asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his Department lays down a standard for the conduct of veterinary establishments used for dogs and cats in quarantine; and if regular inspections of such premises are carried out.

Yes, the Department's requirements are concerned with security and with adequate provision for the health of the animals. All quarantine kennels are regularly inspected by our veterinary staff.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what investigation he has made into the gap that exists between food prices paid to producers and the retail price paid by the housewife; and if he will make a statement.

Such investigations are best made commodity by commodity and linked with a consideration of possible reforms in the structure of marketing. The improvement of the structure of marketing is one of my main priorities. As the House knows, I have proposals for improving meat marketing which are now being discussed with the interests concerned; and I have instituted an inquiry into certain aspects of the structure of milk distribution.Bread and flour prices have, of course, been referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to assist those beef producers who will derive no benefit from the increase of 4s. per live cwt. in the guaranteed price of fat cattle.

The increase in the guaranteed price for fat cattle will benefit the industry as a whole. Other changes in the guarantee arrangements will affect individual producers differently, depending on the time they sell their cattle and on the relationship between the market price and the standard price. These changes are intended to influence the production and marketing plans of producers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to improve the hill land of Great Britain, so that food production may be increased.

As announced in the Annual Review White Paper we are considering urgently what more should be done to make the best use of agricultural resources in the hills, bearing in mind the economic, social and other factors involved. We will of course inform the House when we have firm proposals to put before them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the increase in the Russian and Japanese giant freezer trawlers which compete with British trawler fleets in British traditional fishing grounds, and of the danger of inroads by them into the supply of fish to British consumers; and if he will state his plans to protect the British fishing industry and British consumers.

I am aware of the increase in fishing effort in the international waters of the North Atlantic. We are playing our full part with the other countries concerned in the work of the international commissions responsible for the conservation of the fish stocks and we are assisting the continuing modernisation of our fleet with the object of ensuring adequate supplies for consumers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he intends to increase the standard quantity of liquid milk as the market expands; and whether he expects an expansion during the current year.

The standard quantity is adjusted each year to take account of changes in sales of milk for liquid consumption. It was estimated at this year's Price Review that liquid sales would increase this year and the standard quantity was increased to take account of this.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the inquiry into the system of milk distribution; and what proposals he now has to reduce the gap between the price which the farmer receives for his milk and the price which the consumer pays.

Mr. J. L. Davies's investigations are well under way and I hope to receive his report by the end of the summer. Clearly I cannot anticipate the results of his inquiry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what an increase in the retail price of ½d. per pint of milk over a full year represents in terms of an increase in pence per gallon in the guaranteed price to producers, if all the extra revenue is used to bring about this increase in the guaranteed price.

About three pence a gallon.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the national level of contamination of milk by antibiotics over the past 12 months.

The latest information on the level of antibiotics in milk was published in 1963, following a special survey which took two years. No further survey has taken place. At that time, antibiotic residues, in minute quantities, were found in 14 per cent. of all milk sampled. There is reason to think that action taken since then, including the labelling of drugs with the time for which milk from treated cows should be withheld, and advice to farmers by veterinary surgeons, has had a salutary effect. The position should improve still further when the Milk Marketing Board is able to introduce a scheme of penalties against producers supplying milk which is found to contain antibiotics.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will restore to the Milk Marketing Board full powers of distribution and control.

As stated in the announcement on the talks between the Government and the Unions, discussions are to be initiated on the Unions' request for a reconsideration of the marketing arrangements for milk.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has now studied the report which was printed in 1964 on the incidence of brucellosis in the national herd; what steps he intends to take to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement.

I am examining the 1964 Survey in the light of studies carried out within the Department. I shall make a statement as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when amending legislation to the Agricultural Wage Board Act is to be introduced to permit statutory negotiations for wages during sickness for farm workers to be commenced.

As I have said in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for King's Lynn (Mr. Derek Page), this matter is under consideration, but I am not yet able to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the large increase in the number of moles this spring, he will reconsider his decision about supporting rabbit clearance societies who wish to undertake their destruction.

I have nothing to add to the reply given on 23rd March by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now introduce a minimum pricing scheme for white fish.

Proposals for a statutory minimum price scheme are still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what written assurances were given by his Department in 1956 to the National Egg Packers' Association relating to their right to retain wholly the egg throughput if so desired in the event of the proposed egg marketing scheme becoming operative.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy towards the regulation of imports of shell eggs.

My right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade are not contemplating any change in policy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now state the outcome of his talks with the farmers' unions and the British Egg Marketing Board.

Talks have been taking place since November, 1964, between the Government, the National Farmers'

I cannot trace that any such assurance was given by the Department.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will furnish details of the imports of Polish eggs during the last three months; and at what prices these eggs have been selling on the British market.

Shell egg imports from Poland in January, February and March, 1965 (which are the last three months for which figures are available) and the prices during those months are as follows:Unions and the British Egg Marketing Board to consider possible changes in the marketing and supply arrangements for eggs. Agreement has been reached between the unions, the Board and Agricultural Ministers on an outline of arrangements, to be introduced on 3rd April, 1966, and operated by the Board under its existing powers. This is intended to promote the more orderly marketing of eggs through packing stations and also to bring supply and demand into better balance, without preventing the modernisation of the industry at a satisfactory pace.More orderly marketing of the greater part of the supply will be sought by offering producers, individually or collectively, a choice of two kinds of contract with the Board. Both of these will confer a premium, not exceeding 4d. per dozen, on the delivery of specified quantities of eggs spread equally over the four quarters of the year. Under the first form of contract, producers will contract to supply all their eggs (except for "B" licence sales and sales at point of production) to the Board. Under the second, producers wishing to retain freedom to sell privately will be able to contract for a specified quantity of eggs but will receive no premium in any quarter when supplies are more than 10 per cent. below the contract quantity.In view of the risks of recurrent overproduction, there will, under both forms of contract, be a ceiling on the numbers of eggs eligible for premium. This will be based on actual supply to the Board during the two years ended 27th March, 1965, though it will be modified in subsequent years by a two year "rolling average" which will take account of changes in each producer's deliveries, and perhaps from time to time by a "ceiling" when over-production is in prospect.The remaining supply of eggs, not embraced under the two types of contract already described, and mostly in the hands of large numbers of small producers, will be subject to a third and simpler form of contract under which any producer may receive the same premium on up to 100 boxes delivered during any contract year.The premiums will be paid out of the Board's funds and will thus represent a redistribution of its payments to producers.Further details of the arrangements will be published by the Board, which accepts full responsibility for these and for the actual operation of the plan. Agricultural Ministers are concerned only with its more general features, and are satisfied that it should help to achieve the objects stated in the first paragraph of this statement. It will, however, be subject to review with the Unions and the Board not later than 1969, and will not in any way affect the guarantee arrangements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to prohibit the use of hormones in agriculture.

No, but the Scientific Advisory Panel is currently considering the general question of the use of hormones in agriculture and we expect to have their advice shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to make stunning prior to slaughter of broiler fowls compulsory.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 12th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Mr. Hobden).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an assurance that the policy of Her Majesty's Government is that British agriculture should continue to supply an increasing percentage of the home market; and if he will make a statement.

The Government's policy is designed to help farmers to improve their competitive efficiency in production, in marketing and in meeting consumer demand and, provided that they can become more competitive with other suppliers, our farmers will have the opportunity of increasing their share of our growing market.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate of the out-turn of the cost of support to agriculture in the year 1964–65; and how this compares with the three previous years.

The latest out-turn figure (subject to final adjustment and audit) of the cost of agricultural support in the financial year 1964–65 is £264·8 million. The details are given below. The comparable figures for the three previous years are 1961–62 £342·6 million, 1962–63 £309·6 million and 1963–64 £293·9 million. Details are shown in the Annual Review and Determination of Guarantees 1965 (Cmnd. 2621).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that the cost of support to agriculture in the year 1965–66, forecast in Command Paper No. 2621 at £294 million, is not over-estimated; and if he will make a statement.

The hon. Member will appreciate that there are many factors liable to cause variations in the cost of agricultural support. The present estimates were constructed on the best information available at the time and I have no reason so early in the financial year to think that they do not give a reasonable forecast of the order of the cost in 1965–66.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the purpose of his visit to the Republic of Ireland; what discussions he held with the Irish Minister of Agriculture; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Scott-Hopkins) on 12th May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to discuss with the National Farmers' Union matters raised by them following their dissatisfaction with the Annual Price Review.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement issued jointly by the Agricultural Ministers on 11th May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will introduce legislation to amend the Agriculture Act 1947, to provide for an independent arbitration tribunal to settle disputes arising from the Annual Price Review.

No, I am satisfied that the decisions needed to implement the objectives of the Agriculture Act, 1947, which are reached only after full consultation with the Farmers' Unions and consideration of the national interest, must continue to be the responsibility of the Government.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what progress has been made since January, 1961, in making a general standing order to cover all importations of animals for recognised zoological collections; and what was the cost of preparing and presenting to Parliament the Order dated 6th May authorising the landing at Liverpool of one Red River hog.

A standing order made in 1961 allows the importation of ruminating animals and swine by the main zoological societies under suitable safeguards.The Red River hog was imported by the Jersey Zoological Park for quarantine in this country because there are no suitable quarantine facilities in Jersey.The cost of preparing and presenting the special order was about £10.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will introduce standards for meat products.

Yes. I am satisfied after considering the relevant reports of the Food Standards Committee that there is a real need to protect the consumer by prescribing standards governing the composition and labelling of meat products. Regulations on meat paste are in existence which are now being reviewed by the Committee, and I am hoping shortly to receive proposals for bringing them up to date. So far no regulations have been made implementing the Committee's recommendations on sausages, canned meat and meat pies, and I have today issued proposals for regulations to cover these and other meat products. My intention is that the proposals, which would be made jointly with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, would prescribe compositional standards and labelling requirements for canned meat, meat pies, sausages and other meat products. Similar proposals for regulations will be issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now announce his decision on the future control of poisonous chemicals used in agriculture and horticulture.

No. The Advisory Committee on Pesticides and Other Toxic Chemicals has not yet completed its review of the present arrangements for the safe use of pesticides in agriculture and food storage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that there is misunderstanding about the Water Resources Act, 1963, and the licensing provisions contained in it, with particular reference to the Spray Irrigation (Definition) Order, 1965; and if he will circulate to farmers a simple explanatory note giving guidance as to how and by whom applications for licence should be made.

I was not aware of any misunderstanding, but I appreciate the complexity of this subject. If in doubt on the need to apply for a licence, farmers can obtain advice from river authorities, the National Farmers' Union or the Ministry's Divisional Offices. But a safe rule is, if in doubt, apply for a licence—and do so before 1st July. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government is arranging publicity about applications for licences. I do not think I would be justified in going beyond this by circularising farmers individually.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the extent to which the entry of foreign agricultural products on a competitive basis helps to keep the cost of living steady.

I regret that it is not possible to provide such an estimate. But it seems evident that the alternative of excluding a wide range of imported products, assuming this to be practicable and desirable, would greatly raise the cost of food, even after allowing for subsequent increased production at home.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the additional cost to farmers in a full year of the 50 per cent. rise in the duty on tractors and lorries.

I regret that estimates for tractors and lorries alone cannot be made from the existing statistics. The cost for all farm machines and vehicles is estimated at about £1·8 million in Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to implement the Report of the Food Standards Committee on Food Labelling; and if he will make a statement.

We are now studying the large number of representations made on the Committee's Report with a view to formulating proposals for new food labelling regulations as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the report of the committee which is investigating intensive farming methods.

We hope to receive this report by the autumn.

asked the Attorney-General what was the average time between sentence and the hearing of appeals in the Court of Criminal Appeal during 1964.

The average period was 16 weeks.

asked the Attorney-General what official arrangements are being made to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta, and what cost to public funds will be involved.

A ceremony in the Great Hall of the Law Courts will be held on 15th June, 1965, the first day of the Trinity Term, which my noble friend the Lord Chancellor will attend accompanied by all the judges of the Supreme Court who are in London. It is hoped that a representative gathering of the legal profession in this country, together with a number of distinguished visitors from the Commonwealth and the U.S.A., will be present. The cost is expected to be of the order of £1,500. Perhaps I might add that Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to intimate her intention of attending a commemorative service at St. Paul's Cathedral on Thursday, 10th June, 1965.

asked the Attorney-General, in view of the fact that the employment of children under the age of 12 years is illegal, if he will instruct the Director of Public Prosecutions to take proceedings against the Independent Television Authority for aiding and abetting a breach of the law.

No. The Director of Public Prosecutions has received no evidence which would justify the institution of criminal proceedings.

asked the Attorney-General in how many cases appeals against conviction were quashed in the Court of Criminal Appeal during 1964 where the appellant had already served a period of the sentence of imprisonment imposed upon him by the trial court.

There were 49 such cases in 1964. In 22 of these the appellant was not entitled to be discharged when the conviction was quashed because he was already liable to serve other sentence.

asked the Attorney-General how many orders for possession were made by the courts against tenants of dwellinghouses in 1963, 1964, and 1965.

In the first three months of this year the county courts issued 4,613 orders for possession of dwellinghouses. Separate figures in respect of dwellinghouses are not available for 1963 and 1964, nor are such figures kept in connection with orders for possession issued in the High Court or the magistrates' courts.

asked the Minister without Portfolio if he will seek to amend the Legal Aid and Advice Act, so as to make legal aid available at hearings by a rent officer or a rent assessment committee.

I do not think that it would be appropriate to provide legal aid for the parties to be represented at consultations before a rent officer. This would require legislation.My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has power under the Legal Aid and Advice Act, 1949, to make regulations to extend the legal aid scheme for proceedings before the rent assessment committees when they are set up. However, I would expect that the parties to proceedings before these committees would normally be able to present their cases satisfactorily without legal representation, and, if need be, they would be assisted in this by the committees.

asked the Minister without Portfolio (1) what action he is taking upon the comment of a judge in the case of National Pro- vincial Bank Limited v. Ainsworth that the present law relating to the matrimonial home of a deserted wife is unsatisfactory; and whether he will cause an examination of the law to be made by the Law Commissioners in order to ensure that any third party acquiring property that is the home of a deserted wife should do so subject to the wife's and children's right of occupation.(2) whether he is aware that a deserted wife and abandoned children can be dispossessed of the family home by an owner who has purchased the home from a deserting husband; whether he is aware that the court in the case of National Provincial Bank Limited

The decision of the House of Lords in National Provincial Bank Limited v. Ainsworth was given as recently as last Thursday. My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has not yet had an opportunity of considering its implications.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what alterations have been made in the programme of hospital building and replacement as phased for Scotland by the previous Government.

None yet.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he has increased the rents of the smallholders at Thirdpart, West Kilbride by 110 per cent.

The rents of these holdings were out of line with current values, and a general revision of State smallholding rents was put in hand 18 months ago. Out of 15 smallholders at Thirdpart 14 have intimated their agreement to the suggested increases in rent. The previous rents of the 7–9 acre holdings here, of good land and including houses and steadings, were between £35–£40 per annum and the new rents proposed range from £77 to £85 per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give the latest available figures for traffic using the Strachur-Colintraive road and the Colintraive-Rhubodach Ferry.

During the classified road census in the third week of August, 1963, about 200 vehicles per day used the road near Strachur and about 400 near Colintraive; and I understand that during that month the ferry carried an average of about 170 vehicles per day. These are the latest figures which are reasonably comparable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when his review of the feudal system of land tenure in Scotland will be completed.

When I receive the report of the Halliday Committee on conveyancing legislation and practice I shall consider this important matter further, for I am satisfied that there is considerable scope for modernisation and improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) in view of last year's profit of £860,000 and accumulated reserves of £2,250,000, whether he intends to sanction the proposed 6 per cent. increase in electricity charges by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board;(2) in view of the hardship that will be caused to domestic consumers, especially old-age pensioners living alone, whether he intends to sanction the proposed increase of 6 per cent. in electricity charges for the South of Scotland Electricity Board.

My approval is riot required. The tariff increases are necessary in view of the financial and economic obligations of the Boards, and they have been agreed to by the two Scottish Electricity Consultative Councils.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications have been received by Glasgow Corporation each year since January, 1961, from private landlords for a standard amenities grant which provides that the landlord can obtain up to £155 for installing bath, wash hand basin, hot water supply and water closet.

I regret that the number of such applications cannot be identified, but during these years the corporation paid only one standard grant to a private landlord, in 1961.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the extent of the shortage of residential accommodation in Scotland for children with severe mental handicaps.

Regional Hospital Boards estimate that the shortage of hospital accommodation for mentally handicapped children requiring in-patient treatment amounts to about 850 places. It is hoped that by 1968 about 500 additional beds for children will have been provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will cause an investigation to be made as to how drill halls are being used in general, and in the county of Kent in particular, and also into the potential use of such drill halls by the public at reasonable charges, in view of the present unsatisfactory situation;(2) in view of the present limited use of drill halls, what consideration has been given to making greater use of them in the public interest, particularly in areas where there is a shortage of halls.

Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations are already encouraged to let Territorial Army property for public use whenever it is not required for military purposes. There were 2,350 separate lettings, for a wide variety of activities, in Kent alone last year and I do not consider that any general investigation of the current use of Territorial Army property is called for. As regards charges, the rule must remain that these lettings should occasion no expense to public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Iraqi nationals are receiving military training, or are attending British service courses, either in the United Kingdom or at stations overseas.

Fifteen.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will state the details of military equipment supplied to Iraq since January, 1963; and whether any such equipment is to be supplied in the immediate future, or is the subject of current negotiations.

It is not the practice to disclose details of military equipment supplied, or to be supplied, to other countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many joint Anglo-American defence research and development projects of the sort foreshadowed in the communiqué issued after the Prime Minister's discussions with President Johnson have started since December, 1964.

No Anglo-U.S. research and development project has commenced since December, 1964, but a number of subjects are being actively pursued with a view to possible co-operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications were received by the Royal Navy Careers Office in Northern Ireland in 1963 and 1964, respectively; and how many of the applicants joined the Royal Navy in each of these years.

In 1963, 818 applications resulted in 170 entries. In 1964, 800 resulted in 201.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications were received by the Royal Air Force Careers Office in Northern Ireland in 1963 and 1964, respectively; and many of the applicants joined the Royal Air Force in each of these years.

In 1963 the Belfast Careers Information Centre received 1,067 applications for enlistment as airmen or airwomen in ground trades and 435 of the applicants subsequently joined the Royal Air Force. The comparable figures for 1964 were 653 and 270.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications were received by the Army Careers Office in Northern Ireland in 1963 and 1964, respectively; and how many of the applicants joined the Army in each of those years.

In 1963 Army information offices in Northern Ireland received 2,532 applications from which 1,165 recruits were enlisted. In 1964 the corresponding figures were 2,697 and 1,261. These figures include young soldiers, boys and women.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to complete the re-equipment of field artillery units with Abbot 105 mm. self-propelled guns.

By mid-1967.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction to the Railways Board, in the public interest, not to close further goods depots without prior consultation with him.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will announce the major trunk road improvement schemes in respect of a further year of the five-year rolling programme.

I hope to announce in the autumn a further list of trunk road major improvement schemes to be prepared for inclusion in the programme.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give his reasons for the alteration of speed restrictions on a section of the Great North Road between Woodlands and Doncaster.

The construction of dual carriageways made the original speed limit inappropriate.

asked the Minister of Transport how many road accidents have taken place, and what was their nature, in the last five years on the A.602 at The Old Windmill, Waterford, Hertfordshire.

One accident involving personal injury has been reported. This occurred on 10th September, 1963, near The Old Windmill. A cyclist received slight injuries as the result of a collision with a lorry.

asked the Minister of Transport what would be the estimated cost of free distribution of the booklet, "New Road Traffic Signs", detailing the new signs to be used on highways.

On the basis of a house-to-house distribution through the Post Office, covering approximately 16½ million households, the cost would be in the region of £165,000. The booklet is already being issued free to 2½ million persons per annum, including new provisional licence holders, children taking the National Cycling Proficiency Test, trainees in the RAC/ACU motor cycle training scheme, and overseas visitors.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received from the Kent County Council concerning the proposed Sandwich bypass; and what was the nature of his reply.

The council informed me on 6th May of their hope for the early inclusion of this scheme in the classified road programme. I am seeking their further comments on its priority relative to other schemes in Kent.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the petition to the Kent County Council, signed by nearly 3,000, concerning Sandwich Toll Bridge and the need for a Sandwich bypass; and what action he is taking in this regard.

I received the petition and am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the reply sent on 15th April.

asked the Minister of Transport what he estimates will be the total expenditure on urban roads in 1970; and if he will break the figures down to show the amounts relating to England, Scotland and Wales, respectively, new construction, major improvements and other works, respectively, specifying the other works, classified roads in all cities, county boroughs and urban districts, respectively, and the expenditure to be undertaken by local authorities.

I expect expenditure on the new construction and major improvement of roads in urban areas in England to amount to about £120 million in 1969–70. Of this about £85 million is likely to be borne by the Exchequer and about £35 million by local authorities. It excludes the construction of estate roads by private developers.Forecasts of expenditure on other road works are very approximate, but I expect about £80 million to be spent on maintenance and minor improvements of urban roads in England in 1969–70. Of this total about £10 million would be borne by the Exchequer and about £70 million by local authorities.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation to compel individual drivers to be insured instead of the vehicle.

There is no legal obstacle to the voluntary adoption by insurers of my hon. Friend's suggestion. The role of motor insurance as a factor in road safety would need further study before I could propose legislation to require such action.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether, bearing in mind the inconvenient and unsightly form of the staircase in the civil airport building at Aldergrove in County Antrim and the further increase in the volume of passenger traffic passing through the airport, he will demolish the stairway as a further step in the new development scheme and install a two-way escalator so that there may be speedy and convenient movement between the two passenger floors.

No, for the reasons given in my reply to the hon. Member on 5th May.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will state his plans for the improvement of picking up and setting down of passengers by motor cars at the civil airport at Aldergrove in County Antrim; and what changes he proposes to make in the car parking arrangements at the air terminal building.

The approach road is to be diverted to the east and the car parking area reorganised so as to create more parking space near the terminal building. The control gate for the car park will be brought much closer to the building. A system of islands will be constructed which will improve the traffic flow, and make it easier to pick up and drop passengers and to walk between the car park and the building.The reorganisation will be undertaken and completed as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he is satisfied that the passenger handling and other facilities available at Heathrow Airport will be adequate to deal with the expected increased volume of summer air traffic in 1965; and if he will make a statement.

Heathrow can certainly cope with the traffic scheduled for 1965, although most facilities are fully extended during peak times and there may be some difficulty over car-parking.We are engaged on an extensive building programme to increase passenger handling and other facilities, including a new terminal building and car parks.In the meantime it would help if passengers would use the airline coach services between the town terminals and the airport, or, where this is not possible, make use of the excellent off-airport car parking services.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will give an undertaking that, in the event of a decision to curtail existing air services or to refuse new applications by reason of congestion at Heathrow Airport, he will not discriminate against British air corporations in favour of foreign-controlled airlines by requiring the transfer of any British Overseas Airways Corporation or British European Airways foreign or domestic services from Heathrow to Gatwick or Stansted.

As the traffic out-grows the capacity of Heathrow the distribution of operations between the airports serving London and the S.E. of England will present difficult problems for all operators and will only be resolved by discussion and mutual co-operation. In the meantime it would clearly be inadvisable for me to give any undertaking which might appear to prejudge the issues involved.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet decided to issue a set of stamps to commemorate the 900th Anniversary of the Norman conquest; and whether he will include a stamp commemorating the offering of the Crown to William at Berkhamsted Castle.

I cannot at present usefully add anything to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave the hon. Member on 22nd December last.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he proposes to take to raise the ratio of public telephones to population in the Portsmouth area up to the national average.

None. The provision of kiosks does not depend solely on the extent of an area or the number of population, but also on local factors, and the use made of the kiosks. I have no evidence to suggest that the public telephone facilities in the Portsmouth area are inadequate and, as I told the hon. Member on 12th May, this matter is kept under review.

asked the Postmaster-General how many mobile telephone vans are at present available; and whether, in view of the demand for the facilities provided by these vans at country agricultural shows, exhibitions and race meetings, he will increase their number at an early opportunity.

Two. The basis of providing these vans at the functions referred to is currently being examined and I will write to the hon. Member when the investigations have been completed.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whose advice he takes in inviting people to become justices of the peace; what advisory committees exist for this purpose; and by what process these advisory committees are selected and appointed.

I have at my disposal the advice of my Advisory Committee of which there is one for the County Palatine and a separate body for each of those cities and boroughs which have their own Commissions of the Peace. There is no set procedure for the selection of members—I make such inquiries as I think fit.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether he will set up a study group to advise him on tree surgery; and whether he will make a statement.

As the Minister responsible for Tree Preservation Orders I am much concerned not only that trees of high amenity value should be protected from indiscriminate and unnecessary felling but also that they should be properly looked after. A Draft British Standard on tree work is in an advanced stage of preparation and my Ministry will be consulted on its final form. When it is published I shall recommend local authorities to apply its provisions in all tree work they undertake. In the circumstances I do not consider that there is any need for the setting up of a special study group.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to time-phase import quotas of horticultural produce.

Apart from imports from Eastern Area countries the only temperate horticultural products restricted by quota are apples and pears. The apple quota is already divided so that over four-fifths of total imports are delivered between January and June.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made in his study of differential schemes for rates of duty on private cars.

Possible differential schemes are being studied.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the result of his examination of the possibility of amending the regulations governing the repayment of post-war credits so as to allow repayment to persons who are unable to work through chronic sickness or disability, but who are not entitled to repayment under the existing regulations.

My right hon. Friend has considered this suggestion, but the practical difficulties are too great.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the average cost to the taxpayer of preparing Ministerial answers to the first 10 Written Parliamentary Questions answered on the four days 10th to 13th May 1965, inclusive;(2) what estimate he has made of the average cost to the taxpayer of preparing Ministerial answers to the first 10 Oral Parliamentary Questions answered on the four days 10th to 13th May 1965, inclusive.

None, but I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Sudbury and Woodbridge (Mr. Stainton) on 7th May.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the estates of the personnel in Her Majesty's forces who are killed on active service during the present operations overseas are subject to death duty.

Total exemption from Estate Duty is given under Section 71, of the Finance Act, 1952, where the appropriate Service Department certifies that a member of H. M. Forces was killed on active service or other service of a warlike nature, or that otherwise the terms of the Section have been fulfilled.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will arrange for the Oversea Migration Board to discuss with local authorities the emigration of children within their care.

No. Local authorities are already aware that, with the consent of the Home Secretary, they may arrange for the emigration of a child in their care if they judge that emigration would be in the child's best long-term interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what further discussions he has had with Commonwealth countries on the question of their associate membership of the Common Market.

As I said in reply to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Dodds-Parker) on 30th March, we are in consultation with the Nigerian Government about their negotiations with the E.E.C. These consultations are continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on his policy with regard to the introduction of four-term years in teacher-training colleges.

I am at present considering various suggestions which have been made for securing a more productive use of teacher training facilities, and it is my intention shortly to put some definite proposals to the organisations concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has as to why no progress has been made on the conclusion of the special agreements prescribed in Article 43 of the Charter, despite the willingness of the Soviet and United Kingdom Governments expressed in letters to the President of the Security Council on 10th July and 5th August, 1964, respectively.

As I informed the hon. Member on 1st March, our request to the Soviet Union for suggestions about how and when to resume negotiations for the special agreements under Article 43 had then received no reply. On 22nd April, nine months after our inquiry, the Soviet representative in the Committee on United Nations Peace-keeping proposed that the Military Staff Committee should prepare a draft special agreement. This proposal is now under study. Since the Military Staff Committee operates under the Security Council, the right procedure would be for the Council to consider the proposal and then if they

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give a list of local authorities who have computers on order for early delivery, showing the estimated date of installation, name of manufacturer, type of computer, and proposed function for which it is to be used, respectively.

The details of computers on order by local authorities are as shown in the following list. Authorities having machines for the first time are likely to use them for general financial purposes initially; replacement computers will probably be used also for the specialist tasks detailed in the reply given to the hon. Member on 29th March, 1965.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he has received from Tiverton Rural District Council regarding the Cullompton Sewerage and Sewage Disposal Scheme; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

Tiverton Rural District Council have submitted their scheme for my right hon. Friend's approval. In the interests of economy he suggested two small modifications. My right hon. Friend cannot authorise the Council to proceed until he knows that they can acquire the necessary land, and it is not yet clear whether they can acquire a small area owned by the British Railways Board. The District Valuer, acting for the Council, made a number of attempts to negotiate with the Board but met with no response. My right hon. Friend understands, however, that negotiations will now begin.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will simplify the form of questionnaire issued under the Water Resources Act, 1963, and Leaflet W.R.2.

The forms prescribed in regulations made under the Act have to elicit information on a variety of points and are necessarily complicated. But an undertaking has already been given that the layout of those forms which will be needed beyond 30th June will be kept under review. The leaflet referred to was prepared and issued by the Trent River Authority.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of dwellings in Great Britain whose occupants live in them by virtue of their employment, including the Armed Forces; and of the number of persons per year who have to seek fresh housing accommodation on leaving such dwellings.

My right hon. Friend estimates that at the time of the 1961 Census there were about 840,000 dwellings in Great Britain occupied or intended for occupation by virtue of employment, including employment in the Services; there has been little change in the number since then. He does not know how many people leave these dwellings and seek fresh accommodation each year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government concerning ratification of the Council of Europe's Convention of Establishment.

Her Majesty's Government are examining the numerous restrictions and reservations made by the six countries which have so far ratified the Convention with a view to deciding their attitude.

asked the Minister of Health why he has turned down an offer by Derbyshire industrialists to provide a £50,000 hyperbaric oxygen chamber for the treatment of patients suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning and heart disease at Derbyshire Royal Infirmary; and why he has refused the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board's proposal to contribute £10,000 of the £12,000–£15,000 annual running costs.

In 1963, in view of advice that the scope for hyperbaric oxygen therapy had yet to be established, my Department advised the consultants concerned to seek the views of the Medical Research Council. The Department has not been approached since then nor, I understand, has the Medical Research Council.

asked the Minister of Power by how much the price of gas has risen in the last four months.

The Scottish Gas Board increased the price of gas by approximately 6 per cent. in February of this year.