asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will expedite work on the main road from Rhoose, Glamorgan, to St. Athan, and the completion of the new bridge across the River Thaw.

The highway authority (Glamorgan County Council) is well aware of the interest in getting these works completed on time and my right hon. Friend is not aware of any delays.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will advance the date for the commencement of the extension of the Manor Way from Whitchurch, Glamorgan, in the direction of Pontypridd.

The first stage of this scheme is included in the trunk road programme for 1967–68. The amount of preparatory work involved would make it difficult to advance this timetable and an advance would, in any case, have to be at the expense of other projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when the Welsh Economic Council will hold its first meeting; and what will be its first subject of discussion.

The first meeting of the Welsh Economic Council will be held on 12th April when both my right hon. Friends the First Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Wales hope to attend. It is proposed that the Council should discuss its terms of reference and proceed to a consideration of the problems in Wales which need its early attention, including proposals for Mid-Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if the industrial future of the South Wales conurbation is to be the subject of a separate study by the Planning Board and the Economic Council for Wales; and if he will make a statement.

The future development of South Wales, in which two-thirds of the population of Wales live and work and in which many of the most important and difficult problems arise is already under study by the Planning Board and will certainly be considered by the Economic Council for Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what improvements will be carried out during the next 12 months along the route of the North-to-South Wales road; and if he will state the approximate cost of these improvements.

The following ten major improvement schemes are planned, at an estimated total cost of£210,000:The schemes to be put in hand in the next 12 months are:

	£
Merionethshire:
A.487. Widening and improvement from Capel Jerusalem to Bronaber	55,000
A.487. Improvement at Ganllwyd village	12,909
A.487. Widening and improvement at Bryn Cemlyn, Ganllwyd	5,200
Montgomeryshire:
A.492. Widening of Penrhuddlan Bridge	19,000
Radnor:
A.44. Improvement at Neuadd Ddu	42,100
A.479. Improvement at Upper Dolhelfar	17,726
A.479. Improvement at Tanyard Pitch	29,200
	£181,135

In addition, the following schemes may be put in hand during the next 12 months if the necessary land is acquired in time:

	£
Merionethshire:
A.458. Improvement at Pont Cerist near Dinas Mawddwy	23,750
Montgomeryshire:
A.489. Improvement at junction with B.4568 at Pont Dolgoch	1,838
Radnor:
A.479. Improvement at Melindwr, Newbridge-on-Wye	3,500
	£29,088

A number of minor improvements to short lengths of the trunk road will also be carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration has been given to the possibility of creating a bypass, to avoid most of the built-up area of Cardiff and district, in view of the rapid increase of East-West traffic through South Wales.

The Eastern Avenue scheme, which is in the current road programme, will provide a bypass of the city centre. The Glamorgan County Council has a proposal for another road which would bypass Cardiff further to the north. This is a county, not a trunk road, scheme and although it has been included in the county development plan it has not been included in the plan programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what his policy is towards the retention of single-sex schools; and if he will make a statement.

My policy is to continue to leave this matter for the consideration of local education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current number of places in dental schools throughout the United Kingdom; and how many of these have been taken up.

There are at present 3,055 undergraduates in dental schools in universities in Great Britain. The Second Report of the Universities Central Council on Admissions, published last month, indicates that about 20 places were not taken up last October.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the establishment of new medical schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the establishment of new medical schools.

This matter is under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what date he expects to ensure that all primary school children are taught in reasonable sized classes in modern schools; and when he proposes to announce his plans to this effect.

The Government's plans will aim to achieve both reasonably sized classes and the modernisation of buildings of primary schools as rapidly as possible, bearing in mind other calls on our resources, but to fix specific dates for the achievement of either objective is not practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for reducing primary school classes to a reasonable level, and for replacing unsuitable primary school premises with modern buildings; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Reply I have given today to the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for St. Marylebone (Mr. Hogg).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to assist in the promotion of the Commonwealth Games in Jamaica in 1966, and to encourage British participation in this event.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will encourage British participation in the swimming events of the Commonwealth Games in Jamaica in 1966.

The Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Committee and his General Secretary have been asked to formulate specific plans for participation of United Kingdom teams in the Games. When these plans have developed further I shall be discussing the question with the Sports Council and with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations. The Government hope that it will be possible to organise the United Kingdom participation in the Games on a worthwhile scale. The formulation of the programme is a matter for the Commonwealth Games Committee but if swimming events are included my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and I will certainly raise no objection.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration he has given to proposals that nursery schools should be established for the use solely of parents who are teachers or training to be teachers; and what conclusions he has come to.

New nursery classes may start where accommodation is available and enough of the children to be admitted are the children of teachers to ensure that there will be a net increase in the teaching force.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made in implementing the Alexander Report on Public Relations in respect of Further Education.

In order that my Department may play its full part in giving effect to the Alexander Report my right hon. Friend will as soon as possible appoint an additional Senior Information Officer with specific responsibilities for Further Education. It is too early to report on the action which is being taken by the Regional Advisory Councils and local education authorities generally in response to the circular sent to them last December, but the report has aroused great interest and a second reprint has already been required.

Short asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has to encourage more students to apply for science and technology places at universities and colleges of advanced technology.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to encourage more advanced level General Certificate of Education candidates to take science subjects.

To the extent that any shortfall in sufficiently qualified students of science or technology is due to lack of adequate teaching facilities in some schools, the position should be improved by the continued emphasis placed on science provision in building programmes and by the steps that are being taken to improve the supply of teachers, including science teachers.As my predecessor informed the House on 23rd December last, an interdepartmental working party is developing, in parallel with other interested national bodies, publicity designed to attract a larger proportion of our abler young people into technology. This is not a field in which it is possible to achieve results at short notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made in appointing industrial liaison officers to technical colleges and similar institutions.

Sixteen officers have been appointed and 17 appointments are in process of being made by Colleges of Advanced Technology and technical colleges in England and Wales. Further appointments will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of Welsh primary schools and of Welsh secondary schools in Wales at present; and what further provision of Welsh schools at the primary and secondary levels is contemplated.

Thirty-four Welsh primary schools and five Welsh secondary schools and departments have been established in mainly English-speaking areas in Wales. The Major School Building Programmes for 1965 to 1968 include extensions to Rhyl Welsh County Secondary School, Flintshire; Rhydfelen Welsh County Secondary School, Glamorgan; a new Welsh secondary school for West Glamorgan and a Welsh primary school for Rhyl, Flintshire, in replacement of old premises.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why he is reducing expenditure on school minor works from£21·85 million in 1964–65 to£21 million in 1965–66.

The previous Government authorised expenditure of£18 million for 1964–65 and this figure is likely to be exceeded by between£3 million and£4 million. My right hon. Friend has authorized£21 million and is introducing revised procedure to ensure a fairer and more sensible allocation to individual authorities of the limited resources available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the continuing increase in population in the Sevenoaks constituency, what plans exist for the construction of a new grammar school in the area.

I understand from the Kent Local Education Authority that they have no plans at present for a new grammar school in the Sevenoaks area.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware that the excessive eating of sweets contributes to the cost of the School Dental Service; and if he will take steps, through the schools, to discourage this practice.

The dangers of excessive eating of sweets are fully recognised. My right hon. Friend already encourages local education authorities to stress the relation between good dietary habits and healthy teeth, and intends shortly to bring this question to their notice again.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the Pre-School Playgroups Association, of from local authorities wishing to establish pre-school playgroups; and what replies he sent.

None from local authorities. My right hon. Friend has received a request for assistance form the Pre-School Playgroups Association and has asked for some further information which he awaits.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will authorise the use of school playing-field facilities by outside organisations; and whether he will make a statement.

No authorisation from my right hon. Friend is required. The Circular issued jointly by my Department and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member, drew attention to the value of dual use of facilities. I hope that local education authorities, governing bodies and head teachers will do everything possible to make facilities available for outside use.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware that his recent announcement of an increase in the minor works programme for school building, coupled with his decision to include in it works costing under£2,000, will actually reduce the amount available for this programme in Norfolk from£245,000 in 1964–65 to£190,000 in 1965–66; and what steps he proposes to enable the Norfolk County Council to speed rather than slow up small but urgently-needed improvements.

The Authority's allocacation for minor works has been increased from £130,000 for the current year to£190,000 for 1965–66. This goes a substantial way to offset the inclusion of jobs under£2,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether he will ask the Arts Council to give special consideration to the artistic needs of areas outside London when making grants;(2) whether he will take steps to reconstruct the Arts Council to allow for regional representation on that body.

From the discussions I have had with the Arts Council, I can assure you that they are keenly aware of the need to encourage and support artistic enterprises outside London—as to its composition members are selected on a personal basis, not by the representation of sectional interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied that the present salary scales for teachers will continue to attract a sufficient number of teachers for the staffing of schools in the immediate future; and whether he will make a statement.

In the negotiations now proceeding to determine new salary scales this consideration will naturally have a prominent place but my right hon. Friend is not in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give an assurance that teachers who are involved in his plans for the reorganisation of schools will not suffer financially in consequence.

This will be a matter for the new negotiating committee for teachers' salaries which it is hoped to set up under the Remuneration of Teachers Bill now before Parliament and I understand that it has already been tabled for discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has yet considered the implications for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and other post-graduate awards of the discretion which has recently been given to local authorities to make allowances in cases of hardship; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. In future, additional allowances may be paid in cases of hardship to married students who are holders of post-graduate studentships awarded by the Education Departments or Research Councils, who have children born before or within six months of the beginning of their course and who are not at present eligible for dependants' allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received with regard to the hardship being undergone by students who are married and under the age at which the marriage allowance is payable to those in respect of Department of Scientific and Industrial Research grants.

Representations have been received during the last six months from the Association of Scientific Workers and the National Union of Students. There have also been representations from or on behalf of a few individual students.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied that there will be sufficient teachers to maintain the programme of educational expansion already established; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement of policy regarding the reduction in size of classes in state schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to ensure that all primary school children are taught in smaller classes, in accordance with the Education Act, 1944.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to reduce the size of all primary school classes to the statutory maximum; and whether he will make a statement.

The decision which I recently announced to expand the number of teacher training places in England and Wales to 111,000 by 1973–74 will enable us to make substantial progress in the direction of smaller classes. But additional measures are still needed and I hope to announce some of these shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what authority the North-Eastern Association for the Arts distributes public money; and if he will set up a committee to suggest how best to organise regional arts associations.

Grants are made by the Arts Council in accordance with the terms of its charter and distributed by the Association in accordance with its constitution, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. Grants are also made by certain local authorities under various powers, including those in Section 132 of the Local Government Act, 1948.Four regional arts asociations have been established or are in process of being established. The Arts Council has the matter of regional arts associations under review following the publication recently of the White Paper on "A Policy for the Acts" and I do not propose to set up a special committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy with regard to encouraging local education authorities to make their school gymnasia available for voluntary sports organisations such as badminton and tennis clubs.

I very much hope that local education authorities and school governors will make school gymnasia available to voluntary organisations, provided adequate arrangements for supervision can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science approximately what percentage of students in England and Wales who achieve two A level passes do not apply for entrance into a university; and what percentage of those who do apply fail to obtain a place in any university in England and Wales.

It is estimated that about 61,000 students achieved two or more A level passes in England and Wales in 1963–64, and 58,346 students applied for admission to universities in Great Britain in October, 1964, through the Universities Central Council on Admissions (which did not cover the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the London Medical and Dental Schools or some entrants to Scottish Universities). Of the applicants to the Central Council 78·6 per cent. reported that they had achieved two or more A level passes, and of these about 31 per cent. were not admitted and a further 7 per cent. withdrew.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the approximate number of children who have three or more A level passes at General Certificate of Education but who have failed to pass a foreign language at O level and have been unable to obtain admission to a university.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will ensure that one of the new medical colleges intended to be established shall be located in Wales.

It would be premature at this stage to consider the desirability of any particular sites for new medical schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for making help available, in personnel and scientific aids, to the teacher in the classroom, to help overcome the continuing teacher shortage.

Local education authorities are increasingly employing non-teaching staff in their schools, as they are free to do on their own initiative, to relieve teachers of routine tasks and so enable them to concentrate more effectively on their teaching duties. My right hon. Friend intends to encourage developments in this direction.Teachers are already aware of the value of audio-visual aids in the classroom and I am confident that an increasing use will be made of them. In general, however, these do not help in overcoming the teacher shortage.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to encourage local authorities to help in sponsoring play groups for children of nursery-school age.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to encourage local authorities to make a financial grant towards the creation and maintenance of pre-school playgroups.

These groups are not schools as defined in the Education Acts and neither my right hon. Friend nor the local education authorities have any powers in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy on the formation of preschool playgroups run by mothers; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek power to meet the full cost of creating and maintaining pre-school playgroups.

My right hon. Friend will want to study the report of the Central Advisory Council on all aspects of primary education before considering whether there is any action which he should take in this matter. I am not aware of any public funds from which temporary assistance can be given to such groups.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will introduce amending legislation to enable local authorities who wish to do so to give financial and other assistance to pre-school playgroups; and what funds exist from which temporary assistance can now be given.

My right hon. Friend will want to study the report of the Central Advisory Council on all aspects of primary education before considering whether there is any action which he should take in this matter. I am not aware of any public funds from which temporary assistance can be given to such groups.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to encourage local education authorities to help in the formation of play groups run by mothers, in view of the restrictions on the provision of nursery schools.

These groups are not schools as defined in the Education Acts and neither my right hon. Friend nor the local education authorities have any powers in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers employed by local education authorities are Commonwealth immigrants and non-British citizens, respectively.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are his plans for ensuring that sufficient residential places are supplied at the West Riding Institute of Agriculture so that the 40 vacant student places existing over each of the past four years can be filled.

My right hon. Friend is examining a proposal from the West Riding education authority for additional hostel provision at the Institute along with proposals from other authorities for inclusion in the 1966–67 Further Education Major Building Programme. He hopes to be able to announce his decision later this month.

asked the Seccretary of State for Education and Science if he will now make a statement on the siting of the North-East Technical College.

I am not yet ready to add to what I said in my statement on 24th February last.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the total number and value of minor improvements to school buildings costing less than£2,000 which local education authorities have carried out in each of the last three years at their own discretion; on what terms his specific approval will be required for such works in future; what is his estimate of the value and number of such works he expects to authorise in 1965–66; and how many of the staff in his Department will be engaged in examining and processing applications for his approval for these under £2,000 improvements.

The total value of expenditure on minor projects under£2,000 has been£4 million in 1962–63,£5·4 million in 1963–64 and£4·5 million in the first nine months of 1964–65; my Department does not obtain information about the number of projects involved. In 1965–66 local education authorities will be free to decide how many of these projects they wish to carry out within their total minor works allocations. There will be no change in the procedure under which these projects require my approval only in special cases and no addition of staff will be required to deal with them.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware that his recent announcement, cancelling the arrangements whereby projects up to£2,000 could be undertaken outside the general allocation, will reduce from£60,000 to£34,000 the amount already approved in principle by the Huddersfield Education Committee for the minor works programme for 1965–66; and if he will allow local education authorities to proceed with their minor works programme for 1965–66 where already approved.

No. The Huddersfield Authority's allocation for 1965–66 represents a fair share of the limited total minor works programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the cut of£55,000 in money available to the Norfolk County Council for 1965–66 compared with 1964–65, whether he will restore to county councils their freedom in spending what they wish on projects costing up to£2,000.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what, under his regulations, is the effect on teacher's pensions if after retiring they return to teaching.

A teacher cannot be paid his pension during any period of reemployment unless his salary is less than it was immediately before his retirement; in which case a pension equal to the difference may be paid. If the reemployment is part-time, the calculation is made on a quarterly basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about primary education in Dursley; and what answer he has made.

A letter from the Dursley County Primary School Parent Teacher Association was received in my Department on 2nd March. It asked that the Association should be given an opportunity of objecting to the proposed reorganisation of primary schools in Dursley. I understand that the Gloucestershire Education Authority propose that the County Primary School should serve infants only and that the controlled school should serve juniors. A proposal to this effect does not require my approval and any objection should be addressed to the Local Education Authority. I shall reply to the representations made to me on these lines.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for reducing the use of bricks in connection with the construction of new schools; and what schemes he has in that connection to make greater use of modern substitutes such as prefabricated panels.

My Department's Circular 1/64, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member, urged local education authorities to make greater use of industrialised building and the advice it gave has been followed up in discussions with many authorities. Systems of industrialised building were used in one-fifth of all the major school building projects started in 1963–64. The Development Group in my Department has played an important part in the evolution of industrialised systems and a special unit was set up last year to stimulate productivity in educational building.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which organisations have made representations to him on the need for alterations in the quantities and types of food recommended in Circular No. 290 for the school dinner.

The Association of Education Committees, the National Association of Divisional Executives for Education, and the Institutional Management Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give an assurance that the integration of the public schools into the State system of education will take place not later than any change in the status of direct grant grammar schools.

I should prefer not to anticipate the general statement I propose to make in due course on the Government's proposals about the Public Schools.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that at the trial of Prisoner T. Brett, Police Constable Maslin stated in evidence that he had been alone in his van, whereas evidence is now available that he was accompanied by Police Constable Kent; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made as to why Police Constable Maslin gave this false evidence at the trial of Brett.

I am not aware that Police Constable Maslin made any such statement in evidence at the trial.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will help the balance of payments by issuing instructions that prisons, borstals, detention centres and other premises under his control shall be heated by home-produced fuels rather than those which add to the country's import bill.

A statement on the use of fuel in public buildings will shortly be made on behalf of the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will investigate the allegations that Detective Sergeant Durrell of the Flying Squad, who was concerned with the arrest in two separate cases of Stratton and Brett, had some connection with Tom Brown, and the allegations made of a financial arrangement between this police officer and Tom Brown.

I am examining these allegations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigrants have been deported for criminal offences since the passing of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act; and to which countries they have been deported.

A person may be deported under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962, only if he has been recommended for deportation by a court following his conviction of an offence punishable with imprisonment. Between 1st June, 1962, and 28th February, 1965, 699 orders were made under the Act for the deportation of offenders to the following countries:

Country	Orders made
Republic of Ireland	423
Aden	2
Australia	6
Barbados	9
British Guiana	27
Canada	10
Ceylon	1
Cyprus	16
Fiji	1
Gambia	3
Gibraltar	1
Hong Kong	4
India	4
Jamaica	99
Leeward and Windward Islands	26
Malta	26
Mauritius	1
New Zealand	3
Nigeria	7
Pakistan	9
Sierra Leone	3
Southern Rhodesia	1
Tanzania	1
Trinidad and Tobago	15
Turks Island	1
	699

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to make racial incitement an offence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when legislation will be introduced making racial incitement a criminal offence.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated on Tuesday, 9th March, it is the Government's intention to introduce at an early date a Bill dealing with the prevention of racial discrimination in public places and with incitement to racial hatred.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will institute proceedings for the extradition of the four train robbers now in Uruguay.

I regret that I am not able to make any statement about this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state his reasons for not extending the permit for Mr. Bert Bensen to remain in Great Britain; and if he will now reconsider his decision and allow a further extension of his stay in this country.

The deportation order against Mr. Bensen was made on security grounds. I reviewed this case most carefully and I was satisfied that I should not be justified in revoking the order. Mr. Bensen has now left the country and I cannot agree to his return.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state in detail the clothing which T. Brett was wearing when arrested by the police on the occasion of the robbery at Whitehill Wood.

Brett was not arrested until nearly three weeks after the robbery. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has no detailed record of the clothing he was then wearing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the growing number of abandoned vehicles being parked on the public highways without Road Fund licences and with time-expired licences, that the residue of petrol in the tanks of these vehicles is a source of danger to children and others due to the danger of explosion, and that Johnny Stayte of West Ham was recently seriously injured when the petrol tank of a derelict car exploded; and whether he will instruct the police in the Metropolitan area to report all such vehicles to the appropriate authorities with a view to legal action where necessary.

The Metropolitan police already report to the appropriate authorities vehicles on the roads with time-expired road fund licences or apparently abandoned in a dangerous condition. In a recent circular to local authorities my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government drew attention to the need to make provision for the disposal of abandoned cars.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will allow 11 prisoners from Chelmsford gaol temporary leave of absence to play an away match in the Mid-Essex Combination League, since the rules of the League require that the cup final which they have reached should be played on neutral ground.

:Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now considered the report of his economic adviser on Gibraltar; and what action he proposes to take to assist the Colony to overcome the Spanish blockade.

The report, which has now been presented, is addressed to the Government of Gibraltar whose views are awaited. As the hon. Member was informed by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary in reply to a Question on 11th February, as soon as these views are received, and Gibraltar's needs are established, the territory can rely on us to consider urgently what help we can give.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the percentage of manufactured goods produced in this country which must be exported to maintain a satisfactory balance of payments; and what is the present percentage exported.

Nearly a quarter of this country's manufacturing output is at present exported. I cannot give an estimate of the percentage which would be necessary in future to ensure a satisfactory balance of payments because this would depend on a number of other variables.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the prospect of additional employment in the Northern Region resulting from plans to bring industry to areas of high unemployment.

At present there are estimated to be about 40,000 jobs in prospect from new industrial development planned for the Northern Region.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the United Kingdom is a net exporter of shipping services in view of the deficit of£11 million in 1963 in the shipping account of the balance of payments; what proportion of this deficit he estimates to be due to the policies of certain countries in discriminating in favour of their national shipping lines and in selling cost, insurance and freight and buying free on board; and if he will make a further statement.

In the shipping account for 1963 gross payments by overseas residents to U.K. shipowners totalled£571 million; gross payments by U.K. residents to foreign shipowners totalled £364 million; the U.K. is thus a net exporter of shipping services to the extent of£207 million. The difference between this figure and the deficit of£11 million is accounted for by disbursements abroad by U.K. shipowners of£307 million, less disbursements in the U.K. by foreign shipowners of£89 million. Flag discrimination, although distinctly harmful in particular trades, has only minor effects on the shipping account as a whole.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what assistance will be given to British firms wishing to exhibit their products at the Leipzig Trade Fair in 1966.

Her Majesty's Government do not recognise the East German regime and it is their policy, in common with that of their N.A.T.O. allies, to refrain from giving official or semi-official support to the Leipzig Fair.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the Federation of British Industries concerning the metric system; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

The Federation of British Industries has asked for a general statement from the Government expressing support for the view that this country should adopt the metric system. I am considering this matter, which is obviously important, with the other Ministers concerned, and shall be discussing it with the Federation. I shall make a statement in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will prohibit the import of bubble gum of Danish manufacture purchased primarily by children and containing scenes from films which have an X classification.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will investigate under Section 165 of the Companies Act, 1948, the activities of a company, particulars of which have been sent to him, which undertakes house-to-house collections in the North-East of discarded clothing in plastic bags in exchange for combs, and whose business is being conducted for a fraudulent and unlawful purpose.

The concern in question is not a company and is outside the scope of the Companies Act, 1948: Section 165 is therefore inapplicable. If my hon. Friend has any evidence that a criminal offence has been committed by the firm the right course is to inform the police.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from foreign sources in regard to the recently announced incentive to exporters being regarded in foreign markets as an additional discount to foreign buyers.

None.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what evidence he has now received of discrimination against British exports, arising out of the imposition of the 15 per cent. surcharge; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the Answer given on 4th March to the Question from the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton).

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent he is prepared to modify the growth zone policy pursued in the past in West Durham; and what financial assistance he proposes to give to the area.

The whole of West Durham, excepting Barnard Castle Urban District and parts of Barnard Castle Rural District, is a development district where the full benefits of the Local Employment Acts and Finance Act 1963 are available, as they are in the growth zone, to new and expanding industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications for industrial development in the West Durham area have been received by his Department during the past 12 months; and what assistance has been given.

Twenty-one applications for i.d.c.s were received in the West Durham area during the 12 months ended 28th February, 1965. During the same period just over£237,000 of financial assistance was offered for 25 projects.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new jobs are in prospect in West Durham; and what is his estimate of the future level of employment in that area.

There are estimated to be 7,000 jobs in prospect from new industrial developments planned for West Durham. The future level of employment depends on many factors; in particular, on the extent to which new industry is attracted to the area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to prevent the circulation of cards, copies of which have been supplied to him, in bubble gum packets purchased mainly by children.

No. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Coat-bridge and Airdrie (Mr. Dempsey) on 17th December, 1964.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Minister for Trade of the German Democratic Republic has visited a number of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries and met in an official and semi-official capacity persons in an official or semi-official capacity to discuss trade matters; and whether in view of this, he will now invite this Minister or his personal representative to London to discuss trade between the two countries.

My right hon. Friend is aware that this East German has visited some N.A.T.O. countries though not at the invitation of the Governments concerned. He does not intend to invite to London a member of a régime which Her Majesty's Government do not recognise.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources if he will introduce legislation to deal with the excessive profits now attainable through the sale of land.

This is one of the purposes for which, as was promised in the Queen's Speech, the Government proposes to introduce legislation to set up a Land Commission.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the Association of Certified and Corporate Accountants advocating the publication, in conjunction with the introduction of Finance Bills, of explanatory memoranda to guide the House as to the intentions underlying the technical language necessarily used in complicated fiscal legislation; and what action he proposes to take.

The Association has represented to my right hon. Friend that detailed amendments of the tax code should be accompanied by explanatory memoranda. My right hon. Friend has taken note of this suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the result of Her Majesty's Government's consideration of the possibility of a two-tier interest rate system.

There is already a two-tier interest rate system for local authorities in that they can borrow some of the finance they need from the Public Works Loan Board at favourable rates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the£sterling has depreciated in purchasing power since 1st January, 1955.

Taking the purchasing power of the£sterling as 20s. in January 1955, its value in January 1965 is estimated at approximately 15s. 4d.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that Regulation 90 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, 1963, provides insufficient defence for a motorist prosecuted for obstruction; and what action he is taking to revise it.

The problem of revising the existing law on the obstruction of the highway by standing vehicles is at present being examined by a working party which will report to me and to my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The working party includes representatives of my Department, the Home Office and the Police. I must await their report.

asked the Minister of Transport what improvements in speed and safety of vehicle movement has been recorded by the London Passenger Transport Board in central London where parking meter schemes, and other measures for improved traffic movement, have been introduced during the past five years.

The general effect of the various traffic engineering schemes and parking control methods introduced in London in the past five years has been to improve traffic flow and check the rate of growth of traffic entering the Central London area, but the London Transport Board have no figures which would quantify that benefit. Ministry surveys show that overall journey speeds in Central London (though these are not related specifically to public service vehicles) have increased by approximately 20 per cent. But I am informed by the Board that over the whole area served by their Central (red) buses the number of miles lost for traffic reasons was 1·7 million in 1959 and 3·5 million in 1964. The rate of collision accidents per 100,000 miles run by the Board's Central buses as a whole has increased steadily each year from 6·19 in 1955 to 8·69 in 1964.

asked the Minister of 'Transport when a decision will be made with regard to the road-widening scheme at the railway bridge in Longmere Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool; and if he will make a statement.

The timing of my decision depends largely on the progress of the Railways Board's proposal to withdraw passenger services on the line under the bridge. This has not yet reached me.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that accidents in Putney High Street involving personal injury average 70 a year; what information he has of plans to redevelop the area applying the principle of segregation of pedestrians and traffic; and when such proposals may be expected.

I am aware that this is the average accident rate. The scheme to which I think my hon. Friend is referring has been under study by the L.C.C., and I have not details of it. I understand, however, that the whole question of redevelopment of Putney High Street is being referred by them to the Greater London Council with a suggestion that they should start early consultations with the authorities concerned, including my Department.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that people living on the Alton Estate, Roehampton, are separated from the village and that children are separated from their schools by a main road without traffic signals; and if he will install a system, pending the construction of a subway.

Yes. The London County Council, as the improvement authority, are, with my approval, installing traffic signals at the junction of Roehampton Lane with Danebury Avenue and Roehampton High Street. These should be working before long. Island refuges are also being installed close to the junction. In addition to these measures there are already a zebra crossing near the junction with Medfield Street and a central reservation from just south of Alton Road to the junction with Kingston Road.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received to change the A.594 road between Penrith and Keswick into a trunk road; and whether he will make a statement.

I have received a proposal from the Cumberland County Council that the A.594 road from Workington to Penrith should become a trunk road. A review is being undertaken of the trunk road system in the Lake District in relation to the traffic pattern which will result from the extension northwards of M.6 to Carlisle. If changes are thought to be justified they will be discussed with the local authorities concerned before decisions are reached.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) if he will state the approximate annual revenue derived from transfer charges when telephone subscribers move from one residence to another;(2) if he will state the approximate annual revenue derived from connection fees charged to new subscribers to the telephone service.

The income from connection charges in 1963–64 was£6½ million. I cannot say how much of this was derived from new subscribers and how much from subscribers who had a telephone at a previous address.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to reduce the present delay of approximately 12 months in installing telephones on the Reading/ Tilehurst exchange.

I am sorry that because of a shortage of equipment we are unable to meet the rapidly growing demand for service on the Reading/ Tilehurst exchange. We are pressing ahead as quickly as possible with an extension of the exchange, but this is unlikely to be completed before next January.

asked the Postmaster-General 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 first mooted.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will appoint a special adviser, as has been done for England and Wales, to help in bringing about an increase in the use of industrialised methods of housebuilding by local authorities and other public bodies.

No. Advice and help to public housing authorities in Scotland to make greater use of industrialised house-building methods is not lacking. My hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State is giving the authorities active encouragement and reminding them of the services which the National Building Agency is now able to provide in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the advantages of licensing a cross-bred boar for breeding purposes on the basis of its economic record, as opposed to licensing a pure bred boar on the basis of its pedigree; and if he will make a statement.

The organisations representative of the pig industry have made it clear that they desire continuance of the existing statutory provisions, whereby breeding licences are not granted to crossbred boars. With the support of the industry we are considering the practicability of adding tests based on recorded performance to the present tests based on visual appraisal and conformity to breed type.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent economic factors such as conversion rates and breeding reliability govern the licensing of pure-bred boars for breeding purposes.

Under the existing licensing system assessment of boars is based upon visual appraisal and conformity to breed type, but under the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1963 powers were taken to permit this assessment to be supplemented by tests based upon recorded performance. Consultations are at present being carried out with representatives of the pig industry to establish ways and means whereby information based on recorded performance can be added to the existing tests.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate the total sum paid by Glasgow Corporation in respect of fees and expenses to Sir William Halcrow and Partners, consulting engineers for the Clyde Tunnel project.

I am informed that the corporation has so far paid Sir William Halcrow & Partners£331,370 for their services on the Clyde Tunnel scheme. Some further payments have still to be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take on the report of the Scottish River Purification Advisory Committee recommending that in the next ten years a£50 million programme of sewage purification works should be undertaken to reduce river pollution.

I am grateful to the Committee for this report. I agree that the level of investment in sewage purification should be increased as soon as is practicable, and the Committees recommendations will be taken into account in the Government's current reappraisal of public expenditure and priorities.