asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will ensure that in his scheme for establishing preferential rates of interest to home purchasers there will be no differentiation based on the source of the loans.

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing told the House on 24th November, he is reviewing housing subsidies and finance. This review must be completed before any statement is made about interest charges on mortgages for house purchase.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to exempt the organo phosphorous systemic insecticides from the 15 per cent. surcharge duty.

We will consider this, along with other representations, when the charge comes under review, but I cannot make any commitment at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what yield he estimates he will receive from the 15 per cent. import surcharge as a result of the modifications made to the list of goods on which it is charged during the Finance Bill's passage through the House; and what was his original estimate of the yield.

My right hon. Friend's original estimate of the revenue expected from the charge, on the basis of the initial rate and coverage, was of an annual rate of the order of £200 million. The amendments to the scheme since 26th October are unlikely to affect the original estimates significantly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Betatron obtained by voluntary subscription for use at St. Luke's Hospital, Guildford, will be exempted from the 15 per cent. import surcharge.

This machine has been relieved from the charge.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he has imposed a surcharge of 15 per cent. upon the importation of imitation glass stones whilst expressly excluding semi-precious and synthetic stones; if he is aware that the imitation jewellery industry makes a larger contribution to the export trade considering the high conversion value of their imported materials; and if he will review the matter.

We could not make any distinction among manufactured glass products; but we have safeguarded the export trade of the imitation jewellery industry by the arrangements provided for the repayment of the charge when goods are exported.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent a Member of Parliament with an outside income of £20,000 per annum, £30,000 per annum, and £40,000 per annum, respectively, in addition to his normal parliamentary salary of £1,750 per annum, would have to pay tax on the gross amount of £1,750 per annum, assuming the normal allowance for marriage allowance; and how much gross and net would be left to the Treasury if such a Member declined to draw his salary of £1,750 per annum in such circumstances.

If the outside income were all earned, the extra tax at the current rates of tax on the top slice of £1,750 would be £1,553 2s. 6d. in each case and if all from investments, £1,207 19s. 8d. The gross saving to the Exchequer would therefore be £1,750 and the net saving either £196 17s. 6d. if the outside income is all earned, or £542 0s. 4d. if all from investments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, without divulging the names, he will publish in HANSARD a detailed list giving the number of Members of Parliament who have not drawn their parliamentary salaries, either wholly or in part, since October, 1951, until the latest date; and how many have notified him or the Department concerned of their desire not to draw the increase recently agreed by the House of Commons.

The following is the information:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will authorise the counting of unestablished service for pension purposes in the case of those civil servants who have been established in the Civil Service after previous unestablished service.

Unestablished service after 14th July, 1949, counts in full for pension on subsequent establishment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the maximum pensions, beginning on 1st October, 1964, payable to civil servants retiring after 40 years' pensionable service, on London pay scales, from the grade of clerical officer, all grades of the executive class, and the grades of principal and assistant secretary, and the corresponding pensions, including increases under the Pensions (Increase) Acts, which began on 1st October in each of the preceding 15 years.

The pensions are as follows. London rates of pay have been used up to 1960 and outer-London rates from 1961. All the figures relate to retirements on 31st March in each year. Special and time-consuming calculations would be required to produce those for chief executive officers, senior chief executive officers and principal executive officers. But, if the hon. Member wishes, I will arrange for them to be prepared.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of general executive officers is promoted to higher grades; how long elapses before such promotion generally takes place; and what is regarded as the career grade for general executive officers.

We cannot give a precise percentage in answer to the first part of the Question, nor do we regularly describe one grade as the career grade. In practice the great majority of recruits who enter the executive officer grade become higher executive officers, and many are promoted to senior executive officer, while the best go on to the highest posts. In recent years executive officers promoted to higher executive officer have had an average of just over ten years' service in the basic grade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many proposals for reduction in the rateable assessment of house properties in Newcastle-upon-Tyne were received between 1st April, 1963, and 1st April, 1964; and how many of these cases are still awaiting a hearing before the Valuation Panel.

About 6,600 proposals for properties of all kinds—separate figures for houses are not available. About 2,500 cases are awaiting a hearing but a number of these may of course be settled out of court.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much will be paid in Income Tax and National Insurance contributions in a full year by a married man with no children earning £18 per week in 1963–64 and 1964–65, respectively.

Such an adult male employee would pay £162 2s. 6d., or £163 13s. 10d. in the years 1963–64 and 1964–65, respectively, if his employer had not contracted out of the graduated scheme of national insurance, but if his employer had contracted out, the corresponding figures are £149 3s. 6d. and £150 0s. 10d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will exempt from the recently increased petrol tax those rural delivery services which serve elderly countryfolk living in remote areas.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will simplify the procedure for obtaining the 1½ per cent. export rebate, particularly where merchant shippers and export merchants are concerned.

I can assure the hon. Member that the export rebates scheme has been made as simple as possible. Full details of the procedure are being released today.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the effects of his financial proposals on the profitability of Victor Products Ltd. (Wallsend on Tyne), details of which have been sent to him, and the implications on the profit-sharing arrangements with the workers; and what estimate he has made of the number of other firms affected in the same way.

I have read the article by the chairman of this company and I think the question relates to the export rebate scheme. The chairman seems to have misunderstood the scheme. Claimants will not be required to establish the taxes paid on particular consignments of exported goods; rebate will be paid at the appropriate rate prescribed in the Treasury Order to be laid before Parliament today.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what vacancies there are at present on the staff of the district valuer and valuation officer at Maidenhead; and what steps are being taken to fill these vacancies.

There is a shortage of valuers in this office, but an additional officer has recently been posted to it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the proposed corporation tax and long term capital gains tax will bear hardly on staff superannuation schemes such as that of the National Coal Board; and what special steps he will take to alleviate the effect of these taxes on such schemes.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my statement of 8th December in which I made it clear that approved superannuation funds which are entitled to exemption from Income Tax would not themselves be chargeable either to corporation tax or capital gains tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that 3½ per cent. War Loan price has fallen below 55 per cent., that the £ sterling purchasing power has fallen to one-third its pre-war level, and that holders have been deprived of five-sixths the real value of their investment, it he will exempt all Government securities from his proposed capital gains tax, and help restore confidence in the gilt-edged market; and if he will make an early statement.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my statement of 8th December and to answers given on 22nd December in which I made it clear that the charge to tax on a gain realised after next Budget day will not be on an amount greater than any gain that is realised. There will thus be no charge when there is in fact an overall loss.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention that all assets should be valued before the introduction of the proposed new capital gains tax; and how valuations on this scale will be carried out.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether valuations made after Budget day 1965 will be accepted, in view of the shortage of professional valuers and the impracticability of having a nation-wide valuation of all items subject to the proposed capital gains tax.

I must ask hon. Members to await my proposals. Where necessary, valuations can be made at a date subsequent to the Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a summary of the main ideas so far submitted by representative bodies on the subject of capital gains and corporation taxes.

I do not think such a course would advance the purpose of enabling me to consider the views of the representative bodies concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, for the purpose of the proposed capital gains tax, realisation will include the vesting of assets in a deceased's personal representatives; (2) what forms of insurance policy will be exempted from the proposed capital gains tax; (3) whether he will make a statement on the position under the proposed capital gains tax of unit trusts offering insurance cover.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in computing the total income of companies for each accounting period, subsequent to April, 1965, for the purpose of corporation tax, unused Income Tax and Profits Tax losses for earlier years will be taken into account.

I must ask hon. and right hon. Gentlemen to await my legislative proposals which will be introduced in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now set out in a White Paper the effect of the proposed corporation tax on double income tax agreements.

I doubt whether this subject would be suitable for a White Paper, but I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in HANSARD a list giving the number of trade unions which have written to him objecting to his proposed capital gains tax and corporation tax, and the grounds of these objections.

None. One trade union wrote to me expressing fears about the effect of the proposed corporation tax on the income of its pension fund. I am glad to say that these fears were misconceived.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that many limited liability companies are not renewing seven-year covenants to charities, which have fallen due for renewal since the end of 1964, because of their uncertainty about the situation with regard to corporation and other taxes; and whether he will take an early opportunity to clarify the position in the interests of charitable bodies.

I would ask the hon. Gentleman to await the introduction of my detailed proposals.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the present financial situation, so far as the balance of payments and the condition of sterling are concerned.

We have been passing through a very difficult period for the balance of payments and for sterling. The measures taken by the Government should be reflected in improved figures in the months ahead. They will show that we are getting our overseas payments back into balance. This is our first task in 1965. The December trade figures released yesterday are certainly encouraging.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the terms, including interest rate, of the $3,000 million credit granted to Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the period specified in the assurance given that Great Britain will honour the $3,000 million credit; and how he proposes to do this.

It is not customary to disclose details of the terms of such arrangements, although as was stated when they were announced the facilities were made available for a period of three to six months.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is his estimate of the consequences upon the economy and industry of Wales of the imports surcharge, the recent tax increases, and the increased Bank Rate; and if he will make a statement;(2) what extra assistance he will give to industries in Wales, particularly in development areas and in areas of above average unemployment, to lessen any adverse effects of the imports surcharge and the increased Bank Rate.

The purpose of the Government's measures is to promote an improved balance between our overseas payments and receipts, without which we cannot have a healthy economy in any part of the United Kingdom. As part of the Government's aim to foster development in Wales, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has established an Economic Planning Board and will shortly appoint an Economic Advisory Council which will pay special attention to Welsh problems.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for relieving council house tenants from the increase in their rents resulting from the 7 per cent. Bank Rate.

As rent levels reflect borrowings by a local authority over a long period I do not see why a short term increase in Bank Rate to 7 per cent. need lead to increased rents.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer approximately how much it would cost the Exchequer annually to allow the Public Works Loan Board to reduce to 3 per cent. the rate of interest on council houses completed in the last financial year from the current rate for 60-year Board loans, and to permit local authorities to make all their housing borrowings at this second-tier rate.

The reply to the first part of the Question is about £9 million per year and to the second part about £50 million in the first year. The cost would rise heavily in subsequent years. I would also remind my hon. Friend that local authorities do not normally borrow for as long as 60 years and that they borrow for housing on the market as well as from the Public Works Loan Board.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what rate the Public Works Loan Board are now lending to local authorities; and what was the rate of interest a year ago.

The information requested is:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he will take to assist persons who invested their savings in Government stocks and have suffered financial loss in consequence.

Market securities, including Government stocks, vary in price according to market conditions. Holders of Government stocks will benefit, like others, from the success of the Government's economic policies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy in regard to the substitution of quantitative import controls instead of the present import surcharge; and what administrative arrangements he is making for this.

The Government's decision to reduce imports by means of a temporary import charge rather than by quantitative import controls and the reasons for it have been fully explained.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that local authorities are having to borrow large sums of money on short-term loans, much in excess of previous practice; and what steps he will take to set a limit to such borrowings.

Local authorities are already on notice that limits on their temporary borrowing will come into force in April 1968 and I see no reason to introduce additional requirements at the present time. I hope that excess temporary debt will be reduced over the next three years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that local authorities are having to borrow at rates sometimes up to 8 per cent.; and what effect he estimates this will have on housing programmes.

I am glad to say that the rate of 8 per cent. did not persist for long and I would not in any case expect temporary borrowing rates to affect housing programmes materially.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of increasing small income relief from £450 to £600 in a full year.

To increase the income limit for small income relief to £600 would cost about £1½ million in a full year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding decimal coinage.

The Government are not yet in a position to make a statement about their policy on decimal coinage.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase since 1st January, 1957, in the cost-of-living index up to 31st December, 1964, or the nearest possible date; and how much the purchasing power of the £ sterling has depreciated since 1st January, 1957.

The increase in the cost of living, as measured by the Index of Retail Prices, between mid-January, 1957 and mid-November, 1964, the latest date available, was about 22 per cent. On the basis of the change in the consumer price index the purchasing power of the £, taken as 20s. in January, 1957, had fallen to about 16s. 9d. by November, 1964.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give, for the last three years for which figures are available, the numbers of staff of the Inland Revenue Valuation Office who were retired at the age of 60 years, although physically fit and wishing to continue in service; and what proportion these were of all the staff retiring in those years.

One in 1962, two in 1963, and two in 1964. These represent less than 2 per cent. of the total staff who retired in each year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will introduce a tax in the form of a stamp on bingo cards.

I cannot anticipate what changes my right hon. Friend may decide to make in indirect taxation in his next Budget, but I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Post master-General how he will make provision for the £3½ million required by his Department to meet the extra cost of hydrocarbon oils and National Insurance.

The additional cost of £3½ million falls about equally on postal services and telecommunications. I think that the latter will be able to absorb their share. The financial difficulties of the postal services are under consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has now completed his review on policy governing special stamp issues; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which I gave the hon. Member for Belfast, South (Mr. Pounder) on 15th December. I hope to announce the special issues for 1965 shortly.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made by his Department towards increased efficiency by reducing the time and effort expended by postmen on mail deliveries, particularly in relation to deliveries to multi-storey commercial and residential buildings.

Motor vans, cycles and electrically propelled handcarts are of course used where they help to increase efficiency. With regard to multi-storey buildings, a number of local authorities and other developers are helping us by providing a mail room or letter boxes near to the entrances. We have been doing a good deal to encourage this kind of thing; but I am now considering how we could do more.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the concern arising from the loss of rates by the Crayford Urban District Council, amounting to about 8 per cent. of the council's rate income, resulting from the purchase of a factory in Thames Road, Crayford, for a supplies depôt on 14th February, 1964, and the length of time it is taking for his Department to occupy it; how many people are now working there; what they are doing; and if he will give as much information as possible about the plans for this supplies depôt for the remainder of this year.

Yes. We have not yet been able to assume beneficial occupation of the Supplies Depôt at Crayford because we must still substantially adapt the premises to meet our special needs and complete our negotiations with the staff.I hope that we shall start moving in by the late summer of this year and complete occupation during 1966. The provision of housing for the staff will help us to achieve this timetable.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will now make a further statement about the efficiency and Profitability of the postal services.

asked the Postmaster-General what proposals he has to raise the postal charges at present in operation for inland letters and parcels.

I am not yet ready to make a statement.

asked the Postmaster-General, if he is satisfied that postal regulations afford adequate protection to householders from the receipt of unsolicited pornographic material; and if he will make a statement.

It is an offence under the Post Office Act, 1953, to send indecent or obscene matter through the post; and I am satisfied that we do all we reasonably can to see that the Act is not contravened. My hon. Friend the Assistant Postmaster-General explained the position of the Post Office in this matter when he spoke on the Motion for the Adjournment on 18th December; I can now add that proceedings are pending in the specific case mentioned on that occasion. Over 2,000 cases have been dealt with in the last three years.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will set out a statistical table showing the value of orders from his Department placed with firms in development areas in Scotland, North-East England, and Northern Ireland, respectively, which have not in the first instance been successful in competitive tender; and what proportion of total orders such value represents.

In 1963–64 the figures were:

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that his Department's advertisement urging the public to post more letters is causing concern among those members of the public who have experienced postal delays; and if he will abandon this series of advertisements until services are improved.

The object of these advertisements was to stimulate profitable traffic. The present series comes to an end next month. As regards the future, I shall keep in mind the point raised by the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General what were the circumstances in which his Department accepted for delivery in the Tamworth area an offensive prospectus for subscription to a magazine details of which have been sent to him.

My hon. Friend the Assistant Postmaster-General explained the position of the Post Office in this matter when he spoke on the motion for the Adjournment on 18th December. I can now add that proceedings against the sender of the prospectus in question are pending.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) if he is aware that difficulties, inconvenience and hardship are caused to businessmen, commercial travellers, representatives, and householders in general, resident in the village and parish of Pentyrch, in the county of Glamorgan, by the fact that delivery of letters cannot be ensured before 10 a.m.; whether he is aware that postal deliveries in and near Pentyrch have been recently as late as 12 noon; and what steps he will take to improve the present state of affairs;(2) if he will give particulars of the reasons and difficulties which prevent postal deliveries in the area of Pentyrch, Glamorganshire, before 10 a.m.

It would not be practicable to finish the first delivery in rural areas such as Pentyrch as early at 10 a.m. without incurring disproportionate expense. But I am arranging for the delivery in this area to be made earlier than it has been and for it to be finished by 10 a.m. in the village of Pentyrch itself.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the names of all the villages and parishes within 15 miles of Cardiff which are deemed by his Department to fall within the category of extended delivery areas; and if he will state in each case the approximate time of the earliest postal delivery and the average time of the earliest postal delivery during the past six months.

I am having the information assembled and will send it to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General in how many postal areas in South Wales and in the county of Glamorgan respectively, the earliest postal deliveries are now later than in former years; and to what extent staff shortages have caused a deterioration in the services of his Department in this respect.

There are about a dozen post-town areas in South Wales, including eight in the county of Glamorgan, where the first delivery is not everywhere completed as early as it was some years ago. In only three of these areas, all of them outside Glamorgan, are staff shortages responsible for the later delivery. The possibility of improving times of delivery, where these have slipped back, is currently being examined.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will seek to remove the causes of further delay in converting the Hainault and Loughton telephone exchange to automatic dialling; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes, I am continuing to make every effort to convert these exchanges to automatic working at the earliest possible date. The manufacture and installation of the equipment is carried out mainly under contract; if the contractual dates are met the exchanges will be replaced as forecast when I wrote to the hon. Member on 25th November, 1964.

asked the Postmaster-General what improvements he intends to make to toll and trunk services from the Witham exchange area; and when these improvements will be completed.

Operator-controlled calls from subscribers served by Witham exchange are handled at Chelmsford. The service has been impaired by plant shortages but has improved in recent months as a result of relief measures. I look forward to further improvements.Additional circuits have been provided between Witham and Chelmsford and four more should be brought into service by the end of May. The switchboard at Chelmsford has been extended and additional circuits to London were provided during November and December. Additional circuits to Cambridge should come into use this month and these will give further relief.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will provide free amplified telephones for war disabled deaf persons.

The rental for these special telephones was reduced by one-third in July of last year to 10s. a quarter. I have no plans at present for altering this.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the average cost of fitting an amplifier to an existing telephone receiver.

About £1 for the actual fitting, but this does not include the equipment.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what safeguards will be employed to prevent further under-occupation of dwellings when the Rent Act is repealed;(2) what proposals he has for encouraging tenants to exchange rent controlled dwellings which are under-occupied.

I must ask the hon. Member to await the introduction of the Bill.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, what organisations and interests concerned with agriculture he is consulting in preparing his legislation on tied cottages.

I propose to consult the organisations which can represent farmers and farmworkers as landlords and tenants.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, what progress has been made in Her Majesty's Government discussions with the building societies, with a view to providing cheap interest rates for house loans and mortgages.

I have nothing to add to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Worcester (Mr. Peter Walker) and other hon. Members on 24th November, 1964.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, what special measures are being taken by the Government and local authorities, and what financial and other support they are giving private bodies, to house the homeless.

The best way of helping the homeless is by increasing the present inadequate housebuilding by local authorities. The Government intend to bring this about. We shall also help housing associations which provide housing for the homeless by encouraging local authorities to make loans and grants and by paying Exchequer subsidy on new buildings.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what support he is giving to the Wembley Borough Council in their endeavour to complete the housing development scheme in the Barnhill-Chalkhill area and thereby provide housing accommodation as rapidly as possible; and if he will make a statement.

Wembley Borough Council prepared an outline development scheme for the Barnhill-Chalkhill residential area, but did not intend carrying out the redevelopment themselves. The Council of the new London Borough of Brent have, I understand, adopted the principles of Wembley's outline plan, but support the policy adopted by Willesden Borough Council for securing redevelopment under public ownership in view of the urgent need to get more houses built here. In principle this seems right to my right hon. Friend; but as compulsory acquisition may be entailed he cannot say more than that.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what consideration has been given to the paper sent to him by the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds) on the short and long-term problems presented by the gypsies and other travellers; and what action he proposes to take to deal with the present unsatisfactory situation.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for having sent me this paper and agree that we need to know more about the extent of the problem. A census has recently been carried out by the Kent County Council and I shall shortly be asking other counties to do the same. I am also arranging for a special survey in depth to find out more about the needs of these people. I am satisfied that more sites must be provided quickly and am now consulting the local authority associations about the best means of achieving this.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement on his decision to override the views of the Hartley Rural District Council, the Kent County Council, and his own inspector and to grant planning permission in a greenbelt area of North Kent.

No. I have nothing to add to the reasons given in the decision letter.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, whether he will cause a review to be carried out on the incidence of hardship caused by the making up of private roads by local authorities.

As I informed the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North (Mr. R. W. Elliott) in reply to a Question on 23rd December, 1964, a survey of arrangements for making up private streets was undertaken by the Department about five years ago. This showed that the existing law, if sympathetically administered, enables equitable results to be secured and provides means of mitigating hardship in the relatively few cases where hardship would otherwise occur. Nothing has happened since to lead my right hon. Friend to suppose that any useful purpose would be served by instituting another review now.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, whether he will cause a survey to be carried out as to the practicability of placing a barrage over any of the East Coast estuaries, so that fresh water may be impounded for human and industrial use.

Ways of augmenting water resources in the eastern part of England are being studied. If it emerged that a barrage could play a useful part, its practicability would be investigated. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has stated today, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Land and Natural Resources will take a leading part in major projects of this kind.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, what stage has been reached by the Local Government Commission in its proposal for the Merseyside Review Area; and whether any change has been made or is contemplated in the boundaries of the area as originally set.

The Commission began their review of the area in October, 1962. Subsequently they asked my right hon. Friend's predecessor to extend that area and the South-East Lancashire Special Review Area. In July last year he informed the House that he had decided to hold the application in abeyance for the time being to enable the Commission to complete preliminary discussions with Lancashire County Council about the problems of local government organisation in Lancashire, and to have discussions with other authorities who might wish to express further views to them on the question of extending the two special review areas. My right hon. Friend is expecting the Commission to report to him any time now the results of their talks and their further observations. Copies of the report will be circulated to all the local authorities concerned, who will have an opportunity to give him their final comments before he decides what action, if any, is called for.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether his Department has now given sanction for a loan to enable Braintree Urban District Council to purchase an industrial site, and if he will make a statement.

Sanction will be issued very shortly.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will state, for the year ended 31st March 1964 and the year ended 31st December 1964, respectively, in respect of development districts in the North-East, the number of applications for grants for the improvement of basic services under Section 7 of the Local Employment Act, 1960 and the number of those approved; what was the total cost; how many applications were rejected; and how many remain under consideration.

The figures for water supply and sewerage are as follows:

asked the Minister of Power what steps he will take to control the price of electricity, in view of the increase in electricity charges recently announced by the Midlands Electricity Board.

None. The electricity boards for which I am responsible invariably consult me before they change their tariffs. I am satisfied that they are making every effort to keep prices stable. subject to the need to cover their costs and to finance a reasonable proportion of their new investment, as required by their financial objectives which have been agreed in accordance with the terms of Cmnd. 1337 (the Financial and Economic Obligations of the Nationalised Industries).

asked the Minister of Power how many electrical storage heaters have been supplied at concessionary rates by area electricity boards to elderly and other people in need known to the local authorities in their areas; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give a general direction to the electricity boards to make storage heaters available to old people at reduced rates.

I understand that some electricity boards are finding that they have a limited surplus of electrical storage heaters in discontinued lines and that the North Western Board and the London Board are offering to instal these heaters at "sale prices" in cases nominated by a local authority. The installation of these heaters requires special wiring and metering and the boards will have to decide when this work can best be fitted into their programme.Other boards may from time to time find themselves able to make similar offers. This, however, is a matter for them, and not one on which my right hon. Friend could appropriately make a general direction.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to all electricity boards that in the event of a major breakdown in supplies to the public their offices should be opened and senior officials should be in attendance.

No. All boards have arrangements for dealing as promptly as is practicable with inquiries from the public about interruptions in supply.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether Her Majesty's Government have completed their discussions on the nature and extent of the financial burden assumed by Southern Rhodesia in the light of the undertaking on British aid included in paragraph 27 of the Victoria Falls Report; and what has been the outcome.

Arrangements for the continuation of the talks held last year have not yet been made.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development when it is proposed to pay the second instalment of the sum of £4 million promised to the Government of Southern Rhodesia last summer in respect of the extended short-term debt; and whether the British Government have had talks with the Governments of Zambia and Southern Rhodesia on the question of aid for development and other purposes, as envisaged in the statement made by his predecessor on 2nd July last.

The second instalment of the £4 million grant to the Government of Southern Rhodesia falls due for payment in April, 1965.As regards Zambia, preliminary talks were held with Dr. Kaunda in November, 1964, and as my right hon. Friend informed the House on 20th November in reply to the hon. Member for Willesden, West (Mr. Pavitt), the British Government have agreed to make a grant of £1 million towards the capital costs of the new University of Zambia. Further financial discussions with the Government of Zambia are to take place in February.As regards the talks with the Government of Southern Rhodesia, I would refer the hon. Member to my Answer today to the right hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton).

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether Her Majesty's Government have yet been able to wind up the accounts for the colonial development and welfare loans and grants made to the Southern Cameroons before independence.

The audited account showed that the sums issued from colonial development and welfare funds before independence for approved schemes exceeded by £25,025 those actually spent on such schemes before independence. In terms of the Colonial Development and Welfare Act it is necessary for this sum to be recovered as a credit to the Development and Welfare Vote. However, as the expenditure was in fact incurred after independence on projects originally approved, Her Majesty's Government have decided not to seek the recovery from the West Cameroon of this amount. Parliament will in due course be asked to vote that amount as an item of aid to the Government of the Federal Cameroon Republic by means of a Spring Supplementary Vote. This will enable the over-issues to be refunded to the colonial development and welfare funds.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development (1) what was the total value of the aid in cash and kind given by this country to Uganda in 1963, or in the nearest convenient year; through what agencies in Uganda such aid is channelled; what are the objectives of this aid; whether she is satisfied that these objectives are being fully achieved; how many Britons were in the employment of the Government of Uganda on Independence Day; and how many are today;(2) what was the total value of the aid in cash and kind given by this country to Cyprus in 1963, or in the nearest convenient year; through what agencies in Cyprus such aid is channelled; what are the objectives of this aid; whether she is satisfied that these objectives are being fully achieved; how many Britons were in the employment of the Government of Cyprus on Independence Day; and how many are today;(3) what was the total value of the aid in cash and kind given by this country to Malawi in 1963, or in the nearest convenient year; through what agencies in Malawi such aid is channelled; what are the objectives of this aid; whether she is satisfied that these objectives are being fully achieved; how many Britons were in the employment of the Government of Malawi on Independence Day; and how many are today;(4) what was the total value of the aid in cash and kind given by this country to Zambia in 1963, or in the nearest convenient year; through what agencies in Zambia such aid is channelled; what are the objectives of this aid; whether she is satisfied that these objectives are being fully achieved; how many Britons were in the employment of the Government of Zambia on Independence Day; and how many are today.

pursuant to her reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 4th December, 1964; Vol. 703, No. 27, c. 120–3], supplied the following information: I am sorry that the answer I gave on 4th December, to non-oral Questions from the hon. Member for Hertfordshire, South-West (Mr. Longden) was incorrect in one respect.The Commonwealth Development Corporation loan of £1 million, reported in the table as made to Zambia, should in fact have been shown as £½ million made to Zambia and £½ to Malawi. The true figures of loans to Zambia and Malawi are therefore £1,250,000 and £1,370,000 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of staff at present employed by the Charity Commission; and where they work.

Two hundred and sixty persons are employed by the Charity Commission, all in London.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will deport the woman, an alien, details of whom have been sent to him, who recently asked a London taxi-driver to explain, if he was a Jew, what he was doing out of the ovens.

The person to whom the Question relates is not an alien; she has become a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by registration in pursuance of Section 6(2) of the British Nationality Act, 1948. In these circumstances, no question of deportation can arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the murders and armed robberies that took place in December, 1964, compare with the figures for these crimes in December, 1963.

The number of cases initially recorded as murders known to the police in December, 1964, was 23; this figure includes cases which have been, or may be, found not to be murder. The corresponding figure for December, 1963, was 18.The number of offences under Section 23(1) of the Larceny Act, 1916, recorded as known to the police in December, 1963, was 213. These offences cover robbery with personal violence, and robbery or assault with intent to rob while armed or in company with others; the statistics do not give separate figures for armed robbery. The corresponding figure for December, 1964, is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Report of the Committee of Inquiry appointed in May, 1963, to consider the present control over experiments on living animals; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the Committee hopes to be in a position to submit its Report some time next month. I can make no further statement at present.

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs whether agreements reached by Her Majesty's Government during the last 12 months for the supply of surplus arms to Saudi Arabia included any undertakings limiting their use to the armed forces of that country.

Yes.

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, if he has yet completed his investigation as to why, and in what circumstances, the telegram sent by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to the Ministry of Health, warning the latter that tins of beef sent by the Argentine to Great Britain, which caused the typhoid epidemic in Aberdeen, was delayed in delivery.

Yes. Two telegrams were concerned. These were dispatched through our Embassy in Montevideo on the evening of 2nd March last.Both telegrams should have been received in the Foreign Office during the night of 2nd-3rd March. They were not received, apparently because of a fault on the teleprinter circuit between the Post Office and the Foreign Office. This failure should have been revealed by standard checking procedure in the Foreign Office but, unfortunately, this was not properly applied. Thus it was not until 5th March that it was discovered these telegrams were missing. Repetitions were immediately requested from the Embassy, and the repeated texts, received in the Foreign Office on 7th March, were passed to the Ministry of Agriculture.

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Resolution No. 280 on Europe's position in world economic relations, adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 4th November, 1964; and what action the Government have taken or contemplate taking on it.

In meetings of the contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, as well as during the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and in subsequent discussions of its results, Her Majesty's Government have been actuated by the principles underlying the Council of Europe's Resolution 280. Her Majesty's Government are deeply concerned that the Kennedy Round should be successfully concluded and will continue to play a full part in the work of the various international organisations concerned with the problems of the developing countries.

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation 403 on contacts between the Members of the European Economic Community and other member States of the Council of Europe and on European political union, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 6th November, 1964; and what action the Government have taken or contemplate taking in regard to it.

During the last meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in December, developments in the European Free Trade Association and the European Economic Community were reviewed by representatives of the Chairmen of the Ministerial Councils of the two organisations. I hope that this procedure will be followed at future meetings and that it will lead to useful discussions.The second part of Recommendation 403 seems to assume that the members of the European Economic Community will form a political union from which other European countries would be excluded. As I told the House on 6th December, Her Majesty's Government believe that European co-operation should be on the widest basis, within the framework of an Atlantic partnership, and we should like to participate from the outset in any discussions about closer political co-operation.

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation No. 401 on future action by the Council of Europe in the cultural field, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 4th November, 1964; and what action the Government have taken or contemplate taking in regard to it.

Her Majesty's Government are generally in favour of Recommendation 401, which endorses an ad hoc committee's proposals aimed at streamlining and strengthening the cultural work of the Council for Cultural Co-operation. Some of these proposals are still under discussion by the Committee of Ministers' Deputies but, with certain modifications necessitated by budgetary priorities, most have been accepted by the Deputies. It is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to continue to play an active and constructive part in the work of the Council of Europe in the cultural field through the Council for Cultural Co-operation.

asked the minister of State for Foreign Affairs, what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation No. 398 on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade negotiations, Kennedy Round, which was adopted by the consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 4th November, 1964; and what action the Government have taken or contemplate taking on it.

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe took note of a report on the progress of the Kennedy Round negotiations at their meeting on 18th December, 1964.Her Majesty's Government fully support the aims of the Kennedy Round negotiations on tariffs and trade, and will do all they can to bring these to a successful conclusion. Our policy is reflected in the very short list of exceptions to our offer of a 50 per cent. linear cut in industrial tariffs which we tabled in Geneva on 16th November, 1964.

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation No. 404 on the setting up of a European Office for International Town Pairings and Exchange, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 7th November, 1964; and what action the Government have taken or contemplate taking on it.

Her Majesty's Government are in sympathy with the spirit of Recommendation 404 of the Consultative Assembly.The Committee of Ministers' Deputies have already agreed to retain in the Council of Europe's 1965 Budget the subsidy towards the European Inter-municipal Exchanges Plan to which the Recommendation refers. The Committee have, however, decided, after careful consideration, that it would not at present be desirable to act on the other proposals in the Recommendation, which could only be undertaken at the expense of other Council of Europe activities. Instead, the Committee have invited the Secretary-General to study possible ways in which the Secretariat could help to co-ordinate and promote intermunicipal exchanges.

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in connection with Recommendation No. 376 on the tasks of the Assembly of the Council of Europe in the present situation of European affairs, adopted by the Consultative Assembly on 24th September, 1963, he has any proposals to make for seeking an extension to this country of existing arrangements of the European Economic Community.

Her Majesty's Government are taking an active part in the work at present in progress within the Council of Europe, following the Assembly's Recommendation No. 376, with a view to identifying fields of activity suited to the harmonisation of arrangements in member countries with those already adopted by the European Economic Community or by the European Free Trade Association, and to determining which activities would be most suitable for early action. In addition, officials are studying the possibility of common arrangements in fields where no policy has yet been formulated by the European Economic Community or by the European Free Trade Association.

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs what was the approximate value of the property of British nationals re-sequestrated under the United Arab Republic Decree 138 of October, 1961.

It is not possible at present to make any authoritative estimate of the value of the British property concerned.

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give a list of those members of the United Nations Organisation which are in arrears with their contributions towards the cost of O.N.U.C. and U.N.E.F., respectively, at the nearest convenient date.

On 30th November there were 61 states in arrears with their contributions to the United Nations Operation in the Congo and 51 in arrears with their contributions to the United Nations Emergency Force. Details are contained in General Assembly document A/5822 of 30th November, 1964, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs what contributions

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs what funds Great Britain is contributing, or proposes to contribute, to the budget of the United Nations, the United Nations Specialised Agencies and the various United Nations economic aid funds and programmes between October, 1964 and October, 1965; and how these sums compare with the preceding 12 months.

Since the United Nations financial year corresponds to the calendar year, it is not practicable to give figures for the period requested by the hon. Member.

The following is the information requested:The United Kingdom's total expenditure on the United Nations family of organisations for the calendar year 1964 is expected to amount to some £24 million.It is not yet possible to give a total estimate for the British contribution in 1965. because the figures are still under consideration. However, we expect to maintain or increase the British financial contribution to the various economic and social activities of the United Nations family. Because of the nature of peace-keeping operations, it is not possible to forecast what expenditure will be required of us in this field.

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will explain the United Kingdom's vote on the United Nations Security Council's resolution of 30th December, 1964 on the Congo; and what are the Government's proposals to replace the mercenaries with other military advice and assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Her Majesty's Government voted for the resolution in question because they believe that, if carried out, it could contribute materially to the solution of the Congo's problems. Her Majesty's Government are not required by the resolution to make proposals for the replacement of the mercenaries.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the recent measures he has taken to strengthen the United Kingdom military forces in the Far East.

By repeated infiltrations into Western Malaysia, by heavily reinforcing her troops close to the Malaysian frontiers and by aggressive public statements, the Indonesian Government has shown that it proposes to continue and indeed intensify its policy of force and intimidation against Malaysia. Whilst these things continue it is difficult to take seriously the more pacific utterances with which they are occasionally interspersed.Although the defensive forces available hitherto have been sufficient to deny Indonesia any measure of success, both the Malaysian and the British Governments have thought it prudent to strengthen these forces against the increased threat. For our part, we are arranging to increase the naval patrol forces in the waters around Western Malaysia, and to increase the size and air-mobility of our land forces, especially in Eastern Malaysia.Indonesian truculence will in no way deter us from meeting our obligations in the defence of Malaysia.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he is aware of the recently accelerating increase in both the range and dimensions of the prices of foodstuffs; and what action he will take to curb this increase.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what action he intends to take to curb the rise in retail prices.

Earlier this month, I expressed the Government's concern at a number of increases in retail prices announced by the food and other trades. There have since been encouraging developments. In particular a number of trading organisations have announced their intention, even at some cost to themselves, of keeping prices stable. Clearly the public also have a part to play.We intend to set up as soon as possible machinery for reviewing individual cases of increases in prices and incomes as set out in the Statement of Intent signed last month with both sides of industry.

asked the Prime Minister if he will include in his forthcoming talks with the Chancellor of West Germany the problem of the prosecution of Nazi war criminals under the London Agreement.

asked the Prime Minister if, during his forthcoming visit to West Berlin, he will draw the attention of the Government there to the industrial advantages to be derived by that nation from increased trade between them and Scotland, owing to their geographical propinquity and to their direct sea and air communications.

I have decided that, in view of Sir Winston Churchill's illness, it would be wrong for me to leave the country at the present time. I have therefore informed the Federal German Chancellor, Dr. Erhard and the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Herr Brandt, that I shall be obliged to postpone my proposed visit to Bonn and Berlin.

asked the Prime Minister when the Government of the United States of America were given advance notice of the intention to impose the 15 per cent. import surcharge, what information was given to them about future variations in the Bank Rate.

The arrangements for the international co-ordination of monetary policies are the same as under the previous Administration.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Secretary of State for Wales or the Minister of Land and Natural Resources is responsible for water resources in Wales.