Malaysian territory. It is therefore for Malaysia to take the decision and the initiative over action in the United Nations.We are naturally in close touch with the Malaysian Government on this as on all other aspects of the situation arising from Indonesia's hostility, which has obliged us to commit our forces under our defence agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reports he has received from the International Control Commission regarding the situation in Laos following the recent bombing attack on Khang Khay; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no report from the International Control Commission on the incident to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent discussions that have been held with the European Free Trade Association on the subject of relations with the Common Market.

At each recent meeting of the European Free Trade Association Ministerial Council, Ministers have considered relations with the European Economic Community and have taken the opportunity of informing their colleagues of any discussions between their countries and the Com- munity. We look forward to a similar exchange at the meeting in Edinburgh on 9th and 10th July.

asked the Prime Minister what decision has been reached by Her Majesty's Government regarding its policy on the location of the World Health Organisation's proposed research centre.

asked the Prime Minister what further consultations he has had with the Prime Ministers of other Commonwealth countries on the proposal to set up a World Health Research Centre; and whether he will make a statement.

It is too early to reach any decision. The Organisation is obtaining the views of Member States on a preliminary study of the need for such a Centre and will probably report to the Assembly in May, 1965. We have told the Organisation that we are in favour of part of the plan but not all of it. But we do not know what will emerge as a firm proposal nor whether the Assembly will decide to establish a Centre. We are keeping the Commonwealth Governments informed of our views.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many sons of officers and ratings, respectively, are at the Navy's orphanage at Holbrook, Suffolk; how many in each category are orphans; and what are the ranks of the officers and the number of their sons.

I assume the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook.At the beginning of the current summer term, the number of sons of officers and ratings at the Royal Hospital School was 206 and 475 respectively, of whom 13 and 63 respectively were orphans.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the number of entries into the Navy's orphanage at Holbrook, Suffolk, on the last occasion, the number who were sons of officers and ratings, respectively, the number who were orphans, the number who paid fees, and the range of the fees.

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook.At the beginning of the current Summer term, a total of 27 were admitted to the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook. Of these nine were sons of officers, 18 were sons of ratings. Four of the boys were orphans, two being

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 June, 1964, count in the Gateshead employment area, and the Northern Region, respectively; what were the comparable figures for each of the years 1959 to 1963; what was the percentage increase or decrease between each of the years 1959 to 1964; and what was the number of unfilled vacancies at the latest convenient date in Gateshead and the Northern Region.

The following table gives the information:

asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated number of summer school leavers in Gateshead this year; and how many jobs will be available for them.

About. 880 boys and girls are expected to leave school in Gateshead this summer. I is not possible to forecast how many jobs will be available for them, but vacancies for young people in the area have been increasing. The Youth Employment Service is energetically canvassing for vacancies, and will shortly be issuing to local employers a note from the Central Youth Employment Executive drawing attention to the large number of school leavers to be expected this summer.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a further statement on the conversations with the Bank Clerks' Association as to their conditions of service, salaries and pensions.

I am pursuing this matter, but I am not at present able to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Health what plans he has for making further investigations into the relation between lung cancer and air pollution; and whether he will make a statement.

The Royal College of Physicians is already undertaking an inquiry into atmospheric pollution in relation to lung cancer and other illnesses.

asked the Minister of Transport on how many miles of motorway and trunk roads, respectively, reflectorised edge markings have been installed; and on how many miles of classified roads local highway authorities have received grants for their installation.

The markings have been laid on 95 miles of motorway and 1¼ miles of all-purpose trunk roads. They have also been provided on about 12 miles of classified roads; the cost has been met out of the Department's experimental funds.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has yet received a report on the tests on the use of reflectorised materials for edge of carriageway markings; and what action he is taking thereon.

The trials have justified the wider use of reflectorised materials for edge of carriageway markings. The new Traffic Signs Regulations will prescribe these markings and will permit them to be reflectorised. The Traffic Signs Manual will give guidance as to their wider use.

asked the Minister of Transport what arrangements are made to allow doctors to be exempted from parking excess fines, apart from exemption when visiting patients or being on call.

The waiving of an excess charge is entirely a matter for the local authority. So far as I am aware, local authorities are prepared to waive these charges when a doctor has been delayed in attending to a patient, but not in general in other circumstances. If a car has remained at a meter for longer than the period paid for by the excess charge, the question of a fine is one for the courts to decide.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the uncertainty felt by people who park boats on the highway at night; and to what extent, under his lighting regulations, such boats rank as vessels at anchor, requiring white stay and stern lights, as vessels aground or not under command, requiring two red lights, or as wreck-marking vessels, requiring three white lights.

No. If the hon. and gallant Member will send me particulars of any such case that has caused him concern, I will look into the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of this country's aid to the Colonies and to independent countries, respectively, is in the form of loans under Section 3 of the Export Guarantees Act; and what is the usual duration of loan and the rate of interest.

Disbursements of aid to independent countries provided under Section 3 of the Export Guarantees Act, 1949 (as amended) were £32·2 million in 1961–62, £40·5 million in 1962–63 and £49·7 million in 1963–64. Repayments, depending on the circumstances of the case, may in practice range over periods of five to twenty-five years. The rate of interest is the rate at which the Exchequer can borrow, together with a management charge of ¼ per cent., and varies with the period of the credit.Advances under Section 3 of the Export Guarantees Act are made only to independent countries. Aid to Colonial Territories is provided under other arrangements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much Government aid was disbursed to developing countries in the periods 1945–46 to 1951–52 and 1952–53 to 1963–64 respectively.

Including our aid contributions to the multilateral organisations, the figures are:1945–46 to 1951–52 £249 million, and 1952–53 to 1963–64 £1,293 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much Government aid was disbursed to developing countries in 1952–53 and in 1963–64, respectively.

Including our aid contributions to the multilateral organisations, the figures are:1952–53 £52 million and 1963–64 £175 million.