asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals the West German Government made at the last North Atlantic Treaty Organisation meeting in Paris regarding nuclear land mines being sown along the frontier between East and West Germany; and what was Her Majesty's Government's policy with regard to this proposal.

Discussions at these meetings are of course confidential but I can say that I am not aware of any such proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will initiate studies into the allocation of overheads for operations east of Suez.

No. I do not think that the allocation of overheads beyond the extent at present practised would serve a useful purpose in conducting the Defence Review.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what orders have been placed with the aircraft industry for P1127s and for Comets for Coastal Command; and what aircraft will be used for all-weather reconnaissance at the end of the decade.

Preliminary contracts have been placed covering the initial development and production work on both aircraft.All-weather strategic reconnaissance at the end of the decade will be provided by Royal Air Force Victors and tactical all-weather reconnaissance by Royal Air Force Phantoms and Royal Navy Buccaneers. Further all-weather tactical reconnaissance will be provided by the Royal Air Force PR Canberras and, as these are phased out, by the Canberra replacement but a decision on the aircraft type and number must await the outcome of the Defence Review.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in discussions over the creation of an Atlantic Nuclear Force; and whether he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the reply by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) on 25th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase the number of service families' hostels in the country as a whole and conventional married quarters in the Maidstone constituency.

None for hostels. Another 209 married quarters are due to be completed in the hon. Member's constituency by this September.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the fact that Phantom aircraft for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are being fitted with Rolls Royce engines, when these aircraft will be in squadron use.

We hope to introduce the Spey-engined Phantoms into squadron service with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force during 1968–69. As announced in February the P.1154 could not possibly have been in service before 1970–71 and might well have been later.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence which type of engine is to be fitted in the Hercules transport aircraft; and when they will be in squadron use.

I hope to make a statement on this in the near future when present studies have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has regarding the disposal of Sculthorpe Airfield and equipment.

The removal of equipment required for Service use elsewhere having been almost completed and agreement having been reached in principle with the local planning authority about which buildings should remain and which should be sold for removal, the first sale of buildings and other assets for removal is planned for the end of June or early July and a second sale for a few months later. Following this we shall dispose of the land and the remaining buildings in situ.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in view of the fact that the pay of Her Majesty's Armed Forces is related to that of the Civil Service, he will ensure that any backdated pay awards given to civil servants automatically apply to the pay of members of the Forces.

The pay of the Armed Forces is reviewed biennially and the result of the next review will be announced early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that the West Lancashire Territorial Association sell dwelling accommodation surplus to their requirements in Aigburth Road, Liverpool, to Liverpool Corporation by negotiations and do not put it up for public auction, as is now their intention.

We shall not put this property up for auction before we have given sympathetic consideration to the Corporation's recent request to buy it privately.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the replacement of the United States M44 155 mm. and the British 5·5 in. gun-howitzer.

Both guns will be replaced in the close support rôle by the British Abbot 105 mm. self-propelled gun and the 5·5 in. gun in the general support rôle by the United States M107 175 mm. and M 109 155 mm. guns. Replacement by the Abbot is planned to start towards the end of this year and be completed in 1967, while the M107 will come into service towards the end of this year and the M109 by the end of 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans Her Majesty's Government have for increasing the sales of British military equipment to United Kingdom allies within the foreseeable future.

We fully recognise the need to pay special attention to more effective competition; but we also realise that we must collaborate, as well as compete, with our allies in research and development and production. As recent announcements have shown, we are making considerable efforts in both these directions. They include the important task of harmonising our operational requirements with those of our allies.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many joint Anglo-American defence research and development projects of the sort mentioned in the communique issued after the Prime Minister's discussions with President Johnson have been negotiated in the last six months in the electronic guided missile and vehicle development fields.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question on 19th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the latest figures for re-engagement in the Royal Navy; and what progress is being made in the recruitment, training and retention of naval aircrew.

As my hon. Friend has already made plain, we are not satisfied with the R.N. re-engagement situation, but it is too early to say whether the incentives announced in mid-March will have the desired effect. The position regarding recruitment, training and retention of naval aircrew has not changed materially from that described in the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1965, but a new advertising campaign has been launched and the application and entry rates have improved slightly. Measures to improve the conditions of service for naval aircrew officers are under active consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what provision is being made during the current year for the combined training of Royal and South African naval units in fulfilment of British commitments under the Simonstown Agreement; and if he is satisfied with the standard of anti-submarine training in the South Atlantic.

As I informed the hon. and gallant Member on 22nd March, a submarine is expected to visit South Atlantic waters later this year. The standard of training of H.M. ships is good.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will hold an official inquiry into the reasons for the termination of the commission of Flight Lieutenant Wolfson, D.F.C., in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

No. As I have explained to the hon. Member in correspondence, all the material facts are known, and I am satisfied that the decision taken was correct.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in view of recent troop survival exercises in British Honduras after which three Service men were admitted to hospital, he will give instructions to all units carrying out such exercises that those taking part will carry special emergency rations; and if he will make a statement.

This exercise was a jungle patrol exercise planned to last only a few hours, and the men carrying it out had with them a full day's rations and seven water bottles. No new instructions are called for.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many units of the Territorial Army operate in the County of Lanark; and how many acres of land are occupied by his Department for their use.

There are 31 Territorial Army units or sub-units in the County of Lanark and 36 in the County of the City of Glasgow. They occupy buildings and land which cover about 58 acres and hold rifle ranges, also used by the Regular Services, covering a further 684 acres, part of which is let for agricultural purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what changes he is making in the establishment of infantry battalions in the Regular Army.

We are removing from the establishment of each infantry battalion the Royal Army Ordnance Corps cobbler and from the establishment of those battalions not equipped with an Armoured Personnel Carrier a craftsman of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Apart from that we are increasing the establishment of infantry battalions in the British Army of the Rhine by seven infantrymen and the establishment of each infantry battalion of the line, as I have already told the House, by a Unit Married Families Officer.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the reputation in aerobatics of the Royal Air Force, why the participation by the Red Arrow aerobatic team in the forthcoming Paris Air Show has been limited to seven planes when other countries' demonstrating teams include nine planes; and if, in view of the potential of the larger formation and the prestige accruing to British aircraft, he will reconsider this decision, in order that British airmen may perform on terms of parity with those of other nations.

The impact of the Red Arrows' display does not depend on numbers but on the precision and originality of the flying, which has already earned high praise at home and abroad. Their performance at Paris will be co-ordinated with a formation of nine Lightnings from Fighter Command. Two other countries will also be flying seven aircraft formations at Le Bourget.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the state of the Royal Navy in the Far East; and if he will make a statement.

The Far East Fleet is alert, highly trained and powerful; and is making a worth-while contribution to peace in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the fact that the main danger to world peace is now in the East and of the Government's acceptance of responsibility in that area, what action is being taken to provide housing accommodation and other amenities for the families of Service men; and if he will make a statement.

Our deployment east of Suez puts a heavy strain on Service men and their families. The deployment is under review, and in the meantime, various schemes for improving Service housing and other amenities are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the cost of the four Polaris submarines now under construction; how the cost compares with the latest type of Polaris submarines with Poseidon warheads now being built by the United States Government; what information he has as to why the United States Government is to discontinue building submarines of the type being built for Great Britain; and if he is satisfied that the Polaris submarines will not be obsolete before they are completed.

The capital cost of the programme to which the hon. Member refers is of the order of £370 million; this includes the cost of the base from which the submarines will operate. I have no knowledge of the type of submarine construction in the United States to which the hon. Member refers. The Americans are still building Polaris submarines designed to fire the same missiles as our own; they will certainly not be obsolete before they are completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the expenditure on the "Britannia" for the first four months of 1965.

£325,000. This figure includes running costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will issue an instruction to all commanding officers of military establishments that no extra public expenditure above that required for reasonable hospitality must be incurred on the occasion of the visit of any V.I.P. to such establishments.

No. Expenditure on these occasions is already kept to a minimum.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the practicability of supplementing the services given by the nine ocean weather ships in the Atlantic with a service of meteorological information provided, for payment, by all mercantile vessels of interested countries on regular Atlantic routes; and if he will make a statement.

Ships of nearly all the maritime countries already make regular meteorological reports whenever they are at sea, under a worldwide system coordinated by the World Meteorological Organisation. About 4.000 ships participate, of which more than 700 are registered in the United Kingdom. In British ships, as in most foreign ones, the work is voluntary and unpaid. The system works well and I see no reason for attempting to change it.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is aware that the existence of only nine weather ships in the Atlantic prejudices the ability of the Meteorological Office to provide the most accurate weather forecasts for this country; what is the present financial contribution of this country to the cost of those ships; and whether he will take steps, in conjunction with other interested parties, to arrange for an early increase in their numbers.

The primary purpose of the ocean weather ships is to provide services for civil aircraft crossing the Atlantic.There are nine ocean weather stations in the North Atlantic, each of which requires two ships to maintain it continuously. Four of the eighteen weather ships are British. The costs of the American weather stations are borne by the American Government; the costs of the remainder are shared between the other countries having an interest in Transatlantic aviation, each country paying a contribution determined in accordance with the volume of its traffic. The present British financial contribution is £350,000 a year.From a purely meteorological point of view, it would be useful to have more weather stations in this area but in view of the high cost, I do not feel justified at the moment in proposing an increase in the present number.

asked the Secretary of Defence what evidence he has of the reason for the success of recruitment in some regiments as opposed to others; which regiment has had the most successful results; and if he will give recent figures for all regiments.

Success in recruitment is dependent partly upon the traditions and family ties built up by regiments over many years and the tasks required of, and the publicity given them, and partly upon their own efforts and organisation and help given by the Ministry of Defence. It would, however, be invidious to select any one arm, corps or regiment as being the best recruited at this stage of build up in the Army when some are in greater need of recruits and therefore greater effort is required of them than others.I circulate below the recruitment figures for this year:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the fact that most Royal Air Force stations are unused at weekends, if he will encourage their greater use by amateur flying clubs and gliding clubs and seek to give greater financial assistance to these clubs; and if he will make a statement.

About 60 R.A.F. airfields are available for landings by civil aircraft when operational requirements permit, when adequate control and safety facilities are available and with the prior permission of the station commander. At weekends when many R.A.F. stations are unused the necessary control and safety facilities are not available and thus a civil aircraft cannot be permitted to land.Gliding is permitted at certain R.A.F. airfields but the available facilities are often fully utilised by Air Training Corps Gliding Schools. I am always ready to look at the question of the use of specific airfields by amateur flying or gliding clubs. The question of greater financial assistance to amateur flying and gliding clubs is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present number of commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers and other ranks in the Territorial Army in Northern Ireland.

There are about 400 officers, 600 warrant officers, staff sergeants and sergeants, and 5,000 corporals, lance corporals and private soldiers.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what difference exists in the rate of local overseas allowance paid to officers and men serving in the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean and in the Far East.

Rates of local overseas allowance paid to personnel in the Far East are greater than those paid in the Mediterranean because living costs are higher on the former station. The amount by which the rates differ varies according to what rank the officer or man holds, whether he is serving on shore or afloat, whether he is married or single, whether his family resides on the station and whether he is serving in the Hong Kong or Singapore area of the Far East. By way of illustration, a commander serving on shore in Singapore and occupying private accommodation there with his family would get almost 62s. 0d. a day more than his counterpart at Malta; whereas a leading rating in similar circumstances in Hong Kong would receive 34s. 6d. a day more than his equivalent in Malta.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware of the desirability of retaining the Naval Gunnery School, H.M.S. "Cambridge", at Wembury; and if he can yet make a statement as to its future.

I have as yet nothing to add to the reply which I gave the hon. Member on 3rd May last.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why he invited the French Army to take part in the celebration of the battle of Waterloo.

No such invitation was issued.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much he expects the United Kingdom to spend in each of the next five years on new aircraft which are to be purchased from the United States of America as a result of the Government's aircraft requirement changes already announced, and those suggested by the Government during the Defence Debates, respectively.

No final decisions have been taken but detailed discussions with the United States Government about initial aircraft orders involving expenditure of up to £70 million are now in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has now completed the review relating to Armed Forces pensions; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave today to similar questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of current defence contracts has been placed in development districts.

Defence orders placed in Development Districts during 1964–65 were by number 8 per cent. and by value 11 per cent. of the total for that year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now make a further statement on the future of the Territorial Army.

I would refer the hon. Member to replies I gave earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total additional expense incurred to public funds as a result of the official visit of the Duke of Edinburgh to the Royal Air Force station at Bicester and the Bicester Royal Ordnance Depot on 10th May.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the official visit to these establishments by The Queen, when she was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh.The additional cost to Army and Air Votes, including air movement of the Royal Party and of other distinguished guests, was about £1,800.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce legislation to prohibit the practice of soliciting lifts from motor vehicles on stretches of the public highway where no speed limit applies.

No. I am not aware of any significant danger caused by this practice.

asked the Minister of Transport by what percentage he estimates road deaths and serious injuries would be cut if the wearing of safety belts were made compulsory.

If all the occupants of motor cars wore effective seat belts all the time the total number of road deaths and serious injuries might be reduced by something like 20 per cent. My immediate intention, as recently announced, is to make anchorage points for seat belts compulsory on new cars and to continue to urge motorists to use properly fitted belts of approved design.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that a number of accidents become fatal as a result of motorists not wearing safety belts; and, in the publication of fatal statistics, if he will arrange to have the figures analysed so as to draw attention to this fact.

I am aware of the importance of wearing safety belts. I am considering whether information on this subject should be collected and added to the published statistics on road accidents.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has for the use of the buildings on Hawkinge airfield, comprising about 55 acres, which have been transferred to his Department from the Ministry of Defence.

I have no immediate proposals for the use of the Hawkinge buildings during the interim period until we can see whether they will be wanted for the Channel Tunnel. I am, however, exploring the possibilities of their temporary use.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, under Regulation 16 of the Motor Vehicle (Driving Licences) Regulations 1963, a man summoned for jury service and thus unable to take his driving test is refused refund of his fee; and what plans he has for amending the Regulation.

If a candidate summoned for jury service gives advance notice of his consequent inability to take his driving test, arrangements will be made for a later test without further fee.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give publicity to encourage the public to take the test of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, in view of the beneficial effect this has on driving standards.

I am glad to give every possible support and encouragement to the efforts of the Institute of Advanced Motorists and organisations with similar aims to increase the skill and sense of responsibility of drivers.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the interests of road safety, he will make it compulsory to affix lights to the top and bottom corner of commercial vehicles and overhanging loads.

This is a question which will be reviewed by my working party on vehicle lighting.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of a further recent accident involving a runaway lorry on Highgate Hill, and the death of the driver, he will now make further regulations regarding the roadworthiness of heavily loaded lorries.

I learned with regret of this accident. Until the inquiries for which I have asked are completed I cannot say whether the mechanical condition of the vehicle involved caused or contributed to this particular accident.I share the hon. Member's concern about the general need to improve standards of roadworthiness and I have decided to proceed with an annual testing scheme for heavy goods vehicles. I have considered the proposals put forward by the representative bodies I consulted, and I have come to the conclusion that the most effective solution lies in the provision of testing stations especially for this purpose. These stations would also be used for the operation of a scheme for "plating" to prevent overloading, whereby each lorry will carry a plate showing the maximum load which it may legally carry. Legislation will be required before these schemes can be put into operation. Furthermore the acquisition of sites for stations and the recruitment and training of staff will take time.I propose to hold further discussions on the number of stations that will be needed and on their location. I shall examine the suggestion that visiting inspectors should conduct tests on the premises of fleet owners with large and well-equipped depôts, and I shall consider what special arrangements should be made in remote areas. There will also be further consultations about the introduction and enforcement of "plating".Meanwhile, the programme of roadside checks of goods vehicles will be intensified. Additional staff are being recruited for this purpose and for the control of drivers' hours. As soon as possible arrangements, including the recruitment of the necessary staff, will also be made to introduce special tests for the drivers of heavy goods vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation to alleviate the hardship caused in certain areas by the zoning price system employed by the petrol companies.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the present size of the lorry fleet now registered in Aberdeenshire; what are the categories of licences into which they are divided; and what total volume of freight they can handle.

About 9,000 goods vehicles hold excise licences issued in Aberdeenshire. Of these 4,700 weigh unladen 2 tons or less. A division between the various categories of carrier's licences is not readily available. The total volume of freight these vehicles can carry must depend upon the nature of the freight and the journeys undertaken, but if national averages for past operations are taken as a basis, the road goods vehicles registered in Aberdeenshire may be carrying about 12 million tons of freight a year.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the number of motor accidents on British roads, that many of them are fatal and that many of them are caused by fast driving; and if he will take steps to ensure that each motorist involved in one road accident shall not drive over 50 miles per hour, that each motorist involved in two road accidents shall not drive over 40 miles per hour, that each motorist involved in three motor accidents shall not drive over 30 miles per hour, and that these reduced speeds be effected by mechanical adjustments in their engines.

I share my hon. and learned Friend's concern about road accidents and casualties. A factor which undoubtedly contributes to many accidents is that drivers are travelling too fast for the prevailing conditions. I am sure, however, that the answer to this problem is more likely to be found through observance of the existing law than by attempting to impose restrictions such as those suggested by my hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he will take to review the London Transport (Lost Property) Regulations 1960, in view of the excessive charges being made for the return of lost property.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my Answer today to my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds).

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to complete the experiment of Give Way notices at selected roundabouts; and if he will then make them a permanent feature.

I cannot yet add to my Answer to the hon. Member on 10th March.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on his plans for preferential rates in the payment of tolls for regular users of the Dartford Tunnel.

It is for the Dartford Tunnel Joint Committee to make proposals, and submit them for my approval under Section 73 of the Dartford Tunnel Act, 1930. They have recently submitted proposals for a 10 per cent. discount on the face value of books of prepaid tickets in respect of all vehicles except those subject to a sixpenny toll. I have approved these proposals.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in the Anglo-French Government talks on the financing of the proposed Channel Tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

The joint official talks are making good progress, but it is too early to say what conclusions will be reached.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the fact that the cost of administering the parking meter scheme has been running at over 70 per cent. and that the latest available figures up to 31st March, 1964, show that less than 10 per cent. of the revenue has been applied for the purpose of providing off-street parking, he will now consider introducing a more effective and less wasteful scheme which will ensure that a much higher proportion of the revenue obtained is devoted to the provision of off-street parking.

I would, of course, be interested in any system of parking control that local authorities may propose which would achieve more efficiently the objectives of parking meter schemes in areas of intensive demand.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation to permit penalties in respect of parking offences to be used to pay the costs of administering parking control schemes and to finance the provision of off-street parking accommodation.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that there have been three fatalities in motor accidents on the Oxford northern by-pass, A.40, in the first four months of this year, following upon 24 fatalities in the preceding 10 years; and whether he will accordingly now take steps to accelerate the plans for converting this road to a dual-carriageway.

I regret these accidents.

asked the Minister of Transport what would be the cost of erecting a temporary bridge across the River Severn at Worcester in order to relieve the traffic congestion at the permanent bridge.

It is not practicable to give a worthwhile estimate of the cost of such a bridge without information about its siting and the means of access to it. In any event any such proposal would be a matter in the first instance for the Worcester County Borough Council as the responsible highway authority.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the estimated cost of putting kerbstones down country lanes; what guidance he gives to local highway authorities on the comparative safety of kerbstones as opposed to grass verges; and, in view of the need for economy in Government spending, if he will advise that this expenditure should either be reduced or eliminated.

In the case of unclassified roads, which would include country lanes, design standards are a matter for the local highway authorities and no central government expenditure is involved.For classified roads, my advice to local highway authorities is contained in Memorandum No. 780 "Design of Roads in Rural Areas". This states that kerbs are a useful visual guide and aid to movement, especially at night and in areas subject to fog, and it lays down the circumstances in which different types of kerbing should be provided. I do not propose to vary this advice at present.Kerbstones are usually provided as part of maintenance or small improvement works. Figures are not readily available for their separate cost.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents have taken place in 1965 between the foot of Titsey Hill and Limpsfield on the B.269 road; how many were fatal; and what safety measures he proposes.

Between 1st January and 21st May, 1965, six accidents were reported, of which two were fatal.The Surrey County Council, which is the highway authority for the B.269, is considering several measures which might improve safety on this section of the road.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is hoped to complete the widening of Rainham Road South, Dagenham, and of the northern approach roads to the Dartford-Purfleet Tunnel.

I am informed by the highway authority, the London Borough of Barking, that current improvement works on Rainham Road South should be completed by the end of this year. It should soon be possible to start work on the provision of a roundabout at the junction of Rainham Road South and Ballards Road, for completion towards the end of 1966.The northern approach roads between the tunnel entrance and the A.13 trunk road have dual 24 ft. carriageways and no further widening is contemplated. I have not yet been able to find room in my trunk road programme for widening the A.13 between Dovers Corner and the approach to the tunnel. The line of the North Orbital Road north of the A.13 is still under investigation.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans exist to improve the lengths of three-lane road on which permanent 50 miles per hour speed limits will be introduced; and whether the speed limits will be removed when such improvements have been completed.

If, when the limit is in operation, there should be a significant change in the circumstances of any stretch of road to which it applies, it will be reconsidered.

asked the Minister of Transport why the estimated completion date of the motorway between Quinton and Great Barr has been put back from June 1968 to the autumn of 1968; and what steps are to be taken to ensure that the actual completion of this section of motorway will not be further postponed.

As I told the hon. Member in January, I hope to arrange for construction of this length of motorway to begin during the latter half of 1966. The works, which are partly on viaduct, are expected to take between 2 and 2½ years. Every effort is being made to get this length completed as soon as possible but there are many difficulties in this heavily-developed urban area.

asked the Minister of Transport if the Railways Board has yet completed its investigations into passenger services on the Broad Street line; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the Board's investigations are now nearing completion and that it expects to make an announcement within the next few weeks.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he has now reached a decision on the disposal of the track between Newbury and Winchester; and if he will make a statement;(2) whether he has now completed his study of the Kings Worthy link road, near Winchester; and if he will make a statement.

I have just informed the Railways Board that I have no objection to the disposal of the track, formation and land on the section of the Newbury-Southampton line between Winchester Junction and Shawford Junction.My decision will enable better road schemes to be carried out for the Hockley Crossroads flyover and the Kings Worthy link. It is given on the understanding that, should a future need for the restoration of services on the Newbury-Southampton line ever arise, a rail link will be provided via the main London-Southampton line between these junctions.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has received for the closure of the British Railways service operating between Goole and Copenhagen, and its transfer to a shipping company; and whether he has given his approval to this.

The Railways Board has advertised its intention to transfer the Goole-Copenhagen service to a shipping company later this year. The Board do not require my approval to do this and I have received no proposals from them.

asked the Minister of Transport what discussions he has had with the Railways Board concerning the possibility of bringing into service a cross-Channel hovercraft ferry service from Dover; and if he will make a statement.

The possibility of a cross-Channel service from Dover has not so far figured largely in discussions which my Department has been having with officers of the Railways Board about the development of hovercraft services.

asked the Minister of Aviation in what way and to what extent he will reimburse electronic and other companies who have incurred heavy development and other costs connected with the TSR2 programme.

We shall discharge our liabilities under the break clause contained in the contracts which have been cancelled. The likely extent of payments to individual contractors is a matter for negotiation between my Department and the firms concerned.

asked the Minister of Aviation what plans he has to improve and extend airport facilities in South-West England.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cornwall, North (Mr. Scott-Hopkins) on 28th April.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will give general directions, in the public interest, to the air corporations to ensure that the charges made by them on buses between airports and air terminals are in line with ordinary bus fares charged by local competing transport organisations.

No. Airport buses are subject to the control of fares applicable to bus services generally, exercised by the Traffic Commissioners or the Transport Tribunal.

asked the Minister of Aviation what consideration he has given to the possibility of using the former United States air base at Burtonwood as an international civil airport, and with what result.

Provision of new aerodromes is primarily a matter for local interests. Lancashire County Council have for some time been considering the possibility of a civil aerodrome at Burtonwood and have discussed the matter with my Department. There are, however, substantial difficulties, including the serious effect which an aerodrome at Burtonwood would have on the existing aerodromes at Manchester and Liverpool. The proposal is now being considered by the North West Economic Planning Council.

asked the Minister of Aviation 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 of between 10 and 18 per cent. for 1,600 British Overseas Airways Corporation cabin staff comes.

This settlement was under negotiation for some time before the publication of the White Paper. It is a three year agreement and I understand that as a result of it British Overseas Airways Corporation will have the cooperation of the staff concerned in a number of practical measures designed to achieve economies and increases in productivity.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the cost of the newspaper advertisement campaign relating to the increased postal charges.

£150,000. The additional revenue at stake due to the increased charges during this period amounted to over £1,000,000.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the confusion about special delivery rates that has been caused to post office counter clerks by the ambiguity of the instructions sent to them after the recent raising of postal charges; and whether he will issue a clarification, that whilst the inland special delivery rate is now 3s., the special delivery rate for letters to Europe remains at 1s.

I am sorry to learn that there has been confusion at Woking where two packets for abroad marked "Special Delivery" and prepaid with fees of 3s. recently came under notice. We are not able to identify the sender of these packets; but, if the hon. Member can help us to do this, I will gladly arrange for the over-payment to be refunded. The instructions issued to counter clerks were in no way ambiguous; but I am having all offices reminded of the distinction the hon. Member mentions.

asked the Postmaster-General if adequate supplies of the full range of stamps are now available in Edinburgh post offices; and if he will take steps to ensure that shortages do not occur in future.

There are adequate supplies of all denominations of stamps in Edinburgh post offices and all practicable steps will be taken to see that this position is maintained.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that a full range of postage stamps is not available in post offices in Glasgow; and when this will be rectified.

I am assured that a full range of postage stamps has been available at Glasgow post offices since 21st May.

asked the Postmaster-General when he proposes to issue the International Telecommunication stamps due on 17th May, and the Churchill stamps due on 24th May; and what are the causes for the delay.

The unofficial ban on overtime at the Supplies depots which necessitated the postponement of these stamps is unfortunately continuing and I regret that I am not yet in a position to say when it will be possible to put them on sale.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will cause an inquiry to be made by his engineers as to the number of households in the Neath constituency who are unable to receive television, other than by wire, because they are in a shadow area; and if he will place the results in the Library.

No. It is, of course, for the broadcasting authorities in the first place to consider what measures to take in order to improve the reception and extend the coverage of their services, and the assessment of reception conditions in particular localities is normally carried out by them.I understand that the B.B.C. have studied reception conditions in Neath; and the I.T.A. in the Swansea-Neath area. Both authorities will, I am sure, be glad to discuss with my hon. Friend reception difficulties in this area.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the report of the Brambell Committee.

We hope to receive this Report by the autumn.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent there has been an increase or decrease in the number of breeding animals in the various pedigree herds of the country at the present time, compared with a year ago.

I regret that the census returns do not distinguish between pedigree and other animals.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, following his study of the representations made to him, he will introduce regulations to provide for the date-stamping of packaged foods.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given on 26th May to a Question by the hon. Member for Belfast. South (Mr. Pounder).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the decision of dairy companies to discontinue the sale of milk by the half pint is causing inconvenience and expense to many people living alone, especially to elderly people; and if he will introduce legislation to require the dairy industry to restore the sale of milk the half pint bottle.

I am aware that some dairymen are unwilling to sell milk in half-pint bottles because they find it uneconomic to do so. I am not satisfied that it would be desirable to alter the present arrangements governing milk distribution by introducing an element of compulsion.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reports he has received of salmon tagged as smolts in the United Kingdom being caught on the west Greenland coast; and what conclusions he has drawn from the evidence at his disposal.

Since 1960, 13 smolts tagged in Scotland and 15 smolts tagged in England and Wales have been caught in the west Greenland fishery. The limited information so far available does not enable us to draw any firm conclusion yet, and last year investigations were planned, to start this autumn in cooperation with the Danish and Greenland scientists, to secure further information about the ultimate destination of salmon found in Greenland waters.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Hunter Committee has now presented its report; and if he will make a statement.

I received the Committee's final Report last week. I am now arranging for it to be printed, and I hope to be able to present it to Parliament and publish it in July.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has received from the Forth Road Bridge Joint Board for preferential rates of toll payments by users of the Forth Bridge; and what decisions he has taken.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, following the sustained but only partially successful efforts of the police to combat the traffic in purple hearts and similar teenage addictions, he will now give them further help by introducing legislation to strengthen control of the wholesale distribution of schedule four poisons.

I am watching the effects of the restrictions introduced on 31st October last under the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1964. On present information I am not satisfied that further controls are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the profitability of proprietary clubs depends on the exploitation of changing fashions in vice; and whether he will introduce legislation to extend the penalties of the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Act and all acts concerning clubs to the beneficial owners of such clubs as well as to their agents and managers.

I am keeping a watch on the working of the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Act 1964, but in my view it is too soon to judge whether any amendment is needed along the lines suggested. If my hon. Friend will let me know what other amendment of the law he has in mind I will gladly consider his proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many experiments on animals in the last completed twelve-month period the stereotoxic instrument was used; in how many laboratories it is in use; and whether it is ever used without an anaesthetic.

I regret that information about the number of experiments and the number of registered laboratories in which stereotaxic instruments are used is not available. No authority has been given for surgical experiments using such an instrument without an anaesthetic.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the number of occasions in 1963 and 1964 on which the Treasury called on experts to examine objects on which exemption from death duties was claimed, from each of the nine national museums and galleries.

The table below shows the number of occasions upon which the Treasury took advice from the national museums and galleries for the purpose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will institute an inquiry into the possibility of applying the petrol tax regionally.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many extra staff would be required by the Inland Revenue as a result of the two Finance Bills of the present Session.

None as a result of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1964. As to the Finance Bill now in Committee, it is too early to make any reliable estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers initially employed on a temporary basis in 1959 to 1964 were subsequently employed as full-time teachers at the same school; and what proportion were so employed after less than two terms' work at their schools as temporary teachers.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now give his decision about the future status of Cheltenham.

I hope to announce a decision in the next few weeks.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will revise the panel of employers' representatives on arbitrational tribunals to include more persons with knowledge of, and experience in. industrial relations.

The persons whom I appoint to serve as employers' representatives on arbitration bodies are chosen on grounds of their knowledge and experience of industrial relations.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what is the estimated range of costs, and average costs, per acre of land currently being planted by the Forestry Commission; and what is the estimated range of cost, and average cost, per acre of planting and establishing woodlands thereon.

Land planted by the Forestry Commission during the planting season which has just ended was acquired in earlier years when the average cost would have been £5 or £6 per acre. The bulk of the land which is now being acquired for future planting costs between £3 10s. and £9 per acre, with an average of about £7 per acre.The range of prime costs for planting (excluding the cost of the land) is from £27 to £75 per acre, with an average of about £41 per acre; the prime costs for subsequent establishment range from £9 to £75 per acre with an average of £30.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many square feet of new factory space per thousand of population has been built in each Welsh county since 1951.

The figures are as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the report of the Monopolies Commission on monopoly practices at petrol filling stations; and how soon after its receipt he expects it to be available to Parliament.

I received the Monopolies Commission report on the solus sites system of retail sale of petrol yesterday. It will be laid before Parliament as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works (1) if he will ensure that before a new bridge is erected to serve Chattenden Barracks in the constituency of Gravesend he obtains the views of the parish council of Hoo St. Werbergh;(2) what replies he has sent to representations on the proposed new bridge at Four Elms Hill, Chattenden, near Rochester, Kent; and if he will make a statement.