asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she is aware that a widow, married in 1950, can be required to pay full insurance contributions whilst not being entitled now or hereafter to pension; and what action she proposes to take in this matter.

A widow who is not entitled to widow's benefit is liable to pay national insurance contributions in the same way as other people; normally the contributions she pays will, with those paid by her husband, give her title to a retirement pension in due course. There are, however, provisions for refund at pensionable age in the very infrequent case of a person who enters insurance too late to pay enough contributions to qualify for a pension.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the cost of paying old-age pensions to those who qualify for them on every ground except that they have made inadequate contributions to the National Insurance Fund.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she will now take steps to grant an old-age pension to those persons of pensionable age who do not at present qualify for a pension; what would be the a annual cost of such a concession; and what consequent saving in National Assistance payments could be expected.

It would not be possible to pay pensions at the standard rate to people who have not qualified for them without increasing to the standard rate pensions for which some contributions have been made but which are at reduced rates. The total cost would be about £104 million in 1965–66, with an estimated saving of about £44 million in payments by the National Assistance Board.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the estimated cost of providing all persons between 75 and 80 and over 80 years of age, respectively, with a retirement pension at the current level although such persons are not covered by the National Insurance Acts; and what proposals she has for making such a provision.

In 1965–66, at the pension rates then current, the cost would be about £12 million for those aged between 75 and 80, and about £29 million for those over 80, after allowing for the likely saving on payments by the National Assistance Board. As regards the Government's general plans for helping people of retirement age with small incomes, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Dorset, South (Mr. Evelyn King) on 8th December.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she will state the estimated net annual cost of providing all persons of 75 years and over not at present covered by the National Insurance Act with a pension at the prevailing rate.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to the hon. Member for Belfast, South (Mr. Pounder).

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she will amend the National Assistance Regulations so as to allow the National Assistance Board to disregard any addition to the basic National Health Insurance retirement pension earned by a person who continues to work after the normal retirement age.

Such a change could not be done by regulations. My right hon. Friend has no proposals to make to amend a basic provision of the National Assistance Act itself.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she will seek to bring the work of the National Assistance Board within the ambit of her Department with a view to putting the major part of National Assistance payments on a pensions basis.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds) on 9th November.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she will include bronchitis and bronchospasm contracted during grain drying as an industrial disease in respect of which compensation is payable.

No. Where, however, it is possible in an individual case to satisfy the adjudicating authorities that a respiratory condition of the kind instanced was due to a specific industrial accident, then the appropriate industrial injuries benefit would be payable.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what steps she is taking to ensure that the recently increased pensions rates will have the same value at the point of payment as they had at the point of decision.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether, in view of the rise in the cost of living since the new rate of pensions was fixed, and further rises likely before payment begins, she will now announce a higher rate to cover the difference.

The increase in pensions which will come into operation at the end of March took account of price changes which might take place in the meantime. As the House is aware, the Government are taking urgent and resolute action to combat increases in prices.

asked the Minister of Health when he plans to provide a geriatric unit for old people in Sherborne, Dorset, in view of the fact that old people from the whole of the sherborne district now have to be sent so far away from home.

Improvement in the distribution of geriatric accomodation in West Dorset is currently under consideration. This will take into account the needs of Sherborne.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now able to announce changes in the system of remuneration of general practitioners and the provision of grants for the improvement of premises and the provision of secretarial assistance.

A scheme of grants for the improvement of practice premises is being worked out in detail. This will necessarily take a little time and in order that important work should not in the meantime be deferred, I have informed the profession that work started this year can be considered for grant when the scheme comes into operation.Proposals for a scheme of direct payments towards the cost of employing ancillary staff are at present being considered by the profession.

asked the Minister of Health how many entered the medical profession and how many doctors emigrated or left to take up appointments overseas in each of the last three years.

The numbers of British based doctors who qualified in medical schools in Great Britain were:

1962	…	…	…	1,631
1963	…	…	…	1,643
1964	…	…	…	1,511

The number of doctors in this category who emigrated in 1962 is estimated to be about 400, but some of these doctors will return to practise in this country. Figures for later years are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now arrange for disposable sterile syringes to be available free of charge for general practitioners in the National Health Service.

Yes. I am ready to discuss with the profession the best means of providing this service.

asked the Minister of Health what is his policy on the representations he has received from the County Councils Association, a copy of which has been sent to him, on the subject of compulsory X-ray of immigrants when entering the country for the detection of tuberculosis; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer the noble Lord to my reply today to my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Renée Short).

asked the Minister of Health how many training courses have been established by local authorities under the Health Visiting and Social Work Training Act; where they are situated; how many more are planned for the immediate future; and how many students are attending each course.

The following courses for social work established by local education authorities in England and Wales have been approved by the Council for Training in Social Work.

(a) Already in existence	No. of Students
College	1964–65
City of Birmingham College of Commerce	30
Bristol College of Commerce	27
Cardiff College of Commerce	27
Chiswick Polytechnic	11
Croydon Technical	30
High Wycombe College of Further Education	7
Lanchester College of Technology	21
Leeds College of Commerce	30
Liverpool College of Commerce	24
Manchester College of Commerce	27
Newcastle College of Commerce	10
North Western Polytechnic	34
South-East Essex College of Technology	10

(b)

asked the Minister of Health how many women were examined cytologically for cancer of the cervix in the year ended 31st December, 1964; how many of these were positive; what action was taken on the findings; and what plans he has to extend these facilities.

I regret the information is not available centrally. On plans for extending facilities, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies which I gave to similar Questions on 23rd November last.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to improve the position of the general practitioner.

A number of measures are described in my replies today to the right hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton) and my hon. Friend the Member of Willesden, East (Mr. Freeson). Other steps are:—

asked the Minister of Health what consideration he has given to the possibility of pooling local authority contributions for the training of social workers under the Health Visiting and Social Work Training Act, so that all contribute according to their resources to a central fund from which all could benefit; and if he will make statement.

I am not aware of any demand for such arrangements, but I will bear the noble Lord's point in mind.

asked the Minister of Health what proposals he has approved for the complete modernisation of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Bournemouth.

In the long term a new district hospital to replace the Royal Victoria is envisaged. In the meantime, work to modernise and upgrade the existing hospital substantially is going ahead, following the completion of an accident department and other additions last year.

asked the Minister of Health how many midwives are employed in the new midwifery block at the Montagu Hospital, Mexborough.

The new block will not be ready for use until later this month.

asked the Minister of Health how many vacancies now exist in the Hospital Pharmacy Service; and if he is satisfied with the present level of recruitment to that service.

Hospital authorities estimate a need for an additional 384 qualified pharmacists in whole-time equivalents. A claim for increases in the salaries of hospital pharmacists is now before the appropriate Whitley Council and I have no doubt that in considering it they will take recruitment into account together with other relevant factors.

asked the Minister of Health how many pay beds are being made available for private patients in Huddersfield at the new hospital in Lindley, and the new extension to St. Lukes; and if he is satisfied that the allocation is correct.

No formal proposals have been received for the designation of pay beds in the new hospital at Lindley, which is not yet in use. 16 pay beds have been approved in the extension to St. Lukes, in replacement of the 16 in accommodation that has been demolished. This is subject to the outcome of my review of policy on pay beds.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that there are sufficient maternity beds available in the Bournemouth area; and if he will make a statement.

Fourteen additional obstetric beds were opened at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Boscombe last year, and with these the total number of maternity beds for the area is regarded as adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to recruit highly-trained technical officers and ratings for the Royal Navy, and to ensure that there is a sufficiency of this type of officer and rating available as reserves in any emergency.

Most of our technical officers and ratings come to us from school, and we then give them a full technical training. Some technical officers come in as graduate mechanical and electrical engineers. We want to attract more graduates, and we have started a University Cadetship Scheme. To get more technical ratings, we are stepping up our apprentice entry. All these measures help to build up trained reserves.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the large decrease in the number of Her Majesty's Forces in the last few years, how much land previously held for military purposes has been released in the past five years; and what proposals he has for releasing land at present held for military purposes.

Since 1st April, 1959, 194,000 acres. The amount of land required for defence purposes is and will remain under continual review, and a further 67,500 acres are at present in varying stages of disposal.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware of concern at the closing of the United States Air Force Base at Burtonwood and its transference to London, and at the proposed closure of the cold storage unit in Bootle, which will affect some shipping in the port of Liverpool; and if he will make arrangements to enable workers affected to be offered alternative employment.

Yes, Alternative Government work will be offered to as many employees as possible, although I can give no assurance that all the vacancies will be in the Burtonwood area.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware that the United States now possesses a more powerful long-range missile, Poseidon, which is to replace Polaris; whether this missile is to be supplied for use in British Polaris submarines; what it would cost; and if he will make a statement.

Poseidon is a proposed development of Polaris and will complement, not replace, the A.3 missile. We have no present plans for adopting it.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the weekly cost of the British operations in Malaysia.

The extra cost, additional to the cost of the normal deployment of our forces, is about £90,000 a week.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers enlisted on S-type engagements have applied for and obtained their discharge before being interviewed by a Regular Commissions Board, during the years 1962, 1963, and 1964, with the reasons for discharge in each case.

I regret that these figures are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what studies he is making of the anomalies in the present system of paying pensions to retired Servicemen and their widows; whether he will replace the existing arrangements with a new code designed to take account of the greater needs of those longest retired; when he expects his review to be completed; and if he will make a statement.

The position of public service pensioners, including Armed Forces pensioners and their widows, is under review and the House will be informed in due course of the Government's intentions.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many persons were executed for offences now covered by the Navy Discipline Act, the Army Act and the Air Force Act in the 25 years to the last convenient date.

Forty-five for murder, three for mutiny. One for treachery.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, apart from the ice patrol ship H.M.S. "Protector" in Antarctic waters, what other British warships are at present on the South Atlantic and South American station; and if, under the provisions of the Anglo-South African Simonstown Agreement, a naval emergency of mutual concern in this area would have at this moment to be met by South African naval units only.

H.M.S. "Protector" is at present the only British warship on the South Atlantic and South American station. The arrangements for deployment of H.M. ships in an emergency would depend upon the circumstances at the time.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware that the lack of British naval forces on the South Atlantic and South American station at present represents a breach of the Simonstown Agreement in that, as H.M. ships are not available, no co-operation and exercises for the furtherance of mutual defence in the South Atlantic area with South African naval forces are now possible and if he will take action to ensure more collaboration between the two navies.

The allocation of H.M. ships to the South Atlantic and South American station is decided in the light of the R.N.'s world-wide commitments including collaboration under the Simonstown Agreement. There is no specific obligation under this Agreement to have H.M. ships on the station at all times.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many of H.M. submarines have been made available in the past two years for joint anti-submarine exercises in the South Atlantic area between British and South African naval forces.

Two.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date Her Majesty's Government accepted a commitment to the South African Government to build a number of conventional submarines in British shipyards; and when his Department will ask for tenders from shipbuilders.

There is no such commitment.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what other commitments to manufacture or supply arms to the South African Government Her Majesty's Government have, apart from those which have already been made public; and what is the approximate value of such undisclosed orders to British industry.

It is not the practice to give details of orders for arms placed by overseas Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to lighten the amount of equipment carried by British troops on jungle patrols in Malaysia; and whether any reduction has yet been made in the normal infantry soldier's pack weight of 80 pounds.

It is now recognised that the weight which should be carried by the soldier in normal operating conditions in the jungle should if possible be one third of his body weight, on average about 55 lb. load.We are now trying to achieve this.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to provide more air-conditioning in older ships in the Far East Fleet.

As the Question recognises, it is our policy to fit air-conditioning in all new warships and Royal Fleet Auxiliaries likely to serve in the tropics. Of the older ships in the Far East Fleet, many are fully air-conditioned. Of the others, the escorts and minesweepers are partly air-conditioned; we plan to improve these as much and as quickly as we can, though we have to take account of their likely future life and employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied that the Alouette helicopters of the Royal Malaysian Air Force are capable of providing adequate transport and support for British ground forces in Sabah; and if he will make a statement.

The Alouette is not a transport helicopter. It is used for reconnaissance and liaison. The Royal Malaysian Air Force uses its Alouette helicopters in conjunction with the helicopters of the Royal Air Force in support of Malaysian and British ground forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when it is estimated naval helicopters will be withdrawn from inland ground support duties in central Sarawak and returned to their parent Commando ship; (2) what progress is being made in the relief by Royal Air Force helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft of similar naval aircraft performing non-naval rôles in Malaysia.

In joint operations no distinction is recognised between naval and non-naval rôles for helicopters. The naval helicopters now disembarked in the Far East will be returned to their parent ship as circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made in replacing Royal Navy gunboats of Naval Party Kilo at Kuching with more suitable craft, either British or Malaysian.

We expect that the Royal Navy craft of Naval Party Kilo will shortly be replaced by Royal Malaysian Police craft. Since the spring of 1964 the boats of Party Kilo have been most successful in preventing infiltration by sea.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence is he is satisfied that the aircraft available to Royal Air Force Transport Command in the Far East are the most suitable; and what replacements and reinforcements are envisaged.

The medium-range transport element of Far East Air Force is equipped with the most suitable aircraft at present available to the Royal Air Force. No replacement types are expected in the near future. Reinforcements can be provided as and when they are required.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence is he is aware that there is now a need for high-speed patrol craft in the Far East Fleet; and what steps he proposes to take to provide them.

I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 30th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure was incurred in the care and maintenance of the Valiant aircraft in the past four years; when the defects in this aircraft were discovered; what replacements are contemplated; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I have given today to the hon. and learned Member for Walsall, North (Mr. William Wells). As regards expenditure on care and maintenance, this has totalled a little under £20 million in the last four years. This figure covers items like spare parts, repairs and normal servicing but excludes the cost of personnel, for whom care and maintenance has been merely a part of their work.

asked the Minister of Labour what plans he has for the re-employment of the 342 workers rendered redundant by the closing of the Imperial Chemical Industries factory at West Quarter, Stirlingshire.

I understand that no redundancy has yet taken place at this factory, but it has been made known that production is to start running down in March and will cease by the end of the year. The company has said that it will be prepared to offer alternative employment to some workers willing to transfer to Ardeer, Ayrshire. Our local officers are in close touch with the management and will arrange for the advance registration of the workers at the factory as soon as details of the redundancies are known. Every assistance will be given to all those who need our help in finding other jobs.

asked the Minister of Labour what has been the percentage increase in the Index of Retail Prices from 1939, 1945 and 1949, respectively, to 31st December, 1964.

Up to June, 1947, the only official index of retail prices was the Cost of Living Index based on a 1914 standard of consumption. Any attempt to link these early figures with the Interim Index of Retail Prices and the Index of Retail Prices figures compiled from June, 1947, to January, 1956, and from January, 1956, onwards would not be profitable. The percentage increase in the Cost of Living Index between 1939 and mid-June, 1947, was 28½ per cent. There was no change in this index between 1945 and mid-June, 1947. The increases in the retail prices index between mid-June, 1947, and mid-December, 1964, and between 1949 and mid-December, 1964, were 97 per cent. and 78 per cent. respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour on what date the International Labour Organisation issued its amended Convention No. 96.

This Convention was adopted by the International Labour Conference on 1st July, 1949. It came into force on 18th July, 1951.

asked the Minister of Labour what provisions were made in the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 96 for its ratification.

A country undertaking to apply this Convention must communi- cate its formal ratification to the Director-General of the International Labour Office for registration. The Convention becomes binding on a country 12 months after its ratification has been registered.Article 2 of the Convention requires each ratifying country to state whether it accepts Part II or Part III of the Convention. Part II provides for the progressive abolition of fee-charging employment agencies which are run for profit and for the regulation of those which are not. Part III provides for the regulation of all fee-charging employment agencies whether or not run for profit. A country which has accepted Part III can later alter this to an acceptance of Part II.

asked the Minister of Labour how many and which countries have ratified the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 96 under Part II (abolition) and how many and which under Part III (regulation).

Twenty-eight countries have ratified this Convention, and of these 23 have accepted Part II (abolition) and 5 have accepted Part III (regulation).The following countries have accepted Part II:

Algeria.	Ivory Coast.
Belgium.	Libya.
Bolivia.	Luxembourg.
Brazil.	Mauritania.
Costa Rica.	Netherlands.
Cuba.	Norway.
Finland.	Pakistan.
France.	Poland.
Gabon.	Sweden.
Federal Republic of Germany.	Syrian Arab Republic.
	United Arab Republic.
Guatemala.
Italy.

The following countries have accepted Part III:

Ceylon.	Senegal.
Israel.	Turkey.
Japan.

asked the Minister of Labour when Her Majesty's Government announced its intention of ratifying the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 96 by the introduction of suitable legislation.

The Government announced in July, 1951, in Cmd. 8286 that they proposed in due course to introduce the legislation necessary to enable this Convention to be ratified.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he expects to attend a further meeting of the European Free Trade Association.

The next meeting of the Ministerial Council of the European Free Trade Association is expected to take place on 22nd and 23rd February. My right hon. Friends the First Secretary of State and the President of the Board of Trade will be attending this meeting on behalf of Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made to the Federal German Government about the application of the statute of limitations to the institution of prosecutions of Nazi war criminals after May, 1965; and what reply has been received.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what consultations Her Majesty's Government have had with other Governments about the readiness for urgent rescue operations in disturbed areas of the world where the lives of United Kingdom and other nationals become endangered.

It is the responsibility of every Government to protect nationals of other States within its territories.The Government have much in mind the dangers confronting British subjects in some regions and have consulted with friendly Governments whenever the need has arisen.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action is being taken to improve the status and gradings of the appointments of locally-engaged commercial officers in posts abroad, following the recommendation in paragraph 245 of the Report by the Plowden Committee.

Since 1963, a Diplomatic Service Inspector with commercial expertise has been investigating the commercial effort overseas of the Foreign Service. He will in future cover the effort of the entire Diplomatic Service overseas. As a result of his recommendations and those of Heads of Mission, 38 officers serving in commercial sections abroad have so far been promoted, 26 additional posts in commercial departments overseas have been authorised, and a number of accountable entertainment allowances have been authorised or increased. Market officers have been renamed commercial officers, and every effort is being made to press on with the introduction of pension schemes for locally-engaged staff overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what assistance he will give to Mr. Adam Faith, Miss Dusty Springfield and other British artists in the difficulties which have arisen over their appearances before multi-racial audiences in South Africa.

The Government cannot interfere in disputes between the parties to private contracts. We have however asked the South African Government for a definition of their policy with regard to multi-racial audiences. Whatever information we receive will be passed on to the professional associations concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements have been made for an official visit by the Shah of Persia to this country.

His Imperial Majesty the Shah, accompanied by the Empress Farah, plans to pay a private visit to this country during the early part of March. Arrangements for the visit are, of course, in the hands of the Shah, but we expect that the opportunity of his visit will be taken for discussions with Her Majesty's Government on matters of common interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish a list containing the names of every member of the United Nations which, because its total arrears equal or exceed the amount of the contributions due from it for the preceding two full years, has now become liable to lose its vote in the General Assembly in accordance with the mandatory provision of Article 19 of the Charter.

According to United Nations General Assembly Document A/5847 of 18th January, 1965, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House, the following 16 Member States were on that date in arrears in the payment of their contributions to the United Nations, in amounts in excess of their assessed contributions for the preceding two full years:

• Albania.
• Belgium.
• Bolivia.
• Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic.
• Cuba.
• Czechoslovakia.
• France.
• Haiti.
• Hungary.
• Paraguay.
• Poland.
• Rumania.
• South Africa.
• Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.
• Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
• Yemen.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a further statement about the Egyptian Government's failure to pay the promised compensation to individuals and firms who have had their assets expropriated due to acts of nationalisation by the United Arab Republic.

I hope to be able to do so fairly soon. But at present I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne) on 16th November last.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has received from the Spanish Government to his protests against the delays and obstructions at the Gibraltar frontier; and if he will make a statement.

As the House will be aware, representations about the restrictions on transit of the Gibraltar frontier were made to the Spanish Government on a number of occasions in November and December. These failed to secure the lifting of the retrictions.Her Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid, acting on instructions therefore handed to the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs on 11th January a Note formally protesting against the restrictions and requesting the Spanish Government to lift them forthwith.A Spanish reply to this Note, received on 18th January, merely reiterated an earlier request to Her Majesty's Government to enter into conversations about Gibraltar, following the consensus adopted by the United Nations Committee of 24 on 16th October, 1964. Her Majesty's Ambassador accordingly delivered a further Note to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 22nd January, reaffirming the statement made in our Note of 11th January that Her Majesty's Government will not entertain any proposals for conversations with regard to Gibraltar so long as the present abnormal situation on the Spanish frontier with Gibraltar continues. We have made it clear to the Spanish Government that we cannot in any case regard the question of sovereignty as a matter for negotiation. Her Majesty's Government have also made their position clear in the United Nations.As my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary told the House on 26th November, Her Majesty's Government are fully aware of their obligations to protect the welfare of Gibraltar and the legitimate interests of its people. We shall take all necessary measures to that end.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will initiate discussions with the Spanish Government on the effect on their tourist industry caused by the restrictions at Gibraltar.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in the interests of improved commercial communications, he will authorise the installation of a telex machine in the commercial section of the British Embassy in Moscow for the use of visiting businessmen.

The best method of providing commercial communications for British businessmen in Moscow is now under discussion between the Departments and commercial organisations concerned.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will make a statement on the percentage of increase of productivity on new works in the building industry for the last three quarters of which figures are available.

Between the last quarter of 1963 and the third quarter of 1964 output per operative on new construction work rose by about 4 per cent. The figures over short periods show sharp fluctuations and are not, therefore, a reliable guide to longer term trends.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he has now made a comprehensive survey of the availability of building materials; and if he will make a statement.

I have met the producers of the key building materials. Production of these materials is being increased progressively during 1965 to levels which should generally ease the position. There may, however, be continuing difficulties over cement. I shall continue to watch closely the supply of all building materials in case further action is required.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps he is taking to prevent high rates of interest from slowing down production in the building industry.

It is too early to estimate the effect of current rates of interest on the building industry, but I do not expect a fall in the industry's output.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what has been the increase in the cost of joinery products for the building industry since 15th October, 1964.

The cost of joinery products for the building industry increased by approximately 5½ percent. between October and December, 1964.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what has been the increase in the cost of imported plywood board for the building industry since 15th October, 1964.

The cost of imported plywood board for the building industry increased by slightly less than 14 percent. between October and December, 1964.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what are the difficulties which are holding up his announcement of the changeover to Parliamentary control of the Palace of Westminster; and when he expects to make a full statement.

These are complex matters; discussions are taking place and a statement will be made when possible.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether negotiations have been completed with the firm which rebuilt the Downing Street site; and what was the final figure agreed to.

Agreement has now been reached between the Ministry and Messrs. John Mowlem & Company Limited on the fee payable to the company as main contractor for the Downing Street and Treasury reconstruction scheme. The company has accepted the Ministry's offer of a total fee of £25,000. This amount comprises the quoted fee of £15,000, which was based on the scope of work as originally defined, and £10,000 calculated on a pro-rata basis for the increased scope of work carried out. No ex-gratia allowance has been made.The completed buildings are now structurally sound and equipped to present-day standards, and their historical character has been preserved and enhanced. The quality of the work done is very good.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what progress he has made in providing simple office accommodation for Members of Parliament.

289 Members at present have a separate desk and filing cabinet. About 60 additional desk places will become available by Easter, but about 40 of these will be only temporary and rather further from the Chamber than I would wish. A further 30 or so places will be available later this year.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how far his investigation into the conditions in the manned lifts in the House of Commons has progressed; and whether he will outline the structural alterations which he proposes to make before the summer, in the interest of the attendants.

Throughout last summer the Ministry's engineers kept a check on the conditions in these lifts and reported that ventilation was satisfactory. During this period no complaints were received. I have, however, found that one of the manned lifts lacks an attendant's seat; I am arranging for one to be provided.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works at which public buildings under his care he is planning to stage Son et Lumiere this summer.

No arrangements have so far been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government concerning the entry to Great Britain of nationals of the German Democratic Republic; and whether visas have been refused to such nationals wishing to visit relatives resident in Great Britain.

There is no special restriction on the entry into this country of East Germans in possession of an acceptable travel document. There is no record of a United Kingdom visa having been refused during the last 12 months to any East German seeking to come here for the purpose of paying a bona fide private visit to relatives in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of previous convictions of persons found guilty of capital murder since the Homicide Act, 1957, came into force, the nature of the previous offences committed by these persons and the sum totals in each category for the period 1957 to 1964, for England and Wales and for Scotland.

The following is the Answer:

PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS OF PERSONS FOUND GUILTY OF CAPITAL MURDER
A. ENGLAND AND WALES
Year	Number of persons found guilty of capital murder	Number of previous convictions, by types of offences (excluding additional findings of guilt recorded at the same time as the conviction for the principal offence and offences taken into consideration by the court in passing sentence)
		Total	Violence against the person	Sex	Breaking and Entering	Receiving, Frauds and False Pretences	Larceny	Motoring	Others
1957	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	1	4	—	—	1	—	2	1	—
	1	1	—	—	1	—	—	—	—
	1	1	—	—	—	1	—	—	—
1958	1	6	—	—	3	—	3	—	—
	1	4	—	1	—	—	1	—	2
	1	12	—	—	2	—	8	—	2
	1	3	—	—	—	1	1	—	1
	1	5	—	—	2	—	3	—	—
	1	21	—	4	—	1	15	—	1
	1	18	—	—	5	—	10	—	3
	1	5	2	—	—	—	3	—	—
1959	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	1	4	—	—	2	—	2	—	—
	1	2	1	1	—	—	—	—	—
	1	1	—	—	—	—	1	—	—
	1	1	—	—	1	—	—	—	—
1960	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	1	3	1	—	—	—	2	—	—
	1	5	—	—	—	—	2	3	—
	1	4	—	—	—	1	3	—	—
	1	5	—	—	1	—	4	—	—
	1	7	—	—	1	—	6	—	—
	1	3	—	—	2	—	1	—	—
	1	6	—	—	—	—	2	2	2
1961	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	1	4	—	—	—	—	3	—	1
	1	6	—	—	—	1	1	4	—
	1	3	1	—	—	—	2	—	—
	1	12	1	1	1	1	5	—	3
	1	4	—	—	1	—	2	—	1
	1	4	—	—	4	—	—	—	—
1962	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	1	4	—	—	1	—	3	—	—
	1	2	—	—	—	—	2	—	—
	1	7	—	—	1	1	—	1	4
1963	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	1	8	—	—	2	—	6	—	—
1964	1	6	4	1	—	—	1	—	—
	1	2	—	—	—	—	1	—	1
	1	5	—	—	1	2	—	2	—
	1	3	—	—	1	—	2	—	—
	1	2	—	—	—	—	2	—	—
	1	11	1	—	2	—	5	2	1
Totals	52	204	11	8	35	9	104	15	22

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give a table showing the number of prisons in England and

I would refer the hon. Member to Appendix 3 to the Report on Prisons and Borstals for 1963 presented to Parliament in June last (Cmd. 2381). The corresponding report for 1964 is in course of preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been executed in the United Kingdom for offences other than murder in the 25 years to the last convenient date.

In the years 1940–1964 17 persons were executed in Great Britain after conviction by a civil court of an offence other than murder. Two had been convicted of treason, and 15 of an offence under the Treachery Act, 1940. There was also one execution in Great Britain of a person convicted by court martial of an offence under the Treachery Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when draft proposals for legislation to ratify the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 96 were prepared by his Department.

Draft proposals were circulated to the associations of local authorities in 1955 and to the Trades' Union Congress, employers' associations and other interested bodies in 1957.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information was given to the Trades Union Congress in June, 1961, as to the progress of the Government's intention to introduce legislation in ratification of the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 96.

According to my information the Trades Union Congress was informed on 1st November, 1960, that pressure of Parliamentary business had so far prevented the introduction of legislation on fee-charging employment agencies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Trade Union Congress was notified that the Government's consultations with employers and agencies on the ratification of the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 96 were complete.

No notification to this effect has been given to the Trades Union Congress.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, during the years in which legislation in ratification of the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 96 has been awaited, abuses have flourished, especially in the case of theatrical agents, such as the charging of commission by employers on the salaries of their own employees; and if he will introduce the necessary legislation without further delay.

My hon. Friend has already drawn my attention to this complaint about the operation of certain theatrical agencies and consideration is being given to it. The question of legislation to ratify the Convention is under consideration, but my right hon. Friend cannot undertake to give priority to it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received the report of the Departmental inquiry into shops legislation which was announced by his predecessor in the House of Commons on 23rd January, 1964; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on this matter.

I am considering the replies to the inquiries made by my predecessor about the need for changes in the law relating to week-day trading in shops, together with the recommendations on Sunday trading made by the Departmental Committee on Sunday Observance. There is no prospect of legislation in the present Session.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made with simplifying the law so as to shorten the time between a prospective elector's 21st birthday and the date on which he may vote.

This is among the matters being considered in our review of electoral law.