asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what new initiative he contemplates in the United Nations regarding the Indonesian aggression against Malaysia; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will propose to the Security Council, in the light of British commitments in the area, that United Nations observers should be sent to Malaysia to report on acts of armed aggression against Malaysian territory by the nationals of any foreign power.

It is primarily for the Malaysian Government to decide when and in what way this question should again be brought before the United Nations. Her Majesty's Government do not themselves contemplate any initiative at this stage.As my right hon. Friend the Member for Derby, South (Mr. Philip Noel-Baker) was told by my hon. Friend on 14th December, the question of seeking the help of United Nations Observers is one which we have discussed with our friends and allies. The difficulty of policing a thousand-mile frontier, and a long sea coast, would be formidable anywhere; in the mountainous jungle areas of Eastern Malaysia it would be almost insuperable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the statement by the Food and Agriculture Organisation that to provide a reasonably adequate level of nutrition for A.D. 2000 for the predicted population of 7,000 million, the world's total food supply will have to be trebled, and that for the last five years there has been no increase in world agricultural production, what instructions he has given to the British representative at the United Nations regarding the control of population and the increase of world food supplies; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what instructions have been given to the British delegates at the United Nations with respect to the encouragement of family planning on an international scale, in view of the population increase in the under-developed countries;(2) what instructions he has given to the United Kingdom representative at the United Nations on the problem of the world population explosion, the need to expand and improve the production and distribution of world food supplies, and the need for the extension of family planning facilities and knowledge.

The specific question of population control was last debated at the thirty-seventh session of the Economic and Social Council last August, when the British representative stated that the United Kingdom was prepared to give technical assistance for population control projects and would also give sympathetic consideration to proposals for United Nations action in this field. In our view the initiative in this matter should come from the developing countries themselves, and we hope that some of the developing countries will present proposals for United Nations action on the next occasion when these matters are discussed. We shall give any such proposals serious and sympathetic study and will be ready to support any initiatives that appear likely to be effective and suitable.As regards world food supplies, Her Majesty's Government co-operate wholeheartedly and actively with the Food and Agriculture Organisation in their primary task of improving food production throughout the world. In the particular sphere of the distribution of food, we have in the past three years contributed substantially to the experimental World Food Programme administered jointly by the United Nations and the Food and Agriculture Organisation. The future of this programme is at present under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he accepts the provisions of Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter as an adequate way of peace keeping when threats of breaches of the peace are committed; and whether he will seek to initiate a new chapter of the Charter to deal with situations coming between those requiring conciliation, Chapter VI, and enforcement, Chapter VII.

While it is true that the provisions of Chapter VII have so far remained largely inoperative, Her Majesty's Government hope it will be possible in time to secure the international agreement necessary to enable the Security Council to operate these provisions. Meanwhile, they consider that the capacity of the United Nations to take measures short of enforcement action needs to be strengthened. It is possible that proposals to that end may emerge from the committee which is to be set up in New York to review all aspects of peace keeping. This is a matter that is being actively studied by Her Majesty's Government. We are always prepared to consider amendments to the Charter when these are constructive and likely to command general support.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will hold conversations with the Japanese Government about strengthening the peace-keeping operations of the United Nations; and if he will make a statement.

We are in close touch with all our friends on the subject of United Nations peace keeping. We also have regular talks with the Japanese Government about international affairs in general. I do not think that there is any need at the present time to hold special talks with them about United Nations peace keeping.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will seek to use the new United Nations peace-keeping committee to lay down rules for peace-keeping operations undertaken by the United Nations, so that these are concerned with enforcing law, and not only with observing conflict.

The peacekeeping committee's terms of reference enable it to deal with all aspects of peace-keeping operations, including the rules under which such operations are undertaken.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will offer to supply personnel for a legal echelon or unit for United Nations peacekeeping operations, to deal with cases of persons opposing or impeding a United Nations mandate within the area of operations.

No. We are doing what we can to strengthen the effectiveness of the United Nations in peacekeeping operations, but the hon. Member's proposal would take us into a field in which it would be unrealistic to suppose that we could obtain any general agreement at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will propose at the United Nations the calling of a review conference on the United Nations Charter under Chapter 18, so that those countries which wish to strengthen the United Nations can assess accurately the feasibility of any substantial reform.

As I said on 26th January, in reply to the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn (Mr. G. Campbell), Her Majesty's Government favour holding a review conference as soon as the international climate offers some prospect of success. But I think the feasibility of any substantial reform designed to strengthen the United Nations can be better assessed during the discussions of the Special Committee on peace keeping which the Assembly has just decided to set up.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what were the considerations that led Her Majesty's Government to agree to postpone a decision on the issues involved in Article 19 of the United Nations Charter, involving member States' financial contributions.

Her Majesty's Government believed that it would have been wrong to compel the Assembly to vote on the application of Article 19 whilst there remained a possibility of a negotiated solution. We considered that the outcome whichever way the vote went would have done more harm to the United Nations than a further postponement. The overwhelming majority of members shared this view.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what initiative the Government have taken regarding the situation now prevailing at the United Nations.

I would refer the hon. Member to my statement on 23rd February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will instruct the United Kingdom representative at the United Nations to seek to secure the location of the World Health Centre in Scotland.

The proposal for a World Health Centre is being considered in he World Health Organisation, for our relations with which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is primarily responsible. Decisions on whether a centre should be set up and, if so, what form it should take will not be taken before the World Health Assembly meets in May of this year. Only if there is a decision in favour of an international centre of some kind will the question of its location arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals he has made regarding the relocation of the Secretariat of the United Nations Trade and Development Board.

Our Permanent Representative has been authorised to support the location of this Secretariat at United Nations headquarters in New York or Geneva, or its division between the two. This would have the advantage of efficiency, in that the organisation would be able to work closely with the United Nations Secretariat and other international organisations in the field of trade and development. It would also have the advantage of economy, in that the organisation could use the common services of the existing Secretariat. It is likely that a solution on these lines will achieve a consensus of support in the United Nations, where consultation with other countries is now in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will now ratify the Genocide Convention.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, how many states have acceded to and ratified the Genocide Convention; whether he is aware of the concern about the failure on the part of Great Britain to have done so hitherto; and if he will now take steps to ratify the convention.

Of the 43 States which originally signed the Convention, 37 have since ratified it. There have also been 29 accessions, and one additional country has declared itself bound by the Convention. The question of United Kingdom accession is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the situation in South Vietnam and the steps he is taking to secure a political settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now make a further statement on his consultations regarding the negotiation of a peaceful settlement in Vietnam.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the present situation in South Vietnam, he will make representations for the calling of a high-level conference in an attempt to stop the war in Vietnam.

I can add little at present to the Answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 23rd February. The House may however like to know that, as part of our confidential diplomatic discussions, we have been in touch with the Soviet Government. I am now awaiting their comments on certain views which our Ambassador in Moscow communicated to them on 20th February. I would not want to prejudice the prospects by going into detail about these conversations at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now bring before the Security Council, as a threat to world peace, the United States' actions in Southern Vietnam, the United States' bombing of North Vietnam, the Soviet and Chinese pledges of aid against aggression given to North Vietnam, and the United States decision to reply to such aid by force.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 15th February to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Epping (Mr. Newens).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, in view of the official statement of the Soviet Prime Minister Mr. Kosygin on his recent visit to Hanoi that he continued to support the 1964 Declaration of the Cairo Conference of Uncommitted Nations which called for a conference of the powers participating in the 1954 Geneva Conference on Vietnam and the 1962 Geneva Conference on Laos, with a view to restoring peace in that area, he will now approach the Soviet Government, with a view to a joint initiative for convening a conference of this kind.

As I explained in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Mr. Hugh Jenkins) on 22nd February, recent official statements by the Soviet Government have not called for a conference on Vietnam. Nor has there been any confirmation from the Soviet Government of reports in the Paris Press on this subject. As part of our confidential diplomatic discussions on Vietnam, we have however been in touch with the Soviet Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is still the policy of Her Majesty's Government to seek the observance by all States and Governments represented at the 1954 Geneva Conference on Indo-China of the provisions of Articles 12 and 13 of the Final Declaration of the Conference, which was adhered to by Her Majesty's Government at the time.

I should like to see these two Articles observed by all who accepted them, and particularly by the authorities in North Vietnam.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now publish the report on the United States bombing of targets in North Vietnam sent to him officially by the International Control Commission for Vietnam.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what communications he has received from the International Control Commission about events in South Vietnam.

I have received a report dated 13th February from the International Control Commission about recent events in Vietnam. It consists of a majority report from the Indian and Polish Commissioners, a minority statement from the Canadian Commissioner and a number of appendices. In accordance with precedent I have proposed to the Soviet Government that the Co-Chairmen should circulate the documents to all members of the 1954 Geneva Conference and should publish them as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what issues will be discussed with the Shah of Persia during his forthcoming visit to this country.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend by my hon. Friend the Minister of State on 1st February. It is not our practice to reveal the topics to be discussed on such occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government accepts the claim of the Government of the United Arab Republic to exercise belligerent rights affecting British nationals, in the course of its dispute with Israel.

So far as I am aware, the United Arab Republic has claimed to exercise belligerent rights principally in connection with passage through the Suez Canal. Her Majesty's Government consider that there are no good grounds on which the Government of the United Arab Republic can claim to be entitled to exercise belligerent rights against British shipping at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, with a view to reducing tension between East and West, and having regard to Recommendation 389 of the Council of Europe, Her Majesty's Government will propose to the Council of Ministers that a joint conference of meteorologists of Eastern and Western Europe be called to consider and make suggestions for the progress of joint weather research.

No. Adequate international arrangements already exist for the co-ordination of meteorological research under the auspices of the World Meteorological Organisation and the International Council of Scientific Unions. Additional arrangements for Europe are therefore unnecessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will instruct the British representative at the United Nations to call attention to the continued presence and warlike operations of a United Arab Republican army in the Yemen, contrary to the wish of the Yemen Government, against whose forces it is operative, and to table and vote for a motion calling for the prompt withdrawal of that army in view of the threat to peace.

No. Her Majesty's Government's policy remains one of non-involvement in the conflict in the Yemen, and it would be inappropriate for them to take such an initiative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement about the circumstances in which a British vessel of 30 tons, based on Gibraltar, has been arrested, together with her crew, by a Spanish Government patrol vessel, on a charge of attempting to smuggle contraband goods into Spain.

On 16th February, the motor vessel "Lota" was stopped by a Spanish customs boat off Europa Point and towed to Algeciras. The British Vice-Consul at Algeciras has been informed that the vessel is wanted in connection with a smuggling incident on the north coast of Spain in August, 1964. The crew, none of whom was apparently involved in that incident, were released on 17th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what subjects were discussed when the South Korean Foreign Minister visited London last December.

I would refer the hon. Member to the joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of the talks in question, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest developments in the Malaysian situation.

Indonesian attacks on Malaysia slackened somewhat during January, but there have been a number of incidents, including a landing on the Malaysian mainland, during the past two weeks.The Tunku has repeatedly stated that he would welcome any move likely to bring about a peaceful settlement of the problem, provided that Malaysia is not expected to negotiate under duress. Her Majesty's Government have made it clear that they also would welcome any move that offered a genuine prospect of restoring peace on a basis which ensured respect for Malaysia's independence and territorial integrity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what plans he has for further meetings with the Polish Government to discuss the problems of Central Europe.

I have no plans for a special meeting to discuss these matters with the Polish Government. I shall be visiting Warsaw in the 'latter part of this year and hope then to have a wide ranging discussion of world problems.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what information he has received about further restrictions to be imposed by the Spanish Government on the transit of British subjects across the frontier at Gibraltar; and what action he is taking;(2) what information he has received about further restrictions to be imposed by the Spanish Government on the transit of motor vehicles across the frontier at Gibraltar; and what action he is taking.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is aware of the new restrictions being placed on British residents in the Campo area who work in Gibraltar; and what steps are being taken to protect their interests.

British subjects who hold Spanish residence permits allowing them to live in the Campo area have hitherto travelled daily in and out of Gibraltar on workers' passes. The Spanish authorities have now intimated that they intend to cancel these passes on 7th March.The Spanish authorities have also in a number of cases refused to recognise the validity of passports issued by British Consulates in Spain which are marked

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the blockage of the remittance of dividends of small private investors from the Argentine to this country; and whether he will make representations to the Argentine Government on this matter.

I am aware that there have been delays in the approval by the Argentine authorities of remittances of foreign currency payments, including dividends.I understand that these delays are due to the present severe shortage of foreign exchange in Argentina, which I hope will be eased before long. I do not think it would help to make formal representations to the Argentine Government at present, but we will watch the situation carefully and will certainly make representations if they seem to be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when a Foreign Office Minister is to visit the United Arab Republic; and with what object.

I have the possibility of a Ministerial visit to Cairo under consideration. But no decision has yet been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent it is his policy to maintain the provisions of the 1960 Agreement on Cyprus.

Her Majesty's Government consider that the 1960 Cyprus settlement is an international treaty which can only be altered by mutual agreement. Our policy remains that we are prepared to assist the United Nations Mediator in the promotion of any solution to the present dispute which is likely to be acceptable to all the parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the present position of the discussions with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Baltic bonded debt.

Negotiations between the British and Soviet Governments on the subject of outstanding post-1939 claims on both sides began as arranged in London on 20th January. After 37 meetings had been held, it was decided on 19th February that there should be an interval in the negotiations in order to provide both sides with the necessary opportunity to clarify the large number of detailed technical and legal points which had emerged. The date for the resumption of the negotiations has not yet been decided.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the Spanish Government propose very shortly to impose a heavy tax on all British property in Spain; and what action he proposes to take in this regard.

I have been asked to reply.I am unaware of any such intention on the part of the Spanish Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements have been made for the celebration of Europe Day on 5th May, being the anniversary of the signature in London of the Statute of the Council of Europe.

Her Majesty's Government are actively pursuing various proposals that have been made, and steps are being taken to draw the attention of the local government and local educational authorities in the United Kingdom to the anniversary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to implement the stated policy of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers in 1961 that an international authority should be created in association with the United Nations to control an adequately-armed military force to prevent aggression and ensure that it is not used for any purpose inconsistent with the United Nations Charter.

In accordance with the principles set out in the Commonwealth Prime Minister's Statement on Disarmament of 17th March, 1961, Her Majesty's Government are working for an agreement on general and complete disarmament at the Geneva Disarmament Conference. Her Majesty's Government consider that establishment of an effective and reliable international peace-keeping force, under appropriate control arrangements, as envisaged in the Commonwealth Prime Minister's Statement on Disarmament, is an essential part of the disarmament process.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken since November to discuss with Hungary the repayment of the Hungarian bonded debts; and what is the present position.

As I foreshadowed in the debate on the Adjournment on 6th November, we have approached the Hungarian Government with a view to carrying this matter forward. It would be premature to disclose the point which we have reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what response he has had to his representations to the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics concerning the proposed journey of Mrs. Szymbra, the mother of a British subject, to this country; and what further representations he contemplates making.

As Mrs. Szymbra is a Soviet citizen, the issue to her of Soviet exit documents is a matter entirely within the jurisdiction of the Soviet authorities and Her Majesty's Government have no standing to make formal representations on her behalf. They have, however, made known informally to the Soviet Government their hope that the Soviet Government will deal sympathetically with cases of this kind. They have also drawn the attention of the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the urgent and compassionate nature of Mrs. Szymbra's case. It is too early to expect any response to these representations and thus to judge whether any further informal approach would assist Mrs. Szymbra.

asked the hon. Member for Liverpool, Exchange, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what plans her Committee has for the improvement of conditions and remuneration for the catering staff in the House of Commons.

The Kitchen Committee will be considering plans for the improvement of conditions and remuneration for the catering staff as part of its general review of the administration of the Refreshment Department. As I explained in my answers to Questions on 24th December last, the Committee's first task has been to examine the present financial position of the Department. A Special Report of the Committee's conclusions will be made later to the House.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he is aware that the shortage of plasterboard and plasterlath in Eastern Scotland now constitutes a threat to employment in the construction industry in the area; and what steps he proposes to take to alleviate the situation.

I am aware that there is a general shortage of plasterboard including plasterlath and that this is causing difficulties. Considerable additional manufacturing capacity will become available in 1965 and still more in 1966. The position should therefore ease gradually, particularly as the duplicate orders which have been placed by many builders and merchants, and which have contributed to present difficulties, are eliminated.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps he is taking to develop the refreshment facilities for the public in Hyde Park; and what progress has been made in enlarging and improving the snack bar and other places where the public can eat and drink at reasonable prices.

Work started last month on the construction of a new restaurant at the North East corner of the Serpentine. It will be run on self-service lines for the sale of light refreshments at reasonable prices and should be open to the public this summer. Extensions and modifications are also being carried out to the dining area and snack bar of the new restaurant near the Serpentine Bridge which was opened last Whitsun. These should be completed by Easter.A new kiosk was opened last November near Speaker's Corner, and a further new kiosk is planned.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (1) how many retirement pensioners with complete contribution records will not receive the forthcoming pensions increases because they have retired to Eire, and elsewhere outside the United Kingdom, respectively;(2) how much it would cost to pay the forthcoming pension increases to pensioners with the requisite contribution records who are now resident in Eire and elsewhere outside the United Kingdom, respectively.

There are about 7,000 retirement pensioners with full contribution records in the Irish Republic, and about 43,000 elsewhere abroad, who will not receive the pension increases, and a further 4,000 and 11,000 respectively with deficient contribution records. The extra cost of paying all pensioners (including widow beneficiaries) the rates of pension which they would receive in this country after the increases would be about £800,000 a year in the Irish Republic and about £3¾ million a year elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance in how many cases under the National Assistance Board an allowance is paid to cover the cost of domestic assistance for an elderly or handicapped person, where such domestic assistance is not provided free of charge by the local authority; and in how many cases the elderly person is living with a single daughter over the age of 25 years.

In December, 1964, allowances paid by the National Assistance Board to about 220,000 elderly or handicapped persons included provision for the cost of domestic assistance. Information relating to the second part of the Question is not available.

asked the Minister of Health if he will issue a directive to hospital boards to employ any trained cytologists available in their areas in order to increase the facilities for the detection of cervical cancer.

No. This is a matter for hospital authorities.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now enter into discussions with people concerned with a view to placing all the teaching hospitals in London under one administration.

I am currently reviewing the administration of hospital services in central London. I cannot anticipate the outcome of this review, but before reaching any final conclusions as to changes that might be desirable, I will consult those concerned at an appropriate time.

asked the Minister of Health why he has cut the grants to the four regional hospital boards surrounding London by £1 million each; and what effect this is likely to have on the hospital medical services and building programmes in the financial year to which it applies.

I have made no such cuts.

asked the Minister of Health when building will commence on the new Mexborough Montagu Hospital.

It has not yet been decided when upgrading or new building at this hospital should start.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the year when building will commence on the Crookhill Hall, Conisbrough, new 200-bed hospital for medium-stay psychiatric patients.

The Sheffield Regional Hospital Board has decided not to proceed with the scheme but has proposed instead a psychiatric unit at Loversall, Doncaster.

asked the Minister of Health how many women have received treatment under the National Health Service after undergoing illegal operations in the past three years to the nearest convenient date; and what has been the cost to the National Health Service.

I regret this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health how many women have died following illegal operations in the past three years to the nearest convenient date.

The number of deaths certified as due to abortion was 154 and of these 78 were clearly attributed to illegal abortion and 14 to legal abortions. The causes of death as stated suggest that some of the rest will have been illegal.

asked the Minister of Health if he will introduce a badge for five blood donations in addition to those for 10, 25, and 50 donations.

We do not think such an award would be appropriate.

asked the Minister of Health if he will change the shape of the silver gilt badge awarded after 50 blood donations, to make it easily distinguishable from the others.

We are considering how best to make the silver gilt badge more distinctive.

asked the Minister of Health what award he will introduce for 100 blood donations.

I am advised that it is seldom possible for donors to reach as many as 100 donations, but the Chief Medical Officer writes personally to all who retire after giving 75 or more donations to thank them for their services.

asked the Minister of Health how much below strength of the district nursing services are; and what steps he is taking to increase the number of nurses in this service.

I regret that the information required in the first part of the Question is not available centrally. But increases in the numbers of district nurses over the 10 years to 1963 have more than kept pace with the rise in population; and local health authorities plan a substantial increase over the next 10 years. The Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council is currently considering a claim for increases in pay; and has already announced increased training allowances for student nurses which should stimulate recruitment.

asked the Minister of Health what is the average gross income of the general practitioner within the National Health Service; how much of this ranks is expenses; whether each doctor in the National Health Service receives the average expenses figure irrespective of whether he incurs expenses of that amount; and what were the highest and lowest gross annual incomes paid to general practitioners on the latest date for which figures are available.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on 24th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the Defence Budget is spent in Scotland.

It is estimated that in the financial year 1964–65 the figure will be about 6½ per cent. overall, including 9½, per cent. of works and lands expenditure and over 7½ per cent. of the total production expenditure. As a percentage of defence expenditure in the United Kingdom the overall percentage will be about 7½ per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken in each year in the last six years to recruit officers to the Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve.

The direct entry scheme for the R.N.V.S.R. was re-introduced in 1959. In response to a Press release, 207 inquiries were received resulting in 72 enrolments: this was followed by an Admiralty Fleet Order and in 1960 by a film which was shown on television. Neither produced a significant response. In 1960 also 1,200 letters and posters were issued to yacht clubs, universities and technical colleges, again with little response. Since that time publicity has been left to individual units: there have been about 10 enrolments each year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the difference in training commitment between officers in the Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve and those on the lowest list of the Royal Naval Reserve.

In the R.N.V.S.R., direct entry officers undergo a seven-day acquaintance course on entry. This is the only training commitment in the R.N.V.S.R. itself but officers holding dormant appointments are periodically recalled, like R.N. retired officers, for short periods.In the R.N.R., List 14 has the lowest training commitment. This list consists of R.N.R. officers who have already been fully trained and then transferred from higher training Lists. On their higher training list they had a training commitment of up to 80 drills and 14 days' continuous training per year, and on transfer to List 14 they receive 14 days' refresher training triennially. This is considered enough to keep these highly-trained officers reasonably up to date.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the logistic backing for a United Nations force of up to six infantry battalions that Her Majesty's Government will provide.

The backing offered would depend on United Nations requirements and national commitments at the time. Subject to this, the United Kingdom would help to meet United Nations needs for air and ground transport, communications, works and services, workshops and general administrative facilities in the area of operations.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware that Her Majesty's Government are assisting the West German Government in their efforts to recover what are known as the Eastern Territories by circulating the West German sheet entitled "Focus on Germany" in each issue of the weekly official news-sheets published by the British Army of the Rhine and as part of the Berlin Bulletin; and whether he will cease to do this.

"Focus on Germany" has been published for some years by the Federal German Press Office. It gives information on sporting, recreational and cultural activities which is useful to the British soldier, and contains articles on current civilian and military matters which are designed to further good Anglo-German relations. It is inserted in the divisional magazines, which are published in B.A.O.R. and Berlin for British soldiers. Its contents, generally, are innocuous and of a non-controversial nature; H.Q. B.A.O.R. has, however, been asked to arrange to delete from future editions a small map of Germany showing the 1939 frontiers.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are his future intentions regarding the use of Buildings C28 and C58 at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Woolwich, bearing in mind the quality and range of machinery existing within these buildings.

These buildings will house supporting technical services, including workshops, for the headquarters of the Army Department Inspectorates. The exact future of the machines is under consideration, but we intend to make the fullest use of them in other Royal Ordnance Factories, in the Inspectorates or elsewhere in the Ministry of Defence.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the disappearance on 10th February of Commander Peter Fickling of the submarine depôt-ship H.M.S. "Maidstone".

Commander Fickling failed to report for duty in his ship on the morning of Thursday, 11th February, and has not reported since. His whereabouts are unknown but detailed investigations are being carried out by the appropriate authorities. There are no security implications.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is his policy to redesign the P1127 fighter, in order to improve its performance; how long this would take; and approximately what additional cost will be involved.

The intention is to develop the P1127 to the minimum standard necessary to make it suitable for operation with the Royal Air Force and to complete this work in time to ensure the introduction of the aircraft as a partial replacement for the Hunter before the end of the decade. The cost and scope of the development are still the subject of detailed study but both will be closely controlled.

asked the Minister of Labour how many building trade workers were unemployed in Liverpool in 1963 and 1964, respectively; and what are the prospects for future employment in the building trade there.

The monthly average number of persons whose last employment was in the construction industry and who were registered as unemployed at the Liverpool, Old Swan, Walton and Garston Employment Exchanges in 1963 and 1964 was 3,009 and 2,185, respectively. The area covered by these four offices is approximately the same as that of the City of Liverpool. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works that the demands on the construction industry in this area, as elsewhere, are expected to continue to increase in the foreseeable future.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will instruct the offices of his Department to see that suitable employment is offered as soon as possible to the skilled patternmakers in the Coventry area, who were engaged on full-scale layout drawing at Baginton; and that where required he will take steps to arrange retraining, during which the men shall receive satisfactory wages, until they are able to resume employment in which they can earn the average earnings of the highly-skilled craftsmen in the area.

I understand that 19 such men are under notice at Baginton and that all of them have been submitted for alternative work appropriate to their skill without the necessity for retraining.

asked the Minister of Labour what information he has from the Family Expenditure Survey regarding the number of two-person households where the household composition is father or mother and daughter over the age of 25; and of three-person households where the family composition is father and mother, and daughter over the age of 25.

No information on these particular types of household is at present available from the Family Expenditure Survey.

asked the Minister of Labour when the training boards for distribution and for banking and finance will be set up.

Detailed discussions with organisations in the distributive trades about the establishment of a training board or boards will begin in the latter half of this year and may be expected to continue into 1966. I have no immediate plans to establish a board for banking and finance. A committee to consider training for clerical and commercial occupations has been set up by the Central Training Council.

asked the Minister of Labour how many qualified scientists and technologists or engineers are affected by the recent redundancies in the aircraft industry; and whether he will publish figures breaking the total down by disciplines and places of residence.

I have information only about the qualifications of those redundant workers who have sought my Department's help in finding other employment. 135 engineers and technologists have registered for employment with my Professional and Executive Register. They include 88 qualified aeronautical engineers, 9 mechanical and 2 electrical engineers; 32 have engineering or drawing office experience but are not professionally qualified and 4 are technical authors. Their places of residence are as follows:

Region	Place	Number of Registrants
South Western	Gloucester	15
	Cheltenham	12
		—27
Eastern and Southern	Woolstan	17
	Fareham	5
	Southampton	2
	Portsmouth	1
	Hythe	1
		—26
London and South Eastern	Richmond	5
	Kingston	3
	Croydon	2
	Esher	2
	Hayes	1
	Brentford	1
	Ealing	1
	Feltham	1
	Weybridge	1
	Sidcup	1
	Wimbledon	1
	Wokingham	1
	Brixton	1
		—21
Yorkshire and Lincolnshire	Hull	1
	Beverley	1
		—2
Midlands	Coventry	43
	Rugby	4
	Leamington	4
	Hinckley	3
	Market Harborough	2
	Daventry	2
	Leicester	1
		—59

asked the Minister of Labour why those persons working in the dry cleaning industry but employed in shops do not have their wages included within the ambit of the current Laundry Wages Council Orders.

The field of operation of the Laundry Wages Council covers only the laundering of articles and incidental processes and operations and does not, therefore, include persons employed in dry cleaning receiving shops. I have no evidence that there is a need to cover such persons by statutory wage regulating arrangements.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will introduce legislation to empower him to ensure that, in the event of a shortage of orders in any industrial concern, systematic short time shall be worked in preference to the issuing of notices of discharge, that steps shall be taken to transfer workpeople to other places within a reasonable radius of their homes, and that the transfer of highly-skilled men shall be made to places where their skill is required.

No, I do not think that these subjects are suitable for legislative action.

asked the Minister without Portfolio how many draft Bills based on recommendations of the Law Reform Committee and the Criminal Law Reform Committee, respectively, are awaiting introduction.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that the Financial Secretary to the Treasury met a deputation from the Public Service Pensioners' Council last November, when it was agreed to take into account their representations in the review which the Government was undertaking, what action he will take; and whether he will now make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Mitchell) on 8th February.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will raise the dependant's income limit from £180 to £210, and the upper incomes limit at which no allowance is due from £255 to £285; and how many people he estimates would be able to claim the allowance who could not have claimed it previously.

As I announced in the House on 11th November, 1964 (OFFICIAL REPORT, col. 1034), I shall include in my coming Budget a proposal to raise the dependant's income limit for dependent relative allowance for 1965–66 in this way. It is estimated that this will enable about 60,000 people to claim a partial allowance who would otherwise not be entitled to claim any allowance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the reason for the large decrease in the number of cases of fraud and evasion of income tax investigated from 13,734 in 1960 to 9,752 in 1961; and what instructions were given to Her Majesty's inspectors of taxes which caused the number of cases to rise in the following years.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the first footnote to Table 9 of the 107th Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Cmnd. 2572). These variations in the number of cases settled (for financial years ending on 31st March) are mainly due to the fact that the Finance Act, 1960, introduced new provisions for penalties and the recovery of tax underpaid. The settlement of cases affected was largely at a standstill while the Finance Bill was before Parliament.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the long-term economic advantages to this country, and to individual taxpayers, respectively, of the introduction of a corporation tax.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's Budget statement of 11th November, 1964. [HANSARD, 11th November, 1964, Vol. 701, No. 10, Cols. 1041–42.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress has been made in securing the designation of the North Downs as an area of outstanding natural beauty; and whether he will make a statement on his policy relating to further designations of this kind.

Part of the North Downs, the Surrey Hills, has already been designated. I understand that the National Parks Commission is now considering making a further order to designate the Kent Downs. My right hon. Friend would prefer not to make a statement before it has submitted its proposals and he has considered them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what plans he is making for the building of a new town on the Plumstead and Erith Marshes and on the land released by the War Department from the Royal Arsenal estate at Woolwich; and what consultations are taking place between his Department and the local authorities concerned.

The London County Council has begun the preliminary work on the planning of this area, and this will be taken over by the Greater London Council as the planning authority for Greater London. Officers of the Department and of the other Government Departments concerned are already working together on the planning problems which will arise on this new development. They will be consulting the G.L.C. and the other local authorities as appropriate.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will introduce legislation to reinforce the provisions of Section 36 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1962 in order to give local authorities effective power to abate injury to amenity arising from the condition of small vacant sites in urban areas.

My right hon. Friend does not think the existing provisions need reinforcing; but perhaps the hon. Member would let me know what difficulties he has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents during the three months and the four months to the last convenient date, respectively, involving the illegal use of firearms in conjunction with a robbery or attempted robbery have been known to the police in the Metropolitan area; and what were the corresponding figures for each of the last two years.

The following is the information:

	Three months November-January inclusive	Four months October-January inclusive
1964–65	52	68
1963–64	10	15
1962–63	28	31

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been convicted of capital murder and reprieved since the end of 1957; how many of these are still in custody; and of those released, what were the date of release in each case and the number of years and months actually served in prison before being released on licence.

In England and Wales since the end of 1957, 16 persons have been sentenced to death for murder and reprieved. They are all still in custody.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress his working party on methods of determining blood alcohol levels has made, with particular reference to breath-testing devices; and if he will make a statement on his policy regarding legislation to make it an offence to drive with more than a specified concentration of alcohol in the blood.

The Home Office working party to which the hon. Member refers is considering the problems that would be involved in the introduction of breath testing equipment for the purposes of the Road Traffic Act, 1962, and is not concerned with the comparison of different methods of determining alcohol concentration in the blood. I hope to receive a report from the working party shortly.As part of the Government's general review of the law relating to drink and driving I am considering with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport the recommendation of the Council of the British Medical Association that it should be made an offence for a person having a concentration of 80 mgs. alcohol or more per 100 mls. blood to drive or attempt to drive or be in charge of a motor vehicle on a public highway but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistics he has recently sought from all prison governors on the subject of violence offered to prison officers; and if these figures are to include common assault.

Prison and borstal governors were recently asked for special returns, for each of the years 1959–64 inclusive, of offences of violence against prison officers which were dealt with either under the Prison or Borstal Rules as gross personal violence or by prosecution in the courts. Separate figures for offences of common assault on officers were not sought, but such offences dealt with under the Prison or Borstal Rules were included in column 2 of the appropriate table of statistics given on 16th February last in reply to a Question by the right hon. and learned Member for Warwick and Leamington (Sir J. Hobson).

asked the Minister of Aviation if he is aware of the inconvenience caused to Members of Parliament through the non-disclosure of the site at which the sonic boom demonstration to be held on Wednesday, 21st April, will take place; and what are the reasons for maintaining secrecy regarding this site.

There is no secrecy about this. The venue will be announced as soon as it has been chosen. In any case as I said in answer to the hon. Member on 26th January, full particulars will be available in the Whips Office by the end of this month.

asked the Minister of Aviation at what altitudes and with what type of planes it is intended that the sound barrier should be broken at the sonic boom demonstration which Members of Parliament and representatives of local authority associations have been invited to attend on Wednesday, 21st April.

By Lightnings between 25,000 and 34,000 feet.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he is aware of the application of the Midland Electricity Board for permission from the planning authority to erect a very high frequency station with a high mast on Bredon Hill, Worcestershire, only 400 yards from the site on which a similar application was rejected last year after the Ministry of Defence had entered formal objections at the inquiry; and whether he will take similar action with regard to the new application.

My Department has been consulted about the new application by the Midlands Electricity Board. It was necessary to object to the earlier application because the site proposed was within the area known as the approach funnel which it is necessary to safeguard for aircraft using the airfield at Pershore.As the site now chosen by the Midlands Electricity Board lies outside that area, the Worcestershire planning authorities have been informed that my Department does not object to the present application.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he is aware that the Aden Legislative Council have asked the British High Commissioner to ensure that no Adeni arrested on political grounds is detained outside Aden State because of the possibility of torture; and whether he will give an assurance that not detainees have so far been transferred from Aden to Al Ittihad, the South Arabian federal capital.

The resolution of the Aden Legislative Council which is referred to reads as follows:

"Be it resolved that this Council respectfully requests His Excellency the High Commissioner to take such action as is necessary to ensure that no Adeni arrested on political grounds shall be detained outside the boundaries of Aden State and that all political detainees shall be permitted to receive regular visits from their relations and friends".

As will be seen, it contains no mention of the possibility of torture.The answer to the second part of the Question is "Yes"; but as my hon. Friend may be aware it is possible that some detainees may shortly be transferred to a new detention centre there in order to remove them from the prison in Crater.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children in the Heywood and Royton constituency are being taught in schools whose buildings are more than 50 years old; and what is the average for the country.

I have no details of the position in the Heywood and Royton constituency. The 1962 School Building Survey showed that at that date 44 per cent. of primary children and 18 per cent. of secondary children in England and Wales were in schools where the oldest main building in use for teaching purposes was built before 1903.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what salaries the industrial advisers in his Department receive; and how much of it is paid by the Department.

The chief industrial adviser is paid nothing from public funds. One of the industrial advisers receives a salary of £6,000 from the Department. In the cases of the other industrial advisers we pay their companies a fee for their services. This varies from £6,000 to £7,500 per annum.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how much financial assistance is being given this year towards education in various territories in Africa; and what is the total number of scholarships provided in this country for African students.

The figures are not readily available, but I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that by issuing reminders to television and radio licence holders by television and radio announcements he can effect a saving of almost £1 million over the present method; and if he will make this change.

Experience suggests that in order to secure the maximum net revenue, it is necessary to remind individual viewers and listeners by post as well as by broadcasts and other announcements.

asked the Postmaster-General what plans he has for the introduction of a national charities stamp similar to the New Zealand Postal Health stamp; and if he will make a statement.

I am looking into the question of charity stamps, but am not yet ready to make a statement. I shall do so as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Technology, following his study of the future of the Authority, whether he will now give an assurance that it is not the policy of Her Majesty's Government to dissolve the Atomic Energy Authority or to transfer its responsibilities to the Central Electricity Generating Board.

Yes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consideration he has given to the petition which has been sent to him recently regarding the "Californian" incident; what action he has taken on it; and if he will make a statement.

I am having the petition carefully studied, but the matter is complex and it will be some time before I shall be able to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements he has made for the future of the information services in Wales.

Arrangements have been made for the Cardiff Office of the Central Office of Information to become the information division of the Welsh Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements he has made for the future of forestry matters in Wales.

It has been decided that I shall be one of the Forestry Ministers and will therefore have responsibilities for forestry matters in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an assurance that areas designated as green belts will not be encroached on for building purposes; and if he will continue to authorise green belts recommended by local authorities.Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Wylie) on 26th January.

I would refer my hon. I remain convinced of the virtues of green belts as a means of limiting urban sprawl, protecting amenity, preserving the way of life of the countryside and making it accessible to those who live in cities. But I must treat individual cases on their merits.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the extent to which the price being received for pigs has aided the disposing of the Cadco project in Glenrothes.

I have no means of assessing the effect of pig prices on the prospects for disposal of the food processing plant and piggeries at Glenrothes.