asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many amalgamations of farm holdings there have been in the last year, to the nearest convenient day.

Although we record yearly changes in the number of agricultural holdings of all kinds, and there is invariably a net reduction—averaging some 5,000 per annum in recent years—to ascertain in which cases amalgamation was the reason, or whether the units concerned were farms in the true sense, is more difficult Both this task and the ascertainment of precise dates and periods are laborious undertakings that do not lend themselves to postal inquiries. Nevertheless, it is clear that amalgamations of farms are still continuing, and the extent of the trend may perhaps be of the order of 2,000 a year net.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reduction there has been, in the last year, in the number of farms to let.

My Department does not collect annual statistics of the number of farms rented or to let, but the ten-yearly World Agricultural Census shows that in 1960–61 37 per cent. of holdings in England and Wales were wholly rented, compared with 49 per cent in 1950.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to help the British horticultural industry overcome those effects of the 15 per cent. surcharge which are damaging to them; and if he will make a statement.

There will inevitably be some increase in the industry's costs as a result of this charge; but the hon. Member will be aware that crude and natural potash have been exempted from its operation; and I am considering representations from the National Farmers' Union about certain other features of the charge as it affects horticulture.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he has yet received an interim report from the Committee inquiring into methods of intensive animal husbandry; and if he will make a statement;(2) what procedures the Committee inquiring into intensive animal husbandry has used in its inquiries.

It is not the Committee's intention to make an interim report It is pressing on with its investigation as quickly as possible and, once I receive its report, I will publish it and act on it.The Committee is considering all the available information on this complex subject and has invited organisations and members of the public to submit evidence which is now coming in It has also been visiting a variety of examples of different types of system.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to exterminate the large numbers of rabbits now based on disused railway embankments and cuttings and which are causing damage in North Dorset and other rural areas.

I am not aware of any large-scale rabbit infestations on railway land in North Dorset or elsewhere, but if the hon. and gallant Member car give me specific information I will investigate it. The responsibility for controlling rabbits rests with the occupiers of land.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make representations to the Railways Board regarding the difficulties caused to fruit growers in the King's Lynn area by the acute shortage of suitable wagons.

I understand that there were certain temporary difficulties in parts of East Anglia a few weeks ago, but my information is that these have been resolved. If my hon. Friend has evidence of a long term problem I am sure he will find that the Railways Board would be very willing to discuss it with him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effect the 15 per cent. surcharge will have on farmers' costs for fertilisers and for feedingstuffs.

I would refer the hon. Member to my oral reply, given today, to the hon. Member for Lowestoft (Mr. Prior).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what basis it has been estimated that the cost to the horticultural industry of the proposed increase in the duty on hydrocarbon oils is £750,000.

May I first remind the hon. Member that my reply to his Question on 18th November referred to the cost as £¼million, and not £¾ million My estimate was obtained by apportioning the total cost between agriculture and horticulture in ratio to the value of output produced by each.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what proposals he has, other than in the context of the Annual Review, for relieving the horticultural industry from the duty on hydrocarbon oils.

During the past 13 years Her Majesty's Government have consistently declined to remit increases in the duty on petrol and derv used in the horticultural industry. I see no reason to depart from that policy Under the Horticulture Act, 1960, and the Agriculture and Horticulture Act, 1964, substantial assistance is being offered to growers to help them to maintain and improve their competitive position.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for a by-pass on the A.1 road at Tranent.

I have asked the county council as local planning authority to safeguard a provisional line for the by-pass, to the north of the town, but I cannot say when it will be possible to authorise the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the chemical sterilisation of dairies takes place in Scotland; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on this matter.

Government policy is to encourage local authorities to frame their byelaws so as to permit the sterilisation of dairy equipment by approved chemicals as an alternative to boiling water or steam. The proportion of Scottish dairymen using chemical sterilisation is not known, but is probably at least 25 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make an additional payment to all certificated teachers serving in areas where there is a growing shortage of staff; and if he will make a statement.

A committee is being set up under the chairmanship of Dame Jean Roberts to look into the question of inducements to teachers to serve in areas of serious shortage. I should prefer to await its report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, as a step towards the immediate easing of the teacher shortage, he will pay teachers who are willing to teach after their retiring age the appropriate full salary scale in addition to the retirement pension; and if he will make a statement.

I am now examining as a matter of urgency all the possibilities which might help to reduce the shortage of teachers and I am looking closely at this particular question but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how, many houses there are in each county of Scotland which are owned by a local authority, and whose occupation is restricted or supposed to be restricted to agricultural workers, retired agricultural workers or those whose work is regarded as being ancillary to agriculture.

Scottish local authorities have provided 3,098 houses with special Exchequer assistance which requires them or an equivalent number of other houses to be reserved for the agricultural population The following table gives the detailed figures.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now restore the cut in the school building programme sponsored by Ayr County Council.

In present circumstances I can hold out no immediate prospect of increasing Ayrshire's allocations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an assurance that he will, so far as possible, meet in Scotland deputations from Scottish local authorities and other Scottish bodies wishing to discuss Scottish problems with him.

Scottish Ministers will continue, as far as is possible, to meet Scottish deputations in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will grant assistance to fisherman who have bought vessels under the grant and loan scheme, and are now faced with large bills for repair of wood rot in these vessels.

There is no statutory authority for grants to be made to fishermen to assist with the cost of repairs and on the information before me I do not think I should be justified in seeking such authority; but I have asked my noble Friend, the Joint Under-Secretary of State, to discuss the problem with the fishermen's representatives.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will designate an area for the development of another new town in Scotland, for the purpose of relieving the problem of Glasgow's overspill.

This is a matter which I shall arrange for the Scottish Planning Board and the Scottish Planning Advisory Council to consider when they are established.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many building trade workers were employed by the Scottish Special Housing Association in 1963.

The number directly employed was about 1,500.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will undertake to revise the housing subsidy provisions contained in the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1962.

The financial aspects of local authority housing are being examined by a working party composed of representatives of the local authority associations and of my Department. I will review the present subsidy provisions in the light of their findings.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he proposes any change in the conventions governing the answering of Questions relating to the nationalised industries.

No. My right hon. Friends who have responsibilities for the nationalised industries have no intention for the present of departing from the conventions that have been in force in recent years.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce legislation to make compulsory the fitting of thief-proof locks or devices on all new motor vehicles.

No. I do not consider that such legislation would be justified.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the discussions which his Department has had with the representatives of the bus companies to relieve them of the additional duty on petrol and diesel; and how the system of relief will operate.

The Bus Operators' Associations and the London Transport Board were told that the Government were willing, if suitable arrangements could be worked out with the industry's co-operation, to grant relief to the bus industry corresponding to the extra cost of the 6d. increase in fuel tax on stage carriage services. The method of relief is being discussed by a joint working party of the Department and the operators. I cannot yet say what it will be.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the seasonal rise in car accidents during the Christmas period, he will make an official appeal to the organisers of office and other parties about to take place to ban people who would be driving away from such functions.

Letters have been sent to local authorities, employers' organisations, and the Trade Union Congress seeking their co-operation in the drink-and-driving campaign and drawing attention to the need for particular care with office parties in the two days before the holiday The campaign is designed to bring home to the public the dangers of driving after drinking. I will take an opportunity of making a further appeal nearer Christmas.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the present bus services in Wiltshire are inadequate; and what steps he is taking to remedy the position.

I have had no representations about the adequacy of bus services generally in Wiltshire. If the hon. Member has any specific point in mind, I will consider it.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he intends to take with regard to the Railway Board's proposals to withdraw passenger facilities from 14 stations and halts on the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth railway line.

I am now considering the report of the T.U.C.C on hardship, together with all other relevant factors I shall announce my decision as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give an undertaking that he will not approve any closure in rail services unless they are replaced by adequate public road transport services.

I shall certainly see that adequate alternative services are provided wherever necessary before I consent to the closure of a rail passenger service.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give an assurance that his decision on the proposed withdrawal of local passenger train services between Crewe and Shrewsbury will be postponed until after the publication of the West Midlands Regional Report.

When I receive the Transport Users Consultative Committee's report I shall consider this closure proposal in accordance with the general policy I announced in my statement on 4th November.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will refuse all proposed rail closures in the Greater Manchester area, particularly those affecting the Manchester-Oldham-Rochdale, Manchester-Rochdale-Todmorden lines and the Heywood, Broadfield, stations, in view of the survey of the Greater Manchester area at present in progress under the auspices of his Department and the local authorities concerned.

I cannot say what view I shall take of any particular passenger closure proposal until it comes to me and I have examined the evidence. I shall consider all proposals in accordance with the general policy I announced in my statement on 4th November.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give details of the expenditure in 1963 on major improvement and new construction on trunk and classified roads in each county in England.

The following table gives provisional details of expenditure from central and local government funds on new construction and major improvements on trunk roads and classified roads in 1963–4 in each county in England, in so far as these are available from statistical returns made by the local highway authorities It excludes payments made direct by the Minister to contractors, mostly for work done on motorway schemes, records of which are not kept on a county basis.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he now proposes to construct a by-pass to the toll bridge at Eynsham.

No. The bridge is on a classified road and it would be for the responsible highway authorities to initiate any proposals for a by-pass.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in future editions of Highway Statistics, he will provide further statistical tables giving the break-down of expenditure on highways into counties and county boroughs.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what is the estimated cost of repairs to the M.1 motorway for the year ending April 1965;(2) what is the estimated cost of repairs to the M.1. motorway for 1964.

About £750,000 and £675,000 respectively Improvements to bring the motorway up to current design standards account for a large proportion of these costs.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what is the total mileage of the Lancaster by-pass section of M.6; how many miles were under repair at the end of October, 1964; and what sum has been spent on repairs to this section of road since it was opened;(2) what is the total mileage of the Preston by-pass section of M.6; how many miles were under repair at the end of October, 1964; and what sum has been spent on repairs to this road since it was opened.

The Preston by-pass is 8·1 miles long, the Lancaster by-pass 11·4 miles No repairs were being carried out on either at the end of October 1964 The shoulders on Lancaster by-pass, which were built to a specification laid down eight years ago, are now being paved and widened to bring them up to the later standard of the rest of the M.6; those on Preston by-pass were similarly improved last year Structural modifications have been made at the northern end of the Preston by-pass and the southern end of the Lancaster by-pass to enable them to be connected as one continuous length of motorway to the intervening length of motorway now under construction.In 1959, shortly after the Preston bypass was opened, approximately £5,000 was spent on surface repairs of damage caused by frost. At that time additional drainage was installed as a precautionary measure at a cost of £90,000. On the Lancaster by-pass, £6,500 has been spent in 1964 on repairs to a minor subsidence.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, when he makes his statement on the proposed line of the M.4 motorway through Berkshire, he will publish the consulting engineer's report which was submitted last May.

It is not the usual practice to publish reports of this nature, and in this case, as I said in my reply of 11th November to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Gresham Cooke), I have asked the consulting engineers to re-examine a number of points covered in their report I think it would be better to await the results of this re-examination before deciding what, if anything, can usefully be published with my statement.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the conditions governing the erection of new pedestrian crossings on roads; and what is the volume of pedestrian traffic necessary before a pedestrian crossing can be authorised at a particular point.

There are several factors to be taken into account in considering the provision of pedestrian crossings. The most important are the numbers of pedestrians and vehicles at the site These would in differing circumstances be given different weight, which precludes a decision being taken solely on the basis of the number of pedestrians or vehicles involved.Other factors are conditions at the site, including width of the road, existence of central refuges, proximity of other facilities and the attraction of the site as a natural crossing point.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the stretch of the A.68 trunk road which passes through Witton-le-Wear in West Durham is dangerous; and when he expects the necessary improvements will be made.

The A.68 is a class I road for which the Durham County Council is the highway authority. There is a scheme for major improvement through Witton-le-Wear, but I cannot yet say when it can be given priority in the road programme.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of all rent tribunals operating in England and Wales, showing in each case the areas covered and the number of cases heard during the latest 12-month period for which records are available.

The details are:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement concerning the future of the tied cottage system.

The Government believe that no occupant of a tied farm cottage should be subject to arbitrary eviction and to this end have included provisions in the Protection from Eviction Bill, now before the House, to give such occupants additional security.Longer term measures for dealing with these cottages will be worked out after consultation with the interests concerned.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the total cost borne by local authorities in England and Wales in 1963 and in previous years for which

Precise figures are not available. A recent survey by the Local Government Information Office indicated that estimates by 765 out of 1,522 local authorities of the cost of damage by vandalism totalled £561,565. I understand that these estimates relate to the financial year 1962–63.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to British European Airways that it should ensure that its time-tables are completely accurate before being issued to the public.

No This matter is not appropriate for a general direction and B.E.A. assures me that every effort is made to ensure that the time-tables are accurate.

asked the Minister of Aviation what is his policy with regard to the development of the South American routes by British United Airways.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Richmond (Mr. A. Royle) on 18th November, 1964.

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 polyadipate esters, tariff item 39.01, 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 this subject on 19th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that, when Government headquarters are being dispersed from London, a due proportion of them will go to Scotland.

Yes. In choosing locations for any headquarters units which it is decided to disperse from London the Government will continue to give special consideration to areas, including areas in Scotland, needing additional employment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the increased cost which will fall on industry in Scotland as a result of the extra duty on petrol and light hydrocarbon oils announced in his recent budget.

Separate figures for the quantity of hydrocarbon oils used by industry in Scotland are not available. The extra duty relating to hydrocarbon oils subject to the recent Budget increase which are used for all purposes in Scotland is estimated to be about £8 million in a full year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the percentages of petrol and light hydrocarbon oils estimated to be used by industry and by private persons, respectively, in England and Scotland.

Separate figures for England and Scotland are not available. In the United Kingdom as a whole, it is estimated that about one third of the total amount of hydrocarbon oils chargeable at 3s. 3d. a gallon is used in private motoring and rather more than one half in industry, commerce and agriculture. The balance is accounted for by use in public transport and in Government service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an assurance that capital gains tax will not be payable unless capital gains have in fact been made irrespective of valuations made on Budget day 1965.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to announce further details concerning his proposed corporation tax and capital gains tax before Budget day, 1965.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that his proposals for the introduction of a corporation tax and fresh capital gains legislation have caused uncertainty to financial and business communities in this country; and whether he will issue a White Paper explaining them.

Representations made by hon. Members have been noted and as they will have seen my right hon. Friend dealt with this point in the course of the debate on the Second Reading of the Finance Bill yesterday.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total number of new and reorganised economic committees which have been officially set up; and what are the total increases in civil servants and in cost as a result of them.

My right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State is arranging to reconstitute the National Economic Development Council. It is not the practice to disclose details of the methods which the Government adopts internally for collective consideration of policy.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why no Bound Volumes of HANSARD have been delivered to hon. Members since that for March, 1964; what steps he is taking to hasten the binding of the weekly editions; and what is the average period of delay in binding.

These volumes are separately printed and cannot be produced merely by binding the weekly parts. Their production has been delayed by building work and the heavy load of printing at the Parliamentary Press in recent months. There has been no delay in binding.The volume covering sittings up to 10th April, 1964, is now available and some others are nearing completion. By the end of the year the interval between publication of the Bound Volumes and the end of the period they cover should be reduced to about the normal four months.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to install typewriters for the use of Members of Parliament within the Palace of Westminster.

No The Government have announced their intention to 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 the expenses incurred by Members on facilities which are not already provided at the expense of public funds.

asked the Minister of Health what is the name of the firm from which hospital authorities purchase lysergic acid diethylamide for use in National Health Service hospitals; from which country these supplies are imported; and whether, in the light of the potent action of this drug, tests of its purity and its reactions are made before it is used in this country.

Sandoz Products Limited, Switzerland; tests of purity are carried out by the firm in the course of manufacture and the pharmocological effects of the drug are well known.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the type of breath-testing equipment to be used by the police during the voluntary breath-testing trials due to take place before and during Christmas; and if he will publish the results of these trials.

The police will not take samples of breath and will not use breath-testing equipment in the course of the investigation to be carried out by the Road Research Laboratory of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research into fatal road accidents occurring during the 1964 Christmas holiday period. But as part of this investigation the Laboratory intends to ask the drivers of motor vehicles at certain points on the roads to provide voluntarily samples of breath for analysis, and at these points the police will be assisting the Laboratory by stopping cars. The samples will be taken in plastic bags and the contents analysed at the Laboratory by breathalyser equipment. The question of publishing the results of these tests will be considered when the report of the whole investigation is available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce breathalyser tests as a means of determining the alcoholic condition of motor car drivers.

Section 2 of the Road Traffic Act, 1962, provides that in any proceedings for an offence of driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle while unfit to drive through drink or drugs, the court shall have regard to any evidence given about the proportion or quantity of alcohol found in the blood or the body of the accused by analysis of a sample of blood or urine, and that if it is proved that the accused refused a request to provide a sample his refusal may, unless reasonable cause is shown, be treated as supporting any evidence offered by the prosecution or rebutting any evidence offered by the defence with respect to his condition at the time.The provisions of Section 2 may be extended by subsection (6) to evidence based on samples of breath Before subsection (6) is brought into force, however, it is necessary to be satisfied that suitable arrangements can be made for taking and analysing breath samples, and a working party is at present considering the problems that would be involved in the introduction of breath-testing equipment for this purpose. I understand that the working party will make a first report early next year.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what plans she has for an early expansion of the programme for service overseas by volunteers.

The targets for sending volunteers abroad in 1965, for whom recruitment has already started, will be increased from 1,000 to 1,200 for graduates, and from 300 to 400 for school leavers and apprentices. The voluntary societies concerned, which have done excellent work on this programme, have agreed to these increases. The Government will, as already arranged, pay 75 per cent. of the British costs of this programme, which are estimated at about £900,000, and Parliament will in due course be invited to make provision for this expenditure.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what increase she proposes for the pension of childless war widows under 40 years of age, now at 20s. for a private's widow; and what comparison that increase will bear to the increase proposed for the 10s. widow.

None. Their circumstances are not comparable with those of the 10s. widows since they will all get full war widow's pension when they reach age 40.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as a further contribution towards more rapid development in under-employed areas, he will authorise a second advance factory in Upper Nithsdale, where the unemployment figure is 10·6 per cent.

In reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Swain) on 18th November my right hon. Friend announced a new programme of advance factories. This included a factory of 12,000 sq. ft. for the Cumnock area in Upper Nithsdale.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will stimulate trade development in the area of South-East Northumberland by setting up an advance factory in the area, in view of the continued contraction of the mining industry; and whether he will make a statement.

In reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Swain) on 18th November my right hon. Friend announced a new programme of advance factories. This included a factory of 25,000 sq. ft. to be built at Cramlington in South-East Northumberland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, in view of the consistently high rate of unemployment in the town, he has made no provision for an advance factory to be built in Sunderland.

An advance factory of 25,000 sq. ft. will be built on the Board of Trade's industrial estate at Houghton-le-Spring, which is within a reasonable travelling distance of Sunderland. As the Board of Trade owns no undeveloped land in Sunderland itself, this was the speediest way in which my right hon. Friend could give help to the area.

asked the Postmaster-General, if, in view of the continued representations of the Breadsall Parish Council and of the local residents, he will reconsider his refusal to erect a telephone kiosk on St. Andrews View, at the junction with Rothbury Place, Breadsall.

There are two telephone kiosks just over a quarter of a mile from this junction, and a third one half a mile away. I do not see a need for a fourth one until there is a significant increase in the amount of telephone business in the district.