asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in considering applications for Industrial Development Certificates, he will in future take into consideration average local wage levels as well as local unemployment.

Each application is considered on its merits, and all relevant factors are taken into account.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what priority his instructions on the issue of Industrial Development Certificates for the West Midlands conurbation accord to the overspill areas.

We must give first priority to the needs of the development districts. Subject to that, we are prepared to look sympathetically at applications from West Midlands conurbation firms for i.d.c.s in places which are receiving overspill population from the conurbation and which need additional employment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications for industrial development certificates from the West Midlands area have been refused in the last full year for which information is available.

Twenty-three.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent, in considering approval of industrial development certificates, he takes into account the average local earnings in the area concerned as well as the level of unemployment.

Each application is considered on its merits, and all relevant factors are taken into account.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his instructions for industrial development certificates in the West Midlands area cover small extensions to existing premises.

I have asked my regional controllers to look more critically at all I.D.C. applications in the really congested areas; but each case will receive individual scrutiny. Ties to existing activities, and the relative size of a proposed development, are factors which will be taken into account.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what conversations he has had with the interests concerned about the laying down of a merchant ship with nuclear propulsion.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave on 10th December to the hon. Members for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) and Harrow, East (Commander Courtney).

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent margins of Commonwealth Preference have been narrowed as a result of the surcharge on imports.

The margins of Commonwealth Preference are not affected.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what stage the construction work at the pulp and paper mill near Fort William has now reached.

The construction of the project is proceeding; and I am informed that the first stage is expected to come into production towards the end of 1965, as originally planned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of whisky exports in October, 1964.

This information is given on page 166 of the Trade and Navigation Accounts for October, 1964.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to encourage the recovery and re-use of utilisable waste materials.

My right hon. Friend does not at present see any need to supplement the action which is already being taken by many industries and by the National Industrial Salvage and Recovery Association to recover and reuse waste materials. If my hon. Friend has any particular problem in mind perhaps he will send me details.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek to amend the Local Employment Act, 1960, so that in determining the list of development districts he is enabled to take into account the level of earnings as well as the level of unemployment.

Not in this Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the loss to United Kingdom exports through retaliation against the import surcharge.

No retaliatory measures have been taken by Government. I can make no estimate of the effect of any action which may have been taken by private concerns.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the damage done to businesses both in this country and in the Irish Republic by the imposition of the 15 per cent. surcharge without prior consultation; and what action he proposes to take to alleviate this damage.

I am aware of a number of representations on this subject. The Government have made it clear that they regard the charge as a regrettable necessity, and that it will be relaxed and removed as soon as the balance of payments position permits.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulties facing the manufacturers of fibreboard cases, the raw materials of which are imported and subjected to the 15 per cent. surcharge, who are engaged in the export trade and who cannot claim the drawback unless the cases are exported empty; and what action he is taking to diminish the damage this is causing to the export trade.

No damage should arise. It is the intention that drawback should be available on such packing cases when they contain exports as well as on those exported empty. The manufacturers should consults their local Customs officers about the necessary arrangements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the imposition of the 15 per cent. surcharge is likely to lead to the loss of a valuable contract from Volvo of Sweden, which would have brought considerable employment to the North-East of England; and if he will take steps to avoid the loss of such contracts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he will take to ensure that contracts under negotiation by Engineering Production Limited of Clevedon, to specifications of firms within the European Free Trade Association and to be carried out in development districts, are not jeopardised by the 15 per cent. surcharge.

Neither the Swedish nor any other E.F.T.A. Government has taken retaliatory action against exports from this country, and I hope that importers in Sweden and other E.F.T.A. countries will be guided by this. Action taken by private concerns abroad in negotiating contracts with United Kingdom exporters is not within my responsibility.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many letters, or other representations, he has received from overseas importers in which they have indicated they will either reduce or abandon imports from the United Kingdom until the 15 per cent. import surcharge is removed.

Very few.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he received from the conference, presided over by Mr. George Middleton, Chairman of the Scottish Board for Industry, and held recently in Aberdeen, a request to build more advance factories in Aberdeen; and what reply he has sent.

My right hon. Friend received a letter from Mr. George Middleton on 30th November. A reply has been sent saying that it is too soon to consider authorising more advance factories; but when the position can be reviewed, the claims of all Scottish development districts, including Aberdeen, will again be considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now give a date for the commencement of building of the advance factory allocated to Crook.

The Industrial Estate Management Corporation for England hope that work on the site will begin in April, 1965.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer to the Price Review Body the action of a firm, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, which, with other newsagents and their principals added 20 per cent. to the retail price of United States and other foreign periodicals before the 15 per cent. Customs surcharge was applied, and maintained it after the Government had announced that the 15 per cent. would not be levied on printed matter.

I have written to my hon. Friend about the details of this case. No decision has yet been announced about the establishment and scope of the proposed Price Review Body.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps he intends to take to improve the sale of Commonwealth goods in the United Kingdom market;(2) whether he will seek to set up a Commonwealth Import Council.

Most Commonwealth goods enjoy free access to the United Kingdom market. The promotion of Commonwealth exports to Britain is mainly a matter for the countries concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, on account of the continuing depopulation due to lack of employment, he will designate the whole of Aberdeenshire as a development area.

No. My right hon. Friend has no powers under the Local Employment Acts to designate areas as development districts on grounds of depopulation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation to amend the terms of reference of the Monopolies Commission so as to include entertainment in them.

I think there is a need to extend the scope for making references to the Monopolies Commission. My hon. Friend's suggestion is being taken into account, along with other proposals, by my right hon. Friend, in the preparation of amending legislation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that fine writing and printing papers are being dumped in this country by Scandinavian manufacturers at unrealistic prices; and if he will take steps to stop this unfair competition with Scottish manufacturers.

The British industry is aware that if it has evidence that dumped imports are causing it or threatening it with material injury, it can apply for action under the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act, 1957. I have received no recent complaints.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why it proved impossible to issue an export licence for a Heron aircraft engine for export to Germany, particulars of which have been sent to him, in under one week.

The export licence was issued on the day on which the application was received.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the name of the firm which has purchased the site and buildings of the late Baker and Bessemer works at Kilnhurst.

It is for the parties concerned to say whether the ownership of this property has changed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Universal Health Studios Limited are obtaining money under false pretences; and what action he is taking in the matter.

If my hon. Friend has evidence that the company has committed this offence, I suggest that he should inform the police.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to introduce the Bill to give effect to the control of office building in the Greater London area; and if he will give a date when applications for permits can be considered.

We expect to introduce the Bill before the Recess. I intend to announce as soon as possible when applications for office development permits can be considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that it is required to accommodate 70 office workers to be transferred from Central London, and that planning permission has been given, he will now authorise work at present held up for the construction of office premises at a factory in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames, particulars of which have been sent him by the right hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames, to go ahead.

No. I will reply shortly to the right hon. Member's letter of 9th December about this project.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now authorise the construction of offices alongside a warehouse on land leased at Crawley by a Kingston firm to replace premises in Kingston required by the Postmaster-General, particulars of which have been sent to him by the right hon. Member for Kingston-upon- Thames, and in respect of which planing permission has been obtained.

No. In accordance with the Government's proposals of 4th November, an office development permit will be needed for new office premises in Crawley of 2,500 square feet or over unless planning permission was granted before 5th November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to improve the export trade.

I am reviewing the Government's services to exporters and considering various proposals for increasing exports in consultation with the British National Export Council and others. I shall make a statement as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make arrangements for the Exports Guarantee Department to pay small exporters within a month of the goods being exported, so as to help smaller businesses to finance increased exports; and if he will make a statement.

The Export Credits Guarantee Department only makes payment in respect of losses covered by the policy. Claims become payable (depending on the circumstances) between four and six months after payment from the buyer becomes due.This waiting period is needed in order to ascertain the relevant facts concerning responsibility for non-payment and the amount of loss.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will institute an inquiry into the sales promotion practices of an organisation with a branch in Birmingham, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Yardley.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds).

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will institute an inquiry into the sales procedure of the organisation with a branch in Glasgow, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Glasgow, Govan.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange for the fifteenth Annual Report and Statement of Accounts of the National Research Development Corporation to be laid before the House.

Yes. As required by Sections 4(5) and 10(5) of the Development of Inventions Act, 1948, I have arranged for this to be done.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total annual value of trade between the United Kingdom and South Africa, including both visible and invisible items.

In the 12 months November, 1963, to October, 1964, the total value of visible trade was:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps, other than making available the usual range of Government export services, to increase trade with the South African market.

The Board of Trade keeps such possibilities under review for every market.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in how many cases export licences for sporting rifles and ammunition for Rhodesia have been withheld or delayed; how much such orders were worth; and what was the reason for this action.

No applications for licences to export sporting rifles and ammunition to Rhodesia have been refused in the last six months. Each application is dealt with as promptly as the circumstances permit.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what study he ordered of the extent to which there would be a loss of export orders of all kinds as a result of the Government's embargoes on the sale of armaments to South Africa, Spain and Portugal.

None. I do not consider that trade with South Africa outside the embargo will be materially affected. The question of licensing supplies of arms to Spain has not yet come up for decision. There is no embargo on the export of arms to Portugal, but licences are not granted for the export of arms to Portuguese overseas territories.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to publish a White Paper outlining the Government's plans on leasehold reform in Wales.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government on 8th December. I cannot add to what he said.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales on how many weekdays during the present parliament the Minister of State for Welsh Affairs has been in the Principality.

Eight.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is satisfied with the replacements of unfit houses in Wales; and what further progress he expects in this regard.

No. I shall not be satisfied until all the unfit houses have been cleared. The real answer to the problem is to build more houses. Our aim is to reach the target of 19,000 new dwellings a year and to maintain this each year until 1971. This would go a long way towards attaining our objective of clearing all the unfit dwellings as well as overcoming the present shortage of dwellings and meeting the needs of the growing number of families in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made in the formation of consortia to co-operate in the use of industrialised methods of building of houses in Wales.

Sixty-five local authorities in Wales have formed themselves into nine groups to study the advantages to be gained by joint action in housing including the use of industrialised methods of building.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he will announce the names of the Advisory Planning Council for Wales.

I hope early in the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the functions of the Welsh Board of Health; and what steps have been taken to transfer those functions to his Department.

Under powers delegated by the Minister of Health the Welsh Board of Health is responsible for general supervision of the hospital, specialist and mental health services; the general medical, dental, pharmaceutical and supplementary ophthalmic services; the welfare foods and food hygiene services; the artificial limb and appliance service; the Regional Medical Service and Port Health. It also supervises the health and welfare services provided by local authorities.Executive responsibility for these functions remains with the Minister of Health but the Secretary of State for Wales has powers of oversight of the work of the Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what priority he proposes to give to the needs of Ilford when approving school building programmes; and whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory conditions at the Dane Schools, Ilford.

I will take account of the needs of Ilford and in particular the conditions at the Dane Schools when I settle the next school building programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now take steps to obtain information regarding the number of vacant places for students in the principal faculties in the Scottish universities.

As the hon. Member knows, the Universities Central Council on Admissions reports annually on this matter. My right hon. Friend does not think it advisable to complicate the work of the Council by asking for this additional information.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of students in Scottish universities who enter degree courses are unsuccessful in obtaining degrees.

The latest figures of student wastage available are those in tables 8 and 9 of "University Development 1957–1962" issued by the University Grants Committee. These show that for the universities as a whole 10·9 per cent. of medical, dental, and veterinary students, and 14·2 per cent. of students in other subjects, left without obtaining a degree. Not all these were attributable to academic reasons. These figures are not given for individual universities (or groups of universities) separately.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans Her Majesty's Government have for new universities; and what consideration he has given to Bournemouth as the site for one of them.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Carlisle (Mr. Ron Lewis) on 7th December, 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he intends to take to improve the facilities for the education of deaf children.

The first need is to train more teachers of the deaf. Many improvements are impeded by the present shortage. My right hon. Friend is reviewing demand and hopes to consult the two universities concerned with training in the New Year. Additional courses may be required.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state the amount of money he has approved for rebuilding old primary schools in the Orpington area in the years 1965–66 and 1966–67, respectively.

The Kent authority submitted one primary school replacement proposal for Orpington, but this was not included in the programme approved by the previous Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he plans to transfer a proportion of the cost of teachers' salaries to the National Exchequer.

This proposal will be considered as part of the Government's current examination of local government finance.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what increments are payable to teachers by virtue of their obtaining first and higher degree qualifications by full-time or part-time study, respectively.

£100 per annum for a first degree and a further £120 if the degree is with first or second class honours. This further £120 per annum is also payable for a higher degree when the first degree is not with first or second class honours. The additions are payable whether the degree is obtained by full-time or part-time study.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many State schools have facilities for swimming; what instruction is given; and to how many children.

Full statistics are not available, but extensive use is made of public swimming baths and an increasing number of schools are being equipped with their own baths. At least 117 enclosed and heated school baths have been taken into use or approved since 1958 in England and Wales and there are also many small open air pools of which I have no precise record. Instruction is given in swimming and, in secondary schools, in life saving.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to include in the forthcoming school-building programme the rebuilding of St. Thomas of Canterbury Junior School at Brentwood.

My right hon. Friend will consider this project in due course for the 1967–68 programme if it is submitted to him by the authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has now completed his study of the Survey on School Premises; and when he will publish the survey.

The Survey will be published in January.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to establish an educational trust on public schools, in view of the need to integrate such schools within the State system of education.

I propose to set up an educational trust with a view to the integration of the public schools within the state system of education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice he has received from the National Advisory Council on Education for Industry and Commerce on the public relations of further education.

I have received a most valuable report on this subject from the National Advisory Council on Education for Industry and Commerce. I circulated it yesterday to regional advisory councils, local education authorities and colleges, and commended its conclusions to them. I intend that my Department shall play its full part in a systematic and sustained effort to make better known the wide range of facilities available in our rapidly developing system of Further Education.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to alter the law, in the light of the recommendations of the Association of Municipal Corporations, so that the cost of prosecutions undertaken by the Director of Public Prosecutions, either directly or using a local agent, should be borne by the Exchequer.

My right hon. Friend recognises that there could be instances in which the costs of particular prosecutions would bear hardly on the local authority concerned, but he does not consider that the nature of the prosecution should determine who should pay the costs. The incidence of prosecution costs, which my right hon. Friend recognises to be a problem, is best considered in the context of the studies that are currently being made in connection with local government finance generally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a minimum working week of 30 hours in all local prisons has yet been achieved.

No, but steady progress is being made. In a little over a year the number of prisoners in local prison work- shops working less than 30 hours a week has been reduced from about 8,500 to less than 5,500.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what special arrangements have been made to ensure that, in the interests of road safety, as many police motor patrols as possible will be on the roads during the Christmas period.

The police will be on the look out for people who may spoil Christmas for others by acting dangerously on the roads, but it is for the chief officer of police concerned to decide whether special measures are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements have been made to introduce an experiment with additional traffic police in a specified area and to investigate the effect on road accidents.

Several chief officers of police are at present cooperating with the Road Research Laboratory in carrying out a pilot study of the effect upon accident rates of raising the level of enforcement of the speed limit on selected roads. Experiments of this nature must be carried out over a considerable period if the results are to be of value and it will be some months before this study is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the increased number of fatal road accidents, if he will investigate the working of the special motor-cycle police force in France whose primary duty is to enforce road safety and road discipline, with a view to taking steps to establish a similar national traffic force in this country.

Motor cycle patrols are already in use in suitable areas as part of the police road traffic organisation in this country, and there is extensive co-operation between police forces. In these circumstances my right hon. Friend is not at present convinced that there are grounds for establishing a national police traffic corps here. But he does, of course, keep in touch with the experience of other countries, from which he is always ready to learn, and he will take note of any features of their schemes which may be relevant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Advisory Council on Juvenile Delinquency is to continue; and if he will make a statement.

I have been giving thought to the future of the Advisory Committee on Juvenile Delinquency and have written to the members to ask them for their views and suggestions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from watch committees, local authorities and local authority associations in connection with the amendment of Section 2 of the Police Act, 1964, dealing with the appointment of magistrates to watch committees; and what reply he has sent.

I have received representations on this matter from the Association of Municipal Corporations, from eight watch committees or local authorities, and from one political group of a local authority. I have told them that while I have considered their views as sympathetically as possible I can hold out no prospect of legislation to repeal this provision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the Report from the Committee on the Jury Service; and when it will be published.

I understand that the Committee hopes to submit its Report within the next few weeks. I propose to publish the report as soon as possible after receiving it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firms have supplied equipment for the current trials of transistorized radios for the police force; when these trials will be completed; and if he will give an assurance that these firms and any others wishing to tender will all be given an opportunity to do so before the initial order is placed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration has been given to the provision of pocket two-way radios to the police; on what scale and over what period this will be done; when the initial orders will be placed; and what is his estimate of the approximate total cost of the whole programme.

Trials are about to begin with over 200 pocket wireless sets supplied by five firms, and will occupy about six months. If, as a result, specifications are drawn up for a set designed to meet the special needs of the police, the usual method of tendering will be followed. To meet immediate needs I am considering whether an interim order should be placed for a number of available sets which would be serviceable although not ideal for police purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the Report of the Committee on the Law on Sunday Observance; and what action he proposes to take.

I should like to take this opportunty of publicly thanking Lord Crathorne and the other members of the Committe for all the care they have taken in producing this valuable report. The recommendations made are being examined. As the subject is one on which many different views may be sincerely held the Government think it desirable to give public opinion an opportunity to crystallise before deciding upon further action.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the growing practice of giving live animals as prizes in sales promotion campaigns to people who have no experience of looking after them; and if he will take steps to prevent this practice.

My right hon. Friend has no information about this practice, but he is prepared to consider any representations that the hon. Member may wish to make.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Inter-Departmental Committee to investigate the law and practice of death certification has made its report; whether the report will be published; and whether he will make a statement.

The setting up of an Inter-Departmental Committee on Death Certification and Coroners was announced on 14th September. The membership of the committee is not yet complete and the committee has not started its work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new Cremation Regulations are contemplated; and when they are likely to be laid before Parliament.

I have recently circulated to the interested organisations proposals for some minor but useful amendments of the Cremation Regulations, including an amendment to enable the coroner's form E to be issued as soon as an inquest has been opened provided that no further examination of the body is required. These proposals have been generally welcomed and I hope to lay the new Regulations before Parliament early in the New Year. The question of medical certification before cremation is now within the terms of reference of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Death Certification and Coroners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions are given to the Metropolitan Police in explaining to arrested persons, particularly teenagers charged and detained overnight, their rights of representation before being brought before a court.

The Judges' Rules provide that, except where hindrance is reasonably likely to be caused to the processes of investigation or the administration of justice, arrested persons should be informed that they are allowed to speak on the telephone to a solicitor or to friends; and the commissioner of police has issued instructions to this effect. When a child or young person is arrested, the parents or guardians are given the opportunity to be present before he is charged. The right to call a solicitor is explained both to the juvenile and to the parent or guardian.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of prisoners sleeping three to a cell on the latest available date.

On 17th November the number of prisoners sleeping three to a cell was 5,373.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases of capital murder, in the three years to the last convenient date, the accused was convicted of murdering a wife or husband, son, daughter or parent; if he will give corresponding figures for cases where the victim was a member of the murderer's household but not a relation; and if he will state these two figures as a proportion of the total number of capital murders in the same period.

In the years 1961–1963 no person was convicted of the capital murder of his wife, husband, son, daughter or parent or of a member of his household. The total number of convictions of capital murder during the period was 17.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will immediately introduce flogging as a punishment for violent personal attacks on police officers on duty as is the case with police officers working in prisons, in view of the fact that public opinion is strongly in favour of this; and if he will make a statement.

As I said in reply to a Question by the hon. Member on 18th November. I have no intention of proposing legislation to re-introduce corporal punishment as a judicial penalty for any offence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now grant naturalisation to Mr. Zelig Fogei, 7, Upper St. James Street, Brighton; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Fogei was informed, in July, 1962, that a decision on his application had been postponed to give him an opportunity to improve his writing of English, and that further consideration would be given to it if he so requested in not less than one year. This is still the position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consult the Chief Constable of Cardiff and set up an inquiry into the wave of hooliganism which has led to the withdrawal of public transport services after 9.30 p.m. daily in the city of Cardiff.

I understand that so far this year fourteen incidents of minor assaults by passengers on members of bus crews in Cardiff have been reported to the police, resulting in eight prosecutions. My right hon. Friend has asked the Chief Constable for a full report, but he is not at present aware of any grounds for the setting up of any formal inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the present situation in British Guiana.

The General Election held on 7th December resulted in the People's Progressive Party securing 24 seats, the People's National Congress 22 seats and the United Force 7 seats. None of the remaining parties received sufficient votes to be allocated a seat.After consultation with the leaders of all three parties securing seats in the new House of Assembly, the Governor concluded that Mr. Burnham, as leader of the People's National Congress and assured of the support of the United Force, was, in the words of the Constitution, "the member best able to com- mand the confidence of a majority of members of the House of Assembly", and should therefore be appointed Premier.I regret that, despite appeals by the Governor and myself to Dr. Jagan that he should remove uncertainty and growing tension by resigning, he refused to do so and it therefore became necessary to make constitutional provision to enable Mr. Burnham to be appointed in his stead. Mr. Burnham has now been appointed Premier and is in process of forming a government.Voting at the election followed racial lines to a disturbing extent and I have welcomed Mr. Burnham's prompt public assurances that his government will promote, both politically and economically, that racial co-operation so essential to British Guiana's future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will publish the report of the Commonwealth observers on the conduct of the elections in British Guiana.

I have received the report which I am studying. I will make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about the circumstances in which Mrs. Wentzel was abducted from the Swaziland Protectorate and thereafter transported to the Republic of South Africa.

Mrs. Wentzel, a political refugee from South Africa, disappeared from Swaziland in August and was next heard of under detention in South Africa under the 90–day law. She later alleged that she had been abducted from Swaziland to South Africa by a group of men who released her just before she was taken into custody by the South African police. She was released from custody on 20th November and it is understood that she is still in South Africa.Mrs. Wentzel is not a British subject. Her arrest by the South African police was therefore not of itself a matter in which the British Government could directly concern themselves, and under international practice we had no right of consular access to her. If, however, she was in fact abducted from British territory, this is clearly our concern.During the period of Mrs. Wentzel's detention the British Ambassador made repeated representations to the South African Government with a view to establishing the facts. The South African authorities state that they have been unable to find any confirmation of the allegation of abduction. A British Consular official has questioned Mrs. Wentzel since her release. The evidence so far available to us, which of course includes the inquiries made by the police in Swaziland, does not fully establish the allegation of abduction. Our inquiries are continuing.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what will be the role of the regional boards for industry and their district advisory committees in the regional planning boards and councils he is to set up.

I envisage that in due course the Economic Planning Councils will take over the responsibilities at present carried by the Regional Boards for Industry. Arrangements have been made to discuss with the T.U.C. and the employers' organisations the best means of ensuring that the new machinery, when it is set up, profits from the valuable experience built up by the Boards, and their District Advisory Committees, over a period of years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he now proposes to assist the development of the economy of the North of Scotland.

I cannot at present add to what my hon. Friend the Minister of State said in reply to the hon. Member on 9th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will provide lay-bys on one or both sides of the A.1 road at Lamberton Toll, since this is a place where tourists crossing the Border stop their cars and take photographs both of the scenery and of themselves.

Yes. I intend to provide a lay-by for south-bound traffic opposite the Old Toll House, and one slightly to the north of it for traffic entering Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the reasons which led him to exclude the Scottish Schoolmasters' Association from the National Joint Council for Teachers' Salaries.

I felt obliged to exclude the Scottish Schoolmasters' Association as from 1st December from membership of the Scottish Joint Council for Teachers' Salaries, on which they provided one of the 19 teacher members, because they declined to undertake to observe the code of practice accepted by all other bodies represented on the Council in regard to the confidentiality of its proceedings. I sought this undertaking following a request from the Council at its meeting on 2nd October that the Secretary of State should take steps to prevent a recurrence of the unauthorised circulation by the Association to their members of detailed accounts of the proceedings of the Council. The Council considered that this action by the Association was prejudicial to the functioning of the Council and that it could not carry on its work in the face of such unauthorised disclosures. I acted as I did because I take the view that the work of this important Council should not be brought to a standstill.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that the present National Joint Council for Teachers' Salaries is properly constituted, in view of Lord Johnston's judgment; and if he will make a statement.

I am satisfied that the Scottish Joint Council for Teachers' Salaries is properly constituted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Government accept the Report of the Departmental Committee of Inquiry into the Aberdeen typhoid outbreak 1964; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. In general we accept the Committee's findings. One of the main findings is that the most probable cause of the typhoid outbreak in Aberdeen was corned beef from a can containing the typhoid bacillus; and that most probably this bacillus came from unchlorinated river water used at the time for cooling sterilised cans at a particular canning establishment in South America. In view of this my right hon. Friends and I are particularly glad to note that the Committee have recorded their conviction that "where canned meats are produced under satisfactory hygienic conditions and where water of an acceptable standard of purity is used in the canning process they will be free from any health hazard as well as being a valuable and nutritious article of diet."The Committee make a number of detailed recommendations, some of which have already been acted upon. Overseas suppliers have been provided with a detailed statement of our hygiene requirements for the production of meat and meat products and the staff engaged on overseas inspection of meat production establishments has been augmented. These are two of the things the Committee recommended should be done. A re-examination of the Scottish bacteriological services, also recommended by the Committee, is in train. A standing committee will be set up to advise on the risk of infection which may arise from the consumption of any particular food. With regard to the remaining detailed recommendations, many of which would require amendments of the law, we shall be discussing these as appropriate with the parties primarily concerned and any announcements about them will need to be deferred until these consultations are complete.In the light of the Committee's finding that given a safe method of pasteurisation the cans of cold meat at present withdrawn because they were cooled in impure water could be treated and released for sale, we are considering this possibility in consultation with the trade and advisory bodies. The results of the work of experts advising the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the possibility of a safe method of pasteurisation will shortly be published. In the meantime we advise that the canned meat withdrawn on the advice of the Chief Medical Officers of the Health Departments in June, whether connected with the Aberdeen outbreak or not, should continue to be withheld from sale. In asking for this further self-restraint in the interests of the health of the community, my right hon. Friends and I wish to pay tribute to the sense of responsibility of the firms concerned in the withdrawals of canned meat, and to their co-operation with the Public Health staff of local authorities whose efforts last June ensured that as a precautionary measure pending the findings of the Committee a potential health hazard was promptly removed.Although the Committee find that corned beef from the Government stockpile was not involved in the outbreak my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, will not release from that stockpile any meat which in the light of the report might be unsafe unless and until it has been subjected to a safe method of processing.Finally, my right hon. Friends and I would like to record our indebtedness to Sir David Milne and his colleagues on the Committee for the exceedingly thorough way in which they tackled their assignment and the promptitude with which such a large and detailed task was completed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will issue an advice circular giving particulars to exporting firms of means of recovering drawback.

A number of public notices giving advice are already issued to known exporters by the Customs and Excise. Any further guidance may be obtained from their headquarters or local offices.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in regard to investment trusts, it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to charge corporation tax on United Kingdom dividends of investments which are not distributed, in view of the fact that this income will have already borne corporation tax.

I cannot add to my answer of 8th December about the corporation tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, as a result of the new tax system, the net United Kingdom rate of tax up to which charities can claim relief will disappear;(2) whether trading companies whose financial year ends after 5th April, 1965, will be liable to the proposed corporation tax; and, in view of the number of companies who will be publishing accounts by the autumn of 1965 who will not know at what rate to charge tax until April, 1966, if he will take steps to clarify the position regarding the form in which these companies should prepare their accounts;(3) in view of the facts that company taxation and personal taxation are being separated and that Income Tax is only being deducted by the companies on behalf of the Inland Revenue, what is the position of non-residents not liable to United Kingdom Income Tax; and if it is his intention to replace the Income Tax deduction by withholding tax;(4) whether he proposes to re-negotiate the present double taxation agreements with overseas countries; and what system he plans to adopt for grossing up foreign dividends, for example, as received by the private investor and by investment and unit trusts.

I cannot add to my answer of 8th December about the corporation tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether investment trusts and unit trusts are to be liable to capital gains tax; and if shareholders will be liable for this tax on any capital appreciation.

I have nothing to add to my answer of 8th December.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will arrange for the speedier implementation of the proposals whereby the percentage limit on local authority borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board is to rise over a four-year period; and whether he will reduce this period to two years;(2) whether he will review the existing restrictions on the availability of Public Works Loan Board facilities to local authorities, with a view to making funds more easily accessible for essential building projects.

I shall review this matter before next year's Budget, but in present circumstances I cannot commit myself to providing greater access to the Public Works Loan Board.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will allow local authorities to exceed the present percentage ceiling on their borrowing powers from the Public Works Loan Board in cases where the cost of borrowing on the open market can be shown to be in excess of the cost of borrowing from the Board.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the recent letter of the Governor of the Bank of England on the restriction of credit, what definition was included for the guidance of the recipients on the Government's aims on regional development to which the banks should have regard in making credit available; and if he will publish the letter.

The letter referred in general terms to the Government's aims on regional development. It is the established practice that the text of letters of the kind from the Governor of the Bank of England to banks are not published.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to which banks the recent letter of the Governor of the Bank of England on the restriction of credit was sent; and which of these banks were not included among those to whom a similar letter was circulated in 1961.

The letter was sent to the Committee of London Clearing Banks, the Committee of Scottish Bank General Managers, the Northern Ireland Bankers' Association, the British Bankers' Association, the Accepting Houses Committee, the Foreign Banks and Affiliates' Association and the American banks in London, all of which received a letter in 1961. On this occasion, it was also sent to the Bank of Japan on behalf of Japanese banks in London.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what official procedure is followed before the Bank of England makes recommendations to clearing and other banks; and whether this procedure was followed before the Bank of England's recent advice was issued on the restriction of credit to support national financial policy.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply of 14th December to the hon. Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he proposes to take to assist local authorities whose building programes are having to be reduced or delayed as a result of the increased borrowing costs which are a consequence of the rise in Bank Rate.

I have nothing to add at present to the reply which I gave on 9th December to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Shettleston (Sir M. Galpern).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government that their financial policy shall not be deflationary, how much inflation he proposes to put into the economy; to what extent inflation is a permanent feature of his policy; and if he will make a statement.

The Government's policy is designed to secure a proper balance between demand and productive capacity.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to give his decision on the Redhill Plan.

My right hon. Friend hopes shortly to send to Surrey County Council for publication a statement of the modifications he proposes to make to the Redhill comprehensive development area. After that, progress depends largely on whether there are objections to these modifications.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give assistance to local authorities to enable them to deal with the recurring problems of flood damage caused by acts of God, when the cause cannot be shown as the responsibility of any particular owner of land or property.

I do not think that a regular arrangement would be appropriate. Many owners insure against the risk of flood damage, and this fact, as well as the scale of any disaster and the adequacy of local resources to cope with it, must be taken into account when deciding whether Exchequer assistance should be given.As regards the present floods, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made on Tuesday by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied that the nuclear forces at present under the control of Her Majesty's Government are sufficiently powerful to deter a potential enemy from making an attack on this island; and what plans he has to maintain such British forces in the interests of national defence.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the remarks of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the flooding that has occurred in the Severn Valley, he will provide the Shrewsbury Borough Council with the use of space heater driers as was done in 1960 to dry out houses affected by flood water.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's submarine "Aurochs", with particular reference to her seaworthiness and failures of her gear.

H.M.S. "Aurochs" was surveyed in September by the Flag Office Submarines' staff and, because of signs of wear and tear, it was decided to withdraw her from service. She is virtually at the end of her normal "life" and her future is being studied with this fact in mind.

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

My right hon. Friend has no separate information for the Kemp-town constituency. The number of unfit dwellings in the whole of the County Borough of Brighton is now estimated to be about 830, and the council proposes to deal with these within the next five years.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many properties in the area covered by the Brighton, Kemptown, constituency have no bathroom facilities.

There is no separate information available for the Kemptown constituency. At the 1961 Census 8,275 of the 50,265 occupied dwellings in the County Borough of Brighton lacked a fixed bath.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what are the numbers of dwellings in the Newark constituency without piped water, flush sanitation, and electricity, respectively.

According to the Nottinghamshire section of the report of the 1961 Census, there were, at the time of the census, 1,001 dwellings in the Newark constituency without piped water and 3,807 without flush sanitation.I have no information about the number of dwellings without electricity.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the need to improve United Kingdom relations with nations in the Middle East he will undertake a visit there within the next 12 months.

I have nothing to add at present to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs to my hon. Friend the Member for Brighouse and Spenborough (Mr. Jackson) on 7th December.