asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to improve the arrangements for the visiting of sick children in hospital by their parents.

I am now advising hospital boards that wherever fixed visiting hours to children still exist they should be abandoned; the ward sister and consultant will retain discretion to decide when visiting would not be appropriate.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the nature of his recent discussions with the interested parties concerning the nurses' and midwives' pay claim.

I have had no discussions. The claim is being considered by the Nurses' and Midwives' Whitley Council.

asked the Minister of Health what advice he has given to hospital authorities since 21st February, 1964, about meeting the special needs of patients in hospitals who are both deaf and blind.

The advice, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, aims at breaking down the isolation of the deaf blind who have to be in psychiatric and other long stay hospitals, and at ensuring that no deaf blind person is admitted or stays there if he can be cared for in the community.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the inadequacy of hospital services in the Coventry area and the difficulties under which medical staff engaged in these services are working; and what action he is taking to improve hospital services in this area.

Yes, but well over £1 million has been spent on improving the existing hospitals since 1948. Further work is in progress. As I informed my hon. Friend, the Member for Coventry, South (Mr. Hocking) on 29th June, work on the new Walsgrave Hospital is well advanced.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make provision for some temporary hospital buildings at Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry, for the out-patient and casualty departments; and if he will expedite a decision on the capital works proposals that are at present before him.

The Regional Hospital Board will consider this and other possible methods of improving the present services; it is currently considering other interim improvements at the hospital and is studying how the completion of the re-development can best be carried out.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the concern in King's Lynn and the surrounding district at the announcement of the delay in not starting the new hospital there until the early 1970's; what are the benefits of the revised plan which will help to offset the disadvantages of the delay; and whether, in view of the inadequacy of the present accommodation, he will make sufficient funds available for a start to be made on a date as near as possible to that originally planned.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the growing concern of people in the area covered by the King's Lynn Hospital at his decision to delay the building of the new hospital, he will reconsider the matter, and carry out the original intention of building this hospital.

A re-assessment of the needs of the area has led the Regional Board to the conclusion that a considerably larger and more comprehensive hospital will be required and this will call for a larger site than was originally contemplated. Although the actual building may not start as early as had been hoped, the Project Team already set up is preparing the new plans.

asked the Minister of Health what emergency and long-term measures he has authorised in the Slough, Eton, Ascot, and Bracknell areas to meet the shortage of accommodation for maternity cases.

The completion of the first stage of the new hospital at Wexham Park will enable maternity accommodation at Upton Hospital to be increased in about two years' time. In the longer term there will be further provision at Heatherwood and at Wexham Park.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he will state the number of patients in Whitchurch Mental Hospital, Cardiff, who could have been discharged three months ago or longer, but who are retained in hospital because there is no home to which they can return;(2) how many discharged patients from Whitchurch Mental Hospital have been housed in local authority hostels during the past six months; and what steps are being taken to reduce more rapidly the list of people who are waiting for such accommodation.

I understand that about 160 patients in this hospital could live in the community if suitable accommodation of various kinds were available. Fourteen have been housed in local authority accommodation during the past six months. The local authorities concerned propose a substantial increase in their provision of residential homes.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total amount of the decrease in the financial content of the hospital building programme 1963 to 1974 shown by the latest revision as compared with the programme previously agreed for the Liverpool Regional Hospital Board; how many schemes have now been excluded until the period 1970 to 1974; and how many schemes were originally included in the period up to 1972–73 but have now been deferred beyond 1974.

The financial content of the hospital building programme for this region has not been decreased, as implied in the hon. Member's Question. On the contrary, this year's revision shows an increase for the region of £11 million compared with what was originally proposed.The answer to the second part of the Question is None. Of the schemes which were in the programme following the first revision one is now likely to start some time after 1974.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the total amount of the decrease in the financial content of the hospital building programme 1963 to 1974 shown by the latest revision as compared with the programme previously agreed for the South-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board, the schemes which have now been excluded until the period 1970 to 1974, and the schemes originally included in the period up to 1972–73 but now deferred beyond 1974.

The financial content of the hospital building programme for this region has not been decreased, as implied in the hon. Member's Question. On the contrary, this year's revision shows an increase for the region of £8 million compared with what was originally proposed.As I have previously explained, with changes in priorities, involving the development of new projects in the national programme and the bringing forward and the enlargement of others, it has been necessary despite an increased hospital programme in real terms, to defer some schemes. The schemes suggested as likely to start within the original programme but now beyond it and expected to start before the end of the ten-year programme of the revised plan are as follows:

asked the Minister of Health what is the total amount of the decrease in the financial content of the hospital building programme 1963 to 1974 shown by the latest revision as compared with the programme previously agreed for the Leeds Regional Hospital Board; what schemes have now been excluded until the period 1970 to 1974; and what schemes, originally included in the period up to 1972–73, have now been deferred beyond 1974.

The financial content of the hospital building programme for this region has not been decreased, as implied in the hon. Member's Question. On the contrary, this year's revision shows an increase for the region of £8 million compared with what was originally proposed.As I have previously explained, with changes in priorities, involving the development of new projects in the national programme and the bringing forward and the enlargement of others, it has been necessary, despite an increased hospital programme in real terms, to defer some schemes. The paediatric unit, kitchen and dining room at the St. James's Hospital, Leeds, is the only scheme in this region suggested as likely to start within the original ten-year programme but now beyond it and expected to start before the end of the ten-year programme of the revised plan.No scheme which was in the programme following the' first revision has been deferred beyond 1974.Many schemes now differ considerably in scope from what was earlier envisaged, and are likely to change further.

asked the Minister of Health by how much the financial content of the hospital programme 1963 to 1974 shown by the latest revision has been reduced from the programme previously agreed for the South-East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board; what schemes have now been left out until the period 1970 to 1974; and what schemes, originally included in the period up to 1972–73, have now been deferred beyond 1974.

The financial content of the hospital building programme for this region has not been decreased, as implied in the hon. Member's Question. On the contrary, this year's revision shows an increase for the region of £10 million compared with what was originally proposed.As I have previously explained, with changes in priorities, involving the development of new projects in the national programme and the bringing forward and the enlargement of others, it has been necessary, despite an increased hospital programme in real terms, to defer some schemes. The third phase of the Kent and Canterbury Hospital is the only scheme in this region suggested as likely to start within the original ten-year programme but now beyond it and expected to start before the end of the ten-year programme of the revised plan.No scheme which was in the programme following the first revision has been deferred beyond 1974.Many schemes now differ considerably in scope from what was earlier envisaged, and are likely to change further.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the total amount of the decrease in the financial content of the hospital building programme 1963 to 1974 shown by the latest revision as compared with the programme previously agreed for the Manchester Regional Hospital Board, the schemes which have now been excluded until the period 1970 to 1974, and the schemes originally included in the period up to 1972–73 but now deferred beyond 1974.

The financial content of the hospital building programme for this region has not been decreased, as implied in the hon. Member's Question. On the contrary, this year's revision shows an increase for the region of £16 million compared with what was originally proposed.As I have previously explained, with changes in priorities, involving the development of new projects in the national programme and the bringing forward and the enlargement of others, it has been necessary, despite an increased hospital programme in real terms, to defer some schemes.The schemes suggested as likely to start within the original programme but now beyond it and expected to start before the end of the ten-year programme of the revised plan are as follows:

asked the Minister of Health what is the total amount of the decrease in the financial content of the revised hospital building programme 1963–74 for the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board compared with the programme previously agreed; which schemes have now been postponed until the period 1970–74; and which schemes originally included in the period up to 1972–73 have now been deferred beyond 1974.

The financial content of the hospital building programme for this region has not been decreased as implied in the hon. Member's Question. On the contrary, this year's revision shows an increase for the region of £15 million compared with what was originally proposed.As I have previously explained, with changes in priorities, involving the development of new projects in the national programme and the bringing forward and the enlargement of others, it has been necessary, despite an increased hospital programme in real terms, to defer some schemes.The Schemes suggested as likely to start within the original programme but now beyond it and expected to start before the end of the ten-year programme of the revised plan are as follows:

asked the Minister of Health what is the total amount of the decrease in the financial content of the building programme 1963 to 1974 as shown by the latest revision, as compared with the programme previously agreed, for the East Anglian Regional Hospital Board; what schemes have been excluded until the period 1970 to 1974; and what schemes, originally included in the period up to 1972–73, have now been deferred beyond 1974.

The financial content of the hospital building programme for this region has not been decreased, as implied in the hon. Member's Question. On the contrary this year's revision shows an increase for the region of £7 million compared with what was originally proposed.As I have previously explained, with changes in priorities, involving the development of new projects in the national programme and the bringing forward and the enlargement of others, it has been necessary, despite an increased hospital programme in real terms, to defer some schemes.The answer to the second part of the Question is None.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the hospitals' future development plan makes adequate provision for the needs of the inhabitants of the county borough of Oldham and the urban district of Chadderton, respectively; and if he will make a statement.

The Regional Hospital Board is improving the services available in this area and plan substantial further improvements over the next few years.

asked the Minister of Health how many patients were awaiting operative treatment at the Oldham hospitals at the most recent date for which figures are available.

2,203 on 30th June, 1964. It is hoped that the new operating theatres being completed at Oldham and District General Hospital at the end of this year will contribute to a reduction of the waiting list.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the total amount of the decrease in the financial content of the hospital building programme 1963 to 1974 shown by the latest revision as compared with the programme previously agreed for the North-East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board, the schemes which now have been excluded until the period 1970 to 1974, and the schemes originally included in the period up to 1972–73 but now deferred beyond 1974.

The financial content of the hospital building programme for this region has not been decreased, as implied in the hon. Member's Question. On the contrary, this year's revision shows an increase for the region of £11 million compared with what was originally proposed.As I have previously explained, with changes in priorities, involving the development of new projects in the national programme and the bringing forward and the enlargement of others, it has been necessary, despite an increased hospital programme in real terms, to defer some schemes. The schemes suggested as likely to start within the original programme but now beyond it and expected to start before the end of the ten-year programme of the revised plan are as follows:—

asked the Minister of Health what was the total amount of the decrease in the financial content of the hospital building programme 1963–74 shown by the latest revision as compared with the programme previously agreed for the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board; which schemes have now been excluded until the period 1970–74; and which of the schemes originally included in the period up to 1972–73 have now been deferred beyond 1974.

The financial content of the hospital building programme for this region has not been decreased, as implied in the hon. Member's Question. On the contrary, this year's revision shows an increase for the region of £8 million compared with what was originally proposed.As I have previously explained, with changes in priorities, involving the development of new projects in the national programme and the bringing forward and the enlargements of others, it has been necessary, despite an increased hospital programme in real terms, to defer some schemes. The schemes suggested as likely to start within the original programme but now beyond it and expected to start before the end of the ten-year programme of the revised plan are as follows:—

asked the Minister of Health on how many days in the first five months of 1964 the number of patients in Beckenham Hospital exceeded the normal number of beds provided in the wards.

35 days.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he will consider granting compensation to the widow of Mr. Walter Jarvis for the loss of her husband, in view of the failure of the authorities to provide a conveyance to return him from the London Chest Hospital to his home in Forest Gate, E.7, after having been an in-patient, having an oxygen tent, and being almost dead the evening before his discharge from hospital; and whether he will make a statement;(2) whether he is aware that Mr. Walter Jarvis entered the London Chest Hospital for treatment on the morning of 6th April, 1964, that that afternoon the police advised his wife to phone the hospital, where she was told her husband had stopped breathing and was in an oxygen tent, and that, on visiting him later, although he had slightly recovered he was nearly dead and barely conscious; why, on the following afternoon, he was discharged and refused transport to take him from the hospital to his home in Forest Gate, E.7, whereby he was compelled to use two buses and a train to get home, resulting in his death the following morning; and whether he will make a statement.

No; I am aware of the circumstances of Mr. Jarvis' death, and I should like to express my sympathy with his widow in her loss. I understand that a post-mortem examination showed Mr. Jarvis to be suffering from a condition from which he might have died at any time and there is no evidence that his death was hastened by his hospital treatment or his journey home. He attended on 6th April for a bronchoscopy. This particular diagnostic procedure revealed no abnormality. As he needed assisted respiration after the examination, he was however kept in the hospital overnight. The following afternoon he was examined by two doctors who agreed that he was fully recovered from the effects of this examination and fit for discharge.It is the responsibility of doctors in charge of patients to advise whether an ambulance is required and in this case they did not recommend one. I am enquiring further into the detailed arrangements at the hospital for ordering transport and will let the hon. Member know the outcome.

asked the Minister of Health why the study of out-patient services covering delay in obtaining appointments and waiting time in departments is the only one out of 300 studies in the List of Hospital Studies, HM 64/13, to be listed as Report under Consideration; if that consideration is yet completed; and if he will make a statement.

There are six studies so listed in the 211 entries; consideration of the study report with representatives of hospital authorities and other interested organisations is still in progress; my right hon. Friend intends to issue the report with appropriate advice, as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health when he estimates building will start on the new hospital to serve persons living in Leyton and adjacent areas within the North-Eastern Metropolitan Region.

On the Board's current priorities the reconstruction of Whipps Cross Hospital is unlikely to begin until after 1973–74.To some extent, Leyton may also be served by the new Queen Mary's Hospital to be built on the site of Forest Gate Hospital.

asked the Minister of Health in which year the project for up-grading the Mexborough Montagu Hospital will be completed.

I cannot yet say.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will withdraw from public auction the Stratford Road section of the gardens of St. John's Hospital, Twickenham, in view of the facts that the land was given for the benefit of the people of Twickenham and provides an amenity for the hospital, and that any building erected on it would overlook one of the wards of the hospital.

My right hon. Friend is arranging for the auction to be postponed so that the various views which have been expressed may be fully considered.

asked the Minister of Health by how much the original estimate for the new maternity wing in North Staffordshire has now increased.; and what period of delay in its completion he anticipates as a result of changes in the plan.

About £½ million; there was a delay of five months in completing the working drawings to take account of the geological survey and this will be reflected in the completion date.

asked the Minister of Health how many hospital beds have been provided in West Suffolk in each year since the war.

I regret that figures are not available for the period before 1953. From that year the numbers of staffed beds in the West Suffolk Hospital Management Committee Group as at 31st December, are:

asked the Minister of Health what conclusions he has reached on the recommendations in the report submitted to him by the Royal College of Nursing and the National Council of Nurses regarding the training of student nurses.

I am still studying it.

asked the Minister of Health how many Commonwealth immigrants were working in the hospital service as doctors, as nursing staff, and as auxiliary staff, at the latest date for which figures are available; and what approximate percentages of each category they represent.

At 31st December, 1963, 10,588 or about 16 per cent. of student and pupil nurses in hospitals in England and Wales were from Commonwealth countries. Otherwise the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that most London teaching hospitals now supply one thermometer per patient; and if he will encourage all hospitals in England and Wales to adopt the same practice.

I understand that this is a rapidly growing practice in acute hospitals throughout the country. The provision of one thermometer per bed in these hospitals is recommended in my Department's Hospital Equipment Notes.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total amount of the decrease in the financial content of the hospital building programme 1963–1974 shown by the latest revision as compared with the programme previously agreed for the Oxford Regional Hospital Board; what schemes have now been excluded until the period 1970 to 1974; and what schemes, originally included in the period up to 1972–73, have now been deferred beyond 1974.

The financial content of the hospital building programme for this region has not been decreased, as implied in the hon. and learned Member's Question. On the contrary, this year's revision shows an increase for the region of £7 million compared with what was originally proposed.As I have previously explained, with changes in priorities, involving the development of new projects in the national programme and the bringing forward and the enlargement of others, it has been necessary, despite an increased hospital programme in real terms, to defer some schemes.The following are the schemes suggested as likely to start within the original programme but now beyond it and expected to start before the end of the ten-year programme of the revised plan:

asked the Minister of Health what proposals he has to modernise and increase the hospital accommodation within the City of Stoke-on-Trent and to serve the North Staffs area; and when they are planned to be undertaken.

Construction of a new accident department, a new out-patient department and a neuro-surgical and neurological block is in progress; a new maternity unit and boiler house are expected to start later this year; and a new pathological department and a geriatric unit are planned to start during the next five years.

asked the Minister of Health when Salford Royal Hospital was built; what has been the total amount spent on the modernisation of the building; what are the industrial towns it serves; what hospital provision is provided for Eccles, Swinton, and Pendlebury; and by when this industrial area will be provided with a modern hospital.

1865; over £150,000 since 1948; the hospital meets part of the need of Salford, Worsley, Irlam, Stretford, Eccles, Swinton and Pendlebury but services are also provided by Hope Hospital, by hospitals in the West Manchester Group and by the United Manchester Hospitals; Hope Hospital is being redeveloped to provide a modern hospital; a new hospital is planned later to replace the Royal Hospital.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total amount of the decrease in the financial content of the hospital building programme 1963–74 shown by the latest revision as compared with the programme previously agreed for the Wessex Regional Hospital Board; what schemes have now been excluded until the period 1970–74; and what schemes originally included in the period up to 1972–73 are now deferred beyond 1974.

The financial content of the hospital building programme for this region has not been decreased, as implied in the hon. Member's Question. On the contrary, this year's revision shows an increase for the region of £8 million compared with what was originally proposed.As I have previously explained, with changes in priorities, involving the development of new projects in the national programme and the bringing forward and the enlargement of others, it has been necessary, despite an increased hospital programme in real terms, to defer some schemes. The schemes suggested as likely to start within the original programme but now beyond it and expected to start before the end of the ten-year programme of me revised plan are as follows:

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to improve conditions of service and salary scales for hospital and domiciliary midwives.

Pay and conditions of service of midwives are matters for the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council which has introduced many improvements.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total amount of the decrease in the financial content of the hospital building programme 1963 to 1974 shown by the latest revision as compared with the programme previously agreed for the Welsh Regional Hospital Board; what schemes have now been excluded until the period 1970 to 1974; and what schemes originally included in the period up to 1972–73 have now been deferred beyond 1974.

The financial content of the hospital building programme of the Welsh Hospital Board has not been decreased, as implied in the hon. Member's Question. On the contrary, this year's revision shows an increase for the region of £12 million compared with what was originally proposed.As I have previously explained, with changes in priorities, involving the development of new projects in the national programme and the bringing forward and the enlargement of others, it has been necessary, despite an increased hospital programme in real terms, to defer some schemes.The answer to the second part of the Question is None.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total amount of the decrease in the financial content of the hospital building programme 1963 to 1974, shown by the latest revision, compared with the programme previously agreed for the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board; what schemes have now been excluded until the period 1970 to 1974; and what schemes orginally included in the period up to 1972–73 have now been deferred beyond 1974.

The financial content of the hospital building programme for this region has not been decreased, as implied in the hon. Member's Question. On the contrary, this year's revision shows an increase for the region of £18 million compared with what was originally proposed.As I have previously explained, with changes in priorities, involving the development of new projects in the national programme and the bringing forward and the enlargement of others, it has been necessary, despite an increased hospital programme in real terms, to defer some schemes. The schemes suggested as likely to start within the original programme but now beyond it and expected to start before the end of the ten-year programme of the present plan are as follows:—

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the progress made in routine tests for cervical cancer.

asked the Minister of Health what plans he has now made for the establishment of cytology detection centres on a national or regional basis.

I would refer my hon. Friends to my reply on 4th May to the hon. Member for Dearne Valley (Mr. Wainwright).

asked the Minister of Health whether the expansion of the cytological examination service to form a national screening service for symptomless patients for the purpose of diagnosing cervical cancer would be a public health responsibility or the responsibility of the hospital service.

The provision of the laboratory facilities required before such a service can be introduced is the responsibility of the hospital service. Arrangements for the routine examination of symptomless women will vary from one area to another and will be discussed locally.

asked the Minister of health whether he will make a statement about the progress being made in the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board area towards establishing a cytological examination service available to clinicians and general practitioners for the purpose of detecting cervical cancer in its pre-cancerous stage.

The Board has provided a service in one hospital group for both hospital patients and referals from general practitioners; and in 13 groups for hospital patients. The Board has under consideration extending the service to cover both categories in all the groups.

asked the Minister of Health what is the estimated cost of establishing a national screening service for cytological examination of symptomless patients with the purpose of diagnosing cervical cancer in its precancerous stage.

I regret that at this stage no reliable estimate of the cost of a comprehensive scheme can be made.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will review the public health regulations relating to the cleanliness of food with a view to taking steps to raise the standards of hygiene used in the handling of food before sale.

I have recently reminded local authorities of the vital importance of food hygiene, and have also submitted proposals for amendments of the regulations to local authority associations and other interested parties for comment.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take powers to require all cafés, restaurants, and eating houses to display in a prominent position a notice inviting patrons to inspect the kitchens.

No. These premises are already subject to inspection by public health officers under the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations, 1960.

asked the Minister of Health what progress is being made by the County Borough of Brighton in the provision of residential care of the elderly.

The Council provides residential care for some 614 elderly people, 501 in their own accommodation and 113 in voluntary homes.The Council's policy is to build small homelike homes of 35 places or less. Seven such homes have so far been opened; I is under construction, and 9 more are planned for completion by 1974. More than 1,000 elderly people will be accommodated by that date.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that, as stated in a Report of the Depart- ment of Scientific and Industrial Research, sulphur dioxide release to atmosphere has risen by 23 per cent. although smoke emission has been reduced by 35 per cent., he will institute an inquiry into the effects of such sulphur fumes on health, having regard to the increase in lung cancer and bronchitis and other chest ailments.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply of 25th June, to the hon. Member for Dunfermline Burghs (Dr. A. Thompson).

asked the Minister of Health when he ordered the withdrawal from distribution of corned beef produced by Establishment 1819 in Cordoba and imported during 1963, and for what reasons; how much was condemned by port health inspectors after landing, how much passed and how much has been recovered to date; what brands were involved; and if he will make a statement.

My Chief Medical Officer circularised medical officers of health about the withdrawal of 6 lb. cans of "Andes" brand on 15th June, and about all such cans of all brands from Argentina Establishment 1819 on 22nd June; this was done as a precautionary measure because food-poisoning organisms had been isolated from an unopened sample of "Andes" brand, and because of information from the Argentine authorities. Information is not centrally available to answer the other points raised.

asked the Minister of Health on approximately what dates the typhoid outbreaks at Harlow, South Shields, and Bedford in 1963 were first attributed to corned beef.

May, June and October. But evidence did not accumulate until the end of October to justify attribution to meat infected in the can.

asked the Minister of Health if he will issue a temporary health card for au pair girls visiting this country so that their names can be automatically removed from doctors' patients' lists on their return home.

I sympathise with my hon. Friend's objective and am considering what more can be done to meet it. There are difficulties about his proposal but I hope the problem can be surmounted in other ways.

asked the Minister of Health if agreement has yet been arrived at on the recruitment and remuneration of public health inspectors.

On recruitment I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 16th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Willesden, East (Mr. Skeet). Remuneration is a matter for the National Joint Council.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take the steps necessary to ensure that fluoride tablets are supplied free on prescription to those who require them.

No.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking under Section 3 (1) (c) of Part II of the National Health Service Act, 1946. to provide the services of specialists at a clinic for the treatment of migraine, in view of the fact that 9·7 per cent. of the population suffer from this affliction.

The services of general physicians and neurologists are available for the treatment of migraine at National Health Service hospitals, and they can organise treatment in clinics if they consider it appropriate.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent the latest medical evidence confirms that heavy smoking is a cause of lung cancer.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 29th June to the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson).

asked the Minister of Health if the Government have yet completed their review of the food poisoning organisms in imported tins of foodstuffs from South America found in Leith, Edinburgh, Wapping, and elsewhere; and when he will publish a full report of these dangers to public health and the steps Her Majesty's Government is taking, and has taken to protect the public from these dangers.

No. Any proposed changes to the imported Food Regulations will be submitted to interested parties and to the Food Hygiene Advisory Council before regulations are laid before Parliament.

asked the Minister of Health v/hat replies he has had to the memorandum which he sent on 19th June, 1964, to all medical officers of health, asking them to take protective measures against the danger of human infection from tins of beef imported for human consumption into Great Britain; and what further steps he has taken and plans to take as a consequence of these replies.

I assume the hon. and learned Member is referring to my Chief Medical Officer's circular letter of 22nd June. This did not call for any reply.

asked the Minister of Health what expert evidence is in his possession to the effect that the pollution of the sea at British seaside resorts is not dangerous to health.

My answer to the hon. and learned Member on 29th June was confined to oil and tar pollution in the sea and was based on advice from my medical advisers.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied with the present remuneration and recruitment of dentists; and if he will make a statement.

The remuneration of dentists is for the independent Review Body who have the matter under consideration. On recruitment more dentists are still needed but the number is growing steadily.

asked the Minister of Health what new evidence his Department or the Medical Research Council have received on the effects of fluoridation of drinking water; to what extent this indicates that fluoridation is a harmful process; and if he will issue a directive to all local health authorities advising them of the dangers to health in fluoridation of water supplies.

Neither my Department nor the Medical Research Council has received any evidence which would cause us to doubt the safety of fluoridation. The last part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Health what research he is undertaking on the effect of german measles on pregnant women; to what extent the incidence of blindness and deafness among babies due to their mothers having suffered from german measles during pregnancy has increased in recent years; if immunisation against this disease is being recommended; and what provision is being made for the assistance of infants affected by blindness and deafness.

A report of a special inquiry was published in 1960; I am sending the hon. Member a copy. There was an increase of 25 in 1963 as compared with 1962 in the number of new registrations of blind children under five; the reasons for this are not known but inquiries are in progress. I have no comparable figures for deafness. I am advised that it is not at present practicable to protect against this disease by vaccination. A wide range of local authority and voluntary services is available.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the infant mortality rate in the United Kingdom for the years 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1963.

22·4 per thousand live births in 1960, 22·1 in 1961, 22·4 in 1962 and 21·7 in 1963. The last figure is provisional.

asked the Minister of Health what estimate he has made of the number of doctors necessary to fulfil the recommendations of the Gillie Report.

The general tenor of the Report is being taken into account in reviewing future medical manpower requirements, but its recommendations are not in terms appropriate for an estimate such as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Minister of Health what advice he has given to hospital management committees in order to extend the open prescribing by general practitioners, as already exists in the X-ray and pathological departments, to all treatment given by hospitals when the general practitioner believes that it is unnecessary to have the opinion of a consultant.

Hospital authorities have been asked to study the references in the Gillie Report to the help which the hospital service can give to the family doctor, but the Report draws a distinction between diagnostic services to which general practitioners might reasonably have direct access and therapeutic procedures, usually involving repeated visits to hospital, which should be under the supervision of hospital medical staff.

asked the Minister of Health (1) how many pharmacists, who are Exclusive Brethren and not members of the Pharmaceutical Society, are currently allowed to dispense National Health Service prescriptions and sell poisons; and in which towns they are operating; (2) which National Health Service Executive Councils still retain on their lists pharmacists who, being Exclusive Brethren, are not members of the Pharmaceutical Society.

So far as I am aware no unregistered pharmacist is on the Pharmaceutical List of an Executive Council. A National Health Service prescription may be dispensed only by or under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist, and a retail sale of a poison cannot be made except by or under the personal control of a registered pharmacist. I have no particulars as to the employment of persons within these requirements.

asked the Minister of Health how many supernumerary medical jobs outside general practice, paid out of the general pool for doctors' salaries, were carried out by doctors in 1948, 1952, 1956, and 1960 to 1963; and what were the costs for each of these years.

I have no statistics of appointments and services outside general practice which are remunerated from the pool, and pool payments are not classified so as to show such work separately. Total pool payments by other authorities than Executive Councils to general practitioners in Great Britain were as follows:—

asked the Minister of Health why Mr. Frank Smith of. 2, Beeney House, Upper Elmers End Road, Beckenham, Kent, cannot obtain supplies of anti-haemophilia egg white derivative which has been prescribed for him under the National Health Service; and what steps are being taken to ease the shortage.

I understand that the manufacturer of this preparation has gone out of business. Since it has never been considered of proved therapeutic value, no steps are being taken to stimulate production.

asked the Minister of Health what new steps have been taken to lessen the dangers of hypothermia amongst elderly people during the corning winter.

I understand that the British Medical Association is preparing a statement of advice on this subject, and hope to publish it before the coming winter.

asked the Minister of Health what representations were made to Her Majesty's Government and with what results, respectively, under the Croydon Corporation Act, 1939, and under the Public Health Act, 1961, when compensation was paid by the municipalities to persons who had contracted loss and damage in Croydon, Harlow, South Shields, and Bedford in the years 1937, 1938, and 1963 from typhoid epidemics there.

As regards the Croydon Corporation Act, 1939, successful application was made for loan sanction. As regards the Public Health Act, 1961, no representations were made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantity of corned beef sold to him by an American firm has been re-sold to retailers and wholesalers; and how many complaints he has received about its quality.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to corned beef in 12 oz. cans originally bought by the Ministry from a firm which decided last October to cease re-purchasing it as stocks were turned over. Since then over 900 tons, with the firm's label removed from the tins and its name blacked out on the cases, have been resold to retailers and wholesalers without a single complaint to me about their quality.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will destroy all Government-held stocks of corned beef which had been manufactured before the chlorinated water cooling process had been adopted.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 17th June to his similar Question about Government held stocks in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will introduce legislation to require all carriers and packagers of foodstuffs to date-stamp all tins and packages with the date of manufacture.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery) on 8th June.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the continued representations that have been made to him by the milk producers in the south-east on the question of regional price differentials; and whether he proposes to appoint an arbitrator.

I have received no request to appoint an arbitrator, nor any formal representations from these producers. I have, however, received a request for advice, to which I replied that the determination of regional milk price differentials is properly a matter for the Board.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a statement regarding the Stokesley Flood Relief Scheme; and what contribution Her Majesty's Government is prepared to give to the Wear and Tees River Board to make it possible for work to begin.

My right hon. Friend regrets that, despite full and sympathetic consideration of all the arguments put forward in favour of this scheme, he cannot approve it for grant-aid because its benefit would not justify its cost.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will reduce the discrepancy allowance on the analysis of fertiliser compounds from 10 per cent. to 5 per cent.; and what approaches have been made to his Department from the trade for these alterations to be made.

I am not aware of any approaches from the trade, but representations have been received from the National Farmers Union, which it has been asked to submit, with supporting evidence, to the Standing Advisory Committee whose advice I should need before there could be any question of amendment of the Regulations under the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1926.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that redundancies and loss of earnings are being experienced by workers employed in the wholesale meat, slaughtering, bacon curing, and meat processing industries, due to shortage of supplies, and that these shortages are being created by the uncontrolled incursion of continental buyers into the livestock markets in many parts of the country; and, in view of these facts, what action he now proposes to take to remedy this situation.

I am not aware that the level of meat supplies is having any general effect on employment in these industries. Indeed, during the period January-May this year more cattle, sheep and pigs were slaughtered than in the corresponding period last year. I have already expressed the opinion—and was supported by the United Kingdom Joint Consultative Council for the Meat Trade—that if we were to try to insulate our cattle markets from world trade we would risk increasing diversion to the Continent of the beef imports that are needed, not least by our meat processing industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reply he has made to the recommendations and suggestions of the White Fish Authority on the white fish industry.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the suggestions made by the White Fish Authority. The Secretary of State for Scotland and I will, however, this week be laying before Parliament a scheme enabling grants to be made towards the improvement of fishing vessels. I hope to be able to give the House further information soon.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has studied the report from the Consumers' Committee, dealing with consumer complaints about the "seconds" scheme introduced by the British Egg Marketing Board; and what action he proposes to take on it.

The Agriculture Ministers have now received this Report and I am placing a copy in the Library of the House. Copies are being made available from the Agricultural Departments on request.In brief the Committee concluded that some consumers have suffered hardship from the withdrawals of "seconds" from the retail market for shell eggs. We are, therefore, as provided by Section 19(3)(

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of pesticides on sale to the public will be covered by the labelling of active ingredients proposed under the Voluntary Safety Precautions Scheme.

Members of the industrial associations who are parties to the Pesticides Safely Precautions Scheme supply about 95 per cent of the output of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1958, referring its Report to the Committee of Investigation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the figures for June, 1963, showing the percentage of agricultural holdings in England and Wales with no workers, with no regular whole-time workers, with no whole-time male workers but one or more regular workers, with one regular whole-time male worker, two or four regular whole-time male workers and five or more regular whole-time male workers, respectively; and what proportion each of these groups represents of all regular whole-time male workers, and of all workers in the industry.

The following is the information: of the pesticides covered by the Scheme. Judging from past experience, I have no reason to anticipate that non-member firms will not also observe the new labelling provisions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the average weekly value of the payments in kind received by adult male farm workers was for the year ended September, 1963; what percentage of their total earnings was represented by their payments in kind; what the percentage was of those workers who received payments in kind, such as cottages, potatoes, and board and lodging, and the percentage of farm workers not in receipt of any premium above the minimum wage.

In the year ended 30th September, 1963, the average value of payments in kind received by adult male hired regular whole-time farm workers in England and Wales was evaluated at 6s. 8d. a week. This represents 2·8 per cent. of their average weekly earnings. 49 per cent. of these workers received payment in the form of cottages, 23 per cent. in the form of milk, 5 per cent. in the form of board and lodging, 6 per cent. as potatoes and 5 per cent. in various other ways. Some workers received more than one type of payment in kind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give figures at both current prices and constant prices showing the aggregate net farming income in the United Kingdom, the amount which farmers should have In this period 19 per cent. of the adult male hired regular whole-time workers did not receive a premium above the minimum wage rates.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the numbers and the percentage distribution of regular whole-time male agricultural workers as at June, 1963, in the following categories, namely, general workers, bailiffs and foremen, cowmen, other stockmen, tractor drivers, market gardeners, ancillary workers, and family workers; and if he will show for each group the average premium paid per worker, the percentage excess of wages received over statutory wages, and the percentage in each group who received no premium at all in the year ended September, 1963.

The information relates to adult male regular whole-time workers in England and Wales. No information is available about the wages, earnings, or premiums of family workers.appropriated to cover the excess of replacement over original costs of certain assets, and expenditure on labour, rent, and interest, machinery, foodstuffs, fertilisers, and other costs of production, for the average of the three years 1954–55 to 1956–57 and for the years 1961–62 to 1963–64, inclusive.

The information is as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give figures of gross and net output of agriculture in the United Kingdom at current prices and at constant prices for

The latest estimates, made for this year's Annual Review, are as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour what alternative employment his regional office has available for the 229 men who are to become unemployed in October when the Parsons Marine Turbine Co. Ltd., Newcastle-upon-Tyne, closes down.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to offset redundancy at Parson's Marine Turbine Co. Ltd., Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

I understand that about 100 men may become redundant at these works by October. In general, the prospects of finding alternative employment for them are reasonably good, but there may be difficulty in individual cases. The full facilities of our Department will be available to any who seek our help.

asked the Minister of Labour what reply he has made to the letter addressed to the Prime Minister dated 23rd June by the Council of the British Sanitary Pottery Manufacturers concerning standards of hygiene in the United Kingdom; and what action he will take on the proposals made in the letter.

The reply to the Council of British Sanitary Pottery Manufacturers explains that the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act requires washing facilities to be provided in places conveniently accessible to employed persons. The Minister has no power to require wash-basins to be placed adjacent to sanitary conveniences. He is satisfied that the regulations which he has just made require the provision of facilities on a reasonable scale. I am sending a copy of the reply to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Aviation Traders are closing down one of the hangars at Stansted Airport in September, 1964, causing the redundancy of approximately 90 skilled maintenance workers; what alternative employment is available on the airport; and what action he is taking in the matter.

I am aware of the expected redundancy and I understand that the firm intends to offer jobs at other airports to these employees. Our local officers are in touch with the firm and hope to make arrangements in due course for the registration in advance of their discharge of all workpeople who desire our help. Although present indications are that there will be few opportunities of alternative work at Stansted Airport itself the level of labour demand in Bishop's Stortford and adjacent areas is high. Our local officers will ensure that all who register with them are informed of other vacancies without delay.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of boys entering apprenticeships in Sunderland for the years 1961, 1962, 1963, and 1964; and what percentage these figures represent of the total number of boys registered in that area.

The figures for the Sunderland Youth Employment Office area are as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of disabled persons on the disabled persons register in Sunderland; and how many persons so registered are at present unemployed.

On 20th April, 1964, there were 2,927 registered disabled persons in Sunderland, of whom 447 were unemployed on 15th June, 1964.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give figures for 1950 and 1963 showing the numbers and percentages of male farm workers in Great Britain falling within the age groups of 15 to 19 years, 20 to 24, 25 to 34, 35 to

asked the Minister of Labour how many registered unemployed there were in the county borough of Stockport during the years ended 31st May 1950, 1955, 1960, and 1964.

The county borough of Stockport is almost wholly within the area covered by Stockport Employment Exchange where the monthly average numbers of unemployed during the years ended May 1950, 1955, 1960 and 1964 were 672, 804, 1,223 and 1,427, respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour how many workers were employed in the arms industries on 31st June, 1964, as compared with 31st June, 1963.

Following is the information:

I regret that the information is not available. It is estimated that the numbers employed in manufacturing industry on defence contract work were 375,000 in May, 1963 and 363,000 in May, 1964.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of young people expected to leave school in the Crook, County Durham, juvenile employment exchange area this summer term; and what prospects of employment there are for them in the area.

About 230 boys and girls are expected to leave school in the Crook Youth Employment Office area this summer. I am hopeful that most of them will be able to obtain employment without undue difficulty. I am glad to say that none of the 127 boys and girls who left school at Easter was still registered for first employment at Mid-June.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the latest numbers unemployed in the North-West Durham constituency at Crook, Durham, Employment Exchange for the Brandon area and at Consett Employment Exchange for the Langley Park, Lanchester, and Burnhope area; and what jobs are available for the unemployed in the area.