asked the Postmaster-General what arrangements have been made for post offices to sell American Express travellers' cheques; at which post offices they are on sale today; which post offices will be in a position to supply them later this year; and why similar facilities have not been extended to Messrs. Thomas Cook and Son, Limited.

The Post Office has made no arrangements to sell American Express travellers' cheques but I understand that some sub-postmasters do so in their private capacity. I have no information of the extent to which they do so, or of their intentions with regard to the provision of such facilities in future.

asked the Postmaster-General how many non-definitive stamps have been issued in each complete year since 1960; and how many are expected to be issued in 1965.

In 1961 we issued eight non-definitive stamps, in 1962 three, in 1963 twelve, and in 1964 fifteen.I expect to issue nineteen non-definitive stamps during the current year.

asked the Postmaster-General what conclusions he has now reached with regard to the Giro system; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Mr. Sheldon), on 12th May, 1965.

asked the Postmaster-General what complaints he has received from Scottish business firms about delay in delivery of mail in London since the increase of postage rates.

My right hon. Friend has received nine complaints.

asked the Postmaster-General what the rate of expansion has been since 1945 in the volume of business handled by main and branch post offices in Northern Ireland; and what the corresponding rate of increase in expenditure by the Post Office in improving and expanding main and branch post office facilities, respectively, has been during the same period.

The current volume of business is estimated to be some 15 per cent. less than in 1945. It is not possible to give comparable figures for the cost of providing counter services, but over the period we have increased the number of Crown Post Offices from 30 to 32, and have spent about £200,000 on improving the buildings and fittings.

asked the Postmaster-General what plans he has for the improvement of postal services and local post office facilities in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

We plan to build in the next few years seven new buildings in Northern Ireland, including a new Head Post Office in Belfast. So far as I am aware, the postal services generally are up to standard; but if the hon. Member has in mind any special point and will let me have details, I will gladly look into the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will institute a general review of postal services in the North of Scotland in an attempt to improve the service.

A review, which will lead to some improvement in services, is already in hand. I shall write to the hon. Member about this.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress is being made in the current negotiations on the salaries of sub-postmasters.

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects to reach a decision on the scales of pay for sub-postmasters.

As many aspects of sub-postmasters' remuneration are being reviewed, it will inevitably be some time before a final setlement can be reached. I have recently offered the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters an interim increase.

asked the Postmaster-General what stage has now been reached in the siting of the Post Office Savings Bank; and when the transfer to Glasgow will be completed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a decision has now been made on a site for the Post Office Savings Bank headquarters in Glasgow.

As I have announced the new site will be on Government property adjoining Cowglen hospital. I cannot yet say precisely how long the transfer will take to complete but for an operation of this size and complexity something like 10 years will probably be required.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to improve the service of the Post Office in respect of the dispatch of money orders from this country to countries overseas.

The quality of the service given has been under review, some staffing rearrangements have been made, and outward money orders are now being cleared from this country, on average, three working days earlier than they were three months ago. More fundamental proposals for changed procedures are under consideration, but it will necessarily be some time before these studies, and the relative negotiations with overseas countries, can be completed.

asked the Postmaster-General what delays there have now been in the issue of the Sir Winston Churchill memorial issue of stamps, and those to commemorate the 700th Anniversary of de Montfort's Parliament; and when these issues will be made.

The original dates of issue were 24th May and 10th June. As the House knows they were delayed by the unofficial action by staff in the Supplies Depots. Normal working has now been resumed and they will be issued on 8th and 19th July.

asked the Postmaster-General how many Churchill commemoration stamps have now been issued.

None. As I announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, South (Mr. Carol Johnson) on 21st July, these stamps will be issued on 8th July.

asked the Postmaster-General why letters from the North of England to London take longer to reach the recipient than in the past; and to what extent this applies to other parts of the British Isles.

In common with correspondence from other parts of the country letters from the North of England to London are on occasions delayed in delivery because of shortages of staff in some London offices. We are doing all we can to get additional staff and meanwhile to keep delays to a minimum.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that a pictorial issue of stamps is contemplated, he will consider the inclusion of a stamp with special reference to the Duchy of Cornwall.

Yes: this suggestion will certainly be considered in connection with the proposed issue of pictorial stamps.

asked the Postmaster-General when he will proceed with the building of the new post office at Airdrie, in view of the delay which has arisen; and if he will make a statement.

The contract has been let and we expect work to start in mid-July.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the advantages to the British Commonwealth of a satellite communications system; and if he will take steps to promote such a system.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of the 2nd February, to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, West (Sir J. Eden).

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet consulted with the stationery trade about the implementation of his policy for achieving envelope standardisation; when this scheme will come into effect; how it will work; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. In order to get the best results from our new postal machines I have decided that non-standard envelopes, when used for items not more than 2 oz. in weight, shall become liable to a charge appropriate to the next weight step as from the 1st July, 1968. This will give manufacturers and users generally three years in which to adjust themselves to the new requirements and to run down stocks of non-standard envelopes. These arrangements will apply to all inland letters and printed papers within the first weight step of the appropriate postage rate scale and posted in non-standard envelopes.In accordance with international agreement, standard envelopes will be oblong in shape, of a width not less than 3½ inches or more than 4¾ inches and of a length not less than 5½ inches or more than 9¼ inches, and with the longer edge at least 1·414 times the shorter. All unenveloped folders, and other unenveloped matter except cards, and all items in envelopes with open cut-out address panels, which are within the first weight step of the appropriate postage rate scale, will be regarded as non-standard items.At the same time the minimum size for postcard rate purposes, which is at present 2¾ inches by 4 inches, will be raised to 3½ inches by 5½ inches. The present maximum size of 4⅛ inches by 5⅞ inches will remain. Intermediate sizes must conform to the length/width relationship of not less than 1·414 referred to above. If these conditions are not fulfilled the card will be treated as a letter, or as a printed paper if admissible at that rate, and as if it had been posted in an envelope of the same dimensions.I am glad to say that with a view to facilitating the easy recognition of standard envelopes, manufacturers in this country—whose co-operation I gratefully acknowledge—have agreed to consider a proposal to mark the wrappers of bundles of envelopes, or the boxes, with a symbol indicating that the contents are of G.P.O. approved standard. This should be of help not only at home but also in the export field. I hope too that British exports of envelopes will be helped by the large-scale rationalisation of the home market produced by envelope standardisation.

asked the Postmaster General whether he will take steps to introduce stereophonic broadcasting.

This is really a matter on which it is for the B.B.C. to make proposals in the first place. The Corporation tells me that it has no plans at present for the introduction of a regular stereophonic broadcasting service, but is keeping the possibilities under review.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider setting up a viewers' council, as also recommended in the recent report of the Church and Nation Committee of the Church of Scotland, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

The idea of a viewers' council was examined in detail by the Pilkington Committee, which rejected it. However, as my right hon. Friend the Lord President said in the broadcasting debate on 13th May, the Government are considering it afresh.

asked the Postmaster-General what action he proposes to take to deal with the possible operation of Radex Television and Radio Radex; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) how he intends to prevent the pirate television station Radex from interfering with Channel 6, which is at present allocated to Radio Astronomy Services at Cambridge;(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that pirate television stations do not use any of the television channels allocated by his Department.

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the fact that pirate television is to begin next month, if he will seek to acquire whatever powers are necessary to enable him to prevent this.

As I have already announced, legislation against pirate broadcasting stations will be introduced as soon as practicable. This will deal with all pirate broadcasting including television.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he intends to take to prevent the establishment of a new pirate television and radio station off the Kent coast, in view of the fact that such a state would constitute a threat to the United Kingdom's space research programme.

As I have already announced, legislation against pirate broadcasting stations will be introduced as soon as practicable. This will deal with all pirate broadcasting including television.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make it possible for those retirement pensioners who wish it to pay their television licence fees in instalments.

As I told the House in my statement of 14th April, the special savings cards I am introducing are intended to help anyone who has difficulty in paying for a television licence to save towards the cost of it. I believe this will be a great help and will meet the point my hon. Friend has in mind.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what reply he has sent to the representations he has received from the British Broadcasting Corporation indicating the Corporation's interest in televising the Premium Bond draw by Ernie;(2) what reply he has sent to the representations from the Independent Television Authority indicating the Authority's interest in televising the Premium Bond draw by Ernie.

My right hon. Friend has received no such representations.

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects B.B.C.2 to be available in the remainder of East Kent.

Planning the extension of the coverage of B.B.C.2 is a matter, in the first place, for the Corporation. The B.B.C. expects to open towards the end of next year a main U.H.F. station at Dover. This station will serve the larger part of South East and East Kent. It is too early to say whether Faversham will benefit from this station. Other stations, to complete as far as is practicable the coverage of B.B.C.2 in Kent, will be built but I cannot yet say when these will be in service.

asked the Postmaster-General what special telephone arrangements were made for the British Broadcasting Corporation in connection with the programme "Hot Line".

The B.B.C. did not ask for special telephone facilities for the first programme. For the second, it asked for only two additional exchange lines and we provided them. On both occasions, it was arranged with the B.B.C. that the programme should be recorded and retransmitted a few seconds later; that subscribers should be called 15 minutes before their broadcast; and that amplifiers should be used to give satisfactory audibility. The B.B.C. has generously admitted that the failure of this programme was not due to the Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General what new proposals he has for improving the telephone system.

asked the Postmaster-General what measures he proposes to take to improve the telephone service.

First, the preparation of a new investment programme geared to improving the performance of the plant, removing existing shortages and catering for rapid growth. Second, to intensify the drive throughout the Post Office for better service and higher efficiency by improving forecasting and planning, deploying staff more effectively and exploiting modern aids such as computers and business research. Third, to press forward with technological advances such as electronic exchanges. This will necessarily take some time.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the average waiting period for private telephone installations in the constituency of Houghton-le-Spring; and how many applications are currently outstanding.

Leaving aside orders in course of completion, there are 67 applicants waiting for residential telephones in the constituency of Houghtonle-Spring. The composition of the waiting list is constantly changing and it is not possible to give a reliable average waiting period. The majority of applications at present waiting will be met when additional cables and exchange equipment are provided within the next few weeks, and the remainder will be met as soon as possible afterwards.

asked the Postmaster-General what representations he has received from business firms in Poole about inordinate delays in effecting overseas telephone calls; and what replies he has sent.

A particular business firm in Poole has recently complained to my right hon. Friend about the overseas telephone service, and the complaint is being investigated.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applications for the telephone service in the Bournemouth and Christchurch areas are still outstanding; and what is the longest application still unfulfilled.

Leaving aside orders in course of completion, there are 91 applicants waiting for telephones in the hon. Member's constituency. The longest outstanding application was made on 4th November, 1964. Additional exchange equipment is being provided and all the applicants at present waiting should be given service within a few weeks.

asked the Postmaster-General when he hopes to be able to restore service to at least one of the public telephone kiosks on the Wexham Court estate, the condition of which was drawn to the attention of his Department by the Eton Rural District Council on 23rd March, 1965.

Of the four kiosks on the estate, two are now working. I cannot yet say when the other two, which have been wrecked, can be repaired. There is now a shortage of some replacement parts due to the amount of damage, and we are trying to ensure that all areas get a fair supply.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will arrange for all 999 calls from a private telephone to be free, as from public telephone boxes.

No charge is made for 999 calls from any telephone, private or public.

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the increasing degree of delay in obtaining telephonic connection with the Post Office continental switchboard and further delays in obtaining continental telephone numbers, if he will investigate the matter with a view to remedial action.

The main cause of these delays is shortage of operating staff in the full-employment conditions of London. We are making an extensive drive to obtain new recruits and hope to attract school leavers this summer. In the longer term the extension of International Subscriber Dialling will provide real relief.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what demand there has been for semen from the two Charolais bulls in Perth and Aberdeen over the last few months.

There are two Charolais bulls at Southbar and one at Aberdeen; there are none at Perth, the centre there drawing Charolais semen as required from Southbar. During the period from 1st January to 31st May, 1965, Charolais inseminations from these centres represented about 3 per cent. of the total inseminations from beef bulls of all types during this period.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the tests on the Charolais cattle, about which firm guarantees were given, have been completed, and, in particular, whether the field tests have been completed in. Scotland.

Information available from completed trials in England has shown the Charolais's usefulness as an additional crossing breed under certain conditions. The field tests in Scotland are practically completed, but a considerable amount of work remains to be done on carcase assessment and on analysing the data.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assurances have been received from other countries as to the effect of the importation of Charolais on the British cattle export trade; and what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to discover the policies of those countries in this regard.

I understand that there were consultations with a number of countries at the time of the original importation of Charolais bulls in 1961, as a result of which the Government saw no reason why an importation of Charolais bulls should give rise to any interference with Britain's traditional export trade in cattle. The veterinary precautions taken have provided adequate animal health safeguards and there is no reason to think that the further importation of Charolais cattle now in train will affect the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will direct local education authorities to cater expenditure on school text-books and school library books as separate items in their statistical accounts.

I will consider changes in the education accounts when a general revision of the prescribed form of accounts is undertaken.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which fee-paying schools in Scotland receive mandatory rating relief through being classified as charitable organisations.

Information is not available as to the number of fee-paying schools in respect of which a claim for relief has been made. Any school qualified under Section 4(2)(a) of the Local Government (Financial Provisions etc.) (Scotland) Act, 1962, can secure mandatory rating relief. The following table lists the 40 grant-aided fee-paying schools which are qualified. For the 143 independent schools which do not receive Government grant, information is not available centrally whether fees are paid and whether they are charitable or conducted for profit.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the need for a new Protestant primary school at Shawhead, Coatbridge, for which a site was acquired in 1963, he will consult Lanarkshire Education Authority with a view to approving a starting date for the project; and if he will make a statement.

Shawhead Primary School is in the authority's programme, to which I have given my general agreement, of projects due to start in the financial year 1966–67.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why Scottish education authorities will not pay the fees for the orphan sons of Scottish seafarers to be educated at the Royal Navy's orphanage, the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, Suffolk, particularly in cases where the widow has other young children and has to go out to work to pay her orphan son's fees.

The decision whether to grant a bursary in these circumstances rests entirely in the discretion of the education authority concerned and I have no power to intervene.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why an Admiralty Press notice is not issued to the national Press before each entry of boys into the Royal Navy's orphanage at Holbrook, Suffolk, stating the requirements, stating what preference will be given to the orphans of naval ratings, and stating where applications should be sent.

It is not thought that any useful purpose would be served by a notice to the national Press. Entry to the Royal Hospital School is restricted to boys whose fathers have seafaring qualifications and publicity is therefore directed through the channels most likely to reach those who follow or who have followed a seafaring occupation.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what requests he has made to the British Legion and Royal Naval Benevolent Trust to pay the fees charged to the widows of naval ratings for the education of their orphan sons at the Royal Navy's orphanage at Holbrook, Suffolk.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the individual scales of fees for the 97 boys with local education authority assistance and the 137 boys without assistance, respectively, at the Royal Navy's orphanage, at Holbrook, Suffolk, paid by the father, or widowed mother, respectively, for the education of their sons; and what are the numbers of boys in each scale of fees.

The hon. and gallant Member is presumably referring to the Royal Hospital School at Holbrook. The fee is £100 per annum but no parent is asked to pay more than he or she can reasonably afford and each case is considered individually.In the 97 cases in which parents pay the balance of the fee after allowing for local education authority grant, contributions are paid by fathers for 79 boys and by widowed mothers for the remaining 18 boys. The parental contributions range from £10 per annum to £98 for fathers and £4—£80 for widowed mothers.In the 137 cases in which parents pay the full fee of £100 per annum without assistance, the fee is paid by the fathers for 136 boys and by a widowed mother in the remaining case.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what date Aircraftman James Valentine Twitchell entered the Royal Air Force; what theatres of operation he has served in, and when; what experience of firearms he obtained during service with the Royal Air Force; and between what dates he served in the armoury department of the Royal Air Force;(2) on what date Aircraftman James Valentine Twitchell transferred to or joined the Army; on what date he was commissioned as a capitain; and what service he had in the armoury section.

I assume, since there is no record of a James Valentine Twitchell having served in the Royal Air Force, that my hon. Friend is referring to Mr. William James Twitchell who enlisted in the Royal Air Force on 18th April, 1941, and was discharged from Air Force service on 22nd March, 1944.Mr. Twitchell served in the United Kingdom and in India but I regret that the records available do not indicate the precise duties on which he was engaged. I cannot trace that anyone of his name, as I have explained to my hon. Friend in a letter, nor anyone called James Valentine Twitchell, was ever commissioned in the Army or served in the ranks of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps or the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total acreage of land held by Service Departments in 1945, 1955 and 1965, respectively.

Land held freehold, leasehold and under Defence Regulation 51 by the Service Departments totalled 1,284,000 acres in 1945, 791,000 acres in 1955 and 628,000 acres in 1965, and a further 5,742,000 acres, 116,000 acres and 81,000 acres were used in the same years under Defence Regulation 52 and under licence.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the procedure now followed when a Service Department relinquishes its claim on land used for defence purposes.

Land which can be given up is disposed of when it has been established, by offering it first to the other Services and then to other Government Departments, that there is no further Government use for it. The method of disposal is normally by sale at public auction or by tender. It is sold by private treaty only in cases where particular needs of public and local authorities are established and where, in certain cases of agricultural land, former owners put forward special claims.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total acreage of land held at present by the three Service Departments.

628,000 acres. A further 81,000 acres is used under licence from the owners.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what additional demands have been made by the Army for training areas during the 12 months ended 1st June 1965.

The extent of the Army's training areas is always under review but no specific decision to acquire more land was made during this period.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total acreage of land at present held for Army training.

The Army Department holds 329,000 acres for training and makes use of a further 70,000 acres under licence from the owners.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what machinery exists for consultation between his Department and that of the Minister of Land and Natural Resources with regard to the acquisition of additional land for defence purposes.

My right hon. Friend would consult his right hon. Friend the Minister of Land and Natural Resources about any acquisition of land for defence purposes that affected the use and availability of land in the country in any significant way. No special machinery is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated mileage of coastline in England and Wales occupied by the Defence Departments.

Approximately 157 miles is occupied by the Service Departments.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence for how long education and maintenance were provided free for boys at the Royal Hospital Schools at Greenwich and Holbrook; and by what authority in the Greenwich Hospital Charter fees are now charged.

Fees were introduced in 1957. The Greenwich Hospital Acts vest the authority to establish regulations for admission to the School of the Foundation exclusively in the Admiralty, and the authority to charge fees is contained in Statutory Instruments 1956 No. 1894.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give details of the cost of the journey of hon. Members now overseas on behalf of the Estimates Committee.

I have been asked to reply.About £1,800 for air passages and £900 for food and accommodation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now announce his decision on the proposed withdrawals of passenger train services between Birmingham, New Street, and Redditch, and between Birmingham, New Street, and Worcester, which were the subject of the Transport Users' Consultative Committee inquiry held on 16th March.

My right hon. Friend has just received the advice of the West Midland Regional Economic Planning Council on the planning implications if closure were to take place. He is considering its comments along with the report on hardship of the Transport Users' Consultative Committee and all other relevant factors. I cannot yet say when he will be able to reach a decision.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has authorised the removal of any of the track on the Peterborough-Northampton line.

My right hon. Friend's predecessor agreed last year that the Railways Board could remove the track between Thrapston and Oundle provided that the formation were retained in case of future need. The Board sought confirmation of this in relation to the Thorpe-Oundle section and my right hon. Friend has confirmed that he wishes this arrangement to continue. He has received no other applications from the Board for disposal of track on this line.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will remind local authorities of the need to implement the recommendation of his Department that trolley bus poles and lamp standards should, wherever possible, be sited as far away as is practicable from the kerbside.

I am not aware that further advice to local authorities is called for at present.I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the recent fatal accidents in Wakefield Road, Huddersfield, as a result of vehicles colliding with trolley bus and lighting columns near the edge of the carriageway. I understand that these columns were erected some years ago and that where the road is being widened the local authority is replacing the columns further back from the carriageway.

asked the Minister of Transport what investigation he has made into the Audo-Lite Warning System for use on motorways; and whether he will receive representatives from the company concerned in order to discuss the proposals.

The company's information about its Audo-Lite warning system has been carefully examined in the Ministry, but, for the reasons which have been given to the hon. Member, its use on motorways is not considered to be practicable. In the circumstances I can see no useful purpose in meeting representatives from the company, but we are, of course, willing to look at any further details of the system which they may wish to send to us.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the average length of time at present between application date and date of driving test in the Glasgow area; and what steps he is taking to reduce it.

About 16 weeks. Additional staff are being recruited and examiners are being transferred to the area from centres with a shorter waiting period.

asked the Minister of Transport on how many occasions since October, 1964 the Nationalised Transport Advisory Council has met under his chairmanship; and what co-ordination of transport has resulted from its activities.

Since October 1964, the Nationalised Transport Advisory Council has met once under my right hon. Friend's chairmanship. The discussion covered a range of subjects relevant to the co-ordination of transport and the development of transport policy.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the fact that many fatal and serious road accidents, especially spectacular ones, receive publicity in the national Press immediately after they occur, but that publicity is seldom given in the national Press to the causes of these accidents after they have been determined, he will issue from time to time a short pamphlet giving photographs of these accidents and their causes, and endeavour to obtain publicity for it.

This proposal depends for its effect on being able to establish the precise cause of accidents. It is often impossible to distinguish after an accident between what may have been the contributory factors or to determine the true causes; also there would be legal and insurance complications, where cases are pending. I do not think, therefore, that the suggestion offers sufficient scope for useful publicity.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the progress of the comprehensive transport studies which are being undertaken in association with his Department by local authorities on Merseyside; whether it is his policy to favour the formation of an authority or undertaking with responsibility for the unified operation of road, rail and river public services on and between both sides of the Mersey; and whether he will treat proposals for the withdrawal of railway passenger services on Merseyside in the light of the value of these lines to a unified Merseyside transport authority in conditions of mounting future congestion.

Studies on particular aspects of transport on Merseyside undertaken by the Steering Committee on Merseyside traffic and transport are near completion. Consultants have been appointed to design a comprehensive land use-transportation study.If at any time local authorities and transport operators on Merseyside propose to us a reorganisation of their responsibilities we will give the proposal the closest consideration.The Answer to the last part of the question is "Yes."

asked the Minister of Aviation how often the rents charged to car parking contractors on Government airports are reviewed; and if in the course of such reviews note is taken of annual profits of such contractors.

Car parking concessions, which are usually for a period of three years, are leased by competitive tender and under these arrangements the concessionaire pays the Ministry a percentage of his gross receipts subject to a guaranteed annual minimum. As the percentage taken by the Ministry is not fixed but increases as receipts increase, the payment is adjusted annually. When concessions are let attention is paid to the likely profit of the concessionaire.

asked the Minister of Aviation what general direction, in the public interest, has been given to the Chairman of British Overseas Airways Corporation to purchase Super VCIO civil aircraft over the next five years.

None.

asked the Minister of Aviation why people were refused admission to London Airport when the Beatles were flying to Europe; by what authority this action was taken; and if he will make a statement.

No one was refused admission to London Airport on 20th June when the Beatles flew to Europe. I assume that the hon. and learned Gentleman has in mind the fact that the Roof Gardens over the Queen's Building were closed at the time.The Beatles travelled through the airport before the time at which the spectators' terraces are usually opened. As their aircraft departed from a stand some distance from the Roof Gardens and no advantage would have been gained from the use of the terraces it was decided not to advance the opening time, as is done when the departing aeroplane is close to the building.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he has yet reached a decision regarding the possibility of using the Black Arrow rocket as a satellite launcher.

I have nothing at present to add to the statement which I made to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) on 23rd June last.

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps he intends to take to provide improved guidance to passengers, especially from abroad, leaving aircraft at London Airport.

Passengers are guided from the aircraft into the terminal buildings by airline staff and within the buildings signs are displayed wherever needed. More signs in languages other than English are now being introduced into the international buildings.The first passenger pier at Heathrow was put into use recently and its operation is being studied.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that the Earnings Rule should be applied to Post Office pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, if the hon. Member is referring to Section 20 of the Superannuation Act, 1834. This applies to all Civil Service pensioners.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the proceeds from the realisation of the Government's dollar securities have added to the gold and dollar reserves since 1st November, 1964.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications were received in 1963, 1964 and 1965 for entry to the Civil Service at executive officer grade.

The figures are:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many written examinations there were in March, 1962, 1963 and 1964, for entry to the Civil Service at executive officer grade.

Written examinations were held in April of 1962 and 1963 but there were none in 1964 when the Commission suspended them and relied solely on recruiting suitable candidates with two or more passes at "A" level in the General Certificate of Education or with corresponding qualifications.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for how many years the dual system of selection for entry to the Civil Service at executive officer grade was in operation.

Eight: from 1956 to 1963 inclusive.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide figures, by way of example, to show how the introduction of Corporation Tax will affect the advantage businessmen will derive from investing in a development district, rather than elsewhere.

The total relief to a company on expenditure of £100 on plant and machinery in a development district is about £65 16s. 0d. in terms of tax at present rates, together with £10 as a grant from the Board of Trade, making £75 16s. 0d. in all. This is £2 14s. 0d. more than the relief on corresponding expenditure elsewhere. Under a Corporation Tax of 35 per cent. the total relief would be £50 18s. 0d. in a development district or £45 5s. 0d. elsewhere, a net advantage of £5 13s. 0d. which is over double the advantage under the present rates of tax. The corresponding amounts of advantage on the same expenditure on industrial buildings in a development district are about £8 16s. 0d. under the present rates of tax compared with £15 under a Corporation Tax at 35 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to provide that taking and sailing away a yacht without the owner's consent shall be an offence in law; and whether he will make statement.

This suggestion falls within the scope of the comprehensive review which the Criminal Law Revision Committee has nearly completed of the law of larceny and related offences. The question of legislation on these matters will be considered in the light of the Committee's recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Advisory Council on the Treatment of the Offender is still functioning; how long it has been in existance; upon what subjects it has advised in the past; and what plans he has for it in the future.

As I explained on 10th March in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Somerset, North (Mr. Dean) the appointments of the members of the Advisory Council on the Treatment of Offenders expired on 31st December, 1963. In view of the setting up of the Royal Commission on the Penal System, no fresh appointments were made and the Council is accordingly no longer functioning. Since the Council was set up in August, 1944, it has advised on a wide range of subjects relating to the treatment of offenders and in recent years has produced the following reports:Alternatives to Short Terms of Imprisonment (1957).The After-Care and Supervision of Discharged Prisoners (1958).The Treatment of Young Offenders (1959).Corporal Punishment (1960).Non-Residential Treatment of Offenders under 21 (1962).Preventive Detention (1963).The Organisation of After-Care (1963).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date his Department received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, concerning Prisoner T. Brett, showing that new evidence has arisen since his trial.

My hon. Friend has written many letters to my right hon. and learned Friend and his predecessor about further material which has been produced in this case. If the Question refers to his letter of 23rd June, the answer is that it was received on 24th June.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take steps to encourage local authorities to assist the Waste Paper Recovery Association to collect waste paper for re-use.

My hon. Friend will know that the Economic Development Committee for the paper and board industry have just appointed a working party, on which the Board of Trade and the Department are represented, to consider how supplies of waste paper can be increased. My right hon. Friend prefers to await their report before considering whether to raise this matter with local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what circumstances the body of an Army corporal killed in Aden at the beginning of 1965 was repatriated six weeks later despite the two-year ban on exhumations in Aden.

An exception to the general rule was made in this previous case because it was possible for the body to be exhumed and prepared for repatriation within a few days of death. The experience then gained, however, led the medical authorities in Aden to the view that no further exceptions of this sort should be made. The local Director of Medical Services has since ruled that at least 20 months must lapse between burial and disinterment in Aden.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent chartered accountants who have been awarded places in the Graduate School of Business Administration at Harvard University are eligible for Government grants without a university degree; and what steps he is taking to assist the constituent of the hon. Member for Ilford, North, who is in this situation, and about whom he has received details.

Government grants for postgraduate study are not normally available except to suitable graduates of a British university, and if the proposed course of study is abroad, special justification is in any case required. I have just received the correspondence to which the hon. Member refers, and will be writing to him about it.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he has taken or proposes to take to assist the provision of sporting facilities in the North-West area, with particular reference to Manchester.

Offers of grant under the Physical Training and Recreation Act to local voluntary sports bodies in Lancashire and Cheshire since January, 1964, have totalled £127,981, including £11,405 to bodies in Manchester. Increasing use is being made of this scheme for assistance. The main responsibility for providing sports facilities lies with the local authorities. I have no powers to give specific assistance to local authorities, but I am discussing with representatives of the local authority associations arrangements for encouraging consultation and collaboration between the local authorities on a wide geographical basis for the provision of sports facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which fee-paying schools in England and Wales receive mandatory relief through being classified as charitable organisations.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further steps he proposes to take to secure the release of Mr. Gerald Brooke, who has now been detained for a period of eight weeks by the Soviet authorities although no specific charges have been preferred against him.

We have continued to press the Soviet Government on this case. They informed us on 22nd June that the preliminary investigation would come to an end in the very near future, and that the case would then be transmitted for review to the Soviet judicial organs. I understand that under the Soviet legal code a case must be brought to trial, if it is decided that there are grounds for one, within about 28 days of its being sent for review.I regret that the Soviet attitude on consular access is unsatisfactory. On 15th May the Foreign Ministry stated that Mr. Brooke, who had been seen by the Consul on 7th May, would be allowed a second meeting within one month. That period has already expired, and we are continuing to insist on our request that there should be further meetings.

asked the Minister of Technology what representatives he is sending to the Washington conference in October to discuss salt water distillation.

The British delegation will be led by Professor R. S. Silver, of Heriot Watt College, and will include representatives of the Ministry of Technology, the Atomic Energy Authority and of industry. The delegation will be accompanied by a number of expert observers.

asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of registered disabled unemployed in Swansea, Wales and England, respectively, are married men, and what proportion are married men with two or more children.

The following table contains the information requested for Swansea. I regret that information is not available for Wales or England.