asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many persons are exempted from the graduated pension scheme introduced by the previous Administration; and what is the actuarial calculation of the contribution they make to their basic pension under the scheme of National Insurance.

About 4½ million employees are contracted out of the graduated pension arrangements. Their flat-rate National Insurance contributions are higher than those of employees who pay graduated contributions which are partly to support the flat-rate benefits. Contracted-out contributions are not based on the actuarial calculation of a separate pensions element, but, with other National contributions, are set at a level estimated to be sufficient to keep the total income and expenditure of the National Insurance scheme roughly in current balance.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what is the total amount paid in by contributors to the National Insurance Fund under the graduated scheme of pensions introduced by the previous Administration; how much has been paid out in graduated pensions since the scheme's inception; and what use has been made of the balance of their contributions.

Up to 31st March, 1965, it is provisionally estimated that £837 million had been paid in graduated National Insurance contributions and that rather more than £1½ million had been paid out in graduated pensions. On the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 5th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Faversham (Mr. Boston).

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she will seek to make provision to enable a woman who marries abroad to choose on her return to this country whether or not to pay National Insurance contributions.

Such an option already exists so far as the payment of future contributions is concerned. I am afraid it would not be practicable or fair to the general body of contributors to allow married women (whether the marriage took place at home or abroad) an option to pay contributions for a past period when she was not insured.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what is the purchasing power of family allowances today compared with 1951.

On the basis of the Retail Prices Index, the purchasing power of the allowance at present payable for the second child is about the same as in 1951. For the third and subsequent children it is about a quarter more.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether the Industrial Injuries Council has yet reported to her on the matters referred to in the letter from her Department dated 26th April, 1965, to the hon. Member for Wells.

Not yet. As I informed the hon. and gallant Member, in order to assist the Council in their study of this very complicated problem, and at their request, my Department has undertaken a number of studies relating to the circumstances of those receiving the lower rates of industrial death benefit. I understand that the Council are now considering the results of some of these studies.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what reciprocal arrangements exist between Vietnam and Great Britain on pensions and other social benefits.

None.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many applicants for National Assistance in the Gateshead area are affected by the wage stop; what proportion this is of the total; and when she will announce the completion of the review of social security schemes at present being undertaken.

The County Borough of Gateshead is served by two offices of the National Assistance Board which between them also cover a considerable area beyond it, including the Urban Districts of Felling and Washington. In the area served by these offices there were, at the end of March, 1965, 126 unemployed persons whose assistance allowances were restricted by reference to their usual earnings, that is just over 14 per cent. of all those receiving assistance on account of unemployment and just over 1 per cent. of all those receiving National Assistance allowances in the area. I cannot yet say when the review of social security schemes is likely to be completed.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what consideration is given to those who are unable to have a full retirement pension under the National Insurance scheme because they were not able to enter the scheme in July, 1948, due to prolonged and serious illness; and if she will make a statement.

Prolonged and serious illness did not in itself disqualify people from becoming insured and paying contributions under the National Insurance Scheme when it began in 1948. I appreciate that many people in this position will have lacked the means to enable them to pay the necessary contributions to qualify for a retirement pension, but the National Assistance Scheme is designed to help in just such cases regardless of whether retirement age has been reached or not.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many people are on National Assistance in the Carlisle area; what is the average payment being made; and what steps she intends to take to reduce these numbers.

In the area served by the Carlisle office of the National Assistance Board, which extends well outside the County Borough of Carlisle, there were 5,531 weekly national assistance allowances current at the end of May, 1965. Some of the allowances catered for the needs of more than one person. Information about the average weekly allowance being paid in particular localities is not available; at the middle of May, 1965, the figure for Great Britain as a whole was 40s. 4d. and for the Board's Northern Region it was 42s. 8d. As regards the last part of the question, I cannot add to what has already been said about the Income Guarantee scheme.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she will now make a further statement on the introduction of the Income Guarantee Scheme and the abolition of the previous administration's graduated pension scheme.

So far as concerns the Income Guarantee, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer to his previous question. On the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 5th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West, (Mr. William Hamilton).

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether she will take steps to increase the pensions of all war disabled and industrial injury pensioners by 25 per cent.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him and the hon. Member for Torquay (Sir F. Bennett) in the House today.

asked the Minister of Health if he will assess the cost to the Hospital Service of illegal abortions in the past year; and what was the average length of stay in hospital.

I regret this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of young chronic sick in geriatric wards of hospitals.

On 31st May, 1965, the numbers were 140, 920 and 2,069 in the age groups 16 to 35, 36 to 50, and 51 to 60, respectively.

asked the Minister of Health what action he is taking to provide young chronic sick units or suitable contractual facilities in those regional hospital board areas where these units do not at present exist.

All regional hospital boards have been asked to group these patients in units where this is practicable, and it is for the boards concerned to decide how best to meet their individual needs.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has reviewed the provision of hospital beds for Witham and Braintree; and if he will make a statement.

The hospital building programme is at present under review and it is too early to say what the results will be in any particular district.

asked the Minister of Health whether he intends to close the William Julian Courtauld Hospital in Braintree; and if he will make a statement.

There is no present intention to close it.

asked the Minister of Health what is the extent of the shortage of hospital accommodation for handicapped children in the Manchester Regional Hospital Board's area; and what additional accommodation is being made available to overcome excessive delays of up to nine or 10 months.

Beds in hospitals for the mentally subnormal are needed for about 200 children who are now in community care and for 90 in hospital paediatric units. Thirty additional beds will be provided at Calderstones and Cranage Hall Hospitals this year; others may be diverted from adult use; and extensions now being built at Cranage Hall will provide 120 more. Additional developments in the next few years in the Liverpool Regional Hospital Area, from which patients are at present admitted to hospitals in the Manchester Region, will also relieve the current pressure.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of part-time and full-time consultants employed by the Manchester Regional Hospital Board, and the governor of the Manchester teaching hospitals in 1955; and what are the numbers so employed at the nearest convenient date.

The information is as follows:

asked the Minister of Health what additional hospital facilities are planned to handle traffic casualties from the new M.3 motorway when it is opened.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport hopes that the new M.3 motorway, when built, will reduce traffic casualties. A new accident department has recently been opened at St. Peter's Hospital, Chertsey, and another will shortly be opened at St. Luke's Hospital, Guildford.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the number of nurses recruited for the hospitals in the Huddersfield area during the last 12 months.

Two hundred and twenty five in the 12 months ended 30th June, 1965.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the number of nurses, including student nurses, who have left the service in the hospitals covered by the Huddersfield Hospital Management Committee during the past 12 months together with the reasons for their leaving.

In the 12 months ended 30th June, 1965, 184 nurses (including student and pupil nurses) left Huddersfield hospitals. At least 45 were taking up further training or employment elsewhere in the National Health Service. Reasons for leaving the Service included marriage, home commitments, health, unsuitability and dissatisfaction.

asked the Minister of Health what plans he has for the improvement of hospital facilities serving the Nottinghamshire area.

A new medical school and teaching hospital are to be built at Nottingham. Other major developments will include new facilities at the Nottingham General and Nottingham City Hospitals, and a new maternity unit at Kings Mill Hospital, Mansfield. A more detailed statement of further plans must await the outcome of the current review of the hospital building programme.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the pensions of retired male nurses who accept part-time employment in Government service are liable to be proportionately reduced, whereas if they choose part-time employment elsewhere they may draw their pensions in full; and if he will abolish this earnings rule so as to encourage such nurses to remain in employment after they have reached the retirement age of 55.

A provision for abatement of pensions on re-employment is a normal condition of public service pension schemes and I have no proposals for changing in the case of male nurses the requirements of the National Health Service (Superannuation) Regulations.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied with the Dental Service Regulations, especially in regard to the onus being laid on a patient to request treatment under the National Health Service rather than on a private basis; and if he will make a statement.

To prevent misunderstanding, a person wishing to have treatment under the National Health Service should ask a dentist to accept him for such treatment. I do not regard this as unreasonable.

asked the Minister of Health what recent instructions he has issued to food and drug authorities regarding the sampling of drugs offered for sale retail.

Advice on sampling procedure was given to them in December, 1964.

asked the Minister of Health if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names and qualifications of the members of his recently formed advisory group, together with its terms of reference; and if he will make a statement.

I am circulating a list of the members. There are no formal terms of reference. The group has been constituted to provide me with a source of informal advice about the future development of the health and welfare services. It will not function as a committee called upon to report on a defined subject, but the members, collectively and individually, will be available for the exchange of ideas based on a broad view of the services as a whole. The existence of the group will not in any way diminish either my use of the normal advisory machinery or consultation with the professions; indeed the scope for these may well be increased.

asked the Minister of Health how many of the boroughs in the Greater London area before the coming into force of the London Government Act had general practitioner representation either as representative or observer on the local health committee; how many boroughs in the Greater London area now have such general practitioner representation; and to what extent the proportion has changed.

Before the London reorganisation the only boroughs in Greater London which were local health authorities with statutory health committees were the three county boroughs, all of whom had general practitioners on their health committees. I understand that 15 of the 33 new local health authorities covering Greater London have already appointed general practitioners to their health committees, that two others have decided to do so, and that eight are at present considering the matter.

asked the Minister of Health what category of employee in his Department is in receipt of the lowest wage or salary scale; what this income is; how much it would cost to increase the salaries of those in this category by 25 per cent.; and whether he will give similar details with regard to their pension entitlement.

Wowen cleaners; £8 11s. 6d. per week for full-time employees outside London; approximately £4,670 if an equivalent increase were given to part-time staff; these employees were all temporary and have no pension entitlement.

asked the Minister of Labour what is Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding the transferability of pension rights.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he will take to ensure greater transferability between occupational pensions schemes.

We are endeavouring to find an acceptable solution to this problem. My National Joint Advisory Council has appointed a Committee which is now considering how the preservation of pension rights on change of employment might be generally afforded. It will be necessary to consider the Committee's report before deciding what action should be taken.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the facts that trade union discipline has deteriorated in the last 18 months in the shipbuilding industry, that output and efficiency have fallen because of the increase in unofficial strikes, and that consequently foreign buyers are hesitating to buy British, if he will consult the responsible trade union leaders and offer support to stop these strikes; and if he will make a statement.

In 1964 and so far in 1965 the number of strikes has been relatively high compared with past years but the number of working days lost has been substantially less than previous years other than 1963. Most are unofficial and I deplore these stoppages, which add to costs and delay completion of ships. I am glad to say, however, that in some parts of the country successful efforts are being made by managements and unions to foster better industrial relations and the more efficient use of labour. I hope these examples will be followed and I will certainly do all I can to encourage this.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he took to end the "Who does What" strike at Jaguar Cars, Coventry, which lasted a month, made 1,800 workers idle, and cost £1 million per week in lost production because two polishers objected that certain polishing was not their work and went on unofficial strike; what steps he is taking to stop this type of industrial action; and if he will make a statement.

My officers had discussions with the company and the union as a result of which the union recommended their members to resume work. The men returned to work on 5th July and on the same day a joint meeting was held under the chairmanship of my regional industrial relations officer. At this meeting agreement was reached to refer the question in dispute for discussion in accordance with the agreed procedure of the industry. Unofficial strikes of this kind are to be deplored. They can only be prevented through joint action by the trade unions and managements concerned. If they consider that I can help in any way I am ready to do so.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he proposes to take following the issue of the report of the Court of Inquiry set up to inquire into a shipbuilding dispute, having regard to the conclusion that failure to reach agreement was not because either party failed in any way to observe accepted procedure.

Copies of the report of the Court of Inquiry have been sent to the parties who are considering it. I hope that this excellent report will provide them with a basis on which they will be able to arrive at a settlement of the dispute.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will issue a circular to chairmen, independent members, and members of the Wages Councils indicating that the rates of remuneration and conditions of labour set out in the various Wages Council Orders are minima, and that they are not intended as substitutes for voluntary trade union agreements within the trades concerned.

I am sure that all members of Wages Councils know that Wages Council Orders set out minimum rates and conditions and I do not think the action suggested by my hon. Friend is necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the dental workrooms in which many technicians are employed are excluded from protective legislation provided by the Factories Act and also by the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act and that sanitary accommodation, cleanliness, lighting, overcrowding, ventilation and temperature are not subject to legislative protection as in other industries, despite the fact that the Gowers Committee on Health, Welfare and Safety in Non-Industrial Employment recommended that these premises should be so included; and if he will reconsider the matter with a view to taking steps to rectify this anomaly.

I am aware that certain dental workrooms have not been subject to the provisions of legislation dealing with the safety, health and welfare of employees. I will, however, look into the matter again in consultation with the various interests concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour what estimate he has made of the numbers of jobs lost and new jobs created in Perth since June, 1964.

The only comprehensive information is that obtained from changes in the estimated number of employees in employment. The figures for mid-1964 were given in my reply of 6th July to the hon. Member. The information for mid-1965 will not be available until next year.

asked the Minister of Labour what study he is making of the changing pattern of employment in Perth; and what consultations have been held by his Department about long-term employment prospects in the city.

Our Department has co-operated with other Government Departments represented on the Scottish Economic Planning Board in the production of a preliminary report on North-East Scotland, which is now being considered by the Scottish Economic Planning Council. The report includes an examination of employment trends and future employment prospects in the Perth area. There were consultations with local authorities in the area in connection with the preparation of the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a further statement on the Vietnam situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the present position in Vietnam, indicating in particular the reply of the North Vietnam Government to his proposal for a Commonwealth Peace Mission; and what steps he plans to take in consequence to promote peace in that country and in the Far East generally.

I have nothing to add to my reply to my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. A. Henderson) on 5th July, and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's reply in the House of Commons on 8th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the reasons for Her Majesty's Government maintaining diplomatic relations with and recognising the Government of South Vietnam while not recognising and establishing diplomatic relations with the Government of North Vietnam.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Ashfield (Mr. Warbey) on 21st June.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the numbers and diplomatic categories within the terms of the Vienna Convention of the official commercial representatives of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the other countries of Eastern Europe in London, and of such representatives of the United Kingdom in the foreign capitals concerned; and if he will adjust the numbers in favour of greater British official representation abroad to assist in rectifying the present imbalance of trade between the United Kingdom and the majority of these countries.

I am arranging for the details requested by the hon. Member to be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.I do not think that any increase in commercial staff in Eastern Europe, which could only be at the expense of other diplomatic posts, would be justified at present; but my right hon. Friend will keep this under review, in consultation with the President of the Board of Trade, in the light of developments in each particular country.We will continue to do everything practicable to ensure that no opportunity for increasing our exports to these and other countries is missed because of shortage of staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the Security Council of the United Nations is expected to discuss the political aspects of the San Domingo situation; and what proposals Her Majesty's Government's delegate has made for the re-establishment in that country of constitutional democratic government.

My noble Friend has made no proposals of the kind indicated. The re-establishment of constitutional democratic government is a matter for the Dominican people themselves. The Organisation of American States, which is a regional agency for purposes of the United Nations Charter, is assisting in the creation of conditions in which the Dominicans may be able to achieve this end at the earliest possible moment.The Security Council debate on the situation in the Dominican Republic has been concerned with securing and maintaining a cease-fire. It has stood adjourned since 21st June and can be resumed whenever a majority of Council members decide that there are grounds for doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Resolution No. 295 on the situation of the Jewish community in the Soviet Union, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 6th May, 1965; and what action the Government has taken or will take on it.

The Resolution has been studied by Her Majesty's Government with interest and sympathy. We do not, however, think that official intervention by Her Majesty's Government would assist the achievement of the objects which the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Resolution No. 294 on the general policy of the Council of Europe, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 6th May, 1965; and what action the Government has taken or will take on it.

The suggestions contained in this Resolution are in general accord with the policies already being pursued by Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation No. 424 on European and Atlantic economic problems, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 6th May, 1965; and what action the Government has taken or will take on it.

The proposals in the Recommendation are in line with Her Majesty's Government's present policy, and we are already doing what we can to give effect to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation No. 415 on statutory limitation as applicable to crimes against humanity, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 28th January, 1965; and what action the Government has taken or will take on it.

Since in the law of the United Kingdom there is no statutory limitation or other time ban affecting criminal cases of the type mentioned in this Recommendation, Her Majesty's Government are not concerned with the first part of Recommendation 415.Her Majesty's Government are awaiting the results of further discussion in the Council of Europe on the second part of the Recommendation, which calls for a European Convention to ensure that crimes against humanity are not subject to statutory limitation.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether he is aware that local authorities in the London area have been forced to pay up to £100,000 for 2½ acres of land for building; and if he will introduce legislation at an early date to deal with this kind of exploitation.

Prices for land for building of this order or even higher are not unusual in the London area. In so far as these prices are due to the existence of development value, they will be dealt with by the legislation for the establishment of the Land Commission which I intend to introduce as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether he is aware of the need to preserve mature trees in South-East England; and what additional action he will take in this matter.

I am acutely conscious of the importance of preserving mature trees where their loss would endanger the amenities, and not only in South-East England. I am at present studying the machinery for the making of Tree Preservation Orders and the arrangements made by the Forestry Commission under the Forestry Act, 1951, and at the appropriate time discussions will be held with the interests concerned.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources if he is satisfied with the present progress of the Ordnance Survey; and what plans he has to facilitate its future progress.

A comprehensive review of the work and resources of the Ordnance Survey is now being carried out to see what can be done to accelerate the revision of the large-scale plans of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what police authorities are now using television cameras for crime detection; and when these were installed.

In addition to Liverpool, the Metropolitan Police have begun to carry out experiments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number who would be killed and wounded, and of the area of total destruction, if a 50 kiloton nuclear bomb were exploded above the market place in Derby; and what would be the corresponding estimated figures if a similar bomb were exploded on the ground.

In accordance with the guidance contained in the Home Office Manual of Civil Defence: Vol. I, Pamphlet No. I, Nuclear Weapons, the area of total destruction from such a weapon, exploded in the air, would extend to about three-quarters of a mile from ground zero. In the case of a ground explosion, the area of total destruction would be about one-third less. The number of casualties would, in either case, depend on a variety of factors which prevent a quantitative assessment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many serving policemen during the past four years have been sent to university whilst remaining on the strength of the force; and to what extent it is his policy to encourage police authorities to improve standards in this way.

Three police officers who had attended the Special Course at the Police College are reading for degrees in Law at University College, London, under arrangements made with the College authorities. These arrangements are to be continued and expanded this year. My right hon. and learned Friend is aware of two police officers, from the Durham and Lancashire forces, who have been granted unpaid leave by their police authorities to attend the London School of Economics and the Lancaster University respectively. He is considering whether further guidance in this matter is required.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold an inquiry into the Army recruiting display in Gloucestershire on 10th June in which Service men were required to act the part of a mob carrying banners bearing the words, Ban the Bomb, and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament symbol, and in which one of them was required to cross a forbidden line and was supposedly shot by armed guards; if he will make a preliminary statement; and if he will issue instructions that in future no legal organisations, particularly one upholding non-violence, should be represented in this way.

I have carried out an investigation into the circumstances of this display and have found that it showed some of the duties of an infantry battalion overseas during civil disturbances. The costumes worn by the soldiers taking part in it and the loudspeaker commentary made it plain that the setting was in an imaginary country overseas similar to the theatre in which the 1st Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment has recently served.One soldier in the display, acting on his own initiative, made and carried a cardboard banner with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament symbol on it. He was not the soldier who was supposedly shot. The banner was clearly inappropriate to the display and I regret its use and the misunderstanding to which it has given rise.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of applications for the last entry into the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, Suffolk, the number for commissioned officers' and ratings' sons, respectively, the numbers who were orphans, and the numbers who failed educationally, medically or at the selection interview.

As the House was informed during the last Greenwich Hospital Estimates debate (HANSARD, 15th July, 1964, c. 1350) no distinction is drawn between parents who are ratings and those who have served for a minimum of four years before promotion to commissioned Rank. A restriction to 10 per cent. of the entry is placed on sons of direct entry officers.The last entry to the Royal Hospital School was in May, 1965. There was a total of 82 applicants; 5 applications were from direct entry officers and 9 from officers promoted from the lower deck. Four of these applications were on behalf of orphans, all of whom were admitted.Of the 46 who were not admitted, 20 did not reach the educational standard required. No applicant failed on medical or interview grounds.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the number of sons of flag officers, or equivalent rank, active or retired, at the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, Suffolk, the number with both parents living, and the number of fathers or mothers who are themselves paying fees and the range of fees.

Whilst the rank of the officer is not relevant for the purpose of considering applications or collecting fees, I am able to tell my hon. and gallant Friend that the answer to his question is "None."

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the standard of education required for the entry of an orphan son of a naval rating, at the age of 11 years, to the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, Suffolk.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Rhodes) last Thursday.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make arrangements for the showing of the 16 millimetre film in black and white about the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, to hon. Members.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in order to facilitate the making of plans by the Malvern Urban District Council for car parks in the town, he will expedite his approval of the draft town map.

My right hon. Friend has now approved the Malvern Town Map which has been sent to the local planning authority.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why he has granted planning permission for a filling station on the A.1 in the North Riding of York at a distance of 1½ miles from another station, when the Circular 25/58 advises a distance of 12 miles between such stations.

In dismissing the appeal for a filling station on the A.1 by the Windmill Café, Rainton, my right hon. Friend indicated that this was without prejudice to a revised application because it would have the special advantage that customers from the café would be able to refuel without stopping elsewhere. This overrode the advice in the Circular that normally a filling station should be unnecessary on a stretch of road less than 12 miles long.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he will now make a statement on the result of his consultations with the Lord Chancellor on the present system of awarding costs against ratepayers taken to the Lands Tribunal by the valuation officer as a result of their appeals having succeeded before a local valuation court.

Neither the Lord Chancellor nor I have any reason to think that, in general, ratepayers are deterred from responding to appeals to the Lands Tribunal because of fear that they will be mulcted for costs. I understand that there were special circumstances at Bournemouth which may have caused some temporary apprehension among ratepayers but I do not think that any change in the law is called for.The Inland Revenue have recently written to the Registrar of the Lands Tribunal drawing attention to the statement made on 7th July, 1964, by the then Financial Secretary to the Treasury in reply to a Question to the effect that a valuation officer who appealed to the Tribunal against the local valuation court decision in the ratepayer's favour normally asks for costs only where he has been legally represented (OFFICIAL REPORT, Vol. 698, c. 80). The Inland Revenue have added that the exceptional cases in which the valuation officer might ask for costs even though he had not been legally represented would include, for example, cases where rule 11 of the Lands Tribunal Rules applied because the net annual value of the hereditament exceeded £500 and a statement of case had to be exchanged before the hearing, and cases where the costs have been inflated because the respondent had been unnecessarily difficult.The members of the Lands Tribunal are now fully aware of the Inland Revenue's attitude and it is very unlikely that costs would be awarded against a respondent ratepayer except in these exceptional cases. Under the Act constituting the Tribunal, the Tribunal have, of course, an unfettered discretion as to costs and it would not be right for me to seek to influence them in the exercise of that discretion.

asked the Minister of Aviation why the United Kingdom has not yet ratified the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules relating to the Precautionary Arrest of Aircraft signed at Rome on 29th May, 1933.

The 21 countries which have ratified the Convention mostly did so more than 25 years ago. Ratification now might bring some benefit to United Kingdom aircraft in those countries which have ratified, but my Department has received no recent suggestions that the benefit would be significant. Ratification would, however, entail the alteration of the domestic law of the United Kingdom to the disadvantage of those providing services for foreign aircraft here. In the changed conditions brought about by the very extensive development of civil aviation since the war, a latter day ratification of this Convention seems on balance to offer no advantage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much money was collected during the year ended 31st March, 1965, through the levy on meat research; and what proportion of this sum was paid by the producers of cattle, and what proportion by the purchasers.

The total sum collected in the United Kingdom by recovery by my right hon. Friend through the Fat- stock Guarantee Scheme under the Meat Industry (Scientific Research Levy) Order in respect of certified sales of cattle, sheep and pigs, during the year ended 31st March, 1965, was £107,445. Of this amount approximately 16 per cent. was paid by the producers of cattle and the same proportion was paid by the buyers of cattle. In addition, it is estimated that some £14,686 was paid by buyers in weeks in which no guarantee payment was made under the scheme. My right hon. Friends are engaged in a review of the levy scheme and we shall, in due course, be discussing the outcome with all sections of the meat industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Resolution No. 296 in reply to the Third Report of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to the Council of Europe, May, 1965, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 6th May, 1965; and what action the Government has taken or will take on it, in particular with regard to Chapters II, Development assistance, and III, Agriculture.

Resolution 296, replying to the 3rd Report of O.E.C.D. to the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, is for consideration by O.E.C.D. and will later be the subject of an exchange of views between the two Organisations. The United Kingdom is participating fully in the agricultural work of O.E.C.D. I myself attended the recent Ministerial meeting of the Agriculture Committee of the Organisation, at which there was considerable discussion of the issues covered by Chapter II of the Resolution. I support the view of the Council of Europe that due consideration should be given to the conclusions of the O.E.C.D. Reports on Low Incomes in Agriculture and on Agriculture and Economic Growth.The development assistance aspects of the O.E.C.D's activities are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Overseas Development.

asked the Attorney-General what is the delay between the issue of a possession summons and hearing in the Blackpool County Court when an application for expedition is made, and wren no application for expedition is made, respectively.

Where an application for expedition is made in a case of great urgency, a case will be heard within six to ten days after the issue of the summons. Where no such application for expedition is made, the average interval between the issue of the summons and the hearing is five weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is his intention now to convene a Federation Conference for the islands in the Eastern Caribbean.

It is still my intention to convene such a Conference as soon as the Government of the territories concerned are ready, but I am still awaiting the White Paper promised by the Government of Barbados.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will give an assurance that British troops will never be used under any circumstances to fight the white people of Rhodesia; and if he will make a statement.

The aim of the British Government is to seek a peaceful and lasting solution of the Rhodesian problem through negotiation, and any question of the use of British troops is thus hypothetical. I have no statement to make on this matter beyond what I said to the House in the debate on Commonwealth and Colonial Affairs on 1st June.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action is being taken on the third principal recommendation of the Newsom Report, which relates to the general social problems, including education, in slum areas.

The social problems referred to have to be tackled on many fronts. The Schools Council, in its consideration of curriculum for children affected by the raising of the school leaving age, is to give particular attention to the social problems arising, including those of children from slum areas or from the poorer homes. My Department has under consideration the problems involved in devising positive incentives for teachers to work in schools in slum areas. It has organised discussion of these problems at a conference of experienced headmasters and headmistresses on the subject "Education under social handicap" and have devoted three issues of the "Reports on Education" series to this topic.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether, in view of the current investigations into a possible link between benzene and chromosome abnormalities, he will ask the Medical Research Council to extend investigations to cover toluene and similar aromatic compounds;(2) whether work on a possible link between benzene and chromosome abnormalities gives any indication whether this is due to benzene itself or to trace impurities;(3) whether current work on a possible link between benzene and chromosome abnormalities gives any indication whether this might be due to vapour or liquid exposure.

The recent study by a unit of the Medical Research Council which showed that chromosomal abnormalities may be associated with exposure to high atmospheric concentrations of benzene is part of a wide programme of fundamental research on factors associated with chromosomal changes. Changes similar to those found in association with benzene have been observed following exposure to ionizing radiation; and there is further evidence that such changes also occur in old people and may be associated with the normal process of ageing.The significance of these chromosomal changes in terms of human disease or disability has not been determined. An important aim of the present research programme is to throw light on this problem but very much more data will have to be collected and analysed before there can be any prospect of drawing firm conclusions.The question of extending investigations to cases of exposure to toluene and similar aromatic compounds has been considered, but in the light of what is known about the metabolism of these substances in the body it is not thought that this would further the carefully-planned research programme already in hand.There is every reason to believe that the observed chromosomal abnormalities have been associated with exposure to benzene itself, but the possibility that they might be attributable to trace impurities cannot absolutely be ruled out.The present work on exposure to benzene has been almost entirely in relation to its inhalation in the form of vapour.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action has been taken with regard to tax avoidance mentioned in paragraphs 108–111 of the Third Report of the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 1961–62.

The Inland Revenue have introduced new procedures to enable them to deal with the problem.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish the total sums held in trust by the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer on behalf of deceased estates in each of the past ten years.

The Ultimus Haeres (Scotland) Accounts which are published each year and are presented to the House of Commons by Command give information about the total value of the estates of deceased persons which fall to the Crown. No separate figures are readily available showing the small number of estates in which legal claims were eventually established in priority to those of the Crown.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish the total amounts of interest earned on sums held in trust by the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer on behalf of deceased estates in each of the past ten years.

These moneys are not in general held in trust. They are part of the hereditary revenues of the Crown.In the very small number of cases where a claim has been established by legal heirs in priority to that of the Crown, no payment in lieu of interest have been made in the last ten years but if the circumstances justified it, a claim for a payment of this kind would be considered.I am writing to the hon. Member to explain the position in more detail.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, since the hire purchase debt increased by £21 million in May against £18 million in April, and now stands at the record figure of £1,178 million, against £1,024 million a year ago, what new restrictions he will impose on the home market so as to drive more goods to exports; and if he will make a statement.

The statutory minimum down-payment required in most hire purchase transactions was increased on 3rd June, and I expect subsequent figures for the change in debt outstanding to reflect this.

asked the Postmaster-General in which newspapers and periodicals the official advertisement of recent stamp price increases was published.

A list of publications has been placed in the Library in response to a Question from the hon. Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. J. E. B. Hill) on 30th June. But I am arranging to send my hon. Friend the information he requires.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many days' supply of plasterboard, cement and bricks of various categories, respectively, were available on 16th October, 1964.

Figures of stocks of building materials are collected at monthly intervals from building material producers only, and refer to the situation on the last day of each month. No figures of stocks held by contractors or by merchants are available.The following table gives the number of days' supply available on 30th September, 1964.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet completed his inquiries into an advance disclosure of the United Kingdorn trade returns for May, 1965, to unauthorised persons; and if he will make a statement.

Thorough inquiries have been made, but these have not revealed any unauthorised disclosure.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will compile road-user statistics of the number of caravans on British roads and seek to ascertain the rate of increase of this form of road-user.

No. I am not convinced that the value of the statistics would justify the effort and expense involved.

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the cost of work done by his Department in connection with the proceedings concerning the Welsh Shipping Agency Act.

The cost for the time spent by officers of my Department in attendance during the proceedings in Parliament is estimated at about £800. No records are available from which an estimate could be made of the cost of other work done in connection with the proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce regulations to minimise the suffering of live animals exported for slaughter overseas; and if he will, at an early date, bring forward legislation to put an end to this trade.

I have no thing to add to the replies on this subject given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to the right hon. Member for Berwick and East Lothian (Sir W. Anstruther-Gray) and the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) on 2nd December, 1964, and 15th June, 1965, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will publish a table showing the salaries of ordinary graduates in primary schools, minimum and maximum, in secondary schools, minimum and maximum, and honours graduates in secondary schools, minimum and maximum, from each of the 19 years from 1945 to 1964, taking the year 1945 to be 100 and computing

asked the Minister of Transport if he will set up a committee to consider and make recommendations to effect a consistent policy for service centres and petrol filling stations on trunk roads, in order to help avoid inconsistent planning decisions.

No. Planning decisions are made by local planning authorities. Applications relating to petrol filling stations, referred by local planning authorities to my divisional road engineers, are considered by them in the

The following is the information:light of the agreed policy set out in the Ministry of Housing and Local Government's Circular No. 25/58. I have no evidence that the results of this policy are unsatisfactory or inconsistent. Comparatively few applications have so far been received for the development of service areas. They have been considered on their individual merits.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will publish a list of the signs on the A.1 which advertise service centres and which are paid for by his Department.

As yet there are none.

asked the Minister of Transport what policy changes have been made in recent months with regard to the distance desirable between station sites on the A.1 and other major roads; whether the previous distance of 12 miles between filling stations is now to be altered; and if he will make a statement.

None. Planning applications for petrol filling stations on A.1 and other trunk roads are considered by my divisional road engineers in accordance with the agreed policy laid down in the Ministry of Housing and Local Government's Circular No. 25/58. The distance of 12 miles on new by-passes and other new roads recommended in that Circular has not been changed in respect of A.1.

asked the Minister of Transport what liaison exists between his Department and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government before decisions are taken on planning development or restaurants, cafés and filling stations on trunk roads and before planning permission is granted; and if he will make a statement.

Planning decisions are given by local planning authorities. Before granting planning consent for development within 220 feet of the centre of a trunk road, or with access to a trunk road, the planning authority must consult my divisional road engineer, who may direct that the application be refused or that conditions must be imposed on any consent granted.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is aware of the hazards that have arisen to users of the newly constructed Croesyceiliog by-pass in Monmouthshire; and what action he intends to take to improve the surface of this road and to erect suitable warning signs.

I have been kept fully informed about accidents on the bypass and am in close touch with the Monmouthshire County Council and the police. The road surface is good and some slight improvement that was found possible at one point has been made. Adequate temporary road signs were provided when the by-pass was opened and they are being replaced by permanent signs as these become available.