asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many ground staff are now required to support each operational aircraft in Fighter Command, Transport Command and Bomber Command, respectively.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to technical personnel, in which case the answer is 19, 20 and 37.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards equipping British forces in the Far East with the latest weapons, including nuclear weapons.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the conventional and nuclear weapons with which the British forces in the Far East are equipped are of British origin; and whether he will give an assurance that British forces are provided with the most advanced equipment.

All steps are taken to ensure that the latest weapons and equipment suitable for the conditions in which they operate are made available to our forces in the Far East. The great majority of these weapons are of British origin.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when invitations to tender will be sent out for the construction of a new aircraft carrier; and to which shipbuilding yards they will be sent.

Tenders to build a large warship are invited from all shipbuilders who have the necessary facilities and experience, and want to be considered. As to a new aircraft carrier, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 23rd and 30th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in which yards the last five aircraft carriers commissioned by the Royal Navy were built.

One at Cammell Laird's, Birkenhead; one at Vickers Armstrong's, Barrow; one at Swan Hunter's, Walker-on-Tyne; and two at Harland and Wolff's, Belfast.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of helicopters in service use are American built; and to what extent the British forces are dependent on the United States for helicopters.

The majority of helicopters in service are built in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give orders to prevent the use of footpaths and tracks in National Parks and of sections of the Pennine Way for Army motor-cycle trials.

I do not think that any further orders are necessary. Motor-cycle trials form an essential part of military training and are normally carried out in established training areas. Where exceptionally it is proposed to hold trials on private land, the owners, local authority and police are consulted and their prior agreement sought. We have suggested to the National Parks Commission that it should arrange for county councils, when considering applications of this nature, to ensure that amenity interests are not overlooked.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware that Germany has placed military orders from 1955 to the present worth $3,500 million in the United States, $1,200 million in France and only $500 million in Great Britain; to what extent he estimates this is due to high British prices or the quality of British goods; what steps he is taking to see Great Britain gets a larger share of these orders; and if he will make a statement.

I cannot vouch for figures relating to trade between other countries; for German military orders from the United Kingdom the figure quoted is broadly speaking correct. I have no evidence that the Federal German Government considers that British goods in general compare unfavourably with those of other countries in price or quality. Methods of increasing German military orders from the United Kingdom are constantly under discussion and the Prime Minister will be pursuing the subject during his visit to Bonn.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many of Her Majesty's ships are now deployed east of Suez; and what percentage of the total strength of the Royal Navy this represents.

Two aircraft carriers, one Commando ship, and a number of guided missile destroyers, escorts, submarines, coastal minesweepers, amphibious warfare ships, and Fleet support ships. It would be misleading to express these as a simple percentage of the total strength of the Royal Navy, but it is certainly a large proportion.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now recommend that pensioners of Her Majesty's Armed Forces shall have their pensions increased, especially those in the older age groups.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, West (Sir J. Eden) on 1st February.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what casualties have been suffered by British troops in defence of Malaysia since the Indonesian aggression began.

As I said in reply to the hon. Member for Rye (Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine) on 9th February, the combined British Forces, including Gurkhas, have sustained 100 casualties in the course of operations in defence of Malaysia since September, 1963. In the five months preceding the creation of Malaysia, there were four additional casualties.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Spaniards living in Spain are regularly employed by Her Majesty's Government in Gibraltar; and whether he will consider replacing them with unemployed workers from North Africa and Malta, and providing them with accommodation in ships used as floating hotels stationed in Gibraltar docks.

The Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Public Building and Works together employ 2,135 Spaniards who cross the frontier daily with work passes. As pass holders continue to be available for duty, the need to import labour from elsewhere does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what action he will take to implement Recommendation 21 of the 9th Report from the Estimates Committee, Session 1963–64, in regard to the future staffing of Her Majesty's Dockyards at home and abroad.

No special review of the posts of Admirals Superintendent, Commodores Superintendent and Captains of Dockyards at home and overseas is being undertaken. I am satisfied that these officers are fully and appropriately employed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether in view of Great Britain's international obligations, he will offer to replace the Valiant aircraft assigned to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in a tactical bombing rôle with those Mark I Vulcan aircraft which have become or are becoming surplus to the all-Mark II strategic V-bomber force of the Royal Air Force.

This possibility is under urgent examination. I cannot go further until I have studied what it would involve in financial and other consequences.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence he has that the health of officers and men of the Royal Navy has been adversely affected by the availability to them of duty-free cigarettes.

There is no direct evidence since no detailed statistical investigation has ever been carried out in the Royal Navy.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether officials of his Department formed an element of a party which two and a half years ago visited the United States of America to inspect the Hercules aircraft.

Yes. Towards the end of 1962 a team including officials from my Department visited the United States of America in the course of a comprehensive joint inquiry into the requirements of the United States and the United Kingdom for tactical transport aircraft. During the visit to America the team took the opportunity of looking at the Hercules aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to protect the interests of Leading Electrical Mechanic Alan Chesworth of H.M.S. "Owem" and from Edge Hill, Liverpool, at present imprisoned in the Spanish frontier Town of La Linea and accused of using insulting language about the Spanish Government.

Chesworth and a friend of his from H.M.S. "Owen" called Henderson crossed the border from Gibraltar to La Linea in plain clothes and were involved in a disturbance in a Spanish bar. The police were called in and Henderson was arrested for being drunk and disorderly. Chesworth went to the police station, refused to go away and was finally arrested. He was charged with

(a) striking a senior police officer while under arrest; and

(b) using insulting language about the Spanish Head of State and the Spanish people.

The British Vice Consul at La Linea and a naval officer from Gibraltar failed to obtain bail for Chesworth and subsequently visited him in jail and took him mail and money.A preliminary hearing was held at San Roque and since we have now heard that the trial will take place in Madrid, a Spanish lawyer has been engaged for Chesworth's defence.Both the naval authorities in Gibraltar and the British Embassy in Madrid are keeping closely in touch with the situation and will do all they can to help Chesworth.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Armed Forces of the Crown have bought themselves out in each of the past five years, and for what sums; how many have applied to have their cases considered by a conscientious objectors' tribunal after being sentenced for offenc s, and with what results; and if he will make a statement on the position of Service men desiring discharge on conscientious grounds, and on the working of the Incitement to Disaffection Act.

The number of men and boys who purchased their discharge or their transfer to the Reserve in each of the calendar years 1960 to 1964 was:

1960	…	…	…	…	5,788
1961	…	…	…	…	6,267
1962	…	…	…	…	6,172
1963	…	…	…	…	5,937
1964	…	…	…	…	7,450

The sum paid varied in each case up to a maximum of £250 according to the years of completed service and training of the man concerned. In compassionate cases the fee was sometimes waived in whole or in part. Recruits to the Army and the R.A.F. in the first three months of their service, who are included in these figures, pay a sum of £20 in accordance with their statutory right.The numbers of men who applied to have the Chairman and Members of the Appellate Tribunal assess the genuineness of their claim to have committed an offence on grounds of conscience were:

in 1960	…	…	…	…	14
in 1961	…	…	…	…	9
in 1962	…	…	…	…	6
in 1963	…	…	…	…	7
in 1964	…	…	…	…	13

and of these nine, seven, six, three and six respectively were upheld.A Serviceman who professes to have developed a conscientious objection which may conflict with the satisfactory performance of his duty is required to prove the genuineness of his belief. If, because of an offence or offences which he claims were committed on grounds of conscience, he is awarded a sentence of not less than three months imprisonment or detention, he may state his case before the Chairman and Members of the Appellate Tribunal set up under the National Service Act, 1948, who have consented to advise the Service Departments, in cases of this kind, whether the claim is well based. The Ministry of Defence will be guided by this advice in deciding whether or not to allow the man's discharge.It is also open to a man to apply for his discharge by purchase; in these circumstances discharge is at the discretion of the Department.Questions on the working of the Incitement to Disaffection Act should be addressed to my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure has been incurred up to the end of January on the proposed base for Polaris submarines on the Gareloch; what is now the estimated cost of the base; when it is to be completed; and how many men are now employed on it.

£2·5 million and at current prices and on plans inherited from our predecessors somewhere under £45 million. The base will complete in stages in time to support the first Polaris submarine in July, 1968. About 800 men are now employed on the site.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Comet aircraft he is ordering as a replacement of the maritime reconnaissance Shackleton.

It is not the normal practice to disclose the number of aircraft destined for the Royal Air Force operational commands but, as I have said in a recent letter to the hon. Member, the order will be a substantial one as we plan to replace the complete Shackleton II fleet.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total of Admiralty orders placed each year with each of the leading Admiralty shipbuilding yards since 1950.

Details of orders placed by contract for new naval vessels for the Royal Navy, with each of the leading warship building yards since 1950 are given in the following list.

John Brown & Co., Clydebank
1951	…	1 Type 41 Frigate.
1952	…	1 Royal Yacht.
1956	…	1 GM Destroyer.
		2 Type 12 Frigates.
1960	…	1 Type 12 Frigate.
1962	…	1 Assault Ship.

Cammell Laird & Co. (Shipbuilders & Engineers) Ltd., Birkenhead
1951	…	2 Type 12 Frigates.
		2 Porpoise Class Submarines.
1954	…	1 Porpoise Class Submarine.
1956	…	1 GM Destroyer.
		1 Oberon Class Submarine.
1958	…	1 Oberon Class Submarine.
1961	…	1 Oberon Class Submarine.
1962	…	2 Mooring/Salvage Vessels.
1963	…	2 Polaris Submarines.
1964	…	1 Oberon Class Submarine.

Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd., Glasgow
1951	2 Type 61 Frigates.
1961	1 G M Destroyer.
1965 (Jan.)	1 G M Destroyer.

Harland & Wolff Ltd., Belfast
1951	…	2 Type 12 Frigates.
1952	…	12 Coastal Minesweepers.
1956	…	2 Type 12 Frigates.
1957	…	1 GM Destroyer.
1961	…	1 Assault Ship.
1963	…	1 Fleet Replenishment Ship.

Hawthorn Leslie (Shipbuilders) Ltd., Hebburn-on-Tyne
1951	…	1 Type 61 Frigate.
1961	…	2 Fast Replenishment Tankers
1963	…	2 Fleet Replenishment Tankers.
1964	…	1 Type 12 Frigate.

Scotts' Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Ltd., Greenock
1951		1 Type 41 Frigate.
		1 Porpoise Class Submarine.
1954	…	1 Porpoise Class Submarine.
1958	…	1 Oberon Class Submarine.
1960	…	1 Oberon Class Submarine.
		1 Type 12 Frigate.
1961	…	1 Oberon Class Submarine.
1963	…	1 Fleet Replenishment Ship.

Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd., Linthouse, Glasgow
1951	2 Type 14 Frigates.
1956	1 Type 12 Frigate.
	1 Type 81 Frigate.
1962	1 Type 12 Frigate.
1965 (Jan.)	1 Type 12 Frigate.

Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Ltd., Wallsend-on-Tyne
1951	2 Type 14 Frigates.
1952	1 Fast Replenishment Tanker
1956	1 Type 12 Frigate.
1957	1 GM Destroyer.
1960	1 Type 12 Frigate.
1963	1 Fleet Replenishment Tanker.
1964	3 Stores Support Ships.
1965 (Jan.)	1 GM Destroyer.

John I. Thornycroft, Ltd., Southampton
1950	…	3 Coastal Minesweepers.
1951	…	2 Type 14 Frigates.
		6 Coastal Minesweepers.
		4 Fast Patrol Boats.

1953	…	2 Coastal Minesweepers.
		1 Inshore Minesweeper.
1954	…	1 Inshore Minesweeper.
1956	…	1 Type 81 Frigate.
		1 Coastal Minesweeper.
1964	…	1 Type 12 Frigate.

Vickers-Armstrongs (Shipbuilders) Ltd., Barrow
1951	…	1 Type 12 Frigate.
		3 Porpoise Class Submarines.
1956	…	2 Oberon Class Submarines.
1957	…	1 Nuclear Submarine.
		1 Type 81 Frigate.
1958	…	1 Oberon Class Submarine.
1960	…	1 Nuclear Submarine.
1962	…	1 Nuclear Submarine.
1963	…	2 Polaris Submarines.

Vickers-Armstrongs (Shipbuilders) Ltd., Newcastle
1951	…	1 Type 12 Frigate.
1960	…	1 Type 12 Frigate.
1961	…	1 GM Destroyer.
1962	…	1 Type 12 Frigate.

J. Samuel White & Co. Ltd., Cowes, I.O.W.
1950	…	4 Inshore Minesweepers.
1951	…	3 Type 14 Frigates.
		7 Inshore Minesweepers.
		2 Seaward Defence Boats.
1953	…	3 Inshore Minesweepers.
1954	…	1 Inshore Minesweeper.
1955	…	1 Type 12 Frigate.
		1 Inshore Survey Craft.
1956	…	1 Type 81 Frigate.
1962	…	1 Type 12 Frigate.

Yarrow & Co., Glasgow
1951	3 Type 14 Frigates.
	2 Seaward Defence Boats.
1954	2 Tugs.
1955	1 Type 12 Frigate.
	2 Tugs.
1956	1 Type 12 Frigate.
	1 Type 81 Frigate.
1957	1 Type 12 Frigate.
1962	1 Type 12 Frigate
1964	3 Survey Ships.
1965 (Jan.)	1 Type 12 Frigate.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will instal ground sound barriers at Royal Air Force station, Chivenor, North Devon, so as to reduce the disturbance caused to householders by jet aircraft undergoing ground test or in actual take-off.

The Royal Air Force is very conscious of its responsibility to ensure that the minimum inconvenience is caused to the public, but such noise disturbance as does occur arises mainly on take-off and landing. I am advised that the installation of a ground sound barrier would have little practical effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate how many hours a Hunter aircraft can fly before there is any evidence of metal fatigue.

The answer varies according to the rôle and environment in which the aircraft operate but practical tests suggest that for aircraft operating in the worst conditions the safe life is at least 3,800 hours.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the pamphlet, "Why did you become a Serviceman?", a copy of which has been sent to him, issued by the Hampstead Group Committee of 100 has been circulated among members of H.M. Forces; and if he will make a statement.

Distribution within the Forces has not been extensive. I have nothing further to add to the replies given on 1st and 4th February respectively by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General and my hon. Friend the Joi t Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether a decision has yet been reached on the provision of television for the forces in Germany.

A long and exhaustive examination has been made into the possibility of providing a television service for the forces in Germany. We have considered a number of schemes, and in our studies have received a great deal of help from the German authorities. It is, however, clear that any scheme to provide satisfactory television programmes for a substantial proportion of the forces in Germany would be extremely expen- sive, and I do not think that at the present time it would be right to give the provision of television in B.A.O.R. priority over other welfare and entertainment facilities required in stations throughout the world. We will, however, keep the matter under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to change the system of command of infantry battalions in the British Army.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what requirements he has formulated for the development of more advanced ground-to-air missiles to be manufactured in the United Kingdom to meet the needs of the Armed services for the next 10 years.

The second generation of surface-to-air guided weapons now becoming operational—i.e. Bloodhound 2, Seaslug 2 and Thunderbird 2—are expected to be in service well into the 1970s. In addition a requirement has been formulated for an advanced, low-level ground-to-air guided missile, development of which is in progress. Other possible requirements are being examined

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider the possibility of constructing or basing nuclear submarines at Chatham Dockyard, in view of the suitability of that yard for this purpose.

There are no plans to build or base nuclear submarines at Chatham.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in view of the difficulties experienced in reconciling land, sea, air and amphibious requirements in the development of a common Service aircraft, he will consider the appointment of suitably qualified representatives of the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Marines to the Air Staff.

Machinery already exists for the scrutiny of operational requirements on a defence basis and for their harmonisation wherever possible. This is one of the functions of the Defence Operational Requirements Staff, which works under the Operational Requirements Committee and which, as explained in Command 2097, has been set up as part of the reconstituted Ministry of Defence.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in the interests of world-wide flexibility, he will ensure that further orders of Phantom aircraft additional to those required for the Royal Navy will be of the basic naval version and thus capable of modification for operation from aircraft carriers when required.

Yes. Although the navigation/attack system in the aircraft may not coincide, the Phantoms we plan to acquire for the Royal Air force will include all the airframe and engine features required for operation from British carriers.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a further statement about the purchase of C130, in view of the uncertainty as to when the contract was signed.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to the hon. Members for Bournemouth, West (Sir J. Eden) and Norwich, South (Mr. Norwood).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in view of the participation of all three United States services and of the German air force, the Royal Air Force and the Army, he will consider the appointment of a representa- tive of the Royal Navy to the tripartite vertical/short take-off and landing evaluation squadron now engaged in flying the P1127 at the Royal Air Force station, West Raynham.

Under the new defence organisation arrangements exist for the dissemination of such information to all three Services. I see no need for direct Royal Navy representation in these trials as the Royal Navy will not be operating V.T.O.L. aircraft in the strike/reconnaissance rôle in the foreseeable future.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he proposes to take with regard to restrictive practices in the shipbuilding industry.

This problem must be tackled primarily by the employers in consultation with the unions, in line with the undertaking accepted by industry in the Joint Statement of Intent; but I shall naturally not neglect any opportunities of encouraging negotiations.

asked the Minister of Labour when the Royal Commission into Trades Unions and Employers' Organisations is expected to report.

This is a matter for the Royal Commission.

asked the Minister of Labour when he received a delegation from the Trades Union Congress requesting the Government to bring in legislation to include, theatres, rehearsal rooms, television and recording studios and backstage and performing areas of cabarets and restaurants within the provisions of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963; and what action he is taking in this regard.

I received a delegation from the Trades Union Congress about this matter on 27th November, 1964. As I told them, I consider that the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act should be extended to cover theatres, but I can see no prospect of introducing the necessary legislation in the present session of Parliament. I intend in due course to explore whether time can be found for it in a future session.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men are now registered as unemployed at the Mexborough Employment Exchange; and how many of these men were employees of the closed Baker and Bessemer plant at Kilnhurst.

373 on 8th February. Of these 49 were last employed at the Baker and Bessemer works.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, before granting work permits to aliens or employment vouchers to Commonwealth immigrants, he will take steps to ensure that the person concerned understands English and can express himself reasonably well in it.

It is very desirable that immigrants who intend to settle here should speak and understand English, but it would not be practicable or desirable to make knowledge of English a condition of granting work permits or vouchers.

asked the Minister of Labour on what principles work permits are granted, respectively, to aliens and employment vouchers to Commonwealth immigrants; and how many people were admitted to the United Kingdom with such permits and vouchers, respectively, during 1964.

The principles on which permits are issued for aliens are that there is an offer of employment for which British labour is not available and that the wages and conditions are not less favourable than those accorded to British workers. The number of aliens admitted to the United Kingdom during 1964 was 42,584.

asked the Minister of Labour what redundancy he expects in the Coventry and district area resulting from changes in the aircraft programme; and what are his plans in connection with this redundancy.

When details of the individual workers affected are known our officers will interview them at their place of work with a view to placing them in other jobs. My latest information is that as yet no notices have been issued.

asked the Minister of Labour how many vacancies exist for skilled engineers in the Coventry and district area.

Our local offices have details of over 2,000 such vacancies within daily travel distance of Coventry.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what overall financial figure for heating and lighting is considered essential, in assessing need, by the National Assistance Board and so provided in each case.

The scale rates of National Assistance approved by Parliament are intended to cover ordinary requirements apart from rent and rates. The resulting payments are supplemented where necessary in individual cases, e.g., in the cases of many old people and others, to provide additional heating. In the nature of things there can be no standard figure for needs which must vary with individual circumstances.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (1) by how much the current level of 7s. 6d. a week allowance for each child of a 100 per cent. disabled Service man will be increased, in view of the recent increase granted to other classes of pensioner;(2) by how much the current level of 10s. a week allowance for the wife of a 100 per cent. disabled Service man will be increased, in view of the recent increase granted to other classes of pensioner.

These are obsolete allowances which have remained unchanged since 1919 and my right hon. Friend is not proposing to increase them.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if war disablement pensions granted prior to 1953 will be increased by the same amount as that granted to ordinary retirement pensioners on the occasion of the recent increase.

War disablement pensions, whether awarded before or after 1953, are being increased from the end of March in approximately the same proportions as retirement pensions.

asked the Minister of Health what financial provision he is making for the provision of new homes for old people in Cornwall in the next three years.

It will be for the County Council to make the initial financial provision; I shall be ready to authorise them to raise capital for all the five new homes which are so far included in their programme for the years in question.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the numbers by which the number of patients paid for per capita to general practitioners exceeded the estimate of the population in each of the last three years to a convenient date.

About 451,0 0 in 1962, 528,000 in 1963 and 640,000 in 1964.

asked the Minister of Health what would be the estimated saving if he used his powers under Section 46(1) of the Patents Act, 1949, to provide the patients of general practioners using form E.C.10 with those drugs which in recent years he has been using his powers to provide for hospital patients.

I am advised that my powers under Section 46(1) of the Patents Act, 1949, would not enable me to authorise the supply of patented drugs for pharmaceutical services provided, in accordance with the arrangements made by Executive Councils, under Part IV of the National Health Service Act, 1946.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what arrangements he is making to ensure that hospital treatment and drugs are available to all who are sick, in places where doctors have withdrawn from the National Health Service;(2) what steps he is taking to deal with the present situation in the medical profession and to ensure that a full National Health Service is available to all.

The Questions assume a situation which does not at present arise. I am awaiting the considered views of the profession as a whole on the Review Body's recent recommendations, which the Government have accepted in their entirety.

asked the Minister of Health what would be the cost of providing invalid cars to mothers of small children who are at present entitled to invalid tricycles, when there is no father living in the family circle.

I regret this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health how many women in Wales died from cervical cancer in 1964; how many tests were carried out in cancer-test clinics in Wales; and where these clinics are located.

Returns for 1964 are not yet complete but from January to November there were 162 deaths. The number of tests taken in hospital clinics is not available. There are facilities for testing patients in most general hospital groups.

asked the Minister of Health what would be the cost per unit of supplying 2-seater as opposed to 1-seater invalid carriages to persons under the National Health Service; and what changes in policy he has under consideration in this matter.

There is no two-seater vehicle available which would be suitable for general issue. I have no policy changes under immediate consideration but I have undertaken to review the whole question of transport for the disabled when the extensions announced last July have been fully implemented.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of anxieties felt in Monmouth at the proposed closure of the hospital as a general hospital; whether he will take these anxieties into account, particularly in view of the long distances involved for patients in this part of the world; and whether he will give an undertaking that no final decision will be taken on the closure of this hospital for general purposes in advance of an opportunity being given for local interests to make their feelings felt.

Yes. I have received a number of representations about this matter. I shall need to be assured that full consultation with local interests has taken place before I decide whether to agree to any change in the use of this hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement about the present position of negotiations with Bailey (Malta) Limited.

I presume that the hon. Member refers to the litigation between the British Government and Bailey (Malta). I have received a letter from Mr. Bailey suggesting that an attempt should be made to reach a settlement. I am giving this suggestion careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Aviation what were the numbers of persons now engaged in full time employment in the United Kingdom and in the Hawker Siddeley Aviation Limited Works at Chadderton Lane at the most recent convenient date; and what estimates he has prepared of future prospects in 12 months and two years' time.

About 265,000 people are currently employed in the aircraft industry throughout Great Britain. With an additional 7,500 in Northern Ireland this makes a total of about 272,500 for the United Kingdom. The Hawker Siddeley factory at Chadderton employs about 6,500.

asked the Minister of Aviation by what date the United States Phantom aircraft will be available for delivery to Great Britain.

Delivery of Phantom aircraft to the Royal Navy is planned to start in 1967 and to the Royal Air Force in 1968.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will set up a committee of inquiry to ascertain the reasons for the development of metal fatigue in the Comet aircraft and the Valiant bomber.

The problem of metal fatigue is under continual study by my Department and by the aircraft industry and I do not consider that it is necessary to set up a special Committee of Inquiry. Investigation of the metal fatigue in the Valiant aircraft is in progress.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects the report on the survey of traffic on the A.25 to be completed; and when he hopes to publish the result.

In about four months. The extra cost of publishing is not justified, but the survey results will be available for those needing them for planning purposes.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he intends to include in his programme the continuation of the proposed south orbital road from north of Reigate to its junction with the London-Basingstoke motorway, M.3; and in what year.

Yes, in progressive stages, but I cannot say now in what year any particu ar stage will be programmed.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to decide the line of the link road between the Dartford tunnel in Kent and the south orbital road in Surrey.

The line of the South Orbital Road in Kent has already been fixed from the Dartford Tunnel to the proposed Dartford Diversion.. From there to Swanley a line has been published, and I am now considering objections to it. I propose to deal with further sections in Kent and Surrey as and when the necessary surveys and Order plans have been completed.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) when work is due to begin on the conversion of the Oxford northern by-pass to a dual carriageway; (2) whether he will accept, in the interval until Oxford's northern by-pass can be converted to a dual carriageway, the alternative suggestion which has been put to him by the Oxford City Council, namely, that the road should be marked as one-way passing only, or the suggestion that the road should have a 40 miles per hour speed limit throughout its length.

Provision of dual carriageways should be started in about two years' time.My Divisional Road Engineer is at present discussing with the city council's engineer various interim proposals. When I have received and considered his report I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will publish in HANSARD a table showing gross and net receipts, after deduction of tax, for parking fees received by local authorities during the latest accounting period.

The information asked for in respect of on-street parking is set out in the Table below. Similar information in respect of off-street parking is not available.

PARKING METER SCHEMES FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1964
Authority	Gross Receipts	Net Receipts (after deduction of administrative loan charges maintenance, enforcement, tax, etc.) Surplus (+) or Deficit (-)
	£	£
Birmingham (10 months)	44,142	+ 13,247
Brighton	55,571	+ 14,246
Bristol	30,677	+ 3,081
Croydon	38,729	+ 3,685
Kingston-upon-Thames	28,426	+ 5,329
London:
Finsbury	21,383	- 2,460
Holborn	113,214	+ 45,180
City of London	69,493	+ 20,288
Paddington	18,874	- 2,005
St. Marylebone	186,214	+ 63,479
St. Pancras	36,574	+ 4,094
Shoreditch	15,719	- 521
Westminster	305,103	+ 89,686
Woolwich	10,831	- 3,642
Manchester	89,569	+ 38,476
Newcastle (6½ months)	38,536	+ 16,972
Plymouth (7 months)	10,884	+ 3,323
Southend-on-Sea	33,981	+ 6,027

asked the Minister of Transport how many requests he has received from hon. Members to suspend threatened closures of railway services, or to restore services on lines already closed within the areas they represent, by direct written communications to him since he took office as Minister of Transport; and in respect of which constituencies such requests were made.

I have received about 300 letters from hon. Members on all aspects of rail closures. It is not possible, without disproportionate effort, to provide the precise details asked for.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give the cost to British Railways of property damaged or destroyed by vandals during 1964; what was the number of prosecutions brought during 1964; and what was the average fine imposed.

The British Railways Board tell me that detailed information for 1964 is not available. A special survey showed the cost of repairing losses of this kind in 1963 to be about £150,000. The Board estimate, however, that if consequential losses and the expense of preventive action are included the total cost may be as high as £500,000 a year. During 1964, 906 prosecutions were bought. The average fine, over the 767 cases where this penalty was imposed on conviction, was £4 4s.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals have been put to him regarding the future of the Magdalen Road Station in the Eastern Region; and if, in coming to his decision on the matter, he will take account of the large number of people who use the station.

None. This station does not appear in the Railways Board's published plans for closures.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has now received from the Railways Board regarding the closure of the Marks Tey-Shelford line; and if he will regard this as a major closure proposal.

None. I cannot say what view I would take of proposals until I have seen them.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has now received from the Railways Board regarding the closure of the East Suffolk line; and if he will regard this as a major closure proposal.

The Board's proposals are for the closure of the passenger services between Ipswich and Lowestoft and between Saxmundham and Aldeburgh, involving eleven stations. I have just received them and have not yet reached any conclusions.

asked the Minister of Transport why the vehicle licensing departments of local authorities and the police are not permitted to accept motor insurance polices as evidence that motor vehicles are insured.

Insurance policies are not normally endorse to show renewals, and under the Road Traffic Act, 1960, a motor insurance policy is not effective until a Certificate of Insurance has been delivered. Certificates are, in any case, much more convenient documents than policies.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the inadequacy of rural bus services in certain parts of East and West Suffolk causes hardship and dislocation; and whether he will now announce his policy on this matter generally.

I am aware that the rural bus problem affects parts of East Anglia as elsewhere. If the hon. Member has any particular case of difficulty in mind perhaps he would let me have details.As regards my future policy, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 20th January to the hon. Member for Torrington (Mr. Peter Mills).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many men are now employed on improvements to the A.1 road between Berwick-on-Tweed and Musselburgh.

According to my latest information 51, but the figure varies according to the weather and to the stage reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give estimated figures of the net return per acre of sugar beet to farmers in the east of Scotland in the seasons 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, and 1964.

Precise figures are not available. Estimated average net returns per acre of sugar beet in the east of Scotland for the years referred to are as follows:

1960	1961	1962	1963	1964
£34	£12	£5	£8 (Loss)	£6 (Forecast)

These estimates reflect the trend of net returns over the whole period more accurately than the absolute level in any particular year. They are closely related to the sugar yield per crop acre which was exceptionally low in Scotland in 1963.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the cost of the abolition of the prescription charge in Scotland in a full year.

About £2 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make money available to enable local tourist associations in the Highlands to continue their information services, put in jeojardy by the withdrawal of the special Highlands area grant of £15,000 to the Scottish Tourist Board, during the coming season or until such time as the proposed Highland Development Board is able to assume such responsibility.

I have before me a recent request from the Scottish Tourist Board for a special grant to help local tourist associations. I shall write to the hon. Member when I have reached a decision on it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the damage caused by the recent hurricane in Fiji.

Large areas of Fiji have been devastated by serious floods following the recent hurricane. I regret to say that twelve people are known to have died. Others have been injured or are missing and there is severe damage to housing and crops.The flooded areas have been evacuated, relief supplies have been widely distributed, and a rehabilitation committee is being set up. Considerable assistance has been given by the Royal New Zealand Air Force.As hon. Members will be aware, Her Majesty The Queen has sent a message of sympathy to the people of Fiji.The latest reports from the Governor indicate that the emergency phase has now ended and that morale is high.Her Majesty's Government has decided, as a gesture of sympathy, to make a token contribution of £5,000 to be added to the relief funds immediately available to the Governor. This amount is being advanced from the Civil Contingencies Fund and Parliamentary approval will be sought in due course for its reimbursement to the Fund.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is now in a position to pay the deficiency payments for the 1960 potato crop to Ulster farmers.

I am sorry I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Mid-Ulster (Mr. Forrest) on 20th January. I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I have anything fresh to tell him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet received the Committee of Investigation's Report on the Report of the Consumers' Committee into the Seconds Egg Scheme.

No. When the Report is received an announcement of the Committee's conclusions will be made in accordance with Section 19(4) of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1958.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what saving would have ensued if average market prices during the 1963–64 cereal year for barley and wheat had been 6d. per cwt. more than they were.

The saving to the Exchequer would have been about £4¼ million, made up of £1·4 million for wheat and £2·85 million for barley.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average annual Exchequer contribution toward agricultural liming in the last five years; and what is the average annual amount paid to farmers in Wales and Monmouthshire under this head.

The average annual Exchequer contribution towards agricultural liming in the United Kingdom over the five financial years 1959–60 to 1963–64 is £9,348,786. The average annual amount paid to farmers in Wales and Monmouthshire in these years under this head is £645,786.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what order of priority has been established for the demolition of obsolete prisons;(2) when the demolition of Oxford Prison will begin.

Oxford prison will be closed when the new prison at Culham has been built; my right hon. Friend cannot yet announce a date. Dartmoor prison will also be closed as soon as alternative prison accommodation becomes available. My right hon. Friend hopes eventually to replace other prisons which are unsuitable for modern methods of treatment, but he cannot at this stage announce any order of priority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the short space of time which elapsed between the publication of the Dangerous Drugs (No. 2) Regulations, 1964, and their coming into operation allowed insufficient time for a clear interpretation to be given to pharmacists; and what steps he is taking to avoid a recurrence.

It was necessary to revise the Dangerous Drugs Regulations following ratification by the United Kingdom of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, and the new Regulations had to be brought into operation on 1st December, 1964, the day already appointed by Order for related provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1964, to take effect. My right hon. Friend much regrets that preparation of the revised Regulations was not completed in time to allow the normal interval after publication before they came into effect. The circumstances are not likely to recur, and my right hon. Friend will ensure that adequate notice is given in future when new Regulations are made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Commonwealth immigrants were refused admission on health grounds in the latest convenient period; and what were their countries of origin.

During 1964, seven Commonwealth citizens were refused admission on health grounds. Two came from Rhodesia and Malawi, and one each from Barbados, Canada, Mauritius, Nigeria and Pakistan.

STANDARD AMENITIES: BRIGHTON COUNTY BOROUGH
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	…	3	3	3	7	9	5
2nd quarter	…	—	52	44	6	9	4
3rd quarter	…	1	1	1	2	3	3
4th quarter	…	—	—	—	7	10	6
* Numbers in applications approved.
† Numbers where works completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to prevent public libraries stocking books which booksellers have been prevented from selling and of which their stocks have been confiscated.

My right hon. Friend is not convinced that such legislation is necessary or would be practicable.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many homes in Brighton 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-occupier and private landlords, respectively.

The table below shows the number of baths, hot water supplies, and w.c.s installed with the aid of grant in Brighton in each quarter of 1964. I cannot say how many of the privately-owned dwellings provided with those amenities were owner-occupied or tenanted; but, of the total of 42 privately-owned dwellings for which standard grants were approved in 1964, 37 were owner-occupied.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to give a decision on the Dorking Town Plan.

The plan raises difficult highway issues. My right hon. Friend is considering these in consultation with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and will give his decision as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Power on how many occasions in the last 10 years, under the Electricity Supply Regulations, he has instituted prosecutions of electricity boards for failure to maintain the required electricity supply-pressure between plus and minus 6 per cent. of that declared, and for other defaults; how many convictions were obtained; and if he will list the boards in question, together with the penalties imposed.

None.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress is being made in the provision of additional telephone lines from Hertford to London; and when he expects the improved service to be in operation.

I am sorry that there have been difficulties. The number of circuits has been increased progressively during the last few months, the most recent addition being on 7th January.The service should now be much improved.

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the fact that the Northwich Group of telephones are on subscriber trunk dialling and that 20 or 30 different exchanges from there can be dialled, why he estimates that it will be 1970 before the Comberbach Exchange is converted to subscriber trunk dialling.

Substantial engineering work is involved in providing Subscriber Trunk Dialling from any exchange, and priority is naturally being given to the larger exchanges which originate most trunk traffic. Comberbach was put fairly late in the programme because it is a small exchange, with less than 250 lines.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what contribution Her Majesty's Government have offered to make in support of Turkey's capital development programme in 1965.

At a meeting of the Turkish consortium of O.E.C.D. on 17th and 18th December, 1964, we offered to contribute aid of £2 million in support of Turkey's development effort in 1965. The British representative explained that this offer was made entirely without prejudice to the final level or nature of United Kingdom aid to Turkey this year. The new aid will be on the same terms as our 1964 aid, namely, a loan under Section 3 of the Export Guarantees Act, 1949, for 25 years with no repayments of capital required during the first seven years and a waiver of interest payments during the same period. The cost of the waiver of interest will be borne on the votes of the Ministry of Overseas Development. Payments will be made to the Acquisition of Guaranteed Securities Fund, administered by the Export Credits Guarantee Department, in order to recompense the Fund for the interest waived. It is hoped that an agreement on this new loan will shortly be concluded with the Turkish Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the take-over bid made jointly by Messrs. Courtauld and the Reed Paper Group for Wall Paper Manufacturers; if he is satisfied that this will not lead to a monopoly position nor unduly inhibit competition in the respective manufacturing and distribution fields; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes, and I am considering the matter. The Government have, however, at present no power to intervene in a transaction of this kind or to arrange for it to be examined by any statutory body. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister recently told the House, a Bill will be introduced this Session which will enable the Government to deal with mergers. This Bill, which I hope to introduce shortly, will give the Government authority to initiate investigations of mergers and powers to deal with mergers which, after investigation, are deemed to be against the public interest. Until this legislation is before the House, it would not be right for me to say more about its contents or to indicate how it might affect any particular merger. In preparing this legislation, however, I have had very much in mind situations of the kind disclosed by merger proposals of this type and the need for the Government to have adequate powers to deal with them.