asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether he will make a statement on the resignation of the Permanent Secretary of his Department.

This officer is resigning to take up an offer of employment in industry.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether he is aware of the uncertainty created for private map producers by the power of the Ordnance Survey to increase royalty charges without appeal, including charges for reprints where there has been little or no revision from Ordnance Survey material; and whether he will give an assurance that royalties will not be increased, in order to enable the trade to plan ahead.

The royalties charged for reproducing Ordnance Survey material are intended to secure from those who make use of the Department's work an appropriate contribution to the heavy and increasing costs of the Survey. The hon. Member can be assured that every effort is, and will continue to be, made to absorb increases in costs by greater efficiency, including the introduction and development of improved methods and techniques. The hon. Member may like to know that, in order to assist private map publishers to plan ahead, royalties on reprints for the same customer made within two years are assessed on the same basis as for the original printing.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources why the Town and Country Planning Association were informed on his behalf that the White Paper on Land Policy will not be published before the Summer Recess; why similar information has been refused to Parliament; and whether he will now make a statement as to his intentions in respect both of the proposed White Paper and of the legislation on this subject which was stated in the Gracious Speech last November to be expected to be brought forward this Session.

The Association were not so informed. They asked my Department for advice about the postponement of a conference on the Government's proposals for land in the light of reports in the Press. They were left to draw their own conclusions about the date of publication of the White Paper in the light of those reports.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what further consideration he has given to the problem of littler in considering his policy for the countryside; and if he will make a statement.

My colleagues and I are considering what further measures should be taken to assist in the solution of this problem.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what progress he has made in regard to a national survey of land use; and if he will give priority to the collection of details of derelict land capable of reclamation for development or for use in agriculture or forestry.

The Natural Resources Advisory Committee has made good progress in considering the availability of information about land use in England and Wales. They expect to put proposals to me in the autumn.Information on derelict land in England and Wales is being obtained from local authorities by my right hon. Friends the Minister of Housing and Local Government and the Secretary of State for Wales.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources if he has now considered the memorandum on National Land Use and the Dartmoor National Park, submitted to him by the Standing Committee on National Parks of the Council for the Preservation of Rural England; and if he will make a statement.

I have considered the memorandum and I have consulted with my right hon. Friends. I am satisfied that everything possible is being and will be done to reduce to the minimum the military usage of areas on Dartmoor, consistent with the need to provide for the country's defence. My Department will be in close touch with the Defence Departments on this subject, and will be fully consulted if any proposals affecting Dartmoor arise from the current Defence Review.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether he will now make a statement on the membership of the committee to review general policy on allotments in England and Wales.

Yes. I am glad to announce that the following have agreed to serve on the Committee under the chairmanship of Professor Harry Thorpe of the University of Birmingham:

Mr. F. A. Barnes, B.Sc., University of Nottingham.

Professor Emrys Jones, M.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.G.S,. London School of Economics and Political Science.

Mr. R. A. Kidd, C.B.E., B.Sc., M.Inst.C.E., M.T.P.I., formerly of Nottinghamshire County Council.

Mr. W. Nelmes, M.B.E. A.H.R.H.S., F.Inst.P.A., Cardiff City Council.

Mrs. F. Perry, M.B.E., F.L.S., Norwood Hall College of Further Education.

Mr. H. S. E. Snelson, O.B.E., National Council of Social Service.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what progress is being made with feasibility studies of the projected barrages at Morecambe Bay and Solway Firth; and what is the estimated cost of these studies.

Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners and Messrs. Babtie Shaw & Morton have now submitted their respective programmes of investigation. With the Water Resources Board I am now examining that for Morecambe Bay and, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend, that for Solway Firth.The consultants have estimated that the total costs will be £324,000 for Morecambe Bay and £300,000 for Solway Firth.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the cost to local authorities of the Canadian timber houses erected by his Department; and what proposals he has to encourage the production of similar British-made houses.

The Canadian Government erected at its own expense six demonstration houses in the United Kingdom. A New Town Corporation is now negotiating with the Canadian Government for the erection of 170 houses for which it will pay in the normal way.Target costs will be set, based on the cost of providing comparable houses in traditional construction in the area concerned.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the present position regarding the shortage of cement in the areas of Hampshire and Dorset; and what steps he is taking to improve the position.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Poole, (Mr. Murton) on 26th July, 1965.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will exempt Northern Ireland from the licensing procedure for private construction projects.

The proposed legislation will not apply to Northern Ireland.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps he has taken to safeguard the future of the ancient earthworks on Gussage Down in Dorset.

I have made a Preservation Order under Section 11 of the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act, 1953, placing part of these earthworks under my continuing protection. The Order came into force on 27th July, 1965 and ensures that no work can be undertaken without my consent. It supersedes an Interim Preservation Notice which was made on 20th April 1964, when part of this important monument was threatened with destruction.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he has received the Report of the Committee on Agrément; and whether he will make a statement.

On 3rd February 1964 my predecessor announced the appointment of a Committee, under the chairmanship of Sir Donald. Gibson, my Director General of Research and Development, to investigate the need for arrangements, on the lines of the French Agrément System, to test materials, components and methods of building. The Committee has reported to me, and I am publishing its report today. Copies are now available in the Vote Office.The Committee recommends that a certification authority should be established to make reliable and independent assessments of innovations in the building field in order to encourage the spread of technological development in the building industry. The Government accepts this recommendation and proposes to set up for the purpose an independent body, managed by a board appointed by the Minister of Public Building and Works. The authority will test and assess innovations only at the request of their manufacturers. It will publish certificates giving the performance and characteristics of those which reach an acceptable standard. No publicity will be given to failures.With the agreement of my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Technology, the Building Research Station will undertake or arrange for the testing and assessment work on which the authority will base its decisions. Those decisions will however be the responsibility of the authority alone.The authority will charge manufacturers appropriate fees for its services. Some initial support will be supplied from public funds, but the Government intends that the authority should become self-supporting as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how much cement has been used up to 31st June at the Polaris base on the Gareloch; and how much was used in the month of June.

; 9,653 tons, of which 1,696 tons was used in the month of June.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance when she expects to bring before Parliament proposals for the provision of a guaranteed minimum income; and to what extent her plans in this connection have been affected by the recent cuts imposed on Government expenditure.

I cannot add to what was said by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his statement to the House on 27th July.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what would be the cost of providing old-age pension benefits for all those who, due to failure to opt into the 1948 Scheme, are at present deprived of benefit.

I do not know which particular group the hon. and gallant Member has in mind but the cost of providing standard rate pensions to all those people who have not paid the necessary contributions to qualify for them would be about £104 million in 1965–66, with an estimated saving of about £44 million in payments by the National Assistance Board.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance, following the deferment of the proposal for an incomes guarantee for retirement pensioners, what plans she has for helping non-contributory pensioners.

Non-contributory old-age pensioners whose pensions, together with any other resources they may have, are insufficient for their requirements receive supplements under the National Assistance scheme, which is available to assist all old people whether or not they are receiving a non-contributory pension or a retirement pension. The National Assistance Board and I are taking all practicable steps to make the scheme better known to all such people who may be entitled to but have not yet applied for assistance.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what is the estimated cost of the incomes guarantee.

This must depend on the nature and scope of the proposals.

asked the Minister of Health what proposals he has for the improvement of inspection of hospitals.

I have no proposals for changing the existing arrangements for the control and management of hospitals.

asked the Minister of Health how many regional hospital boards have established advice bureaux to assist in placing patients needing convalescent treatment.

One. Others have standing arrangements for assisting their hospitals to place these patients.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the practice in some hospitals of depriving elderly or mentally disordered patients of spectacles, dentures and hearing aids; and whether this practice is approved by him.

I regard it as essential that elderly or mentally disordered patients should be enabled to make the best use of their faculties by having proper spectacles, dentures and other aids when they need them. I deplore the practice of depriving patients of such aids which I am aware is still followed in a minority of hospitals and which can rarely be in the patient's own interest. I intend to issue guidance to hospital and local health and welfare authorities in due course.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what are the numbers of young chronic sick on long-stay in general wards, in young chronic sick units, and in contractual beds, respectively, in the age groups 16 to 35, 36 to 50, and 51 to 60;(2) how many young chronic sick are on waiting lists for geriatric wards, long-stay in general wards, young chronic sick units, and contractual beds, respectively for each Regional Hospital Board;(3) how many young chronic sick are on waiting lists for geriatric wards, long-stay in general wards, young chronic sick units, and contractual beds, respectively, in the age groups 16 to 35, 36 to 50, and 51 to 60;(4) what are the numbers of young chronic sick in geriatric wards and long-stay in general wards, respectively, for each Regional Hospital Board.

The numbers of young chronic sick in geriatric wards on 31st May, 1965 were:

asked the Minister of Health what guidance he is giving the regional hospital boards about the provi- sion of general practitioner beds in new district general hospitals.

No general guidance has been given to regional hospital boards who are responsible for local decisions in accordance with the needs of their areas. District general hospitals are intended to provide diagnostic, reference and other supporting facilities for general practice and in appropriate circumstances these may include access to beds.

asked the Minister of Health on what evidence he bases his estimate that only a small number of prescriptions are left uncollected at dispensing chemists.

The experience of a number of retail pharmacists and of a very large multiple firm.

asked the Minister of Health how many civil servants in his Department will be attached to management courses in automatic data processing techniques during the current year; and how many will attend such courses next year.

About 150 in 1965. Some of these will have attended more than one course. Figures for 1966 are not yet available, but the number is expected to be about the same.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement about the number of persons working in the National Health Service who are qualified in the management and operation of automatic data processing equipment.

Twenty-five are qualified in the management of computers and twelve in their operation. More are being trained to manage and operate computers which are on order.

asked the Minister of Health what feasibility studies he has initiated into the possibility of utilising automatic data processing equipment in the National Health Service.

Feasibility studies are in progress into the further use of automatic data processing equipment in the work of the hospital service, the Dental Esitmates Board and the Ministry's Health Service Superannuation and Statistics Divisions. Earlier studies have already resulted in the installation of computers and in orders for more. Further studies will be undertaken as necessary.

asked the Minister of Health what orders have been placed for the purchase of automatic data processing equipment for the National Health Service; what is the cost of each computer; for what purpose it will be used; and where it will be installed.

Three computers are on order within a price range between £75,000 and £130,000, and will be installed at Cockfosters, Liverpool and Cardiff. Six are already installed and other orders are contemplated. The equipment is used mainly for accounting and statistical work, but use for other purposes is being encouraged.

asked the Minister of Health what is the estimated population of England and Wales of the age groups 16 to 35, 36 to 50, and 51 to 60; and what proportion they form of the total population.

The Registrar-General's estimates for mid-1964 are as follows:

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of total National Health expenditure is spent on the mental health services.

So far as the cost of these services can be separately identified, about 12 per cent. of the total expenditure on health and welfare in England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Health how many whole-time consultants and part-time consultants, respectively, were employed in the National Health Service for the years 1959 and 1964.

Following is the information:

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of diphtheria in England and Wales have occurred among persons immunised against diphtheria in each year since 1955; how many deaths of immunised persons took place in each of these years; and what is the number of corrected notifications in each of these years.

The numbers are as follows:

asked the Minister of Health what population lives within 50 miles radius and 100 miles radius of the Severn Bridge.

About 4 and 17½ million persons respectively estimated in 1964.

asked the Minister of Labour whether grants under the Industrial Training Act, 1964, will be available for individuals taking courses in management and supervision.

The Construction, Engineering, Wool and Shipbuilding Industry Training Boards will pay grants to employers in respect of management and supervisory training approved by the Board; other Boards will no doubt be giving attention to this aspect of training in due course.

asked the Minister of Labour whether grants under the Industrial Training Act, 1964, will be available for individuals training to be shop stewards.

It is within the powers of an Industrial Training Board, if it so wishes, to submit to me proposals that it should pay grants in respect of courses for the training of shop stewards, employed in its industry.

asked the Minister of Labour what plans he has for supplementing skilled labour scarcities by encouraging the training of women workers.

It will be the responsibility of the Industrial Training Boards, as these are established, to see that sufficient men and women are trained to meet their industries' needs.

asked the Minister of Labour when he will receive the report of the Devlin Committee on Docks.

I received the Final Report of the Devlin Committee immediately after its signature on 28th July. I am arranging for it to be published next Thursday, 5th August as a Command Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the deterioration in the labour dispute at Falmouth Docks, he will institute a public inquiry into the situation.

Representatives of the Amalgamated Engineering Union have been invited to meet those of the Shipbuilding Employers Federation and of the company at my Ministry to discuss this dispute as a matter of urgency. In these circumstances, an inquiry is not appropriate.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now announce the names of the chairmen and members of the Ceramics, Glass and Mineral Products Industry Training Board.

The following persons have accepted my invitation to serve as Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Members of the Board:

asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of boys and girls, respectively, entered apprenticeships during the first six months of 1965; and what were the corresponding figures for 1964.

The figures for 1965 show a very encouraging increase in the proportion of boys gaining apprenticeships on first entering employment.The figures are:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has now ascertained the reasonable cost of carrying out on the Arcam Company's Clerkenleap site, near Worcester, such work as is necessary in the public interest to restore the site to pastoral use; and what is the figure.

My right hon. Friend has informed the Worcestershire County Council that he is prepared to reimburse the reasonable and necessary cost of carrying out works to restore the Arcam Company's Clerkenleap site to a pastoral use, in accordance with a specification submitted by them.The actual sum which would be payable would depend on the submission of accounts including full details and costings of the work carried out.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement on the progress made in the arrangements for restoring to pastoral use the Arcam Company's Clerkenleap site; whether the Company itself or the Worcestershire County Council will demolish the buildings; and when demolition will begin.

An effective enforcement notice has been served on Arcam Limited and the method of implementing it is a matter for the county council. My right hon. Friend has no statutory function in the matter beyond deciding how much of the cost of restoration may properly attract Exchequer re-imbursement under the Requisitioned Land and War Works Act, 1945.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is now able to announce his decision on the planning application at Sywell Aerodrome, Northampton, on which a public inquiry was held on 20th and 21st May last.

My right hon. Friend is at present considering the Inspector's report and he hopes to be able to announce his decision soon.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many schemes to make better provision for public recreation and leisure-time activities have now been submitted to him for approval by each of the London boroughs; and if, in reaching decisions, he will give special consideration to Clapham, where a high proportion of people live in large blocks of flats.

Details are shown in the attached list. But as my hon. Friend will be aware, from the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 27th July, loan sanction for projects of this kind cannot be given at the present time unless the circumstances are exceptional.London Borough and Scheme

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is satisfied that the terms of the Town and Country Planning Acts of 1947 and 1962 provide him and the home planning authorities with adequate powers to prevent the demolition of buildings of architectural or historic interest; and whether he will re-examine the methods by which lists of buildings are compiled and the degrees of protection accorded to listed buildings.

I have been examining all these problems: we are pressing on urgently to complete the issue of the statutory lists, but we shall also revise some lists to give more weight to groups of buildings of special interest.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) whether he will review the problem of tenants of prefabricated houses in the Broadhurst Park area, Moston, with a view to extending the time limit, which he has fixed, for demolition beyond 31st December, 1965;

These houses are built on an open space. The authorisation given to use Broadhurst Park for this purpose was extended until 31st December, 1965, by the Manchester Corporation Act, 1962. Neither my right hon. Friend nor the Corporation have power to give a further extension.My right hon. Friend has received no representations apart from those by my hon. Friend to which I replied on 29th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotand to what extent, outside the Western Isles, private contractors are now carrying on the work formerly done by direct labour under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture; and what plans he has to abandon direct labour and sell by auction the excavators owned by this Department.

Between 1961 and 1964 the proportion of grant-aided drainage schemes on the mainland of Scotland undertaken by my Department's machinery service fell from 38 per cent. to 17 per cent.As machines become redundant they are being advertised for sale and it is intended on completion of existing commitments to discontinue the Department's machinery service and dispose of all surplus plant and stores. I expect that disposal arrangements will be completed by the end of the current financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which roads in Scotland are to be covered by a 50 miles per hour restriction during the holiday period; and what steps he is taking to make this known to the public.

By an Order made on 25th June the following roads in Scotland were made subject to a 50 m.p.h. limit at weekends between Friday 2nd July, and Monday, 27th September.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses were completed in Scotland in the first six months of 1965; what were the comparable completions in the second half of 1964; and what the estimated completions will be in the second half of 1965.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the approximate percentage of Scotland which is not included in development areas; and what is the percentage of Scotland's population which resides and works in these areas.

Approximately 35 per cent. of Scotland by area lies outside the employment exchange areas currently scheduled as development districts. About one-quarter of Scotland's total population lives outside development districts, and a similar proportion of insured employees works there.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the decision was made to site the new headquarters of the Forestry Commission at Basingstoke.

The decision to move part of the headquarters of the Forestry Com-

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has authorised the continuance of the existing senior posts serving the Nature Conservancy; and whether he is satisfied that the Nature Conservancy can fully discharge its Charter responsibilities on the basis of the posts to be provided.

I have approved the proposals submitted to me by the Natural Environment Research Council for the senior Headquarters staff serving the Nature Conservancy. The next Director of the Nature Conservancy will be a scientist appointed at the upper level of the Chief Scientific Officer grade, the salary of which is £4,700 per annum. He

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many confirmed cases of diphtheria occurred in non-immunised and in immunised persons, respectively, in each year since 1955; and how many deaths have taken place in each such category in each year over the same period.

The figures are as follows:will be supported by two Deputy Directors, one of whom will be responsible for the organisation and planning of research and the other for conservation and management. The Deputy Director for Research will be a scientist at Deputy Chief Scientific Officer level, and the Deputy Director for Conservation and Management will be either a scientist at the same level or an administrator at Assistant Secretary level.These proposals were prepared by a Working Party of the Council representative of all interests and headed by the Chairman, Sir Graham Sutton; they were unanimously endorsed by the Council before submission to me; and they carry the full support of the Chairman of the Nature Conservancy, who is a member both of the Working Party and of the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many full-time students entered university insitutions for the first time in the faculty of medicine for the years 1958–59 and 1964–65; what is his estimate of the number of places available for 1965–66; and if he will make a statement.

In 1960–61 the entry was 2,020. The provisional entry for 1964–65 was 2,382, and a further 40 are expected in October, 1965. The figures for years before 1960–61 were compiled on a different basis and are not considered reliable.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make an inquiry into the way in which grants for further education are dealt with in the new London Borough of Barnet.

I am not aware of any special cases of difficulty which would justify such an inquiry. This would appear to be a matter for the local authority, but if my hon. Friend will give me the particulars, I shall be pleased to look into the matter further.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware that proprietary schools are denied the benefit of duty-free importation of scientific apparatus on the ground that such articles would be used for a substantially commercial purpose; and whether he will take steps to see that such discrimination should not be applied against private schools which have been approved by his Department.

Yes. The reason was explained by my hon. Friend, Minister of State at the Board or Trade in his reply to the hon. Member on 20th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what allocation of grants he made to foundations, trusts and other bodies for the training of management in the years 1963 and 1964.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent the Universities Building Programme will be affected by the Government's latest financial measures; and what the effect will be in Scotland in particular.

I would refer the hon. Member to what I said in the debate on 29th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the £400 millions a year reduction in arms expenditure means cutting annual expenditure from £2,100 millions to £1,700 millions, or if it means a £400 millions annual reduction in what would have been the expenditure if the projected growth had not been checked.

The latter. The previous Administration's plans would have resulted in expenditure of about £2,400 million (1964 prices) in 1969–70 and we intend to reduce this by £400 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the £100 million a year reduction in arms expenditure next year means reducing the total from £2,100 million to £2,000 million, or if it means a reduction in what would have been the total if the projected growth had been unchecked.

The latter.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what his plans are for arms expenditure in each year from 1965–66 to 1969–70, and for overseas military expenditure in each of those years.

We have announced our intention of reducing defence expenditure to £2,000 million (1964 prices) in 1969–70 and of obtaining a sizeable reduction in overseas military expenditure. Figures for the intervening years will depend on the implementation of decisions made in the course of the Defence Review.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will set up a Royal Air Force museum in the accommodation available at street level in the Mall.

No. I have today been informed by the Crown Estate Commissioners who own the accommodation that it is not available for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much foreign exchange is expended on the purchase of foodstuffs for the British Army of the Rhine.

Approximately £1 million a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will alter the present routine arrangements for notifying next of kin when fatal casualties occur in non-operational areas, so as to put their on a more personal basis and whether he will afford facilities for returning fatal casualties to England for burial if so desired, or give every assistance to next of kin to attend funerals overseas in such cases.

No. As I have explained to the hon. Member in a letter, the present arrangements for notifying next of kin are regarded as preferable for the bereaved to any other. Under normal conditions we bring back the bodies of deceased Service men from North-West Europe if the next of kin so wish or fly out two relatives to attend the funeral, but practical difficulties prevent our extending these arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will investigate the lack of co-operation and sympathy accorded to the parents of 24045230 Private L. E. J. Wallace, aged 17½ years, who was drowned in Aden in July, four days after his arrival.

I would refer the hon. Member to the letter I sent him. Under our normal rules everything possible was done to help Mr. and Mrs. Wallace in this tragic case.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are contemplated for the settlement of claims in respect of tortious acts of members of international headquarters and defence organisations when the International Headquarters and Defence Organisations Act, 1964, comes into operation.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary has informed the House that it is the intention of the Government to bring the Act into force and to ratify the Protocol on the Status of International Military Headquarters set up pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty 1952 (Cmd. 8687) in the near future. When this has been done arrangements which have been made for the settlement of claims will come into effect and a statement will be issued showing the nature and operation of these arrangements for the information of persons who may be concerned with them. A draft of this statement, which incorporates the arrangements already in being for Visiting Forces, is shown below. The date to be inserted in Part II paragraph 8 will be the date when the Headquarters Protocol enters into force for the United Kingdom.VISITING FORCES ACT 1952 AND INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND DEFENCE ORGANISATIONS ACT 1964.STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE IN PURSUANCE OF SECTION 9 (2) OF THE VISITING FORCES ACT 1952.The nature and operation of the arrangements made by the Secretary of State for Defence under section 9 of the Visiting Forces Act 1952 with regard to the settlement of claims against (1) Visiting Forces of the countries listed in the Schedule hereto and (2) International Headquarters or Defence Organisations designated for that purpose under the International Headquarters and Defence Organisations Act, 1964 are as follows:PART I(

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will exempt Northern Ireland from his restrictions on public capital expenditure and from the operations of the proposed licensing control.

I would think it right that Northern Ireland should be exempt to the same extent as the development districts in Great Britain, and I understand that the Northern Ireland Government whose responsibility this is share this view. The provision to exempt development districts from licensing control will also be relevant to Northern Ireland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent Northern Ireland will be exempt from his measures of 27th July.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to the hon. Member for Down, South (Captain Orr).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effect of his measures of 27th July on the public sector expenditure proposals contained in the Wilson Report on Northern Ireland.

I understand that progress towards implementation of the Wilson Report on Northern Ireland will not be affected by the measures I announced on 27th July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will extend the exemptions granted from his recent financial measures to areas which have consistently suffered from depopulation, as well as to development areas.

We have the problems of these areas very much in mind, but I do not think that they can be dealt with in the particular manner mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in addition to his cuts in Government expenditure in order to make the nation live within its income, he will also make use of the 10 per cent. regular which could increase Purchase Tax all round; how long his present cuts will be tried before this and other harsher restrictions are imposed; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the statement I made in the House on 27th July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that the balance of payments problem seems unconnected with the lives of ordinary people, if he will seek to organise an intense propaganda campaign on radio, Press and television to make the nation realise that its food and jobs depend upon their greater co-operation with Government action, and better, higher, and cheaper production; and if he will make a statement.

The importance of getting rid of the deficit on the balance of payments has been emphasised by members of the Government in countless interviews, articles, and appearances on radio and television. The provision of economic information to the public is co-ordinated by the Department of Economic Affairs who already issue a regular Bulletin: "Progress Report" and Broadsheets with a very wide circulation. These publications provide useful information in straightforward language indicating the practical ways in which members of the public can and should participate in the essential work that has to be done. Ways of expanding this information drive are under constant examination by that Department.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what United Kingdom tax will be borne after 5th April next by overseas residents on dividends from the United Kingdom.

We shall observe existing double taxation agreements, pending renegotiation where this is desirable. To deal with the case where a double taxation agreement is silent about the liability to Income Tax on dividends going overseas, I propose to introduce legislation in next year's Finance Bill to say that, pending renegotiation of these agreements, the liability of the overseas shareholders concerned shall not exceed the rate of tax which the other country could impose in the converse case under the agreement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) why letters on urgent matters affecting exports trade sent to him by a firm in the constituency of Tynemouth and asking for an interview, details of which have been sent to him, have remained without action since 23rd June;(2) what reply has been received from the General Federal Government to the representations made by his Department regarding the German regulations relating to the slaughtering of meat contained in a product produced for export in the constituency of Tynemouth.

The firm in question wrote to my right hon. Friend on 9th June. On the same day following a visit from a director of the firm a Note was sent by the British Embassy in Bonn co the German authorities, explaining that the firm's exports were being hindered by the application of the German Meat Inspection Law of 1940 and asking that the law be amended. The firm was informed of this action on 15th June and visited by one of my Export Officers on 21st June. It also received advice and help from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. No useful purpose would have been served by an interview in London and the firm was accordingly told on 23rd June, in reply to its letter to my right hon. Friend, that everything possible was being done to help. No reply has yet been received from the German authorities to the British Note, but we shall continue to press the case of this enterprising firm in the hope of securing a change in the Law for the benefit of our exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek power to enable him to ascertain the number, tonnage and cost of new ships ordered abroad by British shipping companies and oil companies; and if he will regularly publish the information so obtained.

Powers to collect information about orders placed by British companies exist under the Statistics of Trade Act, 1947. These powers are not used. Much information about orders placed abroad for new ships is already published in the Press.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the facts that imports of beverages in the first five months of 1965 cost £20,662,000 against £15,601,000 in the same period of 1964, and that English beer and Scottish whisky are adequate to meet the reasonable needs of most people, if he will now ban the import of all foreign beverages; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that the United Kingdom adverse trade balance was due largely to Great Britain buying £251 million more than was sold to the United States of America in 1964, and £260 million in the case of Canada, if he will restrict drastically all imports from North America, and from the other 17 countries which have large and persistent trade balances in their favour; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the effect that the Government's latest financial measures, in particular the hire-purchase restrictions, are likely to have on the Scottish motor manufacturing industry.

I regret that it is not possible to make an accurate estimate of the kind requested.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress he has made in his consideration of the practice of selling magazines by using students to call on householders, of which the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury has sent him details; and what action he will take to prevent it.

The investigations into this matter by the Metropolitan Police to which I referred in reply to a Question by the right hon. Member for Chislehurst (Dame Patricia Hornsby-Smith) on 10th December last are still continuing.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that in 1939 approximately 61,000 new goods vehicles were registered in this country and in 1964 approximately 230,000; and what were the approximate corresponding figures for Northamptonshire, excluding Northampton.

No figure is available for 1939, but the number for 1938 was 265, compared with 68,000 for Great Britain, and that for 1964 was 1,584.

asked the Minister of Transport what directions he has given to the Transport Holding Company to extend the nationalised sector of the road haulage industry; what extensions have taken place since October last; and what further extensions are planned.

On the first part of this Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave to the hon. Members for Worcester (Mr. Peter Walker) and Norfolk, Central (Mr. Ian Gilmour) on 20th January.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the traffic problems in Banbury; when he proposes to start work on a by-pass; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I agree that a by-pass is needed. Its inclusion in my trunk road programme will be considered when the programme is next extended.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the total value of road schemes to be commenced in the present and each of the next two years, the starting dates of which will be postponed by six months.

I cannot indicate the value of road schemes which will be affected by the postponement until I have reviewed the schemes due to start over the next few months for which contracts have not yet been signed and decided which shall be postponed and for how long.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he now intends to alter the relative priority of schemes in the five-year road programme; and whether all will be uniformly deferred by six months, apart from those specifically excepted altogether.

There is no question of deferring all the schemes in the five- year programme by six months. But clearly the postponement of some schemes which would otherwise have started in the next few months is bound to have some effect on relative priorities. I will be able to rearrange the programme when I have completed my review of which schemes should be postponed and for how long.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the average period between the signature of a contract for a road project and the starting date.

About a month.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give instructions that a pedestrian phase be introduced into the traffic control signals at Roehampton Lane-High Street-Danebury Avenue, in accordance with undertakings given by the London County Council to the Metropolitan Borough of Wandsworth, in view of the need to provide for the safety of pedestrians, especially of elderly people and children, at this crossing.

The Greater London Council, as highway authority for Roehampton Lane, are responsible for the traffic control signals which came into operation at this junction on 16th July. I understand that they have the junction under study and will keep the needs of pedestrians in particular in mind. The equipment installed would permit the introduction of a pedestrian phase if required.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give details of the request he has received from the London Transport Board for capital sanction for the extension of the Northern Line from Clapham to Wandsworth and Roehampton; and when the work is expected to be completed.

I have received no such request.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will increase from £10 to £20 the limit which can be withdrawn on demand from Post Office Savings Banks.

No. Raising the limit of demand withdrawals would too greatly increase losses by fraud.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will review the present size and weight limits of the parcel post service so as to bring them into line with Continental practice, thus reducing exporters' costs.

I am currently reviewing the weight and size limits for overseas parcels in consultation with organisations representing the various interests concerned.In reaching conclusions I shall take account of the points made by the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will now make a statement of policy, following the publication of the Report and Accounts.

Yes. The Report and Accounts published last week underline two important and inter-connected problems facing the Post Office.One is the likelihood of continuing financial and manpower difficulties on the postal side; and the other is the essential difference in character between posts and telecommunications.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the estimated cost of installing an automatic internal dialling system in the Palace of Westminster; and whether, to relieve existing pressure on the present switchboard, he will give consideration to installing such a system.

I cannot give a close estimate of cost without a detailed design study but it would probably be of the order of £50–80,000. The question of installing such a system is a matter for the authorities of both Houses.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will review the arrangements he has made with British European Airways at London Airport with a view to improving the time-keeping of the passenger aircraft on the London-Belfast route and so ensuring that the return flights from Aldergrove Airport in County Antrim are not delayed; and if he will make a statement.

I am not clear to what arrangements of mine the hon. Member refers, since, as he must know, the responsibility for the punctual departure of services and adherence to flight schedules is essentially one for airline management.

asked the Minister of Aviation why the name of Northern Ireland has been omitted from the new destination board at No. 2 domestic passenger entrance at London Airport, while it is still retained on the arrivals board at the arrivals annexe.

For the sake of brevity and clarity we are standardising on the term "United Kingdom", which covers Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The sign on the arrivals board at the arrivals annexe will shortly be brought into line.