asked the Minister of Health if he can yet announce a date when the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board will be divesting itself of land surplus to its requirements at Carlton Hayes, Leicestershire.

No, but I have written to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health what measures he is taking to see that the facilities for medical research are improved at the Hammersmith Hospital.

Medical research facilities at the Hammersmith Hospital are in general already good and will be substantially improved on the completion of the Laboratory Block at present being built by the Post-Graduate Medical School. Discussions are nearly completed on plans for new ward and clinical investigation accommodation which will be closely associated with the Laboratory block.

asked the Minister of Health if he will recommend to regional hospital boards that visiting arrangements should always be such as to allow other relatives as well as husbands to visit patients in maternity wards on weekday evenings.

All hospital authorities with maternity beds have been advised to allow, on each day of the week, visitors in addition, or as an alternative, to the husband, if the mother wants this. Many hospitals do in fact allow both relatives and husbands to visit together.

asked the Minister of Health when the completion of the new King's Lynn Hospital may be expected under the plans he took over from his predecessor; and whether he is prepared to consider increases in capital allotment in order to speed up the construction, bearing in mind the projected increase in population.

As my hon. Friend is aware, the hospital building programme is at present under review, and I cannot yet forecast the timing for this project.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the concern at the disparity in catering expenditure between mental hospitals and general hospitals which is not accounted for by a great variety of meals or greater costs of transporting meals to wards and individual beds in general hospitals than the usual practice in mental hospitals of feeding most patients in large dining halls; if he will explain the differences; and what action is to be taken to improve the situation for mental hospital patients.

I am aware of the differences between acute and psychiatric hospitals. To help in assessing the appropriate expenditure for psychiatric hospitals, a study of the quantity and quality of food provided in a number of such hospitals is in progress.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to expedite the building of the maternity hospital at Bletchley.

My right hon. Friend has approved a provisional cost limit within which further planning will proceed. If the planning stages run smoothly, construction should begin next January and be completed during the year.

asked the Minister of Health if he will undertake a survey of operating theatres in hospitals administered under the National Health Service, with a view to a programme for the rapid raising of standards of safety, efficiency and working space.

Hospital Boards will be reassessing the priorities within their programmes as part of the review of the Hospital Plan. They have a considerable programme of new operating theatres in hand and will be considering what adjustments are necessary to this programme in the light of their full knowledge of the need for this and other building work.

asked the Minister of Health what changes he will introduce in hospital operating methods, equipment and facilities, in the light of the inquiry by Dr. Buxton Hopkin and Sister Amy Reeder into conditions in 87 British hospitals, details of which have been sent to him.

The suggestions made in this report reflect, for the most part, the principles already used in current planning of theatres.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will abolish the fees for hospitals treatment after road accidents.

I will keep my hon. Friend"s suggestion in mind, but abolition of the charges, which are imposed under the Road Traffic Act, would require legislation.

asked the Minister of Health what considerations he took into account when deciding to replace the present Chairman of the Welsh Hospital Board.

I do not propose to give reasons for any particular appointment I make.

asked the Minister of Health what plans he has for providing additional beds for acute cases at Leigh Infirmary before 1968–69.

No such beds are included in the Regional Hospital Board"s present programme, which is, however, being reviewed.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the number on the in-patient waiting list in the Wigan and Leigh Hospital Group in 1962, and the number awaiting in-patient treatment now.

1,036 on 31st December, 1962; 1,566 on 31st December, 1964.

asked the Minister of Health how many hospitals were built between 1954 and 1964; and how many it is proposed to build in the years 1964 to1974.

asked the Minister of Health how many new hospitals were built from 1954 to 1964; and whether he will increase the number to be constructed in the 1964–74 programme.

Seven hospitals which are entirely new or the virtual reconstruction of old hospitals were completed between 1954 and 1964. For future proposals, I would refer to the answer I have given earlier today to the hon. Member for Worcester (Mr. Peter Walker) and my hon. Friend the Member for Willesden, West (Mr. Pavitt).

asked the Minister of Health whether the Whitley Council has yet reached a decision on the increased salary claim by hospital pharmacists.

No, but I understand that it is hoped to resume negotiations in the near future.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take the necessary steps to widen the age limits for nurse-training so that more recruits will be encouraged to enter the nursing profession.

The minimum age of entry to nurse training is a matter for the General Nursing Council who are, I understand, reviewing it. The Council has not laid down upper age limits.

asked the Minister of Health what training and rehabilitation facilities there are at Rampton Hospital, near Retford.

A wide range of workshop and other facilities, under the supervision of qualified instructors.

asked the Minister of Health what plans he has to provide inpatient psychiatric treatment at the Buckland Hospital, Dover.

The Regional Board's long-term plans provide for a psychiatric unit of 40 beds at this hospital.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of National Health Service employees are Commonwealth Immigrants.

At 31st December, 1963, 17 per cent. of those training as nurses and midwives in England and Wales. Otherwise the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health how many trained hospital nurses came from Commonwealth countries overseas in the latest available year; how many came from the Republic of Ireland; and what proportion each category represents of the total number of trained hospital nurses.

The information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of beds in the Gateshead Hospital Group for geriatric patients, and the distribution among the various hospitals; how the figures compare with those for January, 1962; and what are the plans to increase the present number.

The hospitals and numbers of beds are:

	1962	1965
Dunston Hill	26	30
Whinney House	64	64
Bensham General	66	48
Total	156	142

In 1962 some of the beds were occupied by chronic sick patients who would now be accommodated in other wards. Twenty additional geriatric beds will be available at Dunston Hill early next month. In the longer term it is planned to provide 250 geriatric beds as part of the development of Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

asked the Minister of Health what estimate he has made of the number of pharmacists needed in hospitals in England and Wales; and what plans he has to make good the shortages which at present exist.

I have nothing to add yet to my reply to the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) on 1st February.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the fact that the Royal Free Hospital, Gray"s Inn Road, is not subject to the fire regulations of the London County Council, and that the lack of proper fire precautions in laboratories using highly inflammable and volatile substances constitutes a fire risk to doctors, technicians, staff and patients, if he will ensure that the Royal Free Group of Hospitals are examined by fire prevention officers and that their recommendations are adopted.

The laboratories at the Royal Free Hospital are regularly inspected by an experienced fire officer and in his opinion they do not constitute a fire hazard provided that the safety regulations are strictly adhered to.

asked the Minister of Health what measures he has taken to expand the Home Help and other domiciliary services.

Local authorities" plans for the development of community care over the next ten years envisage a considerable expansion of the home help and other domiciliary health and welfare services, which benefit the elderly as well as other age groups. I am approaching individual authorities whose plans for particular services in my view ought to be further considered, and hope shortly also to write to authorities generally with suggestions for developing the home help service.Measures to recruit and train certain categories of staff are under active consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the need to expand the home help and other domiciliary services, particularly for old people; and what action he proposes to take.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply today to the hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Charles Morrison).

asked the Minister of Health whether the Standing Medical Advisory Committee has now given further consideration to arrangements for screening for the earlier detection of diabetes in the light of the findings of recent surveys and of developments in screening methods; and with what results.

No. I understand it will be some time before this further information becomes available.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that no danger to health attaches to the smoking of pipe tobacco; and if he will make a statement.

No. All forms of smoking carry some danger to health, but I am advised that the risks from pipe smoking are considerably less than those from cigarette smoking.

asked the Minister of Health what additional facilities he will make available in Swansea and neighbouring areas for diagnostic tests for the detection of cervical cancer.

As I explained in the adjournment debate on the 10th March, it is the policy of the Welsh Hospital Board to develop a cytology service within the existing pathology service. At Swansea one pathologist and one technician have been trained in cytology pro- cedures and at Llanelly the pathologist carries out these examinations. The number of tests now being undertaken at Swansea per month has been raised to 240 or 250 and 100 tests per month are being made at Llanelly. The Hospital Management Committee are considering the appointment of additional technicians.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to encourage the appointment of clinical instructors.

My right hon. Friend recognises the need for more clinical instructors and has allocated to the General Nursing Council additional money for expansion of the number of teaching staff, including clinical instructors.

asked the Minister of Health what changes he has made in separating information and statistics about the work of his Department in Wales from similar information and statistics about England since the creation of the office of Secretary of State for Wales; and what administrative changes or other steps he contemplates in view of this change.

Separate figures and other information are already available about the health and welfare services in Wales, but we will gladly consider any suggestions the hon. Member would like to make. In the administration of these services, the Welsh Board of Health and my right hon. Friend keep in close touch with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will initiate a review of the National Health Service, taking into account local authority health services, with a view to looking at duplication.

In asking Hospital Boards to review their hospital plans I am emphasising the importance of their doing so, particularly in the geriatric and psychiatric fields, in close concert with the local authorities with health and welfare responsibilities, and I am reminding them of the inter-action between hospital and general practice. In addition I propos to seek the collaboration of the authorities concerned in selected areas to prepare detailed integrated plans for comprehensive health care on the basis of joint studies.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will rescind the regulation which prohibits users of Ministry of Health invalid tricycles from carrying passengers.

No, these vehicles are not designed or constructed to carry a passenger.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will review the specification for invalid tricycles to take into account the representations made to him by the Disabled Drivers" Association.

The specification for invalid tricycles is reviewed every year before tenders are invited; the review takes account of any representations that have been made to the Department.

asked the Minister of Health what plans he has for increasing remuneration and more realistic expense allowances for dentists and other workers in the dental services; and when they will be put into effect.

The remuneration of dentists is based on the recommendations of the independent Review Body. The fees paid to general dental practitioners are designed to include full reimbursement of expenses. The pay of dental hygienists, technicians and surgery assistants employed by hospitals and local authorities is negotiated by the Whitley Council; claims are at present under consideration.

DEATHS FROM ACCIDENTAL BURNS IN THE HOME (AND RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS)—ENGLAND AND WALES, 1959 TO 1963 AND JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER, 1964
		1959	1960	1961	1962	1963	January to September 1964
All ages	…	624	583	564	722	822	522
Total under 15 years	…	122	111	84	127	146	121

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to end the system of part-time consultants in the National Health Service.

No. This is precluded under the National Health Service (Amendment) Act 1949.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to prevent the private patients of doctors practising outside the National Health Service from receiving drugs from within that Service.

Executive Councils and hospital authorities have been asked to carry out checks to guard against any such abuse.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to ensure the provision of general dental services in towns in which there are no dental practitioners who are under contract with the National Health Service Executive Council.

My right hon. Friend has no power to direct dentists to particular areas.Executive Councils take what steps they can to encourage dentists to practise in such towns and in particular have been asked to enlist the help of local housing authorities in making accommodation available.

asked the Minister of Health how many children and adults have died as a result of burns arising from accidents in the home in each of the past five years.

Following are the figures:

asked the Minister of Health if he will circularise local authorities to draw their attention to the need for making the public aware of the potential dangers in the home which can lead to severe burns to adults and children.

I am sure that local authorities are well aware of this need and know that publicity material is available from my Department and from the organisations concerned with health education and with accidents.My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary has recently sent a circular to local authorities inviting their co-operation in a national campaign in the autumn in fire prevention in the home.

asked the Minister of Health why students who reach the age of 21 have to pay dental charges, regardless of whether they are receiving full-time education or whether they are dependent on grants.

Because the relevant legislation did not exempt from the charges any person over 21, apart from expectant and nursing mothers.

asked the Minister of Health how many retired individuals from the health service field, who were drawing pensions awarded before the National Health Service Act, are still his responsibility; and what would be the annual cost of parity in comparable professions and occupations in the service today.

996 at 31st March, 1964. A valid calculation of the cost of parity for these pensioners cannot be made.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that increasing numbers of dentists are showing preference to private patients; and what steps he is taking to counteract this tendency.

I have no evidence of this; the second point therefore does not arise.

asked the Minister of Health if he will publish in the Official Report a copy of the letter he has written to local authorities to urge them to introduce fluoridation as soon as possible.

My right hon. Friend has not yet sent such a letter.

asked the Minister of Health if he will require chemists, when making up prescriptions, to show on the label the cost to the National Health Service which would otherwise have been borne by the patient.

I do not think this would be appropriate.

asked the Minister of Health if he will show in table form the number of prescriptions issued for the month of February from 1949 to 1965.

The information for 1949–1964 is as follows:

Year	Number of prescriptions dispensed by chemists in February
1949	19,023,460
1950	20,000,671
1951	21,045,662
1952	21,189,421
1953	21,645,030
1954	19,173,492
1955	19,720,697
1956	22,093,059
1957	16,852,441
1958	17,239,106
1959	22,950,396
1960	19,512,339
1961	22,211,770
1962	16,304,582
1963	18,682,174
1964	18,396,022

As regards February, 1965, for which only preliminary information is as yet available, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply today to the hon. Members for West Fife, Halifax and South-East Derbyshire.

asked the Minister of Health in how many centres courses are now being provided for the training of cytologists; and, in view of the need to expand the service of routine screening of women, what plans he has made for increasing the number of these courses.

The five centres specially established are continuing to provide full-time courses for pathologists and technicians. In addition training is now being carried out in laboratories in all regions. These local arrangements will be expanded as staff who have attended the special centres return to their regions. I shall continue to watch the position closely.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the number of whole-time equivalent persons employed by the Dental Estimates Board has risen by over 42 per cent., and the administrative cost of the Board has risen by over 100 per cent. since 1954, whereas the number of dental surgeons has increased by just over 10 per cent. in the same period; what are the reasons for this; and if he will seek to recruit more dental surgeons and to reduce the administrative costs of the Dental Estimates Board.

Yes. The number of courses of treatment received for authorisation of payment has increased by 108 per cent. since 1954 and fees paid to dentists have increased by 100 per cent.; the figures are evidence of the Board"s efficiency but my right hon. Friend will continue to look for any further administrative economies. To increase the supply of dentists generally, the number of places in dental schools has risen and is being further expanded.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now seek the additional powers necessary to enable him to authorise the provision of suitably adapted two-seater cars in place of one-seater tricycles for all severely disabled National Health Service patients who are now entitled to such tricycles.

No. I have no proposals al present for extending the supply of motor cars but I have undertaken to review the whole question of the provision of transport for the disabled when the recent improvements have been fully implemented.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of X-ray tests carried out in the last three months at airports and seaports on immigrants, and the number that as a result required medical attention, together with the number actually found to have tuberculosis.

Such tests are carried out only at London Airport. Between 12th February, when the X-ray set installed there began working, and 26th March, 150 X-ray examinations were made and three cases of active tuberculosis found and refused entry; two cases of non-active tuberculosis were admitted.

asked the Minister of Health what progress he has made with the preparation of new legislation dealing with pharmacy and medicines; and whether it is intended to introduce it in the current Session.

I am at present studying the views of the organisations concerned on an outline of proposals for legislation on which they were invited to comment last year. It will not be possible to introduce legislation during this Session.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is now taking to ensure that the provision of surgery accommodation by general medical practitioners is of a reasonable standard.

I expect the provision of practice premises to be among the subjects covered in the discussions with the profession which I am to begin shortly.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the low rates of pay to ancillary workers in the National Health Service; and what steps he intends taking to improve the pay and conditions.

The pay of ancillary staff is a matter in the first instance for the Ancillary Staffs Whitley Council which has before it claims for increased pay and reduced hours of work.

asked the Minister of Health what is his estimate of the annual number of illegal abortions carried out in recent years, based on hospital observations and statistical reports.

It is not possible to estimate at all reliably from available sources the number of illegal abortions carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he proposes to take to eliminate the fears of redundancy currently being felt by Army Workshop employees in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

The workload of the Command Workshop at Kinnegar has, in common with that of other R.E.M.E. Workshops, been reducing for some time, because the Army has found that considerable savings can be made by replacing vehicles at the end of their economic life, instead of continuing to repair them beyond that stage as had been done in the past. A recent review of the establishment showed that 157 more staff were being employed than are required for the foreseeable future work and the staff were told on 11th January that redundancy will arise this year. With considerable reluctance and after informing the Northern Ireland Minister of Commerce, who has made representations, the establishment has been reduced to the size appropriate to the work to be done. To alleviate hardship to the employees as much as possible, the reduction will not be fully effected until October, 1965. This will give those who will lose their jobs as long as possible to find other employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what part is being played by the British Sovereign bases in Cyprus, and the forces therein, in the keeping of the peace in the island; and what changes are contemplated in the status and strategic role of these bases.

The bases provide important logistic support for the United Nations Force in Cyprus. Apart from that, neither the bases nor the forces in them are involved in peace-keeping within the island. We are not contemplating any change in the status or the strategic role of these bases.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why H.M.S. "Lion", a Portsmouth-manned ship, has been sent for docking to Plymouth, and H.M.S. "Tiger", a West Countrymanned ship, is to refit at Portsmouth.

The refits of Her Majesty's ships are normally carried out at their base ports, though to meet operational requirements on occasion it may be necessary to transfer a ship to another yard when the base port is heavily overloaded. Devonport is the base port of both H.M.S. "Lion" and H.M.S. "Tiger" and H.M.S. "Lion" is at present docking there. No decision has yet been taken where the next refit of H.M.S. "Tiger" will be carried out, but when she is next taken in hand for docking it is planned for this to take place at Devonport.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of his advertisement in the Daily Telegraph on 23rd March dealing with recruitment; and what was the purpose in illustrating the F111A aircraft.

The material for this advertisement, which also appeared in other newspapers, cost £300 to prepare. Its insertion in the Daily Telegraph cost £3,520. Its purpose was to attract recruits by showing the wide range of new aircraft with which they might be associated if they joined the Royal Air Force. The display would have been incomplete without a mention of the R.A.F.'s requirement for a strike and reconnaissance aircraft; the Fl11A was displayed alongside the TSR2 as a possible means of meeting this requirement.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many retired officers of the three Armed Services, including the Indian armed services, are in receipt of retired pay under each of the eight retired pay codes;

	1964	1962	1960	1956	1950	1945	1919 reassessed on account of 1939–45 War Service	1919	pre-1919
Number of officers in receipt of retired pay
(i) Total	2,314	4,362*	5,169	10,906	6,391	15,882	4,122	4,290	8
(ii) No. over 60	27	71	220	1,591	3,412	10,031	4,070	3,663	8
(iii) No. over 70	—	—	2	19	129	2,728	2,949	2,592	8
*The fact that this figure is higher by 135 than that reported in reply to a Question on 24th February, 1964 is attributable to a re-examination of the number of cases under this Code.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has made a decision as to the future use of the disused Army camp at Brancepeth, Durham.

There is no further Army use for this camp and I am ascertaining whether there is any further government use.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of former regular officers and men of the Polish armed forces now retired and permanently resident in Great Britain; and what would be the cost of paying them a pension similar to that paid to their British opposite numbers who retired on the 1956 code.

Precise numbers are not known but are thought to be between 3,000 and 4,000. The cost of paying pensions on the basis suggested would, it is estimated, amount to about £2 million a year.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the impending unemployment of printers concerned with how many of those officers retired under the 1919 code had their retired pay re-assessed because of war service; and, in each case, how many of these officers are over 60 and 70 years of age, respectively.

The information is as follows:the Scottish regional issue of the Radio Times; and what steps he will take to find jobs for them.

I understand that 44 employees of the firm concerned were affected by the redundancy and that 32 of them left to take other work before the date of their discharge. Of the remaining 12, four registered as unemployed and one of these has now been placed in employment. My local officers will continue to do all they can to assist the other three redundant workers who sought our help.

asked the Minister of Labour what special action he is taking to deal with the need for increased training facilities in new skills, over and above the increases recently achieved in the Northern Region, in view of the continuing number of vacancies for skilled workers remaining unfilled and the fact that unskilled workers have few vacancies for which to apply.

The number of training places at Government Training Centres in Northern Region has been increased from 91 to 612 since March, 1963, and a further increase to 744 is planned. New courses are being introduced in heating and ventilating fitting, instrument maintenance and sheet metal working.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will seek power to prevent agents of firms in this country from engaging in industrial espionage.

No.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will take steps to establish a Government training centre within the Cleveland constituency.

As the Government Training Centre at Billingham is within daily travelling distance of the Cleveland constituency, my right hon. Friend does not propose to establish a centre in the area. Eleven trainees from places in the Cleveland constituency are at present attending the Billingham Centre.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the strikes at the Birmingham factories of Messrs. Joseph Lucas, which are resulting in widespread unemployment in the area.

Work was resumed this morning at the Shaftsmoor Lane and Formans Road factories of Joseph Lucas Ltd. The unofficial strike at the Lucas subsidiary, Butlers Ltd., Small Heath, is still going on.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men over 40 years of age are now unemployed in West Durham; and how many of them have been unemployed for more than three months.

On 11th January, the latest date for which such information is available, there were 1,730 men aged 40 years or over registered as wholly unemployed at Consett, Stanley, Lanchester, Crook, Shildon, Spennymoor and Bishop Auckland Employment Exchanges; of these 1,295 had been unemployed for 13 weeks or more.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the need to retrain men over 40 years of age who have become redundant; and if he will set up such a training centre in the disused Brancepeth army camp.

Redundant men over 40 years of age are eligible for training under the Ministry's vocational training scheme. My right hon. Friend is not proposing to set up a training centre at Brancepeth army camp as there is already a centre three miles away at Tursdale.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of unemployed persons in Blaydon employment area for the month of October, 1964, and for each month to date.

The following is the information:

Number of persons registered as unemployed at Blaydon Employment Exchange and associated Youth Employment Office
Date	Total
12th October,1964	593
9th November, 1964	566
7th December, 1964	548
11th January, 1965	609
8th February, 1965	561
8th March, 1965	546

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of young people in Blaydon constituency who left school at the end of the last school term and have not as yet found employment, and the number of persons under 18 years of age, male and female, respectively, who were registered as unemployed at the end of February 1965.

The one boy known to have left school at Christmas was still registered for first employment at the Blaydon Youth Employment Office on 8th March. At that office on the same date a total of 23 boys and 17 girls were registered as unemployed.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of disabled persons on the disabled persons register in Blaydon; and how many persons so registered are at present unemployed.

On 20th April, 1964, the last date for which figures are available, there were 662 persons on the Register of Disabled Persons at Blaydon Employment Exchange. 111 registered disabled persons were recorded as unemployed on 8th February, 1963.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of young people expected to leave school in the Blaydon juvenile employment exchange area this summer; and what are the prospects of employment for them.

In the Blaydon Youth Employment Office area about 400 young people are expected to leave school this summer. On present indications most of them should find employment without undue difficulty.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of disabled persons on the disabled persons register in Swinton and Pendlebury; and how many persons so registered are at present unemployed.

On 20th April, 1964, the last date for which figures are available, there were 681 persons on the Register of Disabled Persons at Swinton (formerly known as Pendlebury) Employment Exchange.15 registered disabled persons were recorded as unemployed on 8th February, 1965.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of disabled persons in the disabled persons register in Eccles; and how many persons so registered are at present unemployed.

On 20th April, 1964, the last date for which figures are available, there were 564 persons on the Register of Disabled Persons at Eccles Employment Exchange. 29 registered disabled persons were recorded as unemployed on 8th February, 1965.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will arrange for registered disabled persons in receipt of unemployment benefit to receive their allowance by postal draft instead of having to attend in person at the employment exchange.

Managers of employment exchanges already have discretion to pay unemployment benefit by post to a disabled person (whether registered or not under the Disabled Person Acts), if it appears that normal rules of attendance for the purpose of proving unemployment and receiving payment would cause hardship. No further instructions would seem necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of unemployed persons in the Carlisle employment area for the month of October, 1964, and for each month up to and including February, 1965.

The following is the information:

Number of persons registered as unemployed at Carlisle Employment Exchange and associated Youth Employment Office
Date	Total
12th October, 1964	912
9th November, 1964	951
7th December, 1964	946
11th January, 1965	960
8th February, 1965	960

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of young people in the Carlisle consituency who left school at the end of the last school term and have not yet found employment; and what are the numbers of persons under 18 years of age, male and female, respectively, who were registered as unemployed at the end of February 1965.

On 8th March, 1965, one boy and one girl, out of 61 young people who were known to have left school at Christmas, were still registered for first employment at the Carlisle Youth Employment Office. At that office on the same date a total of 11 boys and 13 girls were registered as unemployed.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of disabled persons on the disabled persons register in Carlisle; and how many persons so registered are at present unemployed.

On 20th April, 1964, the last date for which figures are available, there were 1,389 persons on the Register of Disabled Persons at Carlisle Employment Exchange. 201 registered disabled persons were recorded as unemployed on 8th February, 1965.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of young people expected to leave school in the Carlisle juvenile employment exchange area this summer; and what the prospects of employment are for them.

About 740 boys and girls are expected to leave school this summer in the Carlisle Youth Employment Office area. The prospects of employment for them appear good.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the United States of America.

I hope to give the House a full account of my talks in Washington during the foreign affairs debate on 1st April.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the ill-treatment of a British correspondent, Mr. Antony Currah, by the police of Montgomery, Alabama, on or about 17th March; what action on his behalf was taken by consular officials; and if he will instruct Her Majesty's Ambassador in Washington to make representations on this matter to the United States Government.

I am aware of Mr. Currah's arrest and of his alleged ill-treatment. Her Majesty's Consul at New Orleans heard of the arrest early on 17th of March. He immediately spoke to the authorities at Montgomery and also to Mr. Currah, who stated that he had decided to pay a small fine in order to secure his immediate release. Her Majesty's Consul has made appropriate representations to the authorities at Montgomery. Neither Mr. Currah nor his newspaper has asked for any further action.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date he received a delegation from the British Actors Equity Association concerning their policy in relation to apartheid as it affects their performances in South Africa; what was the nature of their discussions; and if he will make a statement.

I received a delegation from the British Actors Equity on 14th January and discussed with them the circumstances in which Mr. Adam Faith left the Republic of South Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action is being taken to help British nationals to recover their capital from the Sudan; and if he will make a statement.

I am not aware of any general problem in repatriating British capital invested in the Sudan. If my honourable Friend has a particular case in mind and will send me details I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received a reply from the Spanish Government to his protests about the imposition of the blockade at Gibraltar.

As my right hon. Friend informed the House on 1st February, the Spanish reply to our Note of protest of 11th January was contained in a Note received on 18th January. No substantive reply has yet been received from the Spanish Government to the protest against the further restrictions, to which my right hon. Friend referred in the answer he gave to my hon. Friend and the hon. Member for Bristol, North-West (Mr. McLaren) on 1st March.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of Herr Blankenhorn's former support of Hitler and the ideology and policies of the Nazi Party, why it was decided not to advise the West German Government that he would be persona non grata as West German Ambassador in London.

I do not accept the imputations contained in this Question. All the relevant facts were available to Her Majesty's Government, and it was decided in the light of these facts to advise Her Majesty The Queen that Herr Blankenhorn's appointment as Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany would be welcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many United Nations Member States have ratified the amendments to the Charter increasing the size of the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council; which permanent members of the Security Council have ratified these amendments; whether the United Kingdom has yet ratified the amendments; and how many ratifications are required for the amendments to become operative.

According to the latest information available to me, 61 Member States have ratified these amendments, including the Soviet Union; the United Kingdom has not yet ratified, but Her Majesty's Government have announced their intention of doing so and the necessary steps are in the process of being taken. Seventy-six Member States, that is two-thirds of the membership of the United Nations, including all five Permanent Members of the Security Council, must ratify the amendments for them to become effective.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what damage has been done by irregulars to the United Nations programme for the development of the Lower Mekong River Valley; and whether Her Majesty's Government will propose a United Nations peace force to provide security for this programme.

The programme for the development of the Lower Mekong River Valley is still at an early stage, and the detailed investigation necessary before the major main-stream projects can be started has not yet been completed. I am not aware of any damage caused by irregulars to the lesser projects which have been started on tributary rivers. With the programme still largely in the investigatory stage, the possibility of its being protected by a United Nations peace force does not arise.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will reopen the Kensington Gardens teahouse so that light refreshments may be available to the public in Kensington Gardens.

I have no plans for reopening the Kensington Gardens teahouse at present. As I explained to the hon. Member in my reply on 22nd March, 1965, light refreshments will be available at the new restaurant near the Serpentine Bridge, where the snack bar is now being improved and its seating capacity more than doubled.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many square feet of new accommodation was created by the completion of the first stage of the roof scheme; what was the total cost; how many square feet are now allocated for hon. Members' desk rooms; and how many hon. Members' desks are situated in the new accommodation.

7,072 square feet net of usable floor space have been provided. The cost will be about £240,000. About 1,236 square feet net have been allocated for Members' desk rooms. The new accommodation contains desks for 34 hon. Members.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works to which Ministers the rooms on the upper Ministerial corridor, relinquished by the Clerks, have been allocated.

I have allocated the three rooms in question to the Secretary of State for Defence, the Minister of Technology and the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many square feet of the new roof space accommodation is allocated to Ministers.

1,555 square feet net.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will give further details of the £195,509 current expenditure at Windsor Castle, as shown in Appendix III of the Civil Estimates, Class IX, 10.

The details are as follows:

£
1,514	for salaries and wages
11,100	for cleaning services
23,045	for day to day building maintenance
23,850	for maintenance of furniture and equipment
2,075	for Supplies and Parks services
34,515	for day to day plant maintenance and operation
13,400	for painting
51,995	for special maintenance, made up of:
	£
	3,000	for resurfacing of Castle Road
	8,800	for removal or repair of chimney stacks and restoration of stonework
	1,500	for tiling of basement corridors
	14,000	for new soil main drainage
	3,000	for renewal of steam and condense mains
	1,500	for repairs to waterworks' machinery
	20,195	for minor works
25	for rents
33,990	for fuel, gas, electricity and water, etc.
195,509

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is meant by the item of £40,652 for Palaces generally, as expressed in the Civil Estimates 1965–66, Class IX, 10, Appendix III.

This item relates to urgent and unforeseen works and supplies services which arise at the various Palaces during the year; it also covers the allowances and expenses for the Gentlemen-at-Arms and Yeomen of the Guard.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works why the expenditure on the item, Other Palaces and properties, in the 1965–66 Civil Estimates, Class IX, 10, Appendix III, shows an increase from £9,689 in 1964–65 to £13,171 in 1965–66; and if he will name the properties involved and itemise the expenditure proposed.

The increase is mainly accounted for by a heating scheme at Marlborough House Garage Block; increases in cost of labour and materials account for the remainder. The properties involved and the net estimated expenditure at each are as follows:—

	£
Kew Palace	1,191
Marlborough House (Garage Block and Chapel)	6,938
Barton's and Hawthorn Cottages, Bushy Park, and Ranger's Lodge, Hyde Park	792
Sandringham and Balmoral	4,250

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will itemise the figure of £35,098, being the current expenditure on Kensington Palace, as shown in the Civil Estimates, IX, 10, Appendix III.

The details are:

£
3,810	for cleaning services
6,500	for day to day building maintenance
5,150	for day to day maintenance and operation of plant
13,950	for special maintenance of which:—
	£
	2,500	for upkeep of roads
	3,000	for renewal of defective external paving at the Orangery in the Kensington Palace Gardens
	5,250	for repairs and redecorations at Barrack Block
	3,200	for minor works
130	for Parks services
2,183	for Custody services
50	for maintenance of furniture and equipment
3,325	for fuel, gas, electricity and water
35,098

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will give details of the proposed estimate of £42,000 for the restoration of the roof of Apartment 9 of Kensington Palace.

The sum of £42,000 is not only for the restoration of the roof but for the reconstruction of the whole Apartment which was severely damaged by fire as a result of bombing during the war and is now in a derelict condition. The figure is a provisional estimate.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many Gentlemen-at-Arms and Yeomen of the Guard were involved in the payment of £11,200 in allowances and expenses in 1964–65, as shown in the Civil Estimates, Class IX, Vote 10; and whether he will give an assurance that there will be no increased expenditure on this item.

The numbers involved were:

• 32 Gentlemen-at-Arms
• 86 Yeomen of the Guard.

The answer to the second part of the Question is "No".

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what plans she has to amend the earnings rule so as to assist retirement pensioners who can only obtain seasonal employment.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker), on 1st February.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how much to date has been paid into the existing graduated pensions scheme; how much has been paid out; and in what year these figures are expected to reach parity.

It is estimated that by the end of last month income from graduated contributions and payments in lieu had totalled about £812 million and graduated additions to pension about £1frac12; million; under the pay-as-you-go arrangements the balance has been used to help pay for the flat-rate National Insurance benefits. It is not possible to foresee a time when the figures would reach parity.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what percentage of the recent increase in retirement pensions was designed to take account of the price changes that have occurred since November.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave on the 22nd March to the hon. Member for Harborough (Mr. Farr).

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many war disabled pensioners over the age of 65 years, are in receipt of disability pensions of 30 per cent. or less, in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, respectively.

I regret that information by country of residence is not available but the total for all pensioners at home and overseas is about 89,000.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many late claims for sickness benefit have been received during the latest convenient 12-months period; how many of these claims were found to be due to ignorance of the requirements of the regulations; how many of these claims were taken to appeal; and what estimate is available of the total cost of these appeals.

It is regretted that the information asked for by the hon. Gentleman is not available. The time limit for claims was, of course, extended last autumn from three to six days and it was estimated from tests carried out in October, 1962, as a preliminary to the change that, of the nine million claims to sickness benefit made in a year, the 450,000 which were late under the old limit would be reduced to 100,000 under the new. It is not possible to estimate how many of the 100,000 would succeed because there is good cause for lateness or how many would fail because of ignorance of the requirements of the regulations or for some other reason. The only other information available which may be helpful is that during 1963, i.e., before the easement in the time limit, there were 144 appeals to the National Insurance Commissioner against disqualification for lateness, of which 62 were allowed.

asked the Minister of Power if he will now state the principles of his national fuel policy.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 9th February.