asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the extent of charitable trust funds which are effectively frozen because of uncertainty or because of the extinction of the purposes for which originally created; and what steps he will take to enable such funds to be used for the public benefit.

No reliable estimate can be made of the total of wholly unused charitable funds; the machinery of registration and local reviews of charities provided by the Charities Act 1960 is intended to bring to light dormant or under-employed charity funds all over the country and ensure they are put to good use. This is the responsibility of the Charity Commissioners, who inform me that registration is now far advanced and that they will shortly be sending a circular to local authorities about the arrangements for local reviews.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the County Borough of Northampton requesting him to reconsider the question of amalgamation of the borough and county police forces now that a decision has been taken to double the size of Northampton borough; and what reply he is sending.

I have carefully considered representations made to me by the Watch Committee that the amalgamation scheme should be withdrawn in view of the Government's decision to expand Northampton, but I have decided that the scheme should be made in the interests of police efficiency. I am accordingly consulting the police authorities concerned about the terms of a draft scheme, which I shall in due course lay before Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue instructions to the police authority within his jurisdiction to take action when tenants are evicted contrary to the provisions of the Protection from Eviction Act 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will require chief constables and the Chief Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to report to him on action taken by the police to prevent illegal evictions when no court orders for possession have been produced by landlords in support of notices to quit, as required by the Protection from Eviction Act 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that prosecutions under the Protection from Eviction Act are being initiated against landlords who unlawfully evict tenants; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions of landlords have been initiated under the Protection from Eviction Act; and whether he is satisfied with the procedure whereby the power to enforce the provisions of the Act rests with local authorities.

I would refer the hon. Members to the replies which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mrs. Lena Jeger) and South-East Derbyshire (Mr. Park) on 17th February. It is not for my right hon. Friend to issue instructions on the initiation of proceedings in individual cases, but he is sending further general advice to chief constables about the way in which the police can best assist local authorities in the enforcement of the 1964 Act. It is too early to seek detailed information about the number of prosecutions under the Act, but my right hon. Friend proposes, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, to keep in close touch with the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reply he has sent to the letter from the Birmingham Town Clerk protesting that it is not appropriate for the duty of prosecuting under the Protection from Eviction Act to be laid, as suggested authorities, and that it should be part of the ordinary police function to prosecute under the Act for the criminal offence of improper eviction of tenants; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend does not consider that it would be generally appropriate for prosecutions for offences against Section 1 of the Act to be undertaken by the police, who have no specialist knowledge in this field, but he is anxious that the police should give all possible help to local authorities in the enforcement of the Act. My right hon. Friend is sending further general advice to chief constables about this. A reply in this sense has been sent to the Town Clerk of Birmingham.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions of landlords for unlawful eviction of tenants have been initiated since the passing of the Protection from Eviction Act.

I regret that the information is not available, and it is too early to call for a special return.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the cause of the delay in reaching a decision on his investigations into a possible miscarriage of justice in the case of Prisoner T. Brett; when he expects to make an announcement of his investigations into matters pertaining to this case; and whether he will now make a statement;(2) why he continues to refuse permission to Prisoner T. Brett, his solicitor, and the hon. Member for West Ham, North, to obtain information from the police and others, which is likely to prove this prisoner's innocence of a charge of shooting; and whether he will make a statement.

After most careful inquiry my right hon. Friend can find no ground for recommending interference with the conviction in this case or for referring it to the Court of Criminal Appeal. He has not refused the prisoner permission to obtain information from the police; but he has found no reason for asking the police to supplement the information they have already given him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will enable the hon. Member for West Ham, North, to have permission and facilities to interview the police and those connected with the Prisoner T. Brett shooting case, so as to obtain the necessary evidence which is available to prove the innocence of this man on the charge of shooting.

I understand that the Chief Constable, who has already supplied the prisoner with a good deal of information, has decided not to comply with further requests unless my right hon. Friend asks him to do so. My hon. Friend does not of course need my right hon. Friend's permission to seek information from the police, but after careful investigation he can find no ground for asking the Chief Constable to provide information or facilities beyond those already afforded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to enable him to establish a licensing system for coffee bars by which they will have to close at 10.30 every evening unless permitted by the local authority to remain open until later.

My right hon. Friend is not persuaded of the need for restrictive legislation of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state his plans for therapeutic and rehabilitation treatment for persons undergoing terms of imprisonment for criminal offences.

My right hon. Friend's plans include improvements in the classification and allocation of prisoners; improvements in their work and industrial training; further development of a variety of methods of group work; consolidation and improvement of the education programme in all Prison Service establishments; and implementation of the recommendations of the Working Party on the Prison Medical Service. My right hon. Friend proposes also to encourage the constructive use of Prison Service staff of all grades; to extend the use of open prisons, prison hotels and parole; and to develop the arangements of prison welfare and after-care in accordance with the principles set out in the report of his Advisory Council on the Treatment of Offenders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to amend the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Acts of 1960 and 1963, so as to prohibit the provision of amusements with prizes in any commercial place and the use of such machines by children and by young persons under the age of 16 years.

Local authorities are already empowered under the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1964, to refuse permits for the provision of amusements with prizes on the ground of the nature of the premises or that the premises are used by young persons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to a letter, a copy of which has been sent to him, addressed by a local representative of the Police Federation of England and Wales to the hon. Member for South Dorset, which made representations about the effect of Government action on the morale of the police force; and what reply he has sent.

I am determined to do all I can to strengthen the police and maintain their morale in their fight against crime. While I fully understand the view of the Police Federation, I cannot think that it would be right to retain the death penalty for murders of police officers on duty if it is to be abolished for all other murders. I have replied to the hon. Member on these lines.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firearms certificates were issued to employees of private security services in 1963, 1964 and the first two months of 1965.

I have no information for the country as a whole. The Commissioner of Police has issued no firearm certificates during this period to employees of private security services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that the legislation he will introduce to outlaw racial discrimination and incitement will make illegal discrimination in employment.

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the publication of the Bill, which has been promised in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the legislation which he will bring forward to outlaw racial discrimination and incitement will apply to the whole of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have given today to his other Question about racial discrimination.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average case load per probation officer for the years 1950, 1955, 1960, and at the latest available date, respectively.

In 1955, 1960 and 1963 the average case loads of men probation officers in England and Wales were 56, 61 and 60. For women they were 38, 41 and 42. Figures are not available for 1950.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how a case load for a probation officer is assessed, and what is included in it;(2) whether the case load of a probation officer includes those persons about whom inquiries are made, but who are not subsequently placed on probation;(3) if after-care attention is included in assessing case loads of probation officers.

A probation officer's case load comprises all persons under his supervision, including after-care cases. Persons about whom social inquiries are made, and who are not subsequently placed on probation, are not included in the case load, but in assessing the volume of an officer's work allowance is made for enquiry and other non-supervisory duties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now completed his discussions about the present law on safety when dangerous liquids and chemicals are transported by road; and what action he will take.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he now has to improve the law regarding the carriage of dangerous liquids and chemicals by road.

I cannot at present add to the statements 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 Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the reasons for the issue of new helmets to the Metropolitan Police Force.

New helmets have not been issued, but the black badges on existing helmets have been replaced by chromium plate to give a smarter appearance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals or suggestions he has placed before the organisations representing London taxi drivers and owners about extending the present six-mile meter limit; and what reaction he has had from them.

The proposals that my right hon. Friend put to the trade were designed to serve as a basis of discussion, and he does not think it would be helpful if I were to make any statement about them at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further action he proposes to take to deal with the improper use of airguns in public places.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Firearms Bill now before the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration is being given to payment against loss of wages for those serving as magistrates; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is reviewing the question, but he is not yet ready to make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to public funds during the past five years of legal aid granted to defendants in criminal cases.

Following is the answer:

Period	Amount
	£
14th March, 1960–31st March, 1961	496,823
1st April, 1961–31st March, 1962	929,256
1st April, 1962–31st March, 1963	1,383,687
1st April, 1963–31st March, 1964	1,523,953

During the current financial year payments out of public funds to local authorities in respect of legal aid in courts other than magistrates' courts amount to £1,550,000. It is estimated that the cost of legal aid in criminal cases in magistrates' courts paid out of the Legal Aid Fund in 1964–65 will amount to £277,500.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people, other than British subjects, received legal aid in criminal cases in 1964; what was the nature of the offences; and what was the cost for 1964.

Information about legal aid granted to people other than British subjects is not separately available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the judge's comments in Kelly v. Kelly on the need to increase maximum maintenance orders and to keep them constantly under review in the light of the cost of living; and if he will take steps to do this.

My right hon. Friend has seen a report of the judge's comments. He appreciates the need to keep the statutory limits for maintenance orders under review, and this is being done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now authorise the demolition of the air-raid shelter in front of Saint John's Vicarage at New Hinksey, Oxford.

My right hon. Friend is not aware that the responsible authority have sought approval for the demolition of this shelter. He is prepared to consider any application that is made, but on his present information it is not clear that demolition would be warranted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will draw to the attention of local authorities having children in their care the advantages, in suitable cases, of their emigration to Commonwealth countries, in accordance with Section 17 of the Children Act, 1948.

No. Local authorities are aware of the provision referred to.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what increase or decrease there has been in recent years in the number of children in the care of local authorities under the Children Act 1948.

Following is the answer:Column 1 of the following table shows the number of children in the care of local authorities in England and Wales on 30th November in the years 1952–54 inclusive, and on 31st March in the years 1956–63 inclusive. Column 2 expresses the figure as a number per thousand of the total estimated population of persons under 18.The figure includes children committed to the care of the local authority as a "fit person" by order of a court under sections 57 and 62 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 as well as those received into care under the Act of 1948.The figure for 1964 is not yet available.

	(1) Total number of children in care	(2) Number of children in care per 1,000 of the estimated population under 18
1963	64,807	5·1
1962	63,648	5·1
1961	62,199	5·0
1960	61,729	5·0
1959	61,580	5·1
1958	62,070	5·2
1957	62,033	5·2
1956	62,347	5·3
1954	64,560	5·5
1953	65,309	6·2
1952	64,682	5·6

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what rent and other payments have been agreed with respect to the new premises in Victoria Street, London, which are to be occupied by the Metropolitan Police; and when the agreement was made.

It is not the normal practice to disclose the terms on which premises are leased for official purposes. The then Home Secretary announced in May, 1964, that he had authorised the Receiver to enter into a lease for a new building to be constructed in Victoria Street, and the contract was finally signed in October last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of suicides in penal establishments during the last 12 months and the names of those establishments; whether the prisoners were on remand or serving sentences; and, where the prisoners were on remand, if he will give the nature of the offences with which they were charged and for which bail had been refused.

22 in 1964. I give below the detailed figures but I regret that there is no central record of the information requested in the last part of the Question.

Number of suicides during the 12 month period ended 31 st December, 1964
Prisons	20
Borstals	2
Total	22	(All these were males)

The establishments where the suicides took place, and whether the men were on remand or had been sentenced, are as follows:

Establishment	Number	On Remand	Sentenced
Bedford	1	—	1
Brixton	3	3	—
Canterbury	1	1	—
Chelmsford	1	—	1
Dorchester	1	—	1
Gloucester	1	1	—
Hindley Borstal	1	—	1
Leicester	2	1	1
Lincoln	1	1	—
Manchester	1	1	—
Norwich	1	1	—
Parkhurst	1	—	1
Pentonville	1	—	1
Reading Borstal	1	—	1
Stafford	2	—	2
Wandsworth	3	1	2
Total	22	10	12

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain a report on the working conditions of the staff at the Probation Office in Smethwick; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware that the office accommodation is unsatisfactory. The responsibility for providing accommodation for the probation service rests with the Probation Committee, and I understand they are negotiating for the purchase of a suitable property.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for increasing the amount of modern scientific and techno- logical equipment used by the police for the deduction and prevention of crime.

This is a matter to which my Department, the inspectorate of constabulary and the police research and planning branch give constant attention. Much attention is, for example, being given to the use of computer techniques in police work and a team of specialists from the Home Office and the police has recently visited Canada and the United States of America to study the similar work being done there. Another important development in the immediate future is likely to be in the field of personal radio equipment, where in addition to the extensive trials now being carried out, a first supply of 1,000 sets has been ordered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what security arrangements he will make for the visit of Mr. Bresznev and Mr. Kosygin.

It is not the practice to disclose the security arrangements which are made on such occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will detail the strict conditions under which Niven Craig goes out to work; and if he is satified that he will not escape as on previous occasions.

The hostel conditions require Craig to undertake specified employment, the time he spends away from the hostel is controlled and the amount of money he is allowed to spend is restricted. As I have indicated previously, my right hon. Friend believes that there is a specially good chance that the action he has taken will prevent Craig's return to crime and that he will not abuse the trust that has been placed in him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce working sea cruises in specially adapted ships as rehabilitation treatment for juvenile and other specially selected criminal delinquents.

My right hon. Friend recognises the attractions of this proposal, but he thinks the practical difficulties in any general application of it are too great. Two of the three nautical approved schools at which boys are trained in seamanship will soon have boats in which they can go to sea for a week at a time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now appointed the Departmental Committee to inquire into the law and practice relating to coroners and death certification; and if he will state its composition and terms of reference.

I am grateful to all those who have accepted an invitation to serve on this Committee. The membership will be as follows:

• Mr. Norman Brodrick, Q.C. (Chairman).
• Professor W. M. Arnott, T.D., B.Sc., M.D., F. R.C.P., F.R.C.P.Ed., F.R.C.P.(C)., F.C.Path.
• Mr. F. H. Bell, B.Sc.
• Mr. R. M. Bingham, Q.C., T.D., M.P.
• Lady Dyer.
• Dr. D. L. Kerr, M.B., B.S., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., M.P.
• Colonel P. H. Lloyd, T.D., D.L.
• Dr. G. R. Osborn, M.B., M.R.C.P., F.C.Path.
• Mr. D. Osmond, O.B.E.

The terms of reference of the Committee are:—"To review (

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department who were the seven citizens of the German Democratic Republic who were barred from entering this country during the year ending February, 1965.

I regret that it would not be in accordance with practice to publish lists of persons to whom visas are refused.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Dr. Klaus Coysin, an editor, publisher and literary figure, was among the seven citizens of the German Democratic Republic who were refused permission to enter Great Britain during the 12 months ended February, 1965.

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to Dr. Klaus Gysi. He was not refused a visa; he was unable to come to this country because he did not have an acceptable travel document.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he intends to send to the European Coal and Steel Community's Aide Mémoire dated 12th January regarding the British import surcharge and export rebates; and how soon he expects that reply to be ready.

We discussed this Aide Mémoire with the High Authority at the meeting of the U.K./E.C.S.C. Council of Association in Luxembourg on 5th March. The terms of our reply, which will be delivered in the near future, are still under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange for the appointment to all British Embassies of a senior official with special responsibilities for the promotion of British shipping and for the early detection, discouragement and prevention of protectionist measures designed to restrict the full commercial freedom of shipper and shipowner.

No. At present two senior officials of the Board serve overseas with primary responsibilities in this field. But in most countries these matters are handled by the commercial departments of our Embassies. These arrangements work well, and my right hon. Friend sees no reason to alter them in the way suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to which countries Scottish water is exported; and what were the quantity, purpose and value of such exports in the last three years to the latest convenient date.

I regret that I have information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the 7,000 jobs in prospect in West Durham are likely to be located in the Weardale rural, Crook and Willington urban, Brandon and Byshottles urban and Lanchester rural council areas; and how many will be for men and women, respectively.

There are altogether more than 700 jobs in prospect in these areas, including over 600 for men and about 100 for women. I regret I cannot give separate figures for each area since to do so would involve the disclosure of confidential information about individual firms.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the 21 applications for industrial development in the West Durham area during the past 12 months were for development in Wear-dale rural, Crook and Willington urban district, Brandon and Byshottles and Lanchester rural council areas, respectively; and what assistance was given in each case.

Two for the Crook and Willington urban district area, one each for the Weardale and Lanchester rural districts and none for the Brandon and Byshottles rural district area. To answer the second part of the question would reveal confidential information about individual firms.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, following his recent visit to North-East Scotland, how many new jobs are in prospect and how many new factories or industrial workshops have been started or are planned.

Board of Trade officials are aware of over 1,100 jobs in prospect in North-East Scotland. Eight new factories are under construction and a further nine have been approved.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he will publish the conclusions of the Boundary Commission on the city of Cardiff.

As the hon. Member will be aware, the Report of the Local Government Commission for Wales was published in December, 1962. A number of objections were made to the proposals relating to Cardiff and a public inquiry into these was held last year. I am at present considering the Inspectors' report.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what administrative or other changes he has made in the work of his Department since the creation of the office of Secretary of State for Wales; and what further steps he contemplates in view of this change.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 16th February. In view of what was then said, I see no need for major administrative changes in the work of my Department consequent upon the creation of the Office of Secretary of State for Wales. Close and regular contact with that Office is maintained in dealing with Welsh educational matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much money he will make available to Glamorgan County Council for the construction of schools during the year 1965–66; and by how much this sum differs from the amount requested by the county council.

The major building programme allocation for primary and secondary schools for the Glamorgan County Council for 1965–66 amounts to £1,393,120. This is £524,646 less than the amount requested by the Council. In addition, the allocation to the Council for 1965–66 for minor projects costing less than £20,000, which will be largely expended on primary and secondary schools, is £320,000. This is £5,000 less than the amount requested by the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made in enlarging the capacity of teacher training colleges.

The general and specialist colleges of education have about 61,000 students in training this year on a three-year course compared with 28,000 in 1957–58 on a two-year course.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, consequent upon the acceptance by the Government of the recommendation of the Hamilton Report that the flying schools at Perth, Kidlington and Elstree should be approved for commercial pilot training, he will issue general advice to local education authorities that students accepted for training at such schools should normally be entitled to grants.

I shall be consulting the local authority associations shortly about awards for these students.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the rapid growth of population in the Humberston district, near Grimsby, mostly of young married people with children of school age, if he will take steps to complete the building of the new junior school; if he is satisfied that it will be large enough to meet the present needs; and if he will make a statement.

I am satisfied that the Lincs (Lindsey) Local Education Authority are able to meet present needs by means of a minor work for this school and that this is possible within the allocation made to the authority for the year 1965–66.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what suggestions have been received by the recently established Schools Council for Curriculum and Examination with regard to the content of schools' curricula with specific reference to the eradication of racial prejudice.

A number of organisations and individuals have written to the Council stressing the importance of including this element in the curriculum.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the number of schools in the United Kingdom which provides educational facilities by means of radio and television, respectively, for each of the years 1963, 1964 and 1965.

Precise information is not available but the following figures show the number of educational institutions registered with the B.B.C.

	Radio	Television
January, 1963	30,343	4,845
January, 1964	30,927	6,520
January, 1965	31,289	8,915

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current average total cost of a school meal; what proportion of this is due to food, to salaries, wages and other costs; what share of the total is paid for by the parents; and what are the comparative figures for a year earlier.

The information, derived from local education authorities"

			1963–64 (actual costs)		1964–65 (estimated costs)
			Cost per Dinner	Per cent. of total cost	Cost per Dinner	Per cent. of total cost
			d.		d.
A. FOOD	…	…	9·65	38·77	10·76	40·51
B. OVERHEADS
1. Salaries and wages, Employers' Contributions under N.I. and T(S) Acts		…	11·05	44·37	11·43	43·04
2. Other overhead costs	…	…	4·19	16·86	4·38	16·45
C. TOTAL COST PER DINNER	…	…	24·89	100·00	26·57	100·00
D. INCOME FROM PARENTS, ETC.	…	…	10·47	42·05	10·49	39·48
E. NETT COST TO EXCHEQUER PER DINNER		…	14·42	57·95	16·08	60·52
NOTE.—These figures relate to running costs only and do not include loan charges on capital expenditure or capital expenditure met from revenue.
The figures at "D" represent total income divided by total number of meals. The total number of meals includes free meals to pupils and, to teachers and kitchen and canteen staffs in accordance with their terms of service.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many school pupils had their teeth inspected under the School Dental Service during the year 1964; how many pupils were found to require treatment; and how many were treated.

The figures are not yet available. I will send them to the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provision he has made in the estimates for 1965–66 for the promotion of education in and practice of swimming and life saving, and for the provision in or adjacent to schools under Government control of education in and practice of swimming and life-saving.

No separate provision has been made but education authorities are paying increasing attention to this aspect of education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has yet had a report from the

No. As I explained in my reply of 11th March to Questions put by the hon. Member for Harborough (Mr. Farr) and my hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mr. Rowland), the Commonwealth Games Committee are preparing plans for British participation in the Jamaica Games and in due course I shall be discussing the problem with the Sports Council and with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much money he will make available to county councils in Wales for the construction of schools during the year 1965–66; and by how much this aggregate sum differs from the sums requested by Welsh county councils.

The major building programme allocation for primary and secondary schools for the County Councils in Wales for 1965–66 amounts to £4,020,304. This is £3,204,820 less than the amount requested by the Councils. In addition the value of the allocations to the Councils for 1965–66 for minor building projects costing less than £20,000 and which will be largely expended on primary and secondary schools is £925,000. This is £693,503 less than the aggregate sum requested by the County Councils.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much money he will make available to county borough councils in Wales for the construction of new schools during the year 1965–66; and by how much this aggregate sum differs from the sums requested by those councils.

The major building programme allocations for primary and secondary schools for the County Borough Councils in Wales for 1965–66 amount to £1,214, 465. This is £946,185 less than the amount requested by the Councils. In addition the value of the allocations to the Councils for 1965–66 for minor building projects costing less than £20,000 and which will be largely expended on primary and secondary schools is £225,000. This is £94,050 less than the amount requested by the County Borough Councils.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many proposals to improve schools at a cost of less than £2,000 per school are now before him, which relate to schools in the county of Glamorgan, the borough of Barry, and the area of Cardiff Rural District Council, respectively; and which schools are involved.

Proposals costing less than £2,000 do not normally require to be submitted to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which schools in the county of Glamorgan which it was intended to modernise, improve or extend during the year 1965–66 will not now be modernised, improved or extended until a later date; which of these are situated within the borough of Barry; and which are situated in the area of Cardiff Rural District Council.

All of the proposals to modernise, improve or extend schools in the County of Glamorgan submitted specifically by the authority for inclusion in the 1965–66 major building programme have been included in that programme. None of these are in the areas of the Barry Borough Council or the Cardiff Rural District Council.In addition to these projects the Glamorgan County Council submitted 19 such proposals for inclusion in major building programmes for the three-year period 1965–1967–68, without specifying the year in which they wished the projects to be included. Of these 19 projects only one, Barry Girls Grammar School, is in the area of Barry Borough Council or Cardiff Rural District Council. Three of these projects have been included in the 1965–66 programme, one in the 1966–67 programme and four in the first half of the 1967–68 programme.The Barry Girls Grammar School project has not yet been programmed but will be considered along with other projects not yet programmed when the second half of the 1967–68 programme is considered.Information is not available to my Department about minor projects for modernising, improving or extending schools costing individually less than £20,000 which the Glamorgan County Council proposed to carry out in 1965–66 but which will now be carried out at a later date.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many proposals to improve schools at a cost of less than £2,000 are now before him, which relate to schools in England and Wales, respectively; and if he will make a statement.

In general projects costing under £2,000 do not have to be submitted for my approval. Authorities make their own decisions within the limit available for minor works.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware that certain men who were specially awarded the Meritorious Service Medal during the 1914–18 War and for a number of years thereafter are not receiving the annuity which is awarded to others holding this medal; and if he will take steps to ensure that all men holding this medal will receive the annuity.

I am aware that the type of award, and the numbers who may receive the annuity which the award attracts, differ between the three Services. I am considering whether these arrangements need to be reviewed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what action he takes to ensure that members of the Armed Forces do not engage in racialist activities.

Service regulations forbid Service men in general to take an active part in political affairs or to express their views in public on any politica1 or controversial matter. To the extent that racialist activities contravene

Year			(1)		(2)		(3)
			Percentage from Independents Schools		Percentage from Direct Grant Schools		Percentage from State Secondary Schools (including Maintained Grammar Schools and Technical Colleges)
			General List	Supplementary List	General List	Supplementary List	General List	Supplementary List
1954	…	…	63	—	11	—	26	—
1955	…	…	67	—	9	—	24	—
1956	…	…	63	—	9	—	28	—
1957	…	…	71	—	7	—	22	—
1958	…	…	68	—	8	—	24	—
1959	…	…	69	—	12	—	19	—
1960	…	…	59	46	11	10	30	44
1961	…	…	60	38	13	10	27	52
1962	…	…	53	41	11	11	36	48
1963	…	…	46	42	14	8	40	50
1964	…	…	40	34	17	10	43	56
Notes:
(1) Commonwealth entrants to the Royal Navy are included in columns (1), (2) and (3) as appropriate.
(2) The great majority of Headmasters Conference Schools are among those in column (1) but a few come under column (2). The breakdown of schools shown in all three columns follows that used in the Enquiry into Cadet Entry into the Royal Navy (Cmd. 8845) called the Montagu Report.
(3) Supplementary List entries are shown from the date of the introduction of the first such entry in September, 1960.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of applicants for entry into the Royal Naval

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what percentage of cadets accepted for entry into the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth were educated previously in Headmasters' Conference schools, in each of the years from 1954 to 1964, inclusive;(2) what percentage of cadets accepted for entry into the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth were educated previously in fully-maintained state secondary schools, in each of the years from 1954 to 1964, inclusive.

The cadet entry to Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, from the various schools are shown on the following table:College, Dartmouth, were accepted, in each of the years 1954 to 1964, inclusive, in categories of boys from Headmaster" Conference schools, and from fully-maintained State secondary schools, respectively.

The success rate at the Admiralty Interview Board for entry into the Royal Navy General List are as follows:

Year	Percentage from Independent Schools	Percentage from Direct Grant Schools	Percentage from State Secondary Schools (including Maintained Grammar Schools and Technical Colleges
1954	60	43	34
1955	61	39	37
1956	58	42	35
1957	66	52	38
1958	71	41	40
1959	63	51	40
1960	66	59	51
1961	59	58	47
1962	65	54	52
1963	59	55	47
1964	61*	66	53

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of entrants into the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, was from boys attending schools north of a line drawn from the Humber to the Severn in each of the years 1954 to 1964, inclusive.

The percentages of Cadet entry to Britannia Royal Naval College from schools north of a line Humber to the Severn were as follows:

Year	General List	Supplementary List
1954	23	—
1955	18	—
1956	22	—
1957	20	—
1958	20	—
1959	20	—
1960	23	59
1961	22	48
1962	27	36
1963	31	53
1964	25	30

asked the Minister of Health when the report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Drug Addiction is to be published.

I understand that the Committee is now preparing its report. When this is received my right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will consider whether it should be published, as was the previous report in 1961.

asked the Minister of Health what action is being taken to improve the provision of maternity beds in the Doncaster area.

Sixteen additional maternity beds were opened this month at the Western Hospital, Doncaster. Work on a new 168-bed maternity unit at Doncaster Royal Infirmary will be started later this year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made in reaching agreement with the Ulster Farmers' Union about payment to the growers of the 1960 potato crop in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

I am glad to say that with the agreement of the Ulster Farmers' Union we propose to dispose of the greater part of the Northern Ireland share of the 1960 Potato Deficiency Payment by making a direct payment at the rate of £4 10s. per acre to those producers registered with the Ministry of Agriculture for Northern Ireland as having grown potatoes in 1960. This will account for about £390,000. The remaining £127,000 will be put into a Reserve Fund for use from time to time after consultation with the Union for the collective support of the Northern Ireland ware potato market.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will examine the system of milk distribution to see if it is possible to keep down the price of milk to the consumer.

I am concerned to discover what are the possibilities of change in our system of milk distribution in England and Wales with a view to keeping down the cost of liquid milk to the consumer. I have therefore invited Mr. J. L. Davies, C.B.E., to undertake an enquiry and report to me. Mr. Davies retired recently from the post of General Manager of the Milk Marketing Board for England and Wales and has a very wide knowledge of the whole subject of milk.I am glad to announce that Mr. Davies has accepted my invitation and hopes to give me his report in the course of this summer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the retail price of milk is being raised by 4d. a gallon, in view of the fact that the price to the farmer has been raised by ld. a gallon.

The retail price of milk is being raised by ½d. a pint (4d. a gallon) for only eight months of the year, so that the average increase over the whole year is just over 2½d. a gallon. About 4¼d. of this is needed to meet the cost of the extra ld. a gallon on the farmers guaranteed price. This is because the farmers will get the extra ld. per gallon on the whole of the standard quantities, i.e. not only on milk used for liquid consumption but also on 450 million gallons used for manufacturing. The increase in the guaranteed price takes into account among other things the increases both in costs and efficiency, and should result in greater profitability.The other half of the increase in the retail price will go to the distributors to cover increases in their costs due mainly to higher labour costs. It is intended to leave the profit margin on milk distribution unchanged at a little over 2½d. a gallon.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what considerations he took into account before appointing the members of the Economic Planning Council for the North-East.

My right hon. Friend's object was to select people who could make a positive contribution to the work of the Council and who could provide a wide range of experience of the Northern Region's problems and potential.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he will announce his decision on the Oxford green belt inquiry.

A fresh assessment of the population and growth problems of the Oxford area is necessary, before I give a decision on the Oxford green belt proposals. Meanwhile the area concerned will continue to be protected as if it were approved green belt.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on the review of natural resources.

In association with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales I am appointing a Committee to advise on problems associated with the availability and use of natural resources in Great Britain. I am glad to announce that Sir Dudley Stamp, C.B.E., has agreed to serve as Chairman and the following as members:

• Professor J. N. Black—University of Edinburgh.
• A. A. L. Caesar—St. Catharine's College, University of Cambridge.
• Professor W. Ellison—University College of Wales, Aberystwyth.
• Professor Neville George—University of Glasgow.
• Professor F. K. Hare—King's College, University of London.
• Lord Llewelyn-Davies—University College, University of London.
• Professor O. R. McGregor—Bedford College, University of London.
• Professor G. P. Wibberley—Wye College, University of London.
• Professor B. R. Williams—University of Manchester.

With the agreement of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science the new Committee will take over and continue the work of the Natural Resources (Technical) Committee, by agreement with the Chairman, Sir Solly Zuckerman.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will give further details of the home-based activities for the benefit of developing countries accounted for by Class II Vote 10M of the Civil Estimates 1965–66.

This sub-head covers expenditure in the United Kingdom in support of a number of services, other than those specifically mentioned in other sub-heads, for the benefit of developing countries. Some of them implement recommendations in the Bridges Report on Training in Public Administration for Overseas Countries (Cmnd. 2099), the Bawden Report on Technical Assistance from Britain in Agriculture, Animal Health, Forestry and Fisheries Overseas (Cmnd. 2286) and the Porritt Report on Medical Aid in Developing Countries.The expenditure falls mainly under the following headings:

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she will make a statement about aid by Her Majesty's Government to Bolivia.

My Department has recently held discussions with the Bolivian Minister of Mines as a result of which I hope that arrangements will shortly be concluded for a loan of £½ million under Section 3 of the Export Guarantees Act 1949 for the purchase of mining machinery and heavy equipment. This is the first part of a loan totalling £1 million. Negotiations will also be held shortly for the loan of the remaining £½ million for a similar purpose. The period of these loans will be 20 years with waiver of interest and principal for the first five years.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if the provisions for the payment of unemployment benefit to men laid off due to the recent British Motor Corporation strike at Longbridge were interpreted in the same way as during the Jensen motors strike of 1961.

These provisions have remained unchanged for many years. Their application to particular claims is a matter for the independent adjudicating authorities and I cannot comment on any decision which they may give. As regards the Longbridge situation appeals on behalf of some of the workers who were disqualified for unemployment benefit by the insurance officer have now been made to the local tribunal and there is a further right of appeal if necessary to the National Insurance Commissioner.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she

CONTRIBUTION RATES UNDER THE CONTRIBUTORY PENSIONS ACTS

Date

Men

Women

Employee

Employer

Total

Employee

Employer

Total

s.

d.

s.

d.

s.

d.

s.

d.

s.

d.

s.

d.

From 4th January, 1926

…

4½

4½

9

2

2½

4½

From 6th January, 1936

…

5½

5½

11

3

2½

5½

From 1st July, 1940

…

6½

6½

1

1

5

3½

8½

From 7th January, 1946

…

7½

7½

1

3

5

4½

9½

From 30th September, 1946

…

1

6½

1

6½

3

1

1

3

1

2½

2

5½

CONTRIBUTIONS, BENEFITS AND EXCHEQUER PAYMENTS UNDER THE CONTRIBUTORY PENSIONS ACTS
£ millions
Period					Total Contributions	Total Benefits*	Exchequer Payments
4th January, 1926 to 31st March, 1927				…	25·9	7·4	4·0
Financial year 1927–28	…	…	…	…	23·3	11·0	4·0
Financial year 1928–29	…	…	…	…	23·3	22·8	4·0
Financial year 1929–30	…	…	…	…	24·1	25·3	4·0
Financial year 1930–31	…	…	…	…	23·4	33·3	9·0
Financial year 1931–32	…	…	…	…	22·9	38·4	10·0
Financial year 1932–33	…	…	…	…	22·6	39·6	11·0
Financial year 1933–34	…	…	…	…	23·2	40·9	12·0
Financial year 1934–35	…	…	…	…	23·9	42·0	13·0
Financial year 1935–36	…	…	…	…	25·7	43·3	14·0
Financial year 1936–37	…	…	…	…	31·2	44·0	15·0
Financial year 1937–38	…	…	…	…	32·5	45·4	16·0
Financial year 1938–39	…	…	…	…	33·2	46·2	17·0
Financial year 1939–40	…	…	…	…	33·9	47·3	19·5
Financial year 1940–41	…	…	…	…	44·8	54·1	20·5
Financial year 1941–42	…	…	…	…	48·7	57·9	21·5
Financial year 1942–43	…	…	…	…	50·2	58·7	22·5
Financial year 1943–44	…	…	…	…	51·9	60·5	22·5
Financial year 1944–45	…	…	…	…	51·1	61·0	22·5
Financial year 1945–46	…	…	…	…	50·4	62·1	22·5
Financial year 1946–47	…	…	…	…	88·4	86·0	12·0
*These comprised widows' and orphans' pensions, and contributory old age pensions payable up to age 70; from age 70 contributory pensioners received the Exchequer-financed old age pension under the Old Age Pensions Acts, without having to satisfy a means test, by virtue of the Contributory Pensions Acts.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what is the maximum sum that a man aged 65 retiring in October, 1946 could have contributed towards his pension; and how much he would have drawn in benefit up to the end of the first quarter of 1965 if he were a single or married person, respectively.

The following is the information:

The contributions payable from 1926 towards his pension by a man aged 65 retiring in October, 1946 and his employer could have totalled some £30. Pension at the full standard rate from then until the end of this month would amount, for a single man, rather less than £2,000 and, for a married couple, to rather over £3,200.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what is the minimum amount which a person aged 65 who retired in October, 1946 would have contributed to give title to full National Insurance pension.

The amount would be £7 16s. (including employer's contributions), if there were a man who before January, 1936 paid the absolute minimum of 104 contributions, and then maintained his insurance up to 1946 by excusal of contributions for periods of sickness in such a way as to satisfy the other conditions for full pension.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many pensioners are receiving less than the full National Insurance pension because of a deficient contribution record, or for other reasons, respectively; and how many of each group are receiving less than half the current rates.

It is estimated that about 300,000 retirement pensioners are now entitled to pensions at reduced rates. The latest available breakdown by rates and reasons is for 31st December, 1963, when 245,000 pensions were reduced because of contribution deficiencies, of which some 21,000 were at less than half the standard rates. In addition about 34,000 were reduced for other reasons, but the number of these paid at less than half rate is not known.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many people in 1946, who were in receipt of an old-age pension by virtue of their contributions under the contributory pensions Acts, were granted the full benefits under the new National Insurance scheme; and how many of those people are still drawing pension.

In 1946 about 3·8 million pensioners under the Contributory Pensions Acts became entitled—then or on retirement—to pensions at the new rates. It is estimated that perhaps three-quarters of a million are still drawing their pensions.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many pensioners are aged between 65–70, 70–75, 75–80, and over 80 years of age, respectively.

The latest date for which an age analysis of retirement and contributory old age pensioners is available is 31st December, 1963. The following are the figures requested:

Age	65–69	1,814,000
	70–74	1,643,000
	75–79	1,077,000
	80 and over	773,000

There were a further 673,000 women retirement pensioners aged 60–64.

asked the Minister of Labour what instructions were issued to the staff of employment exchanges regarding payment of unemployment benefit to men laid off during the British Motor Corporation strike at Longbridge; and if he is satisfied that there was uniformity of treatment between one office and another.

All employment ex-exchanges were instructed that payment on all claims made by workers at Long-bridge who were laid off during the strike should be suspended until decisions on test cases had been given by the adjudicating authorities. I am satisfied that these instructions were uniformly observed. Because of variations in the numbers dealt with, however, some local offices were able to pay benefit at an earlier date than others, to those whose claims were in the event allowed by the insurance officer.

asked the Postmaster-General what plans he has for making B.B.C. 2 programmes adequately available in the Stroud area.

Planning the extension of B.B.C.-2 coverage is a matter, in the first place, for the Corporation. They tell me that it is too early to say when reception of B.B.C.-2 in the Stroud area will become possible. A place which, like Stroud, lies outside the planned service area of a main U.H.F. Station, will be served by a low-power relay station. The location and provision of a relay station must, of course, wait until the effective range of its parent station has been established under operational conditions.