asked the Secretary of State for Defence what attempt has been made to centralise the pay branches of the three Services, using modern computer methods.

The arrangements for pay in the three Services are to be studied with a view to inter-Service rationalisation. The study will take account of the possibility of greater integration between the computer systems which the three Services already use or plan to use. The scope for greater integration may, however, be limited, since the pay accounting systems of the three Services reflect their different terms and conditions of service.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the effect, so far as numbers of senior posts are concerned, of the amalgamation of the three Services as one Defence Service.

The three Services have not beer amalgamated into one Defence Service nor have I any intention of bringing such an amalgamation about.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual expenditure on the Aden base.

Expenditure on the Aden base is estimated to be about £20 million per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the cost of paying locally engaged civilian service units in Germany for 1963–64, including allowances for overtime and for employers' contributions under local insurance and superannuation schemes abroad.

About £7 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the maintenance of the independent British nuclear deterrent.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government that Great Britain should cease the attempt to remain an independent nuclear Power.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the remark of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, in the debate on 23rd November.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when certain flatted houses at 110 Victoria Road, Glasgow, came into the possession of the Glasgow Territorial Association; when these houses became vacant and surplus to requirements; when negotiations commenced with the corporation of Glasgow on the sale of the houses; and when it is anticipated that the negotiations will be completed.

These quarters were built in 1927 by the Glasgow Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association and they became vacant in March, 1963. After consideration for use by other Service families or by other Government Departments the quarters were offered for sale as surplus in July, 1964, and negotiations started with Glasgow Corporation in August. I hope that the sale of the quarters to the Corporation will be completed very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many surface and submarine naval vessels are at present being constructed for Her Majesty's Navy; and how many of these are being built in the Clyde district.

Thirty, and nine, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest estimate he has received of the cost of five Polaris submarines and of the base in Scotland from which they will operate.

The capital cost of a five-boat programme including the cost of the base from which they would operate would be of the order of £400 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the Polaris submarines will come into service; and how many there will be.

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 16th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he hopes to complete his review of defence commitments.

A thorough review of defence policy will take many months, but I intend to make an interim report in next February's White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of the cancellation of the proposed joint British-Spanish naval exercise on the future of the naval base in Gibraltar.

None. There is no connection between these two issues.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the present restrictions on the freedom of movement across the frontier are having on the running of the naval base at Gibraltar.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to complete his study of strategic and tactical transport aircraft requirements; and what announcement concerning the formulation of detailed requirements he intends to make.

I cannot anticipate the outcome of my present review of the content of the defence programme which will be completed as soon as possible. I have nothing to add to my answer on 23rd November regarding the long-term requirements for strategic transport aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will publish a White Paper setting out the principal conclusions reached at the recent discussions on defence held with the Prime Minister and other Ministers at Chequers.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what communication he has had with the defence authorities of the United States or other allied Powers in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation with regard to the supply of defence equipment to the Spanish Government.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will not reduce the number of British troops stationed in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.

As the hon. Member knows, we are examining all our overseas defence commitments. Until this review is complete no undertakings will be given about the long-term strength of any individual garrison.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has for strengthening United Kingdom conventional regular forces.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 16th November to a similar question from the hon. and gallant Member for Portsmouth, West (Brigadier Clarke).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if in future, when placing contracts for light coastal or other light naval craft, he will place orders specifically in development areas such as Banffshire.

No. Most shipbuilding areas are also development districts and it would be unfair to single out one in particular for preferential treatment. We have found that the fairest way of distributing naval shipbuilding contracts is to place orders, wherever this is practicable, as a result of competitive tendering.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why he has not replied to a letter from the hon. Member for South-East Essex, dated 28th October last, concerning the eviction of a constituent from War Department property on Foulness Island, which is to take effect in seven days' time; and what action he has taken to avoid hardship in this case.

I sent a full reply on 27th November. A court order was obtained on 12th October for possession of the quarter on 12th December, when there will have been irregular occupation for over five months. In order to give the occupant a further opportunity to find alternative accommodation, I am willing to allow him to remain until 15th January, 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost to Her Majesty's Government of the operation for the defence of Malaysia against Indonesia; and how many Service men have been killed or wounded.

The extra cost of these operations to date is about £5½ millions. Service casualities have totalled 49 killed and 82 wounded.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many men and women are employed in Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, at the present time; and what are the basic rates of pay of all grades of workers.

There are at present 11,200 men and 150 women employed in Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport. The minimum basic rates are, for unskilled labourers £10 8d. 0d. and for craftsmen £12 12s. 0d. The minimum rate for women is £8 4s. 2d. A wide range of additions to these minimum rates is payable and I will send the hon. Member a list of these.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement regarding the future disposal of land held by the Service Departments, in the light of evidence submitted by the hon. Member for Lichfield and Tam-worth.

The existing procedures for disposing of surplus Service and other Government Department lands are now being brought under urgent review.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will give an assurance that all preparatory work, including design work and the ordering of ancillary equipment and materials necessary for the new Fleet aircraft carrier, is going ahead at sufficient speed to enable the order to be placed as planned in 1966.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the present policy regarding light coastal forces, in view of the fact that there are only two fast patrol boats in commission.

The need for high speed coastal force craft in the future is under review but we have no immediate plans to increase the present number.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied that the military situation in Malaysia is sufficiently under control to warrant the reduction of the Royal Navy's Far East Fleet from two to one fixed-wing aircraft carrier; and what action he is taking in view of the imminent return of H.M.S. "Centaur" to Great Britain, and the impossibility of H.M.S. "Eagle" being in the area until after H.M.S. "Centaur" has arrived in home waters.

The deployment of carriers East of Suez is flexible and designed to meet the needs of both the Middle East and Far East Stations. I cannot, of course, reveal the detailed programmes for "Centaur" and "Eagle", but we expect to maintain the vital flexibility of deployment during their change over.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he intends to review present plans for the building of a new aircraft carrier; and when he expects to announce the policy of Her Majesty's Government on this project.

I shall be making a full statement when the Government's review of defence policy has been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the estimated cost of a new aircraft carrier.

About £60 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation base at Stornoway will be fully operational.

On present plans, the Royal Air Force will assume control of this airfield in 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when a final decision may be expected regarding the building of another frigate in Portsmouth Dockyard.

In about a month's time.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much public money has been spent on H.M.S. "Britannia" each year during the last 13 years; and for what purposes.

About £380,000 a year, on average, for operation and maintenance.

asked the Minister of Labour what has been the outcome of the consultations held by his factory inspectorate with the authorities of the House of Lords and House of Commons on arrangements for the provision of medical facilities in the Palace of Westminster; and if he will make a statement.

Following these consultations, which related to the provisions of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963, the House of Commons' authorities decided to provide additional first-aid boxes. This provision, and that made by the House of Lords' authorities, will meet all the statutory requirements on first aid which come into force tomorrow, 1st December.

asked the Minister of Labour when he proposes to alter the system by which the cost-of-living index is calculated; and what changes he proposes.

The Index of Retail Prices is calculated in accordance with the recommendations of the Cost of Living Advisory Committee in its report dated 16th February, 1962. I have no proposals for altering the system.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the average weekly earnings of adult male manual workers in the region which covers south Dorset, and also the national weekly average earnings.

The average weekly earnings figures of adult male manual workers in all industries covered by the Ministry's enquiries in April, 1964, (the latest date for which figures are available) were 334s. 6d. in south-western region and 352s. 5d. in the whole of the United Kingdom.Although Dorset generally is part of south-western region. Poole itself is included in eastern and southern region. The average weekly earnings of men in that region in April, 1964, were 358s. 0d.

asked the Minister of Labour how much the work done by Remploy Limited in Aberdeen has increased during the last 10 years; how many persons are now employed there; what are his plans for an extension of that work; and if he will make a statement.

Over the past ten years the gross value of the output of the Remploy factory at Aberdeen has more than doubled. Fifty-one severely disabled persons are at present employed. Production work is being reorganised to meet changing requirements in the knitwear industry and it is expected that as a result there will be an increase in work for the factory and in the number of disabled work people.

asked the Minister of Labour how many youth employment officers there are in Wales; how far this number falls below the establishment; in which areas there are the greatest shortages; and what action he proposes to take to remedy these shortages.

The total establishment of youth employment officers in Wales and Monmouthshire is 94. Of these 91 are employed by local education authorities and 3 by my Ministry. Five posts are now vacant, three of them in Cardiff. The local authorities concerned are taking steps to fill these posts. For two of the three vacancies in Cardiff officers have already been appointed and will take up duty within the next few weeks.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number and the percentage of persons unemployed in the Stornoway area at the most recent count; and if he will give the numbers in Barra, South and North Uist, and Benbecula, respectively.

Following is the information:Numbers unemployed on 9th November, 1964:

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the estimated net migration of insured workers, male and female, and the total, from Hull during the last year for which figures are available; and what steps his Department are taking to help them find employment and so stop the reduction in the city's population.

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. Our local officers do all they can to help those who register with them to find employment.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of railway employees in the Hull area who, because of reduction of services, have been rendered redundant during the last year, and the numbers who have been found other employment or are unemployed.

I understand from the Railways Board that 72 workers were affected and that 42 of them accepted the alternative employment offered by the Board. Information as to the number who have been found employment other than with the Railways Board is not available. On 9th November, 66 persons whose last employment was in railway service, either with the Railways or Docks Boards, were registered as un-employed at Hull Employment Exchange.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the deadlock that exists between Glasgow Corporation and their bus employees, he will now intervene in this trade dispute.

No. The overtime ban imposed by employees of Glasgow Corporation is unofficial and I hope that the trade unions will succeeed in persuading their members to resume normal working. My officers are, however, at present discussing with representatives of the two sides of the National Joint Industrial Council for the road passenger transport industry a national dispute which affects all municipal passenger transport undertakings.

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs whether conditions have now improved at the Gibraltar-Spanish frontier; and whether he will make a statement on the talks between Her Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid and the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs.

As regards conditions at the Gibraltar-Spanish frontier, I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary gave to the right hon. Member for Preston North (Mr. J. Amery) and the hon. and gallant Member for Dorset, West (Mr. Wingfield Digby) on 26th November. My hon. Friend informed the House on 16th November that Her Majesty's Ambassador had discussed the situation with the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs. Her Majesty's Ambassador has since seen the Foreign Minister on two further occasions. These exchanges were confidential. But I can assure the House that the grave view which we take of the situation has been made quite clear to the Spanish Government.

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs if he will place in the Library of the House a full transcript of the statement made by the Foreign Secretary to the meeting of the European Free Trade Area Ministers at Geneva.

Proceedings at meetings of the Ministerial Council of the European Free Trade Association are confidential.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he proposes to introduce legislation during the current session with a view to bringing the new building regulations into force.

No. Building regulations for England and Wales, excluding London, can be made under the Public Health Act, 1961.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he is satisfied that the new building regulations are drafted in such a way as to ensure that there should be a substantial reduction in fire losses in so far as new buildings are constructed in conformity with their provisions; and whether, with a view to avoiding possible loss of production from this source, he will give priority to this consideration.

Under the Public Health Act, 1961, building regulations can be made only in the interests of public health and safety. The new regulations will prescribe structural precautions which should alleviate all the unfortunate consequences of fires in buildings.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether the construction of the new barracks at Gibraltar will be delayed and its cost increased owing to labour restrictions imposed by the Spanish Government.

No.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many building and construction workers are now working on the proposed nuclear submarine base in Scotland.

554.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what has been the estimated cost to date of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation base works at Stornoway; and what is the estimated total cost at completion.

The total expenditure to date is £.1·6 million: the estimated total expenditure on the project at completion is £3·2 million.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what are the technical reasons why old age pensions cannot be increased immediately.

I would refer the hon. Member to my speech on the Second Reading of the National Insurance Bill on 25th November.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she has studied the report of the Government Actuary on the National Insurance Fund; and what is her policy with regard to the deficit which he forecasts for the 1970s.

The Government's policy is that the National Insurance Fund should be provided with sufficient income to enable it to meet its commitments when they arise. The prospective deficits in the 1970s will be among the matters to be taken into account in the Government's review of social security which was announced in the Gracious Speech.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she will seek discussions with the National Coal Board with a view to devising an official scheme whereby each recipient of a retirement pension could be given a free allocation of coal each month from December, 1964, to March, 1965, inclusive.

I appreciate the reasons for my hon. Friend's concern, but as we have already announced, the National Assistance Board will be paying special attention to the needs of old people and others in receipt of national assistance who are likely to have heavy fuel and other bills to meet during the winter.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what has been the result of her examination of an alternative system by which future pension increases can be dealt with more expeditiously.

This examination is proceeding urgently but it will necessarily take some time to complete.

asked the Minister of Pensions arid National Insurance (1) what is the number of persons in Great Britain entitled to receive 50 per cent. or over, but under 75 per cent., war disability pensions, in respect of World War I and World War II, separately;

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she will give the number of men and women retirement pensioners, respectively, in Hull; how many are in receipt of supplementary pensions; how many are entitled to the special £4 fuel allowance; and the totals in each category.

As retirement pensions are paid from a central point separate figures of the total numbers of pensioners in particular localities are not available.In the area served by the National Assistance Board's offices in Hull, which comprises the County Borough and some adjacent districts, 11,888 retirement pensioners were receiving supplementary

Information about the numbers of war disability pensioners entitled to pensions at the rates appropriate to different levels of disablement is available only for pensioners as a whole, irrespective of their country of residence. The following table shows the relevant figures, together with the estimated numbers of pensioners living in Great Britain, in Northern Ireland, and elsewhere.grants in September, 1964. Some of these grants provided for the needs of more than one pensioner, i.e. a married couple. It is not possible to give separate figures for men and women. All these pensioners, except for a very small minority such as people living in homes for old people and certain pensioners in hospital, will be eligible for the Board's special payments of £4.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what progress has been made in recent years in the use of modern office machinery and computers in her Department; and what steps she intends to take to expedite the process.

Since 1959 two computers have been installed in my Department; one for pay and statistical work, the other for recording graduated contributions. Negotiations with manufacturers for the provision of a third, to be installed as a prototype for the payment of short-term benefits, have reached an advanced stage.Early this year studies to consider the feasibility of using computers for the administration of retirement and widows' pensions began and more recently a similar study began in relation to family allowances work. It is my intention to give high priority to the study of how automatic data processing techniques could he applied to the present order book system with a view to getting increases, of retirement pensions out more quickly after a change in rates.In addition to computers my Department makes extensive use of modern office machines and is in constant touch with new developments.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what consideration is being given to the anomaly whereby boys and girls, for whom family allowance has been paid, leave school, find employment and then, as the result of accident, become unemployed and are not entitled to unemployment benefit or National Assistance; and whether she will amend the regulations so that such boys and girls are entitled to some statutory benefit.

I am aware that young people who have not paid the minimum contribution premium cannot qualify for unemployment and sickness benefit under the National Insurance Scheme and that until they are sixteen they cannot claim National Assistance in their own right. I know that difficulties can arise when a boy or girl leaving school under the age of sixteen has not been established in employment long enough to acquire title to insurance benefits. The problem is a rather complex one involving the interaction of different schemes and my right hon. Friend will be giving thought to the question whether anything might be done in advance of the raising of the school leaving age to sixteen, when the difficulties will in the main disappear.

asked the Minister of Health how many hospital authorities in each region provide facilities for the examination of cervical smears in order to detect cervical cancer; and what plans have been made for the expansion of this work.

Each region has several centres which provide a diagnostic service for hospitals. As to the plans for expansion to include routine tests, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to similar questions on 23rd November last.

asked the Minister of Health what additional finance will he made available to the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board in order to meet the commitment originally accepted and subsequently withdrawn to provide an additional operating theatre at Preston Hospital, North Shields.

None. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 23rd November. There is no Ministry commitment to this scheme or to a particular date for it.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of persons awaiting operative treatment by surgeons at Victoria Hospital, Blackpool.

4,179 at 31st October, 1964.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to bring forward the date of installation of lifts for wards 4 and 5 at Baguley Hospital, Manchester.

It is for the Manchester Regional Hospital Board to determine priorities in the region. I understand that the Board have agreed to review the timing of this scheme.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has given final approval to the plans for the first stage of the redevelopment of the South Shields General Hospital, namely, the construction of a new consultative out-patient department.

No. The final sketch plans have yet to be submitted.

asked the Minister of Health what provision is made by regional hospital boards to transport nurses and other hospital staff, who are not resident, between the hospitals and their homes; and whether he will encourage the provision of means of transport.

Transport is provided at some isolated hospitals where public transport is inadequate and there are exceptional recruitment difficulties. My right hon. Friend is considering issuing guidance to hospital authorities.

asked the Minister of Health what provision is made for nursery facilities for the young children and babies of female hospital staff; and whether he will encourage the provision of such accommodation where need can be demonstrated.

A number of hospitals provide nurseries. My right hon. Friend is reviewing the matter.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to assure that 7505 United States Air Force Hospital, Burderop, Swindon, will be used to relieve the shortage of hospital beds, in particular of beds for maternity cases, in north-east Wiltshire, when that hospital becomes vacant.

The site of this hospital is held on lease by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. My right hon. Friend has already been in touch with him to ensure that the possibility mentioned by the hon. Member is considered.

asked the Minister of Health how many geriatric patients were under the care of hospital authorities in each regional board area at the nearest convenient date; and how many are in the care of local health authorities in the same regions.

Information is not available in this precise form. The figures available are as follows:

asked the Minister of Health what sum was originally deducted from the central pool of general practitioners' remuneration in respect of private practice; for how many subsequent years this sum remained unaltered; in which year this deduction was abolished; and what is his present estimate of the total earned by general practitioners through private patients.

Two million pounds. Deduction continued at this annual rate until 31st December, 1959. No reliable estimate of the current level of earnings from private practice is at present available.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what reply he has given to the 1,100 doctors represented by the Birmingham division of the British Medical Association who expressed their concern at the present state of general practice in a letter to him of 13th October, 1964;(2) if he is aware that many of the family doctors mentioned in his letter of 13th November, 1964, are considering resignation from the present Health Service; and if he will take steps to avert these resignations.

I fully recognise the importance of improving conditions of general practice. I am considering how best to state the Government's intentions and so allay fears which may be leading some general practitioners to consider resignation.

asked the Minister of Health if he will publish the report of the committee of inquiry into the causes of the outbreak of typhoid in Aberdeen.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 25th November to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Lady Tweedsmuir) by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take to improve the maternity services in the Portsmouth, Langstone, area.

I am informed that the domiciliary service is adequate for present needs. A new maternity unit, now well advanced in planning, is to be provided at St. Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth, which serves this area. It will replace the present unit and provide 63 extra beds.

asked the Minister of Health what regulations cover the siting of mental health hostels; and what guidance is given to local authorities on this subject.

The usual planning procedures apply. Other guidance is given in Building Notes or when proposals for particular schemes are considered.

asked the Minister of Health what is the percentage of illegitimate children born in Greater London during the last decade whose mothers came to Great Britain from overseas and from what countries of origin they came.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when a new junior school, or an extension of the existing primary school, can be expected on the St. Meryl Estate at Carpenders Park, Hertfordshire.

A project for a new junior school is being considered for inclusion in the 1967–68 Major Building Programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children in Great Britain suffer from muscular dystrophy; what grants are being made for research into the causes and cure of this disease; and what progress is being made in the research.

The information asked for in the first part of the hon. Member's question is not available.Government funds for research relevant to muscular dystrophy are being provided through the Medical Research Council, who are supporting studies in four of their own research units as well as by the award of research grants to independent workers. Further work is being undertaken with official support in a number of university and hospital departments. These studies normally form part of wider programmes of research on neuromuscular disease so that it is not possible to estimate expenditure on research on muscular dystrophy alone.This condition is an extremely difficult one to study but every effort is being made to follow up all hopeful lines of investigation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the breakdown of the estimated balance of payments deficit 1964–65 on 16th October, 1964, as between capital overseas investment, debt repayment—capital and interest, overseas loans and grants, balancing items, and current trading figures.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the breakdown of the estimated balance of payments deficit 1964–65 on 31st July, 1964, as between capital overseas investment, debt repayments—capital and interest, overseas loans and grants, balancing items, including invisible exports, and current trading figures.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what payments are due on the 1948 American and Canadian loans before the end of 1964; and for how many years these payments have to be continued.

Payments of £64 million are due at the end of 1964 on the 1945 United States and Canadian loans and lend-lease settlement; £62 million in respect of the annual repayments due in 1964 and £2 million interest on the payments deferred in 1957. The final payments on these loans are now due in the year 2002.The full arrangements for repaying these loans are given in the original and revised loan agreements (Cmd. 6708 and 6904 and Cmnd. 121 and 178).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what time he made official notification to Mr. W. M'C. Martin, Chairman of the United States Federal Reserve Board, of the recent increase in Bank Rate.

Official notification was sent to the Federal Reserve Board, as to the other Central Banks, by the Bank of England directly the increase in Bank Rate was announced.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the persons, and the bodies they represent, who receive advance notice of Bank Rate increases.

Prior knowledge of such changes is limited to a small number of people who need to know. These will vary slightly on different occasions.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the average time-lag in Scotland between application for a driving test and the date on which it is taken; and whether he will give figures to show how much variation there is between one area and another. period in Scotland is about nine weeks

The average waiting as against twelve weeks in Great Britain as a whole. The period varies from six to twelve weeks in Northern Scotland and eight to thirteen weeks in Southern Scotland.

asked the Minister of Transport when he received a petition from 361 residents of the Ockbrook and Borrowash areas drawing his attention to the danger of accidents on the Borrowash bypass, near Derby; and whether he will make a statement.

I received this petition for a speed limit on 25th November and have asked my divisional road engineer for a report. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he is aware that when the new Sandiacre by-pass is opened there will be a considerable increase in traffic feeding into the Borrowash bypass; and what measures he proposes to take to reduce the danger of road accidents in this area;(2) if he will make a statement on the progress of his discussions with the local authorities on measures to make the Victoria Avenue junction of the Borrowash by-pass safer for pedestrians and vehicular traffic.

I do not expect any substantial increase in traffic on the Borrowash By-pass as a result of the opening of the Sandiacre-Stapleford By-pass until such time as the M.1 motorway connection with the A.52 is open in about two years' time.My divisional road engineer has considered in consultation with the local

asked the Minister of Transport when the Chiswick-Langley section of M.4 will be open to traffic.

The section from Chiswick Flyover to Lionel Road, Brentford, was opened on 25th November. The remainder will be brought into use early next year, but because of engineering and other difficulties it will not be possible to open it in January as had been hoped.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he proposes to retain the track of the Ruabon-Barmouth branch line.

The arrangements for the retention of track here will be those described in my general statement on 4th November.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will publish the statistics of road accidents in the vicinity of the Victoria Avenue junction of the Borrowash by-pass, near Derby, during each of the last three years.

The following are the figures:

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will reconsider the conditions attached to the closure of the Ruabon-Barmouth branch line with a view to improving the alternative services then proposed.

If the hon. Member has any concrete evidence that the proposed alternative services will not meet essential needs, I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Minister of Aviation what communication he has sent to the Hawker Siddeley Group about the delivery of Buccaneer aircraft to the Government of South Africa.

None.

asked the Minister of Aviation when he expects to introduce the legislation necessary to implement the recommendation of the Cairns Committee on civil aircraft accident investigation contained in their report published in March, 1961, and accepted by Her Majesty's Government in April, 1962.

The recommendations for legislation made by the Cairns Committee on civil aircraft accident investigation are now being studied by my Department.

asked the Minister of Aviation when the V.C.10 aircraft will be introduced on the North Atlantic service; how many will be used; and if he will support the prestige of this aircraft by taking part in the flight.

I understand that B.O.A.C.'s intention is to introduce Super V.C.10s on North Atlantic routes from 1st April, 1965, and that by that date they expect to have taken delivery of 5 Super V.C.10s. I shall certainly do all I can to give the aircraft a good send-off on this important route, and I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion that I should take part in the flight.

asked the Minister of Aviation what progress has been made with the inter-Departmental committee which is studying means of providing a system of passenger transport between London, Heathrow, Airport and the London Terminal, other than by road.

The Heathrow Access Committee has carefully examined a scheme for a rail link between Victoria Station and Heathrow Airport prepared by British Railways (Southern Region). But the maximum frequency possible on this service was not sufficient to meet the needs of some short-haul operators. The London Transport Executive are currently looking into the feasibility of a link from Hounslow West tube station to Heathrow. No proposal for a mono- rail has yet been put forward in sufficient detail for consideration by the Committee.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress is being made with proposals for the comprehensive redevelopment of the Putney High Street and Wandsworth High Street areas.

The London County Council, has been examining possible redevelopment schemes for the Putney High Street and Wandsworth High Street areas.No proposals are yet before my right hon. Friend and I understand that it is likely to be some time before that stage is reached.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why there has been intermittent failure by the East Shropshire Water Board to supply residents on Ketley Bank; why the Board do not inform householders of the time of supply; and why the Chairman of the Board does not make a proper statement about the reason for the interruption of supply, which could in certain cases cause household accidents.

I understand that the failures of supply have been due to breakdowns of pumping equipment and electricity supply, and to leakages from the local storage tank. Usually the interruption of supply has been shortlived and the Board have not found it practicable to inform householders before its restoration.My right hon. Friend's Department is in touch with the Board to help in overcoming their difficulties.As to the third part of the Question, this is entirely a matter for the Chairman of the Board.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if, in framing his legislation for leasehold reform, he will ensure that an owner of the freehold of adjoining leasehold properties is not prevented from carrying out desirable comprehensive redevelopment by being forced to split the freehold amongst existing leaseholders.

This is one of the matters I shall consider in preparing legislation on leasehold reform, but it is too early to say what form my proposals will take.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will issue guidance to local authorities requesting them to make an immediate survey of under-occupied dwellings and to organise exchanges.

Local authorities have been advised to organise exchanges in suitable cases between their tenants and between council tenants and tenants of private property. This is the most likely way to produce results.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the estimated increase in cost of the average local authority house as the result of the recent rise in Bank Rate.

It is too early to judge what effect increased Bank Rate will have on prices quoted by contractors; existing contracts are mainly fixed price and will not be affected. As regards the cost to local authorities of financing new housebuilding it is not possible to estimate how long present interest rates will last, and I do not think that any figures which could be produced would be worth while.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that, when consulting with manufacturers of fireworks with a view to improving safe design, he will encourage the fitting of plastic caps on all fireworks and ensure that such action is taken by using his powers under section 1 of the Consumer Protection Act 1961 so as to prevent unnecessary suffering through accidental ignition.

At the request of the Home Office, manufacturers have already undertaken to see that bangers are either capped or sold in boxes. So far, it has not been possible to design a satisfactory cap for other kinds of fireworks, but the problem is still being studied. Regulations would be premature at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of women in prison today arrived in Great Britain from overseas in the last decade; and what are their countries of origin.

Of the 572 women prisoners serving sentences or committed as non-criminal prisoners in England and Wales on 23rd November, 1964, 62 or 10·84 per cent. stated on reception that they were of overseas nationality or origin. These were made up as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of infants in foster homes in Great Britain today have Nigerian or West Indian parents.