asked the Minister of Power how much foreign exchange he has already received from United States and other foreign oil companies who have purchased licences to drill for oil and gas in the North Sea; and by how much he anticipates the British balance of payments will benefit from such operations by foreign oil companies in 1965.

£1·4 million has already been received from such companies for licence and other fees. It is estimated that a further £1·6 million was invested by them during 1964 on exploration work. In 1965 their investment may amount to some £15 million, most of which will benefit the British balance of payments.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give details of the limits in time and topography which he places in the licences he gives to persons and firms to drill for oil and gas in the North Sea.

Production licences run for an initial period of six years with an option to continue for a further 40 years on not more than half the original area. The area covered is specified in each licence and is published in the London Gazette.

asked the Minister of Power, in view of the fact that the drilling for oil and gas under the North Sea is being undertaken in an area which is not private property, and under licence from the British Government, if he will take steps to set up a public body controlled by the Government, based on Aberdeen, to control and exploit for the public benefit any oil or gas which may result from the present explorations in the North Sea.

No.

asked the Minister of Power when he will make a statement upon the progress of exploration for oil and gas deposits under the bed of the North Sea.

One well is now being drilled and I expect several others will be started this year.

asked the Minister of Power what is to be the function of the new Energy Advisory Council he has set up.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Council's terms of reference as set out in my Answer to the hon. Member for Salford, West (Mr. Orme) on 22nd January.

asked the Minister of Power what independent expert opinions and technical secretarial services will be available to the Energy Advisory Council recently set up by him.

Any expert knowledge which the Council needs and which is not available from its members will be sought as the occasion arises.

asked the Minister of Power to what extent the size, scope, and financial impact of the nuclear energy programme, present and projected, will come within the terms of reference of the Energy Advisory Council set up by him.

The Council's terms of reference, which I gave to the House on 22nd January, cover all aspects of fuel and power policy, including the rôle of nuclear power.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will now give the date on which he will implement the proposals in the Gracious Speech regarding the public ownership and control of the iron and steel industry.

I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. McNair-Wilson) on 8th December.

asked the Minister of Power what discussions he has had with representatives of workers in the fuel-producing industries to assist him in formulating a long-term co-ordinated fuel policy.

While I have discussions from time to time with representatives of individual unions I look to my Energy Advisory Council, on which the unions are represented, to be the main forum for the discussions referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Power how much has been spent by the gas and electricity industries, respectively, on advertising during each of the last five years.

The following is a table showing, for the last five financial years, expenditure by the gas industry and the electricity supply industry in England and Wales for publicity and related purposes.Following is the table:

asked the Minister of Power what reports have been made to him regarding the extraction of tidal power on the Solway Firth and Bristol Channel.

None, but my right hon. Friend is aware of the work which has been done in this field.

asked the Minister of Power (1) if it remains the intention of Her Majesty's Government only to take into public ownership the larger iron and steel companies;(2) what is now the policy of Her Majesty's Government in relation to the iron and steel industry; how many companies will be affected by his plans; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Power if he will publish a list of the companies which the Government do not intend to nationalise, in view of the Government's policy to exempt those companies whose predominant interests are clearly in engineering and other activities, but which have substantial iron and steel interests also.

The Government's policy is to nationalise the main part of the iron and steel industry. Consultations are continuing on the implementation of this policy, including the treatment of the iron and steel interests of companies whose predominant interests are clearly in engineering and other activities. The necessary legislation is being prepared.

asked the Minister of Power whether, in view of the need in the general interest to keep down costs, he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the National Coal Board to review its decision to increase the price of foundry coke.

No. A general direction would not be appropriate.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the National Coal Board to review its decision to increase the price of bricks produced by it in view of the need to keep down costs.

No.

asked the Minister of Power when the new smokeless fuel, Roomheat, is to be on sale to the public; which will be the first selling area; what plans the National Coal Board have for increasing production; and what are the main features of this smokeless fuel.

I understand that the National Coal Board expects to have the new fuel on sale by early summer and I am asking Lord Robens to write to my hon. Friend about the other matters in the Question.

asked the Minister of Power by how much the average price of coal sold by the National Coal Board has risen during the last three years.

There has been no general increase in the pithead price of coal for more than four years and no selective price increases since May, 1962. In September, 1964, coking coal prices were reduced by an average of 2s. 6d. per ton.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board, in the public interest, not to increase the price of coal during the next twelve months and to absorb any extra costs by greater efficiency.

No. The National Coal Board is aware of the considerations governing prices charged by the nationalised industries which were set out by my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic

asked the Minister of Power in considering the capital programme of the National Coal Board, what proposals he has received as to the more efficient utilisation of capital equipment in the mines; and whether he will make a statement.

This is essentially a management problem for the Board, but I know it is constantly seeking ways of improving the utilisation of its capital equipment.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will state the average wage of mineworkers in every year from 1946 to 1964, inclusive, giving the dates on which the wage rises were awarded; what was the average price of coal in those years; how much the increased price was due to rises in wages; and to what extent such rises were matched by increases in productivity.

The figures are:about a third of the increase in wages has been absorbed by increased productivity, but for the last five years the productivity increase has been more than sufficient to cover wage increases.These refer to daywagemen. The rates for piece-workers are settled from time to time by local negotiations.

asked the Minister of Power what further progress he has made in encouraging the National Coal Board to produce more of its own equipment, especially in areas where unemployment is greater than the national average.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Norfolk, Central (Mr. Ian Gilmour) and my hon. Friend the Member for Chesterfield (Mr. Varley) today.

asked the Minister of Power if he has studied the work done in the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Sheffield, into the feasibility of tidal barrages for the generation of electricity; and what conclusions he has reached on this work.

Yes. The technical and economic feasibility of this means of power generation continues to be kept under review, but no specific schemes have been submitted to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will institute an inquiry into the efficiency of present methods of conveying electric current to villages, in view of the complete breakdown of many lines experienced within a few hours of the beginning of the blizzard on 27th December in the West Country.

I consider that the Boards are taking all practicable steps to ensure continuity of supplies and that an inquiry is not necessary.

asked the Minister of Power what consultations he has had with the Central Electricity Generating Board with regard to the capital investment programme for the next five years.

The Board's investment programme for 1965–66 was approved by my predecessor. I have had a general talk with the Chairman about the Board's capital investment and, in accordance with the normal procedure, I shall shortly be receiving the Board's annual statement of its plans for investment in the years ahead.

asked the Minister of Power (1) what facts were placed before him by the North-East Electricity Authority to justify an increase in charges when he was consulted by that body;(2) whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the facts relating to the claim to impose increased charges by the various electricity authorities in the country.

Before electricity boards increase their charges I am given in confidence particulars of their cost increases, the tariff changes they propose and the effects on consumers' bills. It is for the Boards to publish the relevant information when they announce revised tariffs.

asked the Minister of Power, in view of the proposed increase in electricity charges by the North-Eastern Electricity Board, which will cost the average householder 10s. to 11s. per quarter, what information regarding the factors causing these increases and the cost of production of electricity he was given during his recent consultation with the Electricity Board; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell), this afternoon.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what action she will take to meet the claims of non-designated officers for compensation under Overseas Service Aid Scheme arrangements.

Since this Scheme applies only to designated officers these claims cannot be considered under it. The Governments who employ non-designated officers provide suitable retirement benefit schemes for them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether on deaths after 1965 Budget day the value of an estate for Estate Duty purposes will be assessed before or after charging any capital gains tax which is payable in addition.

As I made clear in my statement on 8th December, any capital gains tax paid at death will be deductible from the amount of the estate for Estate Duty purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the glass fabric industry concerning the 15 per cent. surcharge imposed on E glass marbles; and what replies he has sent.

Apart from references during the debates on the last Finance Bill, there have been representations from three firms for an exemption from the temporary charge, on the ground that these glass marbles are not produced in this country and are needed by industry here. The firms have been told that, in common with most other manufactured products, these marbles must remain subject to the charge.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total number, respectively, of Armed Forces and public service pensioners now living who retired at ages 45 to 50, 50 to 55, 55 to 60 and 60 to 65.

The great majority of the Armed Forces retire below 60. In most civilian public services nearly all employees retire at or after 60. In the Police, Fire Services, and overseas civil services however most officers retire at earlier ages. The precise figures asked for cannot be supplied without consulting the individual records of hundreds of thousands of pensioners, and I regret that this is not practicable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish "Public Investment in Great Britain for 1964".

A White Paper was not published in 1964 because it would have related mainly to the programmes an policies of the previous Government. Government expenditure is still under review; when the review has been completed I shall consider further the question of publishing information about public investment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the Report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service 1955, Command Paper No. 9613, and the observations of the Commission in Chapter XV, paragraph 743, on the subject of the reckoning of unestablished service for superannuation purposes in the Civil Service, if he will now authorise discussions to take place with a view to arriving at a reasonable settlement of this problem.

The staff side of the National Whitley Council has recently proposed to my right hon. Friend that there should be discussions on this question. My right hon. Friend is considering this request.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that elderly taxpayers whose income exceeds the limits for extra relief are subject to excessively high rates of taxation on that portion of their income which exceeds the limits and that this constitutes an undesirable penalisation of thrift; and whether he will take steps to mitigate the effect of this sharp incidence of tax on the elderly.

The marginal relief provisions for income which exceeds the age relief limits do not involve excessive rates of taxation. They operate only where they are to the benefit of the taxpayer, so as to reduce his liability below what it would be if the ordinary tax reliefs and tax rates applied.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that income from investment in building societies, although not included in tax assessments, is included for purposes of deciding limits of exemption for elderly taxpayers; and whether he will take steps to rectify this anomaly.

I do not agree that there is an anomaly here. Building society interest is income and is properly taken into account in considering whether an elderly person's income exceeds the income limit for age exemption. The reasons why the interest is not assessed on the recipient is that the tax is paid by the society under special arrangements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to allow necessary travelling expenses in excess of £26 per year, between home and place of employment, to be free of Income Tax.

My right hon. Friend could not accept this proposal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the interval, in days, between each increase in the Bank Rate to 7 per cent. in the last 10 years and the announcement of increased mortgage interest rates by the building societies.

In September, 1957, and July, 1961, the Building Societies Association made no increase in its recommended mortgage rates as a result of the increase in Bank Rate to 7 per cent.—though on the latter occasion an announcement had been made the previous month. There was an interval of 53 days between the rise in Bank Rate on 23rd November, 1964, and the Association's announcement of higher rates on 15th January, 1965.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why a further borrowing is to be made from the International Monetary Fund, in addition to the renewal of recent international borrowings.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Rhodes) on 11th February.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he proposes to take to reduce the losses in the nationalised sector of the iron and steel industry.

The only steel enterprise in State ownership is Richard Thomas & Baldwins. The Government have complete confidence in the firm's ability to complete the running-in of the Spencer Works and to realise the enormous potential of the plant there. The company's annual report and accounts for 1963–64 show that for all works other than Spencer Works the profit after depreciation and interest was £6·4 million. This was more than double the profit of these works for 1962–63.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the designation of a site at Risley, Lancashire, as a new town to meet the housing site needs of the City of Manchester; and whether he is satisfied that one new town will suffice to meet the housing needs of Manchester and neighbouring authorities.

I shall be making a statement shortly.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he is taking to encourage other local authorities in the South-East to match the efforts of the Kent County Council in providing permanent encampments for gypsies.

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds) on 19th January, I am consulting the local authority associations about the best means of achieving this.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will encourage the Location of Offices Bureau to draw to the attention of firms seeking to move or set up offices out of London, but which need to remain in the South-East area, the advantages of the Isle of Sheppey, where there is considerable scope for development.

The purpose of the Bureau is not to press the claims of any one area against others, but to help firms who wish to move out by providing information on which they can decide how their requirements can best be met. Any firms wishing to move to the Isle of Sheppey would get the full assistance of the Bureau.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give an estimate of the number of residents of new towns who commute to London for their work.

No precise figures are available of how many people commute to London from the new towns. A count carried out by British Railways in connection with the South-East Study showed that in 1961 about 7,000 people travelled up to central London daily with season tickets from the stations which serve the 8 London new towns. Allowance must, of course, be made for the fact that these stations serve areas larger than the towns themselves. No estimates are available of the number of people who commute by road. The 1961 population of the London new towns was 305,000.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) if he will name the local authorities who have not acted on the advice given in his Department's Circular No. 49/61;(2) if he will publish in tabular form the results of action taken by the local rating authorities towards the remission of rates granted under powers contained in the Rating and Valuation Act, 1961, in respect of sports grounds and playing fields; and if he will give examples of where action was taken and where no action was taken;(3) to what extent local authorities are making use of their discretion to grant rate relief to sporting and other clubs; what action was taken by local authorities after they received his Department's circular; and if he will give in tabular form in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures of the variation in action taken and name the local authorities who have now taken action.

Rating authorities are not required to inform my right hon. Friend of their decisions about rate relief under Section 11 of the Rating and Valuation Act, 1961. There would be no point in his seeking details of the use made of the discretionary power to reduce the rates of sports and other clubs, since this is a local matter.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when the working party composed of officials in local government appointed by his predecessor to look into housing subsidies reported to him; and when he will publish a report on the recommendations made by that working party.

I received the report in October after taking office. The working party's task was not to make recommendations but to provide a factual basis for a review of housing subsidies and finance in consultation with the associations of local authorities. Any question of publication must await the completion of these consultations.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in view of the Coastal Preservations Circular No. 56/63, he will take steps to prevent authority being given by the Kent County Council for housing development in the South Foreland Valley, St. Margaret's Bay, Dover, as it is an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Kent County Council is considering whether it should show this land in its development plan as an area of outstanding natural beauty. My right hon. Friend has no doubt that it will bear this and the Circular in mind in considering any planning applications.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses were approved by his Department for each of the quarters in 1964.

Tenders approved for public authority houses in 1964 were:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many permanent houses were completed between 1st January, 1945 an 31st December, 1964, by the Perth and Dundee local authorities, respectively; and what was the local population per house completed during this period.

The figure were 3,778 by Perth and 15,505 by Dundee, which respectively represent 1 per 11·9 persons and 1 per 10·9 persons on mid-1963 population figures.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses there are in the rating districts of Perth and Dundee, respectively; and what proportion of these are owned by the local authority.

The latest return made by the local assessors showed 14,711 houses in the Perth rating district and 62,894 in Dundee, of which 41 per cent. and 38 per cent. respectively, were owned by the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average standard rent charged by the Perth and Dundee local authorities, respectively; and what proportion of their gross expenditure on housing between 1945 and 1964 is represented by the local authorities' rent incomes during this period.

The following table gives the latest available information:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the total local authority housing deficits in Perth and Dundee, respectively; and what these deficits represent per head of the local population.

The local authority housing deficits for the year ended 15th May, 1964, in Perth and Dundee were £53,880, equivalent to £1 6s. 2d. per head of population, and £521,766, equivalent to £2 16s. 7d. per head of population, respectively.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will state the dimensions, weight and usual performance data for the now cancelled HS681.

Planned dimensions and weight were:

• Wingspan—124 feet.
• Overall length—101 feet.
• Height—37 feet.
• Freight hold—40 feet long, 10 feet wide, 9 feet high.
• All up weight—About 200,000 lb.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will take steps to set up a joint advisory council for the aircraft industry, representative of the Government and of manufacturers, employees and others concerned, in order that those engaged in the industry may be kept informed on matters likely to affect their future.

If those organisations who represent the industry at present wish to see the existing machinery for consultation varied to provide for a joint advisory council, I would be glad to consider it.

asked the Minister of Aviation what plans he has for the development of civil air freighters.

The British aircraft industry has for some time been able to supply a wide range of civil freighters but the demand has been disappointing. Air freighting is, however, a subject which we shall keep in mind in the formulation of our policies.

asked the Minister of Aviation (1) in which areas and at what factories aircraft workers have been given notice of redundancy or are likely to receive such notice; if the firms concerned have consulted the Government before deciding on which areas are to be affected; and what arrangements are being made by Government Departments to ensure suitable alternative employment at the earliest opportunity for those affected;(2) if he will ensure that redundancy in the aircraft industry takes place mainly in places where alternative work is available or where work can be brought to the areas affected, in order to avoid undue disturbance to workers and their families.

Notices of redundancy have recently been given at the Hawker Siddeley factories at Brough, Coventry, Hamble and Kingston-upon-Thames. The management consulted my Department before announcing these redundancies and they have undertaken to do so before announcements affecting other areas are made. However, I think it right that the workers affected should receive such news directly from the management concerned through the normal consultative machinery. I therefore think it would be wrong of me to anticipate any announcements the managements may have to make about specific areas or factories.It is the Government's expectation that in so far as redundancy is unavoidable, as a result of recent decisions, it should occur largely in places where alternative work is available so as to avoid undue disturbance to workers or their families.As soon as they are informed of any impending redundancies for their areas the staff of the Ministry of Labour's employment exchanges are ready to interview the workers concerned with a view to arranging alternative employment or any necessary training.

asked the Minister of Aviation what plans he has to encourage the development of air freight; and whether he will make a statement.

The development of air freight, like other British air services, rests within the commercial judgment of interested operators, subject to compliance with licensing requirements. British operators are well aware of the growing importance of air freight and have shown themselves eager to provide facilities for it, wherever they consider there is an economic demand. Facilities for handling air freight are regularly provided at the aerodromes under my control and are being developed as necessary. At Heathrow, for example, my Department is currently planning to provide a new Freight Terminal.

asked the Minister of Aviation when he expects air freight to be competitive with alternative road, rail and sea services.

The value of goods exported from and imported into the United Kingdom by air increased at a rate of 22 per cent. per year during the five years 1958–63 as against an increase of 5 per cent. per year in the value of total exports and imports over the same period. Air freight has thus become competitive with surface transport over an increasing range of goods and routes and I expect this trend to continue.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether, in view of the murder last Wednesday of a policeman and of the wounding of two others by a gunman, he proposes to allow Government time for the remaining stages of the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Bill.

It has always been the Government's intention to facilitate the Report and Third Reading of the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Bill.In addition, the right hon. Member will be aware of the forecast of legislation made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department in his statement of 11th February.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will alter the positive vetting procedure in the Government service.

No.

asked the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government will now, on behalf of the United Kingdom and the Colonies, fully ratify the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights.

The United Kingdom ratified the Convention in 1951, and the application of the Convention was extended to forty-two dependent territories in 1953.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to enter into long term contracts for primary products with Commonwealth countries.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my replies to a number of Questions on this topic on 9th February.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now announce the proposals of Her Majesty's Government for maintaining full employment in the aircraft industry with provision of work involving comparable skills.

An urgent examination is being made of possible methods of providing alternative employment for aircraft workers in the factories where they are now employed. In the meantime my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour is making special arrangements to assist aircraft workers who become redundant to obtain employment in which they will be able to make the best use of their skills.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will move to recommend to the House that the convention that lays down that no statue or picture of a deceased statesman shall be erected or exhibited within the Palace of Westminster within 10 years of the death of the said statesman shall be abrogated in the case of the late Sir Winston Churchill.

I am very willing to discuss the hon. Member's suggestion with the right hon. Gentlemen the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Party.The House will recall that the so-called 10 year rule was eloquently defended by Sir Winston Churchill himself in moving that a monument be erected to Lloyd George, but the rule could certainly be abrogated if it were the general wish.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied that there is still a requirement for official residential accommodation for the Chancellor of the E chequer; and if he will make a statement.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in a recent case a Government Department claimed that they owed £10,000 to an electrical contracting company for work carried out on airfields, and that after the bankruptcy of the firm and the death of its managing director it was discovered that the Department in fact owed the sum of £130,000; and what steps he will take to ensure that firms carrying out work for Government Departments receive proper payment and rapid clearance on completion of contracts.

I am aware of the facts of the particular case, which are that differences between what the firm claimed it was owed and what the Department could substantiate were settled, and the majority of the money paid, before bankruptcy. The managing director died five years after the bankruptcy.All Government Departments are well aware of the importance of paying sums due promptly.

asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to hold economic discussions with General de Gaulle; and if he will give an assurance that in such discussions the interests of the Commonwealth will be safeguarded.

In my forthcoming discussions with General de Gaulle I shall naturally wish to cover a wide range of matters of mutual economic and political interest. I shall certainly bear in mind Commonwealth interests.

asked the Prime Minister what are the responsibilities of the Minister of Land and Natural Resources over estuarial developments.

I would refer the hon. Member to my statement of 19th January.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now satisfied with the effectiveness of the embargo placed upon the export of sporting guns and ammunition to South Africa; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether the British arms embargo on South Africa, including the sale of sporting guns and ammunition, is now in effective operation.

I am satisfied that the embargo on the export of arms to South Africa, which I announced to the House on 17th November, 1964, is in effective operation.

asked the Prime Minister whether, bearing in mind the bilingual character of education in Wales, he will co-ordinate the activities of the Secretary of State for Wales and the Secretary of State for Education and Science in regard to the reorganisation of secondary education in the Principality.

The Government's policy on the reorganisation of secondary education in England and Wales was explained in the debate on 21st January and in the execution of this policy in Wales my right hon. Friend will consult my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

asked the Prime Minister if he will publish as a White Paper the evidence submitted by all parties to the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration.

It is for the independent Review Body to decide whether the whole or any part of the evidence submitted to it should be published or permitted to be published.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the establishment of a separate Welsh Office, he will now publish separate statistics for Wales setting out, in terms of value, the gross agricultural output, the net agricultural income, and the amount paid by way of grants and subsidies during any given statistical period.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is examining the scope of statistical information published for Wales and we will consider with him the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what minimum standards of accommodation and conditions have to be complied with before intensive beef production units can be put into operation;(2) to what extent intensive beef production units are registered.

No specific minimum standards of accommodation and conditions are required in intensive beef production units, nor are they registered. The question of whether standards are necessary in the interest of the welfare of animals is being examined by the technical committee under Professor F W. Rogers Brambell, to which I have referred in previous replies to the House.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of total fat cattle production in this country for the last available year came from intensive beef production units.

The only available statistics relate to the intentions of producers generally as to age of slaughter. On this basis we estimate that in England and Wales about 20 per cent. of calves for beef are currently being reared by intensive and semi-intensive systems for slaughter up to about 15 months.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will announce plans to encourage co-operation among small farmers.

The whole question of co-operation among farmers is under consideration, but I am not in a position to make a statement at the present time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total number of cases of anthrax reported in each of the last three years.

Outbreaks of anthrax in livestock in Great Britain in 1962, 1963 and 1964 totalled 340, 330 and 492 respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total number of cases of anthrax reported in Leicestershire in the past six months; and how this compares with the last three years.

In the six months August, 1964, to January, 1965, there were 28 outbreaks of anthrax in livestock in Leicestershire, which compares with figures for the same period in 1961–62, 1962–63 and 1963–64 of 1, 3 and 3 respectively. The annual numbers of outbreaks in Leicestershire from 1961 to 1964 were 2, 16, 2 and 22.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the initial and subsequent estimated annual cost of paying to all Armed Forces pensioners who retired before 60 years of age, on their reaching the age of 60, pensions adjusted to the pension code current at their 60th birthday, thereafter increasing it as may be applicable to their new pension code.

The initial cost of giving pensions, in line with current pension codes, to pensioners now aged 60 years and over who are receiving pensions under earlier codes, would amount to about £10·5 million. Because the pension codes are subject to change, future movements cannot be forecast.

asked the Attorney-General what inquiries have been made by the Director of Public Prosecutions with regard to the use of the postal service to publicise the magazine Penthouse.

As I have informed the House in Answers to Questions by the hon. Member for Bournemouth, East and Christchurch (Mr. Cordle) on 10th December, 1964, and 15th February, 1965, police inquiries have been carried out on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions about the publication of circulars advertising this magazine. Criminal proceedings are now pending and further inquiries by the police are being made. It is not for the Director of Public Prosecutions or his officers to make inquiries about the use of the postal service.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will now make a statement in respect of the proposed new university for Bournemouth; and to what extent he is taking Bournemouth into consideration as a suitable area for one of the new colleges of advanced technology.

As I told the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North (Mr. R. W. Elliott) on 9th February, I hope to make a statement on institutions of higher education shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, as co-Chairman of the Geneva Conference, he will now propose a conference of ambassadors in Vietnam to be attended by the diplomatic representatives of those countries which had participated in the work of the 1954 Geneva conference; and whether he will make a statement.

No. I do not think the Governments represented at the 1954 Geneva Conference would be able to agree on a place in Vietnam which was sufficiently neutral for this purpose. What is important is to find a basis for negotiations on Vietnam.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements have been made for the celebration of Europe Day on 5th May.

This matter is at present under consideration by the Departments concerned. Steps are also being taken to draw the attention of the local authorities in the United Kingdom to the anniversary and to various suggestions which have been made as to the manner in which Europe Day might be celebrated.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to build up effective public relations within industry to mitigate the fear of employees that automation will lead to unemployment; and whether he will make a statement.

On the general question of the fear of unemployment I would emphasise that the first Report of the Manpower Research Unit of the Ministry published last year pointed out that the general effect of automation would be to help alleviate the manpower shortages produced by the relatively slower growth of the working population over the next five years. I agree, however, that it is most important that managements should take full account of the effects of automation on their employees and make appropriate plans for dealing with these. Effective communications within industry are also very important. The Industrial Relations Service of the Ministry can give advice on communications and on consultation with employees about the handling of personnel problems which may result from the introduction of automation.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she is aware that, allowing for the changed value of the pound sterling, the other ranks 40 per cent. war pension which was 18s. in 1914 should today be £4 10s. instead of £2 14s.; and if she will take steps to remedy this discrepancy and similar ones in service pensions.

The 40 per cent, rate of 18s. a week to which the hon. Member refers was not introduced until 1946 and, on the basis of the Cost-of-Living Index up to June, 1947, linked with the Retail Prices Index, its present equivalent is 35s. 6d. In 1914, war disablement pensions were calculated on a different basis, the rate for total incapacity being 17s. 6d. a week, of which the present equivalent is 70s. 2d. Against this, the rate for 100 per cent. disablement payable from 31st March will be 135s. and a wide range of supplementary allowances may be paid in addition. I know of no comparable relationships in the field of Service pensions, which are in any case a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

asked the Postmaster-General what consideration he has now given to the problems connected with the introduction of colour television; and if he will make a statement.

There is nothing I can usefully add to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris) on 3rd February.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is Her Majesty's Government's policy that the ban on cigarette advertising in television shall extend to the actual smoking of cigarettes by persons appearing in all television performances.

Programme content is a matter for the broadcasting authorities. I am sure that the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. are well aware of the campaign to discourage the smoking of cigarettes.

asked the Postmaster-General if the notices displayed outside most main post offices, showing the latest time of posting for delivery by the first post the following morning, are a guarantee of this being done; and where they are not, if he will arrange to have the notices removed.

The notices show the connections due to be made in normal circumstances; but they are not, and could not be, a guarantee that such connections will always be made. I do not think it would be helpful to do as my hon. Friend suggests. As he knows, we are doing our best to overcome the difficulties at Huddersfield to which he recently drew my attention.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will issue a White Paper showing the progress of automation in British industry as at the end of 1964, indicating the industries in which greatest progress is being made.

No. I do not consider this a practicable undertaking given the wide variety of processes and techniques embraced by the term automation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total amount of butter imported from each country into the United Kingdom during the current year up to the latest convenient date; and what is the total of quotas allocated and to which countries, for the same period.

The table below gives actual imports for the nine months 1st April to 31st December, 1964, basic quotas for the whole quota year 1st April, 1964, to 31st March, 1965, and supplementary allocations issued so far. Since basic quotas are issued for a whole year and supplementary allocations are issued for delivery during varying specified periods within the year, figures of imports and authorisations cannot be provided to cover comparable periods of less than a full year. In the light of actual imports in the first nine months and forecasts from supplying countries of deliveries in the last three months, imports for the present quota year are estimated to be of the order of 460,000–470,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will erect a sign, "Reduce Speed: End of Clearway", on the clearway between Stonebridge and the City of Birmingham boundary.

My divisional road engineer is considering urgently the type of sign which should be erected here. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to deal with the increase of traffic on the roads affected by the extension of Tilbury Docks.

The immediate approaches will be improved in the next few years by the construction of the Tilbury Docks Approach Road. Access will also be progressively improved by a number of other schemes, including the provision of dual carriageways on A.13 between Canning Town and Dover's Corner, Hornchurch, and improvements of A.128, including a by-pass at Bulphan, A.125 and B.178.In the longer term, the D-Ring and North Orbital roads will provide good connections to the main routes to East Anglia, the Midlands and the North; the South Orbital road will provide improved access via the Dartford Tunnel.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will outline the Government's plans to modernise the docks.

The National Ports Council has a duty under the Harbours Act, 1964, to formulate comprehensive plans for the improvement of existing, and the provision of new, harbours in Great Britain and of services and facilities provided at such harbours. They will shortly be consulting with port authorities about the port developments which they consider are most urgently required with a view to submitting proposals to me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will republish the accurate figures of the table of Assaults on Prison Officers 1959 to 1964, now admitted to have been erroneous.

I very much regret that the figures given to the House on 8th February, 1965, were inaccurate. The following tables, in substitution for that shown in columns 34 to 36 (Written Answers) of the OFFICIAL REPORT for 8th February, 1965, give the most comprehensive information which at this date is available for the years in question. The original table referred to prisons only: I have now included borstals.