asked the Postmaster General if he is aware of the charges, sometimes amounting to between £100 and £200, being asked by the telephone department for connecting houses and farms in rural areas to the telephone service; and what steps he is taking to make the telephone service available in rural areas at a reasonable cost.

The charge may be high in individual cases, but it only arises if special construction is needed beyond 3 miles from the subscriber's exchange. £200 is a special case of someone 8 miles from his exchange with 5 miles of construction work. Even then the charge is only a fraction of actual expenditure. I do not feel we can go further at present.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will authorise an additional public telephone kiosk at Rhoose, Glamorganshire.

Most of the district is within 600 yards of the existing kiosk, and there is not sufficient use made of it to justify the provision of another one at this stage.

asked the Postmaster-General how many public telephones are available in the public section of the two airport terminal buildings at Renfrew and Prestwick.

Eleven at Renfrew and six at Prestwick.

asked the Postmaster-General how often in the past six months there have been delays on telephone lines between London and Belfast; and how this compares with a year previously.

I am sorry that the information is not available in the form which the hon. Member desires. I am looking into the situation and will write to him as soon as I can.

asked the Postmaster-General what delay exists in the issue of loudspeaker telephones to those who ask for them to be installed.

The loudspeaker which amplifies incoming speech only is available on request. I am sorry that there are considerable delays in the supply of the two more expensive both-way models. Stocks of these are exhausted, and some orders have been outstanding for some months. The trouble has been caused by unexpected delays in obtaining new production. I am doing all I can to get additional supplies as quickly as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General how many domestic telephone subscribers in the borough of Barry have shared lines; and what proportion they constitute of all domestic telephone subscribers at Barry.

Six hundred and four residential telephone subscribers have shared lines: this represents 31 per cent. of all residential telephone subscribers at Barry.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he intends to introduce legislation to prevent the use of pirate radio vessels; and if he will make a statement.

I am considering the introduction of legislation, but, first, I wish to see what agreement is reached in the Council of Europe which is currently considering this problem.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will make a statement on his discussions with the Chairman and the Director-General of the British Broadcasting Corporation on 11th November on the future of the Corporation.

The discussions I have had with the Chairman and Director of the B.B.C. are part of the review I am conducting of a number of aspects of broadcasting policy. Conclusions will be announced as soon as they are reached.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will authorise a rebate of their television licence fee to be made to old-age pensioners where they have had to pay a special fee to television relay rental companies in places with unsatisfactory local reception.

Any method of making concessions to listeners and viewers present immense practical problems and I cannot hold out any hope of meeting the objective my hon. Friend has in mind; but I will gladly look at it.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to improve broadcasting and television reception in Berwickshire.

V.H.F. sound and television reception is generally satisfactory in Berwickshire, but if the right hon. Member has any particular case in mind and will write to me about it, I will gladly have it investigated.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will now direct that no further advertisements be shown for cigarettes on commercial television.

The Government are now considering this question and will make a statement as soon as a decision has been reached.

asked the Postmaster-General what representations he has received from the Advertising Inquiry Council regarding television advertisements; and what action he will take to protect the public against misleading and dangerous claims by advertisers.

The Advertising Inquiry Council have sent me a copy of comprehensive policy statement, which they issued last July, about advertising. I am considering the parts which relate to advertising on television.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will make a statement about the British Broadcasting Corporation television licence fee.

asked the Postmaster-General what proposals he has for increasing the television and wireless licence fee.

The B.B.C. has represented to me its case for an increase in television and sound licence fees to £6 and £1 5s., respectively. I am considering the matter and hope to make a statement soon.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement about the proposed educational television experiment at Queen's University, Belfast, and the Independent Television Authority.

I shall, with my colleagues, be studying the possibilities of an educational television service; and the proposed experiment at Belfast will be considered in the context of this study.

asked the Postmaster-General how many Shakespeare stamps have now been sold; and what are the estimated profits.

About 195 million Shakespeare stamps have been issued to Post Offices. Most of these stamps have been sold and the bulk will have been used for payment of postage: we estimate that the profit on those bought for philatelic purposes was around £150,000–£250,000.

asked the Postmaster-General what proposals his Department has for reviewing the question of Post Office facilities at Wythenshawe Civic Centre.

We intend to open a branch post office in the Civic Centre as soon as suitable premises are available; so far as we can see at present, the new office is likely to be opened in the first half of 1967.

asked the Postmaster-General what proposals his Department has for extending Post Office agency facilities for the payment of pensions and National Insurance benefits to elderly residents in the Woodhouse Park area of Manchester.

The branch post office we intend to open in the new Wythenshawe Civic Centre will be readily accessible to residents in the Northern part of the Woodhouse Park area. We have no further proposals.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on his future policy with regard to the qualifications he will look for in the appointments he makes to posts in the authorities coming within his purview.

I shall appoint the person best qualified for each post.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress has been made on the proposals for a stilt town on Erith Marshes; and, as the development of the scheme can greatly affect the lives of those living in the area, what consideration he is giving to the introduction of a system of public relations to keep the local people aware of developments.

I understand that this scheme will form part of comprehensive plans which will include any land released at Woolwich Arsenal. I am confident that the Greater London Council, in whose area this will be, will bear in mind the second point raised by my hon. Friend as soon as any part of the scheme reaches a stage at which details can be published.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government since 30,000 houses a month are being affected by creeping decontrol, if, pending the repeal of the Rent Act, he will take immediate steps to prevent any further houses from becoming decontrolled by a change of tenant.

The Government propose to deal with creeping decontrol as part of their major proposals on rent control. Meanwhile, the Protection from Eviction Bill is designed to give greatly increased security to tenants of houses which have become decontrolled.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he will introduce legislation to reduce the rates of interest paid by the purchasers of houses.

I am engaged with the local authority associations on a review of housing subsidies and finance. I shall wish to complete this before any statement is made about interest charges on loans for local authority house-building or on mortgages for house purchase.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will re-examine the Green Belt restrictions in the Slough area, to see what land of little or no amenity value can be released for housing.

The local planning authority is already re-examining the Green Belt in this area.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what plans he has regarding the provision of a new town in Cheshire to alleviate the serious housing shortage and lack of suitable building land in Salford and Manchester.

My right hon. Friend's predecessor proposed to designate a new town site for this purpose near Risley in Lancashire, and my right hon. Friend is now looking at this.Quite apart from the question of a new town, the Department are at present consulting both Manchester Corporation and Cheshire County Council on the possibility of more sites for overspill in Cheshire. The residual long-term needs of the whole conurbation are being considered in the context of the North-West Study. The possibility of another new town in Cheshire or elsewhere has not been excluded.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what special assistance is available to local authorities in areas where an influx of immigrants has led to an overcrowding problem; and how many authorities have applied for this special assistance.

Only the ordinary housing subsidies are available. Local authorities do, however, have powers enabling them to regulate the number of people in multi-occupied property, and to see that such property is kept in good repair and well-managed.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what subsidies or grants Her Majesty's Government will make available to planning authorities in the area of the South-East Study contemplating the creation of new towns of between 40,000 to 50,000 population in areas where industrial development certificates are not likely to be available, and the capital cost will exceed £75 million; and what grants or subsidies the district councils, as house-building authorities within that planning authority's area, may expect if neither the New Loans Act nor the Loan Development Act are used.

None. Special grants are only available under the Town Development Act. Housing authorities are eligible for normal subsidies under the Housing Acts.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take steps to give permanent status to Civil Service staffs of the rent tribunals.

I am well aware of the strong views held by the staff on this issue, but I would ask them and my hon. Friend to contain themselves in patience a little longer.The major proposals for the reform of rent control which we are now considering are unlikely to leave the present status of rent tribunals and of their staffs unchanged. But it is still far too early to enter into firm commitments.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will publish in HANSARD a table of figures giving the annual production of council houses for each calendar year since the end of the last war; and why less council houses were built in 1963 than in 1951.

Information about the number of houses completed in England and Wales by local authorities and New Town Corporations for the years in question is published in the quarterly Housing Returns. These are Command Papers.The decline in the number of houses completed by these authorities in 1963 compared with 1951 was partly due to the bad weather conditions experienced in the first three months of 1963, but the principal reason was that there was much more private house building in 1963 than in 1951.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to assist local authorities in their house-building programmes by reducing interest charges under the Public Works Loan Board; and what action he intends taking to reduce interest charges on mortgages obtained by those purchasing their own houses.

I am engaged with the local authority associations on a review of housing subsidies and finance. I shall wish to complete this before any statement is made about interest charges on loans for local authority house-building or on mortgages for house purchase.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) why the Milner Holland Committee on London Housing is not expected to report until the new year, in view of the earlier forecast that this report would be ready in the autumn of 1964; and whether he will arrange for an interim report to be made available before 1965;(2) to what extent the Chairman and members of the Milner Holland Committee on London Housing are working on a full and/or part-time basis; and why their report is being held up.

I am at least as keen as my hon. Friend on reading the Report as soon as possible, but I can find no trace of any forecast having been made that it would be ready this autumn. Indeed, my predecessor told my hon. Friend last July that it could be expected by the end of the year. I still hope for this, though the actual completion date will be largely governed by the need to analyse a very extensive volume of evidence, including two major sample surveys which are only now arriving in instalments.The Chairman and members of the Committee are all working on a part-time basis.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that, whereas in the calendar year 1947 the West Ham council built 170 council houses and had increased this to 636 in 1963, in Ilford the number declined from 126 to 122, in Hornchurch from 257 to 14, in Wanstead and Woodford from 222 to 52, and in Chigwell from 128 to 52; and whether he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain the reasons for these declines in council house-building by these authorities.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the facts. It would, however, be more profitable to attend to the future than to the past. As my hon. Friend will know, I am having discussions with all the housing authorities in Greater London to find out how best to increase their housing programme.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will instruct the Alkali Inspectorate to consult the borough council of Bilston and the urban district council of Coseley, with a view to reducing the nuisance of air pollution in the areas concerned.

The Alkali Inspectors are already instructed that liaison with local authorities is one of their most important duties. They already visit the Bilston and Coseley authorities as a matter of routine. If either authority wants more visits it has only to ask.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will introduce legislation to amend the Clean Air Act, so as to give local authorities power to deal with the nuisance of air pollution.

My right hon. Friend has no evidence that amending legislation is required. If my hon. Friend cares to write to him he will gladly consider what he says.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to receive the report of the Allen Committee on rating.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to receive the report of the Allen Committee.

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Dorset, North (Sir Richard Glyn) yesterday, the Committee have now presented their report.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has yet received the Report of the Allen Committee, or when he expects to receive it.

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to my reply yesterday to a Question by the hon. Member for Dorset, North (Sir Richard Glyn).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will include as eligible for improvement grant all means of heating in old people's homes, whether this be in the form of conversion of, or improvement to, existing facilities.

This depends on how satisfactory the existing heating facilities may be.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take steps so that unsuccessful applicants to the local rating authorities for rating relief under section 11 of the Rating and Valuation Act 1961, on the grounds that they are charitable or near charitable bodies, have a right of appeal either to an appropriate local body or to the Minister.

No. If it is a question whether a body is entitled to relief as of right, that is a matter for the courts. If it is a question whether relief should be granted in circumstances where relief is discretionary, I think this is properly a decision for the local authority as representing the ratepayers who must meet the cost of relief.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what study he has made of such of the recommendations of the report sent to him by the County Councils' Association relating to sanitary conditions at lay-bys in rural areas which are within his responsibility; and what action he will take.

My Department is in touch with that of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport about this report and the problem with which it is concerned. We will announce our conclusions as soon as we can.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will instruct the Alkali Inspectorate to hold further consultations with the brick industry with a view to reducing the air pollution nuisance.

I assume that my hon. Friend has primarily in mind pollution from the fletton brick industry. The Chief Alkali Inspector designate has just visited the area concerned in order to reassess the pollution problem at first hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on the present constitutional position in Rhodesia.

Southern Rhodesia is a part of Her Majesty's dominions enjoying internal self-government under the Constitution granted by the Southern Rhodesia (Constitution) Order in Council, 1961, in pursuance of the powers conferred by the Southern Rhodesia (Constitution) Act 1961. In consequence of the dissolution of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland at the end of 1963, certain amendments have been made to that Constitution, including provisions establishing an appellate division of the High Court of the territory.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards constitutional developments in Southern Rhodesia.

We wish to see Southern Rhodesia take her place as an independent State within the Commonwealth, but we must be satisfied that the basis on which independence is to be granted is acceptable to the people of the country as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what formal communication has been received from the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia, following the recent referendum there; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Smith has published a message to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stating that in his Government's view there has been a resounding vote in favour of his Government's approach to the question of Southern Rhodesia's independence, and that they therefore believe the moment is right to proceed officially to discuss the matter between our two Governments.The text of his message and of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's reply is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what consultations he had with other Commonwealth Governments before the announcement of the import surcharge; and what were their reactions to this proposal.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister sent messages to the Presidents or Prime Ministers of other Commonwealth Governments informing them of our decision and the reason for it. It was not possible to seek their views in advance for reasons explained to the House on 4th November by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury. Views expressed to us by other Commonwealth Governments are confidential, but I can say that the general reaction has been helpful and understanding.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what consultations he is having with Commonwealth Governments on the prior training of intending immigrants to enable them to adapt themselves more readily to conditions in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will consult Commonwealth Governments with a view to effective voluntary restriction of emigration to this country.

Commonwealth Governments have been informed that when the British Government have completed the review they are now engaged in, they look forward to having discussions with other Commonwealth Governments on immigration problems.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he is aware that the policy of Her Majesty's Government in the last 13 years of ending bulk purchases and long contracts with Commonwealth countries has, by causing employment difficulties there, increased migration from the Commonwealth to the United Kingdom; and whether he will take the necessary action to review this policy.

I am not aware of any representations from other Commonwealth Governments on the grounds mentioned by my hon. Friend. As regards the future, the Government are now in the course of a general policy review.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what consultations he had with the Government of the Republic of Ireland before the announcement of the import surcharge; what were their reactions to this proposal; and whether he will make a statement about the recent talks between the British Government and the Government of the Republic.

On the first two parts of the right hon. Member's Question I would refer him to my reply to Question No. 65. As regards the third part, I am sending the right hon. Member a copy of the communique issued after the talks on 5th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement about further defence aid to India.

Mr. Chavan, the Indian Minister of Defence, is at present in this country and consultations are taking place on a wide range of defence problems of common interest.

asked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement on the adequacy of coal stocks to last a severe winter; and how many miners are at present working Saturday shifts.

Stocks of most coals, including house coals, are generally good and supplies should be adequate even in a cold winter; but I understand that Saturday working is being considered by both sides of the industry as an added insurance against prolonged severe weather.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, assuming the current level of imports, he will estimate the total increased costs to British farmers of the 15 per cent. import duty.

As it is not yet known to what extent the burden of the temporary import charge will be reflected in the prices actually paid by British farmers, it is impossible to form an estimate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the 15 per cent. additional duty is to be imposed on the import of Claas combine harvesters; and what will be the estimated yield to the Treasury of this impost.

Yes. It is not possible to predict precisely what effect the temporary import charge will have on the volume of imports of specialised categories of machine. Any estimate of the yield of the charge from combine harvesters would be merely conjectural.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the 15 per cent. import duty surcharge is repayable when the goods are subsequently re-exported.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to repay to exporters the 15 per cent. import duty on cotton grey cloth which is brought to this country for finishing and is then re-exported.

The Finance Bill will contain provisions authorising the Customs to repay or remit the import charge on goods such as cotton cloth brought here for finishing and subsequent re-exportation, subject to the goods being satisfactorily identified by the Customs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will add to the list of exemptions to the 15 per cent. import surcharge goods made in the Republic of Ireland containing 25 per cent. or more British manufactured components or parts.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will exempt from the 15 per cent. import surcharge basic raw materials of the abrasives industry such as aluminium oxide, silicon carbide, raw bauxite clay, felspar, crystal quartz, natural cryolite, borax, talc, and shellac, most of which are not produced in this country and therefore have to be imported.

Of the materials listed by the hon. Member, only aluminium oxide and silicon carbide are liable on importation to the 15 per cent. charge. This is because they are manufactured chemicals. Liability to the charge must depend on the nature and character of the materials and not on their availability from home sources.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that some manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, who work on a flat percentage profit margin intend to increase their charges on the basis of maintaining their normal percentage profit on the additional 15 per cent. import levy; and, as this will increase the cost of living, if he will take steps to deal with this situation.

I am aware that some traders price goods for sale by adding a percentage mark up to the purchase price. However, this is in practice conditioned by competition and, having regard particularly to the temporary nature of the import charge, such traders should consider carefully what their pricing policy should be.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether his proposed capital gains tax will include a tax on benefits paid to holders of premium bonds;(2) whether his proposed capital gains tax will include a tax on amounts paid to winners on the football pools.

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await the proposals which my right hon. Friend will bring before the House next spring.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will raise to £10,000 the present £5,000 limit above which an investment by an individual in any one building society is disqualified from the arrangements relating to the composite rate of Income Tax.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange for the franking of letters from honourable Members to their constituents.

No. The Government have announced that they will increase the salary of Members to the level recommended by the Committee on the Remuneration of Ministers and Members of Parliament. This new salary takes full account of all the expenses currently incurred by Members in carrying out their Parliamentary duties.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as a means of encouraging firms and individuals to earn and conserve foreign currency, he will introduce a system of sterling tax-free discounts to be paid to British companies and nationals who deposit foreign currencies with British banks; and whether he will study the Australian system of incentives to exporters with a view to introducing this system into Great Britain.

All United Kingdom residents are already required to offer for sale to an authorised dealer all specified foreign currencies. The Government are reviewing all the ways of helping British exporters consistent with our international obligations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the proposals he has for avoiding double taxation arising from the proposed Corporation Tax, and on the resultant position of investment trusts and pension funds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that voters who are on holiday at the time of an election are not thereby debarred from voting.

These matters are being studied and I regret that I cannot make any statement about them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in HANSARD a table of figures giving the annual percentage rise and fall in national production, the cost of living, the purchasing value of the £ sterling, the terms of trade, imports and exports, Surtax, and National Insurance contributions since October, 1951, taking that date as equalling 100.

The table below shows the first seven items mentioned in the Question expressed in index form, taking October, 1951, or the calendar year 1951 as 100. The changes in rates of National Insurance contributions cannot conveniently be shown in this way because of the variations between different classes of contributor but my hon. Friend will find full information about the rates payable in October, 1951, and subsequent changes in Table 46 of the Annual Abstract of Statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to enable electors on holiday at the time of future elections to vote by post.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave on 12th November to Questions by the hon Members for Dorset, West (Mr. Wingfield Digby) and the hon. and learned Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Crowder).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will take steps to authorise local authorities, when so requested by householders, to dismantle brick air-raid shelters constructed during the Second World War, at the expense of the local authority or the Exchequer;(2) what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on retaining existing air-raid shelters which might afford worthwhile protection in the circumstances of a future war;(3) whether he is aware that the brick air-raid shelters constructed by local authorities in the Blackley area during the Second World War would afford no protection in the circumstances of a future war; and if he will take steps to authorise reimbursement of expenses incurred by householders who have them dismantled.

In general, air-raid shelters which might provide worthwhile protection have been retained. But there is provision for their demolition at the public expense if they are structurally unsound and beyond repair, are a danger to health or stand in the way of development. And my right hon. Friend is prepared to consider whether, in an individual case, there are other good grounds for authorising removal.If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the cases he has in mind, I shall be glad to consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made to the Spanish Government concerning the go-slow customs blockade which has been imposed at the Gibraltar-La Linea frontier.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave yesterday to my hon. Friends the Members for Goole (Mr. George Jeger), Bilston (Mr. Robert Edwards and Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds).

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will give assistance to the people of central Vietnam who have recently been the victims of disastrous floods.

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has sent the Vietnamese Foreign Minister a message of sympathy on behalf of Her Majesty's Government. We are now despatching blankets and other supplies, as may be appropriate, for the relief of those rendered homeless in Vietnam. The cost of Her Majesty's Government's contribution will be £5,000. Parliament will in due course be asked to vote this amount by means of a Supplementary Estimate. Meanwhile an advance has been obtained from the Civil Contingencies Fund. The Save the Children Fund have also contributed £1,000 towards the cost of this assistance. In addition, the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief have agreed to contribute £2,500, to be used partly for immediate relief and partly for reconstruction and rehabilitation.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works to what extent substitutes for bricks are now being used in the building of domestic dwellings; how the substitutes compare by experience with bricks; and whether the supply of adequate substitutes can be expanded during the next 12 months.

Alternative materials, most of them satisfactory, are being used to an increasing extent. For example, it is becoming more and more common to use blocks in place of bricks for the inner leaf of a cavity wall, and this is recognised as sound practice. The demand for both bricks and other walling materials is likely to continue to grow and I expect production to increase substantially next year.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will introduce proposals for a standstill of all incomes until 29th March 1965.

No, I do not think this is the best way of tackling our problems.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when a review of the South East Study will take place.

A review is already in hand.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons were given temporary accommodation by local authorities in the Metropolitan police area in the last 12 months.

9,284 persons from the Metropolitan police area were admitted to temporary accommodation under Section 21(1,b) of the National Assistance Act, 1948, during the last 12 months.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the shortage of maternity beds in the Slough area; and if he will effect an early improvement in the situation.

Yes; four additional beds are being provided this year at the Canadian Red Cross Hospital, Taplow, and 36 additional beds in about two years" time at Upton Hospital following the completion of the new hospital at Wrexham park.

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has for meeting the newly-elected President of the United States of America and the present leaders of the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for the purposes of discussing improvements in international relationships between East and West.

As the House knows, I am going to Washington for talks with President Johnson on 7th and 8th December. One of the subjects we shall need to discuss is the means of making progress in East-West relations. No arrangements exist at the moment for a meeting with the Soviet Prime Minister.

asked the Prime Minister how many persons have been appointed as speechwriters to Departments of State since Her Majesty's Government took office.

None, but two temporary staff have been appointed who, among other duties, will contribute, or advise on, speech material.

asked the Prime Minister which Ministers are not at present able to draw an official salary.

The following is the information:

• The Secretary of State for Wales.
• The Minister of Technology.
• The Minister of Overseas Development.
• The Minister of Land and Natural Resources.
• The Chief Secretary, Treasury.
• The Minister of Defence for the Navy.
• The Minister of State, Foreign Office (Mr. George Thomson).
• The Minister of State, Foreign Office (Mr. Walter Padley).
• The Minister of State, Home Office.
• The Minister of State, Commonwealth Relations Office (Mr. Cledwyn Hughes).
• The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. G. Darling).
• The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. E. C. Redhead).
• The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. R. Mason).
• The Minister of State, Scottish Office.
• The Minister of State, Welsh Office.
• The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Mr. R. Prentice).
• The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Economic Affairs (Mr. M. Foley).
• The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Economic Affairs Mr. W. Rodgers).
• The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office.
• The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Technology.
• The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Development.
• The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Land and Natural Resources (Mr. A. Skeffington).
• The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Land and Natural Resources (Lord Mitchison).

asked the Prime Minister if he will give an assurance that it is still the policy of Her Majesty's Government to require all Members appointed to positions in the Government to resign all outside paid appointments.

The directions given to Ministers on this and related matters were last circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT on 28th January, 1960. The have been put into effect without modification in this Administration.

asked the Minister of Aviation how many jet aircraft took off westward from London Airport between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the three months ended 30th September, 1964; and whether he is satisfied with the effectiveness of the present measures for reducing the nuisance caused by these flights.

2,339. I am considering whether any further measures can be taken to reduce the disturbance caused to residents near the airport.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to see that school playing fields should be opened in out-of-school hours, so as to keep children off the streets and out of danger.

A recent joint circular from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and my Department emphasised the need for increased use of school playing fields out of school hours, I hope to see more of it in future and I am considering what can be done further in this direction. It is however for local education authorities and managers and governors of individual schools to decide whether playing fields should be open out of school hours. I believe that they are well aware of their responsibilities, but there are problems, both of supervision and of over-use.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the progress of research into the eradication of wood pigeons; and if he will make provision for their extermination in conjunction with existing rabbit clearance societies.

I am satisfied that every useful line of research is being vigorously pursued. Some assistance has been given to pigeon shooting through rabbit clearance societies, but there are great difficulties in controlling the number of these birds by shooting or any other acceptable means and it would be unrealistic to expect their extermination.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress is being made with the Carlisle by-pass; and if he will give a starting date.

A draft scheme to establish the route of the Carlisle By-pass will be published as soon as the preliminary consultations now proceeding have been completed. It is too early yet to say when construction will start.

asked the Minister of Transport when the Eton relief road is expected to be completed.

By about the middle of 1966.

asked the Minister of Transport what study he has made of such of the recommendations of the report sent to him by the County Councils' Association relating to sanitary conditions at lay-bys in rural areas which are within his responsibility; and what action he will take.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds) on 11th November.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make advance arrangements this year for the investigation of road accidents at Christmas.

Yes. The Road Research Laboratory's investigation into accidents at Christmas last year suggested that the accident rate is highest when Christmas Day falls towards the end of the week. Christmas Day this year falls on a Friday and I have asked the Laboratory to carry out a further investigation into fatal road accidents over the holiday period. They will also be looking, for the purpose of comparison, at certain aspects of fatal and serious accidents during the months of December and January. The coroners and police have been asked to co-operate in providing information which the Laboratory will require for these purposes.

asked the Minister of Transport how many representations have been received by his Department regarding the withdrawal of the Caledonian; and what replies he has sent.

Withdrawal of particular trains is not a matter in which I can intervene. It is a matter wholly within the management responsibilities of the British Railways Board, to whom my Department have forwarded a small number of letters received on this subject.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the inconvenience and danger caused to the inhabitants of residential streets by the habit of driving schools using these streets for practice; and if he will take steps to control this.

I have no evidence to suggest that learner drivers constitute a particular danger in residential streets. Any measures aimed at excluding them from these streets would not be conducive to safety.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the considerable loss of income incurred by many thousands of persons using vehicles on the road without paying their road excise licence; whether he will discuss with the responsible authorities the strict enforcement of the law concerning the payment of this licence money and ensure that to prove that licence-applied-for labels are in order they will only be valid where they are stamped by the appropriate licensing authority to this effect.

I am naturally concerned about any evasion of vehicle excise duty, whatever the amount. I am in continuing touch with my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary and with the local authorities responsible for this part of the Excise law about measures to make enforcement as effective as possible. Enforcement activity is, generally, increasing, but it necessarily depends a great deal on the amount of time which the police can devote to observation. So far as the Metropolitan police area is concerned, new procedures were introduced recently. "Licence applied for" labels have no statutory significance.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the proposed expansion of British Road Services, he will seek information from British Road Services on the measures they propose in order to avoid the redundancy in Swansea caused by the reorganisation of administration.

No. This is a matter of management for the Transport Holding Company and its subsidiary companies.