asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she will give the number of persons receiving National Assistance grants towards their rents in 1956, the total amount of such grants, and similar details for each year since 1956 to the latest convenient date.

The estimated number of recipients of weekly National Assistance grants who were householders for whom an allowance for rent and rates would be added to the appropriate scale rates was 1,240,000 in December, 1956, and 1,550,000 in September, 1964. The following are figures for the intervening years. It is not possible to state a sum representing the part of the actual grants which is attributable to rent and rates, for reasons which I am explaining in a letter to my hon. Friend.Following are the figures:—

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what number of persons now living on retirement pensions also receive supplementation from the National Assistance Board; and what estimate she has made of the number of retirement pensioners entitled on an income basis to such supplementation who do not apply for it.

At the end of September, 1964, 1,128,521 retirement pensioners were receiving supplements from the National Assistance Board. Some of these payments provided for the requirements of more than one pensioner. As regards the second part of the Question there are grounds for thinking that there may be substantial numbers of such persons, but I would prefer not to attempt any precise estimate pending the outcome of the comprehensive inquiry now being prepared into the financial and other circumstances of retirement pensioners which was announced by my right hon. Friend's predecessor and welcomed by my right hon. Friend in a debate in this House on 8th July.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance in view of the dissatisfaction with the present practices in the assessing and payment of National Assistance Board allowances to old-age pensioners, what proposals she has for humanising them; and when progress will be made with such proposals.

I think that it has been accepted by the House that the National Assistance scheme is administered by the local officers of the National Assistance Board in a human and understanding way. Nevertheless the Government consider that major changes are needed in our social security schemes including the services for which the Board is responsible. A full review of the schemes is being instituted and we shall announce detailed proposals as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what will be the nature of the review of social security schemes; how soon it will begin; what steps she will take to ensure adequate representation of the views of all concerned with social security schemes, both within and outside the State system; and if she will make a statement.

I cannot add to what was said in the Gracious Speech on this subject, but I should like to assure the hon. Member that I shall always be ready to consider views put to me by those concerned to improve our social security arrangements.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if it is her intention to encourage the development of private occupational schemes to provide sickness and retirement benefits; and if she will make a statement.

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the Government fully appreciate the important contribution to the welfare of employees made by schemes for sickness and retirement benefits.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she will give an undertaking to remove the earnings rule as applied to the ten shilling widows.

On the question of the application of the earnings rule my hon. Friend must await the statement which will be made soon.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what proposals she has for improving the position of the 10s. widows.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave today to the hon. Members for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes), Brixton (Mr. Lipton) and Belfast, South (Mr. Pounder).

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance when she will make a statement giving details of the promised increases in National Insurance and associated benefits.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance when she expects to bring forward proposals for the increase of all National Insurance benefits.

Very soon.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what tests she will use to adjudge the adequacy of retirement pensions and other National Insurance benefits.

I must ask the hon. Lady to await our proposals and the publication of the documents which will be laid before Parliament.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she will take steps to effect an increase in the basic retirement pensions rate before Christmas.

As announced in the Gracious Speech, we shall introduce early legislation to increase existing rates of National Insurance and associated benefits. For details of our proposals, I must ask the hon. Members to await a statement which will be made soon.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she will introduce higher pension benefits for those over 70 years of age.

I see no reason to differentiate between pensioners over and under 70.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if, in view of the inadequacy of retirement pensions, she will effect substantial increases before Christmas; and if she will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave today to the hon. Member for Londonderry (Mr. Chichester-Clark).

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she will take steps to lower the qualifying age for widows for pensions from 50 to 40 years.

These matters will form part of the major review of our social security schemes announced in the Gracious Speech.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many widows of ex-Service men formerly in receipt of a disability pension are not themselves entitled to a pension on the ground that their husbands did not die of their pensioned disability; and what would be the cost of granting small pensions to such widows.

I regret that this information is not available but in such cases, National Insurance widow's benefit is normally available.

asked the Minister of Health what precautions against infection are taken in those hospitals using outside cleaning contractors for wards, theatres, etc.

Hospital authorities are responsible for ensuring that the necessary precautions against infection are taken whether they employ contractors or their own staff on cleaning.

asked the Minister of Health how many appointments to the new grade of senior enrolled nurse have been made by hospitals administered under the National Health Service, as at 31st October.

This information is not readily available.

asked the Minister of Health what are the ratios between the maximum salaries of male and female state enrolled nurses now, and at 1st February, 1949; what would be the ratios assuming that the senior grade of state enrolled nurse had already come into operation; and what are the equivalent figures in each case, allowing for the change in the value of the £ sterling.

The ratios are shown in the table below. Those for the senior enrolled nurse compare the current maximum salary of that new grade with the maximum salaries of the state enrolled nurse in 1949. The adjustments for the change in the value of the £ sterling have been made on the basis of movements in the Ministry of Labour Index of Retail Prices.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent consultants are allowed to accept fees from drug companies for conducting clinical trials whilst practising under the National Health Service.

Only to the extent that the work involved is outside their hospital duties.

asked the Minister of Health what was the number of persons awaiting admission to hospital in the area of the Oldham Hospitals Committee for treatment other than surgical operations at the most recent date for accurate computation.

59 at 3t0h September, 1964. 39 more were waiting for admission as private patients but this number includes some surgical cases.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of beds, excluding maternity beds, in hospitals in the area of the Oldham Hospitals Committee now being used for non-fee-paying National Insurance patients; and what was the corresponding figure in October, 1959.

1,163 staffed beds were available at 30th September, 1964. In October, 1959, the figure was 1,146.

asked the Minister of Health what was the number of beds, excluding maternity beds, available mainly for fee-paying patients in hospitals in the area of the Oldham Hospitals Committee at the most recent date for easy computation, and in October, 1959.

8 both at 30th September, 1964, and in October, 1959.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give details of the provision made in the 10-year White Paper plan for hospitals for improvement in the hospital services in the area of the Oldham Hospitals Committee.

The Hospital Plan includes provision at the Oldham and District General Hospital of new operating theatres which are expected to be completed in May, 1965, and of a new outpatients department which it is hoped to start in 1970–71. In addition the Regional Hospital Board plans to spend about £237,000 on a number of smaller capital schemes in hospitals serving the Oldham area.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that there is a shortage in Yorkshire of plaster of paris for dentistry; what shortages exist in other parts of the country; and what steps he intends to take to remedy the shortage.

I am unaware of any general shortage of plaster of paris for dentistry in Yorkshire or elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what Royal Marine personnel are to be trained to fly; and in what rôles they are being so trained.

Any Royal Marine officers may train to pilot light reconnaissance helicopters. General List officers may also train to pilot troop lift helicopters serving with Commando Carriers. Next February a new Royal Marines Special Entry is being started to provide more pilots for these troop lift helicopters.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to recommend the issue of a new Royal Warrant to bring the widows of Regular officers and other ranks up to the 1958 code; and what would be the cost involved.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated on 3rd November, the Government's intentions on provision for pensioners, including Service pensioners, will be announced shortly.

asked the Minister of Defence what steps he is taking to remove the partially dismantled radar masts at Wartling and other stations which have been closed.

Tenders are being invited for the removal of the metal masts and other metalwork at Wartling and I hope they will be cleared by the end of the year. Similar action is being taken at other radar sites which have been closed.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress is being made with the improvement of sick pay schemes; and by what date they will be extended to all workers.

There has been a steady extension of sick pay schemes since the last war and this is continuing. I am glad to say that last month there was agreement on schemes for over a million workers in the building and civil engineering industries. The Ministry of Labour published a report on sick pay schemes in August. I hope this will encourage further progress. I shall review the position in due course.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Chinese and Malayans are working and living in the United Kingdom now; and how this figure compares with the numbers four years ago.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour what has been the number of unemployed shipyard workers in each shipbuilding area in the last 10 years; and what types of workers were involved.

Below is a table showing the number of adult workers whose last employment was in the shipbuilding and ship repairing industry registered as unemployed in the principal shipyard areas in each June since 1954. Similar information about unemployed young

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the causes of the most recent industrial disputes at Hall Russell's Shipyard, Aberdeen; and what action he is taking to resolve the situation.

During October welders employed at Hall Russell's Shipyard, Aberdeen, were on strike for three weeks in support of a demand that the employer should dismiss two welders who had people is not readily available and would take a disproportionate amount of staff time to prepare. I regret that figures showing the occupations of those unemployed from particular industries are not kept by our Department.Following is the table:refused to contribute to a levy imposed by the men themselves. The strike was entirely unofficial and national and district officials of the union endeavoured to persuade the men to withdraw their demand and resume work. Their efforts, were, however, unsuccessful and the employer eventually gave the two welders four weeks' notice to terminate their employment. The other men then resumed work on 2nd November. The employer wrote to me about this dispute and my officers took the matter up with the union. Since work was resumed they have also discussed the matter further with the national officer concerned. The unions are actively dealing with the situation and my officers will continue to keep in close touch.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will indicate the number of apprentices employed directly in shipbuilding and ship repairing in Scotland at present, in 1959, and in 1954, respectively; and what was the ratio of apprentices to skilled journeymen in this industry in Scotland in each of these years.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of ballot papers rejected during the recent General Election under the following heads: want of official mark; voting for more than one candidate; writing or mark by which voter could be identified; and unmarked or void for uncertainty.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the cost of the major school building programmes for the past five years showing the proportion devoted to providing roofs over heads and to improvements to existing buildings, respectively.

The current value of the major school building programmes

I regret that this information is not yet available, but I will in due course circulate it in the Official Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give figures for the number of places to be provided and the costs of the major school building programmes for 1965–66 and 1966–67, showing the distribution of each in terms of primary and secondary schools, respectively, and the proportion devoted to providing roofs over heads and to improvements to existing buildings, respectively.

The following tables give the figures, except that the number of places cannot be assessed until final plans for the individual projects have been agreed. Further projects will be approved later to bring each programme to the value of £80 million.for the five years 1960–61 to 1964–65 is approximately £330 million. Of this, about half represents the provision of essential extra places and half the improvement or replacement of existing accommodation, including the reorganisation of all-age schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the cost of the major school building programmes for Hertfordshire for the past five years, and for 1965–66 and 1966–67, showing the proportion devoted to providing roofs over heads and to improvements to existing buildings, respectively.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will now announce the minor works building programme for 1965–66;(2) what allocation of minor works building has been made for the County of Hertfordshire for 1965–66.

I hope to announce the minor works allocations shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now publish his Department's survey on the state of school buildings.

I am now studying the results of the Survey of School Premises.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the International Centre for Cancer Research will open; and what will be the contribution of the United Kingdom and of the other sponsoring powers, respectively.

Following a meeting of official representatives in Paris on 28th September to 2nd October, 1964, the Governments of France, Federal Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States of America are considering a recommendation that they should jointly sponsor, at the next World Health Assembly, a resolution and draft statute intended to establish an International Agency for Research on Cancer, and to provide for its financing.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what arrangements are being made for the issue of funds to the Malta Government in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement on Financial Assistance, Command Paper No. 2423, whereby an amount of up to £6·8 million is to be made available in the current financial year.

Approval will be sought by way of Supplementary Estimates to be presented in due course. In the meantime advances to meet the Malta Government's urgent cash requirements in this connection will be made from the Civil Contingencies Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what assistance the British Government has agreed to give to the Kenya Navy.

As part of Britain's defence aid to Kenya, about which the House was informed on 3rd June by my predecessor, the British Government have agreed to make a gift of up to £1·3 million for the purchase of three new patrol craft for the navy which the Kenya Government propose to inaugurate on 12th December, the first anniversary of Kenya's independence. H.M.S. "Aberford", a seaward defence boat of the Royal Navy now in Mombasa, will be lent to the Kenya Government until their new vessels are ready for service. The gift will also cover the initial provision of equipment, small arms, ammunition and uniforms, and the conversion of the former Royal Navy Armaments Depot at Mombasa as a base for the Kenya Navy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was collected in 1963 by way of National Insurance health service contributions in Scotland.

The amount credited to the account of the Secretary of State for Scotland in respect of National Health Service contributions in the financial year 1963–64 is estimated to be slightly over £16 million. This represents 10 per cent. of the total contributions for Great Britain and is based on the distribution of the insured population.Final figures do not become available until about nine months after the end of the financial year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether sewage flows into the River Jordan and the ditch adjoining Mill Lane, Preston, Weymouth; and what action he proposes to take, having regard to their stagnant condition.

Sink wastes from three houses enter the ditch. Two of the houses are likely to be connected to the public sewer soon and the council is considering what is to be done about the third.

asked the Postmaster-General, what is the cost of a telephone call from Haddington to Edinburgh; and how this compares with other calls of a similar distance.

The charge is 1s. for three minutes in the full-rate period, and 9d. for three minutes in the cheap-rate period. This charge is determined in accordance with the group-charging system which applies uniformly throughout the country.

asked the Postmaster-General what measures he proposes to take to improve television in the Conway Valley area.

I am considering the B.B.C.'s plans for improving television reception and coverage by means of further low power stations, and I hope to make an announcement about them soon. I would ask the hon. Member to await the announcement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement with regard to an improvement of the Dunbar by-pass on the A.1 road.

The Dunbar by-pass carries comparatively light traffic and there is no place in our road programme at present for its general improvement. The start of the improvement proposed at the junction of the by-pass with A.1087, at Beltonford, has been delayed by difficulties in acquiring some of the land. I hope these will be resolved in time for a start at the beginning of next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when, and in what terms, an approach was made by his Department to the Corporation of Glasgow regarding the operation of their letting regulations for municipal houses; and what information he has received from the corporation on the question since then.

In December, 1963, my Department asked Glasgow Corporation for comments on representations made to my predecessor about the allocation of its houses. The Corporation replied that a special sub-committee had been appointed by the Property Management Committee to re-appraise its letting regulations. On 22nd January, 1964, my Department explained to the Corporation that my predecessor would be glad to be informed in due course of the conclusions reached by it in the light of the sub-committee's report. I understand that this report has not yet been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was collected in 1963 by way of National Health Service charges in Scotland.

Excluding charges by local health authorities, the total for Scotland in the financial year 1963–64 is £4¾ million.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to issue industrial development certificates in areas of Hampshire where there is no unemployment.

Our policy it to discourage industrial development which will result in further pressure on the labour supply in places where labour is scarce and is likely to remain so. We shall therefore look critically at all i.d.c. applications for projects in these areas, and are unlikely to grant i.d.c.'s for projects which would involve any significant increase in employment.

asked the Minister of Power what consideration he has given to the preservation of archaeological remains exposed during work undertaken by the Electricity Boards.

This is primarily a matter for the boards themselves, but I have a statutory duty under Section 44(3) of the Electricity Supply Act, 1926, to take into account any recommendations made by the Minister of Public Building and Works in connection with proposals for overhead lines: if necessary, lines are diverted or other steps taken to avoid damage to known sites. Where it is thought likely that there may be archaeological remains the Electricity Board is asked to advise that Ministry of any which may be found.The Ministry of Public Building and Works is consulted also about power station proposals, and the Generating Board advises the Ministry of any remains exposed in the course of their works.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the difference in cost and in traffic capacity between the improvement to trunk road dual carriageway standard together with the necessary bypasses of the A.2 road between the end of M.2 and the southeast side of Bridge, and the construction between the same two points of a motorway with the same number of traffic lines.

A motorway would cost some £2 million more and have about 25 per cent greater capacity.

asked the Minister of Transport, if he will state, giving the mileage in respect of each, those motorways or lengths of motorway for which no line had yet been proposed, a draft scheme had been published, a scheme had been made, tenders had been invited, a contract had been placed, which were under construction, and which were in use, including part of M.4 and M.5 near Bristol, respectively, as at 31st October.

The information requested is set out in the table below. Details of all motorways near Bristol are included. Minor amendments have been made to the mileage of certain completed schemes in the light of the more accurate measurements now available.

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the minimum time between the announcement of an application for fare increases within the London area and the date by which objections have to be submitted.

I have no responsibility in this matter. Under the terms of Section 46(5) of the Transport Act, 1962, the manner of publication of applications for London fares orders and the time in which objections may be lodged are decided by the Transport Tribunal.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what immediate plans he has for dealing with the shortage of bricks, copper pipes and fittings; what evidence he has that house building is being held up because of such shortages; and whether he will hold up less essential building work so that the house-building programme may continue at an accelerated speed.

There continue to be shortages of bricks, copper pipes and fittings which have been holding up work. I am looking into this. More capacity is being installed to produce copper goods and plasterboard. As regards bricks, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave him today to his other Question.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the approximate office space at present occupied by Government Departments in and around London, in the area in which office building is now to be proscribed.

There are nearly 14 million sq. ft. of office space occupied by Government Departments other than the Post Office in the Greater London Council area. This includes both the headquarters of Government Departments and the local offices needed within this area.