asked the President of the Board of Trade what decision he has reached as a result of his visit to the North-East on the need for industrial development in that area; and what action he intends to take.

I was much impressed by the progress being made in the North-East and particularly by the large amount of industrial building now taking place or planned. But a great deal more needs to be done. I shall continue with all the means at my disposal to encourage new industry to set up in the area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentages of maize and barley, respectively, were used in the production of grain whisky during the most recent years for which figures are available.

Official records, which are based on returns from distillers in the United Kingdom, do not permit the separate identification of the proportions of cereals used in the making of grain whisky.The following proportions were used in the production of all forms of grain spirits:

	Barley	Maize
Year ending 30th September, 1963	23	77
Year ending 30th September, 1964	24	76

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the findings of his examination of the Japanese shipbuilding industry.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to my visit to Japan. I have nothing to add to the Answer given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Wallsend (Mr. Garrett) on 11th February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to revise or amend the Merchandise Marks Act.

My right hon. Friend is preparing new comprehensive legislation and will introduce it as soon as practicable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the scope for development on the Isle of Sheppey and of the need for more employment in the area; and whether he will draw the advantages of the Island to the attention of those firms seeking to expand or set up factories of offices and which need to remain in the South-East of England.

Yes. We shall continue to bring the advantages of Sheppey to the attention of firms with suitable projects that we are satisfied must remain in the South-East.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to encourage the Ford Motor Company to lay down a plant in the new town of Cumbernauld.

We have helped Fords in their study of suitable sites in development districts including those in Scotland. The final choice between these, or other suitable sites, rest with the company.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what approaches have been made by the Ford Motor Company for an industrial development certificate in respect of the Wentloog area of Cardiff.

Applications for industrial development certificates are made in confidence and it is therefore the Board's practice not to disclose whether an application has been made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the Ford Motor Company about the location of a major extension of their works.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in considering the applicability of voluntary regulations to prevent illegal practices at auction sales, he will examine the degree of efficiency of the voluntary regulations now in use in the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association.

Yes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he propses to introduce the necessary legislation for the ratification of the International Labour Office Fishing Conventions No. 112 and 114, which were accepted in March, 1961; and whether he will now give further consideration to Convention No. 113.

As stated in the White Paper, Command 1318, legislation to enable Conventions 112 and 114 to be ratified will be introduced when a suitable opportunity arises. I have received no evidence which would justify reviewing the decision not to ratify Convention 113.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the average annual value of exports of motor vehicles to South Africa over the last three years; and how these figures compare with exports to other individual countries.

The following is the information:The average annual value of exports of road vehicles and parts (excluding tractor parts) from the United Kingdom to South Africa and to our other largest markets for these goods over the three years 1962–64 was as follows:

				£ million
South Africa	…	…	…	34·7
U.S.A.	…	…	…	50·0
Australia	…	…	…	40·5
Sweden	…	…	…	22·9
New Zealand		…	…	22·8
France	…	…	…	17·8
Belgium	…	…	…	16·6
Italy	…	…	…	16·4
Canada	…	…	…	16·4

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will accelerate the introduction of his Bill on mergers in order to deal with the present situation of the Wall Paper Manufacturers Company.

I would refer the hon. Member to my written reply on 15th February to the hon. Member for Sudbury and Woodbridge (Mr. Stainton). The Bill to which I referred will be introduced very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Crown Cork Company, a subsidiary of a United States firm, is refusing to pay a dividend for the second year to its English shareholders who own about 1,500,000 ordinary shares, or 30 per cent. of the equity, although over 43 per cent. has again been earned on these ordinary shares; as the business is being conducted in a manner oppressive of its members, if he will investigate the affairs of the company under section 165 of the Companies Act; and if he will make a statement.

On present information there do not appear to be grounds for the appointment of an inspector under Section 165 of the Companies Act, 1948, to investigate the affairs of the company.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, following his recent visit to Darlington, he will encourage industry and Government Departments to move to the area; and if he will make a statement.

Darlington has had an encouraging success in attracting new projects to the area. The benefits of the Local Employment Acts continue to apply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will restrict the granting of industrial development certificates in the Greater London and West Midlands area, in view of the need for industrial development in the North-East.

Yes. That is what I am already doing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations from British industries have been received by his Department on the effects of the import surcharge and the export rebate; and what replies he has sent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement concerning the effect of the import surcharge and the benefit of the export rebate to British industry.

Representations from British industry about the import charge have largely been concerned with its effects on the cost of semi-manufactured materials, components and equipment needed by industry. These representations were fully considered by the Government in reaching the decision to reduce the charge announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 22nd February. The export rebate scheme has been generally welcomed by British industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress is being made with the investigation of the affairs of Fiesta Tours Limited; when a report will be published; and what steps are being taken to prevent the exploitation of holiday-makers this summer by this and similarly unreliable agencies.

The inspectors appointed by the Board of Trade to investigate the affairs of Fiesta Tours Limited are making good progress, but I cannot say when their inquiries are likely to be completed. My right hon. Friend will decide whether to publish the report of the inspectors when he receives it.As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my Answer on 17th February to the hon. Member for Blyth (Mr. Milne).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further steps he is taking to encourage industry and Government Departments to locate their offices outside central London.

The Control of Office and Industrial Development Bill is now on its way through Parliament. This will give the Government substantial additional powers. Questions about the location of Government Departments should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer; but it is the Government's policy to press forward with dispersal from London wherever practicable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations have been received from the East Sussex County Council and the Burgess Hill Urban District Council about the drafting of the Schedules to the Control of Office and Industrial Development Bill.

My right hon. Friend has received representations from these authorities that Burgess Hill and Cuckfield should be excluded from the Schedule to the Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he rejected a request from the National Grocers' Federation for a meeting to discuss the proliferation of manufacturers' promotional offers.

Because my right hon. Friend's diary was very full and it did not seem that a meeting, which would have been very difficult to arrange during January, would have added materially to the information we already have on this matter, including material previously given to officials by the Federation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what increase in trade mark fees has been made in 1965; if he is aware that this will add to the cost of production at the present time; and what is the reason for the increase.

In order to meet increased costs of administration, the registration fee, giving rights for seven years, has been increased by £1 and the renewal fee, covering a period of 14 years, by £4. The effect on the costs of production must be infinitesimal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the substantial indirect advantage to the export trade and balance of payments arising from international conferences and congresses held in this country, he will consider what steps can be taken to increase substantially the amount of Government assistance given to all suitable projects of this kind.

My right hon. Friend is aware of several major projects for new conference centres, including two which are already approaching completion. He will be watching carefully the progress on these and other projects with a view to deciding whether Government support or assistance is necessary and practicable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the impounding by the Government of Malta of an aircraft belonging to U.S. Airways engaged in transporting arms and ammunition out of Prague, and that the flight of this aircraft originated in the United Kingdom; and whether he will give an assurance that no arms were included in the cargo on leaving the United Kingdom and that no licence to export arms was granted by Her Majesty's Government in connection with this flight.

Yes and I can give my hon. Friend the assurances for which he asks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now estimate the effect on British trade with South Africa due to the arms embargo imposed in accordance with United Nations policy.

No. But trade with South Africa in goods other than arms continues at a high level.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet decided who will conduct the inquiry under the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 into the loss of the Aberdeen trawler "Blue Crusader"; when and where it will sit; and if he is aware that, as this is a matter of public interest, the inquiry should be held in public at the earliest moment.

I have nothing to add at present to the reply I gave to my hon. and learned Friend on 17th February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further measures he intends to introduce to increase exports.

Various ideas are being considered, but it is too early to announce any further measures as yet.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the proposed new anti-monopoly legislation will cover the operations of nationalised industries.

I cannot anticipate the detailed provisions of the Bill. The current monopolies legislation excludes from consideration monopoly conditions which have express statutory authority, and amending legislation will remain consistent with this general principle.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the number of occasions on which orders have been made under Section 10 of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act 1948 and the subject of each such order.

The following Orders have been made under Section 10 of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act 1948:

• The Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Dental Goods) Order, 1951;
• The Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Imported Hardwood and Softwood Timber) Order, 1960.

The first Order rendered unlawful agreements relating to the collective enforcement of resale prices in respect of dental goods and agreements the effect of which was to restrict the number of persons carrying on business as suppliers of such goods.The second Order prohibited the making or carrying out of agreements or arrangements for the supply of imported timber having effects similar to the effects of the agreements condemned in the 1953 Report on the Supply of Imported Timber by the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission. The condemned agreements were agreements between traders on certain approved lists to deal only with each other.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many references have been made to the Monopolies Commission under Section 12 (1) of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act 1948, requiring the Commission to investigate and report whether and to what extent recommendations by the Commission or a competent authority have been complied with.

One. The reference in question was made on 14th February, 1957, and required the Commission to report on whether and to what extent the parties concerned had complied with the recommendation in the Commission's report on the Supply of Imported Timber.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the progress of consulations in the working party set up by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

I assume that the right hon. Member refers to the working party set up to examine the United Kingdom's balance of payments difficulties and the measures taken to remedy them. This working party met in Geneva from 7th to 11th December. It recognised the seriousness of these difficulties and the need for action. It will meet again on 3rd March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the rate of growth of productivity in the wool textile industry since 1961; and how it compares with the rest of the economy.

Statistics of production and employment suggest that in the wool textile industry the growth of output per head since 1961 has been less than in manufacuring industry as a whole. Short-term changes are very much influenced by fluctuations in business conditions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make a statement on the location of new major expansion schemes of the motor car industry.

No. This is not yet possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what specific steps he is taking at the present time to promote increased trade with Israel.

The measures to increase exports announced on 27th January apply to Israel as to other countries. The United Kingdom will participate in the 1966 Tel Aviv Trade Fair if there is sufficient support from industry. I am glad to say that our trade with Israel is increasing very rapidly.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the names of members of the Regional Economic Council for Wales; and what representation county councils will have.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements he has made to set up the Welsh Economic Council.

With effect from 1st March the Welsh Economic Council will be set up with the Minister of State for Wales as Chairman. Sir Miles Thomas and Mr. R. C. Mathias have consented to serve as Vice-Chairmen.Following are the terms of reference and the list of members:WELSH ECONOMIC COUNCIL

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will now give an approximate date at which it is planned to start the Chepstow Inner Relief Road; and whether he is aware of the urgency of this matter having regard to the amount of traffic congestion in the area.

This scheme has not yet found a place in the road programme. Its priority is affected by the fact that there has been a considerable increase in the estimate of its cost, but discussions about the cost of the scheme are proceeding between the divisional road engineer and the highway authorities concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements exist in his Department for the study of radio and television broadcasting to schools; and what co-operation there is between his Department and the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority on this subject.

A branch of the Department and a panel of Her Majesty's Inspectors have particular responsibility for advising my right hon. Friend on the educational use of radio and television. The Department is represented on the School Broadcasting Council for the United Kingdom, and on committees which advise the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Independent Television Authority and the programme companies on educational broadcasts.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the expenditure for minor works for voluntary schools, costing between £20,000 and £2,000 for 1963–64; what is estimated for 1964–65; and what is to be the allocation for 1965–66.

£3·3 million in 1963–64, over £3 million in 1964–65 and £3·6 million in 1965–66.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the list for educational priorities.

No. One cannot list these priorities in simple numerical order.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in view of recent rises in the cost of living, he will revise the scale of parental contributions in respect of student grants and bursaries.

I expect shortly to receive the advice of the Standing Advisory Committee on Grants to Students and the Government will then consider whether any changes should be made in the arrangements for awards to students.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many aliens became condition free in each of the last four years.

The number in the several years 1961 to 1964 was 12,986, 11,711, 11,758 and 16,011 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why John William Slater, convicted of murder in 1948, was transferred from Broad-moor to the Cherryknowle Mental Hospital at Ryhope, which is situated within 10 miles of his former home; what were the circumstances surrounding his disappearance from this hospital on 17th February, which led to his being returned to Broadmoor; and to what extent Slater's programme of rehabilitation will be retarded as a result of his escape.

This patient was transferred from Broadmoor to Cherry Knowle Hospital on 19th January, 1965, after the Mental Health Review Tribunal had advised that he should be transferred to a local psychiatric hospital for rehabilitation. I understand that on transfer he was co-operative and apparently quite settled. Unfortunately, however, he absconded from the hospital on 17th February, and, shortly after being returned next day, absconded again. He was again brought back on 19th February and was returned to Broadmoor on 20th February. The case will be kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the anomaly whereby a prisoner believing he has a good case to be heard in an Appeal Court is required to lose six weeks' remission on losing the appeal; and if this applies in the case of Henry Scudder, serving a sentence in Wormwood Scrubs, who recently lost his appeal following a decision by the previous Secretary of State that this was a suitable case for the Appeal Court.

The forfeiture of time by a prisoner whose application for leave to appeal is refused by the Court of Criminal Appeal is regulated by Section 38(2) of the Criminal Justice Act, 1948. It is one of the matters under consideration by the Interdepartmental Committee on the Court of Criminal Appeal under the Chairmanship of Lord Donovan and I think it right to await the Committee's views.Scudder did not lose any time as a result of the reference of his case by my predecessor to the Court of Criminal Appeal under Section 19(1) of the Criminal Appeal Act, 1907. The 42 days which he lost as a result of his own unsuccessful application to the Court of Criminal Appeal in 1960, which was made on different grounds, could be restored only by the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy and I can find no justification for recommending this exceptional course in his case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement following his official visit to the Caribbean.

Between 31st January and 10th February I visited in turn Barbados, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenada, returning to Barbados. In each territory I was able to meet Ministers and leading political and other personalities and to hear their views on federation. I also had discussions with the Governor of Barbados and with the Administrators.The Regional Council of Ministers had decided to release to the public, immediately before my return visit to Barbados, the Draft Federal Scheme which they had themselves prepared, together with the reservations which some Governments still have on a number of points. I had agreed to the publication at the same time of certain correspondence between my predecessor and the Chairman of the Regional Council of Ministers, along with related correspondence between the Chairman and the Governments concerned. Copies of all the documents published have been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether the responsibilities of the Price Review body will include the recommendation of tariff cuts and of the removal of the import surcharge as and when increases are made in the prices of protected goods.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the publication in due course of the terms of reference of the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

asked the Minister of Power what is the estimated cost to the balance of payments this year of fuel oil imports.

Depending on the extent to which oil companies vary their operations, imports of fuel oil in 1965 are not likely to be significantly different from those in 1964, when 8·9 million tons were imported at a declared value of £51·1 million. It is estimated, however, that these imports will at least be matched by exports and supplies for bunkers. The cost of the imports to the balance of payments is less than the declared value to the extent that they are carried in British ships or come from refineries abroad owned by or associated with British oil companies.

asked the Minister without Portfolio what has been the cost, to the nearest convenient date, of the Legal Aid Scheme; and how many persons have been assisted by it.

The Legal Aid Scheme started in October, 1950. Down to the 31st March, 1964, the net cost falling on public funds was £22·85 million. This is after taking account of the contributions by assisted persons, and costs recovered from the losing party. A total of 608,861 people have been assisted by the Legal Aid Scheme.

asked the Minister without Portfolio how many staff were employed in the office of the Nottingham District Land Registry in December, 1959, and December, 1964, respectively; and, in view of the delay in registering charges of properties sold by a property company, of which details have been supplied to him, thus causing hardship to many property owners and prospective owners in Perry Barr, if he will take steps to increase the staff in this registry.

The office to which the hon. Member refers was not created a district land registry until 2nd December, 1963. In December, 1959, there were 58 members of the staff employed in it, and in December, 1964, there were 386. The strength is still being increased.Although the hon. Member refers to properties sold by a property company in Perry Barr, very few have been identified in his constituency, and it appears that most of them are located elsewhere. Except for a very few cases, where the applications were defective, the registration of all the transactions was completed within the time normally taken, although many of them were very complicated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to increase international liquidity in the light of the measures to restrict the outflow of dollars now under discussion in the United States of America.

The measures recently announced by the President of the U.S.A. do not create a new situation, since the American policy of reducing their balance of payments deficit has been part of the background to international discussions about world liquidity for some years. In these, as I told the House in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Cheadle (Mr. Shepherd) on 19th January, the Government intend playing a full part.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reduce the 7 per cent. Bank Rate since it has proved ineffective in checking home consumption in view of the fact that the hire-purchase debt rose a further £6 million in December to £1,115 million, a rise of £156 million in the year; what new measures he proposes to take to reduce home consumption; and if he will make a statement.

I will reduce the Bank Rate as soon as I judge the state of the economy will permit: in making that judgment I should not, however, rely solely, or even mainly, on the movement of hire-purchase debt. The Bank Rate is of course only one of a number of measures which have been taken to keep home demand within proper limits, and further measures will be taken if and when it becomes appropriate to do so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that the extra 2 per cent. on the Bank Rate is costing over £60 million a year more in interest on the £1,932 million foreign current and deposit accounts and the £1,196 million Treasury bills held overseas, thus making the balance of payments worse, if he will reduce the rate immediately to 5 per cent.; and if he will make a statement.

No. I do not accept the hon. Gentleman's calculations. I have no statement to make about Bank Rate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now announce the composition of the Scottish Economic Planning Council.

The following have accepted my invitation to serve as members of the Scottish Economic Planning Council:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the 1964 potato crop now remains unsold on Scottish farms.

The latest available figures are those at 31st January and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 22nd February to the hon. Member for Fife, East (Sir J. Gilmour).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what tonnage of potatoes remains unsold in Perthshire; and what were the equivalent figures in recent years.

At 31st January this year and in the two previous years the total tonnage of potatoes unsold in Perthshire was as follows.

		31st January, 1965	31st January, 1964	31st January, 1963
Seed	…	68,000	61,000	71,000
Ware	…	49,000	25,000	44,000
Total	…	117,000	86,000	115,000

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what estimate he has made of the consequential effect on Scottish agriculture of the present low return to Scottish potato growers;(2) if he is aware of the heavy losses facing potato growers in Scotland; and what consideration he has given to the consequences of a reduction in acreage, particularly in relation to the retail price of potatoes.

Returns to growers must be viewed in the light of the season as a whole and the effects of the joint support buying programme announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food On 22nd February have yet to be seen. The purpose of this programme is of course to steady the market generally.Present evidence is that there is likely to be only a slight reduction in the Scottish potato acreage in 1965. There is no reason to fear an adverse effect on retail prices from this cause.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he has now completed his review of the problems confronting potato producers in Scotland; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will accept the commercial judgment of the Potato Marketing Board regarding the need for an urgent support buying programme.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food gave on 22nd February to the hon. Member for Bury and Radcliffe (Mr. Ensor).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland where the new Sports Centre will be located; what the cost will be; and what facilities will be provided.

The location will be Glasgow, subject to agreement with the Corporation on a suitable site. The cost is likely to be about £200,000. The main facilities are likely to consist of a large hall with some spectator accommodation, smaller hall and ancillary rooms, dressing rooms and cafeteria.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the percentage increase in retail prices of ladies' light and heavy outerwear for the period January, 1963, to January, 1965.

The percentage increase in retail prices of ladies' outer clothing was about 3¾ per cent.

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech made at Stoke on 6th February by the Minister of Housing and Local Government on the subject of expenditure on armaments represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Yes, up to a point. I thought my right hon. Friend's strictures on the defence inheritance were characteristically understated.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will allocate to one of his Ministers the responsibility for co-ordinating the integration of immigrants into the life of the nation.

Arrangements have already been made for the coordination of the many aspects of this problem, and I am considering what further steps can be taken.

asked the Prime Minister whether, since the Bank of England is publicly owned, he will introduce legislation to ensure that the Governor is prohibited from making public speeches on matters that are the subject of controversy between the main political parties.

No.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the situation of elderly British residents in foreign and Commonwealth countries, such as ex-governesses and companions, who cannot obtain sufficient money on which to live from United Kingdom representatives; and what would be the cost of introducing legislation to enable old-age pensions to be paid to them in cases where they are too old to return to this country.

Her Majesty's Government are aware that there are many British nationals living abroad in conditions of hardship. The Government are ready to repatriate those who belong to this country and who are genuinely destitute and to pay subsistence pending their repatriation.As regards the second part of the question, we do not know the number of those involved and no estimate of cost is therefore possible.

asked the Prime Minister if he will now list all the matters under review by Her Majesty's Government; and if he will indicate those matters on which reviews are proceeding, but on which no official statement has yet been made.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on my behalf by my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State to a Question by the hon. Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) on 10th December last year.

asked the Prime Minister if he will now announce the terms of reference and the names of the members of the proposed Commission on Trade Unions.

I announced the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on Trade Unions and Employers' Associations in the House on 2nd February and informed the House that the Chairman would be Lord Donovan. I hope to announce the names of the other members very soon.

asked the Prime Minister if he will review the present arrangements for consultation between Her Majesty's Government and the Governor of the Bank of England in planning an economic policy for the United Kingdom.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to similar Questions on this subject today.

asked the Minister of Aviation what was the total value of the annual rebate on petrol tax for the benefit of flying clubs in this country in the year 1964.

The rebate is claimed retrospectively and final figures for 1964 are not yet available. It is estimated, however, that the total will be about £63,000 for flying clubs and groups and £5,000 for gliding clubs.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the total proposed investment for the improvement of water supplies for the next five years; and whether it is anticipated that this total investment will keep up with the increase in total demand over this period.

Public investment generally is now under review and my right hon. Friend cannot anticipate decisions on this. But the level of investment in water supplies will necessarily take into account the expected increase in demand.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make copies of the Report of the Allen Committee available to Members; and whether, following the publication of the Report, he will take steps to ease the burden of rates on householders of limited means.

Copies of the Report (Cmnd. 2582) are available in the Vote Office.The Report provides for the first time comprehensive information about the impact of rates on householders and will be of the greatest value to the Government in their review of local government finance and the rating system. This is being pushed ahead as fast as possible and attention is of course being given to the burden of rates on those of limited means. But until the review has been completed it will not be possible to decide how that burden can be eased.The Secretary of State for Scotland and I would like to take the opportunity of thanking Professor Allen and his colleagues for giving so generously of their time.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government in respect of how many properties within the area covered by Weymouth assessments made by the valuation officer have been reversed on appeal.

By 23rd February the Dorset local valuation courts had given reductions in 82 appeals by ratepayers arising from assessments in the 1963 valuation lists.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether he is aware of the proposal that The Wash should be converted into a freshwater reservoir; and if he will order a study of the following aspects of this, namely, the technical feasibility, likely cost, effect on King's Lynn as a port, loss of land by submersion, possible loss of arable land otherwise obtainable by drainage, and the complications which would be introduced in effluent disposal from surrounding areas.

I am aware of the proposal to convert The Wash by a barrage into a freshwater reservoir. Various studies relating to the long-term water situation in South-East England are already in progress and these will bring into consideration proposals regarding The Wash.

asked the Minister of Transport why loan sanction was withheld from the Petersfield Urban District Council's proposed minor highway improvements for wider carriageways, regrading and easing kerb-lines, and increasing of parking space in The Square, re-alignment of carriageway and creation of a new road in Norevil Road, and re-grading of camber and re-kerbing in Charles Street, on the grounds that these projects constituted maintenance work only, when loan sanction for reshaping of the footway and re-kerbing in The Avenue, Petersfield, was granted without question.

Expenditure on the maintenance of highways is expected to be met from revenue rather than from loans. Under the definition of maintenance with which highway authorities are familiar in connection with classification grants, small improvement works are regarded as maintenance and it is the usual practice to apply this definition in deciding whether to recommend the issue of loan sanction. At the time of the application in respect of works in The Avenue, Petersfield, this practice was not being followed as strictly as it now is.

asked the Minister of Transport how many roadside checks of motor vehicle exhaust fumes have been carried out in the past six months; in what districts; and what proportion of drivers stopped have been or are to be prosecuted for excessive smoke.

Full particulars of local roadside checks are not kept centrally. These checks, which are directed against defects generally and not only smoke, have been continuing on a small scale throughout the winter. As a result, 3,220 prohibition notices—278 with immediate effect—have been issued over the period of six months up to the end of January. Related figures for prosecutions are not at present available.

asked the Minister of Transport how much parking space for cars is provided at its stations by the Railways Board; and how much is provided at railway stations in each region and in London.

The Railways Board tells me, that it has provided parking space at its stations to accommodate a total of 49,408 cars. The number of parking spaces available at stations in each region is as follows:

Eastern	…	…	8,500
London Midland	…	…	11,297
North-Eastern	…	…	3,254
Scottish	…	…	3,592
Southern	…	…	15,313
Western	…	…	7,452

Provision has been made at stations in London within a 20 mile radius of Charing Cross to accommodate 7,560 cars in all.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the need for off-street parking in and around cities linked with public transport, if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the British Railways Board to include car parks in the rebuilding of terminal stations and on other railway property close to suburban stations.

No. It is for the the Railways Board to decide where car parks might be provided on its land and whether such provision is justified. I know this is a matter that the Board bears very much in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that many motor cars are no longer provided with starting handles, what research is in progress into improving the reliability of self-starters, especially in preventing the drive from jamming.

No official research work is being done on the reliability of self starters for motor cars. But I have no doubt that the manufacturers have such problems continually in mind and are improving their designs accordingly.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that many motor cars are no longer provided with starting handles, what research is in progress in to the production of lighter and smaller car batteries, so that a spare could be carried capable of being easily changed in the event of breakdown.

No official research work is being done on batteries for this purpose, but I am sure that the manufacturers in the normal course of development seek means to improve them.