asked the Minister of Health how many specialised units for treating alcoholics have been established by regional hospital boards; how many patients are receiving treatment; how many are men and women, respectively, above and below 21 years of age; what is his estimate of the extent of the disease of alcoholism; what information he has about the possibilities of a cure; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Health what action he is taking to encourage the establishment by regional hospital boards of specialised units for treating alcoholics.

Regional hospital boards have been advised that treatment for alcoholism and alcoholic psychosis should, as far as possible, be given in specialised units. There are ten such units, treating about 630 patients; separate numbers for men and women are not readily available, but of about 200 in-patients about 60 are women; virtually all are over 21 years of age; no reliable estimate of the total number of alcoholics is available; a proportion of patients appear to recover, but there must always be some risk of relapse.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has completed his review of the hospital building programme for the south-western region; what specific proposals he has for the starting date for the second phase of a new general hospital for North Devon; and whether he will make a statement.

No. The second phase of the new hospital is at present planned to start in the early 1970's.

asked the Minister of Health if he will establish a cancer-test clinic for women in the Swansea area.

There is already a service in this area which tests about 120 women per month. Additional staff and laboratory space will be needed before the service can be extended to provide routine screening for cervical cancer.

asked the Minister of Health what progress is being made in extending the facilities for screening for cervical cancer; and when he expects these facilities to be available for all women who wish to make use of them.

Boards are planning the extension of the laboratory facilities needed and arranging for staff to be trained. It will be possible for routine screening for cervical cancer to start in some areas this year, but I cannot yet say when it will be available throughout the country.

asked the Minister of Health what research is being sponsored on the use of electronic scanning techniques in the screening of microscope slides for the detection of cervical cancer.

I am considering, in consultation with the Medical Research Council, whether there is a case for sponsoring research into this subject.

asked the Minister of Health how many in-patient adolescent psychiatric units exist in England; and how many there are within the area of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board.

There are eight units providing in-patient treatment specifically for mentally ill and seriously maladjusted adolescents. None of these is in the area of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to establish a plastic surgery unit to serve the South-West Wales area.

Plastic surgery for patients from South-West Wales is provided at St. Lawrence Hospital, Chepstow, and this unit will be moved to Cardiff when the University Hospital of Wales is completed. I am advised that a better service would not be provided for South-West Wales by dividing the existing unit.

asked the Minister of Health on what date he now expects building to commence on Phase 1 of the new general hospital at Burton-on-Trent; and if he will make a statement.

1967–68, on the latest forecast.

asked the Minister of Health how many accident cases have been dealt with at Burton General Hospital in the 12 months previous to the last convenient date.

In the 12 months to September, 1964, 18,309 new patients were dealt with in the accident department.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will agree to accept petitions which are gathered in respect of hospital closures or other matters within the National Health Service.

Yes: representations should, however, be made in the first place to the Hospital Board concerned when it undertakes local consultation on any proposals to close a hospital.

asked the Minister of Health why he left out Barnstaple Hospital in his recent tour of the South-West.

Because I could not visit all the main centres in the South-West in five days.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the discomfort caused to geriatric patients by the introduction in hospitals of a disposable papier mâché bed pan; and if he will consider a more comfortable alternative.

I have not had any reports that disposable bed pans have caused discomfort to geriatric patients.

asked the Minister of Health (1) how many employees have been affected by anomalies inherent within the Hospital Services Superannuation Regulations such as that now revealed in the circumstances of Mr. John Wood of 236, Phillips Park Road, Bradford, Manchester, 11, who on entering employment with the hospital service in 1962 paid £409 8s. 4d. in order to preserve his superannuation rights, but was informed on resignation from the hospital service, after two years' service, that his entitlement was £350 9s. 8d.;(2) whether he will initiate legislation to ensure that employees, who on entering the hospital service have paid sums of money in order to preserve their superannuation rights, do not on subsequent resignation receive less than the sum which they originally contributed.

There have been two other cases similar to that of Mr. Wood. I see no need for legislation.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made in plans for the establishment of a new cardio-thoracic unit at Newcastle General Hospital to serve the North-East.

The Newcastle Regional Board's present intention is to provide in due course a new cardiothoracic unit at Newcastle General Hospital as part of the redevelopment of that hospital. No proposals regarding the timing of this unit have been submitted by the Board as yet, but I understand informal local discussions have been taking place.

asked the Minister of Health what additional steps he proposes to take to train more nurses; whether he will lower the age at which training can begin; and whether he is satisfied that the present system for training is adequate for present-day requirements.

I am examining recruitment methods. The minimum age of entry to nurse training is a matter for the General Nursing Council who are, I understand, reviewing it. I shall in due course be considering the outcome of the consultations I have initiated on the recent report of the Royal College of Nursing entitled "A reform of Nursing Education".

asked the Minister of Health what will be the additional cost of the National Health Service in the East Anglian Regional Hospital Board area of the Government's decision to do away with the prescription charges.

About £¾ million a year.

asked the Minister of Health what evidence he has that the hospital building programme is being slowed down by the shortage of building materials and skilled building labour.

None.

asked the Minister of Health how long is the waiting list for geriatric beds in Bristol; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Health what study he has now made of the representations made to him by the Bristol Health Committee at the request of general practitioners in the City of Bristol, expressing concern at the shortage of hospital beds for elderly patients; and what steps he proposes to take to provide more geriatric hospital beds in Bristol.

The waiting list is 228, 71 fewer than a year ago. The South-Western Regional Hospital Board are considering whether additional beds can be made available. They are in touch with the Board of Governors of the United Bristol Hospitals and the City of Bristol Health and Welfare Department, and it is hoped to appoint a consultant to co-ordinate geriatric services in the area.

asked the Minister of Health what increases in costs have taken place in diabetic foods; and what plans he has for making such foods available in hospitals or local health clinics at reasonable prices.

I am not aware of any increase in costs of proprietary foods, and I am advised that a satisfactory diabetic diet need not include them.

asked the Minister of Health how many patients are waiting for surgical treatment at Barnstaple Hospital; and if he will make a statement.

About a thousand in total, but urgent cases are given priority. The South Western Regional Hospital Board have taken steps to improve the situation and are considering what more can be done.

asked the Minister of Health what is the length of time a person must wait between the initial examination and subsequent fitting of a hearing aid appliance within the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board area.

Generally between five and eight weeks, except at the Royal Hospital, Sheffield where there is an exceptionally long waiting list at present, involving a wait of fourteen to fifteen weeks. Arrangements are being made to reduce the delay at this hospital.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent party political considerations are taken into acount by him in making appointments and re-appoint. ments of chairmen of regional hospital boards.

To no greater extent than my predecessors took such considerations into account, so far as I am aware. My aim is to appoint as chairmen those who, in my judgment, have most to contribute to the efficient running of the Hospital Service.

asked the Minister of Health by what criteria chairmen of regional hospital boards are appointed; what steps he takes to inform himself of their political affiliations; and whether they are requested to refrain from political activity during their period of office.

I select chairmen of regional hospital boards for the contribution they can make to the efficient running of the Hospital Service; whilst the political affiliations of those actively engaged in Parliament or local government are usually well known, I consider all relevant information about possible candidates which may or may not include information about their political affiliations; no.

asked the Minister of Health why professional consultants have been engaged to reduce costs at the Ipswich and East Suffolk Hospital.

I understand that this is a work study assignment which can be undertaken more expeditiously in this way than by the Regional Hospital Board's own limited staff.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will seek to display in the Palace of Westminster a revised model of St. Thomas's Hospital showing the alterations in plan made since the original model was exhibited.

Proposals for alterations to the original plan are being considered, but it is still too early for me to display a revised model as suggested. I will certainly do so at the appropriate time.

asked the Minister of Health how many doctors from overseas countries, men and women respectively, have been trained in the hospitals of the National Health Service; what are their nationalities; and how many have remained to practise in this country.

No estimate is available of the total numbers trained or settled in this country, but in October, 1963, there were approximately 4,200 overseas doctors in junior grades in the hospital service in England and Wales; they came from over 70 different countries mostly from the Commonwealth countries and India in particular.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he has taken to eliminate the shortages of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and other trained personnel covered by the term Supplementary to Medicine, who are employed in the National Health Service.

I am reviewing these problems.

asked the Minister of Health how many midwives have been recruited for the new midwifery block at the Montagu Hospital, Mexborough.

Two.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give an assurance that, in connection with the current programme for the building of new hospitals and of the necessity for reducing unnecessary onerous work for nurses, attention will be given to the desirability of making use of all recent developments in the field of medical engineering, especially in connection with the handling of immobilised and bedridden patients; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, in the production of guidance to hospital boards on the design and equipment of new buildings my Department is continuously examining modern developments in engineering as well as in building. I am very ready to consider the possible application of any equipment which will be of benefit to the patient and eliminate unnecessary labour for doctors and nurses.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the number of trained technicians in cytology required to allow every woman at risk to be screened once in five years in the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board area.

On the board's latest calculations, the equivalent of 20 whole-time technicians would be required to screen all women aged 35 and over. The board is going ahead vigorously with their training programme.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on his conversations with representatives of the West Cornwall Hospital Management Committee when he visited the South-West recently.

We discussed a number of problems in West Cornwall, and in particular the timing of Phase III of the new district general hospital at Truro.

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

No. There are longterm plans for providing additional maternity beds.

asked the Minister of Health what is the percentage and number of private pay beds in the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, the Brighton General Hospital, excluding the maternity section, and the maternity section of Brighton General Hospital; and what is the comparative delay in respective treatments or surgical treatments between National Health Service patients and fee-paying patients.

Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton has 12 private pay beds, a percentage of 3·9 of the total. Brighton General Hospital has no private pay beds nor has its maternity department. In medical cases there is no delay for either fee-paying or National Health Service patients. In surgical cases average waiting times are four to six weeks, and seventeen weeks for private and National Health Service patients respectively, but urgent cases are dealt with at once.

asked the Minister of Health what proposals he now has for a change of treatment or change of hospital for the Oldham man who, following conviction during his youth, has been detained for nearly 20 years in a penal mental institution in Lancashire.

I am advised that this patient is receiving appropriate treatment in a special hospital and that it would not be in his interest to transfer him.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state, for the last 12 months to the most recent convenient date for computation, the number of applications for release made for patients detained in mental hospitals by order of a court of criminal jurisdiction and by other process, respectively, and the corresponding figures for each of the two preceding periods of 12 months.

I regret that this information is not centrally available.

asked the Minister of Health what is the ratio of maternity cases delivered in hospitals within the area of the Oldham Hospitals Committee to total live births in the area during the last period of three separate complete years available for computation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet concluded his discussions with interested bodies on the Platt Report on the training and education of nurses; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply today to the noble Lord the Member for Hertford (Lord Balniel).

asked the Minister of Health if he will give an undertaking to accept the findings of the Reviewing Body on Medical and Dental Practitioners' Salaries.

The review body is advisory and it is for the Government to decide whether to accept its recommendations as and when they are submitted.

asked the Minister of Health what is Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of family planning services being extended to cover unmarried as well as all married women; and whether he will reconsider his Department's circular on this subject.

I am at present actively reviewing all aspects of policy on family planning, and I intend to issue a revised circular in due course.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give an allowance towards the duty on petrol to those disabled persons who, whilst entitled to a petrol-driven invalid tricycle, prefer to use their own cars.

No. It would not be right to give allowances to those who prefer to make their own arrangements rather than to take advantage of the services available under the National Health Service.

asked the Minister of Health how much of the corned beef withdrawn during last year's typhoid outbreak has been retained in store and subsequently released for sale; and why this was done.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that the regulations controlling impounded foodstuffs are functioning satisfactorily; and if he will make a statement.

I have no reason to suppose that the statutory and voluntary measures for controlling withdrawn foodstuffs are not working well, particularly as I now understand that there is no firm evidence that any of the suspect canned meat has been released for sale.Precise information about the total quantity withdrawn is not needed for public health purposes and is not available.

asked the Minister of Health what inquiries he is making into the hygiene standards of licensed premises selling draught beer.

None. The sale of beer in insanitary premises would be an offence under the food hygiene regulations. If the hon. Member has any particular point in mind, I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Minister of Health what report he has received from the Committee on Safety of Drugs about the possible long-term effects of oral contraceptives.

None. The investigation which was the subject of a press report is expected to take several months to complete.

asked the Minister of Health if he will introduce legislation to give adequate safeguards to the purchasers of hearing aids; and if he will make a statement.

I have at present no proposals for legislation but I am keeping the matter under review.

asked the Minister of Health if the last increase of remuneration to general practitioners was intended to cover the following three years; and on what date a further increase will be due for implementation.

The last increase in general practitioners' remuneration was in accordance with recommendations from the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration framed with the intention that they should be likely to remain appropriate for a period of at least three years from April, 1963. As regards the second part of the Question I would ask my hon. Friend to await the reply to a Question put down to the Prime Minister for Written Answer today by my hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich, West (Mr. Hamling).

asked the Minister of Health what representations he has now received about the abolition of prescription charges; and what reply he has sent.

Since the announcement of the Government's intention to abolish prescription charges, I have received representations from four organisations and about 120 individuals. The replies have varied according to the nature of the representations.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the large increase in prescriptions expected on 1st February, what action he has planned to deal with this situation.

I did not share this expectation and have no evidence that it has proved true.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the established major outbreak of Asian influenza in the Soviet Union and Europe, and taking into account its effect on old people and national productivity, if he will take steps to consult the medical authorities in the Soviet Union to ensure that there are stocks of the necessary preventive serum available for the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement giving the details of his discussion on the matter and the action he has taken.

My information is that this is not a severe form of the disease, and is caused by a virus widely experienced in this country in recent years. Some immunity therefore already exists here, and vaccine is available for doctors to prescribe for any patient for whom they think it desirable.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent the sale of stimulants is registered; what amount was sold in Great Britain in 1964; and how this compares with previous years.

Manufacturers and dealers in bulk may not have amphetamines, and certain other stimulants of the central nervous system, in their possession unless registered by the Home Secretary. Retail sale of these and other stimulant drugs is restricted to registered pharmacies, in most cases on prescription only. The number of National Health Service prescriptions for "stimulants and appetite suppressants" for the nine months ended September, 1964, was 4·38 million, and for the corresponding period in 1963, 4·16 million.

asked the Minister of Health what was the total amount of sleeping pills sold in Great Britain in 1964; and how this figure compares with previous years.

I have no figures for amounts sold; the estimated number of prescriptions under the National Health Service for barbiturates and non-barbiturate hypnotics was 15·6 million for the nine months ending September, 1964 and 15·32 million for the corresponding period in 1963.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities now employ a health education officer; and how many have organised cancer education campaigns on behalf of their local authorities since 1953.

On the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the written reply given on 16th December to the hon. Member for Oxford (Mr. Woodhouse). Almost all local health authorities and many other local authorities undertake health education on smoking as a cause of lung cancer. Many include education on other forms of cancer in their general health education programmes; some have conducted special cancer education schemes.

asked the Minister of Health how many illegitimate babies were born in the years 1962, 1963 and 1964, respectively.

60,396 in Great Britain in 1962 and 64,444 in 1963. So far figures are only available for the first three quarters of 1964, when the number was 52,607, compared with 49,477 in the corresponding period of 1963.

asked the Minister of Health what is the cost to the National Health Service of a 6d. packet of aspirins if prescribed by a general practitioner for a patient.

The total payment to a chemist for dispensing the prescription would be about 2s. 8d. depending on the cost of the ingredients, of which more than 2s. 4d. represents fiat rate payments based on a fair average return per prescription to the chemist.

asked the Minister of Health what saving will result to the National Health Service as a result of the legal decision about the right of his Department to buy drugs for hospitals from unpatented sources.

Current contracts for patented drugs, involving the use of my powers under section 46(1) of the Patents Act, 1949, result in a gross saving to the National Health Service of about £1 million in one year. Royalties which have still to be settled will reduce this to some extent.

asked the Minister of Health what advice has now been tendered to him by his Standing Ophthalmic Advisory Committee in deciding how general practitioners and ophthalmologists should communicate with ophthalmic opticians informing them of developments following, when opticians have referred patients to them after carrying out an eye examination under the National Health Service; and what action he proposes to take.

The Committee recommended that there should be a standard form for this purpose. The form has been prepared, and copies will very soon be ready for distribution.

asked the Minister of Health what progress he has made in the steps he is taking to encourage the development of group practice amongst general practitioners in the National Health Service.

The number of group practice loans approved has been increasing in each of the last three years and has now reached a total of 531. A number of other measures I have proposed to help general practitioners will assist those in group practice as well as others.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that delay in the payment of National Health prescription costs to chemists can be up to nine months; what is the reason for this; and if he will make a statement.

No; but if the hon. Member will let me have details of any instance of such delay, I will gladly look into it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will implement the changes in the calculation of practice expenses outlined in his predecessor's letter to the chairman of the General Medical Service Committee of 13th August, 1964.

I am ready to do this if the profession agrees.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will implement the promise of one-third grants on the approved cost of the improvement of practice premises, given by his predecessor to the chairman of the General Medical Service Committee in a letter dated 17th September, 1964.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the right hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton) on 1st February.

asked the Minister of Health what representations he has received against the continued increase in advertising of cigarettes.

I have received general representations on cigarette advertising, and would refer my hon. Friend to my reply today to Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Swindon (Mr. Francis Noel-Baker) and Renfrew, West (Mr. Buchan).

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to increase the campaign on the dangers of cigarette smoking, in view of the new methods of advertising now being used by the manufacturers.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply today to my hon. Friends the members for Swindon (Mr. Francis Noel-Baker) and Renfrew, West (Mr. Buchan).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many acres of secondary airfield are under grass.

At airfields earmarked for disposal some 20,000 acres are estimated to be in varying types of agricultural use. It would not be possible without a good deal of work to say how many of these 20,000 acres are under grass only.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in his review of Armed Forces pensions; and when he intends to raise the pensions of all retired Service men to what they would be had they retired on the latest pay scale.

I can add nothing yet to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, West (Sir J. Eden) on 1st February.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the cost of bringing on to the 1956 code all those Armed Forces officer pensioners, of whatever age, who retired before that code came into force; and what would be the cost of comparable treatment for other ranks.

About £4 million for officers and about £1 million for other ranks.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many armoured vehicles have been withdrawn from Territorial Army units to equip Regular units.

None has been withdrawn without replacement.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what provisions are being made to reinforce light coastal forces in South-East Asia.

I have nothing to add to the Answer given to the hon. Member on 30th November, 1964, as far as the general policy for light coastal forces is concerned. Coastal patrolling around Malaysia is being carried out by coastal minesweepers and a variety of small craft. This month, to increase the available resources, we are commissioning four coastal minesweepers and two seaward defence boats hitherto in reserve at Singapore.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the Royal Navy providing a prototype nuclear-propelled surface vessel; and if he will consult the President of the Board of Trade regarding its economic implications for later commercial use.

The military possibilities of the application of nuclear propulsion to surface vessels is a matter which I shall be considering in consultation with my colleagues.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the approximate number of blankets, surplus to the requirements of the Services, which were disposed of by auction in each of the last three years; and if he will give an estimate of the numbers likely to be disposed of in the current year.

Approximately 148,000, 131,000 and 44,000 in 1962, 1963 and 1964 respectively. In addition, approximately 60, 71 and 16 tons of scrap pieces of blanket were sold by auction in these years.Based on past figures and trends, I estimate that the figures in 1965 will be about 80-100,000 blankets and 30–50 tons of scrap pieces.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of Her Majesty's Government's policy of developing a variable geometry aircraft, he will now put forward a specific military requirement for a carrier-borne aircraft incorporating this principle for eventual joint Service use.

No. The heavy capital expenditure which the purchase of the Phantom will represent precludes any firm plan for its replacement to enter service before the late 1970s. It is recognised, however, that the variable geometry principle offers one of the most promising bases of design for the next generation of aircraft, and it is our intention that studies to support a new Naval—or joint—requirement for a replacement strike/fighter aircraft should certainly embrace this concept.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what limitations are anticipated respecting the operation of the United States naval version of the TFX variable geometry aircraft in existing British aircraft carriers; and whether he is satisfied that the performance of the TFX when operating from the new design of British carriers will be equivalent to that of its United States counterpart.

No decision has been taken to acquire the TFX aircraft for British forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many men were employed at Barnbow, Leeds, ordnance factory at the latest convenient date; and what was the average weekly take-home pay of planers, millers, C.L. turners, and turners, respectively.

1,429 employees, on 1st February, 1965. The average weekly take-home pay in January for the industrial grades in question was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what decision he has come to as to the disposal of the land formerly occupied by the Royal Air Force station at Compton Bassett.

The disposal of the surplus land will depend upon the outcome of our consultations with the local planning authority about the future permitted use. We have already had an informal discussion with the authority and we shall consult it again as soon as we have received the report of a recent soil survey.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his estimate of the cost at current prices of providing married quarters in the United Kingdom for those members of the Armed Forces entitled to such accommodation but still without it;(2) how many married quarters he estimates are still required in the United Kingdom so that each entitled service family shall have one;(3) how many married quarters in the United Kingdom now in service occupation are sub-standard.

It is estimated that, under the currently approved rules of entitlement, and allowing for approved hirings, about 40,000 additional married quarters would be required to house all entitled married families in this country. The cost of providing this number of additional dwellings is estimated as some £135 million, at current prices. This figure excludes the cost of land and furniture. Of the married quarters at present occupied some 4,500 are regarded as being sub-standard.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what effect recent Spanish actions on the Gibraltar frontier have had upon the ability of British Service personnel posted to Gibraltar to take their families with them.

None.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the ratification of the International Labour Office Fishing Conven- tions Nos. 112, 113, 114, which were adopted in 1959.

The Government's policy is as stated in Command Paper Cmnd. 1318, which was laid before the House in March, 1961.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the fact that a report on the dangers of occupational bladder tumour in the rubber industry, prepared by the Rubber Manufacturing Employers' Association, has been altered in order to prevent full information on the danger to employees and ex-employees exposed to certain chemical substances being known, whether he will request the Medical Research Council to investigate the use in industrial processes of alpha-naphthylamine, beta-naphthylamine, benzidine, 4-aminodiphenyl, 4 nitrophenyl, their salts and any substance containing any of these compounds.

I hope to be able to make a statement to the House next week.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the location of all Ministry of Labour Training Centres situated in the area of the Yorkshire and Humberside Planning Region.

There are Government Training Centres at Leeds, Sheffield and Hull.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will take steps to obtain the more widespread establishment of joint accident prevention committees in industry.

I entirely accept that the organisation of works' safety cannot be fully effective without close co-operation between management and employees. I propose to consult with the British Employers' Confederation and the Trades Union Congress through the Industrial Safety Sub-Committee of my National Joint Advisory Council about the further steps which might be taken to encourage the development of joint accident prevention committees.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress is being made in disarmament negotiations, in particular towards the conclusion of an agreement on non-dissemination of nuclear weapons.

I would refer the hon. Member to the speech by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in the foreign affairs debate on 16th December. The Government attach high importance to making progress in the disarmament field. We hope that when the Geneva Disarmament Conference reassembles it will be possible to make progress towards our declared objectives which include, as a matter of urgency, an agreement on the non-dissemination of nuclear weapons.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action is being taken to provide more training for the Diplomatic Service in European languages, following the recommendation in paragraph 421 of the Report of the Plowden Committee.

The Diplomatic Service Administration is planning to establish its own language centre, equipped with mechanical aids, to provide full and part-time tuition in the easier European languages.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take about the enlargement of the Security Council of the United Nations.

Her Majesty's Government support the proposed enlargement of the Security Council and are considering the question of ratifying the 1963 Resolution of the General Assembly, which proposed the Charter amendments necessary to enlarge the Council. This Resolution called for ratification only by 1st September, 1965. There is, therefore, still ample time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the intensification of restrictive measures at the Spanish frontier at Gibraltar; and whether he will make a statement on the actions he proposes to take to protect the welfare of Gibraltar and the legitimate interests of its people, in the light of this new situation.

I am aware of the intensification of the restrictions imposed by the Spanish authorities on the Gibraltar frontier. As my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member on 1st February, Her Majesty's Government intend to take all necessary measures to protect the welfare of Gibraltar and the legitimate interests of its people. But it would not be appropriate to elaborate on individual actions at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what has been the outcome of the representations made to the Spanish Government by Her Majesty's Government regarding the Gibraltar-Spain frontier situation; and whether any further diplomatic or other action is now contemplated.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Goole (Mr. George Jeger) on 1st February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British subjects were resident in Burma on 1st January, 1955, and 1st January, 1965.

On 1st January, 1955, there were approximately 3,200 British subjects resident in Burma. On 1st January, 1965, the number was 852, among whom there were 572 citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, 25 Commonwealth citizens, and 255 British subjects without citizenship.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Service attachés, attachés, clerks, office staff and chauffeurs are at present in post in the British Embassy in Moscow; and what are the corresponding numbers of Soviet personnel in London.

There are 8 Service attachés, 6 attachés, one medical officer, and 47 clerks and office staff at present en paste in the British Embassy in Moscow. The corresponding numbers of Soviet personnel in London are: 10 Service attachés, 16 attachés, 37 clerks and office staff, and 8 chauffeurs.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how much the rise of 96 to 144 in the new house price index in the last eight years was due to land, labour costs and increased material costs, respectively; and how Her Majesty's Government propose to keep down these rising prices.

The Index of Prices of new houses is based on information provided by the Building Societies Association based on the actual sale price which is not broken down into its component parts. I am examining the problem of rising costs over the whole field of the construction industry; questions dealing with land, however, are a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Land and Natural Resources.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what was the total expenditure of Her Majesty's Government on improvements and repairs to the Palace of Westminster in the years 1950 to 1964; how many desks have been made available to hon. Members; and what is the cost of future improvements to facilities for hon. Members planned before 15th October, 1964.

During the 14 years from 1st April, 1950, to 31st March, 1964, the total expenditure was: new work and alterations—approximately £1,700,000. Maintenance and repairs—approximately £1,500,000.Sixty-four Members' desks were made available in the Palace of Westminster between 1950 and 1964.Future improvements planned before 15th October, 1964, are estimated to cost £300,000. They comprise the second and third stages of the scheme for providing extra accommodation in the roof space, which was started in 1963.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many new rooms have been created for hon. Members in the Palace of Westminster in the years 1950 to 1964.

Between 1950 and the end of 1964, nine large rooms came into use for Members' desks in the Palace of Westminster. Two of these were newly constructed in the Roof Space; the others were made available by re-allocation. These figures do not include the four rooms for Members in 6–7, Old Palace Yard and the 38 rooms for Members in No. 1 Bridge Street.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how much of the £95 million authorised by the Armed Forces (Housing Loans) Act remains unspent.

As was stated in the reply to the hon. Member for Dorset, West (Mr. Wingfield Digby) on 26th January, about £2·8 million will be unspent by 31st March, 1965.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many of the married quarters completed in each of the last three financial years, respectively, were provided out of the Defence Services votes.

The figures for 1961–62 and 1962–63 were 2,846 and 2,595 respectively. In 1963–64, 2,747 houses were completed as a charge to my Department's Votes, although the greater part of the cost was reimbursed from Defence Services Votes by the operation of the Armed Forces (Housing Loans) Acts.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the average unit cost of married quarters in the United Kingdom.

The average cost of an officer's quarter is at present about £5,000, and of other ranks about £3,000. Both these figures include the cost of linoleum, cookers and certain other equipment, and the cost of roads and services, but not the cost of the land.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many married quarters will be built for the three Services, respectively, in 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67, and 1967–68, in the United Kingdom.

The following are the numbers expected to be completed:

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what study he has made of the document entitled "Partners in Parliament; A Report to the Press Gallery", a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement on such of the recommendations as are within his responsibility.

I have studied this Report. The primary responsibility for the accommodation of the Press Gallery is a matter for the authorities of the House, who will no doubt consider the Report.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she will ensure that when retirement pensioners are admitted to hospital for emergency or short-term medical treatment, no deduction shall be made from their pensions.

It is unusual for pension to be reduced for periods of less than eight weeks in hospital. If the hon. Member will let me have details of any case he has in mind I will gladly look into it.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many individuals have been excused from paying insurance contributions owing to low incomes; and what provision she is making to provide for them on their retirement.

At present about 170,000 insured persons hold certificates of exception from liability to pay contributions because of small incomes, about 115,000 of them being non-employed women. Most of these are single women living at home and looking after relatives or are invalids maintained by relatives, but they also include members of religious communities. Some people hold these certificates only for short periods and will not in consequence suffer any substantial reduction in retirement pension. But at present, whatever the insurance position may be on retirement, supplementary pensions can be paid by the National Assistance Board in any case of need. As the hon. Lady will appreciate, this is one of the matters to which attention will be given in the Government's review.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she is satisfied with the composition of the Pneumoconiosis Board, in view of the fact that many miners are certified by their general practitioners and by hospital X-rays, but when examined by the board are refused a pension; and if she will make a statement.

The diagnosis of pneumoconiosis for the purposes of the Industrial Injuries Act raises difficult medical considerations and I am aware that diferences of opinion sometimes occur. The doctors of the Pneumoconiosis Medical Boards are specially qualified and by the nature of their duties have a wide and almost unique experience of the disease. In coming to their decisions they take account not only of the results of their own clinical and radiological examinations, but also of the claimant's medical and occupational history together with reports and opinion, from any hospital or chest clinic he has attended.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many widows of regular Service officers are now in receipt of National Assistance.

I regret that the information asked for is not available, and could only be extracted from individual case records with a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Minister of Aviation how he proposes to maintain employment at the present level until 1970 in Messrs. Short Brothers and Harland; and if he will give the details of his plans.

asked the Minister of Aviation what plans he has to keep intact, at the previous level the design team of Messrs. Short Brothers and Harland.

I have nothing at present to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Belfast, East (Mr. McMaster) on Wednesday, 3rd February.

asked the Minister of Aviation what consultations he held with Messrs Short Brothers and Harland before deciding to buy the C130 aircraft.

Messrs. Short Brothers and Harland submitted proposals for a new version of the Belfast; these were examined carefully before a decision to buy C130Es was taken.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will give an assurance that the labour force of Short Brothers and Harland will not fall below 6,000 during the rest of the decade, as previously announced on 19th March, 1964; and if he will make a statement on the future prospects of the firm.

I have nothing at present to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Belfast, East (Mr. McMaster) on 3rd February.

asked the Minister of Aviation how many years lead the P1154 had over similar United States developments.

The United States have not yet embarked of a development programme for an operational aircraft of this kind.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will give the usual comparative statistics between the United States C130 and the now cancelled HS681; and, in particular, if he will give the required run-way lengths of the two aircraft.

No. Under normal security rules I cannot give the comparative figures of performance. But I can say that the C13OE meets the present needs of our Forces, including airfield performance.