asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what study he has made of the experience of rent control in Sweden; and, in view of this, if he will now reconsider the Government's decision to repeal the Rent Act.

The Swedish experience, so far as it is relevant here, in my view confirms the rightness of the Government's decision to replace the Rent Act with a new flexible measure of Rent Regulation.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent he endorses the proposals contained in the White Paper, Command Paper No. 2050, entitled Housing.

I first learnt most of the proposals in Command Paper 2050 from speeches delivered by right hon. Friends of mine from the Opposition Front Bench. But there were a few clothes left on the bank unstolen. By not including any proposals to deal with exorbitant rents and land speculators for example the White Paper failed to tackle some of the worst housing problems.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what plans he has for reducing the use of bricks in connection with the construction of new houses; what schemes he has in that connection to make greater use of modern substitutes such as prefabricated panels; and whether he will arrange to circularise local authorities on this subject.

My right hon. Friend is constantly encouraging the wider use of industrialised methods based on a variety of materials, including different types of panels. Local authorities are kept informed, through day-to-day contacts, of what is available, and are encouraged to arrange joint programmes to obtain the best results. He will shortly be telling authorities, in a circular, of the help they can obtain from the National Building Agency in selecting and using industrialised systems.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now state the target fixed by him for new houses and flats to be built in 1965, and indicate how many are expected to be built by private enterprise, how many by local authorities, and how many by housing associations.

At present my right hon. Friend expects that the number of dwellings completed in Great Britain in 1965 will be about 400,000; 7,000 by housing associations, 160,000 by public authorities and 230,000 by private enterprise.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent it is his policy to encourage local authorities to make loans to citizens for the purpose of house purchase.

I certainly think that local authorities can make a useful contribution. They can, in particular, help with loans at or approaching 100 per cent. which are not normally available through building societies.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what are his plans, apart from production of a leaflet, for giving wider publicity to the main terms of the Protection from Eviction Act, in order to help tenants who are unaware of them and who are still being evicted by their landlords.

Last week I issued a statement, which was widely reported in the Press, showing the reduction since the Act came into force in cases of homelessness through eviction in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. I am writing an open letter to the people of these four cities to invite their co-operation in making sure that everyone who needs the Act's protection knows about it. I have also sent a circular to local authorities reminding them of their powers to prosecute for offences under the Act. I hope that my hon. Friend's Question and my Answer will also be widely reported.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what information he has of the effect so far of the Protection from Eviction Act 1964; and what special measures he is taking to publicise the provisions of this Act.

Inquiries have been made at my request in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. These show that since the Act came into force homelessness resulting from eviction has been substantially reduced, in some cases by more than half. I am also making arrangements to be kept informed of cases dealt with by the courts under the Act. On the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my earlier reply to the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities have found it necessary to suspend the granting of mortgages for home ownership since Bank Rate was increased to 7 per cent.

According to the information reaching me, very few have suspended lending and some of these have now resumed. Precise statistics on this are not available, nor on how many have increased interest rates.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, having regard to the expressed intention of certain local authorities to raise their mortgage interest rates to 7¼ per cent. whether he will send a circular requesting local authorities to refrain from such action.

Local authorities have a choice of methods for operating mortgage schemes. Some charge borrowers fixed rates directly related to the rates currently paid by local authorities for long term loans. Others, who have loans pools, lend at variable rates which are related to the loans pool rate, and are thus able to even out the effect of temporary fluctuations in external borrowing rates. In my long-term review of the cost of mortgage loans for owner occupiers, I shall consider whether further arrangements are needed to avert sudden increases of the kind my hon. Friend describes.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities suspended the granting of home loans between 16th October, 1964, and 30th January, 1965; and which they are.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given earlier today to the hon. Member for Somerset, North (Mr. Dean).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent he took into account, when allowing a new village for 6,000 people at Hartley, Kent, the nature and scope of commuter rail services.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what discussions he had with the transport authorities, and particularly the Railways Board, before overruling his inspector and agreeing to the development of 200 acres in the North Downs in Kent.

Ample evidence was given at the inquiry and I have made myself generally conversant with the views of the Railways Board and my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport on the London commuter problem.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what plans he has for widening and improving the roads from Ash and Hartley to cope with the increased traffic following the decision to house 5,000 or 6,000 people in the new commuter village.

The widening and improvement of classified roads in the area is a matter for the Kent County Council as highway authority. Any proposals it puts forward to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport will receive early consideration.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, before granting planning permission for the proposed new village at North Ash, near Hartley, Kent, he himself inspected the site in question; and it he will now make such an inspection.

I rely in these matters on the report of the inspector and I am not prepared to disclose whether I happen to be personally familiar with an appeal site or not. There is no object in visiting sites after decisions have been given. This decision has been given and it would be best if all concerned would now accept that.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent his recent decision to grant permission for the building of a new village in Ash and Hartley signifies a change in the Government's policy towards the green belt.

There is no change in Government policy towards the green belt; so the answer is: to no extent.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if it is his policy to encourage local authorities to build houses for sale; and if he will authorise loans for this purpose.

My right hon. Friend is always ready to consider proposals from local authorities to build for sale where it seems that this will make a useful contribution to meeting local housing needs without prejudicing their primary job of building houses to rent.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will introduce legislation to ensure that all subsidised local authority housing is subject to rent rebate or differential rent schemes.

No.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the difficulties of Service landlords, officers and other ranks, who want to let their houses, furnished or unfurnished, when they are posted overseas; and if he will make provision for these people in the forthcoming Rent Act.

I am aware of the concern that has been expressed, but I do not think that the Protection from Eviction Act should in practice give rise to difficulties for Service landlords. I will, however, bear the point in mind in preparing the new ligislation on rents.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the present position about the use for housing of the land at present occupied by the Marylebone goods yard; and what steps he proposes to take to see that the interests of local residents who are not housed or homeless are fully protected.

I understand that some of the land is available now and the rest will become available in stages up to March, 1967. Its future development will be discussed by the Greater London Council with the borough council. I am sure it will be the concern of both authorities to provide for local people who are in housing need.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the average rate of interest paid on advances from building societies on 15th October, 1964; what is now the average rate; whether he is satisfied with the position; and what action he proposes to take in the next six months.

Samples for the nearest available dates 1st October, 1964, and 1st January, 1965, showed an average return on advances of about 6 per cent. and 6·1 per cent., respectively. I do not know what the present average figure is. As my right hon. Friends and I have made plain, the Government intend to reduce the burden falling on house purchasers, and we are considering the best way of doing this.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many Commonwealth immigrants and aliens respectively, including their dependants, were estimated to have been inadequately housed at the last date for which figures are available.

No figures are available; though when the Census data is all published it will be found to contain some housing information specifically relating to Commonwealth immigrants.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, whether he will change his instructions contained in Circular No. 29/62, Practice Note 39 (c), stating that replacement of existing but obsolete, damaged or inefficient facilities and equipment do not qualify for improvement grant.

No. There is no power to pay grants for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he intends to alter the target of 400,000 completed new dwellings in 1965 in view of the shortage of bricks, copper tubing, plaster board and other building materials and fittings which has become increasingly apparent in the past nine months.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works and I are keeping a close watch on the supply of building materials. We think that the shortages can be overcome.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that the London County Council is charging 7¼ per cent. on housing loans; if he was consulted before this rate was introduced; how long he expects it to operate and if he will make a statement.

I am aware of this increase. The London County Council's home loans scheme provides for an interest rate ⅜ per cent. above the higher rate charge by the Public Works Loan Board. I would therefore expect the council's lending rate to reflect any favourable turn in P.W.L.B. rates.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will give an assurance that he will relate the development of green belt and open sites to be re-zoned for urban development in the vicinity of Greater London to rehousing needs in specific twilight areas in need of clearance and redevelopment; and whether he will encourage by circular the local authorities concerned to negotiate purchase and, if necessary, initiate compulsory purchase procedure to meet these town planning needs.

My right hon. Friend does not think it would be satisfactory to relate the development of particular sites outside London to the re-development of particular sites inside. The Greater London Council in building outside London will have to have regard to the most urgent needs, however they arise, and also to the ability of people to move to the particular site. But obviously they will bear in mind the value of clearing whole areas when that is possible.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects local planning authorities to complete their reviews of green belt policy; and if he will make a statement on the extent to which he is prepared to allow encroachments into the green belt before the completion of such planning reviews.

Local planning authorities were asked to see whether any small areas which are not essential to the purpose of the approved metropolitan green belt could be released for housing, and also to re-examine their proposals for extending the green belt. These reviews are bound to take time and my right hon. Friend cannot say at this stage when they will be completed. He has to deal with development proposals on their merits in the light of general policy.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is his policy regarding the metropolitan green belt; and to what extent it differs from that of the previous administration.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher) on 8th December, 1964.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to announce a decision with regard to the green belt round Bristol and Bath.

On the Somerset part of this proposed green belt my right hon. Friend is still in consultation with the county council about his proposed modifications. He cannot at the moment say when it will be possible to reach a final decision. The Gloucestershire part is at a more advanced stage and he will be writing to the county council shortly.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what criteria have been set for the review by local planning authorities of development in the metropolitan green bent, particularly with regard to the release of green belt land for housing.

I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Dudley Smith) on 21st December.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what were the planning grounds for his recent decision to allow a new village with a population of 6,000 to be built in the London Green Belt at Hartley, Kent, despite the objections of the Dartford Rural District Council and the Kent County Planning Authority, and against the recommendation of his inspector, who presided over a public inquiry following appeal by the prospective private developer against planning refusal by the local authorities.

The letter giving my decision sets out my reasons for it, and I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations have been received by the National Parks Commission about Designation Order 196; whether these will cause delays before he approves the order; and if he will give an assurance that no time will be lost before he gives his decision, in view of the fact that five years have elapsed since the Commission published its first plans proposing the designation of the Sussex Downs as an area of outstanding natural beauty.

I understand that the National Parks Commission have received representations about their proposals from some 35 different authorities, firms and individuals. Some have asked that the designated area should be extended, others that it should be reduced. The Commission must consider all these representations before submitting an order to my right hon. Friend but when they do so he will come to a decision as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that some local authorities take years to pay their accounts, whereas other authorities demand a discount for prompt payment; if he will recommend councils to adopt the latter policy; and if he will make a statement.

No, but if the hon. Member has evidence my right hon. Friend will look into it. The payment of accounts is a matter for the local authority to deal with under arrangements normally provided for in their standing orders and financial regulations.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he has lately received from the Essex Branch of the County Landowners' Association and from other local organisations in the county of Essex about the South-East Plan; and what reply he has made.

None.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will increase the amount at present allowed under the Local Government Financial Loss Allowance Regulations, and also the subsistences allowed under the regulations.

My right hon. Friend will shortly be making new regulations providing for increases in the maximum rate of subsistence allowance for members of local authorities, which were last revised in 1959. No increases are, however, proposed in the current maximum rate of financial loss allowances; these were prescribed more recently in 1962.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is satisfied that the interests of conserving agricultural land are fully appreciated by local planning authorities; and whether he is aware that there is some anxiety in the West Midlands that marginal land, some of which may lie in the Birmingham green belt, is being preserved and good agricultural land in the near vicinity of towns and villages is threatened with re-designation to housing development.

Local planning authorities are well aware of the need to conserve good agricultural land, and in the West Midlands as elsewhere they have to weigh this need against housing and other needs in the particular circumstance of each case.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will seek to amend the existing rating Acts to provide for rates to be levied on premises which are habitable but have been unoccupied for a period of 12 months or more.

I must ask the hon. Member to await the outcome of the Government's examination of local government finance, which will include the rating system.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when the Boundary Commission will review the boundaries of Swindon; when Swindon will be given county borough status; and when the municipal wards will be reorganised, in view of the great increase in population in recent years.

I understand that the Commission intend to begin their review this year and it will then be open to the council to put forward proposals for county borough status. The council may at any time submit a petition for the alteration of the borough wards under the procedure laid down in the Local Government Act, 1933.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what advice he has given to the Greater London Council and the Greater London Borough Councils to ensure efficiency and guard against the wasteful usage of the skilled manpower that they need in setting up their new establishments.

I am sure the new authorities will have these points in mind without the need of any advice from my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government which recommendations contained in the South-East Study are now the subject of discussion with the local authorities concerned with a view to their implementation.

My right hon. Friend is not at present engaged in any discussions with the local authorities on implementation of the South-East Study.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what arrangements he has made with Ashford Urban District Council to discuss the recommendations contained in the South-East Study on Ashford's future expansion.

None as yet.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement about the transfer of a further part of the charges for education from local rates to the National Exchequer.

The extent to which local expenditure should be financed from the rates and the Exchequer, respectively, is one of the main questions being considered in the Government's examination of local government finance. I must ask the hon. Member to await the outcome of that examination.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government on what date he now expects to publish the report of the Allen Committee dealing with rating.

25th February.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement on his policy towards the site, located in the area east of Warrington, Lancashire, designated as a new town to meet the housing needs of the city of Manchester.

I hope to make a statement shortly.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has yet forwarded to the Worcestershire County Council his comments on its proposals for the development of the central area of Bromsgrove.

Yes; on 15th January.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will set up a local inquiry to assess the benefits of dividing the local government area at present covered by the Basildon Urban District Council in order to create two separate areas, one to include Billericay and Wickford, the other to include Basildon New Town.

No. I have no power to take the initiative in this way. I doubt, also, whether it would be desirable to make the change proposed in advance of the comprehensive review of local authority areas which the Local Government Commission and Essex County Council will need to carry out.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what decision he has reached about voting by aldermen and councillors who are council house tenants.

I propose to give a general dispensation to council house tenants to speak on matters affecting council housing, provided, of course, that their interest is declared. I do not think it appropriate that tenants should vote when they have a financial interest unless the balance of parties requires it.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many British journalists and how many other British subjects, respectively, have been expelled or banned from Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika, Zanzibar and Tanzania, respectively, since the independence of each of these countries; and in how many cases official protests have been made.

According to the records in my Department, the numbers are as follows:

• KENYA—Four journalists and six others.
• UGANDA—NO journalists; nineteen others.
• TANGANYIKA—One journalist and eight others.
• ZANZIBAR—NO journalists; four others (these cases occurred after the union of Zanzibar with Tanganyika and did not entail expulsion from Tanganyika).
• TANZANIA—One journalist and four others.
• Official representations were made in thirty-seven of these cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what has been the result of the discussions of the Working Party on the proposals for a Commonwealth Secretariat.

I have nothing to add to my Written Reply of the 19th January to the hon. Member for Bilston (Mr. Robert Edwards).

asked the Minister of Overseas Development when she expects to visit Cyprus.

I have at present no plans in mind for a visit to Cyprus.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give consideration to the exemption of recognised educational bodies from the payment of Purchase Tax on gramophone records and musical instruments; and if he will make a statement.

No. My right hon. Friend cannot make special concessions to particular users of taxable articles.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the position will be where a farmer bequeaths a farm to his son following the imposition of a capital gains tax, taking into account the fact that his principal residence will not be affected.

I must ask my hon. Friend to await my right hon. Friend's detailed legislative proposals.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will remove the 15 per cent. import surcharge upon equipment and spare parts for winter sports chair-lift installations in Scotland, in view of the additional £1,850 which has recently been charged to the Cairngorms Winter Sports Development Board, a non-profit-making body whose members are unpaid, and because most of this equipment, needed for this special purpose, cannot be obtained in this country.

Relief from this charge could only be given under the provision in the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1964, which relates to articles to be used non-commercially for the promotion of sport. I understand that my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, who administers the provision, did not consider that the particular importation by the Cairngorms Winter Sports Development Board qualified for relief.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the 15 per cent. surcharge is levied on aircraft purchased by the Government from foreign countries.

Yes, except in the case of aircraft exceeding 18,000 lb. total weight, which are generally exempted from the charge.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the need in North-East Scotland for new industries; and, in framing his Budget, if he will take into account the need by providing tax free exemption to new industries in that area.

I have noted my hon. and learned Friend's suggestion. He will be aware that the existing provisions for free depreciation for capital expenditure are designed to encourage the establishment of new industries in development districts, which include much of North-East Scotland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer upon what basis a distinction has been drawn between the pay claims of typists in Government offices and the claims of certain other employees; and what steps he will take to remove the concern of the typists.

For each of the main Civil Service classes a separate and independent pay research survey of what is paid for comparable work outside is carried out. The evidence, and the pay claims, for each main class can therefore be different. The typists pay claim was, however, settled to the satisfaction of both sides on 26th January.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has noted the concern expressed by many typists in Government offices in South Wales about their status and pay, as revealed in recent correspondence from the hon. Member for Barry; and if he will announce his proposals to remove this concern.

Yes. The Treasury's offer in reply to the typists pay claim was accepted without qualification by the Civil Service Alliance on 26th January. The resultant increases ranged up to 47s. per week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many proposals for reduction in the rateable assessments of domestic hereditaments in Bournemouth were received between 1st April, 1963, and 1st April, 1964; and how many are still awaiting a hearing by the Valuation Panel.

4,170 proposals for properties of all kinds—separate figures for domestic hereditaments are not available. About 1,060 of these cases are awaiting a hearing, but a number of them may of course be settled out of court.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking to protect sterling against the consequences of the French Government's conversion of its £450 million foreign currency holdings into gold; how much of this he estimates to be held in sterling; what communications he has had with the French and United States Governments on this action; and if he will make a statement.

I know of no proposal by the French Government to make such a conversion.The Bank of France announced on 8th January that it was about to present dollars to the United States Treasury for conversion into gold to an amount equivalent to about £54 million, and that it would continue its normal monthly conversions of dollars into gold, increased as might be necessary to take account of the increase in its foreign currency reserves in the preceding month.As the French authorities do not reveal the individual foreign currency elements in their reserves it would not be proper for me to reveal the size of the sterling element, but I can say that it is very small. Although I have had no formal communication with the French or American Governments on this subject, I am always in touch with them and other Governments on matters of mutual interest.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will announce his proposals to deal with concern felt by machine operators in Government offices in South Wales, as revealed in recent correspondence from the hon. Member for Barry.

The Treasury's offer in reply to the pay claim of the Civil Service machine operators was accepted without qualification by the Civil Service Alliance on 26th January. The resultant increases ranged up to 26s. per week.

asked the Postmaster. General to what use the land is to be put which is being vacated at the corner of Stopgate Lane and Walton Hall Avenue, Liverpool; and if he will offer it to the Liverpool City Council.

This site is not being vacated. We hope to develop it either as a computer centre or as a trunk telephone exchange and shall shortly be consulting the city on our proposals.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will issue a special postage stamp in September, 1965, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Leominster (Mr. Clive Bossom).

asked the Postmaster. General what progress he is making with a British or Commonwealth satellite communications system.

The United Kingdom is participating in the creation of a world system of satellite communications, in partnership with the United States and with Commonwealth European and other countries. Cmnd. 2436 gives particulars. Satisfactory progress is being made towards the objective of achieving basic global coverage in the latter part of 1967.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the vandalism which has put telephone kiosks out of use in various parts of the Walton constituency in Liverpool; and what steps are being taken to ensure that such vandalism cannot take place.

A variety of measures has already been taken to combat repeated acts of vandalism, and others are being devised; but I am sure my hon. Friend will not expect me to reveal specific details of their nature.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the reason for the two months' delay in the opening of the new automatic telephone exchange at Boxmoor, compared with the target date of April, 1965, forecast by his predecessor.

When the forecast was made almost three years ago it was not possible to be more precise than that the exchange could not be opened before April, 1965. We now propose to convert the exchange to automatic working in June.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his timetable for the extension of the telephone service to the Four Marks area of the hon. Member for Petersfield's constituency is being adhered to; and if her constituents will have access to the service this spring.

Yes. Installation of additional plant and equipment to serve the Four Marks area is proceeding to plan and telephone service will be available this spring for the hon. Member's constituents there who are waiting for lines.

asked the Postmaster-General when the recently announced satellite television stations at Ballycastle and Portrush will be in operation.

The B.B.C. expect that these stations will be in operation by the middle of 1966.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the results of last year's trade drive in Australia and the British Exhibition in Sydney.

These events demonstrated Britain's active interest in the Australian market, brought many products of British industry before the Australian public and created much good will. British exporters have expressed themselves well satisfied both with the immediate results and with the longer term prospects. I trust that British exporters generally will follow up the interest and opportunities which this campaign has created.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present position regarding British membership of the Convention relating to a European Patent Law, prepared by representatives of the member countries of the European Economic Community, the draft of which was published by his Department in 1962.

Work by the member Governments of the E.E.C. on the proposed Convention is still continuing Her Majesty's Government have throughout been interested in the creation of a European Patent which would serve tie wider interests of European unity and, by conveying identical rights throughout much of Europe on a single application, would benefit industry generally.2. The text of the draft Convention is very largely acceptable to Her Majesty's Government as it stands and they have made clear to the Governments of the Community and to the Commission of the E.E.C. their readiness for full membership of such a Convention. Her Majesty's Government wish however to make it clear that they could accept the validity of the European Patent in the United Kingdom only if they had an equal voice in the procedures leading to the grant of the Patent. Her Majesty's Government regret that the members of the Community have not yet been able to indicate whether they are prepared to accept full membership of the Convention by countries outside the European Economic Community. A more limited form of participation would not appear to offer a satisfactory basis for negotiations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make an announcement on the proposed committee of inquiry into the shipbuilding industry.

Yes. I am pleased to say that Mr. Reay Geddes, O.B.E., Managing Director of the Dunlop Rubber Co. Ltd., has accepted my invitation to serve as Chairman of this Committee. Mr. Geddes is at present a member of the National Economic Development Council, but at my request the First Secretary of State has agreed to his release from that Council to enable him to accept this important appointment.The terms of reference of the Committee will be:—

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the nature of the communication recently sent by his Department to the Kent Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association, which has resulted in increased charges of about 500 per cent. being quoted to old people's organisations for using accommodation at Territorial Army centres in Kent; and to which other associations in other counties a similar communication has been sent;(2) what action he proposes to take as a consequence of the short notice sent by the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association, County of Kent, cancelling the licence on 31st January, 1965, to enable the Erith branch of the British Legion to hold meetings in the Drill Hall, Erith, bearing in mind the work this organisation does on behalf of Service men, both past and present, as well as their dependants.

The Ministry of Defence has not written recently to any Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association about letting charges. I understand that the Council of Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations wrote to all County Associations on 5th October, 1964, about a block fire insurance scheme and that this has caused some increase in the level of letting charges. While County Associations are encouraged to sub-let property when not required for military use, it is left to the Association to decide to whom and on what terms they sub-let, provided that proper guarantees against damage to property are obtained, and that the rent charged is at least sufficient to cover the cost of heating, lighting, cleaning, maintenance, insurance and administrative expenses.I understand that negotiations for a new licence have been taking place and that the Kent Association has extended the present licence of the Erith branch of the British Legion until 28th February.

asked the Prime Minister which Minister is responsible for fundamental research into noise at source from jet engines, other than those used in aircraft.

I am not quite sure what the hon. Gentleman has in mind. If he will let me have details I will do my best to help him.

asked the Prime Minister what is the apportionment of responsibility on automation and electronic development between the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs and the Minister of Technology.

My right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs is responsible for producing a national development plan in consultation with all concerned in industry, and is taking all measures to see that it is implemented. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology is directly responsible for technological advance and one aspect of this is his sponsorship of certain industries (including the electronics industry) which are closely associated with automation.

asked the Prime Minister what immediate steps he intends to take to reduce, and finally to eliminate, the international traffic in second-hand military equipment and arms.

Her Majesty's Government regard this question as an important one and, in relation to our review of disarmament policies, a study is now being made of the possibility of securing international agreement to regulate the traffic in arms. But I have at present nothing to add to what I told the House on 16th December last.

asked the Prime Minister what extra provision has been provided specifically for Scotland since 15th October in the capital programme for roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, electricity generation and distribution, ports, harbours or other public works; what is the total extra money provided; and how many extra jobs he expects to be provided therefrom.

The right hon. Gentleman must await the outcome of our review of public expenditure programmes, in which we will take full account of Scotland's economic and social needs.

asked the Prime Minister what extra incentives he has provided specifically for Scotland since 15th October to maintain or increase the impetus of industrial development in that country.

Nine advance factories for development districts in Scotland were included in the programme announced by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 18th November, 1964; and tighter restraint of industrial and office development in congested areas will assist Scotland.

asked the Prime Minister if the Minister of Housing and Local Government's broadcast statement on 19th January that it would be a matter of weeks rather than months before the Bank Rate is reduced from 7 per cent. represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

My right hon. Friend was merely making the obvious point that the present level of Bank Rate is exceptional and that it will be reduced as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Prime Minister what proposals he has for the presentation of gifts by the Government and by this House to mark the attainment of independence by The Gambia on 18th February.

The whole House will, I feel sure, wish to send warm congratulations to The Gambia on her forthcoming Independence, with our best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of her people. Her Majesty's Government will propose that the House should offer to the House of Representatives of The Gambia the gift of a Speaker's Chair. Her Majesty's Government for their part have offered the gift of a set of Cabinet furniture, consisting of a table and fourteen leather-covered chairs, together with a silver inkstand to commemorate The Gambia's attainment of Independence.

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps he is taking to encourage the export of civil aircraft.

In common with other industries, the aviation industry will have the incentive of the Export Rebate scheme to increase exports. I am considering urgently what other steps to increase aircraft exports are desirable.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he is aware that the system for an emergency supply of electricity, which was installed by the Royal Air Force at Aldergrove airport in County Antrim, worked successfully for a number of years; what change in this system had been made which permitted rain to penetrate the cable box connectors of the main terminal distribution centre thereby blacking out the airport on 11th December, 1964; and what changes will be made to ensure that in future there will be no failure of the emergency lighting system at Aldergrove Civil Airport.

The emergency lighting system at Aldergrove is that installed by the Royal Air Force.The weatherproofing of the old-type distribution cable boxes, into which the rain penetrated on 11th December, 1964, was checked and improved immediately after that occurrence, and other modifications were made in order to prevent it happening again. The boxes are now being completely replaced with modern outdoor switchgear, and certain cables are also being replaced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give a list of those territories which have not yet incorporated in their legal systems the terms of the Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act, 1958; and if he will state the progress which is being made in such territories towards the incorporation of such legislation.

The list is as follows:

• Antigua;
• St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla;
• St. Helena;
• Tonga;
• Aden;
• British Guiana;
• New Hebrides.

The first four do not wish the International Convention relating to the Limitation of the Liability of Owners of seagoing ships extended to them. Aden has not yet said whether they wish the Convention extended to them or not, nor have the New Hebrides in so far as British nationals are concerned. British Guiana intends to enact local legislation, but has not yet done so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give a list of those territories, the courts of which do not as yet enjoy the enlarged Admiralty jurisdiction conferred upon the High Court of the United Kingdom by the Administration of Justice Act, 1956; and if he will state the progress which is being made in such territories towards the conferring of such jurisdiction.

The list is:—British Solomon Islands Protectorate;

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have taken place to date in respect of contravention of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1963; and how many offences have been reported under this Regulation concerning the transport of dangerous chemicals.

I regret that information as to the total number of prosecutions under these Regulations is not separately available.The Regulations do not create any offences in respect of transport of dangerous chemicals as such. Nor do the available statistics show to what extent those prosecuted under the Regulations were in fact conveying dangerous chemicals. During 1963 there was one prosecution under the Explosives Act 1875, in this field; there were also three prosecutions that year under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act, 1928, and four during 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the substantial work currently being carried out in major industrial accidents by the Civil Defence Corps, he will review it with a view to redefining its functions and renaming it the Civil Emergency Service; and whether, in considering the matter, he will take account of the fact that the London County Council has acknowledged that there is no practicable means of providing Londoners with effective defence against thermo-nuclear war.

Members of the Civil Defence Corps have given valuable service in peacetime emergencies, but the primary purpose of the Corps is that of saving life and relieving suffering in the event of an attack on this country with nuclear weapons. My right hon. Friend is not therefore convinced that a change of name is called for.The task of the Corps, and the object of civil defence preparations generally, is to mitigate the effects of a nuclear attack. This is generally recognised and my right hon. Friend does not interpret the London County Council's resolution of 3rd October, 1961, to which my hon. Friend may refer, as being in any way inconsistent with this view.