Written Answers To Questions
Monday, 14th June, 1965
Ministry Of Labour
Training Centres
1.
asked the Minister of Labour what training facilities exist in the South-West, and particularly in North Devon, to help overcome the problems of unemployment in this area.
There are training centres at Bristol and Gloucester and my right hon. Friend is setting up a further one at Plymouth. People from North Devon may go to any of our centres: they will be helped to find lodgings and paid a lodging allowance.
18.
asked the Minister of Labour what plans he has for improving training facilities in the county of Lanark.
A new Government Training Centre at Queenslie, Glasgow, which is expected to open in the autumn will provide additional training facilities for North Lanarkshire. The Motherwell Government Training Centre already serves Lanarkshire and the Hillington Government Training Centre does so to some extent.
40.
asked the Minister of Labour if he is satisfied with the training and retraining facilities from all sources in the Yorkshire and Humberside Planning Region; and if he will make a statement.
My right hon. Friend is considering what expansion should be undertaken of the Government training centres in the Yorkshire and Humberside region and in other parts of the country, but he is not yet in a position to make a statement. The region will benefit in due course from the increase in training facilities generally which it is one purpose of the Industrial Training Act to provide.
asked the Minister of Labour what training facilities exist in Kent, in particular covering the Faversham constituency area, to help overcome the unemployment problems of the area.
My right hon. Friend is intending to establish a Government Training Centre in the Medway Towns which would be within daily travelling distance of the Faversham constituency area, but as I said in reply to my hon. Friend's Oral Question today, we are having considerable difficulty in finding a site.
asked the Minister of Labour how he proposes to help the hard core of unemployment in North Devon: and what proportion of those unemployed persons could be trained if given the facilities.
The areas of Bideford and Ilfracombe Employment Exchanges are development districts where the full benefits of the Local Employment Acts and "free depreciation" are available. In addition, financial assistance towards the cost of training additional labour is obtainable, under the Employment and Training Act, by firms moving into or expanding their existing businesses in development districts. Firms within reasonable travel to work distance of the development districts may also be considered for such assistance to the extent that they provide additional work for people living in these districts. People in North Devon as elsewhere can be considered for training under the Government Training Scheme, and our officers are always concerned to bring these opportunities to the notice of unemployed persons. 41 applications for training were received in the twelve months ending 12th May, 1965, from the areas covered by the Barnstaple, Bideford and Ilfracombe Exchanges, of which 18 were accepted, 17 rejected and 6 withdrawn.
Trade Dispute, Cardiff
25.
asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that threats are being used by the Clerical and General Workers Union in their efforts to obtain recognition by Shermans of Cardiff which constitute a trade dispute; and if he will institute an inquiry into the matter.
I understand that the employer has alleged that there has been intimidation by pickets consisting of Clerical and Administrative Workers Union members. This is a matter for the police and not for our Department.
Commonwealth Citizens (Labour And Student Vouchers)
26.
asked the Minister of Labour what liaison exists between his Department and the Commonwealth Relations Office to co-ordinate the issuing of labour and student vouchers to overseas workers and students by United Kingdom High Commission officers in the territories concerned.
Our Ministry is responsible for the issue of vouchers. British High Commission Posts assist where appropriate by checking applicants' claims to skill and qualifications or to service in the Armed Forces, and by transmitting applications. Vouchers are distributed to Commonwealth citizens in independent Commonwealth countries through British High Commission Posts. Close co-operation is maintained between our Ministry and the Commonwealth Relations Office. The admission of students is not dealt with by the voucher procedure and is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend, the Home Secretary.
Day-Release Courses
36.
asked the Minister of Labour to what extent it is proposed to use the industrial training boards to increase the number of young people benefiting from day release courses.
The establishment of Industrial Training Boards provides the opportunity to increase the numbers of young people in receipt of day release. Before approving the proposals of the boards my right hon. Friend pays particular attention to the extent to which they include recommendations concerning the further education courses to be associated with training.
39.
asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the increase in the number of day-release courses for shop-stewards in recent years; and if he will take steps to advertise the benefits of such courses to private and nationalised industry and to local authorities.
The increase in courses for shop stewards is what we all hoped would result from the statement issued jointly by the T.U.C. and the British Employers' Association in 1963, following discussions on the National Joint Advisory Council. I commend these courses wholeheartedly to managements, trade unions and shop stewards themselves. The Industrial Relations Advisory Service of the Ministry does all it can to encourage those concerned to take advantage of them.
Aircraft Industry (Redundant Workers)
37.
asked the Minister of Labour how many persons made redundant as a result of the cancellation of certain aircraft projects recently are at present in receipt of unemployment benefits.
Of the 4,487 workers declared redundant there were 418 on 4th June, the latest available date.
Professional And Executive Register
38.
asked the Minister of Labour if he is satisfied with the working of the Business and Executive Register of his Department; and if he will make a statement.
The Professional and Executive Register of our Department operates in 38 Employment Exchanges throughout the country and does an excellent job in finding employment opportunities, providing information and advice and filling vacancies in the managerial, executive, technical and scientific fields. Since the Register was started in April, 1957, it has placed 45,222 people. We are constantly on the watch for possible improvements in the service offered to registrants and employers, but what is most needed is for the excellent facilities offered by the service to be better known and utilised by employers.
Unemployment, Isle Of Sheppey
asked the Minister of Labour how many people were unemployed in the Isle of Sheppey at the latest convenient date; what percentage of unemployed on the island this represents; and how this percentage compares with that for the South-East Region as a whole.
Two hundred and fifty-six on 10th May. The rate of unemployment was 3·1 per cent. compared with 0·8 per cent. in the London and South-Eastern Region.
Unemployment, Morpeth And Ashington
asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of unemployed in Ashington and Morpeth, Northumber land, in the various age groups classified by his Department, and of males, females, boys and girls, and the average length of
| ASHINGTON | ||||||||||||
| Duration of unemployment in weeks | Boys | Men | Total Males | |||||||||
| Under 18 | 18–19 | 20–24 | 25–29 | 30–34 | 35–39 | 40–44 | 45–49 | 50–54 | 55–59 | 60–64 | ||
| One or less | — | — | 7 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 23 |
| Over 1 and up to 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 11 |
| Over 2 and up to 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 19 |
| Over 3 and up to 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 |
| Over 4 and up to 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| Over 5 and up to 6 | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 16 |
| Over 6 and up to 7 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 11 |
| Over 7 and up to 8 | 1 | — | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | 16 |
| Over 8 and up to 9 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 10 |
| Over 9 and up to 13 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 23 |
| Over 13 and up to 26 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 4 | — | 44 | 81 |
| Over 26 and up to 39 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 13 |
| Over 39 and up to 52 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 23 |
| Over 52 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 14 | 19 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 23 | 97 |
| Totals | 29 | 21 | 28 | 35 | 33 | 41 | 45 | 23 | 20 | 11 | 77 | 363 |
| Duration of unemployment in weeks | Girls | Women | Total Females | ||||||||
| Under 18 | 18–19 | 20–24 | 25–29 | 30–34 | 35–39 | 40–44 | 45–49 | 50–54 | 55–59 | ||
| One or less | 3 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 9 |
| Over 1 and up to 2 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | 17 |
| Over 2 and up to 3 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 4 |
| Over 3 and up to 4 | 7 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 |
| Over 4 and up to 5 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
| Over 5 and up to 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 |
| Over 6 and up to 7 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 6 |
| Over 7 and up to 8 | 4 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | 8 |
| Over 8 and up to 9 | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Over 9 and up to 13 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 11 |
| Over 13 and up to 26 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 41 |
| Over 26 and up to 39 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 |
| Over 39 and up to 52 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 5 |
| Over 52 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
| Totals | 43 | 22 | 26 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 8 | 144 |
time which each group has remained out of work.
The following table gives an analysis by age and duration of unemployment of those registered as wholly unemployed at Ashington and Morpeth Employment Exchanges on 11th January, 1965, the latest date for which such information is available:
| MORPETH | |||||||||||||
| Duration of unemployment in weeks | Boys | Men | Total Males | ||||||||||
| Under 18 | 18–19 | 20–24 | 25–29 | 30–34 | 35–39 | 40–44 | 45–49 | 50–54 | 55–59 | 60–64 | 65 and over | ||
| One or less | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 10 |
| Over 1 and up to 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 |
| Over 2 and up to 3 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 5 | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | 12 |
| Over 3 and up to 4 | — | 2 | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 11 |
| Over 4 and up to 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 5 |
| Over 5 and up to 6 | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 6 |
| Over 6 and up to 7 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 |
| Over 7 and up to 8 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 7 |
| Over 8 and up to 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 6 |
| Over 9 and up to 13 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 3 | — | 16 |
| Over 13 and up to 26 | 6 | — | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 3 | — | 20 |
| Over 26 and up to 39 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 13 |
| Over 39 and up to 52 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 9 |
| Over 52 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 29 |
| Totals | 25 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 32 | 3 | 156 |
| Duration of unemployment in weeks | Girls | Women | Total Females | ||||||||
| Under 18 | 18–19 | 20–24 | 25–29 | 30–34 | 35–39 | 40–44 | 45–49 | 50–54 | 55–59 | ||
| One or less | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
| Over 1 and up to 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 |
| Over 2 and up to 3 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 6 |
| Over 3 and up to 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
| Over 4 and up to 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 |
| Over 5 and up to 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| Over 6 and up to 7 | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
| Over 7 and up to 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Over 8 and up to 9 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Over 9 and up to 13 | 3 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 10 |
| Over 13 and up to 26 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 9 |
| Over 26 and up to 39 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 3 |
| Over 39 and up to 52 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| Over 52 | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 4 |
| Totals | 15 | 12 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 61 |
| From the information available not practicable to calculate average spells of unemployment for each of the age groups. | |||||||||||
Building Construction Industry
asked the Minister of Labour what is the average length of employment of workers in the building construction industry.
I regret that this information is not available.
asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of immigrant workers employed in the building construction industry, and the average length of their employment.
I regret that this information is not available.
asked the Minister of Labour what was the fluctuation in the total numbers of employed building construction workers during the past year; and how this compares with the annual fluctuation figures in pre-war years.
Owing to reclassification into the construction industry of some persons previously employed in other industries, the employment figures for construction for June, 1964, and subsequently are not comparable with those for earlier months. Between June, 1964, and April, 1965, the latest date for which provisional information is available, the numbers of employees in employment in the construction industry in Great Britain are estimated as follows:
| 1964— | (Thousands) | ||
| June | … | … | 1,614 |
| July | … | … | 1,614 |
| August | … | … | 1,623 |
| September | … | … | 1,622 |
| October | … | … | 1,623 |
| November | … | … | 1,627 |
| December | … | … | 1,620 |
| 1965— | |||
| January | … | … | 1,586 |
| February | … | … | 1,595 |
| March | … | … | 1,592 |
| April | … | … | 1,594 |
| (Thousands) | |||||
| 1937 | … | … | … | … | 1,126 |
| 1938 | … | … | … | … | 1,142 |
| 1939 | … | … | … | … | 1,202 |
| (Thousands) | |||||
| 1961 | … | … | … | … | 1,476 |
| 1962 | … | … | … | … | 1,512 |
| 1963 | … | … | … | … | 1,540 |
Tsr2 Workers (Redundancy)
asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the number of workers employed or formerly employed by Bristol Siddeley Engines Ltd. at their Patchway works who have been rendered redundant as a result of the cancellation of TSR2 and the number who have found alternative employment; and if he will indicate the industries in which such alternative employment has been found.
Although this firm stated in April that 2,000 workers would be surplus to requirements, no notices were in fact issued until 11th June when 250 warning notices were issued to take effect on 18th June. 163 workers who left voluntarily are known to have been placed in or to have found other work. Most of these have gone into the aircraft or associated industries.
Employment, Central West Fife
asked the Minister of Labour how many jobs have been lost in Central West Fife in the last five years; and what is the expected loss in the next five years.
Comparison of the estimated number of employees in employment at the mid-year counts shows that between mid-1959 and mid-1964, the latest date for which figures are available, the estimated number of employees in employment in the Employment Exchange areas of Cowdenbeath, Inverkeithing, Dunfermline, Burntisland, Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes decreased by about 2,900.I cannot say what the figures for the next five years might show.
Geneva Protocol
41.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will seek to modify the Geneva Protocol with a view to its better implementation.
No. This would not be a practical course of action.
United Nations Disarmament Commission (Discussions)
42.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are now taking in disarmament negotiations at the United Nations.
Her Majesty's Government have been playing a full part in the discussions at the United Nations Disarmament Commission in New York. In his speech to the Commission on 28th April, my noble Friend the Minister of State with special responsibility for disarmament explained the directions in which we believe that progress should be made in the disarmament field.
United Nations Peace-Keeping Committee (Discussions)
43.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government are now taking to help settle the dispute at the United Nations on peace-keeping operations and their costs.
As my right hon. Friend told the House on 3rd May, Her Majesty's Government are playing a full part in the discussions in the United Nations Peace-Keeping Committee and in the consultations undertaken by the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly with member states.The report by the Secretary-General and the President has now been published and is available in the Library of the House. We are in broad agreement with the conclusions and guide lines set out in the report so far as they go.
Nuclear Weapons (Dissemination)
44.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals he now has to prevent the further dissemination of nuclear weapons.
Her Majesty's Government have for some time been working on the draft of a treaty to ban the dissemination of nuclear weapons. We have had informal discussions on the draft with the Americans and other Western allies and further consultations are in progress.
International Co-Operation Year
45.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further action is being taken by Her Majesty's Government to support the purpose of International Co-operation Year.
As the House knows, the Government fully support the purposes of International Co-operation Year and have given £10,000 towards the expenses of the National Committee which has been set up. We have thought it best to leave the planning of specific activities to this non-governmental Committee which has already done useful work in drawing public attention to the many positive achievements of international co-operation which are too often overshadowed by international controversy and conflict. The Government will of course continue to play a constructive and leading rôle in all aspects of international co-operation at the United Nations.
East German Nationals (Temporary Travel Documents)
48.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what were the reasons for the refusal on the part of the Allied Control Office to grant temporary travel documents to 12 persons from East Germany who desired during the last 12 months to visit this country.
It is contrary to practice to disclose the reasons why travel documents are refused by the Allied Travel Office in particular cases.
South Arabia (Terrorist Activities)
49.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of the United Arab Republic to cease forthwith the practice under which South Arabian terrorists trained by Egyptian officers are offered monetary rewards for each British Service man or civilian they can kill.
Representations have been made to the United Arab Republic authorities on a number of occasions this year about their sponsorship of terrorist activities in South Arabia, which have included the killing of British, and Arab, soldiers and civilians.
Mr Gerald Brooke
50.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further action Her Majesty's Government are taking to press the Soviet Government to release Mr. Gerald Brooke.
My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs called in the Soviet Ambassador on 19th May and told him of Her Majesty's Government's concern that Mr. Brooke's case should be resolved as quickly as possible either by the Soviet authorities releasing Mr. Brooke, or, if they intended preferring charges against him, by holding the trial without further delay. Her Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow called on Mr. Zimyanin, the Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister, on 11th June to reinforce these representations, and we shall continue to make our concern in this matter clear to the Soviet authorities.
Vietnam
52.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy in regard to the new commitment of United States ground forces to the fighting in Vietnam.
I explained the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the question of Vietnam in my statement to the House on 3rd June. The United States Government have stated that there has been no change in the mission of United States ground combat units in recent days or weeks; and that the United States commander in Vietnam has authority to employ them, if requested by the Vietnamese Commander, in support of South Vietnamese forces faced with aggressive attack by the Viet Cong. This is a question of degree, not of a "new commitment".
53.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will raise in the Security Council the decision of the United States Government to engage in war in Vietnam as a threat to peace, an act of aggression and a violation of Article 2, paragraphs 3, 4, of the Charter, and propose appropriate action by the Council under Articles 39 to 41 and through the 1954 Geneva Conference on Indo-China as a regional arrangement under Article 52.
No. My hon. Friend appears to have overlooked the fact that the Government of the Republic of Vietnam have the inherent right of self-defence which is preserved by Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. President Johnson has repeatedly made clear that the United States Government, who are acting at the request of the Government of the Republic of Vietnam, will only take such military action as is necessary to defend South Vietnam against aggression and no more than is necessary.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which members of the Geneva Conference and the International Control Commission returned a negative answer to Her Majesty's Government's request for their views on a peaceful settlement in Vietnam.
So far, negative responses have been received from the Chinese Government who, in a formal Note which also covered our request that Mr. Gordon Walker should be received, merely denounced British support of United States policies and demanded the withdrawal of United States forces from South Vietnam; from the French Government, who indicated orally that they could not act on a request from only one Co-Chairman of the Geneva Conference; and from the North Vietnamese authorities who returned the Communication delivered to them, together with certain others, with an intimation that they would ignore an approach made without the approval of the Soviet Co-Chairman.
Yemen (Terrorist Activities)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has regarding the extent of the practice of Egyptians in making offers to pay sums of money to tribesmen in the Yemen who kill British citizens.
I have no information beyond that on which a recent Press report was based. This comprised statements made by three dissident tribesmen who returned home to South Arabia from the Yemen in May.
Foreign Office Lunches, Dinners And Receptions
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the number of lunches, dinners and receptions given by his Department since October, 1964, and the names of the Members of Parliament invited to each of these functions.
No. But I should be glad to consider any representations on specific points my hon. Friend may care to make.
Ministry Of Health
Animal Feedingstuffs (Antibiotics)
54.
asked the Minister of Health if he will appoint a committee to examine the effects on public health of the addition of antibiotics to animal feeding stuffs.
A Joint Committee appointed by the Agricultural Research Council and the Medical Research Council examined this and related matters in 1962 and found no evidence of harmful effects on human health. The Committee's Scientific Sub-Committee is to review subsequent developments.
Leprosy
asked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of known cases of leprosy in the United Kingdom at the latest available date, and the number of known cases in 1939.
In England and Wales the number of cases on 11th June, 1965, was 343; information is not available for 1939.
Soft Drinks (Cyclamates)
asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the extensive sales promotion by some leading soft drink manufacturers of new lines of such drinks artificially sweetened by petroleum-derived cyclamates which are officially forbidden to be used in foodstuffs until further medical research has been carried out, he will state the estimated maximum quantity of this chemical substance which may be safely consumed annually in soft drinks by adults, growing children and nursing mothers, respectively, without adversely affecting their health, growth and reproductive capacity.
I am unable to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 19th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Wood Green (Mrs. Joyce Butler) and to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Dodds-Parker).
Drugs
asked the Minister of Health (1) if he is aware of the statement made by the City Analyst for Birmingham that cheap drugs imported from the Continent as raw material and used for the National Health Service under Section 46 of the Patents Act have led to failures of quality; and what is his policy on this matter;(2) if he will take steps to protect National Health Service patients against dangers to health presented by cheap foreign drugs imported under Section 46 of the Patents Act.
I do not accept that drugs imported for hospital use under Section 46(1) of the Patents Act, 1949, have failed in quality or have represented any danger to health nor that the recent Birmingham report has said so. Apart from the certificates of analysis provided by the overseas manufacturers whose production arrangements have been inspected by my officials, a sample of each batch has been analysed by the Government chemist before the batch has been released to hospitals. Similar arrangements for quality control will be made for any future imports of drugs under Section 46(1) of the Patents Act, 1949.
asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the statement made by the City Analyst for Birmingham concerning quality control by pharmaceutical firms producing drugs in this country and their methods of dealing with complaints; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on this matter.
I have seen a report of an interview on the subject of quality control with the Research Chemist of the Birmingham Analytical Laboratories. It is the Government's intention to introduce as soon as Parliamentary time permits comprehensive medicines legislation, which will include provisions designed to secure adequate quality control.
Hospitals
Oral Contraceptives (Issue To Mental Patients)
asked the Minister of Health on whose authority birth pills are issued to female patients in mental institutions; and for what purpose this is done.
These are matters for the doctor in charge of the patient's treatment.
Mental Hospitals (Supervision Of Patients)
asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that there is adequate supervision in those mental institutions where males and females live in close proximity to each other; and if he will make a statement.
Patients in psychiatric hospitals are supervised by doctors and nurses, and I have no criticism to make.
Regional Hospital Board, Manchester (Local Representation)
asked the Minister of Health if he will give the numbers of residents of Heywood serving on the regional hospital board in each of the
| AVERAGE IN-PATIENT COST PER WEEK IN HOSPITALS WITH 30 OR FEWER BEDS YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1964 | |||||||||||||||||
| Type of hospital | London | Newcastle | Birmingham | Liverpool | |||||||||||||
| No. of hospitals | Average cost per week | No. of hospitals | Average cost per week | No. of hospitals | Average cost per week | No. of hospitals | Average cost per week | ||||||||||
| £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | ||||||
| Acute | … | 1 | 29 | 16 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| Chronic | … | 2 | 23 | 9 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 24 | 15 | 11 | — | — | ||||
| Pre-Convalescent | … | 1 | 27 | 16 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| Convalescent | … | 1 | 26 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| Maternity | … | 3 | 36 | 19 | 7 | — | — | 1 | 49 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 28 | 5 | 8 | ||
| Psychiatric (M.I.) | … | — | — | 1 | 22 | 19 | 10 | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| Psychiatric (M.S.) | … | 1 | 7 | 12 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| Children's Acute | … | — | — | 2 | 36 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 34 | 2 | 8 | — | — | ||||
| Others* | … | 3 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| *Average costs for this miscellaneous group of hospitals are not meaningful. | |||||||||||||||||
asked the Minister of Health what is the average cost per in-patient week for hospitals with 30
past 10 years, together with the same information for Royton, Crompton, Milnrow, Wardle, Littleborough, and Whitworth.
None.
Clinical Assistantships
asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that enough clinical assistantships are being offered to general practitioners by the hospital boards; and if he will make a statement.
All boards are aware of the need to increase opportunities for general practitioners within the hospital service and I am satisfied that in general clinical assistantships are being made available on a reasonable scale.
In-Patients (Average Weekly Cost)
asked the Minister of Health what is the average cost per in-patient week for hospitals with 30 beds and under in the London area, Birmingham area, Liverpool area, and Newcastle area; and how many such hospitals there are in each.
The particulars are as follows, and relate to teaching and non-teaching hospitals within the postal districts of the towns:beds and over in the London area, Birmingham area, Liverpool area and Newcastle area.
The particulars are as teaching hospitals within the postal follows, and relate to teaching and non-
| AVERAGE IN-PATIENT COST PER WEEK IN HOSPITALS WITH 30 OR MORE BEDS DURING THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1964 | ||||||||||||||||
| Type of hospital | London | Newcastle | Birmingham | Liverpool | ||||||||||||
| No. of hospitals | Average cost per week | No. of hospitals | Average cost per week | No. of hospitals | Average cost per week | No. of hospitals | Average cost per week | |||||||||
| £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | |||||
| Acute | 67 | 40 | 19 | 0 | 5 | 39 | 19 | 11 | 5 | 35 | 7 | 2 | 11 | 31 | 18 | 11 |
| Mainly Acute | 13 | 33 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 32 | 11 | 3 | — | — | 1 | 26 | 13 | 1 | ||
| Partly Acute | 4 | 28 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 18 | 1 | 11 |
| Mainly long stay | 2 | 22 | 14 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| Long stay | 3 | 18 | 17 | 3 | — | — | 1 | 27 | 1 | 1 | — | — | ||||
| Chronic | 9 | 16 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 3 | 11 | 5 | 0 |
| Pre-Convalescent | 2 | 25 | 13 | 3 | — | — | 1 | 20 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 7 | 10 | ||
| Isolation | 1 | 41 | 11 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 29 | 16 | 4 | ||||
| Maternity | 15 | 40 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 39 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 35 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 38 | 19 | 3 |
| Psychiatric (M.I.) | 6 | 11 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 11 | 2 | 10 | — | — | ||
| Psychiatric (M.S.) | 2 | 9 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 7 | 19 | 9 | — | — | ||||
| Orthopaedic | 2 | 46 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 29 | 18 | 11 | 1 | 29 | 12 | 2 | — | — | ||
| Tuberculosis and Chest | 4 | 40 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 27 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 27 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 18 | 4 |
| Tuberculosis, Chest and Isolation | 1 | 41 | 0 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| Children's (Acute) | 8 | 51 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 41 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 41 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 34 | 8 | 4 |
| Eye | 3 | 43 | 11 | 10 | — | — | 1 | 30 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 31 | 18 | 5 | ||
| Other* | 26 | — | 1 | — | 5 | — | 6 | — | ||||||||
| *Average costs for this miscellaneous group of hospitals are not meaningful. | ||||||||||||||||
General Practitioner Beds
asked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of acute, mainly acute, partly acute, mainly long-stay, long-stay, chronic, pre-convalescent, convalescent, maternity, psychiatric (mental illness), mental illness, and psychiatric (mental subnormality) hospitals in each hospital region, specifying how many of these are general practitioner hospitals, and what is the average in-patient cost per week.
For information about numbers of hospitals of different types and their costs I would refer the right hon. Member to Appendix 2 to Part I of the published Hospital Costing Returns for the year ended 31st March, 1964.Hospitals are not designated as general practitioner hospitals and information about them is not, therefore, available in the form requested. A regional
teaching hospitals within the postal districts of the towns:
analysis of general practitioner beds appears below.
| NUMBER OF BEDS ALLOCATED FOR GENERAL PRACTITIONER USE AT 31ST DECEMBER, 1964 | ||
Regional Hospital Board
| General Practitioner Maternity
| Other General Practitioner
|
Beds
| Beds
| |
| Newcastle | 239 | 332 |
| Leeds | 186 | 150 |
| Sheffield | 449 | 492 |
| East Anglia | 130 | 167 |
| North West Metropolitan | 36 | 389 |
| North East Metropolitan | 109 | 408 |
| South East Metropolitan | 190 | 642 |
| South West Metropolitan | 204 | 777 |
| Oxford | 266 | 322 |
| South Western | 617 | 1,475 |
| Wales | 315 | 899 |
| Birmingham | 477 | 419 |
| Manchester | 559 | 254 |
| Liverpool | 96 | 93 |
| Wessex | 217 | 252 |
| 4,090 | 7,071 | |
Scotland
Day-Release Students
55.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what increase took place in the number of apprentices being given day-release in Scotland in the year 1964–65.
The available statistics do not distinguish apprentices from other employees. The provisional figure for all day-release students at the beginning of the
| Type of Hospital (30 beds and over) | Average cost per in-patient week 1963–64 | ||||||||||||||||
| Edinburgh | Glasgow | Aberdeen | Inverness | ||||||||||||||
| £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | ||||||
| Acute-Teaching | … | 35 | 14 | 5 | (3) | 36 | 13 | 1 | (4) | 34 | 1 | 2 | (2) | — | |||
| Acute-Non-teaching | … | 31 | 14 | 0 | (5) | 31 | 15 | 11 | (7) | — | 28 | 18 | 1 | (2) | |||
| Mainly Acute-Teaching | … | — | 24 | 19 | 4 | (1) | — | — | |||||||||
| Mainly Acute-Non-teaching | … | — | 26 | 8 | 10 | (3) | — | — | |||||||||
| Partly Acute | … | — | 22 | 9 | 6 | (2) | — | — | |||||||||
| Mainly long stay | … | 24 | 15 | 2 | (1) | — | 17 | 10 | 11 | (1) | 22 | 5 | 3 | (1) | |||
| Chronic | … | 19 | 15 | 9 | (3) | 16 | 8 | 2 | (6) | 12 | 8 | 2 | (2) | 13 | 4 | 11 | (1) |
| Convalescent | … | 21 | 8 | 2 | (3) | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Isolation | … | — | 23 | 3 | 1 | (1) | — | — | |||||||||
| Tuberculosis and Chest | … | — | — | 29 | 17 | 8 | (1) | — | |||||||||
| Tuberculosis, Chest and Isolation | … | 29 | 18 | 3 | (1) | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Maternity—Teaching | … | 34 | 15 | 11 | (1) | 52 | 16 | 5 | (1) | 36 | 11 | 9 | (1) | — | |||
| Maternity—Non-teaching | … | 34 | 19 | 8 | (1) | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Mental | … | 15 | 7 | 8 | (4) | 11 | 2 | 4 | (5) | 11 | 2 | 1 | (1) | 9 | 13 | 0 | (1) |
| Mental Deficiency | … | 7 | 0 | 6 | (1) | 8 | 6 | 8 | (4) | 9 | 0 | 7 | (1) | — | |||
| Orthopaedic | … | 21 | 10 | 6 | (1) | 20 | 0 | 9 | (1) | — | — | ||||||
| Children's Acute—teaching | … | 34 | 12 | 8 | (1) | 34 | 4 | 4 | (1) | 33 | 1 | 4 | (1) | — | |||
| Children's Acute-Non-teaching | … | — | 16 | 17 | 3 | (1) | — | — | |||||||||
| Others (see note 3) | … | — | — | (5) | — | (1) | — | ||||||||||
| Notes | |||||||||||||||||
| 1. The figures in brackets indicate the number of hospitals of each type. | |||||||||||||||||
| 2. The costs given are the averages for hospitals of each type or the cost for the only hospital of the type, in the postal districts for the towns specified. | |||||||||||||||||
| 3. Average costs are not shown against "Others" because of the widely differing types of hospitals included. | |||||||||||||||||
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average cost per in-patient week for hospitals with 30 beds and over in the Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and
| Type of Hospital (30 beds and over) | Average cost per in-patient week 1963–64 | ||||||||||||||||
| Edinburgh | Glasgow | Aberdeen | Inverness | ||||||||||||||
| £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | ||||||
| Acute-Non-teaching | … | — | 25 | 7 | 8 | (3) | 47 | 0 | 1 | (1) | — | ||||||
| Chronic | … | — | — | 15 | 19 | 11 | (1) | — | |||||||||
| Convalescent | … | — | 16 | 9 | 9 | (1) | — | — | |||||||||
| Maternity—Non-teaching Mental | … | 40 | 13 | 1 | (1) | 38 | 4 | 6 | (1) | 26 | 3 | 6 | (3) | — | |||
| Mental | … | 27 | 18 | 10 | (2) | — | — | 25 | 10 | 9 | (1) | ||||||
| Children's Acute—Non-teaching | … | — | 16 | 0 | 4 | (2) | — | — | |||||||||
| Others | … | — | (see note 3) | — | — | ||||||||||||
| (2) | |||||||||||||||||
| Notes | |||||||||||||||||
| 1. The figures in brackets indicate the number of hospitals of each type. | |||||||||||||||||
| 2. The costs given are the averages for hospitals of each type, or the cost for the only hospital of the type, in the postal districts for the towns specified. | |||||||||||||||||
| 3. Average cost is not shown against "Others" because of the widely differing types of hospitals included. | |||||||||||||||||
the 1964–65 session was about 10 per cent. greater than for the previous session.
Hospital Beds (Average Weekly Cost)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average cost per in-patient week for hospitals with 30 beds and under in the Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness areas.
The following table gives the information requested:Inverness area; and how many such hospitals there are in each area.
The following table gives the information requested:
Roads (Expenditure On Land)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the expenditure from central and local government funds, respectively, on the acquisition of land and property for motorways, trunk and classified roads in Scotland, together with the total expen-
| SCOTLAND—NEW CONSTRUCTION AND MAJOR IMPROVEMENT | |||||||
| Year | Central Government expenditure on land and property | Total expenditure (including land and property) | |||||
| Motorways and trunk roads | Central Government | Local Authority | Total | ||||
| Motorways and trunk roads | Classified roads | Classified roads | |||||
| £ million | £ million | £ million | £ million | £ million | |||
| 1959–60 | … | 0·049 | 3·295 | 4·830* | (-) | l·982† | 10·107 |
| 1960–61 | … | 0·073 | 3·790 | 6·772* | (1·0) | 3·007† | 13·569 |
| 1961–62 | … | 0·122 | 4·371 | 7·555* | (4·26) | 2·280† | 14·206 |
| 1962–63 | … | 0·117 | 5·854 | 7·856* | (3·52) | 2·391† | 16·101 |
| 1963–64 | … | 0·086 | 6·863 | 8·237* | (3·25) | 3·511† | 18·611 |
| * Including the amounts (shown in brackets) of loans paid to the Forth Road Bridge Joint Board which are recoverable from tolls. | |||||||
| † Estimates based on information provided by local highway authorities. | |||||||
Barley
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the figure recently given to the effect that 7 per cent. of the Scottish barley crop in 1963 was used for distilling included barley sold to maltsters and resold by them to distilleries in the form of malt.
Any barley received by distillers from maltsters in the form of malt was not included in the figure of 7 per cent. I have no information about receipts of malt.
Milk (Aggregate Of Price Review Determination)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the aggregate of the awards in pence per gallon given to milk producers in the Price Review during the 12 consecutive years up to and including 1963.
The aggregate of the Review determinations from 1952 to 1963, both years inclusive, was 2·19d. per gallon. In
diture on new construction and major improvement, for each of the five years ended 1963–64.
The figures are given in the following table, except for those of expenditure on the acquisition of land and property for classified roads which, I regret, are not readily available.addition, lump sum awards equivalent to 0·07d. and 0·09d. a gallon were made retrospectively on a once-for-all basis following Special Reviews in 1955 and 1956 respectively.
Overseas Development
Dominica
56.
asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she will provide funds, as has been requested, for summer in-service refresher courses for teachers, and funds for a University Centre in the Colony of Dominica.
A grant from C.D. & W. Funds of £3,060 has been approved for a summer vacation course beginning next month. With regard to the provision of funds for a University Centre in Dominica, this request must be considered in relation to the operations of the University of the West Indies as a whole. I hope to do this in the near future.
Lunches, Dinners And Receptions
asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will state the number of dinners, lunches and receptions given by her Department since October, 1964, and the names of the Members of Parliament invited to each of these functions.
No. But I should be glad to consider any representations on specific points my hon. Friend may care to make.
Post Office
Sub-Post Offices, Merritts Hill
57.
asked the Postmaster-General whether he will now accede to the request for an extra sub-post office in the Merritts Hill area of Birmingham, Northfield.
I have considered very carefully the representations made by the deputation which came to Post Office Headquarters on the 8th May and those made subsequently by my hon. Friend; but I am sorry that I should not be justifield in incurring the expense of adding to the three sub-post offices already in this area.
Division Bells
58.
asked the Postmaster-General how many Division bells are provided inside and outside the precincts of the Palace of Westminster; how often these are checked for serviceability; and how many have been found to be defective in each of the last three calendar months.
There are 158 bells within the precincts of the Palace of Westminster and a further 141 outside the precincts. They are checked daily on sitting days at 9.45 a.m.; the numbers found defective during each of the last three calendar months were 3, 2 and 2.
Postage Rates (Press Advertising)
asked the Postmaster-General what is the cost of the current Press advertising campaign for the increased postal charges; and what estimate he made of the cost of supplying a small self-adhesive sticker to be attached to pillar-boxes.
£105,000 and £1,500.These are not, of course, alternative means of publicity. The Post Office has a duty to do everything possible to inform its customers about changes in postage rates. Underpaid items are liable to delay and to be surcharged. The Press advertising contained details of the changes and was intended to be available in homes and offices where most correspondence is stamped. The amount at stake each week came to approximately £1½ million.
London-Manchester Letter Post (Delay)
asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that letters posted outside London but carried to Manchester via London are arriving a day late; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the time for delivery will in all normal cases be one day.
I am not aware of any general delay in the delivery of letters of this kind. If my hon. Friend would like to let me have details of any delays which have come to his notice I shall gladly look into the matter.
Telephone Service
Call Office, Moortown Station
asked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the uncertainty about the future of Moortown Station, he will delay the closing of the call office there until a final decision is taken on the closure of the station.
Yes. This has already been arranged.
Ministry Of Aviation
Concord Aircraft (Transponders)
asked the Minister of Aviation what consideration he gave to the suitability of British equipment before agreeing to the selection of United States transponders for the Concord prototype aircraft.
The Anglo-French organisation which selects equipment for the Concord aircraft considered fully the British, French and American transponders available. These included British manufactured equipment which is being purchased for new aircraft by both B.O.A.C. and B.E.A., but which is of higher performance than was considered necessary for the Concord prototypes. The choice of supplier for the transponders for the pre-production and production aircraft is open, and I hope that it will prove possible to select British or French equipment for these stages.
Tsr2 (Use Of Prototypes)
asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will issue instructions that the 3 TSR2 prototypes are to be cocooned and not sold for scrap.
It is unlikely that cocooning would be worthwhile. We are, however, still exploring what use can be made of the first three TSR2 aircraft now that it has been decided not to continue flying them. One possibility is a limited programme of research on ground running noise, in aid of the Concord.
Air Navigation Order, 1960 (Flight Time)
asked the Minister of Aviation if he will seek to amend the Air Navigation Order, 1960, so as to provide for a points system of workload limitation for pilots, as used by British European Airways.
The limitations on flight time in the Air Navigation Order, 1960, are drawn at least as tightly as those of other major aviation countries. The matter is, however, currently under review by my Department. The "points system" used by British European Airways is being considered as well as the practices of other countries.
Commonwealth Relations
Mr Leo Baron
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what representations he has made to the authorities in Rhodesia concerning the restrictions on the movements of Mr. Leo Baron, a British citizen; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Baron is, I understand, also a Rhodesian citizen and this is a matter entirely for the Rhodesian authorities. I have, however, been in contact with the Rhodesian High Commissioner in London about the matter.
Lunches, Dinners And Receptions
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will state the number of lunches, dinners and receptions given by his Department since October, 1964, and the names of the Members of Parliament invited to each of these functions.
No. But I should be glad to consider any representations on specific points my bon. Friend may care to make.
Ministry Of Defence
Lunches, Dinners And Receptions
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the number of lunches, dinners and receptions given by his Department since October, 1964, and the names of the Members of Parliament invited to each of these functions.
No, but I should be glad to consider any representations on specific points which my hon. Friend may care to make.
Rhio Islands Area
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the action taken by Her Majesty's Forces in the area of the Rhio Islands, south of Singapore, in regard to the movement of Indonesian troops and auxiliaries in the area.
From the Rhio Islands the Indonesians continue to launch small harassing raids against Singapore and Johore. In support of the Malaysian Navy and Police ships of the Royal Navy, together with Australian and New Zealand ships, assist in keeping a day and night watch in the Straits of Singapore for Indonesian raiding parties trying to slip across, usually in small boats. Regular air patrols are also flown. In spite of the very short distance between Indonesia and Malaysia at this point, these patrols have been remarkably effective in intercepting Indonesia intruders.
Education And Science
Grammar School Pupils, Brighton
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the percentage number of primary school children reaching grammar school in the county borough of Brighton for the years 1963, 1964 and 1965; and how this figure compares with other county boroughs in the country.
Information is not available in the form requested. List 69, published annually by my Department, gives the percentage of 13 year-old pupils, for whom local education authorities are financial)/ responsible, in schools of different types. The figures for 1964, to be published next month, show pupils in grammar (including direct grant grammar) schools to have been 16·2 per cent. of pupils in Brighton, and 19·5 per cent. in all county boroughs in England and Wales.
John Innes Institute
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the policy of the Agricultural Research Council regarding the future of the John Innes Institute.
The Trustees of the John Innes Charity, to which the John Innes Institute belongs, have decided, with the full agreement of the Agricultural Research Council, to transfer the Institute from Bayfordbury to Norwich; and the University of East Anglia has agreed that formal academic relations should be established between the University and the Institute. The Institute will be associated with the School of Biological Sciences of the University and will continue to undertake genetical and allied research. These arrangements are in accordance with the Agricultural Research Council's general policy of fostering close relations between research institutes and universities.
Student Association (Subscription)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will introduce a Statutory Instrument instructing local education authorities that a compulsory student association subscription be included in the fees payable by or on behalf of full-time students at colleges of higher and further education.
No. This is not a matter for compulsion.
Committee On Social Studies (Recommendation)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why the Government have decided not to accept the recommendation of the Committee on Social Studies that a joint board of the various research councils should be set up to deal with research in urban planning.
The main reason for not accepting this recommendation is that the research councils concerned could not provide the professional skills—for example architecture and civil engineering—which are needed, in addition to scientific advice, in judging needs and proposals for research in this field. Another reason is that under such an arrangement research in urban planning would be primarily dependent on support from three research councils, none of which would have more than a peripheral interest in this essentially interdisciplinary field of work.
Longhill Secondary School, Brighton
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why eligible children living in Woodingdean, Brighton, are not able to attend the new Longhill County Secondary School in Woodingdean; when zoning for this school was introduced; how many new primary, secondary and grammar schools have been built in Brighton during the post-war period; and how many of these have proved to be inadequate for the numbers of children wanting to attend those schools.
I understand from the Brighton Local Education. Authority that the number of applicants for places at Longhill Secondary School exceeds the accommodation available; 37 children living in the northern part of Woodingdean have been offered a choice of seven other secondary schools for September 1965. Zoning was introduced when the Longhill school was opened in 1963. Ten new primary schools and four new secondary schools, including one grammar school, have been built in Brighton since 1945. Accommodation at new schools is related to the estimated number of children requiring places, but since new secondary schools with modern facilities attract pupils from a wide area it has been necessary to introduce zoning.
National Finance
Public Service Pensions (Review)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress is being made in the review of public service pensions; and if he will now make a statement.
The review is being pressed forward. I have no statement to make at present.
Overseas Investment
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which independent inquiries into United Kingdom taxation recommend a reduction in United Kingdom private direct investment overseas.
I am not aware of any such inquiry which has considered the effect of the present level of overseas investment on our balance of payments.
Taxation (Inland Revenue Staff)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the additional staff required to collect the additional taxes set out in the 1965 Finance Bill.
It is too early to make any reliable estimate.
Home Department
Waiting Vehicles, Halkin Place (Prosecutions)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions in respect of vehicles waiting in Halkin Place, S.W.1, have been instituted by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police under the London (Waiting and Loading) Restrictions Regulations, over the past three years; and how many such prosecutions have resulted in a conviction.
The Commissioner informs me that there have been three cases in which summonses were issued in respect of waiting in Halkin Place. The first case was dismissed with costs against the police, and the other two summonses were withdrawn.
Watch Committees (Delegated Functions)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that some watch committees constituted under the 1964 Police Act will exclude those of their members appointed in their capacity of magistrates from certain of their discussions; and whether he will issue a circular to watch committees giving guidance as to whether magistrates may be excluded from certain deliberations of the Committee not within the scope of the funtions laid down by the 1964 Act.
I understand that some local authorities may have found it convenient to delegate certain non-police functions formerly exercised by old style watch committees (such as the licensing of hackney carriages and theatres) to a separate committee consisting of councillors who are also members of the new watch committee. Such a committee would be separate from the watch committee itself and would not exercise the functions of the police authority.It does not seem necessary to issue any general advice about this.
Local Government
Derelict Land (Clearance)
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will seek power to provide special assistance, in addition to that already allowed in the fixing of national general grants, so that urgently required clearance of derelict land can be carried out.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ellis Smith) on 28th May.
Itinerant Caravan-Dwellers (Hertfordshire)
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when the last survey of itinerant caravan-dwellers, or didicois, was made in the County of Hertford in accordance with Circular 6/62; what it disclosed; and how this compares with the previous survey of this problem.
Hertfordshire County Council carried out a survey in accordance with Circular 6/62 in April, 1962. This disclosed that there were then about 100 itinerant families in the county. I know of no previous survey.The national survey carried out in March of this year produced a very similar result: 98 families.
Dumping Of Fly Ash, Dawley Area
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government on what day he gave permission for the Central Electricity Generating Board to dump fly ash in the Dingle in the Dawley New Town area; and what were his reasons for making this decision.
Planning permissions were given in 1949 and 1950 by the local planning authority for the dumping of fly ash at Loamhole Dingle, Dawley, which is partly in the area subsequently designated for the New Town. An application by the Central Electricity Generating Board for permission for further dumping, some of which would also be in Loamhole Dingle, is at present under consideration by the local planning authority in consultation with the Dawley New Town Development Corporation.
| Between age 60 and 65 | Between age 55 and 60 | ||||||
| Area | Men | Women† | Men | Women | |||
| per cent. | per cent. | per cent. | per cent. | ||||
| England | |||||||
| All regions | … | … | … | 26·6 | 0·9 | 8·8 | 12·9 |
| London and South Eastern | … | … | … | 30·2 | 2·2 | 10·9 | 12·4 |
| Eastern | … | … | … | 32·3 | 3·4 | 12·1 | 16·9 |
| Southern | … | … | … | 36·8 | 1·4 | 13·2 | 13·7 |
| South Western | … | … | … | 38·2 | 1·8 | 7·9 | 15·9 |
| Midlands | … | … | … | 29·8 | 0·9 | 7·4 | 19·3 |
| Yorkshire and Lincolnshire | … | … | … | 21·6 | nil | 8·9 | 11·7 |
| North Western | … | … | … | 20·7 | 0·3 | 7·7 | 11·1 |
| Northern | … | … | … | 18·4 | nil | 6·2 | 10·1 |
| Wales | … | … | … | 20·9 | 0·5 | 9·3 | 3·5 |
| * Estimated from a sample of beneficiaries. | |||||||
| † Women can become entitled to retirement pension from age 60. | |||||||
asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many persons over the age
Land Restoration, Stoney Stanton
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will initiate a project to restore land at Stoney Stanton, in Leicestershire.
My right hon. Friend is not aware of the need for this. If the hon. Member has in mind the restoration of derelict land the responsibility for preparing schemes for this purpose falls primarily upon the local authorities concerned.
Pensions And National Insurance
Unemployment Benefit
asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she will state the percentage in the 60–65 years age bracket, of each sex, drawing unemployment benefit compared with the total number drawing unemployment benefit, and a similar percentage for those in the 55–60 years age bracket, respectively, in each of the regions in England and Wales.
Following are the figures: Men and women between age 60 and 65, and between age 55 and 60, receiving unemployment benefit* at 2nd November, 1964, expressed as a percentage of the total numbers receiving unemployment benefit in each of the regions in England and in Wales at that date.of 60 years of each sex are drawing unemployment benefit in each of the respective regions in England and Wales.
Following are the figures:
| NUMBERS OF MEN AND WOMEN AGE 60 YEARS AND OVER* RECEIVING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT† AT 2ND NOVEMBER 1964 | ||
| Area | Men | Women |
| England | ||
| All Regions | 26,520 | 220 |
| London and South Eastern | 6,300 | 80 |
| Eastern | 2,100 | 40 |
| Southern | 1,980 | 20 |
| South Western | 3,580 | 40 |
| Midlands | 3,000 | 20 |
| Yorkshire and Lincolnshire | 2,100 | 0 |
| North Western | 4,760 | 20 |
| Northern | 2,700 | 0 |
| Wales | 2,020 | 20 |
| * For National Insurance purposes the minimum pensionable age is 65 for men and 60 for women. Men and women who have not retired, can claim unemployment benefit until they reach age 70 and 65 respectively. | ||
| † Estimated from a sample of beneficiaries. | ||
National Assistance (Manchester)
asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many people in Manchester are in receipt of National Assistance, and how many of these are pensioners, unemployed or sick.
On 29th March last the number of persons in receipt of an allowance from the Board in the City of Manchester (including a part of the Municipal Borough of Stretford) was 33,075. Some of the allowances catered for the needs of more than one person. Of this total, 19,931 were pensioners (including 666 non-contributory old age pensioners and 666 widows over 60), 2,175 were unemployed, and 5,207 were sick.
Widows, Bournemouth And Christchurch
asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many 10s. a week widows in the Bournemouth and Christchurch areas now benefit from the increase recently made; and how many of these pensioners are receiving National Assistance.
I regret that separate figures for particular localities are not available.
University Charters
asked the Lord President of the Council who are the members of the Committee of Council which will consider the charters of the new universities; and what criteria are applied to the consideration of clauses concerning student discipline.
The reference to a Committee of Council is in this case simply a formal description for the customary process of consultation between Ministers. In regard to university charters the Ministers concerned include, in addition to myself, the Secretary of State for Education and Science.I am not in a position to comment on the criteria applied to any particular clauses of such charters. These must depend on the circumstances of each individual case.
Public Building And Works
Palace Of Westminster (Annunciators)
asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will arrange for the installation of an annunciator in one of the rooms in the Palace of Westminster available for Members who wish to use typewriters.
Our stock of annunciators is exhausted and a new annunciator could not be obtained in less than 12 months. I am, however, investigating the possibility of meeting this requirement by other means.
House Prices
asked the Minister of Public Building and Works by how much the average price of houses has increased during the last quarter of 1964 and the first quarter of 1965, respectively.
The Ministry's index of the average price of new houses for private owners increased by just under 11 per cent. in the last quarter of 1964 and just under 3½ per cent. in the first quarter of 1965. This index is based on information provided by the Building Societies Association which includes the cost of land as well as the cost of the house itself. It reflects the average size of the houses on which mortgages are advanced, as well as these costs.
Board Of Trade
Consumer Protection
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to set up a new consumer Council for dealing with consumer complaints; and if he will make a statement.
No. This would be very costly, and I do not think that we should consider a fundamental change in the arrangements adopted on the recommendation of the Molony Committee on Consumer Protection until they have had a longer trial.
Lunches, Dinners And Receptions
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of lunches, dinners and receptions given by his Department since October, 1964, and the names of the Members of Parliament invited to each of these functions.
I doubt if the work involved in compiling this information would be worth while: but I should be glad to consider any specific points my hon. Friend may care to make.
International Exhibition Centre
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make a statement on plans for a major international exhibition centre at the Crystal Palace or elsewhere.
I expect to make a statement shortly.
British Exhibition, Tokyo
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of firms participating in the British Exhibition at Tokyo, and their names and products.
The British Exhibition in Tokyo is being organised by British Overseas Fairs Ltd., with the support of the Board of Trade. British Overseas Fairs Ltd. inform me that nearly 400 British companies will exhibit or will be represented at the Exhibition. They have provided a preliminary list of these companies and of the products to be shown; this has been placed in the Library.
About 150 British manufacturers of consumer goods will also take part in the store promotions which will be held in 22 departmental stores situated mainly in the central shopping district of Tokyo.
Transport
Rural Transport (Results Of Inquiries)
asked the Minister of Transport what steps he proposes to take to give assistance to rural bus operators as a result of his discussions with the associations of local authorities and bus operators.
Useful discussions with the associations will only be possible after the publication of the results of the local rural bus inquiries and experiments. Publication cannot be before mid-July, for the reasons explained in my reply to the hon. Member of 24th May.
Motor Rallies (Control)
asked the Minister of Transport when he will introduce regulations to give effect to the recommendations of the Report on the Control of Motor Rallies.
The process of consultation on the draft regulations is now complete and I hope to lay the regulations before Parliament in July.
Faulty Parking Meters
asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that a considerable proportion of traffic meters periodically go wrong either by failing to register money inserted or by only registering a fraction of the time paid for; and whether he will amend the regulation so that putting a note to that effect and signing it will prevent the prosecution of the motorist in such circumstances.
The regulations require that parking meters be regularly tested. I do not consider that amendment on the lines suggested would be desirable. The best course, in his own and the general interest, for any motorist finding a faulty meter is to report it immediately to the nearest warden or police constable or to the local police station.
Highways (Camping And Lighting Fires)
asked the Minister of Transport if he will seek to increase the maximum penalties for causing litter, now £10, for camping on the highway, now £2, and for lighting a fire close to the highway, now £2.
My right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government has no proposals at present for increasing the Litter Act penalty. I have reviewed the maximum penalties under the Highways Act, 1959, for camping and lighting fires and intend to seek increases at a suitable opportunity.
Abandoned Vehicles
asked the Minister of Transport if he is satisfied with the effectiveness of the regulations about the licensing of abandoned vehicles; and how many prosecutions there have been in each of the last five years.
The requirements of the Vehicles (Excise) Act, 1962, are clear. Any mechanically-propelled vehicle kept or used on a public road must be appropriately licensed. Vehicles abandoned elsewhere do not have to be licensed under the Act, and there would be no justification for requiring them to be licensed. As I said in my Answers to my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 17th November, 1964, and on 13th April, 1965, enforcement of the provisions of the Act is continuous. It is not possible to say how many prosecutions there have been relating to unlicensed abandoned vehicles.
Roads
M4 Motorway (Langley Flyover)
asked the Minister of Transport why there are no signs on the M.4 motorway at Langley flyover to warn motorists travelling west that the motorway at this point narrows to two lanes; whether he is aware that this creates an accident risk; and whether he will take steps to remedy this deficiency.
Existing signs direct drivers into the offside lanes if they wish to remain on the motorway, and into the nearside lane if they wish to leave it. These directions seem clear, but I am looking into the matter and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Wales
Welsh Church Acts, 1914 And 1919
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the amounts of the capital sums transferred to each of the Welsh county councils and county borough councils under the provisions of the Welsh Church Acts, 1914 and 1919, and the amounts of such capital sums at present held by each of these authorities.
The following table shows the amounts of the capital sums transferred to each of the Welsh county and county borough councils and the book value of such capital sums as at 31st March, 1965.
| Amount transferred | Book value | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Anglesey | … | 221,983 | 170,392 |
| Brecon | … | 138,732 | 111,487 |
| Caernarvon | … | 164,263 | 156,370 |
| Cardigan | … | 85,771 | 69,262 |
| Carmarthen | … | 130,209 | 116,937 |
| Denbigh | … | 259,917 | 270,123 |
| Flint | … | 105,158 | 76,637 |
| Glamorgan | … | 291,150 | 375,793 |
| Merioneth | … | 38,200 | 33,945 |
| Monmouth | … | 340,631 | 272,041 |
| Montgomery | … | 198,291 | 205,000 |
| Pembroke | … | 229,576 | 217,610 |
| Radnor | … | 120,787 | 120,471 |
| Cardiff | … | 10,719 | Nil |
| Merthyr Tydfil | … | 124,924 | 186,846 |
| Newport | … | 3,267 | 9,536 |
| Swansea | … | 3,038 | Nil |
Motor Accidents (Stray Sheep)
asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many motor accidents in Wales in the last five years have involved stray sheep.
I regret that this information is not readily available.