asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the annual saving if the United Kingdom renounced the whole machinery of the nuclear deterrent.

About £180 million this year, declining in the years to come.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the annual cost of doubling the British Army of the Rhine.

About £300 million capital and running costs of at least £100 million a year. And it would involve conscription.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total amount spent on defence research in 1963–64; and what proportion of the national income this figure represents.

£250 million; 1 per cent. of G.N.P.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when Mr. R. T. Birch, of Rugeley, may expect an answer to his recent claim for reimbursement in connection with the hiring of a motor vehicle during the repairs to his own car, which was damaged by an Army truck on the Weymouth-Wareham road on 17th June, in view of the need for a vehicle to carry out his work as a clerk of works.

We wrote to Mr. Birch on 26th June, the day after we received his letter, to say that we were prepared to consider this claim and to ask him for details of his account.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what final arrangements he has made to hand over the Royal Air Force beacon to the Wrekin Beacon Preservation Trust.

We have suggested to the Trust that it should assume full responsibility for the beacon from 1st August and we are awaiting its confirmation that it accepts our conditions

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the circumstances leading up to his application for a compassionate discharge, he will further consider refunding to Mr. N. S. Linden the cost of his discharge of £200 from the Queen's Own and Gordon Highlanders.

No. The circumstances of the case do not justify any refund.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence from which premises the staffs who are now working in his new headquarters building were transferred.

From the old Admiralty and old War Office buildings; from the premises occupied by the former Ministry of Defence in the Government Office, Great George Street, and in Spring Gardens; together with a number from the Metropole Building and from Northumberland House.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much expenditure, including pay, he estimates will have been incurred on the planned Polaris programme by 1st December, 1964; and what will then be the approximate liability on contracts.

It is estimated that by next December about £30 million will have been spent on the Polaris programme, and that contracts worth nearly £200 million will have been placed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the adequacy of British defence arrangements in the Middle East against the possibility of aggression sponsored by Egypt; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, but it would not be in the public interest for me to make any detailed statement about them.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent there is co-operation between the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force with a view to ascertaining the facts relating to flying saucers or other unidentified flying objects; and what information is now available to his department on this matter.

We are generally aware of the experience of the United States Air Force. Some 90 per cent. of the sightings investigated by my Department have had a perfectly rational explanation. In the remaining 10 per cent. of cases, the information available was insufficient to support an adequate inquiry. We have discovered no evidence of the existence of so-called "flying saucers".

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the floating crane capable of lifting 150 tons is to be transferred from Malta to Gibraltar, leaving Malta with only an unfloatable crane with a capacity of 60 tons; and what alternative arrangements have been made in the port for any lifts of over 60 tons required in the future.

With regard to the transfer of the floating crane, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to him yesterday.Her Majesty's Government have no responsibility for the internal management of the dockyard at Malta, but so far as I am aware no alternative arrangements have been made for lifts over 60 tons which may be required in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he will give permission for Senior Aircraftman Bennett to buy himself out of the Royal Air Force to fulfil substantial professional engagements as a musician.

When there are sufficient trained men in his trade for him to be spared.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase the fees of examiners for the First Class Army Certificate of Education and the Senior First Army Certificate of Education for setting examination question papers and marking candidates' papers; and when such increases are to be made effective

Revised fees for examiners for setting and marking examination papers have been agreed and will become effective from the Army Certificate of Education Senior Test examination held this month and from the next Army Certificate of Education First Class examination which will be held in November.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he has made to reimburse military personnel who were discharged from Ghana without any, or any adequate, notice for their loss of post and inconvenience; and what part of such reimbursement has been paid by Her Majesty's Government and by the Government of Ghana, respectively.

I have arranged for military personnel who were seconded to Ghana and summarily expelled in 1961 to receive tax-free ex-gratia payments from United Kingdom funds ranging from £75 to £200 according to rank and whether accompanied by their families. The Government of Ghana has not met any of the cost of these ex-gratia payments.The following table shows the various rates.

Rank	Unaccompanied officers and men	Married accompanied officers and men
	£	£
Colonels/ Lieutenant-Colonels	100	200
Majors	85	170
Captains/Lieutenants	75	150
Other ranks	75	150

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the use of the Distillers Company factory owned by his Department at Kenfig, Glamorgan, when this company ceases operations on that site.

The Distillers Company which leases the calcium carbide plant at Kenfig for commercial production, plans to cease operations there about the middle of 1966. I can foresee at present no Service requirement for operating the plant thereafter. If our retention of the factory is then found to be no longer justified, we will dispose of it under normal procedures.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will publish in HANSARD a list of the names of firms who have since 1951 received large Government contracts, and as much information as is readily available of the total cost of, and profit on, these contracts.

Yes. The information is as follows:A list of 20 firms which have received large Government contracts since 1951 is given below. Over the last three years, the only period for which figures are readily available, payments of about £1,200 million were made to these firms. It is not possible to state the average profit allowed on the contracts to which these figures relate. Where, however, non-competitive contracts are negotiated the aim is to allow profit on the basis of the normal formula. This provides for 7½ per cent. on capital employed plus appropriate allowances for risk or efficiency with a maximum of 15 per cent. on capital employed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for replacing the Javelin aircraft at present in service with the Second Tactical Air Force in Europe with Lightnings.

It is planned to replace these Javelins with Lightnings during the second half of next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what were the circumstances that led to a large number of persons wishing to visit H.M.S. "London" at Greenwich being unable to arrive on board owing to lack of water transport; and if he will make a statement.

When H.M. ships, moored in mid-stream in the Port of London, are open to the public, by tradition they leave the ferrying of visitors to commercial boat operators. Adequate notice was, on this occasion, given to the Port of London Authority, which, I understand, informed the boatmen. Shortly after the opening of the ship on Sunday, 5th July, the commanding officer became aware that large numbers of people were queuing at Greenwich Pier and could not get a boat. He therefore did all he could to help with ship's boats and something like 2,000 people were brought on board. I much regret that, even so, large numbers of people were disappointed and to make up for this and, despite the difficulty of arranging it, the ship was specially opened to the public again on Thursday, 9th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now state the operational requirements of a replacement for the Shackleton aircraft; and when he expects a firm decision to be made to authorise development work to begin.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the operational performance of the Shackleton aircraft; and what replacement he has in view to meet the increasing needs of defence.

Progress has been made on the studies to determine how best to replace the Shackleton aircraft but I am not yet able to say when a decision will be made. Meanwhile the present high efficiency of the Shackleton force will be maintained and improved.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware that St. Faith's Airfield at Norwich has been lying disused for many months, that the installations and runways are of potential value for local civil use, and that they are rapidly deteriorating; and, in order to limit waste of public money and resources, if he will announce an early decision on its future use.

The Government have now decided that the Norwich City Council should be given the opportunity of buying the land it requires at this airfield.Certain of the domestic buildings will be made; available to the University of East Anglia for use as residential accommodation for students.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what standard of hearing is required for men in the Royal Marines; and, in view of the fact that a number of men have been invalided for deafness following the use of weapons, what action is being taken to avoid this in the future.

The standard of hearing required on entry is that described in the Joint Service System of Medical Classification as first degree or H.1, which means that a man must be able to hear sufficiently well to serve in any capacity. On remustering or re-engagement second degree or H.2 hearing is accepted for men able to hear sufficiently well to serve in any other than a specialised capacity where good hearing is essential.Ear defenders are supplied as part of the kit of all Royal Marines on joining, and there are instructions about their use when, for example, men are engaged in weapon training on ranges.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent there is a sufficient programme of work planned for Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, to ensure employment for all those now employed on work for the yard for at least three years; and to what extent there is a shortage of men in any of the departments.

There will be sufficient work at Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, to ensure employment during the remainder of the present financial year for all those now in work there.The programmes of dockyard work for the next three years have not yet been settled and are always liable to change; but, so far as I can judge at present, there is unlikely to be further redundancy at Devonport.There are at the moment shortages of both engineering and electrical fitters, as well as of ordinary labourers.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in what capacity Brigadier Norman Molony, who retired from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers two years ago, is employed at the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers depôt at Arbor-field, Berks.

Brigadier N. Molony (Retired) is employed as a Retired Officer Grade II in the Corps Secretariat, R.E.M.E., Arborfield.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of an Army marquee, 10 Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Service men and transport from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers depôt at Arborfield, Berks, in connection with the fête on the village recreation ground at Sandhurst, organised by a political party in Sandhurst, the proceeds from which go to party funds; who authorised their use; and what charges have been made for the hire of the marquee, the men and transport involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which soldiers were employed to erect a marquee last week for a political party fête at Sandhurst, Berkshire.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the services of a number of soldiers, and a marquee belonging to the Army, were made available for a political party fête at Sandhurst; and, in view of another similar incident brought to the attention of the then Under-Secretary of State for War, what steps he has taken to remind commanding officers that such use of Army personnel and equipment is contrary to regulations.

At the request of a retired R.E.M.E. brigadier, the Officer Commanding R.E.M.E. Junior Leaders Unit at Arborfield agreed to supply a marquee on loan, and a number of Junior Leaders to erect it, for a village fête He was unaware that this fête had political connections. He should, however, have consulted higher authority before agreeing.No charges were raised for the hire of the marquee or for the use of troops and transport, but I understand that there was a local agreement that a contribution of £5 should be made to unit regimental funds.It was subsequently discovered that the fête was organised by the Sandhurst Conservative Party. This being so assistance from the Army was contrary to Defence Council Instructions, which state specifically that authority will not in any circumstances be given where the object is to raise funds for political purposes or where the organisers are associated with any political party. I very much regret what has occurred. The question of any disciplinary action and reimbursement to public funds is now in the hands of the local military commander who will shortly submit a full report to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the area and estimated value of the site of the Royal Dockyard, Woolwich; and what use has been made during the past five years of the site in general, and of the river frontage in particular.

The dockyard covers some 23 acres and military units have used it for workshop, storage and office purposes. The river frontage is little used. The estimated value of the site depends on possible civilian uses and these have not been examined whilst military use continues.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects a decision to be reached on future Government activities, including defence activities, in Woolwich Arsenal, as distinct from the Royal Ordnance Factory Woolwich.

A decision will be announced shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects a decision to be reached about the sale of land in Woolwich Arsenal to the Central Electricity Generating Board.

A decision will be announced shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many acres of land are held by the War Department in Woolwich Arsenal, as distinct from the Royal Ordnance Factory; and how many persons are employed on this land.

About 1,050 acres and about 2,300 employees.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is aware of the concern among the civilian employees of his Department in Gibraltar at the protracted negotiations on their claim for a 42-hour week, which was first made in 1960; and whether he will take action either to reach agreement on this claim or to enable it to be submitted to arbitration.

This claim was rejected on two occasions—firstly, following a 13 per cent. pay award by arbitration in December, 1960, which was expressly based on a 44-hour working week, and secondly in September, 1962. Meanwhile a further comprehensive wage claim was tabled and a 7 per cent. pay increase was negotiated in December, 1963. The claim was reviewed in February this year, and is under negotiation now. It would therefore be premature to consider arbitration.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to maintain technological progress in nuclear weapons in this country; and if he will make a statement.

By arrangement between the Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom, an underground test of a British nuclear device will be carried out at the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission's Test Site in Nevada in the near future. The test, which was requested by the British Government will be conducted under the 1958 Agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom for Cooperation in the Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defence Purposes.Both Governments are satisfied that substantial technical and military benefits can be obtained by testing a British nuclear device underground as part of a continuing nuclear research programme. The test will be carried out within the framework of the limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of August, 1963.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of unit dependences involving how many vehicles, trailers, generators, and motor cycles have been transferred from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers workshops at Lanark to the base workshops at Stirling or to Wheeled Vehicles 3 organisations since 1958; how many unit dependences have been transferred from the base workshops at Stirling to Wheeled Vehicles 3 organisations since 1958; and if he will give an assurance concerning the future of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers workshops at Lanark.

The workshops at Lanark are a detachment of 26 Command Workshops at Stirling, and the repair load is varied between the various locations according to the overall load on the whole workshops. Certain major repairs are carried out solely at Stirling because of its facilities and the spares backing held there. Since 1958 there has been no transfer of dependences from the detachment at Lanark to the workshops at Stirling, nor from the Lanark or Stirling parts of the workshops to the W.V.3 organisation.The future of 26 Command Workshops and its detachments at Lanark and Edinburgh is dependent on the work load in that area and the most economic way of dealing with that load. This is being examined at present, but I am unable at this stage to say what will be the outcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what study he has made of the practicability of converting the armament of an existing fast patrol boat from a Bofors gun to a surface-to-surface missile, in order to gain experience of this new weapon.

None, but I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave him on 10th June last. We are also in touch with a number of our allies about possible developments in this field.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the damage to H.M.S. "Puma" on 11th June; what was the cause; and when the ship will now recommission.

The cost of repairing the damage is expected to be about £40,000. Consideration of the evidence regarding the cause of the fire has not yet been completed, but it appears to have been caused by molten metal from a welding rod igniting waste material. The new completion and recommissioning dates have not yet been fixed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of regular officers' pre-Grigg widows whose pensions have been re-assessed from 10th December last remained on their old flat rate pensions because they received no increases; what proportion of these are over 70 years of age; what proportion of widows of captains and below, and of equivalent ranks in the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, remained on their old fiat rates; and what proportion of these are over 70 years of age.

—	Number of widows (including Indian Armed Services) bereaved prior to 4th November, 1958 who have had their pensions reassessed	Number of widows who received no increase	Number of widows who received no increase who are now over 70 years of age
	(a)	(b)	(c)
Officers' Widows (All Ranks)	7,157	2,670 (37 per cent. of (a))	2,063 (77 per cent. of (b))
Widows of Captains and Below (included in above figures)	2,123	1,407 (66 per cent. of (a))	1,171 (83 per cent. of (b))

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many rescue calls involved sorties by Royal Air Force Coastal Command aircraft during 1963; how many individuals were rescued; how many of these calls were frivolous or unnecessary; and how many claims have been made to offset the cost incurred.

Coastal Command aircraft answered 753 rescue calls of all types in 1963. 162 people were rescued. None of the calls was considered frivolous but in the event some 60 required no rescue action. No claims were made against individuals but 7 claims were made to the Ministry of Aviation for assistance to civil aircraft.In addition, 84 air ambulance flights were made, the extra cost of which was recovered from the sponsoring authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on his visit to United Kingdom forces engaged in resistance to Indonesian infiltration in Malaysia.

While in the Far East I visited some of the British and Gurkha units now serving with the security forces in Eastern Malaysia. They are operating mostly in thick and steep jungle

The information, in respect of pre-Grigg officers' widows drawing ordinary pensions, is given in the following table of figures:country, in a rôle which demands fitness, unrelaxed alertness, and readiness to react rapidly to enemy threats. The very high degree of professional competence displayed by all ranks enables them to discharge this rôle with continuing success. They have good equipment and they are well supported by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. A sound command structure has been built up, bringing all the security forces under the operational control of a single Director of Operations. I know the House will wish to join me in recognising the great value of the contribution which these British troops are making to the defence of Malaysia.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why he has withdrawn the Bloodhound Mark I from operational service.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him earlier today, and to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Park (Mr. Mulley).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to replace the Corporal missile at present in service with the British Army of the Rhine.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on recent negotiations with regard to a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation multilateral nuclear force.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given earlier today to the hon. Member for Leeds, East and my hon. Friend the Member for Rochester and Chatham.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of men who would be seconded from the Royal Navy in the event of this country agreeing to make a 10 per cent. contribution to the seaborne multilateral force; and what proportion of these would be technically trained men.

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has stated today, it has not been decided whether or not a mixed-manned nuclear fleet should be created. It is therefore not possible to say how many Royal Navy personnel would be seconded if the United Kingdom decided to make a 10 per cent. contribution. A balanced contribution would be likely to include 50 per cent. technically trained officers and 30 per cent. skilled and semi-skilled ratings.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the closing date for applications for ploughing grant has been advanced from 31st July to 30th June.

This change, which will apply to the ploughing grant year which began on 1st June, 1964, was one of a number of amendments made in the Scheme to simplify it. The new Scheme no longer requires notification of ploughing within 21 days, but to enable the necessary field checks to be made within a reasonable period after ploughing, the closing date for receipt of claims has been advanced to 30th June, i.e., one month earlier.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total capital expenditure on all educational buildings in Scotland in each year since 1959.

The figures are as follows. Those for 1960 onwards include the expenditure on furniture and fees, which represents approximately 20 per cent. of the annual total.

				£ thousand
1959	…	…	…	11,699
1960	…	…	…	13,225
1961	…	…	…	13,743
1962	…	…	…	18,684
1963	…	…	…	21,839

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the percentage increase in the financial contribution to Scottish local authorities by the Central Government since 1951.

The percentage increase is 193 per cent. As a percentage of total local authority expenditure grants have increased from 54·6 per cent. to 55·8 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how long it takes on average between the submission of an application for a Farm Improvement Grant and final approval being given for it.

About nine weeks, but the actual period varies greatly from case to case.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the total capital expenditure on primary and secondary school buildings in Scotland in each year since 1951; and what was the total sum estimated as needed by local authorities in each of those years, measured in terms of stable prices.

The information requested in the second part of the Question is not available. The following is the information requested in the first part of the Question.

SCHOOL BUILDING ANNUAL VALUE OF WORK DONE, 1951–1963
—		Primary	Secondary
		(£ thousand)	(£ thousand)
1951	…	2,249	1,048
1952	…	2,596	1,683
1953	…	2,463	2,048
1954	…	2,979	2,422
1955	…	4,166	2,673
1956	…	4,422	3,570
1957	…	5,074	4,701
1958	…	4,134	5,580
1959	…	3,929	6,725
1960	…	3,775*	7,996*
1961	…	3,537*	7,877*
1962	…	4,823*	8,748*
1963	…	5,272*	9,944*
* These figures include expenditure, on furniture and professional fees, amounting to approximately 20 per cent. of the totals.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the grain grown in Scotland in 1963 was dried on farms; and what was the equivalent proportion in 1953.

No figures are available, but the number of grain driers on farms has, however, increased from 178 in 1954 to 2,998 in 1964 which reflects a large increase in farm grain drying.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what conclusions on the further development of the cytological service for the early detection of cancer of the cervix have been reported to him by the Scottish Health Services Council.

The Scottish Health Services Council is considering the recommendations of the Standing Cancer Committee on this subject at its meeting today. I expect to receive an early report.

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

In January last, 889 primary classes and 1,073 secondary classes (including 623 practical classes) were oversize in terms of the Schools (Scotland) Code. The comparable figures for 1951–52 were 1,316 and 909 (including 586 practical classes).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many professional scientific officers are employed full-time in the departments of the Scottish Office.

There are 199 members of the Scientific Civil Service employed full-time on scientific duties. In addition, a number of professional and technical officers employed on other duties have scientific qualifications.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many economists are employed as full-time staff in the various departments of the Scottish Office.

Eleven officers with degrees in economics or agriculture are employed on work of an economic nature. Seven of these are in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries; the remaining four are in the Scottish Development Department and are concerned with economic data and regional development.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state for each of the past three years the number of school pupils who sat the examination for the Scottish Certificate of Education, and the numbers who left school with at least three higher and two lower or ordinary grade passes.

In 1961, 1962 and 1963 respectively, 18,500, 39,300 and 46,400 school pupils sat the examination and 4,600, 5,500 and 6,500 respectively finally left school with at least three higher and two lower or ordinary grade passes. In 1964 there were 51,800 school candidates but the results are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the expenditure in respect of local government services to be met from rates after receipt of Government Exchequer grants in each year 1951–64.

The following is the information:

Financial Year			Expenditure defrayed from rates £ million
1951–52	…	…	37·1
1952–53	…	…	44·6
1953–54	…	…	49·1
1954–55	…	…	49·5
1955–56	…	…	53·9
1956–57	…	…	63·1
1957–58	…	…	66·7
1958–59	…	…	71·0
1959–60	…	…	74·6
1960–61	…	…	77·4
1961–62	…	…	92·1
1962–63	…	…	97·8
1963–64	…	…	103·9

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what expenditure

Area			Houses provided by		Total	Unfit or temporary houses dealt with
			Public authorities*	Private enterprise
Landward county	…	…	1,269	394	1,663	563
Ellon Burgh	…	…	18	10	28	25
Fraserburgh	…	…	231	70	301	77
Peterhead	…	…	411	55	466	228
Rosehearty	…	…	16	—	16	—
Turriff	…	…	30	43	73	21
* Local authority, S.S.H.A., Government Departments (141) and North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board (1).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many orthopaedic in-patients were admitted to Bridge of Earn Hospital from Fife in 1963; and

At least £45,000 and about £500 respectively; these estimates reflect a complete divergence of view about the suitability of this old hospital for the continued care of patients. I shall carefully consider the Regional Hospital Board's recommendations about its future.

asked the Secretary of Stale for Scotland what was the housing position in East Aberdeenshire in 1959; and what is the position today.

I have no separate figures for different parts of the landward area of Aberdeen County. For the landward area as a whole, and for the five burghs in East Aberdeenshire, housing progress between 1st January, 1959, and 31st March, 1964, is shown by the following figures:what bed requirement this figure would represent, based on the average stay in hospital.

Five hundred and ninety-nine patients were admitted representing a requirement of 51 beds.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has given to the resolution he received from the Sanitary Inspectors' Association dealing with shortage of sanitary inspectors in Scotland.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 13th July to the hon. Member for Coatbridge and Airdrie (Mr. Dempsey).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his further inquiries into remands in custody have revealed fresh information regarding persons detained awaiting trial in 1962 and 1963.

Yes. I regret that, as a result of further inquiries, I find that the figures given on 29th January to the hon. Members for Motherwell (Mr. Lawson) and Glasgow, Woodside (Mr. Carmichael)

—	1962			1963
	Men	Women	Total	Men	Women	Total
Total number of persons admitted awaiting trial and/or sentence	11,105	668	11,773	11,012	676	11,688
Convicted and readmitted under sentence	3,427	77	3,504	4,097	168	4,265
Convicted and otherwise disposed of (including persons given absolute discharge or placed on probation)	4,721	370	5,091	5,507	378	5,885
Acquitted (not guilty and not proven)	366	20	386	466	28	494
Proceedings dropped by prosecutor (including cases in which the accused had been admitted to hospital on account of mental disorder)	441	71	512	646	92	738
Disposal not known at time of return	2,150	130	2,280	296	10	306

In addition, 66 recalled borstal inmates, etc., 25 military deserters awaiting escort, and 15 aliens awaiting deportation were admitted to Scottish prisons during 1962; in 1963 the numbers admitted in these categories were 51, 10, and 5. The average periods spent in prison by all the persons referred to above were 11 days in 1962 and 12 days in 1963.As regards the investigation of sample figures for two months in 1963, as I said in reply to the hon. Member's Question on 17th June, a report will be published in the Prisons Report for 1963. In anticipation

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the reappearance of rickets in children; and what investigations are being made into the causes.

In 1962, 15 children were treated for rickets in Glasgow and in 1963 13 children were treated. These figures compare with an average of six children a year in the three years 1959–61. There are very few cases outside Glasgow. An investigation into the diets and family backgrounds of young children in Glasgow is being undertaken by doctors attached to the University Department of Child Health and the Corporation Health and Welfare Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken in the last two months to ensure that the World Health Research Centre is established in Scotland.

This matter is still being studied within the World Health Organisation and no action on my part has been called for during the last two months.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the special difficulties of general medical practitioners in the Highlands and Islands; and what action he proposes to take.

Yes. As an immediate measure, I have increased the net income yardstick for assessing the inducement payments for general practitioners in the Highlands and Islands remote areas from £2,170 to £2,400 with effect from 1st January last. I have also agreed with the British Medical Association that I should appoint a small committee, on which the profession will be represented, with the following terms of reference:

"To consider the arrangements for the provision of general medical services in the Highlands and Islands within the framework of the health services generally, and to make recommendations."

I am glad to be able to inform the House that Mr. Harald Leslie, C.B.E., Q.C., Sheriff of Caithness and Sutherland, Orkney and Zetland, has accepted appointment as Chairman of the Committee. I will announce the names of the other members as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport what further improvements are planned for the B.4267 road between Barry and Lower Penarth, particularly in the vicinity of Swanbridge and Sully.

The Glamorgan County Council, as highway authority, plans to widen the road from Lavernock to Sully and to make certain smaller improvements.

asked the Minister of Transport what further improvements are planned for the A.4055 road between Barry and Dinas Powis, in view of the steady increase in industrial and holiday traffic along this route.

No improvements are programmed on the particular stretch of road mentioned by my hon. Friend, but I have authorised a grant towards a £168,000 imrovement scheme on A.4055 at Llandough just north of Dinas Powis.

asked the Minister of Transport when the regulations prescribing the new signs arising from the Report of the Worboys Committee may be expected.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my hon. and gallant Friend gave on 1st July to my hon. Friends the Members for Leominster (Mr. Clive Bossom) and Shrewsbury (Sir J. Langford Holt).

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that since 1961 there have been seven fatal accidents and 537 other accidents on the 13½ miles of Watling Street which run through the Cannock constituency, and that, since the opening of the M.6 motorway in August, 1962, the volume of traffic has increased by 110 per cent.; and if he will ensure that major road improvements are carried out without further delay.

I have already begun some very major roadworks—the building of the Midland Link motorway—which will remedy the situation. The first length is under construction, the second will start in a month or two, and successive lengths will begin as soon as possible. Lengths of A.5 are nevertheless scheduled for considerable improvement to accommodate the traffic in the meantime. The start on a length in the hon. Member's constituency has been delayed only by land acquisition difficulties.I would not be justified in doing more than this to a road which will be substantially relieved by a motorway.

asked the Minister of Transport what major improvement schemes are in progress on the North—South Wales road; what further schemes are projected; and when these will be carried out.

Nineteen schemes costing about £322,000 are in progress on this road. A further 12 schemes costing £2·2 million are under consideration, but I cannot say now when they can be included in the road programme.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has for the improvement of the North Cray Road linking Sidcup with Bexley; and when they will be carried out.

A scheme to bring 1¾ miles of this road up to dual two-lane carriageway standard is being prepared in detail by the responsible highway authorities. I expect work to be started about 1967.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the serious hold-ups on various parts of the M.1 at the present time owing to repair work; and whether he is satisfied that all possible efforts are being made to complete this repair work at the earliest possible date.

Some congestion has occurred at periods of peak traffic. Work, including week-end working, is proceeding as rapidly as possible to complete the contracts before the winter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is yet able to suggest what will be the composition of the new small high-level Road Safety Advisory Council which is to take the place of his Departmental Road Safety Committee; and whether he will give an assurance that at least one expert road traffic engineer will be a member thereof.

No. I hope to be able to make a further announcement before the Summer Recess.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what representations he has received from the Cheshire County Council with regard to the need for an immediate start being authorised on the construction of the A.56 by-pass round Frodsham and Helsby;(2) if he will immediately authorise a start to be made on the construction of the A.56 by-pass round Frodsham and Helsby.

The Cheshire County Council has kept me fully informed about the need for the early construction of the proposed £8 million by-pass of Helsby and Frodsham.I accept that this scheme merits high priority. It is now being considered for inclusion in the extension of the trunk roads programme which I hope to announce in a month or two.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that a further accident has taken place on Rumney Hill, Cardiff; when he expects work will start on this section of Rumney Hill; and when the Eastern by-pass at Cardiff will be built.

Yes. The Cardiff Borough Council expects work on road improvements on Rumney Hill generally to start next spring. The Eastern by-pass is in my road programme for 1967–68.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will list the sections of motorway, showing the mileages in each case, which are in use, under construction, for which tenders have been invited, for which schemes have been made, for

Motorways in Use		Miles	Actual or Estimated Completion Dale	Actual or Estimated Total Cost £m.*
M.1	London-Birmingham	73	November, 1959	32·3 (includes cost of current repair and improvement programme)
M.2	Medway Motor Road	26	May, July and Sept 1963.	16·0
M.4	London-South Wales
	Slough By-Pass	5½	April, 1963	4·9
	Maidenhead By-Pass	6	June, 1961	3·0
M.5	Bristol-Birmingham
	Lydiate Ash-Twyning	26	July, 1962	9·4
M.6	Birmingham-Preston-Carlisle
	Dunston-Preston	78½	Aug., Dec, 1962, July, Nov., 1963.	55·5
	Preston By-Pass	8½	December, 1958	5·2
	Lancaster By-Pass	11½	April, 1960	4·6
M.50	Ross Spur	21½	November, 1960	6·7
A.1 (M)	Doncaster By-Pass	15½	July, 1961	6·5
	Stevenage By-Pass	7	July, 1962	2·2
A.20 (M)	Maidstone By-Pass	7½	June and Dec, 1960.	2·6
—	Stretford-Eccles By-Pass (classified motorway built by Lancashire County Council).	6	October, 1960	5·6
		292½		154·5
Motorways under construction
M.1	London-Yorkshire
	Page Street-Edgewarebury Lane (Hendon Motorway).	4¼	Summer, 1967	14·14
	Edgewarebury Lane-Aldenham	4	Summer, 1966
	Brockley Interchange	—	Autumn, 1966
	Crick-River Trent	38¾	Autumn, 1964–Summer, 1965.	29·90
	River Trent-Stanton-by-Dale	4¾	Summer, 1966	3·59
M.4	London-South Wales
	Chiswick-Langley	13	Early 1965	17·48
	Almondsbury-Hambrook	3¼	Spring, 1966	3·00
	Almondsbury Interchange	2¼	Spring, 1966	2·22
	Severn Bridge and Approaches	9½	1966	17·20
	Newport By-Pass	7	1966	8·58
	Crick-Newport	9	Summer, 1966	4·90
M.5	Midland Motorway Links
	Lydiate Ash-Quinton	6	Late 1965	6·60
M.6	Birmingham-Preston-Carlisle
	Preston-Lancaster	13	Spring, 1965	11·06
M.6	Midland Motorway Links
	Shareshill-Dunston	8¼	Spring, 1966	7·41
A.1 (M)	Darlington-Barton By-Pass (including Darlington Spur).	13	Spring, 1965	7·02
A.40 (M)	High Wycombe By-Pass
	Stokenchurch-Handy Cross	8	Autumn, 1966	5·22
A.48 (M)	Port Talbot By-Pass	4½	Early 1966	5·23
		148½		143·55

Following is the information:

asked the Minister of Transport what was the accident record along the A.469 road between Thornhill and Caerphilly during the last five years; and how many accidents occurred which involved personal injuries.

Since the end of 1959, 309 accidents have been reported on this section of road, of which 163 involved personal injury. There were 9 fatal accidents.

asked the Minister of Transport if the United Kingdom has now ratified the convention dealing with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1960; if a sufficient number of major shipping nations have signed so that it can be brought into force; and what were the reasons for Her Majesty's Government's delay in signing.

Yes. Her Majesty's Government have now ratified the Convention, and it will come into force on 26th May, 1965. As is customary in dealing with a Convention of this kind, Her Majesty's Government were not prepared to ratify it until the necessary legislation had been enacted.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he takes to protect seamen employed on vessels engaged in the transport of liquid sulphur; and what has been the result of trials made on the two vessels recently constructed specially for this class of cargo.

My Department has examined details of the construction of these two ships in consultation with the owners and with representatives of the Officers' and Seamens' Unions.I am satisfied that the provisions made for ventilation and gas detection on board give adequate protection for the crew. I understand that the first ship, the " Naess Texas ", has satisfactorily completed two round voyages between the Gulf of Mexico and Rotterdam.

asked the Minister of Transport in view of the fact that in some cases where the recommendations of the Rochdale Committee were to close a port the trade has considerably increased, if he will reconsider his decision in these cases.

I have not taken any decision in these cases. The recommendations of the Rochdale Committee will be reviewed by the National Ports Council in consultation with the port authorities concerned. The Council will take into account changes in the circumstances of individual ports.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that some of the recommendations of the Rochdale Committee ere in process of being implemented while the others still await decision, so causing uncertainty and delaying developments in the ports affected; and if he will expedite his decisions.

I have taken steps through the Harbours Act and the establishment of the National Ports Council to implement the recommendations of the Rochdale Committee, but some of them raise fundamental problems which will require lengthy study by the Council and the industry itself. The Council are fully aware of the need to remove uncertainty in ports affected as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if he is aware that his recent statement rejecting the advice of the Rochdale Committee in respect of the docks at Newport has emphasised the need felt by all connected with the port of Barry for an early decision to remove the uncertainty caused by the Rochdale recommendations of almost two years ago; and if he will expedite his decision to permit the carrying out of developments contemplated by a number of companies at Barry docks;(2) whether, in view of the increase in the extent and variety of the docks trade at Barry since the publication of the recommendations of the Rochdale Committee nearly two years ago, of the subsequent creation there of new installations by various companies, and of the master-plan of the Docks Board, the Railways Board and the National Coal Board to concentrate coal exports through Barry and Swansea, he will make an early announcement reversing the Rochdale recommendations as they apply to Barry docks.

Plans for the Port of Barry are in the first instance a matter for the British Transport Docks Board. The National Ports Council will examine the future of the port, as of other South Wales ports, in the light of the proposals of the Docks Board rather than the recommendations of the Rochdale Committee. The Council assure me, as they assured the Barry Corporation some time ago, that they are approaching this question with an entirely fresh mind and in the light of up-to-date information about the trade of Barry.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the comments contained in the Report of the Wales and Monmouthshire Transport Users' Consultative Committee on the alternative omnibus services between Brecon and Newtown which were instituted after the closure of the Becon to Moat Lane railway line; and what action he is taking in this matter.

As the Committee records in its Annual Report, I asked it to review the adequacy of the alternative services available to those who formerly used the rail passenger service between Moat Lane and Brecon. The Committee reported to me that the request for certain additional bus services was reasonable on hardship grounds. After considering its Report I have told the Railways Board that I accept the Committee's conclusions and recommendations, and I have asked the Board to arrange the provision of these bus services as quickly as possible. I am sending details to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport which passenger stations and halts in Scotland have now been closed; what are the names of the stations in Scotland in respect of which he has not yet taken a decision on proposals for closure following a report to him by the Transport Users' Consultative Committee; and in respect of which Scottish stations and lines he has now refused his consent to proposals for closure made by the Railways Board.

The Answer consists of the following lists of names. It does not include the services on which decisions were announced yesterday.

Stations and halts in Scotland to whose closure consent under section 56 of the Transport Act 1962 has been announced
*Rhu.	*Lossiemouth.
*Whistlefield.	*Tillicoultry.
*Shandon.	*Dollar.
*Glen Douglas.	*Rambling Bridge.
Kirkton Bridge.	*Crook of Devon.
Philorth Bridge.	*Balado.
Cairnbulg.	*Milnathort.
St. Combs.	*Mawcarse.
*Langholm.	*Glenfarg.
*Gilnockie.	*Bridge of Earn.
*Canonbie.	*Kingsknowe.
*Riddings Junction.	*Banff.
*Tullibardine.	*Golf Clubhouse.
*Muthill.	*Bridgefoot.
*Highlandman.	*Ladysbridge.
*Crieff.	*Ordens.
*Comrie.	*Roxburgh.
*Strageath.	*Kelso.
*Pittenzie.	*Dreghorn.
*Maxton.	*Springside.
*Rutherford.	*Grantshouse.
*Reston.	*Hollybush.
*Patna.	*Waterside.
*Dalmellington.	*Inveresk.
*East Fortune.	*East Linton.
*Barleith.	*Galston.
*Newmilns.	*Darvel.
* Stations already closed.

Stations and halts in Scotland on which the Transport Users Consultative Committee have reported to the Minister but a decision has not yet been announced
Kittybrewster.	Cornhill.
Dyce.	Tillynaught.
Inverurie.	Portsoy.
Pitcaple.	Cullen.
Oyne.	Portnockie.
Insch.	Findochty.
Kennethmont.	Portessie.
Gartly.	Buckie.
Rothiemay.	Portgordon.
Carnie Junction.	Anstruther.
Grange.	Crail.
Llanbryde.	St. Fort.
Orbliston.	Guard Bridge.
Orton.	Kintore.
Mulben.	Pitmedden.
Keith Town.	Kinaldie.
Towiemore.	Boat of Garten.
Tauchers.	Broomhill.
Auchindachy.	Grantown on Spey West.
Knock.
Glenbarry.	Dava.