asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many houses have been completed by Lowestoft Borough Council in each of the last five years; and how many are at present under construction.

Completions for the five years 1959 to 1963 were nil, 24, 92, 66 and 162.96 have been completed in the first ten months of 1964 and 10 were under construction at the end of October.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many houses in the area covered by the Parliamentary division of Easington are due for demolition; and what estimate he will give for the completion of the work involved.

Four years ago the Easington Rural District Council said that there were 1,975 unfit houses in the Parliamentary division, since when they have demolished or closed nearly 300. On these figures there are still nearly 1,700 to deal with, and the council hope to clear them all within the next 10 years.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that land at Croydon Airport, which could be used for housing purposes, is due to be auctioned at the end of this month; and if he will make a statement on the progress of the redevelopment plan for this site.

My hon. Friend is presumably referring to the two lots, roughly 12 acres in all, of land intended for housing which were included in the auction sale advertised for 27th November. As my hon. Friend may know, this land has been withdrawn from the auction, pending a review of policy.In accordance with a master plan which has the agreement of the authorities concerned, detailed designs are now in hand for housebuilding by local authorities on a substantial acreage of the airport. This development is expected to begin in the spring.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many housing units were under construction on 15th October, 1964.

Figures of houses under construction in England and Wales are available for the end of each month, but not for other dates. 384,908 were under construction at the end of September and 391,225 at the end of October.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether it is Government policy to increase home ownership in Dorset; how many planning consents for dwelling houses have been issued, and how many refused, in the last 12 months; and whether he will make a statement on future policy in this matter.

As regards the first part of the Question the Government policy, in Dorset as elsewhere, is that people should be able to have the sort of house which best suits their needs. As regards the second part of the Question, 3,481 applications for planning permission for residential development in Dorset were granted in 1963, the latest period available, and 851 were refused; but the records do not enable me to say how many houses these represent.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is satisfied that one new town will be adequate to enable Manchester and its neighbours to meet their housing needs; and if he will make a statement.

It is too early to say whether a further new town will be required. The long term overspill needs of this area are being considered in the context of the North West Study, with which my Department is associated.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the designation of a site to the east of Warrington as a new town to meet the housing site needs of the city of Manchester and its neighbours.

I will make a statement as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when a decision will be reached about the compulsory purchase order on Nos. 15 to 49 Gales Gardens, Bethnal Green.

My right hon. Friend's decision confirming this order was issued yesterday.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether his Department's project to build timber houses in Britain will proceed, in view of the 15 per cent. import surcharge.

The Department is not proposing to build timber houses, but is helping the Canadian Government to introduce timber house-building techniques into this country in collaboration with other Departments and public authorities. My right hon. Friend has no reason to believe that the temporary import surcharge will affect the Canadian Government's plans, since the first major project, of 200 houses, is not expected to begin until the spring of 1966.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what provision is being made for the recreation of residents in the new town of Peterlee, in particular for young people.

Playing fields with a wide range of sports facilities are already in use. A sports and social centre is under construction in the northern part of the town, and a youth club is being built in the town centre. The development corporation and the local authori- ties are considering the need for further play areas, a second sports centre, a swimming bath and a commercial entertainment centre.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects the Local Government Commission report on the South-East Lancashire conurbation.

The Commission have yet to produce draft proposals for this area. I should not, therefore, expect their report and final proposals until 1966.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what are Her Majesty's Government's intentions regarding the future of the green belts; and what changes of policy are contemplated.

No basic change on policy is contemplated by my right hon. Friend. He believes that green belts must continue to play a vital rôle in the planning of our cities and the countryside surrounding them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will particularise the statement in the first sentence of paragraph, 5 of the White Paper on Offices specifying the superficial area of floor space represented, respectively, by outstanding planning permissions and Third Schedule rights, the date or dates at which they have been assessed, and the ratio of floor space to workers on which the estimate of a quarter of a million further office jobs is calculated.

The estimate is based on outstanding planning permissions for new offices totalling 14 million square feet net addition in central London and some 20 million square feet in the rest of the conurbation. The estimate also takes into account rights to a 10 per cent. increase in floor space on replacement of existing office buildings in central London, which could add some 6½ million square feet. These are all 1962 figures. At 150 square feet per worker this was the equivalent of over a quarter of a million jobs.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the adverse effect of the formula for the distribution of the general grant upon counties with populations expanding more rapidly than the average; and whether he will take action to remedy this.

As I assured the House on Friday, 13th November, in reply to a Question by the hon. and noble Member for Hertford (Lord Balniel), the grievances expressed by the rapidly expanding counties are being considered as part of the general review of local government finance.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects a decision to be reached about local government boundaries in northeast Somerset.

My right hon. Friend is considering the proposals for this area and will announce his conclusions as soon as he can.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now announce his decision about the proposed county borough status for Cheltenham.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now announce his decision about the proposed county borough status for Cheltenham.

My right hon. Friend is considering this proposal and will announce his conclusion as soon as he can.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what bodies his Department consult before advising local authorities on the use of industrialised building methods.

My Department's Research and Development Group are already in a position to provide local authorities with advice, and for this purpose they have consultations with the Ministry of Public Building and Works, the Building Research Station and the Fire Research Station. It is also in close touch with the National Building Agency which is expanding its work in this field.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if it has yet been decided how the site now occupied by the Covent Garden Market will be developed when that market is moved to Nine Elms.

No.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate has been made of the cost of adding the appropriate quantity of fluoride to the water supply in England and Wales.

From experience in the three study areas the cost was estimated in 1962 at about 10d. per person per year. This figure would not necessarily be valid for the country as a whole.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what are his plans for the future of local government in Burton-upon-Trent; and if he will make a statement.

I have not yet considered Burton's future local government, but in any case I shall not proceed with the Burton Order until the outcome of the High Court action is certain.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he proposes to take to deal with the problem of slag heaps in the south Lancashire area.

Local authorities have been asked to inform my right hon. Friend by 31st March, 1965, of the amount of derelict land, including spoil heaps, in their areas and the acreage which they propose to treat. He will then consider whether further steps should be taken.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects a decision to be reached on the compulsory purchase order which is at present holding up the development of the town centre in the Borough of Keighley.

My right hon. Friend hopes to announce his decision before the end of the year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many cottages in the Chippenham constituency still have no piped-water supply.

About 180.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, now that he has received the Allen Committee Report, if he will make an interim statement to the House on the Government's policy towards its conclusions.

I have taken a first look at this formidable report which contains much information that is new. The Committee's task was to ascertain facts and the Government will take these into account in their examination of local government finance, including the rating system.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent he plans to contribute towards the cost of restoring to pastoral use the site at Clerkenleap, near Worcester, now occupied by Arcam Demolition and Construction Company Limited.

My right hon. Friend is prepared to reimburse the reasonable cost of carrying out such work as he considers desirable in the public interest. He needs further information from the county council before he can decide this.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he has received from local authorities about their diffi- culty in dealing with abandoned cars dumped in the streets; and what advice he has given them.

Two local authorities have made representations this year on the general question of disposing of old cars. They were told that a draft circular of advice had been sent to the local authority associations and to trade organisations for comment. My right hon. Friend expects to issue this circular soon.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement on the future rôle of Banbury in relation to the South-East Area Study.

My right hon. Friend is not yet ready to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he anticipates holding the public inquiry in respect of the Brighton Marina.

My right hon. Friend has asked the developers and the corporation for some information which he thinks essential for a balanced decision. When this has been prepared he hopes to hold the inquiry.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what proposals he has for reducing the financial burden on local authorities; and when he will make a statement on this matter.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Crowder) on 13th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what representations he has made to ensure that dividends from Ceylon companies and unfunded Ceylon pensions can be remitted to the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on his talks with the Ceylon Government's Finance Minister.

My discussions with Dr. Perera, Ceylon Minister of Finance, were confidential, but I can inform the House that I stressed to him the concern with which the British Government viewed various measures of the Ceylon Government affecting British interests. I also expressed the hope that the Government of Ceylon, in dealing with its various economic problems, would avail itself of the services of international agencies, such as the International Monetary Fund. I am glad to say that arrangements are being made for the renewed remittance of most of the unfunded pensions.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what protest has been made to the Rhodesian Government concerning the expulsion of Miss Marieke Clarke, a British subject who is an English teacher at the Inyati School near Bulawayo.

No protest has been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what agreement on the supply of arms to India was reached with the Indian Defence Mission recently visiting Great Britain; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether consultations with the Indian Government in respect of assistance in the defence of the Indian Republic have now reached agreement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Joint Communiqué issued on 20th November at the end of the discussions with Mr. Chavan.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what progress has been made with Commonwealth Governments in respect of agreement on the control of immigration into this country.

I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd) on 17th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations why it was not practicable for Her Majesty's Government to consult Commonwealth Governments to the same extent as they consulted the Government of the United States of America about the recent imposition of the import surcharge.

The urgency of the economic situation with which Her Majesty's Government was confronted in their first week of office was such as to rule out consultation with any Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what Commonwealth countries have decided to join with the United Kingdom in the celebration of the seventh centenary of Parliament; and whether he will make a statement.

No approach has been received so far from any Commonwealth Government in this regard. Her Majesty's Government are considering how to mark the occasion appropriately.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what were the terms of the settlement reached between the British and Zambian Governments and the British South Africa Company.

The effect of the terms of the settlement was that the mineral rights in Zambia previously enjoyed by the British South Africa Company would be vested in the President of Zambia as from 24th October, 1964. The company would receive on an ex gratia basis £2 million from the British Government and £2 million from the Zambia Government free of Zambian tax.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on the present military position and policy in Cyprus.

The cease-fire established after the Security Council Meetings of 9th and 11th August has been maintained; and, apart from sporadic minor incidents, the Island is quiet. The efforts of the United Nations Force to assist in restoring normal conditions have had some success, particularly in arranging to take over control of the Kyrenia Road on 26th October. The Security Council renewed the Mandate of the United Nations Force for three months from 27th September and the basic composition of the Force has remained unchanged.As regards the formulation of a solution of the problem concerning Cyprus, we now await the report of the United Nations mediator, Senor Galo Plaza. We are prepared to support him in the promotion of any solution likely to be acceptable to all the parties principally concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on his further investigations into recent expulsions from Commonwealth countries in Africa of citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, and on the action he took to obtain proper treatment for such citizens.

I take it that the hon. Member is referring to the recent expulsion from Tanzania of Messrs, Dunmore, Gallaher and Butchard.As regards Mr. Dunmore and Mr. Gallaher, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my noble Friend Lord Shepherd in another place on 18th November and to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher) on 23rd November.Mr. P. Butchard, a British teacher employed by the Tanzanian Government under the "Teachers for East Africa" scheme, was arrested in Lindi on 17th November, apparently for demonstrating against a local rally denouncing the alleged "Western plot". He was taken to Dar es Salaam on 18th November and held in custody until he was put on an aircraft for Britain on 20th November.Deportation is the sovereign right of an independent government and we do not challenge this principle. Nevertheless, these incidents are bound to have a serious effect on public opinion in this country and on the confidence of the British community in Tanzania. I have felt it right to bring these considerations to the notice of the Tanzanian authorities in support of the representations which are being made by our High Commissioner in Dar es Salaam.

asked the Minister of Power what contract by the Gas Council, to purchase natural gas from Holland, he has authorised.

asked the Minister of Power if he will issue a general direction, in the public interest, to the Gas Board not to enter into long-term contracts for the supply of natural gas from overseas sources until a plan has been drawn up and approved by Parliament to integrate all British resources for the production and distribution of fuel and power.

The Gas Council has agreed to consult me before committing itself to any new contracts to import gas. No such contract has yet been put to me.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what decisions have been reached regarding the implementation of phase two of the million acre scheme in Kenya; and how much financial support Great Britain is making available.

Purchase of land under the million acre scheme is expected to be completed in 1966. The Kenya Government made some proposals in April of this year for financial assistance from the British Government to enable them to purchase additional areas of European mixed farming land. We are at present holding fresh discussions with members of the Kenya Government on this subject and I cannot anticipate the outcome.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will issue a direction for the remission of the 15 per cent. import levy on equipment required by universities, technical colleges and other such organisations working on fixed estimates for the equipment of their laboratories.

I am aware of the special problems which the temporary import charge creates for universities and other similar institutions and I am considering them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in compliance with the principle set out in the White Paper that the 15 per cent. charge will not apply to basic raw materials for industry, he will take steps to remove this impost from nylon 6 polymer, tariff item 39.01, when brought into Northern Ireland.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer that I gave to his Question on this subject on 19th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in compliance with the principle set out in the White Paper that the 15 per cent. charge will not apply to basic raw materials of industry, he will take steps to remove this impost from niax when brought into Northern Ireland.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Londonderry (Mr. Chichester-Clark) on 19th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes he proposes to make in the age groups for repayment of post-war credits.

I have no statement to make on this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his proposed relief from the effects of the new tax on petrol will extend to transport undertakings in Northern Ireland.

This is for the Northern Ireland Government to decide, but I understand that the Minister of Finance has already indicated that he is willing to take parallel action in Northern Ireland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect of the rise in petrol tax upon trade, industry and employment in Northern Ireland.

I am, of course, fully aware of the special economic position of Northern Ireland, but my right hon. Friend's reason for proposing an increase in the oil duty was to balance demand and resources in the United Kingdom as a whole. As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, this duty has to apply at the same rate in Great Britain and in Northern Ireland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the amount of revenue to be obtained from a tax on all forms of betting, gambling and gaming; whether he will give an estimate of the annual revenue if the present 5 per cent. tax on totalisators at greyhound race tracks were extended to cover horse racing tracks and all forms of betting, gambling and gaming and if all betting shops paid an annual licence fee of £500; and whether he will introduce proposals for this system of taxation.

The turnover in all forms of betting and gaming is not known and the estimate for which my hon. Friend asks would accordingly be only a speculative one. I am sure he will not expect me to anticipate future Budget decisions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the terms and conditions of the agreement with the authorities of the International Monetary Fund entered into last August by the previous Government, with a view to establishing a credit of $1,000 million to be drawn on in case of necessity.

The negotiation of this Standby followed the normal pattern. Her Majesty's Government provided the Fund with full information about its economic and financial policies, and the Agreement, reached in the light of this, contained the usual provisions. These contain a reference to the information provided about policies, the period and amount of the Standby, an undertaking to keep in constant touch with the Fund, details of charges and repayment terms, and a formal reference to the circumstances under the Fund's Articles in which a country might become ineligible to draw. The text of these agreements is confidential to the member governments and the International Monetary Fund.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he has initiated an inquiry into the collapse of the Cadco project in Glenrothes, Fife; what form the inquiry will take; and when it is expected to begin.

My right hon. Friend has not initiated such an inquiry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what variation there was in the dates on which the routine trading and balance of payments statistics were published in the six months preceding the General Election.

The provisional figures of United Kingdom overseas trade in March were released by the Board of Trade on 16th April, one day earlier than in the provisional programme for the year notified to the press in December, 1963.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many ex-Servicemen are employed in Inland Revenue offices in Northern Ireland.

There are 108 ex-Servicemen, including four who have undertaken National Service, on the permanent staff of the Inland Revenue in Northern Ireland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give tax relief to commuters to London within a radius of 40 miles of Charing Cross.

I assume that my hon. Friend is suggesting tax relief for season tickets from home to London in this area. I am afraid that I could not see my way to adopt this suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what additional cost will be caused to the agricultural, horticultural and fishing industries in Scotland by the proposed increased duty on hydrocarbon oils.

The estimated cost to agriculture and horticulture together is about £300,000 in a full year. Of this £20,000 may be attributed to horticulture. As relief from duty is given for hydrocarbon oils used in fishing vessels, it is not expected that the increase will have any material effect on the costs of the fishing industry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his proposals for relief from the effects of his increased petrol tax will extend to the users of motor vehicles specially designed for the disabled.

No. The relief to which my right hon. Friend referred in his Budget speech, and on which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport is having discussions with the passenger transport organisations, is confined to stage bus services.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect the 7 per cent. Bank Rate will have on unemployment in Northern Ireland; and whether he will make a statement.

The Government's aim remains to generate higher levels of employment in under-employed areas of the country.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the criteria of his Department in deciding the number and distance between new post offices and pillar-boxes on new housing estates in Hull.

In towns areas we do not normally provide a new post office within a mile of an existing office, nor a new posting box within a quarter of a mile of an existing box. But these standards are not inflexible: and if my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind any particular part of Hull in which he thinks we ought to provide a new post office or posting box, and will let me have details, I will gladly look into the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the additional number of indoor and outdoor Post Office staff to be engaged in Hull to deal with the increased Christmas traffic; and how many in each category are to be taken from the unemployed.

About 350 temporary staff are required for indoor work and about 500 for outdoor work in the City of Hull and about 230 for outdoor work in all the offices in the remaining area under the control of the Head Postmaster. For both indoor and outdoor work, preference will be given to suitable unemployed candidates.

asked the Postmaster-General how many ex-Servicemen are employed in his Department's service in Northern Ireland; and to what extent preference is given to ex-Servicemen.

I am sorry that figures for the whole of Northern Ireland are not readily available. 731 of the 1,465 men employed by Belfast Head Post Office are ex-Servicemen. My Department gives preference to ex-Servicemen in Northern Ireland for employment as postmen, technicians and telephonists, and also as cleaners, liftmen and doorkeepers. In the last few years, over 80 per cent. of vacancies for adult postmen in Northern Ireland have been filled by long-service ex-Regulars.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will issue a set of stamps next year to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

As I said in reply to Questions on the 10th and 17th November, I am currently reviewing Post Office policy with regard to the issue of postage stamps. Once that review is completed I will let the hon. Member know whether or not I can meet his request.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the long waiting list of applicants for telephones it the Petersfield constituency, and that in rural areas a telephone is often the only means of summoning aid in emergency, especially for elderly people; and if he will review his Department's plans with a view to the more expeditious provision of instruments for this category of applicant.

Leaving aside orders under inquiry and being met, there are 410 applicants for telephones on the waiting list in the 28 exchange areas serving the Peters-field constituency. I realise the need for telephone service in these cases and we are pressing forward the provision of additional cables and more exchange equipment. I hope that more than half of the outstanding applications will be met within six months and that most of the remainder will be met a few months later. The plans in the Peters-field constituency, as in other parts of the country, are designed to speed up the provision of all telephones so that by March, 1966 the waiting list is virtually abolished.

asked the Postmaster-General how many people are now on the waiting list for telephones in the borough of Uxbridge and the urban district council area of West Drayton.

Leaving aside orders under inquiry and being met, there are now no applications on the waiting list in the five exchange areas which mainly service the borough of Uxbridge and the urban district council area of West Drayton.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to assist local authorities in dealing with the problem of abandoned cars dumped in streets.

Local authorities already have adequate powers to remove and dispose of vehicles abandoned on roads. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government intends in the near future to issue a circular to local authorities giving guidance on the vehicle disposal problem generally.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the discussions he is having with representatives of the passenger transport undertakings with a view to giving them relief in respect of the additional fuel duty of sixpence a gallon, he will take into consideration the financial positions facing the operators of rural bus services.

Yes. The intention is to grant relief to bus operators corresponding to the cost of the extra 6d. fuel tax on all stage carriage services. Both town and country operators will get relief in this respect.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made with proposals and experiments for solving the rural bus problem; and whether he will make a statement.

Inquiries are still in progress.The four local inquiry teams have all made proposals for experiments in improved or additional services. In some cases these are being arranged wholly at the expense of the bus operators. In others, a guarantee to make good any deficit below the revenue necessary to cover the operator's costs has been offered by the local authority, or by my Department and the local authority jointly. One guaranteed service is to be withdrawn after three months' trial, because of the extremely small support from the public.The use of school contract buses to carry ordinary passengers has been considered and one or two experiments are in hand. The possibilities of car-pooling schemes on a welfare basis to meet occasional urgent needs are being investigated. There may also be scope for improving liaison between local authorities and operators to ensure that services are arranged to the best mutual advantage.I would also refer the hon. Member to my reply of 16th November to my hon. Friend the Member for the Western Isles (Mr. Malcolm MacMillan).

asked the Minister of Transport when construction work on the Bodmin-Launceston trunk road A.30, which is included in the 1964–65 programme is expected to commence.

As soon as the preparatory work has been completed. I cannot set a date because this depends upon the outcome of negotiations with persons affected by the scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the cost of a quarterly season ticket from Gravesend to London each year from 1954 to 1964.

I am sure my hon. Friend could obtain this information from the Railways Board, but it would not be appropriate for me to seek it on his behalf. Fares are a matter entirely within the Board's management responsibilities.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give a general direction, instituting an inquiry into travelling conditions on rush hour trains in the South-East.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend the London Government Act so as to prevent the disintegration of the children's service in inner London.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 19th November to my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much the sales of liquid milk from farms between January and September, 1964, varied from the corresponding sale between January and September last year; what proportion this difference represents of the total sales in these periods; and if he will make a statement.

Total sales of milk off farms in the United Kingdom in January to September, 1963, were 1,853 million gallons of which sales for liquid consump- tion were 1,209 million gallons. The figures for the corresponding period in 1964 were 1,799 and 1,226 million gallons, or 2·9 per cent. less and 1·4 per cent. more, respectively. The lower volume of sales off farms is generally believed to have been due mainly to a fall in the size of the dairy herd and a decline, attributable to the weather, in the average yield per cow; both factors may well prove to be temporary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much milk was made available for butter-making in the nine months ended September 1964; how many tons of butter he estimates have been produced; and if he will give figures for the butter produced in the corresponding period of 1963. and 1962.

I understand that from January to September 1964 106·6 million gallons of milk were made available for butter making by the milk marketing boards in the United Kingdom. It is estimated that this produced some 20,000 tons of butter; the corresponding figures for 1963 and 1962 are 38,500 tons and 47,700 tons, respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek powers to shut down slaughterhouses where it is shown that the slaughter of cattle in close proximity to residential property causes considerable nuisance.

No. Local planning authorities have powers, subject to the concurrence of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, to require the discontinuance of any use of buildings or land, if they think it expedient in the interests of proper planning in their area.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to grant powers to local authorities to control hours of slaughtering, which takes place at all hours, including weekends, so helping with amenity aspects for adjacent residential property, and simplifying the task of meat inspectors.

Questions of amenity are for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government. So far as meat inspection is concerned, my Department has had representations from some local authorities. We shall consider these with all other factors relevant to the progress of work under the Meat Inspection Regulations, 1963.

asked the Minister of Aviation how far the investigation into value analysis techniques in the field of defence contracting has proceeded; and what response there has been in the aircraft and electronics industries to Government recommendations on the use of these techniques.

We are introducing value analysis measures on certain major aircraft and guided weapons projects. In addition, I understand that the Ministry of Defence are considering asking a firm of management consultants to undertake pilot studies in the field of Army equipment. The response by industry has been encouraging; many companies are now putting the principles of value analysis into operation.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will allow British Over•seas Airways Corporation to tender for trooping contracts.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Leominster (Mr. Clive Bossom).

asked the Minister of Aviation how many flights were delayed due to fog in Renfrew and Prestwick airports, respectively, in each of the last five years.

I regret that the particulars asked for are not available. Flights may be delayed for a variety of reasons and no record is kept of the causes of delay. There were, however, the following cancellations of air transport flights from the two airports due to poor visibility during the last three years:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilians are employed by his Department at the Royal Air Force station, Ballykelly.

249.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many ex-Servicemen are employed in civilian capacities by his Department in Royal Air Force establishments in Northern Ireland; and what preference is given to them.

596. When considering applications for employment, other things being equal, Royal Air Force establishments give preference to those who have served with credit in Her Majesty's Forces, special consideration being given to those who have been disabled in service.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will establish a teachers' training college in Croydon.

I am aware that proposals have been made in the past for the establishment of a teacher training college at Croydon. I certainly intend to review these and other proposals, but I cannot say now what the result is likely to be.

asked the Minister of Health what special attention is given to the after-care of thalidomide children in England and Wales; and if Her Majesty's Government will make a contribution to the Lady Hoare Thalidomide Appeal.

All the health and welfare services that can help, including the limb fitting service, are available to these children and their parents. While most appreciative of what has been done as a result of the appeal, the

Date			Adults unemployed		Young people unemployed
					Registered for first employment		Others
			Men	Women	Boys	Girls	Boys	Girls
9th November, 1964	…	…	97	13	—	—	11	1
11th November, 1963	…	…	165	22	1	4	7	6

These figures give the numbers registered at the Uxbridge Employment Exchange, West Drayton and Yiewsley Part-time Office, Uxbridge Youth Employment Office and West Drayton Branch Youth Employment Office.

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements he is making to promote the development of industrial training.

In consultation with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Education and Science and the Secretary of State for Scotland, I have set up, under the Chairmanship of my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Marsh), an Interdepartmental Committee on training for skill which will have the following terms of reference:"to advise the appropriate Ministers on the means of encouraging the more rapid development of industrial training and of associated technical and other forms of further education, and to secure the fullest co-ordination

asked the Minister of Labour how many men, women and school-leavers were registered as unemployed in Uxbridge and West Drayton at the latest available date; and what the totals were for the corresponding date in 1963.

The following table gives the information:between the bodies responsible in these fields".My hon. Friends the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Boyden) and the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mrs. Hart) will be members of this Committee, and in addition there will be senior officials from my own Department, from the Department of Education and Science, the Scottish Education Department, the Treasury and the Ministry of Technology.I have asked the Committee to review, as a matter of urgency, the expansion and long-term future of training in my Ministry's Government Training Centres; the general progress of the Industrial Training Boards; and the expansion of technical education facilities to match the demands of the Industrial Training Boards.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what are the technical and other reasons for the delay in implementing the decision to raise old age and other pension rates.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she will publish a White Paper stating why the Government consider that the delay in paying increased pensions is insuperable, in order that Members of this House with experience of data processing may appraise the problems.

I would ask the hon. Members to await the debate on the Second Reading of the National Insurance &c. Bill tomorrow.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she will take steps to appoint a committee of inquiry, including Members of Parliament, with a direction to discover a method of paying the increases in pensions forthwith.

No.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what is the number of retirement pensioners now receiving supplementary allowances; and what was the comparative figure for the same period in 1963.

At the end of September, 1964, 1,128,520, and at the same date in 1963, 1,083,920. Some of the allowances provided for the requirements of more than one pensioner.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of houses built in Scotland per 1,000 of the population for each of the years 1960, 1961, 1962, and 1963.

The total numbers of houses built in Scotland per 1,000 of the population in each of these years were as follows:

1960	…	…	…	5·5
1961	…	…	…	5·3
1962	…	…	…	5·1
1963	…	…	…	5·4

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the estimated traffic usage of the Forth Road Bridge; and how this compares with the actual usage to the latest convenient date.

In proposing a 2s. 6d. toll, the Joint Board assumed that at least 5,000,000 vehicles would use the bridge in the first year. During the ten weeks from its opening until 13th November, 1,055,000 vehicles have crossed the bridge. It is difficult to compare this with the Board's assumption, partly because of seasonal considerations and partly because the figures suggest that traffic was quite exceptionally heavy during the first few weekends.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what special attention is given to the after-care of thalidomide children in Scotland.

The facilities of the local health and welfare services for care in the community are available to all children suffering from severe congenital deformities. As regards young children requiring powered limbs, a centre has been set up at the Princess Margaret Rose Hospital, Edinburgh, for the fitting of such limbs and the training of the children in their use. Children requiring other artificial limbs are treated regionally in hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many slum houses have been closed or demolished in Scotland since January, 1960.

From the beginning of 1960 to 30th June, 1964, 48,833 unfit houses were closed or demolished: 6,625 other houses, not formally declared to be unfit, were also closed or demolished in the course of slum clearance or comprehensive development operations.

asked the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science, as representing the Minister of Technology, if he will announce the membership and terms of reference of the Advisory Council on Technology.

Yes. The right hon. Gentleman the Minister of Technology will be Chairman of the Advisory Council on Technology with the following membership:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportions of total imports, by value, have been placed on exceptions lists in the Kennedy Round of Tariff negotiations by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the Common Market, respectively.

The exceptions lists that have been tabled in Geneva are confidential documents, the nature of which it would not be proper for me to disclose. I can say, however, that the British list is very short.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales on what date, and to what extent, he will assume responsibility for matters in the Principality at present within the responsibility of the Minister of Transport.

I refer the hon. Member to the full statement about my responsibilities made on 19th November by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. The necessary Transfer of Functions Order will be laid as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) on what date, and to what extent, he will assume responsibility for matters in the Principality at present within the responsibility of the Minister of Health;(2) on what date, and to what extent, he will assume responsibility for matters in the Principality at present within the responsibility of the Minister of Power;(3) on what date, and to what extent, he will assume responsibility for matters in the Principality at present within the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Education and Science;(4) on what date, and to what extent, he will assume responsibility for matters in the Principality at present within the responsibility of the Minister of Public Building and Works.

I refer the hon. Member to the full statement about my responsibilities made on 19th November by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.