asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether measures to prevent illegal immigration into Hong Kong have proved effective; what is the present rate of emigration; what further progress has been made during the past 12 months in providing domestic accommodation; and what is the approximate percentage and number of unemployed in this territory.

Illegal immigration has fallen to well under 300 persons per month and the measures to contain it are satisfactory.Comprehensive figures for emigration are not available and no worthwhile estimates can be given.Since 1st December, 1963, Government and Government-assisted housing has been provided for some 183,000 persons. Private building for residential purposes completed since that date may represent additional accommodation for nearly 150,000 persons.Unemployment in the Colony is thought to be even lower than the 1.7 per cent. (or 21,000 people) recorded by the 1961 census.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the number of emigrants from West Indian Colonial Territories to this country and to other destinations during the last available return for 12 months; approximately how many emigrants have returned; and which of the islands are now economically viable.

Only incomplete figures are at present available. These show that in the twelve months to 30th September this year there was a net immigration into Britain of 4,741 persons from Barbados, British Guiana and the Windward and Leeward Islands. I have no figures for the other West Indian Colonial Territories or for destinations other than Britain. Of the nine terri- tories referred to, Barbados, British Guiana, Antigua and St. Lucia are able to balance their recurrent budgets without assistance from Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will indicate the origin of and the responsibility for the time-bomb which was discovered at the Royal Air Force station at Mukeiras in the South Arabian Protectorate on 14th November just before it was due to explode.

The high explosive used in the bomb was of Egyptian manufacture.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs by what amount he estimates the cost of living will rise or fall during the next 12 months.

It is not the practice of Her Majesty's Government to give forecasts of the cost of living. As the honourable Member will be aware, the Government's policy is to work for more stable prices and a closer relationship between the increase in productivity and the growth of incomes in all their forms.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give details of the committee he is setting up to investigate and report on the shipbuilding industry, indicating its personnel and terms of reference, with particular reference to its bearing on Aberdeen's trade, industry and employment.

The terms of reference and composition of the Shipbuilding Inquiry Committee are under consideration but we hope to be able to make an announcement soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has for an increase in retired teachers' pensions.

Increases in pensions for retired teachers will, as usual, be considered along with increases for other retired public servants. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the hon. Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) on 10th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the numbers of part-time degree courses available in institutions other than colleges of advanced technology and universities, the number of students who enrolled therein, and the number of these students who completed degrees, in the last two complete academic years, respectively.

103 part-time day and 62 evening courses for first and higher degrees are, at present, available in grant-aided further education establishments in England and Wales other than Colleges of Advanced Technology. The number of such courses was approximately of the same order in the past two academic years. For the number of students I would refer my hon. Friend to Statistics of Education 1962, Part two (pp. 52–53) and to the same pages in the 1963 (Part two) edition of this publication. The number of degrees awarded to part-time students is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now make a more detailed statement about the new arrangements for science and technology.

Yes. I would refer my hon. Friend to the Written statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister today about the functions of the Minister of Technology.In addition, it is intended to make the following arrangements once the Science and Technology Bill now before the House has been enacted.I shall be responsible for the Research Councils and for the support of research in the universities. Two new Research Councils—the Natural Environment Research Council and the Science Research Council—will be created. The Research Councils will be financed through my Department and I shall be advised concerning finance for the Councils by the Council on Scientific Policy.The Natural Environment Research Council will support research in the earth sciences and ecology. It will take over the Nature Conservancy, the Geological Survey and Museum, the Hydrology Research Unit, the National Institute of Oceanography, and the functions of the Development Commission in relation to marine and freshwater biology and fishery research. The Minister of Land and Natural Resources will be closely interested in some of the work of the N.E.R.C., and I will consult him, and other Ministers who are closely concerned, on certain appointments in this organisation.The Science Research Council will take over the functions of the D.S.I.R. in respect of research grants and postgraduate training awards not within the fields of the other Councils. It will take over the activities of the National Institute for Research in Nuclear Science and will also be responsible for the Radio Research Station, the Royal Observatories, and the scientific space research programme. It will advise on relations with C.E.R.N. and with the European Space Research Organization.The remaining stations of the D.S.I.R. will come within the responsibility of the Minister of Technology, except that the Road Research Laboratory will become a responsibility of the Minister of Transport, and will be administered under arrangements that recognise the responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales for highway matters in these countries. The Tropical Products Institute will be the responsibility of the Minister of Overseas Development. Other functions of the D.S.I.R. will be divided between my Department and the Ministry of Technology, which will take over the information functions concerned with disseminating technical information in industry. The National Lending Library, and the more general information work and the control of the Scientific Attachés will come under my Department.The decision to place the National Physical Laboratory under the Ministry of Technology was reached after careful consideration and discussion with the President of the Royal Society. It is intended to combine the National Chemical Laboratory with the National Physical Laboratory under one Director. Arrangements have been concluded with the Royal Society which will continue the long-standing close association between the Laboratory and the Royal Society.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether student teachers have been employed for the purpose of marking General Certificate of Education advanced English Papers; and whether he will take steps to ensure that non-qualified staff do not in future mark papers where a considerable degree of personal judgment is required.

The choice of staff to mark G.C.E. papers is a matter for the various examining boards. If my hon. Friend has evidence that unsuitable staff have been employed and sends me details, I will see that they are brought to the attention of the board concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the insignia of a pilot's wings may be worn by those so entitled on the uniform of the Civil Defence.

No. The Royal Air Force flying badge has always been considered to be an integral part of the uniform of that Service. It cannot appropriately be worn on Civil Defence uniform.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to amend Section 63 of the Representation of the People Act, 1949, so as to make it clear that expenditure incurred in connection with a broadcast made by a party political leader at election time does not count as part of his expenses as a candidate for the purposes of that Section.

The English courts have held that Section 63 does not prohibit expenditure the real purpose of which is general political propaganda. I understand, however, that the interpretation of the Section is in issue in proceedings on an election petition in Scotland. While the interpretation of the Section is a matter for the courts, advice available to the Government before the proceedings were started was to the effect that national broadcasts by leaders of political parties or other persons which are not intended to promote the interests of or disparage a particular candidate in a particular constituency do not fall within the scope of that section. The Government will however examine the position further in the light of the decision on the present proceedings and introduce amending legislation if they think it necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reply he has sent to the resolution passed and forwarded to him by the Hastings and St. Leonards Chamber of Commerce about instances of hooliganism which took place during the summer at seaside resorts.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the correspondence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why a prisoner at Winson Green has recently been put in six months' solitary confinement; and what offence was involved.

A prisoner in Birmingham prison with a record of violence was segregated from other prisoners under the Prison Rules on 26th May last, pending police investigation into an incident in that prison in which he was alleged to have struck another prisoner a violent blow in the face with his fist and while the other prisoner was on the floor kicked him about the head and body until he was unconscious.The assailant was subsequently charged with maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm and committed for trial at Birmingham Assizes. It was considered necessary in the interests of good order and discipline to keep him segregated from association with other prisoners until his trial was over. This was on 10th November, since when he has returned to normal association.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to provide that no one will be called for jury service who has not been domiciled in this country for at least 12 years.

The hon. Member's suggestion has been brought to the attention of the Departmental Committee which, under the chairmanship of Lord Morris of Borth-y-Gest, is now considering whether any changes are desirable in the qualifications for and exemptions from jury service. My right hon. Friend hopes to receive the Committee's report shortly.

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 casein, tariff item 35.01, when brought into Northern Ireland.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer that I gave to him on 19th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange that the waiving of the 15 per cent. surcharge on books and magazines shall not apply to magazines and papers of an undesirable character.

No. Even if it were considered appropriate to limit the exemption from what is, after all, a temporary import charge in the way suggested, it would be impossible to frame a workable definition of "undesirable" which would command general acceptance. In so far as these publications are indecent or obscene or are horror comics, they fall within the standing prohibitions on importation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken, or are envisaged, to encourage both industry and Government Departments to arrange with the universities sabbatical exchanges of scientific personnel.

There are of course already facilities for short-term interchanges in this field. I do not know whether my hon. Friend has a particular scheme in mind, but I doubt whether any special centralised arrangements are needed at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider taking steps to reduce bank interest charges on money borrowed to assist industrial development and trade expansion in Northern Ireland.

No. The Government are most anxious that continued industrial development in Northern Ireland should be encouraged, but my right hon. Friend does not propose to interfere with the normal working of the bank credit system.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated extra cost in interest charges per annum to foreign holders of sterling resulting from the increased Bank Rate from 5 per cent. to 7 per cent.; what proportion will go to the United States of America and thus make the dollar gap wider; and if he will make a statement.

The amount of additional interest paid to non-resident holders of sterling will depend on the level and composition of their holdings in the twelve months' period selected and on the extent to which the rates of interest earned are influenced by the change in Bank Rate. These factors cannot be predicted; nor can the period for which the higher Bank Rate will operate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements were made to give journalists advance notice of the Government's intention to increase the Bank Rate; and if he will make a statement.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will shortly publish a White Paper on the proposed corporation and capital gains tax.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement which my right hon. Friend made on this point in his speech on the Second Reading of the Finance Bill on 24th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, to avoid continued uncertainty, dividends paid to trusts can be franked and not made subject to corporation tax twice over.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's statement of 24th November, 1964.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give instructions that any Government Department which inadvertently overpays workers over a period shall stand half the cost and reclaim only half the overpayments, in view of the inconvenience caused to weekly wage earners concerned and to their families.

No. It is a long established principle that recovery should be attempted whenever the Exchequer suffers loss through overpayments. In order to avoid hardship, departments may, with Treasury authority, waive recovery of all or part of the overpayment. I am satisfied that this discretionary approach is more likely to do justice both to the individual and to the Exchequer than a more rigid rule.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to control and restrict the export of gold and of investment capital from this country during the period when other emergency financial and fiscal measures are in operation.

The export of gold and capital for investment to the non-Scheduled Territories is controlled and restricted under the Exchange Control Act, 1947. Under current policy for controlling outward investment, official exchange is allowed only for direct investments which will bring a clear and commensurate return to the balance of payments within the short term. The sale of gold to non-residents of the Scheduled Territories is permitted only though authorised dealers, against payment in foreign currency.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the quantities of malt spirit and grain spirit, respectively, distilled in Scotland during the year to 30th September, 1964; and what were the quantities of both distilled in the whole of Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the same period.

The quantities of malt spirit and of grain spirit distilled in Scotland and the United Kingdom as a whole in the year ended 30th September, 1964, were as follows:

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs how many British nationals are serving with the mercenary brigades in the Congo; how many of them have terminated their service contracts with British armed forces; and how many have deserted from such contracts.

Her Majesty's Government have no accurate information about the number of British nationals serving with the Congolese National Army, nor do they know how many of them are ex-members of Her Majesty's Forces. We believe, however, that only a relatively small number of these volunteers are British from the United Kingdom. The majority are Southern Rhodesians or South Africans.

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the steps taken by Her Majesty's Government to comply with the Security Council resolutions calling for the withdrawal of all foreign mercenaries from the Congo.

There have been no Security Council Resolutions calling for the withdrawal of foreign mercenaries from the Congo since that of 24th November, 1961, when the situation was quite different from that which exists today. The mercenaries employed at that time by the secessionist Government of Katanga were fighting the forces of the legal Central Government of the Congo, with which we had relations, and the forces of the United Nations. So far as I am aware, it has not been argued that the Security Council resolutions of 1961 are applicable to the present situation. Her Majesty's Government believe, however, that the future of the Congo ought to be settled by the Congolese themselves, with the assistance of other African States.

asked the Prime Minister what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding compliance with resolutions of the Security Council or General Assembly of the United Nations; and if he will list any such resolutions which Her Majesty's Government do not regard as being binding upon them.

It is the policy of the Government to comply in good faith and in so far as practicable with all resolutions adopted by the Security Council or the General Assembly. A large majority of such resolutions are not, of course, legally binding upon member States. I regret that, owing to the large number of resolutions adopted by the Council and the General Assembly, it is not practicable to provide a complete list of all those which are and those which are not binding upon member States.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the proposed rise in Members' pay, he will introduce legislation to make subsidies or retainers by outside bodies of whatever character illegal.

This is a matter for the House and I should be prepared to receive representations through the usual channels from the Opposition Front Bench on the question. Meanwhile, it must remain a matter for the individual hon. Member to decide whether he should accept remuneration of any sort from outside sources.

asked the Prime Minister if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement indicating the nature of the responsibilities of the Minister of Land and Natural Resources; and if he will differentiate between those responsibilities which have been newly created and those which have been, or are to be, transferred from other Departments.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Land and Natural Resources will participate in the formulation of the national and regional plans for which my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State has overall responsibility. My right hon. Friend the Minister will be generally responsible for the availability of natural resources to meet the needs of the community and it will be for him to consider the use made of natural resources, the development of new resources and the better use of natural resources of which inadequate use is made at present. Land is the most important and urgent problem, and he will be responsible for the establishment of the Land Commission as soon as possible and for future policies relating to the availability of land as the community needs it.There will be transferred to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Land and Natural Resources the functions of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government in relation to the National Parks Commission and their powers and duties relating to national parks and long distance routes. There will also be transferred to my right hon. Friend the Minister the existing responsibilities of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food relating to commons land; and his responsibilities for the Forestry Commission, so that the Minister will become responsible, jointly with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, for the Commission and for forestry policy. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales will of course be consulted where Welsh interests in these matters are involved.My right hon. Friend the Minister will also have responsibilities for the conservation of water and its availability for the various needs of the community. The precise allocation of the statutory responsibilities of the several Ministers concerned with water is a complicated matter and a detailed statement about this will be made in due course.To avoid misunderstanding I should add that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government will have an important interest in the preparation of the national and regional plans, because of his responsibility for housing and for the conditions in which people live, and for the general system of planning control. He will be responsible for seeing that the policies in the regional plans are implemented in the development plans of planning authorities, and that house-building and other development for which he is responsible goes forward according to whatever programme the plans envisage. As already announced, in Wales these responsibilities will fall to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

asked the Prime Minister if he will name the present members of the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee; and how often the Committee have met since he took office.

The present members of the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee are

• Lord Crathorne, T.D.;
• Lord Williams of Barnburgh;
• Lord Rea, O.B.E.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now make a statement about the functions of the Minister of Technology.

The Minister of Technology has the general responsibility of guiding and stimulating a major national effort to bring advanced technology and new processes into British industry. The methods employed will include an intensified use of the appropriate Research Stations and of the National Research Development Corporation, civil development contracts and studies to identify particular industries or parts of industries suitable for action.The Minister will consider what changes might be made in the arrangements for procurement financed by public funds in order to contribute to the aim of promoting technological advance. He will initiate studies of the status of the engineering profession. All these tasks will be undertaken in close consultation with the other Departments concerned.As already announced, the Minister will be responsible for the Atomic Energy Authority and the National Research Development Corporation and will take over the elements of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research headquarters which have been concerned with research and technical development in industry. The Ministry of Technology will in future be the sponsor department for the machine tools, electronics, telecommunications and computer industries. The Ministry will also establish close relations with the British Standards Institution and will support their work in the engineering field.The Science and Technology Bill now before Parliament proposes that the powers of the Atomic Energy Authority shall be extended to permit the Authority to undertake research and development outside the atomic field. Legislative action will also be taken to increase the powers and resources of the National Research Development Corporation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will introduce regulations to compel retailers to show whether kippers are artificially dyed or oak-smoked.

I have received representations both for and against this proposal. I shall consider these representations together with others which I am currently receiving as a result of the recent publication of the Food Standards Committee's Report on the Labelling of Food.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has authorised a further cull of grey seals to be undertaken on the Fame Islands.

The grey seal population on the Fame Islands has risen as a result of protection from a few hundred in the 1930's to about 3,500 at present. The most recent estimates suggest it is still increasing at the rate of about 6 per cent. a year. There is no doubt that the large grey seal population on the Fame Islands and the Orkneys causes losses to fisheries by damaging nets and by catching or injuring fish. It is difficult to make an exact assessment of the extent of this. A rough estimate based on information collected on behalf of the Consultative Committee on grey seals and fisheries put the loss to net fishermen on the East Coast of Scotland at between £50,000 and £100,000 a year on salmon alone compared with their total catch of something between £650,000 and £700,000 a year. In addition there are losses of white fish frequently reported but impossible to estimate.I can only conclude that if the expansion of the grey seal population is allowed to continue unchecked this damage will increase. The Consultative Committee which was set up under the chairmanship of the Nature Conservancy, and which included a majority of scientists, concluded in its Report published last year "that an experimental control should be attempted in the interest of fisheries; it might well be that such control would prove to be for the benefit of the colonies as well".I have therefore, after considering this matter most carefully, decided to authorise the second cull recommended by the Committee, of up to 360 young seals on the Fame Islands designed to effect a modest reduction in the grey seal population.This cull is repugnant to all of us but is, I think, necessary and will be carried out humanely, and I hope that, as in the past, an inspector of the R.S.P.C.A. will be present to see that this is the case.I am asking the Consultative Committee to continue to examine the effect of seals on fisheries and, in so far as this is possible, the effect of the cull on the colony. I will then review the matter before a further cull is undertaken.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what official protests have been made about the seizure by the Government of some 70 British-owned farms in Tanzania; what notice was given to the farmers to quit; and what compensation is being offered.

The Tanzanian Gazette of 6th November contained notices revoking the leases of twenty-one farms in the Arusha area, including ten owned by British citizens. I understand that the leases of some thirty-five more farms, mostly in the Iringa region, have subsequently been revoked, but I am still awaiting details of any British farms involved. I am informed that a number of the farmers affected in the Arusha area have made representations to the Tanzanian Authorities which are under consideration. I would prefer to withhold further comment at this stage. I have no information about any farmers having been given notice to quit or of any offers of compensation.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will publish details in the OFFICIAL REPORT of the progress made in the grouping of water undertakings.

In September, 1956, when the then Minister of Housing and Local Government issued a circular calling for wider use of the powers to regroup water undertakings, there were 884 undertakings in England. Since then the number has been reduced to 289.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will issue postage stamps bearing a picture of Sir Winston Churchill; and if he will make a statement on, or in time for, the 90th birthday of Sir Winston Churchill.

As I said in reply to Questions earlier this month, 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: but I cannot undertake to do this by the 30th November.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the size of the waiting list for telephones in each telephone area in the United Kingdom at 30th September 1964; what percentage this was in each case of the total number of subscribers in the area; and what was the size of the order list for telephones in each telephone area of the United Kingdom at 30th September, 1964.

The figures are as follows; the difference between the order and waiting lists represents applications under inquiry or being met.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he is aware of the present high cost of glass, plaster-boarding and other materials required in house-building; and what action is being taken to lower these costs.

I will, of course, be keeping a close watch on the cost of building materials. The prices of glass and plaster-board have not risen in the past year, although prices of house

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what he estimates will be the increased cost to Scottish agriculture of the extra duty on petrol

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give an estimate of the additional freight cost which will be incurred by industry in eastern Scotland as a result of the sixpence increase in duty on petrol and diesel fuels.

I cannot make an estimate in the form requested. I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's Budget statement on 11th November in which he said that, because of the transport element in the cost of things, the increase in oil duty would raise the retail price index by a small fraction spread over a period of time.

asked the Minister of Transport how many motor vehicle licences and goods vehicle licences were issued in Scotland and England and Wales, respectively, during the last convenient period of twelve months.

The following are the figures for the twelve months ended 30th September, 1964:and light hydrocarbon oils announced in his Budget this month.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for Berwick and East Lothian (Sir W. Anstruther-Gray) on Monday, 23rd November.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total mileage of roads in Scotland.

At 16th May, 1964. the mileage of public roads in Scotland was as follows:

asked the Minister of Transport what is the total mileage of roads in England and Wales

On 1st April, there were 171,211 miles of public highways of all kinds in England and Wales.