asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to strengthen the powers of the police to deal with itinerant caravan dwellers.

My right hon. and learned Friend is aware of the problems which can be caused by itinerant caravan-dwellers; but he does not consider that any satisfactory or lasting solution to these problems can be achieved by legislation enlarging or strengthening the powers available to the police under the general law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to empower the immigration officers who are to be appointed to assist staffs overseas in dealing with applications for entry certificates, to make a health check of an immigrant in his country of origin, and to refuse certificates on any of the grounds upon which admission into the United Kingdom may be refused under the terms of section 2 of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962.

Section 2 of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962, gives immigration officers power to refuse Commonwealth citizens admission to the United Kingdom on various grounds, including medical grounds. Entry certificate officers are already instructed to bear this in mind, when considering applications for entry certificates, and applicants are informed that grant of an entry certificate will not exempt them from refusal on medical grounds. We have not hitherto thought it right to insist on a health check before granting an entry certificate, but the feasibility of health checks in the country of origin is among the questions being explored by the mission under the leadership of Lord Mountbatten which is at present discussing with a number of Commonwealth Governments means of regulating the flow of Commonwealth immigrants to this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now completed his review of immigration arrangements; and whether he will make a further statement.

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the Answer I gave on 6th May to Questions by the hon. Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he has made in his instructions to immigration officers, in view of Her Majesty's Government's policy on the need for restriction of entry.

On 4th February I informed the House of new instructions I was giving to immigration officers in order to check evasion of the control over Commonwealth immigration. I have no further changes to announce at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the net immigration figures in the first three months of 1965; and whether he will now issue instructions for a large curtailment in the issue of A and B vouchers.

The net balance of immigration for the first three months of 1965 from Canada, Australia and New Zealand was 5,765 and from the other Commonwealth territories 13,518. The corresponding figures for 1964 were 4,137 and 12,345. The Government have postponed further consideration of the voucher scheme until after we have the report of the mission, under the leadership of Lord Mountbatten, that is discussing with a number of Commonwealth Governments means of regulating the flow of Commonwealth immigrants to this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the figures for the net increase of Commonwealth immigrants from Asia, Africa and the West Indies in the first four months of this year; what have been the results of his attempts to prevent evasion of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act; and whether he will make a statement.

In the first four months of this year the total net inward balance of immigration for Commonwealth territories other than Canada, Australia, New Zealand and those in the Mediterranean was 18,898. The corresponding figure for 1964 was 17,401. As to the rest of the Question, I would refer the right hon. and learned Gentleman to the answer I gave on 13th May to a Question by the hon. Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men with university degrees were recruited by police forces in England and Wales between 1st April, 1964, and 1st April, 1965.

The available statistics relate to calendar years. Five men with university degrees were recruited in 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage increase in the police force it is his objective to achieve as the result of the recruitment advertising campaign to be undertaken by his Department during the next 12 months.

My objective is to see that the police have the men that they need to carry out their difficult and vital tasks, and I have set on foot a review of establishments that fall short of requirements.The best current estimate is that the needs of the service are of the order of 15,000. I hope that this year's expanded campaign will make a significant contribution towards a further increase in the number of recruits, but it is not possible to measure this precisely.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Commonwealth immigrants have been recruited into the police forces of England and Wales since 1948.

No central statistics are kept of the origin of British subjects recruited into the police; and my right hon. and learned Friend would not feel justified in asking for a special return.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is now possible to introduce a five-day week for building trades operatives employed in the prison service at Her Majesty's Prison, Walton, Liverpool.

A five-day week working schedule for this staff will be introduced on 28th May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new action he has initiated against juvenile delinquency.

My colleagues and I are urgently considering what new measures are desirable and practicable for dealing with children who are delinquent and for helping those who are at risk and their families. We hope in due course to publish our conclusions as a basis for discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has from the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police as to the number of prostitutes known to be operating on the streets in the Bayswater-Notting Hill area.

The Commissioner estimates that anything up to 40 prostitutes are operating in the streets of this area at any one time. The number of different women arrested or cautioned for loitering or soliciting in the area in the first three months of 1965 was 90.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made with the consultations in his effort to extend the present London taxi meter limit; and if he will make a statement.

After considering the views expressed to him by all sections of the London cab trade, my right hon. and learned Friend has informed them of his conclusion that some revision of the six-mile limit is needed, certainly in terms of controlled fares, and has invited their co-operation in working out the details. Consultations have been renewed on this basis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the maximum order that can be obtained by an unmarried mother in a court against the father of her child is 50s. per week and that any payment awarded by the court is taxed as unearned income and ceases to be payable upon the death of the father, irrespective of the size of the father's estate; and whether, in order to ensure that wealthy putative fathers should give proper support to their children, he will seek to amend the Affiliation Act to enable larger amounts to be awarded and to enable lump sums to be claimed against the estate of a deceased father.

My right hon. and learned Friend is considering the need to amend the law to enable amounts larger than 50s. a week to be ordered in affiliation proceedings. Consideration of the possibility of providing for claims against the estate of a deceased putative father must await the report of the Committee which is considering the law of succession in relation to illegitimate persons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that an unmarried mother seeking to enforce or vary an order made in respect of her child under the Affiliation Act has to make such an application in open court; and whether he will seek to amend the Affiliation Act in order to protect the mother from publicity.

My right hon. and learned Friend is considering the desirability of bringing the law relating to affiliation proceedings in line with that relating to the matrimonial and guardianship proceedings in magistrates' courts, and this is one of the matters which would be dealt with.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the rule preventing an un? married mother commencing proceedings against a putative father more than 12 months after the birth of the child is resulting in hardship to the child; and whether he will seek to amend the Affiliation Act to enable proceedings to be commenced beyond the existing time limit.

The object of this rule is to ensure that proceedings are brought while evidence is still fresh. It is in the child's interest that there should be no delay in commencing proceedings, and my right hon. and learned Friend has no evidence that the rule causes substantial hardship.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that an unmarried mother cannot enforce an affiliation order against a father who is resident in a Commonwealth country; and whether, in view of the increasing number of Commonwealth citizens in this country, he will seek to amend the Maintenance Order (Facilities for Enforcement) Act, 1920, so that it expressly includes an affiliation order.

My right hon. and learned Friend is considering the possibility of making this and other amendments to the Maintenance Order (Facilities for Enforcement) Act, 1920. This will require Commonwealth consultation with a view to reciprocal legislation in Commonwealth countries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the seducer of a married woman living with her husband cannot be ordered to make any payment for a child born out of the affair; and whether he will seek to amend the Affiliation Act to ensure that such putative fathers no longer can escape from their responsibilities to their children.

This proposal would entail a departure from the presumption that a child born during the subsistence of a valid marriage is legitimate. My right hon. and learned Friend is not satisfied that such a change in the law would be desirable or free from difficulty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the practice in some continental countries whereby formal but private recognition of paternity by the father of an illegitimate child may be given; and whether he will seek to amend the Affiliation Act to enable such formal recognition to be accorded privately by the clerk to the magistrates or other appointed officer of the court.

I understand that such a practice does exist in some continental countries, but that in some cases, where an element of doubt as to paternity may arise, the public authority before which the formal recognition is being accorded may advise that court proceedings should nevertheless be taken. On present information my right hon. and learned Friend is not satisfied that the practice has any advantage over the making of payments under a voluntary agreement, which, if the putative father subsequently refuses payment, enables the mother to bring proceedings for an affiliation order at any time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the need of research into the problem of unmarried fathers; what action he will take to encourage such research; and whether he will seek to amend the Affiliation Act to enable officers of the court before proceedings are commenced to interview, on the application of an unmarried mother, the alleged putative father with a view, in suitable circumstances, to encouraging the parents of an illegitimate child to marry.

If my hon. Friend will give me details of the matters which in his view require research, my right hon. and learned Friend will be glad to consider them. As at present informed he sees no reason to think that a statutory procedure is needed to encourage the parents of illegitimate children to marry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that any court order made against a father of an illegitimate child is payable unless there is a special direction only until the child is 13 years of age and that in no event can the order be extended beyond 16 years of age; and, in order that fathers may be ordered to give proper aid to children suffering from physical or mental disability and in need of further educational assistance, he will seek appropriately to amend the Affiliation Act.

Under Section 7 of the Affiliation Proceedings Act, 1957, the court has power, if a child to which an order relates is engaged in a course of education or training after attaining the age of 16 years, to order payments to be made towards the child's maintenance up to the age of 21. My right hon. and learned Friend is considering the possibility of extending this provision to cases in which illegitimate children between the ages of 16 and 21 are dependent for reasons other than education or training.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many research projects have been instituted by his Department under Section 45 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1963.

My right hon. and learned Friend is assisting the National Bureau for Co-operation in Child Care to survey the results of research into child care which have been published in this and certain other countries since 1948, and to carry out research into the operation of two family advice centres. He is also contributing part of the cost of the National Child Development Study (1958 Cohort) which is being undertaken jointly by the Bureau and other bodies. As regards research into adoption, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Pontypool on 9th April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consideration he has given to the application of the barograph principle to radar used by the police to check the speeds of motor vehicles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent radar speed check equipment in current use by police authorities in this country is based on the barograph principle.

Meters fitted with barograph type recording instruments are generally used to estimate the average speed at which traffic is moving rather than the speeds of individual vehicles. My right hon. and learned Friend is not aware of any grounds for taking out of use the standard type of meter used by police forces in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to alter the qualifications for jury service so as to increase the number of people eligible to serve, in the light of the recent Report of the Departmental Committee on Jury Service.

As I said on 29th April in answer to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, North-West (Sir B. Janner), my right hon. and learned Friend is studying the Report carefully, but he is not yet in a position to make a statement about legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Report of the Littlewood Committee on Vivisection is now available; and when he will make known its recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the introduction of fresh legislation as a result of the Littlewood Report on Vivisection.

The Report was published on 29th April. I am considering it, but am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what criteria the Metropolitan Police accept and refuse applications for school crossing patrols; and what procedure is adopted.

Each case is considered on its merits, having regard to the number and ages of the children involved, to the traffic and road conditions at the crossing and to any special factors that may be relevant. Counts are taken of children and traffic at material times and a recommendation is made by the local police. An independent assessment and recommendation is made by officers of the Traffic Branch, New Scotland Yard, and a decision is reached in the light of these two recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on his recent official visit to Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department following his recent official visit to Northern Ireland, what proposals he has relating to new Government measures in Great Britain to help reduce the level of unemployment in Northern Ireland and to assist the Government of Northern Ireland in the steps they are taking to promote further industrial development throughout Ulster; and if he will make a statement.

During my visit to Northern Ireland, I had valuable informal talks with members of the Government of Northern Ireland and with representatives of many walks of life there. The Government gives continuing co-operation and support to the Government of Northern Ireland in tackling the problem of unemployment there and the forthcoming visits to Northern Ireland by my right hon. Friends the First Secretary of State and the President of the Board of Trade indicate the importance which we attach to concerting the industrial and economic plans of the two Governments aimed at making the fullest use of the industrial and labour resources available in the province.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to increase the amount of maintenance which a magistrate's court can award for the benefit of children.

My right hon. and learned Friend is considering the need to increase the present limit, but he cannot at present say when it will be possible to introduce legislation for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that maintenance of arrears due under court order from a putative father cannot be obtained against the estate of a deceased father; and whether he will seek to amend the Affiliation Act to enable such arrears to be properly claimed.

The procedure for enforcing arrears makes provision for the court to take account of good reasons for failure to make payments and to remit all or part of the arrears in appropriate cases. These provisions could not operate after the death of the defendant and without them a change of the kind proposed might work injustice. My right hon. and learned Friend is not aware of any evidence that the existing provisions cause substantial hardship.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the result of his consideration of the introduction to this country of the suspended sentence.

I am sorry that I cannot at present add to the Answer which I gave on 28th April to Questions by the hon. Member for Oxford (Mr. Woodhouse).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in his exploration of methods to enable prisoners to earn the privilege of seeing their families at home.

Suitable prisoners in certain categories are at present allowed one period of home leave towards the end of their sentence; a copy of the current instruction is in the Library. My right hon. and learned Friend is considering the possibility of extending the scheme, but he is not at present in a position to make any announcement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to Messrs. John Robinson and Jarvis's letter of 30th December, 1964, asking him to consider recommending the granting of a free pardon to Alfred George Hinds, in respect of his conviction in 1953 to a sentence of 12 years' preventive detention for the Maples robbery.

A reply has now been sent, indicating that my right hon. and learned Friend has referred this case to the Court of Criminal Appeal under Section 19(a) of the Criminal Appeal Act, 1907.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were in custody on 1st May, 1965, having been committed by an order made by a judge sitting in camera.

I am informed that one person only was so in custody on 1st May, 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what alterations he is considering making to the rules governing the procedure for making adoption orders in the courts.

My right hon. and learned Friend is lookng again at the point raised in a Question by my hon. Friend, the Member for Pontypool (Mr. Abse) on 9th April. In addition, he has sent to various bodies for their comments a draft of various proposed amendments to the Adoption (Juvenile Courts) Rules, two of which involve minor changes in the procedure for making adoption orders in the courts, particulars of which I will send to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a foster parent may foster one child after another for periods of less than one month at a time and so escape the provisions of notification required under Section 3 of the Children Act, 1958; and what steps he is taking to remedy this anomaly.

There are good practical reasons for limiting these provisions to children fostered for more than a month, but if the hon. Member has evidence that might justify widening them, I hope he will send it to me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek to amend Section 3(1) of the Children Act, 1958, which provides that a person who proposes to maintain a foster child must give written notice to the local authority before receiving the child, so as to ensure that the person who yields up the child shall also have to give written notice.

My right hon. and learned Friend has some doubt whether such an extension of the law would be efficacious, but he has noted this suggestion for future consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that there is some evasion of the law which provides that a person who proposes to maintain a foster child must give written notice to the local authority two weeks before receiving the child; and what steps he is taking to secure compliance with the law.

My right hon. and learned Friend recognises that the requirement to give written notice may not be generally known. Local authorities are responsible for giving necessary local publicity, and the Home Office has arranged for broadcasts to be made during the "Government announcements" period and for the production of a poster which has been widely distributed. The most effective way of securing compliance with the law is for local authorities to bring prosecutions in suitable cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he takes to ensure that students arriving in this country restrict their activities to the studies that they have undertaken and return to their countries of origin upon the conclusion of those studies.

All students subject to the Aliens Order, 1953, or the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962, are now admitted only for such a period as (with extensions) may be necessary to enable them to complete their studies. An application by a student to stay on in the United Kingdom after completing his studies will be granted only if he has an acceptable case on other grounds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to amend the law of guardianship to give, in the absence of any court order to the contrary, the mother of the child under 21 years of age guardianship rights equal to and concurrent with the rights of the father.

A Bill on this subject, introduced by the hon. Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Dame Joan Vickers), is already before the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to increase penalities for stealing farm produce off the land.

The Criminal Law Revision Committee is making a comprehensive review of the law of larceny. These penalties will be looked at in the light of the recommendations made by the Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what police authorities employ coloured police officers, and in what numbers.

My information is that there are no coloured regular police officers in England and Wales, but that there are three coloured men serving as special constables, with the Plymouth, Gloucestershire and Luton police forces respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications were received by the Metropolitan Police authority from coloured persons for appointment as police officers during the years 1963 and 1964; and how many of these were rejected, and for what reasons.

My right hon. and learned Friend is informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that during 1963 and 1964 a total of 23 coloured persons, none of whom was appointed, applied to join the Metropolitan police. Seventeen of them failed in one or more respects to satisfy the requisite standards of age, height, physique or education; five of the others were recent arrivals in this country; and one was found on interview to be unsuitable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence has been obtained by the Metropolitan Police as to the extent of the growth of prostitution in Balham; and what measures are being applied to the problem.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that after the enactment of the Street Offences Act, 1959, loitering for the purpose of prostitution diminished considerably in Balham. Since then there has been some increase, of which the extent is difficult to assess, but it is not thought to have reached its former level. Special patrols are employed, within the limits of manpower available, to deal with this problem.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, as a deterrent against train wreckers, he will seek to extend the fine of £10 on children of 10 to 14 years of age to £100, with power to obtain the money from parents, and to extend to other classes of young people increased fines adjusted proportionately.

Methods of dealing with young offenders are under review, and my right hon. and learned Friend will bear in mind the hon. Member's suggestion in that connection.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with the Railways Board on their proposals for increased penalties for train wreckers.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport consulted my right hon. and learned Friend about the increased maximum penalties proposed by the Railways Board in their private Bill now before Parliament and in revised byelaws which they intend to make under the Transport Act 1962. My right hon. and learned Friend is in agreement with the proposed increases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the two recent cases of discourtesy, details of which have been given to him, and in the interests of the good name of this country and of the tourist industry, he will now instruct immigration officers at all times to show courtesy and consideration towards foreign tourists visiting this country.

Though the hon. Member has furnished details of two complaints, one of them was only received by me yesterday. I have not had time to make the necessary enquiries but these are being set in hand and I will write to the hon. Member in due course. The other complaint was the subject of thorough inquiry, the results of which were communicated to the hon. Member on 6th May. No discourtesy was disclosed, but the passenger concerned should have been dealt with more expeditiously, and an appropriate apology was made.My right hon. and learned Friend attaches great importance to the prompt and courteous clearance of all travellers through the controls at our ports, and immigration officers receive careful instruction to that end in the course of training. It appears to my right hon. and learned Friend that in general they carry out their difficult duties with noteworthy tact and discretion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the growing anxiety throughout the country at the increase in the number of private security forces; and if he will take steps to examine the uniforms used by these commercial organisations to ensure that there is no possible confusion with those of county or city police.

My right hon. and learned Friend is aware of the activities of private security organisations and he keeps in touch with the situation. Under subsection (2) of Section 52 of the Police Act, 1964, it is an offence to wear any article of uniform so nearly resembling that of a member of a police force as to be calculated to deceive. My right hon. and learned Friend has no reason to think that this provision is ineffective, and in general he sees no cause for anxiety at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek powers to obtain figures as to how many private security organisations now offer their services commercially in this country and how many uniformed people are at present employed by these organisations.

My right hon. and learned Friend does not require special powers in order to obtain this information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the shortage of court accommodation for coroners serving the Beckenham constituency; and when it is planned to improve the position.

This is not a matter in which my right hon. and learned Friend has any responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take extra precautions to ensure that the men convicted and sentenced for their part in the great train robbery do not escape from prison; and if he will make a statement.

Precautions have been taken. It would not be in the public interest to give details.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will request a report from the Chief Constable of Oxford under Section 30 of the Police Act, 1964, on the scale of drug-peddling in the city;(2) what information he has received from the Chief Constable of Oxford on the extent of drug-addiction among students at the University.

My right hon. and learned Friend is in touch with the Chief Constable about these matters and is awaiting a report from him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the continued spread of drug taking, particularly among teenagers; what plans he has for seeking new powers to deal with this; and whether he is satisfied that the security services at the point of manufacture are sufficient to prevent the unauthorised removal of drugs from that source.

I have noted with concern suggestions that drug taking is increasing and I am watching the position closely. The Interdepartmental Committee on Drug Addiction was reconvened last year to study certain aspects of the problem and its report is expected soon. I am satisfied that those concerned in manufacturing and handling dangerous drugs take strict security precautions in accordance with the conditions of their licences and regulations. The Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1964, makes no provision as regards the custody of the drugs controlled thereunder. The possible need for further controls is being kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Report of the Boundaries Commission on the London Boroughs was issued to the Press before it was released to hon. Members.

This was not a Report by the Boundary Commission for England, but statutory notification of certain provisional recommendations—a matter entirely for the Commission. When in due course the Commission submits final recommendations for England as a whole, the presentation of its Report to Parliament will, of course, precede publication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police authorities use television cameras for crime prevention and detection; and what steps he is taking to encourage such use.

My right hon. and learned Friend understands that only one police force is using television cameras in this way. He is keeping in close touch with the experiment through the Home Office Police Research and Planning Branch, but a considered assessment cannot yet be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in the preparation of legislation to modernise and liberalise the law on abortion.

I have at present nothing to add to the Answer which I gave on 25th March to the Question by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now introduce legislation to make abortion legal on medical advice following a criminal offence or when there is danger of a deformed child.

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply which I have given today to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton).

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, into which category of exceptions to Her Majesty's Government's incomes policy, as outlined in paragraph 15 in the White Paper on Prices and Incomes Policy, the increase in salary for approximately 8,000 prison officers of 6 per cent. backdated to 1st January, 1964, and a further 3½ per cent. backdated to 1st January, 1965, comes.

I have been asked to reply.The recent increase of 6 per cent. backdate to 1st January, 1964, was determined in accordance with the recommendations in the report of the Wynn-Parry Committee (Cmd. 544), which recommended that the pay of prison officers should move with the pay of other civil servants on comparable salary levels. It took account of all relevant developments since the last comprehensive review of prison officers' pay took effect in December 1958.The further increases of 3½ per cent. from 1st January, 1965, and 1st January, 1966, are in line with the principles set out in the White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the accuracy and reliability of radar meters as a method of trapping motorists thought to be exceeding the speed limit; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Gresham-Cooke) on 29th April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will seek to impose an age limit on persons employed as school crossing attendants;(2) if he will seek to require that persons employed as school crossing attendants should undergo eyesight and hearing tests;(3) if he will seek to ensure that persons employed as school crossing attendants should pass an examination on the Highway Code.

My right hon. and learned Friend has no power to issue directions in these matters. Section 47 of the Road Traffic Act, 1960, requires local authorities and, in the Metropolitan Police District, the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to satisfy themselves of the adequate qualifications of persons appointed as school crossing patrols, and to provide requisite training of persons to be appointed. It is obviously desirable that a patrol should have satisfactory eyesight and hearing. My right hon. and learned Friend would be reluctant to suggest the general imposition of an arbitrary age-limit. Many elderly patrols give good service—indeed, but for the pensioners who are prepared to do this work many more of the crossings than at present would not be manned. Appointing authorities should, however, have regard to the fitness and alertness of applicants for appointment, whatever their age, and should keep these under review.The training of school crossing patrols in the Metropolitan Police District includes study of the Highway Code. A copy of the Commissioner's instructions for training patrols has been sent to all school crossing authorities, who were also advised to issue a copy of the Highway Code to each patrol, with particular reference to the stopping distances of vehicles. Officers instructing and supervising patrols can judge without a formal examination whether patrols can apply in practice the parts of the Highway Code which are relevant to their duties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department will adopt a system of remission of sentence based, inter alia, upon the satisfactory completion by a prisoner of a day or days' work while in prison.

This kind of system operated until 1940. It was then abandoned as the growing complexity and widening range of prison industries made it difficult to administer effectively and fairly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what developments have taken place in the discussions with local authorities, fire associations and industry regarding the carriage by road of dangerous liquids and substances; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave today to his earlier Question on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that in proceedings under the Affiliation Act an accused man can protect himself from self-incrimination by refusing to give evidence and at the same time may procure witnesses to allege that any one of them may be the father of the child; and whether he will seek to amend the Affiliation Act so that the Swedish practice may be followed which enables all such witnesses to become by order of the court paying fathers.

There is power to issue a witness summons against a defendant in affiliation proceedings. From the enquiries my right hon. and learned Friend has made I understand that no practice of the kind described exists in Sweden. Such a practice formerly existed in Denmark, but was abandoned in 1961. There would in my right hon. and learned Friend's view be serious objections to introducing such a practice in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to increase the allowances paid to those undertaking jury service.

My right hon. and learned Friend is reviewing these allowances in the light of the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Jury Service and of the allowances payable in respect of certain other public duties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will set up a working party to review the law relating to the protection of children whose care and maintenance are undertaken for reward by people who are not relatives or guardians, so as to take account of experience gained by the local authorities since 1958.

The Department and its inspectors keep in close touch with local authorities and their children's officers about the operation of the Act, and my right hon. and learned Friend is ready to consider any suggestions by the authorities or their associations for improving the law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the success in other countries of the system by which juvenile delinquents are sent out of prison and approved schools to do cleaning and other constructive work for old-age pensioners and other private citizens; and if he will adopt similar methods in Great Britain.

Yes; similar methods have been in use in borstal institutions and approved schools in this country for many years. The work is entirely voluntary, covers a wide range of activities, and is permitted to boys and girls who have reached a sufficient degree of maturity and responsibility. It has not so far proved possible to extend it to young offenders in prison.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what psychiatric or psychological advice he seeks and applies in cases where civil servants with criminal records in the past are on the point of promotion.

If it is considered necessary, psychiatric or psychological advice is obtainable about any officer at any stage in his career either from the Treasury Medical Adviser or from the appropriate professional officers in my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that representations with regard to the provisional recommendations of the Boundary Commission for England affecting Parliamentary constituencies are to be made within a period of one month, whether he will introduce legislation to extend this period.

My right hon. and learned Friend has no present evidence that the period of one month is creating difficulties, or is likely to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what opportunities were afforded to the Basutoland Chamber of Commerce to submit their views to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary during her recent visit to Basutoland.

My hon. Friend's visit was widely publicised in the territory. No request was received from the Chamber of Commerce to meet my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress is being made in British Guiana in passing local legislation to incorporate the terms of the Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act, 1958, into the legal system of the territory; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the right hon. Member on 2nd February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Aden and the New Hebrides, insofar as British nationals are concerned, have indicated their views as to the terms of the Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act, 1958; and what progress is being made in the application of such terms to these territories.

Aden's views are still awaited. As regards the New Hebrides (in so far as British national are concerned) a draft Order in Council extending the Act to British legal system in the Territory is in preparation.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he is aware of the excessive charges being made for diabetic foodstuffs; and whether he will refer these items to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

My right hon. Friend understands that there has been no general increase in prices recently and, on the information available to him, sees no justification for a reference to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will now announce the names of the consultants appointed by the Government to study the affairs of Short Brothers and Harland; and what will be their terms of reference.

I have decided, in agreement with Short Brothers and Harland Ltd., to appoint Messrs. Arthur D. Little for this assignment. As I informed the House on 2nd February, the task of the consultants is to carry out a comprehensive review of the company's potential, to report on the scope which may exist for redeploying the company's resources and to recommend measures for effecting redeployment so as to make the maximum contribution to the sound development of the Northern Ireland economy. It is not intended to prejudge the company's place in the aircraft industry, which the Plowden Committee will be considering. It will not, therefore, be part of the consultants' review to advise on the level of aircraft and allied orders to be placed with the company in the future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will initiate legislation to make it an offence to sell tickets for sporting events at black market prices outside the grounds on the day of these events, and arrange for this legislation to be effective prior to the World Cup football series in Great Britain.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the report of the inquiry into the Cadco affair; and in what manner he will inform the House of the contents of the report.

The inspectors appointed under Section 165 of the Companies Act to investigate the affairs of three companies in the Cadco group expect to conclude their inquiry shortly. My right hon. Friend will decide whether to publish their report when he receives it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many permits have been granted for the export of Hawker Siddeley 125s for use in South Africa.

No licence application has been received.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Her Majesty's Government will take steps to establish in England and Wales a system of staggered holidays for different towns and areas, similar to that existing in Scotland, to replace the present Bank Holidays, with the object of reducing congestion and discomfort.

I agree that there are advantages in the Scottish system of locally arranged town holidays. I do not think, however, that the imposition of a system of this kind by the Government in England and Wales in substitution for bank holidays would be acceptable to public opinion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate has been made by his Department of the effect on British exports of a withdrawal of Commonwealth preference enjoyed by the United Kingdom in Rhodesia.

It is not possible to make such an estimate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that the unrestricted use of non-voting shares for take-over purposes can result in the disfranchisement of large numbers of shareholders, if he will now introduce legislation to abolish non-voting shares for Stock Exchange companies, or to restrict their use in large-scale financial transactions.

No. While I am aware of the arguments for some restriction on future issues of non-voting shares, I am not convinced that the abolition of such shares, where they already exist, is practicable or desirable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made by his Department with regard to the administration for the replacement of Rhodesian tobacco imports; and what estimate has been made of the effect of so doing on the balance of payments, particularly with the United States of America.

I do not foresee any serious difficulty, balance of payments or otherwise, in replacing Rhodesian tobacco should it, unfortunately, ever become necessary to do so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken during the last three months to build advance factories in Aberdeen to attract industries there and to encourage exports of Aberdeen products to northern Europe.

My right hon. Friend has taken no recent steps in regard to the building of advance factories at Aberdeen. He will, however, consider the city's claims when drawing up any future programme. The Board of Trade continues to assist firms in the Aberdeen area in their efforts to export to northern Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what reports he has received from Her Majesty's inspectors on the use of the initial teaching alphabet in the teaching of reading in infant schools;(2) if he will take steps to bring to the attention of local education authorities, head teachers and teachers the advantages to the child when learning with the initial teaching alphabet; and what steps he will take to help local education authorities and teachers to avail themselves of this medium.

My right hon. Friend has received reports from Her Majesty's inspectors which, though necessarily provisional, are encouraging. But it will be several years before the experiment in the use of the initial teaching alphabet is complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the opportunities now available for university students to read meteorology, and that the supply of graduates in this subject is sufficient to meet the requirements of Government Departments; and if he will make a statement.

Five universities at present offer opportunities for specialised study of meteorology, and further developments, I understand, are being actively considered in consultation with the Meteorological Office. Graduates in mathematics and physics are also suitable for this work, but there is a general shortage of well-qualified people in these disciplines. Questions relating to the staffing of the Government's meteorological services are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what facilities exist in his Department for the study of historic buildings and their amenities.

None. Responsibility for these matters does not rest with my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what amount was spent on research and development in the United Kingdom in the years 1960 to 1964, respectively; and what percentage of each amount was spent in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively.

Surveys of expenditure on research and development in the United Kingdom are made every three years and the last inquiry (for 1961–62) showed that the amount spent was £634 million. A new survey in respect of 1964–65 is now in progress. No analysis was made in the 1961–62 survey of the amounts spent in England, Scotland or Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many compulsory purchase orders promoted by local authorities he has refused to confirm after appeal during each of the last five years to the most convenient date.

The numbers are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the grounds which led the University Central Council for Admissions not to include the Queen's University of Belfast within its remit.

The Universities Central Council on Admissions is an agent of the universities. I understand that the decision whether to take part in its scheme is a matter for each university, and that the Queen's University, Belfast, has not so far participated fully, but maintains informal relations with the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to facilitate educational work in schools by the Society for Anglo-Chinese understanding.

I hope that the schools will take every opportunity of promoting knowledge and understanding of the life and outlook of other peoples, but it is for them to decide how this can best be done.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a White Paper on the present work and future development of the Paymaster General's Department.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the improvements in Great Britain's export trade, when the rest of the import surcharge will be removed.

I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Channon) on 4th May.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the percentage of the total number of voting and non-voting shares, respectively, in the Rootes Group now held by the Chrysler Corporation.

The detailed distribution of holdings is not a matter for me. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor on 29th July, 1964, for the undertaking given as to any action which might lead to Chrysler Corporation acquiring a majority holding of voting shares in Rootes Motors Ltd. This undertaking remains operative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what United Kingdom tax has been paid by the British Petroleum Company Limited in the last 10 years.

I cannot say more about the tax affairs of a particular taxpayer than is revealed by published information. For some of the last ten years the accounts of the British Petroleum Company made provision for United Kingdom tax; for other years the accounts showed a credit for tax which included a recovery out of taxed income of earlier years. Over the period the credits exceeded the provisions by over £16 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated annual cost of allowing former Regular Service men who do not qualify for a service pension, and who subsequently joint the Civil Service, to count their period of forces service towards their entitlement to a Civil Service pension; and whether he will introduce legislation to permit this.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer into which category of exceptions to Her Majesty's Government's incomes policy, as outlined in paragraph 15 in the White Paper on Prices and Incomes Policy, the increase in salary for 3,000 Civil Service instructional officers of between 5 and 8½ per cent. comes.

As my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State explained to the House on Tuesday, 11th May, 1965, pay revisions in the Civil Service are based on the Priestley Commission principle of "fair comparisons" with comparable outside employment. In accordance with the 1964 Civil Service Pay Agreement, the settlement for instructional officers was based on a pay research survey of the pay and conditions of service in comparable outside employment at 1st January, 1964, and will take effect from that date.The cash increases range from 3·7 per cent. to 8·6 per cent. The compounded annual rate of increases over the 6½ years

The number of such former Regular Service men is not known, and the cost cannot therefore be estimated. The Government do not propose to introduce legislation to this end.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the total sums of money invested in premium bonds in Northern Ireland during 1964; what was the value of prizes for that year; what were the values of prizes expressed as a percentage of the sums invested; and if he will give the comparable figures for England and Wales, and for Scotland, respectively, in that year.

The figures are as follows:since the last pay revaluation based on outside comparisons in July, 1957, range from 3·3 per cent. to 4·0 per cent.

asked the Chancellar of the Exchequer into which category of exceptions to Her Majesty's Government's incomes policy, as outlined in paragraph 15 in the White Paper on Prices and Incomes Policy, the increase in salary for 15,000 tax offices employed by the Inland Revenue of 10·9 per cent. and back-dated to 1st January, 1964, comes.

As my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State explained to the House on Tuesday, 11th May, 1965, pay revisions in the Civil Service are based on the Priestley Commission principle of "fair comparisons" with comparable outside employment. Tax Officers were the subject of a pay research survey. As the parties failed to reach agreement on the amount of the increases due on the evidence of the Survey, reference to the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal was necessary. As the Survey related to pay and conditions of service in comparable outside employment at 1st January, 1964, in accordance with the 1964 Civil Service Pay Agreement, this was the operative date of the scale awarded by the Tribunal for tax officers.The scale awarded by the Tribunal gives increases on existing pay of 1·2 per cent. at the minimum and 7·7 per cent. at the maximum, with somewhat larger increases in the middle of the scale. The compounded annual rate of increase at the maximum over the 6½ years since the last pay revaluation based on outside comparisons in July, 1957 is 4·3 per cent.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now take steps, similar to those taken in Canada and Australia, which would have the effect of compelling would-be emigrants to have a medical examination before they leave their native country for Great Britain; if he will institute a study of the Canadian and Australian experience in this regard; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware of Canadian and Australian practice. The arrangements for the medical examination of immigrants to this country are being kept under review in the light of current experience, and they will be further reviewed when the mission under Lord Mountbatten has completed its discussions with Commonwealth governments.

asked the Minister of Health how many compulsory purchase orders promoted by local authorities he has refused to confirm after appeal during each of the last five years to the most convenient date.

None, in the years 1960 to 1964; two orders out of the total number were confirmed with modifications after objections.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the recent outbreak of food poisoning in the Epping urban district and Epping and Ongar rural district.

Investigations by the medical officer of health suggest that the illness was caused by eating bread made from a batch of flour contaminated in transit. The contamination was an isolated local occurrence; inquiries of other medical officers of health into whose areas batches of the same flour were delivered revealed no similar incidents.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will replace passports by identity cards such as are used for movement between the countries of the European Economic Community, limiting these identity cards for travel between the United Kingdom and those countries represented at the Council of Europe.

No. Simplified "British Visitors Passports" may already be used for travel to all members countries of the Council of Europe except Cyprus, which has not so far asked to be included in the scheme. In view of this I see no reason to re-introduce identity cards for the limited purpose proposed by the hon. Gentleman. I would refer him to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Francis Noel-Baker) on 3rd May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the present method of ear-marking sheep for purposes of fatstock subsidy, causes considerable suffering; and if he will inquire into the possibility of using a more humane method.

It is necessary to apply a permanent ear-mark to sheep certified for fatstock subsidy in order to prevent subsidy being paid more than once on the same animal. The present method is the result of a great deal of investigation, and we try to ensure that it is used humanely and efficiently. We are always willing to examine any fresh suggestions.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is satisfied that the present penalties are adequate for the offence of sending indecent literature through the post, in view of recent cases; and whether he will now introduce legislation to increase the penalties.

My right hon. Friend has no reason for thinking that the present maximum penalty for an indictable offence under Section 11(1, b) of the Post Office Act, 1953, is inadequate. But it is a question whether the maximum penalty to which a person is liable on summary conviction under the same Section of the Act should not be increased and this is under consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the delay in the installation of new telephones in the East Leake area of Nottinghamshire; and what plans he has for an improved service.

I am sorry that 26 applications for telephones in the East Leake area are at present delayed because of shortage of exchange equipment. The provision of additional equipment is in hand and the outstanding applications should be met by the autumn of this year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he has now decided whether to send a circular letter to all local housing authorities in England and Wales to remind them of the recommendation made by his Department in 1955 that applications for council houses by regular Service men on discharge should be considered exclusively on the basis of their housing needs without any regard to the length of their residence in the locality.

I would refer the hon. Member to my replies to Questions by the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Loveys) and other hon. Members on 11th May.