asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, whether he intends to implement the Verdon Smith report.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given this afternoon to the hon. Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. J. E. B. Hill).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will introduce legislation to provide the tenant farmer with more adequate compensation in the event of the loss of his tenancy resulting from the development of his farm for purposes other than farming.

Compensation for tenant farmers is a most important and difficult subject. It is one of the items my right hon. Friend is considering as part of a general review of the agricultural landlord-tenant legislation. We shall want to study this important matter very carefully before deciding what action is necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that the voluntary ban on the use of seed dressings containing dieldrin and aldrin is effective; and if he will make a statement.

The Cook Committee in their Review of the Persistent Organochlorine Pesticides, published last March, stated that the restrictions placed on the use of aldrin and dieldrin in cereal seed dressings are serving their purpose and have very greatly reduced the number of deaths of seed-eating birds through these chemicals. Investigations by my Department support this view.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the impli- cations of the 15 per cent. tariff surcharge for the horticultural industry.

The horticultural industry will not be greatly affected since its dependence upon imports subject to the temporary charge is small, and of course its position has been greatly improved by the exemption of potash from the charge.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to why the domestic price of sugar rose by 3s. per cwt. on 25th November.

I am informed by the Sugar Board that towards mid-day on 25th November there was a rush of demand for raw sugar. The Board, in pursuance of its statutory duty to sell at the best price reasonably obtainable, raised its selling price in two steps from 29s. 9d. to 32s. 6d. per cwt. The refiners followed this price increase as is their normal practice. Their price was reduced by 3s. on the following day when the Sugar Board's selling price was reduced.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further steps he proposes to take to ensure that animals destined for consumption overseas are slaughtered in the United Kingdom.

Cattle, sheep and pigs for export from Great Britain are required to be rested before embarkation, found fit to travel and carried in good conditions on board ship. Exports for slaughter are permitted only to countries which have given undertakings in regard to length of journey, treatment while awaiting slaughter, method of slaughter and no re-export. These safeguards for the welfare of the animals seem to me reasonable and adequate, and I should not be justified in placing further restrictions on the trade at the present time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will arrange for the removal of the 15 per cent. surcharge on briar stocks being imported into this country, in order further to encourage the home production of roses.

No. I do not think the temporary import charge will have any discouraging effect on home production of roses.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the recent Report of the Food Standards Committee; and what action has been and will be taken to implement the recommendations of that Committee.

I should be grateful if the hon. Member would indicate which report he has in mind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many live sheep were exported to Eire in the last year to the latest convenient date; and what condition was attached on re-export to other countries.

Our quarantine records show that 49 rams and 47 breeding ewes were exported from Great Britain to the Irish Republic in 1963: the corresponding figures for the period January-October, 1964 are 44 and 26. No condition was attached concerning the re-export of these animals.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy on land drainage, in view of the shortage of tile drainage pipes; and whether he will make a statement.

My policy continues to be to encourage farmers to undertake schemes of field drainage where the resulting agricultural benefits justify the cost; I make a grant of 50 per cent. of the reasonable cost in approved cases.I have had reports of shortages of field drainage tiles in Eastern Counties. It appears that these shortages have been primarily caused by a substantial increase in the amount of drainage undertaken during the recent favourable weather.I have recently approved the use of a range of perforated plastic pipes as a substitute for clay tiles in most circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to remove the tolls from the Forth Road Bridge.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given to the hon. Members for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) and Dunfermline (Mr. Adam Hunter) on 11th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he intends to take to implement the main recommendations of the Wheatley Committee on the supply of teachers in Scotland.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply on 10th November given to my hon. Friend the Member for Coat-bridge and Airdrie (Mr. Dempsey).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take to expedite the provision of water in those areas which are still not provided with schemes.

The local authorities concerned have a statutory duty to provide domestic water supplies where this can be done at reasonable cost. Any proposals from them for this purpose will be considered sympathetically.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for improving the protection presently offered to in-shore fishermen on the west coast of Scotland.

A regular patrol of the west coast is being maintained by the Scottish fishery cruisers, but I am considering whether further measures are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet had discussions with the Scottish Inshore White Fish Producers' Association about the outbreak of rot in the timber of fishing vessels; and if he will take steps to enable the White Fish Authority to contribute to the cost of necessary repairs.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 25th November to the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Mr. George Y. Mackie).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy regarding the building of dwelling houses and offices, respectively, in Scotland.

I hope that the Government's policy of checking the continued growth of offices in south-east England will lead to an increase of office employment in Scotland where it can make a valuable contribution to economic strength and balance of employment. I do not think that our drive to build more and better houses in Scotland is likely to be impeded by calls on land or on the resources of the building industry for the construction of new offices.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the remuneration and conditions of service of medical practitioners and nurses under his jurisdiction; and when and how they were last reviewed.

I am sending my hon. and learned Friend copies of the most recent memoranda containing details of salaries and conditions of service.The remuneration of doctors in the hospital service and general practice is kept under review by the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration, whose most recent recommendations were accepted with effect from 1st April, 1963.Nurses' remuneration and conditions of service are negotiated on the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council. The current salary scales came into effect on 1st July, 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the need to increase the number of beef cattle, he will introduce a second category under the Hill Cow Subsidy Scheme to be applicable to borderline cases which do not qualify under the present scheme and to small units which are better suited to cattle rearing than to growing crops for sale.

Farms which do not qualify under the present scheme are those which are capable of being used for cash cropping or other more intensive forms of husbandry: small units which are better suited to cattle rearing than to growing crops for sale would almost certainly be accepted as eligible. I see therefore no justification for widening the definition.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many additional educational capital projects were approved by his Department following the discussions between the Glasgow Education Authority and the Under-Secretary of State on 20th November; and what is the capital cost of these additional projects.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to assist the shellfish industry.

The shellfish industry is assisted in various ways. According to my information it has been doing quite well and I do not think that further measures are at present necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Scottish Development Group is to be continued in existence; what its future relationship will be to the Scottish Planning Board; and if he will make a statement.

The Scottish Planning Board will take over the functions of the Scottish Development Group and will be so constituted, and provided with economic advice, as to fulfil adequately its new planning rôle.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now station one of the fishery protection vessels permanently in Fraser-burgh or in Peterhead.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the importance of the seed potato trade in the east of Scotland; and what consultations he has had to facilitate this trade with England.

I am aware of the importance of this trade and have received representations about a shortage of railway wagons for the transport of seed potatoes. I understand from the Railways Boards that it cannot at present meet the requirements for vans for all purposes. An improvement is expected immediately after Christmas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the value of the seed potato trade to the agricultural industry in Angus.

It is estimated that the value of this trade to the Angus growers last season was about £2·4 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date he received the Milne Report on the typhoid outbreak in Aberdeen; and if he will make a statement on the Report in advance of publication and before the House rises for the Christmas Recess.

I received this Report on 19th November. I do not propose to make any statement on it until hon. Members are able to consider the statement and the Report together.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will inquire into the source of the premature disclosure of part of the Milne Committee's Report into the typhoid outbreak in Aberdeen, in order to allay the uncertainty aroused; and whether he will make a statement.

I am satisfied that the recent Press report about the Milne Committee's findings did not come from any official source. As regards a statement, I cannot add to the reply my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary of State gave the noble Lady last week.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet received the advice of the Scottish Council for the Training of Teachers on the question of evening classes in teaching methods for male and female graduates without a certificate in teaching.

The Scottish Council have made no recommendation about evening classes. Instead they have advised me that such teachers should be seconded by education authorities to undertake appropriate training and that I should be responsible for the payment of their salaries during the training period.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will increase the grants presently payable under the Special Recruitment Scheme for Teachers.

I shall review the grants payable under the Scheme as soon as I receive the recommendations of the Standing Advisory Committee on Grants to Students which is at present carrying out its triennial review of students' expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many agricultural workers' cottages in each Scottish county have been improved with the help of Government grants since 1947 and which still carry an obligation that they be occupied only by genuine agricultural workers.

The only improvement grants subject to such conditions are those given under the Hill Farming and Livestock Rearing Acts, 1946–59. The 1,574 cotttages improved with the aid of such grant are still subject to conditions which restrict their occupation to a person engaged in agriculture, or a person of like economic position or in certain cases the owner.I circulate below a table of figures by counties.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will assist the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board over the completion of their outstanding distribution schemes, in accordance with the recommendations of the Mackenzie Committee.

I would refer the right hon. Gentlemen to my reply of 11th November to my hon. Friend the Member for the Western Isles (Mr. Malcolm MacMillan).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when it is hoped to set up the Highland Development Authority.

As soon as Parliament has approved the necessary legislation which I intend to introduce after the Christmas adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many eviction notices were served under court order for tied agricultural houses in Scotland for each of the past five years.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent it is the practice of the Glenrothes Development Corporation to ensure that their main building contractors enter into a bond of caution after being awarded a contract by the Corporation.

It is not the Glenrothes Development Corporation's practice to require its main building contractors to enter into a bond of caution. The Corporation adopts the more usual practice based on the 1954 Regulations and general conditions of contract for building works in Scotland of retaining a percentage of the moneys due to the main contractor for some time after the contract is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many uncerticated teachers are employed in each secondary school, in Coatbridge, Airdrie, and East Kilbride, respectively; and what percentage these figures represent of the staff in each respective school.

I have asked the Education Authority for this information and I shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy towards multures.

I have no proposals in view on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the new Teacher Training Regulations will start operating as from 1st December; and what changes he has made from the draft regulations.

I am still considering representations on the draft regulations and cannot yet say when final regulations will come into operation.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that greater control over street lighting on main traffic routes is necessary in order to ensure that a uniformly high standard is maintained; and if he will seek the necessary powers to effect this.

I accept the need for some revision of the statutory powers governing street lighting. But statutory powers are closely related to financial responsibilities. Any revision must, therefore, be considered in the context of the future of highway grants as a whole and I cannot at present put forward proposals for legislation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will alter the regulations governing public service vehicles so as to allow private individuals to run non-scheduled services in country areas where there are no buses.

If the hon. Member will let me have his specific suggestions, I will consider them. There is, however, scope for services of this kind within the present licensing system, provided they do no compete harmfully with the bus services that already serve the rural areas.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the London Transport Board that weekly books of tickets should be issued on London transport and so help to avoid queues at booking offices and ticket machines.

No. I can only give the Board directions of a general character in relation to matters which appear to me to affect the national interest. A direction would not be appropriate in this case.

asked the Minister of Transport what agreements he has entered into with regard to the franchise to operate the ferry across the River Severn, which makes it necessary to make financial provision for the payment of compensation on the termination of the franchise.

None. The owners of the Aust-Beachley ferry franchises wish them to be extinguished after the bridge is opened to traffic, so that there will cease to be any duty to continue the ferry. The present operators have asked that they should be compensated for the loss they expect to suffer as a result of the opening of the bridge. This request has been discussed with the operators on a "without prejudice" basis.

asked the Minister of Transport to whom the franchise was granted for the operation of a ferry over the River Severn; what were the terms of the franchise; and when the franchise was granted.

I am informed that there are two distinct franchises, one entitling the grantee to ferry passengers from Beachley to Aust and the other in the reverse direction; that the existing rights originated in Royal Grant to family predecessors of the Duke of Beaufort; and that the Grant is believed to have been made in 1607 by His Majesty King James I. No document embodying the Grant has been produced to me, but I am informed that the present claim to title is based partly on the ancient title of the Duke and partly on deeds commencing in 1795.

asked the Minister of Transport what evidence he has as to the extent to which road accidents are caused by drivers who are unfit to drive because of the state of their health.

Police records of drivers and riders involved in accidents who were ill, fatigued or physically disabled, show that there were 548 drivers and riders so reported in 1963. The state of health of these drivers and riders may have been a contributory factor in, though not necessarily the primary cause of, the accidents in question. There may also be some accidents in which the state of health of a person involved has not been recognised as a contributory factor.So far as I know, there is no evidence either way that the medical condition of drivers is a significant factor in causing road accidents. This general question is at present under study, but the study may take some time to complete.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has yet decided who will be chairman of the Nationalised Transport Advisory Council.

I have nothing to add at present to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 18th November.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what conclusions he has drawn from the rural transport studies following the factual surveys previously undertaken, and from the local consultations initiated by the former Government; and what steps he is now proposing to take;(2) when and to what extent he proposes to implement the recommendations of the Jack Committee on rural transport.

I would refer the hon. Member to my replies of 16th and 24th November to my hon. Friend the Member for the Western Isles (Mr. Malcolm MacMillan) and to the hon. Member for Hexham (Sir R. Speir).

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement about the chairmanship of the London Transport Board.

Sir Alec Valentine, whose appointment as Chairman of the London Transport Board is due to terminate at the end of this year, has, at my request, agreed to continue in that office until the end of March, 1965. This arrangement will provide proper time for his successor to take over.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to publish the route, as a draft scheme under the Highways Act 1959, of the M.3 London to Basingstoke motorway.

Within the next two weeks.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of hardships caused to residents at St. Georges-super-Ely, Glamorgan, by the closure of the main road which connects the village with Cardiff; and if he will take steps to ensure that the road is reopened soon.

Most of the stretch of road which was closed has now been reopened, and an alternative route is available for private and commercial traffic between the village and Cardiff. The remaining section will be opened as soon as it is safe to do so.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now approve the provision of a pedestrian crossing near the Royal Hampshire County Hospital exit near Romsey Road, Winchester.

The Winchester City Council submitted an application for a pedestrian crossing at this site earlier this year. Following a count of the numbers of pedestrians and vehicles my Divisional Road Engineer did not consider a crossing could be justified. On present evidence I agree with this decision but we are reviewing the criteria for pedestrian crossings generally.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he now has for extinguishing ancient tolls on bridges which are not on trunk roads but which are on classified roads such as the one at Eynsham.

None. It would be for the highway authorities concerned to make any such proposals. If they were to seek grant on the cost of acquiring toll bridges on classified roads I would have to look at the requests in relation to the other competing demands upon the highway improvement programme.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now make a further statement in relation to rail closures in the Liverpool area; and if he will give an assurance that no further closures will take place in the area until after the report of the Steering Committee appointed at the suggestion of the former Minister of Transport to consider Merseyside transport needs has been published and its recommendations studied.

I shall consider all proposals for the closure of railway passenger services in the area in accordance with the general policy I announced in my statement on 4th November.I shall certainly not sanction any closure which might conflict with the future transport requirements in the area. I will, if necessary, wait for the results of particular studies before taking my decisions.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the Railways Board that they should offer first refusal of surplus railway lands, particularly in the middle of towns, to the local authorities.

I do not think it would be appropriate to give such a direction. The disposal of surplus railway land is a matter within the management responsibility of the British Railways Board. There are various arrangements either statutory or administrative, which ensure that local authorities become aware that such land is available for disposal.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction to the British Railways Board to make more vans available for the transport of agricultural produce.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport why he has not replied to a letter from the hon. Member for South-East Essex, dated 6th November last, on the subject of the rights of objection to the application made by the British Railways Board to the Transport Tribunal to raise commuter fares in the London area.

I am sorry that there was some delay in replying to the hon. Member's letter. I wrote to him on 30th November.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will now make a statement on aircraft noise at London Airport.

I am consulting those concerned about the control of night jet operations at London (Heathrow) Airport in the summer of 1965. I have also requested an urgent reexamination, with the Departments concerned, of the problems of the soundproofing of dwellings near the airport. The recommendations by the Wilson Committee about reducing the take-off noise limits at Heathrow, and the introduction of lower take-off noise limits for those aircraft which can operate more quietly, are also being reviewed, in line with the undertaking given by the hon. Member himself during the Adjournment debate on 21st July last.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a further statement on his proposals for limiting noise at London Airport.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave today to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) in answer to a similar Question.

asked the Minister of Aviation what is the estimated number of workers in the British aviation industry working on the aviation projects which are currently under review by Her Majesty's Government; and what percentage these workers represent of all those employed in the aviation industry.

The aircraft industry in Great Britain currently employs 265,800 people, to which should be added just under 7,500 in Northern Ireland giving a total of about 273,300. The review of the defence programme is, a comprehensive one, and it is not possible to give the percentage figure asked for.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will arrange for business and executive flyers to have a civilian enclave at Northolt Royal Air Force Airport and make the appropriate increase in traffic movements for them.

My hon. and noble Friend the Minister of Defence for the Royal Air Force and I are considering the possibility of a civil enclave at Northolt, but civil aircraft using the enclave will not be able to join airways.

asked the Minister of Aviation how many passengers travelled at ITX rates on British European Airways services in each of the years 1957 to 1964 to destinations in France, Spain, Gibraltar, Italy, and Greece, respectively, compared with the total number of passengers in each case.

The information sought would be of commercial value to B.E.A.'s competitors, both British and foreign, and I am unwilling to press them to reveal it against their wishes.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will state the Government's policy with respect to independent air operators, especially in regard to allowing them to compete more freely on scheduled routes within the United Kingdom.

I have as yet no general statement of policy to make on independent air operators. I shall do so as soon as possible, and shall in the meantime deal with individual issues as they arise.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will direct that any losses arising out of a British Overseas Airways Corporation trooping contract are shown separately in the British Overseas Airways Corporation annual accounts.

No, I do not accept the implication that there will be losses, but in any event I would not consider it appropriate to give such a direction.

asked the Minister of Aviation who will judge whether any tender for trooping by the British Overseas Airways Corporation is on commercial terms or not.

I have been assured by the Chairman of B.O.A.C. that any such tenders will be submitted on a commercial basis. If, however, doubts should arise in this regard, I am satisfied that the Government Departments concerned will be well able to form a judgment.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will take steps to encourage the setting up of a Chamber of Air on the lines of the Chamber of Shipping.

The creation of such a Chamber is essentially a matter for the industry itself. The prior agreement of the main British airlines would be necessary before I could consider the setting up of such a body.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many retired pensioners it is estimated were in receipt of retirement pensions on 15th October; and how many of these will be qualified to receive pension increases on 29th March, excluding those who will have become so qualified by reaching retirement age during the interim.

It is estimated that the figures are about 6·1 and 5·9 million respectively.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what will be the cost of increasing the net amount retirement pensioners can earn without deduction of pension from £5 a week to £6.

If the change did not increase the number of retirements, the cost would be about £400,000 a year.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what will be the cost of reducing the age of entitlement for widows' benefit from 50 to 45.

On the assumption that the hon. Member's Question concerns the age on widowhood or on cessation of widowed mother's allowance which determines title to widow's pension, the cost would be approximately £10 million a year.

asked the Prime Minister what security precautions are taken at Chequers.

Normal security protection at Chequers is provided by the Buckinghamshire County Police. Additional protection is provided when necessary.

asked the Prime Minister what extra security precautions taken at Chequers recently were ordered by him; what precedent there was for this action; whether it was taken after consultation with the police authorities; and what extra cost fell on public funds.

Members of the Royal Military Police assisted the Buckinghamshire County Police in providing the necessary security protection at Chequers from 20th to 22nd November. Extra security precautions have always been taken in the past when necessary. As my right hon. Friend the Deputy Secretary of State for Defence told the House on 30th November, the additional cost to public funds on this occasion was £40 10s.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he is aware that there is a shortage of agricultural field drainage pipes; and what action he is taking to avoid an interruption to land drainage schemes.

Yes; the shortage is largely due to an increase in the amount of drainage work undertaken during the favourable weather this autumn, coinciding with the heavy demand for bricks, which to a large extent are made at the same works and draw on a common pool of labour. The manufacturers are increasing their capacity for the future.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he is aware of the shortage of plaster lath in north-east Scotland and of its consequent threat to employment; and what action he proposes to take.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what action he will take to ease the serious shortage of plaster lath in the Aberdeen area.

All types of plasterboard, including plaster lath, are in short supply throughout the country, but I understand that there have been substantial deliveries of plaster lath to merchants in north-east Scotland in the last few days, which should ease the immediate problem.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will give an assurance that he will not open Richmond Park to motorists during the hours of darkness.

It has been represented to me that Richmond Park should be opened to motorists after dark as a temporary measure to relieve the severe traffic congestion caused by road works in the vicinity of the Park. I am now looking into this and other Richmond Park traffic questions with the various authorities concerned and I will write to the hon. Member when I have reached a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in extending the enlarged Admiralty jurisdiction, which has been conferred upon the High Court of the United Kingdom by the Administration of Justice Act 1956, to the territory of Gambia.

The Government of The Gambia have been asked whether they wish the enlarged Admirality jurisdiction conferred upon the High Court of the United Kingdom by the Administration of Justice Act, 1956, to be extended to The Gambia. My right hon. Friend awaits their views.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in extending the enlarged Admiralty jurisdiction, which has been conferred upon the High Court of the United Kingdom by the Administration of Justice Act 1956, to the territory of Tonga.

The Government of Tonga have been asked whether they wish the enlarged Admiralty jurisdiction conferred upon the High Court of the United Kingdom by the Administration of Justice Act, 1956, to be extended to Tonga. As yet they have not informed me of their wishes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in incorporating the terms of the Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act 1958 into the legal system of Aden.

Aden's views on this matter are still awaited.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what regional studies are at present being undertaken; and when they are likely to be published in report form.

The full-scale regional studies at present in hand cover North-West England, the West Midlands, Wales and the parts of Scotland not covered by the Central Scotland programme. A preparatory study is being made in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. An initial survey of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset has been commissioned by the Joint Committee for the Economy of the South West with Government financial aid. It is too soon to say when and in what form these studies will be published.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to approve the building of a secondary modern school at Radlett, Hertfordshire.

The project is being considered for inclusion in the 1967–68 Major Building Programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools specialising in the emotionally maladjusted and the deprived child have opened since Circular 4/61 was issued; and how many extra school places have since become available.

17 special schools for maladjusted children and 9 independent schools which are wholly or mainly for maladjusted children; 580 extra places in special schools, including extensions of existing ones, and 266 extra places in independent schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking, in the light of the recent survey by the British Medical Association about the feet of 15-year-old children, to institute more frequent examinations of children's feet in schools.

I am aware of this survey and I shall consider sympathetically any representations which I may receive from the British Medical Association.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an assurance that the existing foreign currency allowances to British holiday-makers going abroad will not be reduced during 1965.

Yes. It is not my present intention to restrict foreign currency expenditure on holiday travel.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has through the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on the comparative figures for the increase in wages and salaries for Great Britain and Western European countries since 1959.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development published national series of hourly earnings of wage earners in manufacturing industries in index form (1953=100) from which the following approximate percentage increases between 1959 and 1963 have been derived:

• Belgium, 26, includes mining and transport. France, 37, includes construction, distribution and some transport.
• Italy, 53.
• Netherlands, 1963 data not available.
• Norway, 28, males only; includes mining.
• Sweden, 31, includes mining.
• United Kingdom, 25, males only.
• West Germany, 43, males only; includes mining public utilities and construction.

All figures giving international comparisons of movements in wages and earnings must be treated with great caution, partly because of differences in the definition, content and coverage of the figures and also because different countries have different methods of providing ancillary benefits, e.g. social security payments. Such benefits vary not only in scale, but also in the method by which they are financed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has through the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on the comparative figures for the percentage rise in the standard of living, as measured by real national product per head of the population, for the United Kingdom and for other leading countries in the period 1953–63.

The table below shows the percentage increase in gross national product at constant market prices per head of the population for the period 1953–63 (1953 to 1962 in the case of Italy).

Belgium	…	31
France	…	44
Italy	…	62
Netherlands	…	35
Norway	…	32
Sweden	…	40
United Kingdom	…	25
Germany (Federal Republic)	…	63
United States	…	12

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has through the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on the comparative figures of the percentage of national income spent on social security benefits in the most recent year, for the United Kingdom and for Western European countries.

I regret that information in this form is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Parliamentary draftsmen were employed on 25th July, 1964, and on 25th November, 1964, respectively.

I assume that the right hon. Gentleman's Question relates to the numbers of the professional staff employed on the dates mentioned in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and the Lord Advocate's Department.In the case of the Parliamentary Counsel the relevant figures are as follows:—25th July 1964:

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will make an additional contribution to the costs of the United Nations peace-keeping force in Cyprus during the first six months of its mandate.

Her Majesty's Government informed the United Nations Secretary-General on 2nd September that they were prepared to guarantee up to $400,000 or one-third (whichever were the less) of the deficit incurred during the operations of the United Nations force in Cyprus during the first six months of its mandate, provided that at least two-thirds of this deficit were pledged by other countries. This is in addition to the contributions totalling $2 million and the provision of the British contingent of which the House was informed on 23rd March, 16th June and 25th June.

asked the Minister of Health when the second and final stage in the rebuilding of the Howdale Old People's Home, Downham Market, will commence.

As soon, I understand, as alternative hospital accommodation can be provided elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Health if he will seek to amend Section 10 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act of 1953, to ensure that where an affiliation order proving paternity of a child and issued by a magistrate's court of summary jurisdiction has been obtained by the mother, the father's name shall be inserted in the appropriate column of the birth's registration where the father refuses to attend the registrar's office.

The Act is at present under review and my right hon. Friend will consider this suggestion should the opportunity for amending legislation occur.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what control he proposes to exercise over the manufacture and importation of the drug lysergic acid diethyl amide, in the light of the potent hallucinogenic actions of this drug:(2) if he will place the drug, lysergic acid diethyl amide, and other related hallucinogenic substances on the list of substances in Part I, Schedule I, of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1964.

My right hon. and learned Friend has no evidence at present of misuse of these substances calling for the imposition of control, but a close watch is being kept on the situation. They could not, under the provisions of Section 2 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1964, be added to the First Schedule unless the appropriate international organisation had decided to control them or such a decision appeared probable.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) whether he will investigate the shortage of building land with planning permission in the town of Lowestoft, in view of the urgent need for more houses and the slowness of obtaining building land by means of redevelopment orders;(2) whether he will investigate the need for the release of more land for industrial development in the Lowestoft area, in view of the facts that it will be some years before redevelopment of the beach area is completed, and that no other sites of reasonable size are available for industrialists wishing to expand, or for offering to industry wishing to take advantage of the facilities available in the area.

The allocation of land for development is a matter in the first instance for the County Council who, I understand, are working in close consultation with the Lowestoft Council.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has yet had submitted to him the report of the Working Party on the Amalgamation of Boroughs, Urban Districts and Rural Districts; and how soon he anticipates making this report public, together with his own comments.

This report—a fact-finding exercise only—has been submitted. Before I come to any conclusion I have agreed to hear the views of the local authority associations who were represented on the Working Party jointly with officers of my Department. I shall be sending it to the associations very shortly for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if, having regard to the shortage of bricks, he will urge local authorities to use and to encourage the use of the stone which is available in most parts of the country.

No. Stone is a very expensive building material and requires scarce and highly skilled craftsmen to work it. My right hon. Friend would only urge its use in special circumstances. A number of industrialised house-building systems offer alternatives to brick and are comparable in price.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take steps to allow local authority direct labour departments to tender for building works carried out under the improvement grants provisions of the Housing Act 1949.

Apart from improving their own houses, local authorities may in certain circumstances undertake improvements to private houses, in agreement with the owners, or in default of the owners carrying out the work. There is no reason why direct labour organisations should not tender for this work. My right hon. Friend is not aware of any general demand for wider powers.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether, pending study of the problem by a Committee on Procedure, he will put before the House proposals to ensure that at Question Time each day each Minister shall answer not more than 10 Oral Questions, and that the first hour of each Friday's sitting shall be devoted to Oral Questions.

These are all suggestions that could well be considered but I would not think it right to propose any such innovation except after consideration by a Select Committee.

asked the Postmaster-General why the public telephone at the hamlet of County School, North Elmham, was recently removed; and what steps he will take to have this replaced.

This telephone, which was in the railway station, was removed when the station was closed on 3rd October, 1964, as it was very little used. The parish council have proposed that a new kiosk should be provided to serve this area and the nearby hamlet of Broom Green, and have been advised to consult the Rural District Councils' Association to see if it can be provided out of the local allocation for unremunerative kiosks.

asked the Postmaster-General what decision he has reached on the Fourth Schedule of satellite television stations, submitted for his approval by the British Broadcasting Corporation some months ago, so far as it relates to Northern Ireland.

I would ask the hon. Member a await the announcement which I hope to make shortly.

asked the Postmaster-General what his plans are for unifying the postal arrangements for the whole Parish of Burntwood, as promised by his predecessor in answer to the hon. Member for Lichfield and Tamworth on 7th July, 1964.

The minor adjustments of postal boundaries in the Burnt-wood area promised by my predecessor have been carried out. I have reviewed the postal arrangements in this area and can find no present justification for making any fundamental alteration in them.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the establishment of all categories involved in postal delivery at Lichfield and Tamworth Post Offices in 1956, and at the present time; and what number of houses or business addresses were used as a basis for calculating the establishment in the years in question.

The establishment figures for postmen (including postmen higher grade) employed at the Lichfield and Tamworth Head Post Offices are as follows:

		1956	1964
Lichfield	…	29	31
Tamworth	…	39 (including 4 part-time)	48 (including 6 part-time)

We do not use the number of houses and business addresses in an area as a basis for fixing postal establishments: these are determined after careful measurement of the time required for the actual job. The present establishments are under review.