asked the Secretary of state for Education and Science what proposals he has for improving the amenities of older primary schools in Cornwall.

In general, it is for the local education authority to make proposals for improving amenities in primary schools and, where this involves capital work, to decide how to assign their allocation for minor works between these improvements and other necessary work.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans there are for the provision of university courses in counselling; and what plans he has to enable those already engaged in teaching and youth work to receive training in this subject.

I understand that one university has a one-year course in educational guidance and counselling for qualified serving teachers, and that two more will be starting similar courses next autumn. Informal counselling is a normal task of youth leaders, and this is reflected in the curriculum of their training courses, which is at present under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what response he has now received to the circular on reorganising secondary education, which he has sent to local education authorities.

I have received many helpful comments from the various bodies to which I sent a draft of the circular and I hope to issue the circular itself very soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teacher training colleges in England and Wales provide courses in social training for slow learners on the lines pioneered by the Centre for Group Studies and put into practice in Holland Park School, London.

The Centre for Group Studies is an independent organisation. Education courses generally include reference to the needs of slow learners, but I do not know to what extent particular lecturers may be influenced by the work of the Centre.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider the setting up of an organisation similar to the Universities Central Council for Admissions to cater for overseas students.

No. I understand that from September next the Universities Central Council for Admissions will itself be handling all applications from overseas students under the same procedure as those from students here.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will initiate legislation to empower himself to provide that teachers will receive at least as much per week for full-time teaching as they would receive by way of National Assistance and other benefits if they were unemployed.

No. It is the duty of the Burnham Committees, newly constituted under the Remuneration of Teachers Act, 1965, and on which I am directly represented, to make recommendations regarding the remuneration of teachers.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for establishing a national recreation centre in the city of Cardiff.

With advice from the Sports Council, my right hon. Friend is considering proposals for a national recreation centre in Wales. Inquiries are being made about a suitable site in Cardiff.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will publish a progress report to mark the completion of the first five years of the Commonwealth Bursary Scheme.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will now announce the complete Somerset education building programme for 1967–68.

No. As my hon. Friend the Minister of State said in reply to a Question from the hon. Member on 13th May, 1965, the second half of the school building programme for 1967–68 will be announced after the Government have completed their present review of public expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to announce the Somerset education minor works building programme for 1966–67.

The minor capital works allocations will be announced when the Government have completed their present review of public expenditure and have decided priorities between the various forms of public expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will take steps to ensure that the composition of the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries is more adequately representative of the provinicial art galleries.

I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals have been made to him for the future use of Magdalen College School at Wainfleet in Lincolnshire when the school is vacated later this year.

My right hon. Friend has received no proposals for the future use of these buildings. I understand that the Lincolnshire (Lindsey) Local Education Authority are considering the matter and are in touch with the owners. Magdalen College, Oxford.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to repeal the Education Review Clause in the London Government Act 1963; and if he will make a statement.

This matter is under consideration. I am not yet able to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the form of encouragement to be given for original literary work, as envisaged in "A Policy for the Arts".

The Arts Council has the question of the form of encouragement to be given for original literary work under review. They are considering proposals for enlarging the membership and scope of the Poetry Panel so as to convert it to a Literature Panel.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, when considering the Goodman Report, he will take into account the needs of the principal orchestras and other organisations outside London, and in particular the Scottish National Orchestra and Scottish opera.

The specific recommendations in the Report refer only to the four major London orchestras. In considering the Report, I am taking account of what the Committee and the Arts Council have said about the bearing of the recommendations on orchestras outside London.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how often the Natural Environment Research Council has met; when it expects to produce a report; and whether he is satisfied with the machinery for co-ordinating the work for which this Council is responsible.

The Council held their inaugural meeting on 30th June. As required by the Science and Technology Act, 1965, the Council will make a report to me annually as soon as possible after the end of each financial year. I am quite satisfied with the machinery which the Council itself together with its main committees provides for co-ordinating the work for which the Council is responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress is being made in the setting up of the Social Science Research Council; and when he will announce either the charter for this Council or its terms of reference.

Establishing a new Research Council involves a great deal of detailed work; this is proceeding as quickly as possible. The Science and Technology Act, 1965, requires a statement of the objects of the new Council to be approved by Parliament and it is unlikely that this can be done before next Session.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the additional cost which would have to be borne by those local authorities concerned if all the recommendations contained in Circular 7/65 on immigration were implemented.

None. It is too soon to estimate what additional cost will fall on local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration has now been given to the work of the National Council for Oceanography; and what co-ordination has been established under the Natural Environment Research Council.

The Natural Environment Research Council, at its inaugural meeting yesterday, set up a committee specially charged with the promotion and co-ordination of research in Oceanography and related subjects. It will be responsible for the work of the National Institute of Oceanography and of the Marine and Freshwater Biological Laboratories grant-aided by N.E.R.C. It will also ensure co-ordination with the Ministry of Defence and the Departmental Fisheries Laboratories in the field of oceanography.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will now make a statement on the establishment of new medical schools to increase the number of doctors.

I am not yet in a position to make such a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a grant of funds towards the establishment of a National Youth Theatre Centre; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend already makes grants towards the headquarters expenditure of the National Youth Theatre. The grant for 1965–66 will be £5,500—an increase of £1,000 compared with 1964–65. I understand that the Gulbenkian Foundation has also offered a grant of £3,000 for each of the next three years. In the matter of assistance towards a National Youth Theatre Centre, I would prefer to await the report of a Committee of the Arts Council which I understand is considering the question of young people's theatre.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of primary schoolchildren in the area covered by the Wellingborough constituency was successful in obtaining grammar school places at the last available date; and how this compares with the national average.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what facilities exist for technical education for girls in the East Kent area, in particular covering the Faversham constituency; and whether he is satisfied that those facilities are adequate.

Facilities for girls are available at the Canterbury Technical College, the Thanet Technical College at Ramsgate, the South-East Kent Technical College at Dover and Folkestone the Ashford Technical College, and the Medway College of Technology at Chatham. I am satisfied that the further education facilities, including courses in secretarial work, catering and general crafts, available to girls living in the Faversham area are adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of the wage and salary bill in respect of school pupils is attributable to teachers, including headmasters, and what proportion to administrative and ancillary staff including local authorities and his Department but excluding domestic staff.

The estimated expenditure on salaries of teachers in maintained schools in 1964–65 was approximately £402 million. The estimated expenditure by local education authorities and my Department on the salaries of administrative staff in the same year was approximately £22 million, but this cannot be apportioned between schools and other work. The estimated expenditure on all non-teaching staff in the schools was approximately £88 million, but I regret that I cannot break this total down to exclude any staff other than those employed in the school meals service, who account for £40 million of this expenditure. All the salaries and wages figures include superannuation and National Insurance.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in what way provision of classrooms, showers, toilets and other accommodation at Winkleigh Primary School fall short of the standards laid down by his Department.

I understand from the Devon Authority that the teaching area of the school is 143 square feet (i.e. 4 per cent.) below the minimum standard. The school is short of four toilet fittings and six washbasins and only one washbasin is provided with hot and cold water. The site and hardpaved areas are both below the minimum areas laid down. Meals accommodation is also deficient. There is no staff room or headteacher's room. There is no requirement for showers in a primary school.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has for bringing the primary schools of Devon up to the standard laid down by his Department.

In general it is for the local education authority to make proposals for improving school premises. Such proposals may be made within the authority's allocation for minor capital works or, in the case of larger projects, by submission for a major building programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made in Her Majesty's Government's review of the need to relieve local authorities from the increasing rate burden of education expenditure, in particular on teachers' salaries; and if he will make a statement on future policy.

The Government have made considerable progress with their review of the whole question of central and local government finance, including the costs of the education service; a statement will be made in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will direct that notices shall be published in schools within the control of local education authorities drawing attention to penalties for damage, destruction or sabotage of private or public property, and the danger to life which might result from irresponsible behaviour; and if he will require that such notice shall be read to school assemblies from time to time.

No. It is for local education authorities and teachers to consider how the schools can help to prevent irresponsible behaviour among their pupils.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the rate of progress being made in the implementation of the recommendations of the Newsom Report; and if he will make a statement.

The major recommendation for Government action was the raising of the school-leaving age which is now planned to take place in 1970–71. The other recommendations were, for the most part, addressed to local education authorities and schools as much as to the Department, and it is evident that they are being taken very seriously. I am also glad to say that the newly formed Schools Council is giving a high priority to a general study of the Newsom recommendations in the field of curriculum; and that good progress is being made.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, following his visit to Hungary, he will make a statement on the lessons to be learnt from the Hungarian system of education.

I visited three universities, a children's village and its associated school on my recent visit to Hungary, as well as having useful discussions with the Minister of Education and his Deputy Ministers. I would be reluctant to attempt a comparison of the Hungarian system of education with our own on the basis of so short a visit. I am quite clear, however, that our two Governments share a determination to make the best possible education available to all.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the average figures of primary school children obtaining grammar school places in Bournemouth and Christchurch, and in the country as a whole.

In January, 1964, the latest date for which figures are available, the percentage of 13-year-old Bournemouth pupils in grammar schools was 17·5, compared with 20·7 for England and Wales. Separate figures for Christchurch are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to raise the standard of education in secondary schools to that of grammar schools in the Bournemouth area.

If there is a disparity, the best way to remedy it is by reorganisation on comprehensive lines. I shall soon be sending a circular to all local education authorities about the preparation of plans for such reorganisation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take to implement the recommendations of the Littlewood Committee on Experiments on Animals.Sir F. Soskice: I am considering the Report of the Committee, but I am not yet ready to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made by local authorities with preventive work under Section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1963.

The Section came into operation on 1st October, 1963, and the first progress reports furnished by local authorities under Section 1(4) covered the period to 30th June, 1964. Further information, from reports covering the period to 31st March, 1965 (31st July, 1965, for the new London boroughs) will be available later in the year.From the first reports it appears that authorities are directing their efforts mainly to the following matters:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to the representations made to his Department by the National Association of Probation Officers in July, 1963 about their conditions of service and scales of pay; and if he will give reasons for the delay in dealing with these problems.

These representations related to the establishment of a single negotiating body for the probation service in Great Britain. The Scottish local authority associations accepted this proposal about a fortnight ago, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend have invited all concerned in both countries to discuss the constitution of the employers' side of the new body.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what approaches have been made to Scotland Yard, and by whom, for parking privileges now granted to Ministers of the Crown to be extended to members of the general public.

The Commissioner of Police informs me that no such approaches have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the net immigration of aliens authorised per annum for the last five years.

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the numbers accepted for permanent residence. The gross figures for the years 1960–64 inclusive were 16,833, 15,689, 15,606, 15,349 and 19,211 respectively. The net figures, after making allowance for naturalisation, emigration and death, are not exactly recorded but would be very considerably smaller.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now introduce legislation to amend Section 25 of the Local Government Act 1933, so as to bring it into line with corresponding provisions in the London Government Acts and thus enable an inquiry to be instituted into the desirability of reviewing ward boundaries upon the presentation of a prima facie case for such review, without the necessity for a prior resolution by the relevant council itself.

This suggestion has been found, on previous consideration, to be controversial; but my right hon. and learned Friend is prepared to re-examine it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department received from the council of the County Borough of Birkenhead notice of a resolution of the council under section 25 of the Local Government Act 1933, praying for an alteration in the number of boundaries of wards or in the number of coucillors within the county borough; and what action he took in consequence.

No such notice has been received by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans Her Majesty's Government has to commemorate the Battle of Hastings in 1966.

None at present; but the Government are considering an approach recently made to them on this subject on behalf of certain local authorities and others in the South-East of England.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the Association of British Travel Agents about foreign holiday arrangements; and what reply he has sent.

My right hon. Friend has received no formal representations on this subject from the Association of British Travel Agents, but I have had informal discussions with representatives of the Association about these matters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the legislation which he has in preparation to replace the Merchandise Marks Act will include the question of false or misleading statements in connection with the labelling of all beverages including soft drinks, beer, wines and spirits.

It is already an offence under both the Merchandise Marks Acts and the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, to make certain false or misleading statements as to beverages. The new legislation which my right hon. Friend is preparing would extend the scope of the prohibition.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish in HANSARD details of names of the Members of Parliament whom his Department have invited to dinners, luncheons, and receptions, arranged by his Department, for the most convenient period of time for which information is readily available.

No.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will now make a statement on the Report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on road haulage rates; and when the Report will be published.

As the hon. Member will know, the report was published on Monday and I met representatives of the Road Haulage Association on Tuesday to discuss its main recommendations. In a statement following that meeting the Association's representatives stated that they welcomed the Board's constructive comments and would in particular recommend to their members that the principle of general rate recommendation should be abandoned. Although they maintained the view that most of their members would have to increase their rates, this would not mean that those firms that found it necessary to do so should necessarily raise them by the same amount. This co-operative response to the main recommendations of the report is encouraging. We shall be discussing the other recommendations with the Association and the trade unions in the near future.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes that public service pensioners shall receive a percentage increase in their pension equivalent to that pension's loss in purchasing power.

I have nothing to add to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Mr. Hobden) on 14th June.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will make a statement on his policy regarding the repayment of post-war credits.

My right hon. Friend has no proposals at present for a change in the qualifying conditions for repayment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a direction that Forms XS 29C, regarding the temporary exportation of motor vehicles from the United Kingdom, are made available at all Customs border posts in Northern Ireland.

Yes; but the places where the forms can be duly stamped by the Customs must continue to be as at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total of dividends distributed by the shipping industry in the last financial year on which Income Tax deducted at source was not paid to the Inland Revenue.

Under the existing law companies are charged Profits Tax and Income Tax on their trading profits and are not required to account to the Revenue for the income deducted from dividends. The estimated amount of Income Tax deducted from dividends by shipping companies in each of the last five years has varied between £20 million and £60 million, whereas the Income Tax assessed on their net trading profits has not exceeded £12 million for any one of these years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis he estimates that £150 million worth of investment allowances are at present carried forward by the shipping industry; and what is the figure for wear and tear allowances.

The figure of £150 million relates to the total unused capital allowances of shipping companies. It comprises the excess of the sum of unused capital allowances brought forward from previous years and the capital allowances due for the year over the amount set against the profits of the year. It is not possible therefore to say how much of it represents investment allowances. However had there never been any investment allowances for ships the amount of unused capital allowances would be very much smaller, and in this sense most of the above figure represents investment allowance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in considering the proposals which have been made to him for the legalising of a five-day week for banks, he will give an assurance that he will have regard to the convenience of the public.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the British Council grant of £15,000 to the New Philharmonia Orchestra for its tour to South America, the Caribbean, Mexico and Long Island is £5,000 short of requirement; and if he will arrange for the British Council to increase its grant in order that the orchestra will be able to fulfil its engagements.

As I said in my answer to a Question by the hon. Member on 24th June, the British Council has given the New Philharmonia Orchestra a guarantee against loss on its South American tour up to £15,000. The Council is unable to increase its guarantee because all its funds for this purpose available for 1965–66 are already fully committed.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has approved the decision to terminate the tenancies of 104 tenants of the New Towns Commission at Hemel Hempstead.

This decision was taken by the Commission for New Towns as part of its responsibility for housing management. I knew of it and support it.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will introduce legislation to protect the interests of private householders injuriously affected by the user of an adjoining building which is noisy or offensive.

Local authorities already have powers, under the Public Health Act 1936 and the Noise Abatement Act 1960, to take abatement action if they consider that a statutory nuisance exists. Private individuals may start proceedings by complaining to a magistrate, although in the case of noise this approach must be made by not less than three occupiers of premises affected. Proceedings for nuisance can also be taken at common law. My right hon. Friend does not think that further legislation is needed, but he will gladly consider any evidence that the hon. Member cares to send him.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now introduce legislation to remove all remaining delaying powers, in matters of legislation, from the Lords.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave to a similar Question by him on 13th April.

asked the Attorney-General how many county court judges sit as divorce commissioners; and what extra remuneration they received for this work in 1964.

All county court judges are available to sit as divorce commissioners for the trial of undefended cases and, outside London, for the trial of short defended cases as well. They receive no extra remuneration for this work.

asked the Prime Minister what are his intentions on the tenancy of Admiralty House.

The main reception rooms on the ground floor will be available for Government hospitality use and other official purposes, such as conferences. The upper floors are being arranged so as to provide two flats for occupation by Ministers. It has not yet been decided who the occupants will be.

asked the Prime Minister what steps he now proposes to take as the result of discussions at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference towards setting up a Commonwealth Consultative Assembly.

I would refer the hon. Member to Answers given to Questions on this subject on 29th June.

asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of disabled unemployed in Swansea, Wales and England, respectively, are widows, and what proportion are widows with children of school age or younger.

Information of this kind is not available for England and Wales. I have, however, had a special examination made of the records held at the Swansea Employment Exchange with the following result;On 16th June, 1965 the number of registered disabled persons registered as unemployed was 283, of whom 23 were women. The latter included only one widow and she had no children.

asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of disabled workers employed in Remploy factories in Swansea, Wales and England, respectively, are women.

No severely disabled women are employed in Remploy's Swansea Factory. In Wales as a whole the proportion is 1 woman to 17 men and in England 1 woman to 5·8 men.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what part of the provision available for technical assistance to the Middle East of £553,000 for 1964–65 and for the current financial year of £631,000 has been earmarked for Central Treaty Organisation strategic purposes and how much for strictly economic development.Mrs. Castle: All the technical assistance which was provided to the Middle East in 1964–65 and is being provided in the current financial year is devoted exclusively to economic development.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many ancient post mills, how many smock mills and how many tower mills it is estimated were in existence in Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, and Norfolk, respectively, in 1945; and what are the corresponding figures for the present time.

The following is the reply:

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many ancient windmills are protected by his Department, and of what types; how many are protected by other authorities, and of what types; and how many other windmills are still in existence, and of what types.

One tower mill and one post mill are in the Ministry's guardianship. In addition two tower mills and three post mills are scheduled under Section 6 of the Ancient Monuments Act 1931.Twenty-five windmills are the subject of Building Preservation Orders under Section 30 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1962. Details of types are not available. Other windmills are listed under Section 32 of that Act and Section 28 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1947, but details of how many and of what type cannot be obtained without a great deal of research. The surveys on which the lists are based are not complete.It is not known how many other windmills are still in existence.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will give the annual Government expenditure for each of the last five years on the preservation of ancient windmills in Great Britain.

1960–61 £834; 1961–62 £703; 1962–63 £1,298; 1963–64 £3,091; 1964–65 £2,232. A total over the five years of £8,158. Two windmills, Saxtead Green Mill and Berney Arms Mill, are in the care of the Ministry and expenditure on their maintenance has totalled £3,418 during this period. Four windmills—Billingford (Norfolk), North Lever-ton (Notts), Pakenham (West Suffolk), Wrawley (Lints)-have received Historic Buildings Grants totalling £4,490. In three of these cases local authorities have also made considerable contributions. One windmill, Great Graneden, received a single grant of £250 in 1963 under the Ancient Monuments Acts.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what percentage of the total central Government expenditure on the preservation of historic buildings and sites is allocated to places of importance in the development of British industries and crafts; and whether he is satisfied that enough public money is being devoted to them.

A very small proportion of the money that is available for the preservation of historic buildings and sites is allocated to places of importance in the development of British industries and crafts. The precise figure is not readily available.Grants or offers of grants have, however, been made in a number of instances, for example, the Causey Arch, Durham, Abbeydale Works, Sheffield, Pont Cysyllte Aqueduct, Marple Aqueduct, Catcliffe Glass Cone, Tottenham Beam Engine, Cornish Engine Houses, and I shall continue to make them in appropriate cases, having in mind the total commitments of my department. It is much to be hoped that industries themselves will play a full part in the preservation of their own heritage.

asked the Minister of Transport which towns and main roads are signposted at the northern end of the Dartford Tunnel for vehicles travelling from the south; and if he is satisfied that these are adequate.

For vehicles travelling from the south the advance direction sign shows London (A.13), Southend (A.13) and Brentwood (A.128). These directions are repeated on signs on the guide islands of the roundabout, with "Tilbury, A.13" as an extra eastbound destination. Our divisional road engineer is discussing with the County Surveyor of Essex whether additional indications should be provided on the advance direction sign and we will write to my hon. Friend about this.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now announce the Government's decision on the proposals for providing improved port facilities for iron ore imports into South Wales.

Yes. It has been concluded that the balance of advantage lies with a decision to proceed with two independent port terminals, one at Port Talbot and the other near Newport. A White Paper on "Iron Ore Imports into South Wales" which sets out the reasons for this decision is being laid before Parliament today.