asked the Minister of Power if he will state the principles of his national fuel policy.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the outcome of the review of fuel policy which I have in hand.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the National Coal Board to reopen all brickworks closed by them in the last five years.

No.

asked the Minister of Power what further production licences he intends to issue for the Continental Shelf; and how far the terms of such licences will differ from those already granted.

I am considering when to invite applications for further licences, what the terms should be and the criteria to be taken into account in making awards.

asked the Minister of Power how much capital has been invested in the past 10 years to the present date in the electrical industry; and what has been the increase in the price of electricity in these years.

Expenditure by the electricity industry in England and Wales on fixed assets during the years 1954–55 to 1963–64 totalled £2,932 million. The average price of electricity sold to all consumers has increased from 1·376d. per unit in 1953–>54 to 1·622d. in 1963–64, a rise of 18 per cent.

asked the Minister of Power what progress has been made in the discussions started early in 1963 between the then Minister and the Electricity Council in an effort to ensure a fairer system in the resale of electricity by landlords to tenants, in view of the exploitation that is taking place.

Considerable progress has been made in these discussions. My right hon. Friend met the Central Members of the Electricity Council recently. The Electricity Council, the Area Boards, and the Consultative Councils are examining the best basis for fixing maximum resale prices. My right hon. Friend is determined, when agreement is reached, to ensure that early action is taken.

asked the Minister of Power what steps he proposes to take to ensure that increases in electricity charges should not have an adverse effect on prices and costs generally.

My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the electricity boards for which he is responsible are making every effort to absorb the increased costs they have to face and to keep their prices stable.

asked the Minister of Power if, in view of the rapid growth in imports of fuel oil from foreign refineries, he will help the balance of payments by giving a general direction, in the public interest, to the Central Electricity Generating Board to run their oil-fired power stations only for peak load operation.

No. I have to bear in mind the Board's statutory responsibilities to meet the demand for electricity and to reduce costs. While it is true that imports of fuel oil have increased, the output of home refineries has also increased and now broadly matches the home demand. The imports are almost matched by exports and supplies to bunkers.

asked the Minister of Power what was the burn of fuel oil at power stations during 1964 compared with 1963.

The Central Electricity Generating Board used 4·8 million tons of fuel and gas oil in 1963 and 5·3 million tons in 1964.

asked the Minister of Power whether he was consulted by the Electricity Authority in the North-East before an announcement was made of an increase in electricity charges in that area.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Power (1) to what extent the present level of steel production is adequate for the needs of Great Britain's economy;(2)if he will give the total ingot tonnage produced by the British steel industry in the years, 1953, 1963, and 1964.

Steel production was 17,609,000 ingot tons in 1953, 22,520,000 ingot tons in 1963 and 26,230,000 ingot tons in 1964. Following the investment of large sums of public money in the industry, the level of steel production is now adequate.

asked the Minister of Power what consultations he has now had, in reviewing the prospects of the coal industry, with the Chairman of the National Coal Board on the extra charge on Scottish coal.

My right hon. Friend is consulting the National Coal Board on its financial prospects, but I cannot forecast what changes there may be in the Board's pricing policies.

asked the Minister of Power what productive capacity has been planned for the coal industry for the next 10 years.

The present capacity of the industry is around 200 million tons and there is no question of the Government arbitrarily requiring a reduction in this. In 1963 our sales of coal at home and abroad exceeded 200 million tons. In 1964 sales of coal, including exports of 6 million tons, amounted to about 193 million tons, which broadly matched production in that year from our deep-mines (about 187 million tons) and opencast operations. The size of the market in any particular year depends on many factors, including the level of industrial activity, exports, the weather and other unpredictable events.The Government accept for the present the case for trying to maintain the position of coal (deep-mined and opencast) at around its recent level of 190–200 million tons and is studying methods to assist the industry's efforts accordingly. In the longer-term, the coal industry will be fitted into our national fuel policy and our national plan on the lines indicated in the House on 21st January.I hope this statement of the Government's intentions towards the coal industry will dispose of recent alarmist reports in the Press about the prospects of employment in the industry.

asked the Minister of Power how many redundancies are foreshadowed in the Northumberland and Durham divisions within the next three years; and what retraining and other facilities will be available for immediate use.

The National Coal Board is often able to redeploy men within the industry itself and it is not possible to predict redundancies three years ahead; but the Board is in touch with Departments concerned with regional development, and the policy of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour is that retraining facilities should remain adequate.

asked the Minister of Overseas Developmen what additional economists recruited from outside the Civil Service have joined her Department since 15th October, 1964; how many; at what salaries; and with what duties.

Three economists have so far been recruited to my Economic Planning Staff from outside the Civil Service. They are the Director-General of Economic Planning (salary £6,500), his Deputy (salary £5,250), and the Head of the World Economy Division (salary £4,500). The duties of the Economic Planning Staff are to assist in the planning and co-ordination of our aid to overseas countries to ensure its maximum effectiveness.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what are the terms of reference of the team of experts, led by the Honourable Maxwell Stamp, which she is sending to Kenya to examine the problem of land purchase from the European farmers.

The team of experts has not been given any formal terms of reference. I explained the general purpose of the mission in my answer to the right hon. Member on 15th December last.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what contribution Her Majesty's Government will make to the United Nations Expanded Programme for Technical Assistance and the Special Fund of the United Nations for the year 1965.

Subject to Parliamentary approval, the British contributions to these two programmes for 1965 will be:

• U.N. Expanded Programme for Technical Assistance—$4·75 million.
• Special Fund—$7 million.

The total of $11·75 million represents an increase of $1·75 million compared with the contributions for the two previous years, divided as to $1 million for the Expanded Programme and $0·75 million for the Special Fund.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will give the amount of capital invested by the firm of Richard Thomas and Baldwins in improving their works from 1959 to the latest convenient date;(2)what Government money has been loaned to the firm of Richard Thomas and Baldwins; and if he will make a statement.

The company's annual accounts show an increase of £156·1 million in net fixed assets over the six years ending September, 1964. The latest accounts show that the total of loans outstanding at 30th September, 1964, was £139·1 million. Of this £70 million is owed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Power, and the balance represents advances by the Iron and Steel Holding and Realisation Agency under Section 20(1)(a) of the Iron and Steel Act, 1953. In addition the Agency have made available a further £50·2 million which was converted into ordinary stock in November, 1963.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the outstanding account with one of the constituents of the hon. Member for Tyne-mouth, details of which have been sent to him, has now been settled.

Broadly speaking, yes; the hon. Member wrote to me about this matter and I have replied explaining the circumstances.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will advise the establishment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the workings of the building societies in the United Kingdom.

No. I do not think the appointment of a Royal Commission would be appropriate.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of unsatisfactory television reception of British Broadcasting Corporation and Independent Television Authority channels in various parts of Wales; and what steps are to be taken during the next 12 months to improve reception in such areas.

The B.B.C. expects to open stations at Carmarthen in March, at Machynlleth in May, and at Moel-y-Parc in the summer of this year; at Cardigan, Dolgellau, Llangollen and Llanidloes during 1966; and is considering which other areas to include in a further stage of its plan to improve and extend its service. The I.T.A.'s second transmitter at St. Hilary, which is intended to broadcast a Welsh edition of independent television, is expected to come into regular service at the beginning of next week.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the average time taken for parcels posted in the London area to reach Northern Ireland.

Much depends upon the time of posting. Parcels for Belfast should generally be delivered not later than the second week day after posting; and if posted early in the day, on the day following posting. Parcels from London to elsewhere in Northern Ireland generally take about a day longer. I have no reason for thinking that the majority of parcels are not currently getting this kind of service.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that outsize envelopes cause the Post Office extra work; and whether he will introduce an extra charge to deter the use of such envelopes for ordinary letters.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes"; as to the second part, I am currently considering how the use of the more conveniently sized envelopes could be encouraged and the hon. Member's suggestion is one which I have very much in mind.

asked the Postmaster-General what action he is taking to improve the delivery time of letters in North Buckinghamshire.

I am not aware of any general delay in the delivery of letters in North Buckinghamshire. If my hon. Friend will let me have details of any particular cases he may have in mind I shall be glad to look into the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has yet completed his consideration of issuing a stamp to commemorate the sitting of the first Parliament in Westminster Hall in 1265; and what action he will take.

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the announcement I made on 1st February in reply to the hon. Member for Leominster (Mr. Clive Bossom).

asked the Postmaster-General whether he proposes to increase the letter post from 3d. to 4d.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Postmaster-General what exchanges in Northern Ireland will be provided with Subscriber Trunk Dialling during the next two years.

I plan to introduce STD at 13 exchanges in Northern Ireland during the next two years, as follows:

Telephone exchanges in Northern Ireland to be provided with STD during 1965 and 1966 are:
Holywood.	Comber.
Greyabbey.	Ahoghill.
Garvagh.	Kilrea.
Lisburn.	Draperstown.
Maghera.	Enniskillen.
Brookhall.	Donaghadee.
Newtownards.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the subscriber trunk dialling trunk calls are causing individuals and industry increases in cost; and whether, although subscriber dialled trunk calls are now automatic, he will institute a new system of indicating to subscribers that certain periods of time have elapsed.

To introduce a timing signal on dialled trunk calls would be very expensive, would materially increase the costs of such calls and would be incompatible with the STD charging system which is based on 2d. units. In any case, the rate of charge for dialled calls from STD exchanges is cheaper, and last year STD subscribers paid £13 million less for their calls than they would have paid under the old system. Any increase of subscribers' costs is more likely to be due to increased use of the service as the number of trunk calls is currently growing at the rate of 16 per cent. a year.

asked the Postmaster-General what immediate plans he has to stop delays and overloading and increase the capacity of the Bedford Telephone Exchange.

I am sorry that the service is unsatisfactory because of overloading and staff shortages which make it necessary for manually-handled calls to be booked at very busy periods. To minimise the delays temporary positions are being fitted for booking calls, and should be ready in about three months. Operators are being brought in from other exchanges. Permanent relief should be given in about July by the introduction of automatic working on incoming calls, mainly from London. The practicability of a switchboard extension is being examined.The capacity of the automatic equipment is being enlarged by several mobile units which should be ready from July onwards. These will enable service to be given progressively to customers now waiting. For the longer-term, a new building is being erected for a replacement exchange which is expected to be ready, with STD facilities, during 1967.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps to encourage his Department to consult more closely with local authorities and, in particular, with owners of properties

STANDARD GRANTS: ENGLAND AND WALES
Period		Local authority dwellings*			Private dwellings†
		Baths or showers	Hot water supplies	Water closets	Baths or showers	Hot water supplies	Water closets
1964—
1st quarter	…	636	4,216	840	10,151	10,495	11,511
2nd quarter	…	417	2,629	651	9,725	10,195	10,810
3rd quarter	…	248	3,073	989	9,229	9,680	10,503
4th quarter	…	577	2,775	1,008	10,343	10,765	11,860
* Numbers in applications approved.
† Numbers where works completed.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what incentives he will offer to local authorities to persuade them to adopt

Telephone Managers always do maintain close and continuing contact with local authorities and estate developers.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what percentage of houses in new towns are leasehold.

In England and Wales, about 2·6.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many homes had baths, hot water or inside water closets installed with the aid of improvement grants in each quarter of 1964; and of these how many were for owner-occupiers and private landlords, respectively.

Figures for discretionary grants are not available in this form. Those for standard grants are given below. I cannot say how many dwellings provided with the amenities mentioned were owner-occupied or let; but of all standard grants to private owners in each of the four quarters, 73 per cent., 70 per cent., 76 per cent. and 74 per cent., respectively were for owner-occupied houses.industrialised building methods and so speed up the housing drive.

I am urgently considering with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works how best to encourage a much greater use of industrialised methods in house-building. The greatest incentive of course is the big contribution which this would make to increasing housing output, and therefore to the speedier relief of local housing shortages. I hope to make a further announcement before long.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many proceedings for eviction were heard by Brighton County Court since the passage of the Protection from Eviction Act to the nearest convenient date; and with what result.

From 17th December, 1964, to 31st January, 1965, 9 proceedings for eviction were heard; the orders for possession were suspended for 12 months in one case, for 6 months in four cases and for up to 28 days in four cases.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that, out of 1,641 people who recently bought a newly built house, 91 per cent. found them to be faulty; and what action he will take to improve house building standards.

I have read the article in "Which?" for February, 1965, which my hon. Friend no doubt has in mind. I am consulting the National Federation of Building Trades Employers, the National House-Builders Registration Council and other interested bodies about possible means of improving house-building standards.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will re-examine the period generally taken to decide upon the representation of a clearance area; and whether he will review the compensation payable to owner-occupiers where approvals are granted.

I shall do what I can to speed up the procedures for clearing slums, subject to safeguarding the interests of those affected. The compensation provisions will be kept under review.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the forecast of the growth of traffic using Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth, on which he based his decision to approve the Holdenhurst Road relief scheme.

The increase in future traffic along the Holdenhurst Road makes the relief road necessary. My right hon. Friend's full reasons are set out in the official letter of 27th November, 1964, to the Bournemouth Council, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that the new development road plan in the Holdenhurst Road area in Bournemouth is causing concern among local residents; and if he will review the plan and invite Professor Buchanan to undertake such inquiry as he thinks fit.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the concern among local residents and fully appreciates their feelings. The road proposals in the Bournemouth Review Town Map were examined with particular care, not only because of the serious problem of traffic congestion in Bournemouth, but because of the strong objections, as shown at the public local inquiry, to the proposed relief roads. He was satisfied, however, that a very large increase in traffic was inevitable along the Holdenhurst Road, and that a relief road on the route proposed was sound. He does not think that any further study would produce a better route or one more likely to find local acceptance.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what communications he has recently received concerning the granting of permission for office building in Tunbridge Wells; and what decisions he has taken.

I have received a letter from the Royal Tunbridge Wells Chamber of Trade, who are concerned over the refusal of a planning permission for offices on a site allocated for this purpose in the town map for the town. Since no application or appeal has come to me the second part of the Question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action is being taken in re-shaping allowances for the Diplomatic Service, following the proposals in Chapter 6 of the Report of the Plowden Committee.

Apart from the recommendations on foreign allowances, the Plowden Committee's recommendations on other allowances in Chapter 6 of their Report were brought into effect from 1st April, 1964, subject to certain minor modifications. The new system of foreign allowances recommended by the Plowden Committee was introduced at all posts in Germany and some in Malaysia with effect from 1st April, and its use has since been progressively extended as other posts have been inspected.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to extend the mandate of the United Nations peace-keeping force in Cyprus; and what progress has been made by the United Nations Mediator.

The mandate of the United Nations Force in Cyprus does not expire until 26th March, and the question of its extension by the Security Council will not therefore arise until next month. The United Nations Mediator is continuing his search for an agreed solution of the Cyprus dispute but has not yet submitted a report.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (1) what is the maximum weekly sum which current old-age pensioners have actuarially earned by reason of their contributions;(2)what average weekly sum will be paid to National Insurance old-age pensioners in excess of that for which they have actuarially paid when the increased rates become operative in March.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker) circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT of Friday, 5th February, 1965.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will give an assurance that the factory of Messrs. Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast, will not be under-used or their workpeople left without jobs; and what plans Her Majesty's Government has to maintain the present level of employment in Messrs. Short Brothers and Harland until at least 1970.

As I announced on 2nd February, a comprehensive review is being made of the company's potential, which will include an examination of the scope for using its resources in other fields. The Department's Chief Industrial Adviser is visiting Belfast next week to discuss the situation with the company with whom we are in close touch.

asked the Minister of Aviation how many members of the Hawker Siddeley design teams are affected by the cancellation of the P1154 and HS681.

I estimate that those already directly engaged or who were about to be engaged on these two projects total around 1,500.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether the estimated saving of at least £250 million by switching from the TSR2 to the United States TFX was based upon purchasing the TFX Mark I or Mark II.

Apart from a small introductory batch of Mark I aircraft, the estimated saving referred to in the question was based on the purchase of the Mark II version of the TFX.

asked the Minister of Aviation if the second report of the Lang inquiry has been received.

Sir John Lang has presented his Report on the second part of the terms of reference given to his inquiry. Copies now available in the Vote Office.In his first Report, Sir John Lang dealt with the circumstances in which excessive prices were agreed by the Ministry of Aviation with Ferranti Ltd. for guided weapon contracts. The second Report considers whether any changes in organisation or procedure are necessary to ensure better assessment of prices for similar contracts in future.It is a valuable Report, and I should like to express gratitude to Sir John and his colleagues for the excellent work they have done.The Report contains 36 conclusions and recommendations about contracts and procedures and five about organisation and staffing. A number of them are in line with views already formed in my Department and action on them is in hand. I think that the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I will want to accept most of the others. Some will need a good deal of study, including the recommendations that post costing should not be introduced into fixed price contracts and that changes should be made in the method of valuing fixed assets for the purpose of calculating capital employed and depreciation.One important recommendation in the Report is that there should be equality of information between the Ministry and its contractors up to the time prices are fixed. This accords with the view expressed by the Public Accounts Committee and is welcomed by the Government.The Government are undertaking a review of the profit formula and in doing so will take account of the comments of industry on the Report. In this review they will have regard both to the general need to encourage efficiency and to the requirements of a national policy for prices and incomes.

asked the Minister of Aviation what proposals he has for a new British designed tactical helicopter and a new British designed transport helicopter; and if he will make a statement.

The requirement for new tactical transport helicopters is under examination. It is too early to say how they will be met but British and foreign designs will be considered as will be the possibility of development in collaboration with other countries with similar requirements.

asked the Minister of Aviation what he estimates would be the total cost of the TSR2 project including cancellation charges if the air craft were cancelled forthwith.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the House on 2nd February the Government has not completed its review of the TSR2. The question of its immediate cancellation does not therefore arise. I should in any case not be willing to disclose figures from which cancellation charges might be deduced as they are a matter for negotiation with the contractors.

asked the Minister of Aviation how many workers on the shop floor and in the design offices, respectively, of Short Brothers and Harland he estimates will become redundant in 1965.

The company has not yet had time to assess the implications of the revised programme, but it is hoped that the number of staff who will become redundant this year will be small.

asked the Minister of Aviation (1) what is the price in dollars to be paid for the Lockheed C130; how many are to be ordered; and when he expects the aircraft to be delivered;(2)if he will estimate the price in dollars of the Phantom aircraft; and how many are required by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, respectively.

Details of price, numbers to be supplied, and delivery times are subjects of current negotiation with the United States Government. While these negotiations are in progress I do not think it would be prudent to publish information of the kind which the hon. Member has requested. When negotiations have been completed, we hope to make as full a statement as is consistent with avoiding breaches of confidence with the United States Government and its contractors or of our own national security.

asked the Minister of Aviation what discussions he has had with the British aircraft industry and the McDonnel Aircraft Company about building or assembling the Phantom aircraft under licence in the United Kingdom.

We intend to have British engines in the Phantom we buy. British ejection seats are already a standard fit. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister indicated in the debate on 2nd February, we are examining the possibility of having British firms supply materials, components, subassemblies and further items of equipment, together with the possibility of assembly in this country. We aim to go as far as we reasonably can in this direction, but with strict regard to cost and time considerations. Discussions have already started with some British firms likely to be concerned.

asked the Lord President of the Council if, in the interests of historical accuracy, he will ensure that in any arrangements made by the Government for the forthcoming Parliamentary celebration it is made clear that the occasion commemorates an earlier Parliamentary institution and not the present Parliamentary institution which started in 1707.

It has been, and will be, made clear that the celebrations are in connection with the 700th Anniversary of Simon de Montfort's Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British casualties have been sustained in defence of the independence of Malaysia since September, 1963; and what information he has as to the number of Malaysian casualties in the same period.

Since September, 1963, when Malaysia came into existence the combined British Forces, including Gurkhas, have sustained 100 casualties in the course of operations in defence of Malaysia. During the same period I understand that Malaysian forces have suffered 67 casualties.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name the items on the air portability list that cannot be carried by the Lockheed C130.

The Lockheed C130E can carry all the items on the Army's air portability list which the HS681 could have carried.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to publish the Defence White Paper.

The Statement on the Defence Estimates, 1965 will be presented to Parliament on Tuesday, 23rd February.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consult the Minister of Housing and Local Government and local authorities before a final decision is made on the future use of North Weald aerodrome.

The airfield at North Weald is required for defence purposes by the Army. The question of consulting the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the local authorities does not therefore arise.

asked the Attorney-General whether Her Majesty's Government do or do not propose to introduce legislation to vary the effect of the decision in Ward v. James relating to trial by jury in accident cases.

The Government recognise that the present state of the law and practice relating to the assessment of damages for personal injuries is unsatisfactory, but before any amending legislation can be introduced a full inquiry will be necessary. My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor is considering what form such an inquiry should take.

asked the Prime Minister what executive functions the Minister of Land and Natural Resources has in Scotland; and what responsibility he has to Parliament for land, water, or natural resources in Scotland.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state the functions of the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources in so far as they relate to Scotland.

None.

asked the Prime Minister what representations he has received against the banning of the sale of arms to South Africa; from whom the representations came; and what reply he made.

I have had a few letters expressing disagreement with the Government's policy on the supply of arms to South Africa I have referred in reply to the statement I made in the House on the 17th of November.

asked the Prime Minister what price he allowed for the United States aircraft, designated TFX, in his calculation that by substituting TFXs for TSR2s there would be a saving of £250 million.

Confidential information on prices was given by the United States Government and I am not at liberty to make it public. The saving of £250 million which I quoted on the 2nd of February is not a product of the difference in production price alone. It also takes into account research and development costs and support costs and allows for terminal charges on the TSR2.

asked the Prime Minister on what date he intends to address the United Nations General Assembly, and to visit Washington and Ottawa.

No dates have as yet been fixed.

asked the Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the employment prospects of the 5,000 men and women employed both on the shop floor and in the design staff on the HS681 project at Baginton; and what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to provide either other work at Baginton or for future employment of those workers.

In their review of current aircraft projects the Government are taking full account of the possible consequences of their decisions on the future employment of workers in the industry.

asked the Prime Minister if he will extend the exports awards scheme to apply to those industries and firms whose activities reduce the volume of imports.

As I said in my statement on 4th February, the details of the scheme are being worked out by a Committee under the Chairmanship of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The noble Lord will realise that the scheme covers achievements in the technological field, and it is here that our main hopes of reducing imports of manufactured goods must be realised.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement concerning the proposals to establish an Ombudsman or Parliamentary Commissioner.

I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave on the 21st January to the hon. Member for Bury St Edmunds (Mr. Eldon Griffiths).

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give a list of all Government Departments and other Government agencies which are required to devote a substantial part of their time to economic and social problems in the Highlands.

All four Departments of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland devote a substantial part of their time to the Highlands. In addition, most United Kingdom and Great Britain departments have some responsibilities in the Highlands.The following Government agencies and grant aided bodies are also concerned with the Highlands: Forestry Commission, Crofters Commission, Red Deer Commision, Herring Industry Board, White Fish Authority, North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, the transport undertakings which operate in the area, the Northern, North-Eastern and Western Regional Hospital Boards, the North of Scotland and West of Scotland Colleges of Agriculture, Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society Limited, Scottish Country Industries Development Trust, Scottish Council of Social Service, Scottish Council of Physical Recreation, Highland Home Industries, Highland Fund Limited.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many judgments have been obtained by the Potato Marketing Board in each of the last three years against registered potato producers in the Oxford County Court and in other English courts, respectively.

I understand from the Potato Marketing Board that this information is not readily available and that it could not be obtained without a disproportionate expenditure of time and effort. I gather, however, that virtually all cases are taken in the Oxford County Court, as this aspect of the work is dealt with in the Board's Oxford office, and that very few have been taken elsewhere during the last three years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been paid out in Agricultural Improvement Grant in the three months to the latest convenient date; what proportion of this total has been for piggeries; and what proportion of the latter figure has been for buildings designed for the most intensive form of pig housing known as pig sweat-boxes.

In the United Kingdom during the three months ended 31st December, 1964, grants paid under the Farm Improvement Scheme totalled £2,795,646. Of this total 2·9 per cent. (£81,187) represented payments in respect of pi geries. No payments have been made for buildings designed as pig sweat-boxes.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will give a list of the Commonwealth Governments which were represented on the Working Party to consider the proposals for setting up a Commonwealth Secretariat.

The following 19 Commonwealth Governments had their own representatives on the Working Party:

Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Ceylon, Ghana, Malaysia, Nigeria, Cyprus, Sierra Leone, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Zambia and the United Kingdom.

The remaining one, Tanzania, was represented jointly by Kenya and Uganda.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total number of full-time and sandwich students in colleges of advanced technology at the beginning of the academic year 1964–65, and at the beginning of the previous two academic years; and how these were divided between technology, science and the other main faculties, respectively.

The total numbers of full-time and sandwich course students

NUMBERS OF FULL-TIME STUDENTS (UNDERGRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE)
—		Technology	Pure Science (with Mathematics)	Arts	Social Studies	Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Agriculture and Forestry	Total
October, 1962	…	16,652	30,791	36,664	13,273	19,230	116,610
October, 1963	…	18,101	33,212	38,242	15,405	19,042	124,002
October, 1964	…	19,964	35,799	41,958	17,671	19,794	135,186

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has now decided whether there shall be a college of advanced technology in the North-East of England.

I hope to make a statement on institutions of higher education shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further enrolled at the ten colleges of advanced technology at the beginning of the three academic years 1962–63 to 1964–65 were as follows:

Faculties	October	October	October
	1962	1963	1964
Pure Science	1,500	1,862	2,461
Technology	8,052	8,925	10,192
Liberal Studies	180	211	334
Social Studies	357	559	824
	10,089	11,557	13,811

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total number of full-time students in universities in Great Britain at the beginning of the academic year 1964–65, and at the beginnings of the two previous academic years; and how these were divided between technology, science and the other main faculties, respectively.

The following is the information provided by the University Grants Committee about students in universities (not including Colleges of Advanced Technology):developments there have been since November, 1964, in his negotiations with fireworks manufacturers.

Further discussions with the Fireworks Manufacturers' Safety Association are being held this week. The technical problem of capping will be one of the matters to be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will examine the possibility of assisting separated, deserted and divorced wives with children and mothers of children entitled to an order made by the court with the collection of maintenance, with a view to removing hardship as the result of non-payment; and if he will consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer with a view to transferring the collection to the Department of Inland Revenue.

The enforcement of maintenance orders is a matter for the courts. They already have power to make an order for the payment of arrears, to make an order for the attachment of the defendant's income, to distrain on his property and, if necessary, to commit him to prison for nonpayment. I will consult my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer about the suggestion in the second part of the Question and will write to my hon. Friend thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers have been assaulted by those in custody during each of the last three annual periods for which figures are available; and how many of those assaults have caused the prison officer to miss some duty.

I would refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer given yesterday to a Question by the hon. Member for Dorset, North (Sir Richard Glyn).

asked the Secretary State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been assaulted by a fellow prisoner during each of the last three annual periods for which figures are available; and how many of those assaulted have required medical attention.

In 1963, the latest year for which figures are available, 605 male prisoners were punished under the Prison Rules for violence, including attempted violence, against other prisoners. The corresponding figures for 1961 and 1962 were 583 and 519 respectively. I regret that statistics are not available to answer the second part of the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the assaults on prison officers and fellow prisoners by those in custody during each of the last three years were committed within the first year of custody, in the second to fifth year of custody, and after five years of custody, respectively.

I regret the information requested is not available and could not be obtained without a difficult inquiry which I am reluctant to put in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many research projects into problems of juvenile delinquency are at present being undertaken under the authority of his Department.

Four university projects related to juvenile delinquency are at present receiving financial assistance from my Department. The Home Office Research Unit, which operates on behalf of both Home Departments, is also undertaking research bearing on this field, particularly an extensive research project on probation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many rents of smallholdings controlled by his Department have been increased in the last 18 months in Scotland and in Renfrewshire, respectively; how many smallholders are at present in receipt of notices of intention to raise rents; and what is the policy of his Department in connection with the rents of smallholdings.

The rents of 407 smallholdings in Scotland managed by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland have been increased in the last 18 months; 21 of these holdings are in Renfrewshire. Notices requesting revision of rent have been served on a further 680 smallholders of whom 63 are in Renfrewshire.My Department is engaged in a general revision of rents of the smallholdings it manages. The last revision took place in 1953–54. A fresh revision is necessary in order to maintain a reasonable relativity with rent changes occurring in agriculture generally, to go some way towards meeting increasing costs of upkeep and also to encourage the proper use of land.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in planning his programme of export incentives, what schemes operated by other major exporting countries he examined; and if he will give details of each.

I regret that it would not be practicable for me to describe in detail the wide variety of arrangements in force abroad. I naturally took account of what other countries are doing, though their circumstances often differ materially from our own.

asked the Minister of Technology what proposals he has to encourage the commercial activities of the production group of the Atomic Energy Authority, referred to in paragraph 28 of their Tenth Annual Report.

The Atomic Energy Authority was set up under the Act of 1954 primarily to promote research into various applications of atomic energy and to manufacture special materials required for use in atomic energy programmes. Production activities have grown substantially in recent years and, in particular, the manufacture of fuel elements for sale to the electricity generating authorities, and for export, is now taking place on a large scale. Sales are likely to be at approximately the following level for the next few years:

	£m.
Reactor fuel elements	20
Electricity	7
Radioactive isotopes	2
	29

With the increasing scale of their commercial operations, it is now desirable that the Authority should operate under financial arrangements more nearly resembling those of other industry both public and private. Annual parliamentary grants are not suitable for financing commercial business of this magnitude, which often involves long-term contracts and commitments and planning ahead. Accordingly, from the beginning of the next financial year, the Authority's commercial operations will be separated from the rest of their activities which are financed directly from the Atomic Energy Vote, and organised in a Trading Fund. This involves no change in the organisation and responsibilities of the Authority and no legislation will be required. Section 4(2) of the Atomic Energy Authority Act of 1954 allows the revenues of the Authority to be applied as the Minister shall, with the approval of the Treasury, direct, and a change in the statutory directions issued by the Minister to the Authority will be required to set up the Fund.The new arrangements will provide a suitable financial basis for the Authority's fuel element business, based on their Springfields Plant. They will also cover the reactors at Calder Hall and Chapel-cross, which are now engaged primarily in the generation of electricity for supply to the Generating Boards, and the Radiochemical Centre at Amersham. The diffusion plant for the production of U.235 at Capenhurst and the plutonium separation plant at Windscale will not be brought within the fund initially. Capenhurst is running at a low level of output pending decisions on the future production of U.235 for civil purposes. Trading activities at Windscale are as yet relatively small. The inclusion of these two plants in the fund will be considered as soon as it is appropriate.Parliamentary approval will be sought by means of a new Vote, separate from the existing Atomic Energy Vote. All the operations of the Fund will be subject to examination and audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.The establishment of the Fund will have no effect on Defence costs.A target surplus has been agreed for the Fund, after meeting interest on capital, depreciation and other normal charges, including research and development costs. This envisages earnings at a rate which, over 5 years, would yield a surplus of £3·9 million. The Fund will retain depreciation provisions and trading surplus and will be enabled to build up its own reserves to meet contingencies and normal capital investment requirements.The Fund will be set up with an initial capital sufficient to cover the book values of both the fixed and working capital of the plants concerned. This is at present estimated to be about £37 million but the actual amount will depend on the precise values of current assets at the date on which the new arrangements are brought into force. The Exchequer will receive from the Fund interest on the initial capital. Should further advances at any time be necessary from the new Vote, they also will bear interest. The Exchequer will also receive a contribution in lieu of income tax where tax would be payable under the normal rules. The introduction of the Trading Fund will cause an increase in the net amount of the existing Atomic Energy Vote because of the elimination of receipts from trading operations. This will, however, be partly offset by an increase in Exchequer Extra Receipts of interest, and the Exchequer will, in future years, not have to provide that amount for the Authority's capital needs which can be met from their reserves.

asked the Minister of Transport if detailed provisional plans for the route of the new M.11 motor way have yet been formulated; and when they are likely to be made available for public inspection.

I hope to publish a draft scheme for the length between the North Circular Road and Bishop's Stortford in the latter part of this year. Proposals for extensions to the north and south should follow soon after. Proposals for side roads will be published after the route has been established.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consult the local authorities concerned before finalising the route of the new M.11.

I am already consulting the local authorities about the route and shall take their views into account before I publish a draft scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has for the improvement of orbital roads in the north-east Metropolitan area, in view of the fact that many residential roads in the localities of Chingford and Waltham Abbey are expected to carry traffic for which they were never designed.

My plans for the improvement of the North Circular Road include schemes already programmed for the junctions with Fore Street, Chingford Road and Woodford New Road, as well as longer term plans for raising it to dual 3-lane carriageway standard throughout. Further out the main orbital route is to be the new "D" Ring Road. The section between A.1 and A.10 to the west of Waltham Cross is included in the current trunk road programme, and preparatory work is in progress. The section to the east of A.10 is not yet programmed, and further survey work will be needed before the line of the road is settled. The link from the "D" ring to the Dartford Tunnel will be provided by part of the North Orbital Road. Of this, the immediate approaches to the Tunnel have been built. The remainder has not yet been programmed.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether some permanent record will appear in Westminster Hall to commemorate the lying in state of Sir Winston Churchill; and if he will make a statement.

This is being considered in consultation with the appropriate authorities.