asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the approximate cost of agricultural subsidies during the first nine months of the current financial year; and what Supplementry Estimate is anticipated in this connection.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for presenting Supplementary Estimates for agricultural subsidies in the present financial year.

The payments for agricultural subsidies made out of Class V, Votes 3, 4 5 and 6 for the nine months ended 31st December, 1964, amounted to £186 million approximately.As regards the second part of the Question, Supplementary Estimates were introduced in November, 1964, and further Supplementary Estimates have been published today.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost of agricultural subsidies during the first nine months of the current financial year; and whether he is satisfied that the benefits of these subsidies are being obtained by those for whose assistance they were designed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost of agricultural subsidies during the first nine months of this financial year; and to what extent, and in what proportions, he estimates that farmers, middlemen and consumers, respectively, have benefited from these subsidies.

As I have said in more detail in my reply today to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Gresham Cooke), the figure is approximately £186 million. The whole of these payments apart from small payments to agricultural landowners have benefited the farmers since they have been made to maintain the value of the guarantees under the Agricultural Acts. As regards the consumer, food in this country is very considerably cheaper as a result of our system of agricultural support than in almost all countries, for example, which have a managed market. Middlemen under any system get what profit they can but their opportunities are no greater under ours than under any other system.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be able to make a statement on the use of entire boars for pork.

I understand that the results of the trials undertaken by the Pig Industry Development Authority, which were completed last year, were not conclusive and that the Authority is arranging for further research on certain points. It is hoped that the results of this may be available in about a year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to improve the financial return to small egg producers whose livelihoods are being threatened by the introduction of million bird units; and whether he will make a statement.

Future egg arrangements are now the subject of discussion between the Farmers' Unions, the British Egg Marketing Board and my Department. I cannot at this stage add to what I have said.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the quantity and value of meat imported from Yugoslavia and elsewhere during the last three months; and what he estimates will be the level during the next three months.

Yugoslav carcase meat imports consist mainly of chilled beef.In the last quarter of 1964, we imported 3,200 tons of chilled and about 50 tons of frozen beef from Yugoslavia, worth nearly £900,000. Chilled beef imports from elsewhere totalled 41,100 tons valued at £10 million. Frozen beef imports amounted to 52,000 tons worth nearly £14 million.I anticipate that chilled beef imports during the current quarter will be about the same as October-December with good supplies of frozen beef; and I do not expect any significant change in the value of imports during this quarter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will institute a series of periodical statements giving his Department's estimates of United Kingdom requirements of meat and meat products, of the quantities likely to be available from home sources and of the balance which may require to be imported, as far as practicable on the lines of his present series of statistical statements and market information on cereals.

The arrangements for providing market information on cereals would not in some respects be appropriate for meat. We are however considering what improvements can be made in market information on meat as part of our review of fatstock and meat marketing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reduction in the supply of meat from the Argentine he anticipates over the next five years.

Supplies from the Argentine have in recent months fallen to a lower rate than we have received in the past, but I do not expect there to be any further reduction in the course of this year. I cannot forecast further ahead than this.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from farming organisations concerning the need for an increase in dairy farmers' incomes at the coming Price Review.

I have received representations from a number of individual farmers and I am aware of many public statements that have been made on this subject. As I have made clear on a number of occasions the various points raised will be borne in mind but I cannot of course anticipate the outcome of the Price Review discussions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what saving in imports he estimates will accrue in 1965 by virtue of increased home production.

Some further saving in imports is expected in 1965 as a result of increased production in 1964 but it is too early to estimate the volume of agricultural production in 1965 or the effect it will have on import requirements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the serious effect increasing costs are having on the horticultural industry; and what action he will take to alleviate this.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 3rd February to the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Hastings).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what official advice he has received from economists and the National Agricultural Advisory Service with regard to the future of the Small Farmers Scheme.

Matters concerning the Small Farmers Scheme have been under onsideration within my Department in the context of the Annual Review. This is all I am in a position to say at the moment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total value of agricultural exports produced and exported from Great Britain in each of the years 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 and to the latest convenient comparable date; if he will list the principal items; and if he will make a statement.

I will send the hon. Member the information for which he asks and will also make it available in the Library of the House. Over this five year period exports of agricultural and horticultural produce increased from £42 million to £70 million an increase of 67 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many schemes were approved and how much grant was paid in 1963 and in 1964.

In the United Kingdom in 1963 1,678 applications were approved

PIGS SLAUGHTERED AT U.K. BACON FACTORIES IN 1964
—	No. of pigs slaughtered at U.K. bacon factories	No. of carcases used for bacon (included in Col.(1))		Bacon supplies ('000tons)
		Whole Carcases	Part Carcases	Produced in U.K.	Imported	Total	U.K. production as proportion of Total
	(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)	(7)
1964:
Jan.-March	1,665,605	799,878	418,167	51·5	91·0	142·5	36·1
April-June	1,642,864	823,325	422,942	54·9	95·6	150·5	36·5
July-Sept.	1,693,856	859,074	455,423	57·3	104·6	161·9	35·4
Oct.-Dec.	1,752,695	793,624	465,557	55·4	99·7	155·1	35·7
YEAR	6,755,020	3,275,901	1,762,089	219·1	390·9	610·0	35·9

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the Waverley Report recommended grants to assist river boards in maintaining sea defences; and, in view of the fact that the programme of new defences carried out after the floods of 1953 is now becoming a heavy charge on ratepayers for maintenance, if he will now consider taking action on this recommendation.

Although the Waverley Report in 1954 recommended grants in suitable cases for maintenance of sea defence works, I am not aware of any sound reason to depart from the accepted principle that grant aid should be restricted to approved expenditure on new works and works of improvement. If the River Boards Association wishes to submit a detailed case for consideration I will of course examine it but it

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of pigs slaughtered for bacon in each of the quarters of 1964; and what was the proportion of home supplies in relation to imported supplies of bacon in the same periods.

The following is the information:would be wrong for me to encourage any optimism that the law will be changed to enable such grants to be paid.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the action taken by his Department over a recent case of anthrax in his constituency about which the hon. Member for Eye has written to him; and if he will make a statement.

The action taken by my Department in the case of anthrax referred to has been explained to the hon. and gallant Member in the letter I sent him on 19th January. I am satisfied that the necessary veterinary inquiries were made promptly in this case and that the disinfection and other precautions required by the Anthrax Order were carried out. The source of infection in this and other recent outbreaks of anthrax throughout the country is still under investigation. As regards the current incidence of anthrax in Great Britain there is nothing further that I can add at this stage to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Cornwall, North (Mr. Scott-Hopkins) on 3rd February.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many outbreaks of anthrax there have been in Wales during the last two months; how this compares with outbreaks during the previous two years.

There were 15 out breaks of anthrax in Wales in December last year and 9 last month. This total of 24 compares with totals of 3 and 21 for the same period a year ago and 2 years ago, respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what precautions are being taken to stop the spread of anthrax in the counties of Devon and Cornwall, in view of the recent outbreaks.

Most outbreaks of anthrax are believed to be caused by anthrax contamination in feedingstuffs. As I indicated in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 9th December, my right hon. Friend would not he justified in seeking powers to require the withdrawal of supplies which may come under suspicion.In all individual cases, the provisions of the Anthrax Order of 1938, designed to prevent any possible spread of disease and the risk of contamination from animals which die from anthrax, are promptly put into operation. The Order requires, among other things, that animals affected or suspected of being affected with the disease must be isolated from other stock: that the carcases of animals which die from anthrax must be effectively destroyed: that no blood must be shed from such carcases: and that there must be adequate cleansing and disinfection of pens, equipment an litter where such animals or carcases have been kept.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will extend the maximum permitted price of Channel Islands milk beyond March, in view of the delay in reaching a decision about a new scheme.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he now expects to receive the Report of the technical committee examining the conditions in which livestock are reared intensively.

I have nothing to add to replies I gave the House on 3rd February. We hope to receive this Report by the end of the summer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will extend the calf subsidy to include heifer calves of the Friesian breed.

The Calf Subsidy Scheme is a matter for the Annual Review and I am unable to make any statement bearing on this at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that the best agricultural land is preserved for farming and that only poorer qualities of land are taken for development.

The Department is consulted by local planning authorities and by other Government Departments under agreed administrative arrangements on all but minor proposals to develop on agricultural land.Before agreeing to the loss of good land my right hon. Friend wants to be satisfied that the development is essential and that there is no suitable alternative site on land of poorer quality. However, the agricultural value of the land is not the only factor to take into account when deciding where development is to go, and sometimes, when other considerations are over-riding, even very good agricultural land must be taken for development.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many acres of farmland were taken for non-agricultural development of various kinds during the last period of 12 months for which figures are available; and what acreage is likely to be taken during each of the next three years.

From June, 1963, to June, 1964, the total area of land going out of agriculture in England and Wales was about 54,000 acres. About 46,000 acres of this was taken for urban development of various kinds. I cannot say exactly what the requirements will be for the next three years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the discussions he has had with representatives of trade and industry about food prices; and what co-operation he

AGGREGATE INCOME BEFORE TAX
					Farmers' income		Total personal income
					£ million	As index	£ million	As index
1960	…	…	…	…	489	100·0	21,105	100·0
1961	…	…	…	…	526	107·6	22,803	108·0
1962	…	…	…	…	549	112·3	23,971	113·6
1963	…	…	…	…	530	108·4	25,329	120·0

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers earned in 1964 less than the wage of an agricultural worker; and how this figure compares with that for 1951.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much farmers' income from food production has dropped during the last five years; and by how much during the same period the retail food price index has risen.

Aggregate farming net income from all products of agriculture and horticulture increased by 21 per cent. between 1958–59 and 1963–64. Over the same period retail prices of food rose by approximately 7 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has now made of the increased annual costs to the farming industry in England and in Wales, due to the 15 per cent. import surcharge.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 20th January to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Govan (Mr. Rankin) and to the reply at Question Time today to the hon. Member for Lowestoft (Mr. Prior).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes have taken place in farmers' incomes, relative to the average national earnings, in the years 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1964.

Estimates for 1964 are not yet available. The following table gives the information for the other years:

I would refer the hon. Member to the first part of the Answer given by my right hon. Friend on 3rd February to the right hon. Member for Bedford (Mr. Soames).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many lime producers have applied for hearings under Article 9, section 11, of the Agricultural Lime Scheme of 1964; when the first applications were made; how many have been heard; whether he is satisfied with the functioning of the new Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

To date the Department has received 13 applications by lime producers for hearings under paragraph 9(11) of the Agricultural Lime Scheme, 1964. The first was on 25th September last. Of this total, four applications have been withdrawn at various times since that date. There is some doubt as to whether a further six are to be pursued by the producers concerned. The remaining three are at present taken to be firm. The firs of these was originally put forward on 3rd November, and confirmed by the producer after correspondence on 16th December. None of these three has yet been heard, but arrangements for so doing are at an advanced stage. The Scheme came into effect on 1st August, 1964, and seems generally to be working satisfactorily. However, in accordance with earlier undertakings, the Department is consulting with the farmers' unions and the lime trade associations on the operation of the new Scheme so far; and a meeting with these organisations has already been arranged for 23rd February. It would be premature therefore to make any mo-e detailed statement until any views which may be expressed at that meeting have been considered.

		£ million
		United Kingdom	England and Wales	Scotland	Northern Ireland
Total gross output*	…	1,651·4†	not available	178·6‡	115·9‡
Net farming income*	…	406·5	not available	not available	26·9
Grants and subsidies§	…	284	215	42	27
Notes:
* Estimates for the farm year beginning June, 1963, to May, 1964, for holdings over one acre.
† Forecases prepared at February, 1964.
‡ Gross output of Scotland and Northern Ireland includes store livestock and seeds sold to farmers elsewhere in the United Kingdom. The estimate of output for the United Kingdom as a whole is restricted to sales off the "national farm". It therefore excludes sales between farms in the United Kingdom of store livestock and seeds, and gross output for England and Wales cannot therefore be found by subtracting from the U.K. estimate those for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
§ Estimated cost of Exchequer support in financial year beginning 1st April, 1963 excluding administrative expenses and certain minor grants borne by the Exchequer of Northern Ireland. Certain subsidies lave had to be apportioned between countries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cows, bulls, steers and heifers, other than pedigree stock, have been exported from the United Kingdom since 16th October. 1964, up to the latest convenient date.

The following table shows the number of bovine cattle, other than for breeding, exported from the United Kingdom in the period October-December, 1964.

	1964
	Oct.*	Nov.	Dec.	Oct.-Dec.
Cows, bulls and calves	13,379	13,490	13,874	40,743
Bullocks and heifers	9,614	6,660	7,545	23,819
* U.K. trade figures are only available for complete calendar months.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state, in terms of value, the gross agricultural output, the net agricultural income, and the amount paid by way of grants and subsidies, during the latest period for which statistics are available, in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively.

I regret that information is not available for all these items separately. The available information is as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the cost of the Scientific Advisory Panel under the chairmanship of Professor A. C. Frazer.

As the Panel has only just been constituted I cannot give any precise statement of cost. However, the chairman is receiving £750 per annum and the other members ten guineas per day for each meeting, in addition in each case to out-of-pocket expenses.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the level of imports into the United Kingdom of beef and veal in hundredweights during the period 1st January to 31st December, 1964; and how this compares with the period 1st January to 31st December, 1963.

The following table shows the level of imports into the United Kingdom of beef and veal in hundredweights during the calendar years 1963 and 1964.

Beef and Veal		1963 cwt.	1964 cwt.
Fresh and Chilled	…	5,327,498	3,739,340
Frozen	…	1,825,192	3,158,929
Total	…	7,152,690	6,898,269

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the size of the British food bill for 1964; and how much of this amount was received, respectively, by home farmers and foreign producers.

It is estimated that personal expenditure on home and imported food in 1964 was approaching £5 ½ thousand million.The value, at point of first sale, of agricultural and horticultural output in the United Kingdom is estimated at something over £1,650 million including Exchequer payments to maintain guaranteed prices, but not production grants. Of this total just over 85 per cent. relates to the production of crops, livestock and livestock products for human consumption.Our fishing industry landed supplies valued at about £57 million in 1964 and the c.i.f. value of imports of food and feedingstuffs, including tropical produce, was about £1,680 million, of which some £930 million came from non-Commonwealth sources.

asked the Paymaster-General what is the role of the Central Office of Information in the coordination of home information.

The Central Office of Information has no responsibility for the co-ordination of the Home Information Services as a whole; it is a common service Department providing information material and services to Exchequer Departments.

asked the Pay-master-General whether he is satisfied with the co-ordination of home information services in giving publicity to Ministerial and official statements concerning economic affairs; and if he will make a statement.

The co-ordination machinery is working smoothly, but the Government will always be on the alert for means of improving it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the present provisions and grants for home safety propaganda; and what are his plans for increasing them.

My Department is making a grant of £2,000 in the current year to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in respect of home safety work in Scotland. This is a field in which local authorities can do valuable work, and I am considering what more I can do to encourage them in it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the concession between him and the Limb and Appliance Centre whereby disabled ex-Service men provided with motor vehicles are in future to be relieved of the additional tax duty to be placed on petrol.

As from 1st January the car maintenance allowance paid to disabled war pensioners provided with motor cars was increased by £15 a year to help compensate for recent increases in the cost of maintenance, garaging and petrol duty. The allowance in respect of invalid tricycles was similarly increased by £2 a year as from 1st December last.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any tenant has yet been found to utilise the piggeries and food processing plant and supermarket in Glenrothes; and what was the price paid for the premises.

No. But negotiations are proceeding with four companies for the disposal of the food processing plant and piggeries together and there have been further inquiries about the piggeries as a separate unit. The supermarket is not an integral part of the main project and, having terminated the company's lease, the Development Corporation is negotiating with other prospective tenants.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many Scottish constituencies at the last General Election the counting took place in the same hall and with the same personnel as the counting for one or more other constituencies; and whether he will take steps to ensure that each constituency shall be treated as a separate entity for these purposes.

I regret this information is not available. The arrangements for counting are entrusted by statute to electoral returning officers, and the requirement which my hon. Friend suggests would require legislation. I have, however, brought his suggestion to the attention of returning officers, with a view to its being considered at a meeting with my Department in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to amend or repeal the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889.

I am considering proposals regarding the future of the Act which I have received from the University Courts and other interested bodies. I am not yet in a position to say when legislation will be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action is being taken to speed up the approval of school building plans submitted to his Department by local authorities.

The requisite approval covers not only the plans but also planning clearance and costs. I am anxious to speed up the approval stages as much as possible. For a wide range of smaller projects the formal approval of sketch plans is being discontinued, and the procedures generally are being kept under regular review. Preliminary informal discussion of technical problems between the education authorities and my Department, which can do much to avoid delays at the stage of formal approval, will be encouraged. Longer-term programming is making it possible to concentrate attention on those projects which are in an authority's programme to start in the next two or three years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the tendency towards earlier marriage, what provision of married quarters for resident house officers will be made in the development proposals for the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh; and if he will make a statement.

The proposals before me at present for residential accommodation for medical staff at the new Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh provides 51 places, of which 30 will be self-contained flats for married officers. In general, residential accommodation for hospital staff is being planned as flexibly as possible in order to provide for changes in the proportion of staff in residence who are married or have dependants.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of registered milk producers in Scotland for each year since 1958.

The following are the figures for producers registered with the three Milk Marketing Boards in Scotland:

(March)
1958	…	…	8,289
1959	…	…	8,133
1960	…	…	8,020
1961	…	…	7,887
1962	…	…	7,735
1963	…	…	7,525
1964	…	…	7,204
1965 (January)	…	…	6,939

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of teachers in Scotland, qualified and unqualified, respectively, who are not of Scottish origin, and whose teaching qualifications do not conform to the Scottish Teaching Certificate.

In October, 1963, the latest date for which detailed information is available, there were 348 teachers employed in Scotland who had trained as teachers in other countries and did not hold a certificate under the Scottish Training Regulations. No information is available about the number of uncertificated teachers who were not of Scottish origin and had not trained elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the plans for the Scottish Special Housing Association for the next five years, indicating the regions, cities and towns affected; and what has been the programme of the Association for the last five years.

In the last five years the Association has built just over 8,000 houses on its own account—an average of 1,600 houses a year. I have given it authority to start at least 2,400 in the year 1965–66. At present I cannot say where each of these houses will be built. I am determined that the Scottish Special Housing Association will play a full part in our fresh drive for more and better houses in Scotland, and this will govern its subsequent programmes.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the introduction of different colourings on roads as a Highway Colour Code is being extended in the United States of America in consequence of its effectiveness in reducing accidents there, as has been the case in other countries; what study he has made of this; and whether he will consider the use of this on appropriate roads in this country.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will adopt the method of coloured road surfaces as a means of reducing accidents, as used in the United States of America.

Trials have been conducted in this country with the use of coloured materials for safety reasons and also for ease of identification. The Worboys Committee referred to the matter in its Report and I shall continue to keep it under review in the light of experience here and abroad.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will issue specific instructions to drivers of vehicles on motorways as to what action they should take after an advance warning of fog has been given.

No. Fog warning signs advise drivers of fog on motorways. Drivers should then be ready to take the normal fog precautions already suggested in the pamphlet "Motorway Manners". Some may choose to leave the motorway before meeting the fog.

asked the Minister of Transport if that part of the M.4 Motorway leading to London Airport is near completion; and if he is able to announce the date of its opening.

Provided weather conditions are satisfactory during the next few weeks I hope to open the whole of the Chiswick-Langley section of M.4, including the spur to London Airport, on 22nd March. The opening has been delayed by engineering and other difficulties.

asked the Minister of Transport what would be the cost of bringing railway superannuitants into line with ex-employees of the gas and electricity industries as regards increases under the Pensions (Increase) Acts.

The British Railways Board tells me that the additional cost of granting pension increases to all railway pensioners corresponding to those granted to public service pensioners under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1962, would be of the order of £1 million a year over and above the cost of increases already granted.

asked the Minister of Transport whether a decision has yet been reached about the proposed withdrawal of passenger services from the Manchester, Victorian-Bury-Accrington line; and what is the present situation.

Following the arrangements I announced on 4th November the Railways Board sent me the basic information about this proposal. I have decided that any implications it may have for regional and national planning can be fully considered following its passage through the normal statutory procedure.

asked the Minister of Transport if, when appointing the next Chairman of the Railways Board, he will give prime consideration to those who have spent their working lives in the service of British Railways.

I shall certainly take suitable railway experience into account. But I must give prime consideration to finding the best man for the job, whether within the railway service or not.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will postpone making a decision on the proposal now before him for the closure of the Yarnton to King-ham branch line, until he has had sufficient time to observe the possibility of increased passenger traffic to and from Handborough, the railway station for Bladon.

I have not yet completed my consideration of the Railways Board's proposal to close Handborough station, which is included in its plans to withdraw local services between Oxford and Worcester. Before doing so I shall take account of any increase in traffic at Handborough.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on the findings of the Departmental Committee of Inquiry into the Ferranti contract for Bloodhound missiles.

I have studied carefully the report of the Inquiry which has been carried out in my Department into the circumstances in which excessive prices were paid to Messrs. Ferranti Limited on their contracts for the production of components for the Bloodhound Mark I missile.This Inquiry has confirmed that the excessive payments arose primarily from an over-estimate by the technical costs staff of the direct labour required for the performance of these contracts. Bloodhound Mark I was the first large guided weapon for which technical costs estimates had been prepared. The prior assessment of production costs in this novel and advanced field of technology is inevitably difficult, and some margin of difference between the estimates and the actual costs is almost inevitable. In this case, however, the margin of error was very large, and I consider that the estimates represented a standard of work much lower than that which the technical costs staff can reasonably be expected to achieve. The officers concerned have been so informed.The opportunity which subsequently presented itself of identifying the initial technical costs error by means of crosschecking the information available to the Department's accountants with the technical costs estimates was so exceptional as to be outside the experience of the officers concerned. I consider, nevertheless, that the accountants should have recognised the special significance of the figures which they had produced and should have drawn to the attention of the contracts staff the possibilities of crosschecking which they presented. Their omission to do so amounted to a failure to show the initiative which should normally be forthcoming from the Government's professional staff. The officers concerned have been so informed.The agreement of fixed prices on contracts placed without competition for the supply of equipment of the type for which the Ministry of Aviation is responsible is a difficult task demanding from the staff a combination of application to a mass of detail with a readiness to accept responsibility for large settlements. I do not draw from the exceptional circumstances of these particular contracts the conclusion that this work is not normally performed in an efficient manner.Nor do I think that punitive action against those concerned would help to achieve the over-riding objective of minimising the risk of any recurrence of the Ferranti mistakes.

asked the Minister of Aviation why metal fatigue has developed in the Valiants so much more quickly than in civil aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

The different roles in which aircraft are employed and the consequent variations in design, make impossible any direct comparison between the fatigue life of a particular military aircraft and other military and civil types.The important problem of metal fatigue is a subject of continuing study by all concerned in the development of aircraft. The main factors affecting the decision to withdraw the Valiant from service were clearly stated by the Secretary of State for Defence on 1st February. I do not feel that I can usefully add to this.

asked the Minister of Aviation what estimate he has made of the cost of developing a derivative of the existing Tyne aero-engine which would be capable of at least 7,000 brake horse power.

A proposal to develop a derivative of the existing Tyne engine along these lines is being considered but it is too early to indicate the likely outcome or cost.

asked the Minister of Aviation what is his policy on encouraging the development of a derivative of the existing Tyne engine capable of developing at least 7,000 brake horse power.

In conjunction with the Air Staff, my Department is considering proposals for developing the Tyne engine but it is too soon to indicate the likely outcome.

asked the Minister of Aviation to what extent there will now be sufficient surplus design capacity within the British aircraft industry to enable him to develop a variable geometry type of aircraft for joint Service or other purposes without the necessity for collaboration with the French or other European Governments.

I should like to refer the hon. and gallant Member to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's statement on Tuesday, 2nd February, which pointed out that research and development on modern aircraft was so expensive that joint development and production must be the pattern for the future. We are at present in discussion with the French Government on the possibility of collaboration on a light strike-trainer aircraft using the variable geometry concept. The availability of design capacity within our own aircraft industry does not justify forgoing the advantages of such collaboration.

asked the Minister of Aviation what assurances he has received from the United States of America about the supply of spare parts for the United States aircraft which the Government proposes to purchase.

Under the arrangements with the United States, the United Kingdom will enjoy the same position as do the United States Air Force or United States Navy in respect of the supply of spare parts for the aircraft the subject of those arrangements.

asked the Minister of Aviation what Estimate he has made of the number of people who will become unemployed in the Borough of Kingston, Surbiton and Malden as a result of the cancellation of the P1154 fighter aircraft.

A considerable amount of reorganisation and redeployment will obviously be required in the various Hawker Siddeley Aviation factories as a result of the changes in the military aircraft programme announced on 2nd February. Hawker Siddeley are considering urgently how best to meet this situation, and can be expected to keep their employees informed through the normal consultative machinery. Meanwhile 1 think it would be wrong for me to anticipate any announcements they may have to make about specific redundancies in particular places.

asked the Minister of Aviation how many fires have occurred in passengers' luggage on aircraft coming into or outward bound from London Airport; and what steps are being taken to bring to the attention of passengers that the carrying of matches contravenes Section 343 of the Air Navigation Act, 1960.

Only one, and this occurred while the luggage was being unloaded. The airlines warn passengers against carrying inflammable substances in their baggage, by various means including statements in time-tables, pamphlets and tickets, and notices at check-in-points.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he is aware that damage will be done to the British aircraft industry if the design teams hitherto engaged on the HS681 are dispersed; and what alternative projects he will bring forward which will keep these teams together.

As I announced in yesterday's debate, we are examining a number of possibilities for joint research and development with our allies. In addition, the decision to proceed further with the Kestrel and to adopt a version of the Comet for Royal Air Force Coastal Command will go some way to offsetting the loss of work on the HS681.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what is the func- tion of the consultants who are to be appointed to review the potential of Short Brothers and Harland; and who they are.

To do exactly what the hon. Gentleman asks, i.e. to review the potential of Short Brothers and Harland. We shall not make up our minds who they shall be until the Chief Industrial Adviser has discussed it with the company next week.

asked the Prime Minister what is the number of permanent standing advisory committees which are in being at present to advise Her Majesty's Government on various aspects of policy; in how many cases it is usual for the reports of these committees to be published; and in how many cases the reports are made confidentially to Ministers.

251, 117 and 134, respectively. Of the total, five have been set up since 16th October, 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about the strike and riots in Bermuda.

A strike of members of the Bermuda Industrial Union at the Bermuda Electric Light Company began on the 20th January after negotiations broke down over the request of the Union to be recognised as bargaining agent for hourly paid workers in six sections of the company.On 1st February the strike spread to bus drivers, Health Department employees, and construction workers. The next day there was a clash between police and strikers who had gathered outside the Electricity Company's premises. I regret to say that 16 policemen were injured. The strikers were eventually dispersed with tear gas.There has been no further violence, but the strike has spread into other public services, most of which continue to function with reduced staffs. Attempts at mediation continue. The Labour Adviser to the Secretary of State flew to Bermuda yesterday to assist in seeking a settlement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the arrangements in force for granting to those in Government service leave of absence, with or without pay, to enable them to do justice to their public responsibilities in local government, such as being mayor of a local town without unreasonable financial sacrifice.

I propose to review the arrangements in the light of a survey I am making of their present application.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the equivalent of Table 68 of the Inland Revenue Report for the year ended 31st March, 1963, Command Paper No. 2283, for the latest convenient year.

I would refer the hon. Member to Table 71 in the forthcoming Report of the Board of Inland Revenue (Cmnd. 2572) to be published on 12th February.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the differing interpretations of the proposed capital gains tax on amounts to be taken as realised on death, he will state whether the gain to be subject to the proposed tax is to be the whole of the amount passing, or only the increase in value from Budget Day 1965 to the date of death, subject to the first £5,000 of such gain being exempt.

For assets passing on death, as in other cases, the tax will be imposed on gains, not on the whole amount passing; and, as in other cases the gains to be charged will not exceed the difference between the value of the particular assets on 1965 Budget Day and the market value at the date of death.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the present number of non-industrial civil servants established and temporary in post; if he will give, separately, the cost of their pay increases with effect from 1st April, 1963, 1st January, 1964, and 1st January, 1965, as part of the long-term pay agreement; what will be the cost of the increases paid or to be paid as a result of the findings of the Civil Service Pay Research Unit last year; and what will be the estimated cost of the pay increase to be effective from 1st January, 1966.

Excluding the manipulative and engineering grades of the Post Office there are approximately 520,000 non-industrial civil servants. The cost of successive central pay increases for these is estimated to be:

		£m.
3 per cent.—1st April, 1963	…	13
3 per cent.—1st January, 1964	…	13½
3½ per cent.—1st January, 1965	…	17
3½ per cent.—1st January, 1966	…	17½

About 350,000 staff have received further increases effective from 1st January, 1964, as a result of pay research surveys at a cost of approximately £17 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now make a statement about additional Customs posts on the Northern Ireland border.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is yet in a position to announce a decision about the provision of extra Customs posts on the United Kingdom-Eire land frontier.

Agreement has been reached in principle for approval of additional posts at the following points:

1. Castlederg-Castlefin;

2. Rosslea-Monaghan;

3. Crossmaglen-Carrickmacross;

4. Derrylin-Belturbet.

Customs posts will, of course, need to be set up on both sides of the border before these further approvals can be made effective, but I hope it will be possible to have them in operation for the coming tourist season. Further details will be announced in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will remove Purchase Tax from teaching aids.

Perhaps my hon. Friend would provide me with details of the particular teaching aids he has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate the number and result of third-party adoptions with a view to seeking to amend the law governing them.

My right hon. Friend hopes to obtain information on this matter from research projects now being planned.

asked the Minister of Health what is the permitted allowance per capita per week for expenditure on food in old people's homes administered by the county councils.

This is a matter for the individual county councils.

asked the Minister of Health how many local health authorities have appointed the medical officer of health as chief welfare officer; and what proportion this represents of the total number of local health authorities.

Forty-two, according to the latest available records. This represents about 28 per cent. of the total number of county and county borough councils.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to issue electric house-chairs to housebound persons.

Yes, in suitable cases.

asked the Minister of Health if he will increase the number of tests that have to be carried out on new drugs before they are introduced, in order to increase the margin of safety.

Whether sufficient tests have been carried out to justify marketing a new drug is a matter of medical and scientific judgment. The Committee on Safety of Drugs has been appointed to consider and advise manufacturers on this.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) what special arrangements he will make for the employment of aircraft workers made redundant by the Government's decision to cancel HS681;(2) whether he is aware that no comparable employment exists in the Gloucester-Stroud area for aircraft workers made redundant by the Government's decision to cancel HS681; and what proposals he has to mitigate the hardships involved to individuals.

As soon as the employment exchanges are informed of any impending redundancies for their areas the staff are ready to interview the workers concerned with a view to arranging alternative employment or any necessary training.As regards the Gloucester-Stroud area, my local officers do not at present have details of the individuals who may be affected. All I can say at the moment is that this is an area of high employment.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many contributors there were to National Insurance at the latest convenient count, divided between those making full contributions, employers' contributions only, self-employed contributions and non-employed contributions.

Following are the figures:

ESTIMATE* OF THE AVERAGE NUMBERS OF CONTRIBUTORS† DURING THE YEAR 1963
Great Britain				Millions
Contributors	Men and women	Men	Spinsters, widows and divorced women	Married women
All persons	24·84	16·65	3·86	4·33
Employed persons (flat rate contributions):
(1) Full contributions	19·47	15·00	3·35	1·12
(2) Employers' contributions only	3·68	0·21	0·32	3·15
Self-employed persons	1·42	1·32	0·08	0·02
Non-employed persons	0·27	0·12	0·11	0·04
* By the Government Actuary's Department.
† Including persons whose contributions were excused because of unemployment, maternity or incapacity for work.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many retirement pensions were in payment at the latest convenient date, divided between men, wives on husband's insurance, widows on husband's insurance, and women on own insurance.

Following are the estimated numbers at 30th June, 1964:

	Thousands
Men	2,010
Wives, on husband's insurance	1,102
Widows' on husband's insurance	1,327
Women on own insurance (a)	1,614
Total	6,053
(a) "Women on own insurance" include some who are married and some widows. Since August, 1957, all pensions to widows who lose their husbands before reaching age 60 have been awarded "on own insurance" helped, where necessary, by the late husband's contributions.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the net extra cost of raising retirement pensions to £4 10s. single, £5 single, £7 married, and £7 10s. married, respectively.

In 1965–66 these rates of retirement pensions would cost respectively about £127 million and £254 million more than the rates provided under the National Insurance &c. Act, 1964. The consequential saving in payments from the National Assistance Board would be of the order of £27 million and £46 million respectively (assuming that national assistance scale rates remained as recently prescribed). If other national insurance and industrial injuries benefits and war pensions were to be increased similarly, the extra cost would become some £196 million and £392 million, with consequential savings of the order of £34 million and £58 million respectively.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the letters dated 14th January and 1st February received from the Sussex Association of Building Inspectors and Surveyors, together with the replies he has sent; and when it is proposed to lay before Parliament the draft regulations to standardise building byelaws throughout England and Wales.

I am sending the hon. Member copies of the letter of 14th January received from the Sussex Association of Building Inspectors and Surveyors, of the reply sent from this Department on 18th January, and of a further letter received from the Association dated 1st February.In order to allow designers, builders and those responsible for enforcing building regulations to familiarise themselves with the regulations I propose to allow an interval of about six months between the time when they are published and their coming into operation. I also propose to publish explanatory material.I hope to make the regulations and lay them before Parliament during the summer.

asked the Post, master-General whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of all Post Office projects costing over £100,000 for which contracts had been let but work not yet started at 15th October, 1964, or, alternatively, whether work was under way on such contracts at that date, indicating the estimated cost and date of completion in each instance.

I regret that the detailed breakdown for which the right hon. Member is asking is not available, and the high cost of assembling it could not be justified. However, if the right hon. Member has any particular project on which he wishes further figures I shall do my best to provide them.

asked the Minister of Power what consultations he has had, and plans to have, with the steel industry as a whole and with individual com- panies, in carrying out the Government's plans to renationalise the industry; and whether he will make a statement.

Consultations are taking place with a number of individual companies and with the following representative organisations of the iron and steel industry, in addition to the Iron and Steel Board:

• British Federation of Iron and Steel Stockholders;
• British Iron and Steel Federation;
• British Shipbreakers' Association;
• British Steel Founders' Association;
• Joint Iron Council;
• National Council of Associated Iron Ore Producers;
• National Federation of Iron and Steel Merchants;
• National Federation of Scrap Iron, Steel and Metal Merchants;
• Steel Distributors' Association.

I am also having consultations with the Trades Union Congress, the British Employers' Confederation, the Federation of British Industries and the National Association of British Manufacturers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will announce the butter import quotas for the 1965–66 period.

My right hon. Friend expects to make an announcement shortly.