asked the Minister of Technology when he intends to issue statutory directions to the Atomic Energy Authority setting up a new trading fund for them; and whether he will publish these directions.

I shall issue a new direction to the Authority before 1st April, 1965, to permit it to retain revenues arising from operations financed by the Trading Fund. No directions to the Authority by a Minister have ever been published and I do not propose to change the practice.

asked the Minister of Technology why the post of Director of the National Physical Laboratory is now vacant; and how long it has been so.

The choice of Director is especially complex on this occasion owing to the decision to amalgamate the National Chemical Laboratory and the National Physical Laboratory. I am in consultation with the Royal Society and hope to make an announcement at an early date. The post has been vacant since October, 1964.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will give the import and export figures for the machine tool industry for 1964; and how these figures compare with 1962 and 1963.

In 1964 new machine tool imports were valued at £33·2 million and exports at £43·2 million. The corresponding figures for the previous two years were:

1962—	Imports £27·6 million.
	Exports £36·9 million.
1963—	Imports £26·2 million.
	Exports £44·5 million.

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he is taking to improve the performance of the machine tool industry by setting up publicly-owned factories.

My Department is making an urgent study of the machine tool industry and in the light of it I shall formulate whatever proposals seem best suited to increase its efficiency.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will hold an inquiry into the machine tool industry, with a view to formulating Government policy in regard to it.

I do not propose to institute an inquiry by an outside body since my Department is already making a study of the machine tool industry.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will institute an inquiry to take further proposals considered by the Mitchell Committee.

I do not propose to institute an inquiry by an outside body since my Department is already making a study of the machine tool industry.

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he has taken to rationalise the ordering and programming of computers by local authorities.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made yesterday in which I said that the advice of a new Computer Advisory Unit will be available to local authorities. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government is writing to local authorities encouraging them to consult the Unit.

asked the Minister of Technology what access he has to the computer Technical Support Unit previously attached to the Treasury; and what steps he is taking to secure the full exploitation of computer methods in Government Departments.

As I said in my statement to the House yesterday, the computer Technical Support Unit will be transferred from the Treasury to my Department. In answer to the second part of my hon. Friend's Question, I would refer him to the figures quoted by my hon. and learned Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 23rd February which indicate the increasing of use of computers by Government Departments.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will publish a list of Government purchases of United States electronic equipment and computers for which contracts are being negotiated.

A number of proposals for the purchase or hire of American computers have been received and are being studied. I will send the hon. Member particulars of any of these cases in which a contract is placed with an American firm. As regards American electronic equipment, a wide range of items is involved and it may be difficult to obtain the information for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the Minister of Technology what plans he has for sponsoring technological advance in the computer industry by direct public investment.

I have nothing at present to add to my statement yesterday.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement as to the terms on which his Department is prepared to negotiate development contracts with industry.

The general practice is to seek to place development contracts on terms which provide for the cost to be shared between the Government and industry, and for a financial return to the Government if a project proves a commercial success.

asked the Minister of Technology what new research projects he has initiated, and what is the cost to public funds; and what old projects he has cancelled, and what is the saving to public funds.

I have initiated no new research projects as such, but I would refer the hon. Member to my Answers to the right hon. And learned Member for St. Marylebone (Mr. Hogg) of 23rd February last, in which I gave details of new development contracts at present the responsibility of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. No projects have been cancelled.

asked the Minister of Technology what discussions he has held with foreign Governments regarding the mutual development of advanced technological projects.

None.

asked the Minister of Technology what consideration he has given to means of instigating development work, other than giving contracts to existing manufacturers.

I regard the placing of development contracts as the main instrument for instigating development work; and in the Development of Inventions Bill, I have put forward proposals which will enable N.R.D.C. to expand its work in this field. Development contracts need not, however, be confined to companies already well established in a particular field.

asked the Minister of Technology what facilities exist in his Department for the study of restrictive practices in industry; and what plans he has for improving these facilities.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North (Mr. Hazell) on 23rd February last.

asked the Minister of Technology whether the Atomic Energy Authority has completed its designs for a nuclear reactor for marine propulsion; and when it will be available for experimentation in a pilot nuclear ship.

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he is taking to develop nuclear reactors for marine purposes in co-operation with the Atomic Energy Authority; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave the hon. Members for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) and for Derbyshire, South-East (Mr. Park) on 23rd February.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he is aware that Scotland has not had a sufficient share in the development of electronics, instruments and precision engineering; and what are his proposals for future development there.

Together with my right hon. Friends the First Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Scotland I hope to ensure that Scotland plays its full part in promoting technological advance.

asked the Minister of Technology how many projects for joint research and development between France and the United Kingdom, enjoying governmental sponsorship or participation, are in hand or in prospect; what those projects are; and when they were initiated.

My Department has no such projects in hand or in prospect at the present time. Projects sponsored by other Departments are the responsibility of the Minister concerned.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he is aware of the importance of finding an economic and practical method of removing salt from sea-water on a large scale so as to make it drinkable; what research is taking place for this purpose; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. Various lines of research are in progress, in Government laboratories, in industry and in universities. They are mainly concerned with improvement of flash distillation techniques.I am considering plans for increasing the scale of effort on desalination research and hope to make a statement fairly soon.

asked the Minister of Technology whether, in view of the importance of scientific information in the formulation of legislation for technology, he will publish an annual review of the state of each major scientific discipline.

The publication of such a review would be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science. But the information available to the Government from bodies such as the Council for Scientific Policy is in my view adequate for the purpose my hon. Friend has in mind.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will initiate an inquiry into the state of chemical engineering in this country.

No.

asked the Minister of Technology what is his policy on the technological advances derived from research into and development of nuclear weapons.

The Atomic Energy Authority has for some years actively promoted the industrial application of technological advances derived from all its research and development, including that in the nuclear weapons field. My object in seeking, under the Science and Technology Bill, to extend the research functions of the Authority, is to increase the opportunities for such application.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the total effect of the import surcharge, the increased petrol tax and the large insurance contributions on costs and prices; and if he will make a statement.

The higher National Insurance contributions do not come into effect until the end of March. As my right hon. Friend said in his Budget statement on 11th November, the increase of 6d. a gallon in the hydro-carbon oil duties paid by road users raises the retail price index by one-fifth of a point immediately; and, because of the transport element in the cost of other things, by a further small fraction over a period of time. It is difficult to estimate the effect of the temporary import surcharge; as my right hon. Friend said on 22nd February, when announcing the 5 per cent, reduction to take effect from 27th April, a large number of people absorbed the charge and did not pass it on.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will lower the rates of Income Tax and Estate Duty and raise the level at which Surtax commences on investment income to coincide with the start of the proposed capital gains tax.

I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for setting up special machinery to undertake a comprehensive census of assets, indicating the property of each individual in the United Kingdom and its valuation as at Budget Day 1965.

I must ask the hon. Member to await my right hon. Friend's legislative proposals which will be introduced in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the exemption of an owner-occupier's only or principal residence from capital gains tax will, in the case of a building that is partly a residence and partly a shop, apply to the whole of the building or only to the residential part of it.

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await my right hon. Friend's detailed legislative proposals.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the balance of payments now permits him to assist the man-made fibre industry, and in particular those firms manufacturing in Ulster, by removing the 15 per cent. import duty from acrylonitrile (chapter 29), niax polyol (within 39·19) and polyadipate esters (within 39·01), being material of the description specified in Schedule 2 to the Import Duties (Temporary Exemptions) (No. 8) Order, 1964.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the balance of payments now permits him to assist the man-made fibre industry, and in particular those firms manufacturing in Ulster, by removing the 15 per cent. import duty from 1:6 hexolactam (within 29·37) and nylon 6 polymer (within 30·01) being material of the description specified in Schedule 2 to the Imports Duties (Temporary Exemptions) (No. 8) Order, 1964.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now remove the 15 per cent. surcharge from pharmaceutical products not manufactured in this country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give priority in relief from the 15 per cent. surcharge to chemicals which are not manufactured in this country.

No. We have thought it best to make a substantial cut in the general rate of the charge from 27th April next so that all users of chargeable imported goods will benefit. This will help the man-made fibres industry and the users of other materials referred to in these Questions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy, in the future, to give figures of the effect of sales of armaments upon the balance of payments.

The value of United Kingdom exports of fire-arms of war and ammunition is shown in Section 9 in the Overseas Trade Accounts of the United Kingdom published monthly by the Board of Trade. Other items which could be used for military purposes, excepting secondhand ships and aircraft, are included indistinguishably in other sections of the Accounts. It would not be possible to publish comprehensive figures of these exports in the balance of payments. Their total value can only be estimated by making assumptions about the use to which many items with both civil and military applications will be put by customers overseas.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will seek to amend the regulations governing the repayment of post-war credits so as to allow repayment to persons who are unable to work through chronic sickness or disability, but who are not entitled to repayment under the existing regulations.

There are serious practical difficulties, but I shall carefully consider the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further consideration has been given to the proposal made by the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs and others for legislation to remove the distinction between the liability to Income Tax of a widower or widow and an unmarried person; and with what result.

I cannot add anything to the answer which my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary gave to the Question from the hon. and learned Member for Antrim, South (Sir Knox Cunningham) on 10th November last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer since the expansion of world trade for the last 19 years has been aided by the flow of United States dollars, which is now to cease, if he will discuss with the United States Government the steps to be taken jointly to avoid a world economic crisis like 1929 which resulted from the ending of United States overseas aid; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Lady the Member for Hitchin (Mrs. Shirley Williams) on 25th February.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give instructions that all Government Departments publishing official statistics will, as a matter of routine, clearly indicate the statistical limits of error applicable to each such set of figures.

No. When issuing each set of statistics it is often not practicable to state in precise mathematical terms the range of possible error. Departments do, from time to time, publish assessments of reliability of their statistical data.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if a company makes a seven-year covenant to pay a charity £100 a year net, how much the charity actually receives after recovery of tax at existing rates each year; what it costs the company gross per annum; how much the charity will receive after recovery of tax at 8s. 3d. in the £ sterling each year after the introduction of a corporation tax at 35 per cent.; and what it will cost the company gross.

At current rates of tax the full amount received by the charity is £163 5s. 3d. The cost to the company is £100, corresponding to earnings before tax of £216 4s. 4d. where Profits Tax is paid at the full rate. With Income Tax at 8s. 3d. the amount received by the charity will be £170 4s. 3d. As to the effect of the corporation tax, I must ask the hon. Member to await my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the ban on cigarette advertising on television arising out of the concern felt by Her Majesty's Government about the effect of smoking on the health of the nation, he will now apply the 15 per cent. surcharge to tobacco.

No. Tobacco manufactures are subject to the charge in the same way as are other manufactured products; unmanufactured tobacco, like other unmanufactured raw materials, is exempt.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the pay research unit has completed its survey of the pay position of Income Tax officers; whether he is now able to make a decision on their current pay claim; and whether he will make a statement.

An offer to the Inland Revenue Staff Federation has been made and has been rejected. I understand that the Federation has now decided to take its claim to the Arbitration Tribunal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now make a statement about the position of public service pensioners; and what plans the Government have for dealing with their problems.

I have nothing to add at present to my reply to the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Mitchell) on 8th February.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present-day value in sterling of the dollar and other foreign currency securities which were surrendered by private individuals and companies to Her Majesty's Government during the last war and are still held by Her Majesty's Treasury; what the value of these securities was at the time of surrender; and what is the amount of annual income they produce.

About £445 million. The annual income is around 40 million dollars. It has never been the practice to disclose details of the transactions of the Exchange Equalisation Account, which holds these securities, but it is of course a fact that, like any portfolio of equities, their value has appreciated substantially since they were purchased.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the staff side of the National Whitley Council concerning the treatment of unestablished service for superannuation purposes; and what reply he has given.

I have nothing to add to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mr. Ted Fletcher) on 16th February.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will prepare a list of the 50 principal industrial companies which will, on the basis of last year's tax returns, be most adversely affected by the corporation tax.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government, when introducing the export rebate, that the benefit of the rebate should ultimately accrue to the manufacturer of any goods exported rather than to the merchant or other dealer, whether acting as principal or otherwise, by whom the goods may be sold to the overseas buyer; and if he will make a statement.

The export rebate scheme is intended to provide an export incentive applicable to a wide variety of transactions. Exporters, including manufacturers, claim rebate on transactions in which they have acted as principals and as such are beneficially entitled to the payment for the goods accruing from the overseas purchaser.The taxes covered by the rebate enter into the cost of production, manufacture or transport of exported goods and their materials or components; and where a manufacturer is not himself the claimant it will often be appropriate that all or part of the benefit of the rebate should be passed back to him. But the commercial relationships concerned vary greatly, and this must essentially be a matter for commercial negotiation in the light of individual circumstances.The Government hope that all parties concerned will benefit, directly or indirectly, from the general stimulus to our exports that the rebate is designed to give.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all computers being used by Government Departments, showing the cost, date of installation, name of manufacturer, type of computer and function for which it is used.

COMPUTERS IN USE FOR OFFICE PURPOSES BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS
Item Number	Date Accepted		Department		Use	Type*
1	January, 1958	…	Aviation and N.A.B.	…	Pay	ICT.1201
2	March, 1958	…	B.O.T.	…	Census, Statistics	Elliott 405
3	April, 1958	…	Inland Revenue	…	Statistics	ICT/PCC
4	April, 1958	…	Agriculture	…	Fatstock and Fertilizer Subsidies	ICT.1201
5	June, 1958	…	Agriculture	…		ICT.1201
6	July, 1958	…	H.M.S.O.	…	Accounting	ICT.1201
7	November, 1959	…	M.P.N.I.	…	Pay and Statistics	EE/LEO II
8	January, 1960	…	Agriculture	…	Census, Statistics	EE/Deuce IIA
9	June, 1960	…	M.O.D. (Navy)	…	Pay and Costing	ICT/PCC
10	June, 1960	…	M.O.D. (Navy)	…	Pay and Costing	ICT/PCC
11	October, 1960	…	M.O.D. (Navy)	…	Pay and Costing	ICT/PCC
12	October, 1960	…	M.O.D. (Navy)	…	Pay and Costing	ICT/PCC
13	October, 1960	…	D.A.F.S.	…	Pay and Subsidies	ICT.1202
14	November, 1960	…	M.O.D. (Army)	…	Army Pay	IBM.705
15	February, 1961	…	Ministry of Labour	…	Pay and Statistics	ICT.1100
16	April, 1961	…	M.O.D. (Army)	…	Army Pay	IBM.1401
17	June, 1961	…	M.O.D. (Air)	…	Civil Pay	ICT.1100
18	October, 1961	…	M.O.D. (Navy)	…	Pay and Costing	ICT/PCC
19	October, 1961	…	M.O.D. (Navy)	…	Pay and Costing	ICT/PCC
20	January, 1962	…	M.O.D. (Navy)	…	Civil Pay and Stores	ICT.1100
21	March, 1962	…	M.P.N.I.	…	Graduated Pensions	ICT.2400
22	July, 1962	…	M.O.D. (Navy)	…	Naval Stores	IBM.1401
23	September, 1962	…	M.O.D. (Navy)	…	Naval Stores	IBM.1401
24	September, 1962	…	M.O.D. (Army)	…	Army Pay	IBM.705
25	November, 1962	…	Agriculture	…	Subsidies	EE/Deuce IIA
26	February, 1963	…	M.O.D. (Army)	…	Army Stores	ICT.2400
27	April, 1963	…	M.P.B.W.	…	Pay: Statistics Accounts	ICT.1301
28	June, 1963	…	G.R.O.	…	Census	IBM.1401
29	August, 1963	…	Agriculture	…	Research, Statistics	Elliott 803B
30	September, 1963	…	C. & E.	…	Pay: Statistics, Accounts	EE/LEO III
31	September, 1963	…	B.O.T.	…	To replace Item 2	EE/LEO III
32	October, 1963	…	D.A.F.S.	…	Pay and Subsidies	ICT.1202
33	December, 1963	…	D.E.S.	…	Teachers Records	ICT.1301
34	December, 1963	…	H.O. and Met. Police	…	Pay and Statistics	ICT.1301
35	January, 1964	…	M.O.D. (Army)	…	Army Stores	ICT.2400
36	February, 1964	…	I.R.	…	Statistics	ICT/PCC
37	April, 1964	…	M.O.D. (Navy)	…	Naval Stores	IBM.1401
38	May, 1964	…	M.O.D. (Navy)	…	Naval Stores	IBM.1401
39	October, 1964	…	Agriculture	…	Statistics	EE/Deuce
40	December, 1964	…	E.C.G.D.	…	Statistics	1BM.1401G
41	February, 1965	…	M.O.D. (Navy)	…	Accounting	ICT.1300
42	February, 1965	…	I.R.	…	Pay and Statistics	EE/LEO III
*Notes.
ICT—International Computers and Tabulators.
Elliott—Elliott Automation.
EE—English Electric-Leo-Marconi.
IBM—International Business Machines.

Costs are not shown because it is contrary to practice to disclose the price of equipment purchased by competitive tender.In addition 42 computers are being used for scientific purposes in various establishments.

The computers being used by Government Departments for office purposes are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the $3,000 million credit has been used to date; and how much he anticipates may be used before the repayment date next May.

It is not the practice to disclose current figures of such transactions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much he estimates there would be available per week to all non-Surtax payers if all incomes above £2,000 a year net were confiscated and redistributed; and if he will make a statement.

The aggregate net income in excess of £2,000 each of all those whose net income after Income Tax and Surtax was £2,000 or more in 1962–63 was about £426 million. If this excess were confiscated and redistributed it would provide all other adult members of the population with about £11 14s. or 4s. 6d. per week before payment of tax.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps to appoint a broadcasting and television Ombudsman to study listeners' and viewers' complaints.

No. Citizens have the right to make any representations they may think necessary direct to the B.B.C. and I.T.A. who are responsible for all programmes. Both the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. are assisted by advisory councils.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give directions to the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority to refrain from sending all matter that is politically controversial.

No. The broadcasting authorities are under a duty to treat matters of political controversy with due impartiality.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will speed up the adoption of a colour television system and the start of services so as to enable British-made colour television sets to be on show at the 1967 radio and television international exhibition in Paris.

I appreciate my hon. Friend's point. However, the colour subgroup of the International Radio Consultative Committee is to meet towards the end of this month to see if it can recommend the adoption of a common system for Europe. We must see what transpires at the meeting.

asked the Postmaster-General from what date advertisements for cigarettes will cease on commercial television.

The ban on cigarette advertising on television is to take effect on 1st August, 1965.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the interest in British and European usages of broadcasting wavelengths, and the fact that there is inefficient use of allocated frequencies, he will initiate an investigation of the position, so that new policies may be formulated if shown to be required.

The bands allocated under international agreements for broadcasting in Europe are being very fully utilised.

asked the Postmaster-General to what degree London telephone exchanges are under-manned.

The inland telephone operating staff in the London Telecommunications Regions is about 4 per cent. below the authorised complement. Sufficient recruits are now in training to fill about half the current vacancies. The present vigorous recruiting campaign will continue.

asked the Postmaster-General what has been the trend over the past 12 months concerning vandalism connected with telephone kiosks in Belfast; and what steps he intends to take to stamp out this practice.

There were 258 cases of wilful damage to telephone kiosks in Belfast in 1964, compared with 158 cases in 1963. Both figures exclude glass breakage. A variety of measures have already been taken to combat repeated acts of vandalism, and others are being devised; but I am sure the hon. Member will not expect me to reveal specific details of their nature.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the actual average cost of installing a new telephone service to a private subscriber in an urban area; and what his Department charges for each such installation.

I am sorry that separate figures for urban areas are not available. The average labour cost of connecting a new subscriber to the network is about £14. The maximum charge to the subscriber is £10, and this is reduced where use can be made of existing wiring.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will now reduce the normal installation charges and rental for private subscriber telephones when the subscriber is over 65 years of age.

No. Age alone is not an indication of need and we are currently studying other possibilities designed to help those who need a low-cost communications system.

asked the Postmaster-General when the Winston Churchill postage stamp will be issued; how many values there will be; how many of each value will be printed; by whom the stamps will be printed; if he has yet decided the artist or artists who are to design the stamps; and if he will make a statement.

I am sorry that I cannot at present add to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member's Question on this subject on 23rd February. I will make a statement as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the date in May upon which the special stamps to commemorate the centenary of the International Telecommunications Union are to be issued; what will be the values of the stamps; and how many of each value will be printed.

I am sorry I am not yet ready to give the information asked for by the hon. and gallant Member, but I shall do so shortly.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take steps to deal with the loss of income which local authorities are suffering because they cannot collect rates from empty offices and other vacant commercial property.

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the outcome of the Government's current examination of local government finance.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many Brighton ratepayers applied for rating relief under the Rating (Interim Relief) Act in 1964; and with what result.

Responsibility for considering applications lies with the rating authority and they are not required to inform my right hon. Friend of the number of cases granted or refused.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that the residents of the Borough of Hove pay more per head in rates than those in any other local government area; whether he is aware that the borough population is one-fifth of the administrative county but bears one-third of the county expenditure; and what action he proposes to take in answer to the request from the borough that in those circumstances additional grant should be made.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is that while the amount is high in Hove there are other areas in which the amount is even higher; to the second, "Yes"; to the third, that my right hon. Friend has had no request though he understand that the council is shortly to consider making one.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many assessments of properties in Blackpool by the valuation officer have been varied on appeal.

By 26th February courts of the North Lancashire Local Valuation Panel had given reductions in 371 appeals by ratepayers arising from assessments in the 1963 valuation lists: following appeals to the Lands Tribunal by the valuation officer against these decisions the assessments were restored in 37 cases.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government on what date he replied to the letter, dated 6th November, 1964, from the clerk of the Bournemouth Local Valuation Panel; if he is aware that the situation to which that letter refers is causing some ratepayers to refrain from giving evidence before the valuation court; and if he will make a statement.

I am sorry for the mishap which caused the clerk's first letter to be overlooked in my office. A letter was sent to the panel yesterday explaining that I was not yet in a position to comment on its representations. I am not aware that ratepayers in general are deterred from supporting their appeals to local valuation courts, but I am consulting the Lord Chancellor on the question of the award of costs by the Lands Tribunal.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will take steps to require building societies not to grant mortgages on new housing unless the building complies with a new fixed standard.

I shall keep in touch with the consideration which the Building Societies Association is giving to the possibility of introducing a form of warranty as a condition of making loans on new houses, but I have no present intention of introducing legislation to make this a requirement.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give the average elements of subsidy on council houses in the London area occupied by two adults and three children.

The information is not available. But in 1963–64 the average Exchequer subsidy per dwelling paid to local authorities in the London County Council area was £33 and the average rate fund contribution per dwelling made by those authorities was £24.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how much residential accommodation in London, other than slums, has been demolished in advance of detailed planning permission having been granted.

The information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Power whether he is aware that the South Eastern Electricity Board has abandoned the system of the fixed charge being assessed according to the size of the house, and has standardised the charge for all regardless of size, thus resulting in an increased charge for the smaller houses, mainly occupied by poorer people, and a reduced charge for the larger houses, mainly occupied by wealthier people; and whether he will issue a general direction in the public interest to the Board to revert to its former system.

I am aware of this change which was made after consultation with the South-Eastern Electricity Consultative Council. I understand that this fixed charge is intended mainly to cover the fixed costs the Board incurs in supplying any domestic consumer, which do not depend on the size of the premises or the amount of electricity used. The answer to the second part of the question is "No."

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will move to set up a Select Committee to inquire into the desirability of televising the proceedings of Parliament.

No. I should need more evidence that this is the general wish of the House before setting up a Select Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware that the current circular from the Committee of 100 to individual members of the Armed Services is seditious; and what new measures he proposes to institute to safeguard security in the Armed Services.

STRENGTH OF THE FLEET
During the coming year, the ships of the Fleet which will be available for the various tasks of the Navy will be broadly as shown in the following tables.
Type/Class			Operational or preparing for service	Trials and Training Ships	Fleet Support and Royal Fleet Auxiliaries permanently allocated to Fleet Support	Reserve or undergoing long refit modernisation, conversion, etc.
Aircraft Carriers	…	…	4 ARK ROYAL CENTAUR EAGLE VICTORIOUS	—	—	1 HERMES
Commando Ships	…	…	2 BULWARK ALBION	—	—	—
Cruisers	…	…	2 TIGER LION	—	—	3 BELFAST BLAKE SHEFFIELD

For the first part of this Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General on 11th February, 1965. On the second part, the safeguarding of security in the Armed Services is continuously under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the Statement on Defence Estimates 1965 omits the customary statement of the strength of the fleet and contains no full statement of new ships under construction; and if he will supply this information.

This information has been omitted because of the fundamental change in the character of the Statement on Defence Estimates. In previous years this retained the form of separate Service Memoranda, introduced by a short general Defence statement. This year the Statement deals with Defence Policy and the Defence Forces as a whole, thus reflecting the creation of a unified Ministry of Defence. In this document, the information supplied about the Royal Navy, the Army and Royal Air Force has been brought broadly into line, and some of the details pertaining only to a single Service has been discarded.The information now requested is set out below.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will consider the compassionate posting home, because of the continued ill-health of his wife, of Senior Aircraftman P. Murphy, Royal Air Force No. 4202150, stationed at Near East Air Force, Motor Transport Section, Episkopi, Cyprus.

Senior Aircraftman Murphy will be coming home this month.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to which African Commonwealth territories trade has increased during the last five years; and how this trend compares with trade to South Africa and Rhodesia during the same period.

Between 1959 and 1964 there was an increase in the value of United Kingdom exports to Kenya, Uganda, Sierra Leone and Gambia. Exports to South Africa also increased. No separate figures are available for this period for the countries formerly constituting the Central African Federation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the wool textile industry's looms was automatic in 1964; and how this compares with 1963 and 1962.

In December, 1964, 30·8 per cent. of wool textile looms were automatic compared with 29·6 per cent. in December, 1963, and 27·4 per cent. in December, 1962.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the volume of shirts imported from Hong Kong, and elsewhere, respectively; and whether he will make a statement.

2,094,844 dozen and 805,091 dozen respectively in 1964. Imports from Hong Kong and other principal sources are subject to restraint agreements or arrangements.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the Government's policy on the transferability of pensions.

I have nothing to add to the replies I gave to Questions from the hon. Members for Louth (Sir C. Osborne) and Worcester (Mr. Peter Walker) on 22nd February.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to receive the recommendation of the National Ports Council on the proposal of the Port of Bristol Authority for the construction of a new dock system at Portbury.

I understand that the Council hopes to submit its report next month.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has to improve the A.66 where it passes through the County of Westmorland.

I have no immediate plans for any comprehensive reconstruction of this road. But local realignment and other improvements will continue to be carried out over the next few years to provide a 24 ft. carriageway throughout, with some passing stretches here and there. I hope to start work this year on a 1frac12; mile diversion at Crackenthorpe.

asked the Minister of Transport why there have been delays in authorising extensions of speed limits on the Hednesford Road, Rugeley, and the Bower Lane to Green Lane, Rugeley, in respect of which draft orders were submitted to the divisional road engineer in April, 1963, and 10th January, 1964, and in respect of which further particulars were sent as requested on 12th October, 1964 and 15th October, 1964 by the Staffordshire County Surveyor.

I regret that because of heavy pressure of work in the offices of my Divisional Road Engineer these two applications have not been dealt with before. They are now being urgently considered and I hope to be able to give decisions on them shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the number of fatal accidents on the section of the A.1 north of Darlington, particulars of which have been sent to him, what representations he has received from local authorities in the area; and what action he proposes to take.

I am obtaining a report from my Divisional Road Engineer about this and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I can.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, or reprieved from execution and their death sentence varied to life imprisonment, have been released after less than three years in prison within the 20 years to the latest convenient date; and how many months had each served in prison before being released on licence or otherwise.

Since 1st January, 1945, 5 men and 6 women serving sentences of life imprisonment for murder have been released on licence in England and Wales after less than three years' deten- tion. The following tables give the number of months served in each case:

Men
Year of release			Months served
1945	…	…	…	17
1947	…	…	…	12
1947	…	…	…	8
1948	…	…	…	24
1954	…	…	…	12
Women
Year of release			Months served
1948	…	…	…	14
1951	…	…	…	31
1952	…	…	…	31
1952	…	…	…	24
1957	…	…	…	24
1957	…	…	…	23

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give particulars of the two cases of men sentenced to 10 and 12 years preventive detention who were recently released after serving 2 years and 2 years and 6 months; on what dates they were released; for what crimes they were sentenced; and if he will list their previous convictions in each case, so far as these are known to the Metropolitan Police.

The first prisoner was serving a sentence for office-breaking and was released on 30th October, 1964, because he was dangerously ill and unlikely to live more than a short time. The second prisoner was serving a sentence for pavilion-breaking and was released on licence on 1st January, 1965, after the case had been brought to my right hon. Friend's notice by the Court of Criminal Appeal, who felt unable to interfere with the sentence because an application for leave to appeal had not been made until well beyond the time allowed.It would be contrary to long-standing practice for my right hon. Friend to publish information about the previous convictions of a released prisoner.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what date the recent meeting was held between him and his officials and Labour members of the City Council of Liverpool, to discuss educational problems of the city; and what were the particular matters discussed.

I have not held such a meeting, though I have talked privately from time to time with elected representatives from Liverpool as from other parts of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will instruct local education authorities to bear the full cost of £4 for Oxford and Cambridge compulsory entrance examinations, together with reasonable travel costs and other expenses involved in taking these examinations.

No. This is best left to the discretion of local education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will seek power to abolish the charges for compulsory entrance examinations to universities.

No. These charges at Oxford and Cambridge Colleges fall properly within the discretion of the College authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the value of mini-minor works carried out by educational authorities in Dorset last year which next year they will not be enabled to do without Ministerial consent.

Mini-minor projects to the value of £42,000 were carried out by the Dorset local education authority in 1963–64; the corresponding figure for the first nine months of 1964–65 was £31,000. These projects do not normally require my consent, but in future they will have to be charged to the authority's minor works allocation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why he has reduced the volume of building improvements, commonly called mini-minor works, which local authorities used to be able to do without obtaining Ministerial consent.