asked the Minister of Aviation why he intends to terminate the scheme whereby a rebate of petrol tax is paid to flying and gliding clubs.

The reasons for this decision were given in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. Monro) on 1st February.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will appoint a woman to look after consumer interests on the Board of British European Airways.

I shall endeavour to appoint the best available person. I certainly do not exclude the possibility of appointing a woman.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will make a statement about his official tour of Scotland on 8th and 9th March.

My visit enabled me to obtain first hand from the Scottish Council their views on the air services required within and to Scotland. I was also able to attend the first meeting of the reconstituted Scottish Civil Aviation Advisory Committee. There was general agreement on what Scottish services were desirable. With the help of the Advisory Committee, I shall now consider what can reasonably be provided. With regard to the quality of the services on the trunk routes, I invited the views, under their new terms of reference of the Advisory Committee.In the course of my visit I also had the opportunity to see the major airports of Scotland and to discuss their future. I had a meeting with representatives of Edinburgh Corporation about Turnhouse Airport, as a result of which officials of the Corporation and Ministry are now engaged in drawing up proposals for its transfer to the control of the Corporation and for its necessary development. I visited Prestwick, which has such a continuing importance to Scotland, and had discussions with local representatives; and I also visited the new airport for Glasgow, now being built at Abbotsinch. I saw for myself the excellent progress that is being made, and am confident that the new airport will be completed and come into operation next Spring, as planned.

asked the Minister of Aviation, in the writing-off of £110 million Government debt in respect of the British Overseas Airways Corporation deficits, how much is allocated towards deficits in the British Overseas Airways Corporation pension fund; how much to severance payments; and to what extent the British Overseas Airways Corporation pension fund is contributory by employees.

Subject to legislation, the Government propose to make it possible for the Corporation to write off their past accumulated deficit. The sum to be written off makes no allowance for any advance provision for severance payments and for the deficit on the pension fund. Employees within the ambit of the fund contribute from 5 per cent. to 7½ per cent. of their salary (minus, in some cases, £100), depending on their grade.

asked the Minister of Aviation (1) what discussions have been held with British European Airways and the independent airlines about scheduled and chartered flights from the proposed aerodrome in the South Yorkshire area near to Sheffield; and what surveys have been carried out to ascertain the demand for such services;(2) what discussions have been held with the Sheffield City Council and neighbouring councils for the construction of an airport near Sheffield; what sites have been considered; and if he will make a recommendation to the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Planning Board.

We have advised Sheffield City Council, Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council on suitable sites for an aerodrome for the region. Eight sites were originally considered of which Apperknowle and Todwick are probably most suitable. My Department is represented on the Regional Economic Planning Boards and will provide information to the appropriate Board as required.The provision of air services is a matter for the commercial judgment of the airlines, both Corporations and independents, subject to the issue of licences by the Air Transport Licensing Board. It would be for the airlines and the local authorities to ascertain the demand for such services.

asked the Minister of Aviation what consideration he has given to the practicability of the conversion from military to civil use of obsolescent Royal Air Force airfields, in South Yorkshire, such as Lindholme, to facilitate the development of South Yorkshire and Humberside.

The local authorities concerned and my officials have jointly considered several sites, including military airfields for a new civil aerodrome. No decision has yet been taken. Lindholme is an active military airfield and, although well placed to serve Doncaster, is not well positioned for the remainder of the region even if it were available for conversion to a civil airport.

asked the Minister of Aviation (1) when he intends to start work on the alterations to and the enlargement of the civil airport at Aldergrove in County Antrim; and if he will give an estimate of the length of time necessary to complete such work;(2) what are his plans to enable passengers to reach the departure lounge of the civil airport at Aldergrove in County Antrim without having to climb the various flights of stairs at present in use; and when he expects such a change to take place.

Detailed design work will be put in hand as soon as we have completed consultation with local interests on the proposed improvements. Construction will then start as soon as possible and should be finished in about two years' time. One of the proposed improvements is the provision of a lift between the ground floor and the departure lounge but I cannot say yet exactly when this will be completed within the general scheme.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether in view of the special nature of the services provided by British European Airways on the Western Isles routes, he will consider giving them financial aid; and if he will make a statement.

The Corporation is not seeking financial aid for the services it is providing, nor do I possess the necessary statutory powers to give it.

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps he is taking to reverse the downward trend in the export of aircraft engines; and what are his proposals to increase the volume of this trade.

Financial assistance towards the launching of promising aircraft and aero-engine projects in return for a share in the proceeds of sales is one important way in which the Government is helping the industry in its export efforts. I am confident that for its part, the industry is doing all it can to maintain through the excellence of its products its leading position in world markets. I am considering with them whether there are any other ways in which I can help.

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps the Air Registration Board are taking to satisfy themselves that their requirements are being carried out by British United Airways, and in particular the requirement of Air Navigation Order No. 60.

asked the Minister of Aviation (1) what action is being taken by the Air Registration Board to check the safety of British United Airways aircraft during the present trade dispute;(2) if he is aware that, during the present official dispute, British United Airways has been deprived of the majority of its skilled maintenance and technical personnel; and what reports he has received from the Air Registration Board as to the safety of British United Airways aircraft in consequence.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether, during the present trade dispute in which the British United Airways is involved with its maintenance and technical personnel and its supervisory staff, in view of the inadequate standards of maintenance which result, he will ensure that this company is not used for the transport of British troops or parties of children.

The present dispute affects only British United Airways aircraft maintained at Gatwick. Since its start my Department and the Air Registration Board have been conscious of its safety implications. The maintenance arrangements for British United Airways aircraft have accordingly been under constant scrutiny and the Board has deployed four additional surveyors at Gatwick.Safety regulations (as described in the Board's Circular No. 60) require that the Board shall be satisfied that, among other things, there are enough skilled engineers for maintenance. These regulations are being strictly enforced, and the Board has approved arrangements at Gatwick for only minor maintenance on the VCIO and maintenance on Viscounts up to but not including Check 2. The Board is satisfied technically that the organisation is adequate for these tasks, and there are no safety grounds on which the Board or my Department should prevent flights in aircraft which are being maintained under these arrangements. The Board will continue its scrutiny of the maintenance organisation and its inspection of aircraft.

asked the Minister of Aviation what periodic checks are being made by the Air Registration Board into the maintenance facilities of British United Airways, to ensure that the standards are maintained while the company is engaged in an official trade dispute involving almost all its maintenance staff and the majority of its supervisory and technical personnel.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to the hon. Members for Oldbury and Halesowen (Mr. Horner), Birmingham, Aston (Mr. Julius Silverman) and Hackney, Central (Mr. Herbert Butler).

asked the Minister of Aviation what assistance his Department is giving to the efforts which are again being made to secure the international adoption of the Decca Navigator system of control for aircraft navigation.

The United Kingdom accepted the decision made in 1959 by International Civil Aviation Organisation that VOR /DME should be adopted as the international standard short-range navigational aid until 1975, and the International Civil Aviation Organisation Regional Plan is being implemented in the United Kingdom. Studies are being made with a view to the selection of its successor after that date. Support is being given domestically and in Eurocontrol to the evaluation of HARCO, the latest derivative of Decca.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he is aware of the increasing concern felt by the inhabitants of Windsor and the immediate neighbourhood at the noise of aircraft from London Airport; and whether he will state the Noise Number Index rating for this area.

I am aware that some people in the Windsor area are disturbed, particularly when aircraft are landing from the west on No. 1 runway. Takeoffs to the west are routed to avoid Windsor as far as possible. According to estimates made by the Wilson Committee, the majority of the houses in the New Windsor Municipal Borough and in the Old Windsor area will have a Noise and Number Index in 1970 of less than 50 and none will have more than 53. At present all have less than 50.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a progress report upon the task of the working group of the European Launcher Development Organisation and on the British contribution to the Organisation's current programme.

The Working Group expects to complete its task by the end of this month. The British contribution to the Organisation's current programme is the development of the first stage of the three stage space vehicle launcher and work on the co-ordination of the different stages. Two successful firings of the first stage have been carried out and a third firing is expected in a few weeks.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will take the earliest opportunity of making an official visit to Short Brothers and Harland, Belfast, to see the facilities of this aircraft factory and to meet the design and development team as well as the management.

I have discussed with my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary what he saw and heard during his visit to Short Brothers and Harland last month. I have myself met employees, including design workers, in the company of hon. Gentlemen opposite, as well as the management. I hope to pursue some of the questions raised on these occasions by visiting the factory as soon as I have a convenient opportunity.

asked the Minister of Aviation if evaluation studies of the Phantom aircraft have now been completed; and what has been the result.

Certain changes were necessary in the Phantom aircraft to enable it to operate satisfactorily from British carriers. The evalution of those changes was completed last year and the results confirmed the theoretical performance assessments which had been made.

asked the Minister of Aviation what reduction in the royalties payable by Her Majesty's Government to the Western Electric Company in the United States of America has resulted from the successful action by the Government in the High Court to the extension of that Company's patent number 694021 relating to transistors.

The financial terms of the agreements between the Ministry of Aviation and the General Post Office on the one hand and Western Electric Company on the other expired on 31st December, 1964. Negotiations are currently taking place regarding terms for Crown use of all Western Electric patents for a further period. Until these negotiations have been completed the effect of the expiry of British Patent 694021 cannot be assessed.

asked the Minister of Aviation what progress he is now able to report on the commencement of new inter-nation joint aircraft projects.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to the hon. Member for Leicester, South-East (Mr. Peel). In addition the U.K. and the U.S.A. are engaged on a joint research and experimental programme on the use of beryllium on aero-engines. A number of other important fields for co-operative research and development are being explored, and as already announced an arrangement for joint development of an advanced lift engine for V/STOL aircraft is being considered. We are also contributing with Canada to the development and evaluation of a surveillance drone.

asked the Minister of Aviation what information he has on the development of the vertical take-off and landing and very short take-off and landing fighter aircraft by the Americans and French, respectively.

There is a regular interchange of information between Her Majesty's Government and the United States and French Governments on developments in the aircraft field, including V/STOL combat aircraft. The information covers too wide a field to be condensed in this answer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the compounders are buying wheat flour at an average price of £24 a ton and then selling the offal, that is middlings, for £27 a ton or more.

I assume the hon. Member's Question is intended to refer to flour millers who are buying wheat, and not to compounders buying wheat flour. Flour millers buy wheat and sell wheat offals at prices which are determined by supply and demand conditions. In selling home-produced offals they have to compete with imported wheat offals and a wide range of other home-produced and imported feeding stuffs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to encourage the increasing use of fish by the consumer.

I share my hon. Friend's interest in encouraging the consumption of fish. This is primarily the responsibility of the White Fish Authority and the Herring Industry Board. I know they attach importance to it and are actively engaged in promoting sales.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will appoint a scientific adviser to the fishing industry.

No. I do not think that such an appointment would be an improvement on the present arrangements under which advice bearing on the diverse problems of the fishing industry is available from the scientists of the Fisheries Departments, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and other sources.There is close collaboration between the Departments and the White Fish Authority and Herring Industry Board on the needs of the industry and the application of the results of research.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assurance he receives, in licensing ponies for export, that they are used for breeding and are not sold for meat; and if he will make a statement.

No pony may be exported from Great Britain unless either it has been found on veterinary examination at the port to be fit to travel and fit to work or it has been exempted by permit from veterinary examination. These permits are issued only for exports declared to be for certain prescribed purposes, which do not include slaughter. Quite apart from this safeguard I am not aware of any evidence that ponies are being exported for slaughter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of public concern regarding the effect of the use of toxic chemicals in agriculture on the numbers of the songbird population of this country; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware of public concern in this matter. Under the Pesticide Safety Precautions Scheme, the Associations representing manufacturers selling pesticides in Great Britain have agreed with the Government that their members will not put any new agricultural pesticide on the market until the Government's Advisory Committee on Pesticides and Other Toxic Chemicals has examined and assessed experimental data provided by the manufacturer. This data must include information on the effect of the chemical on wild life. Apart from many other considerations, the Committee must be satisfied with this and other information on wild life hazards before they will recommend clearance. The manufacturers incorporate on the label of their product the recommendations for safe use advised by the Committee and agreed with Government Departments.The Advisory Committee is at present reviewing these arrangements to advise on any improvements and extensions which are desirable and, in particular whether stricter criteria should be applied in the approval of new products. It will submit its recommendations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the fisheries dispute in Aberdeen which has kept in port the Aberdeen trawler fleet with loss and damage to the industry and loss of employment to the workers in it; and what steps he has taken to bring it to an end.

As my hon. and learned Friend will know, the trawler fleet put to set on 9th January while negotiations continued between the trawler owners and the skipper and mates. Agreement was subsequently reached between the parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements are being made for the provision of school accommodation at Kirkmichael, Helensburgh, in connection with the large number of houses to be erected there for Admiralty personnel.

Initially, it is the education authority's intention to place the additional pupils in existing school

—	Aberdeen General Hospitals			Aberdeen Special Hospitals			Royal Cornhill and Associated Hospitals
	Whole-Time	Part-Time	Total Whole-Time Equivalent	Whole-Time	Part-Time	Total Whole-Time Equivalent	Whole-Time	Part-Time	Total Whole-Time Equivalent
Administrative and Clerical Staff	93	2	95	33	5	36	18	1	19
Nursing Staff	933	236	1,056	422	136	513	561	56	597
Medical Staff	62	6	65	20	12	25	11	4	11
All other Staff	531	233	678	316	141	409	259	31	280

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total expenditure incurred to date by Glasgow Corporation by way of compensation for the acquisition of housing, commercial, industrial and other properties in the Anderston and Pollokshaws areas to permit redevelopment of these areas.

Up to 30th January, 1965, Glasgow Corporation had spent £1,284,694 on the acquisition of property in the Anderston Cross area and £257,803 in the Pollokshaws area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the hospital and nursing facilities in Aberdeen, indicating the number and status of the staff members and the nature of the tenure, pay and emoluments of each.

Following is a table showing the numbers of staffs of different groups employed in Aberdeen hospitals as at the end of September, 1964. Pay and conditions of service are determined by Whitley agreements which could not be summarised within the scope of a Parliamentary Reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average number of persons per dentist in Scotland; what are the comparable figures for the four cities in Scotland; and what are the numbers per dentist in East Fife.

The average number of persons per dentist is as follows:

Scotland	3,600
Fife	4,100
Glasgow	3,000
Edinburgh	2,300
Dundee	2,600
Aberdeen	2,800

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average time taken in Scotland between the start of a patient's dental treatment and the payment to the dental practitioner.

About 10 weeks.

Year		Applications made		Applications approved		Amount of loans approved
		Number of appplications	Numbers of doctors	Number of appplications	Numbers of doctors
1960	…	19	58	11	39	£20,875
1961	…	18	56	13	44	£37,100
1962	…	7	25	6	21	£25,350
1963	…	23	78	19	69	£69,665
1964	…	29	83	20	59	£78,540
Total	…	96	300	69	232	£231,530

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new schools there were in process of building or for which contracts had been placed on 15th October, 1964; what was the total value of work in progress and of contracts not yet started on the same date; and how many new school places will result.

The nearest date for which the information required is available is 30th September, 1964. It is as follows:

PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT 30TH SEPTEMBER, 1964
New Schools	Total Value Million	Additional Places being provided
	£
125	28·1	32,994 primary
		52,532 secondary
		884 special
Alteration and Extension Schemes
92	11·6	8,314 primary
		20,261 secondary
		262 special

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications have been made by doctors in general practice for loans for improvement of premises in each of the past five years; how many applications were approved; and what was the amount of loan paid each year.

Interest-free loans are available to assist general practitioners to provide premises to be used for group practice. Applications for loans from Scottish doctors are determined by a joint committee representing the profession and my Department. Details of loans approved during the past five years are as follows:

TENDERS APPROVED BUT PROJECTS NOT STARTED AT 30TH SEPTEMBER, 1964
New Schools	£
6	0·6	2,180 primary
Alteration and Extension Schemes
2	0·01	160 secondary
225	£40·316	117,587

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the existence of substantial numbers of public house certificates in suspense, in which there is considerable trafficking, and the fact that, when application is made by the holder of a suspense certificate for removal of the certificate from the premises specified therein to other premises within the licensing court's area, no objections can be lodged as in the case of an application for a new certificate, he will seek to amend the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1959, with a view to the abolition of licences in suspense.

I am aware that there is about this subject, but I have no proposals at present for amending the Licensing (Scotland) Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications have been made for capital grants to local voluntary youth organisations in each year since 1959; how many have been approved; and what has been the amount of grant paid each year.

The information requested for each financial year from 1961–62 (the first year of the scheme's operation) is as follows:

	Number of Applications received during year	Number approved during year	Amount of Exchequer Grant
			£
1961–62	33	13	1,400
1962–63	57	34	23,066
1963–64	75	43	63,541
1964–65 (to 5th March)	55	59	85,450
	220	149	173,457

Eleven applications were withdrawn before a decision was given. Twenty-three were refused and 37 are still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the numbers of one-, two-, three-and four-apartment houses, respectively, built by Scottish local authorities in

1964			Local Authority		Scottish Special Housing Association		New Town Development Corporation		Total
			1-appartment	2-appartment	1-appartment	2-appartment	1-appartment	2-appartment	1-appartment	2-appartment
1st quarter	…	…	92	1,584	—	184	4	69	96	1,837
2nd quarter	…	…	194	623	2	39	5	103	201	765
3rd quarter	…	…	97	765	—	50	20	20	117	835
4th quarter	…	…	191	1,803	226	471	—	42	417	2,316
TOTAL	…	…	574	4,775	228	744	29	234	831	5,753

The information is available only relation to tenders approved and is as follows:

	1-apt.	2-apt.	3-apt.	4-apt.
1951 (estimated figure)	340	260	13,380	10,350
1960	826	3,066	11,132	3,908
1961	440	2,821	8,111	3,698
1962	950	4,008	12,915	5,171
1963	930	5,475	13,517	4,697
1964	574	4,775	12,143	4,021

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the average tender price per house for houses built by Scottish local authorities during each of the years from 1959;(2) what was the average floor area per house of houses built by local authorities in Scotland in each of the years from 1959.

The information is as follows:

	Average Floor Area	Average Basic Tender Price
	(Sq. Ft.)	£
1959	723	1,371
1960	728	1,447
1961	721	1,572
1962	734	1,906
1963	724	1,994
1964 (Provisional)	727	2,253

These figures relate to tenders approved for local authority houses excluding multi-storey flats, houses built in remote areas and those built by direct labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many one-and two-apartment houses, respectively, were approved by his Department during each of the quarters in 1964.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the average tender price per house and per square foot of floor space, respectively, of houses approved by his Department in multi-storey blocks.

The average basic tender price for flats in multi-storey blocks approved in 1964 was £3,293. The average cost per square foot was £4 19s. 7d.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now reconstitute the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee which is required to be appointed under Section 143 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1950.

Yes. I intend to reconstitute the Advisory Committee and I hope soon to make a further announcement about its membership and remit.

asked the Minister without Portfolio if he will seek powers to reduce the cost of conveyancing and legal charges to those buying their own homes.

The Government are, of course, anxious to reduce the cost of house purchase and are at present considering the points to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will authorise the building of the M.5 motorway, south of Bristol.

It is too early to say. It will depend on completion of the statutory processes and the availability of funds.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that he has disclosed the payment of £90,000 to the Old Passage Severn Ferry Company Limited, why he will not disclose the amount paid to the Swangrove Estates Limited for an associated purpose.

It was necessary to state the amount of compensation proposed to be paid to the Old Passage Severn Ferry Company Limited in the Severn Bridge Tolls Bill because special statutory power to make the payment is required. This does not affect the general principle that it is not in the public interest to disclose for publication the amounts of compensation negotiated and paid to individuals in connection with road schemes under existing statutory authority.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will publish the route, estimated cost, and starting date of the Wombwell by-pass road.

The West Riding County Council, as highway authority, will be responsible for this by-pass.Its line is shown in the First Review of the West Riding County Development Plan which has been submitted for the approval of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government. I understand his decision can be expected shortly. No firm estimate of the cost of the by-pass is available, but it is expected to exceed £500,000. It is unlikely that the scheme can be included in the roads programme for some considerable time.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made to reduce the high accident risk on the coast road leading north from the Hartlepools; and if he will introduce a two-traffic-lane system.

I have recently consented to an order restricting an additional section of the road north of Crimdone Park to 40 m.p.h. I understand that the Durham County Council, the highway authority, are considering with the police what measures can be taken to improve safety near the turning into Crimdon Park.Retention of three traffic lanes is justified wherever the road is wide enough and visibility is not restricted.

asked the Minister of Transport what study he has made of the work on crash barriers done by the Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory, Buffalo; and what estimate he has made of the cost of erecting such barriers on the more dangerous sectors of British motorways.

The Road Research Laboratory is well aware of this work and is itself carrying out intensive research on similar lines, including the experimental installation of barriers on the central reservation of M.1 and studies designed to ascertain the most economical type of barrier. These experiments are not yet complete. In the circumstances it would be premature to form an estimate of the cost of erecting barriers as suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that heavy vehicles still use the A.2 road through the Medway towns in preference to the M.2 motorway because the latter lacks a suitable transport café and if he will take steps to ensure that suitable places are provided for transport workers to rest and eat while travelling on the motorway.

A transport cafe was opened in June, 1964, at the Farthing Corner Service Area on the M.2 motorway. It is, I understand, well used by drivers of heavy vehicles. I have no reason to think that further facilities are needed as yet.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress is being made in the placing of contracts for the improvement and replacement of the A.38 between Bristol and Exeter.

Improvement schemes estimated to cost about £2·7 million are in progress or soon to be started in this stretch of road. The current motorway programme provides for the replacement of A.38 by motorway from Bristol to East Brent, and a survey is now in progress to determine the line of a new road from East Brent to Exeter.

asked the Minister of Transport what stage has now been reached in the preparatory processes for the construction of the Helsby-Frodsham by-pass; and on what date he proposes to publish the provisional line for the new road under Section 11 of the Highways Act, 1959.

In February Cheshire County Council as my agents submitted a report on alternative alignments for the North Cheshire motorway of which this by-pass will form part. This report is being studied. It is too soon to predict a date for publication of a scheme under section 11 of the Highways Act 1959.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents have occurred on the stretch of the A.56 road through Helsby and Frodsham in each of the previous 12 months up to the end of February, 1965.

The numbers of accidents reported to the police on this five miles stretch of road, including non-injury accidents, are:

1964
March	10
April	18
May	11
June	13
July	13
August	12
September	11
October	13
November	14
December	10
1965
January	11
February	7

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the dangers of high-speed traffic in built-up and semi-built-up areas, if he will refuse all applications for the raising of speed limits to 40 miles per hour for distances of less than five miles.

To be effective a speed limit must be set at a level appropriate to prevailing road conditions and characteristics. These change over varying distances and it would be unrealistic to confine 40 m.p.h. speed limits to a minimum length of 5 miles.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress is being made in providing a new Exeter by-pass.

The current survey for a new road from the M.5 motorway at East Brent to the south side of Exeter includes the length of the Exeter by-pass.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents there have been in each of the last 15 years on that section of the Newmarket—Norwich road in Red Lodge, Freckenham; and how many of these were fatal.

Accidents reported to the police are as follows:

	Total	Fatal
1950	4	—
1951	7	—
1952	15	1
1953	12	—
1954	8	1
1955	11	—
1956	17	2
1957	16	Not available
1958	3	—
1959	14	—
1960	11	1
1961	8	—
1962	9	—
1963	18	1
1964	12	—

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if, in view of the number of accidents on the Newmarket—Norwich road in the vicinity of Red Lodge, Freckenham, he will impose a speed limit pending reconstruction of the road to safer standards;(2) what plans he has for improving the Newmarket—Norwich road in the vicinity of Red Lodge, Freckenham, to dual-carriageway standard.

I do not consider that the characteristics of the existing road are such that a speed limit would be appropriate. Dual carriageways are expected ultimately to be necessary, but I cannot say when it would be possible to carry out the work.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has completed consultation with the local authority on the subject of the provision of a footpath over the bridge at Oulton Broad South Station, in view of the increased traffic carried by the road in summer, and dangerous conditions during the winter.

The initiative for any scheme of improvement lies with the Lowestoft Borough Council as highway authority. I understand that they are now preparing plans for a separate footbridge. I will consider in due course any application for grant the council may make.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he proposes to take to dispose of surplus railway land and resources of property.

It is for the British Railways Board to dispose of its surplus land.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the revised proposals for the Peterborough-Grimsby line and its feeder lines, which he has asked British Rail to produce, will be subject to the normal procedure under the Transport Act, 1962; and whether in the event of objections the Transport Users' Consultative Committee will be asked to consider them.

Until I have seen the nature and scope of these proposals I cannot say definitely what the next steps will be. If, as seems unlikely, new proposals for closure were included, they would have to be published under the Act and users would be able to lodge objections with the Committee, who would then report to me on the hardship they might cause.In any event it is most probable that I would wish to ask the Consultative Committee for a further report before I make my final decision.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to ensure that applicants for driving licences complete the test in the area in which they are normally resident.

I see no need to limit the choice of a driving test centre.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents involving badly loaded vehicles have occurred due to goods falling from vehicles; and how many prosecutions have resulted since the present regulations were introduced in 1963.

The national road accident statistics do not provide the information sought in the first part of my hon. Friend's Question. In 1963—the latest period for which figures are at present available—there were 5,241 prosecutions for using vehicles when dangerously loaded.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the interests of road safety, he will take steps to ensure that motor vehicles which have been involved in serious accidents should be reregistered only after being properly tested and passed as roadworthy.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to ensure that motor cars deemed by insurance companies to be damaged beyond repair are not: again brought into use until their roadworthiness is guaranteed.

The registration and the licensing of vehicles are fiscal requirements governed by the Vehicles (Excise) Act. Under this Act there is no power to withdraw a registration book so long as the vehicle for which it is issued still exists; nor can a licence be refused on payment of the tax due. Provisions in the Road Traffic Acts, however, are directed towards road safety, and it is an offence to use, sell or offer for sale, a vehicle which is unroadworthy. I am considering, in consultation with my right hon. and learned Friend, the Home Secretary whether these provisions can be more effectively applied, especially in relation to vehicles which have been repaired and sold after an accident.While examining the existing safeguards, I shall bear in mind the point made by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the number of motor cars written off during January and February this year as unfit for further use.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will issue a statistical table indicating, during each of the last 10 years, the number of motor accidents proved to have been due to the driver's alcoholic condition, to negligence without alcohol, and to fast driving, respectively.

This information is not available. The number of accidents for which it has been conclusively proved that one or other of these factors was responsible is likely to be a serious underestimate of the number to which that factor contributed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how exports of cars in 1964 compared with those in 1963, both in absolute terms and as a proportion of the industry's production.

The number of cars exported in 1964 was 679,383 compared with 616,016 in 1963. This was an increase of 10 per cent. The rate of production of cars increased by 14 per cent. between the two years. Thus the proportion exported fell a little between 1963 and 1964.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether institutions of a public and non-profit-making nature, such as assay offices, will be exempted from the proposed capital gains tax.

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

asked the Minister of Technology if he will list the 42 computers being used for scientific purposes and in various establishments, showing the cost, date of installation, name of manufacturer, type of computer and function for which it is used, respectively.

I have been asked to reply.The 42 computers being used by Government Departments for scientific purposes are shown below. Costs are not shown because it is contrary to practice

Item No.	Department		Date of Installation	Name of Computer	Manufacturer
1	Ministry of Aviation	…	1955	DEUCE	Eng. Electric
2	Ministry of Aviation	…	1956	ICT 1200	I.C.T.
3	Ministry of Aviation	…	1956	DEUCE	Eng. Electric
4	Ministry of Aviation	…	1957	PEGASUS	Ferranti
5	Ministry of Aviation	…	1957	ELLIOTT 405	Elliott
6	Ministry of Aviation	…	1959	MERCURY	Ferranti
7	Ministry of Aviation	…	1961	DEUCE	Eng. Electric
8	Ministry of Aviation	…	1961	ELLIOTT 803B	Elliott
9	Ministry of Aviation	…	1961	APOLLO	Ferranti
10	Ministry of Aviation	…	1962	PEGASUS	Ferranti
11	Ministry of Aviation	…	1962	ELLIOTT 803	Elliott
12	Ministry of Aviation	…	1962	ELLIOTT 803	Elliott
13	Ministry of Aviation	…	1964	I.B.M. 1620	I.B.M.
14	Ministry of Aviation	…	1965	ELLIOTT 503	Elliott
15	Ministry of Aviation	…	1965	ELLIOTT 503	Elliott
16	Ministry of Defence (Navy)	…	1957	ELLIOTT 153	Elliott
17	Ministry of Defence (Navy)	…	1957	PEGASUS	Ferranti
18	Ministry of Defence (Navy)	…	1958	STANTEC ZEBRA	Standard Telephones and Cables
19	Ministry of Defence (Navy)	…	1959	ICT 1201	I.C.T.
20	Ministry of Defence (Navy)	…	1960	ELLIOTT 803	Elliott
21	Ministry of Defence (Navy)	…	1963	SIRIUS	Ferranti
22	Ministry of Defence (Navy)	…	1963	I.B.M. 1620	I.B.M.
23	Ministry of Defence (Navy)	…	1965	KDF 9	EnglElectric/Leo/Marconi
24	Defence (Army)	…	1954	FERRANTI MK 1*	Ferranti
25	Defence (Army)	…	1959	PEGASUS	Ferranti
26	Defence (Army)	…	1961	ELLIOTT 803	Elliott
27	Defence (Army)	…	1964	ELLIOTT 803	Elliott
28	Defence (Army)	…	1964	ELLIOTT 803	Elliott
29	Defence (Army)	…	1964	ELLIOTT 503	Elliott
30	Defence (Air)	…	1957	ELLIOTT 402	Elliott
31	Defence (Air)	…	1958	MERCURY	Ferranti
32	Defence (Air)	…	1958	I.C.T. 1200	I.C.T.
33	Defence (Air)	…	1962	ELLIOTT 803	Elliott
34	Defence (Air)	…	1965	KDF9	Eng.Electric/Leo/ Marconi
35	D.S.I.R	…	1955	DEUCE	Eng. Electric
36	D.S.I.R	…	1958	DEUCE	Eng. Electric
37	D.S.I.R	…	1961	PEGASUS	Ferranti
38	D.S.I.R	…	1964	KDF 9	Eng. Electric/Leo/ Marconi
39	Forestry Commission	…	1963	SIRIUS	Ferranti
40	Government Communications H.Q	…	1964	ICT1 301	I.C.T.
In addition there are two installations of which the particulars cannot be disclosed for security reasons.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the fact that wives and dependants of Army absentees sentenced to prison automatically have their allowance reduced to nil and have to apply for National Assistance, he will consult the Chairman of the National Assistance Board for some

The wife of a soldier who is absent is told by the Regimental Paymaster responsible that her husband has temporarily ceased to be entitled to pay and allowances for reasons known to him, and that if she requires financial assistance she should apply to the local office of the National Assistance Board. Any others in receipt of an allotment from the soldier are told that it is being stopped for reasons known to the soldier.The procedure is well understood by the National Assistance Board and there is no reason to believe that the arrangements are in any way inadequate.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how much money he is making available to the West Suffolk County Council for the construction of schools in the year 1965–66; and by how much this sum differs from the requests made for such money by the county council;(2) how much less money will be available from his Department to the West Suffolk County Council for school construction in 1965–66 compared with 1964–65;(3) how many proposals to improve schools in West Suffolk at a cost of less than £2,000 per school are now before him; and which schools are involved;(4) which schools in West Suffolk which it was intended to modernise or extend in the year 1965–666 will not now be modernised or extended until a later date;(5) how many fewer primary schools will be extended or modernised in the year 1965–66 in the county of West Suffolk than would have been extended or modernised if he had not reduced the amount of money available to the county council.

The West Suffolk Local Education Authority proposed seven projects at a cost of £858,000 for the 1965–66 major school building programme. Two projects at £262,000 were approved in the programme announced by the previous Government. The Authority's proposals for 1964–65 were seven projects at a cost of £666,000 and the approved programme was three projects at £226,000. Three improvement projects for primary schools and one for a secondary school which were submitted for the 1965–666 programme remain to be considered for a later programme.The Authority's minor works allocation for 1965–66 is £75,000 compared with £50,000 for 1964–65. The Authority did not compile a firm programme of projects costing between £2,000 and £20,000 until they knew what their allocation would be. They supplied information however to support their claim for a fair share of the available resources. For this reason it is not possible to talk of intended modernisation or improvement projects. The Authority planned to spend up to £40,000 in 1965–66 compared with £26,000 in 1964–65 on minor projects costing less than £2,000. I am sending the hon. Member a list of these projects which relate to schools which has been supplied to me by the local education authority. Under the arrangements I have recently announced, the cost of these projects must be charged against the Authority's minor works allocation. It is for the Authority to decide which projects to carry out in 1965–66.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements have been made by his Department for liaison with the Ministry of Overseas Development with regard to the educational content of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation projects and programmes.

My Department is in constant touch with the Ministry of Overseas Development and will provide assessors on the United Kingdom National Commission for U.N.E.S.C.O. and on all the relevant committees of the National Commission.

asked the Minister of Health what records he has of the number of emigrants from the United Kingdom; and if he will publish them.

We have no complete records of emigrants from the United Kingdom but an analysis of figures derived from a sample survey conducted since 1963 by the Central Office of Information was published in the Registrar General's Quarterly Returns for the third Quarter, 1964, and figures for subsequent years will be published annually.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the increasing risk of danger to other road users, what progress he has made in discussions on the law governing safety in the carriage by road of dangerous goods, such as acids.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made on 4th February in reply to Questions by the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North (Mr. R. W. Elliott) and my hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, West (Mr. Randall) and on 18th February in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Leicester, South-East (Mr. Peel).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the latest estimate he has made of the number of houses without baths in Ashton-under-Lyne; and how this compares with the number five years ago.

The latest complete information is derived from the 1961 Census Returns. These showed that 6,975 houses were without fixed baths. Since then 951 unfit houses have been demolished or closed, most of which will have lacked baths, and baths have been installed in 495 houses with the aid of standard improvement grants. It is not known how many baths have been installed without grant.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the latest estimate he has made of the number of houses without baths in Mossley, Lancashire; and how this compares with the number five years ago.

The latest complete information is derived from the 1961 Census Returns. These showed that 1,781 houses were without fixed baths. Since then 157 unfit houses have been demolished or closed, most of which will have lacked baths, and bath have been installed in 185 house with the aid of standard improvement grants. It is not known how many baths have been installed without grant.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the latest estimate he has made of the number of houses without baths in Droylsden, Lancashire; and how this compares with the number five years ago.

The latest complete information is derived from the 1961 Census Returns. These showed that 1,300 houses were without fixed baths. Since then 66 unfit houses have been demolished or closed, most of which will have lacked baths, and baths have been installed in 70 houses with the aid of standard improvement grants. It is not known how many baths have been installed without grant.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what action she proposes to take in order to bring within the scope of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1962, overseas service pensioners who served in countries where there have been no general salaries revisions for a number of years.

The Overseas Service (Pensions Supplement) Regulations, 1963, will be amended shortly to apply the provisions of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1962, to overseas service pensioners of ten countries where there have been no general salaries revisions for five years or more. The countries concerned are: Gambia, Ghana, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Malaya, Malta, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Trinidad and the former West Indies Federation.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many people living in the county borough of Bootle are now in receipt of payments from her Department; and into which categories they fall.

I regret that the information requested is not available for particular localities as some of the main benefits, notably retirement and widow's pension, war pensions and family allowances, are paid centrally.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider the printing of a special stamp to commemorate the first International Co-operation Year 1965.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, West (Mr. Randall) on 16th March.

asked the Minister of Technology what studies are currently being undertaken or planned on the status of professional engineers.

My Department is sponsoring a study by the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations of factors affecting the status of engineers in society and is discussing with the Engineering Institutions Joint Council a programme for a survey of the ways in which professional engineers are employed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the percentage of large-scale earth-moving equipment imported into this country between October, 1963, and October, 1964.

The available statistics do not show large-scale earth-moving equipment separately. The recorded value at "ex-works" prices of manufacturers' deliveries to the home market of wheeled loading shovels, motor graders and other complete items of earth-moving, earth-levelling and land clearing equipment, but excluding excavators, trenchers, diggers and similar digging machinery, for the period October, 1963 to September, 1964, amounted to £11·9 million with deliveries for export amounting to £15·5 million. Imports of similar items of complete equipment including equipment returned for repair or after use overseas were valued at £7·1 million during the same period; this sum includes an estimate for duty paid.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many British firms are producing large-scale earth-moving equipment.

Thirteen firms producing large-scale earth-moving equipment in the United Kingdom are known to the Board of Trade; of these five are wholly owned United States subsidiaries and there is United States capital participation in a further two.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the wreck of the Aberdeen trawler "Ben Arthur" in Stornoway Bay on 3rd March, 1965.

The "Ben Arthur" dragged her anchor in a strong gale off Goat Island, Stornoway, early on 3rd March. The vessel's engine could not be started satisfactorily and because the ship was possibly in danger of being driven on to the rocks, the Stornoway lifeboat stood by and volunteers made ready to help from the land. A few hours later when the weather moderated the lifeboat was able to tow the vessel into Stornoway harbour. The crew of 12, none of whom was hurt, remained on board throughout.